Outfits Not Just Clothes

So far I've covered beauty products and socks in this year's round of gift guides, which are prefect gift categories for the coming winter. To add to that list--reading! Here are a few books from my Books Worth Reading Pinterest board, first up--poetry! James Allen Hall's "I Liked You Better Before I Knew You So Well" from the CSU Poetry Center I LOVED Hall's 1st book   Now You're the Enemy , which won awards from the Texas Institute of Letters, the Lambda Literary Foundation, and the Fellowship of Southern Writers. So this is on my personal wish list to read here during the snowy days to come.  Anthology from Mason Jar Press "The Black Ladies Brunch Collective’s Poetry Anthology,  Not Without Our Laughter ,  is a collection of humorous and joyful poems, riffing on Langston Hughes’s novel  Not Without Laughter . It explores topics of family, work, love and sexuality. The women of BLBC believe, like Hughes, that even in these ...

Last week I highlighted some unique and affordable gift options from Rituals in this post . Today I want to feature a new take on a more traditional gift--SOCKS! Particularly, fun and functional socks instead of the boring ones your Aunt Lucy used to crookedly knit for you each year.  I've recently discovered Bombas !   "Derived from the Latin word for bumblebee. Bees live in a hive and work together to make their world a better place. They're small, but their combined actions have a big impact on the world. We like that. That's why our mantra is bee better. We knit it on the inside of every pair of Bombas as a reminder that you helped someone in need with your purchase. And a reminder that little improvements can add up to make a big difference. Socks are the #1 most requested clothing item at homeless shelters. We started Bombas to make an impact on our community here in the U.S. For every pair you purchase, we donate a pair to someone in need." So, n...

It's always a pleasure to find a new company/brand/product/website especially at this time of year when searching for unique gifts. Thanks to a beauty article in the October issue of Glamour I came across Rituals -- Inspired by the wisdom and ancient traditions of Asian cultures, we created an extensive collection of luxurious yet affordable products for home and body. We hope to enrich your life using unique signature fragrances that are carefully designed and composed by the world’s finest perfumers. So far I have these items in my cart as potential gifts: Night Balm for Hands I'm thinking of picking up several bottles of this night balm for those "just in case" for when someone unexpected surprises with a present and you feel obligated to gift in return. Also, this will be great for daycare teachers, work friends, the neighbor lady who gets the mail when you're out of town, etc.   Mini Fragrance Sticks Hello, hostess gift! Especially f...

You may recall that I started another year of no shopping back in September, that doesn't mean I'm not in the market for some Christmas-time gift giving! Here are a few items from the wish list I sent Santa! Zara The blouse isn't my usual style, but frilly sleeves and whimsical silhouettes aren't going anywhere for a while, so I may as well dip my toe in, so to speak!  Selfridges And I'm thinking this blazer would be the perfect topper to a romantic blouse, and speaks more to my outfitting wheelhouse.  Moop I've been eyeing up Moop bags for years, but have never taken the plunge, which is a shame because it's a local Pittsburgh business that I should support. I love this Porter bag because it's huge, versatile, and simply chic. Vans I just recently discovered these unisex and waterproof sneakers! I mean you had me at waterproof, right?  I'm thinking none of these items will be under my tree Christmas morning, BUT I r...

Each year around this time Nordstrom has their HUGE Anniversary Sale . And, unlike other sales in July/August that are reducing summer stock to make way for fall/winter appearal, Nordstom's has amazing deals on coats, boots, trousers etc. It's a great time to stock up on basics and splurge on a few luxury items.  It's also a strategic start to your Christmas shopping . I know, it's only July, but hey you've got to start sometime and why not take adavantage of the savings now?! You'll be grateful you did when December rolls around.  So here are my top gift giving pics from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale : Jute Tote A personalized gift, even one as simple as a monogramed bag, shows you've really thought about that person, and had them in mind for this particular item. It's tempting to stock up on these types of totes, especially at ($20 a piece), but be warned if you end up giving the same bag within your circle of family and friends. They'll...

Every Christmas Mr. Keller and I share our Amazon wishlists to order from for our gifts to each other. I've also started doing this with my mother and have directed people towards my Pinterest board Things I Crave . I keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best, which I know sounds materialistic, but there's nothing worse then getting a crap gift that you can't use instead of something you really want and have use for in your life, am I right? Of course I am! (On a side-note: another gifting nightmare is when you get something BUTT-ugly from some one and they tell you that they saw it in the store as immediately thought of you.... thanks!) Even though I do share/advertise to my family and friends my preferred gift options I also have a "behind-the-scenes" list of items I plan on buying during the post-Christmas sales with any money I may have been gifted in lieu of a present.  FYI: money is always a good gift AND let's one put an  exact value on a relati...

So in looking for gifts for Mr. Keller and my brother I found myself wanting to pick up things for me... Forever21 Men's I mean come on?! A "B" sweater, hello! Perfect right?   Also digging the plaid of this shirt.  Target Again, for myself, Mr. Keller doesn't really do plaid, or any type of pattern. He's so boring....   He's more into this type of plain sweater with a rich dark hue.  Forever21 Men's Now back me, I'm loving this varsity-style jacket.  Forever21 Men's Of course, it would be too big on me and of course I'm in the midst of a Year of No Shopping so the point is moot, but it's still fun to look and imagine the outfitting opportunities.  

Another great gift I received for Christmas this year: Elizabeth Arden tote and makeup case. Filled with cosmetics! I really was excited to receive this gift and was totally not expecting it to be so elaborate.  Mascaras, glitter powder, lipsticks, lip glosses, eyeliners, brushes, and a huge shadow and blush palette! (click here to see the details) I also love both bags which will now be my go to totes for traveling.  I was going to take a few "beauty shots" but then I realized that I'm a 13 year old girl when trying out new makeup and need to put on every color at once.  So I've spared you from having to see that hot of a mess.