Handira Blanket Winner and Things I’m Craving

The winner of the Anthropologie Handira Blanket is Melinda. Congratulations! I will ship it out to you on Tuesday.

I loved reading about each of your peaceful places. It was so wonderful to have that imagery in my head. Thank you for that! It made my week entirely better. You are all so awesome. I just appreciate you so much. I want to hug you right now!

Next month is my one year blog anniversary! I am very excited about it! So, tune in on the tenth of next month for that one! I cannot wait! I have tried to make it special. : )

Thank you for all of your support and kindness. You make each one of my days happier. Fuller. More complete.

Things I’m Craving:

20140216-112955.jpg

This month, I spent so much money on the Lace Study Dress, that my budget was primarily used up. I told myself I could not purchase anything unless it was $20 or under. Unfortunately, I am great at finding $20 and under. I managed to score some excellent popbacks. I got the Corca sweater for $20, the Illusione Top for $10 and the Lace Peplum Hoodie for $20. Three pieces for less than $50! Retail price for all three was $384.

20140216-112508.jpg

I found this jacket that looks incredibly similar to the jacket I coveted on Elsie from A Beautiful Mess in November. Except hers sold out at $66. I was really sad I missed out on it and have been thinking about it for months. Then I found it. Sort of. I found mine last week at Forever 21. Cost after 30% off sale? $21! I will post a picture with it styled soon. I may or may not hold my dog in the process, stand in my dining room, and have my hair in a messy bun atop my head. Is that too stalkery creepy awesome?

20140216-113327.jpg

I am coveting nothing at Anthropologie right now. I do not know what is going on, but I am not in love with any of the spring items that have come out (except for the Lace Study Dress I caress nightly). Although, if I could afford it, this beautiful lamp from last year would be coming home to me.

20140216-112540.jpg

I cannot afford this jacket from Free People, but I think it is rad (a word I seem to be using a lot lately).

20140216-114947.jpg

What I have been lusting after our books. I bought “Fan Girl,” “The Magician’s Elephant,” and “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.” I finished the first two and I am halfway through the third.

20140216-193601.jpg

Because I absolutely adored “The Magician’s Elephant,” I also purchased “Flora and Ulysses” to read to my family this week.

20140216-193639.jpg

And “Attachments.” Although, I think this author is brilliant, I do not care for her abrupt endings in the other two books I have read by her. I am hoping this one is different.

20140216-193711.jpg

On Valentine’s Day, I made these brown sugar cakes for my family from this recipe. I will not be creating a full post about them. But if you like macadamia nuts, you will like the cake. If not (like my kids and myself, you probably will not). My husband loves macadamia nuts and loved it. Which is why I made it for my Valentine. : )

I am kind of burnt out on shopping. I picked up some coated Paige Denim Pants for 81% off at Nordstrom Rack and a tribal maxi cardigan from Forever 21 for $17 recently. I also couponed my butt off on Saturday and saved over 50% at the grocery store and got two loaves of french bread for .45 cents each in the process! Stick a fork in me, I’m done.

20140216-193535.jpg

Also, I had to share what I came across on Friday night. I was turning all of the lights off in the house. I am a night owl. I am always the last person to bed. I was on my way to my bedroom when I heard a loud snort. That snort could only be coming from one thing. Ollie. But I looked around the floor and could not see him. I turned on the lights. And there he was. In my Corrigan chair. He was so ashamed at being caught where he knew he was not supposed to be, he would not look at me. I called his name numerous times. Nope. If he can’t see me, I can’t see him. Right? After these pictures were taken, I had to move him. You can imagine the snorts of indignation this produced!

Poor guy.

What are you craving this month? Are you excited or nonchalant about the stores’ spring items trickling in? Do you just want to crawl into a chair and not be seen? I can kind of see the appeal in that.

Snort.

NOW CLOSED: 11th Blog Giveaway

20140209-220428.jpg

Thank you all who entered! This giveaway is now closed!

Oh, you guys, I am now eleven months into writing this blog. I was unsure about blogging and so far I love it. It is the creative outlet I did not even know my soul needed. Thank you for hanging in here with me. I know I can be all over the place. I guess I am just a random person. I appreciate all of your support. I truly could not and would not continue this blog if it was not for you.

20140209-222202.jpg

I am so excited about this month’s giveaway. I had received one of these Anthropologie Handira Blankets as one of my Christmas presents. It is beautiful. The blanket retailed for $188, but two weeks ago I got another one as a popback for $24.95. So, now I have two. And I was beyond thrilled, content and happy.

Two days later, another one popped back. I could not believe it. I definitely did not need three, so I bought it as my giveaway for this month. I cannot wait for one of you to win this! I think it is a work of art. And you know my motto: stripes go with everything!

20140209-220609.jpg

To enter for a chance to win the Anthropologie Handira Blanket, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what is the place of serenity that you see when you close your eyes. I think giving away a blanket brings thoughts of contentment and warmth.

I have many places that flutter and flitter through my mind. Images that slide around until I finally settle on one. Today mine would be leisurely laying in bed with my husband in our hotel room last year. Our room overlooked Pike Place Market in Seattle. I could see the ocean and hear the bustle of the morning crowds below. We had the windows open and the fog seemed to linger right outside of the window as if waiting for an invitation before entering. All of the delicious food from the market blended together to just barely waft itself into the fog. Seattle will always smell of the sea, coffee, curry, garlic, and yeast in my memories. There is no meal that could hold it, but it would be delicious all the same. The bed was perfectly crisp and warm. The air carried the coolness of morning left behind by the moon. I could have stayed right there in that spot forever.

I cannot wait to read about your calm place that only you can see when you close your eyes.

20140209-220506.jpg

You can also earn a second entry by following this blog. You can do so any old way on the right hand side of the page. Please just make sure to leave a second comment stating you are following.

Limit two entries per person.

This giveaway runs from Monday February 10, 2014 12:00 a.m. PST to Sunday February 16, 2014 9:00 p.m. PST.

I will pick one winner by entering the names from the comments into random.org. I will contact the winner February 17, 2014. I will announce the winner’s name on this blog on February 18, 2014.

* This giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated with Anthropologie.

* I will attempt to contact the winner three times. If I receive no response within two weeks, the winner will have forfeit the prize. A new winner will be drawn.

* Past winners are welcome to enter. : )

Thank you to everyone who enters! I appreciate you all so very much!

My Christmas Wishlist

20131129-175708.jpg

For Christmas, I like to “ask” for things I would not normally buy myself. Things like a nice bag, a piece of jewelry, or an interesting accessory (such as a magic shawl to ward evil spirits away). It feels more special this way.

Spoiler: I have ordered all of these items for my husband to give me. I guess I was a very, very, very good girl this year. ; ). And everything was purchased on sale. ‘Cause even Santa (which is definitely not me) has a budget.

20131129-175952.jpg

The Maricopa Wrap from Anthropologie. This also goes by the name of Eye Shawl from Mara Hoffman. I love this wrap more than anything. I could not believe I was able to score it for such a great sale price (half off plus an extra 20% off and free shipping). Alpaca is not cheap. I cannot wait to get it as a present. I have not seen this in person, I had my husband hide it from me when it came. Thanks honey!

20131129-175844.jpg

Tara Saddle Boots. I feel very sophisticated in these boots. I could not believe their sale price. I had to try them on to make sure the size was right. They are pretty uncomfortable, so I know I will need to get a gel insert for them. They make every outfit seem more romantic and feminine. I love these! Under the tree they go!

20131129-175809.jpg

The Ankaa Necklace from Anthroplogie. I am not a jewelry girl. What I mean is, I am not a “nice” jewelry girl. I like costume jewelry. Not the real deal. I get bored too quickly. I do not want to spend a ton of money on a piece and feel obligated to wear it all of the time. However, this piece is so nice I cannot wait to wear it. It will go with almost everything in my closet.

20131129-175739.jpg

For our house, the Handira Blanket is so gorgeous. I LOVE this! I have had it in my wishlist since it first appeared months ago. He bought it in blue for me for almost 75% off. He said it matched my eyes. Or that is what I would imagine he will say when he learns he bought it for me.

20131129-175637.jpg

Finally, every year, I like to get one new bag. I patiently waited for the Paisley Cutout Satchel to make it to sale. Once it did (75%), I shipped it to our house. I had my husband open the package and inspect the bag for defects. I have not seen this bag in person yet, but I am sure it will be great!

20131201-165706.jpg

I bought this as a Christmas present for my husband (he knows, because I am horrible at keeping secrets). But, who are we kidding, I have been wanting this for years. I cannot wait to make my grandma’s honey ice cream (with my dad’s honey) in this. This was a deal that could not be beat at Amazon.

20131129-180120.jpg

What have you asked for this year for the holidays? Are you as bad good as I am and just buy it for yourself?