This Is Not a Post About Food...

cornbread!


crab and artichoke dip!


the mother of all lobster rolls!

This is not a post about food...

This is a post about spending a few quality days with the Mr.'s family in Boston for his mother's 60th birthday at Durgin Park for a pre-turkey day meal (mouthwatering photos above) followed by a full Thanksgiving meal at home (mouthwatering photos below). We ate, swapped stories and played cards until the wee hours of the morning. One of the best family Thanksgiving memories in recent memory.


pumpkin bread!


scallops!


asparagus!


the bird!


the spread!


post-meal daze!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. I am thankful for so much this year. Last week, I posted a confessional about my shopaholic guilt and giving thanks for the tangible and intangible things in my life. Your responses in the comments were so amazing that I wanted to share some of them here.

Because even though Thanksgiving is over-- I'm still feeling thankful today...

"im a shopaholic too and feel the same way! waaahhhh =(
buts its always great to thankful for whatever it that you have..."
--mahryska

"I have much to be thankful for, I count myself really blessed to have a family and bf who loves me. And I'm really thankful for my upcoming Greece trip with the bf next June:)"
--Sher

"Even though the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday has passed, I just want to say thanks for starting a blog and for all the lovely things that you blog about, I truly enjoy each and every post. And don't worry, from a self-admitted shopaholic, you are not alone!"
--nicole [Ed Note: nicole is now a few days away from her 40 day goal of a shopping ban-- never was there a more noble deed for a fashion blogger!]

"I have so many things to be thankful for! :)
*my Nikon D90 camera & the ahem...'few' (many) fashion purchases I've made...
*my plane tickets to Japan (to see my parents and lil' sister)
*the fact that work is letting me go on the trip...
*my very exciting 'package' that will arrive in April, if all goes well :)
*my hubby finally passing the exams he has been putting off for so many years (and for his year-long study period finally being over - we get our lives back!)
*my family...

Ah, my list is endless..."
--Brigadeiro

"I am trying to do the same as you and be thankful for what I have and that would of course start with my loving hubby and our little furry babies. ;) All the best to you!"
--Daily Diva Dish

"Yez i too, consume way too much, but i have to say..i've always worked since im 15 and i dont take things for granted, you have to be thankful and appreciative."
--JOWY

"Tangible thanks to my: Mac book, Canon 5D, travel

Intangible thanks to my: family, friends, blog, blog buddies, and travel writing / creative outlet."
--jen laceda

"I am thankful for my lovely family, amazing friends, incredible boyfriend (s) who I do not deserve and finally, my new Lena Ezriak bags. Ooh, and Elle.

Alright, I think I got it all.

PS- OH and my Dell :P"
--Fab Blab

"I am too all over the place to think right now, but I am thankful for you!"
--Summer [Ed Note: I'm thankful for you-- you're an inspiration!]

"Tangible items- I am thankful for a roof over my head, my fabulous shoe and purse collection, and my Mac laptop. Intangible- thankful for friends, family, and good health!"
--Jaime

"tangible: mmm after christmas I will be thankful for my new new new camera
intangible: comments on my blog, I am thankful for those, and at christmas I will be thankful for the company of my family who I have not seen in six months."
--Soren Lorenson

"What tangible things I'm thankful for? my MacBook Pro, my bag collection, my full pantry. The intangibles: unconditional love from my kids, my zest for life."
--Leah

"I am shopaholic too unfortunately. lol! I am thankful for every blessing that I have received. I try not to take my life for granted."
--thefatandskinnyonfashion

"I am thankful for bloggers, like yourself, who work their butt off to make the web world a beautiful, informative, and welcoming home."
--Amy Blogs Chow [Ed Note: I found her blog through Twitter and speaking of food... go visit her blog; it's amazing!]

"I'm sure you're not alone in your fashion addiction. I think as fashion bloggers we all have this problem. I am most thankful for my family and husband and for my health!"
--Maria Confer

"I'm thankful for my latest Jimmy Choo for H&M finds and thankful that my job prospects are looking up."
--Chic 'n Cheap Living

"I am thankful for our house, which is the first thing we bought together, and my beautiful family. Celebrating the holidays with the dude around now is so much more fun!"
--Kristin

"I completely understand where you are coming from. It's hard to strike a balance, but it is so necessary to cover your behind when it comes to saving enough money. I'm thankful for my family and the freedoms I enjoy. The items...well, that would be a very long list. LOL."
--Inny Vinny

"know how you feel. there is a little bit of shopaholic in everyone of us. i am thankful for the intangible things such as health, freedom, etc.... of course having great family and friends are beyond anything material."
--Savvy Gal

"i am thankful for: awesome hubby, great friends, supportive colleagues, good health, loving family, and the opportunity to live life at the fullest."
--Livie

"I totally understand what you mean, and this new career move has really forced me to stop spending...it's humbling. It's annoying. It's upsetting, but I'm learning that there is so much more to life than material things... I'm thankful for gorgeous (inside and out) friends like you."
--Elizabeth Marie

"I think all women deal a little bit of this. I'm not a shopaholic but I'm a recovering shopaholic. I had closet full of designers and just so many clothes and bathroom full of everything from expensive makeup, to shampoo, etc. it was too much. I looked at all my stuff and realized it could be in a CD account, rather than collecting dust. I'm thankful for all those things I own, but I'm more thankful for the discipline I gave myself, even if at times it hurt like mofo!"
--Diana

"I am a shopaholic 'in my mind' - I am always looking at stuff and saying 'I want this, I want that'... But then, I have pre-buyers remorse and stop thinking about it... Does that make sense??? Kinda weird... Anyway, tangible things I am thankful for: My Urban Decay Book of Shadows II, my Canon SD600 Camera (it stills works after dropping it on the floor so many times!), my home, my family, and food on my plate. Intangible things I am thankful for: being able to channel creativity and writing through blogging, health, and love."
--Brunette and Pink [Ed Note: New blog crush alert!]

"I am thankful for my Luella boucle jacket (I had to, I may not get another chance to own one of hers) our new house, a living room that I actually decorated myself, a daughter who is an absolute dream, a husband who is far too good for me, and that my father's biopsy came back negative. I think I just put myself in a good mood. And I'm thankful to you for making me think about this! I hope you're enjoying your Thanksgiving week! ♥"
--Denise @ The Swelle Life

Well if that doesn't warm your heart on a cold Monday morning, then I don't know what will :) Are you feeling thankful today? What's on your mind?

P.S. My friend Lynn at All Things NYC is hosting an amazing giveaway: two tickets to a production at the Met. If you are in the tri-state area, hurry to her blog to enter for a chance to win before December 7th!!!

Links a la Mode: November 26th

Beyond Fashion

Edited by Retro Chick

This weeks Links à la Mode blows away any preconceived ideas of the narcissistic fashion blogger posting endless outfit photos and magazine shoots by covering a huge array of topics. Ranging from Dream Sequins whimsical birthday tea party to High Fashion Girls detailed examination of racism in fashion magazines, these posts demonstrate what we’re capable of and the communities we can build.

Of course, being fashion bloggers there are also some great outfits to be found and our bloggers this week have looked at: movies, from Bollywood to Sci fi; their pyjama drawers; and even their cleaning cupboard in their ceaseless search to bring you fashion inspiration.

As ever there’s many more exciting links on the original forum thread

Enjoy!

Links à la Mode : November 26th

• British Style Bloggers – Intrinsically Florrie on British Style Bloggers on how you can support the lovely Luella brand in it’s time of need


• Dream Sequins – The stylish guests at a virtual birthday tea party (Part 2)!!


• Fashion X K8 – The Fashion Blogging community being analoguous to “The Girls” in Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof


• FashionHippo – Best Organic Lip Balms: 6 Natural Picks to Nourish Your Pout


• Fete a fete – Guerlain’s Imperial Holiday makeup collection review


• High Fashion Girl – Racism & Fashion


• Idiosyncratic Style – Idiosyncratic Style dares you to re-think the possibilities of Pajamas outside the house


• In Life and In Fashion – How to dress with Bollywood Flair


• Lillys Roses – The new charity tshirts by TV-Star C.F. for the eco label armeangels


• M.I.S.S. – She’s Crafty: DIY First Place Ribbon Accessories


• Mariels Castle – Are we trully free when it comes to our fashion choices?


• Oranges and Apples – What are charity shops for? Thoughts sparked by Mary Portas’ new Save the Children shop


• Prom Mafia – Happy Accident: How to bleach fun designs on your clothes


• Quirky Fashion – Movies that Inspired Fashion


• Retro Chick – Buy Audrey Hepburns Wardrobe


• Shoe Daydreams – Why Knock-offs are Bad for the Soul


• Style on a String – Confessions of an UGG Lover and Wearer (but only indoors!)


