Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Last Minute Ideas

    The Holidays Are upon us.  Where has the time gone this year????  If you are still scrambling to finish your holiday shopping for everyone on your list, you are most definitely not alone.  Here are few items that I think anyone would love to get and what is perfect is that you can either shop in the actual stores or online for these goodies.


Here is where you can find these gifts:

Bracelet:  JCrew
Milk Can:  Anthropologie
Sweater: Banana Republic
Piggy: West Elm
Necklace:  Francesca Collection

You can find most of these stores in your local mall or if you act quickly most of these items, purchased today, will ship to you by Christmas Eve!  Just check out the websites.

Happy Holidays!!

xoxo

~P

P.S. Just click on the name of the store and it will take you the exact item shown!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Our Top Ten Lists for Winter


As the weather turns cold, we start looking for ways to warm up...our wardrobes, that is!

Princess and I have compiled our best picks for winter under $25, $50 and $75. Each of us has created a "top ten" list that we want to share with you!

Check out our picks below. If you click on the polaroids, you will be brought right to the link for the item. Maybe these items will help you cozy up your winter wardrobe as well...and at prices like these, it's not a crime to indulge!

Hope you enjoy our picks as much as we do!



Princess' Picks:

UNDER $25:
1) I think we've established on this blog that both Budget and I are knitters. We've also established that I am obsessed with scarves. For those who love scarves as much as I do (or even if you don't), this scarf is a great accessory to keep you warm in the cold winter months. I especially love the winter white color and the cozy look of the scarf! You can snag this scarf from H&M for a mere $14.95. Quick! Snatch yours before the store sells out.


2) I'm a firm believer that all girls love a little sparkle in their lives. And, if that sparkle doesn't cost a lot, that just makes it more lovable! This bracelet will be a great addition to a holiday party outfit or an outfit worn to work. You can find it at Express for $20.93. With prices like this, why save the sparkle for the evening? I say wear the sparkle all day long!


3) Once again, we've established in this blog that I love clutches. This clutch from H&M is perfect to store all of your needs for your holiday soirees. The envelope style clutch is very in right now, and at $24.95, grabbing this clutch will help you to "keep up with the Joneses," but won't break your budget!









UNDER $50:


4) The military look is in! This wool coat from Old Navy is perfect for those casual outings with friends on a chilly winter day. Add a scarf, a cute knit hat and some gloves and you are ready for anything the day may bring your way! It comes in navy or camel and at only $49.00, you can snap it up in both colors! (And it would go perfectly with the boots that are my #6 pick!)








5) I know what you're thinking...this is makeup! But, I love makeup and I have always felt that makeup is a necessary accessory for any outfit, whatever you wear. A friend of mine turned me on to this palette and, let me say, it does not disappoint! This palette gives a girl every color she would need to take her eye makeup from daytime to evening. Even a makeup novice would love this! Pick it up at Sephora for $48. It would make a great gift for yourself or a last minute holiday gift for a friend!







6) In the winter I am all about boots. These cute wedge booties can be worn with jeans, slacks, skirts...whatever the day calls for! I love the suede look of these shoes and the wedge heel will give you more stability as you run around town. Want these boots? Find them at Piperlime for $49.99. Act fast, though...at these price, these boots are sure to go walking!








7) I have been drooling over this necklace for a while now. I'm a big fan of statement necklaces, but they have to have some sparkle in them for me to love! This necklace is the ideal addition to any girl's wardrobe. It is sophisticated enough to wear to work and it can easily transition to a highlight for your nighttime look as well! Find it at Bauble Bar for $36.00.








UNDER $75:


8) In the winter I love pulling on a pair of corduroy pants. They are perfect for any winter day--whether heading to work or spending the day with friends. These pants can easily switch from a casual to business look, it just depends on the shoes and accessories you pair them with! These corduroy pants from J.Crew come in a plethora of colors to choose from. Plus, at $49.99, you should grab one or two pairs for your wardrobe!







9) Once again...as you know, I love bags. I especially love a good tote bag! The best kind of tote bag is one that looks chic enough for work, but can carry all of my belongings in a fashionable enough way to  spend the night out on the town. This bag's color makes it perfect for any outfit you can think of. It will go with pretty much anything in your closet...and who wouldn't love that? Pick it up at Francesca's Collections for $54.00.








