back to school

i try not to be shocked when stores jump the gun on back-to-school the same way they do for the holidays and everything else that generates revenue, but i always am shocked. this year, though, i'm welcoming it. i'm looking forward to dark nail polish colors, cooler climes and cozy, neat fall fashion. this gap campaign makes me feel warm and fuzzy for some reason (or maybe that's the 105 degree subway platform). it reminds me of that age-old feeling of back to school shopping...dogearing the pages of looks that i hoped i could pull off...velvet, corduroy and wool that i would undoubtedly wear when the temps were still a little (or a lot) too warm, but i just couldn't wait. 

so enticing was this gap ad, that i clicked through and discovered backpacks surely meant for children that i surely want to own. is it me, or are these sparkly backpacks fabulously adult-ready?

which color are you getting?

watch the gap

holiday shopping starts out an organized fantasy... it's idealized by our long and thoughtful lists, dogeared catalogs and big, thematic plans. in reality though, some of the most efficient holiday shopping is done on the go - on our way to or from work, a doctor's appointment or an oil change. this month, window shopping and killing time are crucial to our effectiveness. i'll certainly share the best things i've seen on my walk to work, and i hope you'll do the same!
from the gap, i die for the nylon puffer totes ($14.99 - $17.99) and the silver ones (by far the most moon-tastic, in my opinion) aren't available online anymore, so scamper in. these are perfect for wet, slushy days and to throw everything from extra socks, a rolled up hoodie and all your other essentials. i mean my essentials. i mean your gift recipient's essentials...you know what i mean.

i also obviously love the sequin totes ($44.50) though the silver seems to be only available in stores. clearly, silver's a big deal right now.


and the velvet totes ($39.50) are so cozy and luxe at the same time which is, in my opinion, a pretty perfect combination. warm and versatile in the gray, and piercing and on-trend in the blue, these are a total win.

these are all perfect as secret santa gifts, the best "stocking" around to be filled with other goodies, or a standalone gift for someone special. or of course for you - i mean me - i mean...

top image from martha stewart, all images from the gap

spare pair

these last few rainy days in new york have illuminated how great the "spare pair" is that i picked up at target a few weeks ago (not to be compared with this spare pair, also interesting).

they're a foldable pair of flats that come with their very own carrying case - how cute! thrown in your bag, they're a quick change agent for heels, rain boots, sneakers or flip flops and perfect for traveling, commuting, or just as a fallback for ambitious shoe-wearers. they're like the popples of shoes. hear me when i tell you they look just as nice as their more rigid flat brethren when worn. unfortunately, they're not available online so you have to make the trek. or...

similarly, the gap has city flats in several colors and textures, including my two favorites, the velvet flat in phantom purple and the leather flat in perfectly on-trend camel. also see them in the punchy, rich lasalle red.
i love the range of colors available in the city flats, and if you want even more options, you have to check out the collection at yosi samra. they even make bridal ones!
to me, this concept is pure genius. women have been carrying spare pairs since the dawn of time...(okay, maybe not the dawn of time, but you get what i mean), it's just never been this easy or cute!

all images from linked sites

honey gift files...sweet dreams

it's easy to forget that the longest, coldest part of the winter is after the holidays are over and done, and without all the cheer and togetherness to warm them up. so it's always nice to give gifts that help our loved ones to keep cozy throughout those months.

my favorite way to buy pajamas for myself and as gifts is to get a few pieces in complementary colors that are interchangable with each other and make for several possible combinations. last winter, i bought myself a set of red pajamas and a set of black, and then a robe and slippers in black and white, and a sleepshirt in red and white. what i love is that whatever combination i go for matches, and that's a really nice, sort of fancy feeling, even while i'm at my most casual. upon making that purchase, i really discovered the unique pleasure and comfort of something like this - it's one of those things that adds specialness to an everyday routine.

here are some of my favorite picks for this season. they all come in several different colors and patterns, so click around and check out all your options.

from gap body:

from lane bryant (plus size):

from old navy plus:







from old navy:






old navy has so many (and such well-priced) options that i couldn't resist a second color scheme:








from gap maternity:

from natori:

from bath and body works:

i love these mukluk slippers from victoria's secret, which i think are great on their own as a gift and most of them are on sale for around $20:

,
this cashmere lounge set and robes from arlotta through bare necessities would make an amazingly luxe gift -- like, celeb-quality luxe:


from avenue (plus size):










from restoration hardware, i love these foot duvets (great deal at $16) and both the cashmere and plush robes (monogrammable):

and look at these his and hers long johns from red envelope...adorable. i think if i were to opt for these, i'd totally opt for mr. and mrs. embroidery. would be especially cute for a newly married pair.

with so many potential colors and prints, it's fun to pick out the components of a pajama gift, and even more fun to open up a gift that gives warmth every night of the winter.