Marie Clair

Jacket: Coast

T-Shirt: Topshop

Scarf: From my Nana

Jeans: Topshop

Shoes: Schuh

Bag: TK Maxx

Accessories Inspired by: Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day Readers! I hope you're all watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and stuffing yourselves silly with turkey, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie. If you want to make your holiday a touch more authentic, style tonight's outfit with accessories inspired by the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Now get off the internet and spend some time with your family!

1.) Feather Earrings (Forever 21, $3.80)
2.) Pumpkin Spice Muffin Shower Gel (Philosophy, $16)
3.) Alkemie Native Bird Double Ring (Shopbop, $155)
4.) BE & D Carlisle Belt (Shopbop, $388)
5.) Alexander McQueen Buckle Peep-Toe Boot (Zappos, $1,055)
6.) Minnetonka Fringe Boot (Zappos, $98)

P.S. Check out these two websites to plan your Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping.

An Alternative to the Monogram?

I grew up in a culture of labels. No, not stereotypical teenage name calling, my upbringing was filled with monograms. The southern all-girls school I attended was dotted with students who loved initial-smothered picture frames, backpacks, tote bags, jewelry, pillows and towels. If you could embroider or engrave it, someone found a way to slap her monogram on it.

Don't get me wrong, I like monogramming as much as the next preppy southerner, but in excess, it can seem a bit pretentious. That's why I'm loving these initial rings from Etsy--they're edgier, more unique versions of the traditional signet ring. Not to mention they're much more affordable!

Readers what do you think of monogramming? Are you a die-hard fan? Or do you prefer something off the beaten path?

1.) Pebble Initial Ring $24
2.) Antique Typewriter Key Ring, $40
3.) Square Block Ring, $24 
4.) Rustic Tab Ring, $36 
5.) Just an Initial Ring, $15 
6.) Custom Initial Ring, $26

Flannel, Formal, and Fall Leaves: A Life Update

It's nearing the end of fall semester, and I've been so busy with school and the Wake social scene that I've neglected my blogging. I hate to make empty promises, but as I enter the home stretch of this semester, I'll make an effort to post more frequently. In case you've been itching for an update, here's what I've been doing in my absence from the blogosphere.

(Me and my friend Aveen in our flannel waiting to go out on the boats)

Mountain Weekend
Visualize a serene mountain setting with cozy cabins, picturesque rocking chairs, and a lack of cell phone reception. Now impose over that peaceful scene a crowd of rowdy college students sporting flannel, blaring music and generally disrupting the crisp, cool Rocky Mountain air.

Two weekends ago I attended a fraternity formal in Fontana Dam, North Carolina, where activities included everything from floating pontoon boats to swing dancing at the formal. Needless to say, my weekend attire ranged from sweatshirts to stilettos. It was a nice break from campus life, but far too brief. Missing a weekend of studying threw me into an academic whirlwind once we made it back to Winston-Salem.

Public Art Final Projects
This semester I enrolled in a public art course to finish up my Studio Art minor. Basically this class is run as a guided independent study with an exhibited piece of public art as the final project. Naturally, I decided to go about my project the difficult way, and am in the process of creating a series of temporary public art pieces  inspired by the poetry of Wake Forest Alum, A. R. Ammons.

Last week, the library held a symposium honoring the poet, and I was fortunate enough to read a poem aloud during the final lunch. On the tails of the conference, I displayed my first work of art, a piece inspired by Ammons' poem "Rapids," pictured above.

Wake readers, keep your eyes peeled for the remaining works in my series. They'll be popping up on campus soon alongside the other final pieces from my class.

Semi-Formal

Right before Thanksgiving break my sorority had our last event of 2010, semi-formal. After internally debating my outfit for what seemed like days, I settled on a Plenty by Tracy Reese dress that I've had for a few years. Filled with dancing and food, formal was great. I couldn't have asked for a better night, but I am so happy to have a brief hiatus from Wake Forest for the next couple days.

(This print is part of Anderson Design Group's "Spirit of Nashville" Series)

Thanksgiving Break
After a day of traveling, I'm so excited to be back home in Nashville. I can't wait for all my family and high-school friends to get into town!

Readers, has your fall been flying by? Can y'all believe it's Thanksgiving tomorrow?

These Are a Few of my Favorite Things

Is there anything better than Oprah's favorite things? In her final season, the queen of daytime television lavished audience members with the new VW Bug, an iPad, Le Creuset cookware, diamond earrings, a Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera and a subscription to Netflix among other gifts. It's still hard for me to believe she's going off the air after 25 seasons.

For a complete slide show of Oprah's ultimate favorite things, click here.

P.S. I know I've been neglecting the blog lately, but I promise a lengthy life update is coming soon.

Michael Gurhy

St. Lukes

Jacket, Shirt, Tie, Jumper & Gloves: Topman

Pants: Topshop

Boots: Henry Holland

Inspired by: Burlesque

In honor of Cher and Christina Aguilera's feature film premiering November 24, I picked out a handful of sparkly, Burlesque-inspired pieces. With the holiday season rapidly approaching, sequins are an easy way to spice up your wardrobe, but steer away from a head-to-toe outfit. Leave the show-girl look to the professionals.

