Style – Modern Notebook

Holiday gift guide: Bringing California to you

I have been meaning to write a gift guide for a few months now but couldn’t nail down what I wanted it to focus on. I wanted it to be relevant and accessible to people who read this blog.

I had several ideas that I didn’t get to this year, but might some other time. Gifts for moms? Small children’s shops? Shops in my town of Claremont, CA? Well, I am finishing up an Instagram guide to some of my current favorite shops in Claremont and I’ll give some a shoutout here too.

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Small patio inspiration

home, Style

Sources: Accent table / Chairs / Outdoor rug / String lights

First posted on July 15, 2020. Updated on September 23, 2020.

My husband and I have lived in our current apartment for almost two years. It’s our second home together and the first one with an outdoor patio. I like the idea of having an outdoor space, but truth is we hardly ever spend time out there. The main thing we’re getting out of is the valuable storage space of having a shed that came with the apartment. That is pretty helpful!

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The shirts I have in multiples

Fashion, Style

Gap striped ballet back shirt.png

I got one of these Gap modern stripe ballet back shirts, then within a month I ordered another one. It’s that good. I ordered the first in my current size but it fit loose, so I sized down for the second one. I have it in “coral & blue stripe” and “yellow stripe.” Unfortunately, it’s on final sale now and running low.

I like that it’s 3/4 sleeves because I feel like that’s perfect for fall days when it’s cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon.

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3 cold weather beauty problems + solutions

Beauty, Style

As the weather cools and the air becomes less humid, I need to switch up my skincare and hair routine. If I’m not careful, my skin will become so dry it flakes or cracks and my scalp will get dry, especially when the Santa Ana winds are in full effect.

Over the years I’ve realized what typical problems come up for my skin and hair during the fall and winter months, and I’ve come up with a few solutions. I have some favorite products for dealing with dry skin, chapped lips and hat hair.

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Fall wedding guest look

Fashion, Style

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the end of October and the wedding I’ve been looking forward to all year has come and gone. My aunt married her sweetheart yesterday and it was so wonderful to witness. I cried a few happy tears during the ceremony and might have cried more if I wasn’t trying to avoid smearing my eyeliner.

It was nice to have so much family together too. All my aunt’s nieces and nephews were able to come. I don’t think my cousins and I had all been together for 10 years or so.

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Our wedding look

Life & Adventures, Style

I thought I would share a bit more on our wedding vision, vintage romantic, and how it played out in the overall look. I was inspired by a few things from the beginning of the planning process: our cake topper, our wedding rings and my parents’ wedding photos.

We had found our cake topper way before the wedding and before we were close to being engaged. The cake topper couple sort of looks like us. I saw it in an antique shop when Paul and I were wandering around The Orange Circle. I think that was when had been together for a year and a half or so. I don’t remember exactly. I told Paul how much I liked it and he went back to buy it a few days later.

Our wedding rings and my engagement ring were rose gold rings from Andrea Bonelli, a small business that uses recycled metals and ethically mined stones.

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A lil lavender love

Beauty, Style

I guess you could say I’m into lavender lately. My fascination began with a bottle of culinary lavender from Target. It was on sale, and whenever I see herbs or spices on sale, I have to get them because they can be pricey otherwise.

Next came the Angels on Bare Skin from Lush. I love picking up new products from Lush. Rarely am I disappointed. I read somewhere that skin care products with lavender are calming and good for people with sensitive skin, so when I saw the face and body cleanser in store, I was sold on the idea. It’s soft and exfoliating at the same time. I use it as face wash, mostly. My face is left feeling super smooth after every wash. I also like to use it to exfoliate rough patches, such as my elbows, knees, and heels.

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Shoe dreams come true

Fashion, Style

Aka my shoe collection

I was going through my blog archives recently, and came across this post on what shoes I wanted for fall back in 2014. I’m happy to say that my shoe collection has expanded since then.

At this point in my life, I have probably the biggest shoe collection I’ve ever had. Some pairs were Christmas presents, others were hand-me downs, and the rest I got for myself.

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