winter 2014

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Santana Row

December 13, 2013 in Bay Area Fashion / Men's Fashion / Shopping tagged c wonder / calypso st barth / Holiday Gift Guide 2013 / holiday gift ideas / holidays 2013 / home / local shops / men / santana row / scotch and soda / winter 2014 / z gallerie by Bay Area Fashionista

The holidays are fast approaching and it is time to start thinking about last minute holiday gift shopping! If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, then you are already familiar with Santana Row in San Jose; which by the way, has FREE parking! Why not drive down from the city and enjoy a day of shopping and dining at some of the Bay Area’s most renowned restaurants; while parked for FREE!

Since this time of year can be stressful, I put together a little holiday shopping guide with a few gift ideas from select Santana Row shops. Of course, to get the full effect, you will need to stop by Santana Row to see these beauties in person! If you are time strapped, or do not live near Santana Row, never fear, I have inserted shopping links throughout the article so that you can stay in fuzzy slippers and continue drinking hot cocoa while shopping 🙂

For the hip man or woman: Scotch & Soda

From top: All items Scotch & Soda: Barfly EDT (in-store only, call 1-408-217-0032) / Sweaters (on sale!) / Clutch (on sale!)

The three gift ideas pictured above are from Santana Row’s newest shop; Scotch & Soda. This is one my new favorite shops. The store is cozy yet full merchandise which would make great gifts for both men and women. In addition to warm sweaters and great outfits, the store has fragrances, handbags and accessories. There is also a lot on sale! If you haven’t stopped by Scotch & Soda yet, please do! You will love it!

For the perfect gift, for anyone: C. Wonder

From top: All items C. Wonder: Bike / Clutch (on sale!) / Pillow covers /Bracelets / Jewelry Boxes (30% off and comes in more colors!)

The above photos are from my all-time favorite gift shop; C. Wonder! I love this store so much because it has something for everyone on your holiday list. The store is packed with monogrammed items which will make the perfect, personalized this gift this holiday season; not to mention they are VERY on trend! Love that!

C. Wonder is also stocked with holiday foods such as candied popcorn and chocolate. There are scarves, sweaters, jewels, mugs, cheese trays; you name it, it is in stock. If I could have fit the entire store in this article, I would have! If you need to do some heavy shopping, I recommend stopping in at C. Wonder, Santana Row. You might just find everything you need in one place!

For the home decorator on your list: Z Gallerie

From top: All items from Z. Gallerie, Santana Row: Light fixtures (in-store only, call 1-408-615-9865) / Clock / Budda / “The Godfather classic quotes” book

Z. Gallerie is the perfect place to find that something for the home decorator on your list. Not only does Z. Gallerie have fabulous home decor in stock, they also carry artwork and a fabulous book collection which will start interesting conversations when displayed on one’s coffee table. Perfect gift!

For the resort traveler on your list: Calypso St. Barth

From top: All items Calypso St. Barth, Santana Row: Candles / Clutches (in-store only, please call 1-408-551-0024) / Scarves / Necklace / Handbag (in-store only, please call 1-408-551-0024) /

Calypso St. Barth is perfect for the world traveler on your list. The store is filled with beautiful pieces which evoke a tropical beach vacation vibe. There are unique handbags, jewels, scarves and beautiful sweaters which will make the perfect holiday gift for the globe-trotter on your list. Many of the Calypso St. Barth stores carry merchandise from local designers, so when you purchase an item in-store, there is a good chance it is limited edition or even one of a kind! Your globe trotting gift recipient will be quite pleased 😉

So make sure you stop in at Santana Row this holiday season to complete your gift shopping! There are many stores to choose from and since the restaurants are amazing too, you can make a fun-filled, luxurious day of it! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

*This post brought to you by Santana Row. All opinions are my own.

Romania and cool hues

December 12, 2013 in General Fashion tagged banana republic / bracelets / casual style / gap / necklaces / outfits / twisted silver / winter 2014 by Bay Area Fashionista

Photos: Earrings: Bailey, Banks & Biddle (also love SAVE or SPLURGE) / Lipstick: c/o Laura Mercier “Mocha Myth“ / Necklace: c/o Twisted Silver “Romania“ (save 15% with code INSIDERS) / Jacket: Banana Republic / Shirt: Gap / Belt: CWonder / Buckle: CWonder / Bracelet: c/o Twisted Silver “Romania“ (save 15% with code INSIDERS) / Nail Polish: Chanel Magic / Jeans: c/o Levi’s ( save 30% with code GREEN30 )/ Clutch: Coach / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

One of the big trends on the street right now is the black metal trend. I love the new “Romania” collection from Twisted Silver which offers black metal with a unique design. I love the twisted floral-like pendant and matching details on the bracelet.

Another way I am tipping my imaginary hat to the black metal trend is with this amazingly warm jacket! The jacket features black buttons with a floral-like carved out design which plays well with Twisted Silver’s “Romania” collection. I am looking forward to wearing Twisted Silver’s “Romania” collection throughout 2014 and beyond. I am also looking forward to staying warm in my favorite new jacket!

Are you integrating the black metal trend into your wardrobe? If so, I would love to hear how you are wearing it!

To shop Twisted Silver’s “Romania” collection, please visit twisted-silver.com. Use code INSIDERS for a 15% discount! Great place for holiday shopping! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Chanel Magic nail polish review from the Nuit Magique collection

December 10, 2013 in Beauty / Nail Polish tagged blue / chanel / chanel nail polish / fall 2013 / navy / reviews / winter 2014 by Bay Area Fashionista

Chanel Magic nail polish is one of two new, limited edition nail polish colors from Chanel’s fall/winter 2013/2014 special collection “Nuit Magique.” This beautiful, dark yet sparkling collection was inspired by Chanel’s own autumn/winter runway, ready-to-wear runway collection. Magic by Chanel is a deep, dark blue which is the perfect shade of navy in a cream nail polish.

Chanel Magic nail polish is a brilliant segway from fall’s “Alchimie“ and “Mysterious“ nail polish colors by Chanel. This classic navy blue hue blends well with both winter’s color palette and resort’s brighter color palette which includes shades of blue as well as hues such as pink and green that play well with navy blue nail polish. Love that!

In addition to working with the current color trends, Chanel Magic nail polish is a dark color which will prepare nail fans for what is to come this spring; black nail polish. That’s right! Chanel will be re-promoting “Black Satin“ nail polish in spring 2014. Remember when “Black Satin” came out the first time and it sold out in stores within 24 hours? Grab a bottle now before history repeats itself!

I tested out Chanel Magic nail polish with one base coat and two coats of colors; no top coat. The polish is dark so it shows chips easily. Magic by Chanel only lasted four days on my nails, but to its’ credit, I did a lot of housecleaning during those four days so I may have sped up the chipping process. If I had used a top coat, Chanel Magic nail polish would have lasted longer on my nails without chipping.

Chanel Magic nail polish is limited edition and a beautiful blue hue! If you are a blue fan like me, grab a bottle before it is too late! Chanel Magic is priced at $27 and can be found at Chanel Boutiques as well as Chanel.com.

There are other navy blue options for nail polish at softer price points. Here are a few beautiful dark blues and navy blues which won’t break the bank.

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