Happy New Year!

If you’re like me, you will be spending tonight in your pajamas. However, if you plan on going out, why not go out in some pretty vintage items?

Coat: goodvintage at etsy.com $149.50
Dress: 13bees at etsy.com $98
Brooch: secondhandnews at etsy.com $14.95
Shoes: redoredux at etsy.com $10
Purse: merchantofkismet at etsy.com $18

oh we need a little Christmas, right this very moment…

One of my favorite fashion websites is kansas couture. And, i love her style and the outfits that she wears. In fact, she was wearing denim leggings and they looked good (and comfortable–who knew?). That got me thinking. So, here is an outfit with denim leggings: first, to wear out shopping and next, to wear when you get home and want to be comfortable. Have a Happy Holiday!!

Headband: jcrew.com $14.99
Sweater: modcloth.com $44.99
Earrings: 1928.com $18
Wrap: anthropologie.com $88
Socks: anthropologie.com $38
Jeans: Bloomingdales.com $34
Boots: modcloth.com $47.99

Here is the Apple Butter that i made for the office. So far, everyone loves it. I did have to make two batches and double the recipe the second time. And, i added gobs more cinnamon. Enjoy.

CROCK POT APPLE BUTTER
from COOKS.COM

——————————————————————————–

Approx. 3 lb. apples
3 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cloves
Dash of salt
3/4 c. water

Fill crock pot 3/4 full of peeled, cored sliced apples. Add remaining ingredients and stir until evenly mixed. Cover and cook on low overnight. If butter has too much liquid, remove lid and cook on high until of desired consistency. Makes 4 jars.

Splurge

I didn’t realize this was such a big problem…

but, ummm, apparently, it is. First, i read about it here. Then, one of the comments pointed here. I agree with everything and more.

**disclaimer: i wear uggs–at home–because my feet are cold. And, for the record, i started wearing uggs in 1990, in between events at swim meets. I can’t believe a few heiresses paired them with shorts and started the trend of wearing them during summer. They make your feet sweat when your feet get hot. shoo. they are winter shoes. i wear them as i would wear slippers. please, stop the madness. now.

Quiz

My results from marthastewart.com:

PS I would just like to give a shout-out to Eliza for her comment! Eliza, I thought i approved it, but I realized today (oops) that i didn’t. Sorry. I would hate for you to harbor ill will toward me the same way that i continue to harbor ill will toward decor 8 for failing to approve my comment eight months ago when I had something uber important to say. Sigh.

Just another Kate Spade Splurge

I know. I know. I can’t stop.

What do I give to???

I’ve compilied a mini gift guide. I know there are many more gifts that you can give. This is a very simple/fast list. But, these include some items that I really like and that I have gifted a time or two (see peppermint hot cocoa). Traditionally, I am a theme-giver. For example, two Christmases ago, I gave everyone (yes, EVERYONE) really cute flannel sheets–all different designs. Who doesn’t love flannel sheets? The Christmas before that, everyone received the booties from restoration hardware shown below. This year I am lacking a theme–or maybe my theme is: lack of money. Therefore, some people will be getting home made apple butter (yes, v. home-ecy becky–but, i saw it on sandra lee and it looked easy!). And, C and Mellie and I have decided to wait until January to celebrate–at which time we will celebrate at a casino. Excellent! Every year for the past several years, C and Mellie and I have given each other magazine subscriptions. However, last year that didn’t go so well. I think it was because C and Mellie decided they wanted Ya’ll Magazine–which seemed a bit obscure. Anyway, it didn’t arrive in their mailboxes for a long long time. And, then they didn’t receive all the issues. So, magazine gifters: beware!

Several blogs have had some good gift ideas:

pink of perfection

creature comforts

(and theirs are way prettier than mine!)

For those who have a sense of adventure, check out this idea from Darlybird.

Another thought: if you are short on funds (ahem), and you have a credit card that gives you bonus points, look into trading in your points for gift cards (i am a big fan of gift cards and would happily take one over something weird), or using those points to make your December credit card payment–that way you’ll have a little more free cash in hand.
Fa-la-la-la

PS Obviously, i can’t spell silouhette (?). don’t judge me!

Splurge

Neiman Marcus Cupcake Go-Carts. Whee.

Get the Look for Less: Milly

Milly: $898.40
Look for Less: $213.46

I love Milly. But, the clothes are just too expensive for me. Here is an outfit with a similar style. (I added the payless shoes and the kohl’s tights to the Milly price to be fair).

Coat: modcloth.com $64.99
Top: talbots.com $33.99
Belt: kohls.com $14
Tights: kohls.com $7.50
Shoes: payless.com $19.99
Skirt: nyandco.com $34.99
Scarf: maisondeterre at etsy.com $38

How did this happen?

OMG. I’m thirty-four. Which is getting close to forty (my scary age). And, it was kind of a sucky day. Normally, it would be a good day. But, for a birthday: sucky. Definitely.
Remember how i went to swim with the dolphins two weeks ago? well, today i received my cd with my photos from vacation. And, um, who the hell is that? Because that girl is puffy and pale. Pale is the normal me. Puffy is not. Puffy is fat. Seriously. Do I look like that? Because that person looks like freshly risen dough. I know I’ve gained a little weight here and there. And, i know on vacation i looked in a full-length mirror while in my bathing suit and screamed a little. But, pictures. Pictures are forever.
So, I’m a bit whiny tonight and a bit weepy and bit feeling sorry for myself. Not for all the reasons one normally thinks of: lack of direction, no financial security, heavily in debt, no significant other, loss of certain “friends.” (Even though these are all true-boo hoo me). But, i feel sad and puny because i look fat in my vacation photos. I look so fat that I keep thinking i need to run a few miles right now. at night. in the cold. in the dark. but, i won’t. i’m in my pajamas and the dogs are curled around me. and, i’m too tired to go outside. and, yes…i do sort of want some ice cream (or, what would totally be great: birthday cake ice cream!)…because, duh, that’s how i got to be a doughier version of myself. *Luckily, i threw out all the ice cream a few weeks ago in anticipation of nights like this.
I hate birthdays.
Starting tomorrow: i’m totally writing in that damn diet minder journal that S bought me so that i don’t feel like this on birthday number 35.
The end.