Coquette

Things that made me happy in 2008

There were lots of things this year that I coveted but more importantly, there were things that I realized I couldn't live without. So here's a top 10 list of things that made me happy.

1. Amazon's Kindle ($359 at Amazon)
I never though I could read a book that wasn't in paper but surprisingly, the Kindle is better than a paper book. It's portable, light, and the screen is very easy on the eyes. I love that I carry around 6 books with me in this one little device and it fits nicely in my handbag so I can take it where ever I go.

2. Nantaka Joy "I Love" Platinum Notebook ($13.50 at Nantaka Joy)
I carried this Nantaka Joy notebook all year in my bag and I loved writing in it. Nantaka Joy is the design brainchild of Joy Cho who has one of my favorite blogs, Oh Joy. (Read my CRAFT review here about her blog.)

3. Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation ($25 at Sephora)

This powder foundation is a dream. I love the coverage and how it feels weightless on my skin.

4. Remede Double Oxygenating Booster ($98 at Beauty.com)

This serum cleans out those trouble oily spots on your face. I use it on my chin where I usually breakout and let me say, I haven't broken out on my chin at all since.

5. Art of the Slow Cooker ($24.95 at Chronicle Books)

I love to cook but don't have much time. That's why I love this cookbook Art of the Slow Cooker because you can prepare amazing meals by just taking about a half hour to prep everything. Read my full book review on CRAFT.

6. Converse All Star Slip-On Sneakers ($47 at Zappos)

I can't live without these sneakers. They also go with everything!
(Coquette post here.)

7. 7 for all mankind Bootcut Stretch 5 Pocket Maternity Jeans ($174 at MOMS the Word)

My friend Chrissa told me to splurge on a good pair of maternity jeans when I was pregant and boy was she right. I still wear these now post-partum and they are my most comfortable pair of strechy jeans.

8. NARS Sheer Lipstick in Masai ($24 at NARS Cosmetics) and NARS Lip Gloss in Super Vixen ($24 NARS Cosmetics)

The perfect lipstick and gloss combo to create a shiny neutral lip that works year round.
(Coquette post here.)

9. Kenneth Cole Soft Touch Large Hobo

I got this hobo in black earlier this summer and have used it daily ever since. The buttery soft leather feels fabulous and it's roomy to tote around all your things. Unfortunately, the bag is not available on the Kenneth Cole site anymore.
(Coquette Post here.)

10. Apple iPhone 3G (8 GB $199, 16 GB, $299)
I got this for my birthday before Christmas so I haven't been using it long but I love this newer iPhone version for it's GPS capabilities. Now I really have no excuse to be lost.

2009 Egg Press Calendar

Even though I love all things digital, I still have a deep love for paper, especially letterpress.I can't wait to start using my Egg Press 2009 Letterpress Calendar (on sale for $18). The sleek and elegant design of this calendar is perfect for the wall next to my desk. The calendar has 4 designs divided over 3 months, giving you some modern art each quarter.

You can also get the Egg Press Offset Printed 2009 Calendar (on sale for $12) that can easily stand up in a clear jewel case on your desk.

Honeycomb Bow Shrug

I got this Honeycomb Bow Shrug from Banana Republic for Christmas and it's now one of my favorite cozy sweaters. It's now on sale for just $99.99 and you can get an additional 20% off this and all sale items now until Jan 1st!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays my sweets! Hope you have a wonderful time with your friends and families. I'll be taking some time off now for the holidays, but will be back here on Monday, December 29th. xoxo

Pictured above is the Vogue UK Christmas 1929 Cover.

Ring in 2009 with Party Dresses Under $150

You can ring in 2009 with a new dress without breaking the bank, thanks to the multitude of sales going on. I think this year you can get the perfect dress for less than $150 so I've collected a roundup of some of the latest party dresses you can get for less. I love the modern style of this Open-Back Sequin Dress that's on sale for $99 at Express (regular $248). You can't go wrong with a LBD or a dress with some shimmer and sparkle!

Here are more New Year's Eve Party Dresses:

Pailette Tube Dress (On sale for $79.99 at Express)

Deco Burnout Dress ($140 at Armani Exchange)

Silence & Noise Jazz Age Dress ($98 at Urban Outfitters)

Play by C. Ronson Jacquard Tunic Dress ($128 at Urban Outfitters)

Sequin Minidress ($39.80 at Forever 21)

Fab Strapless Satin Dress ($14.50 at Forever 21)

Web Snob Weekly Roundup

Fashion:

• Bag Snob discovers Kwanpen classic Singaporean croc bags!
• Stiletto Jungle is loving Leighton Meester's skinny blue jeans.
• StyleBakery goes hunting for this season's feminine take on the tuxedo trend.
• Second City Style just concluded their holiday gift guide. Check out the 12 Days of Christmas (Shopping)!
• Stylehive thinks you should ditch the boring black luggage and try out one of our favorite fashionable and functional suitcases on your travels this holiday season.
• Shopping and Info loves what Jennifer Aniston wore to the Marley & Me Premiere
• KRISTOPHER is wanting, wearing, hating JJ Winters clutchs, at 50% off.
• Allie is Wired explains why Scarlett Johansson is selling her snotty Kleenex on Ebay.
• Bag Bliss explores the CUBE
• Lady Gaga loves Thierry Mugler on Sxy Fashion Queen.
• Fashion Pulse Daily bravely mimics the purple lipstick look from the Zac Posen Spring 2009 Runway!
• The Fashionable Housewife wants to know if you'll be hoping on the "Tattoo" bandwagon.
• Looking for that perfect holiday party shoe? The Shoe Goddess has the solution with this sexy red Fendi pump!
• A Few Goody GumDrops asks....Pet, Dress or Cousin It? You decide!
• Quinta Trends talks to Argentinean designer Lisandro Cocorda about his urban and futuristic clothes Lisobono

Beauty:

• Christina Loves... Smashbox's Utimate Beauty Palette.
• Beauty Snob- the pleasure and pain of fabulous footwear.
• The Beauty Stop features the best celebrity haircuts of 2008.

Fair Isle Sweaters

Fair Isle sweaters get their name from an island north of Scotland and describe the multi-colored patterns in knit sweaters. These days, traditional fair isle gets a hip boost like this Tikirani Fairisle Tunic Sweater ($78 at Urban Outfitters).

Here are more fair isle sweaters:

BDG Intarsia Shawl Collar Cardigan ($78.00 at Urban Outfitters)

Rendez-Vous by Paul & Joe Sister Hedi Sweater ($148 at Urban Outfitters)

Anna Sweater ($180 at Abercrombie & Fitch)

Printed Shawl Collar Cardigan ($35 at Old Navy)

Carlie Hooded Sweater Top ($32.90 at Forever 21)

Going in Spirals

A new take on ruffles is the spiral with curls of fabric looking more like pretty flower petals. I love this Spiraling Scarf ($78 at Anthropologie) to showcase the look.

Here are more spiral looks:

New-Day-Haze Sweater ($78 at Anthropologie)

Tom Binns Classic Spiral Earrings (On Sale for $184.80 at Shopbop)

Cranberry Raspberry Millie, Handmade and one of a kind ($95 at Supermaggie)

Coco Avant Chanel Film Stills

Oooh! Check out the new film stills available on Fashionologie from Audrey Tautou's upcoming movie on Coco Chanel called "Coco Avant Chanel" (due out May 2009 in France). Karl Lagerfeld did the costumes! [ via NY Mag ]

Coquette Related Posts:
Coco Chanel Movie Starring Audrey Tautou

Luxaholics - The 12 Days of Handbag Giveaways

The 12 Days of Handbag Giveaways is happening now on the Luxaholics site. I love watching the Luxaholics segments on Extra and now the site has has teamed up with the Purse Blog so you can win some major stylish handbags! Today's featured handbag you can win is the Kooba Blake (pictured below). The perfect stylish tote that lasts all year long. Keep checking back each day to see another new fabulous bag you can win!