Perfect Pitcher

Oh Joy! Striped Stoneware Pitcher, $25

I took Ell to Target the other day and I told him, "You can't leave here without a full cart, you get Target-ized." And what happened, we left with a large present for my godson, tons of groceries and new bedding (which unfortunately didn't work out on our bed and must be returned, darn!). What we did not leave with is this adorable pitcher. Doesn't it look like it would be from Kate Spade? But with a way cheaper price tag! When I return the bedding I am going to search the store for one of these because I just can't stand to see it in another Instagram photo and not own it myself. It would make a perfect hostess gift as well. It is currently sold out online but check your local store because these are going quickly!

December Birchbox Reveal

I had been considering putting a pause on my Birchbox subscription for a few months because I didn't feel like there was enough variety in what I was getting. The cosmetic bag I keep in my purse of essential "To Go" beauty items is overflowing with hand lotions from past boxes. I told myself I would stick it out through the holiday and see how I felt. November was a curated box from Buzzfeed that I chose early as a Birchbox Ace and it got mixed reviewed around the blog world. I personally liked what was in it and make great use of dry shampoo, so that alone sold me. For December I left it more up to chance, opting to choose only one of my 5 samples and keeping the rest a surprise. I have to say, this has been one of my favorite boxes in awhile.

Acure Organics Lip Lush, Full Size $7.99

I love the idea of using organic beauty products because it makes me feel better about what I am using on my body. This lip gloss makes for a pretty pout. It's sticky like other glosses but the color is a little more vivid and it lasts longer than others I have used in the past. It has no glitter and minimal shimmer which I love because no one wants to look like they are using the same gloss from middle school. Will love even more in the spring when the time for bold winter lips has ended.

 Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm, Full Size $36

Full size on the pricier side compared to drug store BB creams, but I love the coverage on this one and have been impressed with every Dr. Jart+ product I have received in my boxes so far. This is a great everyday product, providing just enough coverage for day without the heaviness of a foundation. I like using this with a little blush and eyeliner to make myself look awake when heading into work. I have been stashing BirchBox points so this may join the list of contenders for my splurge.

Rusk Texture Spray, Full Size $18

After jumping on the short hair bandwagon a la Taylor Swift, I am loving this product to add a little texture to second day limp locks. I used a little this morning and got some body and volume without any weight or stiffness. This is a great product and I highly recommend to anyone who has recently joined the club and gone for the chop. Will definitely be ordering more.

 SeaRx Anti-Wrinkle Facial Lift Treatment Serum, Full Size $34

Now that I am 27 maybe my anti-wrinkle skin care regime needs to step up from just using whatever samples I get in my Birchboxes until they run out. Still, I feel it's hard to judge this kind of product from a sample. The smell and feel are fine. Just nothing to draw me in and make me commit. Like I said earlier, will use until finished and hope for no crow's feet. 

Vasanti Kajal Extreme Intense Eye Pencil, Full Size $18

This was my product choice for the month of December in Rose Gold. I thought this would be fun for the holiday and the color would be a nice compliment to my favorite eyeshadow palette, Naked3. The color is beautiful and it is creamy and luxe. The $18 price tag is a little steep though and I would be curious to see if I could locate something similar at a drug store price point since I would not be using this everyday. Still, very excited to get this and will definitely be adding it to my holiday makeup look!

Overall I was very pleased with this box and am staying on for the beginning of 2015. Hoping to make it to NYC soon to visit the BB Store and make my own awesome box. Then I could be sure all the samples were a perfect 10!

Throwback Thursday

Well except for maybe this video...

Boots

One of my favorite parts of the fall is stocking up on new boots. I love the fall weather. Nothing beats a 50 degree day you can spend outside in a jacket, blanket scarf and boots. After living in a warmer climate for four years, I really need to work on my winter footwear. A few weekends ago I was able to find some great ankle and knee-high boots in brown. My next purchases will be for the slushier days to come. While the weather has been beautiful lately, you can't trust the New England weather. We'll be shoveling before you know it.

Diba New Pilot Bootie

These boots are super comfy and looks great with jeans. At only $50, they are a great fall staple. I wore them apple picking a few weeks ago and they have been my go-to weekend shoe.

Croft and Barrow Riding Boot

My mom and I both purchased these at Kohl's, her in black and me in brown. They are very comfortable and even come in a wide calf. I found them to be more comfortable in that style because there was room to tuck jeans into them. You cannot beat the price and they look and feel great!

Huntress Wellington Boots

I have been wanting Hunter boots for a long time but they were difficult to justify living somewhere that only gets rain every couple of months. Unfortunately being so short the regular Hunters are a bit too tall. I like the idea of a wider calf so that I can tuck jeans into them and fit the crocheted Hunter socks in them as well. I really am drawn to this green color, though the shiny candy apple red ones are fun too! I think these will be a good choice for days following a storm when the snow turns to slush. Need these soon!

Sperry Top-Sider Saltwater Duck Boot

I really wanted to get Bean Boots this year but apparently you have to order them in the summer or they get back-ordered until January. Somehow I doubt that the snow will wait for my boots to be delivered so I think I am going to opt for these instead. They come in lots more colors and patterns, though I have always been a fan of navy. The hot pink is super fun but slightly less practical for matching. All I know is that these will be better for getting around in the snow than my Uggs!

On My Radar: Faribault for Target

For those of you that don't know, Faribault is a company based out of a community 50 miles outside of Minneapolis that produces 100-percent wool textiles. They make beautiful blankets and scarves that are both warm and durable. This fall the brand is joining forces with Target for an exclusive line of scarves, blankets, bags and tech accessories that are sure to delight this holiday season. I love the stripes and plaids, mix of neutral and bright colors and the uniqueness of their wool accessories. I have yet to see a price point on these items, but I am hoping that Target will have learned its lesson from last years over-priced holiday partnership with Neiman Marcus, which flopped, and keep this affordable because they will make great gifts-for yourself and your loved ones! The line launches in stores on November 2nd.

Shake It Off

I have never been a huge Taylor Swift fan. When this song first came on the radio I liked it before I even knew who was singing it. When I found out it was TSwizzle I wanted to not like it, but then it would come on in the car and I couldn't help but dance around in the driver seat as I sat in traffic out of Hartford every night. Maybe Tay should never have gone country. This seems to be her forte. Her new bob haircut is super cute as well. She may go on too many dates, but it's just so hard to hate on her for it when she's singing the one of the catchiest songs ever.

Cocktail Plates

I pretty much cannot go into Crate and Barrel without picking something up. After swooning over beautiful distressed wood kitchen tables and the deepest, comfiest couches you can imagine, Ell and I headed downstairs at the West Hartford store to look at some more practical, or at least affordable, pieces for our place.

There's something about the hundreds of perfectly shelved glasses and plates, colored roasting pans and aisles of kitchen gadgets that lures me in every time. On Sunday's visit there was no way I was leaving without the most adorable appetizer plates I have ever seen.

Cocktail Recipe Plates, Crate and Barrel

A few months ago we purchased a kitchen cart from Ikea that we have turned into a bar cart. I have slowly been curating pieces, and alcohol, to turn it into one of my favorite pieces in the apartment. I felt like these, with the recipe for some classic cocktails on the back, would be a perfect addition. I love serving cheese and crackers and other small bites on some plates with personality. I love that our dinnerware is white so almost anything else we pick up is a perfect match. Looking forward to having a girls night in soon so I can serve up some snacks on these cute little plates.