Christmas dressing

While Nat King Cole quietly croons in the background and the Christmas lights switch on outside I'm suddenly wishing that my parent's backyard was covered with snow. It's the Californian's gripe that outrages the East coasters, but I can't help it, I want white cold fluff. In an effort to make my Christmas Eve more...winter-ey, I've started to dream of possible cold weather holiday outfits. Maybe it's my recent viewing of It's A Wonderful Life and White Christmas, or the great purchase of Rodarte's swiss dot dress, I feel an homage to the fashion classics is in order. Add some thick black tights, leather gloves, patent pumps, and top it off with a snow white coat and I'm right there with Bing Crosby and James Stewart. So although my yard is snowman free, my dream holiday outfit is flurry friendly.

Sweet delivery

It was the last day of work before a week and half vacation and as I left work early I discovered that apparently all of Los Angeles' commuting public was gifted the same half day nine to five. Therefore, my breezing home turned into more of a dead stand still...Merry Christmas. After fighting my asphalt battle, I was greeted by a delicious delivery perched on my table... milk and cookies. While my childhood memories recall skim milk and reduced fat chips ahoy, this box was slightly more holiday worthy (rich, decadent, and perfect). A white package wrapped with a red bow opened to reveal layers of pink tissue pillowing a dozen clear wrapped cookies, and in the fridge, a glass bottle of 2%. It was the greatest idea for a home delivery and will undoubtedly become my go to gift to make anyone revisit the days of cookies, milk, and nights on the couch. Deluscious Cookies & Milk is a La Brea bake shop that freshly bakes an insane list of flavors (bing cherry, red velvet, and good old chocolate chip to name a few), packs, and delivers a fresh treat to the lucky recipient's door.

Schoolyard braids

It's a few days past my expected shampooing and my hair is slightly more matted than expected. In other words, it's time for an updo. I was inspired by Alexander Wang's Spring 2010 show and his reincarnation of the schoolyard braid your mother used to tie ribbons in. No ribbons here, just textured hair and ever so styled wisps of strands that didn't make it into the weave. Tonight I added a few sections higher on my head, to make an unkempt French braid that leads into a little rope draped over my shoulder. It takes only 5 minutes to do and gives you free reign to act like a little girl. So put the shampoo bottle down (for a little longer, let's not get crazy) and reminisce about the days of recess and swings. The best way to get a stylishly disheveled look is to braid it once, then walk away...just walk away.

Closet classic: stripes

Now that the space in my closet has become a cherished commodity, the items that are welcome inside need to be useful, versatile, and long-lasting...which leads me to the classic breton top. Generally seen on cartoon sailors, wrapped in heavy weight rope and barrels of fresh fish strewn about their feet, this nautical top has continued to pop up in trends year after year, while still remaining fashionable. The classic top has been designed and re-designed with the punk, prep, frugal, or incredibly wealthy (Balmain's version soars well into the thousands) buyer in mind. While my goal is to to stay far away from any form of a mall this season, these tops are a great addition to the closet and may be just the thing to top off your Christmas list. If the re-imagined staple doesn't garner nautical images, try ordering from the authentic vendors, like the English company linked above.

Tea and tea cakes

Curled up on the couch, listening to my heater ping away, I started to think about the holiday traditions I look forward to every year. After realizing that it's hard not to get nostalgic during December (yes I know everyone says this and I'm sorry you have to hear it again...scrooge) I felt a trip down memory lane was justified. While I've never been drawn to bubble-gum pink girlishness, there is something about tea time that allows myself to indulge in the high society pleasure. Every year my mom and I pick a traditional tea to attend, get dressed up, and spend the afternoon perched on tufted jacquard couches sipping spiced blends poured from cozy-ed pots (I know I could have stopped five adjectives ago, but this is tea and ornamentation is acceptable). Since I have not one, but a full set of sweet teeth, I always opt for the little cakes and tarts offered on the tea goods tower. It's the one time a near fully sugar lunch is okay...I don't count the scones.

Unfortunately, since entering the phase in my life when time starts to fly by...time is actually flying by, leaving no time for a holiday high tea. No worries, thanks to the elusive tea cake. I was introduced to this treat in elementary school and recently my good friend treated me to a birthday box-full. They are found in classic bakeries all over Southern California, but the best come from Martino's in Burbank. After performing and unexpectedly thorough Google search I found a tea cake recipe and so my holiday tradition can live on. Now that I've unpacked all of my glassware, this weekend while my oven pings in harmony with my heater, I can pour a cup of tea and await my homemade tea cakes.

Mirror mirror...

Since my last post, my new apartment has come together quite nicely (although I still haven't gotten around to getting a chair or desk, so the floor has become my new office space), but today was the find to top all finds. While I know that is hard to believe, it's not like I found a Picasso tucked behind the shelves of my local Goodwill, today's furniture find was the home decor equivalent...a mirrored dresser. To begin, from the moment I spotted Mrs. Bradshaw's opulent mirrored vanity in her revamped Sex and the City apartment to the discovery of this fine Anthropoligie piece, I have been on a mission to procure the art deco meets eighties glory, mirrored dresser, table, night stand, mirrored anything with four sides and a top...phew. Thanks to the incredible buyers at Home Goods (T.J. Maxx's home store companion), my dream was fulfilled at an economically friendly price. Now my perfume bottles and jewelry that sit atop my mirrored beauty can look at themselves and admire their shapes. Afterall, don't we all look better in a well crafted mirror?

To personalize your mirrored piece, try switching out the knobs with vintage ceramic ones (thanks Alisun!). Splurge on these ornate pulls instead of dropping thousands on pre-fabed furniture.