2014 began with a wish. It did not come true.
It is a wish I wished for on nearly every birthday and New Year’s Eve for half of my life. Every special moment, every lost train of thought belonged to this single wish. Chasing it sometimes made me happy; other times it made me miserable. It was a hope I carried with me, a constant prayer for a future that will not be.
For 2015, I make no wishes. This year, I will see where not chasing a wish takes me.
***
1) For the grammar girls in the crowd, may I present an article in defense of the Oxford Comma.
2) H&M always has a great selection of black handbags. Today, I bring you the $49 slouchy Weekend Bag and the perfectly structured $39 Ladies’ Handbag.
3) The Vault Files has some lovely NYE hair tutorials. I love the perfectly undone updo. The Beauty Department also has a nice selection of hairstyles. Personally, I love this star-spangled headband for an easy, festive look.
4) Today Piperlime has 50%-off sale-priced items using code CHIC50. I picked up these Minkoff pumps for under-$75. I wear this tee-dress as loungewear. And this lace skirt is almost-perfect at under-$20.
5) To all the folks shoveling their sidewalks this morning, how would you like to spend 70 days shoveling snow from a single roof?
6) This adorable Julia Jordan eyelet sheath is perfect for any season, comes in a unique blue-grey hue, and is selling out fast.
7) A Facebook billionaire and his wife talk about their unique take on philanthropy. Their goal is to support projects that can do a lot of good for a sizable number of people with the least amount of money.
8) These delicate chains from Alainn are so perfectly dainty and beautiful. I’m so glad they’re on sale because I feel like I need to own all of them. They come in your choice of gold, silver, or hematite.
9) This photo will make you want to completely restructure your wardrobe. Suddenly all I want is neutrals.
10) The post-holiday sales bring good tidings of discounted Barefoot Dreams blankets. They are the perfect housewarming and baby shower gifts. They are so soft. It’s like you skinned a bunny.
11) OPI nail polishes are known for their rather odd names. The company’s artistic director talks about how they come up with creations like Glitzerland and Meet Me on the Star Ferry.
12) After a week in the super-dry Montana air, this SKYN Iceland Skin Hangover Emergency Kit is looking like a must buy.
I’m out for the rest of the year. I’ll be back on Thursday or Friday with some post-2014 sale picks, and then back to normal, broadcasting from the Big Apple next week. Somebody call the Soho Century 21 and let them know I am coming for their discount designer wares…
image found here.
Happy new year, Belle! I rarely comment but wanted to take this chance to say thanks for the blog. I’ve enjoyed following it for years. Best wishes for a wonderful 2015.
Meh, speaking as someone who had a 90% neutral wardrobe for several years- it gets boring. I also found it very difficult to maintain when I started working at a slightly more formal office, since there is less noticeable variation in cuts for the business casual/ business formal clothing market.
And my closet never looked like that.
I would need one cobalt blue piece – scarf, sweater, jacket, whatever. Then that closet would be complete.
When you stop wishing for something, that’s when your once upon a time wish will come true. Ugh, life.
Happy New Year Belle!
My mom always says (and don’t moms give the best advice?)- all disappointment comes from unrealized expectations. Wishing is sort of like setting up an expectation, no?
In any case, happy, happy new year! As so many others have said, thanks for writing this blog. It’s such a happy part of my day.
Come on, what was your wish?
Agree, it would be nice to know! I’ve been following this blog for years, but you rarely talk about yourself. I’ve actually been easing away from checking this blog that often because what attracts me to sites is not only the fashion/decorating/beauty tips they give, but being able to develop an “internet bond” with the blogger as well. You get to know them, root them on, feel sad when they’re sad, celebrate their joy… though they might not know us, us knowing them just seems to makes the world a less large/lonely place. I don’t really get that from this blog. When you were on the Hill you kept yourself anonymous for your Boss, and similarly when you discussed your owning a blog with your employer at the lobbying group. When you went on to other things and then began law school I suppose you also just want to stay anonymous for professional purposes, but with how much this blog has become a part of your life, how much time you dedicate yourself to it, and keeping readers, it would be nice if you shared a little more aside from talking about how Montana (you used to just say “West” so that’s progress!) is exception-Ugg-cold, your Goldens are cute, and law school is stressful but you’re doing well.
Happy New Year, Belle. Thanks for all the work you do with the blog. We appreciate it.
there are secret opportunities hidden inside each failure…happy 2015!
I like the heel storage method in that neutrals closet you linked to.
Thanks for all your hard work, Belle. You brighten many people’s days!
Never give up or despair on your dreams,Belle. Keep praying!!
Having trouble with the Piperlime code. Anyone else?
I think the promo expired at the end of the day yesterday (12/30)
It may only have been for 12/30. Sometimes if you call them to place they order, they’ll let you use the old code.
Thanks for your dedication to the blog Belle. It’s the one blog I must check daily and has added to my life. Congrats on your successes in 2014 and wish you the best in 2015.
One thing about the neutrals in the closet– doesn’t look like that many clothes (shoes seem to be a different story, lol), so neutrals would be a pretty practical approach. BTW, I’m really digging the use of the towel rods for the accessories and shoe organization! Check out the s-hook she uses to hang the hat!