OOTD: Spring Ready

So yesterday's post was really blah I know. I was feeling really under the weather and couldn't think straight. Today's post is better, I swear.

Mostly because is an outfit post. It was a bit warmer the other day and we were going to dinner and I decided that I liked my outfit enough to take some photos for you guys.

I wore a striped top with an exposed back zip. It has 3 quarter length sleeves and a boatneck. I adore this top and think it's incredibly flattering on me. I got it last fall at H&M, and can definitely see myself wearing it through spring and into early summer. It is a thicker knit so I don't think I'd be able to wear it during the hottest days of summer, but it'll make an appearance for summer nights when it cools off.

These light pink/peach slacks with the ankle zips are quickly becoming favorites of mine as well. The sit a bit weird at my hips so I definitely need to wear a longer top with them, but I'm okay with that since I prefer that length for tops anyway. These pants are also from H&M and while they were bought recently, I did buy them on sale so I don't think you'd be able to find them.

My locket is from Jewelmint last spring. I absolutely adore it because its Rose Gold, and the style is interesting. It's called The Lovers Locket, and it has a pretty floral design on the front. I wish the design continued to the back, because it has a tendency to flip around. That might just be me though because I can never seem to get my jewelry to lay properly. I actually bought this necklace to go with the shoes I'm wearing in this outfit.

The Shoes are from Sam Edelman and are by far my favorite part of this outfit.

They're nude with a rose gold studded toe cap and a bow. I got them last year this time, but I think you can still find this style. These shoes are comfortable and surprisingly versatile. The studs and spikes give them edge, while the colors give them a very feminine look. If I had to sum up who I am in just one article of clothing it would be these shoes.


I've got a bit of a closer look of my face that I'll be using for tomorrow's post about the makeup I wore.

Flirty Red and other stuff

So I've changed my nails a few times. I blanked on the dates of some of them but I did a pastel skittle after the last nail post. I didn't like it as much.

I used Essie's French Affair, Essie Mint Candy Apple, Essie A Crewed Interest, Essie Navigate Her, And OPI Do You Lilac It. I'm not going to post a picture of every polish because there's a lot to be covered in this post.

A note about Do You Lilac It, it's one of the first polishes I ever got, and my husband gave it to me on Easter along with OPI's Go On Green. Normally we don't do Easter presents to each other, but he say me looking at a couple of polishes on Amazon one day a ordered them for me. He does that from time to time. If I've been sick he'll pick me up a movie or something cuddly. And once he randomly bought me Princess Diaries 1 and 2 after he overheard me talking to my friend about it being weird that I didn't have them because I adore Princess Diaries so much.

Back to the nails, then I canted them to I Think In Pink and Getting Miss Piggy With It, both by OPI. I wish I had gotten a picture of it because it turned out lovely. Which brings us to now I've been wearing Lancôme Flirty Red for the past few days and I love it. It's a dark red and its very rich looking.

That's all I really have to say because I'm feeling quite ill and am watching Cinderella. I'm upset about being sick again because I just got better. It's the weather fluctuation messing with my allergies and asthma.

What I wore: Menswear

For today's post I decided to show you an outfit I wore to go shopping not to long ago. This is less stylized than the outfit post I posted not to long ago. It had been a long day and I was tired by the time I got home. I promise the next one will be better. The majority of this outfit is from H&M.

The top is from the men's section, and I got it a size up from what I would normally buy so I can share it with my husband. It's pretty awesome, it has a red phone box on it and is a photo taken of a busy street at night. 

I call the pants my old man pants. They're actually from the women's section and are brown, black and cream check. I think the fit of these pants is kinda awkward, because of where the pockets sit, but it doesn't really bother me. I really like the ankle zips though, and the slightly cropped length. I actually bought these pants when I was obsessed with Mad Men because they have a very 60's feel to me.

My shoes are studded loafers from Wanted and I love them. They're comfortable and easy to walk in. I bought them, last summer or fall, I'm not really sure, at DSW for about 24$. 

For accessories I'm wearing bangles from H&M that I got in a set of 3, they're orange, black and cream, set in silver and gold. My earrings, which you can't see, are from Kate Spade. They're the clear gumdrop earrings set in silver. I'm pretty in love with them.

I kept my makeup very minimal, just a bit of my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation in B10, Too Faced Papa Don't Peach blush, Lancôme Brown eyeliner and brown shadow, and YSL shocking Mascara.

This outfit is very menswear-ish. I'm pretty in love with it and will probably repeat it as is. It was comfortable and I felt good in it. And really that's what style is about, wearing what you feel good in.

What time is it?

I don't actually own a watch. I know watches are a huge accessory right now, and that everyone is talking about them, especially the Michael Kors ones, but I don't have one.

I want one though, and I've been hunting for the perfect one. I looked at the Michael Kors ones that people seem to love right now. Most of them are Rose Gold though, and I'm not that big a fan of Rose Gold. Especially not for as expensive as they are. I usually wear silver more often, okay about 90% of the time my jewelry is silver.

