Local Love: Around the Bay

It's a rainy day here in Nor Cal, not quite the post Memorial Day weather I was hoping for, but I can't complain much after the amazing weekend I had. Okay one more complaint; I am STILL having major computer problems even after my time at the Genius bar. In any case I put my computer away for the weekend and enjoyed and amazing weekend with Casey. We went to Santa Cruz and stayed at the Dream Inn -- it was awesome. We also managed to go bowling, hit the boardwalk, relax poolside, checked out the Treasure Island Flea market, had a yummy Sunday brunch at Don Pistos (bottomless mimosas + breakfast burritos), and met some friends at an Art & Wine fest. I ended my weekend with reunion with my best friends, one of of who just got back from 6 weeks in Turkey. She brought us back some amazing treats, which I can hopefully share once my computer is back to working....

If you ever hit Santa Cruz, this is the place to stay.

The Hotel was full of color! I loved it.


Room service on the beach is always a favorite of mine.

Cruising in the city.

Hope to be back to posting outfits soon!

Things I Love: A Great Deal

I have been having computer troubles lately (apparently uploading high quality pictures on the daily isn't all that great for a three year old computer with not the largest hard drive). Without uploading/downloading capabilities my computer has been rendered a shopping and blog reading machine, and I'm finding all sorts of cool stuff. If you're not already obsessed with Refinery 29, well you should be, and if you haven't noticed their new reserve shopping area (think Gilt but WAY more radical) you should DEFINITELY check it out. Their latest deal has me bouncing off the walls, and writing birthday shopping list like crazy! Right now you can get $300 worth of Rag & Bone items for $150. All I have to say is YES PLEASE. A 'sample sale site' where I can pick what I want shopping-spree-style? Sign me up...oh wait you don't even have to be a member. Still trying to figure out what I want to spend my $150 on...

Hopefully my date at the Genius Bar will solve my computer problems and I'll be back to posting my pictures soon. Have a fabulous Memorial Weekend and
BIG THANKS TO ALL THE MILITARY FOLKS OUT THERE!

GIVEAWAY: Gold Crescent Necklace from Green Tea Jewels

ETA: The Winner is Liesl @ FabulousFashions4SensibleStyle

It's almost Memorial Day weekend and I don't know about you, but I'm antsy! To ease some of your excitement and to pass some time this Thursday; why don't you enter my latest Giveaway sponsored by Etsy Store Green Tea Jewels? This lovely Gold Crescent Necklace would be perfect paired with any summer dress or even a simple tank, a great piece for all summer long.

*us residents only
How to Enter:

1. Visit greenteajewels on Etsy share your favorite piece with me.
2. Follow this blog via Blogger, Blog Lovin, Google reader or RSS feed and leave a comment below.
3. For additional entries: follow Ambersnotebook via Facebook and follow me on Twitter: Ambersnotebook

Giveaway ends on Thursday June 2nd at midnight PST. Winner will be chosen by a random drawing and will be contacted/and or announced on Friday.

Good Luck!
Thank you Jill From Green Tea Jewels for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway!

Things I Love: Nordstrom Half Yearly

Per tradition I am up and at 'em early for the Nordstrom half yearly sale. I just love going when it first opens and elbowing little old ladies out of my way ;)
Here are some of my favorite picks of the sale selection, and don't forget to use eBates when shopping the sale they are offering 5% back!
click pictures for details

Happy Shopping!

Look of the Day: Top 5

A blazer and a tee is definitely one of my top five go-to outfis looks (a blouse and flare jeans, striped shirt with just about anything are a few others of my go-to 'fits). There's something slightly Mary Kate, Rocker chic, and androgynous I like about the look. Plus it's comfy easy to wear and shows a bit of my interests. In this case my tee is showcasing one of my top five movies (other top five movies include: Star Wars, Pretty Women, Old School, and Bull Durham). And speaking of top 5 lists, my current Crush list is Brian Wilson, Tim Lincecum, Pat Burrel, The Guy from Workaholics (Blake) and Eminem...if I came across him. A Workaholics tee is definitely next on my must buy Tshirt list.

After work causal.

Forever 21 Audrey Hepburn tee,
Alice and Olivia Blazer, Ash lotus wedges, JBrand Babe flare jeans, and Forever 21 Readers.

Goof ball.

Share of your top fives with me outfits/movies/freebies, you name it!

Amber's {Blog Event} Notebook: Banana After 5 Recap

On Thursday I was honored to co host the banana republic after 5 event held at the flagship San Francisco store along with Laura of On The Racks and Aimee of Song of Style. Banana did a fabulous transforming the vibe of the store to a summer party atmosphere. Complete with a ping pong table and sangria, a chance to win a whirlwind trip to West Hollywood was also on the line. Aimee, Laura and I had a blast greeting costumers, sharing our favorite pieces and enjoying the sangria, ping pong and amazing appetizers. Bloggers like Mission Closet, Like Fresh Laundry, ProFreshStyle, Jennie Goes West, Thrift eye and J'adore Couture and came out to show us support {it was SO nice to see you all!}. And some like Jeanne even took advantage of the 25% off that was offered {she picked up the pants version of these foldover shorts -that I love!}.

Thanks again to the Banana Team for asking me to be a part of the fabulous even -- I had an amazing time!

Jeanne and I tweeting

So cool!

Self potrait at the event.

Accessories area. LOVE their Chann Luu collection.

The ping pong was a fun touch.

And a night with Sangria is always amazing.

I hope your week is off to a great start!

Things I love: Smiling

It's been and awesome week and you couldn't wipe the smile off my face if you tried.
I had an amazing time last night at the Banana Republic After 5 event (update to come shortly)
I found out one of my outfits was picked as the winning iVillage Maxxinista Moment Look (even if it wasn't loved by all).
And this weekend I am going to the Giants game with about 12 of my very best girlfriends -- it should be awesome!
I hope your Friday was fabulous and your weekend is wonderful -- I'm off to meet my Mom and Gma for Happy hour!

Look of the Day: Merci, Gracias, Danke

.t h a n k y o u.

I love blogging. I love reading blogs, getting inspired from blogs and getting a peak into other people's lives. I also love creating, sharing my ideas and meeting new friends through my blogs. I started my blog as a way to record things I did and loved. A place for me to journal pictures I took and the things I did. I never thought anyone would read it, let alone value the things I said. I wanted to thank anyone who has ever stopped by my blog or has become an occasional or loyal reader. Thank you for support, comments and friendships.

I hope that maybe tonight I can meet or catch up with some of you at the Banana Republic event tonight at 5pm in Union Square on Grant street.
Expect cocktails, discounts and a chance to win a Memorial Day Weekend get-away!

Swirling ruffles skirt, Heritage embroidered blouse, studded jacket c/o Banana Republic.

Happy Thursday Lovelies!!
Also be check out my summer faves over on Love, Lipstick and Pearls!

Amber's {Blog Event} Notebook: Wacoal Fit Event

On Monday I attended the Wacoal fitting + cocktails event and it was, what I would call, a "life changing experience". You see, I have never been fitted for a bra, nor have I ever enjoyed bra shopping. It's not fun, slightly embarrassing and always yields purchases that don't quite fit but do the job. So on Monday when I learned what my true size was AND tried on a handful of bras that fit perfect -- it kind of blew my mind.

I now know how important it is to be fitted, and by someone who truly cares about finding your true size. The Wacoal team showed me that bra shopping doesn't have to mean wading through picked over semi-annual sale bins, while fending off sales women asking if you want a store credit card with angelic rewards.

However, I was hesitant about the outcome of the Wacoal fitting event. When I was emailed about this event I was asked what bra size I was. I almost didn't know how to answer, as, I didn't really know how to answer. So I responded with a size I didn't really wear, but figured it was probably what I would measure.

When I was first measured by my Wacoal fit expert, I clutched my sauvignon blanc not only out of anxiety but out of slight embarrassment. I wasn't quite sure I wanted to hear what size she told me I was, and see what bras she would bring me that would fit. I feared for the worst.

After taking my measurements, my fit expert handed me bra after bra to try on. After each try-on Kim examined where my fit issues were and determined what needed to be adjusted and why, until finally a perfect fit/size was determined.
I was giddy after trying on a bra's that fit me like they were made for me -- that has never happened. I will now be a Wacoal costumer for life. I love that I can search their website by my perfect size, in order to see what bra's that would work for me. Walcoal also has a hip new B.Tempted line that totally fit my style, as well as lot's of other awesome under garment items.

I'd like to thank the Wacoal team not only inviting me to the fabulous event they hosted at the Prescott Hotel in San Francisco but for teaching me the importance of being fitted for bras. I will now continue to be fitted as my body grows and changes. I hope this post inspires you to check out Wacoal's Fi(gh)t for a Cure Event in your area and find your true fit.

Look of the Day: Prepster

When putting outfits together I like outfits that set me apart just a bit. My goal is to never wear exactly what everyone is wearing. The latest Bloggers Do It Better Challenge was to put together an outfit based on the America Prep School style -- bow tie/tie and blazer/vest required. It was fun to play around with my Urban Outfitters bow and I always love rocking a blazer. While the colors of my outfit are anything but typical prepster, I though the very light pink was the perfect way to soften up this look. I also added the readers to add the perfect preppy finishing touch. It was a really fun look to rock for a day, and it was bold enough to warrant compliments from strangers. And wearing it made me feel anything but ordinary.

h&m top and blazer, urban outfitters bow tie/hair bow, skirt and shoes.
Readers from Forever 21.

How do you feel about the prepster look? Do you rock it?

Look of the Day: Banana Republic After 5

I'm very honored to announce that I will be co-hosting the Banana Republic After 5 shopping event at the Union Square store (256 Grant Ave) along with Laura of On the Racks and Aimee of Song of Style on Thursday May 19th. We will be on-hand from 5-7 PM to help style outfits and meet readers & shoppers. I'd really love for you to come and support us. We will also be live tweeting from the event using the hashtag #BRafter5. Everyone is welcome and for coming out you'll receive 25% off your purchase of over $100 and be entered in a raffle to win a trip to LA (4-days, 3-nights stay in LA, flight & hotel ) courtesy of Banana Republic and Virgin America.
I hope to see you there.

Swirling ruffles print skirt and shirt c/o Banana Republic


If you're not located in the Bay Area you can check out similar events hosted by lovelies like Anna of See Jane at stores around the country.

Participating stores:
please contact stores for details

• Seattle (Coliseum Theater Store)
• Dallas (Northpark Mall Store)
• Miami (Aventura Mall Store)
• Washington DC (Tysons Corner Store)
• New York City (Rockefeller Center Store)
• Boston (Copley Place Store)
• Chicago (744 N. Michigan Ave Store)

Quotes I Love: Mistakes

quote by albert einstein, picture by me
If only Blogger tried something new. I was hoping after my blog host Blogger was down for day, it would come back with some awesome updates. Instead it just ate some totally radical posts I made, like a DIY post on a sequined tank and a outfit post that didn't posted yet (which now needs to be rewritten). What blog host do you use? Any advice for switching hosts? Did Blogger screw you over too?
I'll be back in a bit with that outfit post...I hope...

Let's Make a Steal: J Crew Merino Confetti Sequin Top

When I first saw the JCrew Merino Confetti sequin sweater I fell in LOVE. And my love only grew as I saw it's sequined glory sprinkled all over blogs. I have since purchased the sweater but I loved the idea of it so much I decided to take sequins, I mean matters, into my own hands and make a summer tank top using the same 'Gosh darn it, someone spilled a bag of sequins on my shirt' idea, all while spending less then $10. And just to compare, the sweater that inspired this Let's Make a Steal was originally $148 now on sale for $89.00. That would be quite the savings, not to mention hours of DIY entertainment.

Materials needed:
Striped tank top or top (I used a $6.00 h&m one but this AE one looks identical)
Sequins
Needle & thread
And a baseball game, favorite TV series marathon or movie to put on
as you aimlessly sew sequins.

Start randomly sewing away...

... keep sewing and sewing...

Finally start gradually spacing out the sequins.

While the effect isn't as dramatic as the sweater I like how it turned out and it's a fun twist on the classic breton stripes.

...and on to the next one...

Look of the Day: Green Monster

When dressing for events like bridal showers I try to wear something ladylike but I still like to keep elements of my own style. For example, when I saw the lovely Kim from Anthroholic wear this skirt I absolutely loved it. Although Kim's style is decidedly more lady like and and slightly conservative then mine I knew I needed the skirt; so when I walked in the brand new Forever 21 that just opened up near me, I was more then excited to see the skirt hanging on the racks. While I love how Kim paired it with coral (and hope to do that in the future) I played up the polka dots and pumped up the green element by adding a clutch, blouse and heels (just edgy enough not to make the outfit not too lady-like) all in similar colors. Perhaps I am still on a monochromatic-ish kick after my all white outfit.

Forever 21 Skirt {similar}, LF stores blouse {similar}, Jeffery Campbell Camp sandals {similar}, Lauren Merkin Tatum Clutch.

Kind of feeling like I may be on a lady like kick now...