Tees & Stripes

Black and Whites stripes are all the rage right now.  One problem I have heard many ladies encounter is how to wear them.  I got these striped jeans at "Bee Hive" a local boutique and thought they would go brilliantly with my Celine tee that my husband and I bought while visiting Paris last month.  Celine stores are a dime a dozen over there and full of everything beautiful!!!  I saw this tee and had to have it since it's so versatile and so incredibly soft!

I paired the jeans with this tee for the obvious reason that it too is black and white.  Then I put it with a bunch of gold and black jewelry and voila!  I have also seen these jeans with flowy white tops and pops of color.  A lot of girls are wearing them with neons, if you have some…go for it.  I am a pretty conservative dresser and neon is not a color that I have a plethora of in my wardrobe.  This outfit is about as edgy and "hip" as it gets for me!  Although, I have started to wear knuckle rings, which to me is super edgy!  It's important to step slightly outside of your comfort zone when pulling together the perfect ensemble.  However, if you are too uncomfortable, you won't carry yourself with the confidence it takes to pull it off and you will seem as awkward as you feel!  I don't ever leave the house until my gut tells me it's a good choice.  I'm a fashion weirdo!

Tee: Celine Paris

Jeans: Bee Hive

We forgot to shoot a close up of my necklaces so here they are off the neck!

Necklaces: Gold/Black Necklace, Zara and the Gold Wolf Necklace, Nordstrom

Watch: Michele

Bangles: David Yurman

Purse: Prada

Nail Polish Color: Butter "Trout Pout"

Ring with stones: Kendra Scott

Knuckle Ring: Nordstrom

Bangle: Hermes

 Shoes: Christian Louboutin "Rolando" black patent pumps

Xoxo,

B

Queen of Versailles & Maison Chanel

Today we woke up early to go visit Versailles.  It was quite the place.  Seeing the Hall of Mirrors in person was really neat.  They are restoring the fountains and a portions of the Palace.  I honestly could have done the gardens alone and skipped the inside!

Our main reason for going was to ride bikes through Versailles.  That was worth the trip alone.  The weather was warm and sunny.  Not a cloud in the sky!  It was like something out of a dream!  Drinking champagne and enjoying a picnic on the great lawns of this grand palace!

You may recognize my dress?!  I'm all about repeating outfits,  just switching up the jewelry or shoes.  Even just changing your hair can change the look of an entire ensemble.  Last time you saw me in this I dressed it up for our restaurants opening.  This time I wore my cork peep toe flats and a cardigan with my hair half up.  It changed the look entirely.  It couldn't have been a better outfit for visiting such a grand place (in my humble opinion;))  I wanted a timeless look with a touch of class!  I may wear it again in Monaco,  I'm on a lengthy vacation and options are getting slim at this point!!

Sunnies: Chanel

Clutch: Christian Louboutin

Cardigan: J Crew

Dress: Moulinette Soeurs

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Now can we please get to the BEST part of our day (for me)?!  I got to go to the House of Chanel.  Here,  I am photographed sitting on the famous steps up that go to the second floor of her apartment!  She walked up and down these steps every day!  Pretty freaking spectacular getting to pose on them like the great Mademoiselle Coco Chanel!!!  A little history lesson,  when Chanel first began,  she was a hat maker.  The House of Chanel is the same place it was when she first began: 31 Rue de Cambon!!

This is a picture of the Happiest girl in the world!!! :-)  

After this,  we walked to three different Cafés and had a glass of Bordeaux.  Then enjoyed a break in the shade on some lush green grass.  Now we are back at the hotel about to grab dinner.  Tomorrow,  we head to Nice (the South of France)!  Our Tour de France officially commences at 6 AM! Au Revoir!

XOXO,
B

30 in Paris

Yesterday was my 30th birthday....what a day!!

I felt as though I was dreaming,  everything went flawlessly,  even my favorite songs played on the radio while I was getting ready!

Unfortunately I didn't get a single good picture of a full outfit on my phone yesterday!  I was too distracted by the many things going on.

