Holiday Gift Guide: for her

Gift Guide: Riya Party of One by riyapartyofone featuring soy candle

The holiday season is upon us and you know what that means; it's time for gifts! Even though the holidays should not be all about gift giving and receiving, it does make up a large part of it. I wanted to share with you some of my top picks for the holiday season!. Some of these items I own already and absolutely love, while others I am currently coveting.

one| Jewelery is always a great gift. Not only is it something that the recipient will remember you for every time they wear it, but it can also be something that they may not have picked out for themselves that will add a little pop to their everyday selection of accessories.

two| A candle is a great gift to evoke emotions, the scent of something familiar around the holidays can always bring a smile to someones face. They are also great to have around just in case. They make great hostess gifts when you are invited to a last minute holiday soiree.

three| I am now a self proclaimed nail person now! I love having my nails painted and I think it is the perfect way to bring your whole look together. My favorite nail polish that I have used was NARS. I like the application and the the brush handle fits in your hand. It may be a little more pricey than other polishes but it is a little luxury that I think is very appropriate for the holidays.

four| A treat from one of my favorite Etsy shops; BowtiqueByAlexa. She has just debuted these fabulous gloves and I literally can not wait to get my hands in them. Gloves are a winter necessity and this is the perfect way to add a touch of charm to your winter wardrobe, also they keep your hands from freezing which is exactly what you need when you live in the Northeast! (use coupon code SMALLBIZ at checkout for 10% off until 12/2/14)

 five| Winter footwear can be challenging because you don't want to always be in gigantic boots all the time. Moccasins are good for casual days just running errands or they can be used for indoor slippers. Either way you can't go wrong. I'm loving the blue I just don't know if I can make the jump, I normally opt for a tan but this may be the year where I step out in some color.

six| Every girl needs a monogram quarter zip! I have had mine since last year and it is one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. I love the cut because not only it is fabulously warm but its very flattering on a feminine figure which is so hard to find when looking for a sweatshirt. Literally all of my friends has one and if you don't you are totally missing out! So word to the wise put it on your list, as it will for sure be a hit! (use coupon code SIRIUSBLACKFRIDAY for 10% off until 12/2)

seven| A phone case is the perfect gift for any one. Everyone needs one and they are not hard to come by. I like this one by Kate spade as I have a couple Kate Spade cases already but there are hundreds of other options online and millions of ways to personalize them for everyone on your list.

eight| I love my weekender set! I would not trade it for anything and use it every chance I get. The monogram detail is one sure way your luggage will never get mixed up with someone else. It is incredible sturdy and the quality can not be beat. I also this would be the perfect gift to surprise someone with if you are going away for the holidays, you could use some fabulous luggage. (use coupon code SIRIUSBLACKFRIDAY for 10% off until 12/2)

nine| A watch is a must have in every woman's wardrobe. There is nothing that says style and sophistication like a watch. There are so many different options as well as different price points. This nautical one is fun and perfect for summers by the shore. #dreaming


I hope this post helps with some of the holiday shopping headaches many of up endure!

What are some of your holiday gift ideas?

Happy Shopping!

XOXO-RPO1

Fabulous Fashion Friday!

The cold weather is upon us and it's time to bundle up and accessorize for it! My favorite thing about the weather change is all the fashion possibilities that open in with the new season. In my opinion the best accessory for this is a statement scarf! I have been a fan of scarves for a while now and I continue to grow my collection every season, but there is no better feeling than a soft scarf that keeps you warm and bundled up. Today's post is featuring my newest addition from MarleyLilly.

 

The red monogram is the perfect festive touch!

If there is one thing I love more than all others it is a monogram. I think that you can never have too many monograms and having one on your scarf is the perfect touch of personalization. I've been using this cashmere feel scarf practically everyday since I received it, and it has really held up in all conditions. I like that it is perfect for casual wear or can help to dress up any outfit. 

Causal and Cute

I'm a really big fan of this color combination as well because I was able to mix it with a more neutral pallet like this, for when you are just running out the door. Or if you want to add a pop of color to an

outfit you really can't go wrong.

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Fierce and Festive

Overall I think the scarf is a welcome addition to any wardrobe and I can't wait to see what other ways I can style it. Plus I know it will definitely be under the tree for a few of my friends!

P.S. Head over to MarleyLilly right now for their Black Friday Preview sale for amazing deals on their personalized gifts, this fabulous scarf is even on sale!

Happy Shopping!

XOXO-RPO1

*Product provided gratis, all opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by a third party

Disconnect To Reconnect

 

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With the holidays coming up it's going to be a time where we all find ourselves spending more time with family and friends which is always interesting and exciting. However it seems as if all this quality time flies by so quickly that we don't even remember all the funny moments that are happening all around us. Do you know the reason for this? We all are all glued to our cell phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs! Don't get me wrong I love my tech as much as the next person but there are a few rules that I apply in my everyday life more so than before because I realize that I am not going to ever get this time back. I can mindlessly troll the Internet on my own time when I should be more productive and doing other things, but I have made the active choice to disconnect from any kind of technology when I am with a friend or family member I may even extend this to random strangers as well because I notice how much people are using their cell phones as crutches and it is really getting to me.

