NORDSTROM
SALE, SALE, SALE
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Its here! My favorite sale of the year! Whether you’re shopping for gifts or picking up a few items from your own list, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite must see sales this Thanksgiving week. Now is really the time to get your shopping done and just think, by December 1st you can be done! Well sort of…! Last year my big purchase was this pair of boots and I’m still so happy I got them! I will be updating this sale page for the rest of the week and throughout the weekend so keep checking back for more picks and promotions!
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shopbop
UP TO 25% OFF WITH CODE MORE18
mango
30% off with code BLACK18
MADEWELL
25% OFF WITH CODE DEALWITHIT
This sweater dress
White jeans 365 days a year!
Love the button detailing on this sweater + how adorable are the crop flair pants paired with it?
Love this long-sleeved tee for under $20. Something I always forget to buy but so so happy I have when I have them!
You can never have enough cozy drawstring pants! This would be great paired with a black cashmere sweater and sneakers or boots for an elevated “lounge” look.
SERENA & LILY
20% off with code GATHER
FROM DESK TO DINNER - THE PERFECT BLACK DRESS
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Taking a break from holiday gift guides to share this versatile look. I jokingly posted on Instagram last night that my dream job would be anything that I could wear this dress “from desk to dinner”. I love it in Fall’s warmer temps with pumps and later I’ll be pairing it with black opaque tights and black suede booties.
In other news…the Black Friday/cyber sales have already begun! I don’t know how I feel about them all launching so early. Not the biggest fan of that happening before turkey day. Thoughts? It puts the pressure on especially if you’re the one cooking! If you’re looking for a less expensive version of today’s dress I found this pretty style for 25% off. I’ll be posting ALL my favorite sales on the blog tomorrow. Stay tuned!
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dresses
THE GIFT GUIDE - gifts for him
Collaboration ALERT! I’m so excited for today’s Gift Guide because it was created by a special guest blogger (hehe) my husband Frank! When I started working on this year’s holiday shopping round ups I decided there were a few that I wanted to call on an expert for (click here for the tween - my 18 year old niece weighed in!). When I worked for Ralph Lauren it was so easy to shop for the men in my life and all my gifts were always a home run. Now that I’m out of “retail” I need to be a little more creative and honestly, more thoughtful. Its hard to not get sucked into the “standard” man gifts, i.e. gloves, flasks, slippers. When Frank sent me his picks I asked him, “seriously, would you want this?” and he said yes to everything! I think the key is finding pieces that feel different and curated. There were a couple of pieces that I liked but didn’t make the cut so rest assured this is an authentic “man” roundup! One of my favorite stocking stuffers is this soap. It smells amazing - also check out this after shave cream from the same brand.
I love today’s collab and I hope you do too. Also side note: now I know what to get Frank for Christmas:)
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the guy guide
THE GIFT GUIDE - for the boys
I could have made this gift guide over 100 items!!! Love shopping for BOY presents:) This gift guide is a combination of Luke’s favorite things and some items on our wishlist for the boys this year. This sweeping/cleaning set has resulted in hours of self-play and recently Harry has loved this pushing this shopping cart around. This is one of my go-to sites for finding interesting toys and home items for kids and babies. They also have great parenting articles. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for boys (and girls) and actually adults love these too…click here. You can NEVER have enough!
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FOR THE BOYS
THE GIFT GUIDE
the perfect hostess
FOR THE TEENAGE GIRL WHO HAS IT ALL
WEEKEND RECAP + DESIGN INSPIRATION
SATURDAY CITY DAY WITH LUKE AT ABC CARPET & HOME
When we moved into our house two years ago I had a vision. In the blink of an eye I had completed our foyer (wallpaper, light fixture, painted trim, and upholstered our window seat bench). We stripped and re-finished the floors in the living room/dining room, decorated a little, and then…I was stumped! All the other projects were bigger, more costly, and overwhelming. Now after two years of living in our house I’m ready to pick it up again. On the list: finish the boys rooms, update the kitchen and first floor powder room, add more furniture here and there. Oh and we need new windows, HAHA! See, I told you it was overwhelming! We are trying to do the smaller projects on our own if possible (Frank started painting the bedroom hallway this weekend) so we can splurge a little on other things.
