{ wearing } Kate Spade Sequined Pumps

It's time to give the glittery Kate Spade pumps the attention they deserve. I knew they'd be great, but not this great. I can't wait to wear them to every holiday gathering and each sorta-festive-get-together this season. (I'm not picky. I can make anything a celebration.)

Right now, they're barely over $100 on Amazon and many sizes are still available (as if you needed more of a reason to add them to your wish list). I normally wear either a size 7 or 7.5 (really, I'm more of a 7.25) and Kate Spade shoes fit best in a 7. I don't have any problems with the slingback slipping as I walk.

Reminder: Enter to win earrings from Alexandra Hunt!

{ tuesday treat under $25 }

A fuchsia clutch is just the thing to perk up your wardrobe and add a much-needed dose of whimsy to your crimson holiday sweaters.

Reminder: Enter to win earrings from Alexandra Hunt!

{ gift guides }

This year's gift guides have started at Bedknobs & Baubles. Who's on your hard-to-shop-for list? Let me know and I'll see what I can do to help you out! Check out the guides for:

• The Traveler
• The Beach Babe
• The Elegant Entertainer
• The Whimsical Woman
  

Truth be told, I've fallen for the earrings above. What's topping your own holiday wish list?

{ deadline extended }

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and escaped Black Friday unscathed! Since giveaways tend to be overlooked with pumpkin pie on the horizon, I'm extending the Alexandra Hunt giveaway another week. These earrings are simple enough for everyday wear, but would also make an elegant holiday gift for someone special this year.

Enter Here

{ happy thanksgiving }

Happy Thanksgiving!

{ as seen on bedknobs & baubles }

{ Amrita Singh earrings - and my photo on her Facebook wall! }

As a Type A, detail-oriented, planning personality, I don't like being ill-prepared for the holidays - especially when the season seems to come earlier and earlier each year. Much of last week was spent with the holidays in mind: purchasing special culinary touches and rediscovering cocktail-ready jewels. Here's what you may have missed last week on Bedknobs & Baubles.

{ over-indulging on gourmet spices }

{ new additions to my vintage ornament collection }

{ mixing a cozy sweater with a bejeweled bracelet }

{ cocktail hour with craft bitters }

{ tuesday treat under $25 }

A striking pair of cobalt tassel earrings ($14.38) adds the finishing touch to your soiree ensemble.

{ win it } Alexandra Hunt Earrings

The season of giving is right around the corner, which means it's still time to be selfish. You can start by entering to win a pair of drop earrings courtesy of Alexandra Hunt Trading, a company that specializes in global-inspired accessories and textiles. Wouldn't the labradorite drops look elegant with your coziest winter sweater? I thought so.

Mandatory entry:

1. Like Alexandra Hunt Trading on Facebook and leave a note saying "Style Obsession" sent you. Come back and leave a comment here when you're finished!
   

Note: Leave a separate comment for each additional entry for it to be eligible.

1. Become an official follower of Style Obsession - new followers always welcome! Sign up at the right via Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', or by RSS. Just let me know how you follow.
   
   
2. Blog about this giveaway and leave the URL in your comment.
   
   
3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in your comment. Be sure to mention @alexandrahunt.

The Fine Print: Giveaway open to ALL readers. The giveaway period will run through Sunday, November 27, 2011. The winner will be announced the following day. Be sure to leave a blog URL or e-mail address so I can contact you!

{ twinkle toes }

After all of that handbag debate, what did I do? I spent half of my "free" gift cash on this pair of sparkly Kate Spade pumps. As I read through your comments, I still couldn't decide on what I wanted to do, which made me wonder if a handbag was really the best option for me. But once I stumbled across these playful party shoes, I had no doubt that they were the right choice: special and easy to wear. It certainly didn't hurt that the shoes were on sale, leaving me with another $150 to spend.

{ friday finds under $50 }

This is exactly what I'd like to wear each weekend: cozy with a little bit of glitz and glam.

1. Faux Fur Stole, Topshop, $40
2. Evening Fog Sweater, Modcloth, $47.99
3. Drop Earrings, Sabine, $26
4. Glitter Purse, J.Crew, $59.50 $49.50
   

{ this or that }

Over the last year, I've saved gift money to use toward something ridiculously indulgent - and now I'm looking for just the right item. I've narrowed it down to two bags. While this is hardly a problem, I'm a bit torn over which one to splurge on.

In the left corner, we have a Diane von Furstenberg minaudiere ringing in at $285.

Pros:

• Elegant
• Eliminates the need for another evening clutch for a long time
• Smitten with navy and gold
  
• Makes my heart go pitter patter

Cons:

• Will use sparingly
• Tiny - just the right size for lipstick, iPhone, cash, and not much else
  

On the right, a Kate Spade handbag coming in at $295.

Pros:

• Gorgeous color
• Practical
• Daytime appropriate
• Will use often
  

Cons:

• It doesn't feel like a splurge since it's so practical
• Slim - how much will actually fit in it for daytime?
  

What do you think? Or do you have another suggestion in the $300 range?

Check out a holiday gift guide for the Beach Babe over at Bedknobs & Baubles.

{ announcing } Bedknobs & Baubles

I've been a little absent around here and that's because of one very exciting reason: I've been working on a new blog, Bedknobs & Baubles.

Don't worry, Style Obsession isn't going away anytime soon, but lately I felt guilty for posting anything that strayed from the "style" portion of this blog's title. I needed a blog that would give me more flexibility - and an easier platform to work with. And thus, Bedknobs & Baubles was born.

I hope you'll visit and check out the first gift guide of the season!

{ winner } $50 NOVICA gift card

Congratulations, Ami, you've won a $50 gift card to NOVICA! And a special thanks to NOVICA for sponsoring this giveaway.

Thank you to everyone for following and entering to win. We have more giveaways in the works for the holidays!

{ friday finds under $50 }

I normally don't wear yellow, but I'd give the sunny hue a whirl in this dress. It's simple enough to dress down with loafers on the weekend, yet chic enough to pair with sky-high heels.

1. Boatneck Dress, Mango, $49.90
2. Midas Sphere Bib, Bauble Bar, $36
3. Lipstick, Kate Spade, $24
4. Pumps, Nine West, $89 $49.99
   

{ tuesday treat under $25}

In an effort to adhere to a "quality over quantity" mindset, I'd like to choose just one fantastic Tuesday Treat Under $25, instead of a handful of mediocre ones. This week, I'm smitten with this Kate Spade mug at $20. Morning coffee has never been so chic.

{ wear it } bright pants

Bright pants are intimidating and it's hard to invest in a pair when the trend might not be for you. Luckily, Old Navy has a pair of cropped fuchsia trousers you can purchase for a song at $18 (and if you buy them before the end of the day on 11/8/11, you can use the code "ONFRIENDS" for an additional 30% off).

How to wear them? Just add two classic pieces: a tan sweater and a pair of leopard print loafers. Finish the outfit with a handbag you invested in. I like this classic Willis Bag by Coach - and I imagine it'll just get better with age.

{ friday fancies }

While I was running errands this afternoon, I was bombarded with Christmas music: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Jingle Bell Rock. (Okay, sure, I may have wrapped a couple of gifts this afternoon, but I'm still not ready to spend the next two months submersed in holiday cheer.) Thank goodness for the warm weather escape over at Long Distance Loving today. AV has partnered with Lilly Pulitzer for a "My Friday's Fancies" featuring the brand's signature resort wear. Here's what I'd pack in my fantasy suitcase:

1. Taytay Dress, Lilly Pulitzer, $178
2. Plunge-Front Swimsuit, Karla Colletto, $245
3. Coral Siesta Necklace, Lilly Pulitzer, $58
4. Coral Sunburst Earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane, $117
5. Red Coral Ring, Jamie Joseph, $1,200
6. Espadrille Wedges, Paloma Barcelo, $270

Reminder: Enter to win a $50 gift card to NOVICA!

{ outfitted }

I've been awfully picky with my purchases lately, only choosing quality items that I'm head-over-heels for and passing on the inexpensive quick fix. Take these leopard print flats, for example. Sure, they were a bit of a splurge at $225, but I've worn the pair nearly every day since I purchased them. I want my closet to be filled with pieces like this; well-made staples that look appropriate at the office and can be toned down on the weekend with an oversize sweater.

Outfit Notes: Sweater- J.Crew; Necklace - J.Crew; Jeans- Levi's; Bag - Rebecca Minkoff; Shoes - Kate Spade

{ introducing } Anjolee

Why stop at one ring when you can layer on the jewels? Sometimes the best part of fashion is reveling in excess, especially when you're stacking rings from our latest sponsor, Anjolee. Outfitted with gemstones, an anniversary ring is a beautiful addition to a stack of layered rings. A few of my favorite anniversary rings are featured above, but an ultra-indulgent diamond anniversary ring is an enticing option too.

{images via 1, 2, 3}
{ post sponsored by Anjolee, but opinions within are not influenced }

{ bon voyage } washington d.c.

After five days, six museums, hundreds of photo opps and countless memorials, D.C. left me both exhausted and incredibly satisfied. Our itinerary was overflowing with must-see activities and while we made it to many of the items that topped our list, we barely scratched the surface of what D.C. has to offer. Here are just a few snapshots from our vacation.

{some photos courtesy of Dave}