The best gifts to give...are the ones you'd want to get!

A little advice to all you procrastinating Christmas shoppers out there. If you are dreading the task because you never know what to get anyone listen up!! You need to get into the mind of the receiver!! If I were Bobby, age 14, a little geeky because I like sci-fi, not to mention a bit gangly because of my growth spurt the perfect gift for me would be the new Batman video game! Recently voted best action game of the year this is what ever adolescent gamer will be wanting...the first game with full range of motion characters. Sooooooooooooooo to keep you from going grey prematurely, I've done all the work for you. Here is what everyone wants right now!!

pre teens...colorful print TOMS...teach them early to be generous, for every pair you buy a needy child gets a pair.  For those pre teen boys who have an image to keep up these do come in plain colors as well....some pre teen boys I know would not enjoy these however and for them I would simply get the newest Reebok's and hope maybe next year they will enjoy fashionable footwear.  OHH I also am getting every boy in my family a Tim Tebow jersey this year!  Such a great guy, its too bad the jersey proceeds don't go to one of his ministries.  Said best by one of my youth groupers yesterday..."Tebowing is the new planking!"  Hahahaha.

Teen Girls...Sperrys!  Who can resist a beautified boat shoe???  Too cute and just what the hip teens are wearing in the Halls of your local High School!  My favs are the leopard print, so I guess maybe this is a great gift for any age?

Teen Boys....video games:  parents don't fret, the blue chip kid attributes his uncanny smarts to video game playing.  He says the fast problem solving helped him on his rise to the top of the business world:)  Batman Arkham city won best action game of the year... I hear the characters have human-like range of motion!  If you are still against video games, I'm not judging, here is the hottest book series since Harry Potter, The Hunger Games.  Its kind of a cross between The Giver and Ender's Game....non stop action and suspense with a healthy dose of Politics...be sure to read it with your teen for great discussion around the dinner table!

The 20 somethings... Dazzling shades of nail polish!  My go to brands for gifts are Chanel for its gorgeous packaging and staying power and Butter, out of England for its cheeky named colors like Tea with the Queen, and Yummy Mummy! Just get the latest shades, your gift will be so now!

For the 20 something guy....A hip pair of Ray-bans.  My favorite style is the Original Wayfarer.  Now it comes in so many shades and prints there will be one that fits his personality, shown below is a contemporary black and turquoise followed by a classic tortoise. 

The young professionals..The Nook starting at like 80 bucks all the way to the Nook tablet which is a I pad like invention.  I also love the fact that this is not an Apple Product.  I don't know why but it bothers me that everyone thinks their things are so cool. Its like a whole society has been hijacked by computer geeks disguised as "creative people".   Guess what? I'm cool and artistic and I don't use Apple products...wha sup? 







The Parents...need a night off!  Get them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant.  Some great ideas around the Twin Cities are Parasole gift cards to which they can go to any Parasole restaurant such as Manny's, Salut or The Good Earth.  You may even get invited to this dinner...a gift that keeps giving!! If you are invited and you are not a vegitarian its your patriotic duty to go to Manny's...yummmm.  Medium Rare beef just says Merry Christmas to me. 

The Grandparents...mine like Chocolate, because lets face it, at that age you can indulge a little!!  Grandparents are also notable lovers of photos of loved ones, and nostolgic memorabilia.  Try a combo of Fannie May Mint Meltaways and a great frame filled with a family photo!

If you need more ideas....ask away!  Happy Giving Everybody!

~S

How to stay warm and keep your dignity

I'm 29 years old. I live in Minnesota. The average temperature is 6 degrees this time of year. I love my husband. I moved here willingly for him...or at least I kind of remember doing something like that. This is the mantra I have to repeat to myself on a morning like today when I wake to the mind-numbing cold that waits at my doorstep. It's winter again in Minnesota. At least as of now the holidays are here and no one has seen the senselessness to this cold because White Christmases are nostalgic. But soon, the Christmas lights will come down, the Christmas tree thrown out in the garbage heap and the only thing left....you guessed it.... the cold. Oh yeah, and the snow and ice and that gross blue salt that is sprinkled everywhere. How do we get through it? We wrap ourselves up as best we can and wear ugly shoes instead of the pretty ones that make walking fun. Its sad. Every year I struggle with this decision to join in or opt out...do I choose function or form? Will I dress for warmth or will I wear what I like?

