Holiday Gift Ideas

With Black Friday just around the corner (anyone who knows me knows I don't tend to acknowledge Thanksgiving because it stands in the way of me and my Christmas!), it's time to start checking off our Christmas gift lifts.  If you're like me, your budget for gifts is pretty teeny tiny.  I have had my eye on a few of these gifts for a while, and I wanted to share some ideas for inexpensive holiday gifts.


For your iPhone obsessed boyfriend/husband/father

StickyGrams $14.99 for 9 magnents

Have you heard of StickyGram?  No, then get to know them.  They take your favorite instagrams and make them into magnents (!!!).  My boyfriend whips out his phone almost every day to take a picture of something (his coffe and salads come to mind) using his iPhone.  Having magnets made from his favorite photos would be a great way to keep memories and hold up all my sweet business cards on the fridge. 

For your quirky best friend

Ice Age Tray $9.99

I happen to love dinosaurs.  I love them in movies, I love them on my mac&cheese box, I love them on little boys' tee shirts, and now I can love them in my drink.  This ice cube tray is super cute, a unique gift for anyone who has the Jurassic Park trilogy on constant repeat (ahem, who?) and not to mention super affordable.  10 bucks?  I spend more than that to dry clean a winter coat!

For your little sister

Button Beret $68.00

This hat is for your giftees who want to look like walking buttons from birds eye view.  I can picture my sister wearing this (a bit outside of her fashion comfort zone) and looking adorable.  Hats are such a great way to keep warm and cute this winter, and a fashionable alternative to all the 180s that I see this time of year.

For your "green" boss

Reusable Porcelin Cups $24.99 

Since the temperatures have dropped, I have noticed a lot more Starbucks red cups in the garbage can at work.  Sure, the cups signal that he holidays are here, but they aren't super practical.  Gift on of these reusable cups, and the receiver can take it into their favorite coffee shop and go green while warming up with their favorite peppermint mocah.  Bonus, they are sold in sets of two, so snag one for yourself!

What is the must-have gift for you this season?

Counterintuitive

It's getting cold here in Indiana.  I am still desperately clinging to fall (hell, even summer).  Today, even though it was pretty chilly, I went barelegged to work.  I gave in and threw on a winter coat, but that doesn't do much when your legs are exposed.    It doesn't make much sense, does it?  

Dress: Loft

Coat: thrifted

Cardi: xhiliration

Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection

Earrings: old?

Am I the only one who does things like this?

Man-Unapproved

This outfit is thouroughly tested and man-unapproved.  I pulled this top the other day and was looking for a skirt to pair with it.  As I was standing there in front of my closet, my eyes kept coming back to this skirt.  My boyfriend was observing me do this and saw the wheels turning and asked "You want to pair that skirt with that top?" He said this in the tone of voice one might say "You want to throw that bag of kittens into that river?"  I tried to tell him about pattern mixing and coordinating color palettes, but all he could do was think about how badly everything would clash.  He won that round.  I put the clothes back and just went with something "safe".  This morning, however, he wasn't around for my little what-to-wear-today spiel, so I went for it.

Top: h&m

Skirt: Ann Taylor

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Shoes: xhiliration

Bag: Turkish bazaar

Necklace: boyfriend's class ring on an old gold chain

Have you ever worn anything your partner totally scoffed at?

Adios

Can I please get a moment of silence for the passing of fall?  It's over.  Dunzo.  Adios Autumn!  It snowed for the first time in Indianapolis yesterday, and while it wasn't even enough to leave a dusting, I knew it meant winter is officially here.  Just Tuesday it was 70 degrees and I was barelegged with no jacket.  Now that it's winter, I can break out my favorite cape to keep me warm.  It didn't do a good job.  Capes are nice to look at, but don't keep you toasty at.all.  

Dress: Mossimo

Shirt: Old Navy

Cape: Ann Taylor

Tights: HUE

Shoes: Mossimo

Gloves: Calvin Klein

Belt: gifted from my brother

So we already had a moment of silence for fall, but can I get another one for my shoes.  RIP sandals, they died shortly after these pictures were taken.  The clasp ripped off, and since I've already had them in to the cobbler once already I am just sending them off to the big closet in the sky.  Oh well, it was getting too cold for sandals anyway...

The Theater

People, there is an epidemic sweeping our nation!  People just aren't getting dressed up for anything anymore!  Remember my little rant about my disdain for people who choose to wear denim to a wedding?  Well, I kind of feel the same way about the theater.  I'm not saying that people need to get super glammed up, but would it kill people to run a brush through their hair or, perhaps, put on a nice pair of slacks (does anyone else call pants slacks or are my mom and I the only ones)?  Last night my good buddy invited me to go to the theater with him and I was semi-appalled (hey, it is Indiana) by what some people wore out in public.  Maybe I'm being too judgy-wudgy, but put a little effort into it folks!

Top (actually a dress): Jessica Simpson Collection

Skirt: Merona

Shoes: Steve Madden

Pin: thrifted

Bracelet: f21

Am I just being judgmental here?  Are people too schlupy these days, or is it just me?

The Dilemma

When the people of eShakti reached out to me to review one of their products, I jumped on the chance.  The one thing that I'd been hearing about their clothing is that it is customizable in both fit and shape.  This made me pretty excited because sometimes clothing fits me well some places and poorly in others.  The thought of being able to customize clothing (for cheap!) was too much to resist.  Any of the clothing available on their website is available in either straight sizing or, for a mere seven and a half big ones, can be customized according to your specific measurements.  Honestly folks, for the prices you pay for custom clothing, these items are a steal.  I scoured their website and chose this jacket because coats and jackets are always a hard fit for me.  If it it fits my waist, it's too small in the bust and if I get a coat that fits my chest it gapes everywhere else.  Classic big boobs dilemma.
However, I was pretty disappointed because even with ordering a size up and sending my chest measurements this jacket still didn't fit.  It pulls across the chest.  The sleeves are also quite short.  I was expecting a little more from a company that offers customizations.  Honestly, even with these short comings, I love the coat.  Isn't it adorable?! I decided to wear it open like a long blazer, and I got so many compliments on it all day (it is light enough to wear indoors). Several people (at least 15) asked where I got it, and  I made sure to give a shout out to the people at eShakti for sending it to me!

Jacket: c/o eShakti.com

Top: Banana Republic

Lace Cami: Victoria's Secret

Skirt: Banana Republic

Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection

Purse: vintage

Cuff: Banana Republic

A big thank you to the people at eShakti for sending me this coat. 

What item of clothing is the hardest to fit for you?