Vanilla chai

Outfit Details:

White shirtdress: Forever 21

Coat: ModCloth (old, similar here)

Tights: old (similar here)

Lady in Rad Boots in Camel: ModCloth (similar here)

Bracelet: American Eagle (old)

Well, I think it's safe to say it's officially winter here in upstate New York.  This isn't a whole lot of snow for this area, but it is enough to make me realize that I really can't take photos outside (at least, not all the time) for much longer.  Luckily, we're in the process of redoing my room (thanks in large part to my mom), so I'll soon have a nicer indoor space to take pictures -- and hopefully with some better lighting!  AND I'm hoping to be getting a DSLR for Christmas!!  So those are some things I'm looking forward to.  Oh, and my dad found my parents' old camera tripod (the box it came in is SO quintessentially early 90s, it's not even funny), so now I can continue to use my current camera until a new one might present itself.  My parents are pretty wonderful people.  I am lucky.  

I'll be working pretty much all day, selling tickets to a whole lotta dance moms (we have 6 performances of The Nutcracker with our orchestra this weekend).  I had to take a long, hot bath after my day yesterday; sitting in an uncomfortable computer chair stuck to a headset for 7 hours is really not good for my body.  But I'm determined to get back on the right track, physically!  I'm really going to try to be diligent about Weight Watchers again (of course, I'd pick the toughest time, temptation-wise!) and get back to exercising regularly.  I hate that I turn to food in times of emotional trouble.  I feel really awful when I don't eat well and take care of myself, and there is no reason why I shouldn't be kind to myself in every way.  I let myself indulge, but enough is enough.  :)

Have a lovely Saturday!

xox Sammi

Crisp apple strudel (Flock Together)

It's virtually unheard of that I do two posts in one day, but I'm also blogging over at Flock Together today!  I'm styling this beautiful red dress (which belongs to the lovely Erica!) and I'm definitely feeling the holiday spirit.  So once you've had your fill of holiday shopping (did you check out my post on my favorite Black Friday deals?), head on over to Flock Together and take a peek!

Have a happy Friday!!

xox Sammi  

The Shopaholic's Holiday (contains coupon codes!)

Of course, I'm referring to Black Friday!  Yesterday was devoted to turkey and family and tradition... but today is all about shopping (at least, it is for me)!  There are obviously a ton of great Black Friday deals right now, and if you're stuck at work (like I am) or want to spare yourself from navigating all the crowds (like I do), online shopping is a wonderful option.  

Out of all the big holiday sales, the one at ModCloth has to be my favorite -- but this shouldn't surprise anyone, since ModCloth has HUNDREDS of items on sale for 50% OFF right now!!!  I'm nearly hyperventilating at the amazingness.  These are all brand new arrivals to ModCloth, and all are half price!  It's almost too good to be true.  Here are a few of my 50%-off-favorites:

a // Luck Be a Lady Dress in Garden

b // Record Store Date Dress

c // Fashionably Afloat Dress

d // Darling, Please Dress in Jade

e // Fluent in Feline Sunglasses

f // Critter-cal Mass Bag in Cat

g // Looking to Tomorrow Dress in Evergreen

h // Bake Shop Browsing Dress in Umbrellas

i // Boysenberry Buckle Dress

j // Unrivaled Radiance Flats

k // Purr-chance to Dream Flat

l // Career Fairest Heel

Not only does ModCloth have great ideas for your holiday shopping needs, but since this is too sweet a deal to pass up, I'm sure you'll find a little something (or several somethings!) for yourself.  I'm really tempted by the beautiful baby blue dress, the cat purse, the purple halter dress, and the spectator heels!  Ahh!  This ModCloth sale lasts only 'til December 1st, so hurry up and head on over to the Black Friday 50% off sale to snag the best deals while they last!  PLUS, ModCloth is offering FREE international shipping on orders of $150+ for the holidays (so now is your chance, if you live outside the US and are a ModCloth lover!).

