Ain't No Thing.

This made me laugh.  And it's all I have today. 

via the frisky

Birdlips.

Do you want to listen to Christmas music, but get sick of everything you've heard over and over again?  I've been listening to Pandora (don't really own Christmas music -- who knew?) and it seems to be a whole lot of the same thing after a while.

Birdlips has changed all of that for me.  Now I feel kind of cool listening to Christmas music -- didn't know that was possible. 

Go here to listen for yourself!

via refinery 29

Outfit Tuesdays: Holidaay.

Holidaay. by justagirlandherstuff featuring flat boots

There are ways to be festive, but not obvious.  I like something that isn't red per se, but still falls into the same family.  I'd be happy to wear this outfit around the holidays.  For sure.  

Beginners.

Run.  Go see Beginners immediately.  Seriously, it's that good!  I watched it twice in one day. 

Written and directed by Mike Mills (husband to Miranda July!), Beginners is partly based on his own story of how his father came out of the closet after his mother passed away.  But really it's about people trying to find love and not letting themselves get the in the way of their own happiness. 

It is a charming and sweet and delicate story that still feels fresh.

Go.

Now. 

[All the best films are Focus Features, yes?]

images via focus features

Friday!

The Nutcracker was fabulous, definitely better than last year.  And The Snow Queen DID NOT disappoint; in fact, neither did the Waltz of the Flowers.  I am now officially in the Christmas frame of mind, which I guess is good because it's a little over a week away.

I have some last minute gift stuffs to wrap up this weekend, a birthday party, and somes brunch.  Gotsa get those mimosas in -- I have a monthly quota, you know.  What are your plans for the weekend?  I hope it's filled with stars. 

Aaaaaaannnnnnddd I actually have links this week!  It's a Christmas miracle!

Without further ado, Friday Links, m'friends:

• A super great gift for Chicagoans.
• A reminder to live life at it's best: the top five regrets of the dying. 
• My friend, Gabe, fighting the good fight (and it looks like NPR wants to fight, too!).
• Speaking of NPR: 50 favorite albums of 2011. 
• And The New Yorker's 26 best films of 2011.  (I like me some retrospective lists.) 
• Since we're talking about movies... yo, yo, yo -- awards season is upon us! The Golden Globes nominees are out and I have A LOT of movies to see.
• Pumpkin Nutella Fudge Puddles.  'Nuff said. 
• A super purty holiday dress to wear before you eat all those pumpkin nutella fudge puddles.
• I'm sure you all already know, but Louis CK REALLY MAKES ME LAUGH and this video is so worth the $5.   
• Back off it, ladies.  Flowers in the Attic was my Twilight.  
• One last list: the best movies based on plays. 
  

image via pinterest

The Nutcracker!

Nothing gives me more holiday cheer than seeing The Nutcracker and I couldn't be happier that someone is willing to see it with me every year. [Hi, Katie!]  Tonight's the night and I couldn't be more excited. 

The Snow Queen has always been my favorite and I can't wait to see what the Joffrey does with it this year.  Who wants to bet I'll be teary-eyed? 

I'm a bit nervous because I've heard Waltz of the Flowers is a series of duets and trios as opposed to a large number, and I don't like when they do that.  Probably because I was always in the Waltz of the Flowers and the large number felt so pivotal to me.  There is so much build up in the music before that number and it only feels appropriate to see something grand parallel to the music. 

Whatever happens I'm sure I'll be filled with glee.  And more than happy to be that much closer to Christmas.  

images via time out chicago

A Place to Rest My Head.

I saw these pintuck pillows yesterday at Urban Outfitters and I can't get them out of my mind.  Especially since I saw them again (twice in one day!) on Down and Out Chic.  They look luxe and like they'd be a nice vintage touch to any living room or bedroom.   

Velvet!  Colors!  34!

And there are so many colors to choose from.  Which one would you choose?

image via down and out chic

Outfit Tuesdays: Black and Tan.

Black and Tan. by justagirlandherstuff featuring wedge boots

My internet wasn't working properly last night, so I threw this together this morning.  What do you think?

A Gift Idea.

What a wonderful Christmas gift!  You can make your own personal and custom view master for $25.

[Were they always called view masters??  I don't really remember that.] 

I'm not a gift guide girl (re: lazy), but I thought this would be such a great idea for a fun kid in your life, or just someone who appreciates nostalgia. 

Snow Weekend.

It's the first real snow of the season (quite late this year!).  And I can promise you I won't ever look this pretty running around in it.  Well, I don't usually make it a habit to run around in wedding gowns.  That's what that is, right?

Anyway, I'm linkless today because most of them are on my work computer and I forgot to send them home.  Next week, for sure!

Have a great weekend, pretty ladies!  Let's all go make some snow angels. 

image via pinterest

A Beauty in the Streets.

I am smitten with the black and brown combination.  This lady pulls it off so well because there are different variations of the same color, nothing is too matchy matchy.  Ya know, to use a technical term.

And the berry lips are just icing on the cake.

You know what else would look great with this outfit?  Those boots from yesterday! 

pinterest via the shiny squirrel

Never Gonna Happen.

Who wants to buy me a $500 pair of boots?

Frugal Outfit Tuesdays: Color Blocking.

Colorblocking. by justagirlandherstuff featuring platform sandals

What a weird combination of colors.  

I love it. 

My Brownie Disaster.

I attempted to make these ridiculously decadent brownies this weekend for my birthday party.  Yes, attempted.  Let's just say that chocolate goo tastes just as good.

In classic procrastinator-mode I didn't enter the grocery store until three hours before the party started.  I'm not sure what kind of goods Dominicks was handing out, but it seemed like the fire sale of the century.  I've never waited in line so long. 

Made it home.  Whipped them up and tossed them in the oven.  40 - 50 minutes I was told they'd be done.  Perfect.  One shower and a blowdry later we'd be good to go.  (I don't take fifty minute showers.)

Fast forward ninety minutes and I still had uncooked brownies.  HOT uncooked brownies.  I had ten minutes to deal with this catastrophe and get all the way across town for the party.  After screaming obscenities at my failed creation I decided to scoop it into my newly purchased glaadware to prove I had a reason to be late to my own birthday party.  A disappointing show-and-tell. 

When in doubt, throw on some sequins to distract everyone because no one really cared about the brownies, and had enough wine to dig at the goo. 

Friends: they're good for something. 

It's my birthday.

It's my birthday.

And I'll cry if I want to.

Seriously.

I've always wanted to be the girl who is so effortlessly chic about her birthday, but I have to come to terms with the fact that I'm not.  My birthday presents strong emotions that I don't feel any other time of the year and as much as I don't want to admit it, I'm a weirdo about my birthday.

It's something that came on later in life.  Though, it has very little to to do with age.  I've always wanted to be older than I am.  I'm the youngest of three and absolutely abhor when people refer to me as young, so I've waited a lifetime to be thirty (still a year away).

It's the pressure.  The idea of a "birthday" and how it needs to be So Much Fun.  I am fully aware that it is my own insecurities flying high that make me feel this way, but no other day makes me as crazy.  Unfortunately it's also the one day that people pay the most attention.  Me being crazy and people paying attention isn't necessarily the best combo.    

I refuse to let expectations get the best of me for my birthday.  In fact, I refuse to let expectations get the best of me this year.  I know that's slightly redundant, but this is my goal.  I fully recognize that my own unhappiness is in direct relation to my expectations.

This I shall change.

And next years birthday (30!!) will be the better for it.

photo via pinterest