New Bag-itis.

Well, well, well.  Isn't she a beaut?  At $53 I just may have to make her mine!

I'm a sucker for a cross-body bag; I just don't feel comfortable if I'm not hands-free.  It's like I have to be Ready for Anything just in case.  But let's face it, Anything doesn't ever really happen to me.  But it sure does make it easier to catch up on Twitter on my phone while holding on in a crowded bus.  You know, because that's what my life is like.  Don't hate the player, hate the game.

Wow.

Sorry. 

It seems to be the perfect size.  Normally I'm carrying a larger bag and end up shoving it full o' crap.  I NEVER need two magazines at once, why do I carry them around??  Maybe this one will give my back a break. 

And I like that it would be a chocolately brown against my black coat.  It's the little things. 

Outfit Tuesdays: Before It's Too Cold.

Before It's Too Cold. by justagirlandherstuff featuring summer handbags

This is my favorite season to dress.  Before it gets too cold and you have to bring out the sleeping bag coats, but just cold enough that it's apropos to wear leggings and bundle.  

I would like each piece of this outfit, thankyouverymuch.  Aren't those boots just killer?  And that bag?  Yes, please!

Paradise City.

Y'all!  My trip was relaxing and beautiful, and everything I hoped it would be.  Seriously, look at it!

The water was such a beautiful green-blue (not properly captured by my iPhone, of course).  The weather was perfect in the 70s, but the water remained too cold except for the crazies -- aka the kids and their devoted father.  I don't know how they did it!  Especially after the jellyfish we saw.

The sunsets were a sight to see.  That, and the bike ride with all eight of us.  Unfortunately I don't have a picture of that.  We played cards, tossed the football around (who knew my sister threw such a hard spiral?!), drank wine, and watched Charlie Brown.  It was magical.  Also: We are not the Cleavers, I promise.

  The sand was so white!  The whitest I've ever seen in person.  It was amazing how fast the temperature would drop once the sun went down and the sand would become shockingly cold.  Non sequitur: we saw two dolphins!

On the last night we celebrated my birthday (it's this Thursday) and Bronson was very excited about the birthday cake.  He made sure to tell me to make a wish, but NOT say it out loud =)

 I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!

I had planned on popping in last Thursday with an "I'm Grateful" post, but the house didn't have wifi, so my laptop became a stowaway.  Thanks for enduring the silence.

I do want you to know that I am very grateful for all of you.  Very grateful!

Leaving on a Jet Plane.

If the pinner was correct, this is where I will be this week.  I CANNOT WAIT!  By the time you read this, I'll be on a plane impatiently counting the hours until I arrive.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving, friends!  I hope you're able to spend it with family and friends and eat as much mashed potatoes as possible.  (They've always been my favorite.  I told the kids that I get half of them and everyone else gets to split the other half.  They think I'm kidding.) 

Catch you on the flipside, yo. 

Holiday! Celebrate!

I think Buster needs a Christmas present.  It's a Buddy the Elf hat!

Happy Friday, friends!  I'm very excited this week is over becausszzzzzzzz I am TAKING THE ENTIRE WEEK OFF next week!!  EEEEeeeee.  Think of me fondly while I'm basking in the warmth of Florida next week.  I'm so supah excited. 

What are your Thanksgiving plans?  We'll be making Thanksgiving dinner in a rental house, so send us good vibes for decent utensils and pots/pans.  Thankfully my parents will be able to drive there, so most important goods can come with them.  Like nine bottles of wine. 

Please excuse my absence next week while I take it easy.  Oh so easy. 

In the meantime, Friday Links:

• The weather forecast for my trip next week (simply because I want to brag).
• This creamy avocado pasta is quite possibly the easiest/fastest dinner I've ever made. 
• These boots are so casually rocker awesome and I want, want, want them. 
• Want some Christmas inspiration?  Next week IS the official start of the season.
• A hilarious yet spot-on description of the constant prejudices that still show up ALL THE TIME in our movies. 
• Oh my god!  This is my life, but only in better words. 
• A jaw-dropping article regarding animals and suicide.  (Also: Have I told you I'm terrified of whales?)
• A classy leather alternative to the ubiquitous Longchamp bag. 

Remember.

I cannot stop thinking about this since I first saw it. 

Lovely Lace.