In addition to the sale-a-bration at ModCloth, here are a few of my other favorite retailers that are having some fantastic sales today:

ASOS: save 20% side-wide with code GIMME20
dELiA*s: save 40% and get free shipping with code HOLIDAY
Lalamagic: get $15 off orders of $50+ with code ILOVEBLACKFRIDAY
Asian iCandy: Black Friday deals (no code required - and they have the cutest animal tights!!)
Betsey Johnson: 30% off site-wide + free shipping with code SHOP30
Collectif Clothing: 50% off everything (except jackets & coats) with code BF50
Sourpuss Clothing: 25% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY
Emerging Thoughts: 20% off with the code GOBBLE GOBBLE
ever+mi.crush: 50% off site (excluding sale) with code BLKFRIDAY
Bonne Chance Collections: 20% off site-wide (plus free shipping) with code THANKYOU1
Fleet Collection: take 40% off your entire order with code BLACKFRIDAY13
Trashy Diva: 30% off regular-priced items with code BLACKOUT30
Hello Holiday: 25% off site-wide + a free gift with code BRIGHT
I'm Your Present: 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY
Unique Vintage: 25% off site-wide with code 25OFF
OASAP: up to 75% off on select items (see site for details)
B.A.I.T. Footwear: 25%-60% off (see site for details)
Tulle: up to 75% off entire site (no code required)
Kate Spade: up to 75% off (no code required)
Ruche: 20% off site-wide (no code required)



Happy Shopping!! :)
xox Sammi

Bountiful

Outfit Details:

Sights to Season Dress: ModCloth

Cardigan: Forever 21 (old, similar here)

Tights: ModCloth (similar here)

Shoes: Stylish Surprise from ModCloth

Leaf crown: Sterling Renaissance Festival

Bow ring: Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Belt: from another dress

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  I love this holiday (let's face it: any holiday that involves eating a ton of yummy food is going to be at the top of my list).  Our Thanksgiving is going to be pretty low-key this year -- I'll be with my parents, my grandparents, and aunt at our house -- but I always look forward to my mom's cooking.  She always makes everything (except the lime jello, which my grandma always brings... I have no idea how this tradition got started).  I need to learn how to actually cook things.  But for now, I will be stuffing myself full of her mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top.  

This fall has obviously been pretty difficult for me, and because there are so many holidays that focus on family, it's been hard to ignore the fact that a person I considered to be an integral part of my family is suddenly gone.  It's hard to come to terms with that, especially when there are still a lot of things that cause confusion and pain for me that stem from that situation.  But I am determined to not wallow in self-pity (since not only is that an unattractive quality, but it's also in poor taste to do so during a holiday that's about counting one's blessings).  And in the spirit of counting one's blessing, here is a short list of things I am thankful for, today and every day:

- my supportive parents, who generously let me live at home until I can figure out my next steps (and who also drive me around constantly, until I can get my license)

- being able to work as an actor and singer, in any capacity

- a day job that I actually enjoy

- my cat, Pumpkin (and poor old Pepper, my dog)

- kind, funny and talented friends

- music

- plays

- pumpkin pie

- pretty dresses

- my heritage

- my health

- hot drinks on cold days

- Friends reruns

- paychecks 

- shopping

- snuggling

- warm fuzzy blankets

- laughing really hard

- quirky, charming movies

- text messages

- feeling pretty

- my degree and my knowledge

- my good ear (for pitch and dialects)

- people who love and care about me

- being an emotional person, even when it hurts

- everything that has stemmed from this blog: readership, sponsorship and blogger friends!

I know I'm forgetting a ton of things... but these things definitely make me smile (oh, and smiling!  I'm thankful for that, too), and that's a very important quality to me these days.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xox Sammi

Festival of lights

Outfit Details:

Nishe star dress: eBay (similar styles here and here)

Light blue tights: ModCloth (similar at Topshop)

Star and arrow necklace: Forever 21 (only $0.99!!)

White flats: yeswalker (on sale!)

Sooo... as you may have guessed from the change of scenery... it is getting really cold and snowy here (we got a ton of snow last night!), and it is thus very difficult to take pictures when not wearing unstylish-yet-functional footwear!  In addition, my tripod is now quasi-broken.  Two of the legs are missing one screw each (and I have no idea where they went!), so the whole thing is really wobbly.  It's probably because I kind of haul it around with reckless abandon.  It isn't staying balanced very well, obviously, and I'm too afraid to risk bringing it back outside and having my camera fall on the ground.  Luckily, I do have some outfit photos on reserve, and I'm asking for a DSLR -- and now, a tripod -- for the holidays... so keep your fingers crossed on that.  AND if you have any DSLR-related advice, I would so appreciate your input.  I'm clearly still a bit of a novice and everything I do is trial-and-error, so I would really love to hear any advice you'd have to offer on make and model (I'm leaning toward a Canon, though I don't really know why, but other than that, I know nothing), as well as lenses, remotes (i.e., should I get one?), etc.  I will probably just need to go to a camera store, but trying to do research on my own is incredibly daunting.  I've asked for advice with this before, but I'm still pretty confused!  I need to figure it out soon, because the holidays are almost upon us!

