thirteen hours, four (Irish) coffee's, three items

I always do Black Friday, but I never get up before ten. It only makes sense to enjoy a day off with a restful night's sleep, an unrushed breakfast, and maybe a morning show or two before the shopping ensues. For some unknown reason it was decided that this year my beau and I would join the rest of the crazies and begin our Christmas shopping at four am, following our first hosted Thanksgiving dinner- which went well thank you very much! 

Credit cards at the ready, running shoes on (just in case we encountered a Wal-Mart 2009 scenario), first coffee in hand, and out the door we go. Never in my life have I seen so many people awake intentionally at this god awful hour. People were running into the mall. It was crazy. Ok, I thought maybe there are going to be some really great deals! I'm totally leaving this place with a hundred bags. Hardly. My boyfriend bought more stuff than I did! One purple velvet dress, one sequin bolero, and one pair of Rock & Republics later- and I was ready to go home. If you're wondering why it took so long to buy three things- it's because I like to torture myself, and actually went for round two in Union Square and then attempted to stay for the annual tree lighting ceremony.



Ear cuff, cashmere scarf, Hollister fur trimmed coat



We purposely did NOT decide to match. It was our sister intuition- red lips and fur trimmed parkas!

Waiting patiently for Irish Coffee's between stores

Since Friday was uneventful, I decided a little DIY project would pick up my spirits. So I got my hands on an amazing leopard zip clutch and bedazzled the hell out of it! It's fun, chic, and goes everywhere. It will be perfect for all those holiday parties..

sunshine sweater

 {thrifted sweater, vintage Bottega Ventta bag, Dollhouse ankle booties}

I felt like wearing seasonal fall attire this day, but the weather was too warm to bundle up in mittens and scarves. So being the traditional girl I am, I threw on a sweater with about million holes over my cutoffs and some boots to jazz it up. This sweater dress has got to be one of my favorite pieces ever thrifted- it's got this unique boho-crocheted look, can be belted as a dress, or thrown over jeans as a sweater. And I love how the fringe blows in the wind!

To all my American readers, Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you are spending it in good health, good company and good food! I'm hosting my first family Thanksgiving meal- fingers crossed it's not a disaster. Any tips for a newbie? Either way I'll let you know how it goes.

improvising

Until a few days again fall wasn't really fall for me. It was more of a stretched out Indian summer. But of course I was determined to wear my season appropriate basics. So regardless of the pictorial oxymoron shown below it made me giddy to frolic around my living room, and later Target wearing flannel, over the knee wooly socks, and my favorite/only, extremely versatile faux fur stole. If only for the fact that these items were paired with cutoff denim shorts, I might have felt completely normal. I think these shorts have been getting more action these past few weeks, than any other time this year. I'm a bit obsessed with them.

{Newport News flannel shirt, Target: jacket & OTK socks, Fox shorts, Franco Sarto boots, fur stole detached from another jacket}

hot topic: faux fur/ no fur?

I enjoy perusing the racks at high end vintage stores as much as the next hipster, but you can never go wrong with shopping at the local Goodwill, or Salvation Army. So when I decided on a whim to pop into the Goodwill store a few weeks ago, my sight was set on a gorgeous chocolate fur chubby. There were numerous holes in the back and near the pockets- nothing some thread and needle time couldn't fix, so I figure I'd try and bring the price down. The asking price was forty. After pointing the imperfections to the cashier, she offered me a 20% discount.  I never expected to honestly pay anything that high at a thrift store anyways. The only thing about the coat was that it felt like real fur, even though there was no signage or label indicating so.

I know the topic of fur is quite controversial. I would never advocate buying new fur, and not just because PETA would follow me with a bucket of red paint! But what about vintage, recycled or used fur? How do you feel about the subject? What would you have done faced in a similar situation, enamored with fashion, and trying to save a buck?

it's a shoe-off!

trying to rock as a cape- failing miserably

thankful

This year, like every year I have so much to be thankful for, and always look forward to giving back where I can. Lately I've been thinking about volunteering some time to a food shelter to help serve their Thanksgiving/ Christmas meal to someone less fortunate than me, sending a few frozen turkey's over to the local refuge, or setting up a donation to a charity in need. Because I know there are a lot of people less fortunate than me, I try my best to always be grateful for all the blessings in my life, but for some reason around this time of year I do this even more so- I know some of you are with me on this one! I am not only thankful for health, love, happiness and friendship- but also the little things that bring a smile to my face....
Like winning a blog giveaway (from the gregariously beautiful Nina- from Nina on the Moon), thoughtfully wrapped presents sent through the post, handmade cards, enjoying a homemade butternut squash soup with goat cheese, and you all of course ;)

Happy Monday darlings!

Thank you Nina, I love it all- you did such an amazing job picking these items out, they are so me!

vampire coat

Enjoyed a beautiful wine tasting trip in Gilroy of all places, and ended a lovely outing at the outlets of course. Nothing says Saturday like wine and discounted retail therapy. I found a beautiful trench coat perfect for the rainy season and some snuggly yoga pants for when I just want to stay at home drink some more wine and watch chick flicks! 

(H&M sweater, Martin+Osa top, Fox cutoff denim shorts, Franco Sarto boots, Bottega Venetta bag)

I've been living in the sweater coat all weekend, and don't have any plans to take it off anytime soon. It's a perfect fall topper, so far it has braved the rain, chilly temperatures and its even comfortable to wear when the sun's out! Lately I've had a tendency to run after little children, just so I can have the coat flap in the wind behind me, a la Edward Cullen status- hence the title.

Frida

Never in a million did I think a uni-brow was cool until last Saturday. I was kinda all about it. I dressed up as the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and enjoyed parading around all night with drawn in brows, a massive bouquet on my head, an overload of gold and silver jewelry and of course red lips. While pretty covered up compared to the midriff baring superwomen, and  sexy girl scouts I was surrounded by, I felt very much empowered, even sexy in my (favorite to date) costume. This even beats out Gaga- last year, and Cleopatra the year before that! I'll have to dig up Gaga pictures, I was a bit of midriff baring, pants-less mess myself that year! Then again that woman wears no pants, I kinda had to.