Fleur-ish

I didn't do much shopping in Paris because (1) it was super expensive and (2) I wasn't really there to shop.  The one thing I purchased were tiny, replica, fleur de lis Faberge egg earrings to coordinate with a tiny, replica, fleur de lis  Faberge egg pendant that my Aunt Louise gave me while we were there.

Contemplative pose, I thought you could see the earrings,
but I failed.

Dress, TJ Maxx; tights, Target; shoes, Younkers; earrings, Louvre; necklace, gifted (thank you, Aunt Louise!).

 

I can't help but love these shoes.  They are so shiny and red.  As a special bonus, they're also comfortable.

 

This sweater dress was an impulse purchase from the TJ Maxx clearance section, but it was well worth it.  I love the fine gauge knit and the cable and rib detailing.  I love that winter in Georgia means tights and sweater dresses, not snow blowers and wind chill advisories.  

Bear Chested

Sometimes I come up with a post title and think "I shouldn't use this.  It will attract the wrong kind of traffic."  Hopefully people will realize that this outfit is "bear" not "bare" chested.

 

Sweater, gifted (thanks Pop and Laura!); red jeans, Sam's Club; shoes, Younkers; earrings, gifted (thanks, Natalie!); watch, gifted (thanks Pop!).

Spot the Boston terrier.

 


When I first took these photos I was in a foul mood, and I thought they turned out horribly.  Now that I'm looking at them with happier eyes, I think the cuteness is bear-ly contained.

 

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright

Though I won't go so far as wishing that all your Christmases be white.  

Red and Reindeer

At other times of year this necklace is a stag, but today it is a reindeer.

 

Dress, thrifted; tights, Younkers; shoes, Younkers; earrings, gifted and etsy; necklace, ebay; bracelety; Cozumel and gifted; rings, Amazon.

 

 

 

*This post contains an affiliate link.

Christmas Reps

Dressing intentionally is like exercise.  The more frequently  you do it, the easier it becomes.  I didn't have to put much thought into this outfit, but it works for Christmas.  The shape of the necklace adds the final touch of garland.

 

Sweater, thrifted; dress, Younkers; tights, Younkers; shoes, Younkers; earrings, esty; necklace, etsy; pin, handmade by and old lady.

 

I also had an unusual photobomber today.  Stephen had the day off, and he dropped into my shot.

Nordic

I found this dress on a trip to Iowa last year, but it was already too hot in Georgia to wear it.  I love the nordic-style patterns along the sleeves and hem, but the detailing along the hem makes the dress look even shorter than it already is.

 

Dress, Younkers; tights, Target; shoes, Younkers; earrings, Claire's; necklace, Target.

 

 

Christmas Casual

Jeans and a t-shirt make for a casual outfit.  Christmas casual requires a little more sparkle, like this fur-trimmed vest.

 

Shirt, Younkers; red jeans, Sam's Club; vest, thrifted; boots, Rack Room Shoes; earrings, handmade by me.

 

The vest is lovely, soft, and warm, and it added just enough polish while still staying fun and comfortable.

 

It's (Not) Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It's a bit odd to see Christmas lights, ornaments, and huge, tacky inflatable characters without any snow accompanying them.  I love warm weather, so I am thrilled.  Luckily I can feel Christmas-y without any cold weather.  Just add ugly Christmas sweaters and make heavy use of red and green.

 

Sweater, Target; skirt, Target; tights, Target; boots, Rack Room Shoes; earrings, handmade and gifted (thanks, Kate!); pin, handmade and gifted (by an old lady); bracelet, purchased in Cozumel; blue diamond ring, Amazon.

 

You may not know this, but blue diamonds are the new December birthstone.  Blue topaz is so very last year.  Happy birthday to me, though of course it was on sale when I bought it.

 

I made a cookie exchange into a one-woman ugly sweater party with this outfit.  The kitty sweater isn't technically a Christmas sweater, but when combined with a green skirt and Poinsettia pin, it's beginning to look a lot like an ugly Christmas sweater.

*This post contains affiliate links, but they are links to lovely blue diamonds so certainly you can forgive me.

Fave Five: Last-Minute Gifts for Coworkers

This time of year can get a little awkward at the office.  Will you give cards or gifts to none?  Some?  Everyone?  I have around 30 coworkers, and I wanted to find something that I could give to everyone. Here are my ideas.

Edibles and Drinkables: If you're giving Christmas cards anyway, you can tuck a small edible gift into the envelope for pennies more.  You could pick something seasonal like a candy cane, a individually-wrapped tea bag, or a piece of (wrapped) candy or chocolate.  If you're feeling a little more ambitious, you can make individual treat bags.

I'll think of the friend who sent me
this lovely animal- print stationary
set all year long.

Personalized Office Supplies: You can find pretty or cheeky note pads in Target or Michael's dollar sections.

Ornaments: As I mentioned in last year's $5 and under gift guide, I love the way ornaments serve as tangible reminders of people and times in my life.  You can easily find ornaments for one to three dollars.

Lottery Tickets: A $1 scratch ticket could be the gift that keeps on giving.  Many coworkers already play the lottery together, and if it pays off you could be giving the gift of early retirement... or maybe one could at least cover lunch.

Hand Sanitizer: This is what each and every of my coworkers received this year.  I punched a hole in my Christmas post card and attached a hand sanitizer with a little lanyard.  Ta da!  Inexpensive, easy, and fairly unisex. Total cost including card: $1.14 each.  Extra points for using up last year's Christmas cards, but I didn't work here last year, so it's new to everyone.

This what my coworkers received this year.
Merry Christmas, sanitize your hands!

Hey!  For once this list doesn't contain affiliate links!  Good for me.  Make sure to check out my other last-minute gift guides, and merry Christmas (if it's your thing)!

Fave Five: Gifts for Photographers

Photography can be an expensive hobby, but gifts for your photographer friends don't have to be.  These gifts like these can be had for $25 or less.

If you need gifts in time for Christmas, you can get a free 30-Day Trial of Amazon Prime with free two-day shipping.  I have and love Amazon Prime.  Not only do I like the near-instant gratification of free two-day shipping, we haven't had cable television for over a year because we stream movies and TV shows from Prime.

Image Credit: Amazon
Camera cufflinks!

Jewelry: I like jewelry to express my hobbies and interests.  Ok, fine.  I just like jewelry, but I would be thrilled to have a camera necklace or earrings to express my love of shooting things.  For the man in your life- camera cufflinks!

Image Credit: Amazon
This is not a lens, it's a coffee mug.
And it's really cool.

Camera Lens Mug: One of my friends is getting this for Christmas.  Combining coffee and cameras is usually a bad idea, but it seems like a great idea with this mug.

Lens Cleaning Kit: It's just the thing for cleaning up after you accidentally pour coffee into you lens instead of your lens-shaped coffee cup.  (Joke.  Don't do that.)  A little kit that fits in a camera bag is infinitely handy.  We ended up trekking all over Paris looking for lens-cleaning wipes or a kit, and that took away time from eating pastries and drinking wine.  Give your friends the gift of time for pastries and wine.

Photography Books and Magazines: Have you figured out that I like books and magazines?  You should see how much I check out from the library.  Yes, I think they make great gifts.  There are books and magazines for every skill level of photographer to provide instruction and information.  Hooray for the written word!

Printing Gift Certificates: Most people use digital cameras now, and one disadvantage to that trend is that many photos never make it out of electronic limbo.  Shutterfly, Zazzle, and other sites offer gift certificates that allow your friend to order prints, custom stationary, and more embellished with their best shots.

Happy gifting!

*Disclosure: I have an Amazon Affiliate account.  This post contains lots of affiliate links.  If you purchase something, I may receive compensation.