Happy Halloween!

The boyfriend and I ran off to Las Vegas for the week.  While I'm gone I've got some great guest posts lined up for you later on where my buddies and I will be talking about which items we can't live without during fall.

But for now, here's some simple, fun, and most importantly - last minute - Halloween ideas for all of you fellow procrastinators out there who usually make the decision ahead of time not to bother with a costume, and then scramble 20 minutes before going out to put one together because you just can't force yourself to grow up enough to not dress up on Halloween yet.  No?  None of you do that?  Just me?  Well, then...

1. Be a unicorn.  Erica Domesek of P.S. I Made This shows us how to pull a whole costume together, but I say just stick the horn on your head and people will get the idea.
2. Paint rainbow stripes on your eyelids.  The girls at The Beauty Department show us how.
3. Ok, so I admit the ones in this video are totally corny, but hey, you did wait until the last minute.  (I especially love the Chick in a Box).
4. For an obscure reference very few are sure to understand, grab a blond wig, black rimmed glasses, striped tights, some red lipstick, and be Kelly.
5. Or use that same blond wig, glue on a beard & a bow, and go as that fashion girl. (p.s.. - keep your eye open for Kelly.  p.p.s. - I've said most of that sh*t).
6. And finally, if you're really lame, you could do what hunny bunny & I did last year: cut a mustache or goatee out of felt and eyelash glue that puppy to your face.

Are you dressing up this year?  If you've blogged about it, please leave a link in the comments.  I'm always looking for costume ideas to steal take inspiration from!

Oh, Northeast, your weather be crazy

{target jeans & cardi (similar)  |  ON chambray  |  hand me down vest  |  gramma's vintage kercheif  |  payless shoes (similar)  |  sprout watch}

It's tough to concentrate on writing about my outfit when I'm right in the blustery belly of a Frankenstorm.  Normally I wouldn't be stressed out by some totally random, completely out of the ordinary, unseasonably strange, autumn hurricane in NJ, but this year I'm actually scheduled to go on vacation during it.  So between gathering gallons of emergency water, stocking the house with bagels and canned soup, and listening to the walls shake with the wind, we're also packing and preparing for our flight while simultaneously staying glued to both the weather channel and Delta's website,  hoping that the storm will have passed by the time our (surprisingly still on-time) flight is scheduled to fly tomorrow afternoon.

...And I thought last year's Halloween was bad...

(Just a little p.s. - I obviously didn't wear this today because it's way too dangerous to go outside.  Luckily I got dressed a few days ago which is more than I can say for today.  If you're also in the hurricane's path, I strongly urge you to stay inside as well.  Ok, public service announcement officially over.)

Find me linking up here today.

Knitting Pretty

{target sweater (similar) & chambray  |  f21 shorts  |  report boots (crazy similar)  |  anjolee ring, c/o  |  diy cowl (similar)}

I know I just explained how I'm ok with constant repetition, so let's just never mind the fact that I'm wearing chambray again.  Or the fact that I'm wearing shorts with tights again.  I'm more excited about this infinity scarf that I knit.  Yeah, that one.  Up there.  The one that looks all profesh and store bought and stuff.  I've been knitting for years, but normally my finished items don't come out exactly like I've pictured them in my head (I believe this is called your-imagination-knits-better-than-you-do-in-real-life syndrome).  But this time it came out exactly like I wanted.  It only took three balls of yarn, one week of almost non-stop knitting, and a surprisingly small amount of swearing.  This scarf is my new favorite everything.  So please give her a warm welcome because you'll be seeing lots more of this cozy little cowl in the months to come.


Come check out where I'm linking up.

Oh So Very

Handbag Styles for 2012

Handbags are the one accessory that women can't resist, regardless of whether you opt for a stylish staple, an over the shoulder messenger, an embellished clutch, or an over sized shopper.

With every new season comes a wide range of new styles, which sometimes makes it difficult not to go overboard – so what are this season’s styles to look out for?

Practicality

A bag is seen as an important possession for many women, and a fair number of fashionistas tend to carry their entire life around using such an accessory. When choosing a new piece of arm candy, it is important to consider a few factors. Ask yourself where you will be using the handbag in question, what will you be wearing with it and, most importantly, what possessions you will be placing in the bag.