Clockwise from top right:
Bring on the Bling--OPI--$8.50

Glitterati Party Clutch--J. Crew $59.50

Jenna Metallic Pump--Tory Burch $325

Scandall--Steve Madden-$109.95

Felicity Chandeliers--Anthropologie--$28

Jeweled Headband--Forever 21 $6.80

Curve Sequin Shift Dress--Topshop $250

Gemma Donohoe

Whites Cross

Jacket: H&M

Scarf: Penneys

Shirt: Penneys

Shorts: Miss Selfridges

Tights: M&S

Boots: River Island

Bag: Found in the attic

Earrings: Topshop

The blog world is abuzz with discussion of Kate Spade's newest book, a collection of "inspirations, intriguing bits, and other curiosities" inspired by the much-loved section of the brand's retail website, "The Things We Love". While The Things We Love is not yet available for sale to the public, I decided to create my own edition, The Things I Love, for today's post. Enjoy!

Here's a consolidated list with links:
1.) Ballet Slippers
2.) Keith Haring
3.) Capri Blue Candles
4.) Hidden Messages
5.) Bows
6.) Aphrodite's Pink Nightie Nail Polish
7.) S'mores
8.) Starbucks Holiday Drinks
9.) Fifi Lapin

PS Click here to watch a special on Kate's house on Plum TV!

November Releases

I feel like good movies come in waves, and this November, it's a tsunami. There are tons of films I want to see premiering this month--so many they can barely fit in one blog post! Thank goodness for "Stimulus Tuesdays" at my local theater. They offer $4.25 student tickets and $1 popcorn and soda!

Here are my favorite movies premiering this month:

I'm a sucker for anything starring Rachel McAdams, so Morning Glory has been on my radar since I saw the trailer a few weeks ago. This romantic comedy about a morning talk show features Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton and seems like the perfect combination of mindless laughs and witty dialogue. It's at the top of my go-see list and premieres in theaters today, November 10.

Love and Other Drugs: Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this sassy film rendition of Edward Zwick's non-fiction title, Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman. I can't tell too much from the trailer, except that Hathaway and Gyllenhaal are absolutely adorable. The movie hits theaters November 24.

I am definitely part of the Harry Potter generation, and I can't wait for part one of the final installment of the series. Deathly Hallows is going to be so epic, I'm already preparing for the midnight showing on November 19. There's really nothing else I can say... except how cute is Emma Watson's new pixie cute?

Burlesque: This movie has everything: Cher, Christina, Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci and rhinestones galore. I cannot wait until November 24. Look out for a post on Burlesque-inspired fashion in the next few weeks.

As a veteran Nutcracker participant, I'm curious to see how this movie version pans out. I've never been a huge fan of 3D movies because they can give me a headache, but I might have to make an exception for this one. Starring Nathan Lane and Elle Fanning, The Nutcracker in 3D premieres November 24.

Everyone knows the story of Rapunzel, so I'm interested to see how Disney revamps the traditional hair-raising fairytale. Not to mention, I have a soft spot for animated movies. Tangled, starring the voices of  Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, hits theaters on November 24.

Readers, did I miss any of your top picks? What movies are y'all looking forward to this November?

Zara online

Cork shoppers can now order from the Zara website (Zara.com) and collect their purchases at the Mahon Point outlet - woot! Behold our first order...

Buck skin clutch, €99.95, Zara

Trumpet Flare Trousers, €69.95, Zara

Feather necklace, €39.95, Zara

Tea Time!

When it's bitter cold outside, there's nothing better than a piping-hot cup of tea. I think it was my semester across the pond got me hooked on the British pastime of afternoon tea, but to be perfectly honest, I'd drink practically anything out of these gorgeous sets from Anthropologie!

Readers how do you like your tea? Do you take one lump or two?

(Image Credit: all from Anthropologie Home)

Designer Silly Bandz

What do y'all think of Marc Jacobs' faux Silly Bandz?  At $15 for a set of 5, I think they're a fun inexpensive touch of color, but maybe I've been brainwashed by the Silly Bandwagon. Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Doreen O'Mahony

Douglas

Scarf: H&M

Jacket: Zara

Dress: Zara

Pearl Necklace: A|Wear

Shirt: Quin & Donnelly

Tights: M&S

Shoes: Penneys

Chic Coats for Cheap

How cute are these wool coats? With temperatures dropping, now's the perfect time to invest in some stylish outerwear. Even better, these chic coats are on sale at Old Navy for a limited time. The plaid "prep coat" (top left) is less than $30, and celebrities like AnnaLynne McCord and Kristin Cavallari have been seen sporting the "ruffled wool-blend coat" (bottom left, $60). The sale continues until November 10.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!

 

(This picture was taken over parent's weekend at my sorority's father/daughter beer pong tournament! haha!)

A low blow

Leopard Print Kitten Heels, €33, Next

Are we the only ones having trouble warming to the kitten heel? Take this leopard print pair, we've got slippers higher than these... 

October stats - big ups to the Canadian 14!

Ireland  2,230

United States  353

United Kingdom  144

Germany  64

France  31

Australia  26

Russia  21

Brazil  20

Poland  19

Canada  14

Election Day

It is a near-unfathomable thought that less than a century ago, women did not have wide-spread voting rights in the United States. If you're 18+ years old, please exercise your right as a US citizen, and cast your vote in today's election. Hopefully I'll see you all at the polls!

Coat of charms...

This cosy jacket, finished in luxe faux fur, will make a clever addition to your workwear wardrobe. Keep the belt tight to nip in your waist and finish the look with a prim Victorian white shirt. Jacket: €350, Style for Life, Grafton Mall, off Oliver Plunkett St. Cork. Call 021 4279289 for more information.

Here are three ways to wear it...