10) In the winter, all I want to do is get cozy in an oversized sweater. This one certainly fits the bill! I love the texture and the color. The light blue color will certainly stand out when all of the colors you see this time of year seem to be deep, rich and dark. If light blue isn't your thing, it also comes in pink or tan. Get it from ASOS for $50.90.









Budget's Picks:

UNDER $25:

1) There are few things I love in winter as much as a cozy pair of slippers. I find that when the weather drops, my feet are always cold! These boot-style slippers are warm, cozy and super affordable! At only $10, they are a steal! They come in 6 different colors and patterns and can be found at Old Navy. (In fact, you can see how much I love these slippers in my "The Little Things" post!)








2) Just because it's cold doesn't mean you have to bundle up so much that you don't look pretty. That's where this gorgeous cardigan from The Gap comes in. This pointelle cardigan is great for work, for weekends and for nights out with friends. It has a little hint of shimmer, which makes it great for any holiday party! I'm partial to the pink, but it also comes in black or grey. Snag yours today because at $23.99 they are sure to be flying off the shelves!







3) What's more winter than the dropping of the New Year's ball? If you can't make it to Times Square to watch the glittering ball drop, then go for the next best thing...this glittering ball around your neck. This pave ball necklace is a perfect year round addition to your wardrobe. It's simple enough to wear every day, but beautiful enough to wear with formal attire as well. Best part about it? It's only $24.00 at Bauble Bar!








UNDER $50:

4) Who doesn't love a great handbag? Even more, who doesn't love a great handbag at a fabulous price? I love handbags that are stylish, yet roomy enough to carry all of my goods. And, in the winter, that includes gloves, a hat, an umbrella...anything and everything I can fit in there! This bag from Aldo certainly fits the bill. I love the color--it's a pop of camel colored brightness when the winter days are grey and drab. It's a steal at only $34.98!







5) There is nothing quite like a beautiful winter coat. I especially love the toggle buttons on this wool blend coat from Old Navy. I love the bright purple color--it, and you, will certainly stand out in a sea of grey, black, tan and brown coats! (It does also come in grey if standing out isn't your thing.) It's only $39, so get yours before they're gone!









6) Nothing says winter like a warm, cozy sweater. I love this sweater for so many reasons...I love the cable pattern, I love the buttons down the front, I love the belt, I love the length and I love what sets this sweater apart from the rest...the hood! I feel warm just looking at it! This can be found at Uniqlo for $49.90.








7) These might just be the best pajamas...ever. They are warm (thermal), they are cute (they come in 9 different patterns) and they're just plain adorable! These will certainly keep you warm in the winter months as you snuggle under the covers with a good book, a good movie and (hopefully) a good companion. Find them at Victoria's Secret for $49.50.









UNDER $75:

8) One of my favorite winter outfits is a warm, wooly mini-skirt paired with tights (and we all know about my love of tights!) and a pair of tall boots. Well, when I saw this skirt from Boden, I was in love. The plaid makes it even more cozy than a simple wool skirt, yet sophisticated and grown up as well. It comes in three different plaids. A skirt like this is a must-have for every winter wardrobe! You can get one for your wardrobe for $70.







9) Now...what kind of shoe addict would I be if I didn't share a fabulous shoe find with you? I love these camel suede booties. Everything about them is just so trendy right now. Buckles are big--you'll find them on shoes and handbags everywhere. The "pant leg" look on boots is super hot right now, too. These boots scream sassy, sexy and stylish! They can be worn with jeans, skirts, dresses or slacks. They can be found at Nordstrom for $54.90.







10) There is nothing better in the winter than a soft cashmere sweater. Unfortunately, most cashmere is far too expensive for this budget gal's wardrobe. Well, Macy's to the rescue! This cashmere turtleneck is pure luxury at a pure bargain price! It's $59.99 and comes in a wide variety of colors. If you're a cashmere lover like me (and, who isn't?!), you need this item in your wardrobe. You won't be sorry!








We hope you enjoyed our picks! If you have a great winter find that you want to share with us, shoot us an email at theaccessorizedlife@gmail.com. We can't wait to hear from you!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

The Little Things 2

At this time of year, it's so easy to get caught up in the stress of the season, forgetting about the joy this season can bring. So, I urge you to take a step back and look at all of the little things in your life that make you smile. I did, and here are some of my favorite little things...

