30th Birthday Wishlist

My 30th birthday is only 14 short days away (ahhhh) and as per usual I have a thing or two on my wish list.  Surprisingly, I feel very excited to enter a new decade and kiss my 20s goodbye.  I do reserve the right to lie about my age from here on out, though. If you happen to see me out and about, let's collectively agree I will forever be 29.  Cool?  I'd say that as I've gotten older my list of wants has evolved, but truthfully if I look back at my 25th birthday wishlist I'd still happily take any of those items, too (except for those J Crew booties... not sure what I was thinking there).  

Shop 30th Birthday Wishlist:

1.) AERIN Tortoise Shell Glasses, 4 for $59.95/

I'm loving all things tortoise (this, this, and this too) right now, and these chic glasses would be perfect for juice/water/or a whiskey cocktail.

2.) Annie Costello Brown Pom Pom Chandelier Earrings, $242 (also love this pair for less)/

Annie's earrings truly are mini works of art.

3.) Classic Style by Kate Schelter $25/

The "it" design book of the year, complete with watercolor illustrations.

4.) Geometric Heel Ankle Boot $79/

A chic bootie with a polished, brass octagonal heel?  I'm in.

5.) Precious Metal Earrings, $46/

I'm always in need of studs with a bit of sparkle.  Perfect for work or play.

6.) Poolside Collective "WTF" Bag $55/

I love poolside collective's cheeky handbag and beach tote collection so much, it's rather hard to pick a favorite.

7.) Teddy Boy Sunglasses $39/

Inexpensive tortoise-rimmed sunglasses in a versatile shape.  They remind me of my favorite Illesteva sunnies.

8.) Endless Rose Louvre Top $51/

Anything on Revolve under $50 instantly catches my eye- luckily, in this case, the piece is cherry apple red with a flattering cut.

9.) Monogrammed Cocktail Napkins, $7 each/

There are a plethora of monogrammed napkins out there, but this pair offers several thread color options and monogram styles, all for $7 each.

29!

Today I turn 29!  28 was a great year- honestly one of the best years for me yet.  I have so many great memories from the past 12 months:

Two of my besties Jessica and Katy came to visit me last year for my 28th.  We celebrated at Bergdorf's Restaurant:

I also made them do Sleep No More with me, which was an odd experience.  There's really no way to describe it, but we all left thoroughly confused by the whole thing.  The holidays were spent at home in OKC, where my mom made us all wear matching PJs.  My niece Lily even got a pair:

In January, my nephew Hudson was born!  This was the first time I got to hold him:

In February, I experienced my first real NY blizzard.  Even the subway was shut down for a bit, but even so it was one of my favorite days ever in the city.  My friend and I trudged over to Central Park and went sledding like little kids.  The city was so peaceful!

In March, my parents visited and we got to see Hamilton. Luckily we somehow scored tickets before the show got too big and didn't have to shell out a fortune for them.  It's by far the best Broadway show I've seen (but I didn't need to tell you that).

In April, Katy came back and visited me!  I made her ride the subway and tried to explain you can't wear heels on the train (you bring them with you in your bag) but she doesn't listen.  Doesn't she look thrilled to be on the 4-5-6 train with me?!

We spent Sunday lying in the sun in Central Park:

In fact, the last 12 months were spent taking lots of walks through Central Park-

And lots of nights out in the city with Lauren & Vicky (typically downstairs at Acme, The Jane, or The Ludlow):

My good friend Gabby finally moved to NY from Montreal this past March, and I couldn't be happier. She got a cute studio apt near Union Square- here's a corner of her space after she got it set up:

Celebrating Gabby's move with Lauren at The Ludlow:

In May, my friend Grace and I went to Montego Bay, Jamaica:

 In the summer, we spent 80% of the weekends in East Hampton or Montauk:

{my friend Melissa and I at the Wolffer Wine Stand}

{pretty hydrangeas in Sag Harbor}

Fall has flown by.  I went home quickly for an OU game in October and just returned from OKC for a nice Thanksgiving with my fam. My mom and I posed for a pic before going to an OKC Thunder game last Saturday:

Celebrities spotted this year:

BJ Novak going in to The Bowery

Ice Cube sitting down the bar from me at Irvington 

Amy Poehler pushing her son in a stroller in Clinton Hill

Jesse Tyler Ferguson eating across the restaurant from me at Javelina

Zosia Marmet (Shoshanna from Girls) walking her dog in the Upper West Side

Kelly Ripa in my East 83rd Soul Cycle class (girl can ride a bike)

Dorinda Medley getting a coffee at my neighborhood Starbucks, Romana Singer all over the Hamptons, Luann de Lesseps at the bookstore in Sag Harbor, Bethanny Frankel at Crows Nest in Montauk

Not pictured: The millions of cocktails and dinners out I consumed this past year.  It was fun to look back through all my photos and remember those moments, but I wanted to spare you from looking at too many plates of food and cheers-ing drinks.  Many thanks to the people who made my year so wonderful and special- you know who you are!

Here's to hoping 29 is as memorable as 28 certainly was.

XOXO,

Sam

SaveSave

29th Birthday Wishlist

Since tomorrow is the first day of November, I suppose it's now acceptable for me to share a birthday wishlist!  I'll be 29 on November 30th (we're only 1 year away from my champagne birthday...) and plan to celebrate with my parents at The Polo Bar (it'll be a rager, no doubt).  When I started this blog I was a ripe 23, and it's funny to look back at my previous birthday wish lists.  I didn't do one for my 24th birthday and just simply acknowledged my 25th, but there were wish lists for 26, 27, and 28.  

Shop my Birthday Wishlist:

Domino:  Your Guide to a Stylish Home (Preorder Now- Releasing Nov. 16th)  $35/Flamenco Drops $34/UR Touchscreen Compatible Gloves $48/Pom Pom Keychain in Plum $49/Fendi Peekaboo Large Satchel (in my wildest dreams!) $4,700/Joie Slip-On Sneakers $190/Aerin Lauder "Tangier Vanille" Body Cream $58 and Eau de Parfum $115/Amazon Echo $180/

-I'm so looking forward to the release of Domino's new book.  If it is anything like their previous one, it's going to be a cult-favorite and is definitely worth the preorder.

-iPhone compatible gloves are a necessity for New York winters, and I love these (as well as these!)

-Who doesn't need a monogrammed pompom keychain?  At under $50 and available in lots of pretty colors, this would make a great gift for anyone (including me- mom, you reading?!)

-Aerin Lauder has the midas touch- everything she creates turns to gold, including her line of scents and hand creams (no pun intended).  I didn't consider myself to be a lotion snob until I found her products, and couldn't bring myself to switch back to my usual drugstore Aveeno.  The lotions are incredibly rich and soothing, and her perfumes are light and airy.  My favorite scent is the tangier vanille (it smells similar to Prada's Candy perfume)!

-Everyone's talking about the Amazon Echo and I'd love a new speaker to play my music through while getting ready.  "Alexa", similar to Siri on the iPhone, can report traffic, weather, news, call you an Uber, and even order you a pizza.  

Happy Halloween!  Did I miss anything you are loving right now?  Let me know via Twitter @peakoftreschic.

XOXO,

Sam

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Hello 28

Hello 28, goodbye 27.

{My dad and I, circa 1988}

Today is my 28th birthday.  I hear a lot of football teams say "it was a rebuilding year" when they have a scrappy season.  Well, I'd like to think of 27 as my "rebuilding year."  That isn't to say it wasn't filled with a few milestones and lots of fun memories...

I graduated with my BFA in Interior Design last December. My mom and I posed for a pic before the ceremony.

I spent a memorable Christmas in OKC with my family, and got to see my baby niece grow up a bit!

My niece really is the cutest baby on the planet.

My good friend Katy moved in with me at the beginning of 2015. We shared a lot of home cooked dinners- cooked solely by Katy of course.  I still can't cook!  Katy was such an integral part of the last year of my life- some of the best times I've ever had I experienced with her by my side.

I met Usher while in Atlanta for a design install in Buck Head.  I'm still waiting for him to call me- where you at, Usher?

