On the 4th Day of Christmas, Our Family Did It Up!

Celebrating Christmas this year was a bit tricky. My grandfather turned 90, so dad and I went to Miami to partake in the celebrations. You can read more about it here.

When it comes to family, matters of the heart are so sensitive. In our case, December and Christmas are my mom's absolute favorite time of the year. She transforms into this frantic woman covering all the roles she plays: mom, sis, grandma, auntie and wife. It's quite funny, but we all respect it and indulge her in all her desires.

So, Christmas in our house is a huge deal. This year was a bit different and we ended up celebrating the actual occasion on Tuesday, the 4th day of Christmas. She anticipated our arrival on Monday night with open arms, wine, cookies and an over the top decked out house. 

It was fabulous in all its glitter, spray painted pine cones and ornaments... my gifts were sexy and mostly wearable. Mami made me three super chunky hand-knit scarves and hoods... I'll show them off soon because they're really that fantastic and every girl's warm accessory!

Hoping you had a lovely and fabulous Christmas!

 New Year's Look next! Ooh wee, I can't wait.

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Of Stripes & Monochromatic

It was only until I started doing a slight edit to these shots that I realized I had a lot of camel colored tones on. It was not intentional, but it worked. Don't you think? 

Because I'm mulatta and "light-skinned" I'm conscious of my color palette when paring accessories and outfits. The last things I need to do is wash myself out! 

So this came about because I have a current obsession with all things stripes. Perhaps it's a hint to go ahead and make that move to Paris. Or perhaps it's because Old Navy had an insane Thanksgiving sale where most of their tee's were $5. Yeah, I racked up. In a OCD, they're never coming back kinda way. I stashed like 20 of them. Every color, of course.

Ironically, this stripped henley preceeds that evil (or really generous sale)... all the other pieces just fell together on a day right before Winter hit us. 

And, a lovely European man walking his pooch stops to watch as Nicole is snapping pictures. He kinda threw my mood off but insisted on making small talk. His prophetic suggestion was that I go into modeling because I have "that" thing. He didn't realize I'm only 5'1". Very authoritatively he pointed out that I don't need to be Runway height to model. It's the shoes, I'm telling you. He was so friendly and so I allowed him to continue. Nicole backed off as most New Yorkers do. 

He was harmless and walked off with a big smile. And we continued shooting, but it was cold as hell so I don't look as happy as I really was. 

I won't be this scantily clad as it's officially Winter and I'll be traveling North where the temps are below freezing which I'll take any day of the year! 

Have tons of fun wrapping up all your shopping and especially sip some spirits while wrapping all those gifts...


PS: don't forget to enter the Swarovski earring give away in my previous post. You have until Jan. 1st! Smooches. 

skinnny jeans by Banana // stripped henley from Old Navy // Aldo wedges // H&M boyfriend blazer // H&M scarf // dad's vintage cord newsboy // vintage cabachon clip on earrings // amber chunky ring // Juicy Couture "lover" chain bracelet // vintage necklace // vintage leather and chain watch by Timex // Louis Vuitton "Alma" bag

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{Christmas Cheer!} C.B. Herrera Give Away!

I know my blog is relatively knew. It's been up for a few years, but it sat dormant pretty much since its inception.

Well, I'm so tickled and excited to be back and as I work to make things happy and exciting around here, I though what better way than to share some goodies with you!

We all love pretty, sparkly things, right?!

I've  asked my mom, the owner and design brains behind C.B. Herrera, if I can give away something for the Christmas holiday. No time spent thinking about--it was all an "of course, honey!"

So, from her (and me) to you, enter the chance to win a pair of black Swarovski hoop earrings! Perfect the night out, the date, the cocktail party or just because!

These earrings retail for $35.00 each. The give away is for one pair.

To enter, simply do the following and you'll have a chance to win!

1. Follow this blog with BlogLovin' and GFC  (add your name so I know who you are :)

2. Like my fan page on Facebook (you can go up to the right of this page) (add your name so I know who you are :)

3. Like the new C.B. Herrera fan page on Facebook. (add your name so I know who you are :)

4. Follow me on Twitter (@BrenHerrera)

*you must come back and leave a comment letting me you've done all four. 

You can do any of the following for an extra entry. Each one will count for an extra chance.

1. Tweet the give-away & mention @BrenHerra so I can see it;

2. Blog about the give-away on your blog with a link back to this post.

3. Suggest both pages to your friends.

4. Visit the C.B. Herrera site and tell me one thing you like on the site that you'd buy.

*you must come back and leave a comment for each one you've done. 

Leave your email in your entry(s) so that I contact you if  you win. We'll pick a random person using the Random Generator on Jan. 1st and announce it on Jan. 2nd. Will mail out on the 4th. We'll contact the winner for the mailing address!

GOOD LUCK & MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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Knots in Paris

A few posts back, I reminisced about a fabulous trip to Paris a few years ago. Though I've been to Paris several times and I always fall in love with the city all over again, I never get tired of mentally and emotionally going back there, thinking of the strolls we'd take through obscure streets. 

It's not overrated as many say. It's just not. It's magical in every way imaginable. 

So that post was a very overt attempt at convincing myself to move there as a wonderful and super juicy opportunity to go has presented itself. 

And as if I needed any more reason other than I'd be living there, a dope photographer friend of mine (and the one who photographed me here), did the sexiest thing ever. Ever. 

He flew to Paris on a whim's notice and married his fabulous and dear girlfriend. They rented a yacht and exchanged vows on the River Seine. 

They'd only been dating for a year. I mean how sexy and utterly romantic is that? Gasp. 

So, see, Paris makes dreams come true. 

On her: Vintage dress // Jimmy Choo stilettos // Earrings: from her mom in Canada // DKNY black tights

On him: Banana Republic suit & shirt // tie unknown // Vintage hat // Ferragamo shoes 

* photos courtesy of Shannon via TT Coles

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Of Luxuries. Wish List | Christmas Gift Guide

12 days from Christmas and my shopping frenzy has finally kicked in! I have 8 nephews and nieces, two amazing parents and 4 siblings that crack me up. Not to mention my right hand man that tickles my fancy in every way. I can't wait to find the perfect gift for them. 

Sounds like I have a lot of shopping to think about. But, I wanted to treat myself first to what I'd get for moi if I didn't have an entourage of people to put first. 

This are some of the prettiest pieces I've seen out there this season and would not mind owning a single one of them. The hats are always a must and make every cut. That's a given. Wellies--well can I say, I find a purpose for them year round and have a few pair. Only these are extra special. The bag makes me drool. And, I want every single nail color. The shades are the baddest I've found and I happen to have them in my shop!

Everything else speaks for itself in all its fabulosity! 

This is the first of 4 or so guides I'll put together in the next week. I want to tickle your fancy, whilst I continue to ponder a way to get these things under my tree!

I'd love to see your wish list and gift guides! Share your link in the comments area!

12 day gals (and guys). 12 days! 

1. Gucci 'GG runnin' leather hobo, $2800

2. Eugenia Kim coyote bubble hat, "Natasha" $295

3. Bulgari shades studded with Swarovski pavé crystals, B So Chic! $475

4. Erickson Beamon Swarovski crystal drop earrings, Net-A-Porter $495

5. Jimmy Choo croc Wellies for Hunter, Nordstrom, $253

6 . Stella McCartney winter white blazer, Net-A-Porter, $1431

7. Burlesque line of nail colors by OPI, $7 each

8. Tinley Road pink stone spider necklace, Piperlime, $34

9. Crystal lattice cuff, J. Crew, $98

10. Lanvin jump suit, Net-A-Porter, $2030

11. Chan Luu leather bracelet, Gilt, $188

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Faux Get Me, Not

Atlanta has been unseasonably cold and I'm relishing in all its goodness. It was 23 degrees on Wednesday and it didn't occur to me to wear tights under these fabulous leggings my awesome mother found for me. Nor did I wear gloves. So, after 20 minutes of taking pics with my intern, my poor little fingers were like pretzel sticks...

About the fur coat. I still have mixed feelings about investing in a real fur. I have lovely fur hats and stoles, but not a coat. This particular faux one was on my wish hit list for about a month until it finally got marked down to a whopping $20! 

Score, smile, swoon!

I couldn't have been more happy, especially since my lovely right hand man took it out of my hands and got it for me. It was a great day. My decision to pair it with the mink hat that was kindly gifted to my a sweet old little lady in my hometown, was more or less to deal with a deep infatuation with furs, but deeper love of animal rights. Okay, I'm getting political and this is so not the place. :) 

I love my coat and I love my hat--all its realness, too! 

Faux fur coat from H&M // vintage mink hat // leather leggings // Aldo booties // H&M sweater // Banana Republic velvet & lace cami // "Havana" Gucci sunnies // vintage chandelier tear drop necklace as worn by J.Lo in The Wedding Planner // Murano glass ring from Monaco // earrings from Nordies // A.B.S animal cuff.

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Ring Me, Baby!

I tend to collect lots of everything. Shoes and hats, mainly. But rings don't escape the OCD approach. 

These are a few of my faves that get a lot of use.  I particularly have an obsession with bees and owls-- I sting and I'm super wise. Yup! 

I'll share the really chunky stone ones I've come to love the most and reserve for TV appearances, photo shoots and fabulous outfits!

What are your favorite rings? 

 T-B: A.B.S. bee on flower // A.B.S. Swarovski owl // Blue crystal and gold wire by Trinkets by Lisa (gifted) // Red crystal tear drop cluster flower on gold wire designed for me by Trinkets by Lisa (gifted) // Banana Republic chain ring // Banana Republic C.Z. cocktail // Elastic bronze owl // Banana Republic butterfly and cat's eye with crystals // Peridot & Swarovski with gold balls on 14k gold wire designed for me by Etsy designer (gifted).

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