FRIDAY FANCIES

GREAT hearty red wine from Trader Joes and its only $7.99 bottle.  Another customer in the wine aisle recommended CocoBon  to me and while checking out the cashier commented  it was very good, I agree:

I just purchased this scarf from Anthropologie and wear it often.  Initially I pondered if I needed ONE more scarf but I have to say, this is a great one that goes with so many wardrobe items:

Recently listened to this book on CD, it is fascinating.  The book has been made into a TV show and I have to say I was not a fan of the show, felt it was too sensationalized.  However I really enjoyed the book:

I love this Christmas CD:

Do you believe this is true?

LINK LOVE

Pour a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy:
http://thrilloftheheel.blogspot.com/2013/11/fabulous-fashionistas.html

Do you sometimes wonder if  the house you now occupy is too big, too empty?  One woman's reflections on this topic:
http://grownandflown.com/who-is-this-person-i-have-become/

Our book club is reading Quiet.  After reading this article, I found it fascinating that most of the comments were from individuals who categorize themselves as loners:
http://dailyplateofcrazy.com/2013/06/07/when-you-marry-a-loner/

Good thoughts to keep in mind all year and not just during the busy holiday season:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-miglani/stress-tips_b_4323140.html?utm_hp_ref=gps-for-the-soul

Thanksgiving is in 2 days and that means family, food and football (in my family at least).  Just discovered this food blog, looks like lots of delicious recipes:
http://www.12tomatoes.com


So cute and funny:

And I leave you with this thought:

LINK LOVE

Holiday party season begins soon. Are you wondering about whether or not to wear hosiery with open toe shoes?  Angie from Youlookfab.com shares her thoughts
http://youlookfab.com/2013/11/18/wearing-hosiery-with-open-shoes/

Some anti-aging award winners:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/beauty-products/anti-aging-makeup-awards#slide-1

I love love love Bill Cunningham from the NY Times Style Section:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/fashion/bill-cunningham-on-the-street-winter-fashion-begins.html?ref=fashion&_r=0

Makeup brush recommendations:
http://www.dailymakeover.com/trends/makeup/makeup-brushes/

To end this eclectic post today I leave you with some words of wisdom:

THANKFUL

I hope everyone who knows me and/or reads my blog will know that as much as I love fashion, shopping, travel and wine I also know those things mean nothing compared to the many blessings I have in my life.  I want to share with you just a very small portion of the things I am thankful for:

1.  A wonderful family that I love SO MUCH.  Growing up in a single parent home where time, money and many others things were in short supply, I often imagined what I hoped my "grown up" family would be.  Guess what?  Those wishes came true.  I have a husband who works very hard, is loved and respected by many including his wife and sons and has been a fabulous role model for our children.  Our sons ALWAYS make my heart smile with love and pride. It never ceases to amaze me that God has gifted us with these 2 intelligent, kind, successful men. I love them so much and am VERY proud of them and the wonderful women in their lives.  As readers of this blog know, one of our sons was married this past August to an intelligent, beautiful (inside and out) and extremely thoughtful and kind  woman.  She is the perfect partner for him and they are so happy which make me more joyful than I can describe. 

2.  Anyone who knows me knows how important friends are in my life.  As I get older and see how people can so easily enter and leave our lives, the value of friends who are always there for each other means so much. 

3.  A job that makes me smile every single day. I love the students I work with.  They are bright, motivated and fun.  I am very proud to say thaI I stay in contact with many of the students I have worked with over the years.  Granted some I talk with more frequently than others but what an honor to have them call, send an email or stop by the office when they are on campus to share their lives. 

I know all of you also have many blessing in your lives.  If you feel comfortable I would love to see you share your blessings in the comments section below.

LINK LOVE

The links this week  have a bit of a theme, can you tell what that is?