A clutch may not be top of your priority list if you intend to carry around the likes of phones, purses, make-up and a flat pair of pumps. You risk a bulging, over-stuffed clutch and an unhappy owner!  On the other hand, a larger handbag could offer the perfect balance of practicality and style.

The same goes for those that wish to carry only a few personal items around with them. Such items will appear lost in an oversized tote. Although this style is seen as the ideal handbag for many occasions, it may appear a little dominant when worn with a cocktail dress.

Three Essentials

In general, most women own at least three bag styles; an oversized everyday bag, a weekend traveler and an evening clutch. If you are able to get your fashionable fingers on these three styles you will find that you have something for every occasion.

A key point to consider when choosing a new bag is whether you intend to match your style to the bag or alternatively style the handbag to your look. Those that prefer the latter option will do well to invest in a classic, timeless piece as opposed to something over-the-top and garishly bright. 

Certain handbags are seasonal, whilst others are timeless. Those wishing to make an investment should think about choosing a classic shade and style, such as a black shoulder bag, for a stylish look that won’t go out of date.

This post sponsored & written by Very. Some modifications have been made to reflect my personal ethics and opinions.

Mythical Magic

{f21 cardi & shorts  |  ON chambray (similar) & tee  |  no nonsense tights, c/o  |  target shoes (similar)  |  inpink necklace (similar) & ring  |  asos necklace  |  oasap ring, c/o}

It's no secret that I have a thing for chambray.  I mean, I have two nearly identical ones in my closet that I suspect must be some sort of magical fabric-slash-mythical Greek sirens.  They're always calling me, and I feel myself inexplicably drawn to them - enough to wear them on average about twice a week.  Repetitive, yes.  Icky, maybe.  Imaginative, not a chance.  But I say small price to pay for stylish, flattering, comfort.  Am I right or am I right?


Click here for today's linkies.

Comfy, Happy, Cozy

{thrifted UO sweater (similar)  |  no nonsense leggings, c/o  |  steve madden boots  |  ON scarf (similar)}

You might recognize these photos from my No nonsense review.  But I liked this outfit so much that I just had to give it a proper, dedicated outfit post (which means you'll also be seeing the outfit featuring the tights, too).  This outfit accompanied me on a date with my boyfriend, and got to witness us discovering a new Indian restaurant that had some of the most delicious food I've ever tasted.  It walked around with us while we window shopped and conversed, and my sweater even got to pay a visit to her mother ship (Urban Outfitters).  It was a comfy, cozy, happy day for us all.

Click here to see where I'm linking up.

Century 21

This post brought to you by CENTURY 21. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey guys.  I want to talk to you about Century 21.  No, not the one that sells houses (at least that's where my mind always goes first); the one that sells lots of awesome clothes & housewares for lots less.  I'm kind of excited because they have two locations in NYC (1972 Broadway & 22 Cortlandt Street).  That means when I head into the city to meet up with my girlfriends for drinks, we can also swing by the same store that Olivia Palermo & Stacy Keibler shop at.  Seriously, they do.  Check it out.  Photographic evidence does not lie.

If you've never been to C21stores.com, I suggest taking a visit right now.  Sign up is quick, and you can start adding items to your wishlist right away.  Here are just a few of the things on mine:

Fun, bright red rain boots to chase away a gloomy day

An interesting tulip skirt in comfy, faux leather-looking material

Delicate & pretty floral printed skinny jeans

You can also connect with Century 21 on facebook.  And while you're there, be sure to enter the Empire Hotel sweepstakes for a chance to win a $500 C21 wardrobe makeover plus a 2 night stay at the Empire Hotel in NYC.
I hope you'll check them out and let me know what your favorite pieces are, too!

No nonsense review

This post brought to you by No nonsense. All opinions are 100% mine.

As the leaves begin to change and fall approaches, there is no better (or easier) way to take your skirts & dresses from warm to cold than with a pair of leggings or tights.  If you've been visiting my blog for a little bit, then you know that when the temperature drops, I rely on my tights to keep my legs cozy while looking pretty darn stylish to boot.  If you missed it, click here, here, here, or here to see a few ways I've rocked them in the past.  In other words, tights are a staple in my cool weather wardrobe.

Recently, I was sent some No nonsense tights and leggings to review - one pair of red corduroy leggings, and a pair of brown fishnets.  Having only worn solid color tights before, I was pretty excited to give these two a spin.  Take a look at how I styled them:

Here are my thoughts:
~These are comfortable, especially for tights.  I don't know about you, but it seems that no matter what size tights I buy, they tend to squeeze around my stomach (I've even resorted to buying supposedly non control top tights 2 sizes too big, and they still squeeze).  These hardly squeezed at all.  Yeah, they did a little, but only enough to serve as a reminder not to order dessert after dinner.
~They made my boyfriend marvel at how well they were made.  He was mesmerized by the fact that they were so well structured and could hold their pattern no matter how much or little they stretched over various parts of my legs.  Impressing the boyfriend's gotta count for something.


Here are my thoughts:
~The leggings are extraordinarily comfy.  Seriously, every so often, I'd get a sudden stab of panic, momentarily forgetting that I wasn't wearing pj's out in public.
~The big tag inside was itchy & irritating.  I'd much rather have one of those fancy, newfangled printed tagless tags.  I'll definitely have to perform tag removal surgery on these leggings.

What's really cool is that No nonsense has partnered with fashion expert, Jill Martin, who'll be featured online, demonstrating how to wear the latest trends in hosiery.  Here's just one example:

If you'd like more information, be sure to check out No nonsense on Facebook, and keep your eye open for a chance to enter to win a trip to meet Jill in NYC for a shopping spree.
Quite possibly my favorite part of the whole thing is that now cool leggings, colored tights, and patterend pantyhose are so easily accessible!  Seriously, you can walk into just about any Rite Aid, Walgreens, or CVS and find an affordable pair that's completely on trend.  It's sort of unprecedented.  And it's about time.

Thoughts From a Soon-to-be Crazy Dog Lady

Things have gotten quite busy in my neck of the woods today, but the last thing I want to do is leave you without some form of entertainment for the day.  Enter an adorable animal video.  As my brother not-so-gently, and pretty aptly pointed out, when I talk about videos like this, I am well on my way to becoming a crazy dog lady.  And as I would imagine every crazy dog lady would respond to the allegation, I don't think I really care.  Even though this will surely prove my brother right, I suppose posting adorable animal videos to my blog is only the next logical step in my progression towards the inevitable.

Enjoy.

If you're still left wanting more -as if you could be after that little gem, which I'm ashamed to admit I've watched more times than I can remember- check out my newest sponsor, My Thrifty Chic.  Unlike me, she didn't cop out with a lame, albeit hilarious, youtube video today.

Walking in Wonderland

I figured since I teased you all with lovely descriptions of the fantastical sculpture garden I visited over the weekend, it's probably best to satiate your curiosity and show you some photos today.  These are hardly comprehensive; there is just so much, much more there to see.  But these are a few of my favorites and will hopefully transport you there enough to experience a little bit of this magical place for yourself. 

If you're ever in the Trenton area, this is a must-see.  There's nothing quite like being surrounded by art, nature, and oh yeah peacocks.  Lots and lots of lascivious peacocks.

Artsy Fartsy

{target dress (old), leggings, & belt  |  f21 top  |  steve madden boots  |  diy hat  |  ON scarf}

When my boyfriend saw me in this outfit, he called me artsy fartsy.  I don't know about you, but even though this term blatantly includes the word "fart," I still feel a swell of pride when described in that manner.  Even more fitting, though, is that we were headed to a place that actually is the epitome of artsy fartsy.  It's an intriguing and beautiful place called Grounds for Sculpture where various pieces of artwork are spread out over acres and acres of meticulously, immaculately landscaped garden.  It's like a fun, interactive, outdoor museum that includes secret paths and hidden sculptures.  With real peacocks that roam around the grounds.

The only drawback was that even with a jacket on, I was still pretty cold all day.  But Grounds for Sculpture is just the kind of special place that has you convinced that going out and suffering in cloudy, breezy, 50 degree weather for hours on end is a good idea.  Luckily, I was rewarded for my martyrdom at dinner.  I don't know if it was luck, or perhaps the fact that my face and hands were frozen in typical girl-that's-always-too-cold fashion, but we got sat at a table directly in front of a cozy, crackling fireplace and were able to sufficiently thaw out while we ate.  It was kind of a perfect day.  But next time I'm bringing gloves.

Click here for today's linkies.