[ Gingerbread Pancakes + Gold Sequin Leggings | similar ]
Popping by to wish you all a very merry little Christmas! May you be surrounded with joy, cheer, good food and even better company. See ya sometime next week!
Tied Up With a Bow
Well I’ve just had such fun playing with monochromatic holiday looks [oops I did it again!], but now it’s time to throw in some classic holiday crimson + gold. I picked up this dress earlier this fall for a wedding, knowing that I would get tons of use out of it during the Christmas season. It was obviously love at first sight when this Kate Spade number came across my radar, but the Lauren James version comes at a much prettier price tag! The crimson is way more versatile too– was just perfect for witnessing autumn nuptials in Maine!
Crimson Emerson Dress, Lauren James | Cedar Street Mini Maise Crossbody Bag, Kate Spade | Monogrammed Tassel Bracelet c/o Marklet Lilly | Polka Dot Tights, Kate Spade [similar 1; 2] | Glitter Mary Janes, Steve Madden [similar splurge; similar steal]
And while I’m here, some last-minute sales for you!
Anthropologie:: 20% off select gifts
GAP:: 30% off 2 items // 40% off 3 items // 50% off 4+ items with code GIFT
J.Crew:: 30% off everything + extra 40% off winter sale styles with code JINGLE
Lands’ End:: 40% off everything with code SNOWMAN + Pin 1714
Madewell:: 30% off everything with code WRAPITUP
Macys:: 20% off OR $10 off
Old Navy:: 30% off with code DASHER
Piperlime:: 25% off until NOON 12/17 + free shipping
West Elm:: 20% off clearance + free shipping with code GETGIFTING
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A Day at the Ballet
Maybe my favorite of ALL Christmas traditions? Blame it on the dancer in me, but it’s one hundred percent going to see The Nutcracker in Boston. An indulgence that’s a bit difficult to do every year, which makes it even more of a treat when it does happen.
Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet
This year was a Nutcracker year, and I was so, so grateful for the opportunity to see Boston Ballet’s rendition, under the creative direction of Mikko Nissinen. Set in the early 1800s, his production is based on Alexandre Dumas’s libretto The Tale of the Nutcracker, adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s classic tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The Boston Ballet changes it up just enough every year, to keep things fresh, while still perfectly sticking to the story and parts we fell in love with as children.
Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet
Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet
The COSTUMES though. Those are what really make this performance magical. Robert Perdziola redesigned all of the costumes that grace the production’s 300+ dancers in 2012 [costumes are only redone every 15-20 years!]. 182 completed costumes appear during each performance, but over 350 were created for multiple casts. This slays me: The Sugar Plums and Dew Drops, alone, have over 3,600 jewels on their tutus and bodices, and over 2,000 yards of net and tulle were used for all of the costumes. Can you say, dream closet?
Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet
Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet
Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet
Which brings me to my day-at-the-ballet look, obviously involving tulle and a bit of sparkle as well. This was the perfect excuse to don some of my girliest, most festive apparel, and to debut a darling LC Lauren Conrad skirt, and sweet new tassel charm bracelet from queen-bee-of-monograms, Marley Lilly.
Plaid Shirt, Ralph Lauren [similar] | Tulle Skirt, LC Lauren Conrad | Pearl Cluster Necklace c/o Francesca’s [similar 1; 2] | Monogrammed Tassel Bracelet c/o Marley Lilly | Green Leather Crossbody, Jesslyn Blake [similar 1; 2] | Patent Ballet Flats, Kimchi Blue [similar 1; 2]
The Nutrcracker is playing at the Boston Opera House and runs through December 31st this year, with performances Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30, Sundays at 5:30, and various 1pm matinees.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.bostonballet.org, or over the phone at 617.695.6955. They start at just $29, so give yourself a treat this holiday.
Seriously not convinced yet? Read this:: Top 10 reasons to see the Nutcracker this season!
Full disclosure:: I was provided with two complimentary tickets to The Nutcracker for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have attended Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker in many years past, unsponsored.
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Christmas Cozy
The day after Thanksgiving, we got just the lightest dusting of snow down on the South Shore, so we skipped the madness of Black Friday at the mall and opted for a little nature instead.
[Helps that it warmed up to a practically-summer-day 54 degrees post said snow dusting.]
Still, it was brisk enough to don the Christmas plaid and cozy up with some new goodies from k.m. hutton! Kate makes the sweetest knit scarves, cowls, fingerless gloves, and boot cuffs, plus some darling clutches and handbags. This is not your granny’s knitting work, but totally cute, modern stitchery.
Navy Toggle Coat, American Eagle [similar 1; 2; 3] | Knit Oatmeal Sweater, Forever 21 | Plaid Skirt, J.Crew [similar 1; 2] | Barley Chunky Cowl c/o k.m. hutton | Gold & Pearl Necklace, J.Crew [similar 1; 2] | Riding Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren [similar] | Almond Cream Reversible Boot Cuffs c/o k.m. hutton | Leather Satchel, Madewell
This brand is everything I want to promote this gift-buying season– handmade and a local, independent business. Maybe scarves are a typical, fail-safe Christmas gift, but we can always use them, so why not embrace it and at least choose attractive ones?
I’m also loving Kate’s button scarves, fingerless gloves [just because it’s below freezing doesn’t mean I’m going to stop live-tweeting], and give me anything in a knit fisherman cream.
So if you’re stocking up on gifts, or could use a little treat yourself [I mean it IS winter and winter accessories ARE a necessity], take 20% off your purchase with code SHOPCOZYEMILY. Be sure to use it by next Wednesday, December 10th though– that’s the last day to guarantee Christmas delivery!
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#GiveDifferently
I touched on this in chatting about Small Business Saturday but am excited to share a bit more about it today! How many of you are already familiar with The Grommet? These are literally the movers and shakers, the hustlers and the makers, and The Grommet team, based in Somerville, curates collections of their totally unique products, sold—until now—online only.
Just in time for the holidays, The Grommet is taking things offline with their first-ever pop-up (pop in!) shop, hosted at the Michelle Willey storefront in Boston’s South End.
I’ve popped in a couple times now and am so, so impressed with ALLOFTHETHINGS. It’s the ultimate destination for those hard-to-shop-for giftees, or even those girl-who-has-everything gals, just because everything is so unique. A Convertible Wine Box for the office Yankee Swap. Sweet Cotton Tea Towels for your mother-in-law. Handmade crocheted creatures for your what-do-I-get-my-18-month-old niece. Printed wine bags to have on hand as hostess gifts. Craft Bitters for any home bartender on your list.
Everything from apparel to kitchenware fills its corners.
I especially love the pre-made gift kits: The Bartender and The Chef will certainly fit for a few on my list!
What I love most of all? A good chunk of the makers whose products are displayed are local to New England, and y’all know I love to shop local.
So grab yourself a latte to go, and stop by anytime from now until Christmas to, truly, gift differently. I guarantee you’ll find gifts for folks you didn’t even think of buying for.
NOT in the area this holiday season? You can still shop the Pop-In Collection online here, or browse all Grommet gifts here.
[ The Grommet @ Michelle Willey ]
[ 8 Union Park Street ]
[ Boston, MA ]
[ November 20-December 24 ]
[ Mon-Sat 11-6 | Sun 12-5 ]
Happy gifting!
Full Disclosure: This post was sponsored by The Grommet; all opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support shell chic’d!
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Under $100 Holiday Dress & Shoe Guide
‘Tis the season for holiday dinners, parties, fundraisers… andddd being overwhelmed with both what-to-wear dilemmas and the expenses of this time of year.
SO, to maybe make things just a teeensy bit easier on you, I’ve rounded up 12 Days of Dresses (and shoes!), and every piece is under $100. So whether you need an LBD to dress up or down and take you from day to night, or a fully sequined number for New Year’s Eve, have at it!
one | two | three
four | five | six
seven | eight | nine
ten | eleven | twelve
one | two | three
four | five | six
seven | eight | nine
ten | eleven | twelve
How do you manage your holiday wardrobe with so many places to be, people to see?
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Kate Spade Holiday
Posting twice in a day because a) This do-not-miss sale lasts only through the weekend and b) ANNA KENDRICK.
Kate Spade New York very rarely fails to impress me, but they especially knock it out of the park with their holiday collections, this year being no exception. A roundup of some of my favorite pieces to add a little glitz to your season–whether you’re picking up something for the hostess or yourself…!
one | two | three | four
five | six | seven | eight
nine | ten | eleven | twelve
KSNY is offering 25% off your entire purchase with code BEMERRY, but hurry! Sale ends Sunday at 11:59pm!
