Happy Sunday, Thank Yous & A Giveaway Winner!

{Working on This}

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend. I've spent a lot of it working, but that seems to be my lot in life these days. Not bad, though, as I hope I'm building towards something.

I was lucky enough to receive blog awards from the lovely Lemon and Lavender, Cortizo Decor and Belle on Heels, and just wanted to say a big thank you. Really means a lot.

Also, I wanted to announce the winner of the $65 CSN Gift Certificate:

Nikki of Perpetually Engaged

Congrats! Thanks to everyone who entered and to CSN.

I'm probably one of the few who won't be watching the Superbowl tonight. I just can't get into it. Instead I'm looking forward to a soccer game that's on this afternoon. My husband is off to a Superbowl party so I have an evening free to do anything I want. Love it. What do you have planned for today?

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Happy New Year!



On this first day of a brand new year I'd like to take the opportunity to wish all of you a 2011 filled with the good things in life including health, happiness and prosperity. Thank you so much for reading this blog and being my friends. Blogging this year has opened up so many opportunities for me and has started me on the path to realizing dreams that at one time I couldn't even vocalize. That's huge. So again, thank you.

Last night was a pretty chill event that included good food, great fun and even better friends. We laughed, we ate, we watched the sun rise. What a wonderful way to welcome in the new year. What did you do?

This year I would like to continue trying to live based on the quote that inspired me at the beginning of 2010, but I also plan on

Being braver and worrying less...

...cultivating kindness and helping others when I can...

...stop the procrastinating and not just reaching for dreams, but achieving them...

...and, finally, in 2011 I want to choose happiness. Consciously. Actively. Always.

Happy New Year! xo

Merry Christmas!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ~ St. Luke ii. 10-12

Photo by ChelseaVictoria

"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas." ~ W. C. Jones

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

xoxo

Wishing Everyone a Wonderful Christmas Eve

"Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart... filled it, too, with a melody that would last forever."  ~ Bess Streeter Aldrich

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Eve and a very Merry Christmas. For those that are interested I've compiled a few holiday related links to peruse: 
 

My Top Five Christmas Movies  

What are yours?

 

Holiday Getaway Essentials

 

Holiday Sparkle

Turkey: House of the Virgin Mary

A religious pilgrimage in Turkey

Holiday Inspiration: Displaying Christmas Cards

Do you have any special Christmas Eve traditions?

 

"Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind." ~ Helen Steiner Rice

Some Christmas Gift Suggestions

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

~ Oren Arnold

Giving Thanks

Wishing all of my American friends a

very happy Thanksgiving ~ Enjoy!

Image via

 

Gossip Girl 'Witches of Bushwick' Episode and Fashion Recap

Blair and Chuck: Saints and Sinners

So Chuck and Blair admit that they love each other, that they're meant to be and yet...still not together. Someone hates me. I know that this is the way it has to be on a dramatic show, but that scene of them outside the party hurt my heart. At least they dropped the pretense and were honest with one another (when Chuck admitted he meant it with his whole heart when he said those three little, one-syllable words I squealed). That was more than I could have hoped for. In some ways I understand why Blair would want to fly solo while establishing herself as a powerful, independent woman ("Secretary of State Hillary...with better hair"), but this big problem keeping them apart seems more than a bit contrived. The whole bit with the foundation and Nate's mom? Really? I guess this is to show us that Blair's fear of being outed by Jenny was indeed justified--that is why people are judging her for "standing by her man," right?

Also, can I just say that Blair stripping down to her skivvies to go find Chuck--and Darota dutifully handing over coat and bag--was a great moment.

Serena's Sequined Sweater Dress by Stella McCartney

Blazer by Jay Ahr, Tote by Analeena

Cut-Out Booties by Lanvin, Fall 2010

I guess I'm supposed to feel bad for Serena, but I couldn't really muster up any sympathy last night. Sure this time she's been set up, falsely accused, etc. but it all seems like Serena's past transgressions coming home to roost. It also seems pretty clear that Serena had a relationship with teacher Ben and that's why Juliet's brother is now in the slammer. I wonder why the intense hate-on for Serena, though?
I guess she hung him out to dry to save her own skin?

Blair's Black and White Lace

Print Dress by Bensoni.

Necklace by Swarovski,

Bandeau Bra and Brief Set by Marni.

How long do we think Nate and Dan pretending Serena doesn't exist will last? Yeah, I don't buy it either. I did like that exchange in the loft, when Vanessa brought them back together, and they were trying not to admit they missed each other. Dan's all like, "Well, it's not like I'm calling out your name in the middle of the night" and Nate's all like, "Yeah, it's not like I'm writing out 'Mrs. Dan Humphrey' in my notebook." Bwah! C'mon guys, you're not fooling anybody.

Blair in a Red Natori Slipdress/Chemise with Black

Lace. Jewelled Python Clutch by Carlos Falchi.

As for the scheming by the Unholy Alliance from Brooklyn? All I can say is: Well played. This Triumvirate of Serena-Hating Evil pulled out a big win, although I have no idea what Juliet plans to do with a drugged out Serena. Also, I'm trying not to think about the logical aspects of their plan (like how they managed to spot Serena's dress on Gossip Girl, run down to Carolina Herrera to buy two for themselves and still beat Serena to the party--and while there have no one notice there were three blondes running around in the same dress) and just go with it. I still have nothing but animosity for Little J, but it was great to hear her say,
 "This isn't exactly my first Masquerade."

Serena's blue Carolina Herrera dress has been seen around the blogsphere for awhile. It was even worn by Ivanka Trump to a recent charity event. Hyacinth Blue Ring and Glamour Blue Bracelet by Swarovski, Jewelled Pearlized Python Clutch by Carlos Falchi.

How great was it to have Blair and Chuck getting simultaneous pedicures? In robes! I also thought Lily was pretty fierce while talking to the Dean, even if her faith in Serena got shaken eventually. And that bit where Blair tells Serena she has to find her calm, happy place, which Blair apparently finds by watching Dorota feed ducks in the park? Classic! Also, I have much love for Eric and Elliott and their Venn diagram, they're sweet.

What did you think of this episode?

Favourite outfit?

Photos Courtesy of CW.com
Runway Photo via style.com

Gossip Girl 'Juliet Doesn't Live Here Anymore' Episode & Fashion Recap



I love the blue of Blair's bedroom walls and her romantic
 black headboard. Silk sheets by Kumi Kookoon.

The title of this episode was misleading. Cuz it doesn't look like Juliet and her snazzy blazers are going anywhere, despite the fact that Cousin Colin has stopped the gravy train firmly in its tracks. So what do we know now that we didn't know before? Brother Ben was once a teacher, he's 26, and while he was once fresh-faced and idealistic he's now a criminal who can't take responsibility for what he's (supposedly) done. Juliet lives above a bodega and does her own hair. Vanessa, Jenny and Juliet are looking to form an Unholy Alliance against the cool kids who have made their lives a living hell. And while Vanessa is surprisingly good at this scheming stuff, Blair and Chuck are better. 

What happened in this episode that we've seen a million times before? Serena check out of a (supposed) relationship the minute her inappropriate, unavailable older man becomes available. Seriously? This was fast even for S. And now we get to see her staring lovelorn and confused at Nate. And then Dan. And then Nate. No, Dan, definitely Dan. *sigh* And then there was Nate acting like a doofus again, albeit a loveable one. So he's finally on Juliet's scent, he's set up a secret mission with Vanessa to unearth Juliet's lies and then he just...caves. Completely. She 'fesses up to being poor and it's all over. No, "How did you get keys for that apartment then?" and "Why did you frame Vanessa?" Nothing. Just, "So how 'bout that ballet!" Where Juliet turns up in J. Mendel. I thought Nate told her to wear a dress she actually owned?!

I did kind of like Vanessa this episode, probably because she's been hard done by lately. By Dan and Juliet, and Serena, et. al. for believing Juliet's lies. Plus, she looked pretty in her dress.

"We are Enemies with Benefits! There are no more feelings between Chuck and I than there are thoughts in Levi Johnston’s head.” ~ Blair to Serena

My favourite part of the episode, of course, was Chuck and Blair. And it's all Immersion Therapy vs Detox. Morning nookie and macaroons. Angry, hateful Chair ex sex? Chuck having Blair's back at the ballet? That last scene? Hell yes. Worth an entire episode of stupids (and that last vomit-inducing look at Jenny). And that one line from Darota, "If KGB can't get me to talk, Chuck Bass has no chance," was classic.

And Some Gossip Girl Episode 4.8 Fashion...

Serena ran around town seducing billionaire professors and breaking hearts while wearing those killer Zanotti Western ankle boots again this time paired with a fab Carlos Falchi Caiman python clutch (which I would love if I wasn't so snake phobic), a one-button tweed jacket by Tibi, an Of Two Minds Sari Print skirt and a embellished grey Vena Cava Viva Vena Layering sweater.

Blair also wore a Tibi blazer while she was busy, well, getting busy with Chuck.

Plain Military Peacoat - Tibi

Selina Bow Blouse - Milly

Draped Bow Miniskirt - Tibi

Double Jeu Néo-Alma Bag - Louis Vuitton

Criss Cross Pumps - Balenciaga

Photo [via]

Meanwhile, at the ballet...

Vanessa sported a Christian Cota Spring 2010

gown with a Lauren Merkin clutch, Alexis Bittar

cuff and Natalie Baroni earrings.

We already oohed and aahed over Blair,

Serena and Juliet's outfits in our earlier

peek at these dresses. In case you missed

 the Gossip Girl fashion sneak peak...

Juliet wore a J. Mendel dress and L.A.M.B. Glam pumps.

I really liked her make-up and her Ranjana Khan necklace.

Clutch by Carlos Falchi and rings by Swarovski and Rich Rock.

Blair wore a floral Ralph Lauren Spring 2008 RTW

halter dress with Christian Louboutin Triple Platform

 Slingbacks in Ice Blue and a Judith Leiber clutch.

...and then there was Serena...

Serena's Dress - Zuhair Murad Fall 2010 RTW

Susan Chain-Mail Clutch - Halston Heritage

Suede Platform Pumps - Leopoldo Giordano

Earrings (loved!) - Double Happiness

What did you think of this episode?

Fave outfit?

Episode Photos via CW.com
unless otherwise noted.
Runway photos via style.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue,

but the parent of all the other virtues." ~ Cicero

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian peeps! I hope you're enjoying your long weekend in style. And Happy Columbus Day to all my American friends. I'm thankful for so many things this year, not the least of which is all the wonderful friends and people I've met through blogging and all of you who continue to read and contribute to this blog on a daily basis. Thank you!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. "

~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"Thanksgiving, man.  Not a good day to be my pants." 

~ Kevin James

Photos via WeHeartIt
Drawing by Igor + André