Five Little Holiday Things

The whole month of December is always a crazy month, despite it being "the most wonderful time of the year."  This year especially, it seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye and I really haven't enjoyed it to it's fullest potential. With that being said, this past weekend I was really trying to focus on enjoying the fun little things that make up the holidays, like enjoying time with friends and staying indoors all day. I created a little "Five Things" post about what has made me smile all weekend, s here are the pictures of each little detail that's kept me in the holiday mood, I hope they keep you smiling like they've kept me.

{The row of gingerbread houses that have now been transferred to our island}

{Each and every one of our super sentimental ornaments)

{All of the Christmas cards we've received lately}

{My manicure (and pedicure) that I got yesterday in a Christmas-y red}

{The poinsettias that are scattered all over our house, clique, I know, but they radiate Christmas for me}

A Peek into my Make-Up Bag

I'm always curious to see what other people have in their make-up bags, so I thought that I should share to others what is in mine.  I'm always spilling my little bag all over my bathroom counter and it is rarely ever clean so last night as I was doing just that, I grabbed my camera and snapped a picture, these are my current favorites as of this moment.  What are your favorite make-up buys?

-Bag: Body Shop cosmetic bag from last year's Christmas, it had Satsuma lotions in it; my favorite scent from them.

-Eight-Color Eyeshadow Palette: From Claire's, this is so convenient so that I don't have to buy each and every bright color I want, I use this most in the summer though.

-Brown Eyeliner: Mary Kay brand, I really never use this, but it comes in handy when you are marking off two specific points to pluck your eyebrows in.

-Sonia Kashuk Brushes: I got this as a birthday present and I've loved it since the second I unwrapped it. Its really easy to put into a bag and take anywhere, and with five brushes, you'll never go wrong.

-Colossal Volume Mascara from Maybelline: This really fans out your lashes and makes them really dark.

-Mary Kay Foundation: I don't use this as foundation, I use this as concealer.  It covers up blemishes really easily and blends into my skin tone nicely. Plus, it doesn't clog pores which is a must for teenagers especially.

-Shimmer-y Gray Eyeshadow: I put it only under the crease in my eyes and it makes my blue eyes pop.

-Old Mascara wand: This comes in really handy when my mascara won't cooperate and clumps together.

-Mini Sephora Eyeshadow: I got this in their birthday package and it came in white which makes your eyes wider and look more awake.

-Smokey Eyeshadow Quad: I've been able to think up numerous looks with these four basic colors, it's now a staple to every day life.

-Lip Polish: This is from Maybelline called Girly Pink, that pretty much describes it. I can easily smooth a coat or two on when I'm running late and it gives me a fun yet polished look instantly, its just slightly pink-er then my natural lip color, so it's not a major pop.

-Three-Shade Blush Palette: I only use the lightest shade or the middle shade of this, but those two are perfect. The lighter shade also works as a bit of a highlighter and the two blend together well to give a perfect color for my skin tone.

Holiday Gifts for...

Here are a few gifts for the foodie in your life, but I think almost anyone would appreciate any of these gifts.  I've never been super into cooking until recently and now I'm head over heels in love for baking so it seemed appropriate to make a foodie gift guide.  One of my favorite Christmas memories is when i was eight and me and my little brother rushed down stairs to see what Santa had gotten us. I got a Bath and Body Works American Girl gift basket, but my little brother, who was five, got a spice rack and a waffle maker. For the longest time he wanted o be a chef, and my mom is a great cook. i can think of a lot of people that would love one of these presents. Who would you give these to?

Anthropologie Dining Room Measuring Spoons
Crate&Barrel Star Cookie Cutters
Anthropologie Elephant Shakers
Amazon Just Cupcakes
Crate&Barrel Red Mixing Bowl
Sephora Ginger Bread Girl Body Wash
Anthropologie Tea-and-Crumpets Apron
Bella Cupcake Couture Cupcake Wrappers
Crate&Barrel Hot Chocolate Blender

Christmas Songs Playin'

I adore Christmas music and start listening to it in October most of the time. Christmas songs and snow are what get me excited for the Holiday times, and since we haven't actually had any snow, I've been hanging on to the joyful songs from my Christmas playlist for dear life. I'm listening to Christmases When You Were Mine by Taylor Swift at the moment and whenever I hear one of these songs, it instantly brightens my day.  My favorites are Christmas Must Be Something More also by Taylor Swift, Jingle Bells sung by Basshunter, and Winter Wonderland sung by Kate Havnevik.  Here is my Christmas playlist as of this moment, what are your favorites?

Santa Baby- Marilyn Monroe
Winter Wonderland- Jewel
Winter- Sixteen Cities
Winter Wonderland- Kate Havnevik
White Christmas- Taylor Swift
We Need a Little Christmas- Glee Cast
The Little Drummer Boy- Jessica Simpson
Silent Night- Taylor Swift
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town- Mariah Carey
Merry Christmas Darling- Glee Cast
Little Drummer Boy- Low
Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow- Michael Buble
Last Christmas- Taylor Swift
Joy to The World- Faith Hill
Jingle Bells- Basshunter
Jingle Bell Rock- Jessica Simpson
Christmas Must be Something More- Taylor Swift
Last Christmas- Glee Cast
Baby It's Cold Outside- Barenaked Ladies
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas- Tori Amos
I'll be Home for Christmas- Aimee Mann

Christmas Wish List

A new gift guide is way way way over due and as I was looking around for some presents to put into a new one, I kept adding more and more onto my list of wishes. The most recent hints I've been giving out are for a Danny Roberts print and a perfume sampler from Sephora. I love gifting presents to people, especially when you find the perfect present that you know they are going to love.  The hardest part of the holidays are keeping the presents under the tree and not gifting them to friends right away, but this just focuses on what I want.  Lately I've had some very persistent friends and I've really had to think about what I wanted for the upcoming holidays, so it seemed right to put my list into a post.  Here is my list for Santa, whats on yours?

Forever 21 Minnie Muse Hoodie

Kate Spade Wall Calendar

Ulta Remington Pearl Straightener

Sephora Perfume Sampler

Penguin Wreck This Journal

Danny Roberts Print

Archie Grand Notebooks

P.S. Sorry I don't have any links to the items, the program refused to cooperate

Cookie Dilemma

Now that it's finally December, all things Christmas have come out.  Our tree is decorated and lit at all hours and little details of Christmas are strewn about our house.  Just yesterday a friend of my mom's came over with a poinsettia that is placed differently each time I see it from my mom's excitement. One of my favorite parts of this time of year is all the food. To say I have a sweet tooth is a major understatement and I love all the different holiday flavors that come out for just this time of year. Peppermint and chocolate are two of my all-time favorite combinations when it comes to desserts and now they seem to be everywhere which is such a treat for me. I'm going to a holiday cookie exchange with a friend in a few weeks and I've been looking for the perfect recipe for this party.  I've found quite a few possibilities and now I'm realizing that narrowing it down to just one idea is going to be the hardest part.  Here a few contestants that may make it into the party. Which do you think would be yummiest?

{Cinnamon-Sugar Roll Cookies}

All pictures from Better Homes & Gardens website

{Espresso Shots}

{Brown Sugar Shortbread}

{Triple-Decker Decadence}

{Raspberry and White Chocolate Whoopie Pies}

{Chocolate-Peppermint Meringue Kisses}

{Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Filling}

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Holiday Hopes

Since we are so close to the holidays, I figured I should make my annual list of to-dos. Each year I make a list of everything I want to accomplish before the first of the year. Sometimes I get it all the way done, but usually I get about half way through and get caught up in the holiday stress. This time of year should be peaceful and fun, not stressful and annoying, so all of the items on this list of holiday promises are just fun little things that you look at at the beginning of December and think, of course I'll do that, but never get around to.  Here's what I've come up with so far, hat do you hope to do this winter?

~sip peppermint lattes
~go ice skating at night (outside- not at one of those indoor skating rinks that have fake ice)
~go store to store looking at all the different holiday decorations
~drive around (well, be driven around) to see all the different Christmas lights
~make cute heart-felt cards for all of my friends and family
~decorate a gingerbread house with my little brothers and sister
~decorate my Christmas tree with friends, and the family one with that whole family
~make holiday cookies with plenty of red and green sprinkles
~make/decorate ornaments for my friends

Here's to getting all those things done, and enjoying the holidays!

Five Things

This week has been a hard one for me, and with Thanksgiving break dwelling right in front of me, I have been hoping for Friday to come.  Now that Friday has come though, I'm exhausted, like usual. So I'm going to steal Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere's idea of talking about the five things that have made me extra happy this week. From test after to test to being flat out sleep derived, I think this post is long overdue. This weekend I'm just going to relax and sleep, but I'll be back on Monday.  Until then, here are some thing that have made me smile, hopefully they'll make you a bit happier too.

Andy Warhol, especially this print. I've been hinting to my parents that this is a great Christmas idea for me all week.

Cobalt blue. In any form.

Chanel Jade nail polish, I don't actually own this nail polish, but this shade of green has been popping u all around me this week.

Anticipation of more snow. We had our first white blanket spread out last week, and it has't come since, which is a major shock and usually doesn't happen. 

Macaroons, these look so delicious in their many different flavors. I personally don't love coconut, so I was excited when I found a raspberry macaroon recipe. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Holiday Gifts for...

I have many friends that adore make-up. When ever we hang out, at sometime I end up sitting on their bed while they experiment with all of the latest styles from the make-up world (This also usually involves flipping through each others' fashion magazines which can take hours on end).  I have gotten Katy-Perry-pink lips to Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's glam look smeared onto my face, but we all love it. I do enjoy beauty products, but these lovely ladies are obsessed, and I love them for it!  Here are some items that are worthy enough for them, and that's saying a lot.

(going clockwise from top)

Stila Backstage Eyeshadow Quad

Sephora Color Wand

Sephora Travel Bath Set

Sephora Travel Brush Clutch

Stila Lip Glaze Set

OPI Mini Collection

A Couple Little Ideas

Even with Christmas over a month away, I know that that month will speed by in the blink of an eye.  Usually I think about presents once winter break starts (and by then, all the good gifts are sold out) and usually just give them a gift card to their favorite store, but this year is going to be different. I'm going to think about it way ahead of time and actually think creatively and really think about what they would actually want. Opening a wrapped box on Christmas is so much more fun then tearing open an envelope. So, (being true to my word) I'm going to do a series of gift guides, but here are just a couple ideas that are already on my mind. Hopefully this (and the ones coming soon) will be helpful this holiday season!

1. topshop.com 2. nordsrom.com 3. jaysonhomeandgarden.com 

GO International with Target

In March of 2011, GO International is teaming up with Target to create a capsule collection, bringing back dresses from the past, including a Rodarte number that I have had pinned to my inspiration board since it's original timing. They are going to have a total of 34 dresses from 17 of Targets past collaborations with designers. So if you missed a great dress the first go-around, or see a new one you love, be sure to check out Target in March. Lanvin is also doing a mash-up with Target real soon, and Mulberry is currently selling their pieces for Target right now (but if you really want one, be sure to buy it quick, because they are already out of stock online, and only a select few stores still have inventory). I just love when a big designer pairs up with Target, because I usually can't afford the actual brand. Now I'll just be counting off the days until March...

Marc Jacobs for Halloween

Store windows are always fun to look at around the holidays, and although my favorite are at Christmas time, Halloween window display are great too. Marc Jacobs payed a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock for his Halloween fun with inspiration from the movie The Birds.  He basically flocked his Bang! fragrance display with a ton of black birds. And it looked fabulous. What's your favorite Halloween display?

I heart it

Have you ever been stuck for inspiration and just don't know what to do? Well, I found this wonderfully delicious website called we heart it that you will just love. After reading some old posts from the blog lil bee I found this website and I instantaneously fell in love. Basically, anybody can post pictures of anything that they like and then you can go and "heart" it by clicking on the picture and add it to a list for future reference. The pictures can be found from blogs or a website, or you can take the pictures yourself. I have spent hours on it now poring through thousands of pictures and adding them to my heart.The quality of the pictures are amazing and you can't help but smile when you see some of them.  Here are just a few of the pictures that are "on my heart" right now.

Net-A-Porter

Don't you just hate it when you walk into a store and see something that has no hanger appeal at all and find something better (or so you thought) and then later see someone wearing that exact ensemble to realize it's gorgeous and then you experience some major clothing jealousy. Then, after you drive all the way to the store almost immediately, you see that this certain piece is all sold out, and you feel like an absolute idiot for not trying it on.  This happened to me a couple weeks ago, and really hadn't thought of a solution other then trying on everything in your sight that could have possible potential {enter net-a-porter.com}. I'm sure basically everyone that has a love for fashion has been to this website and I just love love love that you see the flats of the clothes, then when you roll over the picture, it shows you what it would look like on. I know this really doesn't solve your problems for in a store but I just adore being able to see where the hem would hit, or how high those dream boots really are, or how that it-bag would fit in your hand.  They have a gorgeous mini dress that was a new arrival for today, and I just love it, but I thought the hem would be a bit longer then it actually is. I thought it was a gorgeous flat, but it is even more amazing on a person (go figure).  Honestly, Net-A-Porter is just an amazing outlet for all the newest and latest on fashion and designers. Period.  They sell basically every brand you could want and have a virtual magazine to see all the newest trends to buy for. What more could a girl really want? (here are just a few of my favorite things)

A Miu Miu dress that I just adore, it was a new arrival today, and sold out today too. I can easily see this with a sky-high heel in nude or blush tones.

A J.Crew dress from their new wedding boutique. I saw this dress months ago and loved it, and now love it even more on this model's mocha skin. Heaven.

Again J. Crew, and just as fabulous. The green color is right on with the military trend, but fact it's a heel in silk feminizes the trend and takes it to a new level

Here is an example with the no hanger appeal, I saw this flat from Ashish and didn't like it much at all, it just hangs boringly and doesn't look very flattering, but on it takes on the roll of a comfy piece that you can dress it up just as easily as you can dress down

A great piece for layering loads of jewelry over from Tibi

Ankle Boot Heven

I've been fantasizing over fall clothes for quite some time now and I can finally get away with wearing most of it. I've dreamt of cardigans, boots, and pea coats since the beginning of school and now that's this dream time has finally come, I realize that I don't have any cold-weather clothes I've been drooling over lately. Today I went to the mall and picked up a much needed striped cardigan that is slouchy and light weight, perfect for the weather lately.  In July I obsessed over this specific pair of ankle boots that I saw in the Forever 21 (I do realize that name has become quite a cliche with me) window, and it being July, I wasn't ready to embrace the fact it would be cold in a couple month, so I didn't get them. They have since then sold out, and I'm left with ankle boots that are new, yes, cute, of course, but aren't just right for me. The just right pair always seem to be out of budget so I guess I'll just have to order them online, something I haven't done yet with shoes (I'm paranoid that they won't fit and won't be returnable).Here are pictures of shoes I've been lusting over lately.

Forever 21 twist booties 

 

                                                            Forever 21 Ankle Boots

{I do realize these aren't ankle boots, but i couldn't resist putting them in} See by Chloe lace up Wellington

                                      

                                                                    Kate Preston

xoxo

New York for Summer

Next summer (July 2011), my church is going to go on a missions trip. This summer we went on one to down town Denver (I didn't make this one, swim team got in the way) and apparently the group had so much fun they wanted to do a cross-country one next summer! I'm so excited for it! We are going to (drum roll please), New York! I've never been but have been planning a trip ever since I decided I want to go to F.I.T. for college and become a name everyone knows in fashion. I see pictures of fashion week and blogs from trips there and it just makes me lust to go there even more each time. The trip hasn't even been announced yet (the leader Robbin hinted to me, then later guaranteed we will be going to the Big Apple) and I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to wait. I've already gotten an old stack of Lucky magazines and have been compiling a list of all the best boutiques around the city.  I've been talking about it at school and my friends are telling me that it's next summer so I really shouldn't start all the planning now, but it's so hard not to! If I plan on being a big name in the fashion industry when I grow older, I need to get a move on. I love reading street style blogs and seeing all the crazy-yet-artfully-amazing concoctions that people mix up in their closets, its just wonderful to be able to stand completely still in a big city and know that there is such hustle and bustle and so many things going on, and absolutely none of them concern you. I love that feeling, I feel so relaxed in that. I need the business around me and honestly, fashion is my one real connection to that hustle and bustle.  I know we are going here on a missions trip and it's to help the less fortunate and bring people to Christ and give them the resources to become a Christian, but Robbin, the leader that told me before she was meant to, said that maybe her and I could stay a couple days after the missions trip to do some shopping, even if that doesn't work out I'll find time to shop and look around. If you have any suggestions of what I should do, where to shop, or what I should eat while I'm there, I would love the input.  I absolutely can't wait to get wrapped up in every thing that New York is known for.  I'm already daydreaming of seeing the Brooklyn Bridge, lounging by Central Park and strolling through Time Square, all armed with my camera and note book. Other places I'm planning of stopping by include Topshop, Kate Spade, an this store Zoe that I found in Lucky. A trip to Soho for a day of shopping and gazing at all he lovely things available is an absolute must, I think that may be at the top of my list. Any way, I just wanted to share my summer plans for you (I know, I know, its almost fall and I am ready for the change in seasons too, but its hard not to look forward to New York!!!) so anyway, hope you are enjoying fall, even though it could still be summer based on the weather.

xoxo
Peyton

California Amazingness!

I know this post is way, way, way overdue, but we have finally gotten iPhoto on our Mac and now I can successfully upload pictures. I know I promise pictures, and they never come, but now I can fulfill my promises! Now I have a ton of picture from California, and that will be all for today. I couldn't find a (presentable) picture of me with my hot pink lipstick that I was going to buy. I was on my way to the checkout line, and then I saw the price tag. I may just have to get it at the drug store. Sigh. Delanie and I had such a good time, you couldn't imagine the plain ride for me. The whole time I was tapping my foot ready for the plane to land. That was the only part of the trip I didn't absolutely love, but it was well worth it. Here are just a couple of the pictures I took, I couldn't put them all on since I took over 800 pictures. Oh well.

Kate Spade, that store is so amazing, and bonus points for the people working there liking my shoes!

Jelly Belly Factory, so much fun, except for the hats they made us wear

Two nice ladies that let me take their pictures. I liked their outfits, and the first person's shoes were so cute, I think she was the person that started my wanting of ankle boots

At an A's baseball game. It was fun but really really cold

The outside of the amazing three story Forever 21, I was in heaven!

A picture taken from looking down to the bottom of the San Fransisco mall, it was eight stories of  shopping fun

After I got off the plane we got ice cream! My favorite flavor  at the time was (is?) strawberry cheesecake, so good after a long flight!

Me in an awesome chair at Pier 1 Imports, Delanie and I went shopping there and could've spent hours touching and feeling all the pretty items. I can't wait to be able to decorate my own house!

The same shopping day as Pier 1, we tried prom dresses on at JCPennies and this was my favorite, I loved the black watercolor print on the skirt

Basically what the bathroom counter looked like after a couple of days there, I guess that's what you have to expect coming form three (me, Delanie and Brena, Delanie's big sister) teenage girls

My gorgeous friend Delanie after I got to do her hair and make-up. We went to In&Out burger for lunch, that's definitely something I miss from living in California

Delanie and Troy playing Mario Kat on the wheel, I tried to play it, but was unsuccessful, they kept yelling at me what to do! It just ended in a bunch of laughs and me giving up my wheel

And finally Bart, I love trains so much, I can't wait to take the Subway in New York when I eventually live there!

xoxo