Cheers to 2013

Cheers to a new year: 2013!

....just a few words to end 2012 & move forward into 2013 with.

...and my FAVORITE:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Emerald

According to Pantone, the "world-renowned authority on color," THE color for 2013 will be EMERALD. 

"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty 

that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

I am excited to see how this plays out in the fashion world. I believe that Emerald will be a color we will see a lot of next year, especially in the fall & winter seasons. 

This past year's color chosen by Pantone was Tangerine Tango, and although we perhaps saw more of the oxblood color in stores, tangerine was still out there, especially as an accent color.

What do you think of Pantone's past color choices and for 2013? Will you be adding any Emerald to your wardrobe?  ....as a redhead, I love any shade of green, especially those of the deeper Emerald tones! 

Here are just a few Emerald looks I'm loving.

Target + Neiman Marcus

With each & every Target collaboration there has been hype & intrigue as to how it will go....we all saw the craziness that came with the Missoni collaboration (unfortunately), but it seems that Target has listened to consumers' demands. The newest collection, in conjunction with Neiman Marcus, didn't cause crazy lines at stores on launch day and there are still products available in stores and online -more than 2 weeks later. Is this because they produced more, limited the number of products each person could purchase, or could it be due to the higher price points?

If you missed the collection or passed over it due to the higher prices, you are in luck - everything in the collection is 50% off as of today (both in stores & online)! I just might have to go back & find a few more pieces to purchase.


For the most part, I personally wasn't totally in love with any of the items this time around, except for the Marc Jacobs "clutches" (pouches). The Altuzarra bar glasses are rather fun - especially for holiday cocktails/entertaining, as are the Jason Wu Christmas ornaments, but I wasn't ready to spend the money on either, but at 50% off, that might make me reconsider!

I'm always excited to see what Target does with each new collaboration....I love that they are making high-end fashion more affordable without completely sacrificing quality.  

Cheers to Target ....I can't wait to see what's next!

Altuzarra Double Old Fashioned Glasses

Jason Wu Ornaments

Marc Jacobs Pouch

Deck the Halls

With the holiday season here, it makes me long for a larger house to decorate and most of all: a fireplace. I LOVE the sounds of a warm, crackling fireplace to cozy up on the couch near while reading a book, watching a movie, or just drinking a cup of cranberry tea.

I know that a new house is probably not in the near future, but it's always fun to daydream about the possibilites of what our new (much bigger) house will look like, and of course, how we will decorate it!

Here are a few "decked out" mantles that I'm loving...

How could I not end a post with some "personal style?!"....and we all know that you can never have too many shoes! I just loved this "shoe tree" - I had to share it!

Happy Holidays to all...

Holiday Lists...

With the holidays come oh so many "lists"....

...from "to do" lists, "shopping" lists, "wish" lists, and perhaps "bucket" lists?!  I am a lover of lists.  I love the creating of the list almost as much as I love checking things off the list!

I thought I'd share some of my lists with you....and perhaps inspire you to create some of your own?!!

Winter White

With the holidays fast approaching, and for us in MN the inevitable large amounts of SNOW, you may find yourself searching for that perfect outfit for a date nite, or perhaps a festive holiday party.  

What I love about my close group of girlfriends is that we've decided to always have a "theme" for our annual holiday party. 
This will only be the third year with a theme, but it has made getting dressed SO much simpler!  I wish there were more parties/events that had a theme for "dressing up"....it's SO much fun, and again, easier to know what you will be wearing!

Our first "theme" was, of course, the "ugly sweater" party. It was fun, and we even "voted" on the ugliest sweater & the winner received a fun "door prize!" Last year's theme was SPARKLE! Everyone layered on the sparkle, sequins, glitter & bling!  So fun! 




This year we have decided on "Winter White." I am very excited about this year's choice, as lace, ivory, white, and cream are so so fun to layer & then pile on the jewels of course!  


I purchased a pair of MiH velvet ivory skinnies (from houndstooth) that I'm very excited to wear....now it's just down to finding that perfect top, or sweater, or combination of the two to complete the look!  I do have several choices to choose from in my closet, it's just a matter of creating that look I've imagined in my head....we'll see how it goes! 

It's always fun to see how others take a "theme" and create their own look within that same idea! Everyone always adds their own personal style & touch to what they put together!  

Here are a few of my favorite items & looks that fit into our theme, Winter White.

Another year older...

There are SO many places out there that give away "freebies" or discounts on your actual birthday or for your entire "birthday month"!  


Here are just a few of the Birthday Bonuses that I know of (most of which I try to cash in on each year--I mean, why not, right??!)

SHOPPING (clothing):  

Hot Mama -sign up (in store) to receive emails (along with earning points towards rewards) and receive an email good for $25 off a $100 or more purchase one time during the month of your birthday

BCBG -make sure your info is in their computer system & receive a postcard good for 20% off your purchases all month long, as many times as you want to shop!

Anthropologie -again, sign up & receive 15% off a purchase (online or in store) during the month of your birthday

Victoria's Secret -sign up for emails, receive $10 off one purchase anytime during your birthday month

GAP -if you have a GapCard (Gap Visa)-receive an email that gives you 25% off on your birthday or within 30 days of your birthday (one time use)

Old Navy -sign up for emails & receive "birthday treat"

Piperlime -sign up for emails & receive an email for $15 off a purchase of $60 or more

Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor LOFT -sign up for emails, receive email for $15 off one purchase during the month of your birthday

DSW -make sure you are a part of their rewards program, $10 coupon to use the month of your birthday

Often times, finding a company's Facebook page is a great way to learn about deals & coupons & even find out about new merchandise before it hits the stores!

