Great Valentine's Gift Ideas $40 And Under!

Brown floral ribbon tie necklace $22.00

Jeweled Bib Necklace $39.00

(Nothing dresses up a plain tee or tank like a trendy bib style necklace!)

Alex & Ani quill feather bracelet $40.00

(Why get just one... these look great layered)

Alex & Ani love bangle $17.00

(ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Sigh)

Zipper bracelet in silver and gold $32.oo

(Of course, she needs both!)

All available at High Fashion Home!

It's That Time Again...

photo via A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words.

Happy New Year's Eve (and subsequent New Year), everybody! Hope you get smooched tonight!

Merry Christmas To All!

In honor of Christmas, may I recommend my favorite holiday movie? Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas on Hulu with your family this year. (Don't forget the hot chocolate!)

Don We Now Our Gay Apparel!

If I had a teeny baby neice or daughter, I would most certainly outfit her in these for Christmas! So. Freaking. Cute.

Thank You For Being A Friend

Due to my ever expanding family, and my pathologic need to buy them gifts, I've had to cut back on my spending in the friend category, but I still like to create a little something to let them know I care. Maybe this would fit the bill?

I found it over at Twig & Thistle. Everybody likes a little something sweet and who doesn't have fond memories of roasting marshmallows for S'mores? I love an easy, creative idea.

Dress Code

You know all of those holiday parties you've been invited to? You're going to need something to wear. And when the invitation says "festive", that doesn't mean to pull out your light up Rudolph sweater. Pop into our rapidly-expanding clothing boutique for a little bit of chic sparkle...

While you're at it, rejuvenate yourself with some good-smelling stuff...

And finally, your kids want in on the action. Grab little rocker tees and tutus for your tots!

Eat, Drink, and be Merry!

Tomorrow is the start of a new holiday tradition. We're throwing a party, so if you're in Houston, pick up a new toy or clothing to donate to Houston Children's Charity, and stop by the store. There will be drinks and nibbles, awesome music, and DISCOUNTS! Get some Christmas shopping done (minus the mall traffic). P.S. We'll gift wrap it, too. Don't forget to RSVP!

Happy Black Friday

photo via Gerry May.

May you have the wisdom to shop online this year! Psst... we've got lots of good stuff for Christmas at HighFashionHome.com!

Puff, The Magic Jacket

For quite a while, I thought all things puffy were just ridiculous. However, I'll be the first to admit when I am wrong, and folks, I was wrong. The cute, cool, and downright sophisticated jackets and vests below have proven me wrong.

I was mostly drawn to the color of this one. Not that I would need anything this hardcore in Houston. Still, fun to look. Moka Coat by Moncler @ Barney's Co-op, $950.

Leave it to J. Crew to make a puffer vest look ladylike. Love the skinny belt over the vest! Sherpa Puffer Vest, $118.

It's the non-puffy puffer jacket. Just enough puff to keep you warm courtesy of Gap. Puffer Cardigan, $98.

I'd say this is the most masculine of the bunch, but it is called the Military Puffer Jacket. $69 at Banana Republic.

I love how this one creates a slim waist, even in a puffy jacket. That's no small feat! Puffed Chevrons Jacket, $128 at Anthropologie.

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth, everybody! I'd be jumping, too, if I were wearing the

Catherine Malandrino Flag Dress!

Fashion vs. Furniture: The Poolside Edition

How time gets away from me! I haven't written one of these since February! I'd say it's about time, eh?


This time around, the pool, and the cocktails that surround them, was my inspiration. I've paired an outdoor party theme with a signature drink and added a dash of fashion to bring a little summer to our little blog. Enjoy!


P.S. As you can see, I had a bit of fun with Poladroid. It's awesome!

I know Cinco de Mayo is in the past, but that's no reason not to throw an improptu fiesta en la playa! Serve up some top notch maragaritas and sport a bright patterned suit by Emilio Pucci.

recipe via Food Network

How about a sweet garden party complete with colorful butterflies and chic hats? Serve your guests a twist on a classic with a Peach Julep, and up the sugar factor in a floral maillot by Badgley Mischka.

recipe via Martha Stewart.

You can't not celebrate Independence Day! And just watching the Will Smith flick doesn't count. In addition to burgers and barbeque, whip up a colorful beverage in your star-spangled suit by Michael Kors.

recipe via Food Network.