Rings from my Grandmothers

These rings are super special to me. The "S" ring was given to me by my maternal grandmother on my 18th birthday. It was a gift from my grandfather to my grandmother for my parents' wedding. The cocktail ring was given to me by my paternal grandfather when my paternal grandmother passed away. Whenever I wear these rings, I feel like my grandparents are watching over me and bringing me a little luck.


Super Pickle

I have had this for as long as I can remember--I think my aunt gave it to me when I was little. Growing up, it hung on my mirror in my childhood bedroom, and there it stayed until I moved out of my parents' house. A few weeks ago, my husband and I were cleaning out our basement and I came across boxes of things from my childhood bedroom. Super Pickle was in there--she now proudly hangs in my closet, where I see her every morning and smile.


Slipper Boots

Princess got these for me last year for the holidays. Since then, they have been my favorite slippers! They are cozy, warm and super cute. Every time the temperature drops below 50, I run to put these on, and every time they make me smile!


My Cat

There is nothing like cuddling up with your pet--especially when she is as cute as my cat! She greets me at the door most days when I get home and she waits for me to get up in the morning to spend time with me as I shower and get dressed. My little interactions with her each day brighten my mood!


Clementines

There is one thing I love about the weather turning cold each year...it's clementine season! I love these sweet little easy to peel fruits!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Daily Shoe Part 2: December


12/30/11
AK Anne Klein
Circa 2010



















12/25/11
Carlos by Carlos Santana
Circa 2008














12/23/11
Nine West
Circa 2010


















12/22/11
BCBGirls
Circa 2008


















12/21/11
BCBGirls
Circa 2004


















12/20/11
Nine West
Circa 2008



















12/19/11
Nine West 
Circa 2010
















12/16/11
Nine West
Circa 2007















12/15/11
Marco Santo
Circa 2011


















12/14/11
Report
Circa 2008
















12/13/11
H&M
Circa 2010
















12/12/11
Shoedazzle
Circa 2011















12/10/11
Anne Klein
Circa 2010


















12/9/11
Shoedazzle
Circa 2010

















12/8/11
Nine West
Circa 2010

















12/7/11
Style & Co
Circa 2011

















12/6/11
Nine West
Circa 2007


















12/5/11
BCBGirls
Circa 2008

















12/2/11
Steve Madden
Circa 2010


















12/1/11
Nine West
Circa 2010




















Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Holiday Shopping on a Budget...Gifts for Every Recipient!

The holidays are my favorite time of year. I love all of the time spent with family, I love the smell of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce cooking, I love sitting around in pajamas with a mug of hot chocolate or hot tea in front of a warm fire. But, most of all, I love presents. No...I'm not greedy. While I do enjoy getting presents (and, be honest, who doesn't?), I truly, truly enjoy giving presents. I even enjoy wrapping them--in fact, I enjoy it so much, that I often set aside a whole evening with nothing else to do so I can just enjoy wrapping my gifts for family and friends. (And, I look forward to this night for weeks and weeks...)

I start my holiday shopping in September (seriously). I find things that I think people will like, I snag them, and I put them aside in a spare bedroom until I'm ready to wrap. I keep an organized list of who I need to buy for, what I've already bought and what I'm thinking about getting for them.

My gift giving usually goes something like this...I get a gift. I put it on the list. Then I find something else I think the recipient will like, so I buy that too. I put it on the list. Repeat. My gifts are usually a compilation of lots of fun little items with a big item or two thrown in there. I usually find that my gifts are a hit with the recipients (or, at least, they say the gifts are a hit), which is fabulous as there are few things I love more than seeing the looks on people's faces as they open gifts from me.

As a result, I consider myself somewhat of a "gift expert"--or if not an expert, at least "gift knowledgeable." As a good blogger, I feel it is my duty to share some of that knowledge with you. So, here are the best gifts to give to any type of adult for a girl on a budget.

Hope this helps streamline your holiday shopping!

The Artist:
Even artists take a break from their creative process to send mail sometimes.


