Gift Guide: On the Go

Little luxuries while you are on the move can make a trip so much better. Especially when you are reminded of the lovely person who gifted it to you. Whether for work or play, here are some gift ideas for the girl that is always hopping on a plane. 

1. A super soft cape to keep warm on a flight. I want this for every day! 

2. A travel kit that includes everything you need and TSA approved. 

3. The prettiest jewelry case with smart design inside to keep her baubles safe and organized. 

4. A gorgeous agenda so she always remembers important meetings and your birthday. 

5. Fancy, sparkly earbuds so she can binge watch on the plane in style. 

6. A face mist that smells amazing and makes her skin glow. Every French girl swears by it. 

7. A weekender bag that will fit everything and still fit in the overhead (also comes in an overnight size, this backpack would be cool too)

8. Rosé gummies to snack on with her wine. 

9. A bluetooth speaker for her hotel room and to listen to tunes poolside. (this one is also great)

Other Gift Guides: 

I Need A New...

Beauty

xo

Erin 

Series: Can't Live Without

Thank you for all the positive response to this new series. It is so fun to share what is making people's day/week/month go round. This weekend I am headed off to a weekend in Scottsdale with girls that I can't believe I live without so much! I hope your weekend is filled with Fall favorites and girlfriend time too. 

Five more great ladies up next… 

A Southern girl through and through, who loves a dance party and her sweet little girl...

1. Cloth & Stone Chambray Dress (similar here)

2. Tory Burch Caroline Flats

3. Rodan + Fields Reverse Regime

4. Starbucks Classic Oatmeal and Grande NonFat Vanilla Latte

5. Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious Shampoo and Conditioner

A total girl's girl who loves the great outdoors, prank calls, and her two lab pups...

1. Chanel Brightening Moisturizer 

2. Starbucks Soy Latte

3. Dyson Vacuum

4. Hiking or Crossfit 

5. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color 

A girl who has great wit and grace while being an attorney, Mom of the cutest toddler and newborn babe, and stellar friend...

1. Narcos

2. Clarins Bright Plus HP Repair Night Cream

3. Any novel by Dominick Dunne

4. Champagne

5. The color greige

The lady that kills it at work and with her family, then meets you for drinks and you could talk for days...

1. All Clad Slow Cooker

2. Soulcycle

3. Lord Huron iTunes Radio Station

4. Freeman Pinot Noir

5. DHC Lip Cream

A Mom of two gorgeous little babes who has a passion for family and friends that is contagious and oh so sweet...

1. My Babies!

2. YSL Voluminous Shocking Mascara

3. Little Giraffe Throw Blanket

4. Pumpkin Cupcake Candle 

5. Amazon Prime

xo

Erin 

Let's Head West

Western influenced clothes always pop on on the Fall runways. Be it in the shape of a boot, the stitching on a jean, or the flop of a hat, everyone likes a little cowboy when the temperatures start to drop. Below are some great options to incorporate into your closet as well as your man's this Fall. 

And for those of you that need to go full blown outlaw for the upcoming Barn Dance benefiting Women's and Infant's Services at Advocate Good Shepard Hospital, I have put together full looks to get your two step on in style. The event is being held at The Barn next to Advocate Good Shepard Hospital in Barrington on Saturday, October 17th at 6:30pm. You can purchase tickets here, it is going to be a great time. 

Overalls can seem extra 1997, but the new styles like these from Madewell are cut so well and flattering. Would sport them anytime. This flannel by Paige would also go great with skinnies all Fall long. A rugged cross body bag is a fun alternative addition to errand running. 

A tucked in denim shirt looks so fun with this suede fringe skirt. I also love the touch of turquoise in these earrings. The Frye boots have just a touch of cowgirl to them, but could be worn with anything. 

I have three denim dresses on heavy rotation right now. The perfect Fall staple and this option from the Gap is a nice color. Pairing it with a pretty scarf and turquoise belt Obsessed with these suede boots. The color and shape are perfect. 

You can do denim on denim, ladies. A dark wash denim shirt tucked into this medium wash mini skirt is so fun. A fringed cashmere poncho (comes in other colors) is now at the top of my wish list. And these short suede boots are easy on, easy off for running out the door. 

Can't forget the boys… 

When you add cowboy boots to a classic flannel and his favorite jeans, suddenly you swoon a bit more. Just add this belt buckle to go full cowboy. 

Loving this dark wash denim shirt with some worn in thin cords. These boots are just a nod to Western and could be worn all season. And a classic white cowboy hat, hellloooo. 

xo

Erin 

Gift Guide 2014: Lovely & Lounging

We all like to feel pampered once in awhile. Especially me. That could come from a beauty product, a blow out, or a silky cami. What ever it is, it has to feel luxurious and make me feel great. Here are some gift options that any girl would love to feel relaxed or gorgeous, and hopefully both. 

