What To Wear On New Year's Eve

Convertible Cross Body Bag // Plunging Feather Dress // Crystal Chandelier Earrings // Drusy Ring // Nude Sandals (i LOVE these) // Statement Bib Necklace // Tassel Drop Earrings // Drusy Necklace // Crystal X Ring // Lace Crop Top (ON SALE NOW!) // Lace Skirt // Sequin Dress // Feather Sandals // Feather and Tinsel Statement Earrings // Gold Sequin Nail Polish

 

So I'm going to be completely transparent here and let you know that I currently have ZERO plans for New Year's Eve. We'll be lucky if we end up at a BYOB dive bar somewhere.. kind of sounds nice honestly.

Maybe one day we will make some grand plans.

But for those of you who are more ambitious than myself, and actually have plans to go do something epic (of which I would love to hear about), I've pulled together a few of my favorite looks to ring in the new year.

It's basically a long list of feathers and sequins- not that one needs an excuse to wear those anyway!

What are your plans for NYE?

Is It Sweater Weather Yet?

Cabled Turtleneck // (Blue version on sale here)

Now I don't know about you, but it is downright WARM in Texas right now. Well, that is, until I decided to try and fly home from the holidays mid-Winter Snow Storm warning. Go figure.

Anyway, lack of weather winter aside, I am still excited about this little cozy number I happened upon today amid the post-Christmas return rush. I'm kind obsessed with it to be honest.

I love a good chunky knit and I totally have a soft spot for turtlenecks. Sue me.

Best part? It's on sale. Yeah, I shelled out less than HALF of what I would at the mall on this bad boy. Oliver obviously approves of my purchase. #catladyproblems

And maybe, JUST MAYBE, if I start wearing it, the winter weather will follow suite.

*fingers crossed*

Sunday Night Steals: It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Denim & Knit Jacket // Chronograph Leather Watch // Wanderlust Journal // Chunky Knit Infinity Scarf // Stay Golden Canvas Zip Pouch // Crystal Statement Necklace // Square Stud Earrings // Suede Bootie // Aviator Sunglasses // Leather Clutch // Mixed Media Pullover 

"It's the most wonderful timeeeee of the yearrr.." (Tell me you weren't just singing that inside of your head).

We all know how the holiday jingle goes. Well, while Christmas is great, (Like really super great because Jesus is awesome and obviously pretty darn important to this whole life on Earth thing), I also like to think of the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale as an extension of said most wonderful time.

But for real. All jokes aside, this sale is AWESOME.

For those of you who don't know me, I actually used to work at the ol' Nordy's myself back in college and let me tell you, IT WAS AMAZING. For me, not my wallet. I like to think of myself as the ideal employee. I made a lot of money for the company, then turned around and gave it right back. But hey, I looked good!

Anyway, I decided to do you all a favor and hit up the sale ahead of time to pick out some of my favorites. Hopefully by the time you're finished browsing, that song won't be stuck in your head anymore.

Sounds like some wishful thinking to me.

Sunday Night Steals: For Him

Cotton Tie // Ear Flap Hat // Two-Tone Wrap Bracelet // Leather Card Case // Chukka Boots (Similar with More Sizes) // Chronograph Leather Strap Watch // Suede Belt // Merino Wool Blend Gloves // Canvas Rucksack // Wool Blend Beanie // Graphic T-Shirt

Don't worry guys! Did you really think I was going to leave you out?

To expand on my Nordstrom story below, I actually used to work in the men's department. So you guys have a special place in my heart. *awww*

Oh, and a little sweet side note for you: Everything I picked out for you is under $100! Well, actually it's all under $105, but that doesn't sound nearly as good.

Happy shopping!

Peace. Love. Joy

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Here's to hoping you are spending it with the ones you love.

Sunday Night Steals

Floppy Hat with Feather Band // LED Marquee Initial Light // Stud Earrings // Moscow Mule Mugs // Wine Canvas Pouch // Double Breasted Pea Coat

I love a little retail therapy, so I've done the work for you and found some steals to add to your closet that won't break the bank!

Stocking Stuffers for Him: Under $100!

Kentuckyaki // FitBit // SPARQ Whiskey Stones // Hudson Made Beard Oil // Jack Black Soap-on-a-Rope // Star Wars Death Star Cufflinks // Teakwood Stainless Steel Water Bottle // Carry-On Cocktail Kit

Well we can't leave out the guys this holiday season! I actually love shopping for guys because I feel like I'm a bit of a boy myself sometimes. Like I would 100% use most of these things. Minus the beard oil. That's just weird.

*Also, please note the cool girlfriend in me including those Star Wars cufflinks. We're going to see it this week. Twice. May the Force be with me.

Stocking Stuffers for Her

Shashi Bracelet // Faux Fur Pom-Pom Beanie // Apothia Soul Candle //      Le Specs Chesire Sunglasses // MCM Card Case // Kendra Scott Druzy Studs (on sale!)// Chan Luu Beaded Lariat Necklace // Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Spray

Tis' the Season! And if you're anything like me you are STRUGGLING for gift ideas. So I've come to the rescue with some last-minute stocking stuffer ideas for the lady in your life. But you should probably go ahead and snag these today because let's face it, your time is definitely running out!

...

Why are you still reading this? GO!

Happy Holidays & Happy Shopping!!

Doing The Most Good: The Giving Keys

So I'm going to lay some ground rules within this blog before we get in too deep here. And my first rule is this: This place is like the trust tree. Anything that goes on here is between you and me. And the five other people that read this thing. It's an elite group, I know. But that being said, I'm going to let you in on a few secrets about me.

Secret #1: I have a bit of a shopping problem. ESPECIALLY in this social media age. I mean the fact that I can just like an Instagram post and immediately be able to have something shipped to my door step is completely amazing but also completely TERRIBLE for my wallet. For instance, when I'm bored, I'll just pour myself a glass of wine and skim through my Insta at all the other people's lives that are cooler than mine. But then I happen to stumble upon this really freaking adorable dress that I could totally wear to a Cowboys game... Oh, and they take Apple Pay. OKAY.

It's bad.

BUT in one of these boredom-inspired IG binges, I happened upon a lovely little company called The Giving Keys. It's this really awesome group out of LA that makes these rad little key-phrase necklaces.

Secret #2: Well, fun fact about me is that I am sucker for a good cause. And whatdoyaknowit but The Giving Keys IS A GOOD CAUSE. Basically what they do is employ people trying to transition out of homelessness (awesome) to make these really cool vintage key necklaces that all these celebrities are now wearing (double awesome).

Celebrities aside, this company has a really great message. Besides the fact that they employ those trying to get back on their feet, each necklace has a different inspirational message stamped into the key itself.

The idea is to wear it yourself until you find someone in your life who might need the message more than you. You then gift it to them to wear and carry with them as a reminder daily. So basically a really cool way to pay it forward. (SO AWESOME IT HURTS)

Secret #3: I LOVE a good deal. I blame my mother for this one. She always taught me to bargain shop. Even though I don't always do it these days. Sorry mom. But this little charmer would make her proud! Coming in at a mere $39 these necklaces definitely don't break the bank.

So go on! Snag one up this holiday season (or twelve). Because who doesn't like to look pretty as they #PayItForward.

On my radar: Paleo Denim

 Photo cred: Kirsten Swanson Photography

Paleo is no longer just for all your CrossFitters and cavemen out there. Yeah, I said it. It's now denim. 

When I was in Austin for SXSW, I ran into the Neighborhood pop up shop on 2nd Street and stumbled upon this gem of a concept. The mastermind behind the label is Richard Cole and I got the chance to speak with him a little about his designs and inspiration behind his line.

Paleo denim isn't based off of the paleo diet or anything of that nature, it's actually a nod to Cole's father who is an amateur paleontologist. The two used to go fossil hunting all over the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. "It's a funny way to spend a day, sometimes ponderous and fruitless, sometimes rewarding and exhausting," he said. 

As you can imagine, fossil hunting can be tough on one's clothes, which therein lies the inspiration behind creating this new line of denim and leather goods. "The clothing and accessories all have to be tough as nails," said Cole. "I use some of the best leathers, the best denims and best threads to make sure everything lasts a long time." He credits this emphasis on quality products on remembering his clothes being "shred to pieces while fossil hunting." And to Cole, a quality product is really the only option for his business. 

"There's no point in making disposable things, it's bad for the consumer, bad for the environment and bad for the character of the producer."

One of the things that I loved most about his designs were that they were almost all made out of selvedge denim. What is selvedge? Basically it's the end of the role of denim and it has a finished edge. This is great because your jeans are stronger and won't fray like other denim will. Plus, it just looks cool and more put together if you're one of those guys who likes to roll their jeans. Most selvedge seams are red, but can also be other colors depending on the manufacturer/supplier. 

Here's an example of a selvedge seam:

Photo via Levi's

In the future Cole plans to work with some stretch, organic, recycled, and hemp denims. He's all about environmentally friendly production which is always a plus.

Another plus? He jeans have a button fly. Now I know for some of you, this may seem annoying, but in reality, it's actually a better option than a zipper. A button-fly is sturdier than a zipper and will last longer. Aka you should really try and get used to it if you can.

And for all of you tall guys and athletes out there, you're in luck! Paleo denim has three different fits: full cut, slim straight, and slim, and they all come in a 36 inseam length, which we LOVE. For those of you who you aren't as vertically inclined, you can just get them hemmed or roll them. Just make sure whenever you hem denim to wash and dry it first because it will shrink about a 1/4 of an inch the first time. Bring your shoes with you to the tailor and have them give you a "full break" in the front and to re-attach the original hem. This always costs more, but I think it looks better that way. 

Most importantly, don't let the simplicity of his designs fool you- that's all part of the plan. You see, leather and denim were meant to be worn and should look better with time. That is, if they are a quality product, and that's exactly what Cole is striving for. "Quite a bit of my work looks under designed largely because I'm trying to account for how the material will change over time, jeans fading, leathers darkening etc." he said.

 "I want a piece to look good over every part of it's life cycle"

The concept is simple, but that's the beauty of it. After all, jeans shouldn't be difficult. They should just be jeans. 

Sorry ladies, there are no current designs for women but they ARE in the works.

Check out Paleo Denim's website here and make sure to follow them on Twitter.