accessory roundup // nordstrom anni sale!

as of late, i'm on an accessory overload. perhaps its because none of my clothes fit right anymore. but accessories? they always fit. and they always flatter. luckily the nordstrom anniversary sale came just in time to feed the fire, baby! here are a few of my favorites this season. 

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

and a few more just because:

my fab four cravings.

hello friends! and happy friday. i've decided to start a new series call my fab four cravings. i come across so many lovely and inspiring things throughout that week that i'm just oozing to share with y'all. and for the record, most of these items i'm seriously coveting. let's start with #1 for instance…

1. this is probably the most perfect one-piece i have seen. the colors & the cut. gimme gimme!

2. a polka-dotted bathroom is needed in every home. yes or no?

3. a fun and quirky print to hang on my future gallery wall. 

4. out with the over-sized watches and in with the mini, yo!

paris vs new york.

alert! alert! did you hear? new york city was just named fashion capital of the world, reclaiming the #1 position from london. and paris finished #2 for the spot overall. i love fashion week (or really, fashion month)! and with paris fashion week starting tomorrow, its only fair that we have a little friendly competition between paris and new york. these smart and witty graphics by vahram muratyan will help us do the job. 

what do you say—paris or new york?

{soooo many more prints to view & love here. there is even a coffee-table book!}

heart day crushes.

love is in the air, and i am crushing hard on these valentine's day picks. and is it just me or is the 'i'd give up my phone' card perfect!? ;)

1. paper source & paper chase valentine cards :: 2. aubade body teddy ::

3. levtex 'tonight/not tonight' pillow :: 4. kate spade pave studs ::

5. fortnum & mason chocolate box :: 6. kate spade ooh la la bag

how to style bomber jackets.

there's no denying that the bomber is back. it's the perfect combination of slouch and sophistication and can easily find a home in any woman's closet. since they're a lightweight layering piece, they'll help you tackle the rest of winter and create a nice transition into spring. just saying "spring" makes me weak in the knees! here are a few tips for looking bomb {you see what i did there!?}: 

1. since bomber jackets are often a bit cropped and boxy, they tend to take on a more masculine feel. to balance this out, wear a silk blouse underneath the jacket with jeans or match the jacket with a flirty skirt. floral and pastel bomber jackets also help soften the look.

2. a leather bomber jacket is a bomber in its true form. to wear a hey, i'm not trying too hard look, team a black or brown leather bomber with some skinny blue jeans and a white v-neck t. done and done!

joules.

living in britain and working in the fashion industry, i often get asked how british style compares to that of nyc. and in my response, i can never gush enough about how much i love the british style. tweed. colors. prints. layering. i tell you what, i was born to dress british. black just isn't my color. :)

joules is a british brand that i love. it's been around for over 30 years and holds true to fun, british style for the whole family. their lines always have so many bright colors and prints that are fun to mix and match. and if you know me, i love mixing my prints! i found this darling blueprint from the joules site on embracing british style. it's pretty adorable and dead on. 

i'm excited to share joules with you and give 20% off your next purchase. use code BLHOTB and head to the shop here. and for all my american readers, joules recently jumped the pond, so you can enjoy it too!

keep calm and dress british!

on harper: floral dungaree dress // on me: striped bird jumper

gift guide: stocking stuffers.

it's only one week until christmas. ONE WEEK! this is my last gift guide, and if you're anything like me, you're still scrambling to grab a few things for the stockings {and maybe some main gifts as well. yiiiikes!} here a few nice stocking stuffers that i'd like to see hitting our stockings this year!

1. penguin stacking toy {$13} melissa and doug sure know how to do toys, and this wood stacker is no different! eight stacking cups come together to create an adorable penguin. it's a nice twist on the classic stacking toys.

2. minimergency kit for him {$12 with madewell code TOYOU} this is the perfect little kit of just-in-case supplies. this kit has everything from nail clippers to stain remover to a mending kit. perfect when you're on the go and having a mini SOS moment. minimergency kit for her also available.

3. houndstooth socks {$12 // 3 for $27} just about every man in my life has brought up their need for work/church socks this holiday. while i refuse to wrap up socks and stick them under the christmas tree {is it just me or is that the most boring present!?}, they're perfect for a stocking stuffer. and i love this subtle yet stylish houndstooth print.

