Thanksgiving Surprises

Sorry I haven't posted in a while--I was enjoying spending time with my family over the nine days I had off for Thanksgiving break. Now that I'm back alone in my dorm and school resumes tomorrow for the last three weeks of my first semester of college (!), I thought I'd get back to blogging.

I actually got quite a few wearable gifts over the break, which was a nice surprise. The Friday my mom and sister picked me up, we went to the Park Meadows mall on the way home. I bought the Seascape cardigan from Hollister in dark pink ($39.50). It's a simple style, but I love sweater and it's such a bright color. The little jewel in the center of each button and the ruffle detailing on the pockets are cute touches, too.

A few days later, my mom went shopping on her own (for my sister's upcoming birthday and Christmas, of course) and brought me back two things: the AE Striped Trapper Hat (multi, $29.50) and a pair of light grey sweater tights from Target. I've been needing grey tights for quite a while, not to mention another winter hat to match all my coats, so I was really thankful!
Since we're moving to a new house in a couple of weeks, we've been boxing up everything and selling or tossing everything we don't need anymore. My sister was getting rid of a navy blue puffer jacket she'd gotten from Aeropostale a few years ago, so I snapped it up. You can always use another jacket, right?
On Black Friday, I didn't do any shopping per se, besides going with my dad on a few errands including a Whole Foods stop. It's definitely my favorite grocery store, so I didn't mind going to other stores, as long as I could pick out a few WF treats and grab a free sample or two. My dad also took me to Starbucks, which was great, too.
Yesterday I spent most of the day out with my mom. We stopped by our new house to take some measurements, then went to Lowe's and Sears to check out the fridges. My mom had a hair appointment, but we had some time left over, so we grabbed some delicious gelato. Then I read through Vogue at the salon while she got her hair done and afterwards we stopped at Kohl's. I needed some gloves to go with my new hat, so I got a pair of cream-colored knit mittens that were super-warm. My mom also bought me a pair of grey bootie slippers, since my old slippers had fallen apart. After our day out, we drove home and then back out again to have dinner with the whole family at Pei Wei. Back at home, I surprised my sister with an early birthday gift: a Hollister holiday t-shirt. My mom got me one too (Promenade Park in green, $15.50). It was a great day!
Even though I'm back at school now, with Christmas break a little less than 3 weeks away, I'm hoping the weeks will fly by and I'll get to see my family and my new house (and actually spend a month there!). In the meantime, I'll enjoy my little presents and play all my Christmas music. Happy holidays, everyone!

Early Christmas Presents: Part 4

Hollister is the place to go year-round to get surf-inspired, SoCal clothing. Unlike Abercrombie & Fitch (nothing against you, A&F!), Hollister is a little more laid-back and the prices definitely reflect that; most things are $20-$70 cheaper at HCo. That's not to say that the quality is worse, though, Hollister is just drawing in a younger demographic that usually has less money to spend.

Looking for a unique sweater that'll keep you warm on Christmas and beyond? The Ramona sweater ($130) may be just what you're looking for! It has all-over knit vintage patterns, fits a little looser than most of their sweaters (that's why it's called Sexy Ease Fit) and is actually handknit which is why it's a little pricey. But it's still a great buy.
If you're totally over your old, ratty pjs, try Hollister's! Their Rockpile shorts ($15.50) won't break the bank and come in 5 super-cute patterns perfect for the holidays.
Add some shine to your accessories with a Vintage Cali Belt ($29.50). This one has a silvery strand weaving through the brown, so you'll definitely stand out whether you pair this belt with jeans or a dress.
Want a funny holiday-inspired graphic tee to wear to school? The Promenade Park tee ($15.50) has you covered, with 6 different colors each with a very different, comical and cute Christmas graphic. You'll really get into the holiday spirit with this shirt because a dollar from each purchase goes to preserve beaches. So you'll be giving, and getting!
Love plaid shirts? So do I! The hardest part for me is picking the color that I want, and with the Arch Bay shirt ($30), there are even more options! My favorites are the green plaid, the navy plaid and the light navy plaid, but feel free to choose whichever color you love best!
A simple sweater with a stand-out detail...that's the Scripps Pier sweater ($59.50) for ya! It comes in dark pink, navy and dark grey and each one features a large knit seagull in a pop color. And it's a classic scoopneck style that will go with almost anything, so you'll get a lot of wear out of this!
I've always loved the look of trapper hats, but never found one that was cute enough for me. The Vintage SoCal Knit Cap in red ($29.50) is very stylish though with its knit heart and logo embellishments. And you've gotta love the pom-poms!
If you want to extend the life of your miniskirts by wearing them into winter, you'll need a good pair of leggings. The Awesome Butt Jersey Leggings ($12) are simple but warm, and come in navy and three shades of grey to match just about anything you have.
Shop at Hollister this holiday season and you won't be disappointed! Look for free shipping and other discounts throughout the season and happy Cali Christmas!

Early Christmas Presents: Part 3

Gilly Hicks used to be a store better known for their cute bras and undies. All that has changed within the past year, as they added clothing to their lineup of lingerie. Since they are a "little sister" brand under Abercrombie & Fitch (just like Hollister), their clothes and their website have a similar feel, with a Down Under edge to it.

Are hoodies your go-to piece on cloudy, cold days? GH has a great selection of them, from hoodless sweatshirts, to button-down hoodies, to pullover ones and even styles with faux-sherpa or faux-fur. My personal favorite is the Collaroy zip-up ($59.50) in red. It's got a faux-sherpa-lined body and a faux-fur-trimmed hood, making it super-cozy for even the chilliest of days.
Like A&F's jeggings but don't want to shell out big bucks for them? Gilly has a great variety, from super-dark to vintage to grey washes, and they're all $30! What a deal!
If you live in a warmer climate, or like to pair your skirts with tights, try the Sorlie plaid skirt ($39.50). The colors are toned down enough for the season, but are still playful.
If you're anything like me, you love it when your accessories match. This store's got you covered: hats and scarves that totally go together! I like the Knit Winter Hat in pink stripe ($24.50) paired with the Preppy Winter Scarf in pink ($34.50).
They've got all kinds of plaid shirts, from tunic-style to classic button-down. Try the Kingsgrove shirt ($39.50)--it comes in 5 seasonal shades, has a waist-tie and a ruffly placket.
Looking for a cute tee with a wintery graphic? You've come to the right place. The Golden Grove tee ($16) features Cedric (their adorable koala logo) in all kinds of poses, from skiing to ice-skating.
Don't forget pjs...Gilly Hicks has them, too! Their Bare Island sleep pants ($29.50) are perfect for cuddling up next to the fireplace or wearing on Christmas morning.

Every Monday, they have a Secret Sale, where one type of item (tees, sweaters, accessories, undies, etc.) is on clearance for one day only online. Make sure to sign up for their emails so you can get in on this. Oh, and GH only has 16 stores across the U.S. so if none of them are near you, don't sweat it--you can always order their adorable stuff online. Happy shopping!