Saturday, November 28, 2015

Here & There: Small Business Saturday Edition

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Happy Saturday! It's hard to believe we're prepping for the holidays with the weather being as it is outside. 60+ degrees and sunny... is this even the Northeast? Regardless, I'm determined to make it feel festive in my apartment. Today, I'm gathering a few supplies to make a garland for our ornaments (cat proof!) and then trekking up to Center City to run a few errands. Our car has been out of commission for a couple of weeks, which has been a great lesson in flexibility and also incredibly frustrating. I've come to appreciate Philly's public transit, but this is also the time of year when all I want to do is hike up in the Poconos. Which are, unfortunately, out of reach of the SEPTA. So, I'll be doing everything within walking distance today, including a bit of holiday shopping.

I love popping in to the boutiques and shops in Old City and Passyunk when I'm out for the day, and feel just as passionate about supporting the small online businesses I've come to know and love. This weekend's link roundup is devoted to those businesses, the small and handmade, the independently run, the ones owned by friends and family who work so hard to bring their visions to life. Check it out and I'd love to know your favorite places to shop small, too!

Jess Amity always has the raddest assortment of vintage - how incredible is this leather tooled handbag?

Looking for cute holiday cards? My girl Melissa has you covered (Love these from Odd Daughter too)

So in love with that candle up there and the blood orange lip balm, too. Both from Moorea Seal and up to 70% off, along with the rest of the site!

Yum - these hemp espresso bars look incredible

Love these raw pieces from Hex Metal - like this pyrite necklace

Save 20% off your entire purchase at Ax & Apple! Use code Abracadbra. This is in my cart

This salt bath sounds heavenly

I finally got a new phone! Which means I really need a new case to protect it from my clumsiness. Love these from With Lavender & Lace

This is the cutest thing ever - also, how awesome is the name Zarathustra?

How pretty are these mini embroideries?

Take 20% off Sarah Safavi Jewelry (as a bonus 5% of sales will be donated to the Global Fund for Women)

A sexy minimalist bag for someone very (very) special (love these too)

Black Crystals is having a big sale - swooning over this crescent moon necklace and these earrings

How gorgeous is this pink moon print?

My all time favorite perfume, for someone dark and moody and a little bit spicy

A great book for the writer and list-maker in your life - on sale too!

My new skincare obsession

A black cat print for a black cat lover

My friend Mary sells the prettiest things, possibly ever

Friday, November 27, 2015

How to Layer a Denim Jacket (+ Holiday Sale Picks)

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As much as I love my ridiculous vintage '70s prints and patterns and fabrics and general insanity, there's something very satisfying about the simplicity of black and blue and grey. Especially when paired all together. Especially for a day I know will be particularly frenzied. I'm not talking about Black Friday (although I do plan on scrolling through the online sales), no, this is what I turned to for a day that was inevitably spent covered in glitter and glue, shooting holiday DIYs at a coworker's studio. I haven't busted out a poncho in awhile, but when I received this pretty grey poncho/scarf from Moorea Seal, I knew I'd wear it layered over this jacket and with my favorite black jeans. I realize how little I really talk about work on here, partially because it takes up so much of my life. I'm very lucky that I love what I do, that beyond the general bureaucratic office stuff that can irk me, my top complaints of late have been tracking too much glitter home with me (but seriously, it's everywhere) and too many sweets around the office. My days are varied, a morning spent shooting a recipe at home, an afternoon in the office, a day spent shooting off-site. As my job becomes more and more physical with photoshoots and days trekking around NYC, I've found myself turning to more basic pairings, and most importantly, comfortable footwear. I'm not one of those people who can flit around in heels, my body just isn't made for it and my mind can't stand the thought of being slowed down.

So, what am I wearing for Black Friday? Probably something similar to this as I scroll through the sales below and completely avoid the frenzy of shopping in person. Because the thought of that makes my introverted heart flutter with anxiety.

