call them the diamond dogs

How can you not love that face? The past holiday weekend I got all the attention from our faithful family pup, Macy. She's a true love bug, all about making you feel like you are the most important person in the world. I snapped her picture while she was resting on a kitchen chair- a trick she loves since all she wants to be is part of the conversation at the table.  Since I don't have my own dog, I love that all she wants to do is let me know she is glad I am there, to spend time with her of course - I got plenty of interactions with the humans at home as well. Dogs certainly make the world a better place.

she turns circles, turning circles

Silver jewelry tends to be my favorite - for years you couldn't catch me with anything gold. That's changed a bit, I do find there are certain outfits that gold or copper tend to be a more flattering accessory choice.  Silver is still my go to. I received this really simple necklace on a very delicate chain for Christmas with my first initial on it, which I love. It has a very small heart with the circle giving it a bit of flare. One of the things that I truly like is that this can be paired with a few necklaces for a layered look, all while allowing me to wear a piece of jewelry that's destine to be a favorite for many years.

little snowbird

As part of the holiday festivities, my mother and I each got a manicure before heading to church services. Getting my nails done is one of my favorite little treats, just a tiny bit of pampering, to make you feel completely girly. My mom and I were not the only mother/daughter pair in the place, a young girl and her mother were getting mani/pedis for Christmas too. While the little girl's mother was doing something in the back room (I'll leave what that was to your imagination, because I have no idea what could have been taking so long), she asked the nail tech to paint little snowmen on her nails. I definitely thought it was cute, but not something I would normally go for, until the technician asked me if I wanted snowflakes on my nails. Feeling festive, I said sure why not, which resulted in this very sweet design on the ring finger of both hands.

Wish we were kids again my sister, my friend

Another Christmas come and gone, it's always amazing how fast the day goes when all is said and done. We all spend so long in anticipation of the day, preparing, shopping, wrapping, for it all to be gone in a matter of a few hours. I love that the holiday is truly about family and togetherness. My family is small, yet the holiday always seems just the right size- good food, thoughtful gifts, funny stories. I was so excited to finally give my sister her gift after hunting for something that was really unique. This necklace is from that same Etsy shop that I frequent for myself, but I was able to find something that I thought she would truly like wearing. The two little girls in silhouette reminded me of the true bonds of sisters, that means we will always be there for each other, even when we drive each other bonkers. I hope everyone has come away this holiday season with some new memories and fond traditions.

I'll be your girl for all seasons, all the year through

Imagine my delight when this adorable calendar made it's way to me via a friend who knew I'd love it. There as a mysteriously large envelope in the mail, which just makes the mind wander into the mode of - what could this be? I couldn't have been more please to find this gift I'll enjoy all year long, and definitely something I needed. Part of me just wants to try to recreate all the delicious desserts through out the 2012 year (might we all get to enjoy the struggles of making desserts, in a gluten free way?). Here's to enjoying a sweet and tasty new year.

I believe ’cause grandpa told me so

I am still on a short cardigan kick these days (mainly because I like that you can tell someone has a waist), but I did recently find this belted sweater that has some length, which I love for a more casual basic look. It should come as no surprise that I found this at the Gap... I am a sucker for the fact there is always a sale. This sweater is one that I plan on wearing the entire time I am at home for the holidays- it goes with just about everything I am bringing with me. Plus it will be comfortable to throw on when the house gets cold at night, and just be a great thing to pair with pajamas to jeans, to dress pants. I like the gray color mainly because it's a great neutral to pair with some fun accessories but still keep a polished look.

polka dots and moonbeams

Knee socks definitely made a comeback in the past few years - ever since boots became a staple in everyone's shoe rack.  I use to associate these socks with little girls, very young ring bearers  and those unfortunate private school uniforms. Now, I love them since they not only work well under tall boots, but also keep my legs warmer during these super cold months. I've been known to wear them with sneakers just to have that extra layer of clothing. I found this absolutely adorable pair of spotted socks at Target over the weekend. I love gray (it's light black right?) and probably should have gotten multiple pairs. All I have to say is that we've come a long way from the days of saddles shoes and argyle socks my mother wore to Catholic school every day.

