Friday's Fancies: New Year's Eve

Free People Sequin Fever Bodycon Dress $168

Marc by Marc Jacobs Wool and rabbit hooded jacket $430

Jimmy Choo Cosmic suede pumps $695
Judith Leiber Framed Minaudiere Clutch (similar here $1,995)

Bottega Veneta Intrecciato oxidized-silver bracelet $2,250

NARS Lipstick Schiap $24

Last Friday's Fancies of 2011! Wishing I had all of these accessories to go with the navy sequin dress. I saw a girl wearing it at a wedding last month and made it my mission to find it. I'm in the Adirondacks for an extended weekend, a little cold to wear this number unfortunately. The weather will not stop me from drinking champagne and dancing on table tops though.

For more New Year's Eve outfits visit {av} at long distance loving. See you in 2012!

Happy 2012

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According to legend, if you sprinkle birdseed on your doorstep on New Year's Day, you'll have good luck in the new year. Happy 2012!

Over Christmas I was rummaging and found this little DIY from years (a decade) ago. I think I had passed these out at a high school charity league meeting, not sure where I got the idea. Thanks to Google I learned this is a Scandinavian tradition. (Some say to sprinkle on your doorstep on Christmas... other say New Year's... I'll just stick with the latter.) Have you heard of this before?  This post serves as a reminder for me to do it NEXT year... since it's a little late now. I thought it would be perfect for my colleagues at work in place of cards since it's non denominational. Just add your signature on the note.

So simple - here's what you'll need:
Fabric (I used a 9 inch circle for each)
Pinking shears to cut fabric
Ribbon
Birdseed
Hold puncher
Paper for message - can be hand written or printed

Self explanatory from the picture. Place a small amount of birdseed (about a tablespoon) in the center of a piece of fabric - gather and tie with ribbon. Punch hole in card with message and slide onto ribbon before securing. Lots of room for customization.

You may find some festive bird fabric on sale now to save for the future project. Don't worry, I'll remind you next Thanksgiving so you can have them ready in time for holiday distribution.

Merry Merry

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Hope you had a great holiday weekend. Mine was laid back with my parents, brother and Darcy. She turned 14 this year!

Was Santa good to you? He brought me a Joie leather jacket, just what I wanted! Remember the leather jacket guest post from Bud & Leo? Inspiration :)

Did you brave the stores today like me? I knew there were deals to be had... so staying home wasn't an option. Here are a few things I picked up for my upcoming trip to Lake Placid.

Aerie Crochet Scuffs $19.50 $14.50 ($9.99 in store)

I bought a similar pair last year after Christmas and loved them so much I went back for another the next day. They are in need of replacing so this was one of my first stops. They are cute, cozy and cheap! A must for a cold weather trip in my opinion.

Aerie Snowy Day Headband $19.50 $11.99 ($14.99 in store - why less online?)

I love this color and don't have much of it. The lining should keep me warm. I wish I could have found the matching gloves in stores.

Old Nay Women's Faux-Fur Cuff Wedge Boots $39.94 ($16.99 in store)

I actually bought these boots the day before Christmas along with a few other things that aren't available online anymore. I was a little peeved when I went back today and saw that some items I bought were marked down further. (I had expected it but didn't want to take the chance that the items wouldn't be there.) I asked if they would do a price adjustment, and the answers is YES! Good to keep this in mind if you did any recent shopping at their suite of stores - Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime. Just present your receipt (or call for online), easy peasy.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!

I can't thank you enough for stopping by Vineyard Loveknots. Starting this blog was one of the best decisions I made in 2011. I've definitely lost some sleep over it... but it's been worth all of your sweet comments.

xoxo

Lindsay

Serendipity 3

Since Ted and I have been together we have made it a tradition to go on a holiday date to Serendipity 3. The menu is HUGE... but I promise all you need to focus on is the ice cream.

