Happy New Year's Eve

* Image via MarthaStewart.com

Happy New Year's Eve! Tonight things will be rather low-key. The fam and I will be having a nice dinner out and, knowing myself, I will probably be tucked in bed before the ball drops. Boyfriend is still in Hawaii visiting his family but he will be back in 9 days!! I hope you all have a lovely end to a fabulous year and a fantastic beginning to what is sure to be an amazing 2010. 

Christmas Greetings

Greetings to my blog readers! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. I know I did. The family and I spent it in sunny South Florida. The picture above was taken at the annual post-Christmas party we attend every year at a family friend's house in Golden Beach. Looks like a Florida Christmas indeed! We had so much fun catching up with everyone. It was great to see all of my cousins once again and reminisce about our younger years, albeit embarrassing as those memories might be.

Since we headed to South Florida on Christmas Eve, we opened our presents from Santa the night before. While I loved everything I received, my two favorite gifts are my new Tory Burch Leopard Reva's (yeah, they are kid's size) and a super-cute sparkly bracelet (I was given the silver one and I think they are sold out) from Anthropologie.

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas! What were your favorite gifts?

On a side note: I know there are more than just six of you who read my blog so sign up to follow me!!

Holiday Gift Ideas: Part 2

The past couple of weeks have been pretty crazy so I apologize for the delay.  Here are my holiday gift ideas for this week! 

J.Crew Satin Jewelry Traveler
$39.50
I have a little satin coin purse that I carry my jewelry in when I travel. The problem is, I am very indecisive and tend to choose how I want to accessorize based on my mood at the time. This can become a bit of a problem when my current jewelry carrier can hold no more than one bracelet, a long triple strand beaded necklace, and two pairs of earrings. I NEED MORE OPTIONS! This traveler would make that possible. 

Tommy Hilfiger Ella Leather Bow Gloves

$78

These ladylike gloves are TC (too cute, courtesy of Leslie Clark). I wish I lived somewhere cold if only to wear these and add an extra dash of femininity to any ensemble. Alas, I live in a place where the high today was 84 degrees so I will have to settle for gifting them to my favorite northerners. 

Molla Space Two-Tone Stick Lighter

$20
Because everyone should light their candles in style, of course. 

Mastering the Art of French Cooking 

$20 (Amazon, regular list price is $40!)

I believe there is a little Julia Child in us all. This is a great gift for both the epicurean  and the water-boiling challenged. 

Classic Christmas with Ralph Lauren

I am heading out for a day of shopping but, before I go, how lovely is this photo of Ralph Lauren's flagship store in New York all decked out for the holidays? It has certainly put me in the shopping mood.

* Photo via Design Dish

A Southern Style Christmas Miracle

A problem that has plagued me this Christmas season is the ever dreaded, "OUT OF STOCK". If I see another drop-down menu that only has one size, "OUT OF STOCK", I am afraid I might turn into a regular Scrooge. This morning it had looked like I found the perfect strand of pearls, Southern Proper's Proper Pearls. Just as I was about to add them to the top of my list, my eyes fell on the unfortunate and so not ideal words that I have been seeing all too often. Alas, I will wait on these Proper Pearls and hope that a Christmas miracle results in me finding them under the tree. How hard can harvesting pearls really be?  Let's do this Southern Proper. Please make my Christmas dreams come true!

Holiday Gift Ideas: Week 1

So, my hope is to have a new list of holiday gift ideas each week leading up to Christmas. That means there should be three more installments--the last one of which will be geared toward the procrastinating gift givers, obviously. 


Also, I would like to send a shout-out to my sister up in frigid Minnesota for sending this blog topic request. For any other readers who want me to try my hand at tackling their suggested topic, please let me know. I love suggestions! 

Tory Burch's Holiday Pajama Set. 
$125
Everyone loves pajamas unless they don't wear them. In which case, I am sad for said individual because she is missing a very valuable opportunity to make a style statement. 

Swoozie's Vinyl Monogram Car Decal
$18.50
I will monogram anything. That includes my car. It is beyond my comprehension why some might not agree. Therefore, I give many monogrammed gifts. 

Neiman Marcus Handbag Hanger
$28
I for one NEVER put my bag on the floor. I don't care if I am at Chick-fil-A inhaling a #1 with no pickles or brunching at the country club. This is a super cute way to keep your bag out of harm's way and also, a great way to start a conversation. The minute you pull this out and hang your bag from the table, I guarantee every lady within eyeshot will want to know what it is and where she can get one. 

Fresh Soap 
$14
I fell in love with this soap a few years ago when my mom bought me a bar as a stocking stuffer. They are so luxurious. They come in many scents but my favorite is Mangosteen. I also think these make great hostess gifts, especially around the holidays. 

Keihl's Ultimate Man Collection
$48.50
I think this is a great choice for any guy on the list. It is a pretty safe bet that they wouldn't already own these products and, I have found, once I introduce my boyfriend to a little pampering (i.e. something as basic as conditioner) he can't remember how he lived without it.

Clothbound Penguin Classics from Anthropologie
$20
I love a good book. As I have said before, some of my all-time favorite and most memorable gifts have been books. I think I am going to have to pick up a few of these for the bookworms on my list. If you decide to gift a book, don't forget to write a short inscription inside so this simple gift can tell more than one story.  

