Nina Dobrev was stunning {as usual} in this custom-made Monique Lhuillier black Chantilly lace bustier jumpsuit with a black leather harness

Anne Hathaway wore vintage Valentino {as usual} but shocked with bleached blonde hair

Katie Holmes in Calvin Klein and a mohawk

{The theme for the Met Gala was ”PUNK: Chaos To Couture” and with each of these looks you can see how the actress retains her overall style, is fashion-forward but also adheres to the theme}

This nautical-inspired look is perfect for Spring. The white denim and striped top are crisp, cheerful wardrobe pieces for Springtime and the navy blazer adds a chic layer that completes the outfit.

I’m been obsessing over a few things this week, specifically clothes and food {my favorite things to obsess over} and can’t get enough of some of the goodies I picked out while in NYC last weekend, starting with this beautiful lace Joie top.

along with these fabulous Chanel espadrilles

and mint, grey and gold jewelry are all favorites and this mint jacket {lusted over previously} is now at the top of my must-wear-constantly list

I’m also excited for this weekend, it is packed with family get-togethers, watching the Kentucky Derby and a mini Cinco de Mayo celebration. My musts for Cinco de Mayo include my favorite guacamole recipe, tacos and margaritas.

I love to try unique drink combinations {passion tea margaritas} and am tempted to also try making this delicious looking chocolate margarita {and check out this fun pinata cake for a unique dessert}

The Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, May 4 and I cannot wait for the festivities; specifically the dresses, hats, food and drinks, plus the race {obvi!}. Throwing a Kentucky Derby party is a must and for so many reasons: a chance to play dress up; wearing beautiful summer dresses with pearls and OTT hats while getting your guy into a bow tie {bonus points if you can do this!} and seer-sucker pants with pastel-colored shirts, a excuse to drink {always a good thing} and play some old-time tunes in the background {even better if it’s on a record player vs an iPad} and don’t forget the adrenaline rush – the Derby is known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” for a reason! So with that in mind, here are my ideas for a fantastic, Southern style party.

The most important thing for this party is What To Wear? The usual look at Churchill Downs is a crazy hat with a not-as-noticed dress {because of the crazy hat}. My preference for this party is a more vintage style with cloche hats, pearls, and a sweet dress {channel your inner Gatsby}

Another What To Wear option is a sweet, preppy style with brightly colored dresses, wide-brimmed hats and monograms {channel your inner Southern Belle/Sorority Girl}

After deciding what to wear, the next most important thing is What To Drink! Mint julep is the requisite drink of the Kentucky Derby, made with with Woodford Reserve, the “official” bourbon of the Kentucky Derby {mint juleps are so popular that over 120,000 are served during the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby} and this recipe is the “official” {and delicious!} version.

After figuring out the drinks, it’s all about What Foods To Serve. The “official” dessert choice is Derby Pie {bourbon, chocolate, and pecans} which is everyone’s favorite Derby dessert that has been served at the Derby for over 50 years. Mint julep Brownies are an option too. Banana Nut Bread {so yum} and Brie Delight are my choice for appetizers, with fruit salad and Benedictine Spread on the side. Kentucky Hot Brown {cannot wait to make this yummy indulgence!} Lobster Mac & Cheese, and a simple chicken salad sandwich are my top choices for the main dishes from the Kentucky Derby.

Finally, Decor For The Party. I love to use bold stripes {feels very racing-like} with colorful floral arrangements {very Derby-esque} in an outdoor setting to create a full-on Derby feel for the party. I also like to to use vintage pieces in my table settings and plan on using a vintage loving cup that will make an ideal centerpiece for this Derby-themed party. Hope everyone enjoys the race!

{read this for a sweet, touching story about a lifelong bond between a racehorse and his trainer}

Mother’s Day is quickly coming up {May 12} and I’ve found gift ideas that are special for each of the various mom’s we need to gift.

Tech Mom ~ Tory Burch ‘Bow’ Tablet Sleeve, Kate Spade ‘Exclamation Point’ USB Drive

Sentimental Mom ~  Personalized Necklace, Recipe Cutting Board or Heirloom Cutting Board

Practical and Stylish Mom ~ The Gospel According to Coco Chanel, DVF Scarf, Cashmere Cardigan, Pajamas

Mom On The Go ~ Cosmetic Travel Case, Joy Gryson Tote Bag 

Mom Who Still Loves Your Craft Projects ~ Sewing Kit In A Jar, Instagram Magnets, Typographic Tote Bag