This year I refuse to don the shapeless parka and clunky snow boot that characterizes a northerners wardrobe this time of year. There must be a better way, as I have no intentions of moving to California any time soon, and a cute outfit will help me bear this burden more becomingly. I'm determined that those of us who face this horrible weather should have another alternative.....fashionable and functional winter wear. Does such a thing exist?

Join me on my hunt.

The Riding boot: The style is so classic and now the material so warm and weather-proof! Check out the following styles from Ugg, Hunter and Burberry. Hunter also make fleece inserts to wear inside for warmth and comfort!

A Fur Coat: If you've never tried one on, you don't know what you are missing. Its the way God intended us to keep warm! And it really works! Pair one of these with long leather gloves, a patterned scarf and a knit cap and you will stay toasty all day. If you are opposed to real fur, the faux fur options at retailers such as Nordrom are not only really warm but easy on the pocket book.

Shown in order: Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Vintage and Nordstrom faux fur.

Shopping tip: The fur I purchased was vintage and therefore has a unique feel, stop by your locale vintage retailers and tell them what you are looking for and in what size...you'll be the first one they call when it comes in:)

 

What I'm wearing to deck the halls

It's time to get out the Christmas tree, the ornaments and the twinkle lights in order to DECK THE HALLS!! Of course this festivity calls for family, friends and a killer outfit! There is nothing like plaid and corduroy to get me in the mood for Christmas. Ohh also mixing shades and textures of red gets me really jazzed!!! The plaid hints to the fact that I could be a very cute lumberjack who just cut down my own tree, but the felt blazer and chic cut of my cords gentrify me:) Ruby heels just bring out the party.

Also, why is it that only at Christmas we wear festive shades and sparkle? I mean its a good start but I want this kind of happiness year round.

Don't you?

~S

Black Friday Trials and Triumphs

This year for Thanksgiving we were in Chicago. A great city for shopping but a horrible city to drive in. I'm not saying, but I'm just saying, I paid like a hundred dollars in tolls and had a run in with the law, where we were pulled over not even for speeding! Thankfully we came away from the incident unscathed yet slightly late to the event we were heading to, thankyouverymuch officer Walt. Happily, all this did not put a damper on my black Friday shopping experience.


Open scene: Thursday 11:30 pm, Rain is ruining my hairstyle as I run to the car. Fighting a soar throat I am choking down a Halls cough drop as my Brother George, Blue Chip and I prepare to brave the crowds at midnight in the name of fashion!! We pump up the music to get ourselves stoked to score some great deals...and off we go! Mostly the memories are a blur of wishing I would have left my purse at home (it kept weighing me down) and flash backs of a black Ralph Lauren sweater with elbow patches, I was loving but somehow got left behind. There are happy memories too though...here they are!!


A tribal print tunic, and two snakeskin blouses in different shades.


My, I must have been feeling very fierce as I was shopping. Maybe it's the nature of the day...True story: down the street from where we were shopping someone was stabbed for a $3 waffle iron. Talk about a black Friday fail.




Here is how I will be wearing my snakeskin blouse tomorrow night! Boot cut dark wash jeans and a olive green shawl collar jacket.



Share your black Friday trials and triumphs with me here!

~S

Spring Color...hues for happiness!

Coral. Its everywhere right now. Its red, its orange and kind of pink all at the same....a true marvel. Coral is the color of the season so get some quick! I've sampled a few of my own finds in this hot hue below. The first few are examples of my spring uniform...a day dress splashed with coral , gold accessories and a straw hat. Is there anyone who wouldn't want to wear such a happy outfit? I put it on and immediatly hear the sounds of a farmers market calling me! Here I come fresh produce!!!

This is my favorite color for fingers and toes right now....Tazmanian devil made me do it!

My favorite spring bling...

YSL lipstick in Coral Rose...it even smells like spring. Try it if you don't believe me!

I just kicked up my feet after posting this and realized even my ballet flats are adorned in the seasonal sensation!!

Happy Spring,

~S

At the Oscars

I decided to blog about the Oscars after the hype had past and I'd had some time to really sit down an analyze the red carpet. You know, all 7 hours of it:) As I watched the throngs of fame and fortune waft past the cameras I had time to think up my own awards. Keep in mind I am a panel of one and take no input from the Academy.

Best Hair... and the Oscar goes to... Reese Witherspoon. Love that elusive blond color that most will only dream of, and Love the pony tail. Normally I'm against a fake hair ponytail, maybe its my aversion to all things Madonna, who knows? But seriously! This hair is so chic! She looks like a real life Barbie doll:)

Michelle Williams who is in a very close second place for hair, wins the Oscar for best makeup! She looks AMAZING. The perfect peach pout and awesomely arched eye brows. Yes please.

