chalkboard + nails...

The British nail company, Ciate, came up with the brilliant idea of turning our nails into chalkboard. The Chalkboard kit includes a base coat in black, a clear matte finish and 4 colorful chalk pens to help us release our inner child and doodle all over the "black board" nails.

The kit also includes an inspirational look book and it's now available at +Sephora.

Cool right? Definitely adding to my wish list. Happy Monday!

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Via Fashionista.com

the beach bag...

Are we there yet? For the past three months I've been counting down the months, weeks, work days and actual days left for vacation. The time to pack is almost here and I definitely feel ready but I'm still missing one item, the beach tote.

This is one of the most important things to pack because it's a need when heading to the beach, river or pool. It's a must have item to carry the beach towels, sun block, book, and everything else that will contribute to a relaxing time.

My personal favorites are the top two from Gap (left) and +EXPRESS (right). I might end up getting the Express one because it would match anything in my wardrobe but let me know what you think. Do you have a favorite from my picks below. Share it in a comment. Cheers!

Top:  Gap  |  Express
Middle:  Lacoste  |  DVF Loves Roxy
Bottom:  Jcrew |  Tommy Hilfiger

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loft skorts!

I'm an avid LOFT shopper. First of all I love their jeans because they fit well and last forever. Secondly, they have great quality trendy items at affordable prices. I'm always on the lookout for those 40% off that make my wallet and husband happy. Hah!

Today's post is all about their Skorts. I first noticed them at a +LOFT store near my job. I was attracted  by the pretty floral fabric (top left image) but immediately backed up when noticed that it was not a short or skirt. Yeah, you are probably wondering what in the world is a skort! Let me explain. The Skort is basically a short pant and skirt in one. They were designed to give women protection and freedom in activities such as sports and gardening.

Loft is bringing back the skorts to give us freedom in everyday style. They have been getting my attention because they are flirty, fun, and making everyone wonder if you are wearing a short or a skirt. 

Check out the LOFT skorts below. I'd love to hear from you. Do you currently own skorts? Would you wear these below? Let me know your thoughts in a comment. 

Top: Left & right  - Bottom: Left & right

Source: Wikipedia, LOFT

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Lavender beauty: Perfect for Spring!

Happy Monday! If you look at my everyday makeup bag you'll only find a foundation, blush, mascara, brow pencil, and a three color eyeshadow palette with black, brown and cream. I generally keep it basic but when trying to add some color to my beauty routine I love going for the purple palette for the eyes. Purple tones highlight my light brown eyes specially when they're in the darker color range. It's nice to now and then get out of the routine and add something different. 

For today's post I picked three lavender beauty items that are perfect for the Spring. These add a sweet touch of color without being too much. I've seen this Essie nail polish at the drugstore but I'm never brave enough to try it so, I noticed it on my sister a few days ago and loved it - see image below.

Essie Nail Polish | Clinique Eye Shadow Trio | Cream Shadow Stick 

My sister Dhariana's pretty lavender nails! 

Click here for more lavender posts >>

Have a lovely week!

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Let's shop!!!

I'm very excited to welcome you all to my etsy shop. I thought about it yesterday and launched it today.  Bang! I've learned to launch, learn and grow.

Suggestions are very welcome for what you wish I had in the Etsy shop.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend. Cheers!

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let it rain!

Cloudy and beautiful day in New York City. The trees are finally getting some green colors - or pink like cherry blossoms - and there is a nice breeze as if rain is on it's way. I like wearing my rain boots because they make my life easier - it's very uncomfortable getting home with your jeans soaking wet so for today I decided to put together my top rain boots selection. My favorite one is the tretorn boot in red but let me tell you, I am eyeing number six because it seems very convenient to be able to fold and pack these to work or elsewhere.

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Do you own a rain boot? Which is your favorite from my selection?

1. Tretorn Skerry Rain Boot  | 2. Kamik Ellie Rain Boot  |  3. Hunter Original Tall Rain Boot  |  4. Crocs RainFloe Boot  |  5. Chooka Full Gore Riding Boot  |  6. Foldable Japanese Rubber Boots

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Lavender at ABC Carpet & Home

Have you been to ABC Carpet & Home? At this store you'll find furnisher, decor, kitchen appliances, jewelry and clothing as well as other quirky cool things that you don't expect to find. At the location near Union Square they have a very nice restaurant inside the shop where they offer fresh organic and local ingredients - definitely on my 'restaurants to visit' list.

