Man Crush Monday

This one's for the boys ... well kind of.

 belt // ties (50% off) // iphone wallet // socks (sale) // belt

Let's face it, buying great gifts for the equally great guys

in your life can crazy challenging... & for me, it doesn't end after Christmas. With an anniversary in January, Two birthdays in February (Dad and Boyfriend), Valentines Day a week later and my Brothers Birthday in April ...

I spend the first few months of the year going man while hunting for the perfect man-worthy gifts! So this year, I'm starting early && sharing some of my favorite finds along the way.

The Modern Man: watch // money clip // crew neck
The Class Clown: wallet // socks // sneakers
The Grown-Up-Prepster: wallet // sweater // belt

The Holy Grail of Sale!
okay, I admit it, I've dove head first into the pool of the
after season sales and saved big on great goodies for me ... and only me. But last night, while browsing deals at Jcrew (how could I resist, their offering an additional 40% off select sale items), I dared to slide my mouse over to the mens section to browse some of their dapper discounts and my eyes widened in excitement with all the amazing finds! Aside from Jcrew and Jcrew factory (their also doing an additional 40% off sale), I also love fossil and
uncommon goods for guy-worthy gifts. 

Hey, Men can cook too! I'm a firm believer that the best gifts help people grow in some way or another by encouraging them to try something new or step outside their comfort zone. I'm also a big fan of themed gifts, so while brainstorming on what to get the boys in your world, try turning to manly kitchen musts. Oh and ladies, you guy doesn't have to be Guy Fieri to get cookin'; gift these goodies to you BF, and it might give him the slightest push to cook you something deee-lish, you're taste buds will thank me.

apron // toaster oven // pizza oven // spice rack // whisky stones (also here) // knife block kit // meat pounder (hammer version) // guy gourmet // knife set

Have you met Paul?

Paul Fredrick is a snazzy yet sophisticated brand that offers high-quality menswear at affordable prices. They make shopping for any man a breeze with their perfect fit guarantee and free exchanges. Plus Paul Fredrick is fearless when it comes to fashion and pushes boundaries in color, pairings and print! Their Spring collection which launched today (pictured above) is no exception, featuring brights hues and bold prints that are perfect for mixing the matches and experimenting with the collection!

"Our Goal is to remove the clutter and yestery from men's dressing. Make it easy. So you can get on with more important things." 

// Shop Paul Fredrick here //

Well I hope this guy gift-spiration has helped jump start your Spring shopping for the men in your world. I can't give too much away in case mine are reading, but I cannot wait to start shopping to some of these guy-worthy giftables!

Big thanks to Paul Fredrick

for allowing me to preview their spring collection,

and to my brother, Trent for helping with some

of the kiss the cook suggestions.

think pink

so we may be a 10 days or so into the new year, but things are still merry & bright in the west village ... and I'm not complaining!   

Fur: Michael Kors (similar) // Coat: Kate Spade (similar here or shop below)
Skirt: Modcloth (similar) // Turtleneck: J.crew (Similar) // Belt: Saks via My Sisters Closet // Sunnies: Karen Walker // Boots: Kate Spade (similar) // Bag: Coach // Beret: Bonnie Beret, Vintage // Lip: Mac, Ruby Woo // Jewels: J.crew // J.crew Outlet (old) // Target 

I fell in love with this pink coat a few years back while living in San Francisco, and have been wearing it ever since. I love the bright color, bow detail and inside floral lining ... it basically screams Courtney. The coat was such a hit that Kate remade a similar version this fall, it's since gone on sale but there are still a few floating around, shop here.

Similar shocking pink coats:

As decor the christmas decor, I assume the last of it will come down this weekend ... but it was fun while it lasted and marks the end of the most wonderful time of the year, and the beginning of a new year!

New & Improved

Happy 2014!

A new year calls for a new & improved blog!

I'm convinced this is the year of Color Me Courtney so I'm rolling out
big changes, new segments, exciting collaborations and outrageous outfits to make sure CMC is the best blog it can be! So today, I'm breaking down all the exciting new things happening on the blog

Monday // Wednesday // Friday

This year, I pledge to blog at least 3 days a week (let's face it, probably more) on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. So be sure to check back MWF to see the new post!

DIY Friday

In the past I've shared some of my favorite DIY creation on various fridays, but for 2013 I pledge to post at least one DIY tutorial a month. 

from AZ to NYC

The biggest change I'm making to is the integration of my Arizona roots with my current life in NYC. Since I currently reside in the big apple, I will be bringing you featured posts of my favorite city places & moments throughout the year. To touch on my favorite AZ hotspots, I've enlisted the help of  one of my favorite and not to mention most talented Zonies, Katrina!

I've known Katrina pretty much my whole life

(our moms have been friends forever) and she is one of the

most fabulous, friendly, down-to-earth and creative people I know.

