am i the only one that remembers writing those “how i spent my vacation” essays in grade school?  i thought not.

welcome back, all!  i hope you had a fabulous holiday…i know i did.  i thought i’d share a few little highlights with you from my week(s) away.

i had a wonderful christmas, full of cozy time with my hubs and the rest of my family, and packed with treats and goodies i didn’t even know i couldn’t live without.  my sweet hubs hooked me up with a gargantuan tub of my favorite cadbury heroes (a british mix of bite-sized cadbury delights), and also made me – from scratch, dear readers – chocolate and graham-covered marshmallows.  i have asked him never to make them again, as they disappeared at a frightening rate.  fortunately, i think he knows i didn’t mean a word of it.

(image borrowed from life’s ambrosia, as i sadly forgot to take a photo. but you get the idea.)

i also got a fancy new camera memory card that automatically transfers photos from my camera to flickr, without my having to do a thing.  it’s like magic. what this means for you is that i might actually be posting photos i didn’t borrow elsewhere!  like, say, a photo of the beautiful new earrings i got for christmas:

i also got a second pair of what may have been my favorite purchase all year:  my rachel comey mars boots.  i bought them first in stamped nougat (the very last pair in the universe, i think), and was wearing them so faithfully, i decided i had to nab a second pair in black before they were gone.  it was a major feat of shopping to find them (curse these giant feet of mine!), but thanks to mick margo (and my sweet mom), they’re all mine!

next, we headed to northern california for a few days of rest and relaxation with my family.  but i did manage to make the world’s quickest detour into san francisco…had to make a little stop at my beloved barneys, have lunch at the neiman marcus rotunda, and nab some macarons at miette.  missions accomplished…

…and then some!  i managed to track down a scarf i’ve been wanting for months…and on sale, no less!  it’s like barneys knew i was coming.

those little greyhounds in their cute coats…how could i resist?!

while i was in cali, i also got to debut my new elm cardigan from le train bleu. it was love at first sight with this one – that fair isle/native american pattern is so striking, and the striped lapel just makes me swoon!  apparently i wasn’t alone…my stylish mom literally stole it off my back, and i was forced to order a replacement.  thankfully, the brilliant bria at le train bleu managed to get a few more in stock. i’m counting the minutes until my replacement arrives!

now i’m home, and ever so slowly getting back into the swing of things….though i admit, i’m moving like molasses.  it’s just too cold here in portland to focus on anything, really.  except maybe a piping hot cappuccino.

what about you, dear readers?  how were your holidays?  i’d love to hear all about them!

for those of you that have spied me moonlighting over at shelterrific this year, you’ll know i’ve been taking on a bit of DIY goodness this season.  since i’m feeling all warm and crafty inside, i couldn’t resist sharing this fun sale happening at rue la la today.  several different “make your own” companies have banded together and are selling some excellent customized wares for the holidays.  you can make a laptop case with a custom design or photo, custom chocolate bars, or – my favorite – design a necklace with your favorite gems, style, and metal from gemkitty.  getting all the credit for handmade gifts, without the mess, unexpected expenses, and endless trips to michael’s?  priceless.

oh, did i forget to mention the custom, organic beef jerky?  because nothing would say ‘happy holidays’ to the man in my life quite like a big bag of custom-created dried meats.  (sadly, i’m not being ironic or sarcastic.)

at first glance, the gourmand might look a bit like a martha’s apprentice, but don’t be deceived.  this girl doesn’t care a bit about how glam her house looks for the holidays, or whether her ‘winter fir’ candle blends perfectly with her cinnamon-scented pine cones.  no, this is the friend that only has eyes for the holiday’s best eats.  she knows her himalayan pink from her smoked gray sea salt, swirls her wine with finesse, and welcomes her “food snob” label with a smile.

