2013 HIGHLIGHTS

Scrolling through photos for today's post was cathartic. This past year has been so good to us. I found myself grinning from ear to ear and tearing up just thinking about the bounty of blessings and experiences we've enjoyed in 2013:

• We said "A Hui Hou" to Hawaii, and we were warmly welcomed in the great state of Texas. While we miss the view from Lil' Puna, it's awfully fun to giggle about Cooter Brown's. 
• Tripp and Beesly are content anywhere, but air conditioning is an added bonus. They miss our daily trek up and down the hill, but they dig road trips and spacious fields for playing frisbee.
• We got to share some of our favorite places with the people we love the most — Maui and Missouri, anyone? 
• We caught up with old pals and created precious bonds with new friends. 
• We sold our '08 Jetta (The Black Flash) and bought a '14 Jettawagen (The Rig). How original! In our defense, the new diesel is both fuel efficient and family friendly. Winning!!!
• Flyboy logged many hours in the C-17 and came back with cartons of beer and clever stories.
• In October, he swapped cargo planes for a trainer and he's had a blast twisting, turning, and flying in formation. 
• While I'm incredibly proud of the work he's done in the wild blue yonder, I had the best time cheering him on as he completed an Olympic Triathlon in Honolulu, and he cycled from the shores of Maui to Haleakala's summit. 
• This wasn't my year for physical feats. Instead, I excelled at mixing Limonata with Hendrick's, spent quality time with Bravo's beloved Andy Cohen, and collected anything covered in polka dots. It's safe to say, I was successful.
• Some of my favorite moments of 2013 were spent sipping Crewlade with my dear friends at J. Crew on-the-island. Words can't express how much fun I had getting gussied up and being paid to mingle with co-workers and clients who get equally jazzed about colorful cashmere and sparkly baubles.
• With the love and support of my family, I got snazzy blogger cards, a fancy DSLR, and spent an unforgettable weekend in Austin at Blogshop. I have NO idea what will come of One Fine Day, but words can't express how much it means that my family believes in me enough to provide me with tools and experiences to further my love of blogging — a pet project that has brought me oodles of joy and creative fulfillment.
• Design and writing make me twitterpated, but blogging has introduced me to so many fabulous people. I'm incredibly grateful to my readers. Thank you for stopping by, commenting, and introducing yourself via email! It's just so nice to geek out about ballet flats and stationery.

Cheers to a swell new year! 

I hope 2014 is brimming with good company, great card stock, and fizzy drinks!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

P.S. Regularly scheduled blog posts will return on January 6th. It's time to step away from the computer and live a little!

IMAGE CREDITS: Winter Wreath via The Little Market // Type via Studio Design App

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"The details are not the details. They make the design." — Charles Eames

Happy Monday, sweet readers! I hope you had a swell weekend baking out the wazoo and picking up any last-minute gifts. We arrived in Missouri on Sunday evening. The "Rig" was chock-full of gifts and luggage. I wish I had a dollar for every time Tripp and Beesly fogged up the windows. Flyboy and I had the air blasting as a preventative measure, which meant we spent the entire trip freezing. Of course! I think our behemoth Berner knew exactly what she was doing because EVERY time we tried to turn off the air, Beesly would wake up from her snooze and begin panting heavily again. She's such a clever gal!

I know most of you are prepping for the holiday madness and have very little time for blogs, which is a GOOD thing. I just wanted to check in and share some of my favorite moments from the past few weeks. Obvious highlights include Blogshop and my snazzy camera. I still have SO much to learn about my DSLR, but I'm having a blast toying around with it. While things on the blog front may be rather light over the next two weeks, you can see what sorts of shenanigans we're up to on Instagram.

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Velvet Ribbon // The countdown has begun! We're Missouri bound, and I need to wrap just a few more gifts.
• DIY Heart Backdrop // Leave it to designlovefest to create such a lovely backdrop. I'm SO making this!
• Christmas Tree // An illustration that perfectly depicts my idea of the holidays.
• Swiss Dot Jammies // Over the next few weeks, I plan on spending plenty of quality time in these.
• Iced Sugar Cookies // I can always rely on Flyboy's family to have plenty of sweets available. Yippee!
• Memos: The Vogue Years // Lately, I've been streaming The Eye Has to Travel and listening to the documentary while I blog. The Empress of Fashion brings me so much delight. This book will have to be my next purchase.
• Crystal Stud Earrings // I can't get over the shape of these studs. They're lovely!
• Collection Peacoat // If money were no object, I'd be adding this bright coat to my collection. It's fab!
• Berry Merry Mistletoe Cocktail // This low-cal cocktail sounds refreshing and festive. Bottoms up!
• Metallic Leather Loafers // I have these in nude and they're incredibly comfy. Gold might be a nice addition.
• Soiree Bunny Ornament // I can't get enough of this lovely lady. She sits at my desk and keeps me company.

Before I forget, a special congratulations to our AIMEE SICORA GIVEAWAY winner.

ERIKA W.

Please email me to claim your prize.

Cheers to a swell weekend, m' dears! Make it count.

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Of course I'd love to have ALL of our household goods, but this time of year has me dreaming about my standup mixer. Quite honestly, the holiday season is a free pass to bake excessive amounts of sweets — especially cookies! I typically look forward to December as an excuse to donate confections to the local single airmen. It gives me a reason to test various recipes and bake like it's my job. Because I'm without my favorite kitchen tools, I thought I'd live vicariously through m' blog.

Here are nine recipes that I wouldn't mind testing...

Samoa Sugar Cookies via Cooking Classy

Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies via Cooking Classy

The Nora Ephron Cookie via The Dahlia Bakery Cookbook

Puppy Chow Cookies via Cookies and Cups

Red Velvet Sugar Cookies via Cooking Classy

White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Cookies via Top with Cinnamon

Peanut Butter Drizzled Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies via How Sweet It Is

Oatmeal Cranberry Sandwiches via Two Peas and Their Pod

Sugar Cookies via Better Homes & Garden

After reading about The Nora Ephron Cookie, I'm more convinced than ever that we would be the best of friends!

NEED READ GREED

The Need Read Greed series is one of my favorites; however, she deserved a little facelift. I can't think of a better way to debut the updated design and format than by sharing these fabulous finds by Natalie White of Planning for Paris. Here are her picks:

• NEED: My husband-to-be and I are currently looking for some fabulous dinnerware to add to our wedding registry. We've got less than six months 'til the wedding and have our eye on this amazing Kate Spade set! I've been in love with Kate Spade's home accessories for awhile now. They are colorful and timeless pieces that will go with just about any type of kitchen we dream up. And the polka dots? Yes, please!
• READ: As you can tell from our blog's name — Planning for Paris — my sister and I have quite the obsession with Paris. I originally came across this book at Anthropologie and decided it was a must-have. The book is a collection of essays from different writers, sharing their stories of how they were seduced by Paris and how it changed their lives forever. Doesn't that sound terribly romantic? Hopefully, one of these days my sister and I will be able to add our story of Paris to the collection.  
• GREED: I've been on the hunt for some new boots for awhile now. I usually head to Target and get their latest style, but I've been dreaming of investing in a Tory Burch pair! They are so classic and beautiful. That leather is to die for! I'd be so afraid to wear these beauties outside in the Kansas City weather, but I have a feeling they'd get me through some dreary winter days. They are on sale right now... I might just have to save my pennies and invest!

Thanks for sharing, Natalie! I'm drooling all over the colorful dinnerware.

Interested in sharing your Need Read Greed picks? Email me.

P.S. There's still time to enter the Aimee Sicora giveaway! Click here for more details.

THOUGHTS ON BLOGSHOP

Note to Self: GIFs make me giddy.

Attending Blogshop Austin has to be the highlight of 2013. Flyboy might laugh at that statement because the night before the workshop began, I was a glass case of emotions. No, seriously. Any time I'm about to embark on something that means SO much to me, I get worrisome and fussy. The silliest thoughts flood into my mind and I get anxious about all the what-ifs. It's ridiculous, really. I'm not the kind of gal who puts herself out there, and while the thought of attending this dreamy blogger bootcamp made my heart skip a beat, it simultaneously made me a nervous wreck. Thank goodness for cute notebooks and sparkly accessories!

Ever the timely student, I arrived at the venue approximately 30 minutes early. Punctuality is fantabulous, but the extra downtime has a way of toying with this worry wart's emotions. I kept my cool and watched as others started to arrive. It was REALLY happening! Eek! I gave myself a little zhuooshing, kissed Flyboy goodbye, and headed into the classroom to a state of bloggie bliss.

Smiling faces greeted us at the door with mimosas. Treat yo self! Just as I'd envisioned, there was a lovely garland backdrop on the wall, mismatched vintage chairs set up throughout the studio at bright yellow tables; there were dainty flower arrangements everywhere, BKR bottles and Baggus were sprinkled on the tabletops. I was in a design daze. Pinch me! I quickly picked some random seat, sat my bags down, and as soon as I looked up, I saw the blonde mermaid. I'm talking about THE Bri Emery — the blogger and creative genius behind designlovefest, a blog I've followed religiously since 2009. She was chatting with her partner-in-crime, Angela Kohler, an über talented photographer and commercial director. Before I could embarrass myself from gawking, a girl named Jessie was seated across from me. Covered in polka dots and armed with the cutest laptop case, we exchanged hellos and nervously set up our computers. When you're riding this kind of creative high, it's impossible to hide your crazy. Thank goodness, Jessie was just as pumped as I was. She embraced my giddiness and kindly made sense of my cryptic and excited ramblings.

Hours were spent listening to Bri and Angela banter back and forth about Photoshop shortcuts, sharing tricks of the trade, and inside jokes. Just when I thought I had a good grasp of the editing software, my mind was blown with just a few simple clicks. I looked around the room, so many jaws dropped in amazement. Amid the oohs and aahs, we all sat hunched over our laptops manipulating images and type. If that doesn't sound like heaven, I don't know what does! We all realized there was a more efficient way to design posts and edit images, leaving more time to actually create original content. Isn't that something? 

I should attribute any new smile wrinkles to Blogshop, because there wasn't a moment I didn't catch myself grinning like a buffoon. Every time I looked around, I saw someone else geeking out over little details, like the persnickety styling of succulents and catered lunches. There were discussions about personal blog goals and 'grammers bonding over filters, apps, and hashtags. I was with m' people, and I loved it! It's not often that you get the opportunity to be surrounded by others who have such a genuine appreciation for the same things that you do. The joy was contagious. Just as I hoped, I was able to let my guard down and embrace this one-of-a-kind weekend with a giant bear hug. I realized that being in the company of other creative types made me feel confident and inspired. This past weekend was such a delight; it's a gift I'll never forget. From the bottom of my heart, thanks mom and dad!

Random Blogshop Notes:

• You can guarantee there will be a lot more GIFs in One Fine Day's future. They're oodles of fun to create!
• Clueless about GIFs? Click here.
• Thanks to Angela, I came away from Blogshop with a handful of pictures of myself that I don't hate. It's a Christmas miracle! My eyes are open in practically every shot. I don't have to hide behind sunnies anymore! Yippee!
• Because the creative juices are flowing, you may see some tweaking (not twerking) going on around here! Nothing big, just a little TLC. Stay tuned. 
• The skills I learned will take hours of practice and fine tuning, but I bet you'll notice a difference with time. Patience, m' dears! Okay, this note is mostly a reminder to myself.
• Big deal alert! I waited several hours before peeking into my Baggu of swag. Sometimes I surprise myself.
• I didn't take nearly enough photos. I think I was too busy people watching, and that's okay too!

P.S. Have you entered the Aimee Sicora giveaway?!

ART I HEART GIVEAWAY

I was introduced to Aimee Sicora's work while poring over an issue of Matchbook Magazine. My eyes drew a bead on a quirky fashionista clad in stripes and sunnies. I couldn't turn the page until I learned more about the artist behind this fabulously chic character. Aimee was born in the quaint country of Wales and grew up in Great Britain. She graduated with a BA in Fashion Design in 2006. As much as she likes to snip and sew, her true passion is illustrating her designs. Today, she lives in Florida with her husband, Robert, and adorable dog, Minnie. Aimee spends hours tucked away in her sunlit office with gobs of paint and glitter —bringing little fashionable characters to life. How divine!

When Aimee approached me about a giveaway, I was over the moon. There's a whimsy and quirky side to her illustrations that bring me so much joy. Lucky for you, one reader will get to choose TWO of Aimee's prints. Yipee! The winner will be announced this Friday, December 20th. Good luck, and go get 'em!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more about Aimee and her work, like her on Facebook, visit her website, and browse her shop!
One Fine Day readers get a 10% discount on their orders through December 22nd with this fancy code: onefineday.

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Cover Lover // Allison Colpoy's designs have me drooling. Check out this interview, which includes some more of her amazing work. Amazing Face will be released in the U.S. January 2014.
• Emma Ballet Flats // Just when I found myself complaining about J.Crew's latest selection of ballet flats, they unveil these beauties and I'm smitten. I'm partial to the persimmon and bright kiwi. Natch.
• Austin, TX // This print by Matthew Taylor Wilson leaves me feeling giddy. Hello, weekend!
• Perfect Hot Chocolate // Five years of warmer temperatures has turned me into a cold-weather wimp. It's rather embarrassing! I'm constantly on the lookout for a hot beverage to keep my hands toasty.
• Herb Roasted Almonds // I'm going to go ahead and add the ingredients to my grocery list. Delish!
• Beanie Pomster // Sometimes it really stinks to have champagne taste on a beer budget. In case I win the lottery, I would snag this pom perfection in a hot second!
• Fab Freebie // This week, Kelly shared a handful of free desktop wallpapers that will leave you and your computer feeling merry and bright. Thanks for the festive fabulosity, Kelly!
• Nars Creamy Concealer // I picked this up in September, and I'm a HUGE fan. I wasted so much time looking for a concealer that works for me. I think I've found it with this one!
• Camera Love // Flyboy surprised me last Friday with an early Christmas gift. It was far too generous! Now I feel like the snazziest shutterbug with my fancy equipment and monogrammed camera strap.
• A Bright 2014 // Maybe this year I'll get around to sending note cards to welcome the new year...
• Mint Fleur Drops // Once again I find a pair of dangly earrings that are just lovely, but I can't wear them!

Before I forget, a special congratulations to our HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY winner.

ERIN BLACK

Please email me to claim your prize.

Cheers to a swell weekend, m' dears! Make it count.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

This is the Seinfeld of all One Fine Day posts. Yup, it's a post about NOTHING! 

• BLOGSHOP PREP // This is THE weekend, and I feel like a kid on her first day of school. Eek! I'm equal parts excited and nervous. I've got my outfits (somewhat) planned and my bag of supplies is packed. I'm a naturally nervous and intense gal, so I'm praying that I can just let my guard down, relax, and be myself. Thankfully, I was able to coax Flyboy into joining me in Austin for the weekend. Yippee! The pups are going to a local kennel for a spa date, and we're going to woop it up in the Texas state capital. Yee Haw!

• A SNOWY SITCH // Remember my predicament with Hunter wellies, or boots in general? I'll jog your memory with this post. Anywho, we're headed back to MO for the holidays, and it occurred to me that the only shoes I packed were flats and a pair of tennis shoes. Oops! In all actuality, we haven't really had to deal with winter weather for almost five years. Back then, I turned to my trusty Uggs, but I have a feeling those aren't "on trend" anymore. Thankfully, I threw my old pair away when we moved to Hawaii so you don't have to worry about me committing fashion suicide this winter. Long story long, I'm going to give Hunter boots another shot and throw a pair of fleece-lined socks inside for warmth. I really want a pair of duck boots, but after a long discussion with my mom, I think they'll cut me off mid-calf, only making me look shorter. In my next life, I'm going to have really long legs and this will never be a problem. Ha!

• WRAP ATTACK // Every year I proclaim my love for wrapping gifts, and then boredom sets in. I've wrapped an obscene number of packages and tied eons of bows; I can no longer see straight. Does anyone else get to that point where they're over the gift-wrapping process?! My first wrapping sesh was filled with glee. I listened to Mariah Carey Christmas tunes and even twirled around the apartment. I can't lie, Tripp and Beesly were a little bit judgy. Almost a week later, my fun-tivity has turned into a drab assembly line. I can almost see the finish line. It's only a matter of time before I get those snazzy wrapped packages shipped off to the lovely recipients. Reminder: The holiday season is a marathon, not a sprint. (IMAGE CREDIT)

• THE COLOR PURPLE // With the exception of powder blue, periwinkle, and wimpy shades of pink, I've never been one to pooh-pooh a color. Very rarely do I turn to shades of purple, but Radiant Orchid, Pantone's 2014 color, is starting to grow on me. Maybe that's because it's a purplish pink?! (IMAGE CREDIT)

• PIZZAZZ // One of my all-time favorite words can be attributed to Diana Vreeland. I love the fact that it acknowledges her use of the noun as its origin. DV is the epitome of pizzazz.

• BREAKING SAD // This week, we said good-bye to Walt and Jesse. Halfway through the series, I couldn't wait to be done with the show. I just wanted to understand the buzz behind Breaking Bad and get some closure with the characters. Now that it's over, I wonder why we crushed through all five seasons so quickly. In a month's time, I became so inextricably involved with the plot and characters. The show is truly brilliant! I feel a sense of relief, but in a weird way, I also feel sad. There are NO more new episodes to watch. What's done is done. I guess this means it's time to find a good book! (IMAGE CREDIT)

P.S. There's still time to enter the HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY! A winner will be announced tomorrow.

THE BLOGGER BUZZ

The Blogger Buzz is back. This month, the ladies are hoping for something other than coal in their stocking.

Here's an assortment of sparkly and colorful items they wish to find instead:

ONE: Samantha Peterson of The Brunette One

• A new crossbody to wear throughout all the seasons.
• All gold, all the time with this gold feather from Williams-Sonoma.
• A place to hold all of our wine.

TWO: Katherine Nolden of The Duchess of Plumewood

• I already have a place picked out for this print in my living room! The room is basically British themed and I love how punchy and bright this is! Evelyn Henson is really fantastic!
• This cake stand is so fun! I can just imagine putting fun cakes on this at the party I have to throw for my birthday bucket list! 
• I need this necklace! I love the script and I feel like it would be a staple in my wardrobe and I could layer it with other necklaces!

THREE: Lauren Felix of La Petite Fashionista

• A chocolate bar that's equal parts pretty and delicious.
• Seriously, best candle EVER. I'm hoping for the "Aloha" scent.
• The Macaron foil art print from Jenny Bevlin — pretty please, Santa?

FOUR: Laura Podlich of Beauty & the Beard

• Loren Hope Sophia Studs in Pine
• Rifle Paper Co. Dot iPhone 5 Case
• Anthropologie "L" Gem Pouch

FIVE: Ashley Fine of One Fine Day

• I'm smitten with Meg Gleason's work. The pops of color and two-centuries old letterpress from which her products are printed. I die. This hand-bound "letterquette" is just lovely!
• Gin in a Teapot — I'm certain it was created with me in mind!
• Being punctual never looked so sparkly. This watch from Kate Spade would look snazzy on my wrist.

Tell us, what do you hope to find in your stocking?

P.S. Don't forget to enter the HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!!!

WRAPPER'S DELIGHT

Let me fill you in on a little secret. I love wrapping gifts. If you're rolling your eyes because you probably already assumed that, well that's not the actual secret. In all honesty, I abhor the part where you attach the wrapping paper to the box or present. I'm a naturally rammy person. Precision and straight lines are not my friends. I realize that detail kind of defies the whole Type-A personality theory. In this case I'm more Type-A- or B+. Don't get me wrong, I love collecting wrapping paper, but I excel at accessorizing the gifts. Duh! I think that's why I have such a hard time wrapping boxes. I'm too excited for the part where I actually get to be creative and have a little fun. Naturally, I'm always on the hunt for great gift ties, toppers, ribbons, and bows. Take a look at some of my wrapping essentials:

Kraft Holiday Gift Tags // Orange Wool Wire // Mōglea Gift Tags // Glitter Alphabet Ornament // Pink Tape // 

Glitter Tape // Gold Glitter Bow // Satin Ribbon // Felted Poms Wrapping Paper // Linen Bow // Reversible Gift Wrap // Yellow Scissors // Printed Gift Wrap // Mylar Pom-Poms // Sequin Trim // Velvet Ribbon // Tissue Fringe Garland // 

Gift Tags // Mini Clothespins // Tinsel Ribbon // Twine // Washi Tape // Paint Markers // DIY Yarn Pom-Poms // Ribbon

My favorite DIYs for wrapping presents:

5 Gift Topper Ideas via The House That Lars Built

Host a Wrap Party via designlovefest

Free Printable Tags via Almost Makes Perfect

Mini Present Garland via Oh Happy Day

Raid-Your-Craft-Stash Gift Wrap via A Lovely Lark

DIY Gift Bag via Waterfall Creative

Neon Paper Gift Bows via How About Orange

Gift Wrap Ideas via MaeMae Paperie

Do you like wrapping gifts? Have any fun ideas that add a little flair your presents?

P.S. There's still time to enter the HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!

SURPRISE!

GIVEAWAY GOODIES:
Sugar Paper 2014 Calendar // Essie Nail Polish // Baggu Wedge Pouch // Bow Shoe Clips //  Mini Donkey Piñata // Cookie Stamper // Dotted Design Note Cards (6) // Socks // Emi-Jay Hair Ties // Striped Straws // Dotted Design 2014 Calendar // Washi Tape // Minimergency Kit

The most wonderful time of the year calls for a GIVEAWAY — one that's filled with goodies as merry and bright as YOU are. I'm excited to announce that ONE lucky reader will win a handful of my favorite things, including a calendar and a set of note cards from Dotted Design. Woo Hoo! A winner will be announced this Friday, December 13th. Go get 'em!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Note: Aside from the Dotted Design products, this giveaway is not affiliated with any of the brands included in the giveaway.

THE TRENDY TOT

THE GOODS:
Boat Shoes $32 // Striped Tights $13 // The Dude Sweater $145 // Selima Sunglasses $50 // Big Kiss Sucker $10 // Tutu Dress $86 // Metro Card Rattle $18 // Trilby Hat $30 // Glitter High-Top Sneakers $41 // Dot Booties $17 //
Mini Speedy Le Mans $30 // Sequin Dot Scarf $52 // Oyster Print $50 // Miss Flora Fox $40 // Velvet Blazer $50 // Chameleon Vision Goggles $13 // The Day The Crayons Quit $10 // Elephant Wall Clock $52 // Stripe Bow Tie $38 //
"The Ladies Man" Mustache Pacifier $10 // "New Here" Onesie $18 // Cloud Shaped Pillow $68 

Happy Friday, m' dears! Make this weekend count.

$25 OR LESS

THE GOODS:

La Piña Print $20 // Textural Bobble Hat $20 // Polka-Dot Cuff Trouser Socks $13 // Happy Jotter $18 // 

Polka-Dot Pen $8 // Essie in Twin Sweater Set $8.50 // Glitter Sticker Set $8 // Calf-Hair Key Fob $23 // 

Live Colorfully Rollerball $24 // Booze Bags $5 // Smooch Bobbi $25 // Mini Banner $14 // 

Canvas Pouch $27 (oops!) // Thermal Mug $18 // Emi-Jay Hair Ties $7 // Metallic Ribbon $16 // 

Brass Pencil $22 // Tatine Candles $18 // The Lip Slip $24 // Pom-Pom Pin $12 // Smile, There's Gin Print $18 // 

Canvas Bucket $12 // Mini Heart Pin $10 // Hello Gorgeous Boxed Set $18 // Cha Cha Cha Mug $20 // 

Mini Lip Bullet $10 // Confetti Bomb $10 // Earrings $22 // Cocktail Set $18 // Key Tag $6 // Minimergency Kit $15

THE PREPPY PAL

THE GOODS:

Ray-Ban Caravan Sunglasses $152 // Green Moss Candle $28 // Oxford Buffalo Check Shirt $65 // Bike Snob $17 // Lobster Claw Key Fob $35 // Charlie Wallet $20 // Duck Commander Tumbler $20 // Travel Kit $48 // 

Green Hat Gin $36 // Paddle Your Own Canoe $17 // Linen Bow Tie $68 // Repp Stripe Tie Bar $88 // 

Cashmere Scarf $98 // Classic MacAlister Boot in Suede $148 // Marled Socks $17 // Nice Parking Cards $20 // 

Poketo Colorblock Pen $5 // 99 Bottles Growler $15 // Aviator Bottle Opener $20 // The Beer Deck $16 // 

Walter White Ornament $20 // Timex $70 // Tabletop Tennis $38 // Mason Shaker $29 // City Map Glass $13 // Regional Tees $25 // Knit Striped Hat $25 // Scrabble Magnetic Refrigerator Tiles $12  

ON AUTHENTICITY

Oh, the sweet words of Socrates...

Ahoy, sweet readers! I interrupt this week's product-filled posts for a few words on authenticity. These thoughts have been lingering in my head for a few months, and I honestly didn't know how to express myself eloquently enough to make them publish worthy. After several failed attempts and feelings festering inside, here it goes!

Many of us make the social media rounds numerous times a day. If you're like me, maybe you've noticed a lack of creativity and authenticity lately. I'm not here to point fingers, but it's rather frustrating. Inspiration is different than imitation. Believe me, I've made the mistake of confusing these two in the past. The more I learned about myself, the more I could let go of the crutch of being like someone else. It's freeing, my friends. The more in-tune you are to YOURSELF, the more genuine you become. Like anyone I'm a work in progress, but the more accepting I've become of my quirks, imperfections, and flaws, the more I've grown to like myself. Some of those quirks I wear with honor.  

If at ANY point, you find yourself replicating someone else in ANY way, whether it be the way they dress, style their home, design their blog, etc., I ask you to take a ginormous step back and ask yourself WHY. Sure, you may like the way THEY did something, but ask yourself how YOU could create a piece of work that matches your personal panache. What does it say about YOU? Is it a genuine expression of YOURSELF? You are beautiful and different, and that's flipping fantastic! Own who YOU are. Many bloggers and 'grammers have a similar aesthetic or interest — that's one of the many reasons we've connected via social media, and I love that! If we all squeal over fresh Peonies and skip to our local J.Crew, that's fine, but it doesn't define who we are. In fact, it would be incredibly boring if we're all the SAME. Instead, I believe we should be using social media outlets to make a statement about who we are as individuals. It's not about the number of followers you have or the number of hits your post receives, it's about putting yourself out there, quirks and all. Once we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and let go of any notions of who we think we should be, we'll discover someone who is incredibly genuine and unique. Why live life any other way? 

Do something because you LOVE it, buy the tchotchke because it's YOU and not because someone says you need it, design a post because it makes YOU downright giddy, style your home or outfit because it's an expression of who YOU are. For the love of polka-dots and fizzy drinks, please be YOU. Now go on and let those imperfections sparkle, darling!

Tired of me and my soapbox? Click here for the Holiday Gift Guide.

IMAGE CREDIT: Vintage Typewriter