Must Read:

reader: Kindle
eyeglasses: Kate Spade

I figured that you all might enjoy a bit of a book list...So, here it is, a very short list of some of my favorite books, and a few (The Vow, Social Q's, and Mindfulness and Hypnosis) are next on my "To Read" list . Many of these books have contributed to my ability to live my life in a more balanced way. All of these selections can be found on amazon at really great prices. So, go ahead, bundle up on that favorite chair and get lost in one of these gems.

Source: google.com via Sheilah on Pinterest

Comfort: Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

                                      Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Sheilah on Pinterest

                                      Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Sheilah on Pinterest

 

       Source: google.com via Sheilah on Pinterest

This is perhaps the greatest food combo ever created! I mean, who doesn't enjoy warm, hearty tomato soup with toasty, gooey, grilled cheese? This sandwich is great with just cheese; or, you can add chicken, asparagus, tomato slices...basically anything. Oh, don't forget to top the soup off with basil, Mmmm!

These meals remind me of being at lola's (grandma's) house on cold rainy days. She would always fix up some soup or chicken pot pie to warm my siblings and I right up. What comfort foods do you recall from childhood?

 For a great tomato soup and grilled cheese recipe view Cupcake and Cashmere'e blog post here.

NYE 2012 Frocks

NYE 2011 Frocks by sheilaho featuring party dresses

1. Jane Norman party dress, £30
2. TopShop prom dress, £80
3. Jane Norman party dress, £28
4. Badgley Mischka cocktail dress, $198
5. Oasis gold dress, $105

Good Morning and Happy Thursday, Plummies! Would you look at these gorgeous (and pretty affordable) dresses! New Year's Eve is only a couple days away, and these are fabulous options to count down in. Actually, I will be rather low-key this NYE. I will probably get together with some friends and create a new tradition of having a nice dinner at a restaurant over-looking the Pacific Ocean and watch the last sunset of the year. How will you be celebrating?

Resolutions 2012

Resolutions 2012 by sheilaho on polyvore.com

Beau-Tea-Ful Surprise Mug In Owl, $25
shop.sanrio.com - Shop Sanrio.com for Pens & Pencils, $9

Hello Plummies, I hope everyone's Wednesday is going well! It's my first day back at work after Christmas, so getting back into the swing of things is a bit difficult. I did take a couple minutes last night to reflect on how I can better myself this coming year; However, I do not only do this kind of reflection once a year...I try doing it every 3-4 months.  I will make a list of goals I would like to accomplish, books I would like to read, or new things I would like to try. I will put the list somewhere visible, so I can remind myself of these goals from time to time (Last year, I wrote on nice stationary, and posted it near my vanity.) If you have clear and concrete goals, you are more likely to achieve them; So, be detailed about what you envision for your life, no matter how silly it seems. A professor of mine always use to say, "Do things with intentionality, otherwise, you might go off course."  

Above is my list of goals, what are some of yours?

Happy Hour(s)

Brunch pictures were taken at Extraordinary Desserts, and happy hour pictures were taken at Las Hadas in San Diego, Ca.


Brunch with friends is always a good idea...especially if the brunch lasts until Happy Hour. 

;)

Drugstore: Affordable Facial Care

Day:

Thayers Natural Remedies Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner 12oz, $10

                                            Buy Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer with Vitamins E & B3,..., $2.20

Clean & Clear Morning Burst Cleanser

Burt's Bees lip balm with SPF

Evening:

Olay Age Defying Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, $10

                                                           eos Sweet Mint Organic Lip Balm Sphere : Target, $3.14

Clearasil 4 Hour Blemish Cream

Olay Night Cream

Happy Monday! Lately, my skin has been in crisis due to holiday parties, Winter's cold climate, and traveling. It is so important for me to follow a simple and affordable skin care regimen; if not, I will BREAK OUT! Because I am super thrifty, I ditch department store brands for drugstore ones. Everything in my daily arsenal is typically under $10.

What brands do you use?

Merry Christmas Xoxo

Easy Money red jeans- similar here

nude heels- Alfani

lace blouse- thrifted

Lip Butter in Fig Jam- Revlon

Quick hello & Merry Christmas to you! I hope you and your loved ones enjoy ever second of this holiday together.  Xoxo

Home Office Inspirations

Source: imgfave.com via Marycathry on Pinterest

Source: i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com via Sheilah on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Sheilah on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Sheilah on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Sheilah on Pinterest

Merry Xmas Eve, Darlings!

Consignment stores, thrift stores, yard sales, and swap meets here I come! I cannot wait to start pulling pieces together for my home office. This is definitely going to be my Winter Break project before classes begin again in mid-January.

