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Posts tagged ‘holiday’

Route Button-Down

December 17, 2012

I have an obsession with button-down shirts. Leave a few buttons unbuttoned and you’re one sexy mama, button them to the top and you’re lady prim-and-proper! And the best part is that you can essentially have an entire costume change without ever having to actually change your clothes.

Many years ago, I was hanging out with an ex-boyfriend while wearing a silky white button-down unbuttoned just enough to reveal my bra. We had plans to meet his mom for dinner that night and he took one look at the bra poking out of my shirt and said “you’re not going to go meet my mom like that are you?” I laughed the mighty laugh of confidence (actually I’m pretty sure I wiped away a tear, but that’s neither here nor there) and buttoned up my blouse to it’s tippidy top revealing a whole new, mother-friendly Sonia!

So for those of you meeting your significant other’s parents this holiday season, I highly recommend going the button-down route. Just don’t wear white cause you’re probably going to be at a dinner and risk the potential of a cocktail sauce stain.

BDG shirt | Cynthia Steffe dress (also seen here) | Zara boots (similar here) | Melania Trump watch | Ralph Lauren bag | Noir Jewelry necklace | Celine sunglasses

// photos by Emily Malan

Holiday Gift Guide • Under $50

December 4, 2012

Finding reasonably priced gifts is a work of art. The last thing you want is for the person receiving your gift to notice that you went cheap on their present (unless this is a person you hate, in which case I say hit up the dollar store). As the saying goes, “it’s the thought that counts,” so if you’re trying not to spend a lot then put some thought into what you’re giving.

I acknowledge that the majority of shit these days is astronomically expensive; the kind of expensive that leaves your jaw dragging on the ground days after you checked the price tag. But I’ve kept my word in finding gifts that are both awesome and affordable for this year’s series of gift guides, and today I bring you 14 covetable pieces under $50.

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 1. Slate Cheese Board – $40

• Making cheese plates is a talent of mine (as is making cheese), but far too often I find that platters ruin the presentation. Slate cheese boards not only provide a clean looking cheese plate, but you can write down which kind of cheesy delight you’re serving as well.

2. C. Wonder Initial Necklace – $38

I come back to this year’s obsession with monograms. I’m into it. They’re pretty. And they give that extra touch of “I took that much more time to put your initials on this.”

3. Great Gatsby Sweatshirt – $43

 • Another obsession of 2012, The Great Gatsby. This may not be the chosen novel of your Book Club, but it will no doubt get you extra points with your literary friends (and those who would have no idea who Gatsby is were it not for all the ridiculous press surrounding Baz Luhrman’s remake).

4. Jonathan Adler Phone Dock – $48

• Clearly I’m into phone docks this year, which is funny because I’ve never actually used one. But I love the idea of having a storage place for your phone, especially since I misplace mine all the time.

5. Folk Flora Rolling Pin – $18

• We all have that friend who loves to bake; and God bless her. Why not make her love of baking that much more joyful with a pretty rolling pin?

6. West Elm Monogrammed Champagne Bucket – $41

• Giving someone a monogrammed flask was the gift to give back in high school. Now it’s time to give something a little more tasteful, like a monogrammed champagne bucket. Whether a bottle of champagne ever makes it into the bucket is completely irrelevant.

7. Catbird Heart in Hand Opener – $14

• In continuing with the alcoholic theme, have you ever met anyone who couldn’t use an extra bottle opener? This one works great (someone gifted it to me), and it has a little heart on it. Cute.

8. Big Top Bookend – $43

• I’ve never met a balloon animal I didn’t like, especially when it can double as a bookend.

9. Asos Book Clutch – $43.98

• Friends who love books has clearly become a theme in this gift guide. But come on, a book clutch? It may not be by Olympia Le Tan, but it’s adorable nonetheless.

10. Agate Coasters – $36

• I don’t use coasters, but if I had these maybe I would.

11. Gummi Bear Lamp – $29

• Candy lovers or not, everyone could use a little kitsch in their home.

12. BaubleBar Emerald Gardner Cuff – $32

• I’ve never met a girl who didn’t love receiving jewelry. Whether it’s a Cartier ring or a friendship bracelet from a sidewalk stand, bitches love jewels, myself included.

13. Great Plains Dish – $25

• And speaking of jewelry, every girl (and guy) should have a “catchall” dish. I dig the arrows on this sucker.

14. Topshop Leather Woven Gloves – $45

• Lastly, it’s winter and everyone needs a new pair of gloves. Have you ever approached winter with a pair of matching gloves? They’re like socks! One always goes missing by the time spring rolls around.

