Spice up your Space // Headboard Banner

I instagram'ed a little sneak peek of our recent Spice up your Space project the other day, and was so encouraged to see how many were excited for the next edition of this fun little segment on S&P!  You guys are so great about giving feedback, and it really helps me to know what to continue featuring on the site - so, let's start off with a BIG thank you for that. :)

G and I have been doing our best to cozy up our little home here in Hoboken, and one of the places that we've been focusing on this month is our bedroom.  It's not completely finished yet, but my favorite and latest addition is the banner that we added to our cowhide-rug-turned-headboard!

We had a great discussion over Valentine's Day dinner about coming up with some sort of slogan or theme-phrase for our marriage/family/life, and as you could probably guess, we settled on "A Place to Love".  There are several reasons why this happens to feel like a great fit, and I thought I'd ask my sweetie pie to help me provide a little explanation...

"The phrase A Place To Love reflects our deepest desires for this life together. Not only is our bedroom a special place to love each other, but our home is also a place where that love extends out to our community and friends, inviting them in so they can participate in the gift of love we have found in one another.  Additionally, we want to extend that sentiment to any city that we call home - to our neighbors, our church and even complete strangers on the street." 

Couldn't have said it better myself! :)  Love this guy.  

Even just over the past two weeks, it has been a wonderful reminder of what our lives stand for, and what we want to encourage each other/ourselves to continue to do, and I'm so glad that the banner hangs above the place where we rest our heads each night.  I know I'm so blessed to have a partner in crime on this, but I think that this mantra could apply to anyone, regardless of relationship status, location, religious beliefs, etc.  

Let's all focus on making each tiny little square-inch 

of our entire lives a place to love, shall we?  

A place to love Everyone. 

Now for the fun part: I've created a little downloadable version of the template I used for ours (be sure to get both pages), and you're welcome to print it out, make your own and use it to designate your "place to love"!

Spicy Sale // Stella McCartney

It's no secret around here that I LOVE a great bargain, and although my clothing budget has fluctuated quite a bit over the last ten years or so, I think it's one thing about my shopping habits that will never change.  One of the main tips I share with clients and friends that ask how to make thoughtful and value-based purchases, is to know and frequent the best deep-discount online shopping sites for their personal budget and taste.

My all-time fave, and possibly the most visited site from this little laptop of mine is theOutnet.com, and that's why I am SO pleased to tell you about yet another one of their amazing sales that starts today... British-designer Stella McCartney has some of the most highly covetable pieces out there, but the original retail prices are FAR outside my price range.  That's where theOutnet comes in!

They've got so many of her incredibly chic and wearable pieces for sale right now (the biggest batch of Stella to hit the site so far!), and because of the amazing discounts, it makes these kinds of purchases much more justifiable in my book.

I've had my eye on this citrus-y pleated skirt ever since it hit the blog circuit months ago, and had so much fun styling it up for a night out on the town!  The lady-like high waist balances out the sexy side-slits, and of course I can't ever resist bright colors or crazy prints.  I paired it with a bralette top and a sporty little windbreaker jacket, and my new booties that I nabbed at the Barney's Warehouse Sale last weekend.

My other favorites included a sweet eyelet shift dress, an oversized denim tee, and another pretty pleated skirt (that happens to remind me a bit of Neapolitan ice cream - yum!).  Keep your eyes peeled, because I'll be featuring a few other Stella McCartney pieces from theOutnet on the blog this week, and I'd love to know if you end up snatching anything up for yourself!

Top to Bottom:
Earrings - c/o Sorrelli
Necklace - Vintage, was Mama's
Bra top - Lulu's
Windbreaker - J. Crew
Bracelet (actually a necklace!) - c/o Bauble Bar
Skirt - Stella McCartney, theOutnet.com (borrowed)
Tights - The Limited
Booties - theyskens' theory, Barney's (warehouse sale)
Clutch - Vintage, Thrifted

Peppery Picks // Meinto

Shop today's Peppery Picks:

Clutch - $120, Swan earrings - $68, Woven jacket - $80, 

Sequined cami - $30, Platform sandals - $274, Sunnies - $115, 

Studded wrap bracelet - $25, Pleated skirt - $47

All of today's Peppery Picks are from a new-to-the-USA shopping destination called Meinto.com.  Meinto is all about putting local fashion on the international map, (love the concept!) and they partner with local, specialty boutiques that inspire global fashion and offer them a solid, online and social presence -- something that many smaller retailers are challenged by!

I've been peeking around at all of the lovely clothes that they offer, and love knowing that by purchasing through their site, I'm helping a collaboration that fully supports fellow independent and small business owners develop a broader, more global presence.

Pretty cool huh?

**This post features sponsored content from one of our S&P site partners.  If you're interested in having your product or shop featured here, please visit this info page and feel free to message me for more details!**

Concrete Catwalk // Mint Satchel

Photos taken by my long-lost soul sister, Tulip Louise.

After toting my enormous gold J. Crew handbag for the past two years, I finally bit the bullet and bought a great new addition to my everyday-bag rotation.  The gorgeous seafoam green satchel that you see pictured above is the newest member of the gang, and I'm excited to have added it to my repertoire as my very first real investment-handbag purchase.

I've never really been one to get that excited about purses (minus my beloved clutch collection) and would MUCH rather blow a little extra cash on a few new pairs of shoes or a fabulous vintage dress than the latest "it" bag.  I like my carriers to be functional both in form and in style, and truly, the most important criteria for me has always been making sure that that my go-to handbag will be able to go with all crazy outfits.

After being on the hunt for what felt like a ridiculous amount of time I spotted the Botkier Valentina satchel in a feature by two of my sweet blog friends (Thanks, Jeanne + Meg!) and just KNEW it was the one.  Up until that point, I honestly had not come across anything that could even hold a candle to my beloved gold bag, so I immediately began to try and track it down.

Long story longer short, it was completely sold out in almost every color (including the two I was considering), and I was devastated knowing that I missed out...  Obviously, you can see from the photos above that I was finally able to track it down, (thanks to the amazing customer service angels at Botkier!) and I've carried it nearly non-stop ever since - I love her so much, I think she needs a name... whaddya think?

Note: It seems to be in and out of stock over the past week or so, but try here & here if you'd like to snatch one up for yourself!  Also, a similarly colored but less expensive version here, and a smaller clutch-like option here!

Top to Bottom:
Sunnies - Anthropologie (similar)
Chambray shirt - J. Crew (similar)
Vest - Vintage (similar)
Belt - Clothing swap
Skirt - Vintage, thrifted (similar)
Bangles - Vintage 
Flower cuff - Vintage (Similar)
Handbag - See above
Boots - Zara

Sunday Sprinkles // Spring Inspiration

Image via Karla's Closet

This past week we've been a bit more bundled-up than bare-legged here in the Northeast, but I myself am chomping at the bit to start experimenting with the trends of a warmer season!

Currently trying to pull myself out of a slight winter rut by hunting for Spring inspiration anywhere and everywhere... thought I'd share a few sprinkles here with you:

• I've gone back and looked at this Spring Siesta editorial at least a dozen times... and now I'm on the hunt for the perfect corset top. Considering this one at the moment - would look so pretty paired with a high-waisted pencil skirt and a fitted denim jacket! 
• I'm usually more of a saturated-colors girl, but pretty pastels are going to be EVERYwhere and I snatched up this mint green handbag last week to join the fun (also availble here).
• A sucker for a well-styled barcart, this round-up of pretties makes me excited to get ours ready for our upcoming housewarming party!  Fun tidbit about me: my favorite barcart bottle is always the tequila. What's yours?
• Love the idea of this off-center neon window frame for a super-simple home DIY idea... we're not as well-windowed in our new place as we used to be, but I'm definitely pinning this one away for a someday-home.
• Totally inspired by the Architectural Digest spread of Diane von Furstenberg's home over at Because I'm Addicted... I only wished there were more detailed shots of every little corner.  I found myself nearly pressing my nose to the screen because I wanted to see more.

Hope you have a blessed and restful Sunday, and I'll see you back here tomorrow, friends!

Trendwatch // Poppy Pink Handbags

Clockwise from top left:

Miu Miu - $1295, Marc by Marc Jacobs - $528, Kate Spade - $448, 

Michael Kors - $895, Botkier - $476, Jimmy Choo - $1495

I've noticed gorgeous bright pink handbags popping up nearly everywhere I look, and although the little bouquet I've picked for you above is on the upper-end of most people's price range, I thought they would be a pretty way to kick off the weekend.  They might even inspire a poppy-pink DIY coming from S&P soon!  *Wink wink!*

Oh, and before I tell you to have a great Friday and jet off to a few meetings, I need to announce the outcome of the Kristin Hassan Double-bracelet Giveaway!

I used a random number generator to draw the winner, and the lucky gal is... Gia Kaylee!  Congratulations, my dear, and be on the look out for an email from us soon!  Thanks to all who entered, and be sure to check out the lovely Kristin's pretty jewelry if you need a little retail therapy to perk up your Friday morning.  :)

Concrete Catwalk // Suede Shorts

Sooooo, you MAY recognize my sweater from earlier this week, and YES I did wear it two days in a row (but only for a few hours each time!)... it's honestly been one of my major go-to pieces this winter, and I wish I would have nabbed it in every color.

