the countdown begins

H&M denim shirt, Gap sweater, Urban Outfitters denim leggings, vintage Coach bag, Yosi Samra flats

This year has gone by crazy fast and I love it.

Christmas this year turned out differently than we expected. We ended up with a spontaneous wedding between my cousin and his girlfriend before he leaves for the army again, which I ended up photographing! And instead of gifts this year, my family decided we were going to give each other Experiences (oh yes, with a capital E). So I received plans for lots of activities including wheatgrass shots at Jamba with my little brother and a tea party with Elyse. I love finishing out my time at home keeping busy.

This sweater was a gift from my older sister. I love the pretty metallic threads and how it looks layered with my favorite denim shirt. I've already worn it more than enough over break, I'm sure. I paired it with simple black pants (okay, so they do have a sheen...) and my favorite structured lady bag.

I hope you all have a splendid New Year's Eve. I fly back to Minneapolis on Monday and am praying to see some snow by then...can't wait to greet 2012! 

miu miu on my mind

I'll spare you the reasons why, but I haven't been able to get on Net-A-Porter since my big move to Minneapolis. It is one of my favorite designer web retailers, and as soon as I got back home, I nearly dddiieeedd at all the adorable new Miu Miu I've been missing out on!

Matelessé leather tote, silk-trimmed linen top, two-tone sequin clutch

embroidered cotton sweater, ruched leather clutch, cat motif beaded sweater

Can we just take a minute here to absorb the beauty? There are so many dreamy colors and textures to play around with. I love wearing all-black as much as the next person, but I feel like starting out 2012 with a lighter color palette, maybe to inspire a lighter and happier mood as I tackle my list of resolutions.

Okay. Maybe a few killer pieces. For contrast. You know.

Coconuts, Bronx, Frye

rent the runway

One concept/site that has always intrigued me is Rent the Runway. What better way to try out a new service than with a glitzy gown for New Year's Eve?

Bibu Mohapatra, Sophie Theallet, Badgley Mischka, Anna Sui

Rent the Runway carries standout dresses and accessories that you can rent rather than purchase for your big night out. It's a cost-effective (and fun!) way to go all out without draining your bank account. It's free to sign up, and each of these dresses are available for rent (from left to right) for $275, $350, $150, and $150 -- a fraction of the cost of purchasing a designer piece.

As you can see, I am loving warm brights and sparkly neutrals--paired with the perfect statement drop earrings, which are also available for rent!

Elizabeth Cole, Kenneth Jay Lane , Miriam Haskell ($25 each)

You have just enough time to make your selection and have it shipped in time for the big day. I'm keeping my own NYE low-key this year. Bring on the sparkling cider!

P.S. Devoted ANTM fans like myself (no shame) will notice Chantal is the primary model on the site! Heh.

coffee date for Christmas

Target top, Madewell jeans, Free People necklace, Nordstrom Brass Plum coat, Urban Outfitters flats, SAS tote, Warby Parker eyeglasses

Every day is a coffee day when I'm home in Washington! My sister and I treated ourselves to caramel brulee lattes and chocolate samples yesterday just a few hours before my other sister and her husband arrived for the holidays from Minneapolis. It's so great to have everyone here together!

My other favorite part of being home? Having the other half of my closet back! When I moved back in September, four boxes was just not enough to house all my clothes. It's so much fun finding pieces I forgot about and having new inspiration for how to style them.

I've had a few questions on my Warby Parker glasses -- I chose the Finn frames in the limited edition Hazelwood color! Can't say enough good things about this company. If you're in the market for eyeglasses, goooo to their website now!

Enjoy the holiday weekend! I hope you all have a very merry Christmas.

Also, go listen to this song because Elyse and I can't stop laughing slash rocking out.

where it's at

Joie has been one of my favorite brands for a long time. You know how I felt when their new online store opened? SUPER. EXCITED!

Even though each piece individually is beyond striking, the styling is always incredible because of the texture layers (mixing textures is one of my favorite things, of course). 

One of my favorite things about the new site is the Joie bulletin -- they even include lovely guides for only the most important occasions. I'm in love with the new joie.com! Check it out, spend some time browsing the site, and enjoy the beauty + inspiration that everyone can always use on a Wednesday. 

www.joie.com

familiar

You may or may not recognize my neighborhood from outfit photos of months past, but it feels so good to be home and with my usual awesome photographer!

 Gap sweater, scarf borrowed from sister, Levis denim leggings, Minnetonka boots, nails Essie's Very Structured

I had the laziest morning sipping the perfect Seattle latte, catching up on reading blogs, and laughing with my little brothers and sister. Next on my list is walking up the road to my grandparents' place to see more of the family!

I picked up this sweater as a last minute necessity before heading to the airport. I actually found two sweaters, but my sister decided to gift one to me for Christmas so she won't let me have it until the twenty-fifth. Wise of her, since I didn't have room for it in my suitcase anyway.

I loooooooove having greenery as the backdrop for my photos again. Can you tell I'm excited to be home again? Best. Christmas present. Ever.

ready set go (to Seattle!)

Berry-colored sparkle ornaments!

One of my favorite gifts from a past Christmas

My two favorites from November's Birchbox - Klorane's eye make-up remover and LaROCCA's acai body polish

Vintage picture bracelets, one that needs restringing

Two days until I take off for Seattle! I will miss my purple-ornamented Christmas tree and the jewels that I'm not packing, but am beyond excited to see my family and celebrate the holidays. The other thing I'm missing? This month's Birchbox! It won't arrive until after I leave, and I won't be able to get my mail until January! Booooo.