So I decided not to follow the crowd and start looking other places for the perfect watch. And I finally found it...at surprise surprise, Kate Spade. You were surprised, weren't you. I mean I never talk about Kate Spade or anything like that. She hasn't been my favorite designer since she was mentioned on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy (by Carson Kressley no less).

Okay, so honestly it wasn't all that surprising, I do adore Kate Spade, the brand is classy, timeless, and fun and trendy. Plus it's priced well with most of the trendy pieces being lower priced, and the thing like clothes and shoes which are more expensive tend to have classic silhouettes with the pattern or color being what's trendy, which is great because as long as the silhouette is good it doesn't have to be the hottest pattern or color as long as you look amazing in it.

The watch I've picked is the Gramercy Grand in Stainless Steel. I love every thing about this watch right down to the hot pink spade on the face. It'll still probably be quite sometime before I purchase it, but it's definitely on my to buy list. I'm also thinking about waiting to see what's going to be in the Kate Spade Saturday line because I've heard the watches are going to be much less expensive.

What's your thought on the watch trend? My husband thinks they're pointless because my phone, iPad, laptop and car all have a clock. But I'm kinda completely in love with the trend. I used to own a small round faced Mary-Kate and Ashley one, that had a metal silver band with a to pink face, that I loved and wore til it fell apart. Literally, it fell to absolute pieces one day and I lost a few of the links so it wouldn't fit anymore when I got it put back together.

What To Wear: Valentines Daytime

Last night I posted what I would wear for a Valentine's Day Night Out so today I decided to post what I'd wear during the day running errands or just hanging out.

I started out with this sparkle heart Baggy Beach Jumper from Wildfox. It's probably their most famous top thanks to Taylor Swift and other celebs. I'm pretty in love with it myself, but unfortunately it's pretty pricey. The good news is the style is so popular that their are tons of decent looking dupes for it out there, including this one from Forever 21.

These red skinnies from Mango are really cute, but I think I prefer the Rockstar Jeans from Old Navy. Colored jeans are still going strong, and I think red is a great color. You can pretty much use it as a neutral. As Stacy and Clinton always say "It doesn't have to match, it just has to go."

I'm completely in love with Deborah Lippmann's Stop and Stare. I adore Deborah Lippmann's polishes, and this is a gorgeous red.

If you're feeling the need to toss your hair up, then these Heart themed Emi-Jay hair ties are definitely a must have. I kinda really want them for myself. I think other than the fact they don't damage your hair, the best thing about them is they double up as a pretty cute bracelet until you need them.

The Be Mine earrings from Kate Spade are absolutely perfect for this outfit. I've mentioned the necklace a couple times already, and the earrings once before too. I can't help it, I'm really in love with them. They're just so sweet and perfect.

Since this is for running around I added in this super cute purse from Anya Hindmarch. I adore this. The cute mini hearts studded all over it and the tiny little bow emblem. It's just perfect, and gorgeous.

Finally are these motorcycle boots from Sam Edelman. I had a super hard time picking between these and the same boots in black. But I think I like them in Nude better. I feel like it feminizes them a little bit. I love everything about these boots, from the side zip, to the rounded toe, and the studs being in both silver and gold. These are definitely going on my need list.

valentine day errands by fashionandhappythings featuring a zip around wallet

What To Wear: Valentines Day Night Out

Valentines day is coming up fast, it's in just a little over two weeks. If you haven't done your shopping yet, I have a gift guide for girls here and one for guys here.

Whether or not you have a sweetie, or will be painting the town red with your girls, it is the perfect opportunity to get dressed up. So I've put together my perfect going out valentines outfit to hopefully help inspire you if you're at a loss as to what to wear.



I started with this gorgeous lace black dress from awear.com. It comes with a red belt, but you can easily switch that out for one of your own, since the belts that come with clothing can be a little shoddy. I like this one from The Limited.

For shoes I picked these completely impractical but lovely Chiffon Booties from Chinese Laundry. I adore these and even though I'm terrible in heels I think these shoes need to find a new home in my closet.

For your Mani, I would go with this bubble gum pink Groove Is In The Heart by Deborah Lippmann. Pink looks so good with red and it will definitely pop on your nails. Plus who doesn't love that song?

For Jewelry I'd start with this Be Mine Necklace by Kate Spade (which would also make a super cute present), Love Edge Studs by Marc By Marc Jacobs and a cute cuff bracelet, the one pictured is by Mango but it's out of stock. This one from Brahmin is similar and just as cute.

What are your Valentines plans, are you going out or staying in?

valentines by fashionandhappythings featuring chinese laundry pumps

Nail change: Live Colorfully

I like things to be bright and colorful and happy and my nails are no exception. The result of this last nail change is really different from my usual nail behaviors but I was so happy with the results I decided it warranted a photograph.

I love how well my iPad case worked with my nail design this week. I think this picture just turned out so cute, and it makes me insanely happy.

To be honest I didn't leave Flirty Tankini on for all that long, I painted my nails too early in the day and having a small child means things to open and do constantly, so they were destroyed by the time I got around to repairing them I was just frustrated.

