1. mario badescu honey moisturizer 2. nars black eyeliner stylo 3. h&m 30 pack metallic hair grips 4. lavett & chin no. 2 pomade

For the past few years my beauty routine has stayed pretty consistent (Florida weather was pretty reliable and never harsh on my skin) but this year I'm seriously rethinking my winter strategy! I've already begun to notice that my face needs a little extra attention and my hair is definitely getting unruly.

What's in my winter makeup bag? A super-moisturizing lotion (this Mario Badescu one smells divine plus I read somewhere that Martha Stewart loves how these little bottles look on her vanity... sold!), good quality eyeliner for executing the perfect feline flick and a few hair essentials. Apparently, this pomade was discovered on set of the J Crew Style Guide shoots where stylist Brent Lavett borrowed it from the guys to achieve the perfect messy mane. A product that'll make my bedhead look intentional? Now that's a good thing.

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1. j crew gold-stripe mini 2. canon EF 50 mm f/1.4 3. anna sheffield 3 stone hazeline 4. j crew stripe painter tee with jeweled brooch 5. new balance 420 black and grey suede sneakers 6. rifle paper co. global social stationary set 7. warby parker "benson" 8. j crew fair isle trouser socks 9. j crew pajama set in gingham flannel 10. anthropologie 1932 bergamo cookware

It's here, it's here! My favorite time of year is finally here and I've already started the countdown for my 23rd birthday/Christmas. Since I'm unlucky enough to have a December birthday (it's on the 4th) I was always one of those kids who received birthday + Christmas combo gifts, which is totally fine. To be completely honest, celebrating a birthday during the holiday season is kind of a present in itself. Think about it: the whole world is in party mode and it happens to be during your birthday!

This year I have some pretty (big) specific holiday wishes! I'm coming down from an AMAZING year spent blogging and have so many goals and dreams for Chelsea & The City in 2014. A shiny new camera lens will help me improve image quality in a big way. Since we've just moved into a new home (and I'm realizing, weeks away from Thanksgiving, that we only have two saucepans) I'm in need of a few domestic necessities. Also, I've decided that 2014 is going to be the year for snail mail. I'm all about cute stationary and pretty stamps lately. And, of course, J Crew's calling my name just a little.

Then there's the matter of a certain question that I've been told will be asked before the end of this year...

Come Thanksgiving time I have one major weakness: canned cranberry sauce... I basically live for it! While that crimson jellied goodness has been a staple at holiday tables past passed, I've always been envious of homemakers who serve a more rustic dish of cranberry sauce. Although I've been intimidated by the homemade version before, fear not, this sauce is easy peasy!

Ingredients:

12oz fresh cranberries, rinsed 1 cup granulated sugar 1 sprig fresh rosemary (just eye-ball it here, the more the rose-mar-ier) 1/2 cup fresh orange juice

Directions:

In a large saucepan, bring the cranberries, sugar, rosemary and orange juice to a boil (stirring occasionally) on medium high-heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for one minute. Remove from burner, cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Remove rosemary and discard, transfer sauce to a heat-safe container and chill before serving.

This sauce can be made a week ahead and refrigerated in a covered container.

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