10, 9, 8, 7, ...

New Year's Eve calls for festive frocks, celebratory cocktails and dazzling decor. Whether you're throwing an all out bash, heading to a glitzy party, or cozying up inside, below are some goodies to add some glam to your evening.

Have a very happy new year!

The New Year goods: 

1. Make celebratory cocktails with Martha Stewart's champagne cocktail recipes, available here

2. Silver and gold sparklers make festive party favors — $12, available at Catbird

3. Sprinkle this star confetti around table tops for added sparkle — $2.50 for 25 pc., available on Etsy

4. Check out this DIY tutorial for this amazing sequin wall, on Oh Happy Day 

5. Crystal bow shoe clips add glitz to any pumps — $55, available from ban.do

6. This tassel garland would be pretty (year round!) — $30, available on Etsy

7. Even a casual outfit becomes festive with this pretty clutch —$14.80, available from Forever21

8. This vintage disco ball would be the perfect NYE party accessory — $100, available on Etsy

9. I would leave this adorable "Joie de Vivre" banner up all year round (yes, in addition to my tassel garland) — $10, available at Catbird

10. Champagne pops ... how have I not found these brilliant sweets sooner?! — $15 for 12, available on Etsy

11. These red star sticks would be great stuck in cupcakes or as drink stirrers — $11 for 10, available on Etsy
 

Cozy Close to 2011

The goods:
• black sweater from my boyfriend's closet
• skinny denim from Forever21
• cap-toe pumps from Zara

Today is damp, dark and chilly so I went right for Steve's coziest sweater! It's made from super soft wool and has these amazing leather elbow patches (which actually takes up most of the sleeve on me). It's incredibly oversized, so to keep proportions balanced, I paired it with these skinny jeans (which were a whopping $10.50 at Forever21!) and these awesome pumps from Zara (which I scored on sale post-Christmas after pining over them for months).

Merci, Gracias, Thanks!

Everybody loves receiving mail, especially a handwritten note of appreciation for a holiday gift that took time (and money) to get. So after reveling in your new loot and fawning over new, pretty prizes, take a minute to thank your fantastic friends and loving family for their generosity. Hey ... while you're at it, why not make a resolution to write more personal notes in the 2012?

Below are some adorable options for keeping the art of the letter alive ...

The gratitude goods: 

1. Hand stamped "Merci". Set of 6 – $5.50, available on Etsy

2. Pinstripe "Thanks" banner. Set of 10 — $12.50, available at Paper Source

3. "Small Card, Big Thank You". Set of 10 — $25, available at Kate Spade

4. Gold Painted Stripes. Set of 8 — $18, available at Rifle Paper Co.

5. "Merci Beaucoup". Set of 10 — $30, available on Etsy

6. "Merci" letterpress. Set of 4 — $11.40, available on Etsy

7. "Thank You" mini cards. $2.20 each, available on Etsy

8. Painted roses "Thank You". Set of 10 — $20, available at Kate Spade

Memorable Moments

The goods:
• plaid flannel shirt from Mossimo for Target
• black pants from Forever21
• black boots by Ellen Tracy
• vintage pearl necklace from rummage sale
• turquoise ring from Lori's Shoes
• studded silver bangle from Barneys

Some people can remember phone numbers, others, directions. I have a friend who can recall exactly what she was wearing at any given event in her past ... not always who she was with or the date in history, but every detail of her ensemble (and notable outfits around her, too). I can remember most every purchase — where I made the purchase, who I was with, how much it cost — and that is a large bank of memories, since I shop, on average, once a week. I bought this shirt close to 5 years ago and I remember it was around $16 (which means my entire outfit, including these $140 boots, cost me just under $200, which is pretty good in my book). My memory could serve as a pro or a con: for purposes of this blog, I'd say it's come in handy. Or you could look at it as a running total of how much I've spent on clothing and accessories. I'll go with the pro.

Winter Blues

I've been attracted to all of the cobalt colored goods in stores lately. I know this color trend isn't new, I think I'm just digging it more for fall/winter than I did in summer. Below are some bold, blue finds, each of which I want. Now.

The blue goods, clockwise from top right: 

faux ponyskin wedge booties – $190, available at Topshop

suede and gold chain belt – $20, available at Topshop

cap sleeve lace dress – $128, available at Free People

1969 legging jeans – $69.95, available at Gap

cutout suede sandals – $140, available at Topshop

vintage Ray-Ban clubmasters — $90, available on Etsy

Claire Vivier large flat clutch – $143, available on seevivier.com

letterman jacket – $27.80, available at Forever21

While all of these are lovely, like all statements, I recommend sporting only one bright blue item at a time.

Gifted Goodies

The goods:
• tan sweater from Forever21
• blue skirt from Forever21
• black pattern tights from Lori's Shoes
• black pumps by Jessica Simpson
• bangles from Banana Republic, IGWT, C.Wonder, and Barneys

While I loved watching my friends and family open their gifts over the holiday weekend, I was excited to receive some wonderful pieces in return. My sister gave me this super soft sweater which will go with everything (can't go wrong with the basics – black, white, tan, and gray). And one of my best friends gave me this amazing green bangle I had been coveting from the equally amazing (and awesomely affordable) shop, C. Wonder. Both pieces are timeless and already on my short list of loves in my closet.

Work Mode

The goods:
• black turtleneck from Gap
• camel pencil skirt from Zara
• black HUE tights
• wedge booties from Nine West
• studded bangles from Forever21

I thought I would start the week off with a quintessential "working girl" ensemble to get me back into work mode, including the requisite pencil skirt. I scored this camel one at Zara yesterday in my bargain hunt. Practically the entire store is on sale, with racks marked for clearing at $9, $19, $29, and upward. Many of the pieces I had been eyeing all fall are marked down, even this coat that I couldn't wait for and bought a couple months ago.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Here's to a wonderful weekend with family and friends, feasts and festivities! My favorite part of the big day is watching everyone open their gifts, seeing the surprise and appreciation for the items that loved ones picked out just for them.

My next favorite part is the day after Christmas when my mom and sisters and I head to the mall to clean up on post holiday bargains (and boy are there bargains to be had!).

A few of our go-to spots are Banana Republic (where last year they had 30% off your entire purchase before 10am!), J.Crew (also door-busting deals before noon), Zara, Anthropologie and finish up at Nordstrom, where we share our purchases over lunch.

Happy holidays and happy bargain hunting!

A Festive Frock

The goods:
• red dress from Bebe (about 5 years old)
• blazer from Nordstrom
• black HUE tights from Nordstrom Rack
• black spectator booties from Steve Madden
• bag by Chanel
• black studded bangles and enamel leopard bracelet from Forever21

The holiday weekend is finally here so I'm pulling out my most festive attire (and even sporting some red lipstick!). Today I am attending afternoon tea with my mother and grandmother, one of my best friends and her mother and grandmother ... a tradition we have upheld since middle school. I love the holiday season, especially enjoying warm beverages and admiring incredibly opulent decor (which I'm pretty sure is the whole point of a holiday tea party).

Holiday Sparkle

The goods:
• white shirt from Forever21
• gray sequin sweater from Von Maur
• black blazer from Nordstrom
• black pants from Forever21
• black boots by Ellen Tracy
• vintage cocktail ring from Vintage Underground
• bangles from IGWT and Banana Republic

I often wonder why Von Maur doesn't have more locations (at least a downtown outpost) ... that store has thee best sale racks of any department store. A few years ago, I snagged this sequin striped sweater, originally marked $84, for 23 bucks (also where I found this furry vest and these shoes). In addition to fantastic customer service and a live piano player every day, it's the only store I know that devotes an entire separate room to sale shoes! In the Chicagoland area, the only location is up in Glenview, which isn't far and I would say worth the trip. Von Maur is one of my annual "day after Christmas" stops (an event in and of itself that kicks off around 7am ... and may even trump my excitement for Christmas itself).

How Charming

The goods:
• black cashmere dress from Runway Revival (which I wrote about here)
• black jacket from Urban Outfitters
• gray leggings and scarf from Charming Charlie
• gray socks from Nordstrom
• brown boots by Frye
• silver cuff from Nine West, men's watch, blue and green bracelets from Mexico

My grandmother — whose style and bargain hunting skills I could devote many a post to — raved about this shop she came across in Wisconsin, Charming Charlie, with walls of incredibly affordable bags and jewels in every color imaginable. I never thought I would make it to this accessory mecca, until my sister informed me that she has been a few times ... because there is a giant location inside the Northbridge Shops on Michigan Avenue! I finally made it over there and it is indeed a one-stop-shop for every and any outfit add-on ... bangles, cocktail rings, sunglasses, totes, clutches, scarves, headbands, hats ... the list (and shop space) goes on and on. This scarf and gray leggings were $14 each, and those were the most expensive items I purchased ... how charming!

What's Yours is Mine

The goods:
• white shirt from Mossimo for Target
• brown sweater by French Connection
• skinny jeans from Gap 1969
• brown suede pumps from Oh Deer!
• gold bangles from Coach, IGWT, Banana Republic
• vintage Casio watch

Recently, a couple of friends in same-sex relationships told me about a huge bonus to their cohabitation ... not only are they lucky enough to find a wonderful person to spend their life with, but that individual comes with an entire wardrobe to share, instantly doubling their closet! Steve and I (thankfully) do not shop in the same department ... but that doesn't mean I can't raid his closet for cozy, over-sized sweaters. I tend to grab one of his garments when he is out of town, or when the forecast is chilly, see here, and here. Steve, however, has to stick to his side of the closet ... what's mine is not his.

More Perfect Presents

I had a wonderful birthday weekend, full of fantastic dinners out, lots of laughs, and some of the most thoughtful, amazing gifts. I received two giant boxes of french macarons from my best friends and sister from two of the best places.

One of my very dear friends waited patiently in a 100 person line outside the Ladurée outpost in NYC! She said it was an entertaining mix of people and that the experience was worth it (which was most likely a fib so that I wouldn't feel so bad after all she went through for my sugar fix).
My sister went to my favorite pastry shop in Chicago, Sarah's Pastries & Candies on Oak. The lovely little shop not only has the best macarons in the city, but delightful lunch items as well.

With this array of fine confections, I will be enjoying macarons morning, noon, and night! (which is totally fine by me).






And a good portion my weekend was spent admiring the pure beauty of a bag that Steve gave me ... it could take me a while to believe this is actually mine.

 

Perfect Present

The goods:
• white shirt from Forever21
• white cable-knit sweater from J.Crew
• dark denim from J.Crew
• tan booties from Zara
• studded bangles from Forever21
• black square ring from Lori's 
• gold post earrings from Guess

I have had a white cable-knit sweater like this on my radar for some time now, but since it's the holiday season, just couldn't justify buying one for myself. Proving once again that the man's got taste, my brother gave me this lovely one for my birthday over the weekend! It's made from super soft angora and just the right, slightly cropped fit I've been looking for. I see it becoming my go-to, snugly sweater on cold winter days.

Birthday Suit

The goods:
• white shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren outlet
• black blazer from BCBG outlet
• dark denim from Citizens of Humanity
• black/leopard booties from Vince Camuto
• black leather tie from Marc Jacobs
• gold bangles from IGWT, Barney's

Today is my birthday and instead of going the girlie, party dress route, I embraced my new mature age (yes folks, a new decade ... sigh) and went for "sophisticated adult" (let's just say it's true for argument's sake). I'm not usually one for the full-on menswear look, but wearing my hair down, a little bold eyeliner, and a few accessories keeps it just feminine enough.

I'm looking forward to a weekend of celebrations with some of my best friends (a couple of which are flying in town from each coast!) and family... And, of course, last minute Christmas shopping for almost everyone!

photo from Getty Images

Gift Guide: A Few of My Wishes

I compiled ideas for the hostess, the menfolk and our best girlfriends/sisters/mothers ... but what about the random smattering of items that aren't easily categorized?

Below are some items off my own wish list to Santa ...

The gift goods: 
1. Antler embroidered pillow. Instead of permanently hanging antlers on the wall, this adorable pillow would add an edge to the bed, sofa, or side chair  – $55, available here

2. Vintage brass lamp. Paired with contemporary pieces, one of these would shed just the right amount of gilded vintage light — $84.95, available here

3. Ladurée macarons. Hands down the best Parisian treats – available at Ladurée, New York 

4. Vintage globe. A collection of different size globes adds color (and a history lesson if they're old enough!) to shelves or a desk – $80, available here

5. Vintage Chanel. A luxe bag or vintage jewels from this epitome of style would be a Christmas miracle  – fantastic vintage ones available here 

6. Gourmet cheese — A new savory treat every month? It's the gift that keeps on giving!  – $36, available here

7. Glass and brass display boxes. Lovely by themselves or displaying treasures, these fragile finds are simple designs for around the home – $26, available here 

8. Lavender bath bombs. Nothing could be more relaxing than a lavender bath. Heck, anything in this fine fragrance is OK in my book – $3.50, available here 

9. Moroccan Oil hair treatment. I've been a devotee from the first time I smelled this fragrant product. Just a tiny amount, worked through wet hair is incredible – $38.50, available here

10. French salam teapot. A perfect marriage of form and function, with it's mid-century modern design, infuser basket and flannel-lined stainless steel cozy – $158, available here

Also check out gifts for the hostess, guys, and gals!

Affordable Accessories

The goods:
• denim shirt from J.Crew
• black pants from Forever21
• black wedge booties from Nine West
• leopard scarf from Mikkat Market
• vintage pearl bangle, IGWT gold bangle
• vintage gold belt

I love getting jewelry as much as the next girl (hint to menfolk that a girl can never have enough) ... but some of my favorite pieces didn't come from jewelry boutiques or department stores, but from the bottom of bargain bins at rummage sales and vintage shops. This pearl bracelet and belt both came from a rummage sale (that I gush about here), both priced around $2! Since most current pieces now emulate vintage accessories, why not hunt for the real thing at a reduced price?

Other shops to check out for affordable unique or one of a kind finds are Vintage Underground, Runway Revival and online must, Mikkat Market. And for new stuff, you can't beat Forever21 for super cheap belts, bangles and rings.