So I decided a complete change was in order, since I was thinking about rainbows and nail skittling I decided to go for it. So I picked 5 colors I thought went well, brought them out to better lighting and then switched them out so they were all the same finish (creme). Then I thought it looked off, the blue was too bright and the purple was off. After consulting with my husband we swapped them out until I was happy with the line up.

I used Essie's Navigate Her:

Color Club's Clambake Coral:

Essie's Play Date:

OPI's: What's With The Cattitude

China Glaze's: Sugar High

I decided I wanted the colors to be in different places on each hand, so my left hand I painted one nail at a time in order and after I painted each nail I painted a random nail that color on my right hand.

I'm really really happy with how it turned out, and even though its chipping now, I'm fine to leave it chip for a bit. I am thinking of doing Fly and Strawberry Margarita next, but I haven't decided.

I know they aren't winter appropriate, but the weathers been dreary, no sun, no rain, no snow, just dark and cold here so I needed something to brighten things up.

What To Wear: To Yoga

I know January is all about fitness for well everyone, and the top resolution is always to lose weight or get in shape. But even though my post on yoga clothes is timely, it's not because of a resolution. It's because I need to breathe. You see I have asthma, and in his hunt to try and make me breathe better, my husband read somewhere that yoga helps. He also read that it helps build your immune system, and can help with anxiety. Since those are all things I have issues with, obviously yoga is perfect for me. Yoga also helps with a ton of other issues you may have, really it's like windex (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, anyone?)

I'm actually not that big a fan of exercising, or eating heathy. But last year I went on a fitness kick that lasted until I got insanely sick in late August. I was eating better, and just walking on the treadmill for 15 minutes everyday. That doesn't sound like much, but it was better than nothing, and I did see weight loss and I generally felt better. So I thought I'd give yoga a try. I've tried it in the past, and I liked it, but being the horrible person I am, I kept giggling at the instructors mustache. Really she should have done something about that before putting a DVD out there, and like I said I'm a horrible, easily distracted person.

So today I ran out and picked up a Beginners Yoga DVD, and went looking or a pink yoga mat. I didn't find one so I'm going to have to order online. While I was online, I got bored and began looking at yoga clothes, and found that Aerie has a plethora of adorable stuff. I knew aerie sold stuff like that, but I though it was mostly dorm lounge things.

So here's my adorable Yoga outfit from Aerie.

First is the Seemless Bra shown in shocking pink, but honestly I want all the colors. A decent and comfortable bra is extremely important when you're doing any sort of workout. If you're wearing an improper bra you can actually hurt yourself. Your underwear is probably always the most important part of your outfit.

Then I have  the Pretty Hi-Lo Tee in Slab Grey, but once again I want all the colors. I'm kinda in love with it.

Of course you can't walk around pants-less,  and I adore these Slim Gym Yoga Skinny Pants. I think the tie at the side is adorable, and I prefer legging type pants when I'm working out if I need long pants.

I picked out this Daydreamer Popover incase I should have to run out while I'm still in my yoga clothes. While I don't recommend it, I can't say I haven't ever run out in my workout gear. Sometimes it just can't be helped. But if you're running out in full makeup and yoga pants its pretty obvious you haven't just come from the gym and aren't heading to it. Plus sometimes my house is just cold and I can't resist a cute Hoodie.

To finish off the outfit I added these socks as well as the headbands and hair ties. I am not a fan of cold feet or hair in my face so both of these are perfect, and the Emi-Jay style hair ties are super cute. Though truthfully, I prefer the Emi-Jay ones. They tend to just be better for my hair, don't stretch out, and come in cuter colors.

New workout gear always encourages me to workout, and after I stick with this for a few weeks, I plan on picking up the things shown above and a few other things. What do you wear when you workout readers? Any suggestions on where to shop?

yoga by fashionandhappythings featuring american eagle outfitters

Recent Nail Changes, and rambles

I've changed my nails twice since I last mentioned it. I told you guys I'm lazy.

First I put one coat of OPI's Teenage Dream over Deborah Lippmann's My Prerogative.

Which honestly came out kinda weird. I think it might be because teenage dream is old and I haven't worn it since my birthday last year so I think I need to use some of my nail lacquer thinner in it. It was weird because it was sort of edged with the blue, and ended up looking bright and glittery and dark and vampy at the same time. I wish I'd gotten a picture of it, but I ended up picking it off my nails last night while watching What Not To Wear.

Currently I have China Glazes Flirty Tankini on my nails, which is a pretty neon-ish coral.

But because I painted them in the middle of the day, which I never do because of this reason, they're all messed up, and it makes me annoyed. Like I have one nail that needs to just be repainted entirely and it's enough to make me want to take it off. Nothing against the color though. Then I kinda thought about skittle-ing it, and painting that nail a different color and then as they chip painting each nail a different color.

I think I'm having such indecisive-ness because I haven't bought any new polish in a while. I'm kinda on a spending ban, trying to save up for things, and pay bills so I haven't been able to buy anything. I haven't even gotten to pick up the Lancôme stuff I wanted to get.

But speaking of the Lancôme stuff, the blush is like $50 and I was thinking about the Urban Decay Naked Flush set instead, because its only about $30 and I know, but I have a hard time paying more than $30 for my foundation, and my skin are is crazy expensive so I dunno.

I have been looking at OCC nail polishes on Sephora and I think I want to order a couple of those because they're only $10 and Nails Inc (also on Sephora) because they're $9.50 and the colors are super pretty, and the names. I really want Anime from OCC

I'm gonna go fix that messed up nail now, and if you want to see the colors I've worn then go check out the polishes I've worn board on my Pinterest. I didn't re add in my prerogative because I was wearing that at the beginning of the year and I don't think I'm gonna repost repeats in the board, but I will tell you about them here.

How To Wear: Converse

Okay Readers, I know I've been talking about Converse for the past 3 days now. Like I mentioned in yesterday's post, I love converse almost as much as I love Hunter boots, but the difference is my love affair with Converse is pretty much reserved for the warmer months. While Hunter's a year round love for me, I just don't see Converse as practical in the dead of winter. Spring and summer though is a different story.

Since I've been talking about them so much for the past couple days, and because I've been obsessing about them (see above), I've decided to show you guys how I would wear white Converse.

I don't actually have a white pair, I want a pair and have asked my lovely husband for a pair for Valentine's Day. I think they're probably the present I put on my wish list that I'm most excited about. It should be noted that they are not listed on my Valentine's Day Gift Guide.... for her, because I hadn't quite become that obsessed with them yet.

 I do own a pair of pink high tops and a pair of black low tops Converse, both of them being the Chuck Taylor All Star style. The brand does other styles but the Chuck Taylor style are the most well known.


Enough of my yammering though and onto the outfits. (with more yammering to follow)

As I mentioned in my post The Romance In Traveling and showed in my post How Shoes Change The Attitude Of An Outfit I like wearing Converse with dresses. The first dress option I have is from American Eagle and is a casual dress that I plan on purchasing this spring because it's adorable, and I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of it this summer. I'd pair it up with the Be Mine Pendant from Kate Spade and this Buckle Enamel Bracelet from Michael Kors.

The next outfit is much dressier and it's this cute floral shift dress from Atelier 61 with these Earrings by Topshop and a Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac in Black. I'd probably wear this on a date or to a cocktail party where the guest list wasn't so stiff. Or if you're still in school a dance is a great option, that way you can dance all night without having to take off your shoes. I'm kinda really in love with this look.

Then I have a Chambray from Madewell with a a Skater Skirt from Topshop and a Kate Spade watch I'd probably wear this more early spring or late fall, but I think this is a darling outfit for a bookshop excursion or brunch at a bit of a nicer restaurant, not fancy, but not hole in the wall either.

 The last outfit is a Slub Knit Tee from Topshop, American Eagle Colored Denim Midi Shorts with a the Hold The Phone Pendant from Kate Spade and some Lacquered Spade Bangles. This is pretty much my summer uniform, American Eagle Shorts are my favorite, and I tend to wear them all summer long, then all you need is a comfortable tee and some colorful Jewelry. 

I'm sure you noticed that most of the things are either Topshop, Kate Spade or American Eagle, I'm kinda obsessed, but if you're a regular reader you already knew that. Everyone has their favorite brands though, weather they realize it or not. 


How do you wear your converse readers? Or are you anti-converse?

how I wear: converse by fashionandhappythings featuring pendant jewelry

How Shoes Change the Attitutde of an Outfit

My obsession with Hunter Rainboots aside, I do just love shoes in general. I have over 30 pairs currently and while that's not an outrageous amount, since I know people who own more, it is still a lot of shoes.

I think my favorite thing about shoes is how they can completely change an outfit. Your shoes do affect your accessories. But the base of the outfit stays the same Like this:






A simple sundress from People Tree and a cute cardigan from La Redoute.  Just the outfit basics, and some shoes I'd pair it with. I'll tell you what accessories I'd add and where I'd wear it too.

Well if I were going to wear these pink ballet flats, then I'd add a soft scarf and a pretty peach colored bangle. I'd probably wear this to a day date or a really casual evening date.

I'm not a big on wearing high heels personally, I don't walk well in them because I have bad knees. These however are lovely and if I were going to wear the heels, I'd wear them to an interview or a nicer date, and I'd add a delicate gold necklace and a gold bow ring.

I know both the options above are really expensive but you can find similar styles at every price range, those were just the first ones that I found that went well with this dress, and I didn't hunt longer because I really wanted to get this post up today.

If I were going on a hiking date or to an outdoor or garage concert I'd probably wear combat boots with some socks that are a bit higher than the boots so they show. I'd also add a long necklace and a bunch of bracelets. This outfit feels very 90's flowerchild/soft grunge to me but I kinda love it.

For an everyday, just running errands and brunch with my friends I'd wear white or maybe mint or peach Converse, toss my hair in a pony tail, add a bracelet or two and maybe some fun earrings and I'm completely ready.

