San Francisco + Highlights

And we're off! See you on Monday loves after I return from up north!

On the San Francisco agenda: going out at the marina triangle bars, football celebrations, birthday parties, hotel dance parties, & yummy eats & drinks.

Some places on my San francisco radar to eat & drink:

• Foreign Cinema - California/Mediterranean 
• Benu - Contemporary American
• Saison - Contemporary American
• Zuni Cafe - Modern European
• The Slanted Door - Modern Vietnamese
• Yank Sing - Dim Sum
• Swan Oyster Depot - Seafood
• A 16 - Italian 
• SPQR - Italian
• Rye - Specialty individualized cocktails
• Nopa - Italian 
• Little Star Pizza - Pizza
• Pizzetta 211 - Pizza
• Nopalito - Mexican
• Nick's Crispy Tacos - Mexican

See below for some highlights of the week...

1. A different way of looking at a loving marriage. Via sethadamsmith.com.

2. Brent Bolthouse talks The Bungalow and the evolution of LA nightlife. Via The New Potato.

3. Having a bad day? Let New Girl's Schmidt brighten your day. Via Thought Catalog.

4. All that glitters - Kate Spade's holiday gift guide. Via Kate Spade.

http://theraddiaries.tumblr.com/

Katy Perry On W Magazine + Boulder, CO + Highlights

Wow, I don't know where this week went. I spent most of the week with family so I became extra busy!

I'm a lucky girl today though because I'm heading off to Boulder, CO to reunite with my best college friends. I currently can't sit still because I'm SO excited. 

Our weekend is jam packed with plans and meals at some of our favorite Boulder eats - tapas and sangria at The Med, brunch at Brasserie Ten Ten, and beer & BBQ at West End Tavern. For me, the best part of the weekend will be catching up and laughing with my best girlfriends (already dreading the friend hangover to come next week!). 

Thanks to Prism, we will be jamming to Katy Perry's new album all weekend. She seriously kicks ass in her new W Magazine cover shoot. 

1. Surprise - 13 nutrition lies that made the world fat. Via Business Insider.

2. Halloween costumes you can wear to work next Thursday. Via Vogue.

3. Kate Middleton stunned at the royal christening! Via Vanity Fair.

4. Ten spook-tacular Halloween decorating ideas from my fave engaged girl Lauren Conrad. Via LaurenConrad.com.

5. 23 underrated things about being 23 (I'm 23!). Via Thought Catalog.

6. Snaps from blogger Luella & June's white, pink, and blue wedding. Via Luella & June.

http://www.wmagazine.com/

Love + Highlights

It's Friday. I'm heading to Alabama today to visit my brother in college. My, am I happy to be seeing my family. I have two mantras today - 1. God's timing is perfect 2. See below...

See further below for highlights from the week.

1. Jewelry Designer I discovered & am OBSESSED with. Via Holst + Lee.

2. My best friend on Makeup.com here & here. Via Makeup.com.

3. A comical take on Whole Foods. Via the Huffington Post.

4. Recently released list of the 100 best restaurants in LA. Via the LA Times.

5. Sandra Bullock on the cover of Vogue. Via Vogue.

http://bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com/

Happy Friday + Labor Day Sales + Highlights

Happy Labor Day weekend loves! I've got some hiking, beaching, cocktailing, and barbecuing to do down in Laguna Beach followed by a birthday fiesta on Sunday and a Malibu day in the sun on Monday. What do you have in store for this holiday weekend?

I'm also going to be shopping the lovely sales that Labor Day brings:

1. Tory Burch - use code LABORDAY

2. C. Wonder - use code LABORDAY

3. ASOS - use code Summer4Ever

4. Kendra Scott - use code LDW2013

5. Madewell - use code BYESUMMER

6. J.Crew - use code HELLO30

7. Topshop - use code HEYUSA

+ See below for some highlights of things I liked this week...

Highlights:

1. 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself. Via The Best Article Everyday.

2. Krystal Schlegel's Labor Day Packing Guide. Via Krystal Schlegel The Style Book.

3. The Understated Manicure. Via Into The Gloss.

4. S'mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Via The View From 510 Looking In.

5. The perfect day to night sweater. Via Lilly Pulitzer.

http://paperfashion.net/

We're The Richards

While life has many themes that come and go - school, jobs, boyfriends, girlfriends, vacations, etc. - the one constant theme is family. I posted earlier this week about a loss in my family so I now want to turn the tables and shed light on the beauty a family can bring and produce. 

I instantly fell in love with these photos when I saw them on my best friend's (she's family) blog last month. Keith Richards, the patriarch of the clan, loves getting his family together on his and Patti Hansen's Turks and Caicos retreat. Well, I cannot blame him. They are a true gypsetting family.

http://thesugarmagnolia-dessert.com/ via http://www.vogue.com/

Family Ties

Hello loves, I'm sorry I've been MIA the past few days. I'm afraid to say that I won't be back until next week. I'm heading to the peach state to be with family. Have a great week and tell your family you love them!

http://pinterest.com/jilliana5590/quotes/

A Mexican Datingmoon

This Vanity Fair July 2013 editorial is the perfect sendoff post as I head to Mexico today!

