SILVERFLY - Charlotte, NC

Boutiques are different from department stores in that they are meant to house unique and individualistic pieces that compliment a person's style without the market over-saturation we loathe.  SILVERFLY is a new men's boutique in the vibrant, up-and-coming neighborhood of Charlottetown that does just that. Upon walking in, there is a strong sense of fashion know-how with an added spark of cool edge.  It is obvious that the owners of this store, Fidel Montoya and Keith Alea, get it.

 The store stocks up on well-known brands such as, Andrew Christian, Penguin, Raleigh Denim, and many more. If you can't make it to Charlotte, not to worry... SILVERFLY will soon be opening an online boutique as well.

 

Wooden bow ties!!! 

The shoes below are interesting. They are all made out of a material called tyvek, the same material used to reinforce houses. Simply put, these things are durable. 

NYC Dreaming.

March 2013.

i. heart. LES.

Pics from my favorite city...

Christmas Finds!

I'm not one of those people you will find in the mall right before and right after Christmas. I don't think the sales are good enough to drive around for 30 minutes outside of the mall looking for a park... only to be forced to shove my way through the multitudes of people and screaming children inside the mall. My sanity is much more important. 

BUT, I did find some great Christmas deals online and in the mall about a week or so before the frenzy started: A cute gold and black bracelet from Betsy Johnson and a sterling silver cuff from Brighton. 

Winter Skin

It is officially winter and as we all know, in the colder months it is especially important to keep your skin moisturized for a healthy glow. I love many of the typical brands we are all familiar with - Kiehl's, Neutrogena, and Kai all make some of my favorite products, just to name a few. Recently, however, I've fallen in love with two small, minority-owned businesses that make amazing body butters for great prices. Use these products on a regular basis and you will notice a HUGE difference in how your skin looks and feels, trust me!

Whipped Products

These luscious body butters smell good enough to eat and rightly so, as they are made from all natural ingredients (including shea butter, olive butter & coconut oil). The price ranges from $9.00 - $15.00. (The almond fragrance is my absolute favorite!)

S.O.A.P.

S.O.A.P. offers an array of hand made soaps, organic body butters, bath oils, scrubs, lip balms, and even soy candles. The acronym for this company name stands for Scented. Organic. Artisan. Pure. Yes, all of their products are basically home made! Their storefront is located right here in the DC area at the National Harbor in Prince George’s County. They also have an online boutique for those who can’t make it into the store. My recommended products for dry winter skin are the Agave Nectar Body Oil ($18.00) and the Brown Sugar Scrub ($28.00).

Let me know how you like these products! Happy shopping!!

xoxo,

~ Alessandra ~

Vision Boards x Hot Chocolate

All of the craziness of the holidays is just about dying down as we look forward to the new year. I for one am excited about what 2013 will bring. I truly believe that positivity is the best gift you can give yourself, especially in this uncertain, trying world we live in. Vision boards are great tools to use in order to create positivity in your life and track goals! I made one last year and I couldn't believe that it actually worked! One day I decided to sit down and cut out pictures of the things I wanted: (1) more money, (2) my own place, (3) a healthier lifestyle; etc... (very typical "new year's resolutions). I pasted them on a piece of large construction paper and wrote captions for all of the pictures. I didn't  pray over the vision board or meditate or do any ritual with it. I didn't even hang it up. Every now and then, I just picked it up and looked at it to remind myself of the things I was working toward. It didn't hit me until this month that majority of those pictures have become "real-life pictures" for me. I think there is some type of universal, metaphysical power in narrowing down your goals and putting them on paper. 

 

So that's what I'm doing tonight. Thinking of 4-6 goals I want to accomplish in 2013 and cutting out pictures that represent these goals while sipping on hot coco and listening to uplifting and romantic music : ) You should try it! What are YOUR goals? What's your vision? 

Ok, I'm done being Oprah now... Happy Holidays! 

xoxo,

Alessandra

Gucci x Blake

I've been on a blogging hiatus for a while, but it feels so good to be back! : ) I pray that all of you have had an amazing start to the holiday season! Below I've embedded the gorgeous Blake Lively in her stunning Gucci debut. I love Gucci's fragrances and I'm sure the Gucci Premiere fragrance is nothing short of sensual.