Next to Hunter, Converse is definitely my favorite brand of shoes. They're really comfortable, and they come in a bazillion colors and there are customizable versions as well. They are the only shoes other than heels or ballet flats that I approve of with a fancy dress, like Kirsten Stewart wore here and here. I don't know why but it just works.


So that's four different ways to wear one outfit and the biggest change in any of them is the shoes, the accessories could all go with any of the shoes, they're just how I would personally wear them.

shoes change outfit by fashionandhappythings featuring converse

The romance in traveling

Dear readers,
I keep trying to name you in my head but I always come back to readers. Which is perfect because I adore reading, and feel deeply connected to people who read, and love reading as much as I do. So I like to call you readers, I hope you don't mind. It's not that I think you're my readers or anything like that. Just readers, that's all.

Now that I'm past that introduction, I've been thinking more and more about traveling. It's something I really really want to do. I'm itchy to do it, to the point where sometimes I suggest to my husband he can be a photographer anywhere and we should just up and move, to let's say England.

But today I'm thinking of Versailles, and how I want to be there more than anything right now. Spring in Versailles, how marvelous would that be? I'm a big fan of spring, it never disappoints, if there is warmth and rain, the flowers bloom, and I've always heard there's no place like spring in Paris, except spring in Versailles.

I took French, forever ago in elementary school, but I feel like if I took a refresher course, or bought a phrase book, it would all come back to me, it was something I loved. I think that's what I'll do this spring, reteach myself French. I can still say the alphabet, hello, how are you and my name is along with some random phrases. So that's something right

Because someday I have great plans to spend a long holiday in Versailles, wandering around in floral dresses and white converse, with a satchel filled only with a book a snack and water. Of showing my son where Marie Antoinette took her children to play, and the old stone houses. Of finding a tree to spread out under and have a picnic, watching the bees fly around lazily, never mind that I'm terrified of them, and am deathly allergic.

I dream of ignoring everyone for the scenery and my book, to have grand romantic dates on the balcony with my husband while our son sleeps. To be decadently, hedonistically lazy, instead of my usual I can't be, won't be, bothered sort of lazy. To lounge around in long gauzy maxi dresses, watching my child and husband play at being knights, or whatever.

No electronics, save something to play music, but not the harsh music I often listen too, but softer slower music, like Lenka, and an old television for my son to watch cartoons while his parents sleep in or make breakfast, and my nook so I can carry hundreds of books with me always.

It'd be the perfect dream vacation that I'd never want to come home from. One that would leave me recharged and filled with intentions to do things, that once back in the states I'd forget all about.

Doesn't that sound wonderful readers? For now though, I'll focus on stocking up on pretty floral dresses, finding all the best shades of pink and peach nail polish, Chanel has a great pinky coral out this season, and the best light not there but still perfect makeup. And reading, I plan to read so many books this spring. Maybe I'll even buy a few real books, along with nook books. I want to read flippy little romances that don't really have to do with anything. I don't mean hardcore romance novels, that are essentially porn, I mean flippy little books about finding love. Any good recommendations?

Rainbow Honey and Equestria!

Okay I'm a tiny bit obsessed with Nail Polish, I mean I only have 131 bottles, but something in my brain says that I need more. Lots more.

It probably doesn't help that one of my favorite blogs Nails In Nippon blogs about nail polish and she swatches the most beautiful colors. But usually it's something I own, or I own something similar and I don't really decide that OMG I kinda need that right now. Until her post on Rainbow Honey. Somehow I didn't know indie nail polish was a thing, and why I didn't I'll just attribute to me living under a rock, or something like that.

 But I digress, it is a thing, and it is amazing. After reading the blog post, which is about polishes that aren't yet for sale, specifically from the Sweet Talk collection, I wandered over to the Rainbow Honey website to see what she had for sale currently and that's when I discovered the Equestria Collection, and kinda died a bit. Then I sat down with my son and guessed by the names of the polishes which ponies they went with.

Then I decided as soon as I can I must buy the full Equestria Collection. Which comes in two sizes Full size 15 ml for $10 each or $80 for the set or half size 7ml for $5 each or $40 for the set. I'll probably be investing in the 7ml sizes, because I have so much polish. I actually really love that she sells them that way because it looks like she does all of the colors that way, and sometimes you just don't need a full size bottle. Most of the time I don't need a full size bottle, but if there was a particular color that ends up being my favorite I would probably invest in a full size.


I promise I'll do a review as soon as I pick the colors up!


Side note: I was wearing Lancôme's Noir Caviar with Orly's Shine on Crazy Diamond until recently and later tonight I'll be painting them with Deborah Lippmann's Putty in your hands and OPI's I Lily Love You, because I saw the dress Lea Michelle wore to the PCA's and I think if I use that combo it'll look like her dress-ish

Valentines Day Gift Guide For Him

I promised a gift guide for him for the upcoming Valentines Day. I had a bit of input from my husband on this one.

