Polished Picks

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It’s raining in Los Angeles, and I love it! I mean, I LOVE it!

(Bare with me – we don’t get this often enough)

With New Year’s behind us and the holiday season a distant memory at this point, it’s common that by now we’re all back to our daily hustle. There’s little time for rest, days off, or dare I say a vacation, in our near future. So right now, let’s enjoy the rain.  Let’s take it in, stay in, and just enjoy it.

I’ve rounded up some cozy favorites for a night in, and some hot, moody picks for a date night out.

Starting with that hot date…

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I’m in love with these velvet tanks (burgundy here / grey here). Not too hot, but too hot, if you know what I mean! Pair it with a distressed charcoal/black jean and a knee-high boot, and you’re set. FYI: Yes, these jeans are from Target, yes I bought them, and yes I love them. Another great Target option is the velvet lace trim cami from the Who What Wear collection (yes, I bought this too)! It runs big, so just buy one size smaller than normal.

For outerwear, I’ve picked either a black bomber jacket or a go-to biker. Both are easy and not too heavy. No need for a hood, let your date hold the umbrella (wink!). Accessorize with this dainty gold choker, a simple clutch, and add a matte berry lip. Done!

Staying in?

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We all need a soft sweater (or two, or three, or even four) in our lives and a warm throw to keep couch-side. These sweaters from Club Monaco and TopShop are soft, easy, and casual, but polished enough should a cute guest show up at your door.  Add some chunky socks and you’re pretty much wearing heaven head-to-toe.

Want to relax? And I mean really relax? Mix up some Ghiradelli hot chocolate with a splash of Bailey’s Irish Cream to your liking (or add a splash of hot chocolate to your Bailey’s Irish Cream – it’s simply perspective. Who’s paying attention?). If you’re more of a wine person, you can mix up this red wine hot chocolate recipe found on immaeatthat.com. Genius! Or skip the hot chocolate all together and just drink the wine. Lots of options here!

Whether you’re staying in or going out, enjoy the rain, enjoy the cold – just enjoy.

Cheers!

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The sun is shining, the sky is clear, and everything (even our perspective on life) is light, bright, happy and all around pretty. Shall we say, everything is coming up roses?!

Slight obsession here.

Blush colors have always been a spring-wear staple, but as we’re seeing them pair so perfectly with both bold and bright hues alike, they’re becoming a pretty neutral that can transition us from season to season.

Sprinkle these colors into your home, or flaunt these soft tones on date night and it adds a subtle touch of femininity, and lets face it – just makes us feel pretty!

Speaking of date night, this cute off-the shoulder number from H&M will do! Swoop your hair up into a pony and show off those eye-catching earrings, with jeans and an open-toe sandal – he’s yours!

Day date? Bring your pink-framed sunnies! Flattering sunglasses are hard to find, but this Kate Spade pair is a classic shape, good quality (again, Kate Spade!)  and in a style that has returned every season since those early Hollywood glamour years that we all swoon over. Safe to say, you’ll rock them for years to come.

Take your interiors up a notch, or ten really, with a pink sofa. This one by Article is a soft enough tone that you can swap in a variety of rich-colored or neutral pillows and throws to enjoy it year round.

If a pink couch is too risky for you, go with pillows like this one from Urban Outfitters. It can elevate any sofa, neutral or rich in color.

Ever heard the phrase, “Rosé all day!” Well, we couldn’t agree more! This pretty bottle is from Club W, a subscription based site with affordable wine, and just as important – crazy gorgeous labeling. Drink it outdoors in these acrylic Kate Spade tumblers, or set your glassware on these gorgeous pink stone coasters, and you are living the definition of Happy Hour.

No, these glossier products are not blush colored, but their packaging is! Nonetheless, what’s in those tubes is even more amazing. The company’s simple approach to good quality beauty and skincare products is unlike any other line. Shopping the site you’re not overwhelmed. It’s clean, simple, and not complicated. They said it best: “Because ‘beauty’ should be fun, easy, imperfect, and personal. Above all, we believe that you give life to products-products don’t breathe life into you.”

To give your skin extra love, spray on some Rose Hibiscus Face Mist during your nightly routine. It’s like heaven in a bottle; relaxing, light, natural, subtle, and replenishing. Herbivore is another company that I admire. Their product line is simple yet completely luxurious, and their practices are cruelty-free: no animal testing. Yay for good company values!!

Simply because I can’t get enough of these colors and how to pair them,below is some of what I’m pinning for further blushing inspo!

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Pink Green and Aqua

Pink Apricot and Berry

Pink Grey and Navy

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Did you catch the interview with business-savvy, super organized, all-around super woman Hannah Skvarla, Co-Founder of The Little Market? If not, no worries! Just keep scrolling down!

It’s hard to write about  The Little Market without doing some little market shopping, aka “research,” for ourselves, so why hold back?

Below are some faves from the fabulous site for your gifting (or personal) pleasure!

bags1. Backpack Poolside | $54: The name says it all! Perfect for the beach and pool days ahead.

2. Poolside Laptop Case | $46: Yes, you should “spring” up your tech accessories too. Couldn’t pick between these two pretties, so I posted them both!

3. Endless Summer Laptop Case | $46

 

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1. Alpaca Baby Mittens | $24: Because cute little hands need cute little mittens.

2. Alpaca Baby Beanie in Grey | $28:  And a cute matching beanie, of course!

3. Lamb | $26: There’s nothing better to snuggle with than a sweet lamb…

4. Owl | $26: Or a small round owl depending on baby’s mood.

5. Pom Pom Garland | $18: Pretty and colorful decor to catch baby’s (and mommy’s) eye. This doesn’t have to be just for kids right? Hanging this in our own room or from our own mantle would be totally acceptable, right?

6. Watermelon Rattle | $12: Cute enough to eat and in pretty summer colors.

7. Polka Dot Baby Beanie in Gray | $28: Too sweet, and even better, neutral! Baby can wear with any outfit, and there’s booties to match!

8. Polka Dot Baby Booties in Gray | $24

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1. Olive Wood Rectangular Board | $40: A sturdy, pretty, and long-lasting board for all your future wine and cheese parties.

2. Honey Pot | $28: I mean, wouldn’t you eat more honey if you had this cute pot to store it in? And, oh my, the drizzle stick! Set it next to your Olive Wood board to drizzle on brie and pear slices, and you’ll have the yummiest and prettiest display.

3. Olive Wood Honey Drizzle Stick | $10

4. Square Striped Tablecloth | $100: Don’t forget the tablecloth. It’s on the pricier end, but the style is timeless, and it’s made of 100% Ethiopian cotton. Luxurious!

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1. Rajastha Block Print Pillow | $40: Light and neutral pillow to pair with it’s Mumbai sibling (below) or pillows of any color. An easy addition to your home decor.

2. Mumbai Block Print Pillow | $40

3. Jasmine Soy Blend Candle | $24: Jasmine just makes me happy! However, if it’s not your scent of choice, fear not. There’s a variety of candles to shop on the site, so you’ll find more than you need to keep up the aroma of your home.

4. Striped Hand Towel in Blue | $30: Blue is my go-to, but if color is a commitment for you, the gray one (#7 below) is a perfect pick.

5. Classic White Trunk, Large | $400: Pricey, but oh-so-chic.

6. Classic White Trunk, Small | $300: If you don’t need something as large and want to keep that extra $100 for yourself (or for another item on TLM), go for the small option. Still just as classy!

7. Striped Hand Towel in Gray | $30

baskets1. Dot Bowl in Yellow | $28 – $32: Bowls, bowls and more bowls! I have a weak spot for woven anything, so narrowing this down to my top four was hard, and I still love so many others. There are more colors and neutrals on the site if pink and yellow aren’t your faves. If they are, click on these links and shop away.

2. Woven Bowl Yellow Dots | $24 – $32

3. Woven Bowl Pink Dots | $24 – $32

4. Dot Bowl in Pink | $28 – $32

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One-of-a-kind buys are the best kind of buys, and there’s definitely beauty in quality. Knowing that we’re getting (or giving) something that we love, and the money is going into the hands of the hard-working and crazy-talented artisans that made it, is a good feeling.

Talk about guilt-free shopping!

cactus trend

P A R D O N    U S    P I N E A P P L E ,

T H E    C A C T U S    I S    H A V I N G    A    M O M E N T .

Designed by Contributing Editor, Allise Shingle

Fresh off of Coachella with summer in sight, desert inspired style, decor, accessories, and art are particularly hot right now. (See what I did there? Hot – summer, desert, cacti. wink wink!) Bad puns aside, we’ve rounded up our favorite cactus inspired items should you want to throw this trend into your current style. Believe us, it wasn’t easy to narrow down!

A neutral tote is a necessity. A cactus tote is just awesome. This one found at The Future Kept.

I’m a bit of a hand cream addict and I find that all Illume products are particularly luxurious. Their lavish hand cream in any scent is…well, lavish! Our pick: Illume Cactus Verde Lavish Hand Creme pictured above. Buy it online or stop in Anthropologie.

Postcards are a lost (and missed) sentiment! Send them, receive them, buy them, and as I like to do – frame them and hang them! Cute postcards make great, inexpensive art for your home. These cactus postcards come in a set of 8 4×6 prints for only $12! Too great, right?

Accessorize your accessories! Keep your gadgets on trend with this cactus phone case. I love the simple blue and mint green design, and that it’s not too feminine. Other options that caught our eye can be found on Brika and Keep.

Pillows are the easiest way to inexpensively change up your decor or color scheme. Throw this cactus pillow on a chair or two and it will quickly add a summer vibe to your home. (And who doesn’t want it to feel like summer?)

Simple gold necklaces go with everything and are the best, classiest “everyday” necklaces to have. Change it up with this cactus shape pendant from JewelMint.

If you don’t have a green thumb, go with succulents! If you live in California, we’re in a drought, so definitely go with succulents! If you’re looking for a good hostess or housewarming gift, go with succulents in this wooden planter. It’s simple, chic, modern, and neutral enough to lend itself to any household decor. It’s a pricier planter, but definitely worth it!

Everyone has a denim shirt (right?), but a denim shirt with a light cactus print takes it up a knotch. Pair it with a cute skirt, tie it in a knot (if that’s your thing), and boom – you’re ready, comfortable, and on point!

If you don’t want desert themed overload in your home, this pretty watercolor print is a simple and light way to fold the trend into your current scheme. The print we picked is $30 from The Aestate. Warning: while you’re there, you will be tempted to blow your budget. Everything she does is absolutely beautiful.

If you’ve seen some great cactus products yourself and think we’ve completely missed out, let us know in the comment section!

H A P P Y    S H O P P I N G !

 

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P O O L S  |  P A L M S  |  P I N E A P P L E S  |  P I N K  C O C K T A I L S !

Polished Picks : Poolside Edition

Every good tan starts with a good bikini! This Target bandeau two-piece has removable straps to avoid unwanted tan lines when basking in the sun, and to provide support when frolicking in the water (Baywatch-style, of course). It’s the perfect print for the season, and totals at about $45 combined for the top and bottom. Need more support? It also comes in a halter! Hallelujah!

Dry off and lay out on this Turkish towel beauty from Serena & Lily. I normally would laugh at a towel costing $48, but a Turkish towel is versatile and will last. It will look classic, and most-likely brand new years down the line, and can be used as a light throw blanket indoors or outdoors. It can be worth the cost. Still laughing? There are lots of cute, inexpensive options linked here at Target and Macy’s.

Rihanna can pull off hoop earrings and a belly chain in the water, but let’s be real – it’s not the most practical. Keep your accessories light and easy with this $7 neutral hat from Forever21, timeless eye-wear, and simple gold studs. For added style, go tropical with the pineapple studs above from Bing Bang NYC because…well, why the heck not?

Reading material is must for long tanning sessions. I’m magazine-obsessed and eagerly await each issue of Domino magazine. Naturally, the color issue out now will be with me poolside for many weekends to come (even after I read it, I will read it again). It’s perfect to get you in the spring/summer mood and out of the dark winter vibes.

