Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

Can you believe it's already Christmas Eve? I hope that you're all having  amazing holidays, and that you find something special under your tree. But since we still have a few hours to kill until Santa arrives, why not spend it with sharing our favorite things about Christmas? Here's the Christmas tag:

What's your favorite holiday movie?

I have to cheat and pick two. Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life will always have a special place in my heart, but it´s simply not Christmas without joining the Griswold's for their Christmas Vacation.

PJs or Dressing up?

PJs, this year I'm loving these Cath Kidston bottoms:

If you could only buy one present this year, who would get it?

My mom (cheesy but true)

Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Morning?

Christmas Eve.

Did you ever build a ginger bread house?

I grew up in a household full of architects, and consider myself the Frank Lloyd Wright of ginger bread houses. 

Any Christmas wishes?

Another cheesy answer, but all I really want is health and happiness for my loved ones.

Favorite Christmas smell? 

The Scent of fresh snow (and let's add a white Christmas to the previous question).

Favorite Christmas treat or meal?

Candy Cane tea, (I'm obsessed) and smoked salmon, which is a Christmas staple at my house.

It's your turn!

And  don't forget to check Norad's Santa Tracker!

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights

Laura

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

I love Christmas songs, and with less than 36 hours until Christmas Eve it is officially time to play nothing but Christmas songs.  And this year this means Punk Goes Christmas:

Listen To Me

 I used to be a huge fan of the "Punk Goes" series, but I  wasn't that into their last few compilations (and their lack of punk) and my expectations for the Christmas album were rather low. 

But then I listened to the preview, and the first song by New Found Glory turned out to be amazing, as did the second by All Time Low, and …you see where this is going. So definitely check out Punk Goes Christmas if you're looking for something to rock out to this season,

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights

Laura

Christmas Wrapping

The holidays, too many parties not enough outfits. But don't worry, just put on that little black dress from last night and dress it up with some festive D.I.Y. accessories:

All you need is a a bag with a removable strap, a pair of flats or heels, and a Christmas tree you can raid. Then just replace the strap of your bag with a bow or a piece or garland, and start decorating  your shoes.

I find it easiest to use a shoe with a strap, because then you can just tie your trimmings on, but if you only have a classic pump or ballet flat you can use fashion tape to secure the trimmings.

A candy cane look for a tacky Christmas sweater party:

  Or gold for a more glamorous affair:

Have fun! And tweet me pictures if you try it!

And for those of you who still have some shopping to do check out my  last minute gift ideas.

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights

Laura

 

Oh Christmas Tree...

Happy Saturday!

I just put up my very tiny tree. I really wanted a Hobbit themed Christmas tree this year, all gold with a dragon on top, but I just couldn't find a dragon, so I went with the classics:

Did you already put up your tree?

  Tweet me pictures!

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights
Laura

Tea Time

My mom got me a  tea advent calendar from The English Tea Shop, and I loved every single flavor so much that one cup a day just wasn't enough... 

Ok, I have a problem (but enough candy cane tea to get me trough 2014).

The Christmas selections come in many festive forms, but I especially love the sets that have small individually wrapped packages inside. These small packages do not only make amazing stocking stuffers, they also look adorable on top of bigger presents, and are a little more special than the typical candy-cane.

see more at The English Tea Shop

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights
Laura

Christmas Vacation

Between family emergencies, dealing with a big disappointment, and way too many papers and projects that had to be turned in before Christmas break, I did not even have time to put up the Christmas decorations...  But all that stress is over now, and I can finally focus on the fun type of stress, which is exactly what I did this weekend.

On Saturday, I woke up all bright and early  to finally got some Christmas shopping done, and actually found something for everyone, even myself...

I found these Ralph Lauren boots in my favorite thrift shop, and I had no idea how much  I wanted leopard riding boots until I tried them on. (And they would go so well with that other thing I want for Christmas, so get on that Santa…)

The rest of the day was spend with present wrapping (I love this wrapping paper I found at TK Maxx), and catching up on Nashville (can you believe that cliffhanger?).

Sunday was much quieter, but we did go to see the Hobbit  Part II at night, which was the perfect way to kick off  my Christmas break.

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights

Laura

Rudolph the Red Toes Reindeer

Red nails are always in style, but in December they are always a little brighter, shinier, and most importantly sparklier:

find us

The Spy Who Loved Me (OPI), Toggle to the Top (Essie), Ruby Pumps (China Glaze), Scarlett O'Hara (Essie).

What's the name of your favorite festive red?

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights

Laura

Gift Guide: Cold Feet

Socks have a really bad reputation  when it comes to Christmas presents. But why is that? I for one love me a pair of funky (ok I mean preppy) overknee socks:

Find Us

Or look at these adorable ASOS Christmas Cracker socks:

ASOS

You don't even have to wrap them anymore!

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights
Laura

Gift Guide: Home Sweet Home

I always feel that my place looks rather empty after the holidays, which is why home decor related gifts are some my favorite things to give and receive:

Gift Guide: Home 

H&M shower curtain / Anthropologie Plates / Picture Frame / Throw pillow / Vase / Throw pillow / Bulldog Door Stopper / Tealight

There's a simple rule to make sure that your present is a hit: the bigger the present, the better you should know the person you're buying it for.  Don't buy a set of throw pillows or a big vase if you have no idea how the the receiver's house is decorated. A tealight or novelty picture frame is, however, always a safe idea.

This is a submission for IFB

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights

Laura

Hump Day Homework: Countdown to Christmas

It's been a while since the last Hump Day Homework, and to make up for it I give you a month's worth of movies:

HALLMARK CHANNEL

ABC Family used to be the place for cheesy made for TV Christmas movies, but even classics like Christmas every Day can't beat Hallmark's 24/7 holiday lineup. Family, Romance, Drama, Comedy... there's one for everyone. And maybe it's just my Christmas spirit, but I have yet to find a bad one.

So follow this link, make some hot chocolate, and pick a movie (or three).

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights

Laura

Gift Guide: Fashionista

No matter if you want to treat yourself, your best friend, your girlfriend or your wife, you can't go wrong with these fashionable picks: 

Gift Guide: Fashionista

Zara Sequin Sweater / Gap Fur Trimmed Parka / J.Crew Leather Skirt / Zara Ballet Flats / Marc by Marc Jacobs Purse / J.Crew Necklace  / Hunter Rain Boots

1) J. Crew statement necklaces are a great gift for any fashion lover,  especially because there are so many different styles to chsose from.
Tip: Try Etsy for a wallet friendly alternative.

2) Who doesn't love a sparkly sweater?

3) This leather skirt might not be for everyone, but that's what makes it perfect for some.

4) Everybody needs a warm parka, and this Gap one comes in two adorable designs.

5) A little black bag is a great staple, a little black Marc Jacobs bag is the way to any Fashionista's heart.

6) These Zara flats are cute, comfy, and on sale.

Happy shopping!

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights
Laura

Sparkle and Shine

First things first, I won't be doing a Christmas Countdown this year - but I still have a lot of fun things planned (and yes there will be giftguides!). So be sure to check in tomorrow!  

Now on to the sparkles. How perfect is Essie's new line of multi-dimensional special effects collection?

 Belugaria, Peak of Chic, On a Silver Platter,  Lots of Lux, Ignite The Night, and Hors D'oeuvres are all spectacular in their own way, and oh so perfect for all the upcoming holiday events.  Personally, I am most excited about Ignite the Night:

Essie

Sparkly silver can often look very childish, but Ignite the Night has a matt finish that gives it a very modern and sophisticated look. I can't wait to try it.

Peace, Love, and Crunchy Leaves

Laura

Warm and Tacky

I'm not gonna lie, some of these ASOS sweaters have me laughing out loud, but that's all the more reason to get one:

1, 2, 3 and 4

I'd say the pug definitely takes the cake.

Which one is your favorite?

Peace, Love, and Crunchy Leaves
Laura

Out of Bling

Guess what? Out of Print has Jewelry now, a lovely collection of literature inspired necklaces to be more specific.  Here are my favorites:

East and West Egg Necklace

A Must for every Gatsby fan, and wait until you see the back...  

(prepare to say "aww")

So It Goes Necklace

You don't have to be a fan of  Slaughterhouse Five to appreciate this quote (and the necklace).

Holden's Hat Necklace 

It's Holden's hat from the Catcher in The Rye! How cool is that?

See more at Out of Print Clothing.

Peace, Love, and Crunchy Leaves

Laura 

Reading List

Happy Monday! How incredibly perfect is this Kate Spade scarf?

Kate Spade  Library Scarf 

This goes straight onto my reading Christmas list.  

Peace, Love, and Chrunchy Leaves

Laura

Cozy Pastels

This week's IFB Project was about pastels,  which isn't exactly my favorite color group, unless...

Essie nail polish  / Old Navy  Infinity Scarf  / GAP Textural bobble hat / Kate Spade Sedgewick Place Paige / Pieces - Comet Gloves  / Hunter Wellington Boots

...we're talking about a pastel accessory. Hats, scarves, gloves, bags... anything that adds a girly touch to my parka.  

