Adrien: Gemma To The Rescue.

You know that morning when you're already running late and you have no idea what to wear and then you realize, holy shit, I have a dress in my closet that I've never even worn? No? Just me? Embarassing. This is what happens when you buy out of season, I guess. But man, I am so happy I bought another BR Gemma wrap dress back in August because it saved my ass today:

(I might have just bought another one in charcoal grey because BRMOMENT gets you 40% off. Why do they even bother selling anything full-price?) I should mention that I'm wearing the petite version in my usual size because the regular one was a bit big in the shoulders and slightly too long. I much prefer the length of the petite Gemma.

The color is so good on it's own that I didn't think it needed a lot of fuss around it. Just my usual black tights, my favorite House of Harlow necklace (it's on sale!) and...a really sad cardigan that I removed immediately after I saw this:

Derp.

HELP ME. I tried on every cardigan and jacket I owned and nothing looks good with this dress. What magical cardigan should I buy that won't look like a lump of sadness? I finally settled on this one (despite the crewneck) because if nothing else, it's warm.

I'm also wearing a pair of ankle boots that I should've raved about by now. They're Vince Camuto and are a pretty shameless knockoff of the Rag & Bone Newbury. They're great - very rock 'n roll, super comfortable, and I love the back zipper detail. Unfortunately they're last year's model and sold out everywhere. Fortunately, Vince Camuto has a few other cute options. 

Finally, I'm wearing a very fabulous and very large pair of Kendra Scott earrings that Marianne gave me for Christmas last year:

Jewels! And eye wrinkles. Yay.

They're not available anymore (probably because they broke people's ears), but this pair will get you there. I love big earrings! I have no idea why I don't wear them more often. Maybe because my ears are tender and just don't understand.

Holiday Stages of Grief Gift Guide: Denial.

So, the classic stages of grief are:

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

These can very, very easily be applied to the holiday season. I'm currently still rolling with stage #1 which is just great.

Now is the part where I'm supposed to give you all some fantastic gift ideas that will make you think I'm a holiday genius who finished her gift shopping back in July. Hahahaha. Instead you'll probably think, "Oh, a candle. Great idea, idiot. I'd never have thought of that."  TOO BAD. You'll read my gift guide and you will like it or get nothing and be happy with that.*

So, we'll start with the easiest most fun people to shop for, your girl friends. Yay!

Anthropologie may be ridiculous when it comes to the clothing but they have a really nice gift section (I think all of my friends have one of those cute initial mugs by now) and are currently offering an extra 30% off sale items with code EXTRAMERRY. My picks:

Winter Blooms Ceramic Candle

with matching hand cream:

Winter Blooms Hand Cream

I also think this folding mirror jewelry box would make a really lovely gift and the price is amazing:

Folding Mirror Jewelry Box

These labradorite earrings aren't on sale but aren't they pretty?

Nettle Wisp Drops

Another store I like for gifts is Restoration Hardware. The furniture is redonk but they do fun gifty toys and a whole amazing line of faux fur things that I adore, including these $19 slippers:

faux fur scuff slippers

If your best lady friend is into makeup there are a million options, but I think fancy palettes are always a fun way to go:

Urban Decay Naked On The Run

Lorac Pro Palette 2

Kat Von D Chrysalis Eyeshadow Palette

Jewelry is always a solid choice and Piperlime generally has some good deals on cool stuff. My very favorite Giles & Brother railroad spike bracelet is currently an extra 30% off with code CELEBRATE:

Railroad Spike Bracelet

The code should work on these pretty sparkly Kate Spade bits too:

Small Square Studs

Speaking of, Kate Spade is also great for fun cell phone or iPad cases:

Space Cadet iPhone case

It’s Written in the Stars Mini iPad Hardcase

Finally, I have always loved receiving the kind of books that I'd never buy myself. Marianne bought me this last year, which I highly recommend:

Grace: A Memoir

And something like this would also make a great fashion-y gift:

The Fashion Book

*A friend of mine once told me that her dad would say that when a gift wasn't well received.

Swinter Weather Wear.

L: Brown "vintage" leather drop-rise crop pants:

No, really.

A: Who is this? How did you get this email address?

L: What? You don't like leather diaper ass?

A: Well...they are on sale.

L: 40% off + 10% back with eBates. It's like they're GIVING them away! (Maybe they should just give them away?)

A: I can believe they haven't sold out yet.

L: I would very much like to see those pants on a normal height person -assuming the model is very tall (mmmmhhhhh) - and with someone with shoes that don't obscure the capri-ness of these pantaloons.

A: The most confusing part is how much they don't look like leather. Not even "vintage" leather.

L: Not even slightly! At first glance I thought they were silk. Which somehow makes more sense in my brain than leather capris. WHAT is the appropriate season for these, pray tell?

A: Sautumn? Swinter?

L: I think you're right. They're for Swinter.

A: On Mars.

Weekend Window Shopping: Damn Pretty Blouses.

I have a constant hole in my wardrobe that I'm trying to fill - a damn pretty blouse hole. I have a few but never enough and I always want more. Oh, and I want them to have sleeves because it's cold out and all these stores pushing sleeveless tops have got to be kidding me. IT IS WINTER. STOP IT. So, here is a little collection of damn pretty blouses with sleeves that I wish were hanging in my closet right this second:

Friday #GoHugo

Well, hi there Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Always a pleasure.

Review: Super Solano Hair Dryer (and a few other raves.)

First I have to say that I sometimes wonder why y'all even read what I write because overwhelmingly you guys know more about the good stuff than I do. I love your recommendations and I'm just as suggestible as anyone else. Oh, I should buy this mascara? OKAY. Oh, that Alterna shampoo is really that good? OKAY.

It's a little sad how easily I'm swayed. But! You, my excellent readers, rarely steer me wrong. Recently I posted my desire for a real grown-up professional hair dryer and two different readers suggested I check out the Super Solano. I immediately went a-researching and found a good deal here on Amazon:

Super Solano

It arrived and OH MY GOD I have been wasting my time with cheap hair dryers. I really, really have. There is a reason your hair looks so good when you leave the salon and part of that is most definitely the dryer. This dryer is actually a little smaller than the one I had and maybe slightly heavier, which doesn't bother me (though they do make an ultra-light model.) It has three heat settings, two speeds and an extra-long cord which I appreciate.  But how does it work? Like gangbusters. My drying time has been cut in half and my hair is smooth as silk and never, ever frizzy. It's is SO GOOD. I've only had it a few weeks so I can't speak to it's longevity, but for now I'm really happy I made this purchase. Also, I discovered that my stylist uses the same one and loves it! So, thank you for the excellent recommendation.

I also want to update my review on Shiseido Integrate Gracy Mascara which was recommended by a reader. I was initially unimpressed but I've been using it more and I have to say, it's growing on me. It definitely takes 2-3 coats to really get results, but it's good stuff, doesn't flake, and I LOVE the teeny wand for getting all my sad wispy lashes covered. (I linked it but unfortunately it's out of stock right now. Sorry, kids.)

Finally, I want to tell you guys that I recently got my first-ever facial thanks to a gift card from Marianne that I'd been hoarding since my birthday. Which was in January. I know. Anyway, I went to a local place that carries good brands like SkinCeuticals and my aesthetician spent a solid hour doing all kinds of magical-glop things to my face. At one point I was like, "Huh, that really kind of stings. MUST BE WORKING."

 One of the things she did is called dermaplaning, which basically means they shave your face with a tiny straight razor. (Before you freak out, remember that men do this pretty much every day.) It just takes all the dead skin and tiny hairs off and leaves your skin feeling like butter. BUTTTTERRRRRRR. A few days out my skin looks freaking amazing, which sucks because now I want another one. Immediately.

Ooh, also, my face lady gave me a nice sample of the hallowed SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic which I've been dying to try. I'll report back on it's magical qualities or lack thereof.

That's it! Now, please stop giving me good recommendations because I am out of money, you jerks.

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Cyber Monday Deals.

I might ignore Black Friday but it would be crazy for me to just ignore Cyber Monday.  There are all kinds of fun online deals going on and you know I like an online bargain more than anything. I’m sure there are a ton of blogs who’re listing each and every deal so I’m not even going to attempt that. I'm tired just thinking about it. Instead I’ll throw out a few that I think are worth checking out. (I'm also listing eBates cash back deals with the caveat that it's is my referral link.) Okay! Let's do this all lazy-style:

6pm.com has an hourly $24 deal, which is quite the bargain plus they always offer free shipping.

DV by Dolce Vita Jentry

Piperlime is offering 30% off site wide plus an extra 40% off of sale items with code CYBERSALE (plus 4.0% back with eBates.)

Loeffler Randall Hobo

Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy are offering 40% off your entire purchase with code CYBER. (Plus 4.0% cash back at BR and Old Navy and 7.0% back at Gap with eBates.)

Gemma Diamond Print Wrap Dress

Land’s End is offering 40% off regular priced items and free shipping with Code CYBER and PIN: 1234 (plus 8.0% back with eBates.) Land's End cashmere is really nice, by the way.

Cashmere Sweatshirt Sweater

J.Crew is offering 30% off full-price styles & extra 40% off sale styles with code MONDAY.  (plus 6.0% back with eBates.)

Crystal Triangle Bracelet

Dermstore is offering 20-30% off almost everything with code CYBER14 (plus 8.0% cash back with eBates.) I love this site for deals on Avene, Alterna and DHC and shipping is free!

Avene