COFFEE:

Caribou Coffee -sign up for emails & receive a free drink ON your birthday

Starbucks -get a "rewards card" & you'll receive a free drink or food ON your birthday




FOOD:

Noodles & Co. -sign up for the noodle emails (noodlegrams) & receive one free noodle bowl any day during the month of your birthday

Benihana -sign up & receive a free $30 gift certificate to use during the month of your birthday

*Many restaurants often offer a free dessert for birthdays-all you have to do is just ask!!!




TO DO:
Just about any VFW or location that offers BINGO will allow you to play FREE on your birthday! All you have to do is ask!  =)

$14 or $20 off BINGO at Mystic Lake Casino.

Brunswick Bowling = free game of bowling.



Here are two other blogs/sites with even longer lists of Birthday Freebies to check out: 
site 1, site 2!

....and here's the Star Tribune's list of Free Food on Your Birthday from 2009.

CHEERS to you whenever you turn another year older! 

....here's to hoping it's your best year yet!!!

Thanksgiving & Black Friday

I have been travelling over Thanksgiving for the last 2 years, thus I'm a bit out of the loop with the whole Black Friday shopping....I'm honestly slightly disappointed in how many shops/stores are opening earlier and earlier ON Thanksgiving Day -WHAT??!!  Isn't this a time to be thankful for what you HAVE, not race around & fight crowds to buy even more?

So, first & foremost, 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

I am SO thankful for my wonderful husband and the greatest family & friends anyone could ask for!

This year I will be celebrating up North in Duluth and the only plan I have for Black Friday is hitting up the Smartwool sale for some fabulous wool socks & possibly a pair of slippers or if I'm lucky enough a warm sweater for my hubby.

I just can't imagine dealing with the crazy crowds just to "score some deals" -which are often not even all that great....  My suggestion is to check out what's happening ONLINE, as many sales are starting NOW, and then support your LOCAL boutiques on Small Business Saturday!

There are a TON of "sales" and deals happening, and I completely understand how great it is to SAVE $$ on anything....especially as we approach "the season of giving." Thus, here are a few of the sales that I might checkout at some point in the next few days:

One of my favorite local boutiques, Houndstooth, will be having a FABULOUS sale on Black Friday -one that you really don't want to miss....2 locations, one in Savage & one in Eden Prairie.

Nelle handbags has FREE shipping & 20% off her gorgeous handbags from November 22-26, use code: HOLIDAY

Hot Mama = 15% off EVERYTHING storewide NOW until November 25 (in stores & online)

Shopbop is offering up to 35% off with code: BIGEVENT12

25% off & free ship on everything at Madewell code: TREAT

Get 25% off your purchase at J. Crew with code: COLOR25

J.Crew Factory- 40% off of everything! Plus 15% off when you spend $100 or more!  

Club Monaco has an extra 30% off sale items

Up to 50% off at Nordstrom (Um, hello sale on Equipment blouses!)

Bloomingdales- Up to 50% off and $25 off every $200 you spend

30% off sale items at DVF with code: HOLIDAYSALE

Last Call by Neiman Marcus- extra 40% off everything including clearance!

Steve Madden- 25% off plus free shipping with code: GIVE25

Happy Shopping!  ....and of course, enjoy the time spent with family & friends! 

GIVE THANKS for all you have!

Madewell

...is FINALLY here in the Twin Cities!

What is Madewell you ask?  

Madewell is J. Crew’s sister store. It started out as a denim brand but has grown into a full fashion collection in its own right—similar to J. Crew, but more casual and perhaps more youthful. 

The Twin Cities' (& Minnesota's) first store recently opened (Nov. 14 to be exact) at Southdale Mall in Edina. It's located on the first floor just outside of the newly renovated Herbergers.

I had a chance to quickly peruse the store this past week and was not disappointed. There were several items I could've easily taken home with me! The sweaters were fabulous, and reasonably priced, as were the blouses & scarves. The jewels were unique & the store was neat & spacious. 

I'm excited to continue to check out what's in store as I do love to shop online, but am always unsure about fit/sizes....I just hate the hassle of returns due to items that don't quite fit right!!

Here are a few items that caught my eye this first time through the store:

As I said, it was a quick perusal before a movie just to check things out, and I will definitely be back... and perhaps just might be adding a few of these items to a certain fashionista's Christmas list!!

If you haven't yet made it to Southdale, I'd highly recommend a stop....not only is Madewell worth the trip, but the mall itself is really starting to come together with its new "updated look" and renovation!

Boutique Critique: Houndstooth

If you are looking for a place to find fashion-forward, unique quality pieces to add to your wardrobe, houndstooth is the place.

Amber, the owner, has created a fabulous collection of chic items - fabulous adds to anyone's closet. 

I love the tagline on her website: 

Style can't be purchased but amazing clothes can!

SO true!!  Amber has great style & exquisite taste herself, and it shows through both the "look" of her boutique and the goods she sells!




She carries lines such as DVF, Alice & Olivia, Joie (one of my personal favorites), MiH (a fantastic denim line), Hudson, RED Valentino, Clover Canyon, and SO many more - including the jewels of our favorite local jewelry designer realiabyjen!!!



She started out in Savage in 2008 and has expanded to include two locations now: Eden Prairie and recently moved to a "new" location in Savage.

582 Prairie Center Drive #223
Eden Prairie MN 55344
Tel: 952-994-4444
8310 Egan Drive
Savage MN 55378
Tel: 952-440-1100

To get a look at what specific pieces she has in store checkout her website or LIKE Houndstooth's Facebook page for daily photos of what's new in the shop - she's constantly sharing photos of what she's ordered & what's now available in the store!

Just one of the many pieces I'm loving right now is this "snow leopard" blouse from Joie. 

I HIGHLY recommend a visit to this boutique...whether it's to find that perfect holiday ensemble or just to add another quality item to your wardrobe. You won't be disappointed!!!