Toast!

Well, that's about it for 2011. It was a great year, but it felt kind of...transitional. I dealt with switching apartments and adjusting to motherhood in the first half of the year, and now I'm focusing on getting hitched and finding a job.

I know I should be living more in the present, since Aerosmith Emerson told me that life's a journey and not a destination. I'm also aware that Morrissey was looking for a job, found a job, and remained miserable. But Wu Tang says that Cash Rules Everything Around Me, and that's the final word.

Anyway, I hope that all of us find happiness in the present, hope in the future, and champagne in our glasses! Thank you 2011 for a great run, and cheers to all that 2012 can bring!

no sweat

I hope your holidays were full of food, family and style. I'm sure you didn't suffer too much from my lack of follow through re:more gift guides, but I apologize nonetheless.

Now it's time to gear up for the new year. We'll be ringing it in with my parents at the family's northern Michigan cottage, which should be cozy and relaxing. I'm working on some resolutions, but in the meantime I'm enjoying a break from all the dressing up and going out Keith and I did around Christmas.

That brings us to my final purchase of 2011. I have all these fun tights and leggings for the winter, but they look a little formal paired with sweater dresses. Solution? Sweatshirt dress! This Steven Alan piece from the 2012 resort collection would be perfect, even if it might still technically be a sweater:

But alas, I didn't work an income-earning day in 2011(!!!) So I had to settle for

the American Apparel alternative:

It might not be work appropriate, but that's not currently an issue (see above). Anyway, cheers to a little lazy-wear, and have a great end to 2011!

Gift Guide #1: Girl you don't know that well

I had this huge post up about holiday dressing, but it was definitely Polyvore overload so I took it down. If you're curious as to what I think you should wear, though, you can check out these dresses, these fancier dresses, these blazers, this hosiery, and this footwear.

Now on to the issue of what to get your Secret Santa co-worker/kids' babysitter/brother's new girlfriend. You may not know her that well, but that's not a green light to pick up something off the Rite Aid discount table. Better to take this opportunity to show her how cool and thoughtful you are with one of these:

Recycled bud vase, $14. It will look good in virtually any apartment.


Bamboo headphones, $40. Because you know how important it is to tune out your annoying coworkers.
Body scrub, $38. I love the packaging, her skin will love the natural detox.

You can't text in gloves. Try these hand warmers, $36 instead.



I can't stand how dried out I get in the winter. Salve, $26 solves everything.
Teak coasters, $24. Each one is unique!

This Himalayan spice tin candle, $18, smells like a campfire, which is obviously the coziest scent ever.

Stay tuned for Gift Guide #2: Boy you know very well.