fuck, it's cold.

well guys i am officially retiring my party hat for a while. consider me in deep hibernation from the outside world. i haven't had a bra on since sunday. thankfully my bloated lindsay lohan abdomen is creating a nice shelf for my boobs to rest on. my eye was swollen shut when i woke up this morning and i have no idea why. my body shutting down because of the alcohol and food abuse? on top of that it's the coldest i can remember it being in a really really really long time. i know it's colder in ny and montana and fargo and 60% of the country. i know. i know. but for us here in the semi tropical southern US, 19 is fucking cold. we aren't prepared. i have on 3 pairs of socks. i'm in a state of helpless depression, stress eating brownies, over all the animals out there. there's an image of a frozen puppy that some asshole posted on facebook and i can't get it out of my mind. A FROZEN PUPPY. 

i think sometimes the only thing that truly helps is retail therapy. what's more awesome when you're trapped inside like a doomsday prepper than receiving boxes from the UPS man?!  today it's sweaters. warm sweaters. CUTE, warm (mostly really affordable) sweaters. 

1. off white puffy sleeve sweater

2. blue oversize turtleneck sweater

3. heather grey wool blend sweater

4. red chunky knit sweater

5. black high neck slouchy sweater

6. pink and red color block sweater

7. the prettiest blue cable knit sweater

8. violet angora pullover 

excuse me while i own NYE

hope everyone had a great christmas. i can't complain. i got this book and it's everything i'd hoped it was. i also got those cute little harlequin place card holders from this post. my parents are the ones who snagged them!! can you even?!

we're in the homestretch fam. 

just one more holiday to go. i plan on being warm, comfortable and sexy until i black out. 

here's what i'm thinking...

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stretch jersey bodysuit - it's all about that scoop neck. but i'd also consider this turtleneck option. 

re-done crop jeans - high rise like i like 'em in my favorite wash. but love these or these and even these. 

slouchy stacked heel bootie in olive - an unexpected color and great shape. also love these in black patent, these suede platform booties, and these stars and moon booties.

emerald green faux fur coat - be warm. also that color. comes in violet too which i wouldn't hate. this blue one is great too. as is this black blue option. 

for makeup i plan on keeping it festive but simple and somewhat practical. i don't need the hassle of applying lipstick all night long so rosebud salve it is. all i need is a glittery cat eye with a healthy dose of waterproof mascara and this REALLY GOOD highlighter in all the right spots. (bought this highlighter in dawn for fiona for christmas and i've used it every day since. the perfect warm, peachy-golden shimmer.)

have a fun yet safe NYE everyone. 

holiderp

hi friends. i very much enjoy this kitchen by devol. frankly i enjoy 99.9999% of their kitchens.  

it's christmas in a matter of minutes and there isn't one gift under our tree. this is because we are not really doing gifts this year, not a lot anyway. we're getting a phone for fiona- her first- and a few books and, like, a space poster and a k-pop thing or two. i'm having anxiety over it. somewhere deep down i want there to be TONS of presents under the tree for her but i know this is bad. right? plus my almost 13 yo knows there is no santa even thought we haven't come out and actually said it. it's all just making my mom heart sad. 

my mantel never got greenery because i couldn't decide between the crazy expensive magnolia or shedding, pee-smelling pine so i stormed out like corky st. clair when the city council won't give him what he wants. our tree fell down on the 8th day of christmas or thereabouts breaking about 25 ornaments (including my brand new french fry ornament) and i haven't replaced any of them. there are pine needles everywhere and i don't care. only i do i'm just saying i don't because it's liberating to do so. even if i am a lying liar.

i was invited to more holiday parties this year than almost any year ever and i was only able to make it to one because OLD. but i wore a sweet velvet frock and purple velvet platforms and my makeup was great. 

i feel like i'm drowning most days. but i'm trying to just be grateful for all of it. i'm really loving my st. john's wort right now as well as this product followed by this one. then makeup followed by a spritz of this to set. i am one dewy bitch. 

for 2018 i am looking to change things up a bit.

here are a few things i plan on doing: 

i've already started by unfollowing a lot of young, vapid, pretty people on instagram. it was an easy confidence boost. 

read this book because it sounds right. 

also read the classics. and marie kondo the shit out of my closets and the garage. 

i plan on doing the food lover's cleanse again. because it's great and my whole family enjoyed it. and there's zero deprivation. it's more about portion control and healthy ingredients. it's an excellent re-set to healthy eating habits. 

and last but not least this haircut sooner than later. 

have a wonderful holiday. we'll catch up soon. 

friday things

inspiration berets. in case you needed a reason. (you don't.) i recently bought this one in iceland blue and it's perfect. warm, soft, easy to manipulate into the desired hang and shape, comes in a variety of colors. ok i ordered this one too. 

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snickerdoodle fudge. 5 ingredients. 10 minutes. christmas miracle. 

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easy bouncy waves tutorial. i watched. it's easy. 

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just try and tell me you wouldn't want to stay here for the summer. 

i'd also take a cozy winter weekend here. 

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filed under: appropriate. hangover tips. 

and finally..

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25 houses under 50k. weekend reading. if i could just get my hands on that bombay NY property. what i would do to that place. 

gimme all the books

i would like to recluse myself near a fire with a glass or 3 of wine and all of these books. 

vogue living country city coast - i have spoken of the quick peek i did of this book at the book store. it's complete joy. and i needs it. 

smitten kitchen every day - i'm a fan of deb. but also pizza beans! 

nigel slater's the christmas chronicles - my favorite cookbook author of all time. his words will make you want to cook. 

daily life by gert voorjans - i'm new to the stylings of belgian gert voorjans but count me as a devoted follower. many of his rooms were featured in this post. 

about decorating the remarkable rooms of richard keith langham - i don't know much about this book or RKL but sara ruffin costello wrote it and i like her. also this review, while meant to be a bad review, basically sealed the deal for me on why i think i'd love it. 

ben pentreath english houses - i'm actually kind of surprised i haven't bought this one yet. i have his first one and it's well loved. i must have looked through it a dozen times those first few days. 

scandinavian comfort food - i'd like to get to know more about what this food is. up until a year ago i had no idea i came from any scandinavian stock. but apparently i am like 90% swedish. 

remodelista the organized home - i think we all need this one. 

jamie oliver christmas cookbook - jamie is always my go to for holiday recipes or recipes that i know will taste amazing. nothing i've ever made of his has sucked. beyond that more of his recipes are our family staples than any other cookbook author. plus he is adorable. plus christmas! 

christmas best

ever since i laid eyes on this dress from pearl lowe i haven't been able to stop thinking about it as my christmas party dress.

i mean look at it! it's pure nostalgia. it comes in red too tho i think red might be too literal for me. i just love the silhouette and the lacy collar. 

i'd pair it with black opaque stockings and the sickest gucci platforms. a classic red lip and nail and a modern take on the simple and sweet pearl earring. 

but alas, the dress is too far away and it'd never get here on time. this dress has a similar silhouette and is equally festive and really affordable. gucci platforms are out of my budget but these in black are a good substitute. 

here are some other fa la la la favorites - this this velvet beaded bag, this pink lace dress, this hair bow lewk, this velvet frills wrap dress, this lace blouse to dress up your jeans, and this silver jumpsuit