Sales & Steals: Shopbop Markdowns Up To 70% Off

Shopbop is having a big selection of sale markdowns up to 70% off right now just in time for the fall weather! I love this cozy sweater and these relaxed skinny jeans for the cooler months... I am also obsessed with all things black and white at the moment so this, this, this and this are catching my eye. Check out all of the sale here or shop more of my picks below!

Beauty: Arcona Skincare

Arcona Tea Tree Mask | Arcona Cranberry Gommage | Arcona Eye Dew | Arcona White Tea Cleanser

Gal Meets Glam blogger Julia posted some of her skincare favorites on Instagram a few weeks ago and I had to look into her recommendations - she seriously has the most beautiful skin so I figured she must know what she's talking about! Arcona is a skincare brand that that uses live, active ingredients and contains no parabens, perfumes, dyes, or fillers. I recently picked up a few products at Nordstroms but if you are in the LA area they also have a studio in Santa Monica where they do facial treatments [hoping to make it over there one weekend soon for a review].

Planning on posting a new Closet Clean Out Sale next week... have a great weekend! XOXO

Recent Outfits

Outfit 1 Dress: NBD | Shoes: Zara [old; similar here + here] | Earrings: Melanie Auld [on sale!] | Bag: Gucci Soho Disco in Black [not pictured] | Outfit 2 Shirt: J.Crew | Shorts: Rag + Bone Boyfriend in Rebel | Belt: Forever 21 | Shoes: Marni  [on sale!]

Two recent outfits, one for a special occasion and one for everyday errands. I've gotten so much use out of these Marni sandals and these shorts this summer [tip on the shorts: size down! I sold my regular size through my blog and bought a size smaller for this fit. Even though they are a "boyfriend" short they run large]. Tomorrow I'll be sharing a few new favorite beauty products if you want to check back! XOXO

Fabulous Friday

Waterford Lismore Essence Glasses | Sugar Paper Coasters | Vinturi Wine Aerator

Oops, just realizing my Friday post never went through... Labor Day weekend we had some friends over for a wine tasting night which was a lot of fun and a nice excuse to use our wedding crystal! My girlfriends and I have been following The New York Times Wine School Column and red zinfandel was next on our list to try. I wasn't able to find all the wines that were recommended but picked up some substitutes... we tried Predator Old Vines Zinfandel, Ridge Lytton Springs 2011, Frog's Leap 2009 and The Prisoner Saldo. I can honestly say I've never thought to order a glass of zinfandel at a restaurant before our tasting but now I have a new appreciation for it [of the bunch, the Saldo was my favorite!]. The column started in March so check out all the back posts here. Hope you had a wonderful weekend! XOXO

How I Spent My... Labor Day Weekend

We spent Saturday through Monday at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara and had a great time... it was our 5th year visiting and just as much fun as always! We pretty much just relaxed and stayed at the hotel except for one trip out to have a casual dinner at Freebirds [where they make the best nachos ever]. Friday night we hosted a wine tasting night at our house and I will share a little recap tomorrow... Hope you had a great 3 day weekend! XOXO

How I Spent My... Weekend

Last Saturday we attended a wedding for some of our friends at Sherwood Country Club [the brick + white buildings at the venue reminded me of SMU!]. It was a beautiful setting for a beautiful couple and makes me wish we had more weddings to go to this year because it was such a fun night! Hope you all are having a great week and have some fun Labor Day plans... Friday night I'm hosting a wine tasting for some of my girlfriends and then we are headed to Santa Barbara for our annual family trip! XOXO

Best Dressed: 2104 Emmys

Camila Alves in Zuhair Murad Resort 2015. Michelle Monaghan in Giambattista Valli Couture. Sofia Vergara in Roberto Cavalli. Gwen Stefani in Atelier Versace.

Allison Williams in Giambattista Valli. Natalie Dormer in J.Mendel Resort 2015. Julia Roberts in Elie Saab Couture. Sarah Hyland in Christian Siriano. 

