Chronicle Books Haul-idays Giveaway

When I saw Velvet's Chronicle Books Haul-idays giveaway post, I knew I had to do one, too. Who can resist the chance to win $500 worth of Chronicle Books? On December 13th, one blogger will win his or her list of books. Plus, one commenter will win the list, too. You have until December 10th to enter.

Picking out my dream list of Chronicle Books was tricky because there are so many wonderful titles to choose from. From fashion to fiction and fancy baking, here is my eclectic list of books I'd love to win.

Audrey Hepburn by Scott Brizel

The Art of Tangled by Jeff Kurtti

The Enchanted Dolls' House by Robyn Johnson

The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams

Ticket Stub Diary by Eric Epstein

Hieroglyph Detective by Nigel Strudwick

Griffin and Sabine by Nick Bantock

The Venetian's Wife by Nick Bantock

Windflower by Nick Bantock

The Crimes of Dr. Watson by John H. Watson, M.D.

The Marvelous Museum: Orphans, Curiosities & Treasures

by The Oakland Museum of California

Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl

Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O'Connor

The Life & Love of Trees

Text by Lewis Blackwell

Allure by Diana Vreeland

I Love Macarons by Hisako Ogita

Cake Pops By Bakerella by Angie Dudley

Total: $490.52

Go to Chronicle Books to enter the Haul-idays giveaway and discover other bloggers who are participating. If I win, you could win, too, so don't forget to leave a comment below!

Also, there is still time to enter the Hem Gems Giveaway!

Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

Giving Thanks

Edited by: Holier than Now

It's Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and many of us are looking forward to the Black Friday sales - oh wait, I mean spending time with our families and friends! But it's wonderful (and kind of weird) that so many of the people that influence and support us on a daily basis won't be gathered around our table; they'll be hanging around our web address, retweeting our (sometimes) witty comments, liking our latest post on Facebook, etc. Whether or not you celebrate turkey day, as a blogger it's hard not to be full of gratitude for the resources we share on a regular basis. This week, Tickle Me Chic helps ban the blogging blues, Previously Owned does your holiday gift shopping for you, and Make the World a Prettier Place sums up the reason so many of us are grateful just to be alive (hello? fashion!) with a visual history.

Links à la Mode: November 25th

Be Fabulous Daily Applying old-school academic standards of original content and citation of sources to fashion blogging

Boheme Noir Best outfits 2010 of style icon Giovanna Battaglia

Fashion Butter: How to DIY Fur Collar with Chains

Fish Monkey's Writing Stuff Lanvin + H&M: Is there a downside?

Frock and Roll A code of ethnics for advertorials on your blog

Grit and Glamour RSS and Sharing for Dummies—and Lazies

Haute Halifax Out of sight, out of mind? A look at the impact of the textile industry in Africa

Holier than Now The Under $50 Gift Guide: Fashion, guy-friendly goods, eco and charitable finds and more

Independent Fashion Bloggers: Are you addicted to blogging?

Make the World a Prettier Place 30 Vogue covers from 1922 to 2005

Mary Van Notes A vintage style post from a tree house

Pancake Stacker Lessons from "Changing Fashion: Internet and Blogging" featuring Liz of Late Afternoon, Yvan Rodic of The Face Hunter, and more

Positively Bleak Tips on staving off the winter blues - with a bonus compilation of free demos and EPs from alternative rock bands!

Previously Owned A carefully selected gift list for the foodie, fashionable, beauty obsessed and generous

The Chic Curve Winter coats for everyBODY. No matter what size or shape, there is a fabulous jacket just for you!

The Coveted: Frock Luxury Vintage: A local NYC discovery

The Fashion Pawn The Business of Blogging: Your Blog Brand

The Lingerie Addict: 5 things Every Woman Should Know About Her Lingerie

The New Professional A bloglover's tips for keeping up with your blog reading

Tickle Me Chic: Get rid of those blogging blues: Tips and links to ban discouragement

Wanderlost 10 things to look forward to this winter

SPONSOR:

Shopbop bags: Burch, Matt & Natt, Minkoff, IRO, Botkier, Gryson, LAMB, Chloe, BE&D, DVF

Things i LOVE Thursday

Attending big family dinners

Watching White Christmas

Making jewelry

Baking oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies

Listening to Christmas music

Shopping online Thanksgiving sales

Watching parades and football games

Spending time with my family

Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving!

