The Very Best Birthday Gift I Have Ever Received

I was out of town for my birthday on Monday, so I couldn't WAIT to get home to my sweet family on Tuesday.  When I got home, my hubby had flowers, balloons, a card and a gift for me.  

As I was opening it, I was wondering to myself... what could this be?!

I first noticed the cork outside.  Hmmm... I do love me some cork!

 Then I saw the copper plate.  Cork + copper, I like where this is going!  

And then I took a closer look: "D+J Kitchen".

That's when it hit me... it was the menu to our very own at home "diner".

And it was the most thoughtful, sweetest gift I have ever received.

Back story: We often refer to our kitchen as a diner.  We {especially my hubby} cook every night and often have a revolving door of family and friends as our patrons.  My hubby and I talked months ago about starting a menu of our favorite recipes and making the "diner" official.  I've thought about the idea many times and even saved an email draft full of my favorite meals, hoping one day we'd do something with it.  So I was blown away how he remembered and made it happen... he did a better job than I would have done, too!  He named all the dishes after our family members {grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, daughter and dogs} and included detailed descriptions of all the ingredients.  I'm still speechless and so overwhelmed.  What better gift than love... it's definitely the little things that mean the most.  And it's so us... so now it's official: D+J Kitchen is open for business.  

Stay tuned for what's cooking! xo    

Concierge Covets: 30th Birthday Jewelry

My birthday may have passed, but I'm still feeling the birthday spirit!  I am going to milk this birthday being that it's my 30th. :)  First stop, I rounded up my favorite gold jewelry that I have been eyeing lately.  Perfect for an ordinary or special day, these modern updates on classic pieces would look lovely worn to a work meeting, dinner with the hubby or drinks with the girls!  I think I'll treat myself to one or two... but how will I choose??  HELP!

feel fabulous every day in this gold jewelry:

{1} marigold earrings

{2} chronograph watch

{3} tassel necklace

{4} wide cuff

{5} pave bracelet

Today Is A BIG Day... It's My 30th Birthday!

Today is my 30th birthday.  It's a proud day.  I'm officially a Woman.

I wish I could wear a fancy dress with high heels, drink from a

 champagne coupe and wrap myself in a pink comforter all. day. long.

Instead I am working all day and all night at a HUGE event for my sister.

Not exactly how you want to spend your birthday, BUT that's what sisters are for!

So I'll be dressed all business on top and maybe a little party on the bottom.

Think it's appropriate to wear a feather skirt to a political convention?!

I think they'd understand if they knew it was my birthday. ;)

And of course I'll be sneaking sips of champagne at the end of the night!

Wish me luck! :) xoxo

Image credits: 1/2/3/4/5

Fashion Concierge: Foolproof Packing Part 2: Mixing And Matching

{1. travel and daytime - preppy}

top/earrings/jacket/jeans/loafers

Yesterday I posted about foolproof fall packing and featured three essential bottoms, tops, jackets, shoes and jewelry that would be great for travel or to spice up your late summer/early fall wardrobe.  Today, I'm showing you how to take those pieces and create multiple outfits from them.  When mixed and matched, they create six versatile looks that are preppy, edgy, boho, sexy, playful and classic!  How fun is that?!  Click "read more" to see the other 5 looks and tell me, what is your favorite look {or can you create your own??}?  Happy Friday! xo

Fashion Concierge: Foolproof Fall Packing

Bottoms: 1/2/3

I love the transition in fashion and weather from late summer to early fall.  New styles pop up just in time for cooler temps, which means it's time to update your wardrobe with a few key pieces!  Our recent trip to California was the perfect time to snatch up my favorite interchangeable pieces for this "in between" season.  These pieces traveled well and are perfect for layering for varying temperatures.  Click "read more" to view the full collection and come back tomorrow to see how many outfit options they can make!

