One of the things I love and hate about blogging is you’re never really there. By that, I mean you are never popular enough, never have enough reader engagement and your blog can never look pretty enough! At least for me, that is. If you have a blog I bet you feel the same way!… Read More »
Importance of Quality Sunglasses + Capital Eyewear
For me, sunglasses are far more than a pretty accessory – they are an important part of my protecting my eyesight. Something I always repeat in my mind when I’m tempted by a cute pair of cheap lenses – you only get one set of eyes. We can replace kidneys, livers, even hearts! Eyes though are still irreplaceable, even with modern medicine. To protect my eyes, I always wear sunglasses with high quality lenses, as they typically offer more complete protection from harmful UV rays. There’s a reason the FDA classifies sunglasses as a medical device!
I also choose lenses that are polarized. If you’ve ever worn polarized lenses, you’ll know that it makes a world of difference in how comfortable you feel in direct sunlight. Polarized lens have tiny parallel groves in them. Light comes bouncing in at all directions but only the light that is aligned with the groves makes it to your eyes. Because of the way the groves are aligned in the lenses of sunglasses the glare you see from something like the sun reflecting off water is reduced…. Read More »
Gift Guide for the Girl Who Has Everything
The age old question – what do you get for The Girl Who Has Everything? We all have a girl like this in our lives – she’s decked out with the latest technology, knows what boutique just opened downtown and knows what you’ll be coveting this season – because she pre-ordered it weeks ago. Lucky for you, I happen to be friends with The Girl so I put together a quick gift guide with ideas for her. What are you getting the girl who has everything this year?
1. Rocksbox :: I absolutely adore this new subscription service that allows you to “rent” designer jewelry for a flat monthly fee. The Girl who has everything can exchange her jewels as many times as she wants throughout the month. It’s like giving her an endless closet of beautiful shiny things to play with. Get the first month for only $9 with the discount code ‘MakeMeShine‘.
2. Blue Bottle x Timbuk2 Travel Coffee Set :: The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is heat up water so we can have our coffee. When we’re on the go, it’s not so easy. This amazing travel coffee set collaboration from Blue Bottle and Timbuk2 The Girl is fully caffeinated even when she’s away from home.
3. Will Leather Ludlow Oxfords :: I’m a longtime fan of Will Leather, but I had no idea they had gorgeous leather shoes until I spotted them on a chic San Franciscan. I actually stopped her on the street to figure out where she got them.
4. Capital Two Tone Cherry Sunglasses :: Wooden sunglasses are a surefire conversation starter. These beauties are made locally and sustainably in San Francisco. Made in the USA never looked so good.
5. Rebecca Minkoff Wallet :: The Girl who has everything is probably obsessed with mint right now. Not that I’d know anything about that. I’ve just heard she likes mint. And looking chic when paying for parking.
6. Glossier Soothing Face Mist :: This isn’t a gift guide for the girl who is a practical minimalist, ok? A few spritzes of this rose water and aloe potion will leave The Girl feeling refreshed. Let’s also talk about Glossier’s branding, ok? I can’t stop staring at the bottle!
7. FashionABLE Scarf :: This gorgeous scarf was designed by Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind. Part of the proceeds go to creating sustainable business and fighting poverty in Africa. Get 10% off your first purchase by using this link.
8. Bare Minerals Star of the Show :: I love makeup, but sometimes I need a little inspiration to get out of my beauty comfort zone. This kit from Bare Minerals has everything The Girl needs to do the perfect holiday smoky eye, plus the perfect compliments for the rest of her face too. It’s so affordable ($126 of make up for $38, what!?) you can get one for each of your gal pals this year.
9. Half United Fighting Hunger Necklace :: Another wearable gift that also does good, this necklace from Half United is made out of an old bullet. The Girl can look pretty yet edgy and she can feel good about know that she’s helping to fight hunger in the US and abroad.
10. PACT Heather Grey Harvest Socks :: I don’t know when socks got such a bad rap as terrible gifts! I get socks almost every year from my in-laws and it’s the best thing ever. My feet are always cold so I wear socks all around the house. I think our dryer eats socks as I’m always in need of some replacements. I’m sure our Girl is too. This cozy pair from PACT is knit in a wind-powered factory so they’re sustainable too.
P.S. – You probably already figured this out, but this is basically a list of everything I want for Christmas…
Thanks so much for reading A Side of Sweet! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Twitter, or subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts (see sidebar).
Homemade Apple Butter
I’ve learned I need to have a few hostess gifts on hand at all times. Not because we’re the constant party-hopping kind of people, but because parties seem to pop up when we’re at our busiest.
I love giving canned goods as hostess gifts as I can whip up a batch of something delicious, like applesauce or jam, on a day off and it lasts for ages tucked away on a shelf so we can still be prepared for those last minute fetes. For me, a good hostess gift makes a small, thoughtful gesture. I’m a firm believer that they shouldn’t cost a ton of money!… Read More »
Stylish Work Looks with Nautica
I spend a lot of time sharing fun sparkly outfits on the blog, or the casual digs that I wear for weekend coffee runs, but let’s get real. Most of the time I’m dressed professionally for my “day job” as a pediatrician. Hardly a place for a sequined skirt, y’know?
After one of my girlfriends confessed to me that she has a hard time navigating being stylish but still professional at her job at a start-up in town, I thought it would be fun to share how I find that balance when I’m working at the hospital.
I’m a firm believer that professional doesn’t have to be boring. At work, I’m all about bright colors and prints but above all, being comfortable. On any given day I’m bending down to examine a toddler or running down the hall to respond to an emergency.
This look incorporates all of my favorites into one, thanks to some help from Nautica. I bet stylish professional clothing isn’t the first thing you think of when you hear Nautica, is it? They have so much more than the perfect outfit to wear on your next yacht ride. I shop there for everything from bedding to home goods…. Read More »
Cranberry Old Fashioned
This cranberry old fashioned recipe is a fun twist on the traditional old fashioned. It’s easy to make and perfect for the holidays.
Friends, are you in the holiday spirit yet? A few weeks ago I had the chance to collaborate on a fun video project with my friends at nousDECOR, a community-curated decor idea site. I created this delicious cranberry old fashioned as a nod to my Wisconsin roots, where the drink is so popular there’s actually a bar of the same name! We also created a rustic tablescape with a modern twist to go with. The project was so much fun and I’m so proud of how the video and the recipe came out.
Hop on over to the nousDECOR blog to see how to put together a pretty modern tablescape for your holiday party. To get a printable version of the cranberry old fashioned recipe, see below…. Read More »