Inspired Style

I seek style inspiration from many places…film and television personalities, Pinterest, fashion designers, magazines, celebrities, bloggers, models, and Instagram friends to name a few.  Sometimes I like to participate in style challenges on Instagram with some of my friends.  It’s a great way to connect with other stylenistas and forces you to be more creative with your wardrobe and outfits each day! 

This past week, I participated in #shannonsastylechallenge46 and the theme was “inspired style”.  Who do you look to for fashion inspiration?  Do you pin it and spin it?  I love to participate in style challenges because I generally end up wearing things that have been in the back of my closet for a while.  It’s a great way to reuse and recycle old pieces and add in some new pieces to complete a fun “pinspired” overall look!  It’s definitely a great way to save money too! 

I thought I would share a few of my style inspiration posts below   I hope you will join in on some style challenges with us!  Its fun and you will make a lot of new friends in the process!

xoxoxo,

Hayley

Friday's look was inspired by the talented & sweet miss@reesewitherspoon ❤️ I adore her personality & style which exudes all kinds of southern charm!  

Hayley's dress c/o Karina Dresses

This style inspiration post comes from thee beautiful and sophisticated@oliviapalermo 💗 I love her east coast style!  I switched out the denim shorts for a skirt and I love her cute ruffled cardi but used my pink faux fur vest instead! 

Olive this! @emilyanngemma is one of my favorite fashion bloggers!  I adore her casual chic style and of course her gorgeous brunette locks!! 

Snake Print Dress

I recently spent some time in Orlando Florida presenting at a Human Resources conference at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.  Whenever I travel for work, I try to plan my outfits ahead of time so I don't end up over packing.  I usually bring a dress or two that can be worn with a simple cardigan and flats during the day.    At night, it's easy to slip on a pair of heels and refresh my make-up for an evening look at event dinners and cocktail parties.  

This snakeskin print fit and flare flare dress by Calvin Klein was perfect for this event.  I love the fit and flare design and was thrilled when I found out there were pockets!  I really think all dresses should have pockets, don't you?  I sometimes don't like to carry a handbag around, so pockets are a great when you just need to stash your credit card, room key, and some lip gloss!  

    

 Calvin Klein is one of my favorite fashion designers when it comes to dresses.  I've worn CK dresses in previous posts here and here.  I just adore this particular style and print!  I am also currently loving theses ones here, here, and here.         

I decided to pair this dress with some neutral strappy heels such as these ones here, here, and here.  The weather in Orlando on this particular day was a bit hot and muggy so I didn't wear my light pink cardigan I packed.  However, if you are looking for some options to go with neutrals, I would suggest this one here or basic black like this one here.  

Starting my morning off the way I always do with a hot cup of coffee and sometimes...donut holes too!  

All I can say is these were YUM!

Dresses are always a great option for traveling as long as you pack ones that aren't prone to wrinkling!  It's much quicker and easier to pack when all you need to worry about are the accessories!  I hope you all have a great day!  

xoxoxo,

Hayley      

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Rainy Day in Floral

It's been raining pretty hard here in the San Francisco Bay Area.  El Nino is in full effect and I'm not complaining!  We have experienced a drought in California for the last few years, so it's been nice to get a little saturated with the rain and get outdoors, even though it was a little soggy out!  

I purchased this Calvin Klein floral cap sleeve dress just before Christmas.  I love the vibrant colors and fit and flare design. I'm styling it for a winter rainy day but I'm sure I will be pulling it out again this spring and summer for warmer weather looks.  I really love this dress but found a few similar options here, here, and here that I have my eyes on!   

I decided to wear my black trench coat as I knew I would be going out in the rain today.  A trench coat is one of those classic closet staples everyone must have.  This particular coat is and old favorite, but I found a few similar options for you here and here.  I also have one in a tan color which works well for lighter colored clothes such as this one here.  In the winter, I like to put on tights when I wear dresses and skirts.  This keeps me a bit warmer and also saves people from getting blinded by my pale and sometimes stubbly legs!  Here are some great options for tights here and here.  Believe me, they make a world of difference in the colder wet weather!    

Last but not least, I decided to wear my favorite bow adorned black flats.  These ones are so comfortable, wear well in wet weather, and who doesn't love bows?  Here are a few other options that would also work well here and here.  Also, don't forget to grab an umbrella when you head out the door!  I love this large black one because it is sturdy and has great coverage.  However, I also have my eyes on this bubble umbrella.  They come in many different colors and remind me of the one my mom purchased me when I was young!

Don't forget to pull out your spring and summer dresses and mix it up for winter!   I hope you all enjoyed your weekend whether it was raining, snowing, or sunny out!  

xoxoxoxo,

Hayley

Valentines Gifts For Her

How do you celebrate Valentines Day with your loved ones?  I have gathered up all my favorite V-day gift ideas for her, including accessories, handbags, shoes, clothing, and home decor items.  I tried to find items that are versatile enough to use throughout the year, but also sprinkled in some hearts for novelty, romance, and fun!

Here are a few of my favorite handbag choices here, here, and here.  These options have been on my favorites list for a while because they can be used any time of the year for a pop of color or to add simple elegance to your outfit. However, if you want a touch of whimsy, how about this one?

I have always been most comfortable wearing flats. Don't get me wrong, I love to wear high heels once in a while, but when I'm looking for cute comfort, I always go for the flats!  Check out these beauties that are perfect for Valentines Day I found here, here, and here.

Mugs are always a great idea whether you love a little tea, hot cocoa, or coffee.  I usually opt for an eclectic mix that represents my personality! It's fun to wake up in the morning, grab your favorite cup, and start your day with a smile!  Here are a few of my favorite ones here, here, and here that are perfect for Valentines or any morning in bed!

I confess, I love to add a little whimsy and charm to my home decor as well.  A great way to do this is with throw pillows! When February 1 comes rolling around, I switch out my glittery and glitzy new years decor for some red, pink, and white!  I love these ones here, here, and here! 

Check out the rest of my favorite Valentines gift ideas below and make sure you shop online early!  Also, don't forget that flowers, chocolates, wine, and a Valentine card are always good ideas!

xoxoxo,

Hayley

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Starmont Winery

We recently headed out for a quick day trip to Napa to celebrate my birthday!  My husband was traveling, so I brought along the girls with my two 9 year twin boys.  (Pictured below from left to right: my niece Brianna; my sister Heather, my aunt Diana, and me).

I saw a Groupon (details to follow below) for Starmont Winery and before I purchased it, I called ahead to confirm availability.  I wanted to ensure the winery offered a family friendly environment as I was traveling with kids!  I spoke with Spencer on the phone and he assured me that kids were welcome to Starmont and even had some fun activities to keep them busy such as puzzles, games, jump rope, cards, snacks and drinks.  



Starmont recently opened their tasting room this past summer.  The scenery was breathtaking from the moment we drove in.  Starmont is located on a portion of the historic Stanly Ranch and sits between Carneros and Napa Valley, a region known for it's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals.  Spencer enthusiastically greeted us when we arrived and created a most enjoyable experience for my entire family.      

Just outside the open, airy, and modern tasting room is a beautiful outdoor courtyard.  This was our favorite place to relax by the fire pit and sip wine.  There are many different wine tasting experiences to try out.  You can check out Starmont's full list here.  

We enjoyed a portion of our wine flight in the courtyard but then decided to go inside to check out the new tasting room.  The indoor space was just as beautiful as the outside.  The interiors were modern and sleek with pops of color but still maintained that rustic Napa charm.   

Spencer's detailed knowledge and expertise of each wine in our flight was very educational. 

We tasted a number of different wines in our flight including:

2013 Viognier - flirty and crisp

2012 Chardonnay Stanly Ranch Estate - a hint of tropical fruit flavor, lemon, cinnamon & orange

2013 Pinot Noir Stanly Ranch Estate - suave, smooth, and sultry

2013 Syrah Stanly Ranch Estate - my favorite!

2012 Forward Kidd Napa Valley Red Wine - red blend with hints of raspberry, plum, and blueberry 

I love the red stools!  It's a perfect pop of color against the bright white tables and chairs and rustic wood plank walls.  

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Starmont Winery.  If you are planning a trip to Napa Valley, I would highly recommend a stop here.  The experience was the highlight of our day and we look forward to visiting again!  Of course before we left, we picked up a few bottles to take home and enjoy!  

Thanks for having us Starmont!

Happy Travels!  

Hayley

What's in Hayley's weekend Napa bag?  See see below and remember to bring layers because it gets chilly in Napa in the winter!  Oh by the way, here is the Groupon we used for our wine tasting at Starmont!  Enjoy!

OUTFIT # 1

OUTFIT #2

OUTFIT #3

J.Crew Factory Clearance

J.Crew Factory is having a major clearance sale and now is a great time to stock up on some classic staples for your closet!  