left to right, from top: oneida cia cookware 7-ply clad copper saute pan, $140; vosges haut chocolate holiday gift box (eggnog truffles and gingerbread toffee…need i say more?), $86; harney & sons red gift box (you’ll want this set just for the hot cinnamon spice tea), $29; salt and pepper cellars by rae dunn, $44; james beard’s american cookery (just re-released), $23; moonstruck chocolate crescent moon truffle collection, $33; food network magazine subscription (my personal favorite), $15/year; magnetic spice kit from purpose design, $33+, 479 popcorn foodie sampler, $35.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

if you’re stumped for stocking stuffers this year (or every year, as i am), here’s a list of a few goodies sure to make santa very popular on christmas morning!  incidentally, these also work very nicely as last-minute, low-cost gifts for all of those people you accidentally forgot to buy for.  if i were smarter, i’d follow my own advice from last year, and have a few of these on hand for gifting emergencies.

left to right, from top: moonstruck chocolates penguin & snowman collection, $16; la mer lip balm, $45; foot petals holiday limited edition, $7+; baggu/no.6 reusable shopping bags, $12; patrick hruby memory game (for the tykes, obviously, but it’s beautiful), $13; own plump hydration lip therapy trio, $30; jessica nails holiday heritage collection, $12.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

happy hanukkah, everyone!  for those of you not frantically rushing around to find a gift before sunset, tonight is the first night of hanukkah.  and so, in honor of the festival of lights, today’s gift guide is full of ideas perfect for friends, loves, and family, but the common thread is that each and every one is under $30…and that’s a list i’m guessing you’ll want no matter what holiday(s) you’re celebrating this year.  because if you thought christmas left you feeling broke, just imagine stringing it out for eight craaaazy nights!

left to right, from top: angela adams address book and notepad sets (so, so beautiful in person), $14-15; postcarden “season’s greetings” pop-up card, $13; clinique “connect the gloss” interchangeable lip gloss set, $25; cast iron owlet (literally impossible not to love), $18; tocca crema mani viaggio hand cream trio, $18; vosges bacon chocolate chip pancake mix, $12; michelle armas signed antonia 2011 calendar, $30; allo-allo french tea towel, $15; origins “peace of mind” on-the-spot relief (great for men and women – i’m obsessed!), $10; international rescue committee blankets, school supplies or first aid kits, $20-28; happy socks (!), $10; modern madness moustache mug, $14.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

i have to say, i love these ‘friday finds’ posts…they really do turn out as random as my week typically seems.

these beautiful new chocolate bars from vosges chocolate showed up on my doorstep this week (i love my job!), and wow.  a belt notch later, i can tell you they’re positively amazing.  vosges makes some of my favorite chocolates – they do an amazing job of creating seriously unique, unbelievably delicious flavors.  the pink peppercorns in the white chocolate/lemon zest bar might have been a tad strong, but utterly unlike anything i’ve tried. and there’s nothing at all wrong with blood orange caramel!  count me in.  next on my list to try is their new bacon chocolate chip pancake mix…yum!

i ran into this skirt from the tucker for target collection during a target outing this week, and dear readers, it is utterly fantastic in person!  i am now scouring my local targets to find my size, as it’s totally sold out online (reviewers have said it runs small, so beware).  this gold and navy brocade looks so, so much more luxe in person than it gets credit for being online.  it reminds me of something j.crew or kate spade would have produced, but the $39 pricetag is no lie.  wear it now with a drapey silk top and navy belted blazer, or a sleek cream cardi…and just try to imagine the holiday potential here!

speaking of j.crew, i was actively coveting one of the chunky bracelets from their fenton/fallon collaboration, but it sold out before i could justify the expense.  lucky for me their sister brand, madewell, has come up with a style i might even love more…and at half the price!  at $58, i’m having a very hard time finding the willpower to stop myself.

and last but not least, couldn’t resist sharing the friends & family action going on at hayden+harnett.  now through october 15, take 20% off any online order (including sale items, and pieces from other designers!) with code FALL10FRIENDS.  i checked with their designer, toni hacker, before i shared, and she assured me that she thinks of all you shoppingsmycardio readers as dear friends of hayden+harnett, so spend away!  i’d splurge on these tomtom pyramid stud earrings ($80) and the mystery scarf ($160), but i haven’t even gotten to the bags yet…

have a great weekend, everyone!

