Happy New Year!!

Hope everyone has a safe and super fun holiday!!  I know I will :)   Hubs and I celebrated tonight with an AH-Freaking-Mazing meal at our fav restaurant and now we are in a foodcoma (and still drinking the vino)watching Family Guy and the like...  Tomorrow we'll be heading to NYC for the weekend.... FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!! (woot woot)


Have a great weekend... See ya in 2010!!

The Count Down is On!

It's almost 2010!...

Since we have less than two days to go, why not reflect back on some of my favorite things of 2009...   I'd like to disclaim that no way am I promoting any of these products as HG ("Holy Grail") items, but just things I found this year and really enjoyed using, wearing or drinking ;)

Haircare
My hair has made a total turn around in 2009.  It's extremely thick and I have a ton of it.  It's naturally wavy and dry (read: curlyish with frizz, fly aways, and prone to breakage).  After switching through a few shampoo and conditioners, I finally found love with Frizz by Living Proof. 

It's sulfate free which fits perfectly into my 'trying to live greener' ambitions... 


Also have to give a shout out to Saltwater Dreams for reviewing and raving about Paul Mitchell Quick Slip.

It truly has cut my drying and straightening time in half from almost 30 minutes to 15.  I use 1 pump or two and put it in the bottom half of my hair (from the nape of my neck down).  I then blow dry with my X5 Dryer and jumbo round brush to get my hair straight - no flat iron necessary.

Last product adding to my hair's health is Biotin supplements.  

Ever since taking these supplements I've noticed (as well as my stylist) how much stronger my hair is and how much less breakage and split ends there are.  I'm pretty sure the bottle of vitamins cost me about $1 at Target and it will be saving me $100s by being able to extend my trims. (Also makes my nails grow like crazy!)


Skincare
I have to give credit where credit is due, Thanks Mom!  She got me hooked on Philosophy skincare products.  Again, not saying they are the best out there, but they work great for me... this is the line up I'm currently using....

Make-Up Optional Combo Pack - Sephora $78

Microdelivery (Vitamin C) Peel - $65

Because my skin is super dry in the winter, I recently added this moisturizer to my routine. 

My skin freaked out in November from the change in climate and this has put the balance back in.  My face feels moisturized all day, and for less than $15 you get a ginormous tub, so no need to skimp.  I layer this stuff on morning and night and all over my neck too!


Fashion
Just wanted to add in my favorite purchases that I've been wearing to death..... no further explanation needed.

OBVIOUSLY, my J.Crew Silk Frances Cami in Ivory

Statement Necklace by Etsy seller MakeThisYourOwn

Yeah, this is kinda a dumb item, but I seriously wear it all the time (like even right now!) - by itself with a fun necklace, with sweaters, jeans, or sweats... best part it was $6 at Target!

Old Navy Belted Cropped Sleeve Coat

Ok, so I don't wear these all the time...  Actually, I only wore them once - to my wedding!  But oh so pretty... had to make them one of my 'Favorite' Things....  Kate Spade Lora

Other Random Loves of 2009

Pretty.  Versatile. that is all.

Essie Angora Cardi

April at Highs Lows and Stilettos has raved about her multiple uses for vinegar and I can't agree more.

Heinz Vinegar

Seeing what this thing picks up every week would make you sick to your stomach... best cleaning investment ever and kinda makes vacuuming fun... sorta... a little bit.

 

Dyson Animal Ball

We got this in February and it's one of my fav pieces of furniture.  It has since been discontinued, but they came out with a new version.

Crate and Barrel Galerie Spirits Cabinet

We owe our amazing honeymoon to these books.  Highly HIGHLY recommend picking up if you are going to the islands...

and a book series not so highly recommended, but who doesn't love a guilty pleasure...

 The Twilight Saga

WINE!!!

Lastly, I wouldn't be ending the year right if I didn't devote a whole section to my favorite wines... all of these retail between $10-$20 and are super delish and not headache inducing like Yellowtail... branch out people, branch out....

In no particular order...

Chalone Vineyards Pinot Noir

Mark West Pinor Noir

Red Truck Merlot

Concha y Toro Xplorador Merlot

Ravenswood Red Zinfandel

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2006 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

and yeah, this guy is over the $20 limit, but is our FAVORITE... local and delish, can't wait to share it our on 1st Anniversary! 

Va La Vineyards Mahogany

 Please share with me your fav finds of 2009, I'd love to try some new things in 2010!

After-Christmas Consumerism

I don't really do the Black Friday thing... but I am all about After Christmas Sales.  I left the house around 9am and was pulling up front to Nordstroms before 9:30.  I encompassed both the Plaza and the Court (at King of Prussia Mall - the largest mall east of the Mississippi River!) 

Wait a sec... I just did a fact check, and turns out King of Prussia Mall is the largest "Mall" - in terms of leasable space- in the country!  Check me out!... well not, me, but that's my local mall yo!  Take that "Mall of America" and your waste of square footage... and rollercoasters.... pshhh.....

Ok, back on track... I gotta say, I wasn't that impressed this year with the sales.  Granted, I'm saving my money for a super special birthday present to myself (which I'll get to later) so I was a little tight when whipping out the plastic, but there really wasn't anything I found that was worth its mark down or lack there of.


After checking Nordstroms for clearance handbags I headed over to J.Crew.  I really hate when J.Crew has a 'Final Sale', since they don't allow returns.  I kept this in mind as I searched for something I loved.  There were a ton of things I really LIKED, but nothing was marked down to where I'd be happy spending especially without opportunity to bring it back.  So sadly (gladly?) I left empty handed.

I popped in a bunch of other stores before seeing the 40% OFF ENTIRE PURCHASE sign out front of Ann Taylor (which is still going on in store and online!).  Again, there was a ton super cute items, but most of the things I loved were still at their original retail price, which if you shop at Ann Taylor you know are priced a little high.  Don't get me wrong the quality is there, but the design is nothing more than Banana Republic or J.Crew, so I prefer not to spend more than necessary.

I did however scoop up these two lovelies....

Petite Jersey Tee with Rosette

The detail on this shirt is sooooo pretty in real life.  The petals are perfection and the pearl beading isn't overkill.  Also the fit is amazing!  Oh yeah the price $48 $28.80

Glass Pearl and Ribbon Necklace

I actually got this necklace with grey ribbon and clear glass pearls, but its not shown online.  I love all their jewelry soo much, but I wanted something different from what I already own... so I stayed away from anything with pearl pearls... again the price $58 $34.80...

I did make it over to Loft (again Ann Taylor Loft) and pick up my Stocking Stuffer Wishlist item...

Petite Waterfall Tee

Again, a great fitting Tee and Loft was taking (and still is!) an additional 25% off all sale items, so the $14.99 sale price became $11.24, hello?! 

Also I should note, I bought the Petite XXS which is a little ridiculous, but size down if you're going to online shop.  The Regular XS was super long and really loose.  The XXS isn't 'tight' but just nicely fitted.

In action: Loft Tee and AT Necklace...

 sorry only pic and i'm wearing a cardi over the sweet 'waterfall' ruffles... oops.

Sadly, that was really all I got (besides stocking up on Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Soap -LOVEthatstuff!)  So thanks Ms. Taylor for cute clothes and amazing mark downs!

.... oh wait... there's more??? 

oh, yes I didn't even tell you WHY I was hunting around both malls (and forgetting to leave out that I checked out EVERY department store)... (which if you don't know KOP that means, Nordstrom, Neimans, Lord&Taylor, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's... btw, what happened to Saks?? why is it closed?!?)... and yeah I skipped Penny's and Sears.. but who can blame me?.. like I said earlier, I decided to Birthday gift myself with a new handbag... so after stalking lots of sites online for sales and markdowns I thought I'd fare better at the mall... this was not the case.   Seems no one likes to carry Rebecca Minkoff IN STORE?!?!?  thanks jerks....

(don't worry I don't have a sad face anymore.....) stay tuned!

2009: Trends I Love

Obviously I didn't hate everything... in fact, there were A LOT of trends I absolutely loved this year and will cry if they go away any time soon.

Again, these trends either started, blew up, or carried into 2009.  And clearly, they are statements I swooned over and love and am probably wearing to death, but I don't care!

Ruffles

This is definitely my favorite... and that's saying a lot from a reformed 'tomboy'.  I love ruffles on everything!

Shirts...

Dresses...

 Handbags...

and shoes!...

Statement Necklaces
My second favorite trend.  I'm been loading up on necklaces like crazy the past few months. I love how they add interest to any boring outfit.

Move over Jackie O and your sunglasses... Michelle O is creating her own First Lady Fashion Signature..

Booties
Ok, soo this isn't a trend I actually wear, but that's because I'm a boring non-risky type (nor do I wear skirts/dresses, which is how I prefer this look - not worn jeans).  Booties are the fashion risk that always looks 'right' when I spy a pic like these in a weekly or fashion mag.   If I was riskier, I'd definitely invest in a cute pair.

Gray as a neutral
Gray is the new black.  This isn't new, my closet has been dominated by gray for years.  However, it really seems like everyone is wearing it all the time - their clothes, their shoes, their accessories, etc etc etc etc etc.

The Braided Headband
This was seen on Sienna at the 2007 Golden Globes, but LC really made this her signature look this past year. I saw it soo many times throughout the summer I even gave it a try myself.

Some other pretties rockin the style....

Patterned Tights

Like booties, this is a trend I haven't tried - for the same reason, Hello! I LIVE in jeans people... anyway.  I think patterned tights are great look - just not for me.

What was your favorite 2009 trend?  Do you hate anything that I love?