• THE COVETED – Coach Holiday : Review & Giveaway!


• The Demoiselles – Wing Tips: Finding a Tailor


• Work Chic – Win a Sondra Roberts SR squared Shopper tote!

Weekend Links: Black Friday Edition

Hope you are all recovering from your Thanksgiving meals... What are your plans for "Black Friday" today? Whether your plans include camping out at the stores for competitive deals or browsing online from the comfort of your home, here is a list of sales from some of my favorite independent boutiques and brands:

• Stand Up Comedy is hosting a sale with 20% off items starting Friday through Sunday.
• Welcome Hunters and Choose Chinatown are having a Black Friday sale in-store and online! Starting Friday November 27 through Sunday November 29, you can expect t o save 40% to 60% off everything.
• Light Vision is having a special sale for Thanksgiving weekend. Everyone who visits the website gets 20% off and there is a special discount for those who subscribe to the newsletter! Sale starts NOW and lasts til Sunday November 29 at 11:59 EST.
• Lambs Ear Shoes has a Black Friday sale which starts now and ends Friday evening. Save on Loeffler Randall, Antianne, LD Tuttle, Surface to Air and selected styles from other labels.
• Oak is hosting 20% off clothing in store and online: starting Thursday November 26 through Monday November 30.
• BobbinTalk has just opened a shop and will be doing a special promo for the holidays: $5 off and free shipping for any necklace until December 1st.
• Loyale is hosting a call-in warehouse sale with pricing of $15-$40 on merchandise from three previous seasons. The more you buy, the more you save on eco-friendly pieces. Check out http://loyaleclothing.wordpress.com/ for details.

Invitation: Doyle & Doyle Holiday Party

Hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving day! I am looking forward to getting festive at some holiday parties soon! What are your plans for the rest of the week?

Doyle & Doyle, the Lower East Side vintage/estate jewelry boutique, will always have a special place in my heart-- because it was where the Mr. found my vintage engagement ring, a stunning round, Old European cut diamond in a 1930s setting. The bijoux boutique on Orchard Street is also a pleasant place to browse for gifts, so I was tickled to receive this invite for the store's holiday party next Thursday December 3rd between 6-9 pm.

If you are in New York next Thursday, you are cordially invited to drop by the boutique for bubbly and treats, including a "Downtown Dressing Room" where you can try on some hand-selected antique pieces and get photographed wearing gorgeous holiday frosting!

RSVP details are listed on the invite above. Even if you can't make the party, be sure to check out the store's snazzy merchandise online and its adorable Style Gems blog here!

Sunshine and Shadow Spring 2010 Lookbook

I'm not usually a fan of bold, bright hues in my wardrobe, even in the Spring, but something about the punchy colors and the understated luxury of the fabrics for Sunshine and Shadow's S/S '10 lookbook makes me happy today. The silhouettes are simple, but when you are using color this intense, the minimalist aesthetic provides a gentle counterpoint for the visual saturation.













How would you style these pieces? For the complete lookbook and to learn more about the brand, check out: http://sunshineandshadow.com.

P.S. Off to Boston for Thanksgiving week! Hope you enjoy the start of the holiday season!

Giving Thanks...

source

I have a confession to make.

And it's now going to be a dirty open secret:

I am a shopaholic.

It's an addiction, a curse, a genetic defect or perhaps something learned from watching way too many TV shows or movies about young women who move to big cities and burn the hell out of their credit cards.

While I'm not thousands of dollars in debt and pay off my credit card balances on a regular basis, I am also not meeting my savings goals, either, and that's been a creeping source of friction between the Mr. and me. Each month, I tell myself that I'm going to be better about my money, and while I am meeting minimum retirement savings, I seem fall into old familiar patterns: I "need that dress," "those shoes are on sale," and "yes I need this perfect red lipstick," etc. etc.

I will admit that I do not wear half the clothes or shoes in my closet, and some of my purchases, hidden deep in the darkest reach of my closet, will probably never see the light of day, and their pricetags are still unclipped, dangling like a shameful, hidden secret.

In honor of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season, I am challenging myself to be thankful for what I have and to be generous with others, but more frugal with myself. I am sure my life will be richer for it, both literally and figuratively...

