I love...cute packaging!

These may be the cutest dang baby gift boxes you have ever seen.

I scored these little babies at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago and thought I would share the find since Christmas is rapidly approaching...


They were in the jewelry making supply aisle- not the gift wrap aisle- they are $2.99 for a 3 pack...



There are three different designs



Usually when I buy someone earrings they're from, oh, somewhere like Target and I have to fight with that sticky price label to get it off or I sometimes just end up cutting the bottom off of the little earring holder.



Not this time! These boxes come with a little insert that you can poke the earrings onto, then the receiver doesn't have to know the price or that you're almost 30 and still shop at Claire's. A win for all!




Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Deja vu

I was flipping through the Urban Outifitters holiday catalog...when my eyes landed on this picture-

(Scan of Urban Outfitters catalog Holiday 09)


Hmmm, it jogged something in my memory that told me, "I've seen this look before."

After a little searching I found where I had seen it before - on me, circa nearly 2 years ago!

The model is wearing a Silence & Noise tank for $38, a Kimchi Blue skirt for $58 (maybe hers has a little more fabric than mine, eek!), a $19 UO belt and $48 UO pumps. So a $163 dollah outfit.

I wore...

a black tank from Target, probably $10 or less

+

tucked into this skirt, the semi high-waisted American Apparel poly microfiber tulip skirt- $28

photo from american apparel website

+

with these shoes, which probably cost me $40 new (they were an end of season clearance on ninewest.com and I also have them in pink, sans slingback).

=

Here's my complete look. If I had added a belt my outfit would still have come in under a hundo. And you could offset the missing sequins on my tank (that the Urban look does have) by adding a spangly necklace, or as I did but I don't think you can see- big earrings.


(Photo by Candy. Wish I had a straight-on shot, but this model pose is the only angle I've got. And yes, the flash rendered my shirt semi see-through, hope that doesn't offend anyone's delicate sensibilities. It happens to the best of us- isn't that right John Kerry's daughter?)


Who did it better? You be the judge. Who did it for less? Me, baby!

From Hong Kong, with love

So in my time off from blogging (see: spending lazy days enjoying the outdoors), I never gave the update on my Chinese pashmina! For those just tuning in, I bought a pashmina - allegedly of 30% silk and 70% pashmina- on eBay. Also it was $1.98 and there were 40 colors to choose from. With shipping (3.99) it was a total of $5.98, which I still considered a semi-steal for the material and color options.

Here's my assessment:

Well, it took 2 weeks to get here cause it really did come from Hong Kong- meh, that's fine, I expected it.

First thing I went to do was rip off the sticker that said "100% real pashmina" or something like that... it was mega sticky. I mean real sticky, like the fibers of the scarf started to pull apart and at that moment I thought, "Is this scarf just a dyed dryer sheet?" It seriously felt kind of like it was made of the same material as fabric softener, like maybe you could rip it but it would be kinda hard.

I thought maybe the trick was that I would get it in the mail and it would be hanky sized, but no, it's totally normal size. (This is where I should give the dimensions, um, 4 feet-ish long?). So that is a plus.

The color is fab, I will say that, but I'm calling BS on the silk content. I threw it in the washer to check out it's resilience and see if it would feel less fiber-y and more soft-y, it worked. It's pretty soft, I've washed it a couple of times and it has not shrunk or fallen apart, so overall I'm pleased with the purchase. Pleased enough to link the ebay store that I bought it from in case anyone else wants to check it, here. They also sell pearl and diamond earrings for like 10 cents and many other things.



And for my next venture into cheap knockoff luxury goods from overseas, I'm considering one of the bangles below. Stay tuned for that possibility in the future...

Inspiration: Nature

I apologize for my absence from blogging, but the weather has been soooo awesome that I've been spending all of my free time outside! I know, blog loser.

Mother Nature is rocking so many fun colors right now for fall- I was inspired to seek out some accent pieces to match...

Purple


These interesting berry things were spotted on my dirt road, the color is fantastic. I don't actually own this purple scarf, but I want to. That counts for something, right?
(Purple scarf photo courtesy of jcrew.com)



Green & gray


I loved the way this apple with gray spots was sort of camouflaged in the grass. He inspired me to try my light-ish green heels with gray tights.



Yellow-gold-ish deliciousness


These plants are all over the place right now. Reminded me of this milk glass bowl of bracelets, etc. that I have on my dresser.

We're having such a fantastic fall this year, I don't want it to end!


Photos were taken by me unless otherwise noted. Please ask before using. Thx.