Ensemble du Jour - 2-7-12

Yes, I wore this soft kitten-grey polka-dotted cardigan from Target.

And it went great with the red pencil skirt from Express

And with the grey Tibi Daisy flats...

China Glaze's Recycle warm grey polish looked great too...

But really... it was all just a backdrop for the ring.

Isn't this adorably stunning?

It's the "Winter in Paris" snow globe ring from DIVINEsweetness on Etsy.  And I knew I had to have it the moment I saw it.  Worth every penny and the wait to get it.

It stands out and draws eyes while being subtle and delicate.  I'm just in love but I'm going to savor the wearing of this.  It's too precious for every day....

Instant Access - 12/4 - 1/22

I can't believe that it has been more than a month since I've done an Instant Access recap.  But given all the craziness of the last few weeks, I feel like (except for the last two weeks of the year), I've been running from one thing to another.   From my grandmother passing away and having to travel for that, to ending at one job, starting another, traveling for work and then for fun, it's been a whirlwind!

There were, of course, plenty of polish changes including...

Essie's Luxeffects Set In Stones

China Glaze's Mistletoe Kisses

China Glaze's Party Hearty over Essie's Marshmallow

Sally Hansen's Salon Effects in Peppermint Twist

OPI's Russian Navy (suede)

OPI's Warm & Fozzie

A half-moon manicure with Zoya's Pasha over OPI's Designer... De Better!

And my favorite red, China Glaze's Phat Santa.

Christmas was fun and quiet. The dogs were excited for their gifts.

And, among other things, I got the Miu Miu glasses I'd been pining for.

Picked up more Salon Effects - Love Letter, Brattlesnake and Sweet Tart-an

I'm ready for the time to change and more sun, so I'm already putting out my Valentine's Day centerpiece.

And did I mention we brought home Briar the goat.  You have to check out all the pictures!

My new job and been going well.  Busy but good. I've used my little Lunch-Crock nearly every day.  This is the best thing if you hate planning for lunch.  I just plug it in and lunch is all warm and ready when I am.

I have an actual office with a door, so I'm very excited. Walls!  I've brought in some pictures and met some people.  I have a Twin Star at work who loves a lot of the same things and happens to have the funniest blog ever!  You have to go read some of her hilarious day to day life (she actually talked about me on there too.  Ha!)

I hope your weeks have been going well too!  It's a new year and there's lots to do.

Zoya Polish Promo

It's all nails and shoes around here, isn't it!  I know I've been skewing a bit polish/nails heavy around here but I wanted to make sure you saw this offer.  Zoya is giving 2 free polishes for just the cost of shipping.  Shipping is $6.95, so I think it's a pretty good deal!

Details are:

So from now through 1/9/2012 11:59 PM ET we are going to let you try any* 2 bottles of Zoya Nail Polish for FREE on ZOYA.COM. All you pay is the standard shipping charges.

As a bonus, you can purchase an additional $25 or more of Zoya or Qtica products and get FREE Shipping Too!..Bonus!

Use Code: ZOYA2012

*Promotion Excludes True & Fleck Effect Collection Colors

The two I got are Cynthia (part of the Smoke Collection) -
A smoky, blackened peacock teal with soft warm undertones. A very uncommon shade of blue for a subtle but funky look.  
    

And Barbie - Soft, warm medium baby pink with very subtle hot pink shimmer. An adorable girly shade to accent any outfit.       

I can't wait to try out these polishes!  What ones will you buy?
Disclaimer: Nail swatch images not my own.

Change of Heart

I went into the drugstore just the other day... the day BEFORE Christmas... and the shelves were already lined with Valentine's Day candy!!!  What the heck, people?!?!  I haven't even started eating the candy from my Christmas stocking yet!

But, while I think it is very wrong to have candy hearts out already, I was very excited and happy to get the surprise my Sweetie brough home to me - the Valentine's Day themed Sally Hansen Salon Effects!

He knows I love these and brought me 4 of the 5 designs (buy one, get one 50% off at CVS, by the way).  These were the 4 I would have picked, so good job!

I love this pink/red/purple graphic design called "How Romantic".

The gradient, holographic pink hearts on white are adorable as well - "Speed Dating"

This swirly pattern is so pretty - "Are You Single"

And how cute are the Xs and Os done as hearts??? - "Cross My Heart"

My least favorite (and the one he didn't buy) is the word design "Love Always"

So not only should you go and grab these super sweet designs, you will be excited to know there are new core patterns coming for 2012 as well! Check them out...

I want to get Sweet Tart-an, Queen of the Jungle, Spring Fever and Love Letter. 

How sweet!!! 

I got my SHs at CVS but they are also available on/at ULTA.

Instant Access - 11/7 - 12/3

I swear once the year hits September, the days and weeks just fly by until the end of the year.  There is so much going on it feels like we need 3 extra weekends a month just to fit it in.

And the weather has been crazy here too.  From days in the 70s around Thanksgiving to rain to cold-cold-cold!  What's going on.

Just from looking at all the recent shoes that happened these past weeks, you can see how all over the place the temperatures have been.

Manolo Blahnik Erratic mary janes with tonal fishnet tights...

The Aldo leopard slipper loafers came in from ASOS and were promptly worn.

I love these mustard tights, especially with warm brown.

Gossip girl inspired outfits and spat-style boots...

Short-work-week Converse.

And a sneak peak at some early Resort/Spring Blahnik Sammys

Finally there was some tight-wearing weather so I got to wear these new dotted Hue tights.

But then it was warm enough for bringing out my easily 10-year-old Jimmy Choos.

I do love some of the details in my shoes, like these little cutouts on my Report pumps.

And as many shoe changes, there were almost as many new polishes combos to try.  From China Glaze's It's Alive (a wonderful dark green glitter)...

to Revlon's Starry Pink over Revlon's Metallic

Essie's Forget Me Knot (which was worn with the ASOS heart sweater below and matched perfectly!) ...

The coveted OPI Rainbow Connection

A perfect gray - OPI's Concrete Catwalk

And another shimmery green in Zoya's Edyta

I did get one day of wearing some fabulously tonal accessories.

And it's the season of shopping to, so I may have bought a few things, like a new macro lens for my DSLR.

A few necessaries at Ulta

Chanel's Rouge Allure Velvet matte lipsticks had to be mine.

Okay, so I went a bit overboard on the nail polish deals on Amazon.

My Express sparkly skirt was even more magical in person.  I'm in love!

Hearts and dots!

And TONS of baking!!!!

Apple oat muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate chip

Birthday surprise cake pops

And libations galore...

Cheers!