Style Crush: Olivia Palermo

Fun Story: Back in 2011 when I worked for Hanky Panky (HP) as a planning analyst, I attended a launch party for the brand. One of the founders of HP asked me to go talk to Olivia Palermo who was also in attendance because she (founder) did not know who Olivia was. To be completely honest, at that point in my life, I had never heard of OP either. I went over to say hi, to which she kindly responded and made small talk. IF I HAD ONLY KNOWN BACK THEN. Now, I'd  love to see her and have a quick chat! But at least we spoke once!

That back story leads me to today's post, my recent obsession with her. Her style skews more ladylike and feminine than I usually find myself drawn to, but I can't resist a pretty face with good style and a love for dogs. I admire how polished she always looks and that she isn't afraid to wear color and flat shoes! I always admire women of fashion that style great outfits featuring flat shoes #realistic.

Without further ado, here are my top 5 OP outfits followed by OP inspired accessories that I'm dreaming about!

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Op Picks by christabene on polyvore.com

Gray Malin @ The Parker [Palm Springs]

Is it just me or is every one (mainly bloggers) vacationing in Palm Springs? I'm sure it's just the Palm Springs tourist association trying to pull more visitors into their area but it's completely working on me (my husband constantly reminds me that I'm an easy mark for advertising).

Regardless, I feel like I've seen a TON of instagram posts from Palm Springs (Check out Jenny from Margo and Me's Bachelorette party and Justin Duprie's wedding via his sister Jacey (of Damsel in Dior).

I've also been stalking the "ParkerPalmSprings hashtag on IG and it provides GORGEOUS inspiration images, especially during the past few rainy/humid/muggy days here.

In previous posts I've shared my love for Gray Malin (here and here) and I'm about to share a little more. He recently released a collaboration with The Parker hotel in Palm Springs, thus marrying two of my recent favorite inspiration pieces (his work and Palm Springs). See below for a few of his awesome prints.

*All images are the work of Gray Malin and are borrowed from him. 

Overalls

I have very recently started having those stirrings deep in my belly that tell me it may be time to start considering a certain big step in my life.

I've been thinking it may be time to introduce denim short overalls into my wardrobe.

Me: "Will you still love me if I wear overalls"
Jon: "Maybe, I can't promise anything"

Basically, I'm gonna risk my marriage for fashion but this won't be the first or last time that happens.

Obviously they have to be done right, and my inspo is coming straight from my favorite Brooklyn Blonde seen below, consider yourselves warned, denim overalls will be seen on this blog soon!

Wednesday Words

Wednesday Words

So I've been completely M.I.A. these past 3 or so weeks. Following my near fatal (kidding) bout of bronchitis, I threw my back out. I was bending over in the bath tub giving the pups a bath on 3/8 and my back locked up and then popped and I honestly haven't felt like myself since then. I've been back and forth to my chiropractor 10 times or so (and several hundred dollars later) and I've recently been able to sit comfortably and walk without pain. My chiropractor eventually told me that my back was out of alignment, with my upper spine twisted to the right and my sacral spine flattened out completely, rather than curving towards my belly button. I'm still not bending over at the waist like I'm used to, but I'm definitely on the mend. 

I have to admit that this process was really frustrating and difficult for me. I've never before had a situation where I felt like my body was failing me. I had a few "poor me" moments that led to tears, and I had some really humbling moments like the time when my husband had to help me into and out of my skinny jeans (trust me, this could not have been less sexy!). It was also super annoying to explain to people in my office why I was "walking funny" - Shout out to my BFFs at work for understanding and helping me whenever they could! 

The moral of this story is that I can definitely say that my "broken back" situation provided many opportunities for me to learn and grow. My patience is strengthened, my love for my body and my desire to care for it has increased ten fold, and my gratitude for my loved ones is immeasurable (I definitely whined and talked about my back for what felt like years).

Thanks for sticking with me through some major silence over the past few weeks. I'm so ready to get back on track with Novelty and the rest of my life!

Wednesday Words

I'm working on all of the above. I've been drinking coffee, so that one is checked off the list. 

Wednesday Words

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Wendesday Words

Thursday Inspiration

I've been feeling super inspired lately and just had to share some of that here. Enjoy this Thursday, we've almost made it to the weekend!!

All images sourced from Pinterest-not owned by me. 

Wednesday Words

Everyday I realize just a bit more that if you want something, you have to go out and work for it (or take it in some cases).

Happy dream hunting, friends.

xx
C

On Balance

I've been lethargic, eaten too much candy, shirked most of my responsibilities, had my car rear-ended, purchased gifts for myself alongside nearly every gift that I bought for others, and generally have had enough with my self.

Friends, it's time for some change in my life.

I'm the type of person that runs at full speed with arms wide open into routine and then routinely complains about how bored I am with it. I cannot sustain this life. So, I've turned over a new forest (forget that old adage about a leaf and tree-I'm getting really serious now).

I've taken some time from blogging to focus on work craziness, family obligations, holiday nonsense, and my husband and pups. I've also taken some time away from yoga and healthy eating habits, I've also been tardy to every occasion that I have attended in the past 6 months to a year (this is not a new realization).

I didn't intend for this to be a confession, but here we are.

I feel that if I admit all of my nasty little habits and thoughts that I can exorcise them like demons and move on with my life.

The short version of this post is that I don't feel that I've been living up to my potential in any area of my life and I want to make changes, move forward, and grow. The new year has presented itself as the perfect starting point for me. If you follow me on Instagram, then you may have noticed my use of the following hashtag: #Balancing2015 . Balance  has presented itself to me as the number one quality I need to cultivate and strengthen in my life and I've already begun my work.

In addition to that, I was reading an article about how terrible multi tasking is (in Darling magazine), where I felt really struck by an idea presented by Pauline Brown (North American Chairman of LVMH) regarding life quadrants. The gist is that she categorizes her life into 4 quadrants and strives to work on each one throughout the day. Hers were family, friends, self, and work. I loved that idea and have decided to jump onboard with this thought process. My quadrant is below, and you can bet that I'll continue to reference it here as I navigate my way through the rest of the year.

Stay tuned, this could be a train wreck or the year that I finally get my life (in order).

Happy New Year!
xx
C

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Wednesday Words

Wednesday Words

Wednesday Words

Wednesday Words

Introducing TLC Tuesdays

You may remember this post from a couple weeks ago where I talked about small daily goals that I've been thinking about. Well, I was sorting my laundry to go into the dryer last night when I thought of a new series that I'd like to introduce on Novelty. At first, I though "Little Extra Care" but really, my heart loves alliteration and everyone knows what TLC stands for (Tender Loving Care-just incase!) so that is what won out.

I've always been the type of person that puts in a half-assed amount of effort. Just enough to get the job done but never enough to be outstanding or to feel that I've really worked toward something. Well, I've started to realize (about 25 years too late) that it's the effort that you put into the small, unnoticed areas of your life that make all of the difference. For me, that means taking the extra time to make my bed every morning, to not wear the same pair of contacts for 6 months [SO guilty here], and to take stock of my life every once in a while to ensure that I'm headed where I want to be.

I thought that others out there may be interested in putting a little extra effort into their lives and that's why I'm starting this series. So guys, next week will begin the first official TLC Tuesdays. I don't hear from my readers often enough, so if you have a topic that you'd like for me to explore in this series, I'M ALL EARS and eyes now that I've changed my lenses!



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Insta-spiration

Currently, I follow 916 friends, family, companies, pigs, and random ass people on Instagram. I LOVE IG and all that is has to offer (and I'm very nosy). I've realized that I follow several accounts solely for the beautiful, inspiring images that they send through my feed. A gorgeous image of Santorini can lift my spirit on a difficult afternoon and a picture of a gorgeous latte can mentally transport me to Sunday brunch with my favorite people.

Below are some of the most inspiring, beautiful pictures that I've pulled from my favorite IG friends, enjoy!

Oh, and don't forget to follow yours truly! (@christabene)

1. @gabyburger - Beautiful, colorful images from the mind of a fabulous blogger living in Toronto, Canada. Who knew Canada was so chic?
2. @TOMFORD - For a daily dose of unapologetic sensual fashion. Not only do I worship Tom and everything he does, but he has a way of coaxing out the most luxurious images of the half naked models that he works with. 
3. @belgravecrescent - For beautiful, feminine images of England
4. @coffeenclothes -Just as it's name suggests, this account is dedicated to images of coffee and great clothes, two of my favorite things to see! 
5. @figandolive - For lovers of the mediterranean lifestyle.
6. @Santorini_Greece -For a daily dose of absolute blue gorgeousness known as Santorini, Greece aka one of my dream vacation destinations!
7. @PiggyandPolly- Two of the cutest sister Frenchies ever! 
8. @centralparknewyork - I live so close to the city but no one ever wants to go with me, my best friend and husband both commute in for work! #wah
9. @thefatjewish - I debated whether or not I should include this account because it is so inappropriate but the truth is that this account has me laughing out loud all the time. If you have a twisted sense of humor, go follow this dude! 
10. @cecildelevingne - Cecil Bunny Delevingne- This little bun belongs to fashion world's newest it-girl @caradelevingne ! #2for1
11. @caradelevingne -This girl's eyebrows inspire me daily! She's landed some of the most coveted Fall fashion campaign's including Topshop, Chanel, Mulberry, Burberry, YSL, DKNY, and La Perla.
12. @emilyschuman - One of my absolute favorite fashion/lifestyle/DIY bloggers! PS for you cat lovers out there, her fur babies make frequent cameos!
13. @taylorsterling -Another blogger favorite. Follow Taylor for a #bts [behind the scenes] look at life as a blogging new mama from the founder of @glitterguide [see next]
14. @glitterguide - For a dose of all things girly, fun, and glittery!
15. @frenchwords -I follow this account in the hopes that I'll actually pick up one french word per day and become fluent and move to Paris. #YeaRight
16. @dominomag -For chic interiors and #bts looks at the magazine that we all know and love! 
17. @homegoods -The Instagram account behind the store that my husband has forbid me from setting foot inside (whoops). 
18. @danasbakery -For gorgeous, richly colored photos of my most favorite treats! PPS Dana's bakery is located about 3 blocks from my house and they have yet to ask me to come in for quality control/taste testing! #rude
19. @nicolerichie -I just think she is hysterical, I live for her show (Thursdays at 10pm on VHI) #candidlynicole
20. @targetstyle -For all the latest on their style pieces. This damn store will land me in the poor house, I swear it! Yes, I want the $300 Dior version of these earrings, but for $7.99 at Target I can grab them and throw them out if I felt like it! #sold

Wednesday Words

When I read this quote, I thought to myself, "That is exactly me". I'm more of a jack of all trades, master of none type of girl. I will tell you this though, I am GREAT at spelling words, making pancakes, spending money, talking, and painting my nails. Maybe this isn't me after all . .

I challenge you to write down 5 things that you are great at-doesn't have to be anything huge or even a positive quality (eg. spending money)!

Wednesday Words

Paying it forward is one of the most important principles in my life. I feel that if I have the ability to help someone or improve their life, then I should do so.

I am

My husband once mentioned to me that it's helpful to make a list of all the qualities you wish to cultivate in your life and embody. I always find myself wishing that I was more prompt, that I was better prepared, and that I was more focused on my goals. Well, I've always been of the mind that sharing your goals with others holds you accountable. Blogging is the absolute mecca of sharing, so I've compiled a list of 12 qualities that I plan to embody from this day forward, with the turn of the season as my chance to shed my skin and start over.

Using terms like "I am" and "I do" gives the impression to yourself and others that you already embody the qualities that you wish to enhance and provides a base of positivity for you to achieve and exceed your goals. Here's to positivity and me getting off my damn phone.

1. I am 5-10 minutes early for all appointments (I also don't forget every hair appt. I ever make)
2. I purchase birthday gifts and cards at least 1 week in advance
3. My dogs never have accidents in our house (due to my own obliviousness)
4. I wake up at 6am every weekday morning
5. I do not spend money frivolously
6. I eat healthfully 2/3 meals per day (starting small here, folks)
7. I engage in physical activity 3-4 days per week (this is the biggest stretch on this list)
8. I vacuum every other day #HairyHarry ain't no joke!
9. I spend less than 1 hour per day on my cell phone [ this includes Instagram (!) ]
1. I downloaded the app Moment ($4.99) to help track and set the amount of time I spend on my phone. 
10. I'm never late for work and I stay fully engaged and focused throughout the day
11. I always take the stairs
12. I have legible handwriting

You should know that I was very tempted to title this post, "Imma be" after the 2009 Black Eyed Peas classic that we all know and love, but "I am" came to mind first and I had already committed, so . . . 

Image via Pinterest