Snapshots

My flight back to my hometown for the holidays is tomorrow evening, and I couldn't be more excited!  I've been waking up every day this week with a little jolt of joy that I'm one day closer to being home with my family.

A few shots from the last few pre-vacation days:

The cutest Christmas card and an adorable decoration.

Sass for the suitcase.

My new Kate Spade wallet from the most amazing boyfriend on the planet.

Christmas lights aglow in my room.

Holiday Ear Candy

With the exception of the one year I worked in retail through the Christmas season, I love look forward to the day after Thanksgiving every year because along with Black Friday deals, it means that Christmas music listening season has been officially ushered in.

I made myself a little holiday playlist to listen to while wrapping presents and wanted to share it with you!  If you have a Spotify account, search for "A Various Vanities Holiday", or you can check out some of the clips provided below.  Happy listening - remember and believe in the healing power of all music, even with the terrible tragedies of the day.

Darlin (Christmas is Coming), Over the Rhine
All My Bells Are Ringing, Lenka
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, Kay Starr
Twinkling Lights, Office Romance
Winter White, A Fine Frenzy
Christmas Lights, Coldplay
Carol of the Bells, The Bird and the Bee
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Norah Jones
Merry Christmas, Baby, Sheryl Crow
Cold December Night, Michael Buble
Baby, It's Cold Outside, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan
A Marshmallow World, Francesca Battistelli
Sleigh Ride, Los Straitjackets
Christmas Wrapping, The Waitresses
Please Come Home For Christmas, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
All Through the Night, The Kingston Trio
I'll Be Home for Christmas, Katherine McPhee
Winter Song, Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
Happy Xmas (War Is Over), Christina Perri
Mele Kalikimaka, The Puppini Sisters
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Tyler Hilton
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?, Ella Fitzgerald

Anti-Stress

Let's be honest - no one likes finals, and the older I get and the more finals I complete, the more I loathe them and the stress that they cause me.  Last week was finals week, and my stress level was running quite high.  I'm naturally a very anxious person so I am always looking for things to help me de-stress.  Here are a few simple things that I use and do to keep the stress levels at bay; hopefully they help for any of you working your way through finals/holiday commitments!

I've expressed my preference for Volsupa candles before in other posts, but this Goji Tarocco-Orange scent has just enough citrus to keep me alert while writing papers and the flickering candle light from the three wicks casts a soothing light. 

The less sleep I get, the more stressed I tend to get; this sleep mask blocks out all the light and helps me get a deep shut eye.

I always unwind with a crossword puzzle before I go to sleep to distract my mind from the details of the day (plus, when I find I can't answer anymore of the clues, I know it's time to turn off the lights).

I've been using Bath and Body Works' pillow mist for ages; I've come to associate the scent with falling asleep and spray it on my pillow just before climbing in bed.

 It's dark chocolate so it's healthy, right?

Watching old sitcoms.  30 minutes of bliss.  I've been watching a marathon amount of That 70's Show lately.

Snapshots

Today marks the first day of finals week, which means in a week I'll have some semblance of a normal schedule - hooray!  Once all my final assignments are turned in, I'm planning on getting in some holiday shopping and getting ready for my trip home later in the month!

In the mean time,  here are some snapshots I've taken over the past week:

My roommate's dog ready for cuddle time - the best way to spend a cold evening.

My ever growing collection of prints from Anthropologie.

Writing holiday cards and keeping track of addresses.

My Cyber Monday Nordstrom sale score. 

Gorgeous leaves outside my apartment; of course, the rain washed them all away over the weekend, but they're too beautiful not to share.

Cyber Monday

There are few words my wallet and I like more than "sale", which is why I couldn't be more excited that Cyber Monday is here.  It may be halfway through the day, but sales are still going!  Here are a few of the best sales from a few of my favorite retailers:

Anthropologie - free shipping on any order today

Asos - 30% off everything with promo code CYBERMONDAYSPECIAL

Barnes & Noble - up to 60% off select items, including DVDs and Blu-rays

butterLONDON - buy select nail lacquers for $10 with free shipping

Francesca's - 30% off the entire site

Free People - free shipping through Nov. 28th and an additional 20% of sale items today

Kate Spade NY - up to 75% off select items

Nordstrom - up to 50% on a multitude of items (and as always, free shipping!)

Sephora - free shipping over $25 and a free mystery gift with $25 purchase

Ulta Beauty - free holiday shipping over $25 and a multitude of offers (including buy 2 get 1 free of butterLONDON polish; I know, I know, I'm obsessed).

Victoria's Secret - free shipping on $50, $30 off of $150, plus buy one, get one 50% off bras with DOUBLEUP promo code through Wednesday, and today only, 2 free secret rewards cards with a purchase of $10

Happy shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I'm incredibly thankful for all my family and friends and hope that you are surrounded by as many blessings as I on this holiday.

Celebrity Style Crush

Friends With Benefits was on this weekend (I admit it, I secretly love that movie), and reminded me just how much I love Mila Kunis' sense of style.  The petite actress exudes classic laid-back chic and given the chance, I'd probably steal most of her wardrobe.  Plus, girlfriend knows how to look deceptively tall (she's only 5'2"), which is something I'm still trying to figure out, and I'm three inches taller!  Here are some of my favorite of her red carpet selections:

 

I've Got My Gloves To Keep Me Warm

My poor boyfriend has been suffering through my freezing cold hands for the past few days - and by cold I mean my hands run sub-glacial - so I decided it was high time that I work on getting a pair of gloves for the season.  Here are some cute and budget friendly finds that I found!

Kate Spade

Fix Design

Michael Kors

Echo - these come in a variety of colors, all with the ombre effect.

Buckle

ASOS

Gone Votin'

Election Day is finally here!  I'll honestly be glad when all the results are in and the whole thing is over, but I felt that this vintage poster was too cute to not share before the end of the day.

A Red Lip

Sweater - BP, Dress - H&M, Belt - thrifted Betsey Johnson, Dress - thrifted Michael Kors, Necklace - Tiffany's.

I bought a new red lipstick for my Halloween costume last week - I was a ladybug - and have been wearing it ever since.  I love the pin up-esque feel of this outfit, with the red lip and the belted waist.  Here's hoping the weather stays uncharacteristically warm for November for me to keep light dresses in my rotation!

Lust List

A few things that caught my eye and that I'm currently lusting after: 

1) Too Faced Eye Shadow 2) peacock tray 3) slippers 4) decorative skeleton for Halloween 

5) statement necklace 6) Fossil pouches 7) a cheeky Anne Taintor flash drive

Smelling Pretty

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm running out of my Stella McCartney perfume and have been on the hunt for a new scent.  Here are some perfume choices that I've had my eye on; the best part is that not only do all of these choices smell wonderful, but they're all cruelty-free!

               

Victoria's Secret fragrances - my favorites, Bombshell and Tease

Tocca Beauty - Bianca is my favorite of their Eau de Perfume choices

Prada - Candy's scent with a hint of caramel is surprisingly sophisticated

Philosophy - Love Sweet Love has hints of vanilla, grapefruit, and mango

Ineke Fragrances - Scarlet Larkspur and Briar Rose 

Lollia - Relax and In Love; the gorgeous scents come in the most adorable bottles.