Sweet Santa Barbara

This weekend, my boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary (we go by our first date) with a quick weekend getaway to Santa Barbara.

It's always fun to get out of the city for a few days and while Santa Barbara is only a couple hours away, it definitely felt like we were on vacation. The gorgeous drive up the coast, walking through the cute shops on State Street (I found adorable cupcake papers at Sur la Table), delicious meals out, and a canopied king bed in a beautiful hotel suite to come home to (we stayed at The Canary Hotel). We enjoyed a Sunday brunch in the hotel with live jazz music. I ordered lemon ricotta pancakes and he the eggs benedict - both delicious!

{the hotel lobby}

{crisp white linens. hotel beds are my favorite!!}

{I loved the star lanterns in the bathroom, although you can't really see them in this picture}

The decor of the hotel was done in classic Santa Barbara style: white walls with arched openings, Mediterranean red tiling, blue ceramics, and colored accents. I love that breezy California style and actually decorated our house in a similar aesthetic.

Decor aside, what was truly best about this weekend was just being together, the memories made, the good laughs..

And now... back to Monday!

Words of Wisdom

Happy Friday!

This video is epic. BEYOND.

I kept hearing about this Rebecca Black girl.. and just watched her music video for the first time this morning. With 47 million YouTube views, fianlly I had to see what the buzz about...

Now I know... It's FRIDAY! FRIIIIDAY!!!! Gettin' down on Friday! Fun Fun Fun. Partying and partyin' YEAH!

Très Vichy

A few things I always love:

1. plaid
2. bows
3. makeup

MAKE UP FOREVER's spring 2011 collection is a culmination of all three. Check it out!

Pink gingham plaid bows ON THE EYELASHES!!! I die!!!! Actually, eye die! $19 at Sephora

White shimmer and pink shimmer powders in plaid compact. check! $31 at Sephora

Star Powder Diamond Collection, $22 at Sephora

Très chic!

Wear Your Passion

I Love My Keurig!

My boyfriend, who loves all things electronic and gadgety, has been pining away for a Keurig coffee machine, which brews single cups of coffee and tea. At $250, I thought this purchase may be slightly unnecessary. Plus, I am a big coffee drinker (2-5 cups depending on my day), so I was a little skeptical about this contraption. I like having a big pot of coffee ready in the morning...

But one Sunday afternoon, we found ourselves at Bed, Bath, & Beyond armed with 20% off coupons and decided to buy one! And I must admit, I absolutely love this thing!

It's so easy to use. Looks great in the kitchen. And the little "k-cup"choices are endless (and adorable)! Regular, decaf, chai latte, organic dark brew, apple cider, hazelnut coffee, Wolfgang Puck coffee.. it's really so much fun.

Just thought I'd share... we love our Keurig machine and have been sipping happily ever after!

{the stainless steel Breville model that we got}

My Prayers Have Been Answered!

So I've been on the hunt for a good dealer.

Girl Scout Cookies that is...

Searching high and low for 9 year olds to slang me some Thin Mints! It seemed that everywhere I turned, someone was eating or ordering girl scout cookies! Friends, acquaintances, Facebook statuses! Even my boyfriend said "oh ya my boss' niece came into the office selling them the other day" to which I replied (screamed) "AND DID YOU ORDER SOME!!!!!?", "Oh. no. sorry babe.. I missed it, I was on a conference call". Ughhhh!!! (useless!!! anger face/disappointment/fatty).

I even heard a rumor that some girl scouts were going to be at the Whole Foods in the Pacific Palisades on Sunday... I was even willing to drive there to find out. Until...

I received a glorious email from my sister.

Subject: Alexis your prayers have been answered.

Email: fwd: Girls Scouts will be in the building lobby today from 2-4.

YESSS!!!!! Amazing! Finally!!! Now I have to meet up with my sis to get them. I know they'll be worth it!

Do you have a favorite Girl Scout cookie?

Hello Sephora

Hello Kitty has made its way to our favorite store Sephora!

The new collaboration includes a complete collection of cosmetics, nail polish, fragrance, and accessories starting from $5 for nail art and upwards of $350 for a Swarovski crystal hand mirror.

We love Helly Kitty, as noted here, here, and here... but I think I may stick with my tried-and-true MAC, Maybelline, and Stila cosmetics. What do you think?

Apple Cheeks Blush $22, Sweet Gloss Lip Gloss $16, Big Smile Lip Gloss $16

Nail Polish $10 each

Nail Art Stickers $5 per pack

Skinny Tees

Hey guys! Check this out!

Skinny Tees is gonna be on Groupon!!!

The Groupon is $25 for $50 worth of merch and it starts Sunday.

I have two skinny tees and I am obsessed with them. Not only are they super slimming but they're one size fits all and made of a great stretchy soft fabric (and way less expensive then American Apparel/Splendid/C&C).

I have the Skinny Tees camisole in black and cobalt blue. They're perfect for layering because they're long, comfy enough to sleep in, and just the right amount of sexy to wear for a dressy night out! Plus, my order came with a cute tote bag! LOVES IT!!