Wishing You a Sweater Season

Let's Do Fondue Poncho

For me, Thanksgiving is the official start of the Christmas season. Sure, the stores have been decorated with tinsel and trees and the radio has been playing "White Christmas" for the past month, but I need Thanksgiving to really get into the holiday spirit. Snow, also, helps, but this year the white flakes have been strangely absent this fall. Now that the days are cold and dreary, I am feeling the urge to bundle up in cozy layers. While I'm loving these knits from ModCloth, I have my heart set on this Cooperative Polar Bear Sweater from Urban Outfitters.

Alpine Classic Cardigan

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Hem Gems Review and Giveaway!

When I first heard about Hem Gems, I had one of those now-why-didn't-I-think-of-that moments. As a petite, I fight a constant battle with pants that are too long. Hem Gems are a simple but brilliant way to temporarily adjust the hem of your pants. Using decorative tacks, such as the Classic rivet or Pyramid stud, your hem is cuffed and held in place so you no longer have to worry about tripping or ripping pants that are too long. Plus, they are a cute way to dress up your pants and mean that the same pair of pants can be worn with heels and flats.

I reviewed a set of the Pyramid studs and liked how they worked with dress pants as well as jeans. Each set comes with eight in a pack and retails for $19.99.

I am giving away a set of the Classic rivet Hem Gems!

To Enter Giveaway:

1. Leave a comment below with your email

Extra entries:

1. Subscribe to The Fashion Planner

2. Follow me on Twitter (@akaleistar)

3. Follow Hem Gems on Twitter (@hemgems)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

Giveaway open until midnight, December 6, 2010.

Open internationally.

Winner will be chosen by random drawing.

Special thanks to Hem Gems for the giveaway and product to review!

Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

When fashion teaches you a lesson

Edited by: Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista

As fashion bloggers, we are often the ones sharing and giving advice about fashion. But what happens when fashion turns the table on us and teaches us a lesson or two? From learning how to be thrifty, coping through a crisis, or the economy, these fashion bloggers took a cue from fashion's lessons and turned them into a delicious and delectable read- and I have rounded these up for you...

Links à la Mode: November 18th

Almost Sober Mag: Pull It, Push It and Come Back When You Proved It: Direct experience from a newly established independent publisher: a week as a fashion editor.

Beyond Fabric: On the relation between Body Language and Fashion Photography

Dedicated Follower: To Write Love on Her Arms - I join the movement and write love on my arms in honor of a lost friend.

Exiled from the City: Throughout the past few years, there has been a paradigm shift in consumer variables and the function of fashion.

For those about to Shop: Society must take some responsibility for the dangerous obsession to be thin.

Freeda Style: "Appropriate Attire" Are ALL the old rules of fashion dead? Or should some survive?

Haute World: Grace Kelly Exhibition: How a royal style icon can teach us a lesson in thriftiness.

Heathers Design Blog: Musings on fashion now and fashion then, based on the exhibit "Fashioning Fashion" at LACMA.

Independent Fashion Bloggers: Self-Promotion 101: It's not about you

LivLux Mag: ComfortZones: Even Fashionistas get insecure when trying new styles.

Make the World a Prettier Place: History of Fashion: The New Look (1947)

Miss Vinyl Ahoy: I've read some negative comments about the 30 for 30 challenge, and wanted to explain more of what it is and why people should care about it, from my POV.

Modesty Theory: Welcome to Hijabi Fashion Week- showcasing the style of Muslim women for various occasions.

Oh My Massila: Reflections on the crossroads between fashion and feminism.

Previously Owned: The tale of the "00s" Vintage and the mockery of the consumer... Are we becoming victims of the mass media?

RetroChick: Why Fashion isn't Frivolous

Return to Sender: Sometimes life gets in the way of fashion. How I Survive A Crisis

Searching for Style: Fashion 101: Who Owns What. The lowdown on the big fashion conglomerates and the companies they own.

Socialite Dreams: Sparkly, glam shoes are a must have for the holidays! Twinkle Toes: The Holiday Shoe Guide

Taste and Style: Keep Being YOU.

