Beautiful Vacation

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I spent my holiday with my family in Virginia loving on my family's now deaf dog, Basil, reading, taking naps and drinking wine. It was fantastic. And the countryside is so beautiful there. And at night, it looks straight out of a spooky novel, like something will jump out of the woods at any moment.

Don't you just love the start of the holiday season? Family, decorations, desserts - it's just the best time of the year. Now it's time to get cracking on shopping for gifts. Oy.

Fashion obsession of the day

Ladies, meet the Hipster Lumberjack. Isn't he adorable? This Buffalo plaid jacket would also make a perfect gift for the trendy man in your life.

(Photo from J. Crew)

Happy Thanksgiving

Don't you just love this print? It reminds me of just how important it is for us to stay true to ourselves and quit worrying if someone doesn't like it. And the colorful leaves remind me of fall.

I'm off to Virginia to visit my family, so I'll be taking a little break from the blog until next week. It's the first time in at least two years we've all been able to get together at the same time, so I can't wait. Hopefully we won't drive each other crazy. Have a fabulous Thanksgiving, and don't go too crazy shopping on Friday - even if Saks is having a sale.

(Photo from Print Society via A Cup of Jo)

Fashion obsession of the day

Breathe.

OK, sorry. I had to contain myself from a non Twilight induced hysteria over this dress. Designed by Alice + Olivia, who makes the best cocktail dresses ever, this sculptural strapless dress is breathtakingly gorgeous. Perfect for a holiday party or for the bold bride paired with these Christian Louboutin jeweled slingbacks. This might just be my favorite outfit yet.

(Photo from Shopbop)

(Photo from Bergdorf Goodman)

Fashion obsession of the day

Wow. These studded platform pumps by Sam Edelman are fierce. These are so perfect with super skinny black ankle jeans and a flannel top. There's even a mirror on the inside of the 4.75'' heel so you can check your lip gloss.

(Photo from Bloomingdales)

Fashion obsession of the day

This cropped Fair Isle sweater by Free People is comfy and sexy at the same time. This is the kind of sweater you want to wear every single day. It's just so easy and chic. Free People is one of my favorite affordable labels - the bohemian pieces bring out the hippie in me.

(Photo from Nordstrom)

Fashion obsession of the day

From the front, this just looks like a simple T-shirt, but turn around and it's a magnificent bow. This Valentino tee makes a major statement - perfect for the time when you walk away from him and never look back.

(Photo from Net-a-Porter)

Fashion obsession of the day

J'adore menswear inspired pieces with feminine, sexy twists. This blazer mini dress reminds me of wearing your boyfriend's blazer and putting your own stylish spin on it. It doesn't get much sexier than that.

(Photo from Bloomingdales)

Inspiration High

Today I'm late posting because I spent my morning speaking at a high school career day. I woke up at 6:45 a.m. - probably not early for most of you, but I think the last time I was up that early was for my flight to California - I don't know how these kids go to school so early. I always say yes every time I get asked to agree to do these, because the truth is, I love going. Even if the students don't say anything, they are the ones inspiring me. Even if they sit there, doodling in their notebooks or staring up at me with perplexed looks, I know at least one kid is taking in everything I say, dreaming up the same future I had for myself. They remind me that I should never give up on the dreams I had for myself then, too. And you shouldn't either.

(Photo from Captain Freckle)

Beautiful Weekend

I feel like I say this every Monday, but another weekend has gone by way too fast. This weekend was all about cupcakes. A new cupcakery, Sugar Mountain Bake Shoppe, opened up in my neighborhood, so naturally I just had to defy my diet. There's also another local cupcakery, The Cupcake Dreamery, that I can't wait to try. On Sunday I made my weekly batch of chocolate chip cookies (my favorite recipe here), and Matt and I rented the first episodes of True Blood, and I'm totally hooked. (I think he likes the show, too, although he'd never admit to it publicly.) I'm saving the rest of season one for when I'm on vacation next week.

Fashion obsession of the day

What a perfect jacket for a Monday. This cotton zip-front jacket from Marc by MJ is like a fancy hoodie. Comfy, cozy and chic all wrapped into one.

