Holiday Gifting For HIM Featuring The Tie Bar
Holiday Gifting For HIM Featuring The Tie Bar

I admit it — I love the holidays as an excuse to show the guys in my life how much I appreciate them, but what I really love is the chance to exercise a bit of style guidance in the process. I almost always buy Lin clothes for Christmas, since (like many guys) he rarely actually shops for clothes but still wants to look updated and cool while remaining age appropriate! My strategy for choosing clothes for him is to buy pieces that generally look like his style, but with slightly more fashion-forward details or silhouettes than he’d typically buy for himself. You know, trying to keep him from getting into a rut, and The Tie Bar has tons of options that check all the boxes. Keep reading to see what I’ve settled on, and Rodge: if you’re reading… stop now! Miles too. (Miles is my brother and I cannot wait to see his face when he gets his little surprise in the mail!!

ABOUT THE TIE BAR

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A VISIT TO YOUR FAVORITE BAR

Since founded in Chicago over a decade ago, they've been bringing you premium quality menswear at wallet-friendly prices. When you need to look your best, you can count on The Tie Bar to be your ultimate wingman for the following reasons!

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Style, ShopSamantha RubleComment
This Jewelry Line Is On All Our Holiday Wishlist's...// MGG Studio
This Jewelry Line Is On All Our Holiday Wishlist's...// MGG Studio

I have become such a minimalist this year when it came to accessorizing. So it was just a perfect day when MGG Studio entered my world. Two simple beautiful rings caught my eye on their Instagram and now they are happily mine! Knowing that each piece is hand crafted from start to finish using all ethically sourced materials, in their small studio in Northern California’s Bay Area, well— my accessorizing philosophy looks a little different now: I’ve gone from being a jewelry minimalist, to a jewelry purist.

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Style, Features, ShopSamantha RubleComment
Gifts For The Brutalist + Art Deco Architecture Lover
Gifts For The Brutalist + Art Deco Architecture Lover

Brutalist buildings tend to create a love or hate reaction. I’m personally love and have been inspired by this modernist style for quite some time. Lin too. Brutalist buildings are no nonsense spaces, fortress like structures that serve a practical post war purpose for social housing, industry, cultural centers and institutions. There is so much beauty in their boldness, the chunky slabs of concrete, the uncompromising and unpretentious raw material and the interesting shapes they take from different view points.  

Lin can be tough to shop for so I was so happy to have discovered Blue Crow Media. Founded in 2009 by Derek Lamberton, Blue Crow Media is an independent publisher dedicated to creating thoughtfully designed and carefully curated city maps. Their publications began with a series of food and drink city maps and apps, and since 2015 they have published a series architecture and design guide maps. The New York Times describes the maps as "part design manifesto, part urban architecture guide".

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Features, ShopSamantha RubleComment
Braum’s An Affair Of The Heart 2019: My Recap-Plus A Giveaway
Braum’s An Affair Of The Heart 2019: My Recap-Plus A Giveaway

A few weeks ago I was so happy to kickstart the holidays at Braum’s An Affair Of The Heart in Tulsa. If you haven’t heard of An Affair Of The Heart, it’s a truly unique event that happens several times a year in Oklahoma and a few surrounding areas. And if you have been following me for a while, I featured some amazing gift items in a holiday gift guide for you to discover at the show in this post and also this post. An Affair Of The Heart brings together the creators of the world who have an especially strong sense of community, creativity, and soul, and all of the exhibitors I got to talk to were incredibly friendly and talented. While I was there I spotted some amazing entrepreneurs that I thought I’d share with you today of course with some emphasis on some of the vendors I have already included-but really tried to showcase new ones that I discovered! (thanks for the suggestions on that) I hope you enjoy the pics from the event too as well as pics from the blogger event I co-hosted with Lisa and Kristin! I feel confident your other favorite Tulsa bloggers will be working with An Affair Of The Heart in 2020 too! (Thank you so much to Jenna for helping me with photos this year as I was taking so much video content for Insta Stories which you can find on my hi-lights ! There is quite a bit of my photography included too though…#teamwork)

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Style, Beauty, Francophile, Home, Les Chiens, Recipes, ShopSamantha Ruble Comments
Fall Couple's Retreat In Carlton Landing At The Verana Home
Fall Couple's Retreat In Carlton Landing At The Verana Home

Every time I visit Carlton Landing, I enjoy it more and more. As a creature of habit, I do tend to visit a lot of the same places because I love them, but always add something new to my trip each time.

At the beginning of November (where did the month go?), I whisked my friends away to Carlton Landing for a fun couple’s weekend. I had never experienced fall in Carlton Landing and I kept hearing that it was actually the favorite season of many locals who live in CL full time! It was also Brooke and Eric’s 6 year anniversary so the weekend away was perfect timing for this fall couple’s retreat.

First things first..stop at the local liquor store to grab some wine and beer!! The other couple’s were in charge of food.

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City Guides, Diary, Health + WellnessSamantha Ruble Comment
Tour De Farm: Make The Most of Shopping and Eating in Tulsa
Tour De Farm: Make The Most of Shopping and Eating in Tulsa

A weekend in Tulsa.

Think certain outdoor shopping areas are mostly all chain stores lately?!

Yeah me too! Yawn. Yawn. Yawn.

Want more of a unique shopping experience? Want to discover one-of-a-kind buys? Most of us have our usual shopping spots, so why not break the routine and experience some of Tulsa’s quaint and historic gems?! I personally love uncovering hidden treasures and I love the seeing more and more of the local movement!

