My Parents' Alpacas

T. - I thought you'd like to see the boys. Enjoy.

Christmas Vacation

Unlike Clark Griswold, most of my Christmas vacation was spent lounging around in comfy clothes watching Christmas classics. While my vacation does share some similarities with the Griswold Family Christmas like drinking the occasional glass of egg nog and admiring Cousin Eddie's forest green dickey, I did not spend my time stapling 250 strands of lights to the house. Instead, my manual labor consisted of helping my parents with the alpaca herd health and building my second-ever headband stand.

For those who are curious...no, I did not wear a dress while doing manual labor. I wore black yoga pants, my Dad's huge rubber boots and a big fluffy jacket.

Last Week's Wardrobe

------------------------

Monday's Outfit

Top & Necklace: Banana Republic

Skirt: Ann Taylor

Cardigan: Nordstrom

Tights: Hue

Ring & Bracelet: Forever 21

Pin on Headband: Vintage

------------------------

Tuesday's Outfit

Dress: Ann Taylor

Cardigan: H&M
Belt: Banana Republic

Ring & Necklace: Forever 21

Pin & Earrings: Vintage

Watch: Michael Kors

------------------------

Wednesday's Outfit

Dress: BCBG

Cardigan: Nordstrom

Necklace: Banana Republic

Ring, Pin & Bracelet: Forever 21

------------------------

Thursday's Outfit

Dress: Banana Republic

Top: Ann Taylor

Earrings & Pin: Vintage

Ring: Forever 21

Watch: Michael Kors

------------------------

Friday's Outfit:
Dress: Anthropologie

Cardigan: Nordstrom

Belt: Banana Republic

Tights: Hue

Pin: Vintage

Ring: Forever 21

"Phyllis Croaked Years Ago!"

On my way home yesterday, I sat next to an old woman with teased big red hair and bright coral lipstick. At the next stop, another older woman got on the train. The woman next to me recognized her and called out "Celia! Celia!" to get the woman's attention. Celia recognized Big Red and sat down next to her. They started chatting about the weather, arthritis and Brooklyn. A few minutes passed by and Celia got up to get off at the next stop. As she made her way to the doors, she yelled to Big Red "Tell Phyllis I said hello." Big Red yells back at Celia as she stepped off the train, "Phyllis croaked years ago!"

Poor Phyllis.

Last Week's Wardrobe

---------------------------

Monday's Outfit

Dress: Banana Republic

Cardigan: J Crew

Necklace: Anthropologie

Belt & Other Accessories: Forever 21

---------------------------

Tuesday's Outfit

Dress: Leifsdottir

Blazer: H&M

Accessories: Banana Republic

---------------------------

Thursday's Outfit
Dress: Nordstrom
Cardigan: Delia's
Hairpin: Banana Republic


---------------------------

Friday's Outfit
Dress: H&M
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Belt: Burberry
Pearls & Ring: Hand-Me-Downs

Fashionable & Fiscally Responsible

Accessories are great ways to put your own stamp on today's trends. I love keeping up with the ever-changing trends, but it's tough to be fashionable without breaking the bank. Here are some comparable accessories from Forever 21 and Anthropologie.

Can you spot the fashionable AND fiscally responsible accessories?

Row 1: Anthropologie - $138 / Forever 21 - $15.80

Row 2: Anthropologie - $288 / Forever 21 - $8.80

Row 3: Forever 21 - $8.80 / Anthropologie - $48.00

Row 4: Forever 21 - $12.80 / Anthropologie - $38.00

Last Week's Wardrobe

Monday's Outfit
Dress: Leifsdottir
Accessories: Forever 21

-------------------------
Tuesday's Outfit
Cardigan: Express
Shirt: Charles Tyrwitt
Skirt & Necklace: Banana Republic

-------------------------
Wednesday's Outfit
*Unfortunately, Wednesday's dress is at the dry-cleaners trying to be revived.
Here's a picture from my office window from the Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center.*

-------------------------
Thursday's Outfit
Shirt, Skirt & Necklace: Banana Republic
Vest: H&M

-------------------------

Friday's Outfit

Dress: Maude (Boutique in New Orleans)
Cardigan: Apt. 9

Necklace, Ring & Bracelet: Forever 21

Belt: Forever 21

I Heart Headbands

Like my closet, my headband drawer is way too cramped. As a lover of headbands, I decided it was time to treat my headbands with a little more respect because the flowers and feathers adorning my headbands are losing their shape. So in an effort to revive my accessories, my Dad and I built a headband stand to help keep their shape, but to showcase them in a practical yet fashionable way.

Materials Used:
-2 Gatorade Powder Canisters (empty)
-Aluminum Foil Tape
-Plaster
-Styrofoam
-Spray Adhesive
-Faux Fur
-Ribbon
-Hot Glue Gun
-Rhinestones
-Mini Mirrors

1) Put plaster or anything to add weight in the bottom of one of the Gatorade Cans. This will prevent the stand from tipping over.

2) Using the styrofoam, cut out 2-1"circles (the same diameter of the inside of the canister) and place once styrofoam circle in each of the canisters about half way down. The styrofoam circles should fit snuggly inside and will help hold the shape of the canisters.

3) Align the open ends of the canisters and secure them using the aluminum foil tape.

4) Once the stand is secure, spray the adhesive and affix the ribbon and faux to the stand. I used faux fur for the main part because it added thickness to hold the headband.

5) Finally, use a hot glue gun to bedazzle your stand. I chose rhinestones and mini mirrors.