The New Year

Photo by Chaucee Stillman

Some one asked me recently what my favorite holiday of the year is, and it took me a while before I could answer because I tend to collect all my thoughts before I answer. I came to the final conclusion that New Years Eve is definitely my favorite holiday of the year and here's why....

Links à la Mode: December 25th

Hey lovelies, one of my articles was chosen to be a part of Independent Fashion Blogger's incredible roundup of links! Always a great feeling to know your post was well received! This roundup was all about the holiday season. I Have yet to get through all of the links, but the articles I did read were quite a treat! Enjoy!

Tis the Season For Layering

Old man Winter is upon us here in Philadelphia, maybe. The temps dip below freezing one day and the next it's a mild 60 degree day, with a possibility of humidity in the mix! It's been a very confusing season so far, but I'm not complaining, as long as Winter can hold back on the snow for a few more weeks! Weather can be quite a fickle thing, and because of that working on mastering your layers can be pretty helpful. You never know what the day will bring!

Christmas, To Me...

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

What Christmas means to me... Long waiting periods for the family members you don't see quite often. Giving a helping hand whenever you can in the kitchen with the older generation of women that take the upper hand, when it comes to preparing meals. Telling stories of your proudest moments of the year that past and recounting those that made you leery for what's ahead....

Bag Lady

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I love clutches and small cross body bags, they allude a major appeal and cause no distraction to the ensemble. Smaller bags also get a lot of attention to detail... beads, gems, grommets, engraved hardware and the list can go on! As beautiful as they are they just are not conducive to a majority of women. In a clutch, where will I fit my comfortable flats or my sketchbook and drawing pencils? Most importantly, my quick, on the go beauty hack supplies?! 

Gift Giving

The art of gifting can come extremely easy to some and quite difficult to others. The key to winning this holiday season, besides not procrastinating is to set up a game plan! For me this year's holiday season was all about being comfortable because with the hectic holiday season i've had, all I want to do is fall into a pile of cushy pillows, comforters and blankets! Even more exciting, I was selected to share my thoughts on air with Fox morning news, alongside my blogging babes Jessie Holeva and Ian Michael Crumm!

Ian Michael Crumm, Jessie Holeva, and me!

During this fast paced season of merriment, most people don't get time to their selves and when they do they really want to enjoy it. The gifts I picked out were from West Elm and Ugg Australia because those two brands know how to relax in style! West Elm has a beautiful collection of soft, fur throws. Best part is that no animal was harmed in the making of it since they're faux fur! I'll admit I have one and absolutely love it for quick naps on the sofa or to wrap it around myself when I feel particularly chilly. A throw is the secret ingredient to a cozy bed! The throw in the video is the Mongolian Lamb Throw. Another really great faux fur throw is the African Lynx throw by Home Decor. So cozy, you will forget where you are! 

Anchor, Quincy Harris for Fox29!

                  

I don't know about you but when I get an idea out of the blue, I have to jot it down quickly while it's still fresh on my mind. Usually its my phone's notepad that I pull out for my concepts which gets quite bothersome when you're in a texting frenzy because of the virtual keyboard. Sometimes your fingers hit the wrong button on the touch screen, actually its pretty inevitable. The wireless keyboard from West Elm is the answer to that frustration. Easy to pack, cordless and made of bamboo with a sleek design. Definitely something for the creative individual on the go! The keyboard in the video is the Wireless Bamboo Keyboard. 

Who doesn't love Ugg Australia?! This lifestyle brand has completely reinvented itself to be compatible with every one in the family. Ugg knows comfortable shoes, that's why insanely popular, world wide. This season, surprise someone with a comfortable indoor and outdoor slipper like the Grantt for men or the Bling Bailey Button for women. The Grantt has a foldable collar with plush sheepskin spilling out. The Bling Bailey Button provides you with sumptuous comfort and major fashion envy with the Swarovski crystal button. Both have a sock liner that provide the wearer with major wicking and support. Then for ultimate comfort satisfaction, throw on one of Ugg's luxe robes like the Duffield. The person who receives this will love you! 

This year, the holiday season is all about comfort for me and I want to give comfort to all of my friends and family because it shows you care about their relaxation time, and that matters. Dear readers what are you gifting this year? Check out the video here of my interview!

Shopping While Petite

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

The average adult woman's height in the United States is about 5'4" inches. Which leaves a lot of us  confused and frustrated. Most of the times petite women are only left with one option, to hem or not to hem. One of my biggest challenges as a petite woman (5'4") is finding clothes that fit me correctly. Shopping for jeans is the biggest quest of all! Well fitting clothing is essential, it helps you appear taller and thinner. Besides, you never want to let the clothes wear you!

Ugly Sweater Season

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Holiday parties, they're all the rage right now. Of course, with it being the holiday season, everyone wants to rendezvous and celebrate all the merriment that the past year has brought upon them and what better way to jubilate how happy you are whilst wearing your best "ugly" sweater?! The ugly sweater has fortified itself as a ritualistic piece in our wardrobes for the holiday season, and to think it all started with someone's grandmother gifting that first sweater to them! I have actually grown to love the ugly sweater movement, there's just something cute and quirky about them. The best thing about ugly sweaters, is the challenge to style them in a more elevated taste. No doubt that even the most atrocious of ugly sweaters can start a conversation from across the room with little to no styling, but that just isn't me!

Personal Essay #1

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I knew I was different. In grade school, all the kids would ask me and my brother what we "were" and because of my naive innocence I thought it was cool to be like everyone else. I'd answer with supreme confidence and say, "I'm a girl just like you, with a cool complexion and frizzy hair." That wasn't enough for them, they wanted more, they wanted to dig deeper and figure out what exactly made me, me.