While it’s always fun to shop for presents for parents and loved ones, my gal pals have got to be the most fun to shop for – after all, they’re the most like me! In the spirit of holiday giving, head over to Outblush for a ton of great gift ideas and while you’re there be sure to check out my Special Guest Post on a lovely item you might just want to get for yourself too!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: bags, Banana Republic, camera, coffee, David Yurman, Keurig, Louis Vuitton, rings, watch
I had a lovely few days visiting my parents and I can actually say I’m already looking forward to going home again in just a few weeks! While I was in Memphis, I got a chance to try a couple of newish restaurants opened by family friends that were quite delish! I could pretty much eat the cheddar grits fries at South of Beale every day, and the chocolate cheesecake at Mosa was sinfully wonderful (and a welcome surprise at an Asian fusion restaurant)!
So now that Thanksgiving is over, I’ve perused just about every magazine gift guide, and I’ve officially begun my holiday shopping… it’s time for the most relevant gift guide – the Wonderfelle Gift Guide (that is, the gift guide to buying presents for me)! My parents still ask what my Christmas list is every year… and since this blog is essentially a giant wishlist in itself, I figured I’d try to narrow it down for Santa, so here it goes…
Dear Santa,
Let me start by saying, this year I’ll be leaving you a whole chocolate cheesecake and a bottle of Dom – hopefully this makes you more amenable to my following requests! I’ve been a good girl this year – I got my first apartment all on my own, passed 2 important levels of securities examinations at work, was a fabulous maid of honor at your eldest daughter’s wedding, started a blog loved by nurses around the world, and even taught Mrs. Claus the wonders of facebook and text messages.
The following is a list of things (in order of greatest desire) that I would love to find wrapped under the tree (I’ll even wrap them myself if that’s helpful ;) )
David Yurman Waverly Diamond Cuff Watch
As Santa might know, I don’t wear a watch. I generally don’t like the way they look on my small wrists and I tend to like a particularly feminine style (in other words, I don’t like watches that look like traditional watches), but of all of the options I have seen, this is the perfect watch for me! It’s an adjustable sterling silver bracelet with diamond accents and a mother of pearl dial – if I were to get just one thing this year, I this would be it.
Louis Vuitton Palermo GM
Santa may not understand the female need to have another bag, but this is an investment piece that I will have and use forever. Why this bag? Described as having “soft pleats. Feminine styling. Large practical space. Ideal for modern women,” it’s the perfect size and style for everyday use. It’s a classic luxury item and if it should find its way under the tree, I promise to treat it well!
DSLR Camera
My (decent) camera was stolen a few years ago in Uruguay and at the time I replaced it with a not-so-decent (read: practically plastic) camera that is generally underwhelming. This Gizmodo article discusses 4 DSLR cameras for every budget and while I would be happy with any of them, I think Santa may be more knowledgeable about what is the best option. I’d like to incorporate more original photos in this blog and this would really help…
Keurig Special Edition B60 Gourmet Single Serve Coffee Maker
Like you Santa, I need a cup of coffee to get me going in the morning. The thing is, it’s not worth making a pot of coffee every morning when I only want one cup – not to mention its a pain to clean. This single serve coffee maker is perfect (my boss has one in his office) – you pour in the water, put a pod in and coffee is served in less than 60 seconds. Maybe I don’t need a new coffee maker, but it’s certainly cheaper than stopping at starbucks on my way to work every week!
Pinwheel Ring
The holidays are the perfect time to debut a sparkly cocktail ring and I think the price on this beauty is more than worth it. It’s even small enough that it could fit in my stocking… just a suggestion!
Thanks Santa! (Feel free to contact me to discuss sizes or other ideas)
What’s on your wish list this year?