Book Loving Mom ~ She Walks In Beauty, Mothers and Daughters, Plenty Cookbook

Scented Mom ~ Kate Spade ‘Live Colorfully’ Perfume, Archipelago Botanicals Soy Candle

Gift baskets are wonderful with the personalized feel they evoke when filled with your mom’s favorite things. My favorite ideas include -

Wine basket – fill with mom’s favorite wine, a pretty cork, cocktail napkins and a book on wine

Foodie Basket – fill with specialty foods such as cheeses, breads, spreads and a favorite drink

Tea/Coffee Basket – fill with specialty teas/coffees, teapot, stirrers and a pretty teacup or coffee mug

Spa basket - fill with special bath oil, cream, body polish, polish set, nail kit and cuticle cream

Movie Basket – fill with favorite movies, chocolate treats and a promise to watch those movies with her

The team behind Who What Wear; the online shoppable magazine has now launched Domaine Home, a stylish home site led by Mat Sanders {from Domino and ApartmentTherapy.com} that will spotlight inspiring shelters, decorating tips, DIY, celeb homes and a similar shoppable online magazine in the style of WWW.

Back from my weekend in NYC and I had such a fab time! I took the train to the city and absolutely adore traveling this way; the old-worldly “see the country” feel to it versus being man-handled at the airport. My highlights from the weekend include beyond delicious eats, an extravagant Broadway production {go to TKTS for 50% off same day tickets} gorgeous weather with beautiful Spring flowers in all the parks, and the most fantastic shopping, including the Chanel espadrilles I have been coveting!

{I have a weakness for parks in the middle of the city so Madison Square Park and Bryant Park were must-go spots enjoy the beautiful weather, along with Central Park}

{Chanel espadrilles and lemon macaron from Ladurée}

{Cinderella and Lula glitter shoes}

{La Maison du Chocolate on Madison Ave was one of my must have treats, along with great eats at Brooklyn Bagels, Eataly, Shake Shack, and Ladurée}

{my must-have shops included Ted Baker, Saks, LF, and Joie on Madison Avenue, which has the most wonderful staff and is an utterly beautiful shop}

{see more pics from the weekend here}

I’m off for a long weekend in New York. Springtime in the city is so gorgeous and I can’t wait to go to my favorite spots, indulge in the foods I love and shop! Follow me on Instagram and have a great weekend everybody!

{see a couple other trips here and here}

{messy topknot}
Gather all your hair into a ponytail high on your head then coil the hair in a circle around the ponytail holder so that is covers the holder and creates a bun. Pin some of the ends of the hair underneath the bun,  leaving some unwrapped and hanging loosely from beneath the bun.

{poof ponytail}
Separate hair into two sections-make a part from each temple back to the crown of your head and clip in place creating the main pony and the part to tease to the top of your head to create the poof. Brush the remaining hair back to the crown of your head to form a high ponytail and secure in place. Unclip the remaining hair and tease gently to create volume. Gather the teased hair and smooth slightly with a brush, then lightly pull the teased hair back towards the high ponytail, combining the teased pony section with the high ponytail. Secure in place.

{waterfall braid}
Take a thick lock of hair from one side of your front hairline. Divide that lock into three strands, hold all the strands in the same direction, away from your face. Bring the bottom strand over the center strand and pull the center strand forward toward your face away from the rest of your hair. Bring the top strand over the remaining strand, which is then the new top strand. The old top strand is the new center strand. Pick up a new strand from below the braid; this is the new bottom strand. Pick up a thin strand from above the braid and combine it with the top strand.
Repeat these steps, braiding away from your face until you have braided to the bottom. You should have a braid running along the side of your head from front to back, with a series of loose strands pulled forward from the braid links. Secure the end like you would a regular braid.

{fishtail braid}
Pull all your hair to the side, put in a ponytail then divide hair into two sections. Seperate a section of hair from the edge of the underside of the right seperated section then pull a section from the left and join it with the right. Repeat these steps over and over until you reach the bottom of the braid. Secure in place.

{bubble pony}
Pull your hair into a single, sturdy ponytail. Secure the ponytail in place then tease out the length of the ponytail with a comb, starting at the base near the elastic band. Make a hole above the ponytail holder then loop the bottom of the ponytail up and through the hole. Tug into place. You can leave it with a single bubble or continue adding ponytail holders down the length of your hair and looping back up through the following ponytail holder to create a series of bubbles down your hair.

I have been doing quite a bit of Spring decorating and want our entrance have a bit more of an impact. The space we have is small and dark with awkward angles but these spaces are inspiring me to try to bring in more light with mirrors, clear tables and white accessories, along with adding drama with an animal print or chevron print.