Spiked Punch

Crushing on these tribal inspired cuffs from Pamela Love. 

Available in Bone, Black, and Clear Resin

How great would these look stacked with some more classic bangles or even something ultra girlie with sparkle? Would be so fun to have something with edge to spice things up.


Could be a great addition to the wish list....


xo
Erin 

Starting to Get Jolly Around Here

Finally settled back into reality after a fantastic break on the beach, I decided to start the holidays off yesterday. I will be hosting Christmas this year and decided there is no time like the present to get things started. Let me just be clear that decorating for a holiday is not usually my forte, but I am trying a bit more now that I have the responsibility to bring on the cheer and all. 

So here are my first attempts at a few, easy ways to bring on the jolly. 

Tiny star garland (Target) and big round bulbs (Ikea) on a mini tree in the entry...

Note: Real tree, but just a little guy

 Branches (Ikea) and garland (the real deal) in the kitchen nook....

Filled my usual flower vases by the entry with some cheap ornaments (Ikea), bead garland (Ikea) and costume pearls (mine), plus spruced up the back with some leftover greens and branches (more like shoved, but it turned out pretty good). 

Things really got crazy when I filled this silver champagne chiller with metallic ornaments (Ikea) and some strands of LED lights (Ikea). Kind of obsessed with it. Not so much because it is so gorgeous, but because it made me feel clever, which rarely happens. 

So far, it is starting to feel like the holidays, and I like it. 


xoxo
Erin 

Weekend Wishes

I am leaving you for the holiday week. I am sorry you will not be hearing from me, but this girl needs a week off and some sun. Before I head off to the Sunshine State, I have a quick stop off in Minneapolis for the baby shower of my best friend. I am counting the seconds before my flight, because although it will be cold there, I am dying to see her and celebrate her upcoming babe. 

A lot of my wishes this week revolve around food and rest, not shocking in my state....

Stone crab claws in Florida are a serious treat and I plan to down quite a few. Nothing better when they are fresh from the ocean. 


How amazing are those little cookies? Obviously made by a professional and I want one right now. 


I wish is to savor every page of Mindy Kaling's new book. I am a huge fan of the office and of her. From what I have read so far, it will be the perfect beach read. 


Mocktail, schmocktail, I wish it was a real margarita. But in the mean time, this Ginger Lime recipe looks delicious and easy. You can always add tequila or vodka to yours. 


Finally, I wish that you all have the best of Thanksgivings with whomever you happen to celebrate with. 


Be back in a week! 
xo
Erin  

Let's Hear it for the Boys

While we are all fully aware and surrounded by all the amazing fundraising and awareness about women's health issues, men's health issues do not get the same attention. 

They do not have a color to represent them, a celebrity spokesperson or even something that can define the movement. 

But wait, you may have been seeing them pop up over the years around this time of year. In the office, on the train, possibly in your own home. Yes, that is right, the mustache. 

The symbol that has been chosen as the awareness tool for men's cancer is that lovely facial hair made so famous by the always dashing Tom Selleck.  

What a fox. While not every guy can look like Tom, I think it is one of the most creative campaigns I have seen in a long time. 

Movember is the campaign to raise money for prostate cancer research and awareness. Men all over the world are growing mustaches (some better than others) and raising money for the cause. 

I have the privilege of being related to one of the champions of the campaign. My brother now grows one of these babies as much as his fiance will bear. 

Lucky girl, right? All kidding aside, my brother worked hard last year to grow that mustache and raise a ton of money for a great cause.


While I can never get used to the mustaches, I do love seeing them pop up around town. What a clever way to get people involved and have a good laugh about it at the same time.


If you are interested in donating for the cause, please click here. Every dollar counts and you have to say that growing those mustaches are worth at least a few dollars, right?


Being the girl that I am, I had to do some mustache shopping. There are some pretty cute things out there that could make a great gift for your Movember man or as a way to show your support.

