SUMMER SEQUINS

June 11, 2014, 7:33 am

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Good morning, Everyone! How is your week going so far? I am definitely having a boyfriend jeans kinda moment lately! Don't know what it is really, but I just can't stop wearing them. This particular pair is definitely my favorite at the moment! Funny thing, as much as I love boyfriend jeans finding a pair that fits right isn't necessarily easy for me. Most of the time when I try them on, they end up looking kinda odd, either way too loose or not nearly loose enough:) Basically nothing resembling the perfectly slouchy fit I have in mind, which is probably why when I find a pair that fits I have a hard time wearing anything else:)

As far as styling is concerned, I think I prefer to pair slouchy jeans with something a bit more dressed up on top, like the sequin pullover I am wearing in today's post. I attempted to pair them with a casual tee a few times, but I just can't help but add a blazer or structured jacket on top. Oh, and I greatly admire people who can rock slouchy jeans and flats, but for me, a pair of pointy-toe heels is a way to go. What about you guys, how do you wear your boyfriend jeans? 

MINUSEY Shea sequin pullover &  5018  distressed boyfriend jeans | IRO Sydrae pumps in coral pink | Chanel Boy flap bag | MINUSEY NO 5 earrings& clear chain bracelet & Wayfarer mirror sunglasses | Essienail polishin Sittin' Pretty 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

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MEET ME IN MALIBU

June 13, 2014, 7:10 am

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Back in Malibu wearing my favorite color:) Emil and I had dinner plans in the area, so we just couldn't resist taking a stroll down Malibu Pier. Don't really know what it is, but it's always been one of those places for us. We've been together for a little more than 8 years now, and for as long as I remember we've been coming to Malibu Pier. At this point it's like our little ritual, we get our tea and snacks at Malibu Country Mart and head down for a walk at the Pier, then we sit, drink our teas and just stare at the beautiful turquoise water... 

BTW, please forgive my crazy-looking hair! I didn't count on the wind being as strong as it was. Normally, it's a bit windy at the Pier, but yesterday, well, let's just say I ended up with a "slightly" altered hairstyle. Instead of the loose waves I had in the morning, my hair ended up looking like a cross between Medusa and a bird's nest:) Oh, well! At this point I have long abandoned all hope of controlling my super-fine hair... So, I am embracing the chaos and madness and crazy-looking hair:) 

L.A.M.B. multi-colored plaid tee | Keepsake The Label skirt { dress version here&  similar here } | Chanel Boy flap bag | ASOS Holborn heeled sandals | Vita Fede Capri 5 wrap bracelet | Coordinates Legend bracelet | Wanderlust & Co multi-stud gold bangle | Essienail polish in Hip Anema 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle

THE ART OF ABSTRACT

June 16, 2014, 7:54 am

≫ Next: COMING CLEAN - MY DAILY SKIN CARE ROUTNE

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Good morning, Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! The one thing I have learned very quickly since moving to California is that no matter how warm it is during the day, once the sun goes down, the temperature almost certainly drops, so a jacket is a must. Normally, for casual looks I just throw on a leather jacket or a blazer, but dressier looks tend to be a bit more problematic. Though I like combining dressy pieces with leather jackets, sometimes I feel the impact of the piece gets lost covered up with something on top, which is perhaps why I am so obsessed with the set I'm wearing in today's post.

Of course these pieces could be worn separately, but I absolutely love the impact they create paired together, not to mention the jacket definitely kept me warm on a chilly Pasadena night! 

Though I think the black, white and red print would look great with a variety of colors, today I wanted to make the gorgeous abstract print the focal point of the look. So, I paired it with a black top and black accessories, adding just a bit of drama via black and white striped sunnies. 

Raoul peplum back jacket & primrose printed skirt | Style Stalker TLC top | Emporio Armani messenger bag { similar here, also love this light grey option } | Gucci Victoire buckle sandals { similar here & here } | J Crew pearl open bangle | Vita Fede rings { similar here & here } | Essie nail polish in Hip Anema 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle

COMING CLEAN - MY DAILY SKIN CARE ROUTNE

June 18, 2014, 7:04 am

≫ Next: BLUSH N' BLUE

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Burt's Bees Brightening Face-Care Line { Daily Facial Cleanser, Refining Tonic, Even-Tone Moisturizing Cream, Eye Treatment & Dark Spot Corrector } 

