Tory Burch - Georgetown

I swear, every time I blink a new store pops up in Georgetown and a few months ago Tory Burch opened up a designers dream home beyond perfect boutique right in the heart of town. The clothes are as you'd imagine: everything. But for a girl who's obsessed with interior design, this new locale has so much more to offer Re: a drool worthy, aesthetically mind blowing experience. This is not your average store you guys. As with all of her other locations the colors are vibrant and the layout expansive and the textures fit together like perfect little puzzle pieces. Sure they're all pretty, but this boutique, I would truly live in.

Little secret: That lush wall of greenery has inspired one of the pieces for my upcoming wedding! And I'm literally dying over those store-front topiaries!

Can we take a moment to acknowledge this awesomeness? Every single detail is spot on. The color pallet of greens, blues, creams and golds blend together in the greatest harmony. The space is light and airy yet cozy and inviting. In. Love.

Fun Fact: Tory graduated from my High School in 1984!

Gimmie those light fixtures! The buffalo check twins! That velvet couch! That marble mantel! I can't think of one thing I'd change here. I'd be the happiest bird if I could curl up by that fire place...When can I move in, Tory?

Bisous, Elle

minksundaylove@gmail.com

Best Of: Beauty Products

I am constantly on the look out for new, life changing beauty products (who isn't?) so I have complied a list of my favorite must-haves that I am currently using and would definitely recommend. Enjoy!

Bisous, Elle

minksundaylove@gmail.com

La Mer Moisturizing Cream: So, while this is definitely a splurge, it is worth every penny. There's a light weight version for the summer time and a heavier/thicker version for that tough, dry winter skin. I would definitely suggest sticking to the different versions depending on the season. I decided to go with the thicker cream but bought it last summer and found it was causing me to break out a little which is rare for my skin type. Since winter has hit however, this little jar has been a life saver! Buyers tip: Neiman Marcus is currently running a beauty event (through March 2nd) where spending $125 gets you a complimentary beauty bag with amazzzing samples so buy here 

It's a 10: And that is exactly what it is. You can pick this up at your local grocery store or Target. A few spritzes goes a long way and it leaves your hair soft and incredibly easy to comb through after a shower. I like to spray this on my damp hair before blowing dry. I stick to the body and ends of my hair (skip the roots) then run my Dry Bar wet brush through and blow out with a giant round brush. If you can't afford a full salon keratin treatment, this is a great back-up product.

The Beauty Blender: This is a new purchase for me and I am loving it so far. I go through different phases for how I like to apply my foundation. For a while I was using a brush then a flat pad and now I have moved on to the beauty blender. Run the puff under the faucet and squeeze the excess water out before dipping into your foundation ( I use this one in color natural) then dab all over and of course blend. Its fast and easy and applies a smooth coat. You can get yours here.

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant: This anti-perspirant smells amazing and works like a charm. I don't think I will ever go back to the drug store variety after discovering this gem. Shop this product here.

Yuzu Rouge 06130: I am addicted to perfume and love finding rare scents that no one else is wearing. While my signature scent has always been and will always be Coco Chanel Mademoiselle I like to sometimes change it up (some others I frequent are Stella McCartney, Bvlgari Green Tea, and J'Adore). Yuzu Rouge 06130 combines the Japanese fruit yuzu with tea and includes notes of grapefruit, bergamot, cardamom, verbena, rose, nutmeg musk, moss and grey amber. While this is a fantastic scent, it is quite tricky to find. I bought a bottle a few years ago at Barney's but it looks like they no longer carry the line. There are some sketchy online sites that claim to carry it, but I am skeptical. If you can get you hands on a bottle, you are one lucky bird.

Jo Malone - French Lime Blossom Candle: Everything Jo Malone touches tuns to scented gold. My sister gave me a candle for my birthday and I made the mistake of venturing into my local Nordstroms to try to sniff out my favorite scent. How could a girl ever choose just one?  Candles are my number one addiction. I have multiple in each and every room and light them on a day-to-day basis. They really change the tone of a room and make a perfect hostess gift. The French Lime Blossom candle now resides on my bathroom counter top and its my favorite little luxury for when I am showering or blowing out my hair. You can find yours here along with her entire collection of perfume and bath supplies.  

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray: I am not crazy over the smell of this stuff, however, when I am giving myself a Texas-sized blow-out, I do like to spritz my 'do with this thickening spray. My hair has thinned out over the past few years and this stuff really helps to create volume and hold.

Elnett Satin Hairspray: At the end of styling I have found this to be the best finishing hairspray. It's not even slightly sticky but does have a nice hold. It also brushes right out with one stroke and allows your hair to remain soft and bouncy.

Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Round Brush: My go-to round brush for a perfect blow out. There are various sizes (I opted for the 1 & 3/4 inch size) and each one helps craft a perfectly smooth blow-out with great body. Finding a ceramic brush is key as it heats up and speeds along the process cutting your drying time in half and helping to keep your hair healthy and damage free. It also creates great curl and flip of the hair as it acts as a heated curling iron. The grip and weight of this brush on-point and it's definitely my top pick. I picked mine up at beans beauty - the best beauty store ever - but you can also snag one online here.

A Move, a New Job, and a Proposal

It's been a while since my last post, and there's been lots of change.

Change. A word I have battled for as long as I can remember. But throughout the last 6 months I've come to find the lighter side of change. The dare I say it positive side of change.

J and I moved into a bigger apartment with a back patio which now plays host to a brand new grill so you know who is happy. The extra closet and storage space has helped return us to a clutter-free life and overall, our new home is cozier, cleaner, and brighter - definitely a change for the better!

In June I started a new job and have been learning and adjusting to a much faster day to day pace. I've had to figure out how to balance my days, weeks and overall life more efficiently and it has really been an eye opening experience. Along the way I've discovered a lot about what I want, and what I don't want out of life and that has proven to be an invaluable lesson.

And of course the most exciting change came this past October while on vacation with friends in Nantucket. J proposed at 7 am on the beach in Siasconset, the tiny town on the far East side of the island. Since it was off season the town streets and beaches were deserted and it was perfectly quiet  aside from sound of the wind and the waves. It was one of the happiest, most beautiful moments of my life, and we are so excited to be getting married on Nantucket this October!

Probably the biggest lesson I have learned throughout all of this change is that perspective is everything. Of course I still have worries and fears about certain things, but when you decide to have a positive outlook, when you choose to see situations through a lighter lens, you give yourself control of your situation and control of your happiness.

I am so looking forward to the coming year which no doubt will bring lots of change but I will do my best to remember to keep everything in focus. I am back to blogging after some much needed time off and cannot wait to share all of my recent findings.

For now, here are some of my favorite snap shots from our engagement weekend!

Bisous, Elle

minksundaylove@gmail.com

My little road buddy along for the adventure!

Made it on-island to enjoy the sunset.

Just after J proposed. Not the best picture but it makes me laugh.

Celebrating with friends at the Brewery!

My two favorites.

Happy Birds.

Bug had a friend in Fenway for the weekend.

Friends dinner at Black Eyed Susans