Favorite Finds: Winter Edition

One of my favorite things to read on other blogs is [wait for it] . . . the "favorite" list! Whether it's a list of favorite shops, favorite scents, or favorite t-shirts (American Apparel tri-blend tee, anyone?), I love that these lists offer a glimpse into a blogger's personal style.

I thought it might be fun to post a few of my favorite things on the blog. So, without further ado, here's a "lite" version of the favorite list: 3 things that are keeping me happy (and warm) during this blustery January in New York:

1. Wolford Tights

Wolford tights are the Cadillacs of winter hosiery. They're not cheap, but they're totally worth every penny. They're luxurious, well-made, and without them, your favorite dress will spend a long, dark winter in the back of your closet.

2. Kiehl's Whipped Creme de Corps

I have used Kiehl's Creme de Corps moisturizer for years, and I was a little skeptical when this whipped version hit the market. I am a skeptic no more. I may even like the whipped version better than the original. It smells great, it's rich without being heavy, and provides the perfect amount of winter weather protection.

3. iPod Touch

I have only recently discovered the real magic of the iPod touch. Sure, you can load tons of mp3's on it (I currently have 6 on mine). But what I really love about the iPod touch is that it can be transformed into an e-reader (mine is now a Kindle and a Nook) and a Netflix player -- for free!!! I've spent the past few weeks watching episodes of The Tudors and reading classics on my tiny little iPod. And yes, I realize that I'm probably the last person to appreciate all of the neat things that can be done with the iPod touch. But that doesn't make me any less thrilled about the amazing capabilities of this little machine.

[Note: This is not a sponsored post. I really do love these things.]

Favorite Finds (Now with Illustrations!)

This is the first illustrated installment of "Favorite Finds." I'm still working out some kinks (i.e. I think the images above may be a little too small), but I was eager to get this post up. Here are a few things that recently caught my eye (left to right, from top left):

(1) J. Crew's Frankie bag in cherry guava. Yum. $395. (2) Savon de Marseille's 500 mL liquid hand soap in orange flower. So pretty on a bathroom counter. $14. (3) Bodum's clear bistro mugs hold coffee and tea in style. $12.95 each. (4) Philosophy's high-foaming facial cleanser, Purity. I acquired this as a "free" gift after spending enough money at Sephora to accumulate a gazillion points on my frequent shopper card. And it was worth it. This cleanser smells and works great. $34.50. (5) Think Geek's File Folders with Attitude. The orange folder holds "useless documents to provide appearance of importance at meetings." $7.99 for six.(6) Anthropologie's Three-Two-One drop earrings. The multifaceted quartz and jade stones remind of the window displays in the bead shops that line 6th Avenue in Manhattan's Garment District. $98.

Favorite Finds

Several months ago, I blogged about some of my favorite fashion finds (at the time, the list included American Apparel tri-blend t-shirts, Tony Lama cowboy boots and a $5 black pashmina). Now, I'm back with a new list. This time, not every find is a "fashion" find in the strictest sense, but each find is fabulous nonetheless.

1. Marnie Rocks is a jewelry and accessories company that was launched several years ago by Houston-based independent designer and mother of four Marnie Greenwood. I've been following this company for at least the past four years, and it's amazing to see how much it's grown. The company is known for its beautifully crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and in recent years, Marnie Rocks has begun to offer candles, stationery, and bedding. A few weeks ago, the company was featured on one of my favorite television shows, The View. Marnie Rocks!

2. Pacifica Moroccan Chamomile Apple Blossom Soy Candles smell absolutely amazing--something like a bright spring day, a steaming pot of chamomile tea and a flower-filled garden. Usually, I grow tired of scents pretty quickly, but this one never gets old! Plus, the packaging is so pretty. As a bonus, the candles are soy-based, so they burn cleanly.

3. Craft, Inc. is a "how-to" book written by Meg Mateo Ilasco. It's full of great tips and inspiration for aspiring crafters, designers, and entrepreneurs. It's also full of "inside information" about successful independent designers (including how they started their businesses and where to buy their products).

4. Real Simple magazine has quickly become one of my favorite subscriptions (and I subscribe to a lot of magazines). I love that it makes enjoying the little (and medium) things in life--finding the perfect facial cleanser at the drugstore, putting together a spring wardrobe, redecorating a bedroom--simple. Every month, Real Simple gives me a fun, new goal that doesn't stress me out. This month it's learning how to cook more than the 3 meals that I have mastered in my 26 years ( a goal inspired by the article, "11 Fast Weeknight Dinner Ideas").

Favorite Fashion Finds

Sometimes my obsession with fashion is narrow. For months at a time, I'll wear a few favorite shirts, or a pair of worn jeans, or a pair of shoes (cute first, comfortable second) until they're begging to be retired. I wore a pair of gold loafers until my loved ones staged an intervention and asked me to stop. (In my defense, the gold loafers sound more outrageous than they actually were. And they were usually tucked under a pair of wide leg jeans and paired with a neutral top).
A few of my favorites are in heavy rotation right now. Luckily, they haven't gone the way of the gold loafers yet. But it's only a matter of time:

1. American Apparel Tri-blend T-shirts:I can only vouch for the lightweight raglan pullover and the short sleeve deep-v neck. But these shirts are amazing. The tri-blend (rayon/cotton/polyester) is surprisingly soft, the shirts retain their shape after many washes, and their retro look and feel give them a little more "ooomph" than your average t-shirt. I'll definitely wear these until they're torn and tattered. Then I'll buy some new ones.

2. Tony Lama Cowboy Boots: I acquired a pair of these on a recent trip to San Antonio. Love them. If someone had told me that cowboy boots were just as comfortable as sneakers, but that you could dress them up more easily and that they make you appear taller to boot (bad, bad pun), then I would have been wearing them a long time ago.

3. The Black "Pashmina" that I Bought at a Street Fair for $5: So you can't find this online. And I'm cheating a little bit here because I haven't actually worn it yet. But it will match everything, and it will function as both a wrap and a scarf. Plus, it was $5! (The best fashion advice that my father ever gave me: If you're going to buy something cheap--i.e. a $5 pashmina at a street fair--buy it in a dark color. That way, the cheapness is less likely to show).