'Tis the Season

  
Source: friedpinktomato

I hope you're all having a wonderfully merry day filled with coziness, egg nog, and lots of love and laughter.

~See you in a few days~

Urban Lumberjack

{target button up | kohl's thermal top | ON jeans & vest | steve madden boots}

Every winter I ask myself why I'm still living in NJ.  And every year I have no answer.  Seriously, after living here my whole life I'm still a complete wimp when it comes to cold weather.  Don't let these photos fool you - they were taken a few days ago when it was still a balmy 43 degrees out.  But today you won't catch me outside dressed like an urban lumberjack, oh no.  That's mild weather wear.  Today it's all faux fur, fleece, and flannel for this coward.

Find me here today.

Winter Stripes

{ON sweater (cute option -on sale!) |  target skirt (similar)  |  steve madden boots | ON scarf}

I've been a little off track from my usual outfit posting format, but Christmastime simply requires a departure from the norm to bring you some gift guides and a fancy nails how-to, (and maybe even a couple more surprises before the big day).  But just because I've been in the Christmas spirit doesn't mean I haven't been getting dressed.

In fact, between visions of sugarplum fairies dancing in my head, and dreaming of a white Christmas, I've been conjuring up ways to transition my beloved striped maxi skirt into the colder months.  Inspiration struck and I pulled some leggings on underneath, and wore this get-up to do a little shopping.  I was totally toasty, completely comfortable, and most importantly, was wearing my maxi in winter.  That's a big ol' check mark in the win-win-win column.

You can catch me here, too.

You Cheapskate....

1. E.L.F. eyeshadow palette (now free with a $20 purchase!)

2. mexican train dominoes

3. chevron journal set

4. wooden colored pencils

5. $#*! Girls Say

6. David's Tea

7. Lush gift set

Beauty Bit: Caviar Manicure DIY

If you've been lurking around Sephora or some of the beauty counters at department stores, you've inevitably seen the new-ish "caviar" manicure.  And while it looks amazing (and might I say perfect for a holiday party?), I find the price to be a bit ridiculous.  I mean, $25 for a bottle of nail polish and some beads?  Please.  Just because it has caviar in the name, doesn't mean it should have a price tag to match.  Here's how to get the same exact effect for way less.  And it's super easy.

I found this container of microbeads at Michael's for about $3.  You'll also need a small tray to catch the beads (I used the kind that comes with Chinese take out).

1. Paint one coat of an opaque polish on your nails and let dry. 

2. Apply a second coat of polish to nails.  

3. Position the tray under your hand, and while the polish is still wet, shake some of the beads onto your nail.  Don't worry about the excess beads falling off; they'll be caught in the tray.  

4. Press the beads firmly into the nail to ensure a longer lasting bond.  If your polish dries quickly, I recommend doing this process one nail at a time.

5. Top with a clear coat to seal in the beads.
6. Using a small funnel, or piece of paper rolled into a cone (leaving a small opening at the bottom), pour the extra beads from the tray back into the container.
7. Admire your mani, and give yourself a pat on the back knowing that you didn't get suckered into spending 25 smackers on your nails.  Smug sense of self-satisfaction optional.

A word of advice: Do your nails the day you want to wear them because this is not the strongest or sturdiest of embellishments.  If you use your hands for anything - anything at all - the beads will start falling off.  You have been warned.

In the Past

{target sweater | ON jeans | gap top | payless heels (similar) | diy scarf (similar) | f21 necklace}

Please look at and admire my outfit at your leisure.  I'm way too distracted by this song bouncing around in my head to concentrate on writing a coherent post today.  Also, I wore this outfit and took these photos about a month ago, and am just getting around to posting them now.  I am really on top of stuff around here.

I like to party.

.

1. Cardboard Taxidermy $52

2. Hydroponic Indoor Herb Garden in recycled wine bottles $35

3. Beer Soap Collection $14.30

4. Cable Knit Sweater $14.95
5. Man Candles in scents like NY pizza, dirt, & sawdust $15 ea.
6. Pick Punch makes custom guitar picks $25
7. Cork iPhone Case $18.75
8. Holga Camera $48

Nifty Knits

{marshalls dress (similar 1, 2) | ON vest, giveaway win from City & Burbs | target belt | steve madden boots | asos socks | oasap ring, c/o (similar) | diy scarf (similar)}

You guys, I can't help myself.  I can't stop wearing big, cowly, chunky knit infinity scarves.  Don't believe me?  Proof here, here, here, here, and oh yeah, here.  Though my time in Florida did give me a forced reprieve from wearing the thick, cozy things, I'm pretty sure spending two weeks apart from them only served to transform what was previously a mild fixation to a full fledged can't-leave-the-house-without-one, it's my grown-up-security-blanket type obsession.

So...to whichever genius pioneered the idea to take an ordinary winter scarf, and ingeniously connect the ends to turn it into a circular shape that could be loosely wrapped around the neck in the chicest way imaginable, well sir or madam, my hat's off to you (and then promptly back on again because, damn, it's getting cold!).

(I'm linking up with these ladies today)

Baby I'm Back

{ON dress, c/o | kimchi blue coat (crazy similar) | UO necklace | diy scarf (similar) | payless headband & tights | Steve Madden boots | Gramma's vintage brooches}

Hi everyone!  Please forgive my extended absence.  I just spent the last two weeks at my sister's completely awesome, yet internet-lacking apartment in Florida.  I had planned on posting to the blog while down there, but it seems I didn't posses the foresight to inquire about whether her place was internet-equipped or not.  (It was not).  But the good news is that we got to spend lots of quality time together; shopping, doing hair, cooking Thanksgiving dinner, catching up, and sharing lots of laughs & pumpkin-infused cocktails.  Extra bonus - my mom & brother also live down there, so I got to visit with them a bunch, too.  It was fantastic getting to see my family while relaxing in the warm, sunny Florida weather.

Just when I was getting used to the idea of Christmas lights on palm trees, I returned home to a blast of cold, grey weather that I was definitely not prepared for - either physically or mentally.  At least I had this new and adorably flattering, but more importantly, free Old Navy winter dress to wear*.  Getting to don a pretty, long sleeved dress with colored tights always helps to make the acceptance of winter just a little bit smoother in my book.

In other news, the supremely sweet and friendly Irene of Love Simple Green did a Q&A with me recently.  If you've been lying awake at night wondering what my favorite quote is, or how I'm working toward my dreams, check out the post and wonder no more.

*If you'd like to be able to snag free stuff, too, click here to sign up.

I'm linking up here today.