Posts from — November 2010

Things have been a bit quiet here recently. By recently, I only mean a week. But that’s a long time for me.

November, as a whole, has been emotionally difficult for me. Hey, it happens. As Maroon 5 once said (or sang?), it’s not always rainbows and butterflies. When I’m faced with emotions like stress, confusion, heartbreak, and/or conflict, I tend to reorganize my priorities and throw myself head first into projects instead of focusing on anything less-than-ideal.

So that’s what I’m doing now. A little refocus. This is what I’m diving into (headfirst, of course):

1. I bought the domain christamarzan.com with the intentions for it to be my new online portfolio when I purchased and launched this blog, which was in July. Too bad my portfolio hasn’t relaunched yet. Yea, it’s been 4 months. After finally buckling down and purchasing Thesis for WordPress, I can begin to organize all of my work, customize the theme and get everything up there. Oy.
2. I’m training to participate in the Broad Street Run in May 2011, which means I need to improve my running time from my 10 miles[ish]/week to 10 miles/day. Luckily I have 6 months to [hopefully] do that.

Things on the blog might be a bit quiet until the portfolio relaunches, and for that I am sorry. I will try to get new posts up for you all, though! Check back after Thanksgiving to see what could be new…maybe a recap of the adventures I’m supposed to have on Black Friday, perhaps?

ALSO, if you would like to guest post while I’m temporarily away, please let me know. Feel free to connect on Twitter or send me an email!

One last thing. Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I have to use this space to thank God for my family and friends. Thank you for tolerating my rants, my random [and sometimes too much] texting, and my random freak outs over the past few weeks. Thank you for dealing with the emotional rollercoaster I’ve been on. Thank you for your honesty and bringing me back to reality when necessary. Most of all, thank you for listening when I needed you. I am so blessed to have such support in my life. What are you thankful for on this holiday?

I don’t know about any one else, but when it comes to this time of year, I always find myself in need of some serious pampering. With the holidays coming up- my family ALWAYS comes to my house, which means my momma needs me to act as her assistant in getting ready- and tying up loose ends at work before the year ends, I’m wiped! So little things really mean more now, especially beauty. I always try to get a manicure and pedicure (or do my own nails, depending on how my bank account’s looking) to rejuvenate a bit and with Thanksgiving around the corner, I thought I’d share some of my favorite polish colors for the holidays.

A traditional red. Chanel Le Vernis nail color in Dragon, $23 (photo from chanel.com)

Shimmery gray = perfect for holiday parties. Lancome Le Vernis par L’Wren Scott in Le Gris, $14.50 (photo from lancome-usa.com)

Feeling a little unconventional? Try out a bold color (I LOVE this). Essie nail color in Going Incognito, $8 (photo from essie.com)

Can’t decide? I always have that problem when painting my nails. This gift set from Ulta should have a color you like. I know I’m going to pick one up next time I’m there! Ulta Wicked Wonderland Professional Holiday Mini Packs, $9.95 (photo from ulta.com)

I think I’m going to go with the Essie green or purple from Ulta. What’s your favorite nail color for this time of year?

Photo from dailymail.co.uk

Kate Middleton has to be the luckiest girl in the world:

1. She’s absolutely beautiful.
2. She’s well educated.
3. She’s newly engaged, and her fiancé is pretty cute.
4. She has a British accent. How cool is that? I love accents.
5. She’s going to be a princess (and she’s the future queen of England).

She’s going to be a princess. Not only that, but she’s the first commoner to marry an heir to the British throne in 350 years. Isn’t that every gal’s dream?

Now let the speculation begin. Who will design Kate’s wedding dress? This is a royal wedding after all, so the gown has to be spectacular, yet elegant. Let’s face it, any bridal designer will have something in that style. The obvious choices seem to be the designers mentioned in the title: Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, all well respected in the industry. However, when I first heard the words “royal wedding,” I (surprisingly) already had a designer who I think would make a beautiful gown for Kate: Kenneth Pool.

