mother pucker, it's a hard chapped life

i can deal with the cold.  i can cope with the frost.  i can manage the snow.  but there is one thing i can't handle. & that is chapped lips. in every purse, every pocket, every corner i stash different lip balms, salves & moisturizers.  here's style cuddle's go to guide for keeping those lips smooth during winter months. so pucker up kids...

1. co bigelow my favorite lip balm (& yes, it really is!)
2. benefit's hydrating lip color
3. dr. hauschka lip balm
4. boots no 7 protect & perfect lip cream via target
5. softlips vanilla lip balm
6. burts bees via drugstore.com
7. covergirl's lipslicks smoochie (i carry this in my purse for a quick go to dash of color)
8. carmex via walgreens
9. smith's rosebud salve via sephora
10. lypsyl (c/o) available at cvs, walgreen & rite-aid (i've been wearing this at night)

style cuddling it from day to night

it's that time of year where you're rushing around & you have to transform your look from day to night at the drop of fred astaire's top hat.  it's really pretty simple gals, all ya need is the perfect lbd & some holiday bling to add some zing.  jigsaw tweeted me about this lil black beauty (ps don't you love twitter?!) with the tip that "no tips [are] needed. they flatter every figure, they never wrinkle, and they're super comfortable." what do you think? what are your secrets to going from office drab to evening glam?

1. jigsaw ponte tiered skirt dress

2. glint bow minature clutch (via nordstrom)

3. bauble bar marquis gem ring

4. shop ban.do crystal crush bobbi

5. julep color treat rose gold multi dimensional glitter (via sephora)

6. oliver bonas majella earrings

7.kate spade pop fizz clink iphone case

8. j crew kiki ballet slipper

9. dior addict warm red shimmer (via sephora) dior addict is one of my favorite, i mean absolute favorite, line of lipsticks

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alternative christmas trees

these alternative christmas trees are a modern twist on the traditional fir.  sure, you don't have that delicious pine smell filling the room (ok, there's dyptique for that) but there's an environmental advantage to styling your digs with one of these fun alternative options. what do you think? could you go treeless? 

images via here, here, here (diy tutorial via the freepeople blog), here (via etsy!) & here, here, here, here, here

style cuddle's holiday gift guide: give gifts that give

give gifts that carry additional meaning this year. from helping provide training to women in rwanda to supporting america's classrooms, here are some stylish picks for gifts that give.

1. half united's honeybee bracelet via tom's marketplace
the honeybee bracelet was inspired by the farming and planting that half united supports. the hardware on this bracelet reflects the tools needed to grow crops. with your purchase, you're helping half united fund the fight against the global hunger crisis.

2. fortuned culture's founded arrow bracelet via tom's marketplace (jessica alba's pick!)
this bronze arrow-shaped bangle symbolizes finding one's way safely. each fortuned culture product gives back in a very specific way, for example this bracelet provides 6 months of safe transport to and from school for a child in mexico. wow!

3. florence skinny bracelets via huxley
25% of profits are given to charity: water or pencils for promise (you choose)

4. collective's woven hat via accompany
from collective who works closely with the biore foundation, a company in tanzania working closely to train & support local farmers to guarantee sustainable development.

5. tribeca snow patrol watch 
25% of profits are given to charity: water or pencils for promise (you decide) 

6. teach for america's tote bag via j crew
100% of the proceeds go to teach  for america, a nonprofit organization that trains and places recent college graduates in classrooms around the country to ensure that all kids get an excellent education.

7. honest company's healing balm
honest company's products are free from petroleum, mineral oil, lanolin, gluten, parabens, phthalates, fragrances, dyes & most common allergens.  plus, with every product you purchase, honest company donates product, money, time & effort to addressing critical health & social issues affecting children & families.

8. stone & cloth's wide strip ipad case via tom's marketplace
each purchase supports a child's education in tanzania.

9. krochet kids goldenrod elliot fingerless mittens
with every product you purchase, you are helping krochet kids provide women in uganda or peru with fair and consistent income, skills training and mentorship.

10. kung fu fighting wrap from same sky
same sky fighting wraps are hand-woven by female artisans in kigali, rwanda.  trained as artisans, same sky women earn 15 to 20 times the average wage in sub saharan africa. 100% of net proceeds are reinvested to train and employ more artists in need.

other faves (not featured above):

11. token midtown tote via accompany

12. falling whistles "whistle blowers for peace" necklace

style inspiration: sequins! all day, every day

as the holiday season is upon us, so is a month of sequins, sparkles, glitter, gold, silver & so many other shiny shimmery delights in the shops. it's a magpie dream & i absolutely love it. but there's no reason why your seasonal sparkles can't be worn during those other 11 months of the year. the secret to wearing sequins during the day is to avoid being matchy matchy - which can make the look too dressy. so wear it with denim, a plain white tee, or gosh even a sweatshirt top for a cool, relaxed look.

buy it:

bottom left: sequin sleeve blazer via parc boutique

top right: shake senora sequin jacket via free people

buy it:

top: sequin tee via anthropologie

bottom left: sequin jacket via jigsaw (on sale!)

buy it: black sequin moto jacket via the oxford trunk

tips: 

1. pile on delicate necklaces

2. mix your metals to offset being matchy matchy

3. layer with casual pieces like denim

4. keep hair messy for a relaxed look

5. pair with basics to neutralize the sparkle

6. match with menswear such as oxford loafers or a boxy men's shirt

7. just rock it, girl!

images via here, here, here 

cutest christmas video

danielle brooks and uzo aduba (aka taystee and crazy eyes from orange is the new black) have just gone and made the gosh darn cutest christmas video.
happy holidays! xo

the perfect christmas cookie guide

nothing beats cookies at the holidays. serve with tea, hot chocolate, a warm toddy - it's yum yum yum all the way down candy cane lane. what's your favorite holiday cookie?

get the recipes:

1. chocolate crinkle cookie

2. hedgehog cookie

3. salted caramel & nutella stuffed cookies

4. lan's macarons

5. the best chocolate chip cookie... ever

6. chewy ginger cookie

7. chocolate fudge cookies with candy cane buttercream

every holiday my mother & aunt hosts a cookie swap/ afternoon tea with their girlfriends.  i am going to be in town for it this year (yay) but i'm overwhelmed with what to make.  i've been experimenting with a chewy chocolate ginger recipe (inspired by the delicious cookie at 3 little figs) but i might go for a more classic ginger cutout. decisions, decisions & you can bet i'll be blogging about it! xo melissa