Classic Style

Not sure if I love my birthday more because it’s in the summer or if I love summer more because that’s the season of my birthday. Regardless to say, I truly believe everyone needs to stop whatever they are doing that week and CELEBRATE! I’m lucky to have done just that. I wanted this year to be a simple as possible, as a lot of other things have happened this month of August. I made sure to take the full week off from work and keep it simple, simple like the ocean. { Summery

Well summer is in full swing and I’ve been all over California, traveling from one relaxing weekend to the next! Despite my opportunities for some R&R this summer, I feel as if my to-do lists have been getting longer and longer lately. Isn’t summer about relaxation, ice cream and white dresses? One big constant task on my list this summer was to try leg waxing, something I had always wanted to do for the practicality, umm, who wants to shave every day, especially while on va

After living in Los Angeles for four years, I have finally taken a quick weekend up the coast to the breathtakingly beautiful city of Santa Barbara! We ended up staying in a new Kimpton hotel , The Goodland , located in Goleta, CA, just ten minutes up from downtown SB.  The best way to describe this place was California Hipster. The space was relaxed and cool with white washed walls, neutral furniture and ethnic accents. It reminded me slightly of The Bungalow in Santa Mon

Summer time is in full swing and I’m already taking routine trips to the beach, eating frozen yogurt more then necessary, and taking stock of all the white items in my wardrobe. Call me simple, but isn’t a little white dress appropriate for every occasion? { Parachute White Linen Launch } It’s hot outside, let’s keep it classic! Same goes for bedding, I can’t think of anything more summery then white linen fabric sheets and an open window breeze. I think I’ve found the most p

Talk about #TBT. No Animal House posters here! Despite my very typical college experience (dorm rooms, big ten football, time spent abroad, sorority affiliations, themed parties, etc.) I always seemed to have a very developed sense of style for myself, with which I expressed mostly via fashion, but also for my second (and perhaps even greater) love for interiors and decorating. So when I came across these old photos from my very first apartment (senior year, post sorority hou

It’s that time of year again! The most magical time, when shopping becomes a chore and you start to wonder why you know so many people, perhaps have too many family members and the mall becomes the nightmare before Christmas! { Blair Waldorf Getting Things Done } Well, worry no more, I have curated an easy guide to hitting up all those special someones on that list! Including Her, Him, Kiddos and Furry Friends!    Happy Holiday Shopping!! { 1. Jonathan Adler Navy Chevron Thro

I have never been much of a pumpkin carver, eater or decorator, however, I have been so very inspired by some of the wonderful pumpkin related pins on Pinterest (above) from those much more spirited then myself. {via a subtle revelry} I did paint some little ones at the beginning of the month, however, they didn’t turn out nearly as good as the ones highlighted here! I think next year I will start decorating fake ones so I can re-use them and not worry about them spoiling. {

Luxury to me is not about buying expensive things; it’s about living in a way where you appreciate things.{Oscar de la Renta} …. my thoughts exactly. {via pop sugar} Designed for the modern princesses, who so appreciate that sense of timelessness; your legacy will live on. May you rest in the most luxurious peace, Oscar.    xx, Monica

Pop, fizzle, clink: bar cart is complete! AFTER 3 YEARS, my dream of having a bar cart finally came to fruition! As I so clearly described in my first project post when I began Gisele Chic, it’s just such a lovely idea, to have something in your home, reminding you to celebrate and be social, with friends & family. {Monica Gisele’s Bar cart} Hosting at it’s finest! Despite my long road to boozy chic, I have laid out some options for creating your own, or if you already have

If you are like me these photos are sure to inspire some cool weather fashion sense. Despite the fact that I left the freezing Midwest for greener pastures, I still crave the season change (at least the initial one) known as autumn, fall, harvest, etc. when the leaves change and it gets colder and we begin to think of the holidays. When we start drinking hot Starbucks again, pull out all our old sweaters and coats and start shopping for cute boots. It’s that beginning of the