The Curvy Fashionista: How to determine quality in plus size fashion

SPONSOR:

Shopbop Boots:KORS, Joie, UGG, Coclico, Frye, L.A.M.B, Hunter, Frye, DV, Ash, & 12th St.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Listening to Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas album

Packing a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child

Planning Thanksgiving activities

Liking this Audrey Hepburn poster

Watching My Brilliant Career

Perusing In Fashion by Annemarie Iverson

Drinking white chocolate milkshakes

Hearting this cute owl coin purse

Wanting these Naya Nefertiti boots

Eat Pray Love

I admit I haven't seen the movie Eat Pray Love, but I read Elizabeth Gilbert's book and loved it. Her journey made me want to learn Italian, eat gelato, practice yoga, and travel the world.

If you could take a personal journey anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?

Bonny Stargazer Dress

My love affair with little girl dresses continues with this darling little number by Dear Creatures. The Bonny Stargazer Dress would be lovely to wear to family gatherings this holiday season. It would look especially nice paired with a cardigan and tights for extra warmth and variety. The dress pictured above is available at ModCloth, and a cream version is available at Ruche. Ah, choices, choices...

Persuasion (1995 movie)

I took a break from reading for the Everything Austen II challenge and decided to watch the 1995 version of Persuasion starring Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds. I saw this version once several years ago and only remembered that I'd liked it. Watching this adaptation again, I appreciated how closely the movie followed the book and the maturity that Root and Hinds bring to their roles. I love the naval scenes at the beginning and ending of the movie and wish that the 2007 adaptation had ended this way. If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend that you do so.

Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

Behind the clothes

Edited by: Florrie Clarke of Intrinsically Florrie

It's war of the underwear this week! What can lingerie do for our figures, what does body shaping underwear say about our feminist principles and how does our choice actually affect our health?

The post that will stay with me this week is The Button Owl's, which broke my heart. Fashion isn't just about vanity, but how we present ourselves to the world and this is all the more important when you have troubles to hide.

Links à la Mode: November 11th

Any Second Now: Is it really practical financially to buy high-end clothing for children? Parents can be creative and frugal with wardrobe for their kids.

Bachman's Sparrow: Heels usually get all the glory when it comes to fashion, but in this post I want to show you a few ways to kick the heel habit.

Be Fabulous Daily: Why I'm throwing away my Spanx (and what I replaced them with... it's not entirely self-love).

Fashezine: 4 ways to wear a basic American Apparel shirt, illustrated photography included.

Forever Amber: Channeling Joan Holloway.

Haute World: Deliciously fashionable: edible couture & more at Salon du Chocolat in Paris.

Independent Fashion Bloggers: The Copywriting Scorecard for Fashion Bloggers

Intrinsically Florrie: Dress success and another reason why I love the online fashion community.

Love of Lace: A Lesson In Style From Europe: A comparison between ‘Secrets of French Girls’ and North American style.

Modly Chic: How to read your google analytics and make blogging decisions based on your findings.

Out of Order: Do-It-Yourself pom-pom headbands.

Perfectly Indecisive: Pushing your fashion boundaries in summer (for those just heading into Summer not Winter)

Retro Chick: Lingerie Love - Retro Shapewear from Gok Wan.

Seamstress Stories: Can I wear a corset and still be a feminist?

Simple Subtle Style: The Art of Layering for Winter.

Style Every Day: How to travel with your jewelry.

Style Geek: Interview with Dallas-Based Designer Sarah Jones of STATUS Talking about her line, how she started & the Dallas fashion scene.

Style Symmetry: How To Purge & Pare Down Your Closet.

Sweet Faced Style: Translating art into a look: An ode to Flaming June in an orange dress.

The Button Owl: My best friend began dying when she was eleven years old as a result of kinder failure; "clothes are my defense".

The Demoiselles There's talk of creating a "Photoshop Law" for fashion adverts. What do you think?

SPONSOR:

Shopbop Dresses: Thayer, Milly,Rory Beca, Theory, Spanx, Shopstyle, Veda, Thakoon, Ports1961, Ella Moss

Things i LOVE Thursday

Wrapping on set

Meeting interesting people

Watching Sherlock: The Great Game

(please make more!)

Listening to Rihanna's "Only Girl (In The World)"

Hearting this dress by Rachel Pally

Rereading The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Finding the trailer for the new Jane Eyre

Loving this black sequin dress from LuLu's

Putting Cee-Lo Green's "Forget You" on repeat

Eating delicious fajitas and enchiladas

Saturday Haul

Even though I have been busy working these last few weeks, I still managed to find time for shopping. Online shopping is certainly one of my guilty pleasures, and thanks to sites like RetailMeNot and Ebates, I have been able to find great deals.

