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!

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!!!

Fall Fashion: Favorites

With the first "official" day of fall just around the corner (Saturday, September 22), I'm getting more and more excited to pull out my boots and sweaters.

It's still been fairly warm here in MN with even a day earlier this week that reached 90 degrees!!! Since then, temperatures have remained in the 70s, which is the PERFECT weather for jeans, a sweater, and boots (no jacket, hat, scarf, or mittens required)!!!

With that, I thought I'd share some of my favorite fall pieces from my own wardrobe and a few other items that I've seen & love for this season.

AG jeans

Printed & Colored Denim

Houndstooth boutique

I still can't seem to get enough of the colored & printed denim. I am so excited to pair mine with a sweater & boots!
I am a lover of the "color of the season," oxblood, in all of it's varieties of shades, and I am SO excited to wear my JBrand gold brocade skinnies (pictured right).






Denim/Chambray Shirts
I will also continue to be wearing my denim/chambray shirts throughout the fall and into winter. They are another fabulous pairing with the printed & colored denim, as well as a fantastic layering piece. As the temperatures continue to drop, throwing a chunky knit sweater over my denim shirt makes a chic outfit that's winter-weather appropriate.

shopmama.com

Here are a few of my favorite looks from Nordstrom's fall catalog showcasing printed denim, chambray shirts & vintage inspired jewelry:

Vintage-Inspired Jewelry & Stacking your Wrist
I can't say enough fabulous things about our local jewelry designer Jen Scheffler and her jewelry line, realia. I am obsessed with my newest piece, as I have worn it 3 times in the last week! (pictured left)

Stacking your wrist with fabulous jewels is also "on trend," and I love the look! Now, you don't want to go too overboard, but if done right, it can look fantastic! Check out realia's selection of fabulous wrist baubles to create the look that works for you!



With that I'll leave you with just a few more looks/pieces that I am loving for fall! Here's to enjoying the crisp, colorful days ahead!!!

7forallMankind

Burberry