Move over e-card! I’m sure many of you reading this post have either sent or received chic emails from this wonderful online stationary company, Paperless Post. Each time I visit the site I spend hours browsing through all the new designs, especially considering all of the designer collaberations paperless post has presented over the years! { Champ Bottle by the Indigo Bunting ,  Lox Bagel by Hannah Berman ,  Macarons – Birthday by Pei Design ,  Pop Fizz Clink by Kate Spade

Here’s a big secret about me… this was my FIRST time in the big apple, New York City! I know, it’s shocking and terribly embarrassing, but it’s true. Fortunately, I waited until my 25th birthday and made it an awesome trip nonetheless! Here are some of the highlights. FIRST and foremost, when starting to plan this ambitious two and a half day trip I had one thing on the very top of my list. And that was to see Eloise at the Plaza! Like many other young girls I grew up adoring

No this is not where Elle Woods vacations, but let’s be honest, this movie does pink justice! Ever since seeing   Moonrise Kingdom   a few summer’s back, I have been mesmerized by how well   Wes Anderson   incorporates color, style and humor into his straightforward and intimate film shots! {image credit} I just can’t help admiring how visually appealing the pink, red and purple shade combinations present on screen.  {image credit} I am obsessed with the red lacquer backdrop.

My guilty pleasure has been revealed; I am obsessed with the housewives franchise (and Bravo in general)! Whatever city, whatever drama, whatever dull story-line, I mean putting a gossip magazine in a travel bag, really? That’s like an essential travel item …   All the housewives bring something great, bu t, I do favor some over others, all for different reasons, and these four gals just have great taste! Here are my style sets for Heather Dubrow, Adriana De Moura, Lisa Vande

I must admit, before this fabulous nail salon opened, I was certain the space would be a wonderfully new and trendy French eatery in Brentwood… When   Côte debuted as a beachy nail salon and shop, I was pleasantly surprised!  Although I pride myself on getting $20 mani/pedi’s every two weeks down the street, I will say, this place might be a game-changer. Yes, we have seen some other luxury nail salons around Los Angeles, but this one stands out! The whole look is so incredi

Of all my new years resolutions each year, this one remains the same: be organized, be happy. It sounds so simple yet I have come to realize, at the age of 24, that keeping your life organized is an ongoing, constant process which, at least for me, seems to hit a few roadblocks every once in a while. For example, working late at the office, filing taxes, or god forbid a week with a heavy social calendar! *Image 1 | 2 Mt absolute worst nightmare is the possibility of coming

I am aware the polar vortex is still up and running in much of America, butttt…. I just can’t help that the Spring season is upon us! I realize this is not as exciting now given the fact that I left Chicago for the southern California sunshine, but hey, I would rock a neon pink Cambridge Satchel (pictured above) anytime of the year, even if I still lived in a city where the recent high is barely above zero. Enjoy. 1 { Baublebar Acrylic Pink Monogram Necklace } | 2 { Zara Whit

Now this is a pool I would just dive into simply because the water is so beautifully teal… The home of fashion designer Nancy Gonzalez is sophisticated, serene and on point for a resort style getaway sort of vibe . {Anita Calero for Architectural Digest} Below are some of my picks inspired by this amazing estate! Enjoy! 1 Splendid Voile Mini Dress | 2 Simplicity by Michele Morata | 3 Design Within Reach Superordinate Antler Pendant | 4 Zara Leather Shopper  | 5 Aviva Stano

This line from Cacharel is from Spring 2011, however, I love it so much and just had to include it for this season! The simplicity is beautiful and it just looks comfortable and easy to wear. Thin knits are awesome for summer and can carry into fall as well, especially with such versatile muted colors… {cacharel} My favorite part of these above looks is the rounded, open neck, especially when layered over blouses or tanks… Sometimes style is effortless and the more effortless

Loving this trend, black leather leggings/skinny pants have been a huge and very accessible trend for a while now, one I really love too! Mine are from  Arden B . and only cost $30! I also have some black coated skinny pants I love too from Nordstrom that got discontinued, but I love them nonetheless! {kristin cavallari}   {victoria beckham}   {miranda kerr} More recently they have been coming out with more and more colors, with leathery looking fabrics, some matte and even s