Good morning, Everyone! How is your day going so far? A few weeks days ago, as I was getting ready for bed and finishing up my nightly beauty regimen, it suddenly dawned on me that I never did a post specifically dedicated to what it is that I do to take care of my skin. So, I decided to "come clean" and take this opportunity to walk you through my daily skin-care routine. Currently, I am using Burt's Bees Brightening line of products. Now, I really like Burt's Bees products in general ( Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream and Lip Shimmer in Watermelon are among my all-time favorites ) but the reason why I love this line is because it's made with natural ingredients, which is really important to me for I believe that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it! Additionally, as I have previously mentioned I am not too keen on wearing foundation, so making sure that my skin looks even is really important. And Burt's Bees Brightening line helps to even out my skin tone and get rid of those pesky little dark spots on my nose and cheeks (evidence of my recurring sun-worshiping habits:)

So, without any further ado, here is my morning and evening skin care routine step-by-step.

STEP 1: I begin by washing my face with Burt's Bees Brightening daily facial cleanser to remove make up and oil. I always make sure to wet my face thoroughly before applying the cleanser, then I massage the face gently for about 30 seconds before rinsing. 

STEP 2: Right after cleansing, I apply Burt's Bees Brightening refining tonic with a cotton pad to remove any traces of make up, making sure to use an upward movement to avoid puling the skin down. 

STEP 3: Next, I apply Burt's Bees Brightening even-tone moisturizing cream to hydrate the skin, prevent wrinkles and diminish the appearance of dark spots. Normally, I start by dotting the cream on the center of my nose, chin, forehead and about an inch under the eye area. Then, I gently spread the cream over the entire face, while massaging it in very lightly. 

STEP 4: I apply the Burt's Bees Brightening eye treatment right after the moisturizing cream to brighten the skin around my eyes. I like to place a few small dots around the eye area and then, gently smooth them into the skin. 

STEP 5: I complete my skin-care routine by applying Burt's Bees Brightening dark spot corrector. Since I normally get dark spots on the bridge of my nose and side of the cheeks, I don't usually apply this product over the entire face, but rather use it as a targeted treatment where needed. 

And voila - all done! I repeat the same steps morning and night and the entire process takes me about 3-4 minutes. I started noticing a difference after using these products for about a week, the dark spots on my nose and cheeks started to get lighter and I think by week 2 they were barely noticeable. Aside from that, since I have an oily t-zone, what I really like about them is that they do not clog pores, don't feel heavy on and don't make my face feel or look oily or shiny. 

P.S. If you guys have any questions about the products or application, please shoot me an email, I am happy to answer anytime!:)

This post was brought to you by in collaboration with Burt's Bees and Burst Media, the opines and texts are all mine. 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

BLUSH N' BLUE

June 19, 2014, 11:01 pm

≫ Next: THE FINE PRINT :: CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPPING GENIUS

≪ Previous: COMING CLEAN - MY DAILY SKIN CARE ROUTNE

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Hello Everyone! How is your week going so far? I am sure you remember my friend Belen from B* a La Moda, who was visiting me from Spain in May. Well, while she was here we ended up attending an EXPRESS event together and getting the same pair of jeans. So, naturally we decided we simply had to do one of our collaborative posts! In case you have forgotten, Belen and I did a few of those last year { see  here, here, here& here }. 

THE CHALLENGE: This time around, our challenge was to create a cute everyday look based around a pair of Express jeans, showing out individual approach to dressy/casual style. 

MY LOOK: I wanted to create a look based on my favorite jeans, blazer and high heels combo. Since I am absolutely adore the combination of blue and blush, I paired my jeans with a blush silk blazer and a pair of matching patent pumps. To add a bit of drama to this look, I added a striped embellished tee and a fun Panama hat. I finished the look by adding a few layered bracelets and rings, because as you know, for me no look is complete without a bit of jewelry:) 

BELEN'S LOOK: Now onto Belen's look:) I absolutely love the way she paired her Express jeans with a graphic white tee and a pair of strappy heels in a matching color! A have a bit of a weakness for a great graphic tee, and this palm-print one is the cutest one I've seen lately by far! She completed her look with a pair of sunnies and a shoulder bag in my favorite shade of muted turquoise. 

EXPRESS mid rise destroyed ankle jean legging | J CREW Panama hat & top { similar here & here } | Chanel Boy flap bag | Dolce & Gabbana Kate patent leather pumps | Truth & Pride silk blazer { similar option here & here } | Vita Fede Capri 5 wrap bracelet | Tiffany & Co Atlas open ring 

Please CLICK HERE for Belen's outfit details and see her complete look! 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

THE FINE PRINT :: CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPPING GENIUS

June 23, 2014, 10:41 am

≫ Next: COLD SHOULDER // HANGING OUT ON MELROSE

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Good morning, Everyone! I hope your week is going great so far! I am so excited to share yet another post from my year-long collaboration with Nordstrom Rack as part of #ShopGenius campaign. 

Every month, Nordstrom Rack highlights new trends and the month of June is all about bohemian-chic, characterized by graphic prints, stacked statement jewelry, soft neutrals and of course my personal favorite - jumpsuits!:) Why do I love jumpsuits so much, you ask? Well, because I think they are that quintessential must-have item no Summer wardrobe can go without. Completely versatile, you can take a jumpsuit to the beach or to cocktail hour, paired together with a tailored blazer and some cute heels. So naturally, when I thought about styling a perfectly effortless, bohemian-inspired look, a jumpsuit was the first thing that came to mind. I got this gorgeous graphic-printed Juicy Couture number at NordstromRack.com for 50% OFF + FREE SHIPPING and definitely had another one of those "YAY" moments! Cause I don't know about you guys, but I am definitely a bit of a shopping thrill-seeker and get really excited when I find something I love at a really great price. Now, I did mention why I like jumpsuits ( or it's mini version - the romper ) in general but the reason why I love this one in particular is... and here comes my confession of a shopping genius... I Believe in Fine Print!:) Though I do occasionally wear big & bold prints, normally I favor the softer & finer prints for their wearability and understated elegance. How about you guys? Bold or Understated? 

P.S. I would love to hear about your amazing finds at Nordstrom Rack! So, please share your saves & steels on @NordstromRack Instagram using hashtag #ShopGenius, and who knows, you may just find yourself featured on Nordstrom Rack Instagram page!

Juicy Couture Geo Del Mar romper via Nordstrom Rack | Levi's bleached denim jacket { similar here } | IRO Saresha sandals { super cute laser cut out wedge option here } | A.P.C. beige nubuck bucket bag { also love this Abaco messenger } | J Crew Panama hat { cute option in straw here } 

This post was brought to you by Nordstrom Rack. 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

COLD SHOULDER // HANGING OUT ON MELROSE

June 25, 2014, 10:35 pm

≫ Next: BLOOMING BLUES

≪ Previous: THE FINE PRINT :: CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPPING GENIUS

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Hello Everyone! How is your week going so far! I just wanted to take this opportunity to share a few of my favorite spots on Melrose Place, since I tend to spend so much time there and talk about it on this blog:) Well, the first thing Emil and I do when we get there is head straight to Alfred Coffee & Kitchen for some cappuccino and croissants. I may have mentioned before that I have a weakness for cappuccino and the one from Alfred Coffee is my absolute favorite at the moment. Another reason I think why we like Alfred Coffee so much, is because of the cute little sitting area outside. Both Emil and I always have our laptops with us and prefer to do our work outside. Don't really know why, but we are much more productive this way:) Once we get our caffeine fix, we tend to wonder around a bit, which inevitably leads to shopping. Well, at least it does for me:) I fully admit Emil may be a little less enthusiastic about this part! 

Though there are a few stores I usually frequent, my current favorite is Elodie K. I first discovered it when my friend Belen was visiting me from Spain. We popped in to look at shoes and I think we both pretty much fell in love. For me, it was definitely seeing all of my current obsessions in one place! You know how I feel about Sophia Webster heels and Illesteva sunnies, but Elodie K also has a really good selection of Sara Battaglia bags, floowy dresses and absolutely extraordinary beautiful jewelry (some of which I am wearing in today's post). At this particular moment I am lusting over at least 3 pairs of sandals and 4 bags! What can I say - shoes & bags are definitely my weakness:)

Emil and I shot a few of these images at Croft Alley, a new restaurant opening on Melrose Place in a few weeks. We got the opportunity to check out the space and get a bit of a tour. Warm and rustic, the space looks and feels incredibly inviting. So, if you are a fan of Melrose, I definitely suggest checking it out! 

