happy feet

i'm taking a break from studying for finals to share an amazing holiday promotion with you! one of my favorite  online shopping destinations, sole society, has teamed up with haute look (another fashion goldmine) for one of the best deals i've seen all season. it's simple: just join sole society (if you haven't already) and use HAUTELIDAY20 at check-out to get $20 off your first purchase! (ends december 16)

$20 may not sound like that much, but consider this: every shoe on the site is only $50 or $60, and shipping is always free. it's almost too good to be true.

the only problem is, i can't decide which ones to order. which would you choose -- the kimberlee, kaylie, gina, or suzanne?

 

glitter girl

image via inspired design

with all this gloomy weather we've been having, i'm tempted to pile on as much glitter/sequins/rhinestones/sparkles as i can each morning! it makes those chunky sweaters and weatherproof boots feel so much more glamorous, and this season it's all about that high-low mix. i love the idea of glitzing up cold weather textures (like wool, cashmere and plaid) with light-catching jewelry, shoes, and even denim.

 i'll chalk it up to the holiday season (only 16 days til christmas!) but fashion in general has really embraced sparkle recently. you can find a sparkly piece nearly anywhere, and at any price point -- from the splurge-worthy offerings at net-a-porter to everyone's favorite fast fashion destination, forever 21. there's no reason not to try out this trend!
try any of my picks below for an extra-festive look:

{from top left: tom binns necklace (similar here, here and here), kate spade bangle, 7 for all mankind jeans, vintage chanel bag, kate spade clutch, j.crew heels, deborah lippman glitter nail polish, lulu frost x j.crew earrings}

II emily

holiday gift guide #2

i recently stumbled upon the addictive kikkerland website and spent roughly an hour clicking through the quirky, inexpensive items (when i should have been writing my 3 final papers...!) everything is insanely practical but uniquely designed, and i instantly came up with a million holiday gift ideas.

if (like me) you  struggle with gifting because your besties already have plenty of jewelry (my shameless go-to) and your guy friends are simply impossible to shop for (aren't they always?), then look no further. i mean, what are the odds your friends already have funky USB hubs or cupcake-shaped stickies? check out my favorite kikkerland picks below, and browse the entire site here. (and check out our holiday gift guide #1 here!)

from top left: wisdom teeth magnets ($5), piet mondrian-inspired magnetic dry erase board ($12), giant rhino eraser ($11), memo pad cupcake ($4.50), iphone 4 bling case ($10), lightning bolt usb hub ($15), bear rug coasters ($15)

II emily

etsy spotlight: friedasophie

i've only bought a few things on etsy before, but i'm slowly becoming one of those addicts... the kind that tells herself she totally needs edible sharks for her next (nonexistent) baking venture. or soap that looks like sushi - yeah, totally necessary.

that being said, it's also possible to feel lost on the site, endlessly searching for that one special boutique. and once you stumble upon it... you have to share. friedasophie is any jewelry girl's dream come true: its pieces are all at once feminine, versatile, edgy and fashion-forward. i mean, who wouldn't want to wear a geode around their neck?  i love the juxtaposition of raw stones against simple gold chains and settings.

these pieces would give a delicate summer dress a little bit of edge, or they could add some earthiness to your  winter knits! if you need a cold weather pick-me-up (or a super special gift for your bestie, if you didn't already snag one here!) the friedasophie shop is the place for you.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

cara mia

 

images via style.com/print

i received my style.com/print issue 03 in the mail a few weeks ago, but i still love flipping through to re-read the articles and pore over the countless gorgeous, gigantic photos. especially fantastic was the cover story on cara delevigne, by far one of the most interesting models on the runway these days. how much are you loving the above portraits? so much beauty/fashion inspiration -- fuschia lips, tousled highlighted strands, slick liner and baseball caps. i'm anxious to see what this londoner has in store for the coming seasons.

