HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

From my family to yours, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

This week we put up our Christmas tree. My husband and I have been having a Christmas tree battle since we met...almost ten years ago. He likes real trees...and I like fake. I hate the smell of real trees (yuck!), hate the mess (needles and sap!), and hate flimsy branches. This year I talked him in to a fake tree! First off we don't have a lot of room for a tree, so we needed something skinny...and secondly, most of our ornaments are so heavy. In the past I remember two different years our trees literally fell over because they couldn't handle our ornaments! 

Behold our tree! Cute right?

Are you all ready for the holidays? Today I officially finished all of my holiday shopping. I'm so very proud of myself. The last few years I only finished up the week of Christmas...and I wasn't going to let that happen again. I can't take the stress of it all. If any of you need any shopping tips or would like to see more gift guides please let me know! I feel like I have to shop for the most difficult people ever...so I'm pretty good at finding the right kind of gift.

It isn't Christmas without my Grandma's ugly singing angel on top of my tree.

dress: Everly purchased at Pema NY/sweater: gift/tights: c/o Silkies/booties: Silence + Noise

So those of you that know me (or read my blog regularly) know that I'm 100% addicted to legwear. I probably have about 40 pairs of tights...and it's not nearly enough. My friends at Silkies reached out to me and sent over a few pairs this week. The tights that I'm wearing in these photos is probably one of my favorites that they sent me. If you haven't checked out their site yet, stop on by. They have so many great styles...it's almost overwhelming...in a good way!

Happy holidays everyone!!!

Gift Guide: The Beauty Guru

1) Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude To Go Set available at Macy's- $70

2) Lipstick available at MAC- $16
3) Autograph Liner Set by Kat Von D available at Sephora- $32
4) Deluxe Antibacterial Brush Set available at Sephora- $60

5) Mia 2 Pink Holiday Set available at Clarisonic- $149

6) OPI Gwen Stefani Mini Holiday Stars Set available at Ulta- $13.95

Gift Guide: The Intellectual

1) Chalk-Stripe Wool Blazer available at Banana Republic- $150

2) Vixen Optics 3x23 Opera Glasses available at B&H- $34.95

3) Dolled Up glasses available at BonLook- starting at $99
4) Napoli Bar Globe available at Ultimate Globes- $259.99 $179.99

5) Dickens Library available at Barnes & Noble- $62.60 $29.95

6) Modern Art: 1880-1945 online classes available at MoMA Store- $139

Gift Guide: Style Icon

December is here...and that means it's really time to start thinking about holiday shopping. This year I'm trying to get ahead of it all to ease the stress of the last minute shopping. I thought I'd help you all out a bit and start sharing some gift guides with you. First up I'm focusing on gifts for the girl in your life that is all about fashion and style.

1) Chanel and Champagne Tee available at T + J Designs- $32

2) Priscilla Lane Fedora available at Goorin Bros.- $140

3) Brr-ight and Sunny Coat available at ModCloth- $179.99
4) Miss Dota Polka Dot Print Patterned Tights available at Trendy Legs- $35.95
5) Bedhead Eiffel Tower Print Piped Pajamas available at Bergdorf Goodman- $155

6) Mini Jules Clutch available at Rebecca Minkoff- $225
7) T-Strap Heels available at Kate Spade Saturday- $195
8) Crystal Trillion Collar Necklace available at BaubleBar- $44

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

Time To Party...On A Budget

If you are like me, you have a bunch of holiday parties right around the corner. My first thought when I get an invite to a holiday party is, what in the world am I going to wear? I mean, I have countless party dresses in my closet...but sometimes a girl wants something new. But knowing that I have a ton of Christmas shopping left to do, I really don't have the budget for it. No worries though...I found some amazing dresses for cheap. Nobody will know the difference!

Chiffon Dress available at H&M- $34.95

Dancing Queen Fringe Dress available at Forever 21- $27.80

Satin Dress available at Joe Fresh- $39

Pins And Needles Long-Sleeve Cold Shoulder Dress available at Urban Outfitters- $69

So I want to know what you're planning on doing for your upcoming holiday parties. Will you be searching for a deal on a cheap frock, wearing an old favorite you have hanging in your closet, or splurging on a new party dress (you deserve it since you were good all year long!).