Get the look: 

Moorea Seal 'Ronan' poncho (on sale!) - Save up to 70% off site wide ... love these flats too

ModCloth sweater - save up to 40% off new items ... like this rad sweater and all of the home things

Urban Outfitters twig jeans - save an extra 30% off all sale items ... swooning over this gorgeous emerald green suede tote

Frye boots - Save an extra 25% off sale items at Nordstrom ... like this cozy ass sweater

Vintage belt - extremely rad versions found here and here  - save 30% off everything at asos!

Free People sunglasses - save 50% off most-loved styles


Thursday, November 26, 2015

Happy Friendsgiving!

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Happy Friends (and Thanks) - Giving! Today we're gathering with a few other folks whose families also live far away for a feast of our own. We've done this for the past few years and our solo -- or otherwise low-key -- Thanksgivings have become a day I look forward to every year. I'm a firm believer in creating your own traditions, whether you're married and childless like us, single, dating, have kids, or whatever, breaking away from the norm can feel incredibly liberating, especially when you know you have a crazy hectic December on the horizon. I hope you have a good day planned, i think we all need it after the worlds recent events. XO

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Black Friday, 3 Days Early: Shopbop Sale Picks

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Are you a Black Friday shopper? Me, not so much. Aside from the rare trip to the mall for a Sephora stock up, I much prefer shopping from home. My own lighting, my own mirror, no impulse decisions to be made. Essentially, calm. I've been on the hunt for the perfect pair of black booties as of late, along with a new winter coat, and a few cold weather essentials to make my commute just a little easier from home to train and back again. Lucky for me -- and you -- Shopbop's Buy More, Save More event begins today -- including all sale and full price styles.

With 15% off orders of $250+, 20% off orders of $500+, and 25% off orders over $1000 this is a great time to pair up with friends, family, and coworkers to get your hands on the season's essentials and holiday gifts (like those Swedish Hasbeens boots up there, ohhhh damn) at an amazing discount.

Pictured above: Maison Scotch Jacket, Jonathan Adler Kitty MugSwedish Hasbeens BootsB-Low the Belt BeltPamela Love BraceletMolami Headphones 
Some brand exclusions apply, sale runs from 7am EST Tuesday November 24th and will end at 11:59pm PST on November 30th.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Here & There 11.22

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Happy Sunday! What are you up to this weekend? Yesterday a couple of friends and I headed out to Terrain for their annual Holiday Market in an attempt to get into the Christmas spirit.... it sort of worked, while also giving me a hearty dose of claustrophobia (that place gets crazy!). Today, we're just chilling. Maybe doing some Friendsgiving prep, maybe walking up to Old City. It's the calm before the holiday storm, and I want to make the most of it.

These vintage leather fringe gloves would certainly keep you cozy this winter.

My new favorite Tumblr

Definitely want these shoes in all three colors

Etsy loves: this incredible velvet jumpsuit (this coat is pretty amazing too), this backpack, these minimalist earrings, this necklace

Would you get a tattoo without knowing what it was? (I would)

Holiday decor I love: this holiday cocktail book, these vintage-style ornaments, this (cat) cookie kit, this holiday dreamcatcher, these mini string lights, this pineapple ornament

With all that's going on in the world, here are 4 things to know about the refugee vetting process. And 6 groups that are trying to help (this article also contains useful information for those wondering how to help refugees).

DIY makeup remover pads - brilliant!

One of my favorite apple recipes of late

Wearing: Vintage blazer (similar) // Free People top // J.Brand jeans // Loeffler Randall Carmen boots // Vintage hat (similar) // Bali ELF bag - on sale!


Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Ochre + Ocean

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Hello. Hi. How are you? I've been saving this top for... well, I don't really know what... but Monday felt like as good a time as any to bust it out. Pro tip: slicked back braids, worn at the back of your head so as not to look like a 5 year old, are an excellent way to hide post-flu bed head.

Get the look: Stetson hat from Allen's Boots in Austin, TX (similar) // Zara top (similar) // J.Brand Skinny Black 'Maria' Jeans // Madewell Chelsea boots (similar) // Bali ELF 'Neverland' bag // Vintage earrings and ring // Self made necklace (similar)


Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Up In The Mountains

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Up in the mountains, we found fall. Crisp air, cloudy mornings that reveal pure blue sky. We left behind the unseasonable warmth of the city in favor of a little rest and recuperation, bundling up in cozy sweaters and even cozier scarves. For a frigid fall morning, there's nothing better than wrapping up in a handmade scarf and a big cardigan and drinking a few cups of coffee beneath the dwindling foliage.

I've been a fan of Lindsay from The Seam Design's work for some time now and this particular number arrived just in time for our trip north to the Poconos this past weekend. A chronic under-packer, I wasn't exactly prepared for the cooler temps, as it's been so warm in the city, so I was especially appreciative to be able to wrap myself in this incredibly cozy scarf for the cold mornings and windy afternoons. You know, between watching '90s family comedies on VHS and drinking too much wine.

Get the look: The Seam Designs Scarf // H&M Sweater // Alexa Chung for AG overalls // Moorea Seal sunglasses

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Here & There 11.8

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How's your Sunday night going? We just returned from a weekend spent in the Poconos at a cabin with a big group of friends and it was exactly what we needed. Late night wine drinking, Cards Against Humanity, Mrs. Doubtfire on VHS, and way too much food. November was off to a weird start last week, with temperatures rising to the mid-70s, which was nice, but disconcerting paired with the time change. Because of it, I felt like we spent last week in an exhausted, grumpy haze, so retreating to the seasonally appropriate temperatures of the mountains felt right. I love this month, summer is fun and all, but there's something about cold, bleak November that speaks to my soul. This week will be another busy one, with shoots planned in NYC and outside of Philly, so tonight we're chilling out... before the crazy hits all over again.

Love this incredible vintage '60s leopard print cape!

These owl earrings are adorable

Really excited about this new Netflix show

Nordstrom is having a mega sale - definitely loving this sexy dress, these classic boots, and this perfect winter coat.

Cute things to sleep in.

I'm really, really excited about Music for Cats.

These might just be the most perfect shoes

Well, this looks delicious

Etsy faves: These perfect coffee mugs, this perfect hand-tooled leather backpack, these rad vintage tees.

How cute is this sweetheart lamp? Love this purse too.

Loved this sweet post of jen's

Reductress never fails to make me laugh. Edward Furlong, what happened?

Love these chic bohemian pieces for fall - I'm in dire need of a new jacket

Life goals.

What do you keep on your nightstand?

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Here & There & Happy November

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Happy November! Whew... did you have a good Halloween? We're still recovering, but ours was really fun this year. As always, our costumes were last minute (I was a cat and Chris was either John Lennon or a fisherman, depending on who you asked - you can see a pic here), but that's half the fun. Someday we'll plan in advance. We went to a few parties and are looking forward to just hanging out today, you know, laundry, groceries, and otherwise readying our space for the coming month. I'm really excited for November, this past month was so busy between Austin City Limits, my brother visiting, and other obligations, I'm looking forward to having some time to just chill out before the holidays hit. What are you looking forward to this month?

Don't forget to enter the Jem and the Holograms + Shopbop giveaway!

Um, hi. Is this not the most perfect sweater or what?

How gorgeous is this branch hair clip?

More Etsy loves: these minimal hoop earrings, these pretty heart bowls (and this one too), this gorgeous sweater coat, this cute knit hat

Obsessed with this haircut

What a gorgeous coat. Love this one and this one too.

Obsessed with black Chelsea boots lately - love these options

Cat hacks! #15 actually works

Love these cute shoes

This outfit of Jen's looks so comfy - that sweater!

These books are perfect for travel

5 ways to conquer daylight savings time

This blanket is so beautiful!

I'd love to hang these ornaments on our tree this year

These pumpkins would make a great Thanksgiving centerpiece

What a crazy story