Happy New Year! 2012 is the Year of ....

Happy New Year Everyone!

From sunny rainy Seattle! Yep, it's true. My big news to you is that I now live in Seattle, a far move from my home of New York/New Jersey! Insane right? What on Earth could possibly compel me to uproot my entire life and move to the each opposite end of the US? How about a fabulous new job and the chance to explore all the bits of the US I've never seen? Yep, that did it!

I got here on Nov 21st and it's been a wild ride so far! I'm finally starting to feel settled into my apartment, finally upgraded to a 1 bedroom now! And also into work, still ramping up there though, but that'll take time.

Initially, I was very resistant to Seattle because all I could think about when I got here was, how much I missed fashion. My heart was so closed off. But now, I'm surprisingly easing into life here, and to my amazement, there IS a bit of style. It's just different from the East Coast.

I would actually compare it more to the LA look actually, minus the heels. But you do see lots of leggings, oversized comft sweaters, headbands, flannel.. It's the West Coast look, but just a bit more undone than you'd see in LA. It's much more rustic, woodsy, mountain-y. And weirdly, I'm starting to like it.

Gasp, I know. Trust me, I'm as shocked as you are. But when I started to open up to Seattle, I looked around and realized, a lot of this place, the fashion AND the fun places to hang out, all too often remind me of BROOKLYN! It's a slightly different type of hipster, I can't quite define it yet, but I will in time. Think Williamsburg, but imagine those hipsters actually doing active stuff, like hiking. So it's less of the bow-tie-beard-shrunken-button-up-shirt and more of flannel-button-up-shirt-beard-callous-on-hands-because-i-chop-wood-for-fun look.

Now that I think of it... the look (on guys at least) is very masculine. Whereas in Brooklyn, it's less so, hipsters are almost feminine at times. Just my opinion.

I digress. So what are you all planning to accomplish in 2012? My list is {of course} endless, but to sum it all up, I can say this: Live Better. Live Beautifully. That means, style, comfort, travel, food, experiences. All of it.

Cheers to 2012 folks. Make it good.
xoxo.

Diwali AMEX Update

Hey ya'll ! I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays, I know I have. It's been a wild string of fun lately hasn't it? With Diwali, Halloween, Thanksgiving and now.. Christmas is coming, OOF! I'm super excited.

Well, I personally have zillions of updates for you, but firstly, let's clear off the first agenda item, the giftcards! Congrats to Amanda, Mahima, Jenna, Mike and Michal.

For clarity, winners were chosen using a random number generator, and then counting down the list until I hit that number.

Next post will elaborate on... what the hell I've been doing since mid-Oct. :-)
talk soon!

AMEX Diwali Gift Card Giveaway!

OOF! Is it really mid-October already?! Oy.
Well then that means it’s time for… Diwali! Just like last year, American Express is offering their Diwali gift cards again this year. It’s a limited edition card with no fees to activate, use or checking balances. The card also never expires and funds can be replaced if the card is ever lost or stolen, so it’s a great alternative to giving cash.
For a limited time AMEX is waiving the purchase price and offering free shipping. Just use the promo code “Diwali” at www.americanexpress.com/diwali. The card itself is the same adorable look as last year,

To get you in the spirit, AMEX has kindly invited me back to give away five $50 gift cards! I’ll chose five random winners (limited to U.S. entries only) and yay, I get one too! What should I buy myself? Hm....

All you have to do to enter is send me a little note through my contact form, here. Share a holiday gift idea or just say hello! You have a whole week to enter, so be sure to send me a note by Oct 26^th 5pm eastern standard time. FYI your name and email entered on the comments form will be kept private, your information is protected.

Enjoy!

PS, I’m thinking to start doing product giveaways on here, what do you think?

Fendi Peekaboo Bag: Now I Can't Have It

Ugh. I have wanted this bag since about a year ago. You know, before that many people had really heard of it, or so I thought. I actually had the good fortune of making an acquaintance with impeccable taste, and this delightful girl had dangling from her arm: The Fendi Peekaboo Bag.

We instantly bonded.

Of course, I could never really justify spending the $1500+ on this bag, so it's just been on my wish list for a while now and, like any good girl trying to save some money each month, from time to time I go and look it up and stare at it wistfully.

Well today I got an email from Refinery29, one my favorite sites to read, and in it they're touting the loveliness of the bag. My reaction? Completely dismay! Why? Because instantly I felt this pang of fear that every little waves-from-flat-ironed, suede wedge heeled, multiple bangle wearing chickie in Manhattan will now be trotting around with THIS bag. MY bag! MON SAC.

Sigh. Ok, not exactement mon sac, but still!

Don't pretend you don't know what I mean. Haven't you ever looked at something gorgeous in a shop and then questioned your decision to buy because you could just feel everyone else's likelihood of sporting it too? I'm cool with trend watching and all of that, but also, the desire to be different is so natural to us!

We're all individuals and want to express something unique, non? Do you agree? The last think you want is to walk down the street and 3 people wearing something you have as well. And let me assure you, in New York, this happens constantly. Alas!

Though I will say, I'm all for everyone having more access to fashion and special items. So amid all that,

how does one manage to stay unique?

Food for though. I'll leave you with that. :-)