{ gift guide } The Wanderlust

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)
World Traveler Mug, Kate Spade, $20
World Map Pillow, Ferm Living, $110
World Traveler Calendar, Anthropologie, $21.95
Jewelry Case, Lauren Merkin, $85
Patent Luggage Tag, Coach, $42
Paris Magnets, ModCloth, $11.99
Giselle Suitcase, Diane von Furstenberg, $121.99
Cartographer's Cultured Knob, Anthropologie, $10
Matryoshkas Measuring Cups, ModCloth, $14.99
Newbury Passport Cover, Lauren By Ralph Lauren, $48
Travel Tin Candle, Votivo, $11

{ giveaway } $45 CSN Gift Certificate

I know, I know, it's technically the season of giving. But who deserves a treat more than you? The generous team at CSN Stores is giving away a $45 gift certificate to one Style Obsession reader. This is the perfect time to pick up one of those leather messenger bags you've been aching for or a little something to spruce up your home. Here are a few of my favorites:

Pictured clockwise, starting from upper left: Dwell Studio Chinoiserie Pillow ($46.40); GEM Aluminum Push Pins ($4.22); Lazy Susan Finial Containers ($24 - $36); Twinkle Living Lego Pillow ($50); Lazy Susan Bird Container ($24); Nuance Waiter's Tools Decorative Olive Sticks ($19.95); Alessi Marli Bottle Opener ($27); DwellStudio Gate Java Coasters ($22.40)

{ Win a $45 gift certificate to CSN Stores! }

The Details
The entry period runs through Wednesday, December 8. The winner will be announced the following day. Note: CSN only ships to the United States and Canada.

Mandatory Entry
Become an official follower of Style Obsession via Google Friend Connect, Google Reader or Bloglovin'. You must leave your e-mail address or blog URL so I can get in touch with you if you win.

For Additional Entries
Leave a separate comment for each of the following:

• Blog about this giveaway (please provide link in a separate comment)
  
• Follow @style_obsession on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway (please provide link in a separate comment)

Friday Finds Under $50: Black Friday Edition

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)
Jewelry Fashions, Multi Chain Statement Necklace, $38
Chinti and Parker, Cotton-Jersey Dress, $48.75 (on sale)
Kate Spade, Larabee Dot Coin Purse, $50
Arden B., Glitter Pump, $34.30 (on sale)
White House Black Market, Crystal Button Earring, $28

Happy Thanksgiving!

{photo via DigsDigs}

Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!

And don't get trampled on Black Friday.

Tuesday Treats Under $20

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)
Forever21, Knit Dress, $12.50
J.Crew, Studded Anklets, $6.99 (on sale)
Forever21, Multi-Chained Beaded Necklace, $8.80
Avon, Wrapped Around Your Finger Ring, $9 each
PacSun, Pyramid Stud Earrings, $5.50 set of three

{ holiday 2010 } Twinkle Toes

What's the holiday season without a little sparkle? Nothing is more festive than kissing under mistletoe and clinking glasses of champagne in a pair of glittering shoes. Here's to a Cinderella moment this holiday. Cheers!

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)
Steve Madden, Caryssa Glitter Platform Pumps, $129
Kate Spade, Charm Heels, $325
Kate Spade, Flash Ballet Flats, $125
Gap, Glitter Ballet Flats, $49.50
Badgley Mischka, Kiss Kiss Heels, $200
Miu Miu, Glitter Oxford, $585
Arden B., Glitter Pump, $34.30 (on sale)

{ inspiration board } Mad for Plaid

Perhaps it's the centuries-long tradition of tartan, or just the well-styled J.Crew fall collection, but there's no denying the classic appeal of plaid.

{ fast facts }

• "The English word tartan is derived from the French tiretain. This French word is probably derived from the verb tirer in reference to woven cloth." {source}
  
  
• "The word plaid, derived from the Scottish Gaelic plaide, meaning "blanket," was first used of any rectangular garment, sometimes made up of tartan, particularly that which preceded the modern kilt. In time, plaid was used to describe blankets themselves." {source}
  
  
• "Tartan may be mostly associated with Scotland, however the earliest evidence of tartan is found far afield from the British Isles ... some of them were recently discovered remarkably preserved in Salzburg, Austria." {source}
  
  
• "It has been estimated that there are about 3,500 to 7,000 different tartans, with around 150 new designs being created every year. With four ways of presenting the hues in the tartan – modern, ancient, weathered and muted colours – there are thus between about 14,000 recognized tartan variations to choose from." {source}
  
  

{ shopping list }

Leave the flannel shirts to the men. Add a dose of plaid to your closet through undeniably feminine silhouettes like this dress - perfect for work and holiday soirees. A glam clutch or classic pumps can subtly enhance your ensemble. You can even add a touch of tartan to your make-up bag with eyeshadow stamped with the iconic print.