Pantone: 100 Postcards from Dick Blick--$19.95


The Animal Lover:
Because who wouldn't love looking at a cute animal while drinking their morning coffee or tea?
Mugtail Cat from Korin--$16.00 each, also available in squirrel, bunny or fawn


The Beauty Queen:
Any good beauty queen knows that a great makeup stash is the key to constantly looking her best!

Glitz & Glam Makeup Set from Sephora--$40, contains 10 varied products


The Bookworm:
Any good book lover worth her salt has tons of books that need to be organized!

Metal Owl Bookends from Barnes and Noble -- $12.95, also available in pink hearts, pink peace sign or blue hands


The Chef:
Chances are your chef already has a cookbook stand, but this one has a great plexiglass cover that keeps your cookbook safe from spills and splatters!


Cookbook Stand from Crate and Barrel--$24.95


The Comic Lover:
This might actually get the grown-up comic book lover to help out in the kitchen!

Marvel Flexible Spatulas from Williams Sonoma--$14.00 each or a set of four for $46.95, comes in four styles: The Hulk, Spider Man, Iron Man or Captain America


The Fashionista:
Every fashionista knows that nothing is as all-purpose as your little black dress; however, this little black dress not only helps you to look good, it helps you to stay organized!

Little Black Dress Hanging Jewelry Organizer from Container Store--$24.99, has 39 clear pockets and 24 hook and loop closures.



The Foodie:
Any good foodie worth his sauce will love this gift. Yes, pun intended.

Regional BBQ Sauces from Williams Sonoma--$42 for a set of 5 or $9.95 each


The Gamer:
Even if your gamer won't get off the couch to get Hot Pockets out of the oven, they will love this oven mitt...even if they just use it as a puppet.

Pac Man Oven Mitt from Fred Flare--$18



The Hippie:
This pillow is 100% cotton and is part of a collaboration with a fair trade organization that teaches impoverished Kenyans to sew to increase their income.

Watu Kwa Amani Pillow from CB2--$39.95, back features Swahili saying for "People for Peace" 


The Hostess:
These fun, funky plates will keep her guests coming back for seconds, thirds, fourths and more! Each season, there are new plates in this collection, so at a price like this, you can keep adding to her collection. It's the gift that keeps giving!

Oliver Appetizer Plates from CB2--$2.95 each, currently available in 5 different designs



The Imaginative One:
Anyone with a good imagination will find a million ways to express themselves during their breakfast with this fun mug! If nothing else, they can leave a ransom note for some piping hot, strong coffee.

Mixed Messages Mug from Francesca's Collections--$16.95




The Movie Lover:
Because every good movie lover knows that watching a movie is no good without popcorn!

Vintage Popcorn Maker from Bed Bath and Beyond--$19.99


The Nature Lover:
What nature lover wouldn't enjoy a picnic? This will keep the bugs out of the food and the nature lover out of the house!

Softpack Picnic Cooler from L.L. Bean--$39.50, comes in 6 different colors




The Photographer:
Wait...did that guy just spill hot coffee all over his telephoto lens? Nope...he's just using his fantastic new thermal mug!

Thermo Lens Cup with Stainless Steel Insulated Tumbler from Amazon--$11.96


The Quirky One:
These umbrellas will not only make you smile on a rainy day, they are also fashionable, fun, and just the right amount of quirky!

Rain Parade Mini Umbrella from Fred Flare--$36, comes in 5 different colors and styles


The Sci-Fi Lover:
What sci-fi lover doesn't love Star Wars? That being said, what sci-fi lover wouldn't want to use R2D2 or C3P0 to store their information?

Star Wars Flash Drive from Fred Flare--$36, 2GB of storage, comes preloaded with exclusive content


The Sports Nut:
What sports lover doesn't love sports related games?

Tabletop Soccer from Amazon--$25.95



The Traveler:
I personally have this travel organizer and it's fabulous. It holds all of your toiletries and has its own hanger so everything is easily accessible in your hotel bathroom!


Large Personal Organizer from L.L. Bean--$34.95, comes in seven different colors and three other sizes (prices vary by size)


The Vintage Lover:
If she loves vintage, she'll flip over this cosmetic bag made out of vintage car interior fabric!

Cosmetic Bag by Kim White--$26, choose from any fabric featured on the site




We'd love to hear about your great gift ideas or if you use any of ours! Drop us a line at theaccessorizedlife@gmail.com.