These fair isle sweaters come back every year in slightly different colors and patterns, and they are always a winter style favorite!  Check out my top picks on clearance here, here, and here! We still have a few months left in winter and it's always a good idea to think ahead for next season when you can get them at these prices!

Another closet staple that is great for layering and will transition into spring very easily are striped tees.  I like to wear these with my puffer vests and/or colored blazers along with a cute pair of distressed jeans and flats such as these pairs here, here and here.  When the weather warms up in the spring, they look great with capris and/or shorts on their own!  Here are my top three clearance picks here, here, and here.

I cannot live without shorts when the weather gets warmer so why not pick up a few now while they are on sale.  My closet staple shorts include a classic white pair like these ones, a bright red pair like these ones here, and of course, a denim pair is an absolutely necessity!

Last but not least, why not get some colorful plaid button up tops that introduce more spring color into your wardrobe.  These will be a nice refreshing palette that you can begin wearing now and clear into early summer! Here are some of my favorite spring colors here, here, and here.

The J.Crew Factory clearance sale is happening now in store and online.  Save an extra 50% off with code: EXTRA50 through Tuesday 11:59 PM January 19, 2016!  Shop now before your favorites sell out and check out all my picks below! 

Happy Shopping!

Hayley

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Target Beauty Concierge: Lip Colors

Have you guys ever tried the Target Beauty Concierge service?  I honestly had no idea this fantastic service was even available at my local Target store.  However, this past weekend I decided to stop by and browse the make-up department in search of some new lipstick colors.  I was getting tired of the same old two lip colors I have been wearing since summertime.  My goal was to update and refresh  my lip color pallet for winter and spring and try something different and new.       

After browsing and searching through aisles of different brands and hundreds of colors, I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with so much to choose from.  That's when I met Sarah and she asked if I needed some help! At this point, I was thrilled to seek some advice and consultation!   I sat down and we discussed my beauty needs.  She asked me a number of questions to help narrow down her recommendations.    

We finally landed on the L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Collection Exclusive.  Each lipstick in this carefully curated collection is custom made for every skin tone. My skin is fairly light to medium depending on the season, so Sarah suggested two colors from the Nude pallet and one color from the Red pallet.  I was a little hesitant when she suggested nude lip color.  I haven't had much luck in the past with wearing nude lipsticks.  However, she assured me there are many colors in this spectrum and all you need to do is select the correct hue to complement your skin tone. She recommended Doutzen's Nude 600 which is a light pink shade intended for fair to light skin tones, J Lo's nude 370 which is a bit more of a mauve color intended for medium skin tones, and Julianne's red 401 which is a bold and iconic red lip color. 

I was so thankful for Sarah's help and expert advice.  She was extremely personable, helpful, and knowledgeable about all of Target's beauty products!  We even chatted about the hottest trends in nail colors for spring and I "may" have picked up a few of her product suggestions there as well that I will share in a future post!

I headed home excited to try my new lip colors!  Here's a few pictures of the colors Sarah picked out!  Let me know which one is your favorite!    

Getting ready to try the first lip color: J Lo's Nude 370

I think this one was my favorite of all three!  Surprise!  As I mentioned, I never have luck with selecting a perfect nude color but this one is exceptional!  It looks completely natural without making me look washed out (which generally has been my problem with selecting a nude lip color in the past).  

Next up is: Doutzen's Nude 600 

I have to admit, I really wanted to try some new colors that take me out of my comfort zone...colors that I never wear but always want to try.  I have seen pictures of women who wear a light pink matte lipstick with a smoky eye and I have always wanted to achieve this look!  I really think Sarah nailed it when she recommended Doutzen's nude (shown in the pictures above).  What do you think of this color?

The last color to try on is Julianne's red 401.  Every woman needs a bold and bright red lip color in her beauty bag!  Red is a classic, timeless, and iconic color that will always be in style!  I really love this shade of red.  It matches my skin tone perfectly as Sarah said it would and I love the pure matte color and velvet finish!   

So which color is your favorite?  Have you tried the L'Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive lip colors?  If you are unsure about which colors to choose, I would highly recommend the Target Beauty concierge service.  You can find them at your local Target store, or if  you're like me (wandering aimlessly around the beauty aisle confused and overwhelmed) they may come find you and offer some much needed help and expert advice!  

Thanks so much Sarah!  I'm looking forward to trying your suggested spring nail colors and manicure tips and will see you soon! 

#targetstyle  

xoxoxo,

Hayley

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