Christmas Haul

My younger sister was the super hero of Christmas gifts this year: she surprised me with an expensive dress I'd fallen in love with in August! I've lusted after the Stop Staring Raileen dress from afar (read: online), when I tried it on it fit like it was made for me, and all the 40s inspired details make me very, very happy...but there's no way I'd throw down $150+ on a dress right now [Taking my other blog to the next level has left me super duper broke.]. My sister knew how much I wanted it and since she's one of the most generous people I know, she scooped it up. I can't wait to wear it! :D


The light blue vintage dress took me by surprise as well -- I tried it on in one of my favorite vintage stores, Vintage in Vogue, back in August and the details charmed the pants off me. The double capped shoulders are reminiscent of the atomic age, but the Peter Pan collar, gently ruffled bodice, and fit n' flare shape balance everything and the end result is absolute adorableness. After classily shrieking in the dressing room, my mom snuck back and bought it.

The Kate Spade bag was a gift from my boyfriend's father and while my family prefers surprises all around, he let me choose my present and he didn't insist I wait for Christmas to trot it around. We picked it up in an outlet mall during Black Friday and Arlo and I waited in line for an hour to get in! It was my first time Black Friday shopping and the "Joanie" is my first designer handbag!! Hahaha, I saw it when we first walked in, but I made Arlo go through the store with me to compare it to all the other bags, to make sure I chose the right one. As a stylish gent, his advice is invaluable.

Moral of the Story : I had a wonderful Christmas, it was really, really fun to be reunited with all my siblings, and I'm enormously grateful to have such generous, thoughtful people in my life. ♥