{Easter Baskets Gone Wild}

Today, I am loving...

Easter Baskets

I love Easter. I enjoy going to church on Easter Sunday, basking in the warmer temperatures and spending time with family. Now I don't know about you, but I really miss partaking in easter egg hunts. Just this past weekend, our neighbors held one for their grandkids and it was adorable to watch all of the kiddos running around hunting for eggs. Why don't we get that excited over candy anymore? Well, maybe egg hunts aren't as popular for us adults...but what about giving and receiving Easter baskets? I decided to have some fun and put together a few "themed" baskets for those of you who enjoy this aspect of the spring holiday. Perhaps you have a parent, friend or significant other you want to create one for...enjoy!

Easter Basket Ideas: The Fashionista by Chateau de Victoria

Easter Basket Ideas: The Studmuffin by Chateau de Victoria

Easter Basket Ideas: The Beauty Guru by Chateau de Victoria

Easter Basket Ideas: The Solar-Powered Kid by Chateau de Victoria

Easter Basket Ideas: The Foodie by Chateau de Victoria

"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."  
~S.D. Gordon

{Life's A Beach}

It appears my lucky stars are aligning because I practically gave up on the idea of going to the beach earlier this summer, only to be making my third trip this month in just a few hours! See, my sweetheart and I are celebrating our 5 year dating anniversary this weekend (no biggie!) and slacked on planning a getaway...but we both decided we should at least make it to the shore! Of course, our hot air balloon ride was my [little] contribution, but it will be nice to get some R&R together at the ocean.

1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock
2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Polarized Oversize Sunglasses - Havana

3. Victoria's Secret ANK Heart Bandeau Top + Bottom

4. Smartwater

5. Tommy Hilfiger - Anchors Away Beach Towel

6. Ocean Potion Pure Aloe Vera Gel

7. bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation - Medium

8. iPhone + Kate Spade

9. Michael Kors Plate Thong Sandal

10. Forever21 Bangles

11. L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag

12. Moroccan Oil

I am looking forward to having some fun & reflecting on the past several years with my sweetheart. It is amazing how much we have grown, both as a couple and as individuals. We have been through so much together; every year of our relationship has been unique and presented its own set of challenges and blessings. There is so much I could say about the past 5 years, but I think it's best to appreciate the team we have become. No matter what the future brings, I'm glad I found the most genuine friend I could have asked for in these past several years.

Now I leave you with these morsels I'm looking forward to:

Image courtesy of © 2011 Chateau de Victoria

Image courtesy of © 2011 Chateau de Victoria

C'est la vie!

Remaining Images via Google

{Laptop Luxuries}

I am happy to say that the days of lugging a heavy laptop around are long gone. In college, it was essential that I have a real backpack with shoulder pads & back support in order to carry around my miniature computer...otherwise, I would be in worse shape then I already am. Lucky for me, my laptop decided to let me print out my final papers prior to graduation before taking a hiatus of its own. Yes, my iphone is still (and probably always will be) a life source for me, however, I decided to use Christmas money and finally purchase a new computer for 2011. I don't know about you, but for me walking into that Apple store was like walking into technological heaven. The glass gates swung wide open and I was met by flashes of light from LED screens & several individuals adorned with hand-held computers ready to welcome me into their world. As if it couldn't get any better, I walked over to "glance" at the computer bag selection and there it was...staring back at me...

Marc by Marc Jacobs "Pretty Nylon" Computer Commuter Tote

Dare I even say my excitement for the bag was possibly on par with how I felt about the actual laptop? Ladies and gentlemen, not only do we now have the perfect travel-sized laptop that is conveniently lightweight but we also have an assortment of fashionable cases and bags to put it in! Yes, I know this isn't exactly new news but who doesn't love finding the perfect laptop bag...or another excuse to have a fabulous new bag in general? Any large bag will do, but here are some inspirations for spicing up your hardware:

Love, Margaux Brighton Bell Railway

Kate Spade Nylon Laptop Calista

Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Laptop Tote

(I love these MJ bags...I've had one for over a year & swear by it!)

Love, Margaux Metropolitan Station

{Passionate for Perfume}

Since the times of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, the art of making perfumes has continued to be further refined...sometimes for better and for worse. Perfume is very interesting to me; I once read in a magazine that you should think of perfume as a musical metaphor: top, middle & base notes. As I remember it, the initial scent from the application are the top notes which quickly fade. When the main body of the perfume starts to mask the initial scent, you experience the middle notes, followed by the remaining rich scent which make up the base notes. Who wouldn't remember something so quirky? Perfume can be a fickle thing; on the one hand, when worn properly, it can give us a pleasant smell but, when abused, can be obtrusive to our nasal passages. For some, perfume represents individuality; it is a trademark of a person's daily beauty routine. For others, perfume is irritable or simply non-useful, as the applied scent doesn't linger long enough to be desired. In my opinion, the wearing of perfume is an expression in & of itself; a scent represents an attitude, whether it be bold, sensual, carefree, etc. Perfume can be a powerful mechanism; at a moment's notice, its scent can flood a person with memories, images & emotions that render them defenseless for an instant in time. As Christian Dior put it: "A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting."

A Few of My Favorites:

Clinique Happy

Favorite of Summer 2010

Chanel No.5 Elixir Sensuel

Favorite of Fall/Winter 2010

Marc Jacobs Daisy

Just got for Spring 2011!

{Stuff Your Stocking For Less}

Patience. It really isn't one of my virtues. However, I am working on it. Especially when it comes to shopping. Between coupons, discounts and continuous sales there is really no reason to pay full price for everything I want need. Do you pay full price for every grocery item you purchase? Your car? Your house and everything it it? Exactly. That is just absurd. Now, in order to avoid being a hyprocrite, I'll admit that there are things that cross my line of vision that I am willing to pay full price for (within reason). Sometimes there are things worth having sooner than later, but with a little bit of research and the willingness to wait for a better deal...you'd be surprised at how much more you can get for your green. With the holidays (and your credit score) in mind, get more for less! Here are some gift giving ideas all under $50 at nordstrom.com!!



MARC by Marc Jacobs 'House of Cards' Earrings

Steve Madden 'Caryssa' Pump

Ambition Military Jacket

Betsey Johnson 'Betsey Paris' Crystal Bow and Heart Double Strand Necklace

O by Oscar de la Renta 'Ethnic Ombre Geo' Oblong Scarf

{Candid Clutch}

"What's in your wallet?" That's not the typical question that comes to my mind. Rather, "where did you get that fantastic wallet?!" I am a lover of handbags and accessories, but I love a good wallet that can stand alone. On my last trip to London, I visited Harrods (visited is the key word here, because unless you have hundreds of dollars to drop on a dime...you're going to be practicing the art of window shopping my friend) and spotted a glorious apple red wallet. Now, this Marc Jacobs beauty wasn't affordable to me at the time (being a broke college student) but that wallet never did leave my memory. A year later, I was out shopping in Georgetown with my girlfriend and voila! There was my single red wallet smiling back at me with a price tag that read "Listen lady, I've waited all of this time for you to buy me and now that I'm at a price you can't beat you better believe I'm going home with you today." In my opinion, a wallet that serves as the perfect accent to your handbag and as a magnetic clutch all on its own is one worth having.

Love: MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Totally Turnlock - Large' Zip Around Wallet in Tomato

Want: Tory Burch 'Mirrored Crinkle' Zip Around Continental Wallet in Gold

Lodis 'Liquid Mesh - Large' Ballet Wallet in Silver

MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Jetset' Zip Around Continental Wallet in Gunmetal

This holiday, I've got my eye on wallets that sparkle and shine...

{15 Minutes of Fame}

Today I am channeling my inner Edie Sedgwick: black shift dress, printed tights, leopard print jacket and dangling earrings.

Edie Sedgwick

Forever 21 Leopard Print Jacket (Fall 2007 Collection)

Along with my love of Edie, there is an even greater love for 1960's icon Andy Warhol. I spent hours in college researching, writing about and admiring the work & edgy lifestyle of Warhol. I find it quite interesting how Warhol merged the world of pop culture with high art, drawing intrigue and criticism. Deeming his workspace the 'Silver Factory' and naming his counterparts the 'Superstars,' he was nothing short of a sensational character.

Andy Warhol

His work continues to not only influence the art world but that of fashion as well. In 2007, Levi's and The Andy Warhol Foundation created a clothing collection inspired by Warhol's 'time capsule' artwork and ideas of life, death & religion. For the June/July 2008 issue of Interview magazine (which Andy himself started), Marc Jacobs (my ultimate designer crush) channeled his inner Andy Warhol as a celebration of what would have been the icon's 80th birthday. Jacobs reflects the icon's funky personality with heavy make-up, a tranny wardrobe and cartoon-like hair.

Marc Jacobs as Andy Warhol for Interview Magazine

Collaborating with the Andy Warhol Foundation, Diane von Furstenberg designed a 2008 Resort and 2009 pre-Spring Swimwear Collection which feature Warhol's prints. This Spring 2011, Furstenberg will use makeup inspiration from her very own Warhol portrait for her runway models (think bright pink lips).

DVF Warhol Flower Print Dress (Net-A-Porter)

Victoria Beckham Dresses will also be channeling Warhol's portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, using exaggerated eye-opening makeup with a strong liquid line (one can't forget Monroe's signature trademark flick at the outer corners).

Marilyn Monroe Canvas I found in Brighton, England

Warhol was onto something that we still search for today...trying to understand the world of pop culture. We continue to strive for this idea in everything we do; what we watch, listen to, create...and even wear.

All Images via Google