Holiday Wear

{Outfit Details} Gap Sweater, Banana Republic White Shirt, Forever 21 Suede Skirt, H&M Tights, ASOS Heels, BaubleBar Necklace
I just love the cut of these black heels. It adds just enough flare to an otherwise boring black heel. I wore this outfit on Christmas Eve. It was unseasonably warm and I can't say that I hated it, except I do miss the snow! I am sure I will regret saying that in about a week from now....How was your holiday weekend?

Red & Blue Prep

{Outfit Details} Old Navy Coat (old), Zara Sweater (from the girls section), J.Crew Blouse, J.Crew Skirt, Mojo Moxy Heels, Forever 21 Necklace
I wore this outfit for a holiday gathering last weekend. I love looking like a prepster these days. It's much more fun now than it was in high school!

New Year's Attire

Outfit #1: Threadsence Deep Drama Open Back Dress, BaubleBar Glitter Glam Noir Necklace, Friis & Co. Pumps

Outfit #2: Antik Batik Sequin-embellished silk-georgette dress, Miu Miu Glitter T-Strap Platforms, BaubleBar Gold Pave Studs

Outfit #3: Jane Norman Red Bow Shoulder Dress, Christian Louboutin Discocotte 140 Velvet Pumps, Forever 21 Sequin Embellished Clutch

Outfit #4: Wild Spike Dress by Nasty Gal, Lanvin Escarpen Compense Heels, Silver Hammered Choker

Outfit #5: Forever 21 Matelasse One Shoulder Dress, Alexander Wang Chloe perch-trimmed leather sandals, Kenneth Jay Lane Necklace

Happy Holidays!

Sources: Photo 1//Photo 2//Photo 3//Photo 4//Photo 5//Photo 6
Happy Holidays to you and your families. Thank you so much for being an avid reader and you are what fuels my fire every day! Thank you for being you! :)Pin It

Holiday Light

{Outfit Details} Gap Sweater, Forever 21 Dress- worn as skirt, Vintage Gold Necklace & Pin, Sorrelli Cross Necklace (c/o), Forever 21 Moto Boots (similar), Karen Walker "Number One" Sunglasses
I will be taking a little part-time break during the holidays. Posting here and there but will be up in Vermont for a few days and want a break from the interweb! I think you can all agree with me that it is amazing to be without a phone, computer, and anything else electronic for a few days. This will be my last post before Christmas and I wish you all a very merry holiday and sending health your way! Enjoy the time with your family and friends xoPin It

Ring in the New Year

Kate Spade Coaster Set, You Make My Sunshine Greeting Card, BaubleBar RoseBud Necklace, Deborah Lippman "Get This Party Started" Set,  The ELP 2012 Simplified Planner, Lucite Cosmetic Tray, Embossed Faux Crocodile Wallet

Just a few of my favorite items for the new year ahead! What is the one item you cannot live without for 2012?

Weekend Bits & Holiday Wrapping

{Annual Whiskey Holiday Party Outfit}{Gifts with handmade pompoms (from yarn) and assorted picks from the craft store}{Festive Holiday Nails}

Bleeding Tweed and Red

{Outfit Details} Forever 21 Jacket, Old Navy Chambray Shirt, Gap Corduroy Skinnies (similar), Nine West Pumps, H&M Hat
Doing a fancy little jig to a holiday song in my head. I'm a dork. I know that. Whatever.:)

Yellow Dubs

{Outfit details} J.Crew Crewneck Cardigan, Banana Republic Shirt, Kasil Workshop jeans (c/o), Topshop Bow Heels, Marc Jacobs Quilted Leather Stam Bag, Forever21 Beanie, Vintage Necklace
A few pictures from an outfit worn last weekend when I was feeling a tad better. Resting up today for our annual Whiskey/Cookie Holiday party tomorrow night. What are your plans this weekend? Any holiday parties?

Gift Guide: For the Foodie

The holidays bring so much fun and joy but sometimes finding the perfect gift for those special people in your life can be a challenge.  For the foodie in your life, here are some ideas to make your annual gift giving a wee bit easier.Brought to you by: Lissy ( A Girl in Boston ) 

1.  What foodie doesn't love a regular influx of gourmet cheese?  Try the cheese of the month club from Formaggio Kitchen where each month three hand selected cheeses are shipped straight to your door.

2.  To complement the cheese of the month, buy this super cool slate cheese board from Murray's Cheese Shop.  It's perfect for entertaining; you can write on the board so your guests will know what types of cheese are being served.

3.  Have a picnic in the park using the Herobags picnic and wine tote.  It's perfect for carrying your picnic lunch and a bottle of wine.

4.  Home Cooking with Jean-Georges may seem like it would be a bit intimidating but the book is gorgeous and the recipes look delectable. Jean-Georges filled this book with the sort of simple recipes that he likes to cook when at home.

5.  Add a little whimsy to your holiday hors'dourves table with these illustrated tidbit plates from Kate Spade.

6.  Whisk up a vinaigrette or homemade mayo with  a rainbow hued silicon whisk from Swiss company Kuhn Rikon.

Happy holidays!  XO Lissy

Gift Guide: For your Furry Friends

Hi, I'm Jessie from Style & Pepper, and although you can normally find me blogging about fashion, DIY projects, or healthy cooking over at my site, I'm taking a little detour today to share this very special gift-guide with the Sparkling Footsteps family.  If you happen to follow me on instagram or twitter (@styleandpepper), you probably already know what a major part of my life our little Sadie-girl is, and I honestly wish I could shower her with every single one of the items on this list!  Instead, I'm sure she'll be grateful for just a few, and if you've got a dog-loving friend or your own precious little pooch, I'm sure you'll find something special for them as well!
1.  Hartwist tweed dog coat, $99 - If you live in colder climates, this on-trend tweed and sherpa lined topper would make the perfect outerwear for the most fashionable dog on the block.
2.  St. Francis pet tag, $11 - This sweet charm represents the beloved blessing and protection offered by St. Francis for all animals of the world.  My little Sadie-pup is definitely getting one of these in her stocking!
3.  Tux Zogoflex dog toy, $16 - We have almost every single shape and color of these bouncy chew toys (made from recycled water bottles), and even her Doberman Pincher puppy teeth couldn't chew through them!  The company also ensures that they'll last forever so if your dog IS able to tear one up, you can send it back, and they'll ship a brand new one your way in no time!
4.  Mingo stuffing-free dog toy, $14 - Most dogs end up ripping the stuffing out of their toys anyway, so why not get them a toy that will ensure they don't end up eating any of that nasty plastic fuzz.
5.  George SF striped pet bed, $130-250 - With a removable (read: easily washable cover!), beds like this make a great investment that can withstand a lifetime of coziness for your dog or cat.  I love how the brightly colored stripes against the neutral background remind me of the southwestern inspired trend we're seeing so much of in the fashion world these days!
6.  Bubble + Squeak organic dog shampoo, $16 - We've tried so many different shampoos on our little pup, and she just happens to have very sensitive skin.  I've had several friends with the same issues recommend this organic option, and I hope to try it out soon!
7.  It's Puppy Time iPhone or iPad app, $.99 - This is obviously for the pet-owner (unless your dog is very technologically advanced!), or even the friend who eventually wants a puppy but isn't able to have one of their own yet.  An adorable puppy picture sent to your phone 3 times a day?  Who wouldn't want that?
8.  Rokabone leather dog collar, $70-82 - I love the texture and bright color of this twisted leather collar!
9.  La Cinopelca leather leash, $50 - Made in Italy from calfskin leather, these gorgeous leashes come in seven bright colors, and are a very reasonable price, considering the incredible quality.  I'd get the pink one to match our girl's collar. :)
10.  Dogs by Tim Flach, $50 - A gorgeous art book for the coffee table of any dog lover... this truly would be perfect for anyone with an appreciation for canine companions.
11.  Freezy Pups organic treat making kit, $19 - Comes with a set of three organic flavors (but I'd be excited to come up with my own!), these bone-shaped trays help you make healthy and fun treats to reward your pooch for the best behavior.

Business Casual

{Outfit Details} Veil Vision VintageScarf (c/o), Elizabeth and James Leather Jacket via TJ Maxx, J Crew White Shirt, James Perse Denim, Urban Outfitters Watch, Poshlocket Bracelets (c/o)
Waking up from a coma today. I have been working like crazy and really been feeling pretty ill. Tonight is the Blogger's Night Out event in Boston and I REALLY hope many of you can make it out tonight! I unfortunately will not be able to make it, but I want to see plenty of pictures so that I can live vicariously through all of you! :)

Gift Guide: For Your Man II

Hey, guys! Hallie here from corals + cognacs.

It’s almost Christmas shopping crunch time, and as you’ve likely experienced (and as Courtney told us week) it’s tough to find a good gift for the guys on your list – whether you’re shopping for your boyfriend, boss, boyfriend’s boss, and so on.

So, I polled a handful of my colleagues, coworkers and confidantes to whittle down this wish-list to include the things your guys are really looking forward to getting this year. Don’t worry, I’ll spare you the mention of video games and fireworks (no joke):

1. Classic button-downs: "I wear J.Crew shirts all the time, but she should only get them if she knows my size."
2. Headphones/music gear: I heard "Bose is the best," but these colored headphones from URBANEARS are pretty cool. 
3. Tickets to see their favorite sports team: Eliminate re-gifting and returns! Get him two - maybe he'll take you.
4. Sunglasses: "I never know what looks good on me." Silly boy: Classic Ray-Ban aviators. Instant sex appeal.
5. A wallet or leather good he'd never shop for for himself. This credit card slip is from Mulberry.
6. G-Shock watches:  Dudes love these. "They're practical and look good."
7. A cashmere scarf: This is often times my gifting go-to. Men never seem to know how much they need cashmere in life.  Especially if they live in winter-weather regions. This one is Burberry.

***

I also asked our guys to do a little word association. Here are some highlights – how would your man answer?

• Giving gifts: Difficult / Displays my awesomeness / Painful / Hope they don’t return it / Good / Makes people happy / Money is easy / Fun / The best thing about Christmas (aw, BF material!) / Hard
• Receiving gifts: Awesome / Hope you read my list / Ad-lib gifts suck / Does it have a gift receipt? / Sweet / Free stuff / Often disappointing (clearly you weren’t shopping for this one) / Cool
• Shopping: Painful / Hate it / Madness / Crowded / Need a plan so I can get it over with / Crowds / Long lines / Online, hopefully / Thank [censored] for the Internet / Exhausting

Thanks for reading! Happy shopping this holiday season, hope you'll visit me again soon!

Gift Guide for the Fashionista Who Works from Home

hi ladies, i'm audrey from a lovely escape and am excited to be sharing a gift guide for 'the girl that works from home' on lynzy's lovely blog. i don't work from home, but after putting this together it seems quite lovely. maybe i'm romanticizing the notion of it, but no commute and working with my pup cozied up next to me sounds perfect. 

{from top left, clockwise}

these anthropologie slippers keep toes toasty while working from home

just cuz a girl works from home doesn't mean she can't use a pair of killer heels

a mirrored lamp to brighten up any desk 

decorate an office wall with this pretty print

this faux fur throw is the coziest thing i've purchased this winter

a tea kettle to start the work day

jogging down notes is far more fun in this bright notebook

my favorite scented candle, voluspa's santiago huckleberry, warms up a home in a second

a cuddly pup to keep you company

some anthropologie mugs for coffee and tea

American Living Holiday

Well it's safe to say that my fiance is in love with the Collins jacket this year. he reaches for it every time we venture out into the cold. It's the perfect present for him! Hurry on over to the American Living Holiday Collection to grab your presents before it's too late! You can browse the items my fellow bloggers chose as their favorite. Happy Shopping!

Plaid Party

{Outfit Details} Target and Ralph Lauren Layered Flannels, J. Crew Pants, Anne Klein Heels, H & M Hat, BaubleBar Necklace
The holidays always get me in such a great mood. Looking forward to several holiday parties this upcoming weekend and finishing up some Christmas shopping this week. 'Tis the season!