It’s come to my attention that I don’t have a pair of basic, black pumps. They’re all sparkly or studded or have big bows or red chunky heels or gold plated toes… and I’m okay with that. I’ve had my eye on these patterned leather 5 1/2in high beauties… I’m thinkin the modified wedge shape might make them more comfy? Or at least relatively speaking…
Institutional Investor: Yves Saint Laurent Pump ($795)
Retail Investor: Dolce Vita Women’s April Pump ($160)
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: boots, dress, Elizabeth and James, Frye, GAVI, Studs, Thanksgiving
We will now pause for turkey ;) I hope everyone had a Wonderfelle Thanksgiving! I’m thankful to not have to work for a few days and to be somewhere a bit warmer! Since I’m basically eating and shopping all weekend, I’m dressing for comfort and a food baby of course.
Clearly this situation calls for leggings, loose layers, and some cowboy boots (it is the south, y’aalll).
I fell in love with this Elizabeth and James Faux Fur Cocoon Shrug ($565) in K’s post here and needed to have it immediately. I’m currently burrowed in bed in an almost identical ensemble – seriously, it’s redic soft and even more redic warm. You should be very, very jealous.
These Frye Deborah Studded Boots ($648) have been begging and pleading me to move into my closet, but the small army of cowboy boots already occupying that territory is emphatic that this is NOT going to happen. Unless they are a gift… like a peace offering… that would be ok, right?
Enough. I have shopping for other people to do. If you’re not crazy enough to deal with black Friday crowds (unlike my family… where it’s more than a tradition, it’s like a mandatory activity) you should definitely shop through nonprofitshoppingmall.com where a percentage of every dollar you spend at over 300 different retailers (everywhere from Saks to eBay to wine.com) will automatically go directly to the nonprofit organization of your choice… and not to blatantly plug it again (ok, well maybe), but if you need help picking an organization GAVI is an excellent choice! Shopping and saving lives, yes pleeaaase.
(Image via We Heart It)
What are yall fixin’ to do for Thanksgivin? My sister and brother-in-law and I are all headed down south to visit my parents and younger brother in Tennessee. I haven’t been home in awhile, and occasionally I get strange pangs of longing for my home town (or really for southern drawls, chicken biscuits, real sweet tea and big parking spaces). Z has yet to really experience my hometown so I’m pretty excited he’s coming home for the holidays this year! He’s a cali boy so we grew up in completely different environments so it’ll be fun showing him things like the small all girls school I attended for 15 years (where ballet was a required class and chapel was a daily activity), old school plantation homes, graceland, and these ducks (they are awesome).
Leanne Marshall Helene Wedding Dress ($1,295)
Leanne’s Etsy shop has been empty for months but this ethereal dress recently appeared and I’m drooling over the airy layers of ivory organic silk blend fabric. Not that I’d want it as a wedding dress, or really to wear at all – I sorta just wanna look at it and pet it and maybe prance around my apartment like a ballerina in it… with shoes like these:
Rene Caovilla Jeweled Sandals ($1,480)
Swoon.
Ughh GG rerun tonight. This is my sad face :( Well back to the beginning of the season, I loved how ladylike Ms. Blair looked in this regal red ensemble, but didn’t so much love the price on the Victoria Beckham dress… luckily I found a quite similar option!
Institutional Investor: Victoria Beckham Carmontelle Cashmere-blend Dress ($3,145)
Retail Investor: ABS Seamed Peplum Dress with Brooch ($216)
So I told myself I wasn’t allowed to buy more new clothes (or anything really) until I had finished started my holiday shopping… but it was a long week and Z was looking for new jeans so while I was waiting I was just going to try on a few (ahem, 5) dresses… and somehow I accidentally ended up with a shopping bag of my own. Ooops! No surprise that I fell in love with 1) another little black dress that 2) has a big bow. It’s a lil bit like the D&G Bow Dress ($525) pictured above but wayyyyy cuter (and less than half the price!) and will most likely debut at a holiday party with lots of sparkly jewelry (like this).