Actually, the holidays really start today, at least for me.  Tonight is the first night of Chanukah!  I usually end up wearing something involving navy blue on Chanukah (it just seems apropos, for some reason), and I was really wishing that I had a galaxy dress (like this one!), because Chanukah always makes me think of stars and skies and things.  But then I remembered I had this dress -- which I was thinking of selling --- and it just reminded me of the Chanukahs of my childhood!  I think the brightly colored stars remind me of the Chanukah candles we always used, or something.  And I just love the buttons!  I already have a bunch of dresses by Nishe, so I was thinking of selling this in a forthcoming shop my closet update... but now I'm not sure!  I have a lot of trouble letting go of material possessions (I'm an only child, so I guess it sorta makes sense), even if I could make some money off of them.  I think this dress might be too cute to sell, though.  I still haven't decided.

We celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas in my house, but as I've gotten older, Chanukah has kind of fallen by the wayside.  My mom grew up Lutheran and converted to Judaism when she married my dad, so I am technically fully Jewish, but I've always loved being able to celebrate both sets of holidays with family.  My family seems to be shrinking more and more as I get older, and because I'm an only child (and newly single), this fact seems more and more pronounced.  I know we're having latkes tonight (and for a woman who didn't grow up Jewish, my mom makes THE best latkes!), and then my mom will be cooking up a storm tomorrow for Thanksgiving.  I don't really get Chanukah presents anymore (I think the last one I got was in high school, and it was a new hair dryer... haha), so Christmas is kind of the big gift holiday for us.  We always open presents on Christmas Eve (we get mostly silly stocking stuffers on actual Christmas), and we usually end up going to a movie on Christmas Day (we're thinking Anchorman 2 this year).  Sometimes we are typical Jews and eat Chinese food, too.  What are some of your holiday traditions??  I'm always interested to see how traditions evolve, both from family to family and throughout the years!

Have a great day -- and a great Chanukah, if you celebrate!

xox Sammi

Fairisle

Outfit Details:

Coach Tour Dress in Stitch: ModCloth

Dream of the Crop Cardigan in Black: ModCloth

Sheer black tights: Urban Outfitters

Lady in Rad Boot in Ink: ModCloth

Ampersand ring (part of a set): ModCloth

It snowed on Saturday -- enough to stick!  I took some photos yesterday in the snow, but these are actually from last weekend (after our first dusting of snowed had thawed).  I finally invested in another dress I can wear with casual boots (good thing, too... since I found out the hard way that any other types of shoes have a good chance of getting ruined in the snow).  I have two other dresses in this same style (one in red and one in a bright aqua-emerald color), but I really like the print on this.  It almost looks like it could be embroidered, at first.  It's also super comfortable, and I do love a dress with pockets (even if I never put them to use).

The weather was actually really gorgeous when I took these, and I didn't even need a coat!  I was able to go a little further in my backyard, for a change of scenery.  My family actually has a couple of acres of land on the property of our house, so it was fun to go exploring more than I'd been able to for a while (since it gets really overgrown in the summertime).  But now it's freezing out, and it's probably going to stay that way for the most part.  Upstate winters last forever, so I'm going to enjoy the early stages of it for as long as they last (i.e., before the gross slush stage sets in).

I'm excited for a short work week, and this week has not one but two holidays in it!  Chanukah actually starts the night before Thanksgiving this year (Thanksgiving is on the late side and Chanukah is way early), so we'll be feasting on latkes prior to turkey day.  Does anyone have any fun holiday plans?  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  We're staying here, and my mom is cooking for when my grandparents and aunt come over.  I'm looking forward to mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (with marshmallows on top!) and pumpkin pie.  :)

Have a great Monday!

xox Sammi