So when I decided to team up with someone special from AZ, Katrina was my first and only choice. I hope you love hearing from her as much as I do, and to give you a taste of what's to come here is Miss Katrina herself...

Above, Katrina & her adorable Son, Levi

From Katrina:

First off I am so excited to contribute to Color Me Courtney.

I adore Courtney and her aesthetic, ambition and fire for life.

She really is amazing, but you guys already know all this!

My name is Katrina.

I am a wife, a mother, a reader, and a hedonist.

I never finish anything, but I am in a constant state of striving for improvement.

I am deeply dedicated to black and white as evident by my color-devoid home and wardrobe. I love decorating and dressing up. My uniform involves flats, pearls and red lipstick if I am feeling cheeky. My goal in life is to absorb those transcendental moments that ascend the dailiness of life and make your core brim

with gratitude for this experience.

I am a sixth generation Arizonan currently raising up a seventh via

my three adorable kiddos. I, like most Arizonans, have a love/hate relationship

with our state, those emotions generally coincide with our two seasons winter/summer, respectively. Regardless of the current season, I love seeking out the treasures that Arizona has to offer. I love the vast trove of thrifting, the art walks, the food truck courts, cute boutiques, the quirky events, but mostly the people that make all of those happen. I can’t wait to share these events with Color Me Courtney readers.

. . .

Starting later this month, Katrina will be taking over
on the last tuesday of every month to bring you an awesome arizona post. Until then pop by her pinterest, it's one of the most amazing ones to follow!

Visit Katrina Gibbs's profile on Pinterest.

I've also created a new "about this blog page"
to provide a detailed look at what this blog is all about and what you can expect to get out of it :] if you haven't yet, please pop by this page to read all about it ... and cheers to 2014!

Weekend Twirl

It's no secret I love twirl-worthy tulle (don't believe me, check out the highlights here), and since this season calls for tartans & flannel, I paired plaid with my favorite skirt for tulle with a twist.

Shirt: Old Navy (obsessed with this one) // Snood: Michael Kors (Old, Similar: one, two [cashmere on sale, yes please!], and three) //  Sweater: : Forever 21 // Pumps: Coach // Bag: Vintage via the Melrose District in AZ (Love this one) // Sunnies: Karen Walker (also here) // Skirt: H&M (old, love this one) // Headband: Vintage, similar // Ring: Betsey Johnson (old, similar here) // Jewels: J.crew, Kate Spade 

Confession: I'm addicted to teen TV; The Vampire Diaries, Awkward, Teen Wolf ...  I don't care how awful & cheesy it may be, you name it I watch it! So although I love December I hate saying goodbye to my embarrassing bunch of shows during the holiday hiatus. To fill the void, I end up re-watching some of my cancelled favorites all month long, and December 2013 was all about GG ... resulting in a re-ignited obsession with Blair Waldorf & her signature headbands!

P.S. I love that the west village is still

dripping in holiday decor (notice the tree behind me?).

I don't wish we kept it up all year long - then it wouldn't be special,

but I like to keep a little bit of cheer until mid January!

Trés Chic

Being and raised zonie (arizonan), this "cold weather" business is all new to me. So when my cute, yet cheap cotton gloves weren't cutting it, I upgraded to cozy cashmere via C.wonder!

gloves:  C. Wonder  // Snood: Michael Kors (Old, Similar: one, two (cashmere on sale, yes please!), three) //  Turtleneck: Forever 21 // Pumps: Kate Spade // Bag: Francescas (love this one on sale!) // Sunnies: Karen Walker (also here) // Skirt: Kate Spade (old) // Jewels: J.crew, C. Wonder

I first fell in love with these cashmere gloves right before black friday, when I started hunting for the stylish steals. With great restraint, I was able to pass up on purchasing so I could ask for them for christmas ... and santa (mom) pulled through when my stocking was stuffed with these glorious gloves. Santa spoiled me this year and also sprung for my tasstle bracelet, also from C. Wonder

Apparently, everyone on the nice list had the same christmas wish, because both C.wonderful new gifts are now sadly sold out! But don't fret, C. Wonder has more trendy tech-touch gloves (shop here) and is offering 40% off full priced jewels for the new year (shop here).

Old Navy also has has smart phone friendly monogram gloves for only $10, plus save an extra 14% off everything (today only) with the code NEWYEAR, shop here! 

Holy Chic!

And if that wans't enough, I'm giving you more literal ways to insert some instant-chic your outfits. Shop away....  

Since Paris was out of town for the holiday, my not-so-little brother was visiting the city, he was kind enough to snap my pics. So big thanks to you Trent for putting up with me, xo!

oh and happy new year!

This year, I'll resolve to do far more than bombard you with shopping options (as I did today), more on what I have in store for 2014 later this week.