lavender dreams dilly, dilly, lavenders true

Anyone who knows me, even the tiniest bit will soon come to realize how much I love the scent of lavender. To me it smells so amazing, and I have to admit that heaven must be this fragrant. I have lavender soaps, shampoo, lotion, laundry detergent - this list could continue pretty much forever. My rule of thumb is if I can get it in lavender, then that's exactly what I am going to do. I recently got this great smelling candle from Stonewall Kitchen, which fits all my lavender requirements. My house smells so good and it definitely makes me relax a bit with that scent rolling through every room. This is truly one of the best little things to make me happy, and I just enjoy how clean it makes everything smell.

milkshake brings all the boys

The end of the year has been quite intense for me at work. I was recently promoted which was great news- but all the transitions for my new role and my old position is happening during the busiest time frames for both. It's a bit sad how much time I spend at the office these days. Luckily, there is a light at the end of the tunnel in about four weeks... thank goodness. During one marathon session at work, a break was taken for milkshakes- something I have so rarely. This was an amazing little treat- I truly forgot how delicious these are. I was instantly reminded of trips to Friendly's where my mom and I would have milkshakes and one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches (I still remember those as being so amazing). It seems like a bit of kid food was just what I needed to get through a long night.

it's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees

I

Walking around even a Christmas tree shop, smells divine at this time of the year- it makes me a bit nostalgic for the tree farm my family use to visit when we were young. We'd pile into my dad's baby blue van (always called the full name, never abbreviated) and drive out to the farm to go select out tree. It was always an adventure, and I remember doing this trip in the day time and some times in the evening when it was dark. It was still the time when snow actually was a fairly regular occurrence in Massachusetts and it would be cold and we could crunch through the snow looking for the perfect tree to bring home. My dad would be responsible for sawing it down, and we would stand in wonder as we loaded the tree on an old fashioned sled to haul back to the baby blue van. I love the family memories the holiday season creates, and even though it's been far too long since the family went in search of a tree, I can only look back fondly of this memory my parents helped create for us now. The smell of pine and balsam firs will always be favorable in my mind.

and they called it puppy love

I have puppy fever. I think it's similar to what some women feel when they hold a baby and then want one of their own. When I am out with friends walking around, At Halloween time I printed a photo of a dog in costume to decorate my office space. I almost always point out the dogs as they stroll by. "Isn't he handsome... Aw - look at the beagle- he's jaunty." In all honesty, it's probably a bit annoying that I always want to pet all the dogs similar to a young child. But I ask how can you hate such an adorable face?

we'll drink a glass of champagne

An impromptu trip to Anthropologie brought me face to face with these gorgeous champagne coupes. I kept trying to walk away and not think about what a great addition these would be to my ever growing stemware collection. The glasses ended up winning this battle -  I couldn't resist. The  flowers accented with gold dots make these delicate glasses a standout in my mind. They have a lady like feel to them as well - I can picture classy old ladies sipping cocktails on the porch out of these. It also doesn't hurt that champagne is one of my favorite things to enjoy and celebrate with. In my eyes, champagne is not just for weddings - it's for celebrating just about any thing. Hopefully I can find many celebrations (or random Friday nights) to enjoy using these in the future.

girl wants to party all the time, party all the time....

Just as I think I've made it through the holiday party season for the most part, with outfits I've truly enjoyed wearing, and feeling like I had the next few events covered, I find the perfect little black dress.  I was in the Gap, just browsing the sale racks to see if there were any treasures I hadn't found yet. I figure heck, why not try on the dress... and I knew it was going to end up in my closet before even giving my friend a chance to talk me out of the purchase. The neckline is embellished with metal, making this not like every single black item in my wardrobe (it's close but not that close). Plus, I am pretty certain that everyone knows how much I love things that are sparkly and shiny - it's like the little girl who loved to play dress up still gets to in her adult life.  Now to find the perfect place to wear this dress, though I do think with the right cardigan I could probably get away with this in the office.

step into Christmas with me

More signs of the season - I really enjoy signs of the Christmas season.  Over the weekend, I had my nails painted a candy cane red which put me into a cheerful mood.  Also bought some red and green string to tie up the gifts this year- I've been really into more traditional wrapping this year. I also love my glittery trees that add some sparkle to my living room this season.

say my name say my name

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. I love personalizing things, it might be an ego thing but seeing my name in print always makes me feel important. I've been looking for a holiday gift for a friend that was simple and personal, and these monogrammed mugs from Anthropologie seemed like the perfect choice. It also didn't hurt that the mug pretty much leaped off the shelf into my basket. My friend works from home, where she spends many hours in the basement office as not to cause heartache for her young daughter and babysitter during working hours (we all know how important mommas are). Since I know she recently got an electric tea kettle for her workspace, I thought a nice mug with some unique teas would be a thoughtful way to remember her this holiday season.

