2013 Henri Bendel Holiday

My 2013 Holiday Catalog came in the mail from HB!!!  *drool*

 



 

 

One of the reasons Hubs is lucky I had to stop going to NYC for work...

I hadn't seen the Henri Bendel flagship in the daylight yet!

Valentine's Wishes & Wants and a Timeline of Awkwardly Forced Romance

The season of Cupid and all things dopey and dripping with desires for affection and attention and overstimulated sweet-tooths.  It's funny how this season evolves over your lifetime.  A synopsis:

Kindergarten

Mom strings a red paper heart around your neck and sends you on your mini festive little way.

Probably with heart patterned skivvies.

Elementary

You're forced to make the difficult decision of which trendy super hero/cartoon character wrapped up with a lollipop and a clever, if not inappropriate  quip to your classmates, many of whom you never talk to on the playground.  One (or three in my case) you hope will translate into fairy tale romance under the swingset.  Extra points if you make your own receiving box.

Middle

This is just awkward.  No two ways around it.  Boys, girls, adults.

This is just a terrible time in romance land.

High

Now you're just showing off, a la Mean Girls.  My school on Hilton Head actually did do the heart-shaped lollipop candygram business.  They were fabulous - swirly white and blue/red/purple life-save style goodness.  

I bought in bulk and kept for myself.

College

Half-priced red shots all night!  Single?  Mingle here and don't go home alone!

And there's a run on the VS lingerie, so now you're stuck wearing an orange nightie.

Real World

Crap.  Presents?  Does a night on the couch with different patterned PJs count as romantic??

At least you can now afford to sub an expensive bottle of wine/champagne for the shots...

(Except last year, where P got confused on my pink champagne request and brought home a raspberry flavored Andre-imposter... That's right, knock-off Andre.  He tries so hard.)

P and I actually have done a good job of staying away from the V-Day hype.  We usually just cook a nice, romantic meal and give some good cheesy presents and enjoy each other's company sans TV.  This year we each have a trick up our sleeve apparently, as Friday is surprise date-night a la Patrick, and I took it upon myself to make some secret plans for Saturday!  

Here are some fabulous things I'd love to have in time for this season of silly pinks and reds:

J. Crew Blazer | Parisian Chic | Pretty Note Cards

Kiss & Tell Compact | Tory Studs

Bath Salts | Glittery Bobbies | Pretty Silky Shirt

Wishes & Wants: J. Crew Jewelry

Loving all the fun jewelry at J. Crew right now! Especially the fun enameled froggy pieces! So cute!

And with 40% off final sale (code "get40") I may just scoop up the little lobster for myself... for Valentine's Day... obvi.

Wishes & Wants: Salted Caramel

Ever since I made these individual salted caramel cheesecake hunks of heaven, I have been craving the flavor. Something about the sweet almost nutty flavor of the caramel and then it zings you with the salt. So wow.

Talenti Gelato e Sorbetto - Sea Salt Caramel
We were introduced to this by the fiance's parents who, usually ultra conservative, explained it simply as "an orgasm in a jar."  True story.

It even has it's own video, it's so good!

Keurig Cafe Caramel K-Cups
If you like your cream and sugar with a dash of caffeinated coffee, this is it.  I very rarely drink 2 cups of coffee, but one of these first thing in the morning to warm up is simply not enough.  So fabulous and richly flavorful.  [The Chai Latte ones are very legit too, FYI!]

Cafe Escapes

Stoli Salted Karamel
For the adult side of dessert - put some of this in your coffee, or make one of the fun and very winter/holiday drinks they suggest like the Karamel Banana!

Andddd just because it also looks delicious and caramel-ish:
Henri Bendel Brown & White Barrel

Henri Bendel Classic Barrel

Wishes & Wants: Turquoise

Halfway through Winter and I'm already craving Spring - the warmth, the colors... the mimosas and Hoegaardens in the sunshine....  Especially those.

Growing up on Hilton Head Island, SC spoiled me to the core with constant proximity to the beach, and all things country club chic.  I love nautical textures, patterns and especially colors!  Even my wedding is predominantly navy with lots of navy/white striped linens and burlap textures!

The color turquoise has been my biggest obsession since I can remember - down to the first car I bought for myself: a neon turquoise (think Fast & the Furious) '93 BMW 325i, not-so-fondly nicknamed the Blue Bomber.  It died slowly but magnificently.  It was once towed and impounded for 2 weeks without my knowledge and I found it with 3 flat tires, a dead battery and 2 boots.  TWO boots.  In case I was going to take off on the only inflated tire...  In another epic moment, the car alarm wouldn't stop wailing as a poor valet (at Aiko in Altanta) desperately tried to get the thing started.  My 3rd party alarm had kicked the bucket - so in a moment of panic I pleaded with him to physically rip the horn out of the hood to end my embarrassment.  With the most incredulous look I've ever seen and a not so subtle "crazy woman," he obliged.  The bomber never honked again.

Back to the point.  My Spring inspired wishlist of the day:

Bracelet | Jars | White Croc Tieks | James Nares Print | Clutch | Chaise