Do you pin? Recently, I’ve been spending a lot more time on Pinterest . Its really helping me hone in on what I want our home to look like and its also been a very helpful tool for conveying my vision to Frank and designer friends helping me. A few years ago I stumbled on this home makeover and it really stuck with me. I keep going back to it and now it’s become my main source of inspiration for our living room. I really went through a phase where I was uninterested in anything home related and now that I’ve experienced a spark I’m so excited to get moving! Stay tuned and follow along! I’ll be sharing updates with you via the new “AT HOME” tab on the blog under “LIFE”.
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living room inspiration
I love this space because its very calming and inviting. Its also not overly feminine which is important to me.
TROTTA HOUSE
ANTHRO SALE
images via One Kings Lane
BLUSH FOR FALL
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sunglasses // jacket // blouse // faux suede leggings // pumps (old tagged similar) // bag (similar)
I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever shared these leggings before! I always suggest them to clients because they are the BEST faux suede I’ve ever found. The fit is high-waisted so they’re also very flattering and never ride down your legs. I first bought them during a Black Friday sale two years ago and recently acquired (happily) a second pair from a client! The first pair I picked up was an XS but these are a S. I either put on a few pounds or they started cutting them smaller. I’ll go with the latter:)
I’m always on the hunt for “night” outfits that are not dresses. If I’m investing in a piece like this jacket, I want to know that I’ll be able to wear it in multiple ways: over a dress, paired with jeans, etc. This is my third jacket by this brand. It sounds excessive but I wear them all the time. The other two I purchased 5 plus years ago and have been able to wear them to work, day, night events, and they’ve also been great for travel. They’re really a great closet staple/investment piece. If you don’t want to spend the money here is one I found (similar, kind of!). Here is the same style in black/grey.
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HOLIDAY PREVIEW
photos by carter fish
12 LACE TOPS FOR HOLIDAY
Whether you’re headed to an office holiday party, drinks with the girls, or having friends over for a Friday night dinner, lace is a great go-to for any holiday occasion. I love lace blouses because you can style them back to denim (like I’m doing today) or throw on a pair of satin or leather pants for a dressier look. This is my favorite pair of faux suede leggings. They’re under 100 and on sale! This faux leather pair would look great with a suede pump and a stamens earring. For an elegant monochromatic look, pair an neutral style back to an ivory tuxedo style like this one.
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LACE BLOUSE
NEUTRAL
BLACK
WHAT TO WEAR: BERET
What do I wear everyday? Thats my most frequently asked question these days on Instagram. My go-to for Fall is a great pair of denim and a cozy oversized sweater. I’ve been living in these jeans. They are a super comfortable high-waisted fit with a skinny ankle that will tuck easily into boots or booties. When I tried them on at the brand’s new store in Soho I couldn’t believe they were $68. Insider tip: size down, I’m wearing a 25 here.
Recently I’ve been doing a ton of pinning on Pinterest. Its a great tool for outfit inspiration and I also find that it helps me see my closet in a different way. I end up putting together new outfits that I didn’t realize I had. Follow along to see whats inspiring me like my most recent beret pins here!
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SHOP THE POST
GOLD RUSH
featured
A little glitz and a little glamour for today’s Lust List! I love shopping for holiday party outfits and there is something about this color palette that makes me think of the good old days, the Great Gatsby, and Frank Sinatra. Ralph Lauren used to always do a black and gold holiday collection in either Purple Label or Polo (he may still) and it was one of my favorites every year! This military inspired dress almost made it in - love the twist on a classic. I also love this style for holiday parties and its bra-friendly!
This slip dress - love the black lace detailing on the neckline and hem. This style would be great with a black velvet blazer!
