Happy first day of Spring! I know nothing changed overnight but mentally, the idea that it is no longer winter, feels huge for my mental health! So excited for warm weather, light weight jackets, and flats!
Hi! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! I spent most of it working on last years’s accounting for the The Girl Guide (not my favorite hehe) and so happy I’m almost done! The weather was actually beautiful in Connecticut, brisk but the sun was shining, and it made me so excited for what’s to come:)
I’ve spoken about my love for The Berkshires before. So much so that I created a Travel tab and included this location so that you too could experience one of my original “happy places”. As a family we’ve been going up to this area of Massachusetts since I was a little girl. First it was for short ski trips but eventually in my 20’s my parents bought a home in South Egremont that became a weekend escape for nearly a decade. About two years ago they decided they wanted to move closer to us in Connecticut and sold the house. I’ve really missed going up there. Last summer we went up for a John Williams concert at Tanglewood and stayed in a hotel. It wasn’t the same. I think for me the biggest thing is having a kitchen, especially with the kids but also because I love to entertain, pour a glass of wine, and hang. Last month we were chatting with our friends about going up for the weekend and I suggested looking for a house to rent. Collectively our two families have 5 boys under 5 so we knew we wanted space and something that we could “live” in (not too precious). Then I found this place. It was PERFECT! Not only is it beautiful and full of charm, it is also in the ideal location - 15 minutes in each direction to both Great Barrington and West Stockbridge - two towns that we always visit when we go up.
The minute we walked into Jacob’s Tanglewood it felt like home and our kids felt it too! The amenities were great and we found we had everything we needed. Fun fact (and one of the many reasons why I love social media): I posted a picture on instgram while we were up there of the house and one of my husband’s friends from college wrote him saying that the property had been in their family for nearly a century! His dad was born in the house we were staying in. Such a small world!
Looking for a weekend escape or a week in the country this summer? Send me a note with any questions!
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Guidos Marketplace - We always do all of our food shopping at this local and independent grocer. They have all the brands you’ll ever want or need plus an amazing fish and meat counter.
Rubiners - If you’re hosting guests, staying as a guest, or just want to sit back and enjoy some delicious cheese and dark chocolate, we love stopping by Rubiners for all their artisinal offerings. Also don’t miss their little sister coffee shop in the side alley called Rubi’s.
Baba Louie’s - Getting in late on the first night? Our favorite pizza place offers delicious takeout which can be the saving grace you’re looking for after your journey.
THE RENTAL
Last Fall I signed up for the Rent the Runway Unlimited package. We had just returned from Europe and I knew I was going to be on a budget for the next few months (especially with the holidays around the corner). That being said we had a number of social engagements coming up in addition to my blog and social media posts and I wasn’t sure how I was going to swing a refresh. Then a friend suggested RTR and after a month I fell in love. As with anything there are pluses and minuses: I loved the idea that I could try something out and wear it with no strings attached. Even better was the fast that I could purchase the item at a discount if I loved it (I actually purchased the See By Chloe handbag seen pictured). Negatives - the only way to make this worthwhile for me was via the unlimited package which wasn’t inexpensive. I ended up stopping because I felt pressured to wear, send back, and pick again, “get my money’s worth” so to speak. However I would absolutely use the service again and I think its a great way to refresh your look for a period without breaking the bank!
BA&SH SKIRT RENTED VIA RENT THE RUNWAY
THE INVESTMENT
Before The Girl Guide I shopped a little differently. The majority of my closet was made up of investment pieces especially when it came to accessories. I get asked a lot about the two bags I shoot with most often: My Chloe mini Marcie in light blush and my Chanel Wallet on Chain in black. I purchased the Chanel over 10 years ago and the Chloe was a Christmas gift from my parents a little over three years ago. I’ve never regretted either of them and even though they may not be the newest styles out there, I still wear them because I LOVE them. I guess thats really the theme of today’s post, no matter how you choose to create your wardrobe, love what you buy. For big purchases I always suggest a minimum of the 3 month rule - if you still love it, go for it! I waited for a year before I purchased these sandals and 7 years before I purchased the Cartier Love bracelet.