1. It is time for an iron upgrade for those fancy curls you have been sporting. T3 $130

2. A lace lined romper in the softest fabric is perfect for cozying up in bed. Journelle $84

3. This smells like heaven. If heaven was a tropical island filled with coconuts and frosty drinks. The perfect body wash or bubble bath. Philosophy $17

4. Because everyone needs a little fur in their life. Even if it is just on their slippers. Ted Baker $104

5. These scream "let's cuddle by the fire and drink wine." J. Crew $69

6. Practical, super soft, and makes anyone feel grown up in a good way. Eberjay $97

7. As far as hand cream goes, this is a total splurge, but I swear it is magic. And this one is for a great cause. La Mer $45

8. I put this on every year, but if you do not have it, you need it. Clarsonic $99

9. Sometimes slippers are not that cute, but feel like a warm hug.  J. Crew $49

xo

Erin 

Other gift guides: 

Girl on the Go

Classic Shoes

Cozy Sweaters

Wise Words From Garance Dore

illustration: Garance Dore

I have long been a huge fan of Garance Dore. She is a French blogger and artist living in New York. Her style, quick wit, and true honesty towards everything from the perfect lipstick to weight gain keeps her at the top of my daily reads list. She recently weighed in on the ever on going conversation of how  we as women can "have and do it all!" 

While I am a huge fan of girl bosses everywhere and support every lady on this planet to be every bit the person that she dreams of being, sometimes we can find success in not the ladders we are climbing, children we are bearing, and calendars we are filling, but in the quiet solace and happiness of just living. Garance shares such a great perspective of this in this post. 

No one is harder on you than you. As women we feel inadequacies in even the smallest of actions and most of the time we are the only ones paying attention. Having it all or doing it all or whatever that even means is just another way to be hard on ourselves. Because there is no "all." There is just your life and the way you want to live it. And no one's life is like yours, which is what makes it so wonderful. 

Cheers to the weekend and the way you choose to spend it. You always have a fan in me, whatever you plan on doing. Or not do. 

xo

Erin 

PS: I am such a novice and could not for the life of me figure out how to get the accent above the e in Dore! Can someone please tell me how to do this from Safari??

The Reductress

If you are or have ever been a fan of the The Onion, meet the new "she" version that is honestly freaking hilarious. The Reductress is stocked with sartorial articles that you know are based off real information that is so ridiculous, it might just be the next new thing in parenting/dating advice/marriage counseling/celebrity gossip/etc. 

It is the perfect online distraction. Check out the article my friend, Courtney, wrote. The entire site is written by women who clearly can see that the online content for women is insanity and crazy easy to make fun of. But in a really smart way. Love it. 

xo

Erin 

Weekend at Barbie's

Sometimes something online just makes you smile. And how could you not at this dream house in Santa Monica. 

This is the house of Ruth Handler, the founder of Barbie. It was her real life dream house until her death in 2002. Even well into her later years, the woman was living the life of her beloved doll in this bubble gum pink and purple beach house. 

How fun would a girls weekend in this house be? Everyone packs with Barbie in mind and your suitcase is full of pink, sparkle, lace, pastels, girlie prints and that fun loving spirit that only she could inspire. If only...

1. Wide leg pants by J. Crew $85

2. Hot pink fit and flare with gold belt Asos $202 (obsessed)

3. White and floral print bikini Mara Hoffman $195

4. Sweater dress Heidi Merrick $218

5. Ribbon flats by Melissa + Jason Wu $108 (obsessed)

6. Bib necklace in fun colors by Adia Kibur $50

7. Louise Grey sequin tank dress Topshop $350

8. Metallic and lace skater dress Topshop $82

9.  Lace back romper Topshop $92 (obsessed)

10. Retro bikini Topshop $64

11. Ikat print cover up Topshop $68

12. Envelope clutch J. Crew $98 (obsessed)

13. Nude patent bow wedges by Prada $510

14. Ruffle skirt Topshop $64

15. Essie Forget Me Nots $8

16. Oversized cat eye glasses by Stella McCartney $225 (obsessed)

What would you pack? 

xo

Erin 

Grown Up Back to School

This time of year I get a bit jealous of kids going back to school. Though it was always sad to have summer over, the anticipation of a new year and the newness of your next grade was always fun. I really loved high school and would do it all over again. I would love to repeat more so that I could enjoy it even more and not worry about that nonsense that keeps you from truly enjoying the present. 

