happy home: spring scents

What comes with spring? Spring cleaning, fresh blooms and brighter home decor. This weekend, I gave my happy home a deep scrub - dusting every nook and cranny, rearranging the too-many-to-count assortment of candles on my coffee table, and of course, picking up a few tulips from the market to give my place a pop of color. To add the final touch of "girly girl", as my main squeeze calls it, I spritzed the clean and oh so lovely scent of Bergamot and Ocean Aria, one of the room fragrances I recently received from Antica Farmacista. Fresh saltwater notes with hints of soft jasmine and lavender bring a tranquil mood to my happy home. Immediately, I was in my "zen" zone. 

(Thanks, Antica Farmacista for the Happy Home goodies!) 

My New Favorite Room Fragrance: Bergamot and Ocean Aria

If you're more of a citrus lover, Antica Farmacista has other scents to choose from such as Grapefruit or Lemon, Verbena and Cedar that give a more zesty smell. Or if you like me, I like to mix up scents based on the room... i.e. play up a more perky, happy scent in the bathroom to wake me up in the morning when I get ready for the day.

Currently in my powder room is the Ala Moana Home Ambience Perfume. It's a crisp, clean floral scent that reminds me of a little tropical oasis. My main squeeze is a huge fan of this scent and immediately noticed it when he stopped by this afternoon.

Ala Moana on my vanity in the bathroom. 

The best thing about the Ala Moana Home Ambience Perfume I received is that it's basically fragrance diffuser! Notice the little sticks pointing out of the bottle? As the weather gets warmer, you know that the last thing you'll want to do is light candles to bring an inviting scent to your home. Also, Febreeze can sometimes smell a little like a doctor's office... So I'll just leave those aerosol sprays for them. Keeping it cool and fresh is the way to go this season, and this diffuser is the perfect little trick for that. Also, how cute is that little antique-looking apothecary bottle? Absolutely adorbs and such a cute way to dress up the bathroom decor. 

How are you bringing spring into your happy home?

Share your ideas below!

xoxo

Antica Farmacista was established in 2003, as the first company to introduce the home ambiance reed diffuser in the U.S. Antica was built on the founders' philosophy of "whether for the home or body, each and every one of  us should have a signature scent that tells our own personal story". Antica fragrances can be purchased at domestic retail partners: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel and approximately 900 boutiques throughout the US.

Disclosure: Products and samples were provided by Antica Farmacista. As always, all opinions expressed are my own! 

chop it off: a new haircut for spring

Next month, get ready to say goodbye to my long locks! I absolutely can't wait to meet up with my favorite Gene Juarez girls and get my new hairdo. To welcome in spring with a fresh look, we're going to snippity snip my hair into a long bob.

My stylists have been pushing for this shorter look for about 6 months now, and finally, I'm starting to see why it all makes sense. I've never really been daring or wild when it came to styling my hair. I've always had long hair for as long as I could remember. The shortest it's ever been was right under my shoulders, and the only bright colors I've ever gotten done were my recent balayage. 

With that said, this new haircut come March will definitely be one for the books. Beyond thrilled, I've been pinning looks to get some inspiration and more direction for this new look. 

Here our a few of my favorites below:

What do you think of the long bob?

Are you sporting a new hairdo this spring? Share with me in comments below!

xoxo

tulle.

Yes, it's still winter... and being in Seattle means the countless days of rainboots and trenches. BUT soon and so very soon, spring fashion will make its way to the pavement. One of my favorite trends is tulle. Dresses, skirts, hair pins - it don't matter. It's pretty, and I want it everywhere. Today I share five ways to wear tulle in an everyday outfit. 

(1) casual chic by slouchy sweater. To offset the poufy-ness of a full tulle skirt, pair it with a slouchy cashmere sweater and a top knot. Extra points if it's a got a little Frenchie on it.

(2) blazer and ballet flats ensemble. For a sharper and more professional look - a shrunken blazer and ballet flats can make tulle a bit more appropriate for the office. Layered strands of pearls and a glittery brooch can add some extra pizzaz, too. 