No, I’m not a wedding gown and marriage crazed girl. Kenneth Pool designed my best friend’s wedding gown (PS: if you do look through the photos, I had the honor of being in the bridal party, so look for me!), and her whole day was just like a fairy tale, much like Kate and William’s wedding will be. I just browsed through the most recent collection, and each gown is more beautiful and elegant than the next.

All photos from kennethpool.com

Just add a 25 foot train to any of these, and you’ve got yourself a gown fit for a princess!

Kate definitely has the potential to be a style icon, and I think she should do something a little stylish, but nothing too modern or contemporary. Personally, I would love to see her wear something with capped sleeves instead of a strapless dress, and something a little more form fitting. She’s a tiny girl, and I wouldn’t want her to get lost in a big, poofy ballgown! I also love the look of the duchess satin in some of these gowns. I think it’s so beautifully elegant, especially for marrying into royalty.

We’ll just have to wait and see. Until then, I’m off to hunt down Prince Harry. He’s my last shot at being a princess.

Want to hear something scary? Only a week and a half until the official kick off of the holiday season (AH). Fellas, I know that shopping for us gals can be intimidating, confusing, and down right horrifying. Luckily for you, I put together a guide for any lady that might be in  your life.

[I tried to keep the price tags as low as possible, but remember that the prices of these and similar items will drop closer to the holidays. Also, please note that these are merely suggestions based on my taste and experience. I hope you can draw some inspiration for the ladies in your life!]

For your mother

Your mom deserves something luxurious and something cashmere is always a good choice. Cashmere sweater from Lord & Taylor, $89.00. [Photo from lordandtaylor.com]

For your grandmother

Your grandmother will appreciate a sensible gift, like this pretty scarf. Simply Vera Vera Wang scarf, $18.00 on sale. [Photo from kohls.com]

For your sister

When in doubt, something comfy and cozy like pj’s is always a safe bet. Victoria’s Secret Tee-jama, $49.50 [Photo from victoriassecret.com]

For your aunt

Peppermint ANYTHING is always a nice addition to a gal’s beauty regime. Arbonne Pampermint gift set, $44 [Photo from arbonne.com]

For your gal pal/girlfriend/wife

Photo from michaelkors.com

Photo from macys.com

Something to make her feel pretty or look pretty will go over big. Very Hollywood by Michael Kors perfume (my favorite perfume), $45-85, or this Betsy Johnson watch, $65, will do both.

For your boss and/or female coworkers and/or friend and/or any other lady

Photo from bathandbodyworks.com

Photo from mrsprindables.com

When it comes to your female coworkers, you can do no wrong with candles or chocolate. Harry Slatkin’s candle in Winter, $19.50, is my favorite and lasts a while. This caramel apple from Mrs. Prindable’s, $22.95, is one of the best I’ve ever had. Mrs. Prindable’s also has gift sets that include several apples, which is great if you are buying for more than one person. The smaller apples are also great additions to any gift you might be giving this season.

I hope this helps you fellas out! Please let me know if I left any lady off the list. Gals, let me know how I did and any other suggestions!

Happy Friday! I want to thank everyone who entered my FIRST EVER giveaway here! Unfortunately, only one can win, and that lucky lady is…

…drum roll puh-lease….

Paige Landsem!

There were 12 comments, and everyone who tweeted about it go an extra entry, so that made 20 total.

So there ya have it! Thanks again for participating, everyone. I hope I can do another giveaway soon. And thanks again to Everywhere for the generous gift!

Now, on to today’s post.

It’s hard to believe that when the Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone debuted as the first of 8 Harry Potter films to bring the series to life, Emma Watson was just an 11 year old child. Nine years later, Emma blossomed into a beautiful, accomplished actress who is often identified as a style icon. And with hit after hit on the red carpet and a Burberry campaign (which was still plastered all over Burberry’s flagship when I was in London in April. The campaign literally stopped me in my tracks) under her belt, how can she not be? Added points for her responsible, age appropriate behavior, including learning how to manage her money. Below are a few pictures of her transformation into the beauty she is today (all photos from nymag.com unless otherwise noted).

With Karl Lagerfeld…I’M DYING.

Photo from my collection. I couldn’t take enough photos of this store front in London.

Last night was the world premiere of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (sidenote: CANNOT wait for this to come out. I’m a certified Harry Potter nerd) and of course, all eyes were on Emma. She didn’t disappoint with her new pixie cut, a black lacy vintage dress, simple silver drop earrings, and black heels.

Photo from elle.com

As if this isn’t enough, she landed not ONE, but TWO magazine covers for December- Vogue UK and Marie Claire UK.

Photo from designscene.net

This gal’s got it all. Keep up the good work, Emma. Looks like young girls finally have a responsible, talented, stylish role model.

Hey there! Fresh Squeezed is giving away a $25 gift card to Macy’s to one lucky reader. Be sure to enter before Thursday, November 11 at 9 pm!

It’s no secret that Michael Kors’ fall 2010 advertisements might be my favorite thing of all time (until I saw his winter campaign, which I will blog about this week). I know this isn’t fashion related, but I spent the afternoon on Saturday in Princeton with my good friend Cat, just wandering around the little town and Princeton University, just taking pictures with our Digital SLRs. I am so mesmerized by fall colors and foliage that I have to share some of my favorite pictures! To see all the photos I took, click here.

Now just add some pretty models and Mr. Michael Kors, and you got yourself a nice advertisement. Le sigh…

Last month, Macy’s launched a new line of products called Heart for Haiti. The items in the collection range in type from prints, to bowls and vases, to sculptures, to necklaces, and much more. These products are all handmade by Haitian artists and are created using recycled materials, such as oil drums and wrought iron. The entire collection is beautiful and truly captures the strong and rich culture still in Haiti, in spite of the devastating earthquake that hit in January.

The lovely team at Everywhere in Atlanta, GA, graciously sent me a small bowl in this wonderful collection since I couldn’t make it to the launch at Macy’s in Herald Square (thanks, Geena and Danica!). This bowl, handmade papier mache and hand painted in varying shades of blue and pink, is nothing short of beautiful.

The detailing of the feathers on this bowl is especially incredible. You can feel the effort and passion put into the creation of this item just by touching it. It will definitely be a bright and wonderful addition to my office decor!

As if sending me this bowl wasn’t awesome enough, Everywhere also sent me a $25 gift card to Macy’s to give away to one of my readers. Since Macy’s sells items for men and women, fellas, make sure you enter too!

So what are the rules? How do I enter? See below:

1. Leave a comment here before Thursday, November 11, at 9 pm with your email address (so I can contact you if you won).
2. In that comment, let me know what you would use your $25 at Macy’s towards, whether it be to purchase something from Heart of Haiti, a new tie, something for your home, or a new pair of gloves. I want to know what you’re shopping for!
3. Winners will be chosen using random.org and will be announced on the blog on Friday, November 12.
4. For extra points, be sure to tweet about the giveaway and/or mention it on your blog (and let me know you did!).

Good luck!!

HUGE thank you to the team at Everywhere for providing me with this amazing bowl and the gift card. I am so grateful and honored!

Over the last decade or so, I’ve noticed that children’s clothing went from “meh” to “WOW that’s adorable, and not because it’s on a kid.”

Enter Stella McCartney.

Sorry Crew Cuts, you have some serious competition now.

Following her two successful children’s collections at Gap Kids earlier this year, Stella (daughter of Sir Paul) launched a clothing line for children yesterday. And yes, I would wear the clothes if they came in grown-up sizes.

Once again, Ms. McCartney does a wonderful job at creating a line of clothing for children that is adorable, stylish, and age-appropriate for girls and boys. Most pieces would be considered “staples” in an adult’s closet, but children outgrow clothing so fast, this is just the look of the day/month/year for them. Here is just a snippet of what Ms. McCartney has to offer for children.

I love the zippers around the ankle of the girl’s jeans. And where can I get that red coat in my size, please? Thank you.