Soft and Spring in Santa Fe

Soft and Spring in Santa Fe by santafestyles featuring a beige dress

Beige dress
$240 - coast-stores.com

River Island tall jacket
riverisland.com

Charlotte Russe pointed-toe pumps
charlotterusse.com

Balenciaga yellow purse
portero.com

Robert Rose floral crown
lordandtaylor.com

Yves Saint Laurent eyeshadow
bloomingdales.com

Tory burch perfume
toryburch.com

La Mer face moisturizer
barneys.com

👠 Hello 2016! 👠

The New Year feels so fresh in its clean-slate, opportunistic way. Now is the time to update your dull wardrobe.
Step 1. Throw away or repurpose old, pilled, pulled, and dull sweaters.
Step 2. Donate or consign items that have sat around without being worn for a couple of years.
Step 3. Refresh and replenish your closet with easy to pair classics and a few fun pieces to show off your style.
Happy 2016!

A Pose By Any Other Name Tee by ModCloth.com- $30
Podcast of Characters by ModCloth.com- $45
Prada top handle bag- $3,180
Steve Madden Questa Riding Boots at Famous Footwear- $180
Banana Republic Black Skinny Jean- $90

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

What to Wear Now

ModCloth "Luck Be A Lady" Black and Lace Dress- $56
Banana Republic Black Urchin Stud Earrings- $34
Threadflip Baby Doll Blouse- $10
Banana Republic Ribbed Turtleneck- $80
Black Mary Jane Wedges on ModCloth.com- $35
Anthropologie Lace-Sleeved Ivory Sweater- $148

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Gift Giving with Santa Fe Style

Last time I gave you a great early holiday shopping tip by telling you about IFAA's holiday pop-up shop. Now, it's time for some more gift giving ideas from SantaFeStyles. I promise to give you the most unique, cost conscious, and style savvy present ideas. When we are done, you will be able to present all of your holiday presents with confidence.

For the men in your life shopping can be difficult. Santa Fe will squash those difficulties and make gifting for your guys a breeze. Start with Santa Fe Stoneworks where you will find classic stone handled blades from steak knives to pocket knives and beyond. Tap on my link to start your perusing of these one-of-a-kind gifts. Or, if you are already in Santa Fe, you can head over to Santa Fe Cutlery in the shops at the La Fonda hotel. From there, make your way over to the corner of Galisteo and Water Streets. Here you will find Sequoia. Sequoia is both the name of the shop and of the gentle-natured artisan who owns it. Although the gallery-like furniture and art store is filled with high end, high cost original furniture pieces. It has many small offerings as well. You will find hand made leather medicine pouches for under $50. They also have really neat diving men or climbing men wall sculptures for around $125.

If the previous suggestions fail to hit the nail on the head, go across the street to The Collected Works. The Collected Works is a Santa Feans favorite bookstore. Surely there is a gift here for any guy on your list. The staff picks for reads are always well informed and entertaining. If you are completely clueless, I bet they would be happy to guide you on your gifting adventure. Not able to shop the store in person? They have signed copies for sale online to please even the most discerning librarian.

Keeping it local in Santa Fe, and also on Galisteo St. is Artful Tea. You can also find Artful Tea at the Santa Fe Farmer's Market at the Railyard. The adorable packaging will make a few ounces of loose leaf tea an appreciated and stylish gift for any hostess you may encounter this season. In an impromptu visit to the Galisteo St. location last weekend, my husband and I scored a couple Urban Tea Tumblers by Steepware. They are portable glass tumblers that have a small container for steeping loose leaf tea within the tumbler. The tumblers are $30 and would make great gifts for college students or people who love cold weather outdoor events like football games. Add some of Artful Tea's single cup tea samples at around $2 each and you will have a well stuffed stocking.

Everyone knows that Santa Fe is THE place to go to buy authentic Native American jewelry. What you didn't know is the amount of contemporary artisan jewelery also available in the capital city. The Pop Art Gallery is currently hosting an array of vintage inspired baubles. Beautifully odd bees preserved in glass pendants, Victorian steam punk from Compass Rose designs and rocketships in various pieces. You can find great jewelry for under $200 here.

For fast gifting solutions there is the Sena Plaza on Palace Ave. Here you can find La Casa Sena and their world renowned wine shop. Restaurant gift cards and bottles of wine are sure to fit the bill for someone on your list. Also in the Sena Plaza is a cool and quirky sock shop. Do what you will with that info. Now get out on the town and enjoy the beautiful weather while you get your gifts with ease.

Coach Swagger 20: First Look

Presenting Coach's hottest new bag of the season; the Swagger 20. What's in a name? Start with supple cow hide leather and finish with a modern structured shape that has a classic Coach feel. The stamped python print leather in black and white is ultra luxe while still being modest and understated.

                          A close second place....

What to Wear Now

#W2WN

Two-Tiered Black Skirt- boutique
ModCloth Top in Wine- $45
Black Cardigan from Stepswebshop.nl
Boots from zulily.com
Free People Ruffle Top Rugby Socks- $14
Topshop Smoke Stick in Fool's Gold- $11
Topshop Fringed Hobo Bag- $125

The perfect cozy outfit to get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping. Forget fighting the crowds and head over to the International Folk Art Museum's Holiday Pop Up Shop. Click on my link for the full details. See you there!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Lust List

Indeed one of the deadly sins...lust. Well forgive me please because I am a sinner. Totally lusting right now for some luxury products that I don't need at all. Splurges, sinful little indulgences.

First of all, La Mer. What else do I need to say? It is the ultimate lust worthy beauty product in my opinion. That classic writing on that classic jar, I can spot it on a vanity a mile away. Oh La Mer, how I long for you against my skin. Moisturizing so deeply with your rich creaminess. Oh La Mer.

Secondly, any and all fragrances and home decor offerings by Aerin Lauder. Her collections leave me lustful every time. It has to be the Waterlily Sun. Waterlily Sun everything. I want to smell it from the time I wake up until the time I close my eyes. It's a delicious sun-soaked, flowery scent that translates well in every season but especially spring and summer (and fall and winter). I am resisting all urges to douse myself in every ounce of my current scent in hopes of "running out" and needing a new fragrance. I have only one signature scent at a time. My eaudor du jour is Issey Miyake. (and yes I made up the word eaudor by combining eau d'parfume and odor. feel free)

Next, I have had my eye on a few pieces from ModCloth. I have been hitting one too many sales lately and spending mucho dinero on snowboarding gear for the upcoming season. So, this would be beyond a splurge. Is Thanksgiving an appropriate holiday for a new dress? More like time for a new apron. Also, SantaFeStyles is now an affiliate of ModCloth. This makes the allure of a quirky and fun fashion deal almost impossible to pass up. Tap on my ModCloth banner below for deets on deals for dresses.

Fun Holiday Dresses!

My Dream Thanksgiving Dress from ModCoth
V.I.Pleased Dress in Forest Green- $90

The last thing on my lust list is an entire case of Justin Vineyards Justification. On my anniversary trip to Las Vegas recently, my husband took me out to an exquisite dinner at Mastro's Ocean Club in the Crystals. It was the kind of memorable dress up and eat a filet dinner that only happens once a year or so. The steak was great and the potato dishes were far above average; but the wine..... a light oak up front and then a round smoothness full of fruit and not too full bodied as to over power the steak. The yummiest wine I have put to my lips in a very long time. Wait, does this one fall under gluttony?

What to Wear Now

Monday can be a fun day too. Dressing up with romantic touches of lace, flirty pumps, and a luxe print scarf will make all the difference. Although this look is ultra high end, you can easily make a similar outfit for much less by skipping the big designer names. Department stores and boutiques alike will have staples like pumps, handbags, and pencil skirts in various prices.

ModCloth Fine and Sandy Blazer in Pebble- $70
Ralph Lauren Black Label Sleeveless Lace Neck Top- $995
Silk Print Scarf- n/a
Alexander McQueen Pencil Skirt- $695
Portofino Suede Sandals- $790
Michael Kors Leather Tote- $599

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

A Perfect Outfit for Candy Giving.

Happy Halloween stylish Santa Fe. Stay tuned tomorrow for pics of the couples' costume I made for my hubby and I. Yes, I made them. What?

Modcloth Black Dress Pants- $49.99
Hooded Cape in Merlot from modcloth.com- $90
Victoria Beckham Black Leather Clutch- $685
Costume Jewelry from yoox.com
Eyewear found in Russian Vogue

The Best Weather for a Spa Day is Happening Now!

New Mexican chile ristras and multi-colored gourds adorn the front door of Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa in Santa Fe. As I approach the entrance to the place, I inhale deeply. The yuzu and juniper scented bath products seep into the grooves of the wooden planked floor you walk on and sweetly scent the place. The deep piney scent of cedar and juniper with heavy citrus waft through the air, rising on the steam of the several hot tubs awaiting you around the property. My mind floats and a sense of calm warmly washes over me.

This spa is the perfect place for a pit stop when your passing through or an excellent resort to spend your entire Santa Fe stay. I have written about the waves before and it only keeps getting better. They recently finished a round of renovations and sprucing up. The restaurant is above par and and the spa itself is a top travel destination.

On this particular day, the clouds are hanging low in the mountains and cold drips of rain penetrate the surrounding warmth. I am living in the clouds and the rain drops are my neighbors. The golden leaves of autumn are my garden. In the trees and on the ground they blanket the landscape with amber fires and yellow sunny flecks.

 

The architecture transports you to the deepest zenniest place you possess in the center of your being. I imagine this is what Japan is like. My day is filled with massage and soaking, a few saunas, and even a cold plunge. The bliss is undeniable. I feel invisible and invincible. This is one of those special days that finds few people in the women's tub. Most of the time it is either private or I am sharing the ample space with one other woman. I wander from tub to sauna and eventually find myself in the meditation room.                                                                                              

I slip on my headphones and grab my moleskin journal. I write at a feverish pace. Sometimes, instead of stillness and quieting my mind,this is my meditation. It empties my crowded spaces and has the same result for me as half an hour of still meditation. Kinetic meditation? I feel white and bright energy in my pores on this gray and cloudy day. This cold autumn weather is perfect for embracing all the warmth the spa has to offer. 

Back inside the treatment waiting area, I help myself to complimentary peppermint hot tea. There is a nice fire and plenty of magazines while you wait to be gathered up and ushered around by your massage therapist. I gaze out over the coi pond. Every view is perfect. Every window frames the plethora of pine trees. Cyprus, Juniper, Piñon, and Cedars are like fine art paintings for me to enjoy in an open air museum for the senses. The only thing that could be better than this is if that rain would have turned to ethereal and silent snowflakes.

TGIF

Cardigan, Boots & Bill Murray Book- Modcloth.com
Sugar Skull Crop Top- h&m

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

What to Wear Now

First Days of Summer in Santa Fe

Happy Hump Day

Rachel Rachel Roy Dress on Threadflip.com- $49
Oscar De La Renta Black Orchid Earrings- $225
Anthropologie Dot Tights- $26
Frye Brown Distressed Boots- $124
Coach Messenger Bag- $172
Eddie Borgo Gemstone Cone Bracelet- $325

What to Wear Now

Guess Cielo Heel- $278
Crewel Embroidered Top- $138
Enza Costa Maxi Skirt- $140
Loeffler Randall Clutch- $295
Isabel Marant Feather Earrings- $210
Elie Saab Le Parfum- $130
Stone Bangle- unknown