Seeing Double

New headband? Check. First double ring [or rings] next; to ring in the new year of course.

.1. Erica Anenberg Gunmetal & Sterling Silver Plated Spike Sparkle Twosome Ring

*with clear Swarovski crystals 

.2. Banana Republic Baguette Bridge Ring

.3. Banana Republic Wrapped Rock Double-Finger Ring



Bette Davis Eyes



Here's a gorgeous picture of our Chocolate Labrador, Hazel Mae [she's got the most stunning hazel eyes that'll make your middle name 's-u-c-k-e-r']. The image was shot by my very talented sister. Such a great picture that happened very organically; she simply stopped by the house for thirty minutes to finish up a roll of black & white film. Hazel is just as precious as she looks, so she's spoiled something wrotten around here.

This will be the first piece of framed art to go up in our new living quarters as an eleven inch by fourteen inch print [if you visit, you'll find it in our guest bedroom/office].

This Love is Serious...

Seriously out of control.

Meet the newest addition to our tree [a Christmas present from my Mom]. When attempting to get these unavailable origami ornaments from my wish list, she stumbled upon another set of ornaments from which proceeds would benefit St. Jude's Childrens Research Hospital. Shop over seventy various ornaments through the Heart HSN 2010 Designer Ornament Collection that will continue giving back long after the end of the year.



[image: HSN]

Old Soul, New Heart

If you've got gift cards of the debit-credit-card-kind burning holes in your pockets [I do, thanks to some very generous elves], take advantage of purchasing handmade. Here is my new favorite shop -- run by a mother & daughter duo, they've got the most adorable accessories. I've been eyeing the Flirt Headband in beige/gray. And as of right now, they are still honoring a forty percent off code [HAPPYHOLIDAYS] for their entire shop, so get on it.



[image: osnh]

Shoulda Put-a [Bow] On It

A few late additions to my holiday wish list... And you thought you were finished with all of your wrapping.

.1. Kate Spade Bow Studs

.2. Kiel Mied Forget Me Not Ring

.3. Juicy Couture Pave Bow Ring



Recently Introduced: Kendi Everyday

Stumbled on this style blog when perusing Bryn's blogroll & was hooked instantly. Above are some of my favorite looks that Kendi sported recently in her thirty for thirty challenge (thirty clothing items mixed & matched for thirty days). This blog will make you rethink your approach to your closet & to your shopping habits. Plus, since Kendi includes links for items available for purchase, you're able to shop a desired piece in one click. For the few weeks that I have been following her, she has shared an outfit everyday (true to her title) which must take sincere dedication.

Our introduction will lead to continued outfit inspiration & hopefully these boots in the very near future.

[images: kendi everyday, urban outfitters]



Recently Introduced: Delicious Days

Haven't made your holiday goodies yet? Here's a great idea to try thanks to my friend, Missy, who introduced me to this (new to me) blog, Delicious Days. Individual cakes baked in mason jars that pop out when you open them? Yes, please. Recipients may keep the minis to themselves or generously share with the fam. Go directly to the source for ingredients, recipe, & directions.

[all images: Delicious Days]

Mrs. Approved Mister Gifts

All of these items come to mind when I think of what to get my boyfriend fiance husband this year. They'd probably work for your boyfriend, fiance, husband, friend that is a boy, brother-in-law, father, &/or brother as well.

While my guy would probably prefer some electronics (or any items with features) be included on this list, we are trying to be more cost conscious this year. Enter quirky & practical gifts...

.1. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris, $10.99

.2. Inception DVD, $16.99

.3. Poster Cabaret Band of Horses Poster, $40.00

.4. Williams-Sonoma Star Wars Heroes & Villains Pancake Molds, $19.95

.5. L.L. Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe, Tartan, $49.50

.6. Urban Outfitters Handlebar Mustache Corkscrew, $14.00

.7. Furbish Studio Online Mr. & Mrs. Cocktail Class Set, $18.00

[P.S. -- Click the corresponding number for the link jump]



Primed for the New Year

Now I'm not saying that a new look in the new year is necessary, but there's always room for improvement. So let them shop at Sephora & you'll be one step ahead on your two-thousand eleven routine.

.1. Fresh Rose Baie Scented Candle, $48

 *For even better beauty sleep

.2. Tweezerman Mini Slant® Candy Cane Tweezer, $15

*Festive & functional; perfect for stockings

.3. NARS Nail Polish in Full Metal Jacket (Gunmetal Gray), $16

*Currently unavailable, Midnight Express (Deep Navy) is a close second choice

.4. Bare Escentuals On The Spot, $5

*Let's just say I could never be a surgeon; mascara ends up on my cheekbones & eyelids every time, these swabs erase all errors

.5. Tweezerman ProCurl Eyelash Curler, $20

 *The golden touch to get eyelashes long enough to hit your brow

.6. Sephora LashStash Mascara Deluxe Sampler ($140 Value), $40

 *Though a devout Dior fan, it never hurts to play the field

.7. Twirl By Kate Spade Gift Set ($95 Value), $70.

*The design of the bottle is enough to make me want this scent (yeah, I have yet to even smell it, so what?)

.8. Sephora Deluxe Fragrance Sampler For Her ($96 Value), $50

*Once you've sampled all of the fragrances -- choose a favorite, then take the included voucher to a Sephora store to receive a full-size version

.9. GoSmile Touch Up® 14 Count with Carrying Case ($40 Value), $28

*Perfect for the mornings following the night after splitting that enormous bottle of shiraz

.10. Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Shimmer & Shine Collection ($142 Value), $45
*Bare Escentuals, enough said

 .11. Dr. Brandt best skin ever kit ($77 Value), $45

*Loved this, so give me more

A Very [Anthropologie] Holiday

Of course this is only a hand few of the items that I have tucked away in my shopping cart to purchase later in the event that they aren't found under my tree first.

.1. Jeweled Menagerie Elephant Ornament, $18.00

.2. Drinkology Book, $22.50

.3. Totem Pole Candles, on sale $9.95

.4. Peacock Dinner Plates, on sale $14.95

.5. Stockholm Floral Apron (in black if you're messy in the kitchen like me), $28.00

[all images: anthropologie]

I'm Baaack

Now that we're hitched, honeymooned, & moved into our first place together, it's nice to look forward to spending time with my family this holiday. Sorry for that unannounced two month + hiatus that I took; my apologies. Please consider the brand new header a peace offering to redeem any love lost in my absence.

Aside from family & food during the holidays, the presents are my favorite; I enjoy the searching, the wrapping, & the giving (& the receiving of them too, of course). Above are my favorite items from West Elm's current offerings (BTW, click on the links embedded in each corresponding number if you want to see more details about each item).

.1. Pratt Wall Accessories Set, on sale $69.99

.2. John-Paul Phillipe Framed Sketches, $44.00, free shipping

.3. Porcelain Origami Ornaments, no longer available - ugh!

.4. Round Uplight Table Lamp (Hammered Metal for me please), $59.00

.5. Mercury Snow Owl Ornament, special $9.00, free shipping

.6. Hillside Quilt + Shams, Slate, on sale $14.99 - $99.99

.7. Six-Point Star Ornament, no longer available

.8. Metal Curtain Hardware, no longer available

.9. Organic Seedling Duvet Cover + Shams, Seaspray, King, $99.00

There are also a number of great items (like these adorable origami banks) that when purchased will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®; so the generosity of your gift doesn't stop at the initial recipient. They would make an adorable addition to a children's room. I know I could use one to save up all of my pennies for these items on my wish list.

[all images: west elm]