Top It Off

I found this adorable panda beanie when I visited some friends up in San Francisco last Winter.  I regret not buying it because I have been trying to find one just like it ever since :( One of the great things about these colder months is wearing fun and cozy hats to warm my noggin. Slouchy beanies are my favorite because they give an instant relaxed-chic look to any outfit. Plus, they do a great job of hiding a bad hair day.
Below are some great options to top off your day...

Top It Off by sheilaho featuring acrylic hats

1. Grey shawl, £17
2. Ollie Nic flower hat, £22
3. All Saints slouchy beanie hat, $30
4. TopShop wool knit hat, £18
5. Monsoon acrylic hat, £17
6. ASOS wool knit hat, $18
7. Dorothy Perkins fake fur hat, $28

Office S.O.S

Ok, clearly my home office needs a bit of help. This Ikea furniture is not the highest quality, but it is extremely functional, not to mention very affordable. For now, I am going to keep them...but, I definitely need to add some chicness to this space. Because I am a full-time student, who also works part-time, I need an office area to study, pay bills, plan events, and basically coordinate my LIFE! Due to the two large windows, this desk also doubles as a vanity table. I can imagine spending a good chuck of time in here during the day, so I want to create a tranquil and beautiful environment. I know I need at least one more filing cabinet in addition to wall decor and accent pieces. I am thinking I want to stick with a cool color theme. I guess it's off to Pinterest and Apartment Therapy for more innovative ideas for small office spaces. Any suggestions/ tips for me?

Cake For Breakfast

  

          

Good morning, Lovies! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day (sorry, Lunch & Dinner). Maybe I feel this way because it happens during my favorite time of the day: Morning (sorry Afternoon & Evening). To me, there is something so rejuvenating and fresh about mornings...especially when I can lounge around in my jammies without feeling pressure to be at work or class. I usually have a piece of whole wheat toast, an egg, and fruit for breakfast, but last time I was at the grocery store, I picked up this box of whole wheat pancake mix...after I made my first batch, I was hooked! My toaster is officially out of commission until this box of mix runs out :) :) :) What are your morning favs?

Workin' Gal Get-Up

                                     

                                      

                                     

                                    

cardigan-Banana Republic

blouse & sunnies-F21

pants- Express

watch- Invicta

heels- Nine West

bag & bracelets- thrifted

Mid-week and off to work.  I don't know about you guys, but it feels like this week is taking forever...perhaps, it's because I am anxiously awaiting this Xmas weekend to arrive. I can't wait to take the road trip to mom's house and be surrounded with family. Keeping in touch with loved ones is not always easy; Trying to fit in phone calls, texts, and emails with them during the week can be challenging, yet somehow it happens. Whether it be a quick morning phone chit-chat with my sister while sipping my morning joe, or calling back mom while in route to work (hands-free of course!), it gets done. How do you stay connected to loved one?

Christmas 2011 Wish List

Jesus is the reason for the season...And somehow we got into this whole gift giving fiasco! But hey, I am gonna keep it real: I thoroughly enjoy the gifts. Giving brings me much more joy than receiving, but it never hurts to get a great gift! Here are some things on my wish list. What things are on yours?

Christmas 2011 Wish List by sheilaho featuring heart earrings

1. Clutch handbag, $30
2. Kate Spade wide ring, $48
3. Kiehl's Rosa Arctica, 50g, £45
4. Zara heel pumps, $90
5. Cameo drape jacket, £59
6. Dorothy Perkins black bootie, $79
7. Lytro camera (price on website)
8. Bvlgari Eau Parfumeé au thé Vert Eau De Cologne Spray 1.33 oz, $62
9. Alex and Chloe heart earrings, $90
10. Urban Decay Naked 2 eyeshadows $50

Perfect Pair: Papaya & Prosciutto

Happy Monday, Darlings! We all know how delish cantaloupe and prosciutto are together...and that is exactly what I was in the mood for after work; However, my fruit basket only had one papaya...Hence the magical substitution! Viola!   

Papaya is not only delicious, but is a great source of vitamins A and C, beta-carotine and folate, which offer amazing cardiovascular, anti-inflamatory, and cancer fighting benefits.  In addition to papaya's health benefits, it can also be used to keep skin looking youthful.  See how you can use this fruit as a face mask here.

Xmas Shopping in Style (& on a budget)

We all have exactly one week of Christmas shopping left! Lately, it has been rather chilly in sunny San Diego, so I've been bundling up while running my last-minute errands.

Xmas Shopping in Style (& on a budget) by sheilaho featuring cognac shoes

MTWTFSS Weekday orange top, €40
Cape coat, $67
Rich & Skinny super low rise skinny jeans, $79
Steve Madden cognac shoes, $55
Messenger bag, $75
Kate Spade facets jewelry, $58
Red jewelry, $58
I Love My T s fringe scarve, €76
Nixon The Time Teller, $100

sunset stroll

                           

Benny likes sniffing around San Diego.