My pick for Friday Favorites this week is to enjoy pictures from the Spring Haute Couture 2018 collection from Giambattista Valli! He was inspired by the book The Wild Garden. Enjoy all of the pretty details! Pictures are from Vogue.








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My pick for Friday Favorites this week is to enjoy pictures from the Spring Haute Couture 2018 collection from Giambattista Valli! He was inspired by the book The Wild Garden. Enjoy all of the pretty details! Pictures are from Vogue.








I found some cute tops for Spring and they are all under $100! Many are under $50!
I love this embroidered top! Blue and white love!

Whisper Cotton V neck t shirt – this cotton is so soft! I have it in several colors. Great for layering.

This crinkle gingham shirt is so cute!!
This sleeveless plaid top looks so light and airy!

This peplum cotton t-shirt is adorable and comes in so many colors.

This varsity striped long sleeve cotton shirt is perfect for cool Spring days. I promise you that you will be seeing these varsity type shirts every where! It is an upcoming trend.

I have a ruffle sleeve tee very similar to this one and I love it! Also comes in tons of colors!

This knot linen tee is adorable!

Love this red crochet top!

Love this navy lace appliqué top!


























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I love lots of different handbags, but the one I am always on the look out for is the perfect “doctor bag”. Physician or not, anyone can rock these bags.

Before we dive into today’s doctor’s bags, lets take a look at the original doctor’s bag, called “The Gladstone bag”. The Gladstone bag was made by J.G. Beard, a London leather dealer. He named it after William Gladstone, the British Prime Minister at the time (source – Australian Family Practice).

The bag opened widely at the top and allowed easy access for the tools inside. From what used to be a man’s work tote, it has now become a women’s luxurious handbag! The idea of the doctor’s bag is simple – a wide mouth at the top with ample storage and easy access to what’s inside. No wonder I love it!

The Prada Spazzolato bag is one of my favorites – now discontinued.

I adore this petite Gucci Doctor’s bag.

This Chiarugi bag looks similar to the Gladstone bag.

Christian Dior’s bag is lovely.

This bag by The Row is more simple in shape.

This Tod’s bag is beautiful.

How perfect that this doctor’s bag by Maison Marigela has a key!

A more modern take on the bag by Furla

How beautiful is this Burberry bag?

This Celine doctors bag is beautiful but discontinued.

Louis Vuitton Speedy Doctor’s Bag!

Or just the classic Louis Vuitton Speedy bag.

This Senreve bag is water-resistant.

This is a beautiful classic doctor bag by TAH bags

Mary Poppins actually had a doctor-type bag! She stored so much in there 😉

All of the bags above are very luxurious. The bags below are more reasonable in price. Great for work, school, everyday, medical students and residents!
The Longchamp Le Pliage Neo Bag in nylon is perfect for travel and work as it is so durable!

This Kate Spade bag has a modern interpretation of the classic doctor bag.

How cute is this Fossil bag with it’s key?

This Mary Poppins bag by Dooney and Bourke is a stylized doctor’s bag.

This Leather Satchel is a great price and has the perfect look!

This bag below is considered a weekender but has a similar shape!

I leave you with two more pictures of doctor bags from the runway!


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Oscars 2018 Favorites! It’s that time I share all of my favorite looks and I count down with my top 10 favorites! Make sure you’re comfy, there are quite a few pictures to share!!
Allison Janney in Reem Acra

Mary J. Blige in Atelier Versace

Leslie Mann in Zac Posen Resort
Zoey Deutch in Elie Saab
Allison Williams in Armani Prive Couture
Helen Mirren in Reem Acra
Elizabeth Moss In Dior

Salma Hayek in Gucci. I adore the embellishment on the shoulders but I think that with the sequined gown is just too much. Imagine if the embellishment was on the same gown without sequins in white or cream? It’d be spectacular!
Greta Gerwig in Rodarte and Tiffany and Co jewelry.

Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein and Louboutin shoes – I love this dress but the back of it had this ugly bow and so thus it is not in my top 5!
Camila Alves in Vivienne Westwood. I don’t care for the hairstyling here but I love the dress and necklace and love how the necklace matches Matthew McCounaghey’s bowtie!
Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton. It is unfortunate she wore this outfit – it just seemed like she was so dressed down compared to everyone else. I think it would’ve been better if the pants were red too!
Emily Blunt in Shiaparelli Haute Couture. I appreciate the Victorianness of this dress but I think it will be on many favorites lists!
Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé – seems to be you either love or hate this dress. I think it is fun and I adore the color!
Isla Fisher in Alex Perry.

Janelle Monae in custom Christian Siriano. I actually love this look! It is not for everyone, but I think it looks totally fabulous.
Never thought I’d be putting Miley Cyrus on here, but I loved this dress by Moschino.

And now, my TOP 10 BEST DRESSED!
#10 – Laura Dern in Calvin Klein by Appointment – I actually saw her live on the red carpet and she just looked so elegant in this dress I had to include her in my best dressed!
#9- Gina Rodriguez in Zuhair Murad Couture – this is everything I would want in a dress if I went to the Oscars!
#8 – Danai Guria in Gabriela Hearst. I preferred her version of the pale pink dress to Saoirse’s up above. The back was much prettier.

#7- Gal Gadot in Givenchy and Tiffany & Co jewelry. She looked just stunning and the sparkles had me swooning!

#6 – Lupita Nyong’o in custom Atelier Versace. She always brings it on the red carpet and this dress did not let us down!

#5 – Zendaya in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture. This dressed flowed so beautifully when she walked, I wish it could be a gif of her just walking. Plus I love her stylist – Law Roach.
#4- Sandra Bullock in Louis Vuitton. This gown looks stunning on her!

#3 – Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior. Love this gunmetal color on her!

#2 – Jennifer Garner in Atelier Versace looks fabulous! Like WOW! The bright blue was so beautiful on screen. This says, miss me Ben Affleck?

#1 – Margot Robbie in Chanel Haute Couture. Of COURSE my favorite is a Chanel dress. Her bob with the soft waves goes so well with this beautiful column dress. I love the off-the-shoulder sequined straps and the plastic Chanel clutch was fun and modern.
Let’s not forget some of the guys… here are my favorites!
Chadwick Boseman in Givenchy. Loved the cut and the embellishment on the jacket!

Daniel Kaluuya in Brunello Cucinelli. This suede tux jacket looks ultra luxurious.

Armie Hammer in Giorgio Armani. I loved his velvet tux – it looked really cool on tv!

Timothée Chalamet in Berluti. He is my pick for best dressed male. I loved this whole look!

And my favorite Oscars moment… when Tiffany Haddish and Maya Rudolph ditched their heels and walked out in Uggs because their feet hurt. See, despite all of the glitz and glamour, celebs are just like us. And their feet hurt too.

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.
I love wearing mules in the Spring. They are perfect for the cool mornings and keep your toes warm – then great in the Afternoon when things warm up!

via Style Bistro
via Steal the Look
Via Memorandum

A selection of the chicest mules for the season is below: (affiliate links which means I make a few pennies when you click, thank you for supporting the blog)
I may earn a small commission if you purchase with these links
We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.
I have recently been thinking about hat box bags – you know, the ones that look like hatboxes. For the younger generation – they are the round bags.
Let’s take a look – I’ll let the purses do the talking!

Here are some cute hat box bags I found in all sorts of price ranges (affiliate links used)
Louis Vuitton Petite Chapeau Bag 2018 Cruise

Vince Camuto Bray – Circle Crossbody Bag 
Mansur Gavriel Navy Leather Circle Bag 
Rebecca Minkoff Rebecca Minkoff Bree Circle Bag

FOREVER 21 Round Crossbody Bag 
CHLOÉ Round-mini leather coin purse 
CHLOÉ Pixie leather and suede cross-body bag 
ellen & james Medium Round Bag in Straw

If you’ve been following my blog for sometime, you all know that I love the couture fashion shows, but especially Chanel. It’s just… sooooo pretty!


The set looked like a French garden complete with a fountain, roses growing on pergolas and gravel paths! I mean, of course I love it!

By the way, this young lady is Cindy Crawford’s daughter – Kaia Gerber. OF COURSE she is making her couture debut in Chanel!



I adore the white tuxedo and the veil here. And the flower boy and his cute blouse.

