An Etsy Christmas Guide

Ever since Thanksgiving Day, I have been getting on average about 35 emails a day from big chain stores such as GAP, West Elm and Barnes & Noble with free shipping deals, coupons and other enticements. Have I cashed in on some of those bargains? Definitely. But, did you know that you can find equally amazing things on Etsy like vase a for your mother-in-law, a locket for your best friend, and iPhone cases for your spouse for much cheaper than big box store prices?! Plus, you're helping local businesses survive with every purchase you make. It's a win, win if you ask me. Check out some of my cool finds. Everything you see is under $100.00, and personally something that I would like to own.

A glass locket - $62.00 I think this necklace is awesome. It's one of those one-of-a-kind special treasures, and something that you can personalize for someone you love with a photo. Although, I think it looks cool without one.

NYC Brass Cuff - $38.00 Who doesn't love funky pieces of jewelry? Brass cuffs are a great accessory all year round, and this one in particular is perfect for anyone that loves NYC.

Bud Vase - $12.00 How cute is this bud vase?! It's handmade and would fit in any style of home or would be perfect on an office desk.

Chevron Pillow - $14.95 I've been in love with this pillow forever, and anyone that has been awake the past year knows that chevron is the big print of the year. Plus, black and white goes with just about anything.

Rose & Chamomile Face Scrub - $14.00 Most women I know love beauty products. They are a gift of luxury, and the fact that this face scrub is all organic is over the top awesome.

Perfume solids - $70.00 Perfume and cologne are good, common Christmas gifts. I just wish that I had more portable scents like this solid perfume. This one is the one perfect gift because it's also in the most beautiful box and is all natural.

iPhone case - $50.00 I actually don't have an iPhone, but if I did I would have this case. Again, you can't go wrong with chevron.

iPad sleeve - $52.00 I also WISH I had an iPad, and an awesome looking sleeve to go with it. The cherry red and mixture of fabrics is killer!

Coaster set - $32.00 Coasters are the perfect gift for someone that you don't know all that well because everyone uses them AND you can find SUPER cool designs that match their style or personality.

Doormat - $65.00 I know a doormat is kind of a weird item to have on this list, but seriously how cool is this handmade rug?! It's made out of recycled boat rope and it's yellow. Yep, this one is definitely on my personal wishlist too.

Have fun shopping!!!

Sick Day

I was the kid that would lie through their teeth claiming to be sick so that I could stay home from school. Yep, that was me. Before I started working for myself, a part of me was secretly glad I was sick so I wouldn't have to go to work.

NOT ANYMORE! Loving what I do and running my own business, there is NO time to be sick! Zero! This morning I woke up with the crud, and still had to make it to a styling session for a client that was headed out of town for the holidays. There wasn't an option of rescheduling for her, and during an expensive season I didn't want to miss out on the business.

Yeah, so my body royally hates me right now. (sigh) That's what you get for packing your schedule too full and running down your immune system.

So, to those of you that haven't gotten sick yet during the cold season, don't fill up your calendars and go to bed early! Well, unless you don't like your job and you want to stay home from work. I won't blame ya on that one. =)

Here's a peak as to what I have been up to recently, and what could be the reason for being under the weather. Who knows?!

Photo by Session Nine Photography

Popping Up in Places

It's really a funny thing to see your name in print. Until this year, I had never seen my name typed on anything more than a program for a play, concert or graduation. Recently, my name has popped up in The Arizona Republic and The College Times. Not for anything really amazing - just for my thoughts on why women love shoes and for looking cute at the God Save My Shoes event.

I'd thought I'd share this not to toot my horn because like I said it wasn't for anything really special. Instead to encourage those that are starting a business or still in the beginning stages that your hard work and elbow grease will slowly pay off with sweet little moments like this. Tiny winks to encourage you to keep pressing forward and working your tail off!

So, cheers to today being a Monday, and a full week ahead to charge forward and do the best work possible! Go get 'em!

