Happy New Year...

A year of great pics...  and I am very thankful... here's to an awesome year and a better one to come! 

Happy New Year!

Layers & Murphy's Law...

Flannel Shirt- Old Navy (similar here)

Vest- Target (old)

Jeans- American Eagle

Shoes- G by Guess (similar here)

Scarf- Forever 21 (old)

Sunglasses - Cotton On

Purse- Marshalls (gift)

My "after Christmas shopping" outfit... I was ready, prepaid with a ridiculous amount of layers, shoes that take forever to put on and take off along with awesome hair... at least I had that going for me... I can't tell you how many times I thought today, "do I really want this?" "do I really want to deal with all the layers in the fitting room?" I mean really, it's a legitimate question... not to mention the horrible lighting in there, it's almost enough to make you swear off sugar or something... almost... or maybe just swear.. just kidding... sorta...

I adore the layered look and right now I am loving plaid flannel, it's warm and cozy and awesome! 

This is one of my favorite new shirts thanks to my super great hubby... Thanks babe! Paired with a puffer vest and classic jewelry you can't go wrong! However I don't recommend this for when you plan on visiting the fitting room like a dozen times! 

In my excursion today I experienced Murphy's Law in shopping,  you go out planning to find something amazing for yourself and you don't... and then somehow when your strictly looking for someone else, you find everything that would make your closet complete! Oh the agony... I know I cannot be the only one that this happens to? 

In my moments of shopping frustration I've decided that I'll settle for online shopping! At least that way I don't have to deal with the fitting room!

Road Tested Tried & True... Curling Iron

It's all about having the right tools... and I am in LOVE with my new Hot Tools Curling Iron...  not only does it heat up in a second, it gets HOT, like 430 degrees hot... Glory! I got introduced to this little beauty when a friend came to visit and I used her curling iron, (nothing like borrowing a friend's stuff when they come to visit you..geez) I used it once and I was hooked! So much so that I asked for it for Christmas, I barely could wait that long but... my waiting paid off!  This is such a great curling iron, that even with my day after Christmas coma, I couldn't wait to use it this morning.

Here are a few of it's features,

• Fast heat up time... who has patience to wait anyways? not me apparently... 
• 24k gold-plated barrel... not sure why that's important, other than anything gold is awesome!
• Extra long cool tip.... no burning your fingers...yahoo!
• Extra Long cord... because there will never be enough outlets in a bathroom... 
• Wicked hot barrel...curls stay longer..no looking like a wet cat by 3pm!

There are many other features of this curling iron and you can find/buy that here... I fully recommend this if your in the market for better curls & waves... which who isn't? Go check it out!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas....

Merry Christmas!

Seth & Hope

For she's a jolly good fellow....

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this important announcement.... 

Happy Birthday Mom!!! 

Turns out, my mom was right... just in general... growing up, I had many a moment to doubt my mom's input and wisdom. I am not sure if it is just me getting older or a new appreciation for all she's done. But I am grateful, it's the eternal sacrifice to be a mother, and even though I do not have any children... Daily I find a new area of life where my mom was giving, patient, kind and thoughtful. Happy Birthday Mom! And thanks for all that you do, and have done! I love you so much! I hope you feel loved today and forever because you totally are!

Love....
Hopie
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Cozy Days...

Cozy Days... by hopehowland featuring printed shirts

Well, nothing quite says glamour & gorgeous like a box of tissues, Airborne & nasal decongestant.... That's right folks, it's 5 days till Christmas and I am furiously trying to get rid of a cold...  Getting sick is never convenient but this is just plain old ridiculous! 

In moments like this what is a fashionista girl with a cold to do? Live in comfy clothes of course! Which usually means "borrowing/stealing" my husband's socks... so darn comfortable...  Most of us, if we are being honest our "couch" clothes are not something that should ever see the light of day. A well loved pair of leggings, means... saggy butt... there I said it.. so beyond comfortable but it looks like you could use it for a parachute. Not my best moment, but it's the first thing we reach for when your in for the evening... woah, sexy... 

