MAD SCARF

When I was 18, my mother took me to Paris and bought me my first CHANEL. A red and white silk scarf that I fell in love with instantly. I wrapped it around my head a la Grace Kelly, but instead of looking elegant, I looked old and crazy. I tried wearing it around my neck....still crazy, but in a Mary Tyler Moore way. Then I remembered Flo, best friend to Alice. She wore scarves around her neck but she also decorated all her purses with them too. Voila! Finally a way to wear my beloved scarf and not be totally nuts.

SWEETER THAN PIE

Listen up. This necklace has your name on it. Well, it has my name on it so wait to order it until I can get my hands on it. I can't figure out if I want to eat it or wear it, it looks so sweet. "Cherry Pie" necklace by Isabel Harvey is one sugary confection we can all feel good about.

www.isabelharvey.com

ANN'S BACK

Remember when Ann Taylor was your "go to" for cocktail dresses and baubles to go with? It's been a while since that was the case but lately Ann Taylor is making a comeback. With beautiful knits, simple but well proportioned dresses, jewelry that is feminine and current. Finally.

Wear it with that simple black dress and it'll be Taylor made for you.

www.anntaylor.com

NECK WARMER

I know you've seen scarves worn really long and really thin. They're a "look" and a layering tool but they definitely don't serve much purpose. They certainly don't keep you WARM. Now that winter is fast approaching, staying warm is key. Wrap it up close to your neck... even long wool wraps can be worn as a scarf. Warm and chic. I'm all choked up.

ALL BARK

I am not a baker but luckily I don't have to be. I have the easiest recipe for chocolate bark that is super healthy and delicious. It will leave you feeling satisfied; it's super low in carbohydrates; it's good for your skin and health and it won't get in the way of you fitting into that size 4 Christmas dress.

3 Tablespoons Green and Black cocoa powder

3 Tablespoons MELTED Spectrum organic coconut oil

3 suirts liquid Stevia

handful of walnuts

In flat shallow tupperware container mix all ingredients until smooth. Put in refrigerator and let cool (about 25 min). Once hard, cut into pieces and enjoy. Bark and bite all in one.

SOLAR POWER

I went to New York this weekend and while I saw plenty of amazing fashion and decorative items.... the real find in NYC was a face cream. Summer is officially over but the sun's rays are still out, damaging our face (like we need more of that). The need for heavy sunscreen is over but you still need to be protected and do it naturally. Devita moisturizer has TRANSPARENT zinc oxide instead of the more common white/grey zinc that is in my other favorites. This means it's fantastic under makeup, is sheer and absorbs easily. It leaves the skin soft and supple but protected and not from a bunch of chemicals. Sorry Neutrogena.

www.organicbeautyworld.com

HERE I GO AGAIN

I thought this look would never return but everything in fashion makes a comeback so here it is. Acid wash jeans are everywhere and some are better than others. If you don't feel like looking like a leftover Whitesnake groupie you might want to err on the gentler version of acid wash. A more bleached out version rather than full out acid. Free People's bleached grey jeans are true to the 80's but styled for today.

"Is this love, that I'm feeling? Is this the love... that I've been looking for.. is this love, or am I dreaming.......?"

www.freepeople.com

PLUM CHOICE

Here I go again with the Sugar Plum Fairy references. As my daughter would say about her love of wearing head-to-toe pink and the love of pink in general, "I just can't help it."

These are sooooo ethereal and so utterly feminine...so Sugar Plum! The tutu dressed girl inside me is desperately hoping to see these in her Christmas stocking this year. Hint. Hint.

www.jcrew.com

SWEET SPOT

While I'm a big fan of dresses that look like cupcakes I'm also a really big fan of the cupcake itself. I don't need a birthday to celebrate the pure perfection these little treats offer and neither do you. That's the beauty of them. They fit every mood and every occasion or non occasion. Somehow you are okay buying a few cupcakes out of the blue but would feel weird buying an entire cake. SWEET in Back Bay and Harvard Square offers the prettiest, yummiest cupcakes around, baked fresh every day. You really don't need a reason to get them. Just get them.

www.sweetcupcakes.com