Is this weird?

I am an Anglophile.  I love Britain and have been reading about kings and queens far before The Other Boleyn girl was published.  I've read several biographies about Queen Elizabeth I and Anne Boleyn love the story of their lives, which is like the ultimate soap opera.  Throw in some Jane Austen and I'm in heaven.

While clicking around on Etsy, I came across the Oh, Kirby! shop and love the paintings but think it may be strange to have prints of historical ladies in my house:

You can also get a custom, Austen-style wedding portrait!

Whatcha think?

I need a hat.

Winter has arrived in Dallas.  Because we have hardly any trees or variation in the landscape, it can get windy as all get out.  As I got my scarves and gloves out this week, I remembered that I need a new hat but I think that perhaps I'm overly picky. 

I have sideswept bangs and traditional beanies give me terrible hat hair, but other styles blow right off my head and across the parking lot at Target when I get out of the car.  I'm struggling to find styles I like, but here are the front runners.  Whatcha think? 

Merona Brimmed  Hat
Cheap, but likely to crush my hair...

Modcloth Evening Escapades Hat
Love the hat, hate the price.

Ruche Cap it off Hat

Echo Design Beanie w/ Bow

Popple Tree Brimless Fleece Cloche Hat
This hat is in the lead because it's only $10.50 and looks like it may not crush my bangs

Sarah Keyes Jewelry - Acrylic I actually want to wear

Sometimes I can be a bit of a snob when it comes to what my clothes and accessories are made of.  I don't wear much acrylic clothing or vinyl shoes, but when I came across this necklace in Lonny magazine last night, I realized that I will happily make an exception for Sarah Keyes jewelry.

The necklaces in her shop are laser cut acrylic in fun shapes, and I love how they're unique without being too off the wall.  Plus, the prices are pretty reasonable so you can actually buy one.  Here are some of my other favorites pieces:

I'm sure the Etsy shop will get cleaned out as more people click their way through this month's magazine, so buy now if you're interested!

Planning ahead - 20% off sale at West Elm

If you're the kind of person who stocks a gift closet for birthdays and hostesses (or if you just like buying things for yourself) you need to check out everything on sale at West Elm.  The new spring collection is being rolled out, which means all the fabulous items from this winter are marked down and and extra 20% off with the 20MORE promo code.

Here's some options you may consider stocking up on:

Mosaic Mirror Boxes
I'd keep some of these on hand to to fill with inexpensive jewelry or fancy chocolate and make a semi-personal $20 present

Winter Pine Duvet and Shams
This print is called winter pine, but that room below would look nice all year round, especially if you rotate your sheets according to season

Contrast Border Throw
This would be a nice hostess gift or present for someone you're not really close to.  It's practical and very soft.

Nutcracker Serving Platters
For $3.50, you can find room in the buffet to store these...

Lacquer Coasters
I'm toying with the idea of buying a set of these and then getting some vinyl decals from Etsy and making a customized version to give as a gift

Almost custom framing for $40!

In case anyone is not aware - framing pictures is hella expensive if the size is not common.  I learned this last week when I took my new 8x9" Alicia Bock print to a few stores near my house in hopes of finding a frame with a large mat. 

After searching the selection at a few stores and getting a really expensive quote from Hobby Lobby, I went to my local Aaron Brothers framing store and found the most awesome sales associate who helped me figure out that a custom matte would fit into a 16x20" frame and look almost the same as the custom look I was seeking.  Then, he gave me a coupon for 50% off the frame and I walked about of the store having paid only $40 for this:

(Isn't my West Elm jewelry box awesome?  My husband is great.)  Anyway, if you need some framing done and aren't sure how best to proceed, you should check out Aaron Brothers (on Macarthur Blvd in Irving if you're local). I can't stop admiring my new little corner of art.

In other news, I just won some kickass gloves from Elleinad Spir and am super excited to wear them next week when it gets down in the twenties here.  Her blog is great and sometimes I may or may not copy her outfits exactly.

Look out, internet! I'm tweeting.

After yet another suggestion that I start tweeting, I finally got around to setting up an account.  I shall try to be interesting and not inform you of things like "buying milk at Kroger" or "at work, wish I was @ home".

Follow me - it'll be fun! 

Reader Request: Chic business lady bags

Ok, so this was an in real life request from a coworker shopping for his daughter, but I'm going to write about it anyway.   I was tasked with finding a great, chic work tote for a very stylish 24 year old who just landed a new job.  I did a lot of looking around and found some great options under $200 that hold a laptop and will look good in a few years as well as next week in the office.

Sundance Chelsea Bag
This one is my favorite and I want it and I would be a professional business lady... if only I had $198 extra dollars

Banana Republic Large Leather Tote (Cognac)

This bag comes in several colors, but I like this warm brown color the best.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Tate Tote

This bag is pretty casual, but it's still chic and comes in several colors and prints

 

Kate Spade Seraphine Shopper

This bag is on clearance at Norstrom right now and probably won't be available by the time I post this... but it's just so pretty. 

Elliott Lucca Cordoba Tote

I love the convertible straps on this bag and the fun color options (it's also available in black and red)