Friday Fancies

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The Silence + Noise dress I wore on New Year’s Eve reminds me of “the little black dress”, but pink. It’s the same idea in shape and simplicity, but the color and glossiness make it stand out among a sea of LBDs at parties, bars, etc. Easy to dress up or down. Unfortunately, this is the best photo I have of the dress, and it’s currently stained from champagne.img_2555This probably needs no explanation. I collected pins throughout most of my childhood, so I was especially thrilled to see them make a comeback in the mainstream this past year. For a quick way to brighten up an outfit or for a great conversation starter, just stick one of these onto a shirt, lapel, or purse.
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I received this Yu-Be body lotion, which has been making its way around the blogosphere, from a dear friend for my birthday, and it’s precisely what the doctor ordered to maintain smooth skin during the winter. Part medicinal, part luxurious. The lotion, which is medicated, smells a little like Vick’s VapoRub at first, but the scent goes away after a few minutes.

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I got the best Secret Santa gift last month! This wooden Diamond Head ukulele has a surprisingly bright sound and warm tone for its price. It’s certainly not a toy instrument, and it’s perfect for beginners. I would recommend changing the strings, though, as those that arrive with the uke tend to go out of tune quickly. If you’ve never played an instrument before and are interested in learning, I think the ukulele is one of the easiest. Memorizing only a few chords allows you to play tons of songs.
img_2643I subscribed to Book of the Month on Black Friday weekend, and I couldn’t be happier with it. Basically, each month you pick from five carefully chosen books to have one shipped to you. The choices are always brand new and often exclusively available before the official release. You also have the option of adding previous months’ choices to your box for a major discount. All of the books I’ve seen on the site seem to be quality choices, and I noticed that every “buzz-worthy” book of the past year was made available at some point.

Friday Fancies

fullsizerenderI’m a big fan of Lush dresses for going out because their fit is flattering, and they are always my favorite length–mini. This Leah shift not only has a fun cutout in the back, but the ribbed material kind of folds over it, creating the illusion of curtains falling towards the hemline. Currently on sale.

img_9490You might have heard about these foot peels, which were even the topic of a featured Snapchat story! Basically, you soak your feet in this liquid for an hour, and then a week later, the entire outer layer of skin painlessly sheds off like a snakeskin, revealing what looks like brand new, soft feet. You can Google photos for proof of how well it works. It even removes thick calluses. A few brands have become popular for this product, but the Tony Moly Shiny Foot Super Peeling Liquid is less expensive and gets the job done.

img_2629As I mentioned in my holiday gift guide, Abercrombie & Fitch has some great sweaters this season, including this asymmetrical turtleneck. Not pictured is a slit up the longer side from the hemline to the point matching the hemline of the shorter side. The material is synthetic, which is preferable to wool whenever I’m wearing a super thick coat or would otherwise be too warm. Majorly on sale, but act fast because many colors and sizes have already sold out.

img_9520Unsurprisingly, I lost my primary earphones again–the exact pair I posted about here, in fact. To replace them, I decided to finally try a Bluetooth pair, now that there are many inexpensive models available (which is key because I always break or lose them). After doing some fairly intense research, I decided to try SoundPeats QY7 Bluetooth wireless earphones. Their sound is clear and has a nice range, including decent bass, and the noise-canceling feature is an added bonus. Also, the ear hooks work perfectly when I’m running.

fullsizerenderYet another skincare product from my mother, this Victoria Lanolin-Agg-Tval egg white soap is a Swedish face wash and mask that naturally exfoliates and leaves skin feeling soft and looking tightened. It lathers well and contains rosewater for a very light scent. A pack of six comes in an adorable box.

Friday Fancies


One of my favorite trends in jewelry is tiny, practically minuscule initials. As a detail-oriented person, I’m usually drawn to subtle pieces that are endearing when finally noticed, and this BaubleBar Mini Letter Disc Pendant fits the bill perfectly. It’s currently on sale for a limited time.
The Marc Jacobs Fineliner came highly recommended by a friend when we were shopping together and stopped at Sephora specifically for it. I wear makeup about once a month, partly because I prefer a natural look and partly because of how much time it takes to apply. This gel crayon eyeliner has the best staying power without smudging or resulting in the very obvious, dramatic look of liquid and is wonderful in saving time. The Berry Violet color is surprisingly elegant and hardly noticeable.