The restaurant takes limited reservations for lunch and dinner... but none for dessert. During the holidays the wait can be up to 2 hours so we have learned to put our name in and head across the street to Patsy's Pizzeria for dinner. (Don't get trapped by the nearby California Pizza Kitchen!) Ted and his anchovy pizza...

After much deliberation Ted ordered the Strawberry Fields Sundae - cheesecake, strawberry ice cream, strawberry topping with whipped cream - and I decidedly went for the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate as seen in the movie. We always laugh about the Golden Opulence Sundae on the menu... you must call 48 hours in advance for the $1,000 treat. (Tip - request a table downstairs.)

Full is an understatement. Although it was pretty cold we walked over to Rockefeller Center and fought through the crowd to get a picture by the tree.

Have you ever been to Serendipity? I'll be watching the movie for the millionth time over Christmas, it never gets old for me!

Lately...

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Joining Ashley of  a {little dash of ash} for her Instagram Link Party...

Christmas came early... absolutely love my monogrammed Rebecca Minkoff clutch from Teddy!

Picking up treats from Dylan's Candy Bar pop-up shop near Bryant Park

My amazing co-worker/bff Rachel with the Pop Phone ... obsessed

Reindeer in Union Square

Dirty martini at Milos

Wrapping presents

Blue Christmas tree at Serendipity 3

Yours truly with Ames of Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad at Sutton Place (embarrassed to say that I was there)... I also spotted him over the summer on the Vineyard. So random, Rachel and I have both seen him twice separately!

Pink and Green Thursday: Seasons Greetings

I'm still working on getting my holiday cards out this year... down to the wire! I had to run out last night to get more because of a few spelling errors... my hand has a mind of its own when I'm under pressure.

I had intentions of ordering these pink and green plaid Boatman Geller return labels... but I waited too long.

Instead I downloaded this free Microsoft Word template for standard Avery labels and switched up the font. Now I just need the stamps!

Merry Pink and Green Thursday!

All I want for Christmas...

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... and world peace!

Weekend Update: Ho Ho Ho

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Santa hats were everywhere in Manhattan on Saturday... 

I met up with some friends partaking in the annual SantaCon festivities around the East Village. Great roundup about the event at Paris Breakfast - I randomly spotted some of my sorority sisters in one of the pics! Due to some miscommunication with Ted I left my Mrs. Claus costume at home. Luckily Amanda had some antlers for me to borrow.

Flashback to Santacon 2010... hmmm around the time Four Loko was banned. Ted's hat and beard have gone missing.

I love seeing Christmas trees along the streets in the city. I didn't see the price tag but the trees near Ted's apartment on the UES are small (I feel like a giant next to them) and run around $50. Crazyyyy.

We headed to Hoboken that evening for Matt and Danielle's annual Christmas party. Great times as always.

The Santa bottle toppers, popcorn tin and giant candy cane ornament are all from Target. Ted made spiked egg nog at the party... I prefer to save my caloric intake for the cheese.

Peppermint Bark

Last Friday night my friend Danielle hosted the 2nd Annual Cooking Party. We get together and each make a different recipe and drink lots of wine. I made peppermint bark, which I know isn't a cookie but I figured it fit into the mix, seemed easy enough and didn't require the oven. (Unfortunately my choice disqualified me from "winning"... it always turns into a friendly competition.)

I based my peppermint bark recipe off this one from Joy of Baking and just doubled all the ingredients.

What you'll need

Ghiradelli Classic White Chocolate Baking Chips (1 bag/11 oz)

Ghiardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips  (1 bag/11 oz)

candy canes (at least 6)

4 tsp vegetable oil

Microwave safe bowl (or double boiler to melt the chocolate if you're fancy)

Meat tenderizer or another tool to crush candy canes

Spatula
Ziploc Bag

Cookie pan lined with non-stick aluminum foil

Line a cookie sheet with non-stick aluminum foil. Melt semi-sweet chocolate and 2 tsp vegetable oil - I did this in the microwave on 50% power, stirring the chocolate every 30 seconds until it was smooth and "drippy". (I think it was around 4 minutes total.) Spread onto cookie sheet in even layer. Place into refrigerator for 30 minutes or until hard.