Everybody's Hawaiian at a Luau! Especially when you're offering Honeyhole Punch in a tropical swimsuit by Jean Paul Gaultier.

recipe via The Knot.

I saved my favorite for last. Nothing beats a wine and cheese party, especially when the wine comes in Sangria form and the cheese is extra smelly! Put on something sophisticated in basic black, from Just Cavalli, with a hint of sparkle to play the perfect hostess.

recipe via Food Network.

Happy (Recession) Valentine's Day

Mmmm... caramels. The dish is really cute, too! I wouldn't mind painting one over at a ceramics studio to go with the gift! But I'm losing focus here. Find the recipe at House Beautiful.

Isn't love lovely? It's also costs an arm and a leg. You've got dinners to pay for, birthday and Christmas gifts, and the greatest money-sucker of all: Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong! I love the holiday! Any holiday that looks like pink exploded all over the world is A-ok with me. And my mom still gives me yummy heart shaped cookies. (If you're reading this, do I still get them this year even though I'm married?)

I swear I have a point with all of this rambling. My point is, I have vowed not to spend a fortune on a gift for my husband this V-Day. I'm going to use the old tactic of getting to his heart via his stomach with some baked goodies. Apparently, this is a popular idea, because a lot of my favorite magazines and blogs are supplying me with tasty recipes. So throw on your chef's hat and get to baking!

My apologies. The recipe for these delicious looking Chocolate Chunk & Cherry Cookies is not online, but you can get it in this month's issue of Country Living!

What is a holiday without a little Martha? Her Heart-Shaped Meringues with Passion Fruit Curd look refreshingly tasty!


I'm not a big coconut fan, but these won me over. Chocolate-dipped Macaroons via Domino.

I couldn't resist these. The icing looks like a sprinkled cloud! Red Velvet Cupcakes with Fluffy Meringue Icing via Food Network.

Game On!

It all started with this: the Monopoly 1935 edition- the first released by Parker Brothers.

I got a great gift this Christmas: Monopoly. A board game will bring people together better than any video game, TV show, etc. Monopoly had us sitting together, laughing, buying, and selling for over five hours. So sit your family down this weekend with a board game and some snacks. If your family lives a thousand miles away, get your friends together! No one can resist a board game!

I think Monopoly is the ultimate in board gaming, so I took a look at what they've done since the original debuted in 1933, and I found out, they've done quite a bit. Here's a peek at my faves, all available at Amazon...

Who doesn't love the Beatles?
A Christmas Story is a classic, and look- one of the pieces is the leg lamp!

I think it's safe to say that I'm a huge Family Guy fan. Stewie is awesome!

Get your video gaming and board gaming in one with the Nintendo edition.

The latest incarnation: the Here & Now World Edition complete with credit cards. I don't about you, but I like the satisfaction of seeing piles of cashing lying around me!

Of course, there are tons more editions to choose from. Pick your favorite! If your interested in a little Monopoly history, take a look at their timeline. Have fun!

A Holiday Tidbit

Sweet little birds and tiny vintage ornaments on a wiry tabletop tree...

I know it's a bit late for holiday stuff, but I just wanted to share a little something from my Christmas with my family. On Christmas Eve, I went to my parents' house for a pre-Church meal. My mom had, once again, decorated the house simply, but beautifully. One thing in particular caught my eye. She's always puts this little Christmas tree out on a table with some of her smaller ornaments, but this year, she added some gorgeous bird ornaments that I fell in love with! She always does a fresh tree as well, embellished with her huge collection of blown glass ornaments (I love looking at them all!), but the small tree is another burst of color in an otherwise neutral hallway. It's a great idea for small apartment dwellers without room for a large tree, or if you just need a space for tiny ornaments. Well played, Mom! Thanks for passing on your style genes!

The End... of 2008

Image via Grundlepuck at Flickr.

Well, well, well. It's been quite a year, eh? It's been a year of many ups (getting married) and downs (Hurricane Ike) for me, as I'm sure it's been for you. For one night, forget the downs, celebrate the ups, and welcome 2009 with style! Happy New Year everyone! A virtual toast to us all!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like...

via *andrea. on Flickr.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good vacation from work!

Have a great holiday everyone, and please, stay safe! We'll be back after Christmas!

The Year of the 'Stache

via Skogen Blog.

I came across this little jewel on NotCot and couldn't resist sharing. The moustache is not over yet! Now you can decorate your tree in them. Sweet.