Matches is Going Out of Business: Here is What I Think You Should Buy

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Sadly its another one bites the dust for Matches(f/k/a Matches Fashion) (and if you missed it Farfetch and Net-A-Porter are struggling as well). But, if your a savvy shopper, this can be a good time for you to score a deal on some great pieces! You need to make sure that you use the “OFFER30” for 30% off! (I originally bought my items at 25% off so the deal has gotten better but the longer the sale goes on the more things sell out.)

Also, since they are going out of business, you do have to pay for shipping and a restocking fee of $20 for returns.

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Best Spring/Summer Woven Bags That Aren’t Raffia

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Don’t get me wrong- I love my raffia totes. But I totally understand that people do not want to spend a lot of money on what is essentially a dried leaf (see the Loewe raffia tote in the small that is $590). So that left me thinking what type of bag has similar vibes to a woven raffia bag but is a better bang for your buck? Woven leather bags immediately came to mind. Below are my favorite woven leather bags (many of which I own).

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SAs to Know for the 2023 Fall/Winter Designer Sales

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As mentioned in my YouTube video (and as promised), here is the list of Sales Associates (SAs) for big US department stores. I have shopped with all the SAs listed below and recommend them. As I mentioned please follow the procedure they lay out for ordering with them and please do not waste their time!

Nordstrom

– Jesse James: https://instagram.com/designer.mens?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

– Anthony: https://instagram.com/nordstrom.designer?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

– Paul: https://instagram.com/shopdesignershoes?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

– Brian: https://instagram.com/shopdesignernordstrom?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Saks

– Kitty: https://instagram.com/kittyibarra?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Neiman Marcus

– Chase: https://instagram.com/cavinselects?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

– Jill: https://instagram.com/instylewithjill?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

– Robert: https://instagram.com/designer_everything?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==

Bloomingdales

– Melina: https://instagram.com/bayarealuxuryshopperr?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

– Stacey: https://instagram.com/shopwithstacey?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Best Nails Salons in Silicon Valley- Part 2

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Just like last year, this spring I decided to try out different Healthy Nail Salons in Silicon Valley! For those of you that do not know, Healthy Nail Salons are salons that are certified by San Mateo County as salons committed to using less toxic products, safer practices, and better ventilation. The program launched in 2013 due to health concerns for nail technicians and customers exposed to hazardous chemicals found in nail salon products. Healthy Nail Salons use both safer products and safer practices. San Mateo County Currently has 15 certified Heathy Nail Salons. For more information about this program, visit smchealth.org/healthynails. 

1- Fantastic Nail Spa – La Bonne Vie in South San Francisco 

Service: Dip Manicure with Design Details in Gel Polish 

Cost: $70 plus $7 cash tip

Fantastic Nail Spa – La Bonne Vie had the most nail polish, gel colors, and dip options I have ever seen at a salon. If you want color options this is hands down your best pick in Silicon Valley. The salon did a great job with my nails and my technician was very helpful with picking out the perfect pink color among their many options. My recommendation is to ask for Tracy as she was very helpful and incredibly talented. Also fun fact –they are the newest salon in San Mateo County’s Healthy Nail Salon Program!

2- Maite Nails and Skin Spa in Burlingame 

Service: Dip Manicure with Design Details in Gel Polish

Cost: $65 plus $7 cash tip 

For my second Healthy Nail Salon, I went with Maite Nails and Skin Spa. I did call in advance to make an appointment, but you can also make an appointment online. I thought Maite Nails and Skin Spa created the perfect spring nails for me. They matched the cherry tree in my backyard AND I got compliments on them from a male coworker (which never happens). Bonus for this salon is that it is on the edge of downtown Burlingame which has so many cute places to eat and shop after you get your nails done.

3- 7 Sisters Nail Spa in San Mateo 

Service: Gel Pedicure 

Cost: $65 plus a $6 cash tip 

I decided to try something different at the last Healthy Nail Salon, so I went with a gel pedicure. I have gotten pedicures before, but this was my first time getting a gel pedicure – and I loved it. Almost a month later (and numerous dips in the pool) my nails still have not chipped and look like they were done less than a week ago. While this service is a bit more pricey than a regular polish pedicure, I would say it’s worth it. Also, I really liked that this salon has many different pedicure options so if you are in the mood for a fancier pedicure they can accommodate. 

If you want to see other nail salons I recommend in Silicon Valley please check out this post here. If you want to see more nail content please check out my Instagram. 

Thank you to San Mateo County Environmental Health Services for sponsoring this post on Healthy Nail Salons. It’s been an honor to work with you all again!

Best Crystal Bag Dupes for Prada and Balenciaga

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*** Disclaimer: I put this at the top of every dupe post but if you are looking for replicas, fakes, 1:1 copies this is not the page for you! This is a list of the best crystal bag dupes for spring but these pieces do not try to be or directly replicate the designer bags they take inspiration from. I do not promote those types of inauthentic goods and never will. What I do promote is everyone being able to afford the look they are going for without copying a brands protected IP. For more check out this post.

So I will admit I didn’t get crystal hype at first. I have always loved shiny things but I just didn’t know where one would wear a full crystal bag. But then I got my Prada Reedition 2005 in platinum crystal and found that sparkles can be carried anywhere! My bag has been to sushi, Whole foods, Costco, my best friends house and the post office! If you don’t mind a bit of attention, crystals and sparkles can literally be worn anywhere.

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The Best Holiday Sugar Cookies

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(Recipe for Cookies & Icing)

My Thanksgiving Sugar Cookies!

To me there is no more quintessential holiday dessert than the sugar cookie. We see them at the grocery store, at work office parties, and in the homes of loved ones around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. But not all sugar cookies are created equal. My below tips and tricks will help you create some of the most beautiful and yummy sugar cookies!

The Sugar Cookie Recipe 

1 ¼ cup salted butter (room temperature)

1 cup granulated sugar

½ tablespoon pure vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

1 egg

3 cups all-purpose flour 

  1. Measure out the butter, sugar, vanilla and salt. Place together in the bowl of your mixer and mix. Mix on medium to low speed until smooth. (This is normally about 3 minutes.) 
  2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  3. Add egg and mix.
  4. Scrape down the side of the bowl again. 
  5. Slowly add in flour and mix until a soft dough forms. You will know the dough is ready when it pulls away from the side of the bowl.
  6. Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll with a rolling pin to desired thickness. 
  7. Place the dough in the freezer for at least one hour. 
  8. Cut the dough into desired shapes with cutters. 
  9. Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes.
  10. Allow cookies to cool before frosting. 

Pro Tip: Make sure to freeze your dough- it really does make all the difference! If the dough gets warm between you cutting out the shapes and baking put the cut out dough back in the freezer for a bit before it goes in the oven. 

The best mixer of all time!

The Royal Icing Recipe 

2 lbs (one bag) of powdered sugar 

5 tablespoons meringue powder 

¾ cups warm water 

  1. Measure out powdered sugar and meringue powder in the bowl. Mix together. 
  2. Slowly add in warm water until you get your exact consistency. For me that means the icing is dripping off the mixer head at a pretty even pace. 
  3. If the icing is too runny add more powdered sugar. If the icing is too thick add more warm water. 
  4. Add dye to create desired color(s). 
  5. Yes, the icing recipe is really this simple. 

Pro tip: If you need white frosting, take that out and bag it first. Then mix in the dye for your next lightest color. Continue mixing colors over top of each other. For example I mixed white, then light orange, then dark orange, then brown. This was all with the same white starting color and added dye for each different color I wanted to the same mixing bowl. 

I find that the right tools make this baking process a lot easier- and quicker! For both the cookie recipe and the icing recipe, hand mixing is not going to get the consistency you want. To achieve smooth dough and icing, I recommend the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer. Normally this mixer costs about $400 but through the eBay refurbished program you can get one for about $220. To make it even sweeter the item comes with up to a 2 year warranty. That’s great savings for an item that will literally last you decades! (I know this from personal experience as my mom has had her KitchenAid mixer for about 35 years!). Another tool you need to have for this is a rolling pin. There is no way to get the dough the right thickness without rolling it out. And if you do not roll it out there is no point of freezing the dough…which will lead to your shapes spreading in the oven. And the last tool I recommend is a scribe. Without this little piece of metal it’s basically impossible to flood the cookies correctly and get a nice even texture. 

Everything needed to make the sugar cookie recipe!

Thank you eBay for sponsoring this post! Looking for other eBay related posts? Check here!

Striped Sweater Weather is Here!

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Striped Sweater from Abercrombie

Fall is almost here…or if your like me it’s been here since September 1st- even if the weather does not want to cooperate. And this fall the most popular sweater- the striped sweater! Not surprisingly a lot of these sweaters are already sold out- because everyone is ready for fall too! Below are my favorite striped sweaters for every type of fall!

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Isabel Marant Etoile Plaid Coat Dupes

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Isabel Marant Etoile Plaid Coat
Style: Gabriel
Colorway: Rosewood

The Isabel Marant Etoile Plaid Coat... a coat I coveted for many years until I bought one on sale last spring from Cettire. This coat has been around for awhile in the fashion crowd making it somewhat of a fall/winter fashionista classic. Plus, lets be real, anything plaid will always been “in” for fall/ winter because plaid/ checks are staple pattern for the cozy time of year. Below are my fav dupes for this coat!

*** Disclaimer: These are the best luxury sandal dupes for the Isabel Marant Etoile Plaid Coat. I put this at the top of every dupe post but if you are looking for replicas, fakes, 1:1 copies this is not the page for you! This is a list of the best dupes for the Isabel Marant Etoile Plaid Coat but does not try to be or directly replicate the coat. I do not promote those types of inauthentic goods and never will. What I do promote is everyone being able to afford the look they are going for without copying a brands protected IP. For more check out this post.

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5 Must Have Pieces from Sezane

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It’s no secret that I absolutely adore Sezane and wish that my whole closet was made up of pieces from the brand but sadly thats not in the budget. With most pieces costing over $100, it makes sense to buy pieces that are staples and you will wear for years and years. Below are my 5 favorite pieces from Sezane that I would call Parisian staples.

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Best Nail Salons In Silicon Valley

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This spring I went on a nail odyssey! I tried out different nail shapes, colors, and styles. I visited different salons in San Mateo County to find the best nail salons in Silicon Valley and I learned about the San Mateo County Healthy Nail Salon Program. The Program was launched in 2013 due to health concerns for nail technicians and customers exposed to hazardous chemicals found in nail salon products. Salons that are part of this program use less toxic products, safer practices, and better ventilation. Currently there are 15 salons that are part of the program in San Mateo County with more across San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Alameda counties. Want to learn more about the San Mateo County Healthy Nail Salon Program? Visit smchealth.org/healthynails. 

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