While the chocolate is cooling place at least 6 unwrapped candy canes into Ziploc bag and hammer until broken into small pieces. 1/2 cup crushed should be all you need. (I actually used a wrench because that was all that was available and hammered on the concrete balcony. That's why the bag comes in handy.)

The next step is to melt the white chocolate with the remaining vegetable oil and spread on top of the first layer evenly. I opted to stir in the crushed candy canes into the melted white chocolate and reserved some of the larger pieces of candy to sprinkle on top. Let cool in the refrigerator once again. Allow the sheet to come to room temperature, peel back aluminum foil and break into small pieces. Voila, bark! If I can do it, so can you. Store in the fridge.

Sadly some of my layers separated. Based on a little research, I think next time I will allow the first layer to come to room temperature before adding the next. I also shouldn't have had such large pieces of candy cane stirred in. Have any tips?

Clockwise from top left: No shortage of wine, Hostess Danielle making her snickerdoodles, Corinne and Sara mixing their vegan pumpkin chocolate cookie mix (forgot to get non-dairy milk... whoops not so vegan!), Amanda sifting flour and being fashionable while doing so. Not pictured: Danielle #2 with her Oreo balls.

It's the Holiday Season!

Over the weekend I went to my first holiday party of the season. Here I am with some of the girls.

I wore a lace dress from Forever 21 and a new Kenneth Jay Lane silver chunky bracelet from Ideeli. Another flash shopping site I'm now addicted to checking, make it stoppppp.

A few of us were wearing OPI's Animalistic from the new Muppets collection. It's a pinkish red with just enough shimmer.

Obviously you can't show up to the party empty handed so I was on the hunt for a cute little hostess gift. I hadn't been to Pier 1 Imports in a long time and was pleasantly surprised with all the festive wine accessories. I brought hostess Amanda the giant red bell bottle stopper and got some Santa Wine Tags to keep on hand. Where do you find your wine trinkets?

Currently Obsessed

Have you heard of Currently Obsessed? The site was founded by Amber Venz of Venzedits and allows you to "stalk" your favorite bloggers and what's on their radar. You will find Atlantic-Pacific, Possessionista and College Prepster to name just a few.

My page is a combination of pieces that I love and are already in my closet, like my Frye Paige Tall Riding Boots, and what I wish I had. (Also includes some items on the way! I'm keeping close tabs on the shipping tracking for the Backstage Sequin Fever Bodycon Dress that will hopefully arrive on my doorstep tomorrow and look forward to the Bumble and bumble Creme de Coco Masque that I just ordered from Sephora. I tried a sample and fell in love.)

I have limited invites for the beta site - use code Vineyard_LoveknotsObsessed to sign up. Have fun "stalking" your favs and hope you add me by searching under the All Bloggers tab. Enjoy!

Friday's Fancies: INSPI(RED)

Haute Hippie Jersey Dress $570

Christian Louboutin Sexy Strass 100 Swarovski crystal peep-toe pumps $3,295

Christian Louboutin Loubi Suede Croissant Clutch $895

Pintaldi Maurizio 18CT Gold Diamond and Sapphire Earrings $20,417

This week's Friday's Fancies is all about (RED) in support of World AIDS Day earlier this week. Not just a color...

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Products branded (RED) raise proceeds for the Global Fund, the world's leading financer of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The Global Fund invests 100% of (RED) dollars in AIDS programs in Africa with a focus on women and children. (joinred.com) Belvedere launched a partnership with (RED) this year... surprise Chelsea Handler made an appearance. You may recall she made the switch from Grey Goose to Belvedere when she learned that it contains no sugar (and they sponsored her tour).

(BELVEDERE) RED Drink Recipes

Not only would this bottle be festive for a holiday party but also support the cause to eliminate AIDS.