Sunday St Tropez off the shoulder resort dress | Sara Battaglia bag { also love this clutch option } | Sophia Webster Mila sandals | Illesteva Leonard sunglasses | Elodie K Angel Wing earrings, Bite Me chain wrap bracelet and Bling Me diamond & chain ring 

Also Pictured :: Paula Cademartori Kate Cirque bag |  Sophia Webster Mila sandals in black | Anna-Karin Karlsson Chasing Daisies sunglasses | Paula Cademartori petite Faye Venice Sky bag 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle 

BLOOMING BLUES

June 27, 2014, 8:05 am

≫ Next: DENIM DAYS

≪ Previous: COLD SHOULDER // HANGING OUT ON MELROSE

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Good morning and happy Friday, Everyone! As you can see, I am back in my Summer uniform, i.e. embellished tank and a pair of cute shorts. To be quite honest with you, I can't imagine my Summer wardrobe without these effortless and timeless key pieces that easily transition from work to play. What can I say, I simply can't resist great Summer separates and these Karen Kane shorts and tank definitely have the easy, laid-back SoCal appeal I always look for in my staples. Though normally I am a big fan of solid colors, lately I noticed more and more prints find their way into my closet. Case in point, a pair of spanish tile printed shorts I am wearing in this post. From the moment I spotted them in a store, I fell in love with this absolutely lovely white and blue geometric & floral print. Suppose I am a bit partial since white and blue just happen to be two of my favorite colors but I also think that this particular combination is really versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of other colors and prints. 

Since, I had a few meetings in the morning, I wanted to create a slightly dressier look. So I paired the shorts with a palm sequin tank (the palm print is slightly reminiscent of the print on shorts, no? ), a soft white blazer and a pair of sky-high heels. I completed this look with pearl jewelry and an oversized navy tote. 

What about you guys? What are your Summer staples?

Karen Kane spanish tile print shorts & palm sequin tank | Helmut Lang twisted blazer | Saint Laurent Jane leather ankle strap sandals | Dior Mise en Dior earrings | J Crew pearl open bangle | Navy tote - old { cute options here & here } 


Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

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DENIM DAYS

June 30, 2014, 6:12 am

≫ Next: PEARLS & FLORALS

≪ Previous: BLOOMING BLUES

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Good morning, Everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend! Do you ever feel like you have a split personality when it comes to style? Because I certainly do! One side favors very pretty, girly pieces like fit-and-flare dresses, full midi skirts, pastel colors and lace and the other side is all about ease, comfort and simplicity. Funny thing is, I really never know which personality is going to show up until I wake up in the morning and suddenly get an urge to wear my most comfortable pair of boyfriend jeans. 

Well, clearly my jean-loving side is having a moment:) In fact, right about now, I feel like if I had to choose one outfit to wear for the rest of the Summer, this would be it. Boyfriend jeans, a tailored blazer and a pair of heels. Yes, I realize that high heels are not necessarily synonymous with comfort, but since I hardly ever wear flats, this particular pair is my version of comfy shoes:) 

So, I suppose I should warn in advance, since I am extremely dedicated to my jean-moment, you may be seeing quite a bit of them on this blog in the near future. Hope you don't mind!:)

Reed Krakoff Boxer tote { also love this very pretty version in soft blue on SALE here } | Helmut Lang twisted blazer | IRO Keazan jeans | Assali Ghysele beaded top | Saint Laurent Jane leather ankle strap sandals | J Crew pearl open bangle & contoured spike cuff | Dior Mise en Dior earrings | Wet & Wild nail polish in I need a Refresh - Mint

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

PEARLS & FLORALS

July 2, 2014, 7:52 am

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≪ Previous: DENIM DAYS

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Good morning, Everyone! How is your week going so far? Emil and I are spending a few days in Laguna Beach, so I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few of my favorite beach essentials. I got this cute floral tunic & straw bag especially for this trip. Since I am having a bit of a moment when it comes to prints lately, I just couldn't resist this striking floral print. But I think what I love the most about this tunic is the bold black braided trim, especially on the pockets:) 

Since I can never be separated from my #armparty for too long, I think a bit of sparkle is always beach appropriate:) and these gold and pearl bracelets and rings are my absolute favorites at the moment. You know how I love versatility and these pieces pair beautifully with just about everything and easily transition from day to night. 

Gold Philosophy layered pearl ring | J Crew pearl open bangle & contoured spike cuff | Vita Fede ring { similar here } | Tory Burch Calyx tunic& straw bag { similar here& here } | J Crew studded lace-up gladiator sandals 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

BLACK & WHITE SHOE STAPLES

July 5, 2014, 8:13 am

≫ Next: EN VACANCES :: SAN FRANCISCO TO CARMEL

≪ Previous: PEARLS & FLORALS

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Good morning and happy weekend, Everyone! Don't really know what it is lately, but I just can't seem to stop wearing and buying:) black and white footwear. Perhaps it's the fact that they seem to go with just about everything or maybe it's because I can't say no to a bolt shoe:)! Or maybe it's both, but it's definitely becoming quite an obsession lately! So, I thought I'd use this opportunity to share a few of my favorite ones at the moment. 

