B Essential: That NYC night in December

Last night was one of the essential New York City nights you have to have. Starting off with wobbly feet on Central Park's ice rink I was happy to find my balance isn't too bad. After a few (slow) laps close near the wall it was time to hang up the skates and inside for some warm frozen treats. Serendipity was where we headed braving the long line that seemed it had to be worth it, it was. It was more than a year ago that I was back in Arizona and whipped this treat in my own kitchen. It was amazing then but there's nothing like a frozen hot chocolate under Christmas lights in New York City, nothing.

B Worn: Gilded casual

When I saw these gilded crop pants I new I wanted to style them. So keeping with my usual day attire I thought I'd see ho I can pair them with something more casual. Granted 4 inch wedges aren't casual for everyone but hey, it's a wedge and platformed, those are flats for some!

1. Sweater
2. Nine West wedges
3. Thread necklace
4. Gilded jacquard crops
5. Halogen everyday tote

B Listed: Swell.com blogger wishlist

Swell.com asked me to pick out my top picks on their site. My list  kept growing and growing as I went through the site filled with girly delicates, rough boots and cozy details. Go here to check it out!

B Treated: Hot Chocolate four ways

On a cold day where I've already had my caffeine but in need of some warming up, nothing sounds better than a hot chocolate. I've found so many great hot chocolate recipes lately that it makes me dream of a party with a hot chocolate bar. I could go for a sample of all four of these sweets any day.

Lavender//Bailey's//Peppermint//Salted Caramel

B Relaxed: Finishing touches

This last weekend was just what the doctor ordered, a lot of relaxation with a bit of productivity on the side. Starting my Saturday with a facial at Dermalogica set the mood for a carefree weekend with no plans, enjoying the calm before the holiday chaos. I started Christmas shopping with one goal in mind, getting it over with and made finishing touches in my new apartment that is finally beginning to feel like a home.

B Topped: Party favors

At what age did we stop getting party favors? I miss it. So this holiday season I am going to wear some of the best party favors out there. Tied up with a bow or covered in crystals, it's time to bring out anything and everything festive for party season. Cheers!

1. Kate Spade bow headband
2. Ban.do crystal bow shoe clips
3. Betsey Johnson snowflake earrings
4. Urban Outfitters hair clips
5. Top Shop ball chain earrings
6. Kate Spade curling ribbon ring

B Outfitted: Plaid cape neutrals

Excuse for the instagram outfit post but I couldn't go without sharing this new cape that has become into my possession. Capes can be tricky as they are fit to be wide and what girl wants to look wider? Though when Swell.com sent me this Spare oxford cape treasure it slipped on and remained to keep me slim. I paired it with a fitting dress that fell right next to my curves rather than creating volume. With textured tights, cashmere scarf and suede/leather bag I hit all my essentials in one outfit.

Spare oxford cape (c/o)// J Crew dress// Kate Spade westward satchel// Cashmere scarf via trip to Firenze// Kate Spade bracelet// Chanel vamp on nails// vintage bracelet from my grandma// J crew tights//

B Cozy: It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas! The weather has changed, decor is up and I'm bringing out my best gear to stay warm. I spent the weekend finding some home decor that would remind me of the holiday season when I walked through the door. Spiced candles and glittered pine cones create the mood but nothing like winter accessories and spiked egg nog on my to-do list.

1. Black spiced rum eggnog
2. Kate Spade ear warmer
3. Hunter Boot welly socks
4. Bow topped leather goods
5. Kate Spade on the ave ear muffs
6. Lounging lodge pants

B Travels: A weekend back home

This past weekend I made my first trip home to Seattle since my move to New York. Enjoying all the comforts of home like a fireplace, mom's cooking and dad's omelettes. Returning back to the city was bittersweet and the weekend ended with this goodie in my mailbox. I ordered this pillow from Felix Street Studio on etsy a few weeks ago and is the perfect personal touch showing the love of my two homes.

B Thankful

my new job

spin class

break ups

leopard shoes

non-fat lattes

hearing the word no

fireplaces

holiday spirit

being healthy

face time

grilled cheese

your comments on the blog, I read every one

my future niece or nephew coming in May!

B Tried: Crest 3D White after smile

A few posts ago I let you in on my before picture of my smile. I had used whitening products before and had negative feelings about how I had to keep my mouth still or the over sensitivity I experienced afterward. With my 2 hour Crest 3D White strips I managed to catch up with roommate about our week, finish my hair for the evening and dance along to iPod while getting ready. The 2 hour wait went by fast and the results were instant.

Now a few days later after I've drank my morning coffee religiously I still see an impressive white smile for myself and others to enjoy. Here's some coupons so you can go and get your whitening on...

B Hunted: Knitted sweater dress

As the weather changes from Fall to Winter my dressing instinct is going towards comfort. I've been lusting over this look of a long sweater with tights and boots to keep me warm on these upcoming cold days. From the traditional fair isle pattern to the stripe fall back all of these can keep me cozy while looking put together.

1. J Crew dolman sweater
2. Aubin & Wills
3. Madewell shadowbox sweater
4. Topshop sweater dress

B Seeking: Saturday at the Brooklyn flea market

Whether you've lived in New York for years or never had a visit I think many still have a New York City checklist. I sure do, its nothing official but I can say that I was successful on checking it off this weekend starting with the Brooklyn flea market. It's the perfect place to find hidden treasures you might have never thought you'd fall in love with and for half the price. While my negotiation skills need some work rather my poker face that clearly shows how excited I am it was nice to see the flea in action before it goes inside for winter.

