👠 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. 

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.

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?

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

Last Day of Winter

It is the last full day of winter. I hope everyone has an epic day shreddin. ❄️❄️❄️