Things I Love About Today!

*Photo courtesy of Sarah Hansford

1.  Today is the best boyfriend in the entire world's 23rd birthday! He makes me smile every day.

* Image via VictoriasSecret.com 
2. It's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show night!! Yay for two hours of wishing I was taller, tanner, and more toned!

* Image via abcfamily.com 
3. Today is the first day of abc Family's 25 Days of Christmas. I love Christmas movies so much but I am not one of those people who can cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate in mid-July. So, that wonderful time of year is finally upon us and I intend to watch Christmas movies until I am blue in the face.

Where Have I Been?

How have I missed this? Neiman Marcus has made it even more fun to shop their Web site over the past few days. Apparently, as you shop, keep the look out for one of the butterflies above and you can win a gift card with each purchase of $200 or more. Unfortunately the game ends tonight so put on your best hunting gear, be ready with a pad to jot down the codes, and prepare for some exciting shopping! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

* Photo via epicurious.com 
It has finally arrived! I hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving! I have much to be thankful for this year. Tomorrow I am battling the crowds and doing a bit of Black Friday shopping. Wish me luck!

xoxo,
Patricia

Blinded by the Light

I love chandeliers in bedrooms. It is right up there on the list next to my obsession with monogramming. This Penelope chandelier from Neiman Marcus is back ordered until January 22 but I think it would be well worth the wait.  

Image via NeimanMarcus.com 

Gracious Living

I spent six amazing months last spring interning for the fabulous Southern Accents magazine. The entire experience was an absolute delight. I learned so much during those days of splendor on the campus of Southern Progress. About a month after I left, the final issue of Beautiful Homes, Gracious Living, and a Sense of Place was sent to press. It was a sad day indeed when the fateful call arrived from one of my fellow interns. For those of you who have read this great Southern magazine and for those of you who have never had the privilege, hopefully these photos of the final show house, Riverhills, will allow you a few savory moments of gracious living. 

All images via SouthernAccents.com 

For more of the 2009 Riverhills Showhouse visit SouthernAccents.com 

Jo Malone

*Image via NeimanMarcus.com

In case you don't already know, Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir Cologne is absolutely delightful.

In My Shopping Bag

J.Crew introduced their newest collection recently and I have finally gotten around to posting about it. I have a habit/guilty pleasure of faux online shopping. What is faux online shopping, you ask? Well, it is pretending that I have an outrageous income that allows me to add everything that strikes my fancy to my online shopping bag. I then stare longingly at the list of fabulous items and imagine where in my closet I would place them all. Sometimes, at the end of my little shopping adventure, have found only two or three things added. This morning at J.Crew was no such occasion. Seriously, way to go J.Crew. I always loved you but this collection catapulted that love into a serious obsession.

Here is my shopping bag:

Sequin Scarf Cardigan in Pink Champagne - because I am obsessed with cardigans and sequins

Golden Cocktail Skirt in White Gold - with tights this would be perfect for a casual Christmas party. 

Sequined Starland Tank in Gold Peach - with shorts (see below)  and a cute little cropped jacket. 

Denim Cut-Off Short in Jaded Wash - I never would have thought that I would go for these but, with the cuff at the bottom, a cute pair of tights, and maybe a sequin tank (see above) it would be perfection. Unfortunately, they are back ordered until December 25--bummer. 

Annalise Ruffle Cami in Whisper Pink - I love how feminine this top is. I have a few J.Crew ruffle Cami's from past collections and I just love them. 

Silk Pajama Pant in Warm Shell - Everyone needs an elegant pair of pajamas if for no other reason than Christmas morning pictures (you know they happen, lets just make sure they aren't as tragic this year). 

Sparkle Bib Necklace in Dusty Blossom - This is the perfect addition to any look (whether casual or otherwise) to give it the perfect amount of glamour. 

Infinity Necklace in Crystal - I love a little sparkle and this is simple and pretty much goes with everything. 

Crystal Malibu Necklace in Dark Fog - I love the different textures and mix-match effect. Of course, the bows are perfect. 

Infinity Bracelet in Dried Orchid - I love a pop of color at a sleeve and I think this would achieve that perfectly. 

Pearl Jewel Box Earrings - I am obsessed. I love how vintage they look. So perfect. 

Shimmerveil Charmed Mini Bag - Because chain bags are where it's at right now.

Belle Fleur Mirror Ballet Flats in Metallic Silver - Ballet flats are my fave and I love the flower. 

* All images via jcrew.com

Book Worm

I love reading. My bedroom is pretty much overflowing with all sorts of literature. While I am a definitely inclined to curl up with a lengthy novel, I often delight in coffee table books full of gorgeous photos and creative illustrations. You might be surprised to find-with all my talk of wearable fashion-that some of my all-time favorite gifts to give and receive can be found at Barnes & Noble. These are a few selections that I will keep in mind for my style-minded friends and family this holiday season.


* All images via BarnesandNoble.com
The World In Vogue : People, Parties, Places
      by Plum Sykes, Hamish Bowles
Influence
     by Mary Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen
The One Hundred
     by Nina Garcia
Vanity Fair: The Portraits: A Century of Iconic Images
     by Graydon Carter, David Friend, Christopher Hitchens
Chanel and Her World: Friends, Fashion, and Fame
     by Edmonde Charles-Roux