AN INVESTMENT SANDAL BY HERMES
THE QUICKIE
There has been a lot of talk about '“Fast Fashion” in the last year. The term, which refers to inexpensive clothing rapidly created by large retailers in response to current trends, has had a negative connotation. Critics suggest that it is creating a shopping environment that promotes excess and that although one saves money on an individual piece, in the long run you are actually spending more. I agree with part of that statement - if you fill your closet with only Zara, H&M, ASOS, etc. and purchase every season you will end up with far too much and no place to house it or eventually sell it. After much thought on the subject and discussion with clients I look at it differently now. Fortunately for us (unfortunately for many luxury retailers) many of these large retailers have become insanely good at creating the look “for less”. The sweater below purchased at Zara (which I have worn countless times, is machine washable, and still in great shape) is almost identical to a style I fell in love with for $1,750. Had it not been for the $49 sweater I would never have been able to create this look that I love! So there you have it - if you LOVE it, buy it! Just be aware that multiple inexpensive items can also add up to a larger price tag!
SWEATER PURCHASED AT ZARA FOR UNDER $50
THE GENTLY USED
I actually really love this one. I can’t say I’ve purchased a ton of “second-hand” but I can almost guarantee that my next luxury handbag purchase will be from The Real Real or Fashionphile. I’m currently looking for an ivory with gold hardware Celine Box Bag and while I’m not willing to pay the 5k price tag, I would splurge on the same style gently worn for less than half the price. I’ve helped multiple clients purchase luxury for less this way and the result has always been positive. Note: make sure you are purchasing from a reputable company willing to stand behind authenticity and refund you if there is an issue.
VALENTINO BOOTS PURCHASED AT THE REAL REAL STORE IN SOHO
GUYS! I have been getting so much inspiration from Pinterest these days. Whether its before a shoot, while I’m shopping, or just getting dressed i’ve found it so helpful during this in between season. Also SPRING is coming and I want every look in my spring board. Check it out!
One of my go-to pieces to wear while transitioning to Spring are open knit cardigans like this one. Its all about the layers at this time of year on the East Coast (I wore a long cashmere cardigan under a suede trench today) and it can be tough especially at work to know how to deal when the temperature swings. This one is similar to the style I have and it is certainly an investment - but I guarantee you will get your moneys worth!
Ok - I never really understood all the hype around hair styling tools until now. I mean all hair dryers pretty much do the same thing right? I was completely content with my $39.99 CVS one until I tried THIS! A client mentioned it to me and let me try it out and I have to say it was been a game changer. Not only is it super powerful and dries my hair faster (which these days I’ll take all the extra minutes) but it has a super long cord and has been leaving my hair feeling softer and looking shinier. Trust me ladies, this is an electronic you’ll want as a Mother’s Day present! I am as shocked as you are:)
I’ve been working on the boys bedroom for the last few months and frankly been looking EVERYWHERE for inspiration! I don’t want to mess it up/see something else I like a couple months after I finish. I always try to fall in love with pieces for our house. Sidenote: the hardest thing has been finding matching twin beds for under $500 each. I loved this little piece of inspiration from the One Kings Lane blog. We have many of the items pictured in slightly different forms and it was helpful to see it all pulled together!
One of my favorite blog/websites just launched a group of courses for bloggers/influencers - really for anyone interested in content creation and they look amazing! When I started out I really struggled teaching myself how to use a program like Photoshop. Let me tell you, it is NOT self explanatory. I would have killed for a course like this one.
YUMM!! These snacks are sure to impress not only your kids but your friends too! I’m always looking for something more interesting than an apple with almond butter and I really try to control my dark chocolate cravings especially during the winter months. The banana sushi and no-bake blondies are my favorite!
CLEAN AND NEUTRAL
victoria hagan
BELGIAN STYLE
axel vervoordt
INTERIOR GENIUS
steven gambrel
TIMELESS STYLE
lee radziwill
Its been a little while since my last Lust List and I wanted to think transitional neutrals heading into Spring. I really love this color palette because it works well with every skin tone, hair color, and its almost season-less.
