Have a sparkle-y New Year's Eve...!

Happy New Year's Eve!  Celebrate the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012 with some sparkles this year...

Wear this with minimal accessories:

or these with your favorite LBD:

Serve these to cheers with your bff's:

And have some photo fun with these:

See you in 2012!

Dress | Shoes | Jello shots via Pinterest | Props

Have a sparkle-y New Year's Eve...!

2011 in review

In January, I started 2011 off by celebrating the New Year and Syracuse's football win in the Pinstripe Bowl in NYC. Also, my childhood dog Cody passed away.

In February, I went to Florida and came back in March to a new puppy- Barkley!

In April, I tried on Threadware clothes at Holiday boutique, started my blog for bridesmaids, 27 & 1 Dresses, and watched the royal wedding.

In May, I turned 26, helped throw a bridal shower for Mrs. R, and went to Nashville for Memorial Day weekend.

In June, La vie...J'aime turned 2, I brought out my inner 14-year old at the NKOTBSB concert, my friends and I threw a bachelorette party for Mrs. R, and I helped host a bridal shower for Mrs. L.  

In July, I celebrated the 4th in the Cape, was in the wedding of the R's, and threw Mrs. A a bachelorette party.

In August, my mom and I threw a small bridal shower for Mrs. A, saw Britney's concert, went to Mrs. L's bachelorette in MV, and got drenched at Kenny Chesney's Countryfest.

In September, my first CBSBoston.com article was posted, the A's got hitched, I jetted to a DC wedding, and the L's tied the knot.

In October, I went to Sonoma, CA for work, enjoyed my fave fall past time: apple picking, and celebrated Halloween in NYC.

  

In November, I got promoted and started my new job and celebrated Thanksgiving with the girls and family.

In December, my mom and I created DIY Anthropologie snow globes, celebrated the holidays, and said goodbye to my grandpa.

2011 in review

Hipstamatic snapshots

Getting drinks at Trade.

Holiday cards this year.

My bookshelf area with newly hung additions.

Puppy love.

Xmas Eve eve cheers.

A new home for Barkley's hat.

Christmas day drive.

Wreath duo.

Cooking home-made sausage in honor of my grandpa.

Hipstamatic snapshots

December 25th

Paper Source wrapping paper: Christmas | Birthday

December 25th

My My Stocking

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope you have enjoyed this year's My Stocking series (relive it all here).  Here are my picks and hope your Santa or Hanukkah Harry brings all that you wished for!

Stocking

1. Crate & Barrel magnets: perfect for quick reference.

2. Amazon Kindle gift card: to purchase books on my wish list.

3.One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book:a new project with Mrs. A.

4. Panasonic Lumix camera: for taking some really good blog pics.

My My Stocking

My Stocking: Dawn from The Alternative Wife

Thank you for your nice words yesterday about my grandpa and happy Christmas Eve eve. Dawn from The Alternative Wife is our last guest My Stocking. Thank you all for participating, and hope you liked this series! Stay tuned for my picks tomorrow. :)

My Stocking
By: Dawn - The Alternative Wife
Stocking

1. Mulberry Polly Push Lock cashmere-lined leather gloves: I always need new gloves and I've been looking for warm leather ones.  These are perfect. An the color, the closure, Mulberry.  Need I say more? :)

2. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange: I've admired Ines de la Fressange for quite some time now and I'm always looking for ways to hone my inner French girl.

3. Zara Printed Toiletry Clutch: Love the color of this snake clutch.  I have plenty of dark color clutches but often look for something lighter when I'm in a warmer climate. This would definitely do the trick!

4. Hermes bangle: I've been lusting after this for some time now.  Hopefully I'll be lucky this holiday {finger's crossed!}

5. Mulberry Postman's Lock Continental Wallet: I've been on the hunt for a new wallet and I've finally found THE ONE! And yeah you can say that I'm on a bit of a Mulberry kick lately.  Again love the color and the lock closure!

My Stocking: Dawn from The Alternative Wife

My Stocking: Megan & Kristin from BonBon Rose Girls

Just a few days left until Christmas...here is the stocking by the ladies behind BonBon Rose Girls.

My Stocking

By: Megan & Kristin - BonBon Rose Girls

This Pottery Barn stocking has a touch of glam that appeals to both of us BonBon Rose Girls!

1. We would love to see everyone be a little kinder this holiday season. A kind word goes a long way! 

2. This "Manhattan" Kate Spade cocktail ring is right up these NYC lovin' gals' alleys!

3. Even though we're rockin' out in our thirties, we're still just kids at heart and we would have a blast playing this tic tac toe game together! A couple glasses of bubbly wouldn't hurt either. Haha

4. If you know us, you know we each have a BIG sweet tooth and if we don't have time to make some bark, Williams Sonoma's Peppermint Bark would save the day!

5. We're both total accessories addicts and would love to receive another scarf to add to our collections! We love this bright, cheery number from Shop Frankie's!

Thanks, ladies!

My Stocking: Megan & Kristin from BonBon Rose Girls

"The Great Stone Face"

My grandpa passed away early yesterday morning. He had Alzheimer's for over 10 years, and while he hasn't been the same grandpa for many years, you can never really prepare. 

My grandpa "lived life Norman's way", as my grandma said recently.  Known as "The Great Stone Face" (a nickname my mom and her 3 siblings gave him because he never cracked a smile when they'd be joking around and was so serious), Norm, Grandpa, Pop, his memory lives on in all of us and the stories we tell outloud and in our hearts.

The deck on my childhood dollhouse that he built when I was young. | A caricature that's framed on my mom's gallery wall. | Photo taken by my brother with his favorite hat. | Photo of Grandpa in the military also on the gallery wall. What a stud.

"The Great Stone Face"

My Stocking: Helena from A Diary of Lovely

Today's My Stocking is from Helena whose blog A Diary of Lovely always features beautiful and inspiring images.

My Stocking

By: Helena - A Diary of Lovely

stocking

1. Kate Spade Bow Ring: I would love as much to get it as to receive it, it's pretty, fun, and adds the perfect dash of glamour to any outfit.

2.  Diptyque Candle: I don't tend to spend THAT much in candles, which means I would love to receive something this calibre, and I know most women would enjoy it too, it's a classic after-all.

3. Cartier Love bracelet: This has to be the ULTIMATE stocking item, just perfection!

4. Etsy calligraphy stamp: Personalized gifts are pretty and thoughtful, and this is one of the nicest address stamps I have seen lately.

5. Amazon gift card: No matter how amazing FAB gifts are, an Amazon gift card is going to be a hit with everyone! 

Great picks- thanks, Helena!

My Stocking: Helena from A Diary of Lovely