Here is my suggestion, let's improve that department! My closet gets quite a bit of attention of improving and staying current, why not the essentials? Genius! Here are my "must have" basics... for a day just like today...

• Comfy T-shirt, I prefer V-Neck but your own preference is fine, I like white because even if I get something on it I can bleach the heck out of it....
• Cute Sweatshirt pullover, it needs to be cute... a few varieties is always good... like this one
• Leggings, or Yoga pants... NO sweatpants... I know their like "live in" comfortable but they do nothing but make us look frumpy... so no.. no .. no sweats...
• Moccasins! adorable... funtions kinda like a slipper, and you don't get that whole "I'm, too lazy to wear real shoes" look... ahem, Uggs...  buy the moccasins here.

Lastly, style this look by keeping your makeup fresh and simple.. a top knot bun would look smashing and paired with your favorite reading glasses... your look for being cozy is assembled!

Now if you need me, I'll be sitting on the couch sipping tea and waiting to take my next round of meds...  Cheers everyone! Thanks for reading!

All that glitters is gold...

All that glitters is gold... by hopehowland featuring a lace dress

Seems like every time I plan on doing some "serious" Christmas shopping, I will always find something that is perfect for... me... Story of my life... Lately, more like always... I've been loving me some gold... it's everywhere! I've especially been inspired lately of all the wonderful things that Target is doing these days! I love Target it's the best place to go to for paper towels an walk out with a whole cart full of things you never knew you always wanted... Much like Ikea and Costco in that regard... Gloriously dangerous! Here are some fancy schmancy items that would make an amazing gift for the fashionista friend....

1. Robert Rodriguez Dress       

2. Mossimo® Crocodile Flap Clutch - Gold
3. Altuzarra Shaker 

4. Altuzarra Double Old Fashioned Glasses - Set of 4  
5. Threshold™ Stoneware Decal Mugs with Gold Zig Zags Set of 4 - White 
6. V-Neck Metallic Tank 
7. Altuzarra Tray 
8. Gold Greek Print Enamel Bracelet 
9. Cubic Zirconia Stud Earings 
10. Sonia Kashuk® Gilded Cage Holiday Brush Set - 6 pc

11. Lux Case for iPhone®5

12. Black/Gold Chandelier Stone Oval Earring

I know I made this list... but I think its awesome! If I do say so myself...  If you are on the hunt for a great gift for that bestie.... make sure to check out some of these awesome finds... or just buy it for yourself! I know I would...

A Win..Win Situation...

Turtleneck-Gap

Vest-Target old (similar here)

Jeans- HM

Boots- "G for Guess" via Macy's (similar here)

Scarf-Gift 

Watch- Gift (similar here)
Sunglasses- Ross (similar here)

You know you love something when you "conveniently" find ways to incorporate it in to your daily outfit...aah.. so guilty of that one... and I love my new black turtleneck... it's so classic, so Audrey Hepburn, who I  totally love... and it's black! And ladies, we all know how we feel about that... can we say slimming? Hallelujah! A black turtleneck one of those classic/versatile items,  dress it up with black tapered ankle jeans and leopard print flats or pair with blue jeans and puffer vest and infinity scarf and brown boots... Yes, black & brown is totally OK.. in fact one of my favorite combos!  Any time you can pick up an item that does more than one job, that my friend is a win/win situation!

P.S
I found this sweater at Gap.. on Black Friday for a steal!  I vote for Black Friday being everyday.. Who's with me??  

Insta what?

Coffee in Healdsburg...

Our Christmas tree...

Window sill coffee time..

Nog in a tea cup...

Chucks...

Sunshine...

Husband surprised me with a wreath for our door...How romantic!

Some of my week through the eyes of Instagram... if your on Instagram, follow me! @hopeceleste

Happy Saturday!

Casual Friday...

Jacket- Gap..  from like a 100 years ago ( similar here)

Scarf-Forever 21 (similar here)

Leggings- Walmart

Shoes- Converse ( Chucks)

 Sometimes I find it hard to manage "life" if you will.... run to work, then run home and then on to laundry (the bane of my existence) and then groceries... and Christmas shopping, and then... you get the idea...and I don't even have kids! Shout out to all you mamas out there, you seriously do not get paid enough.  

I really do pride myself on continuing on, in a fashion or styled way, even when it seems like the to-do list grows by the minute...and helping me with that is my favorite pair...(my only pair) of Chucks.  I can put these bad boys on and feel awesome going to Walmart to pick up more shampoo because that's the type of awesome nightlife I got going on...whatever your day/night turns out to be, it's ok to be real, ... and today was a HUGE success because my house is clean and if I look semi cute cleaning and going to Walmart (because that's the goal, looking cute for Walmart), then score 1 for the home team! How is this possible you ask? Well, let me tell you...

Pair your trusty leggings with a white T, denim jacket and cozy scarf, accessorize with a menswear watch and statement earrings and boom! You have an outfit made in domestic heaven! 

Ahh.. bliss... if you need me, I'll be the girl looking fab in the shampoo aisle...

Home for the Holidays...

Home for the Holidays... by hopehowland featuring beanie hats

I leave with my husband in one week to go see my parents for a portion of the holidays.... They are in, wait for it... Montana... How quintessential Christmas is that? I looked up the local forecast today and could barely contain my excitement for SNOW!!! You would never think that this NY girl (yes I was raised in NY don't hold it against me it was Upstate and we are cool...) would be so blasted excited about snow... Oh but I am! My mind goes to cozy sweaters,beanie hats, retro 60's ski lodge...The sound of cold snow crunching under your boots, game nights, hot chocolate and being fabulous... To me, winter fashion is all about having more options! And we all know how I feel about options...

Here in Cali winter is just one thing... rain... and don't get me wrong I'm thankful for 70 degree weather in February just like everyone else... but in December you are just supposed to have snow, I think it's like some sort of Christmas ground rule... In prepping for this trip, I'm tempted to run out and stock up on mittens... but... I will hold back...

Lately I've been seeing a retro inspired pattern on sweaters.. I love it.. honestly, I would have multiples of these if I didn't need to pay rent...FYI... everything in this set is $100 and under ...Christmas ain't cheap...  In general, when you are going wear a nice geometric pattern, pair it with solid colors and classics... I love the green parka, classic and the faux fur trim says you want to have fun..and who doesn't want to have fun? I plan on re-creating a version (or two) of this ensemble... I will channel my inner Audrey Hepburn, soak up the Christmas spirit and try not to freeze my assets off... Cheers!

Road Tested Tried & True... Mascara!

Raccoon eyes... yikes, not fun, the mascara I so diligently applied with a hope and a prayer 5-7 hours earlier has now fallen and I look slightly hungover at 3 in the afternoon... awesome.

No amount of waterproofing would help, I thought there just wasn't a mascara out there that would be able to give me what I needed! What didn't help was the factor that I had greasy eyelids (who knew?) and my eyeliner would smear making it the perfect storm!  I wrote about that lovely little discovery earlier, see here.... In making this discovery I didn't give up hope that someday I would have gorgeous lashes...And then... I found this mascara, its incredible, I love it! Believe me I've tried A LOT of mascaras... all with hopes and dreams of this being "the one" and to no avail... Clinique was like the last place I thought of, but when I read a review by a woman who is a firefighter and it held up, I was sold!

Here is what I love!

• Lengthens and defines!  The brush is not one of those fluffy pipe cleaners that resemble a caterpillar...  no, it's small, and I like that because you can practically reach all of your top lashes (I only apply to the top) but I am sure it would be fine for both the top and the bottom.
• Stays on! Literally, I can fall asleep with it on and wake up and not look any different.. I don't recommend doing this however.. but it may or may not have happened from time to time... 
• Doesn't smear, run or glob! In fact, this has such incredible staying power that you can only remove it by using hot water and a washcloth, I've saved money on eye makeup remover because I'm not using 3 times day!
• Only $16!!! This completely boggles my mind, that crap-stastic stuff you buy at the drugstore is like $10-$12! And in my experience, it sucks...just saying.

So, if your in the market for some fab lashes and your current stuff isn't cutting it... Try Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula by Clinique. It will change your eyelash world!