Get Ready to Get EXCITED

Today I came in the door from work and found my mail on a pile on the floor as I do everyday because our mail comes in through a slot on the porch (love that). There were so many wonderful Christmas delights I couldn't make my way through the pile fast enough. I received Christmas catalogues from 1. JCrew 2. Pottery Barn 3. Williams Sonoma. Where to begin???

I started with Williams Sonoma. OMG new obsession was found within those glossy pages. 12 Days of Christmas plates, napkins, table cloths, put together perfectly of course. Get excited about this. I want them, all of them. 12 Days of Christmas party anyone?

The salad plates come in a boxed set (hat box, mind you!) for 99$, not bad. I LOVE them.

Here are the dinner plates. Can you imagine those salad plates on top of these dinner plates? Sorry you have to per the website, but the catalogue brings it all together for you. I hope you got your today.

If you don't want to commit to buying the real plates, then this kit is perfect. All the ingredients for a 12 Days of Christmas party, but in the disposable version. Plates, napkin rings, place cards, cocktail napkins. Someone at Williams Sonoma is on top of their game because this is a home run.

Fashion Finds

I had a great weekend, and Saturday was the highlight. I first met my friend Katie at the mall for a delicious and perfect sushi lunch. We went to Kona Grill at Cherry Creek Mall-it will be added to our list of favorite spots.

I then shopped for a few hours, purchasing these at JCrew, on sale plus an additional 30% off:

I am going to order these boots (were out of my size in stores).

What do you think? Wise choices?

Wanted: Boots!

All summer I dream of the glorious day when boots get to come back into my wardrobe in a serious way. The first day of boot season is my favorite day of fall. That day is dangerously close, but not here yet. I have the following boots in my collection: black heals, short black flat suede, riding, short flat brown suede, tall brown with a heal, snow. Clearly I need to update and add to the collection. I'm looking to add a tall pair of black flats, a tall pair of flat browns. I love all of these-no they are not all in the budget, or on the list of "needs."



Franco Sarto 'Saddle' $198.95 NEEDSteve Madden 'Bonanza' $79.95 NEED

Cole Haan 'Fabriaza' $595 WANT

Jessica Bennet 'Joni' $244.95 WANT

Jessica Simpson 'Potla' $197.95 NEED

Ski Bunny

I know it's only October, but Denver is buzzing in anticipation of ski season. Around the office there is talk of the cost of purchasing passes, weekends in the mountains, new skiis, boots, boards, jackets, pants, how many inches the mountains are getting. Everytime the clouds gather in the west, the excitement grows a little more. It's snowing in the mountains!

When I first moved to Denver I did not understand what was so great about skiing. It's cold, it's kind of scary, it takes forever to get to the slopes because the traffic is terrible, and the equipment is heavy. After 2 season of learning, falling, whining, I finally get it.

1. The mountains are beautiful.

2. Fresh powder is all it's cracked up to be.

3. It's a healthy weekend activity.

4. Rolling hills on a freshly groomed run=heaven, really.

5. It's not THAT cold if you have the right gear...ok, the top of Breck is cold.

6. Apres ski-beer, bloody mary, pizza, hot tubs.

7. Skiing with friends.

8. Conquering a challenging run.

9. Ski towns-just like the movies.

10. Cabin weekends. This picture is of a late night sledding adventure last winter in Breck.

All That Glitters

I spent the weekend glittering Halloween delights! There is glitter all over my table, floor, and face. This is my scary Halloween table.

Skull with ruffle collar and feathers.

These velvet, silk, chenille pumpkins were a breeze to make and came out so cute.

Pumpkins are ready for their close up. There are still more in production. I want mounds of them everywhere!!!

Treasures from Home

It is always a very exciting day for me when I receive a package from home. Usually I have an idea from Mom that treasures are on the way, but I never know exactly what. That is part of the fun. I received these delightful autumn treats just last week. Thanks Mom and Dad!


Mom found this dress at H&M in St. Louis. She arrived to Denver wearing it this summer. I took it over later during the visit, and now I have my very own. That is why my Mom is so great. Per our rules, when I am complimented on it, I always say Mom found it first. Those are the rules.

Mom found this little French poodle pin and jet bead bracelet at the flea market and was so sweet to share them with me. The poodle will be making frequent appearances on sweaters and jackets this winter.

Mom also copied all of the wonderful paper products she found at the flea market and sent them to me in full sheets. I'm going to use them to update my little shadow box. I love this Halloween handkerchief too!

In every package I have ever received from Mom and Dad, there are always treasures from Dad tucked away at the bottom. There is usually a "natural" element-a plastic snake, or a part of an animal (sometimes gross), and there is always a carpenter pencil. I always get a carpenter pencil when I go home too. I have a nice collection now.

I liked the assortment this time. (1) Carpenter pencil, (2) pennies, (1) nickel, (1) bullet thing, (1) rattle snake rattle (Where this came from, I do not know).

Thanks very much for the treasures Mom and Dad!

I Want to Live in a RL World!

Summer's over, back to school....with Ralph Lauren of course. I am studying these looks this season. So far I'm flunking Ralph Lauren fashion school, as I have very few of the essentials he is showing for Fall 2008. Here's a peak at my RL Fall study guide.

Scarf under vest, yes please.

Colored jacket, pop the collar, scrunch the socks socks, wear a tie.

Ralph says hats are back, and I believe him. Feathers, velvet, structured, whimsical. I thought I was inspired to wear hats after the Coco Chanel lifetime movie. Now I am even more convinced of the hats place in a modern lady/fashionista's wardrobe. Get one.

Style notes: Tuck a button ups into a skirt. Wear a large belt, tights, gloves.

Buy a cool coat. Asymmetry is good. A large collar is good.

I want to live in this world Ralph creates.

Fall Finds

Saturday I visited the flea market and had a wonderful time! I am inspired to collage my Halloween party invitations with these vintage finds. I love the couple in the photo and intend to dress her up in some sort of costume, probably a fairy with wings and jeweled crown.


I also stumbled upon a table with 1/2 off all costume jewlry and scored these lovelies! The two jet brooches will make a perfect pair on sweaters, accompanied by this double strand-jeweled clip bracelet. I love the flea market!
-C

France For Your Fingers

This fall, if you can't make it to Paris, quench your thirst for French Fashion with OPI's fall/winter 2008 collection: Couture Couleurs, La Collection de France.

I'll be swapping out my previous favorite OPI, "Lincoln Park After Dark," for one (or two) of these beauties. While they are all lovely and named after places and things I hold dear, the three in the running to become my fall favorite are:

PARLEZ-VOUS OPI?
This smoky violet speaks the language of fashion.

LOUVRE ME LOUVRE ME NOT
“Exhibit” your sense of style with this royal purple.

BASTILLE MY HEART
Make hearts race in this glimmer of rich burgundy.

See them here: http://www.opi.com/france.asp