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Beauty, City Guides, Features, Francophile, Shop, StyleSamantha RubleComment
REVIEW: Do Tear-Trough Fillers Work (Featuring Fig Med Spa)
REVIEW: Do Tear-Trough Fillers Work (Featuring Fig Med Spa)

I just wanted to feel confident with or without makeup and not look so darn tired and old.

After determining there was no magical concealer, cream, or over-the-counter treatment to address my under eye problems, I decided to start researching fillers and reached out to Fig Medical Spa here in Tulsa to learn more about the entire process. I had always seen amazing under eye filler before and afters, and I was really curious to see if I could get good results!

My Under Eye Fillers Consultation

After chatting with Fig Medical Spa, they set up an appointment for me with Cristie Lehr-Hawkins, M.D. She is a certified Radiologist with special interest and additional training in aesthetics, regenerative medicine, and Phlebology.

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Diary, Beauty, FeaturesSamantha Ruble Comments
How to Host Thanksgiving And Christmas Dinner Without the Stress Featuring Reasor's Heat + Serve Holiday Dinners
How to Host Thanksgiving And Christmas Dinner Without the Stress Featuring Reasor's Heat + Serve Holiday Dinners

Reasor’s is making the holidays more convenient this year with their MADE-TO-ORDER HEAT + SERVE HOLIDAY DINNERS. And I am here for it. I think it is so important we carve out more time for ourselves and family instead of stressing shopping and cooking. Reasor’s has everything you need to impress your guests. From savory side dishes in their deli for a quick and easy holiday meal, to party trays pre-ordered for your business luncheon, you can even order the entire heat and eat dinner which is what I did for my company Friendsgiving! They even have delicious Tippin’s pies and decadent cookies and their new Reasor's Original Signature Caramelized Pecan Dutch Apple Pie.

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EntertainSamantha RubleComment
Your New Favorite Vegan Tote Bag
Your New Favorite Vegan Tote Bag

Obsessed with my new vegan tote bag from LA Trading Co! Los Angeles Trading Co is a Los Angeles based Fashion and Gift brand. They make quality products with clever text and sensible designs.

The Vegan Tote - Fluent French gets so many compliments every time I have it out and about!

This tote bag is made from textured vegan leather with a metal snap closure. This spacious bag can fit your laptop, wallet, phone or anything you need to get through your day. There is a 6" interior pocket, perfect for the little things that can easily get lost in your handbag.

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StyleSamantha RubleComment
Getting The Best of French Culture With France-Amérique
Getting The Best of French Culture With France-Amérique

For those of you who follow me you know that I am learning French!

And a huge part of mastering the language is really immersing yourself in the language as much as possible. Practice does indeed make perfect! 

C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron!

My French tutor introduced me to France-Amérique and I am so in love with this publication. Founded in 1943 by French exiles in New York, France-Amérique is the only bilingual French-English publication in the United States. Every month, the France-Amérique print magazine offers a compilation of portraits, reports, essays, and interviews to inspire thought and debate, combined with an elegant design and high-quality images.

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FrancophileSamantha RubleComment
Chili Con Carne Featuring Vermicular's Musui
Chili Con Carne Featuring Vermicular's Musui

Musui "Waterless" Cooking is Vermicular’s fundamental cooking technique. Instead of using excess water, seasoning or sauces, let ingredients do the work. The Musui condenses and intensifies their inherent deliciousness to create exquisite flavors, naturally. I raved all about the Musui from Vermicular in this post!

Vermicular has some wonderful recipes and I made two this week actually-the first being the Minestrone soup!!! It’s such a cold weather favorite on our home!!!! Find that recipe here. And I also made this incredible Chile Con Carne recipe which is just perfection on a cold night like tonight!!!

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RecipesSamantha RubleComment
Minestrone Soup Featuring Vermicular's Musui
Minestrone Soup Featuring Vermicular's Musui

Musui "Waterless" Cooking is Vermicular’s fundamental cooking technique. Instead of using excess water, seasoning or sauces, let ingredients do the work. The Musui condenses and intensifies their inherent deliciousness to create exquisite flavors, naturally. I raved all about the Musui from Vermicular in this post!

Vermicular has some wonderful recipes and I made two this week actually-the first being the Minestrone soup!!! It’s such a cold weather favorite on our home!!!!

So I wanted to share it with you! Highly highly recommend!!!

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RecipesSamantha RubleComment
Creating Meals With Vermicular
Creating Meals With Vermicular

I have been cooking up a storm all week, partially because the new season has me craving all of my favorite fall dishes but also because I received the most beautiful Musui from Vermicular. I am 100 percent in love with this Japanese cookware. And the two recipes I have made so far with their recipe book have been spot on!! They were so easy to create and so so delicious!!!

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Recipes, HomeSamantha RubleComment
4 Places To Flaunt Your French Girl Style
4 Places To Flaunt Your French Girl Style

It’s no secret that everyone wants to dress like a French girl - at least to try it out. Now, there is something of a misconception that you have to be French to really nail the look. But nothing could be further from the truth! Just look at model Alexa Chung. She embodies perhaps the epitome of French-girl style, but was born and raised in the UK. Some people also assume the best place to wear your sleek and sophisticated French-girl clothing is in Paris. While the City of Lights is certainly one of the fashion capitals of the world though, and the most logical place to flaunt French-inspired style, there are plenty of places around the world where your chic sense of style will work beautifully for you.

Here are four stylish cities where you can flaunt your French-girl style.

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Style, FrancophileSamantha RubleComment