So at the risk of being totally cliche and posting about Back to School looks, I really just found some fun pieces to bring us back. Just a little. 

Striped notepads from Kate Spade ($12)

Warby Parker ($95) specs (wish I never got Lasik, so I could have these)

School bus Yellow Cambridge Satchel Company ($135) 

Minty Nike running shoes ($153)

Sequin running shorts from TopShop ($120) 

The lovely Garance Dore for Kate Spade iPhone cover ($40)

Coated sleeved fitted denim jacket by J Brand ($260)

Illustrated city calendar from Anthropologie ($24)

White rubber and gold watch from eWatches ($139)

xoxo

Erin 

Gift Guide 2011: Beauty Edition

Over the next week or so I will share some gift guides with you to help with your search for the perfect gifts for your loved ones and great ideas to add to your wish list. Sometimes it is hard to put your finger on what you actually want this holiday season and asking people can be tough. 

We start here with beauty finds that any girl would love. From some practical essentials to a few luxurious finds, I have tested all of them and can say that these are some of the best of the best.  

1. Clarisonic Mia Best beauty "gadget" that really works

2. & 3. Kiehl's Amino Acid shampoo and conditioner with coconut oil, smells amazing

4. Nars Yorokobi Super Orgasm Set, best overall shade in blush, gloss and polish

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Rainbow Cosmetic Case

6. Hammocks and High Tea Dobb Kit

7. MoroccanOil, smells amazing and leads hair super soft and frizz free

8. Chanel No.5, classic and girlie

9. L'Occitane shea butter hand balm, perfect stocking stuffer

10. Bliss Triple Oxygen Trio, bring the ultimate facial home

11. Mason Pearson Brush, natural bristles for super shiny hair

12. Emi-Jay hair ties, lots of fun colors and do not pull your hair out 

13. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum, high potency with maximum anti-aging power

14. Kiehl's Creme de Corps, luxurious and worth every penny

15. Beekman Lump of Kohl, all natural cleanser and a fun twist for the holidays

So many fun products out there and I would love any of these in my stocking to keep me looking (or trying to look) great in 2012. 

xo

Erin 

Travel Guide: Las Vegas

Putting a travel guide for Las Vegas together is like asking someone to narrow down their list of favorite places that serve french fries. It is a town filled with so many things to do, see, and eat that there is no way to cover it all. I plan on sharing a few places that I loved on my last trip to this crazy town. I am also going to include a few suggestions from trusted friends who are fun and have great taste. All I can say about Vegas is that it is like no other place on the planet. Some people love it, others loathe it. The key to a great time is figuring out what kind of time you want to have. The type of time that has you sleeping all day and partying all night or the type where bedtime is before sunrise and you see the city beyond your hotel window. Either way, have a great time and I hope some of these suggestions become a few of your favorite places.

Erin's Picks

STAY

Wynn or Encore Hotels
            The Tower Suites are amazing and give you some great perks. All the decor is gorgeous and fun.
TheHotel at Mandalay Bay
            It has nice big suites with a modern feel and you don't have to walk through the casino to access        
            your room.

EAT
Carnevino at The Palazzzo
             A Mario Batali restaurant with great big steaks, fantastic pasta, and delicious antipasta selection.
Rao's at Ceasar's Palace
             Big portions and the best seafood salad I have ever had. This place is really fun with a big group
Tao at the Venetian
              Small portions of every Asian style food you love. It turns into a club after dinner.
Bouchon Bakery at The Venetian
              Not the easiest place to find, but has the best macaroons I have had outside of Paris.
Botero at the Encore
              Sexy atmosphere with an outdoor patio. Classic menu of steaks, seafood, and great sides

PLAY:
Casino at the Hard Rock Hotel
              There is a big bar right in the middle, so you feel like you are not just at a casino.
Casino at The Wynn
              By far the nicest casino in Vegas. No riff-raff here and a huge sport book to watch your team.
The Shoppes at the Palazzo
              There are plenty of places to spend all your winnings. Including Christian Louboutin & Chloe
The Bank at the Bellagio & Tryst at the Wynn
               Great places to boogie and stay up late.
Pool at the Hard Rock Hotel
               Reserve a cabana and be prepared for lots of cocktails. Perfect for Bachelors or Bachlorettes

More Suggestions from Friends:

STAY:
Palms Place at the Palms Casino
Aria in City Center  (Great shopping here too)

EAT:
Beso Las Vegas at City Center
STK at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
M&M Soul Food off the Strip
Michael's at South Point Casino

PLAY:
Marquee at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
Craps Tables at the Bellagio
Shopping at City Center

xo
Erin