Who is Gossip Girl Contest!

Tonight is the FINALE of Gossip Girl! I thought it would be fun to do a little contest with predictions for the big reveal: WHO IS GOSSIP GIRL?! The winner will receive the complete season 1 DVD set*.

To ENTER:

Leave a comment with your guess 

If multiple people guess correctly ** then I will choose one winner randomly from the correct guesses

* This is NOT a sponsored giveaway. I used my own money to buy the DVD set for the winner
** and if the identity of Gossip Girl is not actually revealed then I will just randomly choose a winner from the comments

Weekend Recap: Holidays Parties and Shows

I feel like every weekend in December is just jam-packed! This was a busy weekend but I actually remembered to take photos!

Thursday isn't technically the weekend but I had to share that I went to see a screening of Les Miserables with Leanne. I had actually never seen the musical but I was familiar with many of the songs. I loved the movie. The fact that the actors were singing LIVE when filming is seriously impressive!

Friday night I went to the grocery store (I actually find it relaxing to just go aisle by aisle). I relaxed at home and then picked up my sister at the airport (I've never seen the airport so crowded!). Had to brace myself for the busy weekend!

Saturday I went to see Silver Linings Playbook with my dad and sister and we had lunch at family favorite, Island's (oh the cheese fries. How I love them!). I think Jennifer Lawrence is so pretty and I guess Bradley Cooper isn't too bad either ;)

Saturday night I had not one but TWO holiday parties! First I went with my high school friends, M and C, to a gingerbread decorating party at our other high school friend's house.

Outfit for the gingerbread party. New bow top from J.Crew black friday shopping

It is quite the competition! People use saws and glue guns to make crazy gingerbread art. This year there were two boats, a dragon, a bakery, a double wide trailer (with a hot tub and truck on blocks). Wish I had photos of the other pieces

Our boat: crow's nest and port holes included!

M loves Anne of Green Gables so she did Green Gables at Christmas time

Then C and I met up with Leeann from Join the Gossip at an ugly Christmas sweater party hosted by Brooke and Emily of Chelsea Grey.

Changed into our sweaters and took another photo with my tree

A, me, C, Brooke

Sunday I slept in really really late. The past week was exhausting at work and I just really needed to sleep in. I felt like I sort of wasted the day but it was raining and cold so I was cozy at home. I addressed holiday cards and watched Law and Order SVU. I then went to dinner and a show with my friend A. We went to Ugo in Culver City and then walked over to the Kirk Douglas Theater to see Second City's A Christmas Carol: Twist Your Dickens. It was HILARIOUS! The best part is that they used audience submissions (we were asked to write down the meanest thing we ever did to someone). I was laughing so hard!

I am linking up with Leeann for the Weekend Update

My Christmas decorations

As usual I am behind in decorating and will be doing the rest of my decorating this weekend. I did manage to get my tree up last weekend (a fake one from Target that was a great deal and perfect size for my apartment). I love my new apartment but I do miss the big bay window I had at my old place. It was the perfect space for displaying decorations. You can see last year's decorations here. I am linking up with Kelly of Kelly's Korner for her holiday home tour link up.

My nautical tree!

I need a cute nautical tree skirt now

Love this snowman tray

Mini pink tree on my counter: animals and Lilly Pulitzer ornaments

101 Dalmatians blanket. I love this movie! I was obsessed when I was little. Of course I still use the blanket when I'm sitting watching TV

Holiday cards and my little Target penguin

I haven't decided how to display flat holiday cards yet. Maybe on a ribbon on the wall?

Cookie jars and a Cadbury Santa from my recent houseguest, Amanda

Elf dish towels

Snowman and Santa shakers

holiday mugs

Two years ago my sister got me these adorable penguin plates from West Elm (they are currently on sale online)

I had to buy the matching Santa napkins from West Elm (I think these are in store only)

Goodbye Gossip Girl: Top Ten Blair Quotes

Goodbye Gossip Girl: Blair's Office

The SERIES FINALE of Gossip Girl is less than a week away now! I will be doing some special Gossip Girl posts leading up to the big finale next Monday (and maybe even a giveaway too!). I am starting with a post on Blair's new office.

Did anyone else fall totally in love with Blair's office introduced earlier this season? Perfection! The toile wallpaper and bird (swans?) patterned chairs are my favorite parts.

Designed by Christina Tonkin, Blair's atelier is just gorgeous. All photos are from Christina Tonkin's blog.

What do you think of Blair's atelier?

Nautical Ornament: Glory Haus

Sailboat:

Adirondack chair:

Crab:

Fish:

Elizabeth McKay 20% off!

Just in time for the holidays! Receive 20% off your Elizabeth McKay order with code: HOLIDAY (exp 12/15).

How perfect are these outfits for holiday parties?!

Fifties dress:

Ruffle top dress:

Vogue dress:

Le Charlot skirt:

Elizabeth shirt:

McKay blouse:

Holiday Party Outfit Ideas

I wish I had an unlimited budget for holiday outfits! I would love to have something new, festive, and fun for every party, gathering, open house, and celebration. But that is not going to happen so I will window shop online instead. Here are some favorite looks (splurges and some more budget friendly options):

J.Crew plaid shirt and navy skirt:

Can't go wrong with plaid for the holidays!

Gap henley pocket dress:

Very merry, very red

Loft tuxedo stripe ponte dress:

Add some nautical blues to your holiday parties

Loft lace short sleeve shift dress:

I love this dress for New Year's Eve!

J.Crew tartan skirt:

Classic holiday look

Canvas French terry flecked dress:

Comfortable dress perfect for more casual holiday parties

Tommy Hilfiger tartan skirt:

Another tartan option

Old Navy ruffled crepe dress:

The ruffles add some fun to this LBD

Lilly Pulitzer virginia dress:

I love the pink and gold combination!

Tommy Hilfiger plaid shirt:

Love this plaid shirt! Not so crazy about the skirt it is paired with here