First up if you've got a bit of cash you can spend and he didn't get one for Christmas an iPad is a pretty sweet gift. They can be a bit pricey though so on the less expensive end of the spectrum I recommend a Nook HD or a Kindle Fire. 

If he's already got one or he's one of those rare technophobes then you could go with the always classic guy gift a book. Which book you buy depends on what he's into though. A big seller right now would be The Hobbit, because it's out in Theaters and since it's in 3 parts he might be a bit impatient to see how it ends. If he's a big reader though he's probably already read it though, so you could go with something off the best seller list, or a humorous book such as the Ask a Ninja book or  the Monster Hunter's Handbook.  Those last two are iffy and not very romantic.

A more romantic gift would be a cologne, and I'm definitely recommending Spicebomb by Viktor and Rolf. It's the companion fragrance to Flowerbomb, and like Flowerbomb it smells absolutely amazing.  If he's not into Spicebomb, then I recommend Burberry Brit for Men, it's another personal favorite of mine and if you haven't then I recommend you go smell it, immediately.

Tickets to a future show it a pretty sweet gift, or if you're the sort of couple that prefers nights in, then I suggest a "Movie Night In" kit complete with a snuggly blanket, popcorn, and a movie, my husband recommends Kill Bill, but my favorite Tarantino movie is Pulp Fiction.

A skincare set is always nice and you can go for the Core Collection from Jack Black or a classic brush shaving kit from The Art Of Shaving. You may think he wouldn't use it or he's already settled into a routine, but you'd be surprised how many men are willing to try something new, and better shaving cream really does make a difference. I bought my husband the Surpreme Clean Shaving Cream in the Jet Set Traveler Kit from Jack Black a while a go and a tube lasts him nearly a year and he says he prefers it to drugstore shaving creams "by far, it's a whole other level".

If you're looking for something simpler, or you haven't been dating long a nice sweater, or quirky tee from his favorite brand is a good idea because he'll think of you every time he pulls it on, and whenever someone asks him where he got it. ThinkGeek has some great quirky tees and if you're looking for a good sweater I'd hit up Macy's or Nordstrom.

Or you can follow the old proverb "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach" and give him an IOU to take him out to his favorite place on you, or if you're handy in the kitchen you could whip up his favorite meal or dessert for him.

Finally if you're short on cash or none of these ideas are hitting the spot an Itunes, Amazon, Barnes and Noble or ThinkGeek gift card is a great option. It lets him know that you're thinking of him, but wanted to make sure he could get exactly what he wanted, or if you know for certain he really wanted the new "so and so" album then you can mention that in a note on the Itunes or Amazon card to let him know this wasn't just a last ditch effort gift. Awhile ago I bought my husband a Barnes and Noble Gift Card so he could pick out his own nook case because I just couldn't decide.


Bonus Note this is my 100th blog post and I'm quite proud of myself for keeping up with it. For awhile I was really bad about posting consistently but I think Blogmas cured me of that. Now if I go more than 4 days without posting I feel like I'm being neglectful.

Valentines Day Gift Guide for Her

I don't know about you, Readers, but I am very excited for Valentines Day. Now I'm not one of those girls that didn't used to be but then I got a boyfriend, girlfriend, beard or what have you, I've always loved Valentines Day and it's pink and red and glitter, heart shaped, wrapped in parcel paper tied with string and lace doilies -ness.

As I've said in my last few posts I love, love. Now if you haven't been clicking that link in each of my posts it leads to Inches and Falling by the Format which is one of my all time favorite songs, so go give that a listen.

A big part of Valentines day is wondering what to get your loved one, I did a post on that last year, so of course I'm going to do one for this year.

Consider this a cross between a gift guide and a wishlist post. I have a variety of things I'm interested in this year so it'll be spanning that.


I like cozy things so I think either one of these Wildfox Baggy Beach Jumpers would be perfect. First is their now iconic Sparkle Heart, or there's the You've Met Your Match, which I think is just adorable and just perfect if you're a more established couple. The Sparkle Heart Jumper does tend to loose it's sparkles, which is another reason I love the You've Met Your Match one, no glitter means no shedding.

Also on the cozy front is this Arctic Pop Windcheater from Superdry. It's still winter where I live, so a snuggly coat, accompanied by a romantic walk through the park, or maybe a hike if your sportier than I am sounds like an adorable gift to me. I love that this one is pink and black, but if pink's not her color don't worry, Superdry has their windcheaters in multiple colors.

Also on the warm, dry and cozy front a pair of Hunter Rainboots with wellie socks are always a lovely gift, because as you know I'm completely obsessed with them. Hunter's come in a multitude of colors and styles but the ones I'm currently in love with are the Original Short Gloss Rain Boot in Pillar Box Red. 

If you're looking for a more classic gift than I think Flowerbomb by Viktor and Rolf is a lovely luxurious gift. It smells amazing and I haven't met many people that don't love it. It's even mentioned in If My Heart Was A House by Owl City.

Or if your looking for an equally lovely perfume that isn't as costly Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck (which I have and adore) or her newest Enchanted Wonderstruck, both are lovely and more reasonable priced.