I am thankful for so many things in my life.

Material things, yes, are among them, but they are not the full story.

Question of the day: What tangible and intangible things are you thankful for this year?

In the tangible realm, I am thankful for my home, my new Topshop shoes, my Canon Rebel camera, my iPhone. As for intangibles: I am thankful for love, imagination, my family, a new sense of purpose and direction in my career that is becoming clearer by the day. Does a blog count as an intangible? Because I am thankful for that. And for you, my beautiful, wonderful blogger friends.

Boyy Bag Event + Special Discount Reminder

Last Wednesday, some lovely bloggers and I had an opportunity to visit the apartment/studio of Boyy Bag designer, Jesse Dorsey, and I was floored when I saw the bags in person! Check out the chewy leather on these bad Boyys (sorry-- couldn't resist the pun)...


The Slash style in a dark chocolate brown and a deep perfect red. Of course, I was immediately drawn to their trendiest, nearly sold out style, which can be worn as a clutch, shoulder bag and styled with the python flap showing or folded the other way and hidden. You can also wear it flat messenger bag style.


From left to right: Frank, Quincy and Loui. The Frank has a structured, elegant shape, but the leather is soft and slouchy. The perfect balance. I was sold on the Quincy style, which can be carried by its dark metallic chains or tied with an optional leather strap to create a hobo, to be carried on the shoulders. The Loui has a gentle classic satchel shape and discrete chain ornaments, which reminded me of a downtown take on the Hermes Birkin or Mulberry Bayswater.


The buttery Clyde tote with adjustable chain straps and a detachable pochette that snaps on and off in the front.



Lucien in limited edition python with chain straps. Too adorable in person.


Here's Emma from All In Your Innerspace modeling the python Lucien, which she immediately grabbed. It looks like such a fun bag for parties. Just enough to fit a small phone, lipstick, a credit card and spare change. Do check out her blog because she got some great shots of bags from the event.




Here's Lala from LalaNYC with the Loui. People were dying over this bag.


Me + my pal, Slash, with the python flap tucked under.


Me + Slash carried clutch-style, with the python flap out, ready for a night on the town!


Carrying Quincy hobo-style.


The leather is just that squishy.


Aneta of BobbinTalk and friends.


Jesse of Boyy and Chrissy Rhee.

I fell in love with these bags online and was even more impressed when I saw them in person. You really can't ask for better quality for the price: squishy Italian leather that develops character and that signature slouch with age and custom-made hardware.

I'm still torn between the Slash and the Quincy. Which one's your favorite?

Overall, it was a nice, intimate event, and I'm glad some of my favorite bloggers got a peek at the bags in person. Thanks for hosting us, Jesse!

Special Discount Reminder: Boyy has generously offered to extend the trunkshow discount of 15% off online purchases and orders on their website for readers through Wednesday November 25th if you use the coupon code "dreamsequins.com." The discount will be a credit back to your card after purchase. Happy shopping!

A Dreamy Birthday Tea Party (Part 2)

As you know, it was my birthday on Thursday, and I invited my beautiful blogger friends to celebrate with a virtual tea party! Some ladies already RSVPed for the party in their tea party best in Part 1 of the greatest birthday tea party post, and here are other submissions for Part 2, including my own (I was a wee bit busy with birthday week, including a Boyy bag trunkshow and skeeball).

Optional questions:
Sandwich or scone?
Tart or cake?
Type of tea?


Guest: Moi
Menu: "Asian fusion" style tea. Pressed cucumber Japanese style rice sandwiches; green tea tart and Ceylon tea poured out of a cast iron tea pot. [Ed Note: I'm wearing a grey tulle skirt as a cape here and a new pair of Zang Toi lace glove samples purchased at the WendyB pop-up shop this weekend.]


Guest: Sofie of Modediktat
Menu: I’ll go for a sandwich, thank you! Tart will be very fine (I love apple tart and plum tart!!!), Peppermint Tea is my favorite flavor!! [Ed Note: Sofie tells me that she doesn't often publish pictures of herself online, so I'm honored that she made an appearance in a gorgeous floor-length Oliver Theyskens here!]


