Xmas 2013 Gift Guide: Men

Men. They can be so hard to shop for. First of all, have you ever been shopping for men's clothes? There is no selection. You can buy pants or shirts or jackets or shoes. That's it. Where is the variety? And, it's unfortunate that women can borrow from men (watches, button-downs, jackets, t-shirts) but men can't borrow as easily from women.

But, I think that they key for most men (key word most) is that they prefer practical gifts. Which is totally fine; I like practical gifts as well. But, to make a gift truly outstanding, you want to add a touch of luxury to something practical.

Xmas 2013 Gift Guide: Fashion

I think it's foolish to buy someone clothes as a present, unless they've specifically told you what to buy. Honestly, in between sizing issues (yeah, I'd love to go exchange this present at the mall along with a million other people) and differences in taste, you're better off gifting straight cash yo.

That being said, if you absolutely have to buy fashion items, stick to a few basic rules: accessories are better than clothes, sweaters and other stretchy/loose items are better than structured items, chance on the side of too small if you're unsure of the recipient's size, and don't be offended if the person does return your gift (because she probably will).

Xmas 2013 Gift Guide: Books

Okay, so your recipient doesn't need any more beauty products (really, though?) Or maybe you need to stock up on some host(ess) gifts that can please either gender. Or maybe you just want to get all of your shopping done on Amazon. Whatever, no judgment here.

A few rules on buying books as presents: hardcover only, buy new, unless it's a first edition (but first editions are pretty overrated), don't give a Kindle without loading it with a few books first, and don't follow up with the recipient--if they've read/liked the book, they'll let you know.

Xmas 2013 Gift Guide: Beauty

I love presents. I love getting them and I love giving them. It's just another excuse to shop. I'm fairly picky when it comes to presents--the thought is nice, but it's even nicer to get exactly what you want. Unfortunately, it's hard to get exactly what you want and also be surprised, so most people have to decide which is more important--the surprise or the quality of the present.

The Weekly Gimme: Etsy Hoodie Sweatshirt Dress

£56.29, Etsy

Why is this model so bemused? Is it the fact that she's wearing jeans and a dress? Maybe she's just hungry. So, I recently purchased this lovely rag rug from Etsy and I have recovered from my TERRIBLE Etsy experience a few months ago (NB: If you're placing a custom order, don't pay until it's ready to ship!). 

For the past few years (ever since college, really . . . ), I've wanted a hoodie dress. It combines my favorite things of not wearing pants and wearing a hoodie. Unfortunately, most hoodie dresses (and I've tried on many) are not flattering. I guess they're not really meant to be flattering, because, come on, it's a hoodie dress. But this one looks okay. It's nipped at the waist, so it won't look like a sack, and the pockets in front incorporate an integral aspect of the hoodie.

I also like how the dress is longer and flares at the bottom. The hood is also nice and large, making it a wee bit costume-y, which I like (I did just buy a cape). I would NOT wear this with jeans--leggings or bare-legged and my Frye boots. Add a stack of rings and I'm set for the weekend.

Birfday

TA Cat is busy baking a cake.

My blog is one year old today! This the longest I've done anything. Ever.

All the Small Things

I've been in London for more than six weeks now. Now, I love America (Amurrica!) but I am not the biggest fan of many things American (why do I have to drive eerrrywhere?) Why is there so much margarine in this cookie?

It's the small things that make me miss the States.

• Tidy Cats litter--I bought this litter from Waitrose and the litter bits were so large that they don't go through the scoop. WTF?
• Craft brews--I'm not a big beer fan, but I like looking at all of the indie brands. It's all crap here.
• Trader Joe's/Target/Sephora--I feel like I could keep these companies in the black myself.
• It's Advil, not Nurofen. It's Nyquil, not NightNurse.
• Chipotle in adobo--not pickled chipotle (whatever that is).Oh I just googled it and they're kind of the same thing. 
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups/Peanut Butter Snickers--hey London, not everything has to be Nutella. Peanut butter is good for you, yo.
• All of the Ben and Jerry's flavors--all sorts of weird ass flavors here too. 
• Black Friday-because I WANT ALL THE DEALZ.
• real bacon--why call it streaky? it reminds me of dirty underwear (yes London, it's called underwear)
• quarters--these people have too many coins
• brunch--although I did have a lovely one at Caravan in Exmouth Market last weekend