The yellow rose of Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas... or at least that's what I am hoping. I am so excited to head to Austin in about two months. All my Friday Night Lights dreams could come true, though football season will be over then (what do people do on Fridays in the off season?). I can't wait to explore the local culture and check out some new places. I am also looking forward to escaping to a warmer climate just when winter becomes a bit too much in the northeast. Is it so wrong to be counting down the days already?

I hope you dance

Over the weekend, I finally got around to decorating my apartment for the holidays. If it had gotten much later into December I probably would have skipped the task all together since Christmas is so close to Thanksgiving this year, and the fact that I still go away every single holiday to visit my family in Massachusetts. My mom loves to give my sister and me new decorations each year for presents- adding new additions for the house to each coming year. Half of the fun of displaying the cheer is opening the storage boxes and stumbling across memories from past Christmases. I love to look at the ornaments and think about the people who gave the to me, or remember a trip when I picked something out to remember a great vacation. This little joyful leaping deer is one of my favorite pieces year after year. He always brings a smile to my face when I walk by the mantle every day.

I want to thank you

December is a time to remember those who help us out through out the year. I don't often give gifts outside of friends and family, but this year I wanted to send a colleague a thank you for all the times she's gone above and beyond the call of duty. I find that coworker presents are extremely difficult to tackle- people are unique and you don't always know what their favorite treats or things are (really everyone should blog about what they like- it would make gift giving a snap). After a bit of snooping, or what I would call covert affairs of having my boss email her boss, I discovered that brownies are a favorite baked good. Armed with some good information, I was able to send Dancing Deer Brownies with confidence that the treat would truly be welcomed. Hopefully she enjoys them as much as I have appreciated all she has done for me.

picture in a locket that I wore around my neck

I found this locket from Etsy, from the same shop I bought this necklace earlier this year. I wasn't really shopping for anything particular for myself, I was looking for a unique Christmas gift for my sister, since she's a big fan of jewelry - but more on her gift after she receives it. What drew me in to this necklace, despite the same old time feel of the other one I have, is the unique statement inscribed on the oval. A definition of the word Heart, in terms of the organ that keeps us alive. Immediately drawn to how a piece of jewelry that is meant to hold a picture of your loved ones, has a very different meaning of heart written on it, is supremely ironic and clever. The necklace takes into account the two things that keep us alive - the heart beating inside each chest, and a place to love with in each of us.

December come to me

Signs of the holidays are everywhere and I love seeing how different places are decorated.  I snapped a few photos over the weekend of different things that just put me in good spirits.

The wreath was outside a great brunch spot and I love how it looks against the pained window. White lights are my favorite - just the simple twinkly lights- I cannot wait to start walking around when night falls later on and look at all the houses all decorated.

The Merry Christmas sign is actually on display at the cube right behind mine at work (oh the joys of cube life). One of my colleagues comes in for a visit the next week and everyone likes to get the place all nice and cheerful.

Another package tied up with string, but half the fun of the holidays is wrapping up gifts. I am a big fan of unique wrapping, and despise the holiday gift bag. Bags are not nearly as fun to open and wrapped boxes. I love personalizing the box itself and to the person receiving. This is one of the first gifts I've wrapped up, but I love adding to the pile under the tree.

I come undone in this mad season

I remember when my best friend in elementary school brought Mad Libs to the playground somewhere around third or forth grade. A group of girls gathered on the playground to provide words to fill in the blanks, creating silly tales. The stories made up were absolutely hysterical with crazy mixed up sentences, sending us into fits of giggles. I was so excited when I found these treasures to play with again. I can only imagine that with my friends' much more expansive vocabularies these will be even more fun now then Mab Libs were when my entire grade use to play cops and robbers together. I am looking forward to gathering the gang to my house to play this one night.

diamond girl, you sure do shine

Remember in the movie, "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days", there was big gala where the ladies in attendance all got to wear beautiful diamonds? I love that idea of "frosting yourself" - mainly because it sounds a bit dirty, but also because I love an excuse to wear fancy things. I was in search of the perfect pair of faux diamonds (maybe one day I'll have the real thing) earrings to wear with my green dress. I am a sucker for anything shiny and it's even better if it boarders on a bit tacky. The shape of these is different then the standard pair studs I prefer, and elegant enough to feel like chandelier earrings without the trouble I usually have of having them fall out of my ears.

