November/Early Christmas Favorites

Michael Buble Christmas CD

 His version of All I Want for Christmas blew me away.
Click above to hear! 
Every song on this album is a keeper.

  

Philosophy Gingerbread Girl Shower Gel 

Since I love gingerbread, why not smell like it too?

Kmart Make-up Bag

One side is naughty, one is nice. Yeah, that sounds like me! 

Jeanne Pierre Sweater 

If I find something I like I get multiples. 

I featured this sweater in taupe. Loved it so much,  I also bought the white version

I almost forget this Serena Glam Slam OPI combo I also picked up. One is glitter and the other is gunmetal! 

Teeny Black Friday Haul

I didn't do very much Black Friday shopping, but I managed to go to the mall to grab some coffee and walk around later in the day after much of the chaos probably died down. My cousin on the other hand, was one of the brave souls at Walmart on Thanksgiving night getting that Sony Xbox Kinect (?) I think that's what it's called. He called me from the "line" basically hating his life at that moment. Thank God he didn't get hurt since these sales can get pretty scary (customers carrying pepper spray?? yikes!)

Despite the "dangers", I can see how all those sales are tempting. But I didn't want to buy anything I didn't really need (or risk my life and/or eyesight doing so). So I made two very small purchases after my coffee. They weren't on a special sale or anything, Basically I just wanted to get a pretty pink bag.

Here are the two fragrances I purchased at Victoria's Secret...




I was going to buy the gift set, but I have so much perfume that I wanted to try this mini! This is the perfect stocking stuffer. I already owned Heavenly and I loved the scent of Bombshell!! A very clean, everyday scent with a noticeable touch of citrus.




Also wanted to try Noir Tease, so I bought this mini also. This is a warmer scent suitable for night!

Did you do any major Black Friday shopping?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

A Pre-Holiday Haul

Time to get a little shopping in, before the major holiday crowds take over! Here are a few of my finds...

I bought these at TJMAXX. They are so comfy. They're also available on sale at Macy's. 

Zappos sent me a gift certificate and I purchased this Stila brush kit. Amazing value for some great brushes!

I love Jeanne Pierre sweaters. They are usually at Marshall's or TJMaxx. They are cotton and warm without being too bulky. And they wear beautifully. Also easy to wash! I didn't have a brown sweater and this one has a cute shawl collar. 

I also bought these fun dangling earrings at Charlotte Russe.

Future Wardrobe Favorites

Forever 21 sequin jacket 
(not on Shopstyle, but you can click above to go directly to that link)

$27.80 

I have a thrifted one, but this one is a little more fitted. 

Valerie Bertinelli dress

Marshall's 24.99 

I love that I am a size 4 in this dress. Thank you Valerie! Isn't she beautiful, can you believe she is 51?

And she has really thought of everything...she is curvy so she added a built in shape on the hips for curvy girls. (I wore my Dearforms since I am staying in tonight:),
but since it's navy I am thinking silver heels) 

H & M sequin hat

$12.95 

I have short hair so it's tricky to wear this. 

It usually looks good with bangs peeking out and long hair. But I will make it work!

Cute Gifts Under $50

More philosophy...

Just... lemme see, 36 shopping days until Christmas? That's insane. I try to do most of my shopping in advance and then look online to tie up loose ends. As much as I love shopping, the stores around this time of year can be downright crazy. I wanted to browse and see how much stuff I could find for under $50. And let's be honest, shopping for girls is so much easier (and fun) than shopping for guys.

Here are some cute things I can never have enough of...a vibrant clutch bag, pajamas (can never have too many), LUSH stuff! And who doesn't love cozy slippers! Of course anything sequined also makes the cut. I love the make-up sets that come out around the holidays too, always a great value!


What are your favorite gifts to give (and receive)?

Early November Favorites

Ohh, I'm all about these mugs from Target. I bought the pumpkin one for Halloween and this time, I got one for Christmas. So cute. There are some other ones with Santa and a penguin. They're all adorable.

I know this is for men, but I need it! It's a Geoffrey Beene fleece hood. A what? I got this in black. It's not exactly fashion forward, but I hate my head getting cold and this messes up your hair less than a hat. So if you don't mind looking like some sort of cat burglar, I recommend these. And In a brutal snowstorm, no one is going to be checking out my "hood", so it's all good!

I am addicted to pretzel crisps. It's like a cracker and pretzel hybrid. And I love miso soup. It's great when I'm sick or just not in the mood to eat a large meal. 

Again with the Urban Decay NAKED palette? I just love this darn thing. This Stila blending brush is the perfect tool to use with it.

I don't know how I lived before M.A.C.'s Ruby Woo lipstick. I guess I did, but I was a lot less fabulous.

This thrifted GAP coat is quickly becoming a favorite. Looks nice with jeans and some boots.

My husband said "Even your aprons are 'fashiony'"? Well, "Like duh." This one says Will Cook for Shoes.
If only!

A Few Holiday Fashion Ideas

With the holidays approaching, I wanted to share a few items in my closet that I will wear soon! These are easy pieces that reflect my style and can be combined with other basics in your wardrobe.

I just recently purchased this Talbot's jacket at Marshall's. It's a velveteen jacket and the shade is aptly named Cranberry. It was from last year's collection, so I don't have the direct link to purchase, but check your local Marshall's as there were a few in stock for only 24.99! I would totally wear it as seen above...black tee, sparkly necklace, dark jeans and done! Very much mi estilo! (my style:)

The cool part is that the buttons on the lapel can be buttoned backward or forward!

