Thanksies

Usually people talk about things that happen the day after they do, but no, I like to stay out of the loop and put it off for a few days until it is no longer relevant. So yes, Thanksgiving was quite successful. ♥

This year was spent with my mother and that side of the family. It was fun getting to see a few family members who I haven't seen since I was a little girl. There's always the, "I can't believe how big you are now" or the "Oh my, I remember when you were this small!"

Bella roaming around all stylish in her little wind breaker was too cute. I personally think she enjoyed being titled "Reindeer in training."

The food of course was delicious! Turkey, yams, corn, mashed potato and the best fruit salad I've ever tasted. My stepdad has a way with turkey, I swear, never fails.

And this here is my lovely mother, yes, not my older sister.

I just had to stick this last one in there. My grandma sipping away at that strawberry margarita was just too good.

Oufit Favorites & Inspiration

Lady Moriarty, Snakes Nest, Maffashion, On The Racks, Style Scrapbook, Fancy Treehouse

I'm head over heels for all these neutrals and camels this time around! ♥

 currently listening to: constant surprises- little dragon

Black Friday Sale in the Shop!

Nearly everything in the shop is significantly discounted in honor of Black Friday! Check everything out here! ♥

Don't forget to enter yourself for the CSN $65 Gift Card Giveaway!

image via weheartit.com 

Standing in the comfort zone

I cannot stress enough how thrilled I am that the temperatures have finally dropped in California. No more of that heat wave business. The impracticality of tights and combat boots when it was 80-something degrees outside just wasn't working for me to say the least. 

I'm not really sure what is up with my face in that second picture. The timer went off a second too soon?

 (denim shirt- thrifted, skirt- f21, tights- generic, shoes- payless)

 So the festivities of last night: a bake off! With my lovely cousin, Deanna. Cookie and cupcake insanity was astir in my kitchen, but was made so much better by tasting everything in the midst of baking (horrible, I know). Am I the only person who does this and by the end is too full of sweets to actually eat the end product?? 

I think the funniest part of all was my getup- A yellow, floral apron a la Little House on the Prairie paired with my hefty, black combat boots. My cousin was sneaky and got some pictures in, but we shall see if exposing what could possibly be used for black mail is something I want to do.

And, tis' Thanksgiving's eve! Have a good one, dolls! ♥

currently listening to: slippin'- quadron

CSN $65 Gift Card Giveaway ♥

The scent of sugar cookies and gingerbread men aloft, the sweetness of peppermint mocha warming your senses that could be reminiscent of only one time of the year. Packing your suitcase with your coziest knits and holiday wear for a trip to reunite with the family. Tis' the holiday season, sweets.

And in enlightenment of the holiday season, I am more than excited to present you lovely readers with this giveaway thanks to CSN Stores- a $65 gift card to spend however you may please!

CSN, having such a wide selection and 200+ stores to browse through, including shoes!, bakeware, bags, and glorious home decor, personally left me overwhelmed with all the wonderful things they have to offer! How could you not fall head over heels for those Bordello Grind pumps in black or gold glitter!

Now for the rules and how to enter: 

♥ Leave a comment on this post with your name and email by midnight PST on Sunday, December 5th.
♥ Must be a follower with google friend connect.

For (1) extra entry:

♥ Tweet about this giveaway, and leave a link, or follow me on twitter and leave it in a comment below to let me know.

I will be announcing the winner on Monday, December 6th.

*Only open to U.S. and Canadian residents.

Turn up the Tunes Tuesday

True Affection- The Blows

Holiday on the Moon- Love and Rockets

Father Christmas- The Kinks

Cheated Hearts- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

I'm Not Calling You a Liar- Florence + The Machine

White Winter Hymnal- Fleet Foxes

Harvest Moon- Neil Young

For the Widows in Paradise- Sufijan Stevens
Dear John Doe- Marz Lovejoy

The holiday season is coming around! What's on your playlist this time of year? ♥
image from imgfav

In the Kitchen: Brownie Cookies

 Brownie Cookies: 

Print this Recipe

recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour

Ingredients

yields about 30 cookies

• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (chopped or in chips)
• 3 Tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (regular instant coffee powder will also do)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions

In a double boiler, melt together the chocolate and butter.  To avoid heating the chocolate too much and possibly burning it, the best method is to heat till the butter is melted and the chocolate has partially melted, then remove from the heat.  Stir till completely melted.

In a separate bowl, beat together the sugar and eggs till they’re thoroughly combined. Best if done by hand with a wooden spoon since you don't want it over-mixed. Add the hot melted chocolate, then stir in the remaining ingredients, including the chocolate chips. Refrigerate the batter like dough for 1 hour, to make it easier to handle.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Lightly grease (or line with parchment) baking sheets.

Drop the cookie dough by the tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets.   Allow about 2″ between each.

Bake for 11 to 12 minutes, until their tops are shiny and cracked. The point is, you want these baked all the way through, but just barely; additional baking makes them more crisp rather than chewy.  Once you remove the cookies from the oven, you can leave them as is, or add your own little touch to them with whatever you wish. To add a bit of something to all that chocolate, I included some almonds for example. Wait 5 minutes then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.

It's funny because I actually didn't decide to wear this apron because I was baking, but rather, I decided to bake because I wanted to wear this apron! My grandmother's on another little rampage again with making them and she made me this adorable colorful one with the sweetest heart shape! I don't know who wouldn't want an excuse to wear something this cute!

So here's a little tip off to you dolls: you may be getting the chance to get your very own in the very near future. More deets coming soon. ♥

Despising Life is so Passé on The ABC's of College ♥

Good day to all you dolls! I was delighted when Catherine from  The ABC's of College asked me to do an interview for her blog and it was quite fun to answer all the questions. Want to get to know me a bit better, how my style has evolved dramatically over the years, a few of my fashion must-haves, and other fun little facts, you can check it all out here!

Also, give Catherine's blog a look too, a mix of college tips and fashion that are plenty useful and enjoyable! ♥

we blow away

Time seems to be rushing by right under my nose, as swift as a cat, and only noticeable when deep in thought. I can't say I mind it so- classes and workload aren't the most cherishable of things- but I feel like I'm not making the most out of it all while I can. I could sit here eating oatmeal cookies and sifting through pictures, music, and a whole lot of thoughts, and I suppose that is living in the sense that my body is pulsating, my breath still existent, but is there not so much more to enjoy? The only stars to be seen shouldn't be those from being knocked down, but those we are living amongst and reaching in each day.

(viscose tank- american apparel, skirt- great grandmother's dress i made into a skirt, shoes- calico vintage)

 

And I say this with no means of sorrow or melancholy in tone, but one of enthusiasm and hope in life. 

Let us be models of freedom and let live. ♥

currently listening to:  blow away- a fine frenzy

Picture perfect holidays

This post brought to you by Art.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

I always find decorating for the holidays to be so much fun. I love being festive, but it's always great to put your own spin on things when you've grown tired of the traditional decorations!
I love the idea of having your own photo up as a work of art, particularly on canvas. Imagine your own work and favorite objects in life decorating the walls of your loft. Especially around the holidays with this wonderful sense of high spirits in the atmosphere to coincide with other warm decorations in your home. Iridescent candlelight, pumpkin spice or peppermint and pine scents scattered. And when the spectacular events have come to an end and the big apple ball has dropped, those same moments of art on your wall will still be there year around. Very well could be the perfect gift for nearly anyone!

Now, some of us may have the talent to recreate a photo into an object of art by the use of the hand and acrylics or means of  choice, but of course there are other, (like me!) who aren't quite gifted with such skills or simply would want the exact image of their photo displayed. Well I found out that this is actually very much possible due to Art.com's new product, photos {to} art. I loved the idea so I tried it out for myself, and it really is made quite simple. You can choose whatever image you wish, whether it be people, places, or things of inspiration and beauty. You can customize it in array of ways so that it fits exactly what you want even more, including breadth of substrates and ranges of sizes- print on canvas or a photographic print with a choice of a wide variety of frames including a delicious Soho Espresso Frame. And did I mention the prices happened to be surprisingly great for what you're getting?

Turn up the Tunes Tuesday

  From Above- Ben Folds/ Nick Hornby

Write About Love- Belle & Sebastian

 The Suburbs- Arcade Fire

Coquet Coquette- Of Montreal

Everybody Come Outside!- Pomegranates

Bad Vibrations- The Black Angels

Young Folks- The Kooks

What can't you get enough of this weeks, dolls? ♥

Outfit Favorites & Inspiration

Merinova, Dirty Hair Halo, Eleonore Bridge, Fashion is a Playground, Beware of My Heels, Lay Me in Some Grass

currently listening to: blackbird- the beatles

Emma Watson ♥

she's the season of change

images by Shanna Nicole Elissa Aimee via Dripbook

currently listening to: EPonym & Esta - Fallin Like Autumn

Just can't get enough

This sweater is my favorite thing ever! I honestly wish I never had to take it off!(Which I kind of have been doing anyways.) That cardigan and the combination of these thigh high socks is practically the coziest thing ever!

I've realized I haven't been really doing my hair at all. It's a horrible habit, but a horrible habit that's so easy to get into. It's not that I don't necessarily want to all the time either. It's more the matter of time and patience. I honestly love vintage hairstyles and I really want to get back into doing them more often whenever I have the chance! They are just so fun and instantly lovely!

(tank- alloy, shorts- vintage from etsy, cardigan- vintage from rock paper vintage, socks- sock dreams, oxfords- target)

 

 What's your favorite item to wear this fall, sweets? ♥

currently listening to: keep it running- robert francis

Turn up the Tunes Tuesday

Dancing on My Own- Robyn 
  Come on Closer- Jem

Can't Stand It- Never Shout Never

Mistaken for Strangers- The National 
What Became of the Lovely Lads- The Libertines
Love Me or Leave Me- Billie Holiday
Banana Pancakes- Jack Johnson

Don't Let Me Fall- Lenka
Just the Way You Are- Bruno Mars 

What can't you enough of this week, dolls? ♥

Outfit Favorites & Inspiration

Fade to Black, Frita, Chloe Marie Antoinete, Gary Pepper Vintage, Late Afternoon, Flashes of Style

So many incredible looks this week! I love it. ♥

Surreal minimalism

(tank- uo, lace shorts- ebay, hat- uo, plaid shirt- f21)

Lazy, lazy day. I'm not really complaining though. I'm thankful I'm actually able to have one! I'm not exactly in favor of the fact that mother nature is practically forcing me to bring out my summer clothes in November. Being in the 90's today, it was a bit too hot to function properly. 

Though I did have the urge to bake, an urge I didn't follow through with, but it was nevertheless an urge, all thanks to my grandma making me the cutest apron! She's on a bit of a rampage and actually hopes to get them sold. I will definitely get around to showing you the one she made me!

Also, I apologize if you haven't really been feeling the couple sponsored posts recently. I just want you to know that I'm very selective with the posts I do carry out and by no means want to sacrifice good content because of it. The posts I do write, I honestly write with no bias and are just further content that I hope you dolls can get something out of. ♥

Cheers! It's nearly the weekend! ♥

currently listening to: crawl- kings of leon

Cool beauty blues

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

I know life gets a bit hectic with all this craziness, especially with the holidays coming near, and your never ending need to look your best. With the cooler temperatures coming upon us though... and the frizz.... and the dry skin, well you get the picture, it takes just a bit more effort to stay looking pretty and pristine this time of year.

♥ Allure selected Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner to make sure we reap the rewards of the time and effort we put into our color-treated hair with UV filters and brightening cranberry oil, and helps avoid the hair dullness that often comes  into effect during these cooler months.


♥ Shu Uemura Art of Hair Moisture Velvet Nourishing Treatment is another Allure chosen best for 2010, that will leave your hair insanely smooth and snarl-free in minutes. Now who doesn't love velvety smooth hair?

♥ And to match that glorious mane of yours, avoid those nasty ashy skin blues with Compagnie de Provence Lait Pamplemousse moisturizing, not to mention, natural and organic, body lotion from La Compagnie de Provence that has a yummy, fresh grapefruit scent. Not feeling too citrusy, there's plenty of other scents to luxuriously lather you skin in.

Now I know beauty expenses add up, especially when I know you're saving for a pair of fabulous suede lace up boots you can't help but eye! Save yourself the hassle and money from searching local beauty stores and salons an online stroll to LuxuryParlor.com, an online shop filled with Professional Beuty Products at great discounted prices! They even have their own Luxuryparlor Beauty Blog  with plenty of tips and reviews of what great products are going around at the moment.

What are your favorite go-to beauty products? ♥

holiday shopping, oh my!

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

I can't get over the fact that it's already November! Holiday shopping is already out to get us! And to be honest, I'm not one able to handle going from store to store in search of the perfect gift for everyone. Plus, doing that only tends to lengthen my wish list. Not the greatest.

But, I mean, there's no harm in treating yourself to a little gift for all your hard holiday shopping work!  Which is what I guiltily already caught myself doing when searching through this site . Majority of my shopping gets done online, so I found this site, PopWatchers, to be brilliant, since it is an easy, one-stop search for a few of my online favorites, including Ebay, Etsy, Amazon, and Zappos. It's extremely easy to use and separates your search results into the most popular products and the best matching. You also have the option of searching by price range. And yes my search was for some fabulous Jeffrey Campbells. Can you blame a girl??

l ultimately found PopWatchers to be a great time saver and I hope you dolls get some use out of it too. ♥