Category: Uncategorized

‘Tis the season for holiday parties.  Not sure what to bring for the host?  Here are my suggestions for gifts that will be loved, or at the very least easily re-gifted!  Candles, Cards, and Champagne.

Candles make a perfect host gift.  They’re relatively small, don’t really need any added gift wrapping (though a ribbon or cute gift tag is a nice addition), and come in all price points.  Some of my personal favorites are found at Anthropologie:  Capri Blue Mercury Glass Jar Candle in Volcano $28 for 24oz, and mini 4.5oz candles for $12.  Voluspa Cut Glass Jar Candle in Crane Flower  $26 for 16oz.  Voluspa Boxed Candle in Crane Flower $18 for 6.2oz.

Cards Against Humanity, for those who don’t know, is a card game with that is super easy to learn and a great way to get a group of party-goers talking and laughing up a storm!  Cards Against Humanity $25

And finally, champagne.  Nothing says festive like a bottle of bubbly.  Two of my favorites for the season are MUMM NAPA Sparkling Pinot Noir  ($34) and MUMM NAPA Brut Prestige ($22).  The sparkling pinot is a beautiful crimson color that is just perfect for this time of year.  And the brut prestige is simply a classic.  You really can’t go wrong with either.

Earlier this week I took a last minute flight to Dallas.  It was a relatively quick trip, and (as usual) I wanted to pack to as many outfit options as possible into a tiny carry-on.  And since Dallas in December can vary greatly when it comes to weather, versatile layering pieces were a must.  Voila!!  The perfectly packed combo:

MIU MIU Ballet Flats in light pink/nude.  Chloe Suzanna Studded Ankle Boot.  J.Crew Collection Classic Turtleneck Cashmere Sweater in heather flax and black.  J.Crew Contrast Floral Lace Skirt.    J Brand Rail skinny mid-rise jeans.  Max Mara Abelia cardigan.  Black Pashmina/cashmere wrap (and similar wrap found here).  Mossimo Supply Co. Women’s Boyfriend V Tee.   TightCode Ladies’ Stripe Pattern Stockings.

The outfit combinations are incredible!

xoxo

My affinity for J.Crew has ebbed and flowed over the  years, but this season I’m crushing hard.  And they’re having a huge sale at the moment!  Pretty much everything in the store (and online) is 30-50% off!!!  Here are my top mix-and-match picks…

Martie Pant in Bi-Stretch Wool – Very Audrey Hepburn chic.  These pants are a great length for pairing with flats or heels, the cut is super flattering, and the fabric is a medium weight for all season wearability.  The only con is that they run small, so be prepared to size up one or (gulp) two sizes.  I already own a pair in black, and I’m planning to buy the gray as soon as they restock in my size!

Holiday Party Top in Sequin – Simply beautiful.  Incredible blush pink top.  Sport it under a blazer, flaunt it with a pencil skirt, run errands with it in boyfriend jeans, and take it into summer with white short-shorts.  You need this top.  I found my regular size fit okay, but one size down transformed the fit to uber-flattering.  Love.

Contrast Floral Lace Skirt – A surprisingly versatile skirt.  Pair it with a cashmere sweater and flats for work, or a silk cami and heels for a hot date.  The skirt hits just past the knees and is sophisticated chic and feminine flirty all at the same time.  WARNING:  You may be tempted to size down, but don’t take it too far.  The skirt is meant to have a bit of pleating all the way around.  When you try it on examine the rear-view and make sure it’s not laying too flat across the bum.  If it is, go one size up.  I bought my normal size.

Powder Crystal Necklace – Hello lovely!  This necklace looks smashing paired with the blush pink sequin dress and/or top; but let’s be honest… it looks pretty good with a gray t-shirt and jeans too.

Open Cardigan Sweater – This sweater feels so cozy and luxe.  I went with the Heather Pewter color.  For some reason it just looked more elegant and versatile to me.  I live in Northern California where sweaters are a must most of the year, and I anticipate this will be a favorite go-to.

Cap-Sleeve Sequin Dress – Can’t quit the sparkle.  Looking for a holiday party dress, some NYE sparkle, and/or a Valentine’s date dress?  This dress can do it all.  Beautiful color, super comfy, and hella sparkly (but in a classy way); and at a reasonable price point too!

Collection Classic Turtleneck Sweater in Cashmere – A cashmere basic.  Soft, cozy, and well cut.  I’ve owned MANY cashmere sweaters from J.Crew over the years, but my cashmere turtlenecks in black and heather flax have been wardrobe staples.  This is a need.

Carrie Cami in Floral Lace – Another super versatile piece.  This cami pairs just as well with boyfriend jeans as it does the sleek Martie pant referenced above.  And simply add a blazer and it becomes office friendly.

Embellished Tippi in Glen Plaid – A fun seasonal sweater.  I love this bedazzled piece.  The colors lend themselves to easy mixing and matching, and there’s just enough sparkle to make it pop.

The holidays are almost here, my office will be closed, and I’m looking forward to doing some extracurricular reading.  I’ve narrowed my (virtual) book list to four, and I think it’s a pretty well-rounded bunch.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling — Described as a collection of hilarious, insightful, and personal essays; this is going to be my go-to for my holiday shopping commutes downtown.

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki — A personal finance book, to help reset after all that holiday spending.

Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris — Autobiography in essay form makes it another great read for a commute or coffee house.

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus by John Gray, Ph.D. — The cover says it all:  “A practical guide for improving communication and getting what you want in your relationships.”  Sounds to good to be true, but I’ll give it a go!