Drugstore Face

It wasn't really a conscious effort. I started out with a makeup bag full of high-end makeup products that you can buy through Sephora, and I've ended this year with a makeup bag full of drugstore brands. These makeup products would NOT remain in my bag if if they didn't do the job I needed them to do. So, now I'm happy to say I have a drugstore face and some extra spending cash. And you should care why? Well, because YOU could have extra $$ and look great too! Duh!

So, before I put any makeup on my face I use other drugstore finds like St. Ives Apricot Scrub, Clean & Clear moisturizer and Ponds cleansing towelettes to keep my face squeaky clean and moisturized!

And now for the fun part...

I use L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup in natural buff. It has sunscreen and it moisturizes and blends well when applied with a foundation brush. It's seriously the perfect makeup for the winter time when your face is extra dry. It's oil free, so I don't ever worry about it clogging my pores.

I'm also obsessed with Maybelline's Lash Stiletto Mascara. I've blogged about it before, and it's still my favorite mascara. It really defines your lashes and it's easy to take off at night. I also love Maybelline's Unstoppable eye liner's easy, smooth application.

I used to use Benefit's Browzings ($30) compact to keep my brows looking perfect, but now all I use is CoverGirl's Brow & Eye Maker pencil. It's the exact brown I need and it's only $2.99 for TWO pencils AND a sharpener. Good buy if you ask me.

To make my eyes look pretty and natural in one, I really like Almay's Intense i-Color eye shadow trio. I chose the one for brown eyes, and I love it. I don't always wear the purple, but when I do it's the perfect shade. Now, I'll admit that I do play around with a lot of other eye shadows that I have, but it's because they seriously last FOREVER. The kicker though is that you HAVE to apply eye shadow with a brush and not the measly little sponge applicator. That goes for ANY eye shadow you EVER wear.

For my rosy cheeks I love Almay's Pure Blend powder blush in bouquet. It applies nicely on top of the L'Oreal base. Definitely use a fluffy blush to apply it though. Again, those applicators that come with the product stink!

And now for the grande finale, lipstick. Oh boy, these are my two favorite lipsticks in the whole wide world. Revlon makes fantastic matte lipsticks that stay on for a long time.

If you've been looking for a bright red lipstick for a while you have got to try Revlon's Fire & Ice. My friend Jessie and I are both addicts of the color. As you can see below...

If you want a more natural lip color, go with "mauve it over." It looks great with olive skin.

There is a tiny disclaimer though...You may or may not have noticed that I haven't said anything about concealer or eye shadow base. Those are still the only two things that I haven't been able to find at a drugstore that rivals the quality of Benefit's Boi-ing, Erase Paste and MAC's paint pots. And, I would have to say that the reason why my eye shadow looks as good as it does is owed to MAC.

But other than those three things, my face belongs to Walgreens, and my pocketbook is grateful.

Mismatched

'Tis the season to be mismatched. No more red pants with only black, gray and white on top! No more navy separated from black! No MORE sticking to just jeans because they go with everything. In the words of Darkwing Duck, "Let's Get Dangerous!" Are you with me?!

Why the cheerleader speech?

Well...1. I've always wanted to be a cheerleader. 2. I was sitting at a restaurant last night, and all I saw was a sea of black, brown, gray and navy. It was SO dull! Right now fashion is in this really interesting time where the only way you can screw up an outfit is for everything to match.

Seriously, though, this is SUCH a fun time in fashion where you can step outside of the box, and dress yourself like you were a little kid or something. You can wear your favorite plaid shirt under your striped sweater, add a polka dot skirt and step out of the house.

So, live a little my friends. Mismatch your clothes, and I promise you'll look more fashionable that usual. Don't believe me? Well, then listen to your favorite stores such as J.Crew, Anthropologie and Madewell.

Photos: Fashionising, Sartorialist, Citizen Couture, The Chriselle Factor, Madewell