These boots! I’ve been on the hunt for a pair to replace my Stuart Weitzman (or give those a break) and absolutely love these
This fringe skirt is so pretty. Love it paired with a tucked in white tee and a denim jacket.
This dress - sold out last year when I wore it in this post and its back in stock!
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THESE PANTS WILL WORK FOR YOU
PAINT! Long before we purchased this house I was on the hunt for the perfect palette. I knew what I wanted - a clean and fresh feeling home painted in white, with a gray door. I googled, I pinned, I DM’d bloggers and designers…so much thought and research went into finding the one! Then when we found our home I knew my plan was perfect. With just shy of 2,000 sq ft, white was the only way to make our new space appear bigger. After a few samples I decided on Simply White for the walls and Chantilly Lace in a gloss for the trim. What attracted me to the trim color was that it was slightly creamy and had just the slightest contrast to the walls.
Not all grays are created equal. SO SO many gray colors. It can be very overwhelming and the pressure to not make a mistake is real! I knew I wanted a high gloss look for both our front door and for our family room bookcases.
Hey friends! So I have some fun news for you…Spring is only 28 days away! WHOOP WHOOP! For some reason I always thought it started in April but I was wrong, it begins on March 20th this year. I don’t want to jinx myself and ay we’ve had a mild one in terms of snow, but its been kind of nice.
This weekend we were pretty low key. On Friday night we watched A Star is Born and I thought it was great (Frank liked the first half but not the second as much). I was in need of a good cry and by the end was pretty much balling. If you haven’t seen it yet it just came out to rent onDemand and it is not overrated! On Sunday Luke and I went into the city to meet our friends for Brunch. We went to the CUTEST spot in Tribeca. If you’re traveling to NYC I highly recommend Maman for lunch or at a minimum, tea and a pastry. I believe they have seven locations spread across Manhattan and Brooklyn and all offer something a little different. The Tribeca location was great because its attached to a card shop which made the waiting experience fun. The entire time I was there I was scheming and thinking “How can I bring this place back to Connecticut?”…it would do so well! Also there was the sweetest birthday party happening at a communal table next to us making it the perfect cozy event space for a baby shower or sprinkle. Just saying!
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I’ve been waiting for this sale! It officially begins tomorrow but you can shop early access if you’re a subscriber with code: GOBIG19
I’ve rounded up some of my favorites including spring/summer staples that you can’t go wrong with!
high-waisted shorts // raffia sandals // easy dress // staple tank // statement earring
We were both interns at Morgan Stanley in Washington, D.C. I needed help with a filing cabinet and the rest is history….!
A small Hermes square scarf that my grandfather gave me when I was 8 years old. After that my oldest is piece is probably a Max Mara top I bought in Italy when I was in college. Frank and I went together for 10 days the summer before our senior year. It is still the best vacation I’ve ever been on and I can’t wart with the top! I tend to keep things FOREVER (especially investment pieces)!
One Kings Lane! Its sold out but here is a similar style. Ours is also this crypto fabric which has been really helpful repelling stains from the kids (but mostly mine!).
I was raised Roman Catholic. I don’t consider myself to be very religious but I am very spiritual if that makes sense. I believe in God and in Heaven and an after life.
I’m 34 years old. My birthday is September 25th. Libra:)
Not yet but its on my list of to-do’s for March!
Its from Safavieh! When we moved in the first thing I wanted to find were rugs for our living room/dining room areas. They’re connected so I knew I wanted to use the same neutral style in both spaces to make it appear larger. I actually found ours on Amazon and took a chance! What a steal! Its since sold out but I was able to find it here and here. Our color is “light gray”.
Not sure if this was referring to real fur but I don’t buy real anymore. I have a fur vest (I think fox) that I purchased from a consignment shop 10+ years ago that I still wear because I love it and it wasn’t inexpensive but I wouldn’t purchase it again. Now as for faux fur…YES! It has become so much easier to find amazing faux that you’re not even tempted by the real thing. For men I prefer the look of a shearling coat like this reversible shell. This is my favorite brand these days for faux.
