Current Outfit

Current Outfit by elbonner featuring leather boots

I don't really have anything clever to say today, so I'll keep it brief. This week was long and I may have gotten myself locked in an emergency stairwell whilemy building's burgler alarm was goinf off for half an hour, but that's a totally different story. This week has been rough work-wise so I've been  slumming it outfit wise whenever I haven't been in my pajamas. Not so much the bag since it's like $1200, but everything else is pretty accurate. I'm in that winter slump where I'm ready for spring/summer. The weather has been toying with us; 68 degrees one day then 38 the next then back up to 65. I swear it's toying with me and only me on purpose! Hope everyone had a good week and got their W-2s back. Tax return time baby!

My Christmas Favorites

Well, favorites is a strong word here. I loved all of my presents, but some stood out a bit more than others because they were things that I really really wanted. I got a really good loot this year. I got great stuff from my family, my boyfriend, AND my secret santa at work! Here are a few of the things that I got from everyone (including myself):

(L-R)

Saffron Jame Le'a Perfume Oil- Smells like a tropical paradise full of plumeria flowers and sexy sunsets. This is a good mid-winter pick-me-up since I'm sick of wearing actual clothes.

Minnetonka Short Fringe Boots- So cute a fringy, but not obnoxiously fringy. They have enough to be fun, but don't make me look like a wannabe hippy that's trying too hard.

Oribe Apres Surf Hair Spray- Really awesome beachy hair spray. It's on-par with Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray which is the best stuff on earth. It smells awesome and gives your hair a piecey matte look aka sexy-ass hair.

Ksumi Tea Essentials Sampler- Lots and lots of delicious Russian style teas that come in a buttload of flavors. There's black tea, there's mate, there's grean tea, you've got some much to choose from! Every one I've tried (probably four by now) have been awesome. Also got two tins of tea, one a chai and one a Christmas themed tea. All are great!

Bath & Body Works "Meet Me in Tahiti" Candle- Smells like vanilla, coconut, and tropical island flowers take me to another place when I'm sitting in my tiny bathtub. Plus it had Tahiti in the name so it's a given that I was going to buy this. PS- I bought this for myself. Merry Christmas to me!

J. Crew Infinity Scarf-My secret santa got this for me right under my nose at the J. Crew outlet. It goes great with my army green jacket and little boots. It's a nice neutral brown with a pop of fluorescent orange. Super warm and super cute!

I also got a really sweet record player from my boyfriend. It was a big surprise because I wasn't sure he would indulge my hipster tendencies, but guess who was wrong! Now I just need some records to play and I'll be set!

I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a wonderful holiday and those who don't I hope you had a great day off unless some butthole made you work. Until next time, see you in the new year!

Last Minute Shoppers: Get Presents That Don't Suck

I say this from atop my high-horse, I got all of my Christmas shopping done about a month ago and have really only supplemented it with little things I think are fun along the way. If you are way too busy and have only got a few days to get your shit together, then you are in luck. Here are a few last-minute gift ideas for your loved ones:

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Collection- Sephora

Most major cities have a Sephora, and luckily Sephora has some great gift sets that give you lots of stuff for not that much money. I like this set because Lancome Hypnose is a tried-and-true good mascara. Plus you get a primer, liquid liner, and a makeup remover. I would totally want this!

 

Urban Decay Naked2 Palette- Sephora

Thank you again, Sephora. This palette has every neutral shade you need, plus a brush, plus a tiny adorable lip gloss. Unless you like wearing wild colors all the time and work as a circus clown/colorful stripper, this is really all the colors you'll ever need. 

 

Art of Shaving Unscented Initiation Kit- Nordstrom

Most dudes shave or have refused to since Movember. Guilt them into shaving off that beard with this fancy kit from Art of Shaving.It has a badger hair brush, shave cream, after shave balm, and pre-shave oil to make your dudes face smooth and classy.

 

Jack Black "Balm Squad" Balm Quad- Nordstrom

Everyone hates dry, crusty lips. Jack Black's (not from Kung-Fu Panda fame) lip balm is supposed to be the next best thing in lip care. With this set you can either give them all to one person or you can divvy them up and give them to four different people. It even gives you the opportunity to keep one for yourself!

Diptyque Holiday Candles- Diptyque

These are fancy-ass candles that make for a fancy-ass gift. Diptyque has released two Christmas-themed candles, sapin dore that smells like Christmas trees, amber oud that smells spicy and seasonal, and oublian which smells like frankincense (baby Jesus approved). Diptyque candles always make a good gift because they look nice and everyone likes candles. If they don't like candles, too bad!

(available at Nordstrom or Saks 5th Ave)

Cashmere Infinity Scarf- J. Crew

If all-else fails, you can never go wrong with a nice scarf. It works for either gender, and unless it's made of burlap and razor wire, it will be soft and comfortable no matter what the price. If you really want to make someone feel bad about not getting you something better, get them a cashmere scarf. Now, whenever they start complaining about things you can remind them of how much you spent on that scarf and the guilt should shut them up!

Hope this little guide helps in a pinch. If you really don't have time to shop just resort to food. Everyone likes cookies and here are a few of my favorite cookie recipes. Some don't even need baking! Happy shopping everyone!

Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles (vegan)

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Peppermint Bark

Gingerbread Cookies

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dawn Patrol: Doing Stuff I Like

Dawn Patrol by elbonner featuring knit sweaters

I haven't been to the beach, let alone surfed, in so long it's making me crazy! Usually around this time of year I get really brave/stupid and try to conjure up the will to go to the beach for a winter surf with a friend.Working full-time and away from a surfable beach has made planning this activity out kind of difficult (not to mention everyone thinking I'm dumb and crazy, including myself). I think of it as exercise where you burn twice as many calories because your body is fighting off hypothermia! I haven't done the whole "dawn patrol" thing since high school when my little surfer friend and I got up at the butt-crack of dawn to get to the beach before work or school. I miss those days of riding around in my surf truck, sweaters on, coffee or hot chocolate in the thermos, and being very vocal about the fact that someone should invent a genital warming feature to go inside the crotch of a wetsuit. You can only pee on yourself out there but so many times. Above I created a little piece of my past: an outfit perfect for a chilly beach day. There's nothing better after a morning cold shock to the system than to out on some soft, dry clothes that you threw in the dryer before you left the house and wrapped in saran wrap to keep the heat in (hey, it works!). The good part about winter surfing is that no one is there to see you fall, because they're all at home snug in their PJ's while. Maybe if I can convince myself to get up from my warm bed to throw myself in the cold ocean then I can relive that period of my life, even if it's just for a little bit. I only really remember the good times had during those frosty mornings so it's time to make myself look like a bad-ass and brave the frigid Atlantic!