Modcloth

Today, I spent way too much time cruising Modcloth. Even though I rarely do online shopping (it's a slippery slope my friends), I popped a few things in my cart. One is this snake ring...I bought one in England, but I can tell it's near breaking point, so I needed a substitute. I bought one other thing, but it's a present so I can't show it in case she's out there reading this. One thing I'm still drooling over is this. No way I could justify that price though. Have you ever bought anything from Modcloth? Their stuff is super cute, but it drives me CRAZY that every time I fall in love with something, I inevitably meet the words "out of stock". I wish there was a way to sort things by what's actually available!

#20

[this is the image that came up when I searched "lazy" on weheartit. too cute]

Today, I asked for a vacation day from work (yesss) and had plans to meet up with a friend. Last night, I canceled our plans and decided to cash in my lazy day. I've been feeling so burnt-out lately, I knew I needed to take a day to recharge my batteries. I spent my Monday reading magazines, watching guilty pleasure daytime TV (hello Rachel Zoe Project marathon) and taking a huge nap. It was amazing. Coincidentally, I can also check #20 off my 24x24 list! I feel so accomplished. 

What I'm reading: December

I apologize for the slow down in posts...but what can I say, it's been hectic lately. Gift shopping, wrapping, holiday partying, visiting with friends back in town and planning a bridal shower...yeah I'm busy. But I still had time to speed through a few quick reads:

[amazon.com]

Elinor and Ted are struggling to have a child, when she learns he has been having an affair. The situation gets even more complicated when the mistress's son becomes involved. Deals with heavy hitters such as infidelity and infertility, but still ends on a hopeful note.

[amazon.com]

The author relives the best summer of her life. In the middle of WWII, she moves to NYC and finds a job at Tiffany's. It was magical to experience what life was like in the forties...what they wore, where they went on dates, they way they spoke. A quick read. 

[amazon.com]

This was one of my favorite books as a kid, and I was so excited to receive it from a friend recently. Claudia and her brother run away from home and hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They manage to escape discovery for days and along the way discover a mysterious statue that may be a lost work of Michelangelo's. I think I finished it in a day. Just as good as I remembered. (Although I'm pretty sad to read that the fountain that plays a big role in the book doesn't exist in that museum anymore).

ASOS

[Images: us.asos.com]

ASOS is the latest transplant from across the pond (and the latest thing filling up my shopping "bookmarks") PS - I know that the 4 items I chose don't match at all...but that's the beauty of ASOS, they have a little bit of everything. From a flowy dress with a peek-a-boo keyhole in the back, to a fancy clutch that would go perfectly with my bridesmaid's dress. From a warm shearling leather jacket, to a bag that I could see myself carrying every single day. Check it out!

Wow

[Image]

Remember how I said I wanted to see the Aurora Borealis? I would love to be able to watch them from the comfort of my glass igloo hotel room in Finland. Swoon.

December Anthropologie

[Images: theanthropologist.net]

The December catalog, shot in Sweden, was so magical. Doesn't the house with a grass roof seem straight out of a fairy tale? And, a tree house with a spiral staircase sounds like a dream come true. 

Gift guide

If you haven't finished your holiday shopping (like me) or you know a ton of people with December birthdays (like me), you may be in need of some gift ideas. The best part? All under $40. 

[anthropologie.com]

Rosebud Salve is a must-have, and even more covetable when it's in a handy tube. (Just bought this...officially obsessed)

[gap.com]

Cute flats in a multitude of colors, complete with a drawstring tote. Great for the party girl who needs a chic way to get home after a late night. 

[lushusa.com]

When my cousin and I stopped by Lush the other day, everything looked, so, well, lush. If you don't have the time to pick out your own products, they have lots of pre-wrapped gift sets. Perfect for that last minute Secret Santa that you (eek!) almost forgot about. 

[uncommongoods.com]

Dream bank. Slip in a picture of what you want most, and work your way up to that goal, baby!

[us.asos.com]

This Karl tote would make even the most sophisticated fashionista giggle. 

The Christmas spirit

Whew, anyone else feeling as busy and exhausted as I am? Of course you are, it's the holidays. 

Yesterday, my cousin and I took a day off from all that hubbub to spend some time together. Since our birthdays are just days apart, we decided to skip birthday and Christmas gifts in favor of actually doing something. We headed down to 3rd St Promenade for a day filled with crepes, shopping, drinks and ice skating. It was wonderful and I think it's going to be our new yearly tradition. 

Coupled with the fact that my family decorated our house this weekend, I'm finally getting into that Christmas spirit. I'm ready for gingerbread, Christmas lights, peppermint cocoa and holiday movies. Here are some of my favs:

Elf (never fails to make me smile. "Smiling's my favorite!")

It's a Wonderful Life (there's just nothing bad about this movie. Nothing.)

A Christmas Story (I watch the 24 hour marathon of this on Christmas. And then pass out in a pile of my Christmas presents, much like Randy does in the movie)

Do you have any must-watch movies to get you in the holiday spirit?

Life List: 5

In honor of tonight's game, I thought I'd add "attend the UCLA vs USC football game" to my life list. If you know me, you know who I'd be cheering for. (Hint: It starts with a U and ends with an A)

What I'm reading: November

[amazon.com]

Snore. This story tells the tale of a woman (I forgot her name...I was that bored) and what impact one decision would have on her life. It tells two parallel tales - one where she cheats on her husband, one where she doesn't. The man she has an affair with in one story plays snooker and you will want to throw the book out the window after 500 pages of snooker stories. Or maybe that's just me. 