I should, also, mention that another guilty pleasure of mine is entering giveaways. I won this beautiful bag from Foley + Corinna.

During the recent friends and family event at Sephora, I bought The Jewelry Box from Tarte. I debated about getting the Sephora Endless Color Blockbuster, but decided on Tarte since it is free of parabens, sulfates, etc. While the eyeshadows are not quite as pigmented as I could wish, I am still delighted with my purchase.

My hair is fried from dying my hair too often, so I am hoping that this Proclaim Natural 7 Argan Oil will undo some of the damage.

Next weekend I am hosting a House Party for Jolee's Jewels and couldn't believe all the wonderful supplies I was sent for the party - for free. This is going to be my first House Party, and I am excited to see what other events come along.

Links a la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

The Power of Words

Edited by: The Sunday Best

One story dominated my thoughts this week, and I was glad to see an IFB member tackle it in a post. I'm talking about the Marie Claire article. I'm not going to link to it, or even say what it was about, since I assume you dialed in people are familiar with it. [Pulls out soapbox.] The problem with the article, and its apparently apologetic writer, isn't the ignorance it exhibited, or the hate it might engender, or even, I would argue, the sentiment expressed, although it was certainly the worst example of each. The problem was she used the most demeaning language she could think of to describe a group about which she apparently cares. She used this language and neither her nor her editors nor anyone at Marie Claire saw fit to deny it. And Marie Claire's ridiculous mea culpa, where they celebrated the "discussion" they had fostered, was like saying the Titanic sinking was good for discussions about marine safety. Worst of all was the author's own apology: "I never wanted anyone to feel bullied or ashamed after reading this". So you used the most demeaning language you could think of--edgy!--and called people gross--keeping it real!--and were shocked, SHOCKED, to find them taking offense. I would call her a liar but out of deference to liars, she might just be an idiot. Think before you write - words are powerful.

Links à la Mode : November 4th

• A la Modest: This is vintage...now.


• Beyond Fabric: Portraying the essence of Autumn.


• Closet Hound: Do you wear his pants in the relationship?


• Dans Mon Boudoir: Tying scarves for Fall.


• Daisy Dayz: Menswear trousers the new way to cover up this winter.


• Employed Panache: Finding new ways to remix my wardrobe.


• Grit and Glamour: Why I'm not on Weardrobe, Chictopia, Lookbook, or Hypeed.


• Houndstooth and Tortoiseshell: The retail blues.


• Independent Fashion Bloggers: 5 Sites to Strengthen Your Writing Skills


• Kitsch by Kat: Better than reality TV!


• One More: Taking a risk.


• Other Dutch Animals: Champagne sequins: Worn two ways.


• Seamstress Stories: Cuteness and female rivalry.


• Shopgirls Blog: Jewelry with a story to share.


• Sidewalk Chalk: 6 perfect photo locations that are right in front of you.


• Style Activist: I love me. And I don't care if you don't.


• Stylish Thought: Five lessons Nicki Minaj can teach you about personal style.


• The Coveted: Women at work.


• The New Professional: The long and short of it all.


• The Sunday Best: Caring about what you wear is just caring.


• Tickle Me Chic: Everyone deserves to be happy - a response to Marie Claire's "Should 'Fatties' Get a Room".

SPONSOR:

Shopbop Exclusives: Club Monaco, KAIN, Theory, MiH, Madewell, JNBY, VPL, Tucker, Rag & Bone

Things i LOVE Thursday

Making pumpkin cookies

Watching Sherlock: The Blind Banker

Wanting this burgundy velvet lace dress

Loving this dog dressed up for Halloween

Laughing over "Acting with James Franco"

Dreaming about tree houses

Reading Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew

and the Women Who Created Her

By Melanie Rehak

Hearting my new Disco City Bag

(Thank you Foley + Corinna!)

Listening to Scala & Kolacny Brothers'

cover of "Every Breath You Take"

November Days

Fall Dreaming by Icedivastar featuring fossil bags

How silently they tumble down

And come to rest upon the ground

To lay a carpet, rich and rare,

Beneath the trees without a care,

Content to sleep, their work well done,

Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly

Until they nearly reach the sky.

Twisting, turning through the air

Till all the trees stand stark and bare.

Exhausted, drop to earth below

To wait, like children, for the snow.

- Elsie N. Brady, Leaves