Happy Easter

I hope you all are having a great Easter weekend. What are your plans? Today my husband, pup, and I are heading to my parents' house for a less than traditional Easter dinner: steaks on the grill. YUMMMM!!! So much better than ham or lamb...right? My thoughts exactly.  :-)

Check out this hilarious picture I came across of my brother and I. It's from 1985...I'm four, and my brother is two. I really think it's funny because my nephew looks exactly like my brother here. Also, if carrots are good for your eyes, why does this Easter Bunny wear glasses???

Holiday Outfits

Christmas is upon us! My husband (and dog) and I celebrated Christmas this morning. It was so great! My husband got me some great clothing, jewelry, and an awesome handbag & wallet. One of my gifts was an adorable skirt from H&M that I will definitely be wearing Christmas day (I'm sure a picture will be following shortly...so stay tuned!).

I thought it would be a great idea to put some fun holiday looks together for my readers. Click on the collages below to see where you can purchase these items---

holidays 1 by snapshotfashion featuring leather bags

holiday2 by snapshotfashion featuring a snake clutch

holidays3 by snapshotfashion featuring a layered skirt

We'll be heading to my husband's parents' house in Long Island tomorrow and then off to my husband's aunt and uncle's house in Queens on Sunday for the holiday. Lots of driving this weekend...but it should be a good time. And then we are celebrating the holidays with my parents next weekend. Busy, busy!

What are your plans for Christmas? What will you be wearing?

Gift Guide- Stocking Stuffers

I know when I was younger I LOVED getting small gifts in my Christmas stocking. You have to admit, a lot of great gifts come in small packages. Here are some stocking stuffers that will make the holidays even more special...

I adore Benefits Cosmetics...especially their sets. Their Big Beautiful Eyes set is one of my all time favorites! It comes complete with shadows, powdered liner, brushes, and concealer. You don't have to be a professional to get your eye makeup looking stellar...this set comes with some easy to follow directions which makes it simple to look amazing!

Philosophy has great smelling 3 in 1 products (shampoo/conditioner/body wash). One of my favorite scents has to be cinnamon buns. Yes, cinnamon buns! Need I say more?

I love getting Christmas ornaments for gifts. So many of them on my tree right now were gifted to me. There are some adorable foodie ornaments at Sur La Table. Doesn't this chocolate covered strawberry ornament look delicious?!?!

In my book tights make a fantastic gift! Yeah, I know I have a legwear obsession...but trust me, you can never have too many tights. ModCloth has some adorable options. These Grey Peacock Feather Tights are one of my top picks.

Gift Guide- Accessories

I absolutely love accessories. Adding them to any outfit gives you instant style. They also are a very simple gift when you are in a pinch. I find that these make fantastic gifts for someone you know really well...or someone that you hardly know at all. Here are my favorite accessories to gift---

Hats are a fun way to add some personality to your look. Winter time is always a great time to wear an adorable cloche. This one, available at ModCloth, is my current favorite...probably because it is pink.

Jewelry always makes a great gift. There are some amazing pieces available at t + j Designs. Unique styles at affordable prices...gotta love them!

Gloves are a fantastic item for the holidays...especially if you live where it is cold. You know the recipient will use them...and if they are cute, you know they will love wearing them. Check out these beautiful Leather Cashmere Lined Gloves from Coach. They come in seven different colors (again, I'm partial to pink!) and they are sure to make anyone's holiday a little brighter.

Who doesn't love a great handbag? Matt and Nat has some amazing vegan handbags. I personally love this black vegan Hendrix bag in their collection. Slightly edgy, yet very wearable.

Scarves are a great go to gift when you don't know what to get someone. They can wear it with their coat...or to add some color and texture to their outfit. What I really love is the eternity scarf. This is the "circle scarf" that you simply loop over your head. It's probably one of the easiest scarves to wear because you don't have to worry about how you tie it. I love this Ecote Abstract Open Weave Eternity Scarf available at Urban Outfitters.

