Weekend Snapshots.

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Gift Guide: Under $30.

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Christmas is probably my favorite time of the year. There is nothing I love more than going to all the stores during the holidays and checking out all the cool stuff to blow your money on! The part that makes me the most sad is when people dread going Christmas shopping because they struggle finding the perfect gift.

This is where my expertise comes in. Shopping for other people (aka: gift giving) can be a pretty grueling process because people are picky these days (I'm guilty). Not to mention retailers love to overwhelm us with so many options. (It's called competition-- but im not mad about it.)

So in hopes to make your christmas shopping a little less stressful, I'm going to start a little "Gift Guide" series of posts that breaks down all of my favorite finds right now. (However if you need someone to do all your Christmas shopping for you-- I am your girl. Now I just have to figure out how to turn this into a gig in NYC. (Awww - Spending someone elses money on cool stuff = Dream Job!) Anywho, stay tuned because more "Gift Guide" posts are in the works. One week until Christmas-- Shoppers start your engines!

GIFTS UNDER $30

Stila: "All Is Bright Lip Glaze Set" - $25

(Who doesn't love Stila lip glaze? It is what they are known for. Just one of these (that is not much bigger) would normally cost $22. Such a steal! I actually bought one for myself when they first came out so I will be stocked for the year.)

CB2: Gold Pig Bookends (Set of 2) - $30

ZGallerie: Ipad Cover - $30

J.Crew: Wool-Angora Colorblock Gloves - $25 (On Sale: Orig $38)

Paper Source: 2012 Foil Embossed Desk Calendar - $20

Book of the Week.

Almost 4 years ago I discovered Jonathan Adler during a summer I spent in Los Angeles while interning at a fashion PR company. After work one day, I stumbled upon his store on Melrose while exploring with my new friend at the time, and who is now my current roommate in NYC, Maggie. (Crazy I know!) I remember walking into his store and thinking to myself  "My Nana would pee her pants over everything in here!"





Jonathan Adler: "100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life." - $25

Quirky, colorful, witty, happy, chic, hip, understandable but never understated, a little bit mod, a little bit prep, are just a few words to describe the man himself Johnathan Adler or as I like to call him the "geometric genius." (I've referred to him as this before in an earlier post, here.  Ironically, I wouldn't consider my personal style as mod or hip... Preppy and colorful, def yes... But something about the way JA mixes all of these different elements and themes, then adding his own little quirkiness to it--- just nails it. 

Whether you consider this colorful world a portion of your style or not, something about his vision is hard not to like. All the happiness JA is exuding or unpredictable objects and maybe? Well whatever it is, I'm hooked. In fact, if I came back in a second life as a man, I would want to come back as Jonathan Adler or Mickey Drexler (thats a hard one to pick.) Anyways, enough about my weird fantasies.

Below you can see a sneak peak of the books content which is a collection of tips for leading a vibrant, "Happy Chic life" full of grand parties, fabulous friends, kitschy movies, exotic vacations and of course the vibrant decor style that has made Jonathan Adler famous. 

Let's just say that I purchased it only a few days ago over the weekend in Dallas, where he also has a new storefront, and I can't put it down! It's the perfect read after work to exercise the creative side of your brain and would make the perfect Christmas present for almost anyone who needs a little Happy or Chic in their lives--- and don't we all!

One of the fold out craft projects from inside the book:
 "Make Your Own Valentines."

Snapshot of the Jonathan Adler-ism's section of the book. 

(Quite genius, I must say.)

Learn more about Jonathan Adler and his success, here.

Look of the Week.

Ashley Olsen: Classic Tuxedo Style.

Etsy Holiday Pop-Up Shop in Soho.

 Etsy Holiday Shop

131 Greene Street, New York, NY

Open: 10AM-10PM

Mrs.Leslie's Cookies.

After visiting my family in Texas over thanksgiving the last thing on my mind was food. Until my one of my Moms best friends Mrs. Leslie made me take a bag of her homemade cookies with me for my plane ride back to NYC. Man was it a mistake only taking a few, they were so yummy! Not too sweet, not too chocolatey and the perfect texture. 

Upon returning to the city, I had 2 things on my to do list: bake those bomb cookies and attempt to put up a few holiday decorations. Nothing says holiday cheer like fresh baked cookies and glittery ornaments (see below).

With that being said, the decorating is still a work in progress but the cookies were a sweet success. Perfect for the holidays! So I wanted to pass along Mrs.Leslie's recipe because one bite in, I was on the phone trying to get my hands on the secret myself-- My roomie Maggie would give an "Amen Sister" to that too. Enjoy!

Cream with mixer or food processor:

1 cup parlay (margarine)

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

Add In:

 1 egg

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup crushed cornflakes

1/2 cup coconut

Stir In:
1 cup pecan chips (or walnuts)

3 1/2  cups flour

1 tsp soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

Form into balls and crush with fork.

Bake at 325 for 12 minutes. Powder sugar on top.

Cool.

Window Stalking: Spring Street in Soho.

One of my favorite things about living in Soho (besides the architecture and shopping) is being able to watch the store windows transform from season to season. (It's a lot like walking through a fashion blog every morning in route to the train.) With the holidays right around the corner, visual merchandise teams are on their A game right now. Enjoy the pictures of some of my favorite windows right now downtown but be sure to stay tuned after Thanksgiving when I cover all the windows decorated for Christmas at the major department stores. They are a real inspiring treat to witness!

Windows at C. Wonder on Spring/Crosby Street.

Gifts Galore!!!

 Glamourous gold windows at Mulberry on Spring/Wooster Street.

Look of the Week.

via Lucky Magazine November Issue.

Weekend Snapshots.

Building where "Friends" was filmed on the corner of Bedford and Grove Street.

New flats from J.Crew Factory Online.

Tuna Tartare from "Tartine" in West Village (BYOB too!)

Blog To Read: Hidden New York.

Click here to read "Hidden New York."

Click on the below to read my favorite posts so far...

Passageway to the Knickerbocker

"Meet me at the Fountain"

Happy Reading!

Outfit Post: Peplum Party.

Peplum Top: Asos (seen here). Peplum Skirt: Zara. Jacket: H&M (old). Tights: H&M. Booties: Tory Burch. Bag: Balenciaga. Earrings: Vintage. Lips: Kate Moss for Rimmel "06" (also seen here).