II emily

loeffler randall resort 2013

{ from top left: mint rider bag, water snake rider bag, skye gladiator sandal, starrett platform sandal, mini rider in nude, white and neon orange, electric mint lock clutch, and cobalt mix rider bag }

the general consensus is that structured bags are the only kind worth having this season. my slouchy 5-year-old marc by marc jacobs hobo may suggest otherwise, but believe me, if i could drop $500 on one of these loeffler randall beauties, i'd be a proud new member of the bags-that-look-like-briefcases brigade. these are clean, modern and sleek, but nowhere near as boring as some of the other iterations out there. shiny closures, smooth piping and mixed textures add plenty of necessary interest. 

these bags are also really... resort-y, as the name suggests. in pastels, pale beige and even pure white, they were literally made for jet setters who plan exotic december getaways. but i can see a lot of these bags looking just fine with standard winter wardrobes -- it's all about finding balance. wear the minty number with greys and camels, or let the emerald clutch pop against an all-black ensemble. and that tan, black, and python number would function absolutely perfectly all year round -- it's the perfect mix of neutrals.

but the shoes... the shoes should probably be reserved for poolside parties and barbecues. i'm not one to encourage frostbite. but they're definitely worth scooping up now if you have that luxurious vacay in mind (or, you know, if you're already planning your spring break outfits).

II emily

the joy of giving

thanksgiving is just around the corner which means.... turkey, potatoes, pecan pie and plenty of cider. but more importantly, thanksgiving means it's officially time to start  your holiday shopping!!!!! 

i hear time and time again that holiday shopping causes stress for a lot of people, but it doesn't have to be this way. i find there are a few tricks to pleasing everyone on your list and doing so in the chicest way possible:

tip #1: buy early. this is a no brainer. you'll have your pick of all of the season's best products, and while you might miss a few sales, you'll rest assured you bought that sparkly iPad case or snuggly cashmere socks before they completely sold out. and you'll avoid all of that insane holiday shopping traffic.

tip #2: think luxuriously. no one wants a predictable or boring gift. your friends and family can tell when you've put some thought and consideration into your gifts, and that's how you show your love! i always say it's best to buy people things that they wouldn't normally buy for themselves: a splurge-worthy st. james tee, plush faux fur blanket, or pricey bottle of alcohol. just because they need a new blender doesn't mean you should buy them one. 

tip #3: consider beauty products. i personally think cosmetics are some of the best gifts you can give, and they're probably the least expected item on anyone's list. i'm not saying you should buy your grandmother one of those blue nars x andy warhol eyeshadows when you know she's strictly into taupe -- but consider her everyday beauty routine and go from there. for example, my mom loves a select few things: super hydrating creams; dewy  foundations; the yves saint laurent touche eclat corrector; ultra-natural pink lips; and a certain dior palette with the prettiest neutral shadows around. so, what to buy a woman with a tried-and-true (and decidedly glamorous) beauty routine? for starters, i know she would love the dior hydra life foundation because it's lightweight, super moisturizing, and still provides plenty of coverage -- plus, it comes in a shade pale enough for her skin tone. i also know she would love any of those new clinique 'black honey' variations since she's been wearing the original color since the 90s. and i could even throw in one of the new tom ford lipsticks, which apparently smell amazing and come in the most perfect colors, from deep burgundy to neon pink (though i'd probably go with casablanca for mom). giving her a few new items that she would actually love and use would be thoughtful, heartfelt, unexpected, and yes, luxurious.

below, i provided even more ideas for the lovely women in your life -- best friends, cousins, moms, aunts, etc! happy shopping!

{ from the top: asos gloves, c wonder earrings, j.crew bracelet, j.crew passport cover, power mate plus x j.crew portable iPhone charger, nyx soft matte lip cream set, j.crew polka dot infinity scarf, nars eyeshadow trio in delphes, st. germain liquer (my absolute favorite! cocktail recipes coming soon), kate spade usb ring, chanel nail colour in vamp (a classic), kate spade cosmetics case }

II emily