A few of my favorites from last night's 2014 Emmy Awards... I also loved Robin Wright's Ralph Lauren backless jumpsuit but couldn't find a good photo to share [check out a pic here]. Who was your favorite look of the night? photo credit: usmagazine.com

Also, [sorry for the delay] a big congrats to the Bloom Designs $50 Etsy Credit giveaway winner Kelley Douglas! XOXO

How I Spent My... Trip To Hayward, WI

From Maui we headed over to Hayward, WI in honor of Hudson's great grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary! Everyone surprised them with two pontoon boats for a day out on the lake - they were decorated Hawaiian style and everyone dressed in festive gear to make it an event... gotta love a fun theme! It was so nice for Hudson to finally meet his great aunts, uncles and cousins! More pics from both trips on my Instagram under nsguidetostyle. Have a great weekend! XOXO

How I Spent My... Vacation In Maui

We spent the beginning of August in Maui for our first big family vacation just the three of us and it was awesome! The best part was getting to spend so much time together and Hudson had an absolute blast playing in the pool and at the beach. We stayed at the Four Seasons in Wailea and I can't say enough good things about the hotel and the staff - they were so accommodating and the resort was beautiful!  Some favorite activities were early morning breakfast as a family, walking along the Wailea beach path, drinks and lunch at the pool, lunch at Mama's Fish House [approximately a 45 minute drive], sunset dinner at Spago [their drinks + food were my favorite of the trip!] and a relaxing birthday massage in one of spa's outdoor huts. We also really enjoyed a casual dinner at this great gluten free pizza place, Maui Brick Oven Pizza [thanks for the rec Natasha!] and gelato twice at Ono Gelato. The rest of our trip to Hayward, WI will be up soon but in the meantime check out more photos on my Instagram under nsguidetostyle. XOXO

Recent Outfits: Vacation In Maui

Outfit 1 Cover Up: Bop Basics [now 70% off in three colors here] | Swim Suit: Mara Hoffman | Shoes: J.Crew | Hat: Forever 21 [sold out; similar here] | Outfit 2 Dress: For Love + Lemons [sold out; short version here] | Shoes: Marni | Outfit 3 Romper: Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent [old] | Shoes: Valentino | Hat: Forever 21

Hope you had a great week and weekend! We just got back from vacation on Sunday and am trying to get back into the swing of things... a few recent looks pictured above from our time in Maui. Recaps of our trip coming up this week as well as the winner from the Bloom Designs $50 Etsy Credit giveaway! XOXO

Sales & Steals: Last Chance To Shop The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Just a little reminder that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends on Monday, August 4th in case you wanted to grab anything before the prices go up! Shop my favorite picks here from this post... I ended up getting these in both black + white and some boring but much needed basics. What was your favorite thing you got from the sale?

P.S. Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway with Bloom Designs for a $50 Etsy shop credit here. XOXO

How I Spent My... Birthday Weekend

[clockwise from top left]

1. Alfred's Coffee & Kitchen visit with the girls. 2. Nobu Malibu view. 3. The Grapefruit On The Rocks + Mia Margarita at dinner. 4. Birthday manicure from Bellacures + a new book, Everything I Never Told You, for vacation.

This past weekend I celebrated my birthday with my friends and family which was a treat! Saturday am, I went on a hike at Runyon Canyon with my girlfriends and then we stopped for coffee and a chat at Alfred's Coffee & Kitchen. I tried the $10 iced almond latte again but in the mocha flavor - it was yummy but I think I preferred my friend's regular iced vanilla latte with almond milk... can't go wrong though! Saturday night, my hubby and I went on a date to celebrate at Nobu in Malibu. I had my 21st birthday at the New York location so it was fun to go back! The food was delicious - definitely get the yellowtail sashimi with jalapenos and the black cod with miso if you go. We also had the mini lobster tacos, scallop truffle chips and crispy rice with spicy tuna which were also super yummy. Hope you're all having a great week!

P.S. Tibi is having 25% off all of their sale items here! Love this pretty yellow dress and this white lace number. XOXO

Giveaway: $50 Etsy Credit To Bloom Designs

Today I have a giveaway with my sister Jenny of Bloom Designs for a $50 credit to her Etsy shop! Her blog is a daily must read - she is an incredible party planner and event stylist with an attention to detail that is beyond anything I've ever seen. I've been lucky enough to have her throw me a bridal shower, baby shower and Hudson's 1st birthday and she also made all the printables for the Baby Hoedown Shower I hosted in May. Her Etsy shop is filled with the perfect party supplies, custom invitations and an array of printables - check out everything that you can use the $50 credit towards here!

Please do the following to be entered in this giveaway:

- Follow Bloom Designs on Instagram [direct link below]:

INSTAGRAM

- Check out the Bloom Designs Online shop on Etsy [direct link here]. 

- Leave a comment with your email in case you are the winner!

Additional entries [please leave a separate comment for each]:

- Follow Bloom Design on another form of social media, one entry for each additional follow [click for direct links below]

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST

- Follow Nicole's Guide To Style  on any of the following, one entry per follow [click for direct links below]:

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST 

This giveaway will end Friday, August 8th and the winner will be announced on my Facebook page and here on the blog the following week! Happy Monday! XOXO