(Photo from Bloomingdales)

Fashion obsession of the day

How unbelievably sexy is this lace back dress? Wear this on a first date and you'll almost certainly get a second. Knock 'em dead, ladies.

(Photo from Nordstrom)

Fashion obsession of the day

I'm seriously in love with stockings. (And let's not even discuss my infatuation with over the knee socks and trouser socks - they deserve their own post.) Super sexy, and a little bit Lolita, tights make every outfit. I want to wear them everyday.

(Stained glass tights from Urban Outfitters)

(Fuchsia striped stockings from Agent Provocateur)

(I want these Louis Vuitton tights with every bone in my body! Found via Her name was Lola)

(Polka dot tights from Anthropolgie)

(Heart tights from Topshop)

(Knee patch tights from Anthropolgie)

(Plaid tights from Shopbop)

Fashion obsession of the day

This blush colored mini dress from the Olsen twins' line, Elizabeth and James, seems simple upon first glance, but it's the details on this dress that make it so chic. A sexy V back, exposed zipper, gathered sleeves and a tiny puff at the shoulders - not your ordinary frock.

(Photo from Shopbop)

Fashion obsession of the day

I'm taking a break from my streak of expensive finds for this adorable and comfortable zip neck dress. It's so perfect for those mornings you just want to feel cozy, but still look cute. Pair it with over the knee socks and flat boots (although I think I'm loving just about everything styled like this lately).

(Photo from Mod Cloth)

Beautiful Weekend

Is it Monday already? Saturday I traveled all day for work but I found this amazing spot for photos (I wish I had time to stop while I was on the road) - a vintage drive-in movie theater with a pink box office. Sunday I met with a fabulous graphic designer to help me work on some beautiful designs for this blog - I can't wait to debut them for you guys. The rest of the day was grocery shopping, perusing holiday catalogs and ooey gooey cake (it's actually St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake, but I like my name better). The bottom of the cake is chewy and a bit crunchy against the sides of the pan, and the top is pure gooey goodness (recipe here). This is definitely a crowd-pleaser and perfect for the holiday season.

Fashion obsession of the day

Plaid, plaid, everywhere! I, for one, am loving the lumberjack look. The contrast of the uber-masculine print paired with unexpectedly feminine shapes makes for a chic look with an edge. This mini strapless dress from LaRok is the epitome of the combination. I love this dress with over the knee socks and tall leather boots.

(Photo from Shopbop)

Fashion obsession of the day

I'm gonna let my love of Twilight come out a little bit today. It's just two weeks until New Moon debuts in theaters, and I'm really getting pumped. I just happened to find this cute vampire-themed tee. Are you excited to see New Moon? And oh yeah - happy Friday! What are you doing this weekend? I have to work Saturday but Sunday I plan on baking until I run out of butter.

(Photo from Need Supply Co.)

Fashion obsession of the day

I just got the November Anthropologie in the mail yesterday and I am in love with everything. It also doesn't help they're offering free shipping this month (they rarely do that!). One of my favorite pieces from the catalog is this cardigan with oversized buttons and neckline appliques - so lovely and cozy. I love it paired with knit ribbed leggings and over the knee riding boots - the perfect outfit for a chilly morning (like today!).

(Photo from Anthropologie)

Fashion obsession of the day

I know I've been posting some pretty pricey pieces for my FOD, but I think it's because I'm trying not to spend money and I know I could never justify spending $500 on a dress right now. There's no harm in drooling, right? So that's what I'm doing over this adorable embroidered strapless dress from Thurley. The delicate scalloped hem, the mini pom-poms - the details are so lovely. It's perfect for a mid-winter getaway.

(Photo from Net-a-Porter)

Fashion obsession of the day

Oh. My. Gorgeous. I love me a statement, and this silk strapless dress from Haute Hippie is stunning. This dress would also make a beautiful wedding dress for a bride who wants to take a serious risk.

(Photo from Shopbop)

Fashion obsession of the day

I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend. Mine got away from me too quickly. Shopping at the mall yesterday, I found this awesome lumberjack flannel at J. Crew. They just don't make 'em this cute and classic for us girls. The store doesn't carry extra small, so I'll be ordering myself one very soon.

(Photo from J. Crew)