Tuesday, November 30, 2010

{2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Under $50}

I hope everyone enjoyed yesterday's gift guide under $25! Was there anything that made it to your wish or gift lists? Well, each day I'm going to step it up a notch in terms of price and today the gifts below are all $50 or less. I do want to make a note regarding the Gap sweater that I posted yesterday. Over the weekend it was on sale for $20 - however, it's not back to full price at $49 - sorry. But have no fear - Gap ALWAYS has 30%-40% off coupons...so sign up for their email notifications and be on the look out (I never buy anything full price there)! Without further ado...
50 and under gift guide 1
50 and under gift guide 2
1: Kate Spade Bangle Bracelets $42 each; 2: Etsy (Lady TA) scarf $28; 3: Etsy (Avrilloreti) Tea Towel Calendar $27; 4: Philosophy Hope in a Jar $50; 5: Anthropologie Apron $38; 6: Zara Home Gold Pitcher $50; 7: Clean Fresh Laundry Perfume $33; 8: Gap Sweater $50; 9: Uncommon Goods Grilled Cheese and Soup Tray (set of 2) $30; 10: Gap Fair Isle Scarf $29.50; 11: J.Crew Patent Leather Belt $19.50; 12: Anthropologie Necklace $38; 13: Etsy (Get Recover) Wooden Mac Book Pro Skin $35; 14: Bailey Doesn't Bark Mug $48; 15: Cashmere Undies $33; 16: Subscription to Anthology Magazine (4 issues) $38
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Monday, November 29, 2010

{2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Under $25}

Happy Cyber Monday!!! Today starts my 2010 Holiday Gift Guide week long series! I have scoured all of my favorite blogs, sites, and shops and have put together for you a bunch of fantastic gift ideas ~ all under $25. Take a peak and as you're making your Christmas list and/or pondering what gifts to buy - hopefully my guide this week will help you out a little...Happy Shopping!
25 and under gift guide 1
25 and under gift guide 2
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1-Anthropology candle $25; 2-Chanel Black Velvet Nailpolish $25; 3-Anthropologie Velvet Ribbon $16; 4-iPhone 4 wooden skin $25; 5-Alex and Ani Love Bracelet $21; 6-Jay-Z Decoded Book $18; 7-TinyPeepers Tea Towel $14; 8-JCrew glitter belt $20; 9-Chico Stud Earrings $24; 10-Philosophy Ginger Bread Scrub $25; 11-Jamie Oliver Yummy Goodness $15-$25; 12-Gap Sweater $20; 13-Anthropologie IKAT bowels $8; 14-Kate Spade Coasters $20; 15-Your Dirty Laundry Bath Fizzies $5; 16-Jonathan Adler Calendar Agenda $19; 17-Josh Groban Noel Christmas CD $10; 18-Etsy To Do List $25
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Friday, November 26, 2010

{Happy Black Friday}

black friday
I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Mine was more than amazing ~ my sister surprised us and came home for Thanksgiving by walking through the door {while we were watching the Macy's Day Parade} and said, "surprise, I'm here!!!!" - you should have seen all of our faces {accompanied by tears} - it was the best!!! Definitely a Thanksgiving to remember! :-)

Now it's 1:30am and we are about to go stand in the Target Black Friday line! This is what we {me and my family} do peeps - it's tradition - it's crazy - I'm cranky - but I love it! We'll shop til about 9:00am, go eat breakfast at Bob Evan's, go for round 2 til about noon, go home to take a nap, and then back out to the mall until it closes at 10pm. If you've ever wondered where I get my shop-aholic-ness from...I get it from my mama {lol}. Happy shopping loves - my Christmas cheesiness begins....BEWARE! 
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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

{On The Road Again}

Morning Peeps! In just a few minutes, me and Addy will be hittin' the road for a 9-hour trip up to Ohio for Thanksgiving. I'm super excited because I haven't been home in a long time and I'm ready for some quality time with the fam. Once we get home I'll probably take a little nap to recoup from the trip, and then I'll be helping mom in the kitchen with the last bit of dinner preparations for tomorrow. After that, I plan to sit back with a glass of wine, kick my feet up, and just enjoy being at home.
On the road again
Enjoy your day today - and if you too are traveling home for Thanksgiving, be safe!!!
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

{Borrowed DIY: Tape Dispenser}

You know that I love and am obsessed with Japanese tape, right? While blog surfin' this weekend, I stumbled across this great {and easy} DIY project: a dispenser to hold all of your tape {why didn't I think of that???}! I currently have all of my tape thrown in a bowl, but don't think for a minute that I won't be making this over my Christmas break...love!
tm_theme_tapedispenser1
tm_theme_tapedispenser12
{For full instructions to make your own dispenser click here!}
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Monday, November 22, 2010

{Yummy Holiday Cocktails}

Can you believe that this Thursday is Thanksgiving? It feels like just yesterday it was September and I was sitting at a cafe in Italy drinking a glass of Chianti and people watching. Now, we're 3 days away from Thanksgiving and before we know it we'll be opening up presents on Christmas morning. Man does time fly. 

Over the weekend I was looking at the holiday issue of the online magazine, Sweet Paul, and it's positively bursting with inspired ideas for foodies, entertainers and crafters alike. Given the issue is a joy from start to finish I really wanted to share these amazing cocktail recipes, in the event you are looking for a new drink to set at your Thanksgiving table {or as you're watching the Macy's Day Parade...hey, it'll be 5 o'clock somewhere right? lol}
Sweet Paul 1
Holiday Drink Recipe
Sweet Paul
Sparkling Sangria
Looks and sounds delicious, right? Yup - definitely going to try these out. Enjoy!
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Friday, November 19, 2010

{Weekend Plans}

TGIF Peeps!!!
weekend plans
So what are your plans for the weekend? If you're looking for some great blogs {other than mine of course} to read through as you're relaxing - check some of these out {simply click below and you'll be directed to each blog}, they're some of my new faves:
A Beautiful Mess

Ampersand

Kendi Everyday

style scoop
simple song
sterling style
Enjoy your weekend!!
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Thursday, November 18, 2010

{My Christmas Wish List}

After I posted about how me and my sisters {while we are all grown adults} are still required to make Christmas wish lists - I got several requests to post what was actually on my list. And while we have to include exactly what we want, my parents still want there to be surprises on Christmas morning, so we have to add lots of items to our list {knowing of course we won't get everything or even near} for them to choose from. So without further ado:
All I want for Christmas
Christmas List 1
Christmas List 2
What's on your Christmas wish list??? If you want to add any of the items above to your list and would like to know where to get it - just leave a comment below and I'll let you know. Enjoy your day Peeps!Final Signature

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

{Kindness Is Always Fashionable}

Yesterday I was watching the Nate Berkus show and fashion designer, Rachel Roy, was one of his guests. She talked about how to use trendy faux-fashion accessories to make a style statement, as well as how to dress your home for less. Additionally she talked about a tote {this is when my ears perked up because I'm a sucker for canvas tote bags, especially if they benefit a charity} that she designed called The Pakistan Tote. She decided to design the charitable tote for the monsoons that left one-fifth of Pakistan submerged in water in July and 100% of the proceeds will go to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s disaster relief efforts. If you would like to order one {$20} click here; the bags will ship on 12/15/10.
Totes

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

{AphroChic NEW Fall Collection}

Yesterday, the lovely Jeanine of AphroChic, revealed her new fall collection and I.love.it! For a few months now she has been talking about her new collection, but never talked about what she was creating. When I went to her site yesterday morning I was pleasantly surprised  and excited by all the goodies she had to offer. Not only has she expanded her lovely collection of pillows, but she has added to the collection her own line of wallpaper, tabletop placemats and runners, and shower curtains. Below is a sneak peak of what you'll find on her site by clicking here:
AphroChic 1
AphroChic 2
Fantastic right? Bravo Jeanine - your hard work has definitely paid off. Lovely!
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Monday, November 15, 2010

Friday, November 12, 2010

{Weekend Plans}

TGIF Peeps!
Weekend Plans 11.12
{For more about The Handmade Market click here}

Enjoy your weekend!
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Thursday, November 11, 2010

{Making The Most Of Autumn}

What part of this picture doesn't make you just fall in love with Fall?
Fall
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

{My Idea of a Cozy Evening}

With the weather only getting colder, it's time for me to accept that winter is just around the corner. My idea of a cozy evening results in lighting a bunch of candles and turning on the fireplace while I warm milk on the stove for a cup of yummy hot chocolate ~ topped with several fluffy marshmallows. I would then sit on the couch {remote control in hand}, wrap myself in a plush robe, slide under a blanket with a pair of warm slippers and switch back and forth between watching TV, taking naps, and reading my favorite magazines or a good book. Sounds wonderful huh?
A cozy evening
All of the items shown above are currently available at the following stores and would be amazing gifts for the upcoming holidays:
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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

{Seesaw 2011 Calendars}

It's time to start ordering 2011 calendars, and I finally found which one I want this year. Seesaw has created this fantastic metallic gold foil and warm grey letterpress. It is inspired by vintage textiles, geometric shapes, and the beautiful imperfections of hand-drawn illustration. In addition to the lovely calendar, I have a warm spot in my heart for the packaging {you know me}...
Seesaw 2011 Calendar
Seesaw 2011 Calendar 1
Seesaw 2011 Calendar 2
{To order your calendar for $32 ~ click here}

For some other great calendars ideas, via the lovely Holly over at decor8, check out the options below. And if these don't tickle your fancy, then go to Etsy, type in 2011 Calendar and you will be presented with thousands...
Calendars 1

Calendar 2
Calendar 3
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