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.
Ah yes, I forgot, the awards season kicks off in January! While I don’t actually enjoy the shows themselves, what I really do enjoy is the fashion. I watched the Golden Globes – on mute, so I could watch the gorgeous dresses on the tv. The way they sparkle and move is not depicted in the pictures and they are so much prettier on the tv than in just a single photo! So there ya go, that’s how I watch the awards shows – on mute!
I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites! This year they all wore black for the Time’s Up movement. All photos without a source are from E Online .
Nicole Kidman in Givenchy

Gal Gadot in Tom Ford

Penelope Cruz

Saoirse Ronan in Versace

Reese Witherspoon in Zac Posen

Naomi Campbell in Jean Paul Gaultier

Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive

Emilia Clarke in Miu Miu

Angelina Jolie in Versace Atelier

Tracie Ellis Ross in Marc Jacobs photo source

Kerry Washington in Prabal Gurung photo source

Allison Dany in Mario Dice photo source

I know many of us have made New Years’ resolutions to work out, lose weight, become more toned, etc.
I just want to lose the extra pound of chocolate that I ate (and um, I just ate a piece of chocolate right now as I’m typing this…)
Well, in order to work out, we obviously need to look good, right? I’m going to share some of my favorite work out gear (affiliate links used).
My favorite pair of legging work out pants:


Another favorite pair of pants: Adidas Track Pants






Do YOU have any New Years Get Fit, Go to the gym, eat healthier resolution?
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We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.
I love wearing cashmere sweaters in the Winter. They are just so comfy and classic!
I have noticed that recently the it-girls are wearing cashmere sweaters that are looser fitting! Great, perfect to hide the holiday weight gain! It seems turtlenecks are the style of choice.

Love how big ad roomy this sweater is!

This grey turtleneck below isn’t as loose fitting as some of the others but I’d say instead “the perfect fit!”

Another loose fitting cashmere turtle neck. I love how she styled it!

Shop the post (affiliate links)
In this post – My Secret to Soft Hands
This post does contain affiliate links.

Today I’m sharing a secret with you about how I keep my hands nice and soft.
You see, I was at my hair salon when my stylist noted to me – wow! You have really soft hands compared to other health care workers, what’s your secret??
L’Occitane is my secret.
Of course my secret involves French soaps! Did you expect anything else from this Francophile?
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| Chloé cat and I have matching nails! If you’re wondering what she’s wearing, it is these claw protectors. |
FYI I was not paid to write this. I just like their products.
If you are a nurse, doctor, housekeeper/cleaner or work any job that requires you to wash your hands a hundred times a day, I’m sure you’ve noticed by the end of the day you have very dry hands!
It’s not just washing your hands that make them so dry – but the terrible alcohol based hand cleaners are so drying it’s incredible.
So here’s my first secret.
Every night when I go to bed, I apply my favorite hand cream, L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream.
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| Here at Amazon. |
It is a really nice creamy texture but it never leaves my hands feeling oily as with other hand creams. It also has a nice non-offensive scent as it is made of honey, almond extracts, coconut oil and Shea butter.
They have a travel size too which I keep in my bag for work. I also keep one in my travel bag and one in my purse! They make great gifts and stocking stuffers!
Ready for my next secret?
On days when my hands are so dry that they are peeling/flaking, I use their One-Minute Hand Scrub. I also try to use this about once a week.
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| Here at Amazon. |
It is made of sugars and Shea butter, sweet almond and grapeseed oil. You simply apply it to your dry hands and massage it all over your hands for 1 minute. Then you rinse it off really well. I follow this with their hand cream and it makes my hands just so yummy soft it’s amazing. It is like having a manicure at home!
Those are my two big secrets about my soft hands. But not only is moisturizing and exfoliating important, but so is the soap that you wash your hands with and also taking care of your nails!

I like their shea butter nail and cuticle nourishing oil, but I do not do that religiously like I do with the above products!