{inspiration images via Desktop Nexus, The Independent, Market Publique, Harper's Bazaar, The Fashion-y Blog}

Holiday Giving

A few months ago, I was strolling through the aisles of our local hardware store and stopped in my tracks. I was confronted with rows of tinsel, smiling Santas and glitzy ornaments. It was 80 degrees outside and I was still wearing shorts. But you know what? I loved it. I can't get enough of premature holiday celebration.

When Aimee of Chic 'n Cheap Living asked me to be part of her Blogger Holiday Gift Guide, I jumped at the chance. After all, I've had visions of sugarplums dancing in my head since August.

{ Fit for a Fashion Fiend }

1. Crate and Barrel, Crystal Beaded Pillow, $49.95
2. Kate Spade, Jingle Bells Key Fob, $50
   
3. Jayson Home & Garden, Scaled Leather Bottle Opener, $16
   
4. Janna Conner Designs, Handcuff Necklace, $40.50
   
5. Juicy Couture, Flower Cocktail Ring, $78
   
6. Modcloth, Gazing at Giza Dress, $67.99
   
7. J.Crew, Sequin Minaudière, $128
   
8. Kate Spade, "This Year I Will" Idiom Bangle, $48
   
9. Wendy Mink Jewelry, Chain Tassel Dangles, $105
   
10. Hermes, Twilly, $130
    
11. Anthropologie, 100 Years of Fashion Illustration, $40
    
12. Emily Elizabeth Jewelry, Shimmer Star Stud Earrings, $70

See the Blogger Holiday Gift Guide
at Chic 'n Cheap Living!

Tuesday Treats Under $20

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)

Forever21, Slubbed Snap Button Tunic, $17.80
Target, Beaded Coin Purse, $10
Forever21, Rhinestone Elastic Bracelet, $13.80
Forever21, Glimmer Duo Ring Set, $4.80
Forever21, Suedette Heels, $18.80

Status Update

When I started this blog, I never expected it to be a source of support in a desperate time of need. Thank you. I'm grateful for the sweet comments, Tweets and e-mails over the past week - I can't even begin to tell you how much each one means to me. I promise to respond to everyone, but it is taking longer than expected. I can only get through one or two a day without breaking down.

That's precisely what's hard about this situation: I never know when I'm going to be left sobbing. I'll brush my teeth and let my mind wander. The next thing I know, my face is twisted in pain and tears are streaming down my cheeks.

And, let me tell you, it's been hard to keep myself distracted every minute of every day. I spent most of the weekend curled up in pajamas, clutching a cozy throw and sipping coffee. I've made it through countless crossword puzzles, read two books and learned the lyrics to a new C.D. When I ventured out, I wandered aimlessly throughout stores and purchased a bracelet I didn't need. I haven't been able to eat and have lost five pounds in the past week - not exactly the weight-loss kickoff I expected.

But, I am doing better. I just never thought I'd be this excited for the dawn of another work week and the salvation it brings.

{ winner } KM2 Shoes

Congratulations to Emmett Katherine of Love of Lace!

Thank you all for entering - your continued support and readership make these giveaways possible! And my sincerest thanks to KM2 Shoes for sponsoring this giveaway!

If you'd like to partner with Style Obsession on a giveaway, please e-mail JessicaStyleObsession@gmail.com.

Breaking Up

You all have been an amazing support group and I feel like I owe it to you to explain why I'm suddenly absent from the blog. Nate and I ended things just shy of our four-year anniversary. I'm a wreck. I can't breathe. I feel like everything is crumbling around me. And I'm even hesitant to post this because it makes it all more real. It would have been easier if we fought, but we didn't. We're still in love with each other, but neither one of us thinks we're "the one" for each other. He's perfect. Just not perfect for me. And I really wish he was.

I can't stop crying.

Friday Finds Under $50

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)

ModCloth, A New Angle Dress, $49.99
ASOS, Aviator Sunglasses, $20.69
Rebecca Minkoff, Loop Bracelet, $48
Gorjana, Westerly Stud Earring, $35
Arden B., Glitter Pump, $34.30 (on sale)

{ giveaway } KM2 Shoes

Not only is Katelyn Gelber of KM2 Shoes one of the sweetest girls I know, she's also one of the most generous. I'm sure you all remember the shoes we swooned over yesterday. Well, one lucky girl is going to win a pair of KM2 Shoes in the style of her choice!

The Details
Open to everyone - even international readers! The entry period runs through Friday, November 12. The winner will be announced the following day.

Mandatory Entry
Browse the KM2 Shoes website and tell me which pair you'd love to own! You must leave your e-mail address or blog URL so I can get in touch with you if you win.

For Additional Entries
Leave a separate comment for each of the following:

• Become an official follower of Style Obsession via Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin' or via Google Reader
• Follow the KM2 Shoes blog
  
• Blog about this giveaway (please provide link in a separate comment)
  
• Follow Style Obsession on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway (please provide link in a separate comment)

{ meet the brand } KM2 Shoes

The old woman who lived in a shoe would have been blessed to take up residence inside a pair of KM2 pumps, appropriately dubbed "shoes to live in." And I must say that I agree with the sentiment. The brand is bursting with pairs ready for your next urban adventure.

{ Meet the Designer }
Katelyn Gelber of KM2 Shoes

{ Tell us about yourself and KM2 Shoes }

"Hi! My name is Katelyn Young Gelber. I am from St. Louis, Missouri - born and raised. I spent some time on the East Coast and now live on the West Coast. I am loving it. I am one of three sisters (Megan and Mattison) and 1/3 owner of Km2. We also have a brother, Parker Gelber. We got started in a UCLA marketing class. It really began when our professor noticed a passion for fashion in us and said, 'Hey, why not go for it! The first step gets you half way there.' So we took the first step and a year and half later, here we are. Its all truly by the Grace of God, every sister would agree."

{ Where do you find inspiration? }

"My sister Megan is actually creative director of the company so this is really more her question, but we all do have some say in the design room. We are really inspired by people. We are inspired by strong women, whether that be public figures or even fictional characters. We are inspired by boldness and a zest for life, we think of women in wonderful life situations and try to build our shoes around that situation and into that situation. Does that make sense? We like to have a story for every shoe. With that being said, of course we are continually inspired by traveling and culture and runway collections by our favorite designers."

{ What surprised you about designing shoes? }

"We were surprised by how many possibilities there are. You think to yourself, 'Well, shoes are shoes,' but they are so much more. I mean, we start with our shoes when we get ready for the day! The shoes are the focal point and we build our outfits around them. You can have a classic shoe and mix fabrics and embellishments to make such a statement. There are endless ideas when it comes to art for your feet, I would say the hardest part is stopping ourselves from going crazy and creating hundreds of styles that would overwhelm our clients."

{ Do you have a favorite pair? }

"My favorite shoe is the Audrey. I like it every which way. I like it in snake or nude or basic black. I love bows! I love bows plain and I love them with jewels. I have three different versions of the Audrey and they are perfect for work and then paired with a black dress to go out at night. They are oh so classy and oh so versatile. Megan designed them."

{ The Review }

When Katelyn, co-owner of KM2 Shoes, and I first started chatting, I was struck by her sheer enthusiasm and zest for life - qualities that are reflected in the line of wearable, sassy footwear.

I chose the Gloria pair for its striking mix of vintage embellishments and strappy chains. I will admit that I was a little intimidated by the long chains when I lifted the shoes from the box. It took a little finesse and patience to wrap them up my ankle! But this is precisely why KM2 Shoes is unique: there's room for creativity and customization. I opted to wrap the chains under the arch of the shoe, and the chains on the Venus pair are shown draped over the heel.

The attention to detail isn't just reserved for the shoes. You know that I'm smitten with packaging and KM2 didn't let me down. The package itself was wrapped in brown craft paper and hand-stamped with my address.

A deep purple ribbon adorned the box - testament to Katelyn's love of bows, I'm sure! But it also speaks to the brand's target market: a woman who is effortless, carefree and confident - and a woman who treats herself. The shoes range from $200 to $300 per pair. When you consider that the shoes are leather, durable, comfortable and hand-embellished, the price tag does becomes more reasonable for a special pair of Cinderella-esque shoes!

Love 'em? Giveaway announcement soon!

Tuesday Treats Under $20

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)

Madewell, Corded Sketch Tank, $19.99
Kenneth Jay Lane, Bamboo Metal Bracelet, $16
Forever21, Glistening Leaf Connector Ring, $4.80
Banana Republic, Paper Wind Stud, $16.99
Target, Wrap, $12.99
Banana Republic, Zip Key Fob, $19.50

The Great Pumpkin

This year was devoid of Halloween shenanigans: no trick-or-treaters came to call and no soirees were thrown. Instead, we celebrated by dining on pumpkin pie and carving jack o'lanterns. Hope you had a spooky holiday!

Outfit Notes: Jeans - Joe's Jeans; Tee - J.Crew; Earrings - Jess LC