For your more fashion loving bookworm there's My Favorite Dress by Gity Monsef, Samantha Erin Safer, Robert De Niet, which is a pretty coffee table book about the emotional attachement to dresses women have.

If she's a big tea or coffee drinker then a tin of her favorite blend and a nice mug from Anthropologie are a great personal but inexpensive gift. 

If you haven't been dating long, or are looking for something to go with the classic chocolate and flowers then gift cards are great. If you don't know where she normally shops, some good general ones are Itunes, Amazon, Zappos or Barnes and Noble.

Well that's all the ideas I have for now, but I'll be back tomorrow with a for him guide after talking to my husband for some more ideas.  


 

In Love with In Love

I'm so "In Love" with Lancôme's spring collection. It's the first time I've ever seen a collection and thought I need things from this collection. Especially everything Emma Watson is wearing in the ad, she just looks so stunning.

I kinda can't help it as I mentioned before I Love, Love, and this collection is called In Love, which I find to be just darling. Now since I'm not the sort of blogger who gets sent things, I haven't actually gotten my hands on this collection yet. But everything looks darling, and I can't wait to go buy things.

Which will be happening soon actually, I'll purchasing a blush, polish and if I'm avery lucky blogger lipstick next week, provided my finances allow. The blush is a necessity, since I've hit pan and then some on my beloved Too Faced Papa Don't Peach, the polish is to replace Sweet Heart and a few others that are that baby pink neutral that just don't quite hit the mark, and the lipstick is because I flat out adore it.

 Wondering which ones I'll be picking up? Well I'm having a hard time decided between the two blushes, which are 20 POMMETTES D or 10 PÊCHE JOUE-JOUE, I really want 20 POMMETTES D because I love the fresh pink shade, but I know I should go for 10 PÊCHE JOUE-JOUE because I'm very pale, and I generally wear peach colors the best. I'll have to wait until I can swatch them. The nail polish that I plan on picking up is the 301M Sugar Rose, which looks like a lovely baby pink and will replace at least two of my nail colors easily. I've had two Lancôme polishes now and they're my absolute favorites to wear, but both shades are very wintry colors and I, like all the collections in stores, am feeling very springy. I actually have a running list of colors I want from the Vernis In Love line and I will be trying very hard to save my pennies and buy those. The lipstick I'm in love with is 110 Urban Ballet which is described as a bright satin pink, but these lipsticks are described as Neon Translucent which being translucent would make it infinitely more wearable. I really want these as I love sheer lip colors (the sheer YSL's are on my to try list as well), actually I really want all of them but Urban Ballet is my favorite.


Also I should note I changed my nails to Essie's Turquoise and Caicos

and Essie's Super Bossa Nova 

I didn't change the design only the colors, but I think I'm going to change it tonight, to what I don't know but you'll find out in my next post.

Nail Change: Perfect Valentines Nails and a mini Haul

Disclaimer: These nails are not perfect.

The design would be perfect for Valentines Day, if it were executed better. If you're good at nail art then this is perfect for a super simple but sweet Valentines Day mani or pedi if you perfer.

I used OPI's Sweet Heart which I bought because Blair Fowler said it was a nice neutral pink like OPI's Bubble Bath, but it was better because it was easier to work with and opaque in 2 coats. It is opaque in 2 coats if you do it right, I've only been able to do that once, so I usually have to use 3 coats. Still better than the bajillion that bubble bath takes so I'm happy with it.

I actually did end up going out and buying a red shimmery polish, actually I ended up buying two polishes, it's an obsession. The first one is the one I used and that's OPI's The Spy Who Loved Me from the recent James Bond Collection.

The other is Gettin Miss Piggy With It from the Muppets Collection.

I know I said I was planning on buying more expensive polishes and less OPI's but I hadn't bought a new polish since before Christmas and OPI is easily accessible where I live. I have to drive an hour on the other hand for Lancome or Deborah Lippmann or anything other than OPI, Essie and China Glaze.

The design I did is a red heart (The Spy Who Loved Me) on a light pink background (Sweet Heart)

Please excuse the dings and creases, I did these right before bed and didn't let them dry all the way. I painted the hearts on using a tiny paint brush and am really amused that the better hearts are on my right hand. I'm holding my iPad case which is by Kate Spade. I like how this turned out and any proper photos of my nails will likely be taken this way.

This lasted on my nails for about 2 days, then I had to take it off. I like Sweet Heart and can see myself using it again, but not with the design and only because it's decent for when I want a milky pink. I really don't like having to use 3 coats of anything though because it seems to chip easier. I feel like Essie might have some better light milky pinks and Lancôme has one in their spring line right now that I'm hoping I can get. If that's the case then Sweet Heart may end up in the to be given away box.

If you notice on the Pinterest board that the date they're pinned and they date they say they were used don't match, well that's why I'm dating them. I'm a bit lazy and or it's been used but it's new so it hasn't been photographed and uploaded yet. Sorry about the discrepancies but I promise that the date written in the description of the pin is correct.