Here is your go with everything black patent pump - pair with skinny jeans out to dinner or a cocktail party dress.
Love these earrings. This brand is so unique and creative. The founder is so chic and inspirational and I always want everything she creates! Queen of the statement piece!
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THE GUIDE - NOVEMBER
THE GUIDE
MAKE THIS
Recently there has been a lot of hype about this “new” superfood. One of the bloggers I follow suffers from Crohn’s disease and she swears by the healing properties in this veggie. I liked this article and recipe and plan on giving it a shot in November! Stay tuned!
DESIGN THIS
We have started a few much needed projects around the house…like replacing all of our windows EEK! One of the updates I’m really excited about is our fireplace. I love the traditional mantle but we are changing the red tile to a more neutral grey and white stone (not sure the name of it but will keep you posted). Loved seeing this article for inspiration!
READ THIS
This is a topic I know almost nothing about. Quite frankly its one I would rather ignore, but as a mother of two children, planning is extremely important. After I read this article I realized that actually the alternative to not planning is scarier than facing it head on. You’ll see what I mean when you read…
WEAR THIS
I know you’re probably sick of this website by now (it has seriously been so good this season I can’t stop going for more) but this sweater is amazing. Things can start looking a gray outside during the winter and I love how this color pops. It also works well on every skin tone and compliments gray, ivory, and browns well.
DO THIS
The weather is getting colder on the East Coast and many families struggle during this time of year to stay warm. While you’re cleaning out your closets look out for old coats, hats, gloves, and thermal-wear that you no longer need and donate it to a local shelter or organization. I will be donating mine to Person-to-Person this season.
STYLE THIS
“There’s a real strength to knowing who you are and having your own distinct look, because real style doesn’t change from season to season. I have found my uniform and I would never wear anything that didn’t feel like me just because it was ‘in fashion’.” I love this quote from an article on Danish stylist, Alexandra Carl. Her style inspires me to continue to be myself in a world that can so easily sway you to look like someone else. Don’t be swayed!
currently loving
HOW TO DRESS DOWN A COCKTAIL DRESS + WEEKEND RECAP
When you invest in a piece like this dress, its nice to know that you’ll be able to wear it in multiple ways. Dressing it down with your favorite cardigan and a pair of boots is a simple and chic look that will take you from day into night!
get the look
WEEKEND RECAP
The Girl Guide in the city
We had a pretty low key and mostly unplanned weekend. It was nice to just hang around the house on Sunday and knock things off my to-do list. Luke and I made banana bread and it was so delicious! I used this recipe and supplemented the flour for a GF option, used coconut sugar, and replaced the sour cream with Laava dairy-free yogurt. I crossed my fingers that it wouldn’t taste horrible and it worked! It made for a yummy dessert after our Sunday night dinner at my parent’s house.
My best friend recently moved to Nashville (you might remember my road trip with her this summer!?) and she was back in NYC for the weekend. Earlier in the week I made plans to take one of the boys in with me for an early Saturday dinner. That morning everyone woke up a little sniffly and with the rain I ended up making a game time decision to go solo. It ended up being an awesome night and I was actually so thankful to have some one-on-one time with my friend sans kids. We realized it had been seven years since we went out alone together in the city.
I squeezed in a little shopping right before dinner. First stop was one of my favorite boutiques in SoHo. Its a must-visit if you’re ever in the city. I fell in love with everything…these pants and this sweater. After that I visited one of my new favorite shops for closet staples in search for a bootie. I ended up buying these which are amazing. They’re made in Italy and the leather is so soft. I highly recommend all of their shoes.
For dinner we went to little prince and it was delicious. The restaurant was small and cozy and exactly what we were looking for! Order the quinoa appetizer:)
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OCTOBER + e-styling
featured
In less than one week it will be November!!! Which is so crazy and also reminds me that I need to finish Luke’s Halloween costume! I don’t mean to scare anyone, but today I bought my first Christmas present. EEEK! I always say I’m going to start early but this year I’m really committed. I’ve been feeling busier than ever and I know it will significantly help my stress levels in December if I start to prepare now. That brings me to some exciting news!!! Did you know that the majority of my styling business is made up of e-styling clients? What is “e-styling” you might ask? When I launched my business 8 years ago it was completely local. Over the years (and with the help of the internet and social media) it has evolved and now I find that almost half of my business is spread all over the US. Because I can’t be jet setting all over the country to shop with you in person (I wish!!!) I have created an e-styling option for clients. Whether you need help with an upcoming event, a closet refresh, or gift-giving ideas, I’m here for you! You will receive curated shopping guides tailored for you (much like my weekly Lust Lists).
If you’re interested in e-styling send us a note to hello@thegirlguide.com. No request is too small and we will let you know if we have availability before the holidays:)
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BOY STYLE
Let me tell you a little story about shopping for my boys! A few months ago I started looking for special occasion outfits for two weddings we had in September and early October. For Luke, both required that he wear a tuxedo which after a little research I realized it was going to be much more cost effective (and nicer) to buy. For Harrison I was looking for something a little more sweet and I didn’t love the idea of a baby in a suit. I went to 5 stores and NOTHING! There were so many amazing options for girls but no cold weather dressier looks for boys. I ended up finding a sweet navy corduroy coverall from a local store that I paired with navy socks but I remember thinking, this shouldn’t so hard!!
One of my most frequently requested posts is for boy clothes. I linked my four favorite brands below and will usually mix in a few pieces from Zara and Jacadi every season as well. If you’re a boy mom like me you’ll see it can be really fun to coordinate and also much easier to pass down classic styles!
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FOR THE BOYS
PRACTICAL PIECES
My go-to for basics. Note: Size DOWN! Everything runs very large
FOREVER PIECES (AND ONE DAY HAND-ME-DOWNS)
I’m biased because I used to work for this brand but I have to say, the quality is like no other. Being a mom of two boys its worth the investment!
CLASSICS
My aunt started buying pieces for Luke from this brand in Belgium and I’ve become a huge fan! Love the classic styles and their fabrics are great - Luke always asks to wear the sweatshirt I linked:)
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
I started shopping this brand in the Spring and love it! The quality is great and the price point is too!
currently loving
long sleeve cozy tee in cloud // c/o harbor clothing
cross back overalls in sand // c/o harbor clothing
THE SWEATER DRESS
I splurged on these boots last Fall during one of the big Black Friday sales and I’m still so happy I did. They were the kind of purchase that I wondered it was trendy or not but I loved them so much I didn’t care! Ya know? :) I’ve worn them so many times with skirts, dresses, leggings, everything! They are so versatile and always make me feel good. Also, I thought the color might be tough but they’ve held up so well (city, country, and KIDS!).
GET THE LOOK
I think I ran to this dress in slow-mo when I saw it in the store. I started ordering online from this brand last year and I didn’t realize they had a store in NYC till a few months ago. Last week my Aunt was in town from Belgium for my sister’s wedding and we went together on Monday. She laughed when we walked in and said, “Steph, this store was made for you!”. It’s kind of a neutral lover’s dream. You can order with confidence because the quality really is great for the price. Love their outerwear. Here is a post featuring one of their sweaters from last winter.
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outerwear
everything else
FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE DRESSES
I love wearing dresses (I may or may not have already started a post with that statement) and I especially love when you can wear them all year round. I posted this insider tip on my Instagram a few days ago: for colder months layer leggings and a thermal top under our maxi dress for extra warmth. If the top is sleeveless, layer a cardigan over the dress followed by a coat. I discovered this brand about a year and a half ago and i’m obsessed with everything they create. Since then they have become a cult favorite of celebrities, stylists, and influencers. You really can’t go wrong with any of their pieces. I would suggest sizing down (especially in the tops). How would I describe this brand? Bohemian elegant :)
On another note, I’ve started doing some Thanksgiving styling for a few clients and love this dress! Also loving this style. Hope everyone has an awesome weekend! Ours is going to be a combination of work, house projects, birthday and parties!
