{Mexico Part III.} A Palatial Property

Here is the third and final installment of photos from our Thanksgiving trip to Cabo {yes, after this I promise no more talking about the sunshine as we are currently being poured on}! My tan is beginning to wear off but the scent of the ocean air and freshly fried sugary churros is still lingering on my mind. I wanted to give you all a little photo tour of the villa we were invited to stay in at the Esperanza, a gorgeous palatial property I was lucky to lay my head for the long weekend. I have always loved the idea of indoor/outdoor living and this place was designed just like that. The large windows slide open converting the living room into an extension of the patio with breathtaking views of the Baja peninsula. With my kindle and ipod fully stocked I could lounge around and soak up the sun for hours. I was reading the book "Front Row" an inside story about the editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour and her rise to power. I have yet to finish but I would definitely recommend it to any aspiring fashion journalist or any fashion lover for that matter!!

After a sunset stroll we arrived back at the the villa to the chef's cooking up a delicious traditional Mexican feast including chili rellenos, enchiladas, fresh tortilla chips & guacamole. The evening was seemingly perfect until an impromptu firework show erupted over the villa changing the night from perfect to perfectly spectacular. 

{D.I.Y Invitations} Holiday Soireé

It's been a few years since I have stayed home for the holidays. Last year I was in Egypt, the year before I was in Colorado and before that I truly can not even remember my whereabouts! This year we decided against traveling and I am already taking full advantage. We have picked out our perfect Christmas tree, filled the house with wreaths, lights, mistletoe & holiday scented candles! As we were making the house all pretty I totally caught the festive fever and decided to plan my own little holiday soireé! In an attempt to keep the party within a minimum budget I chose to make my own invitations. I had an idea of what I wanted and headed to Michael's where I found all the supplies I needed to create my Gingerbread House Decorating + Ginger Sparkler Sipping invites. The process was a bit tedious but because there were only a handful of invitations sent out {the thought of making more than a few batches of gingerbread frightens me} it didn't take longer than one afternoon.

I bought gold card stock to use as the gingerbread men and printed out a photo online of a gingerbread man to use as a stencil. I bought red paper to print the details of the party on, as well as sticky embellishments and red ribbon for a little glitz.

I used a hole punch and secured the gingerbread man to the invitation with a sparkly red ribbon.

I bought matching gold envelopes and sealed them with a G that I also found at Michael's. 

Style Me Pretty

When I find an amazing deal I can't bare to keep it to myself! In this case, not only did I find an amazing deal, I found an entire store overflowing with items marked 70-80% off! Here is a little photo shoot I styled using all pieces from the brand new TART Collections pop-up store, {jewels + handbags excluded, they are from my personal collection}. We had so much fun playing dress up with all the amazing clothes including faux leather leggings, sequined numbers, leopard dress's, faux fur vests, there is sooo much to love! 
You can find all the items shown below, and oh so much more at: 

2304 Willow Pass Road, Concord, CA. Mon-Sat 11-7, Sunday 12-6

 

 

Oh, and they also have an entire room filled with onesies to keep you warm during these chilly months . . . i'm dead serious. 

{Mexico Part II.} Divine Decadence

{bcbg hat, beach coverup bought from a lady on the beach in cabo}

If you checked out Part I. of my Mexican Vacation and thought the resort looked familiar it must be because you have either seen the movie The Heartbreak Kid or spied paparazzi photos of Jennifer Aniston and celebrities alike as they are frequently spotted at the Esperanza. This top celebrity hideaway has four pools, all of which have sweeping views of the Sea of Cortez. Pictured below is the "blue pool" my favorite among them all. With complementary massages, fresh coconut Popsicles, aloe cubes, fully loaded i-pod's & refreshing misters offered throughout the day, this kid-free zone has a divine decadence about it. Just past the pool is the Esperanza's private beach where we would post up to watch for whales {we spotted 3}! The resort is perched on the bluffs of Punta Ballena "Whale Point" so we were thrilled that we could be there just as migration season was beginning. I am so grateful that my family still invites me on these lavish vacations, I hope one day I can provide my own family with opportunities to travel and experience all the amazing sites I have been able to!

{Mexico Part I.} Heaven On Earth

{matthew williamson for h&m tunic, vintage christian dior sunglasses, bcbg fedora}

This Thanksgiving, being the unconventional family we are,  we opted for a weekend filled with an abundance of Sunshine, Margaritas and Mexican cuisine instead of the traditional Thanksgiving feast & festivities. To me, it doesn't really matter if you eat turkey or tamales, as long as you are surrounded by loved ones and take the time to give thanks for all the wonderful pleasures in life that is what Thanksgiving is all about. Although I did miss my extended family {and my moms goat cheese mashed potatoes, yummmm} I throughly enjoyed relaxing the long weekend away at the exquisite Esperanza resort in Cabo San Lucas. This Auberge Resort, rated #1 resort, #1 spa & #1 service in Mexico is a getaway fit for a King {or a Princess in my case} and truly a destination everyone should treat themselves a visit to once in their lives! Here is the first installment of photos from the trip, stay tuned for more in the coming days! 

Can't Get Enough Of...

{the juxtaposition of leather & silk}

{ombre style hair}

{leopard shoes...well, leopard anything}

{army green pants}

{sequins as daytime wear}

{metallic nail lacquer}

{military style boots with a feminine flair}

{romantic lace & gossip girl season 4}

{from top the bottom - images via, studded hearts, the glamourai, gary pepper vintage, late afternoon & song of style}