Sophia Webster Mila sandals in black | Sophia Webster Riko Tribal lace-up suede sandals { also love this option & this one } | Schutz Gilberta pumps | ASOS Holborn heeled sandals | Rafe mother-of-pearl box clutch 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

EN VACANCES :: SAN FRANCISCO TO CARMEL

July 7, 2014, 6:02 am

≫ Next: SUMMER BRIGHTS :: LAGUNA BEACH TRIPPIN'

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Good morning, Everyone! I hope your week is going great so far! I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few of my favorite Summer activities and hangout spots. You see, when Emil and I met 8 years ago, our love of travel was one of the first things that brought us together. Over the years, we have taken countless trips exploring new destinations, because for us, there really isn't anything quite like discovering a new place together, yet there are a few of those magical spots which will forever hold our hearts and keep us coming back over and over again. With time, traveling to these places became an annual tradition and a road trip to Carmel is definitely something we have done every Summer for the past few years. Now, I can probably write a book telling you why I love these road trips so much but I figured a better idea was to do a blog post documenting our adventures. So, I hope you enjoy this journey with me!

This post was brought to you in collaboration with David Yurman, all opinions are my own.

This time around, before going to Carmel we decided to stop in San Francisco. Though we've been there before, our last visit was too brief to really explore the city. So this time, we were really dedicated to getting to know San Francisco a little better. Our absolutely favorites were the beautiful downtown area, the Lombard street and of course the Golden Gate park. We also couldn't resist taking another look at the Golden Gate bridge, and I have to tell you, seeing the sun set over it never seizes to amaze us! Since Emil and I are complete and total foodies, we never pass up on an opportunity to explore local cafes and restaurants. The one place we found particularly charming was the Tartine Bakery, which was recommended to me by a reader during my last visit. And I have to say, I am truly thankful for her recommendation. The coffee and pastries were absolutely outstanding, so if you have fondness for either, I definitely recommend stopping by. 

After spending a few days in San Francisco, we headed to Carmel. We've stayed at a number of different places in Carmel before, but this time around we decided to look for something a little different. You see, lavender happens to be a particular favorite of mine, and I have always dreamt of seeing the beautiful lavender fields. We arrived to our hotel early in the morning, and from the moment we got to Carmel Valley Ranch, it felt like we were in a fairy tale. Extending from Carmel-by-the-Sea to Santa Lucia mountains, the ranch is covered in vineyards and lavender fields as far as the eye can see. We spend the next few days wondering around the organic gardens, the vineyards and lavender fields and relaxing by the pool. 

I can't help but to re-live the memories of our adventures as I am writing this post, which of course inevitably results in planning yet another trip to Carmel. And since it's been a few weeks since our visit, I think it's definitely time to do it again!:)

P.S. If you love David Yurman jewelry as much as I do, please CLICK HERE to check out some of my personal favorites on davidyurman.com 

Look 1: Reed Krakoff Boxer tote { also love this very pretty version in soft blue on SALE here } | Torn by Ronny Kobo Rivi pants | Dolce & Gabbana Kate patent leather pumps |  Finders Keepers Star Eyes check grid print top | Look 2: Truth & Pride silk blazer { similar option here & here } | Schutz Fiorenza heels | Nanette Lepore strip flirty skort | Loeffler Randall Agenda cross body bag { also love this color option } | Look 3: J CREW Panama hat & top { similar here & here } | Chanel Boy flap bag | Theory Veneza Ganelle dress | Look 4: Finders Keepers Call Me dress| Saint Laurent Jane leather ankle strap sandals 

David Yurman jewelry throughout: 
Bracelets: The Cable Wrap Collection bracelet with blue topaz & diamonds, The Willow Collection open five-row bracelet with diamonds, The Waverly Collection bracelet with diamonds, The Cable Classics Collection bracelet with rose quartz and diamonds | Earrings: The Cable Wrap Collection double-drop earrings with blue topaz and diamonds, The Cable Wrap Collection earrings with rose quartz and diamonds | Rings: The Willow Collection open four-row ring with diamonds, The Labyrinth Collection triple-loop ring with diamonds | Timepieces: Women's classic 38mm quartz watch, Classic 34mm lavender ceramic quartz watch 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