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FALL FLORALS
long
short
A FOUR SEASON BAG
HOLIDAY CARD SHOOT INSPIRATION
FOR YOU
texture, color, & print
One of my first styling opportunities EVER was with a family looking for help with their Christmas card shoot. I was 26 and working for Ralph Lauren and was very excited to style everyone from the kids to the dogs! They were looking for a classic holiday vibe and wanted to incorporate plaid into every look. At the time I shopped mostly at RL of course and but really wish I had known about this amazing blanket company . For my shoot with the boys I knew I wanted to bring our blanket to the beach. I was nervous about how it would hold up with the kids, stains, beach, etc. Machine washable items are an essential part of #momlife and this blanket did not disappoint:)
I absolutely LOVE these overalls. When I first discovered this account on Instagram I was gushing over all the little girl’s clothing (and also secretly wanting a girl to dress in all the perfectly muted florals and soft cotton). I was also so excited to find that they had equally adorable options for boys. Let me tell you its not easy finding interesting clothing for boys. I usually shop a combination of Zara, H&M, and Petit Bateau but I’m always looking for something original. You have to check out these bloomies! Such a great gift!
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TIPS FOR GREAT PICS
don’t wear black
don’t wear sunglasses (ignore the ones where i’m wearing them here!)
don’t stress about getting the perfect shot - shooting with children is NOT easy. Children pick up on your stressed out vibes and will act out.
do pick a place where your family will be happy
do bring snacks - feed the models! I bribed my kids with popcorn for this shoot:)
don’t sweat the small stuff - easier said than done I know but its true. I had this amazing plan to bring the boy’s two ukuleles with us to the beach. I knew they would love having them there and it would be so cute in the pictures. I packed them in our bag but in the chaos that ensued at my house pre-photoshoot, Harrison took them out and I never noticed till we got to the beach. I was SO bummed but had to move on. Even though I still wish we had had them, the kids didn’t know and the pictures still came out great!
BLANKET // C/O CHAPPY WRAP
long sleeve cozy tee in cloud // c/o harbor clothing
cross back overalls in sand // c/o harbor clothing
DIY: how to reuse your glass candle jar
I recently posted a picture of my bathroom cabinet and received so many messages about this repurposed candle glass for my makeup and q-tips. I’m not a huge DIY kind of girl but every once in a while I surprise myself! This one is super easy and would also look great on a nightstand, desk, or in your closet. I love repurposing glass and I always feel bad throwing it away. We’ve been using this jelly for years and I have about 20 glasses now that we use for drinking and also for the kids crayons, pens, etc. Stay turned for pics of how we use those in our playroom:)
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step one
burn your amazing diptyque candle (you can use anything for this but these are my favorite aesthetically and love all the scents!)
step two
once you have burned down the candle as much as possible, scrape the remaining wax out with a bread knife. Most of it should just pop out!
step three
for the remaining wax, place the jar in the microwave for 10 seconds and wipe out with a paper towel or old towel. Repeat as needed
step four
rinse the glass with warm water and soap, et voila!
THE CANDLE
CAMEL AND GREY
I bought this coat two years ago when I was working for Theory and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worn it. It was over $500 and an investment piece for sure, but also probably one of my favorite Fall staples in my closet. I’ve worn it over a t-shirt with blue jeans in the early Fall and also bundled up in the colder months with a sweater, scarf, and leather leggings. It is nice to have a piece that I can go to year after year and not feel like I need to purchase a newer “version” of it. Speaking of oldie but goodies…these sneakers are five years old! I bought these at Club Monaco when I was working for Ralph Lauren. I had never seen them anywhere else until we were in Belgium this summer and every store was carrying them! You can shop them online here (in shearling!!!) and here. SO comfortable and durable even in the suede. OK now I’m off to pack for my sister’s wedding! Can’t wait to share this weekend with you:)
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