For more (RED) outfits and products head on over to long distance loving. Yay for Friday!

Bud & Leo Guest Post: Miranda Kerr's Street Style

Hello everyone, we are Kelli and Lisa of Bud & Leo!  We're so excited to be guest posting for Lindsay today.  She is one of our fave blog buddies so we're honored to be here.  Her preppy style and love for Martha’s Vineyard has seriously inspired us over the last year (Martha’s Vineyard is now on both of our ‘places we must visit asap’ lists)!  Until then, we're swooning over Miranda Kerr’s street style:

This new mom appeared on the Victoria’s Secret fashion show earlier this week (wearing a 2.5 mil bra!).  She looks fab and her street style is absolute perfection; she adds the perfect amount of edge to a preppy look (Lindsay’s fave!).  You can get the look with skinny cropped pants, a striped tee, fitted moto jacket, buckled booties and a fabulous tote (of course Miranda is carrying our fave, Céline!). 

(Striped tee: Topshop, Khaki skinnies: Seven for all Mankind, Leather jacket: Vince, Tote: Céline, Oxford booties: KORS by Michael Kors)

The key to making this look work is the perfect leather jacket.  The perfect fit is worth the splurge; a slight shoulder puff and defined silhouette are both a must.  This investment piece will be a staple for years to come…

1) Bebe 2) June 3) Vince

We hope that Miranda inspired your street style!  Thanks again for having us Lindsay; we hope to see you on Martha's Vineyard sometime soon!  Have a lovely day everyone and please come see us sometime at Bud & Leo!

xo Kelli & Lisa

What I'm Loving...

I love this easy to make couscous salad. Believe it or not, Paula Dean has a few recipes that don't call for 3 sticks of butter.

Tracie's Couscous Salad
Yield:  6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 box flavored couscous (garlic or Parmesan), cooked
• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped
• 1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 to 3 limes, juiced

In a large bowl, toss all the ingredients with the olive oil and lime juice, to taste. (I also added honey to the recipe.)
Paula's Home Cooking

Remember him? Teddy and I went to a wedding reception in Philadelphia over Thanksgiving weekend. I loved the lights and paper lanterns in the courtyard outside the reception hall. Wishing I had taken more pictures.

The lovely ladies of Bud and Leo, Kelli and Lisa, will be guest posting tomorrow, yay! I love their recent 'Tis the Season of Twilight Wedding post... did you know Bella's gown is estimated at $35,000?

HANAair Review

HANAair Professional Hair Dryer $314.99 $194.99

Let's talk hair! I posted back in March that I couldn't live without my T3 hair dryer. I was sent this Hana for review by Misikko and have been using it the past few weeks. Love it!

My hair is medium-textured, color treated, slightly wavy and takes foreverrrrr to dry. Just about every stylist I have ever been to has said that drying my hair is no easy task. Since I color, blow dry, curl or straighten my strands just about everyday I'm particular on the tools I use otherwise I don't think I would have any hair left.

Usually I travel with a mini dryer from the drug store (a reminder now and then of how much better my tools at home are) but I lugged the HANAair when I visited Sara and asked her to give it a go. Shes uses another professional grade hair dryer and agreed that this was an awesome product. Together we concluded....

Pros

Cuts down drying time

Dries hair well without being super hot

Powerful! 2300 watts

Leaves hair smooth (must be those ions...)

Multiple settings

Extremely long cord

Cons

Heavy - my T3 is much lighter

$$$

Bottom line, not all blow dryers are created equally. The HANAair is $194.99 but worth the splurge if you regularly blow dry your hair. Call me crazy, but if you make the switch I highly doubt you will ever want to go back. If you are on the hunt for the best hair dryer and other quality styling tools check out Misikko!

Thanks to Misikko for the opportunity to review the HANAair and the lovely package they sent. I received the complimentary package including the HAHAair to compensate my time. My review provides 100% honest feedback.