Nail Change: Hearts and Glitter

Hello lovelies, I changed my polish on the 3rd and they've made it to today, but since I'm about to change them I thought I'd show you what I had put on.

Since Valentines day is in a little over a month, and I love love, I decided to go with Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not, and then because it wasn't quite children's craft hour valentine enough I added a coat of Nothin Mousie 'Bout it on top, both by OPI. The result is very pretty.

and here it is on my nails:

The upside and downside of any kind of nail art is that I get bored of it very quickly. I just can't help it, I'm definitely not the girl to walk around with palm trees or cherry's on her nails for a week, or if I'm being honest even a day, hearts will last a bit longer, but I don't think I've ever kept them on long enough to chip off the nail.

Today I'm going to be doing another Valentines themed mani, with Red Glitter and a nude base and I'm kinda very excited about it. It might mean a new polish but if I can avoid it it won't. I need a glittery red, but I don't actually have one. I might use actual glitter on the nail but I don't know, we'll have to see what I come up with.

Nail Polish Challenge or 129 bottles of Polish on the Wall

Happy New Year!

I don't do resolutions, I don't see the point since most of them aren't kept. I also don't see the beginning of a year as a fresh start. But instead as just a marking of the passage of time.

I am however starting a new project today. You see I follow ForeverAmber.co.uk, this isn't her only blog, she has others, but that's the one I follow the closest. She mentioned on that blog that on a different blog, her Shoeperwoman blog to be exact that each year she does a shoe challenge to make sure she's actually wearing all those lovely shoes she buys. More info on that at the link.

I don't have as many shoes as her, but I do have an insane number of nail polishes. 129 to be exact, and I know I don't wear all of them. Unlike the shoe challenge, where the goal is to save the shoes (she is a shoeper hero ya know), my goal is to get rid of some of the polishes.

I have far to many polishes, and some of them I know I don't love and some of them don't get enough love because they get forgotten about and others I think I love but then I put it on and instead I loathe. So on the 29th of December, my husband and I sat down, photographed every polish I own, took down the names, edited and watermarked the photos, uploaded them with their proper names to Pinterest and boom challenge ready to start on the January 1st.

That sounds like a lot of work right? Well it wasn't so awful, it only took 6 hours total, but if I weren't married to someone who is both a photographer and computer programmer it would have taken much much longer. So I was very lucky.

Being that this is a challenge there are some rules.

1. If I don't wear the polish by December 31st 2013, it goes
2. If I wear the polish but hate it on, it goes
3. I must wear the polish for more than 24 hrs for it to count
4. If the polish chips to the point of looking awful on the first day then it goes (note on this rule: I don't mean tiny chips, I mean ugly noticeable chips that make me want to pick it all off my nails)

I know that I have way to many and because of that I have polishes I love that get forgotten about because they get buried under other polishes or shoved into dark corners. I've already seen several polishes I loved that I had forgot I owned.

I'm also doing this because I'm a bit tired of changing my polish nearly every day and I've recently discovered that I can buy one Lancôme polish for the price of 2 OPI polishes, but it also stays on the nails twice as long and I usually have to use less coats, which means that the more expensive polish is worth my money, but the cheaper polishes aren't. Sort of a you get what you pay for thing. On the other hand I seem to be the only person with the OPI chipage problem so maybe it's just me. Maybe the formula of the OPI's don't adhere well to my nails. Maybe it's just certain polishes that chip badly and others of the same brand are fine. That is what this challenge is meant to show. 



I pinned all of the polishes I own to a board called Nail Polish and once I've worn them I will be moving them to a board called Nail Polishes I've Worn - 2013. As you can see I've already pinned one polish to the board, and that happens to be Deborah Lippmann's My Prerogative, which is one I got from my parents for Christmas in the She's Always A Woman Gift Set.

I love this color, it's a nice even creme blue and is the first non-glittery polish I've tried from Deborah Lippmann. I really like them, which I'm not surprised about since I love the glitter polishes she does.

The second Polish I've pinned is also by Deborah Lippmann called Raspberry Beret and is from the same gift set I got from my parents.

I'm wearing this one on my toes and I love it. I've used Deborah Lippmann's glitter polishes before and I adore them.

Both of these polishes started out on my nails last year, but I'm counting them because I've worn them for several days already and they're still pretty much in perfect condition and I'm not thinking about changing them or taking them off yet.

 This doesn't mean I won't be buying anymore polishes, I will, trust me I have a list of polishes and brands that I want to try. It just means that as I do buy more they will be photographed uploaded and moved as they're worn. I also will try to post here each time I've worn a polish and what the verdict is, if I keep it or it goes. They probably won't each get their own post, but most likely be a sub note on whatever I'm posting that day. If I change them and don't have anything else to post about then I'll put up a short post of just that polish and the results.

I won't usually be uploading pictures of my nails unless I do some sort of design I really like, or I'm reviewing the polish. For polish reviews they're will most likely be multiple photos with my phone or iPad's calender in the background so you can see how they wear over time.


 I'm really excited about this challenge I've set for my self. Happy New Year!