Korean beauty products have been receiving a lot of attention lately, including these Dermal snail collagen masks, which contain key ingredients from snail mucus! As the weather has become increasingly dry, I’ve been using these masks to transform dry, dull, or dehydrated skin into a visibly bright, soft, and glowing amazement in 15 minutes. It works so well, it feels like cheating!


Ever since a friend let me borrow one of these L. Erickson Grab & Go ponytail holders from her Birchbox, I haven’t looked back. Because my hair is so abundant and heavy, the only ponytail holders that could previously keep my hair up without eventually falling were Scünci No Slip Grip hair elastics, which are literally just a piece of silicone. Not only do these L. Erickson hair ties look cute enough to wear on my wrist when not in use, but they also won’t budge in my hair, even during a run!


I didn’t think it could be done, but somehow my favorite candy made itself even more delicious! Hi-Chew Bites are the original Japanese soft chews, but wrapped in a hard candy coating. The result is like a sweeter Mentos. Needless to say, these bags didn’t last long.

2016 Holiday Gift Guide

I was too busy watching Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, followed by the entire Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life series, to do any shopping on Black Friday. And I had no intention of participating in Cyber Monday, until I thought I’d take just a quick peek at the online offers… And now here I am at 4:30 a.m. on the night before returning to work after five days of vacation. Yes, that escalated quickly.

Anyway, as I’m making a wish list for my birthday and Christmas (and, to be honest, things I’ll “gift” to myself), I thought I’d share it here, for anyone who’s interested in today’s deals or would like ideas for holiday gift shopping.

j crew top.jpegThe summer version of this J.Crew top sold out before I could snag one for myself, and I’m determined not to let that happen again this season. The cut and fit are quite elegant, with the festive bow preventing the tank from seeming too formal. Also available un-patterned here.

bootie nordstrom.jpgThese Marc Fisher booties are almost half off at Nordstrom this weekend. Simultaneously classic and trendy, these can easily be dressed up or down. As an added bonus, the pointed toe gives the illusion of a longer leg. Other than attempting to choose from the many color options, these are a no-brainer!

abercrombie-sweaterEver since Abercrombie & Fitch completely overhauled its style last year, its look has become less self-proclaimed “preppy” and more boho-inspired trendy (which makes sense, as its Design and Creative teams now include big names from Lucky Brand, Lucky magazine, and Club Monaco. The entire A&F website is 50% off this weekend, and most of its sweaters, including this split-back pullover, look fashionable, yet equally comfy.

kate-spade-earringI’m a little late on the reversible earring trend, but my enthusiasm might make up for that. It’s actually a mild obsession. But who could resist these Kate Spade reversible earrings? The bow paired with the pearl is simply charming.

tory-burchMajor PSA: The Tory Burch Jolie riding boots have dropped to $207 for this weekend, which is the lowest I’ve ever seen (and I’ve considered getting these for the past five years). I’ve never been a huge fan of riding boots for everyday wear, but I’m not sure if I can pass on such an amazing deal.

amazon-echoIt’s been fun playing with a friend’s Amazon Echo this past year, but it’s probably time to get my own to boss around. (Another great present for someone who doesn’t already own one is a Kindle, which is only $50 this weekend! One of few gifts that keeps on giving.)

f9344_wq0066_mThere are few things I love more than a nice pajama set. I’d been looking for the ideal short-sleeved set for a while. But as soon as I spotted these Madewell flannel pajama shorts and top, I knew my search was over. (I also bought ten other things at Madewell… There is a ton of good stuff on sale right now, such as this top, this silk dress, and these insanely discounted jeans!)

sephora lip.jpgSally and I once split this Fresh Sugar Lip Seduction set, but as it turns out, we should’ve each gotten our own. This perfect tinted lip moisturizer, which I first blogged about three years ago, is still the only “beauty” product I use regularly.

free-peopleI would love to just dive right into this Free People turtleneck sweater. Alpaca wool is light, yet warm, and there are plenty of colors to choose from. The length is optimal, as well.

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And finally, for the discerning reader, an unparalleled gift would be a monthly subscription to Persephone Books, a publisher that reprints neglected works by mid-20th century women writers. There is no Black Friday sale for this because Persephone Books is, in fact, British.