My nominees for best dressed are.... Mandy Moore, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams.

And the Oscar goes to....Mila Kunis! Despite her gown being too low cut for my taste, I can't get over the beautiful lilac lace! The way it's fringed so modernly down the sides of the dress makes me so happy! Its the perfect color to contrast her dark hair. And in a world of strapless dresses that all start to look alike, this one has capped sleeves, how novel?! Well done Ellie Saab, well done. And For that matter, well done Mila Kunis, you've come a long way from that 70s show and dating Macaulay Culkin to the Academy Awards. I'm impressed.
Worst Dressed: It pains me to have to give this award because today this just should NOT happen. With a glam squad at her fingertips and a reality TV show all of your own Guilianna Rancic you should be ashamed. You not only had a grotesque dress on, but you are too skinny for your own good. Eat something and tame that hair. How can we listen you your commentary of the red carpet with your dress screaming at us like that? Its just not nice.

Here's looking forward to next year tinsel town!

~S

Hi its me...I'm just wearing new makeup

It's restaurant week in the Twin Cities. Tonight Blue Chip took me to the Capital Grille. Quite good, but kind of weird. Our waiter left us his business card and there were portraits of famous Minnesotans hanging on the walls. (That is weird right?) All in all it was a great time. GREAT company, good conversation and a good steak. I must tell you though that a large part of my enjoyment from this evening came from my eyeshadow!! Here is how that happened.

I was preparing for a night on the town with my hubby and wanted to try something new with my makeup. You know, really make him sit up and take notice of my beauty:) I love a smokey eye, but on a person with fair skin it tends to look a little...Avril Lavigne, during her first Album..before she softened her look to date Brody Jenner.

I definitely don't want to be putting off an Avril vibe so I generally don't rock the smokey eye look. But today I put an end to all that! Instead of the traditional black or pewter eyeshadow used for the smokey look, I used my favorite color Green to create a smokey eye for pasty people!! Exciting, isn't it!?

I think you should wear this to restaurant week too!! Use any color that suits you, Layer the darkest hue on the lid, a moderate shade in the crease and a light blendable shade under the brow...voila! You are so chic.

~S

Useless but very pretty things

I have always been drawn to beautiful things. No matter where I go or what I'm doing, shiny objects distract me. They call to me in a dangerous chorus of desire. I can be minding my own business at home and BAM! Anne Hathaway is sauntering down the red carpet on E! wearing a dress I have no business owning, but a voice inside my head says...GO AND GET THE DRESS! I am telling you, these items are useless in my personal Minnesota life. There is no earthly reason why I would need them. So, I am going to post them all here so we can enjoy their beauty together and be satisfied.

The dress that stole my heart....

This is what I would wear to work if I were the Queen of England!! Isn't it Jolly?

Couldn't I wear this on a cruise or something??!

Who doesn't need a sparkly Chanel coat??

This one I think I might be able to work into my current lifestyle...Blue Chip, what do you think??

This one is just fun! I would totally rock this with a belt just out for dinner, right?! The green shoes are a perfect touch.

Happy viewing,

~S

There is something you should know about me...

There are some things that I feel burdened to confess. Just a few things about me that I'd like to bring into the light. I mean we're friends, you and I, right? Friends shouldn't be afraid to speak out and say,

I wear men's cologne. Its true!! I've been too embarrassed to admit it but people keep asking me why I smell so good! I've been stealing my husband's new Bleu de Chanel that I bought him for Christmas. I honestly think it smells better on me than him:) So I wear it. Once in the dark, now out in the open...I wear men's cologne!!!

I also shop at Brighton. I know its for soccer moms and grandmas but I really like their cuffs! I Christmas shop there every year for "other" people and add to my collection secretively that way. The only person I've confessed this to is the blue chip kid and he very kindly braved the middle aged, cat loving sales people in the store to buy me this new amazing cuff for Valentine's day! Thanks honey.xoxo

I wear J brand "bombshell" jeans. The "bombshell" is kind of like a nice way of saying... you're not skinny, but you want to wear skinny jeans, so we'll make you a hybrid. Jbrand put a little extra room and give in the caboose of a skinny legged jean so real people can wear them. They are a dream! Unfortunately mine are developing a hole in the knee due to a fall I took on the ice during this lovely winter we are having. Here they are....

Don't you feel closer now?

I think you should tell me your style secrets!

~S