1. Mustache pillow case set 2. Mustache mug 3. Ray Ban wearing mustache ring 4. Movember Toms (proceeds go to Movember) 5. Mister Movember print

Happy Movember! 

xo

Erin 

Getting Etsy with Antlers

I am loving these painted antlers from MadebyCassandraSmith on Etsy. 

The pop of color and metallic paint give this otherwise already great addition to a vignette or bookshelf that much cooler. 

Could make a fun gift for someone that loves unique pieces for their place. Or just for you to enjoy on top of your favorite collection of vintage books. 

For those DIY'ers, with some paint, painters tape and a little time, this could easily be done by you. Great way to create a fun project with a flea market find. 

PS: They are all "naturally shed" antlers, so no worries on where they came from. 

xo

Erin 

A Little Sweetness

I am really feeling the love from everyone after yesterday's post. Thank you so much for the support and well wishes. The little babe is loving the attention, I can tell from all the extra kicks today.  

Something else that gets me excited are the Courtin-Clarins girls. These ladies are always crushing it and I worship their put-together, yet bohemian style. 

I am especially loving their mary janes at a recent Louis Vuitton opening. The black and white are freaking amazing. That is the best way to describe them, even though it is not very eloquent. 

And while you can purchase them at Louis Vuitton, the price tag might be a bit much. Ok, a lot. Although I am keeping them on my wish list. 

There are a few choices out there that are much more closer to earth, and possibly your closet. 

1. Wide bow with platform Miu Miu $540

2. T-strap mary janes Tibi $436

3. Tap shoes Pour La Victoire $107

4. Platform peep toe mary janes Sam Edelman $60

5. Metallic pump ASOS $64 

Kind of dying over the flats, they look just like the tap shoes I sported 20 years ago. So sweet. 

xo

Erin 

Secrets and Capes

I think it is time I spilled the beans on something. I have been struggling a bit with how this secret will be a part of my life here on Imperfect Polish, and I still have no answers. So I thought the best way to share it was to show how even with this secret, my life and this blog will still be about everything I love in beauty, home, travel and fashion. 

And maybe just a bit about how those aspects of my life might change in about four months. 

So far, it has drastically changed my wardrobe choices, but luckily I have some great pieces that are classic and perfect for Fall. 

Like my favorite camel cape.... 

Soon there will be no hiding it, and I strive to look just like Stella here.....

So yes... I am expecting. The little guy is due in March and I am beyond excited. Putting it out there in the cyber-universe is a bit scary, but I love my readers and know that it was time to share. 

Expecting or not, camel capes are kind of my favorite thing right now. Great for expanding waist lines, but really perfect for anyone looking to warm up a bit and channel Jackie O circa 1978. 

1. Cable knit sweater cape Marc Jacobs $298

2. Long, herringbone cape L'agence $425

3. Sweater collar cape Cole Haan $775

4. Military style cape Larry Levine $99

5. Cape with black piping  J. Crew $200

6. Long, flutter sleeved cape Ann Taylor $248

7. Trench cape New York & Co. $62

So now you know my secret and why my fashion choices might be a bit roomier and possibly stretchy, but I am trying my hardest to stay as chic as possible. 

But as Rachel Zoe said on her show when 8 months pregnant, "I am really testing the limits of my zippers..." And that is a serious understatement. 

xoxo

Erin 

Be Back Soon!

As I reported on Monday, I was slated for jury duty. But instead I wound up in jail, Apple jail....


After a full day of updating and trying to get all my devices up to date and running on something described as a "cloud," my new laptop stopped cooperating. 


My level of frustration has grown to a new high and it is time to bring in the experts.  


Hopefully my hiatus will be brief, but I promise to have great new posts waiting for when I get back. 


I will let you know when I reconnect with the cyber world over Facebook. So make sure to "like" me. 


Thought this photo would put me in a better state of mind as I would rather have my toes there than here right now. 


xoxo
Erin 

12 Lovely Women, 1 Angry Woman

The weekend is over and the jury summons that I received a couple of weeks ago is staring at me. I have to report for duty tomorrow morning and not knowing my judicial fate is stressing me out. The thought of sitting in a room for eight hours waiting for my name to be called sounds like a great way to go insane.

So to keep me happy this morning (and stress free) I made my favorite tea and decided to pick my twelve favorite looks from the weekend. While I am the one angry woman, and will be even more so if I get assigned to a long trial, these twelve look chic and that have nothing to be angry about. 

Starting with the best of the best, Kate B....

Miranda makes the list purely based on the best accessory ever, Flynn's blushed cheeks. I mean, do you die over that face or what?


How cute are Reese and Kate? Loving both of their dresses for an event in LA.


J Lo makes the cut twice, which is rare since her style is not always my taste. I love the day look with fur collar and tightly pulled bun. Perfect for the chilly weekend.


Hopefully I will be writing you tomorrow, or the next day, or the next, but who knows. My fate is in the hands of the Cook County Court. Better jury duty than jail, but doesn't it kind of feel like the same thing?


xo
Erin

Weekend Wish: Booty-licious

The bootie has become a statement and staple piece that is worth getting into. They are not just super cute, but come in a crazy amount of styles and are ridiculously versatile. 

With tights. Under jeans. To work. With leggings. Under a long skirt. With a dress. Out for dinner. With cropped jeans. Under wide leg trousers. To a cocktail party. Over jeggings. With a skirt......

What's not to love? Just swap out your favorite pair of pumps or flats and you have instantly updated your go-to look or made one of your new ones even more fetching. 

ps: I had to throw in one comfy pair I found because they looked like the perfect way to look great when the weather is not. 

1. Suede Platform with laces Elizabeth & James $395

2. White toe and black leather Alexander Wang $639

3. Wedge desert boot Michael Kors $295 (have these in suede, love them!)

4. Laced, fold over wedge Elizabeth & James $375

5. Platform black Tribute YSL $1,085

6. Studded suede N.Y.L.A. $80

7. Stacked wood heeled N.Y.L.A $119

8. Tassel open toe L.A.M.B $319

9. Sherling and suede Tory Burch $250

10. Multi-buckled wedge DKNY $198

11. Two-tone leather and suede Sam Edelman $200

12. Stretch suede stiletto Vince Camuto $129

xo

Erin 

I heart Made by Girl

Is there anything better or more simple than this print? 

A declaration, a memory, or maybe a state of mind, this would be lovely to look at every day. It is one of Made by Girl's  prints and comes in many other colors. 

Most of what I have been framing lately has been fun prints from Etsy or personal photos I have blown up and stuck in gallery frames from West Elm. 

This one might be my next acquisition. 

Made by Girl has a great blog and other prints and paper wares to dazzle you. 

Most of the prints can be done on a stretched canvas like the love prints above. Another fun option for your walls. 


The Hellos in different languages would be great for an entry. 


And how cute are the cards? Simple, yet the expressions on them are unique and have some whimsy. 


As always, the prices are great. So shop away! 


xo
Erin 

Drugstore Favorite: Neutrogena

Not sure if you have not noticed, but the selections at your local drugstore have gotten a little overwhelming. There has to be at least 100 soaps, 200 face washes and endless shampoo and conditioner options. It can be hard to find your favorites.


I am such a product junkie that a great ad on TV, a review in a magazine or fun packaging can get me to buy something and try it. The bottles continue to pile up....


One drugstore product that I have not been switching up is my lotion. This Neutrogena Moisture Wrap lotion is amazing. Its obvious best aspect is that it keeps your skin moisturized, but goes a step further by working well into the next day. 


My favorite thing about it is that it soaks in quickly, which is hard to find from a super moisturizing lotion. 


Thought I needed to share the one product that has captured my attention and purchase power for more than a couple months. 


xoxo
Erin