Neiman Marcus + Target Holiday Shop

There are very few events that we think are worthy of getting out of bed before 10:00 am on a Saturday for, but the Neiman Marcus + Target Holiday Collection is definitely one that we think will be worth the loss of beauty sleep. The collection features gifts designed by 24 top-of-the-line designers including Jason Wu, Tory Burch, Altuzarra, Diane von Furstenberg, Tracy Reese, Brian Atwood, Carolina Herrera, Judith Leiber…Are you drooling yet? We know we are. That’s why we’re setting our alarms for 7:00 am this Saturday, so I can be at Neiman Marcus at South Park and Kate can be at Target in Greensboro when they open at 8:00 am. We want to make sure we don't miss out on any of these must-have items or on any of the action. We're envisioning pure chaos when the doors open:

image via

My budget will probably start off like this...

 Then, turn into this...

Lastly, it will end up like this...

 All images via

P.S. We'll be live tweeting about the chaos, our finds, the crowd, etc. 

so be sure to follow us on twitter @Bcocktails!

The Outtakes

It took us 103 photos to come up with 4 that we thought were decent enough to use. Like we said, this is going to be a learning experience. In the meantime, here were some of the even less glamorous of all of the not-so-glamorous photos.

Our First Attempt

One of our goals when starting this blog was to feature outfit pictures that we styled. However, we have been a little terrified/shy/nervous to start these posts because 1. We are not models 2. We are not professional photographers 3. We have no idea what we are doing 4. We are awkward….the list goes on. We finally worked up the courage to start these posts reasoning that we will probably always feel awkward, we are never going to be models, and we are going to have to practice to become better photographers. So, here goes nothing…This is definitely going to be a learning experience for us figuring out how to properly pose, where to take pictures (we were too embarrassed to leave the backyard for these shots), and what outfits show up the best on camera. Please bear with us. For your viewing pleasure, we will include some funny outtakes from our photo shoots Kate taking pictures so you can laugh with us along the way.

Dress: Theory. Top: Theory. Purse: 3.1 Philip Lim (old). Boots: Dolce Vita. Sunglasses: Ray Ban (old). Baubles: Necklace Rodrigo Otazu (old), Rings from Chezelle Frangos (old). Nail Color: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark.

To & From...

Just came across this new online magazine To & From. Basically two bloggers, Katie and Meg, decided to create a gift giving magazine for the holidays. They asked around 50 bloggers to create gift guides to be compiled into one enormous guide....it's AWESOME. Seriously check it out ASAP. We will be featuring some of our own gift giving ideas throughout the month, and this will probably give us some serious inspiration.

Business Cards

We have decided it is time to get business cards made for this little bloggie, so that when we go into stores and take pictures for the blog we have a little proof that we aren't complete weirdos and are actually taking pictures for a purpose. While we eventually want to have our business cards professionally designed, we are a little short on funds right now (trying to save our money to buy Christmas presents). With that being said, we have come up with a few basic designs to use for our business cards and would love your feedback.

Coffee Table Books: Our Favorites and Our Wish List

Growing up with an interior designer for a mom, we quickly learned the importance of coffee table books. While we love these beautiful books, they can be quite pricey. So take it from us and start adding coffee table books to your Christmas list ASAP. We promise you will be glad you did. Coffee table books have also become one of our favorite gifts to give for the holidays, weddings, bridal showers, birthdays, you name it. But let us let you in on a little secret- buy these books on One Kings Lane, Gilt, Ruelala or any other discount site and you will save some serious cash. Today on Gilt at least 5 of the books below are available! Now that you know that we are seriously obsessed (and if you have been to our house you already were aware of this) we would like to share some of our favorite books with you as well as some that are on our Christmas wish list! We had to seriously hold back and limit it to 10 books for each list, but if you need any more suggestions let us know!

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1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Do y'all have any favorites to recommend to us?