Okay, I am seriously all aflutter. I can't even sit down and write this. So enjoy ze photos and I'll be back on Monday hoooopefully with an outfit post! Happy holidaaaays :)

honestly...DIY

I love the idea of DIYs, but never get around to getting them done (unlike my sister, little miss arts-and-crafts). The clever gals at Honestly...WTF have some seriously swoon-worthy projects that look easy enough even for me to accomplish!

Gorgeous collar tips, a la Rumi in Zara

Color-blocked moccasins, inspired by Balenciaga F/W 2010

Walnut pendant...just because it's adorable

I love being inspired, but hate when I don't do anything about it. I guess that's why I write a blog. I get to talk and talk and talk and imagine myself doing all sorts of fun DIYs...

Another thing I get to talk about as a fashion blogger is scarves. Lately, my outfits feel incomplete without one! I just discovered these lovely pieces by Leigh & Luca aaand they are going straight on my Christmas list.

These styles are available here. P.S., the lovely ladies at Daily Women asked me for an interview awhile ago, and my Q&A is officially up! Check it outtttt!

just like home

There's nothing like rain and forty degree weather to make you feel like you're in Seattle. It has rained officially once since I moved here, and I couldn't be more thrilled about the sogginess outside!

DAV rain boots, Miss Selfridge pants, A.L.C. sweater, Forever 21 hat and cuff, Kate Spade bag

My dreeeam rainy day outfit starts with the perfect boots, and this pair by DAV is the ultimate weatherproof solution. One trend I've been enjoying lately is metallic jeans. They add an unexpected element to your typical pant, and when paired with opposite textures and colors (such as in this lovely Kate Spade crossbody) makes for the perfect contrasting look.

The only thing that is not working for me in this weather is my hair. I curled it this morning and now it's flat. Flat, flat, flat sad hair. I'll just have to imagine myself in this outfit stomping around Seattle to brighten the rest of my Monday.

casual friday

Gap tee, Levi's denim leggings, flats c/o Yosi Samra, Jewelmint earrings and bracelet, vintage watch, H&M cowl

I leave for Seattle to celebrate Christmas in 9 days. That is pretty much all that's on my mind these days!

These ballet flats were so graciously sent to me to enjoy. I've been singing the praises of Yosi Samra ever since I first slipped my feet into a pair of their fold-up flats. As the snow is building up it's harder to just go out without wool socks and boots, and these are easy to slip into my purse to switch out once I get to class or work. After a couple days of breaking them in, they're pretty much molded to your feet--just the way I like my shoes!

Soooo ready for this weekend. Lots of Christmas music to hear and relaxing to do. And Starbucks to drink.

sparkle and shine

For the winter season, one of the first retailers I turn to for style inspiration is Topshop. I feel like their brand perfectly meshes with the need for cozy knits and layers as the temperatures drop. Usually I mix and match designers and stores to create my moodboards, but sometimes, every piece I need is on Topshop's site.

Leather zip trousers, embellished crop top, leather gusset lady bag, textured stitch cardigan, banana heel ankle boots

Topshop practically invented the sparkle-and-knit layered look that somehow meshes so well. You could walk into their store and pull together an outfit that looks like it came from all four corners of the earth. Or at least the mall.

Promised I'd share with you guys if I found the perfect fleece-lined leggings. And...

Here they are! This cozy grey pair from Anthropologie fits the bill (literally, they're only $18) and after reading the high reviews, I want to stock up with multiple pairs in every color. Why not, right? This girl has a reason to keep warm...

P.S. Today's high: 18 degrees...

P.S. My shoot with Julia Mary photography is featured on her blog today! Check it out and support this awesomely talented photographer and friend of mine.

'tis the season

...for giving!

I usually give friends and family a variety of ideas for different budgets when they ask what I want for Christmas. I never want people to have a hard time coming up with something to buy or make for me, because as we all know, giving is way better than receiving!

I'm always on the lookout for new mugs, and a little bird told me that the selection at Anthropologie this year is one to watch.

Piecrust mug, Monogrammed mug, Papaver mug

Another fun thing to give or get during the holidays is jewelry. Forever 21's affordable prices allow you to pick out several pieces to toss into a goody bag to mix and match with each other!

Prism cross necklace, open stitch neck warmer, braided hinge bracelet, purple cosmos nail color, embellished envelope clutch

Another classic idea is a subscription to a magazine that interests the recipient. Two of my faves are continually on my list...

Feel free to share your favorite things to give or get in the comments!

iced

 H&M blazer, Delia's sweater, Madewell jeans, Forever 21 scarf, TOMS shoes

Here lies the remains of the second official snow of the season. Although the cold is absolutely biting, the sun has still been working its magic and melting away any hope of a snowball fight. 

I think it's time to invest in some fleece-lined leggings...I would go for the flannel-lined jeans if they came in denim legging styles! All I know is (and I'm sure my mother would agree) I'm going to need a little extra something if I expect to survive this winter. This thin pair from Madewell is not going to cut it.

This weekend I have lots of Secret Santa shopping to do, and I'm hoping that my first stop tomorrow will be Anthropologie! Julia, who shot my outfit photos awhile back, just started a seasonal job there and I can't wait to go say hi and see all the lovely decorations. Happy December!