4. eos lipbalm {$3} the dry winter weather always takes a toll on my skin and lips. this lip balm not only feels good on the lips but it sure tastes good. something todd can appreciate :)

5. henri bendel monogram compact {$38} every christmas, i would give these compacts to my interns as a little thank you, and i always secretly wished i had one too! they're gorgeous and a really nice weight. they also come in a variety of colors and patterns. 

6. capri blue volcano candle--aka best candle EVER {$12+} this quite honestly is the best candle i've ever owned. the smell is rich, but fresh… and just ahhh-mazing! the candle also burns forever. whenever i visit the US, i grab one or two to keep me stocked up. i always burn this candle when one of my friends come to visit because she loves the smell of  my "american home".

7. jack black traveler set {$25} i worked in a beauty store and salon back in high school and the jack black products were one of our top sellers for men. and they've been my favorite ever since. the scent is delicious. i swear just the scent will make your man stronger. :)

8. NARS velvet matte lipstick pencil {$22} i stumbled upon this lipstick pencil back in nyc and i instantly fell in love. the pigment is so rich and lasts all day. no joke. todd will come home at 8 PM and ask why i'm wearing lipstick. little did he know i put it on at 8 AM and even ate a couple meals in it. this stuff is gold. some of my favorite colors are pop life, sex machine, and cruella.

gift guide: for mama.

alright mamas, this one's for you! you've worked hard getting gifts for the rest of the family so now it's time to treat yourself. here are a few of my favorite things that i love and crave!

1. madewell new york linen tee {$49} a couple graphic tees are a wardrobe staple, and i love this charming one by madewell. it would look darling dressed up under a blazer paired with a pair of boyfriend jeans. 

2. anthro rugby beanie {$68} designer eugenia kim is the headwear goddess, and this beanie is no exception. it's fun, soft, and super easy.

3. zebra gold dish {$30} i love how glamorous this porcelain dish it. it would look stunning in any room and with just about anything in it. done and done!

4. kate spade keds sneaker {75} i bought some keds last summer and have worn them ragged! not only are they comfortable, but hello… these ones have gold polka dots on them. kate spade, you're crushing me with your adorableness. 

5. driver gloves with cashmere lining {138} henri bendel did it right this year with these killer driving gloves. they're classic, they're gorgeous, they have CASHMERE! and they also come available in an electric blue. 

6. back-up iphone battery {$38} i know i'm not speaking for myself when i say i live and die by my iphone. and i don't know if it's the new iOS system {or my obsession for checking instagram}, but my battery has been dying a whole lot faster lately. this handy dandy gadget is a charm and lifesaver. the only time i EVER take it out of my purse is to charge it. if you don't have one, get one! seriously.

7. benefit primed for lovin' beauty set {$42} if you're new to this blog, welcome. if you're not, then you undoubtedly know i have a benefit obsession. other than my nars lipstick pencil, it is the only make-up that makes me giddy. everything works. everything is perfect. and all the top items are in this beauty set, heavily discounted. next time you're at a make-up counter, try the they're real mascara. it will send your eyelashes into shock.

Check out my other 2013 gift guides here: for papa & for the little

velvet crush // for her & him.

velvet is one hot item this winter season! and i'm not talking about that thick velvet dress your mom forced you to wear to your neighbor's christmas party. i'm talking light and luscious winter velvet, in an array of fun colors and textures. I've included some of my favorite velvet pieces this year — dressy and casual— that you'll be crushing on all winter.

for her:

for him:

$50 boden giveaway!

hello lovies! i have teamed up with the beautiful ladies over at lunch pails and lipstick to share some of my favorite go-to looks for the holiday season. and to kick off this holiday season in style, i am sponsoring a $50 giveaway to boden!

boden is one of my favorite british brands for the whole family, and i have been crushing on it for years. luckily, it's also available in america, and i hope you fall head over heels for it too. how could you not! :) so jump over to lunch pails and lipstick for a chance to win $50 to boden!