Cyber Monday Deals

We hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving! We can't believe it is already time to start our holiday shopping again. For those of you looking to get a head start on your shopping, there are some great deals happening today for Cyber Monday...

Here is a quick guide to what our favorite websites are offering:

 Neiman Marcus: Earn a gift card with select regular-priced purchase of $200+  with code= GC4YOU

Saks Fifth Avenue: 40% off selected items (online only...starts in stores Nov. 28 in stores)

Nordstrom: Free shipping on all orders and select merchandise on sale

 Bergdorf Goodman: 5F Sale with 40% off select merchandise and free shipping at any price with Code= BGSHOP

Barneys: Complimentary 2-day shipping and select contemporary merchandise on sale

Bloomingdales: Save up to 50% off on select merchandise and take $50 off for every $250 you spend

Social Dress Shop: 20% off entire website Code= PARTY20 and free priority shipping (as always)

Club Monaco: 30% off cashmere Code= MONDAY

Madewell: 25% off and free shipping on everything with Code= TREAT

J. Crew: 25% off and free shipping on any order with Code= MONDAY

Gap: 30% off all merchandise Code= CYBER

Anthropologie: Free shipping on your order with no minimum purchase required

C. Wonder: Enjoy an extra 50% off all sale items and 30% off your purchase of $100+

Shopbop: Spend $250 get 20% off, $500 get 25% off, $1000 get 30% off, $1500 get 35% off; Code= BIGEVENT12

Piperlime: 20% off all merchandise Code= CYBER

Zara: Black Friday Weekend Sale with up to 50% off sale items and free shipping and returns on standard orders

ASOS: Enter Code= CYBERMONDAYSPECIAL for extra 30% off everything

Net-a-Porter: up to 50% off select merchandise

Anthem Wares: 25% off purchase of $100 or more

Bona Drag: Get 25% off your purchase using the Daily Candy Code=dailycandycyber12

Rory Becca: get 30% all merchandise with Code= Monday30

Bauble Bar: Free shipping on all orders

Charm and Chain: Free shipping on all orders and get 25% off full price merchandise using Daily Candy Code= DailyCandy25

Cusp: Free shipping on all orders; no code needed

Tibi: 20% off site-wide with Code= CYBER2012

Amrita Singh: 50% off everything plus free shipping with Code= BLACK12FS

Aerin Lauder + Erickson Beamon Jewelry Line

Image via WWD

Good news friends! The ever so chic Aerin Lauder has teamed up with Erickson Beamon to create a new line of baubles that will be available early next year. If this GORGE collar necklace is a sign of things to come, we can't wait to get our hands on the rest of the line. The collection will feature around 60 pieces that will be priced from $150-$1,000. The baubles will feature a variety of natural materials such as wood, coral, turquoise, shells...Just the thinking about what's to come is making us giddy...We better start saving!

find out more about the collaboration here

Happy Thanksgiving!

Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Boyfriend Cookies...

Apparently the name comes from the fact that these cookies will help you get a boyfriend, get over a boyfriend, or see if your boyfriend is a keeper (only if he likes the cookies)!

Boyfriend Cookies:

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 (3.5 oz) package instant vanilla pudding

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter chips

1/2 cup M&M's

1/2 cup Reese's Pieces

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2) In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add the pudding mix, eggs and vanilla. Mix well.

3) Combine flour and baking soda, add to mixture and mix well.

4) Fold in chocolate chips and remaining candy.

5) Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Mine were in for about 10-11 mins. Cool on wire racks. 

We found this recipe on pintrest but the original source is here. 

These were a big hit, so we suggest you make them immediately!

Hyla DeWitt Jewelry Show...

Ashley, Hyla, Kate (please notice the necklace that was worn as a hint to Frank)

Another hint to Frank...the "Cate" necklace. Our picture didn't turn out so well, so we borrowed from her website!