A few weeks ago I decided to take a walk at this store and couldn't stop taking photos of the beautiful lavender color items and other things I found interesting.

Enjoy and don't forget to add ABC Carpet & Home to your list of places to visit in New York City.

Click here for more lavender posts >>

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welcome home...or not!

I'm a huge fan of typography. Anything with a letter, word, or sentence on it, I probably like.

Today's post is all about typographic door mats - some very welcoming and a some not so much. These coir door mats are great at keeping the dirt out so are great for front and back yard doors.

The top two mats are a two in one - when guest arrive they see "Come In" and when they leave it reads "Go Away." You can find them here.

The bottom 4 door mats are all from Reed Wilson Design.  I came across these at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show and made me smile - specially the Hola & Holla.

Come In/Go Away ($42)  -  Reed Wilson Design ($50)  -  

lavanda style!

Happy Monday! As you might know, I will be creating a lavender related post each week in April. Last week it was all about my lavender plant and products I use, today it's about style accessories. My favorite piece on the style board below is the baseball hat from Madewell. I saw it a few weeks ago while dress shopping for my sister's babyshower and fell in love with it - I might have to go back for it and pack it for vacation. ;)

Some might ask why I keep calling lavender a color and to me, it is a color. Here's how it's defined in Wikipedia: "Lavender is a pale tint of violet. It applies particularly to the color of the flower of the same name."See! :)

Enjoy my lavender picks and cheers to a lovely week!

Skirt  |  Sandal  |  Bangle  |  Bag  |  Baseball Hat  | Earrings

Click here for more lavender posts >>

Perfect Scarves for Spring!

It's breezy and sunny in NYC - it finally feels like Spring is here to stay. The lovely weather inspired me to put together a collection of scarves, perfect to wear over t-shirts and jackets. The selection includes an array of colors from pale pastels to bright fuschia and orange. The prize tags also go from light to dark - Hah! Hopefully inspiring our wardrobe.

From left to right: Loft: $39.50 | Gap: $29.95 | Mikoux: $349 | ONE: $65 | NET-A-PORTER: $460 | J.Crew: $59.50 

Scroll down for links and have a wonderful weekend. Cheers!

1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6 

the dining bench

For the past few years I've attended the ICFF Show and noticed a trend in dining rooms. A common feature in patio furniture is now being brought inside homes by placing benches in dining tables. These are usually arranged on one side but in the images below, you'll see some benches replacing all chairs.

I selected four pieces from Ikea, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and All Modern that I really like. Take a look let me know which is your favorite in a comment below. Enjoy!

 Ikea, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and All Modern

lavender love for the body and home...

Happy April 1st! The months are flying by and I am getting happier each day because the weather is getting warmer in NYC and the flowers and trees will start blooming any minute. 

I've been obsessed with flowers all Winter. First I got a bunch of Gerberas, then a Pascua plant that my husband got me in December (still red and bold.) My latest one is a Lavender plant I got at Trader Joe's. I like this one because it transmits peace and harmony plus the tiny purple flower strands are delicate and romantic.

I love lavender because it's an aromatic plant. Everyday products are infused with lavender oils and the best part is that with this plant at home I don't miss burning candles and oils because it smells so good around her.

To start April with a new color (Bye, bye emerald.) I decided to put together a list of lavender products that I already have at home and love.

1. GapBody perfume in Lavender Tea. I got this one at a Gap store on sale more than three years ago and I rarely used it until a few months ago. I enjoy this scent because it is light for everyday use. (Must say, I also like the simple branding on the package and bottles.)
2. L'occitane's lavender hand cream. This one is really good, great reviews all over. I loved it because it kept my hands soft and hydrated for a while plus I got it for free with a purchase. A better deal for a lavender cream/lotion is Trader Joe's Spa Lavender Hand & Body lotion.  This one is perfect to have at your desk.
3. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Fabric Softener in Lavender. I like this product because it's delicate on fabrics and claims to be gentle to planet earth.
4. Another natural home care product that I've had for a long time is the J.R WATKINS window cleaner in Lavender scent. This one uses natural lavender and rosemary oil and as all the other products above has a soothing scent. 

There is one more product that I didn't include in my visual board below but that my mom used for years in the Dominican Republic. The Mistolin all purpose cleaner in lavender. I currently use this product at home to clean my non-wood floors in the kitchen and bathroom. This one really gives any place a clean lavender scent. It smells like home to me. :)

The April color of the month at CheersCristalia.com is lavender. Each week I'll be creating a new post all in Lavender.

Cheers!

Click here for more lavender posts >>

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