Coming up with a creative and earth-friendly gift for mom doesn’t have to mean backpacking through the rain forest. When gifting mom, remember to keep the ultimate mother in mind…Mother Earth.

A great option of course is the Bucklette and our line of affordable, fashionable Bling. In addition, our friend Leslie Padilla recently introduced us to Terralina Skincare, created by cousins Patricia and Gina Garrubbo who, while pregnant, were concerned about what they were putting on their skin and the effects that their skincare could have on their bodies…and the earth.

Terralina skincare products are 98.65 percent natural, employing a natural emulsification process using olive oil in lieu of potentially harmful silicone. The result is a host of products that not only produce healthy, radiant skin, but a healthy planet as well. Their skincare line also features ingredients that are paraben-free and harsh chemical-free and include those rich in natural age-combating antioxidants like Olive Leaf, Olive Oil and White Tea. And all Terralina packaging is 100% recycled. See for yourself at www.terralina.com.

Let’s be honest, every girl needs a spa weekend – especially one who is about to have a baby! In early February, Bucklette BFFs Sandy and Suzette planned a weekend of pampering before little Alexander’s arrival, and as the weather forecast turned downright abominable, the soon-to-be-mother declared, “come hell, high water or blizzard, we are going!” As we arrived at the Inn at Perry Cabin, so did the blizzard. It snowed from the time we pulled in until early Sunday morning — a staggering 28 inches!

Many of you will recognize this luxurious resort and spa from The Wedding Crashers. It’s located in the Victorian town of St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Three full days of pampering were scheduled, complete with gourmet meals in between. Every meal was truly delicious. We are still talking about the mushroom risotto we had for lunch on the first day. In addition, the service was impeccable. Each night after turn down service, homemade oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies awaited us on our pillows.

The hotel and Linden Spa (named after the large Linden trees that line the brick driveway) is the perfect setting for relaxation, rejuvenation and wellness. After our first treatments (the Skin Quench Facial and Head of Roses), we were so relaxed, we couldn’t muster the motivation to make it to the main dining room — visible from the window of our suite. The unanimous decision: room service. Little things make us so happy!

On Saturday morning after a melt-in-your-mouth breakfast with fresh squeezed orange juice, we toured the grounds before our appointments (massages, body firming masks and feet treatments). Each corner and every accent was more beautiful than the next. As we sat by the fireplace and enjoyed homemade hot chocolate, we shared many giggles. And if you’ve seen any of the Suzetiquette videos, you know we have no trouble laughing!

Sunday came too quickly, and it was time to depart…but not before breakfast of cinnamon and Grand Marnier french toast with vanilla cream cheese frosting and the Belgian waffle with mascarpone, figs & toasted walnuts (for the second day in a row). After being plucked, tucked, firmed, hydrated, scrubbed and massaged, homemade hot chocolate in hand, the car arrived with no remnants of snow, heat and seat warmers on. We were ready for our journey home…vowing to make this an annual girls trip!

The Inn at Perry Cabin
308 Watkins Lane
St. Michaels, Maryland 21663
410.745.2200

Let’s face it Ladies, we spend a lot of time in the bathroom — so it’s imperative that it’s functional and organized. Something reminiscent of a spa is quite nice too. But what do you do if you can touch all four walls while standing in one spot? How do you make the most of the smallest space on earth? Designer Sandy Alexander recently finished a renovation on a tiny (5’ x 8’) bathroom. She shares her process on making the most of a challenging space.

“Although there were some interesting 70’s touches, inspiring the nickname ‘the Swedish Sauna’, the space was out-dated, cramped and dark. Not to mention falling apart — the grout was falling into the tub, the brown tile in the shower undulated when you leaned against it, and the lighting was so bad, you couldn’t see to shave your legs. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the bathroom larger, so we had to work within the confines of the allocated space.”

The tub and toilet were in great shape and a neutral, almond color, so Alexander chose a vertical matchstick marble tile (usually reserved for accenting) in a beautiful range of creams and browns for the three walls of the shower. Instead of the typical soap dish and metal rack for toiletries, she created a marble shelf, embedding it into the tile, spanning the length of the shower. She also installed a robe hook for a washcloth or loofa. Brushed nickel fixtures and a low-flow shower head are nice added details.

“We covered the walls with caramel wood flooring to create contrast against the creamy tones of the shower tile and marble floor, and refinished the existing cabinet in a darker stain to match.” And her favorite part: the lighting. “We added recessed lighting over the sink, in the shower and a cool horizontal ‘light box’ with a frosted glass top that doubles as a shelf. It shoots a glow upward giving the room an added sense of height.”

Storage was a real issue so Alexander removed a large section of drywall and built a cubby right between the studs. Finished and trimmed with stained oak, it’s sophisticated and seamlessly integrated into the wall. She also added racks to the inside of the cabinet doors and baskets to hold essentials under the sink. It’s very tiny, but modern with a hint of luxury — and plenty of storage.

Finished off with luxe products, great towels, candles and flowers, it’s the perfect place to unwind. A warm bath, a glass of wine and a great playlist is all you need!

Ask and you shall receive! Our readers have been writing with lots of style questions, so we’ve created the Bucklette Style Hotline just for our inquisitive Bucklette BFFs.

SUSAN FROM ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND WRITES IN:

“This time of year I get so excited to start shopping for Spring. What should I add to my wardrobe now that I’ll be able to wear for months to come?”

Dear Bucklette BFF Susan,

This is the time of year to layer, layer layer! I have been stocking up on tank tops with lots of detail - lace, interesting edging and adorned with studs - wearing them under blazers and sweaters. It’s a fun, practical, easy way to add color and texture, and to curb your cravings for new spring things! Don’t miss our next Lookbook going live on Friday, January 22. We’ll be showing the Bucklette with one of our newest finds!

xo, mawh, tootles
Suzette

If you have a question for Resident Style Guru Suzette Levesque, email us at info@bucklette.com or Suzette at suzettelevesque@gmail.com.

In a world where emails, text messages and social media function as our primary methods of communication, it’s refreshing to receive a handwritten card or note in your mailbox (not inbox). We’ve pulled together some of our favorite finds in the stationery department. Hopefully, they’ll inspire you to send that thank you note!

Thank You Cards from Philadelphia’s own Louella Press.

Sets of six blank notecards with patterned envelopes from Smock Paper. Sustainably letterpressed on bamboo paper and they donate 1% of sales to environmental causes.

If you want to make your own cards, check out our friend Christina Stehr’s web site. She’s an independent demonstrator with Stampin’ Up! and available for stamping workshops for people in the Philadelphia area. You can also order card making kits that contain everything you need to quickly and easily make your own unique cards (stamps, ink, envelopes, adhesive, folded cards, and embellishments). But I warn you: this can become addictive!

Caroline Brant of The Paper Concierge gives us her tips and a special offer: buy 25 pieces and double your order for FREE on all Sweet Pea Designs stationery.

“Many people find the act of writing thank-you notes to be so intimidating. Don’t over-think it! Even a quick, simple note can be a meaningful expression of appreciation. The trick is to write them right away, make at least one reference to the gift you received, and include a short message about its usefulness or meaning to you.”

Remember to send a handwritten thank you note to the hosts/hostesses of all those holiday parties you attended. Be sure to include a moment or detail that you especially enjoyed. Specifics are always appreciated — your host will love it! Here’s an example of a short but sweet thank you note:

Dear Susan & Tom,

You both are wonderful hosts, always going above and beyond. The white peppermint snowtinis were amazing! The holidays are a magical time of year and we are grateful to share such precious memories with you. Thank you so much for the holiday fun!

Lots of Love,
Amy and James

On Tuesday, December 1, Bucklette Bling goes live — just in time for the holidays, the perfect gift to give or receive. Start making your list and checking it twice, figuring out whose been naughty and nice.