We started the day off with room service overlooking the Eiffel Tower.  Then we went shopping,  directly across the street from our hotel (The Plaza Athenée) the street is lined with high end fashion, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Valentino...the list goes on!  Then we wandered over to Champs-Élysées,  this is the road with the Arc de Triumph.  On this road is one of my favorite sweet stops...Ladurée!  It was a destination on our list for sure! OMG,  so delicious and beautiful.

Then we walked over to find my Aunts old apartment, which is right across from the Arc, she lived here about 10 years ago. 

There's Chris posing in a picture for her.  From here we walked over to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.  This street is known as being one of the most fashionable streets in the world.  It has the top designers of the world: Christian Louboutin, Dior, Lanvin, Chanel...the list goes on! 

After that we worked up a hefty appetite and had lunch at a chic Parisian spot called L'Avenue right by our hotel!  Holy poached Salmon,  that place was delicious.

Then we came back to the room and took an afternoon nap.  It was much needed after all of the walking and staying up late the night before :)! 

Then I woke up and got ready for my birthday dinner.  Luckily it was a good hair and makeup day,  I needed it to be for my birthday ensemble!

Again,  I didn't get a full body shot on my phone, but you can get the idea:

Earrings: Chanel

Necklace: J Crew

Dress: Ted Baker

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Clutch: Christian Louboutin

I'll post a better picture once I arrive back in the states.  

We hoped into a car and it took us right over to the Eiffel Tower where we were met by an employee of the restaurant.  We were then escorted to a private elevator and taken up to the top to enjoy our dinner at Le Jules Verne. It was the BEST meal of my life.  It even tops French Laundry in my book!  The view was breathtaking and every thing from the wine, to the service to the food was perfection!  We took this picture when we were leaving the restaraunt...

After dinner we came back to the hotel and had another glass of wine in the hotels ultra chic corridor.  

We retired to our room and enjoyed a few laughs and more wine!  The wine here is so good but I never seem to get typsy, it's the strangest thing!  So that was my perfect 30th birthday.  It was such a milestone birthday that could not have been celebrated in any better way for me! 

We're off to explore the city! Bonjour!

Xoxo,
B

Dressing for the Occasion

My husband and I went to the special viewing party for our new Mexican restaurant last night.  That being said, please excuse any typos or sentences that just don't make sense, I am a bit worn out today!

When dressing for an occasion such as these, there is a fine line between being over dressed and under dressed.  I was perusing through Anthropologie a couple of months back and stumbled upon this gem!  I saw it and knew immediately that it was what I needed for this particular event.

First off, green is my favorite color of all time.  Secondly, the floral print had that Mexican flare I was looking for on this occasion.  It was a very lady like, timeless length, which I love.  On to my FAVORITE part of this dress...it has pockets!!!!!!  Holy moly, you better believe that this dress is being packed for our Eurotrip next week.  I think I will pair it with my cork flats and do a low chignon to walk through Versailles or Monaco, all whilst having my hands in said pockets!

Anyway, I paired this casual yet chic dress with a pair of heels, an evening clutch, a festive Spanish style side chignon and voila.  Not too dressy and not too casual.

Now can we please talk about how perfect my gorgeous husband looks?  Although, I am a bit biased since I styled him myself.  It's Southern gentleman mixed with the East Coast prep.  Love everything about this outfit,  I would be perfectly happy if he wore this every day!!

On Me...

Earrings: Kendra Scott

Dress: Anthropologie, Moulinette Soeurs

Clutch: Christian Louboutin

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

On Chris...

Sport Coat: Bonobos

Dress Shirt: Armani

Pocket square: Nordstrom

Belt: Salvatore Ferragamo

Pants: Bonobos

Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo

Here is a close up of my makeup and it gives you a good idea of how my hair was done.  Nothing too fancy, just fun.  This precious pup is not mine, we are dog sitting him.  He makes the picture though!

Hair: Blo Dry Bar

Makeup Artist: Texas de la Rosa

Xoxo,

B