Skip the oil (always) and tan gradually with sunscreen in high numbers. Relax – it’s March – you have plenty of sunny days ahead. Don’t tan too quickly when your skin is at its lightest and most sensitive. Neutrogena provides great coverage, but the scent of Hawaiian Tropic just sings summer, pool, and beach weather. I love them both.

Speaking of the beach: If you don’t live near one, bring the beach to you by swapping out some framed photos with one or two calming, tropical prints like the one above by Murray Mitchell. Look for prints that coordinate or complement the colors in your home, and you’ll feel a little closer to the beach every time you see it.

Last, but never least – serve yourself a cocktail, a make it pretty! Recipe for the pink babe in the photo is below.

T H E  U L T I M A T E  L E M O N A D E

– 2 parts Burnett’s Pink Lemonade

– 2 parts lemonade

– Splash of sparkling water

– Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge.

– Drink up and refill!

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Gloomy L.A. weather has me feeling (or craving) blue in the best way. Inspired by dreamy constellations, above are my blue and star-like picks.

A solid blue rug is surprisingly neutral. The Loloi Byron rug in Bluestone above is pricey for me, but the Crate and Barrel Baxter rug in Indigo is a more budget-friendly alternative and still great quality.

This simple, modern, gold chandelier is delicate, not too dramatic, but still a stand-out statement fixture.

A painted pillow can be a unique addition to any couch, and add interest against solid colors.

These Nalani blue heels from Sole Society are professional with just enough badass-ness to wear around the office. I need them!

Constellation jewelry can be dainty, different, and personal. There are a lot of options on Etsy, like the Aries necklace pictured above, but Baublebar has also caught on to the trend with their constellation ear crawler and stud.

With jewelry as pretty as that, you’ll need a beautiful jewelry dish to set them in, such as this one from Suite One Studio. Anything and everything from on that site is a stunning one-of-a-kind piece. If you see something you love, buy it! There will never be another one exactly like it.

Lastly, my constellation obsession started while searching for blue art to dress my walls. I came across this beautiful watercolor print on The Aestate and it was love! Even better, you can buy each zodiac sign as it’s own individual print from their etsy shop. If blue isn’t your color, you can find the black and white options below from GirlAndParrot.

Constellation zodiac-blackandwhite

Other gorgeous zodiac prints can be found on Minted by the talented Annie Clark. These three words – watercolor & gold foil – make my eyes widen with excitement. See for yourself!

TaurusBlueAquariusGreyVirgoMint

 

Now excuse me while I spend these rainy days online shopping!

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50 Shades of Grey is all the hype this weekend, but let’s be honest – nude is better.

A nude polish is always a classic go-to, and Julep is one of my favorite brands. Try this color, Florence, or find any other shade on their site.

The Rochas Tote is far out of my price range, but simple handbags are easy to come by and a staple to have.

Who can resist a sexy, yet classy bralett. Even if no one sees it, you can’t help but feel pretty in this: Bat Your Eyelash Bra in Peach Quartz by Free People.

A nude strappy sandal needs no explanation – it goes with everything! Same with a comfy nude sweater. One as light-weight as this from Luulla can also be worn year-round.

 

When in doubt, or simply whenever – go nude!

 

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Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to eat our way through heart-boxes of chocolate, but let’s be honest – do we really need an excuse to eat chocolate on any day? This year, give (and receive) thoughtful, pretty, and useful gifts, and leave the cheesy stuff to the sweet kids we all once were. Here are some pink inspired Polished Picks for you or your favorite Galentine(s). Links to the goods below!

“The Romantic” Chocolate Bar: Compartes.com

Reiko Kaneko Lip Tease Mug: ShopBop.com

 Romper Room pale pink polish: Essie.com

Large Hex Necklace in Pink: Brika.com

Hayley Stone Ring from Nordstrom by Keep.com

Rose Swirl with Gold jewelry dish: SuiteOneStudio.com

Copertina Pump by Kristin Cavallari for Chinese Laundry: Nordstrom.com

“Austin” Pink Suede Pump by Nine West: Zappos.com

“Orchid” Art Print by Emily Rickard: Artfullywalls.com

“Rhodochro” Art Print by Anna Ullman: Artfullywalls.com