i bought my first e-reader!

I bought a Kindle Paperwhite!

Wifi only, with ads. For $119 (no special pricing).

BUT I’M SO EXCITED!!! I’ve started referring to it as my new best friend. As in, “I can’t wait for my new best friend to get here.” I got free 2-day shipping (my sister is a student!) but they take 2 days longer to actually ship … so I have to wait for Christmas Eve. But maybe, just maybe it'll get here sooner. I've always been a big reader and I've actually been asked by EVERYONE why I don't own an e-reader already. I'm actually not one of those early adopter people (camping out for the 1st iPhone or whatnot). I like to wait and see if something will stick around, wait for the necessary upgrades and kinks to be worked out. And THEN, after reading copious amounts of reviews and other people's real life testimonials, I'll look into getting THE COOL NEW THING.

I've been considering the Kindle for almost a month now. I realized my work/commute bag was too heavy as is and that's what was keeping me from lugging around my commute-reading. So I re-started reading ebooks from the NYPL on my iPhone. But the glare was tiring out my eyes and making them noticeably drier (I wear contact lenses). So, I bit the bullet. YAYYY FOR MY NEW E-READER!!!

Big research going on now: Do I need a cover? And if so, what kind/which? 

The Hunger Games + Nail Polish = LURRRV.

Source

Have been hearing a LOT of hype over The Hunger Games nail polish from China Glaze and after seeing a preview here I can say I'm loving a LOT of the colors. 

I especially love Dress Me Up (District 8 Textiles):

Fast Track (District 6 Transportation):

Foie Gras (District 10 Livestock):

Stone Cold (District 2 Masonry):

And I really really wanted to love Smoke and Ashes (District 12 Coal) but I just don't think it'll fly in my office/with my personality.

I also really loved the shimmery green and the flat brown but don't think either would be flattering on my skin tone.  (See full review, discussion, and where to buy here).

Loved and bought: Bow rings.

Loved this...

kate spade Love Notes Bow Ring $48.00

But (and?) bought this...

ModCloth Golden Gift Ring, was $9.99, bought for $6.99

Ehh, close enough =)

GOAL: Write all of next week's posts (at least 5, one for each workday) this weekend!!!

UPDATE: Found this ADOOOOOORABLE bow (engagement?) ring by Chanel. DROOOOOOOL

1932 Ring in 18K white gold and diamond, at a meager $6,500

Oh, Santa, I PROMISE to be oh-so-good this year. PROMISE!!! ;)

Sacrifices that are worth it.

Left work at 8pm yesterday. But still with a smile on my face.

Why? I'm working late to do all the work I can't do next week. Because I'll be beachside in Mexico :D

Our resort

Will be pulling long days for the rest of the week but I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Excited for my week of fun in the sun. Especially since this past weekend my mom bought me my BARBIE BATHING SUIT!!!

It's this top:

From Everything But Water

With this bottom:

From Everything But Water

So this bathing suit but in the above color:

I FREAKING LOVE IT!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH that I danced around the store wearing it and singing "I'M A BARBIE I'M A BARBIE!!!" until my mom just bought it for me (mostly I think to make me take it off and stop terrorizing other customers).

Then I came home and wore it for five hours and kept singing "I'M A BARBIE I'M A BARBIE!!!" until I had to get ready for a New Year's Eve party.  And even then, my mom and sister had to convince me I couldn't wear my new bathing suit to the party SADFACE.

SO EXCITED!!!!

Grinch-tastic nails.

So, I don't think I've written about this yet, but a few months ago I joined Birchbox, a monthly subscription service that sends a personalized (based on your input) box of makeup samples to your door.  I heard about it over at Capital Hill Style and decided to try it out for myself.  So far, I'm pretty pleased with the service.

You can set your preferences as to what types of goodies you receive and such.  One of the settings says I like nailpolish.  This is true - I like nailpolish. A lot.  And Birchbox has been great about sending me seasonal and trendy nailpolish.

I think the problem is that I'm not a "seasonal and trendy" person.  The grey is an example of a trendy fall/winter color (for the past two years now) and the green is festive and Christmas/wintergreen-y I suppose.  However, on me, I just look like I'm trying too hard (to be cool? to be young? to be... anyone but me?).

I've done the grey alone and it's passable.  But the green is much harder for me to digest.  And not just because I'm a lawyer.  I think there's something about me that just isn't a glittery emerald nail-rockin' kinda gal.  And it's not that I don't do awesome colors - I'm rocking the glittery fuschia and purple combo below RIGHT NOW.

I think it's that - the pink and purple is still a little girly and perhaps sassy in a cute, cheeky "girl power" way.  The green is just a tinge more bad*ss.  It's like how I'd feel in a micromini and cleavage-baring top (not even).  It's how uncomfortable I'd feel in a shoulder-revealing top.  It's like I'm advertising myself as someone that I'm not.

Strange, that a nailcolor can make me feel (and think) so much!

Marketing that makes women feel insecure works.

Walking on sidewalk to orthodontist appointment and a sandwich board guy for eyebrow waxing looks at me and laughs under his breath. Now I'm totally self conscious about my eyebrows. Should I go in and get them done? O.o

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqc7nnbIYCjWadGDYDgPwDrGkkmtm63YDFJ2sxkYDLk53sV27fWtadvwEcehHWd6VnPXCVsOL37Kb3uTd_s1unIvmnXu0AojnnqJJ4TPG6fvopXYAQKjMdyubspEGyy3B4n9E2jzv2/s1600/bushy+1.jpg

Pig of Happiness.

Available on Amazon.com

What a lovely idea.

I don't even remember where I saw this but it just struck me as so lovely that I snapped a picture of it so that I could look it up.

I wish I could see the BEST in EVERYONE and EVERYTHING.  Seriously, that's truly how one could become happy.

Someone buy me this book for Christmas, please?

(P.S. This counts as a Useful Tuesday post because it is VERY useful to have a positive attitude and to be happy!)

Let's eBates together!

Just came in the mail today!

(taken with my iPhone)

(I love turning words into verbs).

Is eBates for real?  So, I've tried spreading the word before via Facebook and I think a lot of people thought that my Facebook page got hacked and spammed.

How does eBates work?  I'm not sure exactly how it works (I assume eBates charges the retailers who are listed an advertising or membership fee of some sort) but eBates is a cashback program based on your online spending.  I first read about it via Tiffany at I am Style-Ish and decided to try it out.

Basically you just use eBates' link to the retailers' site before you make a purchase.  I often will put things in my shopping bag (which gets stored for a period of time), go back to eBates to see if the retailer is listed and then click through to make my purchase.  (Sorry, that is a horrible description, just go to eBates, sign in, then use their link to the store before you make a purchase).

I've found it pretty intuitive but just in case, another description on how to use it from Tiffany's blog:

I've had a few people ask me to help with how to use ebates so just a quick summary:  First thing, bookmark ebates!  I have it saved in my bookmarks toolbar (I use Firefox where you can do that, not sure about other browsers) and when I want to start doing some online shopping I make sure to click on ebates before doing any browsing.  When you are on ebates, you can then click on one of the links for the stores they show or do a search for the store you are looking for.  I did a search for Nordstrom below and as you can see the Nordstrom link came up first and it's 5% cashback.  (The other links that came up are similar type stores but it's handy to see them in case you want to shop there too).  Click on the "Shop Now" button and then voila! you're on the Nordstrom site!  That link will remember that you clicked through and then will give you the cashback once you buy something.  The cashback will show up in your account within a few days of your purchases. 

Here's a screenshot of my last eBates' earnings:

There are SO many stores on there - I've made purchases at Gap, The Limited, Victoria's Secret, Land's End, Nordstrom, Sephora, even The Home Depot is on there.  Just check it out.  Since I've cut back on my spending, I haven't used the site as much - but I always make sure to check.

Also, they have daily and weekly specials where you get double the normal % cash back and other discounts.  I was actually going to buy my Clarisonic Mia from the Clarisonic website and then checked whether anyone on eBates sold it - and bought 2 (1 for the sister) from the SkinStore ON SALE and then got cash back. 


Sign up through my referral link and I'll earn $5!!!

*Post not sponsored by eBates.  I just wanted to spread the word before holiday shopping really gets underway!

Spanx on Rue La La!!!

I will perhaps have to devote a separate entry to this topic alone, but I LOVE SPANX.  And I'm not what most would call a big girl.

I just believe that women need the proper underthings to look pretty in their outerthings.

It is for this same reason that I believe in women wearing hosiery and slips under their skirts and dresses.

Nonetheless, SPANX are being sold on Rue La La for the next 1 day and 20 hours.  And although I could devote another whole post to flash sale sites, I do like to use them for tried and true staples.  It's a good deal if you go by the rule of you would've bought it at full-price anyway.

So, go and get 'em!

(If you need an invite - click here!)

Random collateral benefit: they are SUPER-warm so sometimes I wear them just under sweaters and stuff in the winter as a thermal layer =)

Unicorn hair bath mats.

From the NYTimes:

Fresh towels and throw pillows: add $25,000. Geraldine Onorato represented a client selling a two-bedroom where the buyers received offers for no more than $450,000. Ms. Onorato spent $700 on a fresh bath mat and fluffy white towels and brought in an offer for $475,000.

Ms. Onorato spent $700 on a fresh bath mat and fluffy white towels and brought in an offer for $475,000. 

WHERE IS SHE BUYING THESE TOWELS??? IS THE BATH MAT MADE OF UNICORN HAIR???

 

P.S. The photo subject would like to be credited "for looking so good."

The 3 Ps.

Pretty, Pink, and Practical.

Most people know how much I love pink.  Most people also know how much I love pretty things.  The thing that a lot of people don't know about me, though, is how much I love practical things.

For example, I often receive a lot of gifts that encompass only 2 of the 3 "P"s.  I get a lot of pink and pretty gifts.  But they are not always the most practical.  I LOVE practicality.

I decided to compile a little list of things I love that meet all 3 Ps.

n.a.p. Robe from Brookstone

Pink rhinestone earbuds

From LG

From Amazon.com

From Maxell

Another from Amazon.com

Last one from Amazon.com

Burberry Pink Cashmere Scarf

n.a.p. Slippers from Brookstone

 

Pink Umbrellas 

(usually LOVE pink umbrellas - but just got a new pink one w/black pinstripes!)

More bow rings!

Juicy Couture

Max and Chloe

 

Kohl's

Kate Spade

Charlotte Russe

Ann Taylor

Coach

All Tied Up!

I've been so in love with ribbons and bows forever.

And a few days ago I ran into this lovely little bow necklace from Tiffany's.

I think it's a nice alternative to hearts (which can be a bit cheesy in jewelry - don't even get me started on Kay Jeweler's "Open Heart" line, which totally reminds me of the Slytherin shield). 

It reminded me that I've also been in love with this cute ring from Uncommon Goods for ages.

Lovely Hat.

Saw this lovely hat and FELL IN LOVE.

Was available at White House | Black Market but looks like it's sold out now. (sad face!)

Loved this collage of cute gift ideas from Capitol Hill Style (one of the latest blogs I've fallen in love with).

I just noticed there is a lot of LOVE in this post ... and I think that's ok.  Because, seriously, can you ever have too *much* love?

(Final exams stink!)

I. WANT. THESE.

Source

Magical star leggings.  And then I'm going to buy a unicorn horn.  And be AWESOME.


Like this:

Current things I'm in the market for.

1. Footie onesie pajamas

2. How I Met Your Mother DVDs

3. Glee DVDs

4. New adorable umbrella that fits into my purse

5. Sock slippers

6. Strawberry milkshakes

Is it Lust? Or is it Love?

Maybe it's just *winter*

Rag & Bone gloves at shopbop.com

I've wanted extra long (to or over the elbow) gloves since last winter.  There was a beautiful pair on gilt.com and I completely totally regret not buying them when I had the chance.  I talked myself out of it on a "rational" level .... worst decision ever.  Okay, probably not the worst decision ever, but definitely one that I regret.

Last winter my mother bought me this BEAUTIFUL long fur vest and as much as I LURV it, and it's one of the warmest things I've ever owned, my arms get a bit chilly even when wearing my warmest cashmere.  I've decided that the solution is beautiful long leather gloves that fit over my sleeves. =)

In other winter forecasting, these cashmere tights look like I just might have to own them ... and wear them ALL the time.

La Fee Verte cashmere tights at shopbop.com

Also in love with the uber-feminine silhouette on this military-inspired coat.  Normally I'm not such a fan of the military-look, but the pleated girly skirt - I LOVE!!!

Marc by Marc Jacobs coat at shopbop.com

Free Windham Mountain lift ticket.

Courtesy of Andy Yoo's twitter: FREE TICKET FOR ONE DAY.

Photo source