Anyway, while searching for a similar dress for this post (meaning i googled something like “black sheer top big bow dress”), i happened to discover that one of my favorite shopping sites REVOLVEclothing apparently has a spin-off site FORWARD by revolve that’s sooo great! I know this isn’t exactly breaking news (since FORWARD launched like a year ago…), but I guess I’m not the only one who didn’t know about it since I just asked a few fashionable friends who didn’t know it existed either. So in case you’re in that boat, FORWARD specializes in emerging designers/ progressive collections and also offers the free overnight shipping and returns that makes shopping at REVOLVE so easy. And not that I need any more party dresses, but I’m a little smitten with these…
ISSA Short Cape Dress in Cherry Print ($558)
Cape dress??? Seriously? I’ll take one in every color, please.
Future Classics Tulip Dress in Black ($863)
At some point in the future (likely not any time soon) maybe the fashion world will run out of little black dresses that I adore (and can’t afford..) until then, I might as well share ;) Structured draping, exposed zipper, pockets! Stunning.
Brian Reyes Cartridge Sleeve Dress in Optic White ($894)
I might be in love with little black dresses, but I’m currently having a mini affair with little white(/ish) ones (examples A, B, and C). Maybe it’s because I just like the contrast between airy white dresses and black tights in the winter… or because I’m ready for spring already… or because I want a fuzzy white bunny like this.
My girl B was looking for some bright blue cocktail shoes to spice up her go-to LBD, and i thought it was appropriate to suggest none other than Carrie Bradshaw’s (courthouse) wedding Manolos… or at least some lookalikes!
Institutional Investor: Manolo Blahnik Something Blue Satin Pump ($945)
Retail Investor: Martinez Valero Zenith ($164)
(via Sea Unicorn)
Before this season of Project Runway even started, I fell in love with Carol Hannah’s Etsy shop (and blogged about it here). Did yall watch the finale? I’m not surprised Irina won, but I have a soft spot for Carol Hannah (she’s southern! and loves dresses! and weddings!) So in celebration of designers on Etsy, I’m sharing some of my newest obsessions. Like the Vintage Summer Bow Necklace ($25) above… (stocking stuffer, por favor? update: someone bought the bow necklace! lucky, lucky you.)
Agnieszka Swiatly Little Black Dress ($399)
There is clearly a disproportionate number of little black dresses on A Wonderfelle World, but that’s just how I roll. However, if you prefer other colors, all you have to do is ask and she can make it! I think it would look lovely in aubergine as well. Or maybe I’m just in an aubergine mood since I saw these awesome wallabee inspired shoes on Shell blog earlier.
Agnieszka Swiatly Blue Silk Draped Dress ($290, at left)
This shade of blue is so rich and stunning. It kinda makes me think of the part of Lake Tahoe right before the bottom drops and the water turns almost black (and your boat breaks down… yes it happened, sooo not fun).
Holly Stalder Ivory Silk Backless Dress ($220)
Earlier I was justifying the need to have multiple wedding day dresses to Z (hair/makeup, ceremony, reception, going-away…) and I think this falls perfectly into the last category. Can’t you just picture a happy bride jumping into her “just married” adorned vehicle in this fun little number? (with different shoes of course)
Another view of the dress but in black ($240) this time. I think an exposed back can be incredibly more provocative than a plunging neckline (in a good way). Holly Stalder is another designer out of Portland – can’t say I know much about the city, but I do know there are a ton of amazing Etsy designers coming out of there!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Fallon, Glamour, Michelle Obama, necklace
I’ve been a busy, busy girl catching up with things since that nasty flu took away 2 weeks of my life, but I’ve finally gotten myself caught up with the pile of fashion mags that have been building up on my coffee table. I’m not usually one to fawn over the First Lady’s style (nothing wrong with it… I’m just not jumping on the wow-it’s-really-great-she-wears-JCrew bandwagon), but I am a little smitten with the Fallon necklace she’s wearing on the December ’09 cover of Glamour.
Crystal Khaki Bow Necklace ($682)
You know I love me a big bow (or two), but these are removable in case that’s not so much your style.
It also comes with multicolored stones and navy bows here. This version’s an “overstatement” necklace in my opinion, but Fallon jewelry isn’t exactly known for being quiet and reserved. Do you think it’s too much?
