Weekly Round-Up

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Did you know that for every product sold, UBB removes 1 pound of trash from oceans and waterways?

Every day through the end of 2014 United By Blue will be giving away one of their super soft, organic cotton tees. Check it out here.

Ummm straws anyone?

Terrain

Alexander McQueen available at Saks

How cool are these?

Lost Weekend by Craig& Karl, LeSpec

A Theft of Epic Proportions

So the most tragic thing happened to me...not life-shattering tragic, just annoying tragic. My packages were stolen!!! And do you know what was in those packages? Part of Elena's AW 2014 wardrobe! And her shoes!!!!!!

Ralph Lauren: Infant's & Toddler's Sag Harbour Zebra Haircalf High-Top Sneakers

Ralph Lauren:Infant's & Toddler's Carl Glitter Boots

Do you see how awesome these shoes are? And they were on sale $25 each, and free shipping! I don't know how to process this information.  I've done internet searches, tried to search Polyvore (not a good source for children's items), and they are not available anywhere in her size! Ahhhhh!!!! I'm not sure if I'm more upset about the theft or that now I have to find new shoes.

I've made calls to the shipping company and the stores. I've sent emails to PayPal, the police and even tweeted. At this point I would like to praise Target and Amazon, Old Navy/Gap for their quick responses; during the phone conversations the customer service reps, re-shipped my items, even changing the shipping address and sent me refunds. Some other companies did not react so quickly and told me that I have to wait 24-72hours for the investigations.

Wait? This is America in the Digital Age, why do I have to wait? And why is someone stalking my house and stealing my packages?

I have learned a few lessons, I will be shipping to a home that is occupied during the day or to the stores. I also signed up for text alerts for Fedex and UPS, and I will definitely stalk my packages online as much as possible.

The sad thing is that my items are not super expensive. There were baby clothes, a cook book, breastmilk storage bags, a hand mixer, a nursing top and baby sneakers. What are these thieves going to do with all of these items? Sell them on the black market? Give them to their family members or just thrown them in the trash? I mean a tiny part of me has a bit of compassion. If you're stealing to make ends meet then obviously you are worse off than I am, so even though I feel violated and disappointed....

THIEVES, I forgive you.

Happenings

Everywhere you look there are sales and discounts and clearances, but there's only so much shopping you can do to get through this stressful winter season. Here are a few events that I'm excited about.

Yinka Shonibare at the Barnes...this artist takes fashion to a new level.

Yinka Shonibare MBE: Magic Ladders; January 24–April 21, 2014

Forget Kleinfeld's, if I were engaged or a bridal consultant I would definitely be heading here.

Opening reception January 23rd 6-9PM.

William Daley: 14 For 7 will be on view January 23 to March 9, 2014 at the Philadelphia Art Alliance.

Don't forget about Restaurant Week. This year my fave spot is joining in!

The Philadelphia Orchestra...special guest Jill Scott

Confetti, Jan 24-25 8pm at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, starring Gabrielle Revlock

Weekly Roundup

Opening Ceremony

Eco friendly Purses

Image via Ecocult

I love all types of leather, but perforated leather is probably my favorite treatment.

Tory Burch's Robinson Collection

J.Jill is now open at KOP!

Did you forget that I love fur? Well I think Fendi loves it as much as I do....check out this runway!

Image Courtesy of Getty via Racked

Check out the look book for Peter Pilotto for Target. Collection available online and in stores 2/9/14.

Peter Pilotto for Target image via Racked

Holiday Entertaining

In another life I think I was a party planner. I love everything about planning a special events, creating invitations, deciding the menu, decorating the space, securing entertainment, I love it all, because party planning combines my two favorite activities, making lists and shopping!

One of my resolutions during my Dominican trip, was to plan and host more parties, so as soon as I returned I got busy working for the details of my Winter Wonderland party. I decided to have an elegant dinner party and not an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" Cocktail party (Click here for a planning guide). As a side note, growing up my three siblings and I always had matching outfits including Christmas sweaters, and my overzealous mother (whom I love and respect dearly) would often convince us to wear entire outfits complete with white turtlenecks and tights.


Thrift stores are great for everything and at affordable prices. Most thrift stores support churches and charities, and are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, by re-using an item that would otherwise be discarded. So for my party shopping, I scoured local thrift stores, where I loaded up on silver plated serving bowls, elegant winter themed dishes, assorted Christmas decorations, crystal and glass candle holders of all shapes and sizes and even some artificial snow.

M is for Mama, who does a weekly 30 Minute Goodwill challenge, notes that pricing has gone up due to the popularity of thrift stores, but sometimes you just have to know where and when to shop, have patience, and like she says "whatever you do, don’t reveal your secret thrifting treasure trove, or pretty soon it’ll be over-run and overpriced." Unfortunately I am failing at this since I am sharing all the goodies I got from the new Goodwill in Lansdowne.

When you donate stuff to your local Goodwill—a sweater, CDs, furniture or electronics—you support Goodwill’s mission to provide a variety of employment services to people in need in your community. This holiday season, we are encouraging everyone to donate goods to one of Goodwill’s 2,700+ locations throughout the country.

What have you found at your local Goodwill?

Winter Wonderland

I will admit that I went overboard...coffee filter snowflakes, garland, fake snow, hanging snowflakes, silver painted animals, silver serving dishes, homemade marshmallows, snowflake cookies, assorted candles (you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find taper candle holders), wall sticker trees, balls of yarn and string, vases of tree branches, mini evergreen trees, hanging pompons (thank you Free People on Walnut Street for the inspiration), twinkling lights, and a vintage aluminum Christmas tree. Enjoy!