What is your favorite accessory to give or get???

Gift Guide- Food

If you are like me you have yet to really give holiday gifts much thought. Typically I'm way ahead of the game when it comes to gift buying...but for some reason this year I couldn't be more behind.

I thought I would put together some gift guides to help give everyone some ideas. Let's start off with some cool food ideas. I think giving food is one of the most simple gifts to give, and one of the most fantastic gifts to receive. Edible gifts are perfect as a hostess gift, teacher gift, or even for those that are difficult to shop for.

Fat Witch brownies make the perfect gift. I first tasted Fat Witch when I was living in NYC and they were delivered to my office as a holiday gift. I think since then I have given them out as gifts at least four times. You can get them in a tin or a box...and get a great sample of all the different flavor brownies they have to offer. One thing I love is their packaging...specifically their logo. TOO CUTE! If you are looking for a gift to satisfy someone that has a sweet tooth...this is just want they need!

For people that enjoy cooking, I strongly suggest purchasing some O Olive Oil. I gave two of these gift boxes out last year (and got one for us as well) during the holidays and they went over big. My dad still talks about how much he loved the balsamic that was in his gift box. They have a number of gift options available...and a number of flavors. I personally love their trios.

If you love peanut butter (and who doesn't?) you need to try Saratoga Peanut Butter. They do not add any unnecessary oils, sugars, or preservatives to their products so it is a natural and delicious treat! I think the most fantastic gift from Saratoga Peanut Butter has to be their sampler pack. I'm all about samplers! This way you get to try a little bit of different flavors. In their sampler pack you get four flavors: Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate, Monkey Boy & Maple peanut butter. They also have a number of other delicious flavors including: organic almond butter, gingerbread peanut butter, and something called the Trifecta which is Dark Chocolate Almond Butter with Dried Cherries. YUM!

The most amazing potato knishes ever made are from Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery in NYC. When we lived in Manhattan we'd love to walk down to their store and snack on knishes. The great news is that you do not have to live in NYC to eat this yummy treat...they ship anywhere in the continental US.

A great gift to bring along with you to any holiday party is some local beer. This is especially great if you are going away for the holiday...bring some local beer along so that others can try something that isn't so local to them. So head on out today and stock up on some local beer! Shown here are some local brews from Lancaster, PA.

What do you think about food as gifts? What are your favorite food to give?

Red Dresses For The Holidays

People that know me know that I can't stand country music. But, when it comes to fashion I often am looking to Taylor Swift for inspiration. I just love her wardrobe...especially her amazing cocktail dresses. Taylor was recently spotted wearing this adorable red strapless dress to a CMT bash. She kept her look very simple and didn't go overboard with accessories. She let the bold red in her dress (and lips) be the star of the party!

I love the idea of wearing a red frock for the holidays. It's actually something I do not have in my wardrobe. Can you believe that? I have so many little black dresses...I have to add in a little red dress to the mix. It's such a great look for Christmas or New Year's Eve parties, making you stand out in the crowd. Who doesn't love a little attention???

Here are some of my favorite red dresses...and if you are also in need of a great red dress (or would just love another one) I strongly suggest incorporating these looks into your party style---

Hybrid Dress With Sweetheart Neckline And High Hemline available at ASOS

$154.53

Begging for Mercy Strapless Red Dress available at LuLu's

$38

Classic Strapless Dress available at Forever21

$19.80 

The Multi-Way Dress available at Victoria's Secret

$88 $59.50

Gondola Engagement Dress available at ModCloth

$79.99

Red at Night Dress available at ModCloth

$69.99

Will you be wearing red this holiday season???

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Christmas Past

Wishing everyone a merry Christmas!!! I hope all my readers have a fantastic holiday!  :-)

I thought it would be a fun to post some of my old holiday pictures on here today. So here's a look back at Christmas over the years...

first Christmas Eve at Grandma's house

decorating our tree

unsure about Santa

Santa brought me Shrinky Dinks!

Christmas Eve pose in front of Grandma's tree with my brother

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988