(3) hair pins. Who says you have to actually wear a skirt to incorporate tulle in your outfit? Hair pins or headbands could use the extra frill. Here are two of my favorite picks for hair accessories: 

tulle pom headband via anthropologie ($28) | tulle rosette hair clips via forever 21 ($1.80)

(4) statement necklace. Add just a touch of delicate elegance with a beautiful, bejeweled necklace to dress up a little black dress or make a striped t-shirt + skinny jean ensemble a little more feminine. As much as I'm in love with Anthro's Tulle Tendril Bib necklace... I unfortunately don't think I'll be spending $400+ on that... so either I suggest DIYing it via Stripes & Sequin's tutorial (see bottom of post) or opting for a more budget-friendly tulle necklace from Forever 21(here). Being a crafter, I think I'm going to try and DIY it... cross 'em fingers that it turns out all right!

(5) dressed up denim. Take a simple chambray top to the next level with a sugar plum fairy tutu. Glittery shoes, bows and grosgrain ribbon... preppy meets urban with baubles and pouf.

For some Pinterest inspiration - see below for a few of my favorite pins of this fun, ballerina-like look.

And of course... I had to share with you how I wore my new tulle skirt! 

Yes... it is a child's skirt... size 14 to be exact... being petite has its perks?

Paired with a chambray top (similar here), turquoise baubles, a J.Crew glittered belt and Sam Edelman gold-tassel pumps... I'm obsessed with how this bright tutu fancied up this outfit. Arm candy courtesy of Mama Nguyen and my main squeeze. 

Props to my teammate @konradpalubicki for snapping these shots at the office!

For more tulle-fun, visit one of my favorite bloggers, Stripes & Sequins! I love this outfit of hers - see how she pairs a manifesto tshirt and glitter bow heels with her lovely champagne-colored tulle skirt. Also, if you're looking for a weekend project, she also features an Anthro-inspired bib necklace DIY. 

So, what's the verdict... will you wear tulle?

Transitioning into Spring with Cuffed Denim

[1] cuffed denim

As the weather gets warmer (keep 'em fingers crossed), I'm beginning to transition my wardrobe into the next season. In a previous post, I raved about the brights and neons - must haves for spring. No worries, if you haven't picked up a pair of cobalt blue pants or red trousers! Another trend I'm currently digging is one that you don't have to go spending a dime. Spruce up an outfit by cuffing a pair of your favorite skinnys. Dark wash, skinny jeans - cuffed at the bottom and paired with ballet flats or pumps can dress up or down your outfit. Comfy casual or chic, roll' em up. 

Below are some of my favorite ways to wear cuffed denim [inspired by Pinterest]:

[2] cuffed bright blue denim, nude pumps, oversized belt, boyfriend v-neck tee,
black blazer and a bright clutch; comfy and perfect for casual fridays

[3] cuffed skinnys for date night
paired with ruby red pointed-toe patent pumps,
polka-dotted silk button-up blouse and an embellished clutch

[4] cuffed and paired with oxfords
ideal upper half of outfit
oversized creme oxford, belted in a knot
oversized cable-knit cardigan and slouchy satchel

[5] distressed, boyfriend fit denim
casual, striped knit sweater with
an over-the-shoulder vintage crossbody
pops of purple, T-strapped pumps

Bust a Bright.

March is finally here! It's time to trade some of those heavy, down-puffer jackets for bright colored denims, chiffon blouses and a pair of wedges.

To kick-off spring, here are 10 of my favorite 2012 looks inspired by my Style Me Pretty pinterest board:

[1] bright cobalt blue with big bird yellow, primary colors

[2] chambray shirt and pink denim, bright colored denim is all the rage
pink, reds, kelly green and bright blue... I want them all.

                                          

[3] sock buns, the knot, casual and chic

[5] hot pink, scallop edged, high-waisted shorts


[6] bright yellow, chiffon, pleated maxi skirt

Unfortunately, Seattle weather makes it hard for us fashionistas to sport the latest looks such as scallop-edged shorts and flowy chiffon maxis.

In the meantime while we wait for some sunshine, cute ways to transition the wardrobe include mixing up neon accessories with that fur vest, pairing bright colored jeans with a neutral turtleneck and cardi combo... and my favorite, a floral print skirt with a chunky oversized knit sweater, belted and finished with tights and boots.

Check out these great looks for ways to transition into spring:

[7] bright crewneck sweater with fur and layered necklaces
classy, trendy and embraces the season

[8] all-season nautical stripes with multi-colored scarf

brush-stroke washed scarves give a soft look to the bold, dark stripes

[9] rolled up denim, nude pumps, bright yellow button up with camel tweed jacket

classic and chic, work attire, saturday afternoon, let's grab lunch outfit

[10] coral lips, red lips, pink lips
brightly colored lips are all the rage. loves.
another reason why I just absolutely adore lipstick.