Celine Catherine and the style number is 41098. Mine are the Havana blue with tortoise. Here is a similar pair!
Not yet but I’m working on it! Should be on the blog early next month!
Three years ago I purchased a winter boot from Stuart Weitzman and still wear them all the time. They really make the best/most comfortable styles in general and I find their cold weather to be no different. I like this one. For rain I recently purchased this pair - love the Chelsea style and the price!
I always find that Madewell has a new sweater coat style every season. There are only a few styles left but this black one looks like a classic. Also this one is great (collarless though so a little less structured) and comes in many colors.
This will be included in the capsule wardrobe! My all-time favorite white t’s are these and these from Theory. I became addicted to them when I worked there and stocked up right before leaving. They hold up really well and look better overtime in my opinion. For a less expensive version I purchased this one in white during the summer and its a different look but also great quality for the price.
Happy long weekend! I would LOVE to hear what everyone has planned for this weekend. Luke is out of school for seven days (insert scared face) so I’m trying to get creative with how we can spend our time over the next week. I’m also feeling just a touch under the weather today - probably fighting off what Luke had last week but also very thankful that I’m not bedridden like he was!
I wasn’t going to post sale right now because I feel like I’ve kind of been over sale shopping lately BUT I just had a client ask for a limited roundup of my absolute favorites so I thought I’d share! There actually are some chic wear now and later pieces available and almost all sites will be doing an extra percentage off sale for the holidays weekend. Also insider tip: The Net-A-Porter sale just ended BUT all their inventory will now pop up on their sister discount site The Outnet. Love this jacket!
Also, I popped into Zara yesterday to purchase a tank for a client. They have the best basic spandex styles that are great for layering. Recently I had been taking a break from them for two reasons: ONE, I knew I was going to love the new collection, and TWO, I’ve been trying not to shop a ton of Zara because its not available to link on Liketoknowit. Full transparency! Many of my followers will go to LTK to check for items I’m wearing and when they’re not there it can be frustrating. Whelp! I was right that I would love everything and ended up leaving with this cardigan and this camisole. The cardigan was a MUST. Such great quality in person and looks so expensive (although honestly I wish that the Zara price was under 100).
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Being an entrepreneur can be a scary thing. Actually its pretty much like riding a rollercoaster of emotions everyday and scared is probably one of the most common ones. It took me 5+ years of dreaming and over a year of planning financially until I took the plunge to work for myself. Here is a list of 10 Steps to Launching Your Own Business that I wish I had read when I was planning The Girl Guide. I also like this article titled When Should You Work For Free
I’m a big believer in the high/low dressing mentality meaning, not everything in your closet has to have a 3 to 4 digit price tag. Every week I work with clients to find a balance and a wardrobe that they love but doesn’t break the bank. Jewelry is no different! I always check out this site when I’m shopping for new earrings. I recently ordered this pair (its a pre-order) because I’m a sucker for pretty hearts and I think they’re going to be really popular this Spring/Summer. I also have this pair which is on sale now for $12!!! I wore them all the time last summer including my sister’s bachelorette party in the Hamptons.
I’m always on the hunt for a recipe thats not chicken! My kids love eating salmon so I try to make it at least once a week. I tried this recipe a few days ago and it was delicious! Pair it with roasted potatoes and your family’s favorite vegetable and your golden!
Lets be honest, none of us really have time to flip through a magazine anymore. I’ve chatted with my girlfriends about it and they admit they do almost all of their reading online or will read a book at night in bed. Although I have to agree, my newfound love for taking a bath has me reaching for something other than my phone. If you’re like me and focusing on fewer, better in 2019 this is the magazine to read. It is a healthy mix of lifestyle articles and trends not to mention the fact that you can shop each issue.
I’ve been obsessing over this bag for a little while now. I love that it feels like a summer style but because its leather, you can carry it throughout Spring and Fall as well. I will forever be Pom Pom obsessed!
I’m so excited to share today’s post with you and introduce you to my friends North and Jillian Shutsharawan. Together they launched Nit Noi Provisions, a Thai bone broth and soup company based in Norwalk, CT. I was over the moon excited when I discovered that they had decided to leave NYC and return home to Fairfield County. If you follow me in Instagram you know how much I love food and even more so how much I love discovering new local spots. Nestled just beyond a loading dock, the Nit Noi kitchen is everything you’d want it to be and more. It feels like home.
The first time I tasted Nit Noi broth I was immediately converted. My two thoughts were ONE, “How have I been living my life without this?” and TWO, “How am I going to incorporate this into my family’s weekly meals?”. Also, I knew that there were health benefits to drinking bone broth but I needed a refresher. I remembered reading this article years ago and found it to be very helpful. I also remember thinking to myself that although it looked great, I felt very overwhelmed at the thought of making it myself. In walks Nit Noi! My favorite is the Tom Kha Gai (available on Fridays only) which is a Thai coconut soup made with pasture-raised chicken bone broth, organic coconut milk, organic chicken breast, mushroom, galangal, kaffir lime leaf, lemongrass, and chili oil, served with a side of bone broth jasmine rice. DELICIOUS! I’m determined to order it enough that they have to call it “The Girl Guide” one day:)
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“The real origin of Nit Noi Provisions is on the slopes of Telluride, Colorado, where Jillian and North lived after getting married. Telluride is a very special place, and endless source of inspiration and gratitude, both for the couple and the business.”
“Nit Noi finds it's heart in Bangkok, at a family gathering, surrounded by food. The recipe belongs to North's Grandmother (Khun Yai), who makes the best Guay Teow Gai: rice noodles, chicken, and savory chicken broth enhanced with Thai herbs and spices.
We developed Nit Noi Provisions to offer the highest quality, handcrafted bone broths and meals, created with the care, recipes and wisdom of Khun Yai.
We are committed to using only local and organic ingredients, and sustainable packaging. We're inspired to cook like Khun Yai, from scratch, inherently intuitive, seasonal and delicious.”
I was recently with a group of moms discussing our relationship with our husbands and tackling the question, “Are we taking care of them?”. At the end of the conversation the consensus was that we all felt we were taking care of our families as a whole, but not specifically the needs of our husbands as an individuals. I think this is a really important topic in an age that is very female focused - Are women being heard? Are women seen as equals? Are our needs being met? While of course the answers to these questions are important, we also don’t want to lose sight of the men in our lives, their feelings, opinions, and needs matter too! Someone brought up the point that they were little boys too once with dreams, hopes, and desires. That really stuck with me as a mom of two boys. I’m putting ever ounce of energy into loving my sons, teaching them, and trying to raise two solid young men who will one day have a family of their own. What would I want their relationship with their spouse to look like?
OK why am I bringing this up? …. Well the topic of Valentine’s Day came up and again we all said ok, if we’re looking at it from the man’s perspective, why do they always have to plan the day? What if we were to plan the perfect date for our husbands and ask what they wanted to do? So this year, thats my plan! It was actually really funny…I immediately sent Frank a note asking him and his response was very specific:) I’m going to keep our plans between us as he is very private but it felt good to ask him what he wanted to do for a change!
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Last year my friend Caitlin from The Picket Fence Project created the cutest DIY Valentine’s. This year we decided to partner and share them with our followers! You can see how to assemble them on my stories today and I will also save them to my highlights. To receive the card template via email, please follow instructions on today’s Instagram post!
Here is everything else you will need:
Order these fish from Amazon
Order this washi tape (this is more than you will ever need but I promise you’ll use it for other things!)
Order this string and if you don’t have a hole punch here is a link to that too!
Ahhh February….January felt a little long me me. Anyone else? I actually didn’t mind it because I felt like I needed a serious reset from the holidays and Fall in general. Today almost feels like the beginning of the year to me. Like another fresh start? Anyway, as we enter this strange period on the East Coast of warm days mixed with snow days, it can be easy to fall in the comfortable leggings and a sweater trap. I’m already sick of my winter boots! I bought this suede Chelsea boot last year and I can’t tell you how well they’ve held up. I’ve worn them in the rain/snow (by accident) and they still look great! Linking them on sale.
This weekend was pretty unscheduled for us…just the way I like it! Yesterday we ended up at Grace Farms for the second Sunday in a row. If you’re local and have kids I really recommend it. We spent a good 5 hours hanging out, walking around the property, eating (the food, while not free is delicious and well priced), and ended the night with some basketball in their incredible gym. All the facilities are free, there is no membership, and its a nice way to spend time with the kids and not feel like you’re doing “kid things”. On Saturdays they offer a children’s craft workshop that I believe is $5. Honestly, even if you live in New York City its worth the trip!
While Frank was watching football last night I was working on an under 100 roundup. I almost always start with H&M and right now they have some really nice new arrivals. I ended up placing an order and decided to share below because I find that they always sell out quickly. I was actually most excited about the children’s home section. I ordered plates, napkins, and cups for Luke’s animal birthday party this Saturday. They’re so adorable and so much better than the Amazon ones I had in my cart! Just praying I receive it all in time:) Stay tuned for an Insta try-on when everything arrives.
In other news….
One of my most frequently asked home decor questions for details on the rug in our living room. I found it when we first moved to this house two years go. I wanted something that was neutral but also didn’t break the bank. I originally found the style on Amazon and took a chance! It ended up being perfect and because its a wool/sisal blend it is really soft. It sold out but I recently found it stocked again (still on major sale) here and here! The color we have is light gray but the gray also looks nice.
This carpet cleaner is a MUST! Another frequently asked question: how do we keep our light colored rugs so clean? This cleaner was another random find but this time at Home Goods. I decided to try it for pet stains but it works so well on everything! I think maybe its the enzymes? It also smells good!
Hope everyone has a great week!
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This month has been all about investing in fewer, better pieces. From Marie Kondo’s JOY approach to bloggers talking about shopping their own closets, the theme of quality and longevity is everywhere. I was so excited to work on today’s post with a brand that stands for both of these things. Talbots was started over 70 years ago and was founded by a husband and wife duo in New England. They put an ad in The New Yorker! Today they continue to create classic pieces that you can feel good about putting into your closet. JOY! When I prevued the new collection the field jacket was my first choice. I believe that everyone looks good in army green and I love that you can style it back to basically any color. When I was pregnant with Luke I wore a lot of black. Throwing a green field jacket on like this one was the perfect way to break up my look.
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I’m always on the hunt for the perfect striped tee. Not only is it a wardrobe staple but its one of those pieces you can wear all year round. What I love about this one is the stripe color is a dark indigo and would also pair perfectly with a black leather jacket or blazer. If you’re looking for the more classic vibe, this long sleeved ivory and navy version is perfect.
You know that I have a love affair with high-waisted jeans right? These jeggings are amazingly comfortable (I was shocked when I first put them on) and they are the perfect height for a t-shirt tuck. I’m wearing a 2 and find that they run one size bigger than what I’m used to so size down (for reference I’m a 26 in jeans)!
I’ve been using this face wash on and off for ten years now. Yes, T-E-N! I first met Tata when she was just starting out and instantly fell in love with her brand. It was the only thing on the market that was that clean and I still love the smell of her products. I recently started using the Rodial C face wash and really like it. One of the things I try to do with my routine is switch things up every month or so. I find that I see better results that way.
This is it. Hands down my favorite face oil and I’ve tried many. The only time I take a break from it is during the very hot summer days but other than that it has been part of my ritual for some time now. During the winter my skin can get so dry and this just helps to not only moisturize but also give me a fresh dewy look. It also makes applying makeup like concealer and cream blush a breeze!
In addition to the Tata moisturizer I also love this one from Voya. The brand is 100% organic and natural and their products are made of seaweed harvested by a family owned farm in Ireland. Again, they smell great and I feel really good about what I’m putting on my face. I never feel “greasy”, just moisturized.
Purchase this lip balm and your lips will thank you (and me)! I use it every night before I go to bed especially in the winter. They also make a tinted version for day but I like to use the original and layer with a tinted gloss!