                                                                  

SUMMER BRIGHTS :: LAGUNA BEACH TRIPPIN'

July 9, 2014, 6:14 am

≫ Next: NEON PLEATS

≪ Previous: EN VACANCES :: SAN FRANCISCO TO CARMEL

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Good morning, Everyone! I hope you are enjoying your week. I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few images from a super impromptu trip Emil and I took last week. As much as I love Los Angeles, and I really do, once in a while, it gets so hot in LA that it's hard to think straight, which is usually when we take these mini vacations and go somewhere a bit cooler, like Laguna Beach for example. About an hour and a half drive from LA, Laguna is truly a little slice of paradise. The beaches are absolutely beautiful, the water is always warm and there are plenty of cute little shops and restaurants around. For us, it's really one of those places we can't get enough of and always find very difficult to leave. 

Since most of the time we can only get away for a few days, I don't take a lot of stuff with me, which  by the way is a huge accomplishment, considering that only a few years ago I would bring a huge suitcase full of shoes and clothing none of which I ended up wearing. It's taken a few years, but I've learned my lesson! Now, I bring only the absolute essentials, like a cute summery dress, swimsuit and coverup, roomy bag, oversized sunnies and a pair of comfy flats, so that my poor feet can get some rest:) I also try keep my jewelry to a minimum and opt for a single statement piece like the cute PANDORA charm bracelet from the Summer Drop Collection I'm wearing in this post, rather than my usual armparty. I always found charm bracelets charming:) but this particular one is very dear to me because Emil and I got it especially for this trip. We also decided that it will accompany us on all our future Laguna Beach  vacations and we will add new charms to commemorate each new visit. So, I am really hoping we'll be coming back to Laguna pretty soon, since I have my eye on at least a dozen cute little charms:)

PANDORA Summer Drop Collection bracelet & charms | Nanette Lepore Nomad dress | IVI Vision Dusky sunglasses in Aqua Fede { similar options here & here } | Louis Vuittoncarryall bag in monogram  canvas | Tory Burch Calyx tunic, straw bag { similar here & here } & Milos bikini { top & bottom}  | J Crew studded lace-up gladiator sandals 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

NEON PLEATS

July 11, 2014, 7:17 am

≫ Next: GILDED BUTTERFLIES

≪ Previous: SUMMER BRIGHTS :: LAGUNA BEACH TRIPPIN'

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Good morning and happy almost weekend, Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful week!

I don't normally wear maxi dresses. But this particular pleated perfection of a dress in the prettiest shade yellow is just one of those pieces I can definitely make an exception for. I think I talked about it before, but for me, there is just something about dresses that move... and let me tell you, this one definitely does. The slightest movement makes the skirt float and dance in the most graceful of ways, though I have to confess, I probably help the floating situation a little by twirling profusely every 5 minutes or so. What can I say... I am only human and I am pretty sure it is not humanly possible to wear this dress without twirling!:)

Line & Dot pleated maxi dress | Thale Blanc Ciara clutch | Saint Laurent Jane leather ankle strap sandals | J Crew pearl open bangle, contoured spike cuff  & wishbone cuff | Dior Mise en Dior earrings | Gold Philosophy layered pearl ring & twin pearl open ring 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

GILDED BUTTERFLIES

July 13, 2014, 7:57 am

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Good morning and happy weekend, Everyone! I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few new favorites, i. e. the beautiful Thale Blanc Flutter of Hope clutch & Schutz Ezri sandals. As you may know, I am a big believer in details, especially when it comes to accessories. In my opinion, it's the little details that are responsible for turning any accessory into a total statement piece. Case in point, brass butterflies engraved on a plexiglass clutch and gold-banded straps added to a pair of black heels not only make a very dramatic statement but also add a wow factor and make these two pieces absolutely lust-worthy! 