Lil Concierge: A Toddler's Travel Survival Kit

A six hour flight and two hour drive from Florida to California with a toddler had me a wee bit nervous.  Since our little girl is not so amused by an iPad, I decided packing a pint size backpack full of inexpensive goodies and healthy snacks was the way to go.  The best thing I did was bring her to Target a few days before we left to search for her favorites.  We spent an hour playing with toys, and it amused me to see what she liked and what she gave two hoots about.  The backpack concept worked so well; she felt like a big girl and loved peeking inside to find new toys that were pre-qualified to her liking.  Her absolute favorite was/is Mrs. Potato Head.  She spent hours taking her apart and putting her back together.  She also loved the jr. slinky, mini board books, squishy balls, cars, rubber animals and healthy treats.  So I'm curious, what toys keep your toddlers entertained when traveling? 

TIP: most items we picked out cost $1 each from Target.  Click "read more" for links to products.

Travel Concierge: Packing For A Toddler

Let's be real... traveling with children can be, well, frightening.  You go into it hoping for the best, expecting the worst and praying for a miracle!  Am I right?  Going to California was our little girl's third plane ride and seventh trip, and I'm kinda - dare I say - getting the hang of it {insert fear of jinxing it here}.  So I wanted to share a few of my family's travel tips with you.  These tips have made our trips smooth sailing, which is kinda like gold to a mama!

Five easy tools to use when packing for your baby or toddler... {click "read more" below}

California Dreaming... AND Project Pinterest Recap!

{Quote from the Founder of Tom's in their new catalog}

Remember how I mentioned I was going to California?  Well, I just got back, and it was quite a vacation!  I can't believe all that this wonderful state has to offer {and I have been, twice}... in very little driving time, we went from foggy San Francisco, to seaside Sausalito, to relaxing wine country, to the majestic redwood forest, to cliffs high above the trees, to the most impressive coast I have ever seen.  If you have been following me on Instagram, you know what I am talking about.  I have so much to share with you that I will be featuring my travel tips, favorite pictures, best fashion finds and more all next week.  Until then, you can visit Palm Beach Lately for a sneak peek!

P.S. 

Project Pinterest follow up

Remember this Project Pinterest post from last month?  I had fun playing around with different ways to wear my new red skirt.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a pic when I wore it in Cali, but I did snap this pre-vacation photo when I was packing.  I decided to wear it with a sequin J. Crew top {like this one}, jean jacket {like this one}, a cream scarf {like this one}, nude sandals {these} and pave diamond hoops.  I loved the different textures and neutral compliments to the red.  So it was comfortable and stylish - a win, win to me - and perfect for fall!   

Have you been to Palm Beach Lately?  What's new today: Weekender Recap: Summer Getaway to California! 

Happy 1st Birthday To The Concierge Couture Blog!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, 

Happy birthday to Concierge Couture, Happy Birthday to you!

One year ago, I started the blog for Concierge Couture, and I am incredibly happy and thankful I did.  I did not know what it would lead to or where it would take me, and it has been one wild ride.  I love that I discovered a new passion in blogging and social media, that it helped me rediscover old hobbies and passions, that it led to creating The Friendship Arrow with my sister and brother, that it was the platform to launch Palm Beach Lately with my sister and most of all, that I am among the most wonderful community of bloggers and followers who ah-maze me. It's such a fun world that I feel so lucky to be part of!  My wish for this year?  To connect with YOU!  To work with you, to collaborate with you, to hear what you like, what you don't like... I have a few followers who I hear from regularly, but I would love to hear from all of you!  So, it's time to make that wish and blow out the candle... join me this year and help me make it the best one yet.  Thank you all for your love and support! xoxo

Have you been to Palm Beach Lately?  What's new today: Island Style Watch: Shop Vintage Fashionista!

Image credit: via pinterest

Fashion Concierge: Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale

Nordsrom's Anniversary Sale starts today!  Enjoy next season's styles at marked down prices through August 5th!

Have you been to Palm Beach Lately?  What's new today: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013!

Image credit