harper is wearing one of my favorite dresses from boden. it's bright and fun for the season and very versatile. it also has a nice heavy texture, so it can handle the weather.  she is also wearing the boden elephant bodysuit and ribbed tights. as you can tell, it's an unhealthy obsession. :)

susie & toto giveaway {closed!}

congrats to lizzie d. for winning the giveaway!

finding a new children's boutique excites me, and when i stumbled upon susie & toto, i knew i hit gold. beautiful, hand-crafted italian gold. and all with a very fair price tag, which pleasantly surprised me! 

at susie & toto, each piece is carefully handpicked from the finest italian designers. from adorable tea dresses to soft cashmere cardigans. ohhh la la! doesn't that sound delicious? check out their beautiful cashmere jumper and winter shorts on miss harper. 

here are some of my favorite susie & toto boy and girl looks: 

scarf // shirt // cardigan // trousers

jacket // scarf // bodysuit // shorts // booties

christmas comes early this year because susie & toto is giving away the allesia polka dot scarf to one lucky reader! and this thing is even more gorgeous in person!

here's how to enter: 

1 // follow susie & toto on facebook & twitter

2 // for an extra entry, follow heels on the bus on instagram & pinterest

**leave a comment below telling me which ways you entered

entries are open until until sunday 8th december at 23:59 GMT— good luck!

can't wait until 8th december to own this beauty? head over to susie & toto to check out their 12 days of christmas promo. every day from 1st december to 12th december they are offering a selected item of their winter collection at a discounted price. woot woot! we all win.

gift guide: for papa.

newsflash! newsflash! christmas is exactly one month away. yikes! i'm starting to feel the heat as i think about what to get my oh so hard to shop for hubs. who's with me? i've put together a handy dandy gift guide to help and inspire you this holiday season. some of these are new finds while others are tried and tested. tis the season for gifting!!

1. j. crew waffle-knit scarf {$60} give papa something nice and cozy to wrap up in during these dropped temperatures. its classic and handsome, all in one ball of soft wool. and grab it now for an additional 25% off with code WINTER.

2. penfield irondale gym bag {$85} i love this bright and minimal old-school gym bag. and with the classic penfield name, papa can count on utility, strength, and durability while you can count on sending him out in style.

3. sperry slippers {$70} after  a long day on his feet, papa can slip into something nice and comfy when he walks in the door. i love the stitching on these blue suedes, and they also come in a variety of other colors. 

4. nixon leather strap watch {$90} nixon was introduced into my life when my husband was. and he was sporting them even earlier than that. they are the most reliable brand! i love the cool pinstripe leather and rose gold plating. and if hubs is good, he just might find it in his stocking this year. plus it's half off the original price at nordstrom right now!!

5. topman nordstrom tie {$20} a skinny, navy tie is a staple in every man's wardrobe. it's always in style and goes with just about everything. so getting this textured tie for just 20 bones, well… it doesn't get much better than that!

6. koostik pivot {$75} this is THE coolest gadget. i have one and swear by it. ditch the wires and cables, plop your iphone on the stand, and amplify your volume up to 4 times. and lets talk about that design! gorgeous. 

7. shavetech travel shaver {$30} with a usb port, this is perfect for the papa on the run as they can charge it anywhere. it's great to keep in a brief case, gym bag, or suitcase! and with its sharp blades and fast vibrations, shavetech guarantees a close shave every time. 

scout & co giveaway {closed!}

congrats to amy at our little blended family for winning the giveaway!

ever since i discovered scout & co a few weeks ago, i have been swooning over their online boutique. i'm obsessed with everything and have been trying to make a case for needing it all too. lets take these leggings for example… harper needs them as much as i need this blanket for my next born {and no, that is not an announcement.} and if this isn't too stalkerish for ya, they've even made it onto my top visited sites on my home page.

but you know the best part about scout & co? it's just three cool london mamas running shop. with an eye for design, their boutique is carefully edited down to only the best stylish toys, clothes, books, home accessories and decor. and all their clothes are unisex for kids up to 5 years old. which means we've got a few more years to enjoy them!

luckily for you, my friends at scout & co are gifting one lucky reader my favorite item of all—this beau loves spotty sweatshirt! i mean seriously. how darling is this?

to enter to win, please leave a comment below telling me which lucky tot will be sporting this sweatshirt if you win. 

you can enter this giveaway a second time through instagram by reposting the giveaway post and using the hashtag #scoutandheels. 

the giveaway will close thursday, november 28th. good luck!!

kiddie roundup.

here are a few of my favorite kids' pieces from the nordstrom half-yearly sale. i still can't believe how great the discounts are. some items are 50% off... from nordstrom! sound the alarms, people. and lets also turn our attention to that gold hoodie because it's blowing my mind. now hurry, before all the sizes run out!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

and since i can't stop, here are a few more favorites for your littles:

happy hump day.

hellloooo wednesday! how's your week been?

would you believe i'm still suffering from this brutal jet lag? 2 weeks later. 

i'm lucky if i fall asleep before 2 am. but i'll tell you what, it is the most productive problem i've ever had. :)

i got a bit link-happy this week so enjoy!

……..

the scrunchie revival.

this candle makes me feel all warm & cozy inside.

stages of relationships with your mom.

mexicoke will no longer be the coke we know and love.

cats wearing tights is apparently a thing now.

love this monochrome jumper.

this aerobic video wins everything.

why do i see this love note in harper's future?

the modern guide to aging gracefully.

tricks to try with picky eaters.

in commemoration of movember.

a cup of jo's guide to say goodbye at parties.

nordstrom half-yearly sale!!

the nordstrom half-yearly sale just started {cue confetti!!},

and it's times like these that i miss my homeland. i've put together some of my top picks for you 

because the discounts this year are amazing! 

{sister, don't be surprised when my packages end up on your doorstep :)}

happy shopping!!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

howdy, hump day!

it's wednesday! whoop! i hope you've had a great week. 

life's been a little nutty, so i'll be short and sweet—

enjoy!

........

if you remember my last post on banksy, then you'll appreciate this.

restoring scratched plates and other useful tips.

a perfect fall sweater.

are you over-scheduling your kids?

wedding photo check-list.

what your eyebrows say about you.

what's your tag.

who knew bugs could be so chic. here. here. and especially here!

look of the day // hat obsessed.

i'm currently crushing hard on hats! 

fedoras. baseball hats. but mainly this panama hat. 

i picked it up from urban outfitters at the beginning of the season

and it has been my go-to piece. 

especially for that second-day {or ahem, third-day} hair.

urban outfitters panama hat // COS buttoned-up // j.crew necklace //

tibi canvas cap-toes // joe fresh wax denim {another staple this season!}

play a round of mini golf on hermés.

with some extra time on my hands {whaaaa? #unheardof}, i ran into columbus circle for some "window shopping". i didn't even make it into j.crew before being stopped by the hermés "silk bar party" on the 2nd floor. mini golf, horse shoes, and a photo booth—all done in style, of course.

it was all pretty fun, but the excitement came at the photobooth, where i was accessorized in beautiful, bright silk scarves. {i swear i've been in this dream before...} the hermés pop-up shop comes on the heels of the release of their new silk knots app, which gives advice on how to wear their colorful silk scarves. perfect timing considering scarf season is here!

although harps was asleep for my little field trip, she would have loved putting the golf ball around. if you're in the neighborhood, check it out! the pop-up shop is around until the end of the month, but the games and photobooth leave october 12th. 

bold booties.

this season, the bootie is in. and not just any old boot. bold boots. the funkier the better. we're talking about buckles and color and intense hardware. the type of boot that you walk down the street and get noticed in. and without even trying, you can enhance even the most simple sweater/jean combo.

as you can tell, i love boots. my hubs would say it's an unhealthy obsession. i like to say it's more of a hobby. and we all need hobbies, right right? in scouring the internet for my next purchase, i've come across all of these beauties. here are my top five!

1. matisse bobbie boot ($168) in distressed gold. :: 2. nine west zummie bootie ($128). ::

3. cole haan tiffany bootie ($378). :: 4. mossimo kiriana ankle boot ($35). ::

5. asos river island chelsea boot ($75).

*worth noting: i have a boot very similar to the matisse booties {take a look}, and i can't stop wearing them. they seriously go with everything!