In case you needed a reason to smile...

Here are my two favorite Christmas cards I've seen so far:

The ridiculousness that is always the Kardashian Klan [even that cat knows how ridiculous this picture is] and my fav Georgia girl...Honey Boo Boo rockin' those beautiful extensions.

I'm headed out to Seattle tomorrow for Christmas and I couldn't be happier to see my family and see some snow!  I hope you all have a great Christmas and Holiday season!

steal

One of the greatest feelings in the world [for me] is finding a great discount code that applies to stuff I've wanted for ages.  I mean, who doesn't love to save money?  I've been eyeing some Madewell items for months now and today I got a nice little present when they offered 40% off + free shipping on their insider favorites...and a couple of the things I wanted were on the list!  Move fast, the discount is today only and they rarely, if ever, offer as much as 40% off regular-priced merch.  Merry [early] Christmas to me!


Bow Mini Wedge

Bateau Button Sweater

Lace Primrose Top

Holiday Time

It's here people.  Holiday parties are in full effect.  I personally love this time of the year, searching endlessly for what I will wear to all of the parties I will attend and a special outfit for Christmas eve service.  I always have a dressier outfit for service and a festive outfit for Christmas day. 

 

This time of the year is a never ending excuse to wear dressy details like bows, sequins, and lace.  I personally love all three, so I'm in heaven.  I already have a few outfits picked out for my various events, but still haven't decided exactly what I'll be wearing to our office's holiday party this Friday.  Don't worry, I have enough choices for everyone attending, I just haven't figured out what will work best since half of us dress up and some select people [my boss] wear jeans, cowboy boots, and a Christmas themed Tommy Bahama shirt.  Pure Christmas class people.

 

 

Holiday Time by savvycheap featuring a midi skirt

Green dress
sheinside.com

Dorothy perkin
dorothyperkins.com

Sequin dress
topshop.com

J Crew long sleeve shirt
jcrew.com

J Crew slim shirt
jcrew.com

J Crew sequin top
net-a-porter.com

Dorothy Perkins chiffon blouse
dorothyperkins.com

J Crew long skirt
jcrew.com

Midi skirt
chicnova.com

great finds

When I was home for Thanksgiving my friend Sarah took me to a couple local boutiques that she frequents and I fell in love.  There are a group of 4 boutiques owned by the same group that I absolutely adore.  I managed to find an arrow-ish bracelet I've been searching for, a vegan leather swing mini, and  cap-toe gold and turquoise flats.  Sophie & Trey and 4th & Ocean are 2 of the 4 that also have online shops.  These two have the best jewelry selection for the most ridiculously affordable prices.  Check it out, and if you're in the area [Susan] you must go in because the selection in the stores puts their website to shame.

FF:cable

I've been searching for a good, basic fisherman cable sweater for awhile.  Preferably in a winter white or cream.  Most of what I've found is more than I want to pay, so it was proving to be a more difficult task than I had originally thought.  Then I stumbled onto Old Navy's new sweaters and was saved.  They have two versions, I've ordered one of each to see which I like better.  Hopefully one of them works because I'd much rather spend $20 than $80+...especially when I may or may not already own one, it just has cropped sleeves.  If you'd rather not join me in my pursuit of winter white, then feel free to snag a different color.  There are only about 15 others.  The best part: the full price is $30, but with the code ONGIFT these sweaters are only $20.


Chunky Cable Sweater

Honeycomb Knit Sweater

the little things

I shop a lot.   Now that we got that out of the way, I'd like to talk about what sends me from indifference to "I must own this" when I'm in and out of stores.  Details.  It's all in the little details.  Things that set the garment, accessory, random something apart from all the others out there.  Now, I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority here, but I love an elbow patch on a sweater.  They're great and lately brands have gotten smart and revamped them to look a whole lot better.  Meet C. Wonder's version: hearts on the elbow.  Done.  Little things people, like I was saying.  I just can't figure out what color combination I love the most.

C. Wonder Heart's Desire Sweater

Christmas List

My mom just left from a visit to see my new place and spend some time in Atlanta with yours truly.  She always requests a Christmas list from my brothers and me around Thanksgiving.  Yes, we still give our parents Christmas lists, and yes, we still have presents galore like 5 year olds.  What you won't see is my brothers and me complaining.  As the years pass, my list generally gets shorter, but more expensive.  I remember when I was younger I thought the purpose of a Christmas list was to tell your parents any and every thing you might want.  Therefore, my lists topped out around the 100s and I'm pretty sure my parents stopped reading after number 20 [on a good year].  Needless to say, I've always been a warm welcomer of presents. 

 

This year my list was filled with a couple practical items that aren't completely absurd [DSLR camera for travels, cruiser bike to ride in Piedmont Park, new tennis racket], but of course I filled in with items I've been eyeing for months as well.  Don't freak out.  My birthday is in January, so I automatically combine Christmas and birthday lists for my parents.  Below you'll find some of the goodies.

 

 

Christmas List by savvycheap featuring madewell shoes

Milly bow blouse
net-a-porter.com

Cape coat
anthropologie.com

J Crew water resistant jacket
jcrew.com

Patagonia
patagonia.com

J Crew cotton sleepwear
jcrew.com

J Crew striped pajamas
jcrew.com

Madewell
shopbop.com

Madewell shoes
madewell.com

Madewell kitten heels
madewell.com

Lodis zip wallet
lordandtaylor.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs leather shoulder bag
mytheresa.com

Ann taylor
anntaylor.com

Kate Spade sailor bracelet
piperlime.gap.com

Kate Spade yellow gold earrings
nordstrom.com

Case mate
nordstrom.com

winter white

Years ago I was extremely insecure about wearing white after labor day...and then I just didn't care.  As long as I wasn't in linen or any overly summery outfit I didn't see the big deal.  It's white people, as in the same white as snow, which only arrives in the winter months [mostly].  Thankfully, the hybrid cream/white "winter white" has given us an excuse if anyone were to attack.  The ONE coat I do not own [actually one of two, I'm too cheap to invest in a leather jacket at the moment] is a winter white, ivory, white, etc. one.  I've looked, but didn't want to spend too much, knowing I would have to be very careful when wearing it [something I rarely am with anything I own].  This weekend I was browsing through Nordstrom and spotted a beautiful, classic cream boucle jacket in the TopShop section.  It caught my attention, but I wasn't committed until I saw that it was on sale for a sweet $75.  As soon as I put it on I knew that I was going to need to make a purchase.  Too Jackie O to walk away.

Target + NM + CFDA

It launched Saturday, the Target, Neiman Marcus, and CFDA collection that is.  I woke up at 7 am and purchased the two tops I had my eye on and then managed to make my way into a Target store by 9am to see the disappointment first hand.  My fear of a Missoni onslaught round 2 was quickly dismissed.  There were maybe 5 people looking at the entire section.  One of the tops I ordered ended up looking like an outfit fit for an ice skater, so I think I'll stick with one and call it a day.  On another note, I have been shopping for a cruiser bike for awhile, so I am pretty familiar with the range of prices, so you can imagine how horrified I was when I saw the Alice + Olivia cruiser for Target priced at $500.  A smooth $100 more than the CUSTOM bike I have currently picked out.  People....

The blouse I ended up keeping:

The one that I will be returning due to my lack of ice skating competitions [so much potential online, in person so intense]: