Splurge {vs} Save - #18 - Initial Needlepoint Pillows

{Left- Jonathan Adler, Right- PB Teen}

How cute are these pillows?  Jonathan Adler started the trend, but at $125 each, it's definitely fitting that his are in all caps!  At $29 each, the PB Teen version are much more affordable - at that price you can spell something out - or at least treat yourself to your full initials!  Which would you do...splurge or save?

Thrifty Thursdays - #18 - L'Oreal Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil

{Available here}

I know what you're thinking...oil...on my face?  It sounds crazy, but yes!  Facial oils have been around for many years, but much like the BB and CC cream craze - they are making headlines these days as even drugstore brands are getting in on the trend.  Today's Thrifty Thursday comes from L'Oreal.  Retailing at $24.99- this version is a fraction of the price as some of it's predecessors, but has all of the great ingredients including 8 essential oils: English Lavender ,Rosemary Leaf, Geranium, Orange Peel, Roman Chamomile, Rose Flower, Lavandin, and Marjoram Leaf.  

Skin oils offer several great benefits in additional to just hydration such as: free-radical protection, improved skin tolerance, they help plump skin, and allow for better absorption of other products.  Whaddya say - will you try this latest skin saver?  It's only been a few days for me, but so far - I'm sold!

J. Crew, I Love You... - #18 - Vintage Sweatshirt in Cheers

{Available here}

I know, I know - another sweatshirt...but come on - this one's pretty cute!  :)  And as we start to think about the Holidays, it might come in handy to know a few more languages to cheers in!  In true J. Crew fashion - maybe you'd even wear this to your company party with a pencil skirt and heels, some sparkly jewelry, and a bold lip?!   

Wellness Wednesdays - #18 - Catching a Cold? Nip It In The Bud!

Having just come off of a humdinger of a cold myself, I thought this article from Health Magazine gives great advice as we enter cold season.  Try these simple steps and you may just steer clear!

#1 - Pop Zinc

You may shave two days off a cold, per a 2012 review.  Look for lozenges with zinc acetate or zinc gluconate and take one every couple of hours while symptoms last.

#2 - Sip Chicken Soup

It's not just an old wives' tale: This staple can help relieve symptoms of a cold, according to a study from the University of Nebraska.

#3 - Try Vitamin C

It likely won't prevent a cold, but a review of 29 trials found that taking vitamin C daily as soon as you feel that first symptom may reduce your downtime by about 8%.  You need about 1 gram (1,000 mg) a day.

#4 - Hoard Zzz's

During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines that combat infection.  Getting enough shut-eye consistently will also help you prevent more sniffles in the future.

{Article via}

Batter Up...

{Dress- Loft, Belt- Loft, Shoes- (old) Naturalizer}

I liked the baseball styling to this dress when I saw it.  The sleeves are sweater material while the dress is a nice crepe.  A pointy toed flat and belt help jazz it up for work, whereas a cute sneaker and cap might be fun for the weekend!

Tasty Tuesdays - #18 - Cider

Forget the juice; we're talking about the hard stuff.  Here are 11 facts everyone should know about good old-fashioned apple cider.

1. Back in the 14th century, it is believed that kids were baptized in cider since it was often more sanitary than water.

2. An apple beverage a day?  President John Adams drank a tankard of cider every morning because he believed it promoted good health.  And it must have—Adams lived to 90, making him our third longest living president, behind Ford & Reagan.

3. Cider was so important to early Americans that one in every ten farms in New England operated its own cider mill by the time of the American Revolution.

4. But why didn't the drink stay popular over the years?  The Temperance movement killed the business.  Fired up by speeches from ministers and politicians, many farmers destroyed their "demon orchards," sparing only the trees used for sweet juice.  During the years when Prohibition was enacted, American cider production in the fell by 76%.

5. The best cider apples seem to have the best names: Hangdown, Chibble's Wilding, Kentish Fill-Basket, and Glory of the West. 

6. If you want to make great cider, be sure to practice your wassailing.  The English custom, used to appease the deities of the apple trees, was believed necessary to ensure healthy crops.  Here's how to honor the spirits: Place a jug of cider or piece of cider-soaked toast on the biggest apple tree.  Then sing a chant or song.  Finish by banging on kettles and blowing horns to scare away any evil spirits lingering in your orchard.  It's that easy.

7. Also, you'll need lots of apples.  It takes about 36 pieces of fruit to make one gallon of the good stuff.

8. When Caesar and his invading soldiers stormed through England in 55 BCE, they found Celts sipping a brew made from crab apples.  The troops were quick to pick up the habit and take it back to Rome.

9. Other fruits can be used to make cider-like drinks, too.  Perry comes from fermented pear juice, cyser is cider fermented with honey, and plum jerkum—made from plums—supposedly has some strange intoxicating effects.  According to legend, it leaves "the head clear, while paralyzing the legs."

10. Looking for the proper way to care for a dead genius' brain?  For more than 40 years, Einstein's cranium was stored in a box labeled Costa Cider.  Actually, it was stored in two mason jars in the Cider box, under pathologist Thomas Harvey's sink.

11. Of course, if this moderately alcoholic beverage doesn't do it for you, it's possible to make hard ciders even harder.  Apple brandy and applejack are distilled ciders, and applejack, in particular, is really potent.  It's nicknamed the "essence of lockjaw."

{Article via}

Staycation...

{Top- Gap Body, Pants- Target}

As we start to get into holiday mode, I like to use a vacation day here or there to make for a long weekend.  Sometimes it's just nice to have an extra day to lounge around in your sweats.  It feels even naughtier when everyone you know is hard at work!  ;)

Music Mondays - #18 - Polica Part 2

{Available here}

Polica recently released their follow up album and might I say - it is every bit as good as their debut (featured here).  It's hard to find artists that you can say that about these days.  What's even more impressive is that they sound just as good live!  I had the pleasure of seeing them on the first show of their tour on Halloween night - so good!  Here is the official video for their first single off of it - "Warrior Lord"... 

J. Crew, I Love You... - #17 - Collection Wool Flannel Shirtdress

{Available here}

The colorblocking on this dress is spot on!  I love the way J. Crew upped the ante on a more traditional silhouette and classic wool fabric.  Super cute!

Fashion Fridays - #17 - Quilted Sweatshirts

{Images via}

The sweatshirt chic trend continues!  This week I've found a bevvy of quilted options!  These look a bit more structured and I'll bet the quilting boosts the warmth factor too!  Here are a few that are currently available:

 {Asos}

 {Asos}

 {Asos}

 {Forever 21}

 {Forever 21}

 {Forever 21}

 {Forever 21}

 {Forever 21}

 {Topshop}

{Zara}