I also purchased this necklace this past summer and haven't used it yet. But I think it would look so nice with a little black dress.  I am kind of obsessed with all things Ralph Lauren lately as evidenced by my recent blazer purchase. For the holidays, a black dress with a statement necklace and some metallic shoes is such a classic, but interesting look.




I blogged about this Forever 21 top when I purchased it and I see it's back in stock! Click here to see that post! It's so beautiful and has two trends I love, sequins and peekaboo shoulders! This will sell out quickly as last time it wasn't even on the site! It really fits like a dream and adds sparkle to any holiday soiree.

Gifts of Gold

I was dreaming of a "Gold" Christmas on ShopStyle! I went through a silver phase and now I'm back to gold. Don't you love "window shopping" at ShopStyle for designer items?

I'm living for that Alice + Olivia dress and Chanel cuff! OMG and that leaf necklace! So incredible.
I'll be on the lookout for budget-friendly alternatives.

More Michael Kors...

Not So Basic Black Dress

I just purchased this amazing dress. I gave away a couple of dresses that were not quite right. I love black cocktail dresses with interesting details. So great to have in your closet for the upcoming holidays!

Everything is Negotiable

I donated two big bags to the thrift shop and I can't help but look inside for coats and blazers. I can find nice wool coats in there for less! So I picked up this Gap toggle coat for 25 dollars. But when I go the register, I ask what color tag is on sale. The guy said yellow and and I smiled at said "Not green?" He said, "Since I like your smile you can have it for 10 dollars!" YAY! I said "Thanks so much", then tried to keep a poker face. I didn't want to go too nuts and attract attention. Like Donald Trump says "Everything is negotiable." And it doesn't hurt to smile. :)

Classic Coach Bag Revisited

Do you remember Coach bags pre logo and satin lining?  I was sitting here obsessing over some creases in one of my new bags and I was thinking about how great Coach leather used to be. It's still good but it used to be indestructible! So durable and thick. Coach has reissued many of these classics including my very own Janice's Legacy bag.

I am going to start putting my Janice back into the rotation! This was my first good bag that my mother bought me for Christmas one year. I think it was around 1998. Thanks mom! The funny thing, I wasn't even into purses at that time and didn't even own one. I was fresh out of college, so my "purse" was a backpack.
I used this Janice bag for my new job, hanging out, everything and it still looks great after so many years!

What was your first handbag and do you still use it? 

I Can Be Preppy

I have been wanting a Ralph Lauren blazer for the longest time. I finally was ably to buy one recently! As much as I love wild prints, colors and such, I also like a preppy look since I like extremes (Scorpio).

This blazer is an easy way to add some "prep" to the most basic of outfits. I have a lot of black blazers, but there's something about those gold buttons and embroidered crest that I couldn't resist. Now if only they had karaoke at the country clubs...

Sequins, Leopard and Black

Forever 21 Sequin Cross Tee

My three favorite things and this shirt has all three in one! I wanted a shirt like this from Urban Outfitters but I kind of slept on that and now they're sold out. But I might just like this one better!

The F21 is rayon, more cropped/ fitted and has sequins for around $15.
The UO top was oversized, cotton and has faux fur for $39

 Truly Madly Deeply Leopard Cross Dolman Tee

Urban Outfitters

*I wasn't able to find the link for the F21 shirt online, but I bought this tee in the store this week, so it may still be available in the store. 

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Updated What's in my Purse

I love watching what's in my purse videos on youtube! Here's my newly organized bag. I am really a minimalist when it comes to carrying stuff. Wallet, keys, phone kind of girl. But I kind of force myself to carry more to justify carrying bigger bags! Weird huh.

This is the bag I purchased at Burlington. A good everyday bag by Nine West. 

It's nylon so I think it's waterproof.  

It was 20 dollars, but the retail tag was a lot higher so I think I got a deal.

I HAVE to have my Kangaroo Keeper. I have other purse organizers as well (some that are more square and boxy like the one in my Butler bag for satchels). But this one works well in hobos and totes.

Here are few new additions to my bag...

This is a Calvin Klein wristlet. If you carry a wristlet in your bag you can easily put your wallet and phone in there when you come across a situation where you don't want to lug the bigger bag!

When it comes to wallets and/or wristlets, it doesn't have to be fancy or match my bag. My mother likes to match her wallets to her handbags, so I started doing that for a while and then ditched the idea. Too much trouble and it gets expensive. And then you have to transfer all your credit cards to each wallet all the time. No way.

I am very no frills and practical when it comes to wallets. The best wallets are the ones that snap like the accordion one above. This is the As Seen on TV one I bought at Rite Aid! I could look up the name if you like it, but I can't think of it right now. Very indestructible and waterproof. (I keep saying waterproof like I am going to be lost at sea or something) I also LOVE the longer snap wallets sold at Payless. They are inexpensive, but work so well!!  I have a bunch of those in different colors and shades.

OMG, this little thing is a lifesaver (ok, somehow the water and sea theme is in my head!) This mini stapler is so cute and useful. I don't carry cash (does anyone anymore?) so I rack up receipts. I like to staple them together throughout the day. I don't lose them and it's easy to balance my checkbook at the end of the day!

So...What's in your purse? What are some of the best "lifesavers" in your bag?