In the Absence of Isabelle...

 Days spent out and about on the public transportation system. I feel like it may be time to get a student fare card? Yes, I think so.

 Drool worthy Jeffrey Campel "sleigh" shoes.

 My dear friend Lillian and her understandable adoration of cats.

 Francesca's cards. I want them all. Something about the colored words perhaps?

 Coupons. I adore these.

 Getting lost on the streets of Chicago. At night. Typical

Boston, where I spent Christmas with my family.
While there I went on a Grocery expedition, here are the photos that I took to entertain myself while shopping with my parents for Christmas Eve dinner.

This Olivia's lettuce made me way too excited.

 Organic or not? What is the different really?

 Again, far too amused by this. A touch of color? When the table cloth is white? Yes.

 If this has existed a while and I have simply never seen it I feel ashamed.

 Beano? Is it better than Pepto Bismol?

 16 ounces of Marshmallow Fluff? I'm in.

 Unfortunately our cart did not include that Marshmallow Fluff.

 Meat slicer in action. Actionshot. Actionshot. Actionshot.

 So talented at naming flower bouquets. I want this talent.

Providence, Rhode Island. I adore this city. Even though it's a little strange, I still adore it. For no reason in particular actually...

 This dog took up most of my effort. My uncle should thank me for thoroughly tiring out his dog.

Once I returned home from (the snowless) Boston, this is what I found. My cat. Anxiously awaiting.

Hope the Holidays were happy, and the New Year will be happy as well. xx.

Merry Christmas Indeed

 

I (Isabelle) hope you all had a fantastic and amazing Christmas this weekend! I came back to Chicago just in time for the holidays and was greeted by this beautiful tree and some fantastic gifts. Among them were these Aldo booties that I can't wait to wear and a nail polish assortment of gorgeous holiday colors. This Dylan's Candy Bar case for my phone actually smells like sugar, and it looks great, too! It almost brings you back to that candy wonderland (which, if you're ever in New York, you should definitely check out). It'll be a Christmas miracle if I manage to keep this case in one piece longer than the last two.

Happy holidays!

HOLIDAY WISHES!

A little holiday cheer from Snoopy and Woodstock! Our friend Zoe owns this marvelous Christmas sweater and we figured it would be perfect for a holiday feature. We wish you all a fantastic holiday season and a great new year.

(Sweater from Ebay, Gap jeans, Converse sneakers)

 (Jolt Jeans, dElia's shirt, gifted flannel top, Bloch flats, Nordstrom earrings)

YOU CAN'T CATCH ME, I'M THE GINGERBREAD MAN!

This weekend, we decided to get into the Christmas spirit by putting together a gingerbread house using a kit from Deutschland. Isabelle may have eaten half of it before we even started putting it together, but she left all the orange gummies for decorating use (no one ever eats those, right?). Liv did not approve.

We used our great high school German skills to understand that we were supposed to make our own icing, or maybe it was simply that there wasn't any in this box. Liv bullied Isabelle into using this recipe and mixing it until her arms fell off. Every other time we've made a gingerbread house, we've used that little bag of so-called-icing it comes with. That stuff does not work. We literally need the force of an ironman and an hour of our time to get one of the sides to hold together.


Now this stuff works! The house held together almost instantly, and we only had to use a little, leaving plenty left for Isabelle to eat. Liv didn't approve of that either.

We covered the roof with coconut "snow" and felt like the perfect weathermen (Isabelle felt like God, but Liv's Christian). Gummy church bells on the top and a snazzy nonpareil border later and we were proud of our ginger baby (see what we did there?). And since we doubled the icing recipe, there was still tons left for Isabelle to eat. This time, Liv skipped her annoyance stage and simply shot her with the piping bag. She's still washing that stuff out of her hair. But don't worry, Liv is, too.

CHRISTMAS WISH LISTS

1.  Zara 'New Yorker' T-Shirt.
2. Nordstrom T-Shirt and Jeans Structured School Bag.
3. Nordstrom Sprout Watch.
4. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau so Fresh Fragrance.
5. Frenchi Velvet Pleated Miniskirt.
6. Trouvé 'Station' Booties.
7. Benefit Watt's Up! Highlighter.
8. Modcloth Remarkable Top.
9. Zara Teardrop Neckline Dress.

This Christmas, I (Isabelle) have fallen in love with wardrobe staples like an oversize sweater, simple miniskirt, and black booties. They look great together and are versatile enough to be worn with so many other items in my closet. This also marks the end of my search for the perfect holiday dress and best graphic tee of the year. C'mon, who doesn't love the New Yorker?

1. 1. J.Crew Cambridge Cable Cardigan.
2. Target Ultrasoft Scoop Neck Sweater.
3. Gap Burnout Dot Tee.
4. J.Crew Betsy Sweater.
5. Nordstrom Cesca 'Divine' Faux Leather Crossbody Bag.
6. Nordstrom David & Young Animal & Floral Print Fringed Scarf.
7. J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt.
8. Francesca's Collections Vouchers for Friends Booklet.
9. J.Crew Skinny Glitter Belt.
10. J.Crew Vintage Thermal Sweatshirt.
11. Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Balm.
12. J.Crew Saturdays Square Type Tee.
13. Nordstrom Rachel Faux Pearl Stud Earrings.
14. Zara Biker Ankle Boots.
15. J.Crew Silk Elodie Blouse.
16. Francesca's Collections Spare Time Leather Watch.
17. Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow.

I (Liv) have been lusting for a denim shirt and multiple crew neck sweaters ever since the fall clothes appeared in stores, so, July. All of these layering basics will last for such a long time, and the splashes of red will add some much needed bright color to my closet of greys. I love how I can wear all of these things together, mix and match style. What girl doesn't need an update on her makeup? Benefit always promises some humor along with their truly excellent makeup. The reasons why I love the holidays, lusting over things you may or may not receive. However conceited that may sound, I assure you, I love my friends and family more than any material things.