Thale Blanc Flutter of Hope clutch | Schutz Ezri sandals via Fatal Obsessions | J Crew pearl open bangle, contoured spike cuff  & wishbone cuff | Gold Philosophy layered pearl ring | Anthropologie double pearl necklace 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

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CITY STRIPES

July 14, 2014, 8:32 am

≫ Next: NEW FAVORITES: AQUAZZURA SAHARIENNE SANDALS & ELODIE K #ARMPARTY

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Good morning, Everyone! Hope you all had a lovely weekend! After spending a few days in Palm Springs, Emil and I are back in LA, enjoying the slightly cooler weather. And by slightly, I mean a difference of  at least 15-20 degrees! It really was super hot in Palm Springs this time around. Since I spent most of our time in Palm Srpings wearing nothing but bikinis and denim cutoffs, when Emil suggested we go out for dinner in Downtown LA, I jumped at the chance to finally dress up again! As much as I love denim shorts, casual tank tops and not wearing make up for a few days, sometimes it feels so nice to put on a dress and a pair of heels:) Oh, and talking about dresses, the one I'm wearing in today's post is my current go-to dress for just about anything from dinners to meetings and everything in between. Love the easy silhouette and the bold stripes, but I think my favorite thing about this dress has to be the front pockets! I know, I talk about pockets all the time:) but for me cute little details like that make all the difference!  What about you guys, what kind of details do you look for? 

Cameo Your Soul dress { in thinner stripes here } | IRO Zarius bag in white | Sergio Rossi stiletto suede pumps { similar here & here } | BaubleBar contrast galactic drop earrings | MICHELE Deco Diamond watch & patent leather strap |  Melanie Auld pave 4-tier ring | Wanderlust & Co chevron stack rings 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

NEW FAVORITES: AQUAZZURA SAHARIENNE SANDALS & ELODIE K #ARMPARTY

July 16, 2014, 9:22 am

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Good morning, Everyone! How is your week going so far? I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few images of some of my new obsessions. You see, I've been looking for a pair of snake-print sandals for the longest time, but just couldn't seem to find exactly what I was looking for. That is until I spotted these gorgeous strappy Aquazzura sandals. Most of the time, I look for sandals with a fairly high heel. For some inexplicable reason, a lot of snake-print sandals I came across either had no heel at all or it just wasn't high enough. Also, I wanted something I could wear day or night, and these go perfectly with a pair of jeans or a cute cocktail dress. So, win win in both categories:) Oh, and in terms of comfort, though they are not exactly bunny slippers, as far as high heels go, they are definitely one of my most comfortable pairs. I have small but fairly wide feet, so finding sandals that don't cut-off circulation completely is always a bonus:) 

Another obsession I've developed lately, is rather two separate obsessions combined into one. Rose gold and ear cuffs, and if I can find a combination of both, well..., that's even better! Since I've been wearing quite a few ear cuffs lately, I can tell you, most of them are not comfortable to wear. The 2 main problems I come across with ear cuffs are as follows: either the clip-on part fits really snug and eventually begins to hurt, or it just doesn't grip well enough (I lost a few ear cuffs and didn't even notice). Now, the particular one I am wearing in today's post fits just perfectly. Not too tight or too loose, it hooks securely to your earlobe, stays in place while you don't even feel it's there at all. Fact that it just happens to be the prettiest combination of rose gold and delicate stones is definitely an added bonus!:)

Aquazzura Saharienne sandals { more sizes here } | Elodie K floating stone chain wrap bracelet, floating stone marquis ring& multistone earcuff | Estee Lauder Pure Color nail polish in So Vain 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

RUBY SLIPPERS

July 19, 2014, 9:40 am

≫ Next: TAILORED EYELET & NEW FAVORITES FROM FERRAGAMO BUCKLE COLLECTION

≪ Previous: NEW FAVORITES: AQUAZZURA SAHARIENNE SANDALS & ELODIE K #ARMPARTY

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Good morning and happy Saturday, Everyone! Just wanted to say a quick hello and share a few images Emil and I shot on Friday. We spent the day in Malibu, doing a bit of shopping, hanging out with friends and a whole lot of walking around, enjoying the sunny weather. Though normally it tends be be a bit cooler in Malibu, on this particular day, the weather ended up being absolutely perfect! Not too hot, or too cool, but sunny with a light ocean breeze that is so synonymous with summers for me. Sitting on a patio of our favorite little cafe, sipping on our iced teas, we couldn't help but want to push a pause button, just so we can enjoy this day a little longer... What can I say, is there really anything better than the smell of the ocean, sun on your skin and Summers in general!?:)

GENETIC Denim Loren skinny jeans in Destroy | Cameo the Label Forgiven top { similar here } | Miu Miu patent leather pumps { similar option here } | Emporio Armani messenger bag { similar here, also love this light grey option } | J Crew wishbone cuff | Coordinates Legend bracelet | Gorjana Elea cuff | BaubleBar Big bondage chain ring | Mr. Kate gold beauty marks 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle 

