la de da

5 things.

1. sally hansen salon effect nail polish strips

i've had a gold glitter manicure for the last 10 days... a little gaudy? yes, but it's the holidays and my 3-year-old niece thought it was pretty.  AND the strips finally broke my shellac addiction.

2. ikat bowls from anthropologie

these little bowls are pretty prevalent in the blog world... i stalked the website until they were back in stock but (once again) they seem to be unavailable.

i stow my bracelets in the blue bowl every night, and the chartreuse and grey bowls live in other rooms in our house.  (they make a sweet gift too... my mother, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law are all owners post-christmas.)  if you can't wait until they restock, there's a similar bowl available at     c. wonder.

3. my adorable niece

every moment is better when she's around and my heart melts every time i hear her say, "aunt sarah, will you play with me?"

4. the kind vet at our local veterinary clinic who answered my 4:30 AM call on christmas morning... without her, i wouldn't have known that the cookies, chocolate fudge, and seven-layer bars my pup consumed would not cause chocolate toxicity or neurological problems.

5. puppy chow and esther price.  christmas would not be complete without them.

gee, thanks.

'tis the season to write thank you notes.  here are a few of my favorites...

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gift guide: stocking stuffers under $50

butter bride nail polish pack (contains pink ribbon, hen party and cream tea,) $36

 

or the baby's breath collection (contains pink ribbon, rosie lee, pearly queen, and muggins,) $45

adorable kate spade stationery, $20

l'occitane shea butter hand cream: a must-have for cold weather... the 1 oz is the perfect size to tuck in your purse (1 oz, $10 or 5.2 oz, $26)

fresh mini sugar lip polish and lip treatment, $22.50

kate spade i phone cover, $40

and for the boys:

smathers and branson key fob, $25

pottery barn saddle leather catch-all, $29 

kiehls no-shine moisturizing lip balm, $9

john derian paper weight, $30

it wouldn't be christmas without a pair of kitchy j. crew boxers, $18.50 (or 2 for $28)

tis the season...

for party dresses!

i rarely stray from a LBD, and this one seems a bit more festive than the norm with its laser-cut silk fringed sleeves (fashioned to look like ostrich plumes,) delicate lace trimmed hem, and a row of shiny buttons on the back.

available here.

pretty blooms.

olive and cocoa dropped off my radar (i blogged about the website some time ago) but i visited their site last week and (again) was taken by their pretty arrangements...

the blooms would make a perfect hostess gift...

    

    

available here.

right on target.

i love target... i know i'm not alone in my affection for the retailer.  i've never been crazy about their designer collaborations (although it seems i am in the minority in that regard) but i always seem to find a few home items i simply cannot not purchase.

my latest find is the vase below... i typically favor a more classic look, but the modern, inexpensive piece looks so great with a few buds in each receptacle, i couldn't say no.

(no longer available online, i found several at my local target store.)

gift guide: social butterflies, 1st ed.

with the holidays rapidly approaching (have you started your shopping?) i thought i would throw together a few gift guides... it's fun and (hopefully) helpful!  this selection of gifts would be perfect for a couple who love to entertain!

a pair of lovely champagne saucers

a lucite tray from iomoi

an assortment of olive oils

monogrammed glass coasters (from iomoi)

the madison mixer bar cart from society social

      

or the stanton bar cart (also from society social)

     

the gift of cheese... an appetizer spread from murray's.  yum. 

and a more comprehensive choice

and even without the cheese, this slate board would be a fun serving piece

ardor for barbour

the chill in the air and the frost on the ground brought something to my attention...  my wardrobe is lacking a solid fall jacket.  i have a knee length puffer coat, perfect for snowy, sub-zero days, and a beautiful fur ideal for festive evenings.  i'm lacking a jacket for the awkward interim time when the nip in the air permeates a wool sweater but a puffer coat seems overzealous.  

after surveying my options, it sees like barbour might be the perfect choice...

between actual royalty

and fashion royalty

i would be in good company.

here's my favorite style, available at orvis:

antique emily

for a more traditional look, the beaufort jacket

and a less expensive option available at j. crew:

the downtown field jacket

or size down and try the men's woodland jacket