Giveaway alert!

I'm giving away a pair of earrings over on my friend Betsy's blog, Straight Up with Olives.

Click here to enter

Gifts under $25

It's that time of year again! Was it just me, or did 2011 fly by? I'm often told that I'm hard to shop for, and while I wouldn't say this is my Holiday wish list, I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if I found any of these under my tree Christmas morning:

Gifts under $25 by eecummings 

LULU wrap scarve, $18
Bare Escentuals?? 'Big, Bright & Bold Eyes' Collection (Online..., $19
Set of 6 Travel Plates | Crate&Barrel, $25
Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle, $25
With A Twist Teacup, $12
Semi-Opaque Taper, $24
"I Love Bacon" in Gifts Under $25 | Crate&Barrel, $20
Amazon.com: Belkin 3-Pack TuneTie for iPod/MP3 Player Earbuds (Green,..., $9.95
F. Scott Fitzgerald : CB-SMITH BOOKS
Clothbound Series 1 : CB-SMITH BOOKS


I have to say, the Coralie Bickford Smith books are gorgeous and a great gift for anyone who is into books, decor or fashion. They will certainly add punch to any bookcase, or end table. The F.Scott Fitzgerald series just screams Fitzgerald-flapper chic, and anyone who loves The Great Gatsby, could appreciate this collection. 

Anthropologie is another great store for unique holiday gifts for the hard-to-shop for. I often buy Yankee Swap (aka White Elephant, depending on where you're from) gifts from Anthro because I know they'll be useful and not a typical run of the mill swap gift. One of those mugs, a box of tea, and you're in under $20!

The Belkin Tune-tie for iPod, would make a great stocking stuffer, $10 for a set of 3, you could easily break it up and distribute as needed. I know I for one am constantly fighting and un-knotting my earbuds.

Do you have a go-to store for gifts? I'd love to hear!

I've Got the Blues

Sometimes a post title is the hardest part of blogging.

Lately I've been obsessed with deep blue colors. Cobalt blue, Royal blue...love. Next to pink, rich shades of blue are probably my favorite color and it has been popping up everywhere! For starters, my car is bright blue--"Winning Blue" as Mazda puts it. Since my car is slowly dying I could perhaps be displacing some of the loss I'm feeling from replacing him into my current obsession of this color. I've recently made 2 bright blue purchases, and there's so much more I want!

My purchases:

Zara $79.90 (100% silk)

Nordstrom $42 (Juniors--I was uncertain how often I would wear them, but I love them!)

If I'm uncertain about investing in a trend, and lets face it, brightly colored pants will likely not be around next year, I try to find and inexpensive substitute. The Nordstrom Juniors department is usually a good source.These are actually good quality, not low rise, and really flattering.

My other current crushes:

Madewell Skimmers $88

Target BodyCon Dress $22.99

Target $17.99

While looking on Target's website, I also came across these but they're out of stock and online only.

I've also been painting my nails this color, but wouldn't wear this color if rocking any of my recent purchases:

OPI Roadhouse Blues (it looks great with Essie's Matte top coat, too)

What color have you been crushing on lately? Sparkle season is in full swing, and I'm loving all the dresses, nail polishes, shoes and accessories that are completely bedecked in glitter. I've got a post in the works for Holiday sparkle (although I am a big fan of sparkles year round and for any given day, personally).

Photo Diary: November 4

A few pictures from this week:

chaos

the result of chaos

seasonal confusion

more seasonal confusion

much needed drink with Betsy

happy birthday, husband

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Peplum and Pussybows

I feel like I should break out into a Sound of Music song right now. Peplum and pussybow blouses are my current obsessions. I can't get enough of them. I have a small fall shopping list and these two are topping the list. Lets take a look at some of my favorites:

Zara

Anthropologie

ASOS

H&M

H&M (and top of my list currently)

Mod Cloth (Love polka dots!)

Old Navy

H&M

J Crew

Marc Jacobs (if only...)

ModCloth

Victoria's Secret (love it)

Old classic silhouettes are making a comeback, but when I see things like this...clothing in styles that are modern with the classic silhouette is it really a comeback? Or is it just that a classic has caught the eye of the majority? I'm drawn to bows, and I've got a pussybow top I bought at Old Navy back in 2003, and a peplum jacket that I just donated to a swap that was from 2006, so these styles have always been in. I think Rachel Zoe says it best, they're having a major moment right now.

Versace for H&M

Designer collaborations are everywhere. It's a great way for designers to introduce themselves to markets that may be unfamiliar to them. After the Missoni for Target debacle, I'm weary. (Although I still managed to land both my flats, and the heels at a later date at my local Target!)

Versace for H&M was much talked about, and well...now that it's available online (way earlier than expected, I should add). I'm not loving it. Donatella is innovative. These pieces just don't call to me. Let's look.

$199

$99

$129

$149

$199

$249

$49.95

$79.95

$129

I like the colors in the bustier top, but not at that price...and I'm not much for bustiers. Had it been a tank, or even a floaty top, I'd probably be mildly interested. Instead, I'll be sitting this collab out. This is just a small touch of what's available. To check out all the flops, head on over to the H&M site.

What's your take on collaborations?

A week in pictures

Trying out something new here. I take a lot of phone pictures, but don't often tweet/share them. These pictures reflect what's been going on in my world, and I'm experimenting with sharing them almost photo diary style.

Things are going to get sparkley!

A nice delivery!

Coming soon to my shop!

Magnetic nail polish (please disregard my awful cuticles, it's dry here!)

Honeycrisp apple season!

Close call. (My husband would not approve!)

Today's outfit. I'm in love with these shoes!

 Happy Friday, everyone!!