A Week in Review

November 30, 2012

My favorite wintery scent in front of a snapshot of my last trip to Paris

The fact that December is tomorrow is a little startling; wasn’t it just Halloween? But December happens to be one of my favorite months, and my holiday plans are already full of festive occasions. More on that later though…

This week was a good one; long, but good. I finally got that “me time” I’d been looking for, which allowed me to get a bit more organized and practical about what’s ahead. I realize I just made it sound like I’m planning to climb Mt. Everest or bake some forty layer cake (I do plan to make a Bouche de Noel this year, FYI), but what I really mean is that my day-to-day life can get so hectic that I barely have a moment to notice that I haven’t shaved my armpits in a week.

But this week changed all that as I had many a night to myself to mull over all the things I need to accomplish before 2013. Step #1, buy a new razor blade. Step #2, buy a Christmas tree. Step #3, sign up for that class you’ve been meaning to take. And so on and so forth.

Have a good weekend!

I swear I take this picture every year, but I just love these little clementines!

An inspirational note from Diane von Furstenberg

Sometimes you just have to take a moment to sit down with your favorite writers

My least favorite part about the holidays: damage control by way of the gym

Next week on Runway Hippie…

Holiday Gift Guide • Under $100

November 27, 2012

I love buying gifts for other people but it’s not always the easiest thing to do, especially when you’re working with a budget. For this year’s series of gift guides, I’ve decided to keep everything under $100.

Obviously my own personal tastes factor in to these gift guides quite a bit, but in my opinion who wouldn’t want a ceramic dolls head that doubles as a candleholder? Or a driftwood log that also charges your iPhone? Clearly I’m into things that have more than one purpose this year, but should that not suit your or your grandmother’s taste, a Diptyque candle is forever a win in the gift department.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

1. Moschino Teddybear iPhone Case – $75

•I’ve had my eye on this gummy friend for a few months now. Perhaps not the best present for the man in your life, but everyone needs an iPhone case with it’s own personality. Am I right?

2. Diptyque Tuberose Candle – $60

•I reiterate the above statement: a Diptyque candle is forever a win in the gift department.

3. The Kate Moss Book – $85

•Another surefire A+ gift is a beautiful coffee table book. Extra points if it includes nudity, which this new anthology of Kate Moss does starting on the very first page.

4. C Wonder Monogram Box – $78

•I love how monograms have made an impact in fashion outside the world of Vineyard Vines and Lands End. These affordable boxes come in an assortment of colors and can snazz up even the dumpiest of dorm rooms.

5. Giles & Brother Skinny Cuff – $85

•Versatile jewelry works for any lady friend, especially in an adjustable cuff form so that it doesn’t slide around on the slender wrists or get stuck on the chubbier ones.

6. Horn Cups – $55-$65

•Everyone needs a toothbrush holder, a cup for pencils, or something to just stash random baubles in. Why use a plastic cup from Duane Reade when there are beautifully shaped horn ones just a     mouse click away?

7. Little Joseph Candle Holder – $99

•I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t want this.

8. Kitty Cat Shoulder Bag – $90

•I also don’t see why anyone wouldn’t want this.

9. Driftwood iPhone Dock – $64

•This may be one of the coolest inventions I’ve stumbled upon on the internet. A lot of my friends gather driftwood every time we go to the country, so it’s about time such covetable pieces of nature were put to some good material use.

10. Estee Lauder Zodiac Compact – $70

•Much like a monogrammed box, zodiac accessories always make a gift feel more personal. Kind of like a reminder that you not only remember their birthday, but also their sign! (Just don’t tell them you had to look it up on Wikipedia.)

11. Gargyle Lab Bottles – $65

•Another undeniably awesome way to freshen up a dumpy space. Put a candle in these glass guzzlers or just scatter them around the apartment for a vintage-y cool vibe. Stepmoms would like this, I guarantee it.

12. Kate Spade ‘Gia’ Pouch – $78

•Perhaps not the best gift for someone in AA, but a statement clutch (literally), is bound to get a round of laughs. I suggest giving this to your kooky aunt or 21 year-old sister.

**MORE GIFT GUIDES TO COME NEXT WEEK!

Festive Pants

November 26, 2012

Let me tell you a little somethin’ about me and the holidays: I love them. The music, the lights, the parties, (the booze), the food, the clothes, the cheese plates! Oy!

Along with bringing families and friends together, the holidays also bring forth some of the finer party-gear that just don’t work outside of the festive season. Such is the case with these pants that I bought back in July knowing they wouldn’t decorate my hiney before Christmas carols started playing in every taxi cab.

But last week on my way to Grand Central, a spirited yellow cab driver was playing (and humming along to) “Jingle Bell Rock,” which fast tracked my sartorially inclined brain to the back of my closet where these pants were hanging, tag still attached. If these pants had a cell phone, I would have called them to let them know that their hibernation season was over. Since that’s legitimately impossible, I patiently waited until returning to my apartment on Saturday to give them the good news.

Sometimes just putting something festive on (much like holiday twinkle lights or listening to The Nutcracker) is all you need to kick off the season of cheer.

One by shirt | Asos pants | Zara heels | Juicy Couture clutch c/o | Henri Bendel & vintage bracelets