Best Valentine’s Day Gifts: for Him!

 Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion to show the special man in your life how much he means to you. Whether he's your partner, a father or simply someone you want to pamper, finding the right gift can be a game-changer. Here's a curated list of gifts that combine elegance, utility and a touch of timeless luxury- all the perfect ingredients to make this Valentine's Day unforgettable.  

Best Affordable Valentine's Day Gifts: For Her!

When it comes to the perfect gift, I always look for items that are both luxurious and practical- products that will be loved and used time and time again. If you're looking for some thoughtful, beautiful gift ideas for someone special (or yourself), here are my current favorites: 

Big news: I Bought a House!!

 

Hello, friends!!!

I'm tearing up while typing this- because I'm finally sharing the BIGGEST news with you all: I've officially bought a new home! Ahhhh!! After years of searching, planning and dreaming, it's finally happened! I've kept this secret for months, and I'm beyond excited to let you in on it.

This house is everything I've imagined and more. It's a stunning three-story beauty from the 1900s, complete with original wood throughout. The layout is absolutely perfect for our family. The vibe is fresh, clean and mature- with a nod to the timeless elegance of 1981 Dynasty, my all time favorite series. Picture a blend of classic luxury and modern comfort.  

This entire process has made me reflect on all the deals that didn't work out throughout the buying journey. There were moments I thought I'd never find the perfect home, but I trusted the process, believed in God's timing and never lost faith. And now, here we are!  

I can't wait to take you on this amazing journey as we renovate every inch of this space, from the laundry room to the bathrooms (hello, Kohler fixtures!). We're going all out, and I'm so excited to partner with incredible brands for everything from linens to bedroom sets. It's going to be so fun!!

I'll be sharing every step of the process with you on Instagram, TikTok and here on the blog in the coming weeks, so make sure you're following along. Trust me, you won't want to miss the transformation. 

This is just the beginning of what's going to be a wildly exciting adventure and I'm so happy to have you along for the ride. Stay tuned for sneak peeks, tips and all the inspiration you can handle. Let's do this!

Thanks so much for your support- here's to new beginnings and making this house a home! 

If you're a brand that aligns with this journey and want to collaborate, please reach out to me at Johnnybell@nytrendymoms.com

Celebrating My Latest Macy's Ad + Top Picks!

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news- my latest Macy's ad is live! 🎉 You can spot it everywhere: Instagram, TikTok, online and even in Times Square! If you happen to catch it, please tag me or send it my way. I'd love to see and share it with everyone. This is such a huge milestone and I couldn't be more excited! 

To celebrate, I've put together a list of my favorite Macy's finds across beauty, fashion, kitchen, electronis and more. These are the products I genuinely love and think you will too.

And here's the best part: Macy's is having a major sale right now! Use code FRIEND for an extra 30% off, plus 15% off beauty, 45-65% off coats and 10% off toys. It's the perfect time to snag some great deals.

Happy shopping!!  

Clean Beauty Black Friday Sale Alert!

The Detox Market's Black Friday promotion is here! From now until December 2nd, enjoy 20% off site wide, both online and in-store (some exclusions apply). 

This includes cult-favorite brands like Josh Rosebrook, Marie Veronique and Kypris- rarely part of sales!

It's the perfect time to stock up on clean beauty essentials or try something new. 

Don't miss out- use code BFCM20 at checkout!

Sales runs Nov 25th-Dec 2nd 2024. 

Happy shopping! 

Cyber Week Savings At Maisonette

The Ultimate Holiday Shopping Spree!

The most wonderful time of the year is here, and Maisonette's Cyber Week Sale is making it even brighter! From 11/20 to 12/4, enjoy up to 70% off on play, apparel, accessories, home, and more. Plus, from 11/28 to 12/4, take advantage of the tiered promo with code HOLIDAY24 for: 

- Extra 10% off $95+

- Extra 15% off $300+

- Extra 20% off $600+

Free shipping on best-sellers like Tender Leaf Toys and Maniere makes it even sweeter!

Top Gift Picks:

- For Babies: Personalized keepsakes from Babyblooms.

- For Toddlers: Tokyobike Paddle (30% off)

- For Parents & Grandparents: Plum Print Custom Books.

- For the Whole Family: Paige Tate's Christmas Story Book.

Shop top brands like Lola + The Boys, Cynthia Rowley and Donsje Amsterdam at unbeatable discounts! See a few more of my favorite brands! 

• Maisonette’s Stocking Stuffer Bundles (25% off)
• Teamson Kids (Up to 40% off)
• Gathre (20% off)
• Super Smalls (15% off)
• Trotters London (Up to 25% off)
• Yoto (10% off 11/25 - 12/1)
• Sandy Beach Doll (10% off)
• Sweet Wink (20% off)
• Andy & Evan (Up to 60% off)
• Miniclasix (25% off)
• MiaMily (20% off)
• Stapelstein (5% off)
• Petite Plume (Select styles up to 35% off)
• Floss and Rock (10% off)
• THE SUNDAY COLLECTIVE (Up to 40% off)
• Pepa London (20% off)
• iimo USA (35% off)
• Banwood (15% off)
• Senger (15% off)
• Wonder & Wise by Asweets (20% off)
• Pepita & Me (40% off)
• Mimish (25% off)
• TWEE (15% off)

Don't wait- your dream gifts are just a click away!

Black and White

The holidays are officially here and I couldn't be more excited! Have you decorated yet? I know so many who have but don't worry if you haven't because I won't be doing it anytime soon. This year we're trying something a little different and I can't wait to share more in the coming days. 

The past few weeks have been packed with work (a huge blessing). Last week, we shot our holiday cards with an incredible team, including the talented Denika Bedrossian known as @Dendoll on instagram. Denika is an LA-based makeup artist whose work has been featured just about everywhere and I've been a huge fan for years. She did my makeup, while the legend, Patrick Ferrara worked his magic on my hair. It was an absolute dream to collaborate with this team. 

The week before, my latest campaign with Bluemercury launched on instagram and just this past week, we wrapped an amazing holiday shoot with none other than Macy's. It's been such a whirlwind that I've barely had a chance to share it all. This coming week will be a very busy one as I'm heading to Austin, TX- a place I've always wanted to visit- for the HPLT Summit. It's going to be an epic few days and I can't wait. 

dress: Allison New York 

boots: Carrano

stockings: Spanx

bag: Topshop

sunglasses: Prada

earrings: Vintage

A Return to my Blogging Roots

Lately, I’ve been feeling super nostalgic, thinking back to my solid blogging days- before Instagram took over. Things felt simpler back then. I was more inspired, more motivated to hop on here and share my thoughts and experiences. It’s a bit ironic, especially considering that just yesterday I was invited to visit Meta’s offices to learn about their new and improved “Teen Accounts”. They’ve really stepped up their parental controls, which I believe has been long overdue. Like so many concerned parents, I’m relieved they’re prioritizing kids privacy.

But back to my nostalgic moment. I’ve been doing this since 2011, and while a lot has changed, some things remain the same. Like my love first strutting the streets of New York as it’s my personal runway. I absolutely love it- and I’ve missed it so much!

Carnegie Hall's Free Latin Culture Family Day

photo by Fadi Kheir

Hey loves!! I'm so excited to share an incredible event happening this month at one of New York City's most iconic locations- Carnegie Hall. As many of you know, I'm all about finding fun, enriching activities for the family and this event is just that. On September 21st, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Carnegie Hall is hosting a free Family Day that celebrates Latin culture, and it's going to be a fantastic day full of music, dance, crafts and so much more. 

This event is part of Nuestros Sonidos, a special festival honoring the influence of Latin culture in the U.S. and it's designed for kids aged 3 to 10 (but, of course, adults will love it too). Whether your little ones are music lovers, dancers, or creative minds, there's something for everyone. There will be interactive workshops, life performances, games, and even the chance to create and play your own instrument.

Event details:

Where: Resnick Education Wing, Carnegie Hall

When: Saturday, September 21st 

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Cost: FREE!

What makes this event extra special?

Everything is offered in both English and Spanish, so it's a perfect way for families to connect with Latin culture, no matter your language background.

Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of Latin music or just want to spend a fun day with your little ones, this is a must-attend event. I'll be there with my family, soaking in all the music, laughter, and creative energy. Hope to see you there!

For more details, check out the material provided by Carnegie Hall here. Stay tuned for more exciting family friendly events in the city and let me know if you plan to attend.

Say 'No' to Crocs!

So, remember a few weeks back when I was ranting on my instagram stories about how I absolutely despised Crocs? It's no shocker that my kids (and probably yours too) are totally obsessed with them! I mean, seriously, ever since those shoes hit the scene in 2002, it's like everyone suddendly thought it was okay to wear them outside... News flash, folks: it's not! 

Let's dive into a little Crocs backstory for those who aren't in the loop. These babies were cooked up back in the early 2000s by three buddies: Scott Seamans, Lyndon Hanson, and George Boeddecker Jr. They kicked things off with a line called "the Beach", specifically designed for boat wear. But then, like magic, they became known for their comfort and that airy feel. Next thing you know, surgeons, nurses, gardeners-heck, even grandmas- were rocking them. I still can't wrap my head around why anyone would willingly put such ugly shoes on their feet. Yet, here we are in 2024, and Crocs have racked up over $2.2 billion in sales worldwide in just 2023. Now, that's some serious brand power right there. 

But let's cut to the chase- the part where I get to say, "I told you so!" You see, I've always had this theory that Crocs are a total nightmare for your feet. It's basic physics, really: slap on something big and lacking support, and you're asking for foot pain and deformities. And guess what? Recent findings are backing me up on this! As the ever-wise person I am, this just confirms what I've been saying all along.