With names like Dream Weaver, Silver Lining and Finally We Meet, we’ve got fabulous pieces that every glamorous, edgy and fun Bucklette Babe will love! Mark your calendar and be one of the first to visit the new Bucklette Shop.

This Sunday, November 22, vote for the Bucklette on yakaboutit.com as it competes for the “MOST YAKABLE” title.

The concept: New products you’ve probably never seen before, created by independent inventors and entrepreneurs will compete for your purchase, attention and the glory of being the “Most Yakable”. Everyday or every Monday at 12:00am ET a new competition begins. The Herd with the most Yaks represents the product with the highest current sales and ‘Most Yakable’ shows you the top seller from the competition. Help an inventor’s product get noticed by making a purchase and sharing your thoughts in Yak Nation.

So please visit yakaboutit.com on Sunday and place your vote!

Style Map | Southern California: An irresistible mix of both beauty and good taste. Blessed with incredible weather, Southern Californians are surrounded by breathtaking views, architectural marvels, innovative and delicious food and valleys so rich in agricultural assets that even the French are jealous!

Our first stop, Los Angeles. With a perfect ocean view from our balcony, our stay at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica was quite luxurious. For food, it was tapas down the street at Pinxto, and Pizzeria Mozza in Hollywood. If you can get in, don’t miss the fennel sausage, panna, red onion and scallion pizza — it’s to die for. All the meats come from Mario Batali’s father’s butcher shop in Seattle.

We managed to cram a lot in our two days — a great run along the coast, shopping, a fantastic trip to the Getty hosting an enormous exhibit of Irving Penn’s photographs and a tour of the Hollyhock House, another stunner designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

After a beautiful drive up Pacific Coast Highway, we entered the Central Coast Wine Country and landed at our second stop, Solvang, a charming little Danish village. We pulled into the Hadsten House (recently renovated and fully equipped with a restaurant and spa) and immediately went for a dip in the indoor pool and outdoor spa. A walk through town and a sizzling steak at the Hitching Post II (made famous in the movie Sideways) rounded off the evening.

With so much to see, eat and drink, it’s a foodie’s heaven — appetizers at Root 246, a romantic dinner at the Ballard Inn, and more wine tastings than one can handle — unless you spit of course. We were honored to score a decadent four-hour tasting with Joe Davis, winemaker at Arcadian. Not only did Joe share personal stories of his life and work, he poured nine different varietals and treated us to a spread of figs, nuts, meats and hard-to-get French cheeses.

Another highlight: Enjoy Cupcakes in the Saarloos & Sons Tasting House in Los Olivos. The room itself is design nirvana, but with a menu that changes weekly and recipes that include syrah, chardonnay, wine-soaked blackberries, mascarpone mousse, and chocolate pecan pie filling, these cupcakes left me wondering how I could manage a shipment each week!

We also made stops at Clairmont Farms where I stocked up on holiday gifts of lavender-infused soaps, moisturizers and honey, a lovely garden center called J. Woeste, and a stylish little boutique called Tin Roof.

The last leg of our trip was Santa Barbara. We stayed with a friend who was kind enough to shuttle us around to all the local favorites: happy hour at the marina, a stroll down State Street (full of great little shops like Lovebird and Rooms & Gardens), and La Super-Rica Taqueria. Although there’s great Mexican food everywhere, we stood in line for 45 minutes behind 20 other people because, well…because it must be good if there’s 20 other people in line!

We didn’t miss the Mission or the Court House and thankfully, we were discovering the area with a local. Otherwise we may not have seen the Art from the Ashes installation at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden ravaged by fire in 2009, and we never would have found and hiked to the ruins of Knapp Castle, perched high on a hill overlooking the valley — a perfect end to our California getaway.

We’re very excited to announce a new addition to our line: Bucklette Bling coming in December. Hand-selected pieces from our favorite jewelry designers that embody the Bucklette style: a little glamorous, a bit edgy and always fun.

Bucklette Bling. A great way to finish your outfit or the perfect gift. Visit our web site on December 1st to see the new line.