I also use their hand soaps which are nourishing for your hands. I keep one of their liquid soaps next to the sink that I use the most frequently – I suppose I could buy more but they are a bit spendy so I try not to go overboard! I have tried various scents over the years. Their Verbena Shea Liquid Soap is wonderful, as is their Lavender Shea Liquid Soap. I just bought this Welcome Home Hands Cleansing Gel and I love this scent as it is inspired by a citrus garden in Provence!
As I was writing this post, I was curious, what is shea butter, anyway? It is made from the nut of the African shea tree. Here is the wikipedia page about it.
L’occtaine makes a lot of other hand creams, but I find that none of them are as moisturizing as their original Shea butter one. I do have some of the others, but I cannot say they are my secret to soft hands! They have stronger scents which may appeal to some of you!
Hope you also enjoyed the rose pictures I took of our garden this past Spring. They are all David Austin roses! It’s hard to model your own hands!
http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com/
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Sharing this years top Fall boots!
I’ve rounded up boots, booties, and over-the-knee boots!
this post contains affiliate links.
Steve Madden Women’s Troopa Combat Boots • $79.98

Born Avala Boots Women’s Shoes • $200

Dr. Martens ‘1460 W’ Boot $124.95
Naturalizer Rozene Knee High Boot • $198.95

I own these – I love them! Women’s Hunter Original High Gloss Boot •$150
I own these – they were great for rainy days! Women’s Bean Boots by L.L.Bean, 8″ • $129
I own the bootie version – they are so comfy! Frye ‘Melissa Button’ Leather Riding Boot • $249.90
Women’s Sarto By Franco Sarto Paisley Bootie • $129.95
Jeffrey Campbell ‘Calhoun’ Cutout Bootie • $240

Rialto Payton Booties Women’s Shoes • $59

I bought these this year – a total splurge, but I love them!!Stuart Weitzman Pearl Bacari $599
Vince Camuto Talorini Lace-Up Combat Booties Women’s Shoes • $179

Ugg Lars Ankle Booties • $225

I own a similar version, they are so comfy and warm! Ugg Bailey Bling Mini Booties • $185

Sam Edelman Millard Lace-Up Boots • Sam Edelman • $148

Steal version: Charles by Charles David Ollie Stretch Over-The-Knee Boots • $159
Splurge version: Women’s Stuart Weitzman ‘Lowland’ Over The Knee Boot • $798
http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com/
Hello all, today let’s take a look at Chanel Haute Couture 2017!
I love looking at the runways of haute couture – really because I love textiles and see these pieces as works of art.
The show’s set was below a replica Eiffel tower!
Even the silhouettes of the dresses are inspired by Le Eiffel.
I love this modern take on a retro shoe!
Pictures via Vogue.
http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com/
In this post – my favorite perfumes
This post contains affiliate links.
Let’s talk about perfumes… and my love for them!

I LOVE perfume. It seems I have received one new scent every Christmas and I LOVE them all!
People will ask me… what’s your favorite perfume?
The answer…. well, it depends.
Depends on what, they say? I say, the seasons, my mood, where am I going…
Can you relate?

I also love wearing perfume but working at a hospital means perfume is forbidden! The horror!
So I have to make up for it all of the days I am not working!
Let’s dive into my fragrance collection!
All of the tidbits about the perfume are from Fragrantica. Also, don’t know the difference between cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum? Here’s an explanation.
Top notes are african orange flower, rose and iris; middle notes are tuberose and pink pepper; base notes are benzoin and musk.
Spring/Summer wear during the day.
Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne
Top notes are green notes, black currant and petitgrain; middle notes are nectarine and black locust; base notes are vetiver, peach and plum.
I like wearing this in the late Winter, Spring and early Summer. One note about Jo Malone Colognes – they do NOT last as long as eau de parfums and given how much they cost I have to say I am disappointed in the longevity of the product. That being said, I still love them but it led me to my love of Diptyque!
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau De Parfum
A heart is floral and opulent with intensive, sweet and pure Sambac jasmine, seductive Centifolia rose, freesia and Cattleya orchid. Musk and patchouli in a base wrap us with an oriental scent, while its milky and powdery notes gently fondle our skin.
I love wearing this one in the evening during Fall and Winter.
Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Cologne
The scent of dewy leaves of clementine stretches over the delicate floral heart, composed of orange blossom, and water lily.The top notes are cedrat, green notes and clementine leaf. The heart is composed of orange blossom and water lily, while the base of orange blossom and lilac.
One of my absolute favorites and the one I wore on my wedding day!
Top notes are orange blossom and bitter orange; middle note is juniper berries; base notes are patchouli and angelica.
Love wearing this perfume in the Spring, Summer and Fall! I think the is my Summer favorite. Even though it is an eau de toilette, it lasts quite long!
Tory Burch opens with notes of grapefruit, pink pepper, currant buds and leaves, mandarin and neroli. The heart blooms with peony, tuberose, mimosa, jasmine, carrot seed and sweet alyssum, on a base composed of vetiver, cedar, sandalwood and white musk.
My travel perfume. I actually have the Rollerball
Marc Jacobs Marc Jacobs Eau de Parfum
Top notes are gardenia and bergamot; middle notes are tuberose, jasmine, white pepper and honeysuckle; base notes are ginger, cedar and musk.
This is a Spring time perfume perfect for daywear.
Aerin Beauty – Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau De Parfum
Their composition is based on a blend of luminous and sunny citruses blended with an intoxicating and sweet floral bouquet. Sweet honeysuckle and luminous grapefruit will take us to the Mediterranean beaches. The composition is accompanied with Italian bergamot warmed with sun and mandarin oil, making floral notes juicier. The floral bouquet, besides honeysuckle, allures us with lily of the valley, gardenia and sambac jasmine absolute.
My newest perfume in my collection. Love this for Summer days.
Diptyque Essences Insensees Rose De Mai Fragrance
Delicate, vivid, and fragile, this luscious scent is made with the centifolia rose, which has become an elusive rarity on the French Riviera. The fragrance features rose de mai, red berries and honey.
Love wearing this perfume in the evening year round. It is a limited edition so I try to wear it on special occasions only!
J’adore presents a new conception of Dior feminity, a scent so new and so in line with Dior style at the same time – sweet but balmy, slightly sharp floral with fresh mandarin in the top; jasmine, plum, orchid and rose in the heart; and amaranth, musk and blackberry in the trail.
This was my first perfume! I have since run out of it, but still remember its scent!
Jo Malone London Blackberry & Bay Cologne
The fragrance features grapefruit, floral notes, vetiver, cedar, blackberry and bay leaf.
I like to layer this one with my other two Jo Malone colognes. I sometimes wear it by itself but I usually layer it.
Burberry Brit by Burberry Eau de Parfum
It opens with fresh notes of green lemon, frosted pear and white almond. The heart blooms with white peony. The drydown is very gourmand with vanilla, amber, mahogany and balsamic Tonka bean accords.
Love this perfume, I usually wear it in the Fall and Winter and goes for Night and Day! This is my favorite Fall/Winter Perfume.
I have been wearing samples of the following…
Apogee, a delicate floral fragrance, features Grasse jasmine as the main ingredient with lily of the valley, rose, magnolia, guaiac wood and sandalwood.
Dans le Peau by Louis Vuitton
Dans la Peau is made of leather, musk and floral notes such as , jasmine, daffodil and magnolia.
Diptyque Women’s Eau Moheli
The fragrance features floral notes, ylang-ylang, patchouli, pink pepper, ginger, vetiver, benzoin and incense.
I wore this one when I was in Hawaii. It felt very tropical.

Diptyque Women’s L’Eau de Tarocco
The fragrance features musk, Virginia cedar, saffron, ginger, cinnamon, incense, grapefruit, orange and tincture of rose.
Also love this one too!
Valentino Valentina Pink Eau de Parfum
Valentina Pink is a cheerful and energetic scent that opens with fruity accords of strawberries and blackberry musk. The heart is dominated by rose—there are May rose, Centifolia rose, rose buds and peony. The base is composed of cashmere, amber and pralines.
I received a little sample of this in the mail, you know, the one where it is sprayed on some paper and you get a little bit to rub on your arm… It smelled good. I need to get a sample of it!
I also need to go explore some Chanel and Guerlain fragrances as well… maybe next time I am at the mall!
My mom told me I get my love of perfume from my German grandmother… she *loved* perfume and would spray so much on the scent would linger in the room hours of after she left.
I love to wear these fragrances because it makes me feel pretty and sophisticated, I feel like I’m channeling my inner European, and I think of my Oma when I spray perfume on.
What is your favorite perfume? Leave a comment!