This memo was actually sent out to women at a law firm in Ohio several weeks ago, yes in 2013.  Unbelievable.

http://www.miaminewsday.com/national/28681-top-law-firm-sends-email-to-female-employees-telling-them-to-learn-hard-words-and-to-stop-giggling-and-showing-cleavage.html

A woman's resignation letter and a glimpse into her daily life as a working mother:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-belkin/quitting-law-life-work-balance_b_2104259.html

I have a number of friends who teach and know how hard they work.  This is one person's take on why his wife has decided to leave a job she used to love:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20131028/MCT/131029241/1021/life?template=printpicart

I think most working moms struggle with this feeling at some point (and others struggle every single day):

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/12/living/irpt-parents-erin-hill-mommy-guilt/index.html?hpt=li_c1

Nora Ephron gave this commencement speech in 1996; I think many points are still relevant today:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/26/norah-ephrons-commencement-96-address_n_1628832.html

LINK LOVE

Botox: Before and after photos.  I have to admit it makes a difference and softens her 

face a bit

http://nononsensebeautyblog.com/2010/11/19/did-botox-work-judge-for-yourself/

Time for the Nordstroms half yearly sale:

http://shop.nordstrom.com

This wise young man with help from his father's wise advice states what all of us need to remember in any and every relationship in our lives:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-adam-smith/marriage-isnt-for-you_b_4209837.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

They are back……THE GIRLFRIENDS……The Kathy and Judy show has returned to WGN in Chicago on Saturday mornings from 10-12.  You can also listen to all of their shows on line by following this link:

http://wgnradio.com/kathy-and-judy/

Recipes included in this:

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshow/recipes-everyone-should-know-how-to-cook?slide=7

Final thought for your day:

SAFARI TALES

I spent a fair amount of time this past weekend looking for longer length tops that I can wear with pants.  I own quite a few dresses, skirts/cardigans and jackets but very few pants. The physical therapist who is working with me on my foot issues told me I HAD to wear ugly supportive New Balance athletic shoes (in hopes the damaged tissue will heal) 24/7.  This means no skirts/dresses and black pants pretty much every single day.  I have blouses and shirts that can be worn with skirts but very few tops that are long enough to wear with pants.  Thus I looked around the mall on Saturday.  I found NOTHING!!!  My only requirements are to reach at least the top of my hipbone (I am 5'6 so probably average height), that they not cling and are in dark colors; i.e. black, grey or chocolate brown.  As you have heard me whine time and time again the shopping options in my area are very limited.  I visited Ann Taylor, Gap, Ann Taylor Loft, Old Navy, Talbots and……..in my walk of shame…a store that has 2 words in the name, the first work beginning  with an E and the second word is Bauer.   Not one, not one single top did I find.   So I am asking the blog community, does such a top exist and if so, where might it be?   

While I am on the topic of shopping excursions I also realized that I needed new socks.  I mentioned this wardrobe need to a friend. She said she also has been searching for socks and made me laugh out loud when she revealed she just doesn't wear socks because she cannot find any she likes.   This should be a simple item to find, correct?  No it is not.  I purchased the JCrew black trouser socks and found them to be adequate but not great.  I tried socks from Gap but they are not dressy enough to wear to work (when I wear stylish shoes and not ugly athletic shoes) and run on the short side.   As a side note I almost deleted my sock quest post thinking it sounded silly.  Then, earlier today I saw an entire blog conversation devoted to this topic: http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-cheap-socks   Do you have any tried and true recommendations?

Other items I am currently hoping to find include a chocolate brown skirt (preferably a-line altho a pencil would do if not cut too straight), a seasonless long black jacket to wear with pants and button down shirts that do not gap.  

What are the elusive items on your shopping list?

FRIDAY FANCIES

This just makes me smile, a fur swing cape (from Anthropologie, OF COURSE)

The perfect blazer from JCrew and a special someone will be getting this for Christmas:

Have you watched the new show Million Dollar Shoppers on Lifetime?  So so so over the top, which means of course I watch every single second of it each Thursday night:

A friend just introduced me to this blog/facebook page and I am obsessed.  The artist posts pictures of people he finds interesting and includes their stories:
http://www.humansofnewyork.com

Words of wisdom for your weekend: