Banana Faves

Just a few items at Banana Republic right now that I love. Big sales going on there today and tomorrow.

Been eying this asymmetrical ruffle dress (on sale for $89):
Double pocket sweater:
Navy drawstring dress:

Holiday Classics

Just thought I'd pipe in with some of my favorite holiday movies!

1. Die Hard (it counts!)
2. Love Actually
3. Christmas Vacation
4. Elf
5. When Harry Met Sally
6. Frosty the Snowman
7. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
8. Yogi's First Christmas
9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
10. A Charlie Brown Christmas
11. It's a Wonderful Life
12. Bridget Jones Diary

Handcrafted Frames

I came across these hand crafted frames from nicolaandthenewfoundlander.com at a holiday fair.

They use really beautiful patterned material for their frames. I also saw frames that you could position on a wood block, but I can't find it on their site.

Molly Mutt

How cute are these doggie duvets for $20-$30:
These stuff sacks allow you to fill the dog beds with anything, blankets, pillows, even old clothing:

Purple Party Dress

I really like this one shoulder Donna Morgan dress sold on shopitupchic.com found in my favorite color, purple (on sale $69.99).

New Orleans Art

Came across this artist's work in a gallery in New Orleans last year. Just love the colors and everything about these beautiful pieces.

Click here to see more of Matthew Peck's work.

Crochet Basket Kit

Thought this was sort of a cool item, a crochet basket that's only $9.99 (on sale from $58.00 at Anthropologie). It comes with the materials and instructions on how to make it. I just came from the store and they have some pretty good sales going on, lots of cool jars and glasses on serious sale. Some of them I couldn't find online so probably only in stores.

Winter Lighting

I love these ideas on winter lighting.

From MyHomeIdeas, "pathway of light" made by punching holes in the snow for votives marks a lighted path.

If I had trees I would try these shooting stars, see how on Martha.


Find info on energy saving rechargeable lighting from Sunset.

Merry Merry!

Netted Soap Saver

So funny that I posted about this last week, I was just doing some last minute shopping and came upon these Netted Soap Savers ($2.49 each). I love the Container Store!

Cupcake Ideas

I love these creative cupcake ideas from Real Simple. Especially the campfire fluff, votives and sundaes.

Recycled Glass

I love these recycled glass tumblers made from classic Mexican 'Sol' beer bottles. Find them on Elsewares (4 for $34) or on Farmhouse Wares (4 for $32.50).

Boylans soda bottle tumblers can be found on Etsy:

Glasses from recycled root beer bottles, on greenliving (4 for $32.99):

See these Evergreen Clear Tumblers from bambeco, made from recycled Bordeaux wine bottles (4 for $35):
And, saving the best for last, find a large variety of products on The Green Glass Company, like this coat rack ($72.50).

Also on The Green Glass Company find a wide variety of the glass tumblers, Boylans soda, beers, etc. Rock Light set of 4 for $32.50:

Cutting Mats

I think these are pretty cool. A set of 4 color coded cutting mats for different uses, poultry vs fish, etc. and has helpful hints displayed on each.

Agate Necklace

I really like this bold Barse Fuchsia Agate Necklace. I originally saw it in purple and this is the closest one I could find.

Mini Dress

Love this little dress from Church & State. All of these cute short dresses are motivation to head to the gym! Ok, maybe I'll start tomorrow.

Zip Front Dress

I suppose it's too cold for this but maybe with some leggings. I love this zip front bandage dress sold on Need Supply Co.

Gingerbread House Competition

Yes it's that time of year! The annual gingerbread house competition. Seriously, I caught this on TV several years back and it's pretty nuts. I can see the Christopher Guest movie in the making. It's intense, and as the competitors are traveling to the site there is always a catastrophe, a broken chimney, a loose piece of candy, you get the picture. Catch a taste here:

Cape Back Cami

Love the back of this Cape Back Cami sold on Need Supply Co.

Uni-Lap

I love this navy and olive laptop by SNAP design:

Whale of a Time

Just got one of these whale chalk boards from Curiosity Shoppe. Still lovin' the sea-inspired home goods.

A Rant on Soap Bits

This is really random so watch out. I started researching how you can reuse soap bits. They are slippery suckers and always end up on the floor, it seems like a waste that at a certain point you have to just throw it out, and it always seems like a standoff to see who will replace it.

It enraged me further that all the tips I could find were on thrifty websites. It's not the money, it's the bits that drive me crazy! Anyways. Here's what I found. Apparently there are ways to make laundry soap, but that seems complicated. You can also collect pieces, add water, melt them and mold them into a new bar.

There were three standouts that seemed like the most practical uses. The first is to use the bits to make measurement marks on wood or metal, without hurting surfaces. The second is to place the bits in the pocket of a bath mitt. The third, and my favorite, was to collect the bits in a mesh bag, tie the top, and leave outside for washing your hands, or in an outdoor shower. Of course I live in an apartment with one bathroom, details, details..

Check out this Sisal Soap Pocket from Organically Happy:

Modern Twist

These fascinating pillows/secret boxes from Modern Twist are great. I love the patterns and that they can be used for anything from tv remotes to toys.

Backyard for Bongo

Backyard for Bongo fill-in the blank cards are now available at backyardforbongo.com. The variety pack can be purchased on Etsy which includes 8 cards, 4 different designs. Includes 'I'm Sorry', which is currently my favorite, a great way to say you're sorry and get a laugh at the same time.

Book Review: The Heretic's Daughter

Just finished this book which I thought was great! It's called The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent, and focuses on the year leading up to and the beginning of the Salem witch trials. The author is a descendant of one of the accused and she grew up hearing these stories. I love historical fiction and this one is great and I really could not put it down.

If anyone can suggest more books on this topic please do!

Modern Paisley

I love this pattern found on echo design. Here are just a few items that can be found in it. See all items here.

The lotion pump:
The shower curtain:

Gift Wrapping

Love these easy ideas that reuse everyday objects for unique and low-cost gift wrapping.

Animal Bottle Stoppers

Can you tell that I have a small obsession with Jonathan Adler things? Just saw these amazing bottle stoppers.

Kids Gifts

Does everyone use One Kings Lane now? It's one of those online daily sale sites, specifically for home and decor. Today they have the cutest kids gifts including baby blankets, dish sets, blocks, decals and more.

More Ways to Give for the Holidays

Here's another cool way to give back over the holidays. Support America's public school needs by donating for projects such as school uniforms, requests for books, projectors, etc. on DonorsChoose.org.

Animal Alphabet

I love the colors and overlapping patterns of this adorable animal alphabet poster from Petit Collage.

Farm Fresh

This is probably well known and I'm just catching on, but I love the idea of owning a share in a farm for a season and getting fresh, in season veggies delivered to your doorstep every week! Here's a list of farm shares by state.

Anyone try this before? I'd be interested to hear how it worked out - please comment!

Beautiful Ice Cream

I love these eco-friendly ceramic ice cream cones. Knowing me, I will try at least once to bite into the cones, so I'll have to watch myself, but that won't stop me from getting some of these pretty cones.

Gold Snake Earrings

It's hard to tell what size these are but love these shimmering gold snake infinity earrings sold on vivre:

What a Stud

You can't escape the studs these days, and ok it's growing on me, what can I say.

I like this Quicksilver Beatnik Vest:

Here's an ArynK Gold Stud Tunic:

This Cynthia Rowley Studded Shift Dress:


And some studded leggings on Urban Outfitters:

Gifts That Give Back

Looking for an easy way to make a difference over the holidays? Check out these American Red Cross gifts such as phone cards for active duty service member, vaccinations, and supplies for shelters: http://www.redcross.org/gifts

Simple Accessories

I love how the perfect accessories can make any plain white t-shirt look edgy and sharp. Here are a few I really like Need Supply Co.:

The beaded snap cuff ($26):

The mesh double infinity chain knotted necklace ($26):


And finally, these metal palm earrings ($16):

Preppy Chocolates

I think these preppy chocolate truffles from Compartes Chocolatier make for a great holiday gift for the host. Get the 10-piece set for $23.

Just Because I Like It

Ok, so on the east coast the weather has turned and these jackets may not work in the recent chill. But I really like this ruffle front fall jackets, so wanted to mention them anyways.

The navy ruffled Hamptons jacket:



Also, on sale at J. Crew check out this wool ruffle front coat: