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Friday Favorites - December 7

December 7, 2012 | By alisonde

The countdown begins! 18 days until Christmas and we're excited to get the tree and decorate the house. Tune in to our videos starting next week filled with gift suggestions, recipes, decor, entertaining and even how to create your own ugly holiday sweater because sometimes you need a break from being fancy. Enjoy!

Alison's Pick

Jay Godfrey, Adams Maxi Dress, on sale for $270 Cusp

May I pour you a drink? That's what I imagine saying to guests when they arrive at the door for the holidays while wearing this stylish, yet comfortable dress. Just needs some dangly earrings and a big cuff.

Christina Wright's Pick

Essie nail polish, $8 bottle Essie

I am kinda a nail polish fanatic, okay okay, I AM a nail polish fanatic. (There's no "kinda" about it.) I have so many shades and different brands, that I actually have researched buying some sort of modern style nail salon display case for them. Yes, it's that bad! My favorite line of polishes is from Essie. So many amazing colors, and they paint on like a dream! I hope my stocking is filled with these colors from their winter collection. You hear me Santa? I would be such a good girl...with awesome nails of course!

Simply Modern Weddings

Lauren's Pick

The Body Shop Fragrance Oils and Burners, $16 Burner, $5 for each oil The Body Shop

Each day this week, I've had a different holiday scent flowing through my apartment; not because I've been baking cookies or putting up a fresh spruce tree, but because I've been burning these oils from The Body Shop. I like them so much better than scented candles because they last longer, the scent spreads more, and the best part- you can mix fragrances for a unique combination. My favorites around the holidays are Juniper Berry, for a sweet yet woodsy feel, and Vanilla Bliss, which has me craving sugar cookies. I also like their more fruity scents, like Exotic and Peach.

Endless Amusement

Christina Moffitino's Pick

Studded Collar Necklace, $30 Etsy

The collar necklace is definitely a trend to try! The embellished neckpieces help make any outfit standout. Wear them with your favorite knit sweater to add some style and sass. You can also channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and pair it with your favorite LBD for the "Breakfast at Tiffany" look. It's the perfect accessory to wear to any holiday and New Year party.

Street Swag

Tags: studded collar necklace, accessories, etsy, essie, jay godfrey, cusp, neiman marcus, nail polish, Nails, fragrance oils, burners, body shop, maxi dress, holiday fashion

Friday Favorites - November 16

November 16, 2012 | By alisonde

As the holidays are are about to begin, my thoughts turn to the decorated windows at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC (always a winner for creativity), Christmas caroling with my family and neighbors (yes, we actually did that for several years) and reminiscing about the time my mom and I were "ladies of the court" in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC dancing along a float carrying Olympic skaters, Brian Botano and Katarina Witt. And, of course, filling my belly with plenty of pie!

Holidays On Ice by David Sedaris, $8 Amazon

David is one of my favorites and every year around the holidays I'm pulled back into re-reading this book of short stories. You could read it in an hour. If you haven't read this book or any of Sedaris' book, guaranteed you'll become a fan. If you're not a fan, then we obviously don't share the same sense of humor. David Sedaris's beloved holiday collection is new again with six more pieces, including a never before published story. Along with such favorites as the diaries of a Macy's elf and the annals of two very competitive families, are Sedaris's tales of tardy trick-or-treaters ("Us and Them"); the difficulties of explaining the Easter Bunny to the French ("Jesus Shaves"); what to do when you've been locked out in a snowstorm ("Let It Snow"); the puzzling Christmas traditions of other nations ("Six to Eight Black Men"); what Halloween at the medical examiner's looks like ("The Monster Mash"); and a barnyard secret Santa scheme gone awry ("Cow and Turkey").

Lauren Scharf's Pick

Day Trip Darling Dress, $252 ModCloth

An adorable dress with a storybook ending! This dress, designed by Poppy London, is lined with the illustrated adventures of little girl Poppy and her playful pup Fred. The dress can be worn with the neckline shown for a vintage look, or flipped around for a v-neckline. Even cooler, each dress is shipped with a paperback book which tells the tale that's played out on the dress. What could be better than a dress that literally comes with it's own story!

Endless Amusement

Christina Moffiitno's Pick

OPI 3 Piece Nail Polish set, $18 Amazon

I have a slight addiction with collecting nail polish and doing my own manicures. As soon as I saw these new OPI colors, I had to have them. The oxblood red is definitely what sold me. It comes as a set so you get to mix and match these great colors. The colors are so rich and perfect to wear at your next holiday party. I love that it comes as a box set so you can gift it for your Secret Santa or use them as a great stocking stuffer.

Street Swag

Christina Wright's Pick

Rockstar Pop-Color Cords, $35 Old Navy

These red corduroy skinnies from Old Navy are just what I need to make our family holiday photos "pop" this year. Plus you can't beat the price!! Typically, I am not a fan of corduroy (bad 80s flashbacks), but with the low rise and slim cut of these make corduroy cute again!

Simply Modern Weddings

Tags: david sedaris, holidays on ice, holiday books, Modcloth, holiday dresses, bergdorf goodman, Amazon, christmas, thanksgiving day parade, brian botano, katarina witt, holiday stories, OPI nail polishes, Nails, James Bond, OPI, holiday nail colors, Old Navy, Corduroy pants

Nail it or Nix it?

August 28, 2012 | By alisonde

These are pressing times in the world of nail art so we decided to take a shot at some of these nail trends! The popular DIY route is a great way to have fun with styles and designs. Plus, if you don't quite have the budget or time for a regular manicure (like us), these drug store Appliques and Press-ons are an excellent alternative.

Impress Press-Ons from Broadway Nails

Nicole Scherzinger Series

Pros

They come with adhesive attached to each nail. They are easy to apply--just peel and press!

Each set has a variety of sizes, so they fit on snug to each nail.

The nails are softer than your average press on nail so you can easily mold it to your natural nails as you press them on. You won't even be able to tell they're fake.

Cons

The nails have small gaps that can get caught in your hair or clothing.

The nail sets come as "standard" nail sizes. There may be a chance they could be too big or small, depending on your nail size.

Make sure you align them on your nail correctly the first time. If you press them on crooked, they are very difficult to remove and reapply.

And the colors and patterns were a little extreme; definitely not your everyday styles.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips

Pros

The nail polish strips mold to fit your nails. They look just like nail polish without having to wait for them to dry!

The applique stays securely on your nails and come off easily with nail polish remover.

You can conveniently buy them at many stores.

The Salon Effects line provides a vast array of colors, textures and patterns to choose from.

You can mix and match any of the strips with nail polish to create your own stylized look.

Each package comes equipped with a cuticle stick, file and buffer to prep and place your strips.

They are great conversation starters!

Cons

As soon as you open them from the package, you have to use them all or they dry up.

It takes a little more skill set to apply them to your nail, but with practice you apply them to fit your whole nail and file off the rest.

**Tip: Apply a clear coat to help keep them from chipping

Tags: Nails, Press on nails, DIY nails, Impress, Broadway nails, Nicole Scherzinger, Press-on manicure, fake nails, Sally Hansen, Salon Effects, nail art