TAILORED EYELET & NEW FAVORITES FROM FERRAGAMO BUCKLE COLLECTION

July 21, 2014, 8:23 am

≫ Next: SUMMER SOIREE

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Good morning, Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. You may have noticed I've been wearing a lot more white lately. In fact for the past few weeks, I've developed quite an obsession with this particular color, to the point where I have to fight the urge to wear head-to-toe white on daily basis. Don't really know what it is really, but I think that after wearing so much color for the past few years, I feel like cleansing my pallet a bit, so to speak. White feels cool, crisp and refreshing at the moment, so I suppose I stopped fighting and surrendered. The upside of wearing white of course is that I can pair it with accessories in an infinite number of colors. Yet I have to admit, lately I am particularly drawn to the combination of white and rich browns. Though these colors work very well together, I suspect the real reason I've been wearing this combination so much lately is because I am just a little obsessed with my new Ferragamo sunglasses and watch from the Buckle Collection. Polished, elegant and modern, they look great with casual and dressed up looks, and pair beautifully with just about anything from jeans and tailored pieces. 

Though I could of course wear them separately, I prefer wearing the watch and sunglasses together because I feel that they complement each other in the a very understated way and help to complete a look without creating one of those matchy-matchy effects. Suppose what I am really trying to say here is that there is a good chance you're going to be seeing a lot more of white on this blog, paired together with my new Ferragamo obsessions, so I hope you don't mind:) 

Salvatore Ferragamo Buckle Collection sunglasses & watch | Robert Rodriguez dress | Helmut Lang blazer | Aquazzura sandals | Saint Laurent bag 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

SUMMER SOIREE

July 22, 2014, 3:20 pm

≫ Next: SHORT SHORTS IN SAN DIEGO

≪ Previous: TAILORED EYELET & NEW FAVORITES FROM FERRAGAMO BUCKLE COLLECTION

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Good morning, everyone! How is your week going so far? Last week Emil and I spent a few very relaxing days in Palm Springs. While we were there, we decided to host a little dinner party for our family and friends. The house we were staying in, had one of those amazing backyards with a pool, a fire pit and a sitting area, basically an absolutely ideal location to throw a little Summer soiree:)! Of course, I'll take any excuse to plan a dinner party because I am completely obsessed with decorating, and table decor in particular! 

Because I feel that a dinner table is the heart of any party and is likely to set the mood for the entire event, when planning how to decorate it, I start by thinking about the setting and the color palette. You see, I think it's really important to have balance and harmony between the table and the surroundings. For this particular event, I chose to stick with the same color palette for the table as the rest of the backyard, combining white, sand and orange. Once I chose the color palette, I started setting the table. Usually, I like to start with place settings first, then do the center decorative part. I think that place settings are the fundament of the table, once they are complete, it is easy to see what is missing and what needs to be added to make the table more festive. For me, decorating the center of the table is all about combining deferent textures and unexpected elements. For this particular table, I combined Moroccan-inspired lanterns, silver candleholders, mint julep cups and an oversized pitcher, which I used as a vase. 

The final finishing touch - personal menus and place cards. I feel that little details like that make a table look extra special. Rather than having them printed, I actually prefer to design my own. Aside from the fact that I really enjoy the actual process of designing them (playing with different colors and fonts is completely addictive), it's much more convenient, especially if you like to throw dinner parties last minute, which Emil and I certainly do:) So, I always keep a few different menu designs in PDF format on my phone, which allows me to quickly change the menu items and print them directly from my phone on my Canon PIXMA MG7120 Wireless Inkjet All-in-one printer using the PPS app. In case you are just as obsessed with creating personalized menus, place cards or thank you notes, the PPS app is the best thing ever because it allows you to print from your phone directly to your PIXMA MG7120 printer from absolutely anywhere. How cool is that!? Another reason why Emil and I really like the PPS app is that you can print pics directly from social platforms like Facebook and Twitter or storage sites like Dropbox or Picasa, which comes in handy when we set up selfie photo booth at parties and want to print pics right away! Honestly, the process is so easy: download the PPS app through iTunes on your mobile device, choose an image or document from your preferred platform, print wirelessly, & voila your print is waiting for you at home!

Shoshanna Ceclie dress | J Crew pearl open bangle & wishbone cuff | Gold Philosophy layered pearl ring & twin pearl open ring | Essie nail polish in Bikini So Teeny 

This post was brought to you by in collaboration with Canon PIXMA and Burst Media, the opinions and texts are all mine. 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle