GIVEAWAY: Kate Spade Delight

I hit 150 followers tonight and as promised here is my first blog giveaway!  Time for a little celebratory dance… “woo hoo, get smart, get sassy, with sprinkles, oh yeah, break it down.” (Did you read that last line with spunk, funk, and a little head bopping, because you were totally supposed to.)  Anyway, enough of my gigantic dorkiness, here is the giveaway…

  Kate Spade Big Apple Zippered Chrissy

Isn’t it so pretty?!  It comes in a variety of colors, but I of course had to go with “gifting pink.”  Very sprinkles appropriate, don’t you think?  And of course, I bought one for myself too :)  Here’s what the Kate Spade website said about this little gem: “Bright and shiny, just like it's namesake, this mini handbag-cum-wallet is crafted in high-gloss vinyl in playful "lite-brite" colors. It's embossed with an oversized Kate Spade New York signature for the perfect pièce de résistance. With a detachable wristlet, this cheery style fits the bill as a clutch or tucked away in your handbag as a pouch for your prettiest pennies.”

Details: zippered closure with detachable wrist strap…14-karat light gold plated hardware…4.4"h x 8.1"w

I am so excited about this giveaway, and I hope you all like this Kate Spade lovely as much as I do.  I ADORE Kate Spade, and I think she does "grown up whimsy" perfectly.  She always finds a way to inject a fun playfulness into even the most functional pieces.   She is also a Kappa, so we share a sisterly bond :)  To enter to win the Kate Spade Big Apple Zippered Chrissy, here are the rules...

1. You must be a follower to win.  (If you’re not already a follower, just become one, it’s easy!)

2.  Leave a comment to enter.  Any comment will do…your name, “enter me,” “Allison you freaking rock,” or anything else your heart desires :)

3.  For a second entry, blog about this giveaway on your blog!  If you do this, please leave a second comment telling me you did this with a link to your blog.

All entries must be received by Friday, March 12, 2010 at 12:00 pm CT.  The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced on Sunday, March 14.  Happy commenting and best of luck to all those who enter.  I can’t wait to see who wins!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

It's heeeeere!  The fabulous Nordstrom Anniversary Sale started Wednesday, and I can't believe I wasn't paying better attention.  I almost missed it!  For those of you that don't know, the Anniversary Sale happens twice yearly, and it an awesome opportunity to get up close and personal with a dress, sweater, or pair of shoes that you've been eyeing for a couple of weeks.  The cool think about this sale is that Nordstrom feature's stuff from the current season.  That's right, they put stuff on sale that they just put out on the floor.  Of course there are some older things on sale as well (I saw the dress in bought in April for my bridal shower for 60% off, ugh, depressing), but some stuff that just came out for fall and winter is marked down as well.  After the sale, they go right back up to full price, which for me, makes thoughtful buying go right out the window :)

Usually, I am overwhelmed when they release the sale's wish list; it's usually full of special treasures and tops that I just can't live without.  But this year, I was a little overwhelmed, as there isn't anything I'm just dying to get.  However, there are a few things that caught my eye, that are definitely worth giving a chance.  Because we don't have a Nordstrom in the awesome, tiny, disconnected town I live in, I typically order everything I think I want, then try it on for fit once it arrives.  I'll usually send half or more back after trying it all on.  Stuff in the Anniversary Sale sells out fast, so I don't wait to try one on, then exchange, etc etc.  I just place one gigancitc order and get it over with, then I'll send back what doesn't work.  Much more effective if you ask me, but this year I should probably warn my husband before I do this, to ensure he doesn't have a mild freak out looking at our bank statement.

So even though nothing really blew me away at first glance this year, there are definitely some things that need further examination.  So check out what's catching my attention and head over to Nordstrom.com to check out the goodies for yourself.

Anna Sui Baroque Lilies Wool Blend Dress

I think this dress is precious and can easily make the transition to officewear with tights, a cardigan and a belt.  Fun and flirty, yet structured enough for me.  Cute, cute.

Bellatrix Rosette Trim Silk Top

I really really like this top and think it will be perfect for the office with a pencil skirt or great for date night with jeans.  It pulls pink in the picture, but is actually cream.  This one will probably be a keeper.

LA Made "Kalvin" Kimono Sleeve Knit Tunic

Ok, I know this looks a little plain, but with my recent attempt to reign in my spending, I've been purchasing versatile pieces and then using accessories to really jazz up my look.  The reason I love this sweater so much is that it is perfect for "fall/winter" in Texas.  We don't really have either of these seasons here, but at times, I feel ridiculous wearing a short sleeved top in middle of November.  I mean, that's not fall?!  I want to swear rich fall knits and and cozy coats.  But with this sweater's lightweight and short sleeved take, it might be the perfect answer for Texas fall.

Charles by Charles David "Pompadour" Pump

The perfect black pump, which I can never have enough of.  I currently have four pairs of black round toe heels in rotation, and I would love to have another.  Because I spend all days traipsing around campus, from my job, to class, to meetings, to teach, I probably walk two miles or so a day in my heels.  Therefore, I have to change them up for the comfort and sanity of my feet, but also for the sanity of my shoes.  I think this little guy will fit in nicely with the others.

  Kate Spade "Say Yes" Message Necklace

I have had my eye on this necklace for about a month; I love it!  It's totally dainty, yet the message is anything but.  Love love love this.

So those are the main things I'm excited to see in my mailbox, although while I'm ordering stuff, I might as well throw in a couple more things.  Why order twice right?   So if you've got some money to spend (or even if you don't) check out the sale and see what treasures await you!

Rock the Cocktail Rings

Cocktail rings are a staple in my wardrobe.  I'm a firm believer you don't need a party or a cocktail to rock a cocktail ring.  I think they look fabulous at the office, with jeans a white tee, or with the obvious little black dress.  In recent years, I've extended this trend to include wearing multiple rings on one hand (a la Lauren Conrad) and stacking rings when I feel brave (see Whitney Port for inspiration.)  I was a little thrown off from my ring obsession after Matt and I got engaged, because I couldn't quite figure out how my new bling fit in with my cocktail collection.  I figured there had to be "rules" about not wearing rings bigger than your engagement ring, not mixing colors, etc etc.  However, as my engagement ring and wedding band became normal shmormal (although still delightfully gorgeous), I thought my other fingers looked sad.  So I decided, screw the rules and I got back to my cocktail ring roots.  I'm back to being adventurous, wearing different shades of gold, stacking rings, and rocking my Yurman with a flea market find.  Fashion has no rules right?  Check out some of my recent favorites that will be at the top of my Christmas wish list this year and watch for upcoming flea market and vintage store finds, as they truly have the most magical cocktail rings in my opinion.  So whether you're sipping a coke or a cocktail, rocking jeans or a dress, grab one, two or three rings and get going!

Kate Spade's "Catnapper" Mouse Rings

Juicy Couture "Dazed and Coutured" Stackable Rings

David Yurman Blue Topaz ring (my first Valentines Day gift from Matt and one of my favorite possessions.)  No one does rings like David Yurman.  If I ever win the lottery, I will without a doubt buy every piece made by him.

Anthropologie "Tentacles" Ring.  40% creepy, 60% cool.  I'll take it.