I've been spotting Joanna Pybus all over fashion blogs with her big eyed furry creations. Her pieces have a bold yet simple aesthetic. I must say, those clutches are to die for...definitely on my want list. Check out her site and shop.
Original photos are from joannapybus.com & bengtfashion.com

I did something a lil different this holiday season...all my gifts I purchased were from local artists or from a company who's goal is to empower it's artisans.

The concrete planter is by Klink Creatively, based locally in Ohio. I always see these 2 sisters at events I sell my designs at. I love their work. I'm looking forward to see what they come up with next!

The necklace is by 31 Bits. Their mission is to use fashion and design to empower people to rise above poverty. You can read more about their business model and values on their site. Their jewelry is also eco friendly, the artisans make the beads from recycled paper. What a great company!

The last design shown, by Van Vintage Design, is a up-cycled Ball jar turned into a pump. I couldn't turn down this simple product, besides Jacqui was fabulous to chat with. Check out some of the pendant lights she makes as well!

Merry Christmas everyone! Here's a little look of how I styled my gifts. It's a little bit non-traditional I suppose, I used yarn & twine pom poms and tassels. It was a fun experiment. I have these all over my house and it was fun to decorate gifts with these stylish and fun pieces as well.

Oh Deborah Lippmann, your nail polish...I just can't get enough! It's like a little bit of luxury in a bottle.  In my opinion, some of the higher end nail polishes are worth a "splurge"...it's a much better product as far as quality and often they are they are some of the top colors I can find. Deborah Lippmann is known to pack her glitter polishes with max sparkle. Also the color combos make a designer giddy. This color is "Glitter and Be Gay" it's candescent canary yellow. You can get it from Sephora.

This oversized trend is nothing new...but survival mode takes over when it's freezing out. Anything that looks or feels like a blanket, I've been wearing it. Heck, I'll straight up wear blankets. Just a warning, you'll be seeing a lot of outfit posts this winter with me wearing get up like this. Be best buds with blankets, you won't regret it.

Original Photos:  1  ///  2  ///  3  ///  4

J A R V A E C H E R R Y- "PASTIME CLASSICS" from NEXT on Vimeo.

Check out this cool local dude who loves fashion. So inspiring. So much style. I've never seen a guy with this much fashion sense in Akron. I love it. He'll have his collection, Pastime Classics, at Next in Beachwood on Thursday. Sounds like a killer event.

A Christmas favorite has always been these cookies, Chocolate Crinkles. My mom usually makes them every year along with various other delicious goodies. It's now become my tradition to make as well.
Chocolate Crinkles (via Betty Crocker):

1/2

cup vegetable oil

4

oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled

2

cups granulated sugar

2

teaspoons vanilla

4

eggs

2

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

2

teaspoons baking powder

1/2

teaspoon salt

1/2

cup powdered sugar

• 1In large bowl, mix oil, chocolate, granulated sugar and vanilla. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours.
• 2Heat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheet with shortening or cooking spray.
• 3Drop dough by teaspoonfuls into powdered sugar; roll around to coat and shape into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
• 4Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until almost no imprint remains when touched lightly in center. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.