Things that I can't get in the States:

• a VERY good selection of single-malts at affordable prices
• Duck and Goose fat, ready to use
• Liege Waffles--zomg so good.
• Peri Peri chicken--so spicy and yummy and overpriced
• the British Museum

The Weekly Gimme: The White Co. Cashmere Robe

£295, The White Company

You know what's dangerous? Working on top of a mall. Especially when the sales are on. And you have nothing to do at work. Fortunately, most of the stores in London right now are selling party stuff--sequins and fur and mini skirts, so I haven't been tempted much. (I am looking for a furry coat, but I can't find one that doesn't make me look like a disgruntled koala bear.)

The most successful stores in London (and any place, really), in my opinion, are the stores that sell you a lifestyle. I mean, who doesn't want to live an Anthropologie life? That shabby-chic, bohemian, Parisian-cum-Brooklyn way of being? I love going into the White Company because they sell me the lifestyle of an eternal lounger. Loungewear everywhere: robes, soft henleys, candles, pillows, the softest most plushest stuffed penguin . . . 

But the absolute best thing in the store is this cashmere robe (completely unaffordable and not sensible--how does one even wash a cashmere robe, especially in a goddamn London washing machine). But it is so soft and warm and comfy and I just want to be able to show up at work wearing no pants and just this robe. Livin' the dream.

Recent Developments

The title is kind of a securities lawyer joke . . .

I just bought my Xbox One (and Ryse) and got invited to the beta for Elder Scrolls Online (for PC, unfortunately). So . . . I'll be going on a mini hiatus for the next few weeks.

See ya when I see ya.

Review: Alterna Caviar Dry Shampoo

$22, Nordstrom

I got a teeny teeny bottle of this in one of my various boxes. (Reminder to self: sign up for Birchbox UK and Glossybox UK and see if there's anything else . . . )

This was just fine. It wasn't a spray can like most dry shampoos, you kinda of shook some powder into your hair and then you shake it out. I found it to be messier than other dry shampoos, and didn't absorb as much oil as my favorite brand (Batiste). 

The smell is neither bad nor good. I can't say too much about the bottle design, since I got such a tiny one. 

To be honest, at this point, I'm doubtful I'll find anything better than Batiste (it doesn't hurt that a can is only three quid at Boot's). This certainly isn't it. 

The Weekly Gimme: Cuyana Alpaca Long Classic Cape

$195, Cuyana

I'm so glad capes are back. I've always wanted to live in olden days, but you know, without all the disease and lice and treating women like chattel. Also, as the weather gets cooler in London and the days get shorter, all I want to do is shnuggle up in something cozy.

Also, my office is cold, which is good, because I get drowsy after lunch, but it's not so good when it's ten at night and I'm staring at my computer and my fingers get stiff from the cold and I'm waiting for catering to bring me my damn tea and cookies . . . 

Anyway, I'm also trying to build up my neutrals wardrobe. I have always and will always love bright colors (cobalts, emeralds, hot pinks) and have so many of those in my closet. But now, I've decided I need more neutrals (especially beige--why do I always shy away from beige?) and pastels. 

Maybe Cuyana will do a Black Friday sale? 

Settling In

Man. I have really let things go. The blog, my exercise regimen, my hair . . . Being a working girl isn't as easy as Melanie Griffiths makes it seem. (Although I do switch into heels at my desk--unless I'm feeling too lazy for heels that day).

The Weekly Gimme: Massimo Dutti Blue Leather Jacket

£225, Massimo Dutti

Sorry for the ghetto picture, I couldn't find a better one online. I saw this in store today when I was out shopping with a friend (King's Road is SO much better than Oxford Circus on the weekend, although nothing beats Canary Wharf). Anyway, the leather is buttery soft and a gorgeous true navy color. I've been in the market for a non-brown leather jacket (I have a super cute biker jacket in a rusty brown that I wear a lot and got for super cheap from Wilson's Leather). I had been looking at solely black jackets, but now I'm thinking that a navy or even a dark gray would be a wonderful choice (black leather frequently looks fake or cheap to me).

But, even though I actually got paid today (first real paycheck!) I exercised true self-control (but maybe not in the dessert department) and spent less than twenty quid. I got a comfy shirt from Brandy Melville and a bun-maker from Accessorize. 

Being Lonely and Growing Up

The first week in a new country/city is always the worst. It is a fucking roller coaster of emotion. You have the peaks of excitement and newness and discovering Boot's has like a million scents in your favorite dry shampoo. Then, you have the valleys of crushing loneliness and creeping depressing, where you're not quite sad enough to stay in bed all day but you also go a little crazy when you can't find the exact floss you want (who uses tape?!) and the only American TV you can find is CSI: NY. (When I was in America, all I watched were BBC shows and now all I want is Amurrica).

On top of all this, it's time to grow up. Having a big girl job is also the worst. These two things added together just makes a person want to go back to grad school . . . But then I think about how I don't want to do that and that working is better than lying around all day watching syndicated episodes of Big Bang Theory.

Well, in times of need, the ENTJs turn to list-making. (Also, I just finished reading Mindy Kaling's book which is phenomenal by the way, and she really defrumps list-making).

Things in London which are better than things in America:

• the prepared foods: the M&S Food Hall is fantastic. Right now, I'm eating some Persian duck dish with saffron rice, roasted butternut squash and some lemony-oniony ragout. This is way beyond a Stouffer's lasagna, guys.
• the cell phone situation: my UNLIMITED data plan, with 1000 texts and 200 minutes costs only £12.80 per month. That's less than $20!! Craycray.
• the shopping: so many good stores . . . And, they're opening more and more American stores every day. If they add an Ann Taylor, I would be completely satisfied.
• the coffee choices: this is actually kind of funny, because London doesn't make great coffee. But, the choices are so varied. In the States, you get Starbucks, Dunkies, and maybe Caribou Coffee if you're in a weird part of town that still has a bookstore. Here, there's Caffe Nero, Starbucks, Pret, Paul, Costa, and all sorts of little patisseries. You don't have to be held hostage by Starbucks here.

Things in America which are better than things in London

• television: what kind of flat that has heated floors (seriously amazing) only offers freeview television? Especially when freeview television is meh. Newsflash London, there are more shows than How I Met Your Mother and Scrubs.
• prices: I guess this is kind of a lame category, but it's legit. Things in London are just outrageously expensive. It's basically taking Boston prices (argh) and switching out the dollar sign for a pound sign.
• sandwiches: okay, look, this isn't elementary school anymore. You can't just put some butter and cheese on some Wonder Bread and call it a day. More meat! More cheese! More salt! 
• Hulu: so, you get some weird version of Netflix in the UK where all the movies/shows available for streaming are different. There's actually a pretty decent selection. But you can't get access to Hulu without maybe doing something shady (I might get desperate enough for this very soon). I need my stories!!
• football: the real kind. 

Review: Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Gel

$45, Sephora

You guys, Sephora already has Christmas Secular Sparkly Holiday gift sets out. Already! It's not even Halloween yet! But anyway, you should get on it, because Sephora offers some really awesome gift sets--they're perfect for keeping and using, and not so much for gifting (because really, who wants to receive a dozen tubes of mascara for Christmas?)

The Weekly Gimme: lemlem Bathsheba Dress

$248, lemlem

This is a gorgeous dress, no? I don't know what's wrong with me. For the entirety of summer, I'm just shopping for cashmere and boots, but a week before October hits, I want to buy a white, pleated dress. 

I actually saw this dress in Harper's like months ago. Serious, I think I started Googling this dress in April. Well, it's finally hit the interwebs. It's beautiful. It's also made in Ethiopia (it definitely has a slightly African feel to it). 

I actually want a lot of things on lemlem's website . . . If only their prices didn't seem so outrageous . . . (Although Gwyneth Paltrow doesn't think the prices are too bad.)

Review: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad

$18 for 10, Sephora

I don't remember which subscription box I received these self-tanning wipes in (that's a bad sign, right?). I don't really use self-tanner, since I'm naturally pretty tan and if I really need a tan I can just sit outside for an hour. 

But, free is free and bored is bored so I used one of these. They really work! I only used one wipe and it was very subtle and natural looking. Not orange-y at all. I used it on my face, and I didn't find any streaks, even without using an exfoliate first. 

I didn't suffer any adverse effects. The tan washed off in about half a week. If I had wanted a deeper tan, I would have used a wipe every day until I reached the color I wanted. I would also suggest to make sure you wipe all over your chest, in case you want to wear a low-cut shirt.

tl;dr: Great tanning wipe, if you're into that kind of thing.

Review: Korres Quercetin & Oak Eye Cream

$42, Sephora

Have you guys seen that new Kia commercial with the hamsters getting in shape? I love that commercial. It's unfortunate that the car is so ugly and stupid looking, because they really have some brilliant admen. 

Anyway, this Korres product could use some brilliant admen, because it sure as shit doesn't work. To be fair, I don't know why I keep trying these antiageing/antiwrinkle (although a shadow fell on my face the other day that made me panic because I thought I was getting a wrinkle).

This will be a short post, because this product did nothing for me. It didn't really smell like anything (I don't know what quercetin even is), and the consistency was just blah. 

Tieks: An Endorsement

$175, Tieks

I have been looking for comfortable black flats (that aren't Toms) ever since I realized that I was going to work in London. I needed some good, classic, COMFORTABLE flats for commuting. I have other flats (here and here) that I really like, and that are fairly comfortable, but they weren't plain enough to be good commuting shoes. 

Tieks are Oprah's favorite shoe, and even though I'm not a huge Oprah fan, she usually has okay taste. Not to mention, these shoes have been featured on a lot of blogs. So I ordered a pair. Shipping was easy and fast, and my shoes got here in excellent quality. 

The shoes themselves came in a little box, along with a fake flower elastic thing, a reusable bag that can be stuffed in a little sac, and a little pouch to store the Tieks. Honestly, I wish they would knock $10 off the hefty price tag and just do away with these little extras. 

The shoes are excellent quality. The leather is great, and the rubber soles are very sturdy. The insoles are cushioned and comfortable. The first time I tried them on, I felt it was too tight in the toe-box and too long as a shoe. (The only have whole sizes which can also be difficult for some people). There is a bit more toe cleavage than I like, but just a bit.

After wearing them around the apartment for a few days, they leather molded to my feet more, so that they're more comfortable. One thing that sold me on these shoes is the fact that the back of the shoes don't rub against my heels. I always, always have that problem with cheap flats and these did not give me any blisters at all. 

Although I haven't worn them out for an extended period yet, they feel very comfortable. I think they're just as comfortable as my Toms for walking for hours. I don't think I would really travel in these shoes though, since I wear my Rainbows in the spring/summer and my boots in the fall/winter. They will definitely serve their purpose in being commuting flats.

Finally, I was at first hesitant to buy these shoes because of the blue soles and the little blue stripe on the heel, but when I saw them in person, I liked it a lot. It was a lot more subtle than in the photos and it's hard to see much blue when you're actually wearing them and walking in them. I'm going to wear these shoes for a few months and see how they hold up. Meanwhile, I've got my eye on this shiny patent red crocodile pair and this hot pink pair. 

The Weekly Gimme: Alexandra Grecco Tulle Skirt

$188, Alexandra Grecco

I really wish I had purchased this skirt last season from Anthro. I was just all "Where would I wear that?" even though that's hardly stopped me before. But now, thanks to Pinterest, I've seen all the ways to wear it! I could make it cazh with a graphic tee and booties, make it ladylike with a nice black sweater and pumps, or go full-on ballet with pearls, a cardi and ballet flats. 

The real question is whether I want it in ivory (ready to ship!) or peach (have to wait until December, which might not be a bad thing). 

Meanwhile, my shopping moratorium begins this Monday, September 23 and will extend until I get settled into a new flat in London!