Here are my 3 rules to disconnecting;

1.) If you are out to a meal with anyone; significant other, friends, family, or business associate. DO NOT TAKE YOUR PHONE OUT AT THE TABLE! I can not explain what a pet peeve of mine it is to be sitting at a table to only be ignored by the company. If you are out spending your time with someone then they should be the most important person in that moment not the random you are texting. If talking to that person on the other end of your phone is more important than you should be spending time with them not the person who is sitting across the table from you. Not to mention it is also rude to the server, because they are not there to wait around for you to figure out what you want after having sat there for 30 minutes scrolling your Instagram feed or group texting. You are not the only person they are helping and you are also occupying a table for much longer than necessary. SO PLEASE PUT THE PHONE DOWN!

2.) Don't let your phone become your new best friend, don't let it be the first thing you look at when you wake up in the morning or the last thing you look at before you go to sleep. In my opinion I think it's important for you to distance yourself from your phone because how many times have you got out of bed and the first thing you reach for was your phone? I know I do it all the time but my with my new mantra I find that it is important to begin my morning routine without my phone in my hand. This is the time of day I find is best to collect my thoughts and get ready for what is to come. It shouldn't be when you are clouding your thoughts with the latest celebrity gossip but rather focus on yourself! Every night before I go to be I plug my phone in the charge away from my bed and turn it on do not disturb so that way I can fall into a better more restless sleep.

 

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3.) Be in the moment take in experiences with your senses not your screen. How many times have you taken pictures of things and never did anything with them only to delete them a few months later. I could not tell you how many pictures of fireworks I had or pictures of food that I never posted to Instagram. I have come to realize now though that I don't want to be looking at the world through a screen. I make it my mission to see, hear, smell, and feel all the things around me. That is how I believe true memories are made.

When was the last time you disconnected to reconnect? 

XOXO-RPO1

Wendy Williams Weekend!

This I would have to say was one of the best Weekends of my life! I met my idol Wendy Williams! I have been obsessed with her since my sophomore year in college when I would watch her show on midnight on BET and use it as an escape from the reality that was my first 2 very difficult years of college where I was anything but happy. I loved and still do love watching her show she is totally a friend in my head and whenever I get the chance to see her doing anything I am all about it! Luckily she lives in the tri-state area so most of her events are local enough. I went to a tapping of her show about 3 years ago and it was so much fun! If you ever have the chance to go I would highly suggest it because there is not better way to start off a party the Wendy way ;) this is also why I make sure I watch her show everyday because I feel like I'm just listening to chatter from one of my girlfriends and I love getting input from her about all different topics. Last summer which I can not believe was actually that long ago I went to see her in CHICAGO the musical on Broadway which was my first time seeing a Broadway show and I loved it number one and number 2 of course I was going to love it because my girl Wendy was there! She did a great job in my opinion. I also watch her after show segments that she does on YouTube so I feel as though I really get to know another side of her aside from what you see on day time TV. She gives great advice and is really a girls girl and I can not confirm it any better than by the fact that I actually had the honor of meeting her this past weekend! It was amazing but the way that I came about to getting to meet her proves how obsessed I was with seeing her. She was asked to do a Comedy Show in Las Vegas over the summer and was asked back for Halloween weekend and I was so close to booking a ticket and making my way to Vegas but logistically it would not have been possible. The saving grace of this all however was when she mentioned in her After Show that she would be hosting a Comedy show in New Jersey Saturday November 15th. I was literally freaking out I went to purchase the tickets and the prices were a little steep for the orchestra and I wanted to be as close to the stage as possible but when I saw the little note at the bottom that mentioned there would be a meet and greet I bought the tickets in an instant and told BB to deal with the date because I was going and this was a thing that was happening. I am not usually a person who makes hasty decisions but I was so excited that I could not wait this was a chance of a lifetime where I was finally going to meet this Woman who I very much look up to and I could not be more excited.

#howyoulaughin?

It was fabulous! The comedians in the show that opened for her was all hilarious, literally my face started hurting from laughing so much that by the end of the show I was too exhausted for facial expressions. There was music and the crowd was so lively that it really brought the whole experience the another level.

Wendy looked amazing in her romper!

(p.s) she is literally a twig in person
Lastly I finally got to meet her and I could not contain my excitement, even though the wait took a little while I didn't mind.

I literally had no words! All I kept saying was Thank you!

 
When I finally got up to meet her I said hello and of course "HOW YOU DOIN'?" she told me I had beautiful hair and I nearly lost my mind and she was just the most pleasant woman, she smelled so nice and was so beautiful in person and I think all her fabulousity really gets lost through the TV screen so meeting her really was the most amazing thing ever!


I will never forget all the fun I had in New Jersey this weekend meeting the Wonderful Wendy Williams!

How was your weekend? Have you ever met anyone famous?

XOXO-RPO1