DEAR GOD.  This is a dream wedding dress. 

The lace!  The back!  That sash!  And who paid someone off to have her veil blow in the wind like that?

Absolute perfection.

Jessie from the long and short of it

Outfit Tuesdays: Too Much Fun.

Too Much Fun. by justagirlandherstuff featuring a black quilted handbag

Too much?  Never!

Scarves!

If you've even just barely glanced at this blog since its inception you'd know that I'm obsessed with scarves.  And now it's Official Scarf Season!  Scarves like these are the only thing that'll temper a cool windchill.  Well, the only thing that will also make me smile.  Anything to keep away the SADs, right??

This Long Fantasy Fur Scarf is just the right amount of ridiculous.  At least I think so. 

This bright pop of color will help keep you cheery through the early dark nights.

My favorite!  A fun animal print that remains classy.  Plus, everything is made better with fringe.

This one may be TOO ridiculous, but I couldn't not post it just in case someone else thought it was adorable.

Pure Magic.

A copy of this photo was given to me by my first acting professor on the first day of college.  Hilariously enough I can't remember what he had written on it (stupid memory ruining my anecdote).  Perhaps imagination is real?  Or something like that.  Blerg.  [Anyone reading have Ric Murphy and know what I'm talking about??]

ANYWAY.

It always manages to make me smile when I run across it. 

The pinner says it's "the moment the dragon is slain, Guignol puppet show, Paris, 1963 photographer: Alfred Eisenstaed."  Whatever it is, it is pure magic.  

via pinterest

Teal Dreams.

What a simple and lovely dress.  A perfect Thanksgiving dress, yes?  (Especially since you could adjust the drawstring post-gorging.)

And it's $74!

via Down and Out Chic

Outfit Tuesdays: Stripes and Comey.

Stripes and Comey. by justagirlandherstuff featuring black sunglasses

Stripes and Rachel Comey: the ultimate blogger outfit.  

Unexpected Girl Crush.

It's been a while since I've done a Girl Crush post and I guess this seemed like the right time.  I know I will be going against some folks of mine who don't agree, but a girl must do what she thinks is right, yes?

I'd be lying if I said I was always on Kirsten Dunst's side.  As a woman who doesn't like to admit her inability to be on other women's sides, this is no easy task.  Sorry.  There was something about her that grated on me.

BUT.  I saw and re-saw and re-saw and re-saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and wasn't she GREAT in that movie??  She seriously was so great in that movie.  Er, but that's not my point.

What I like best about Ms. Dunst is her ability to be true to who she is.  Remember when she took some time to take care of her mental health?  Yes, I remember.  And I respect her greatly for it.  I also really love that she refused to change her snaggly smile (which I'm sure many folks in the biz probably advised her against).  There is something about how she manages to be who she is: a child actress turned full-time, yet she refuses to beat the Hollywood drum, and that captivates me.

There is talent.  There is heart.  There is a human there that I can respect.  And that, my friends, creates a girl crush.

Friday!

I was a busy girl this week and had a late meeting at work last night, so I'm terrifically under-prepared for Friday Links.  Soooooo... I figured I'd let you ponder on this thought over the weekend. 

How magnanimous of me, right?

Have a fun weekend, friends!

via pinterest

The Lady and the Tiger.

Without the tiger. 

Sorry.  I was really reaching with that title.  That's what happens when you pretend to be an adult and exercise, do laundry, and dishes all before trying to blog.  Woe is me, right? 

Anyway.   

What a pretty lady in a perfect fall outfit.  Thank you, Refinery29, for showing me her ways. 

Now.  Where do you think she got this coat?

Two Tone.

I so rarely use a clutch, but they always pop out at me.  This one is especially dreamy, don't you think?  It's the perfect neutral while not being blah at all.  You know, blah being a technical fashion term. 

Oh, and yeah.  Did I mention that it's on sale for $32?  Go forth and conquer!  Or just rock a fabulous bag.  Whichever.

Frugal Outfit Tuesdays: November.

November. by justagirlandherstuff featuring square stud earrings

This one popped up on me, but I remembered to make it "frugal" at the last minute.  Thank god, RIGHT?  What would you do without Frugal Outfit Tuesdays??

Kidding aside, here you go.


It's actually November.  Does that creep anyone else out?