Guest: Sher of Fashion After Forty
Menu: Sandwich or scone? My absolute favorite is cream cheese & cucumber sandwiches. Served crustless and in triangles. Tart or cake? Is pie ok? I just love all pies, especially lemon meringue. What type of tea? Any loose leaf tea with mint in it. So refreshing! And as in Harry Potter they can be read ;)


Guest: Jennine of The Coveted
[Ed Note: I know Jennine is a busy lady, and I asked her to select an appropriate frock from recent blog posts to join us at the party! She looks amazing in this snap carrying a glittery Coach clutch, which was taken by Wendy Brandes. By the way, she's hosting a Coach giveaway on her blog-- so hurry over there right now. Work, lady!]


Guest: Nookie of Fashion in My Eyes
Menu: Sandwich, cake and rooibos tea
[Ed Note: Thanks, Nookie for the beautiful Polyvore set gift as well!!! If you haven't discovered her blog or award-winning Polyvore sets, get thee to Fashion in My Eyes.]


Guest: Janis of Janis-Roseanne
Menu: I would like a cheese scone with homemade strawberry jam, a lemon tart, and orange pekoe tea with milk and honey!


Guest: Summer of B is for Brown


Guest: Jolie Jamie
Menu: Sandwich mmm. Cake... yellow with choc frosting please! Tea- always love mint tea! Yum!


Guest: Jaime @ La vie...J'aime
Menu: Cucumber sandwich, apple tart, and earl grey tea with Splenda.


Guest: Denise of The Swelle Life
[Ed Note: Denise is actually sitting in a sumptuous tea room having tea-- and she told me she has a "side eye" going on in this pic, but I think she looks adorable! Her blog is about all things dreamy and Parisian. Loves.]


Guest: Cindy of Cindy Whitehead
Menu: Scone please - with clotted cream. Tart and maybe a bite of cake? (-: Cinnamon tea with milk and honey.


Guest: Ambar of Ambar's Thoughts


Guest: Lynn of All Things NYC
Menu: Chocolate-chip scone, red velvet cake, please! :) Milk tea.


Guest: Liv of It's a Beautiful Life
Menu: Scones all the way with lots of devonshire cream and strawberry jelly. Tart or cake? Can I have both? Tarts I love both sweet and savoury, and cakes with lots and lots of frosting! Tea preference? I drink at least 5 cups of south african roiboos tea a day regularly but for a tea party, I like traditional ceylon black tea, with milk and 1 small sugar please!


Guest: Beatrice Waldorf's Diary
Menu: I'd like to have freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam and a pot of strong English breakfast tea with milk and sugar. I'll skip the cake and tarts today because I've gained a bit of weight this year and the waist is a tad snug haha. [Ed Note: Snug? I don't see it. She's wearing a beautiful vintage 1960's lace dress from eBay and reworked in London by a talented seamstress at One, paired with a vintage 1950's Christian Dior gold chain belt and YSL Trib Too pumps.]


Guest: Carly from A Girl and Her Blog
Menu: Cucumber sandwich, carrot cake and chai tea: one spot milk, one spot honey.


Guest: Aimee from Chic 'n Cheap Living
Menu: Banh mi please or prosciutto, pesto and brie on a baguette. Tart or cake? Why not both? But cakes can have cream cheese frosting and this ultimately wins this battle for me. For tea, Chrysanthenum please - so light and sweet, love it!


Guest: Lindsay from Shrimp Salad Circus
Menu: I'll have a sandwich - brie and mango chutney on French bread, if it isn't too much trouble. I'd like petits fours with raspberry filling afterward, and I'll sip Earl Grey with sugar, honey, and just a touch of lemon!


Guest: Lei Ann from Give Me Platforms
Menu: Definitely sandwich...a lovely little watercress sandwich with crusts cut off :) Mmmm, cake...red velvet with buttercream frosting. Earl grey with just a hint of cream. [Ed Note: Loving her Sanrio tea party guests!]


Guest: Gemma from RetroChick UK
Menu: Sandwiches (if you can arrange roast beef and horseradish that would be lovely). Cake - any type of cake is good for me, in fact I'll probably eat the tarts as well if no one else finishes them. Earl Grey tea with no milk.


Guest: Sher from Beneath the Crystal Stars
Menu: Scones for sure, and yes to cupcakes! I'll love some earl gray tea to go with them. :)

Thank you for being the most creative, gorgeous virtual tea party guests in the history of virtual birthday tea parties. Floored by your amazing responses, I'm now thinking about organizing a virtual New Year's Eve fancy dress party. What do you think about that???