Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Merry Christmas, everyone! My mother is visiting for Christmas, and she brought me one of these candles in the scent "cashmere" from Texas. These are from the Comfort Candle Company out of Comfort, TX. This one candle has filled my apartment with a lovely, rich, warm scent. I hope you all have a lovely holiday season.

Scoping out Old Navy

I tried on this sweater the other day. On the rack, it looked cheerful, bright, slightly nautical. On me, it looked blobby. It would probably look better on someone else.

The encouraged matching piece was this lovely tank top, which I might go back for if it goes on sale. I find that the (typically low) quality of Old Navy doesn't matter so much when you buy a fabric that isn't cotton knit. This top is rayon though, and I'm not sure how well it would hold up in the long run. For $18 (plus whatever discount du jour), it might be worth the risk.

Here's a close-up of the detail on the tank.

Since I wouldn't be getting the tank to match the sweater, I'd probably get this one. You know how I'm a sucker for navy.

Presenting Mr. Stuart Weitzman

THIS. This is it. I went back to the fancy consignment shop. I tried on so many things. And there were many great things, but nothing AMAZING that leapt off the rack and into my arms. Until I saw this puppy (croccy?). $700 retail. Mine for $100. Welcome to my arm, Mr Weitzman. Good job, and congratulations on all your hard work, self.

Faux Fuchsia and my last two years

So. I am having some thoughts I would like to share with you all. You know faux fuchsia, right? She is my blog idol. Or maybe my life idol. Everything is beautiful.

I know that blogs are just a picture into someone's life, and you get their edited version. So maybe faux fuchsia has normal humdrum things in her life too. Maybe some of the frocks she tries on look like crap. Maybe the baby stays up all night screaming. Maybe she gets a bad jar of caviar and gets a nasty case of food poisoning. Maybe she jams her thumb onto one nail she just finished painting, but she doesn't have time to go back and fix it.

But I'd rather just enjoy the fantasy that she is amazing and beautiful and stylish and social and perfectly put together 24/7. One of my favorite parts of the fantasy are her clothes. She owns the actual versions of things that target, forever21, and h&m knock off. She has the "unattainable."

Today is my last day of school. I have been working and going to school for the last six semesters. A few times it just about killed me. But, I pushed through, I made it, and it's over after I finish one last final. This feels momentous. This feels like it needs something to mark my accomplishment. On Friday, I am going to go to that consignment shop, and I am going to get the unattainable. My very first super fancy thing. I don't know what it will be yet, but I will keep you posted.

Vintage pendant

oh my goodness.

I went to the best consignment shop in the world yesterday. I tried on the most beautiful Trina Turk coat. It was a raspberry color, very vintage looking. It was even on sale for $90, which is a complete steal. Unfortunately, I'm on a spending hiatus until after Christmas. Of course, I had to go to the Trina Turk website to see what her stuff looks like. She has home stuff, y'all! And it's lovely!

Someone must buy these for me

OH MY GOSH. How gorgeous and ridiculous are these? Ladylike but eccentric. Just like me. I like to tell myself.

Just an observation

Prada

Madden Girl

Talbots

Chanel. Everyone is ripping off Chanel this season, EVEN PRADA.

I have to admit, I am not that into color blocking. I lived in Sewanee for so long, I used to joke with my friend Joan that we knew our clothes matched when we were wearing two solid colors together. I'm over it. I've been color blocking for years. That said, I wouldn't say no to those Chanel slingbacks.

The quinn

Kate Spade, that wicked minx, is trying to tempt us all into bankruptcy. Two day sample sale going on right now on the website. How much do we love this little tote bag? Also available in red and mustard yellow. Usually $395. Today it can be yours for $159.

Blackwatch plaid

I have been pining over blackwatch plaid this season, ever since I saw some awesome men's plaid pants in the Orvis catalog. Isn't this shirt lovely?

my new sweater

Born in the USA

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, I was researching clothing made in the US. Did you know that Nanette Lepore makes almost all of her clothes in the garment district in New York? I had no idea! I love so many of her things, especially this dress.

We loveth and we wanteth

How pretty are these? I love green things. I love buckles. I love these shoes.

Getting ready for tomorrow

makeup sampler

I'll admit it. I'm addicted to Sephora. During the three weeks I spent as a trophy wife, I probably went to Sephora at least twice a week. What else was I going to do with myself? Not surprisingly, I want this box full of best selling Sephora goodies.

how cute are these boots? these boots are so cute.

stunning dress

Also comes in black. Seriously considering ordering the black one. What a gorgeous, gorgeous, ladylike cocktail dress. The bow is fantastic.

and what will hold this tote bag makeup kit?

One of these pretties, perhaps?

tiny things

Got a coupon in the mail for free mini bare minerals foundation, primer, and brush from Sephora. I love tiny things. I love tiny things even more when they're free. This will be the beginning of my tote bag makeup kit.

my christmas prezzie

From my dear sweet sister. Granted, she hasn't ordered it yet. But we are so going to buy these for each other. Hooray! So exciting!

Rosemary mint

I've been on a sulfate-free kick. If you are like me and are low-maintenance but prefer to look put together and non-slobby, you rely on two things-- accessorizing and quality beauty products. Sulfate free= soft and shiny hair that needs to be cut less often.

And it's amazing to be blow drying your hair and wonder, "what is that amazing smell?" and then realize it's your hair. A word to the wise though-- this rosemary mint thing is real. I'd advise washing yourself before conditioning, otherwise you might discover an uncomfortably minty fresh tingle in certain... ahem... sensitive regions.

Houndstooth jacket

Slap a full red skirt under this and get ready to tailgate. Roll tide!

Wool skirt

My mom has a plaid fringed wool blanket from LL Bean from a million years ago. By a million, I probably mean the 70s. It is so soft. This skirt reminds me of that blanket. It looks so pretty and ladylike with the white cotton shirt.

My new favorite water

My little sweetling

Bird shell

This charming shell is from the Gap. I was actually looking on their website for a scarf made of the same fabric, but couldn't find it. At any rate, when I was a kid, I read a lot of old books and they would describe cute and charming things as "cunning"... well, I think this is a perfect word for this shell.

Silk party dress

Gabbie dress

Oh, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.... great colors, great lines, great ruching, work appropriate, would look fantastic on me.

Lovely basic sweater

It's even prettier in navy, but for some reason they don't have a picture of that one on the website. Also, I might need to buy something that isn't navy for a change.

Earrings

Sorry I've been MIA for a bit. Midterms, you know.

Return to sender

Super beautiful address stamps. Can be yours for $21.95 on etsy. Thanks to Jane Has a Job for bringing this etsy store to our attention!

Even a lady can be a bitch sometimes

God, why are these not on my feet right now? I just can't justify $400 slippers... yet.

Coin wallet

I don't know why, but I am bloody obsessed with this coin wallet. If anyone wants to buy this for me, you will be my dearest friend forever. I'm going to the aquarium tomorrow, and this would be a great addition to my look.

Apple products

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” - Steve Jobs

A ring with diamonds

As long as we're staring idly at rings...

The parhelion

Cocktail ring

You've got to have something to stare at idly when you're at a boring cocktail party. Nothing like an 8.5 carat amethyst.

Floral scarf

I have a scarf.... well... some would call it a problem. I call it a hobby. I have a scarf hobby. This would be a great addition to my collection.

Peonies

Eyelid primer

Worth every single penny. Hands down the best beauty product I have bought this year. I touch my eyes a lot. Despite that, this product keeps my eye makeup on for 12+ hours. At the end of the day, it looks like I just put on my eyeshadow. Not only does this product do what it says, it is also free from all those nasty chemicals that are in so many products. Lovely!

Satin d'Orsay Pumps

Oh, drools. Oh, oh, oh, drools. I love bows on shoes. I just can't help myself. They are the best and most beautiful shoe decoration ever. Just so you know.

Sweater Blazer

I love soft but structured. Nothing like a lapel on a sweater.

Blush

This is my new blush. Tarte's Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in "Blissful." It is very pretty, and helps me look very pretty too.