It's January? Time to Shop

It's January now and you know what that means...After-Christmas Sales!

Like I really need an excuse to shop, but really January is my favorite month to find amazing deals! I mean, the sales are so good they "make you wanna slap yo momma"! Hahaha, not literally of course... it's just a saying... oh c'mon Mom, I didn't mean it! Anyway, here are a couple of beauty/home/fashion items I picked up so far!

I love these bright bags by The Sak!  Placed on my blanket from Mexico it looks even more colorful!

In New York, there is usually a sea of black jackets everywhere you look!

 For good reason, it's a wardrobe staple.

But I love purple, so I had to have this cute down jacket by Calvin Klein.

It's  fitted and a little more unexpected than black.

So cute! Pajama set from Forever21

Yankee Candle is having a sale and I love these diffuser sets!

Some people don't like cutesey packaging. I am not one of those people. So I had to snatch up a couple of B&BW Christmas gift sets. Like I tell my husband. "Christmas isn't over until I say it is!"



Dyker Heights Lights!

This is the outfit I wore to see the Christmas displays in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn!

Vest: NY & Company

Shirt: Passport

Bag: Etienne Aigner

Leggings: One Step Up

Boots: Old Navy

And now...the Christmas displays!

Christmas Shopping Rules plus Johnny Weir

I was buying gifts for my husband and was distracted by these items! Are you naughty like me and buy stuff for yourself when you are shopping for others? Isn't that the rule of Christmas shopping?

Old Navy Shirt

There was one that says, "I've Been Nice". But that's no fun.

Madison 88 Infinity scarf
Marshall's

Pink is flattering on everybody. Especially fuschia! 

A little pink is all you need near your face...instant glowing complexion!

Old Navy Hat

I needed a knit cap since my hats are fancier wool diva hats with big rims.

Old Navy Hat

Ok, this looks like a small bear is sleeping on your head! Or a Tina Turner wig!  Maybe both.
But I think it's so fashion forward! I've wanted an obnoxious (faux) fur hat ever since I saw Johnny Weir rocking one in his Bluefly Closet Confessions. When I bought this, the saleswoman said "That'll keep you warm." True, but I bought it more for fashion!

Wow, this does look pretty wild. But I love it!! Half bear, half Tina. 

Makes me wanna sing actually. Like I need an excuse.



Btw, Heeeere's Johnny! You know I had to post his Confessions video after mentioning it! This is the shorter version, but you will see his fur hat! He's so fun! He's the gay, male, figure skating version of Betsey Johnson.

 

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)?

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...

Stylin' Sisters

Wow, we're still digging out from underneath this blizzard. The snow looks taller than I am so tomorrow should be quite a doozy!

In the meantime, here's a picture of me and my sister on Christmas Eve. She loves to sing like I do, so I convinced her to sing some duets with me for the family. It was a good time!

More Newport News...

What Santa Brought...

I hope you all had a wonderful time this Christmas (or Hanukkah) Here are a couple of the things that I received as gifts. A Swarovski swan necklace set with earrings. And a white leather Juicy Couture watch.
I loved all my presents this year, but I especially loved spending time with my family. And the food of course. It's back to a healthier diet now, but I wasn't about to say no to cheesecake, or rice and beans or pernil or coquito (or anything!). Uh uh.

And so, the countdown begins...only 365 days until next Christmas!

More Swarovski...

Christmas Goodies from the Kitchen

Santa, these are for you!

 Peanut Butter Cookies

Cornbread Stuffing

Ever notice that once you start cooking you just can't stop! My mother will be doing the Christmas Eve dinner, but I am bringing over some goodies too! Here are a couple of things I had going in the kitchen.
To quote Rachel Ray...Yummo. The only thing I may love more than fashion is food! There are many variations on stuffing, the last time I made it, it was regular stuffing (not cornbread) and I added chopped cranberries and walnuts. This time I switched it up.

 Quick Cornbread Stuffing Recipe


1 bag of cornbread stuffing
1 beaten egg
1 1/2 cup of chicken stock
1/2 diced onion
1/2 diced green pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots
Salt (I also added a couple of shakes of Goya Adobo) 
Parsley



Combine all the above ingredients and place in a baking pan. Bake on 375 for one hour.  Top with parsley. I also have a bunch of recipes on the Ehow site. I just added my turkey tips on my Ehow widget above.  

Merry Christmas everyone :)

The Nightmare Before Christmas

This little pin reminds me of something Jack Skellington would wear on his lapel in The Nightmare Before Christmas instead of a carnation. I recieved a gift card from my in-laws, so I decided to purchase this at JCPenny's.

But, I showed it to my husband and he was like, "You want to wear a spider?" He hates spiders, but there's something cool and un-creepy about this pin and it doesn't really scare me. C'mon, I ain't scared of no pin! (ghosts? yes, pin? no)

This is the scene where Jack discovers Christmas Town. My friend in college insisted that I see this movie, so he gave me the VHS tape. Did I just say VHS? Oh, man. The movie was cool, but I scare easily. (I mean, I was a little scared even re-watching this clip)!


 

More Express...

Christmas Shopping Haul

The problem with doing your Christmas shopping early is you still have the shopping bug, so you end up shopping for yourself! Here are a few things I bought...

 Blingy little necklace from Kohl's. It's by Candies and was only ten dollars. 

Festive socks also from Kohl's. I bought the snowman so I could get away with wearing them well into January. But nobody sees your socks anyway, so I could wear these anytime! 

 I finally bought some wine stoppers so now I can stop using paper towels shoved into wine bottles. Not a good look! 

Complete Juicy tracksuits are very early 2000's, but I still love the hoodies! This one has a "blinged out J pull" (it even says that on the label!) Add skinny jeans and boots for casual days! Nothing wrong with that:) 

More Forever 21...

Santa, I can explain...

Ever notice that when you go Christmas shopping for other people you end up spending a lot because you end up shopping for yourself too! I'd say I buy a lot more in November and December for that very reason! I am especially attracted to big, shiny things. Here are some items I bought while shopping for others. Santa, I've been very bad...

This is a Kathy Van Zeeland shopper in gunmetal. I have been wanting 

a gray bag for a while and I liked the studs.

I thought this was a fun bracelet at Forever21. When I checked on the website I saw

that it comes with a couple of extra bangles. But this was the only one in the store 

so I bought it for the price of a single bracelet. 

This is a Guess blinged out heart pendant. Big statement necklace for nights out! 

And when I come home, there's more shine with this Cynthia Rowley sequin pillow!

More Kathy Van Zeeland...

Gifts from the Heart

Here's one of the gifts hubby gave me for my bday! I love it. He ordered it with my engraved initials.
Blue Nile is one of my favorite jewelry sites. We bought our matching wedding bands there too. Love all the great gift options of all price ranges.



My sister also knows how much I love Hello Kitty, so she gave me earrings similar to these with a matching charm bracelet! 



Finally, my mom bought me a beige leather jacket like this one. I have black and brown leather jackets so this beige color was a refreshing change! Nice choice mom!

Do you like my gifts? Christmas is coming up and I need ideas, so what are favorite fashion gifts that you've given or received?