The trick with pastels in the colder months is to choose things with a thicker texture, leave the chiffon in your closet and go for big knits, leather or suede.  

Peace, Love, and Chrunchy Leaves

Laura

Lobster Roll

Hallmark and Lifetime started showing their Holiday movies, which makes it officially okay to start wearing Fair Isle sweaters, especially if they're as cute as this Vinyard Vines one:

Vinyard Vines Lobster Sweater

Adorable.

Peace, Love, and Crunchy Leaves
Laura

The Camel Coat

A good camel coat should be part of any fall/winter wardrobe - especially this season. And the best is that there are great options for every wallet:  

 Splurge: Burberry

Burberry

Spend: J. Crew

JCrew

Steal: Zara 

Zara

 Are you going to sport a Camel Coat this season?

 
Peace, Love, And Crunchy Leaves
Laura

November News

I've always had a very eclectic taste, but within those eclectic choices I never felt the need to venture out into new territory, so this month I'm gonna do exactly that, starting with a book I wouldn't have picked up before.  And since venturing out into one foreign genre didn't feel adventurous enough, I chose a book that combines two:  

Amazon

Stephen King's 11/22/63 is not only a political thriller, but also a sci-fi story, and to top it off it's almost 900 pages long.  But I am determined to make it it through all of them.

Another thing is something that I always preach but don't actually practice myself: Wear more jewellery! I've always been a minimalist, so I don't think I'm gonna go all out and start wearing those gorgeous J.Crew statement necklaces anytime soon...

JCrew

...even though I could totally see myself wearing this with a cable knit sweater.

Are you trying out something new this month? Let me know, comment below!

 
Peace, Love, and  Crunchy Leaves
Laura

Winter is Coming Part II

Two posts in a day, but I just got the heads up that ASOS is having a timed  sale on all winter boots. But hurry, you only have 24 hours to snatch up a pair: 

Ugg Newberry

Sorel Tofino

Ash Chestnut Wedge Booty

Peace, Love, and Crunchy Leaves

Laura

Winter is Coming

We officially entered the wool coats and high boots period,  and Essie has six new amazing shades inspired by the colder weather:

Essie

From Left to right:  Toggle To the Top, Shearling Darling, Warm & Toasty Turtleneck, Sable Collar,  Parka Perfect and Mind Your Mittens.  

The lush cocoa plum "Sable Collar"  is the one I'm most excited about. It's an interesting mix of red and brown, and I don't think I own anything quite like it. 

Which one is your favorite? 

Peace, Love, and Crunchy Leaves

Laura

Little Red Riding Cup

Don't you hate it when you have a nice hot drink, but then you get a text from your stalker, and that drink gets cold while you're busy figuring out how to save your friends this week? If the answer is yes then I have just the right thing for you:

picture: spoonful

It's a Red Coat drink sleeve that'll keep your Pretty Little Latte warm in style.  

And the best is, that you can make it yourself. Just head over to Spoonful.com and download the pattern and instructions. Have fun!

...Oh and how great was the Pretty Little Liars Halloween Special?

Peace, Love, and Haunted Hayrides

Laura

Sweater Weather Tag

I love a good tag, and this one happens to be about my favorite thing: Fall

1. Favorite candle scent?


I'm actually not a candle person. Shocking, I know.

2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?


Black Coffee's usually the way to my heart, but I do carry a particular fondness for berry tea in the fall. 

3. What's the best fall memory you have?


Pumpkin carving, ever since I was little we had pumpkin carving parties, that involved watching the Disney Halloween classics in the garden house.

4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?


Dark lips,  berry lips trump everything.

5. What do you want to be for Halloween?


Red Coat from Pretty Little Liars.

6. Favorite fall food?


Apple quiche.

7. Hats or Scarves?

Hats.


8. Most worn sweater?


My precious owl sweater. 

9. Favorite fall nail polish?


It's a toss-up betweeen Essie's "Wicked" and OPI's "Warm and Fozzy"

10. Football games or jumping in leaf piles?


 Leaves! Duh...

11. Skinny jeans or leggings?


Skinny jeans.

12. Combat boots or Uggs?


 Both? Riding boots? My Hunters?  ...I dont discriminate against boots.

13. What's your #1 favorite thing about fall?

The Fashion! 

What are your answers? Let me know, comment below!

Peace, Love, and Haunted Hayrides
Laura

Pumpkin Parade

A bit earlier than usually but I had to take advantage of the free weekend, so here are this year's creations (and yes it took me this long to finally make a Nancy Drew pumpkin):

Are you carving pumpkins this year? Tweet me your pics! 

Peace, Love, and Haunted Hayrides
Laura