[amazon.com]

Ok, I feel like I missed something reading this book. Like there was some forward that explained what the heck was going on, and my book didn't have it. Beyond being confused, I just didn't like the writing. There was a lot of backtracking, like "let me tell you something, but oh wait, I forgot to tell you the thing that happened first, ok now let's get back to what I really wanted to talk about..." Over and over. Not my best month for books. 

24 by 24

Inspired by posts such as this and this, and because I love lists and making goals, I've decided to make a mini life list to do by the time I'm 24. 

My 24x24:

1. Move out. Time to leave the nest (for real this time). 

2. Go to LACMA. I especially want to see their exhibit on European fashion and their outdoor Urban Light installation.

3. Donate my time or money to a good cause. 

4. Improve my mile time to 9:00 (currently clocking in around 9:45).

5. Go on a fabulous vacation.

6. Buy a quality pair of jeans.

7. Go kayaking.

8. Learn to cook something new. Thursdays are my night to cook around here, and my parents are getting a little tired of my standbys of pasta or breakfast for dinner. 

9. Have a technology-free day. No internet, no phone, no ipod, no tv. 

10. Go to a baseball game. I must admit baseball is not my favorite sport to watch, but going to games is so much better than watching them on tv.

11. Bake these.

12. Hike Half Dome. 

13. Deliver a really good maid of honor speech at my cousin's wedding. My dear cousin is getting married in February and I'm a little really nervous! Public speaking has never been my strong suit. 

14. Go to the FIDM museum. 

15. Have a picnic. 

16. See the World of Color at Disneyland. (Ok, confession, I saw this when I went to Disneyland on my birthday! When I made the list, I hadn't seen it. Does anyone else add anything to their to-do list simply for the satisfaction of crossing it off?)

17. Expand my brown bag lunch options. PB&J can only go so far. 

18. Get a massage. 

19. See a movie at our local theater that serves dinner and drinks. 

20. Have a totally lazy day. Stay in bed, read magazines, watch movies. No guilt.

21. Watch the first seasons of Mad Men, the Office and Big Bang Theory.

22. Learn more about Edith Head. Currently lusting after this.
23. Take a nice family photo.
24. Go to Vegas with my friends. This is becoming a yearly tradition for us. 

Girl Crush: Rose Byrne

[1]

[2]

[3]

Ok, I'm gonna confess that I've never actually seen anything Rose Byrne has been in. Yet. But based on her style choices alone, I clearly need to familiarize myself. 

Lust List: Holiday 2010

Since my birthday is a mere week away (eek!) and Christmas will be coming up not too long after that, here is what I'm wishing for:

1. A wear-everywhere Fair Isle cardigan [Old Navy]

2. A classic leather jacket destined to be in my closet for years and years [Old Navy]

3. A swingy, 60's mini dress that would be perfect for New Year's Eve [Forever 21]

4. A Hepburn-esque little black dress [Anthropologie]

5. A trompe l'oeil jewelry box [Anthropologie]

6. A style book to add to my ever-growing collection [Amazon]

Paris vs NYC

[Image: parisvsnyc.blogspot.com]

Have you heard of this blog? They make impossibly cute prints all about two of the most amazing cities in the world. I want this one!

O.M.G.

[Image: Christie's]

Sketchs of Grace Kelly done by costume designer Edith Head. Those are two of my heroes! My birthday is coming up...

Craving

So, after seeing this picture:

[Images: Women's Health (top), net-a-porter.com (bottom)]

I decided I needed this Elizabeth and James dress in my life. But if I'm being honest with myself, it's only because I want to twirl in it. 

Sicky

[Images: weheartit]

I apologize for my lack of real posts lately, but I went out of the town this weekend (for an absolutely wonderful birthday getaway with some of my favorite girlies) and I barely made it through 2 hours of work before I went home sick. My body has been feeling of out whack lately, and it's really poor timing since now we are on the fast track to the holidays (and I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet). So, to make a short story long, all I have to offer you are a few pictures from one of my favorite old movies. Rome, I miss you. 

Happy November!

[Image: gossipgirlfan.org]

Happy November my dears! It's my birthday month (and my blog's birthday month!). Coming up in the next few weeks: 

-my holiday lust list (mom, are you reading this?)

-what I've been reading

-my 24 x 24 list. On (or around) my birthday, I'm going to post my list of 24 things I want to achieve before I turn 24. Ideas? 

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays, but for some reason I just haven't been in the mood. My low-key weekend: caramel apples and apple chips (they make your house smell amazing while they're baking!), and lots of (not-so-) scary movies. I watched paranormal activity (a dud), hocus pocus (a tradition) and now I'm settling into some classics: house of wax, house on haunted hill and the haunting. And I may just have to flip to the rocky horror picture show marathon once or twice. What are your halloween night plans?

Sweater Girl

[Images: Natalie Neal for Urban Outfitters]

Loving the sweet, retro styling of this "Sweater Girl" shoot for Urban Outfitters. 

Versailles

Um hi Versailles...I miss you. 

What I'm reading: October

I'm starting a new series where I post (short) reviews of what I've been reading lately. Right now, I'm reading two books at once (I don't normally do that, but sometimes you need to break up non-fiction with something lighter). I usually hit my library bookstore to buy books since they are cheap, cheap, cheap! Place is a goldmine. 

[amazon.com]

Still in the middle of reading The Tipping Point. Since I was a psych major, I love getting to learn more about why people do what we do. This book explains how things become trends. What causes something to flop while something else can spread like wildfire? Definitely interesting. 

[amazon.com]

I picked this up because I liked her other book The Time Traveler's Wife. Just finished this. Started out ok, but quickly went downhill for me. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters and the ending felt fake. I wouldn't reread it. 

Annie

[Images: Vogue, November 2010]

Currently swooning over this glamorous photos from the November issue of Vogue.