B Tells: An affair with Rebecca Minkoff

When I think of a sample sale my mind goes to scary things. I typically avoid black friday all together because I can't handle the crowds but when my e-mail sent me a gift sharing Rebecca Minkoff's sample sale I really had to put it on my calendar. The tables and tables of bags was literally like putting me in a candy store at age 6. The line was about long as the New York City marathon but grabbing a MAC clutch with a friend to wait it out seemed possible.

While we were waiting in line I was pleasantly surprised that no one tried to cut me off or steal bags from out of my hands. Waiting the long line was really just like last minute impulse purchases at Target. I'd stand waiting and out of the corner of my eye I'd see another bag and think "do I want this one instead?" I started out in line with a blue lined MAC clutch then grabbed the studded rocker- no this is too small, stick with the MAC. Then I found a bronze MAC- no this is the same colors of the last bag you bought, decided to stick with the blue MAC. In the home stretch of the line I see a quilted patterned beauty peeking out. The quilted affair was it. A $400 bag for $150 + 2 hours of girl talk in line seemed like the perfect New York reward to me.

RM affair paired with corso como black boots, kate spade denim, j crew sweater, talula blazer

B Popped: Time to drink champagne

There's no better excuse to pop champagne when you're wearing a fabulous dress like this one. Classic silhouette highlighting your small waist with a hidden back you'll die over. Once I saw this dress I knew I would have to throw a party for no reason. There is no way this dress can escape my closet over the holidays and everything paired is just the glitter on top, cheers!

1. Polished platinum dress
2. Kate Spade stationary
3. Glitter clutch
4. Ban.do hair bow
5. Deborah Lippman holiday polish
6. Sam Edelman heels

B Marked

Today marks my one month with New York City! Time has flown by as I've gotten settled into my new place and new job. There's so much to offer here that I'm discovering something new around each corner. Sometimes missing your subway stop means you walk the Brooklyn Bridge or carrying your groceries across the city builds your muscles. I'm ready to see more of you NY, this is just the beginning. 

View from the Brooklyn Bridge

Shake Shack

Kate Spade clutch

Morning coffee with ipod headphones

Office meeting view

Soho

Going home

B Sets: Nail glitter trios

About that time to put down the red nail polish and start piling on the glitter for holiday parties. Who can resist a little sparkle? And who doesn't love when it comes in sets of threes! For the time being I am forgetting about how difficult glitter polish can be to get off and shining my nails with sparkle, who's with me?

Butter London holiday glitter trio , Nails Inc glitterati, Deborah Lippmann dance music mini holiday trio.

B Tried: Crest 3D White before smile

A radiant smile is one you don't forget. Not to try to sound like a teeth commercial but it is true that if you're self conscious about your smile you're less likely to show it off. My smile is one of my favorite assets because it's an easy way to make someone comfortable without saying a word. It is a peace offering or a welcome. Smiles go a long way.

As much as I've tried to not to, drinking coffee is a daily occurrence. This is one activity I am doing everyday that hurts my teeth and smile impact. Crest white strips are in my beauty drawer as something I always work in before a big event but really should include for every day. So here I am nervously showing my smile before I try and review Crest 3D White 2 hour express whitestrips, try them with me with these coupons for my readers! What life event would you whiten for in just two hours?

B Notes

A quick note for your Wednesday, be sure to love right now.
And right now I love:
-food delivery in NYC
-my new rug that arrived last night
-attending BRANDSconf for work
-68 degree day in November

B Accented: DIY decorative organizer

Do you have any idea how hard it is to find good looking storage/organizers? I had no idea it would be such a struggle. Maybe its uncommon for me to want even stored items to be pretty but I need that motivation to keep things in their place. When I spied this tray on Pinterest I couldn't get it out of my head. And while I was doing my third lap around Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend I came upon these bamboo kitchen drawer organizers. The perfect size to fit my mirrored cabinet and all it needed was a bit of gold spray paint. If you have yet to tackle a DIY project of your own this should be your first. So simple and makes a huge impact on a small detail.

B Spaces: Bathroom details

Every day my New York apartment is becoming more a home as I slowly add finishing touches. This weekend I focused on my bathroom to get organized and look just how I want to feel in there every morning. Your bathroom is where you spend the time primping yourself for a night out, long day of work or spoil yourself for a night in. It's one of my favorite rooms and just because its the smallest it should not be over looked.

I saved money by only splurging on my hand towels to add color and decorative element to my towel bar.

Kitchen bowls from Anthropologie are the best holders for my most worn jewelry.

Cabinet nobs double as necklace holders while I dress up my sink.

An easy DIY that dresses up my cabinet organizers. Tutorial coming tomorrow!

Perfume bottles are meant to be displayed along with a soap dish I found on sale to hold my every day jewelry.

B Greeting: A hello to November

November you have already been so good to me today. This morning was officially my first morning in my new apartment and it was a beauty (pictures to come). The windows let the shine come in putting me in a great mood for what could only make my day better, holiday cups! My favorite time of year seems to be just around the corner and when Starbucks starts celebrating its hard not to join in. Cheers to November!

"When we're together, snowmen come to life."

This mornings ensemble: Pleated skirt, herringbone tights, suede wedge booties (all J Crew)