Here comes the jackpot question in advanced...

...What are you wearing New Year's Eve?

For me, New Year's Eve is the perfect opportunity to break out the bold, beautiful and sparkling. Sequins, gems, lamé, what have you. Here is my roundup of excellent choices for New Year's Eve that allow you to stick to your budget resolutions!


This top from the Limited is priced around $50 and has a gorgeous textured effect.

This top has a more casual feel and would look cute with jeans and an edgy jacket. Only $35!

At $20, this sequin infinity scarf dresses up anything for next to nothing.

"Ring" in the New Year (couldn't help it!) for only $4.

This glitter heels are GORGEOUS!

Keep everything else simple and set it off with glitter tights.

Go simple and classic in this one-shoulder dress. $121 and works for many occasions.

Whatever you wear, I hope you all have a very safe and happy New Year!

In which I exercise restraint!

Of course it had to be the day after I go on a self-imposed shopping ban. Anthropologie has added a ton of new items to sale. Although I won't be actually buying anything (grumble grumble), here are my favorite new items:


I love the coral color in this skirt.

This tee is bright, cheerful, and only $30!

Love the bows on these pumps!

I love the bright colors of this top, and the unique shape!

Romantic and ethereal!

For those, like me, with too much gray in their wardrobe. This will spice it up!

These classic pumps add Victorian flair for only $59.95.

If I could have anything on this list, it would be this oversized bauble necklace.

These boots are $149.95 and have a leather sole.

What did you find in the Anthro sale?

All I Want for Christmas...

I was just gently reminded that there is less than three weeks until Christmas! I have only crossed off a few on my Christmas list, leaving behind the impossible to shop for parents and in-laws. I've been wracking my brain and have come up with nothing.

My husband recently asked me what I'd like for Christmas and that was easy. Jonathan Adler, I happily texted in reply. I have a list a mile long of Adler pieces I'd love to have in our home.


This Aries pillow is so fab and retro, and would be a perfect accent on our white leather lounger.

The perfect mix of tongue-in-cheek kitsch and fab-partyware, this fondue sets is begging to be on my dining room table.

This bedside water carafe has tons of attitude!

This cute fox is the cousin of the ceramic lion we have on our credenza.

A chic addition to the Christmas tree.

What made it on to your wish list this year?

Shame on me!

Yes, I realize it's been a while.

I have just finished my first semester at the university and OMG was it stressful. The presentations, reports, exams, it's enough to make your head spin...and it did make my head spin. But tomorrow is the last day for a while so I thought I'd get caught up.

So what have I been up to? Well my self-imposed August shopping ban went swimmingly however I did go overboard afterward (making up for lost time?). Since then I've been more budget conscious. I've been trying to find things that will work for dinners out as well as work functions. And I've been branching out.

Here's what I've come up with:

American Eagle jeans are awesome. I can't stress this enough. I am particularly fond of the Skinny, Slim Boot, and Artist jeans. I own a couple of each because they are unbelievably inexpensive!

American Eagle Jeans

J Crew puts things on sale very fast these days. I've learned to wait a couple of weeks to pick up a new item because chances are it will be 25% off with promotion or marked down. Here's a roundup of my recent purchases:

Muse Tank - $27 on sale

Sherpa Hoodie - $41 on sale

Always Cardigan - $20 on sale

Sequin Pencil Skirt - $29 on sale

Plus many others way below original price. Frankly, I'd be mad if I bought a few of my recent purchases at full price. The Traversa cardigan is super cute but after one wear has pilled all over! And my Whisper Ruffle sweater already has a hole on the sleeve (not on the seam of course). I purchased that one at $39.99 and it's now down to $20 in-store. Hmph.

I also purchased a few tees in the factory section and found the quality to be quite comparable to regular J Crew. At $13 instead of $25, I'm happy!