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.

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

The Best Santa Fe 3-Day Itinerary Ever: (the infamous and long awaited) Day 3

When I think back to my most memorable vacations and favorite places, I realize that I was experiencing them as a traveler. Not as a tourist, but as a person tasting the culture and filling all of my senses with the journey. It's nice to be without an agenda and just going with the flow. Without a specific time to be anywhere and complete freedom over your day you can explore and be wild. Don't worry, I won't leave you without a few good suggestions.

One great suggestion would be to start your day down at the Railyard. It's an easy walk from downtown if your shoes are comfy. The last few years have seen the popularization of the "Railyard District" thanks in large part to the farmer's market and successful new retail spaces. Plus, the new Violet Crown movie theater is slated for a May 1st grand opening. Along with art museums like Site Santa Fe  and popular local eateries, there are many things to do while you visit the Railyard. Meander around, socialize with the locals and you are sure to make some new friends.

You may have heard of a popular series called Game of Thrones? Well, the author and epic story-teller George R.R. Martin owns a historic cinematic movie house in the Railyard District. The Jean Cocteau Cinema was one of the 300 plus independent movie houses that got to screen The Interview on Christmas day. Catch a quick film at this storied theater and then head over to the Second Street Brewery's second location at the Railyard. If you are a fan of classic fish and chips, you will not be disappointed.

http://www.secondstreetbrewery.com/

Try a local favorite like Andiamo for dinner. It is another participant in the farm to table movement, offering all the local and organic produce and ingredients that they can. Spend your last hours in the capitol city hanging out around the plaza. You will find local performances during the warmer months and plenty of vendors to pick up all of those last minutes gifts and trinkets. I hope you enjoyed traveling in the city different. I know three days is never enough. We'll see you next time you need your green chile fix.

Modern General

Backyard Sunset

 Hope you like the new look of SantaFeStyles. Thanks for reading!

The Write Stuff

A great day here in the high desert to head outside and write. Sometimes nice weather can be a distraction, but others it is pure inspiration.

Pearl Two Finger Ring-$38
Marciano Statement Necklace-$68
Marciano for Guess Bracelet-$58 all jewelry found on shop.guess.com
Tuscon Booties Anthropologie.com-$130
Michael Kors Leather Shoulder Tote-$260
Denim Contrast Ruffle Dress- no info available

What to Wear Now

Kitten heels and low pumps are the perfect height for meandering around daffodils at the botanical gardens. Tea times and afternoon fêtes move outside with the warm weather so long dresses are perfect for those. They work equally well with sweaters and jackets for a later soirée. Don't forget a flush of skin tone pink for your nails and lips and you will look glowing at your event this weekend.

White Floral Print iphone Case-$45
Modcloth Party Heels in White-$70
essie Cashmere Matte Polish in Just Stitched-$8
Kimchi Blue Straw Hat-$103
Earrings: Zappos.com-$98
Modcloth Maxi Dress in Floral-Multi-$160
Guess by Marciano bracelet-$58
Blue Clutch- designer and price unknown

Spring is in the Air

Something about the springtime is so motivational and inspiring. The cyclical rebirth of nature, the smell of growing grass and fresh rains. It's a clean slate. You shake off the winter doldrums and refresh your point of view with sunshine warmed air.

I love the ritual of spring cleaning too. We recently did some upgrades to our adorable 1970's Santa Fe home. The construction prompted me to get a head start on dusting and rearranging furniture. 

The sprucing up of our casa only added to my feelings of renewal. I have been sorting and cleaning with serious vigor and focus.

 

I know it's not fair to talk about since many of you are still enduring the muddy melting snow and ice, but I have had a good mix of snow and warm weather. Speaking of spring cleaning, it's time to discerningly and discriminatingly sort through that closet. Here are my tried and tested tricks for cleaning the clutter from your wardrobe. Ask yourself the following questions: Number one, have you worn it at all, even just once in the last year? Yes? If so, go ahead and keep it for another year. If your answer is no, that brings us to number two. Number two, is it a classic or a special occasion item? Classic and special occasion items tend to be a little bit more pricey and a lot harder to part ways with. Keep these items. Finally, number three, does it fit? Don't take precious space that you need for new clothes away from yourself by holding on to hopes that maybe one day you'll fit back into your old favorite college jeans.

I found Threadflip. It's a really fun website that helps you pass on your gently used clothes (or the ones still hanging with tags that you now realize have no business being in your closet). They have everything from high end designers, to J.Crew, and then some nicer Target and Kohls collections. It works like a consignment shop. You curate a "closet" and sell your older items. The. You take the cash or use it to shop other women's closets. I'm absolutely addicted. I plan on using my money on Threadflip. It's like a luxurious online thrift store. Any items in your closet that you can't Threadflip, you could yard sale or simply donate. Many other community based nonprofits will actually pick up your donations and leave you with tax deductible receipts for your donated items.

The bulbs are peeking out and I have already planned most of my other gardening. One goal I am making for myself is to grow and eat more veggies. I have been getting consistently better over the last couple of years, but I think it's really important to make sure you have a good local source. That's why I love the Santa Fe Farmers Market. Actually, Santa Fe has a large farm to table movement as well. Many popular area restaurants are using as much local and organic produce as possible. I have seen more than a handful of local chefs at the railyard farmers' market early on Saturday morning. Not to mention the purveyors supply what we demand. The more we keep asking for it, the more that will become available.