I'm going on what I like to call a datingmoon. A datingmoon is different than a honeymoon because people who take datingmoons aren't married. A datingmoon is also different than a babymoon because people who take datingmoons aren't married or expecting a baby. So, datingmoons are for couples who are dating that just want an excuse to go on a fun vacation together! 

With than said, Hasta Luego! Viva Mexico!

Check out my Mexico playlist below...

P.s. on my Mexico playlist:

• HAIM - The Wire
• Amos Lee - The Man Who Wants You
• Kings Of Leon - Wait For Me
• AlunaGeorge - You Know You Like It
• NONONO - Pumpin' Blood
• Hacienda - Savage
• Jake Owen - Days of Gold
• Josh Thompson - Cold Beer With Your Name On It
• Luke Bryan - That's My Kind of Night

http://thesugarmagnolia-dessert.com/

Tahoe Twins

I'm in Tahoe for the weekend with my best friend. See you next week!

http://thesugarmagnolia-dessert.com/

Covetable Coffee Table Books

The quickest way to freshen up a living space, a corner of a room, or a bedside table is to pick up a new coffee table book. Coffee table books complete any and every living space and are, in my opinion, one of the most interesting collections to have. My collection is complete with coffee table books about fashion, photography, art, interior design, architecture, cooking, travel, and iconic figures. I am always growing my collection (I just snatched up Great Houses of the South & 100 Unforgettable Dresses) and expanding it to flow along with my evolving taste. Below are a few of the coffee table books I'm currently coveting... I must complete my Gypset set (I already have Gypset Style)!

P.S. a coffee table book hunting hint: if you see a book in a store you must have, first check the Amazon price because it is usually cheaper!

Gypset Travel:

In The Spirit Of The Hamptons:

Style Me Pretty Weddings:

A Perfect Day For A Picnic:

The Little Black Jacket:

Classic Homes of Los Angeles:

Bachelorette Babes

We did it, we made it to Friday. I'm jumping with anticipation because I'm off to Vegas in just a few short minutes for my friend's bachelorette party! Reuniting with my best girlfriends is always the most exciting feeling. Do you have big weekend plans? 

Happy Friday loves and cheers to a friend-filled weekend!

http://pinterest.com/

Charmed By Charleston

Every time I have to leave Charleston, SC I go kicking and screaming. The town is one of the most charming and beautiful places I've ever been. It is rich with history and full of to-die-for food. Trust me, Charleston's ocean setting and can't-stop-till-you-drop shopping make Charleston a top travel destination.

With my sister's help, she's a local, I put together a little guide for doing Charleston right. Dig your teeth in!

Stay:

Charleston Place: A beautifully Southern hotel complete with a great bar, go-to shops, and a lovely spa. Can I check in now?

Zero George Street Boutique Hotel: Tradition meets the contemporary South at this inviting hotel composed of five restored historical residential buildings.

Zero George Street Boutique Hotel

Zero George Street Boutique Hotel

Do:

Walk along Rainbow Row and The Battery

Rainbow Row

Take a carriage ride

Peruse the historical City Market for straw sweet grass baskets

Browse the farmer's market in Marion Square on Saturday mornings to enjoy breakfast & discover local artists

Shop:

Hampden Clothing: for designers including A.L.C., Current/Elliott, Equipment, Jenni Kayne, Rag & Bone, & Tucker

Palm Avenue: for Lily Pulitzer

Acquisitions: for amazing home wear and furniture

Lily: for cards, stationary, jewelry, and beautiful trinkets

Eat:

The Macintosh: The menu changes with the season and never fails to impress for cocktails & dinner

Poogan's Porch: A Breakfast, lunch, & dinner must - the shrimp & grits

Poogan's Porch

Blossom: Go here for good ole' Southern seafood

Husk: The pig ear lettuce wraps sound risky but they are to die for

Hall's Chop House: Hall's boasts a versatile menu but I always pick a steak when dining here

Hominy Grill: Oprah's favorite restaurant in Charleston serves up delicious breakfast and lunch (Don't miss the okra & shrimp beignets)

Hominy Grill

Drink:

The Cocktail Club: An diverse cocktail menu + regular live music = a great environment for gathering and drinking

Midtown: The inside bar, outdoor patio bar, pool table, and live music make for a laid back college bar

The Rooftop Bar at Vendue Inn: Go here for refreshing cocktails and one-of-a-kind views of the Charleston harbor

Wear:

When I was in Charleston last week I experienced typical Southern summer weather - warm & humid with afternoon showers. One day I worked with the weather by wearing this lightweight Anthropologie jumpsuit. The ikat jumpsuit packs great and has a feminine fit with the tie waist so it was the perfect choice (speaking of jumpsuits, I'm also currently coveting this Anthropologie romper for summer!).

I also embraced the city's proximity to the water and sported this J.Crew floral anchor tee. Let's be honest, I often throw a nautical twist into my dressing.

All in all, my sister and I agree that Charleston is the perfect city to travel to with girlfriends, with your family, or for a couple's weekend. Xoxo travel bugs!