WRAP IT UP

Last minute shopping? (isn't that a given?) Last minute gift wrapping? Here are a few ideas to use things you may have or easy things that will give your gifts a little more personal feel.

Although this could look a little more festive, I'm happy to share this little idea with you to give your Christmas gifts a little homemade feel.  I've had a few of these "Christmas tree air-fresheners" in my car that have long-since lost much of their scent & i thought what better way than to use them as gift tags!  I took a blank mailing label and cut it to size to cover the original labels.  I never get anything other than the Black Ice scent but using the evergreen/pine ones would be more festive and along w/ looking nice it'll smell nice, too!

 It's always almost impossible to disguise a wine bottle--they're usually just sitting in a gift basket or have a ribbon tied around their necks.  For this I took an old cable knit glove (you could also get new ones to include w/ the gift) and put the "middle finger"of the glove over the top of the bottle. I then tied together the thumb and pinky and then the ring and index to create a braided/rosette look.  To make it more festive I ran outside and snagged a few sprigs off our cedar trees and added them to the bunch. voila!

This one is the simplest, and maybe the cutest.  Instead of using boring stickers or tags to identity who the gift is for...use a picture of them!  To unify, I decided to make my images black and white.  This can be a great way to bring up family memories and events by including old family photos.  Be creative-- cross out and circle people in group photos, or be specific and cover up everyone but the person getting the gift with bows!

HOLOGRAM

Look what I found....*_*, and what I could not pry myself from as I grazed around the rest of H&M this weekend-- A HOLOGRAPHIC PURSE.  If any of you are making your way to my blog from my personal tumblr, you already know the obsession I have for all things holographic.  It will definitely be my new going out carry-all and is the perfect size for such occasions!  Also thought I'd throw in an oldie-but-a-goodie with the fuzzy leopard chain purse.  Both are great to accessorize a sleek and simple or monochromatic look. 

LAYER LUST

Strongly influenced by the Man Repeller herself I took to my closet to recreate the look and revive my faith in the greatness that is LAYERING

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1. Look at this humongous flannel shirt. I am in a sea of shirt, and I am surely drowning. Steal your (hypothetical) boyfriend’s shirt for a day and curl up in his arms.

2. You can do pattern on pattern; do it, I dare you. Combining stripes with plaid is a safe bet for this fall, and are two things you’ll be sure to see a lot of in the coming months. Also think about the textures and thicknesses you’re working with...switch it up, just like your patterns!

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3. Two layers are for sissies, you didn’t think we weren’t going to half-ass this, did you? Throw on a loose T or a short sleeve sweater to add yet another layer of interest.

4. At this point you’re probably feeling a bit uncomfortable, wondering where your boobs have gone under all that fabric, and what you should do to take a few steps in the opposite direction of “I look like a little boy”.  Heels will automatically “fem” up the look. Bling yourself out with pearls and pink jewelry, or you can also go a little bolder with your makeup to offset the outfit.

MIX-MATCHED

I've been really into the idea of combining bold prints with bold prints and taking from what I have in my closet to do so. The mixing of prints was really big this spring/summer with floral so why not explore further...into the future?  I think it's great to throw the most ridiculous things together that don't really go at all...it creates a drastic push and pull and very unexpected look which I'm all for.
xx
Alex

Lace Leopard dress (Rodarte x Target)
Space Skirt (Homemade...thanks to my momma!)

WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET

I finally invested in a new wallet, in due time seeing that my last one had a velcro closure (I KID YOU NOT). 

 I love the size of this thing. Yes, it's a little on the "husky" side of things, but my philosophy is "the bigger it is the less likely I am to lose it".  The wrist strap is also another lifesaver- I hate lugging even the smallest of purses around so this little beauty is truly the perfect ratio.  The inside opens up accordion-style allowing you to sort your things and keep cards, receipts, and money separate and organized and easy to find (in theory).  I like that the tassels are easily detachable because tassels come and go...

I got mine at TJMaxx for about $20, I think you can get the latest model from Deux Lux here for $65.
(bottle opener keychain from a souvenir stand near Leicester Station in London...I bought about 5 or 6 and gave them out to friends...I should have gotten more!).

Au revoir,
Alex

CURRENCY CURRENTLY

If you know me in "the real world" you'll almost never see me in earrings, but lately I've hopped on the bandwagon and picked up some fabulous pieces. I don't know what it is about gold accessories but they make me feel powerful and like I've got all the $$$--so of course I couldn't resist those gold dollar signs.

Super pumped about this pink polish on my nails, too.  Pink polish is just about as hard to get right as pink lipstick, so picking up this cheap Wet n' Wild for 99 cents saved me from too much risky business and ended up being a dollar well spent.

Big Dollar Earrings

Cross Earrings- GoJane (sold out at the moment)

Wet n Wild in Tickled Pink (i picked mine up from the local Walgreens)

NEUTRAL(S)

A new combination of mostly old things, the battle with hair that desperately needs a trim, and bejeweled nails courtesy my grandma

Nails: my grandma bought me these nail rhinestones last christmas (maybe more than one Christmas ago, I can't remember, I just thank the lord she finally stopped giving me ugly toe socks). Anyway, I'm sure you can pick up some similar small stones at your local craft supply store.  

The trick is to wait up until the point your nail polish is still kind of tacky to put them on (you know, usually when you think you've waited long enough to do things and then make a mess of them). Then shellac the heck out of them with at least 2 layers of clear topcoat. Granted it didn't last more than 3 days on my grubby little paws, but yours will surely survive a little longer!

Blouse: Primark (of course a few buttons are loose..)
Skirt: Forever 21 (currently in stores!)
Boots: Kohls (for dirt cheap--I almost went back and bought a second pair)

<3