This was the outfit I wore for my final NYFW event, and was honored to actually be the host of the Angel Court Jewelry Speakeasy + DIY Party.  We had a great turnout and I was so happy to see a bunch of fellow bloggers and creatives come out despite everyone's crazy schedules, minor exhaustion and some drizzly weather!  

Alright, time for you to come clean along with me... do you ever wear the same item (or even *GASP* the same outfit?) two days in a row?!?  I've been known to do it before, but now I'm wondering if I'm the only one - Feel free to fess up in the comments!!

Top to Bottom:
Lipstick - Cover Girl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Flame
Sweater - c/o The Limited (similar)
Necklace - Angel Court Jewelry
Shorts - Forever21 (similar - only $21!)
Bracelets & Rings - Vintage, various
Tights - Gift from Mama (fun lacey ones here)
Heels - Alexander Wang via The Outnet (love the more summery version here!)

In the Kitchen // TK Pairings Boxes

I've mentioned it once before, but my love for Turntable Kitchen just continues to grow and grow!  If you like food (um, YES) and if you like music (hello, DUH), then you've got to check out this ridiculously inspiring site.

One of the fabulous goodies that this dynamic duo offers is their monthly Pairings Boxes, and this is honestly one of those ideas that I instantly filed under the GENIUS catergory of my inspiration files.  The TK site calls these little packages of goodness "A curated food and music discovery experience" and inside you'll find a limited-edition vinyl single, a TK curated downloadable mixtape, a few premium dried ingredients for three of their original, seasaonally-themed recipes, and they even throw in the occasional treat!

You can subscribe to have the boxes delivered to your own home, or have them sent as a gift (would be perfect for a wedding/housewarming/new baby present), and you can pretty much assume that if you have any big occasions coming up soon, you'll be getting one of these on your doorstep from G and I.

I wasn't even going to tell you about this last part, because I'm greedy it will lower my chances of winning, but: TK is currently running a kick-ass giveaway where you can win your own turntable and starter record kit - over a $500 value!  Click through to find out how to enter, and if you win, you must PROMISE to invite me over for a dance party... I'll make the yummy food using a recipe from their site! ;)

Concrete Catwalk // Paisley Maxi-skirt

Just wanted you all to know that I resisted a very strong urge to title this post Fuzzy Wuzzy the Bear, but when you have to walk across the frozen tundra to the Subway into the city (and then back again!) you gotta layer those snuggly pieces on liberally!

Also, I've got to tell you about my snazzy new little woven bag that I'm carrying in the photos above...  I'm honestly not much of a handbag person (although you're not going to believe me, when I see my latest investment purchase later this week), but when a cool new company, Little Black Bag, contacted me to see if I'd like to try out their site, it sounded so fun that I just HAD to give it a go.

You first sign on to take a style quiz and then purchase a Little Black Bag that contains 3-4 items from their amazing selection (you get to choose the first item to make sure you get at least one thing you'd like), and then they fill the rest according to your previously determined aesthetic.  I was surprised to see that all of the items in my bag were AWESOME right off the bat - there are some really great brands available including: BCBG, Gorjana, Deux Lux, Kenneth Jay Lane, Betsey Johnson, Matt & Nat and more!

Once they reveal your goodies, you have a week to trade and swap any of the items in your bag with anyone else who has a "live" bag on the site, and when you're happy with what's inside, you click "send" and it ships right to your doorstep!

If you follow me on Instagram (@styleandpepper!), you might have seen the little dinosaur salt and pepper shakers that I used to set the table for our Valentine's Day dinner, and those were one of the other goodies in my bag - SO cute (see below)!!!  I also got a pair of earrings, but I haven't gotten a chance to wear them yet.

The process was really fun (you all KNOW I love a great swap), but because I'm usually pretty intentional with my purchases, I'm not sure if I would have tried this for myself or not.  Was actually thinking it would make a GREAT present for a girlfriend because they'd end up with a really fun process and some adorable gifts!  What do you think - would you ever try something like Little Black Bag?  Click here if you're interested in signing up, and check it out for yourself!!!

Top to Bottom:
Earrings - c/o Bauble Bar
Faux fur stole - c/o The Limited
Sweater - c/o The Limited
Coat - Vintage, thrifted
Maxi-skirt - Renaissance Vintage
Fold-over satchel - Deux Lux, c/o Little Black Bag
Jade ring - Vintage, Etsy
Braid ring - Accessorize USA
Tights - Charlotte Russe
Boots - Piperlime