Accessories Addiction

I'm taking a break from wedding planning to make and admission of guilt:

Hi, my name is Anna and I'm an accessories addict.

It's true; I can't pass up a sparkly ring, stackable bracelets, textured belts, multi-chain necklaces, pendants, and especially scarves.  I love both my cheap, costume jewelry and my investment pieces.  No one does investment pieces like Chanel, and I like to buy those vintage.  Most of my favorite pieces are from DVF, though, like this gorgeous textured belt or her colorful and feminine scarves.  I appreciate her color combinations and ability to go just far enough without going over the edge.  Plus, her site looks a lot like my photo inspiration journals, so I'd like to think DVF could be my BFF.  She's an inspiration as a designer and as a woman.

Check out the DVF blog HERE!

When I'm not drooling over my favorite accessories label, I'm a pretty frugal fashionista.  I don't think that you have to spend a lot of money to look great.  In fact, I know you don't!  I'm in love with some of my recent purchases and I won't even say how much they cost (hint: altogether, they add up to about 1/4 of my favorite DVF scarf).  Check out my recent haul and just imagine that each item cost a small fortune.

Ciao,
A

Get the Look: Sass and Bide

Get the Look: Sass and Bide by asebourn featuring marc jacobs

Shop these items...

Valentine to Valentino

Valentine to Valentino by asebourn featuring a valentino perfume

Valentino floral cocktail dress
$5,510 - brownsfashion.com

Valentino studded jacket
$890 - theoutnet.com

Valentino short heels
$870 - jades24.com

Valentino leather clutch
$1,740 - harveynichols.com

Valentino black gold necklace
forwardforward.com

Meredith Wendell short necklace
meredithwendell.com

Valentino bangle jewelry
yoox.com

Valentino bangle jewelry
forzieri.com

Valentino perfume
bloomingdales.com

Valentino body moisturizer
nordstrom.com

Valentino beauty product
valentino.com

A White Diamond Christmas

Christmas lights around the gate

This was the best Christmas I've had in my entire life.  That's a pretty bold statement, because twice I've gotten new cars Christmas morning from my sweet parents.  Christmas is always very special because of the incredible event that it marks - the birth of Christ. 

Taffy, our cat, looking quite festive next to my watch

However, this Christmas, I received some pretty amazing gifts, particularly the jewelry.......................
my parents gave me a new beautiful Marc Jacobs watch! --------->


Okay, okay, yes the watch was gorgeous.  It's not what made this Dec. 25th the best Christmas I've had so far.  I'll let my story continue with photos:

My amazing boyfriend became my fiance!  A beautiful proposal on my front porch while it was snowing on Christmas afternoon led to me saying "Yes, of course!" and then crying many, many tears of joy!

 

  

David is excited and keeping it together.  I'm excited and crying like a baby, haha  Thank goodness for waterproof mascara!

A ring he designed especially for me, and it was made of conflict-free diamonds (something that's important to us both!).  He had some help from my sweet friends and family, too.  The result is the above: a gorgeous symbol of a promise to spend our lives together!

We just couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate in the snow!  We haven't had a white Christmas in a long time, so the weather made this day even more special.  The mistletoe didn't hurt either... :)

A very snowy candy cane heart.  It was really coming down at that point, and we were freezing!

This is my favorite shot of the night.  He said "I want to dip you" and I replied "umm..okay?" kind of nervously.  But in this moment, I completely forgot the camera and pretty much the rest of the world except for the two of us.  Looking at this photo now, I still get caught in that moment.  

 

 So, that's my Christmas story.  I started the day happy and thankful, and I ended it happy and thankful, but also blessed to be able to say that I'll get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend by my side. 

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours!

XOXO,
Anna

Happy Holiday Hostess

I cannot express enough how much I *LOVE* Christmas and the entire Winter holiday season!  It brings out the creative side in me (okay, that's already there, but it brings it out even more, if that's possible) and gives me a chance to see all of my favorite people and wear pretty clothes.  Hosting a party is a great excuse to try out new recipes, decorate your house with holiday 'tablescapes' and DIY projects and last, but certainly not least, you get to buy and wear clothes that you can only wear to a holiday party!  No, I'm not talking about sweaters with snowmen on them or sweatshirts equipped with battery packs and twinkling fronts; I'm talking the sparkly, the lacy, the red and green plaid, the outfits that look silly except during the holidays.

It's also time to get rid of coats you don't need or don't fit anymore, so as you're buying your new 'hostess with the mostess' outfit, make sure to give away one older/gently worn item for each new one purchased :).  It may just make another person's holiday warm and bright!  Here are some places that take donations close to me:  Big Brothers Big Sisters, Our House's 'My Favorite Thrift Store,' and to look through a compiled list of more places, visit Donation Drop Off.  What can you find near you? 

Yummy treats and a hostess-worthy outfit to match!

Happy Holiday Hostess by asebourn

Warehouse
$45 - johnlewis.com

L K Bennett l k bennett
$315 - lkbennett.com

House of Harlow 1960 crocs boots
yoox.com

Leather clutch
lordandtaylor.com

Christina Elleni yellow gold jewelry
boticca.com

Alexander mcqueen
$295 - net-a-porter.com

ASOS white pearl necklace
asos.com

Nars cosmetic
$40 - asos.com

Pier One Felt Snowflake Placemat - White
pier1.com

notNeutral Season Dinner Plate Set of 4
notneutral.com

Give Thanks by Looking Good (Pt. 1)

My favorite fashions that give back this season (Pt. 1)

It's the season of giving, but let's be honest: this is the time of year when we spend the most money on the people we know and love and ourselves (c'mon, you want to look good in all the family photos during the holidays!).  Not that any of this spending is wrong, of course.  You sister is going to love her earrings you're getting her for Christmas, your dad is in total need of a new wallet, and your own Christmas list is probably full of gorgeous fashion that you can't afford to get for yourself.

So, let's make this shopping time a win-win-win situation.  Yes, that's three wins.  Let's see:
1) the person loves the gift you give them = WIN
2) the feeling you get after the person opens the gift and loves it = WIN
3) the charitable cause that received money after you bought the gift = WIN
You can have all three!  Buying something that has that charitable label on it no longer means having a colored bracelet with a phrase or symbol on it.  Here are some of my favorite brands and fashions that are included in this triple-win scenario:

www.altardstate.com

Altar'd State is a store with a boutique feel, but carrying mostly 'giveback' brands.  It carries charitable brands like Toms, FEED, FashionABLE, Krochet Kids, Rockwell Tharp, Jedidiah, and now it's own charitable namesake brand, Altar'd State! 

 Here are some of my current favorite pieces from the Altar'd State Brand, available in stores or online-

Peak-A-Boo Pleat Dress $69

Trinity Teardrop Necklace in Green

$22

Loose Pocket Sweater $49

(A portion of the proceeds from every Altar'd State brand purchase will be donated to feed, shelter, clothe and educate children around the world.)

Market Bag, $68

If you're a shopaholic, consider purchasing a reusable bag from Apolis x Steven Alan.  The company uses a co-op in India to create these handcrafted totes that are functional and fashionable!  This handy bag will also help you avoid that pesky bag tax (if your state has one).  Can't you just picture tall loaves of french bread sticking out, or a gorgeous scarf tied to the handle?





Next post: more triple-win charitable gifts including jewelry, scarves and more!

Ciao!