We recently attended a jewelry show for Hyla DeWitt. We have been fans of her jewelry for a while now... remember this bauble of the week? Anyway it was all we could do to not put a serious dent in our wallet. Luckily we thought ahead and arranged for our mom to come with us and make some Christmas purchases. Hyla and her jewelry are awesome- she's willing to work with you if there's something specific you are looking for. Make sure to check out Hyla's amazing jewelry here.

Thanksgiving Table Inspiration and Must Haves

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Friday Humor...

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

Just a little Friday humor....thanks to Ashley for sharing!! My favorite parts: "you don't want to go dancing? we teach a dance class." "Yes we would like to go to that 80's themed costume party." HAHAHAHA. Love it.

Budget Friendly Cocktail Attire

Outfit 1: Top, Pants, Earrings, Shoes, Bracelet, Clutch

Outfit 2 (clockwise): Dress, Earrings, Shoes

Outfit 3: Sweater, Skirt, Earrings, Ring, Shoes

Outfit 4: Dress, Earrings, Bracelet, Clutch

Outfit 5: Top, Pants, Shoes

Not sure about y'all but our wallets need a break. Unfortunately the holidays are coming up and our closets also need some great party outfits. So after scouring the internet, we came up with some awesome outfit choices. The best part is that everything listed is under $100. No need to sacrifice style in order to be budget friendly!

Favorite Fall Purchases

Booties/Sweater/Eyeshadow Palette/Riding Pant

Lipstick/Shampoo/Ring/Camo Shirt

Skirt/Bracelet 1, 2, 3

Currently Craving: Social Dress Shop

You can find all of these pretty dresses and more here.


All images are from Social Dress Shop.

Social Dress Shop: Pop Up Shop

We had SO much fun this Saturday attending the Social Dress Shop: Pop Up Shop at Gallery Twenty Two featuring On A String Bead Shop and Pink Toast Ink. We were so excited to meet the adorable founder Sarah Baucom and to check out all of the fabulous frocks. The selection was impressive with a variety of price points and styles to satisfy the fashion demands of any girl's social calendar.

Sarah Baucom, Social Dress Shop founder, and me with my new vegan leather dress by Heidi Merrick

Kate found this pretty black and white dress from By Smith that she plans to wear to an upcoming wedding. We love the sleeve detail.

 

And of course, we couldn't resist the temptation to score some fantastic baubles 

from the ladies of On A String...

The Social Dress Shop website is now up and running. You can find your own fabulous pieces here. We will be back shortly with the dresses we are currently craving. The list is long and when you see their selection, you will will understand why...

P.S. Be sure to stop by On A String sometime soon...By the looks of what we saw at the Pop Up Shop,   they look like they have AWESOME stuff right now!

Angel Tree

Yesterday Frank and I ate at Phil's Deli, which has become one of our favorite lunch spots. Anyway when we were checking out I noticed the Angel Tree, and of course had to get an angel for Kelley and I. Honestly I'm not sure if this is called "Angel Tree," but that's what we called this growing up. We just think it's important to remember others during the year but especially during the holiday season. I'm sure there are multiple locations with these available, but they are definitely at Phil's Deli. So we encourage you to make a little kid happy this Christmas by getting some items on their wish list. The presents need to be turned in by December 1st, unwrapped. I mean who doesn't want to go shopping for Barbies and accessories?!

Interior Designer: Ruthie Sommers

Ruthie Sommers is an amazing designer based in LA. We ran across some of her work on the Veranda website and just had to share. We love her use of color, patterns and texture. Francesco Lagnese photographed the rooms for Veranda and they turned out beautifully. 

This may be my idea of a perfect entry way. Look at those doors....AHHHH-MAZING.

If I have little girls, I can almost promise you I will try to replicate this room. Or maybe I will just make my room this girly.

The above rooms are from Veranda.

The last two rooms are from Ruthie's website. You should go check out the rest of her amazing work; you will see why she is at the top of our list of favorite designers.