i’m resurrecting this end-of-the-week mishmash of my latest favorite things…but i think we need a better title, don’t you?  suggestions?

to start, i can’t forget to tell all of you that bloomingdales is having its annual friends & family sale through sunday 3/28.  you can nab 20% off just about everything with code BFF.  there are just too many finds to post, but trust me…it’s worth a look!

british chef jamie oliver makes my favorites list this week not just because i have a huge tv crush on him (and i do).  it’s partially because of his new cookbook, jamie’s food revolution, which is full of some great recipes that are easy and fast, including loads of excellent curry recipes, which are hard to come by.  but also, my tv crush is coming back to tv!  he has a new show coming on that starts tonight on abc, and i can’t wait!

speaking of crushes, i have an official crush on this dress by eskell (courtesy of the always-enticing le train bleu):

normally, i am thoroughly unenthused by warm-weather attire.  but this dress is utter perfection. for those of you dying to try the bold layering/color contrasting trends that are so hot this spring, this dress is a foolproof way to go about it.  it would so easily go from office to weekend with just a change of shoes, and it has the most flattering cut i could imagine!

i’m almost embarrassed to show you this scarf by yigal azrouel, because it is so hideously expensive ($380.  i know, i know.):

but then, it’s soooo beautiful, how could i not share?  oh scarf, the lovely things i could do with you…all my jeans and tees would suddenly be chic and perfect. (and by the way, yes, the expression on that model’s face does make you think that maybe you accidentally slept with her boyfriend.)

as penance for making you lust after a $400 scarf, i’m going to show you my favorite bag for the summer (ahem…well, so far, at least), which happens to be an utter steal.

i love everything about this bag from mothology – the rough cotton/hemp cloth, the nautical french stripe, the leather handle…it’s total warm-weather perfection, and it’s only $82.  it reminds me of something elegant ladies would carry to the seashore.

have a fabulous weekend, all!

(editor’s note: ooh, looks like vosges is on sale at gilt groupe this morning.  so, um…hop to it! grab an invite here, and the sale’s right here.)

you know how most people complain about weight gain over the thanksgiving-christmas-new year’s eve time of year?  personally, i have no trouble passing up yet another plate of fruitcake or turkey.

but easter.  ohhhh, easter.  ’tis the season for chocolate, hot cross buns, and all of those yummy egg-shaped candies (cadbury, i’m looking at you!).  plus all of those macarons (and macaroons) being baked up for passover (oh yes, i’m an equal opportunity binger).  and everything’s so cuuuuute!  pink speckled eggs, little bunnies and lambs…it’s too much to resist.  most of these fabulous treats are only around once a year, so naturally, i start stockpiling like a squirrel in winter as soon as the valentine’s day candy leaves the shelves.  my house right now is a diabetic coma waiting to happen.

but even with my extreme expertise in the realm of easter treats, i’ve come up with some new loves this year.  most of them are from vosges, whose chocolate is wonderful any time of year.  but when besides easter can you get bacon and eggs in candy form?

yeah, they’re at least as good as they look.  okay, who am i kidding….they’re way, way better.  if you’re skeptical (as i was, believe me), just remember how good bacon tastes dipped in maple syrup.  now imagine it’s caramel instead.  with a chocolate shell.  i know.

and i can’t really be expected to resist bunnies stuffed with toffee and pink himalayan sea salt either, can i?

then there are the absolutely adorable little truffles my mom sent me (how cute is she for sending me an easter basket?) from another favorite chocolatier, moonstruck chocolates, based right here in portland.

i haven’t been able to bring myself to eat them yet…in person, the cute factor is just overwhelming.  but don’t fear…i’m sure my sweet tooth will win out.

you’re totally craving chocolate now, aren’t you?  yeah, sorry about that.  my advice is to just give in…after all, easter only comes once a year.  grab any (or all…hey, it’s the holidays!) while you can!