walk me out in the morning dew

I stumbled upon this great moisturizer when I earned a free sample at Sephora - I love to get the mini sizes to in order try out some of the products that maybe I wouldn't even look at when at the store. Benefit's Total Moisture is truly one of those products that makes your skin look so good- and it doesn't cause me to break out. My skin looks and feels worlds better since using this product- feeling smoother and softer. The lotion also has that clean smell that I flip over (in my mind heaven smells like fresh laundry).

sleepy alligator in the noonday sun

There's a new shopping center by my parents house, so when I was up visiting we ended up spending an afternoon checking out the new shops. My sister and I checked out Charming Charlie, which is a fantastic accessory/ handbag store. This place is massive, and color coded - so finding something in the color you want or love (hello blue) is so easy. Definitely a great place to pick up some costume jewelry, possibly in mass quantities because the prices are really reasonable. I honestly think we could have spent the entire day checking out the merchandise, and then buying a lot of new things to mix it up. I got a great new handbag, plus added quite a few things to my list for Santa this year.

she needs wide open spaces

Nature lovers rejoice- November ends with another round of 60 degree weather, which lead to me getting out and enjoying a bit of nature in Massachusetts during the holiday weekend. Concord is home of some historical revolutionary events (think of Paul Revere), and has a quite a few parks for families to enjoy walking through- most for the very inexperienced outdoors man. I captured a few photos on a lovely afternoon - couldn't have asked for a nicer day.

do you hear what I hear?

Holiday music cannot be played before Thanksgiving is over, but once black Friday has officially started it's on until the new year. I feel there should be a clear distinction between holidays and Thanksgiving shouldn't be slighted because of hype of Christmas. Below is my top five favorite Christmas songs along with the artist versions.

All I Want for Christmas- Mariah Carey

I am Dreaming of a White Christmas - Otis Reading

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2

The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole

Christmas Time is Here- Vince Guaraldi

I am looking forward to cranking these up while I decorate my house for the holidays. Hopefully, I don't drive my neighbors absolutely bonkers by singing too loudly the entire month of December.

turkey for the girls and turkey for the boys



A wild tom - picture from wikipedia.com

 Happy Thanksgiving! Today is a day for gathering around a table full of family and friends for feasting and fun. I am reminded of hometown football games, playing in the backyard with my cousins, and the kids table in the kitchen (definitely the best seats in the house, with the best conversations). Hopefully everyone has at least one thing to be thankful this year, and can enjoy the day away from work and responsibility to kickback and relax and enjoy.

but i'm ready to snuggle up witcha

Cold weather usually sends me hibernating a bit more then when the weather is cooperating and giving the area unusually warm days this time of year. Part of my favorite things about switching to winter time is the need to wear warm sweaters and lots of layers, making for cozy additions to my closet. I recent found this layered shawl cardigan from Old Navy, which I love not only for it's neutral color but also it's draped style. I tend to choose things that I can wear at work and at home, so that I really get a lot of use out of them. This sweater makes me want to book a cold weather trip for skiing or snowshoeing this winter, to have cute little outfit to wear after a day of outdoor adventures.

gypsies never get tied down

Holiday travel usually leaves me in two mindsets- really happy to see family and friends who live near where I grew up, and dread of traveling during the busiest travel days of the year. Let's face the sad fact that airports, train stations, and even highways are full of people who only travel on major holidays - which is enough to make anyone who has a passion for travel cringe. Since I moved further from my family a few years ago, I spend lots of time traveling for the major holidays - in which I have found it's worlds easier to pack light, which is aided by my favorite travel bag - my Vera Bradley Duffel. I can stuff everything in here, as well as control how much I bring with me (bigger bags, mean you have to carry more - which is heavier). I've taken this bag all over the world from Europe to the Caribbean, and it's always served me well.  The added bonus is the fun colors make it a snap to spot your bag on the carousel at baggage claim.

Crimson and clover, over and over

The holiday party season has officially kicked off, and I already have a few parties lined up for work and with friends. I was looking for something festive, but out of my normal color comfort zone of black (I love the little black dress- so easy). I saw this beautiful emerald green dress from Old Navy and it screamed to me you need to wear this. The color is just a standout shade, so even though it's a simple shape, a few accessories and a killer pair of heels will make this a great holiday outfit. It could also be worn with a long cardigan and a belt for a less dressy, but still festive occasion. The bonus for this is that this dress wasn't expensive- so if it gets worn only this year, I won't feel guilty when next year I want to don a new holiday look.

silver moon's sparkling

The black pencil skirt is something I always have in the closet- it falls into a staple that if it's not in your closet, you should run (run!) out and get one. I've recently had to start replacing some of the skirts I've had for years, due to just looking worn, or needing an update. It's hard to let go of some of my favorites- and sadly I can tell you where I was when I bought them, and who else was there, and some of the memorable places I've worn them. I know you all must be surprised that I found this one at Banana Republic, that has a uniqueness to it that is sure to capture some memories as well. The skirt has a sparkly thread through it creating a really nice subtle sophisticated look, without being so over the top it cannot be worn at the office. The skirt definitely can be worked in both a dressy or casual look depending on what it's paired with, making this a great addition to my winter wardrobe.

Starfish and coffee, maple syrup and jam

The holidays are fully upon us, particularly when Starbucks brings out the holiday cups- which just makes me feel cheery. I also love the saying on the cup "Let's Rediscover why we're best friends" - such as sweet sentiment. My sister and I both love the peppermint hot chocolate - which is one of those rare holiday blends that disappears shortly after New Year's Day. It's pretty much like drinking a peppermint patty, which is divine. One of my friend's makes his own version with peppermint schnapps - which pretty much is the best of both worlds, a warm drink that leaves you warm all over- exactly what the Christmas/ Holiday season should leave you with.

devil with the blue dress

Blue is my most favorite color, if there's a choice of color on anything I pick blue every single time - hands down. My office is located right above an Ann Taylor store, in which the focal color this season is this beautiful cobalt blue. I could stand outside the store and ogle the window displays of the pretty colors all day and pretty much just want to go in an buy single thing in this color. I finally broke down and had to own this gorgeous dress, which is also in that wrap style I've been digging a lot so far this fall. This is one that I am going to have to be careful how often I wear it, because it's so distinctive, and because I am going to want to be in it all the time.

tastes good cause the candyman thinks it should

Homemade treats are a big part of the holiday season, and I was inspired to try making peanut butter cups from scratch from reading this blog. And truth be told hers look way more professional then the ones I made - however I am sure they taste just as good. I used this recipe by modified it slightly by using milk chocolate chips instead of candy bars. The nice thing is the peanut butter cups don't take much time to make, and set very quickly the refrigerator for enjoyment within an hour of beginning the process. The downfall is I have the skills of a five year old when pouring melted chocolate into cupcake tins, and ended up covered in peanut butter and chocolate. I am looking forward to making these again for holiday treats in December for friends, family and coworkers.

all you do is sit around drinking wine

I am a terrible liar- which probably isn't a bad thing - but the reason I had to try The Pinot Project bottle of of wine is because the bottle reminded me of propaganda posters. I know that's a bit strange but the simplicity of just the words in faded black lettering with stars, and the name just caught my eye a few times. I will admit that many times over the labels tend to draw me in at the package store when mulling over what to pick up for stocking my wine rack.  This was a quite enjoyable pino noir at a moderate price point, with a hint of cherry but not sweet. Definitely one of those wines that is great to have a bit of at the end of a long day curled up on the couch for relaxing, or to be enjoyed over dinner with just about any menu.

where the caravan camels roam

Classics colors, something my grandmother had a bunch of in her wardrobe - particularly beige or in politer circles - camel. I love this cardigan from Banana Republic, its one those true staples that belongs in every girl's closet. It's fitting my requirement of not being long this season, but also looks good paired with navy, black, or brown bottoms - so there's endless pairings, giving this sweater lots of life. This is also a great way to showcase some fun accessories - like my animal print shoes, a bold necklace, or a really colorful belt, without wearing all black.

turning japanese

I eat a ridiculous amount of Japanese food in any given week. I'd be hard pressed to put a lot of thought in the last time I ate sushi (usually within three days or less), so I am always up for trying new places. I was recently taken to Kyotofu for lunch for a very unique take on the cuisine - definitely not your traditional teriyaki chicken place.  The salad served with the lunch had a delightful dressing and sesame seeds with diced tomatoes and cucumbers- and a beautiful presentation (adorable tilted bowl). For my main dish I had a turkey tofu burger which was so tender it practically melted in mouth. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to trying something a little different - I definitely can't wait to come back and try some more tasty treats.

I pull on my jeans and I feel all right

Printed tops are always kind of a hit or miss for me, when you have some curves they can cling in very awkward ways. Lately, I've been getting tired of solids so when I saw this cute dotted top from the Gap, I had to go for it. The shirt is a featherweight cotton, so it's great for layering with a tank, or under a cardigan - or both if is particularly chilly. This is definitely a more casual Friday top, or for wearing when not in a professional atmosphere. The print reminds me a bit of dalmatians - its the spots really, but it's definitely more playful then a solid top.

seas of cheese

Homemade macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods. In order to master this dish, one cannot be afraid to use too much cheddar, or any other cheese for that matter. Since I make mine gluten free, I use Parmesan cheese to thicken the rue instead of flour, which gives the mac a different kick then just using one type of cheese. My personal recipe includes, boiling milk, about 8oz of cheddar cheese, and throwing in any other types of cheese in the fridge - think American, Provolone, Mozzarella, even cream cheese, along with a little bit of salt and pepper to taste. The cheese shouldn't be too thick, but not to watery either - which is where the Parmesan helps to create the correct consistency. While mixing your cheese sauce over a low heat, make sure that you are boiling your pasta as well. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it, and then mix it in the cheese sauce. Finally, pour into ramekins to bake in the over for about ten minutes at 375 - the cheese should be bubbling a bit when done. Allow the dishes to cool for about five minutes and then enjoy.

`cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run

Marathoners are a little crazy, they kind of have to be to want to run 26.2 miles all at once. Needless to say this task is extremely impressive to watch, particularly in a city like Manhattan. I joined some friends over the weekend for some marathon viewing in Central Park. We found a great spot around mile 25, in which to cheer on the runners through the final leg of the race. There was one runner we all were looking for, our good friend and marathon runner extraordinaire. After cheering for strangers, it was so moving to see her come up from the crowd and run by us, making the feat seem way to easy. This woman is truly fierce, and it's amazing to see how much she's done with her running in the past year. I can't wait to see what she'll accomplish next.

god only knows what I'd be without you

The Beach Boys are one of my all time favorite bands. You might be able to trace that back to the days when Full House featured them on the show at least once a season for my formative years (Uncle Jesse was so cool, and anyone else notice how he got hotter as he aged?). Though Kokomo and Forever are great songs, they don't compare with the classics of the Pet Sounds album. This is one of those CDs that I can play the whole thing and just enjoy every song. Those classic melodies, songs that tell a story, and of course some simple little love songs that state what every young couple in the 1960's must have been thinking- yes, it really would be nice if we were older. The boys harmonizing puts me in a good mood, and these are songs that just make long for summer days at the beach or driving in a convertible car.

when autumn leaves start to fall

When I was little, my mother always brought home gourds to decorate the house for Halloween and Thanksgiving. I love miniatures, particularly the little pumpkins.  Tiny and cute, and definitely a lot easier to carry home then their larger counterparts, gourds offer a fun way to seasonally decorate with color and unique shapes. These look great on a table, or in a bowl, either alone or mixed with some leaves from outside. Just make sure you don't bring in any bugs for your centerpiece.

turtle neck check, with another on deck

Snugly crowl necked tops have long been on my favorite late fall/ winter wardrobe lists for a long time now. I find they give the extra warmth without the restriction of a regular turtlenecks. I found this knit crowl neck at Loft. I love that it's not bulky, but a nice layer that could work in my office with trousers or a skirt, or more casually on the weekends with jeans or even sweatpants for curling up on the couch.

oh candy, your love's so sweet

Clearly, I am trapped in the past this week - I think any holiday sends me on a trip down memory lane. Halloween is one of those rare holidays where bad behavior can totally be allowed. I remember how important it was to count all the loot from trick or treating upon arriving at home, and then figuring out which candies you had the most of, and trading siblings and friends for your favorites. I still get disappointed when I think about the people who gave raisins, Charleston Chews, or the dentist down the street who would hand out toothbrushes - definitely not in the spirit of the holiday. My favorite candy has held steady and true after all these years, the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. There is something about that chocolate and peanut butter combination that I never tire of.  Now, if only I was allowed to go trick or treating to see how many of these I could come home with.