In July I made the big decision to relocate to NYC to work as an interior designer with Amanda Nisbet.  My rents came along for the NY apartment hunt, which was truly terrifying. 

Squad!

In August, I went to Tulum, Mexico with a few of my best high school girlfriends.

And Lindsay came along, too!  We had the best time.

One of my best friends, Grace, came and visited me in NYC in early October.  We were attached at the hip in Houston and I'm still going through withdrawals- thank God for FaceTime.

Then, my whole family came and visited at the end of October.  We took Baby Lily to Coney Island and by the time this picture was taken she was over posing for the camera.

So what was being 27 like?  Lots of adjusting and confusion and growing up.  Lots of seeking and striving and developing a stronger sense of self.  For the first time in a long time, I had to stop and really look at myself and where I was headed, and recalibrate my priorities.  I experienced some of the highest highs and the lowest lows last year.

I think when you're in your early 20s and still new in your career you can be pretty impressionable.  When I started over in design after working for a few years post college, I was excited but also a bit insecure.  In some ways, I let the opinions of others cloud my judgement and to a certain degree my design sensibilities, too.   When you are new to something, it's easy to just follow suit with what everyone else around you is doing.  I think a lot of us are guilty of doing that in other areas of life, too.  But it seems like my whole 27th year was the process of rediscovering what I truly wanted out of life.  

With all that being said, the coolest thing happened a few days ago.  I was lying in bed reflecting on this past year's ups and downs,  and for the first time in a long time I realized I was 100% content with where I'm at in life. Even more than that- I felt pretty damn proud of the progress I've made.  I think that has a lot to do with relocating to New York.  I loved Texas but at this point in my life, New York just fits me so perfectly.  There's a rawness and an energy to it that excites me every day.

28.... I'm ready for you.  Let's do this.

XOXO,

Sam

28th Birthday Wishlist

My big 2-8 is a few weeks away, and I am so lucky that a few of my closest girlfriends are coming to NYC for the weekend to celebrate with me.  What would a birthday be without a good wish list (although, let's be honest, all funds are really going to pay the NY bills), and I've created a "save" list as well as a "splurge" list, just for fun.

Save Edition:

1.) Dark Marble Case $15.90/2.) I Love Bad Bitches Pillow $68/3.) Barbie and Ken Sunrise Dip Photo $30/4.) Gold Tassel Earrings $34/5.) Brene Brown's Rising Strong book $15.72/6.) Nest Candle in Pumpkin Chai $38/7.) Monogrammed Makeup Bag $23/

Splurge Edition:

1.) Bella Silk Satin Sleep Set $310/2.) Fendi Peekaboo Tote $4,700/3.) Gala Fringe Gloves $175/4.) Sam Edelman Suede Over-the-Knee Boots $250/5.) Cire Trudon Gabriel Candle $105/6.) Burberry Check Wool Scarf $395/7.) Intermix Holiday Dress $In stores only, similar here

The Cire Trudon Gabriel candle is the best smelling candle you'll come across during the holidays, although I've got a soft spot for Nest's Pumpkin Chai as well.  And I MUST have that bad bitches pillow.  

So who's feelin' gifty? ;)

27th Birthday Wishlist

I cannot believe October is almost over.  This year has sped by, and I keep thinking it's still summer (the beautiful weather in Houston lately isn't helping, either).  While I'm not a big fan of winter, I can't help but love the holidays, especially because my birthday falls near Thanksgiving (November 30th).  Even more exciting is that my baby niece Lily turns 1 on November 26th!  I will be back in Oklahoma for the birthday festivities and can't wait to see this cute face:

{my mom and I with Lily at the pumpkin patch}

Anyway, I will say I am getting excited to celebrate my birthday this year.  Which is strange- because the last few I've felt a bit blah about.  You know how it goes as you get older, it seems to be less and less fun to admit you took another full trip around the sun.  I'm just excited to spend time with friends and MAYBE indulge in a few things on my wish list:

Shop My Wishlist:

1.) Decker Cuff by Kelly Wearstler $295/2.) Avedon Coffee Table Book $100/3.) Python Business Card Holder $75/4.) Kate Moss for Topshop Scalloped Camisole $68/5.) Altuzarra for Target Wrap Dress $40/6.) Young Hollywood Coffee Table Book $75/7.) DV by Dolce Vita Black Bootie $140/8.) Morton Table Lamp in Burnished Silver $475/


Have you guys seen the Altuzarra collection for Target yet?  There are so many fab items, and the prices can't be beat. And, of course, there are always a few coffee table books I have my eye on.  Lastly, as I finish up decorating my house, I have been on the hunt for a living room table lamp- and I think this burnished silver option is perfect.

Anything I missed? Let me know! :)

26th Birthdays & Such

Happy Monday!  I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving weekend and feel as fat and relaxed as I do!  We spent Wednesday - Sunday at my parent's house in OKC and it was a whirlwind of 5 days.  First off, I became an aunt.  My adorable niece was born on Tuesday, November 26th.  

Welcome to the world, Lillian Grace! 

{The little nugget was only 1 day old here!}

The next day, she got to come home.  Of course we couldn't stay away from her and came over to see her cute face!  I dare someone to try and tell me she isn't the most adorable thing ever:

I completely understand why parents post 103,576 pictures of their babies or kids now.  I am heartbroken to be back in Houston again, but thankfully Christmas time is right around the corner and we will get to shower her with more love.

I also turned 26 this past Saturday!  But, I'm not sure why I added that "!" because I really wasn't looking forward to it.  Why is it that 26 just sounds so much older than 25?  I tried to make the most of it but drinking wine in the shower (one of my birthday rituals):

Ahh... one of life's little pleasures.  I highly recommend it.  I imagine drinking wine in the shower is how I will survive raising children one day.  We went to Red Prime Steak in Oklahoma City for dinner, and it was amazing.  I'm pescetarian, so I had salmon mignon and green chile mac and cheese, and of course, more red wine.  The atmosphere of the restaurant is so cool, which is why I probably always ask to go back there even though I don't eat meat:

As you are acutely aware of by now, I am obsessed with all things monogrammed.  I scored a Gigi NY monogrammed python iPhone case and a Charm & Chain tortoise shell necklace for the big 2-6.  

So all in all, it was a good birthday.  PLUS... it's going to be a pretty fab year, with getting married and all.  And no trip to OKC would be complete without seeing the Thunder play.  Here I am with a good friend of mine, Laura:

So tell me- how was your Thanksgiving?  Did you brave the Black Friday crowds?  Anything exciting to report?

26th Birthday Wishlist

Shop My Wishlist: Kelly Wearstler for Paperless Post Stationery $2.25/ea/Hermes Blanket $1,300/Chloe Ballet Flats $475/Shop 219 Barclay Butera Horn Mirror $985/Python Printed Vegan Leather Trim Blouse $69//French Style Book $65/Kelly Wearstler Clutch $495/Vintage Tiffany's Card Set $30/

Happy November!!  With all our wedding planning,  I nearly forgot my 26th birthday is approaching at the end of this month!  I want to keep it low key this year in terms of celebrations, but I thought it'd be fun to put together a little wishlist.  Let's be honest- most of this stuff is me dreaming (hello Hermes blanket!)- but it doesn't hurt to have an idea of what you truly love.... right?!  

Have a great weekend, my dears!

My Quarter Century Birthday

TGIF friends!  I hope your week has gone well.

Today I turn the big 2-5.  My mom was kind enough to call me at 7 am and tell me the story of my birth (once again).  Love ya for that mom!  Anyway, today I plan to take it easy.  Something along the lines of this....

I am looking forward to celebrating with friends tonight and tomorrow.  May the champagne continuously flow.

I can't wait for my car insurance payment to go down.  That does happen when you're 25, right?  Oh the joys of growing older.  Sorry for the short post, but I'm off to lazily do nothing.  Jusssst kidding.  I'll be studying.  I'm an adult, after all. ;)

Have a fab weekend!  

XOXO, Sam

{both photos via here}