Splurge vs. Steal: Touch of Sparkle

I'm not really a New Year's Eve person. Thankfully, since finding Mr. Fonty, I have had my New Year's Eves planned every year, and it is low-key and perfect. We spend the holiday in Bandera, TX. It is usually about 12:15 before anyone at the fire pit realizes the clock has struck midnight. We will pop our bottles of Andre, and wish each other a happy new year. It is perfect really. But while I love our relaxed holiday, I do miss an excuse to wear something sparkly, especially since there are so many cute sequined items out this year.


I've got 2 sparkle-laden options for you this year, whether your plans take you to a huge party or a party for 2 by the fire.

I love the look of a comfortable cable sweater with a sequin skirt

Pop the Champagne!!

J Crew knit top
$70 - jcrew.com

The Elder Statesman cashmere top
$1,355 - mrporter.com

TopShop chunky cable sweater
$140 - topshop.com

St John silk skirt
$995 - saksfifthavenue.com

Vince mesh skirt
$345 - net-a-porter.com

Dorothy Perkins sequin skirt
$35 - dorothyperkins.com

Kelly & katie shoes
$50 - dsw.com

TIBI maryjane shoes
$218 - tibi.com

Gucci high heel shoes
$550 - net-a-porter.com

Anna Beck green jewelry
$313 - couturecandy.com

Vintage chanel jewelry
$2,545 - stylebop.com

River Island diamante jewelry
€15 - asos.com

Kate spade jewelry
$128 - bloomingdales.com

Monica Vinader disc jewelry
£147 - net-a-porter.com

Oasis yellow gold jewelry
$9 - oasis-stores.com

Marchesa mini dress
$5,415 - net-a-porter.com

Vince sequin cocktail dress
$475 - stylebop.com

Sequin evening dress
$81 - warehouse.co.uk

American Eagle Outfitters boyfriend jacket
$80 - ae.com

Alberta Ferretti velvet blazer
$871 - stylebop.com

TopShop double breasted blazer
$150 - topshop.com

Georgina Goodman lace up boots
$322 - theoutnet.com

Victoria's Secret victoria secret boots
$128 - victoriassecret.com

Rupert Sanderson black boots
$1,145 - rupertsanderson.com

Brahmin party clutch
$225 - brahmin.com

Elie Saab chain clutch
$912 - boutique1.com

ASOS clutch handbag
$36 - asos.com

Drop earrings
$32 - pinkmascara.com

Nehita 14k earrings
$1,276 - maxandchloe.com

Amrita Singh tear drop earrings
$80 - amritasingh.com

Merry Christmas To All!

I can't believe the Chrstmas weekend is here! Where did a year go?

Mr. Fonty and I are celebrating with my family in California. Christmas is some serious business in the Cattaneo house. Mrs. Cookie has been playing Bing Crosby since Thanksgiving, and Santa still slides down our chimney every year - even with my brothers and I being well into our 20's and 30's. It is going to be a cheer packed weekend. I hope Mr. Fonty is up to the challenge.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Have you seen the Kardashian Kristmas Kard this year? Incredible. I have never seen a family able to take themselves so seriously.
And have you noticed this is about the 10th time they have dressed in some form of tuxedo? Hey, if it keep Kim out of early 90's white lycra dresses, I guess I can go with it.

This was also captured in 3-D.

HAHAH! They are incredible.

And in case you didn't believe me:

 

 

May Your Christmas Be Merry & Bright!

Mind Your Manners

I was taught at a young age how to set a table, and it has always stuck with me. I think we were in the 2nd or 3rd grade, and one of the moms came to class and taught the girls (I am guessing it was just the girls, because it was the 90's, and people could get away with being sexist) how to set a table. (And no, I did not go to a finishing school. I too am confused about why we did this, but obviously I was very interested).
I think this is such good information to know, especially since some people will be hosting their first holiday and using their wedding china for the first time.


All the Mountains



I also have trick for remembering which side your glasses are on and which side is your butter plate (so you can politely call out your uncouth dinner mate when they steal yours)

• Make a "b" and a "d" with your hands (Index finger to thumb, middle finger straight out)
• Your left hand will always make a "b" for Bread and your right, a "d" for Drink.
• So easy, huh!?!

I'd love to see the table settings y'all come up with for the holidays! Send them to melcfontaine@gmail.com, and I'll show you off on the Fest.

Anne M. Cramer

Uh Oh.. Mama's got a new addiction. As if I needed one more reason to shop, I discovered Anne M Cramer via Pinterest (thanks, Rebecca!). I don't think clothes can get much girlier - even at Kate Spade - and I like it! And the best part, you can shop online! Merry Christmas to you!

Tunesday with George

Best of 2011 time....

Ryman at the Echo Mountain Studio in Asheville, NC

but first, two free gifts from me. (OK, only one is free now that Daytrotter charges a monthly fee of $2). We are giving away a three-song download of new Ponderosa songs for a limited time, get yours here:

FREE PONDEROSA (Mrs. Fonty Note: Tellin' Lies will knock your socks off)
and their Daytrotter session, which was recorded over a year ago, is now up


Now on to my favorite albums of the year, in alphabetical order:

A.A. Bondy -- Believers (probably my overall favorite, and the first alphabetically)

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears -- Scandalous

Cary Ann Hearst -- Lions And Lambs

Dawes -- Nothing Is Wrong

Gillian Welch -- The Harrow & The Harvest

The Head And The Heart -- The Head And The Heart

Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit -- Here We Rest

Jonathan Wilson -- Gentle Spirit

Jonny Corndawg -- Down On The Bikini Line

Kurt Wagner & Cortney Tidwell (Kort) -- Invariable Heartache

Middle Brother -- Middle Brother

Ponderosa -- Moonlight Revival

Robert Ellis -- Photographs

Ryan Adams -- Ashes & Fire

Steve Earle -- I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive

Wilco -- The Whole Love

Hey, Teach!

It's that time of year when the last school bell of 2011 will ring. Which also means it's time to buy gifts for teachers and aides. (Do schools still have aides?)
All over Pinterest are homemade gifts for teachers made out crayons, apples, and any other cheese-y teacher related item Susie-Homemaker-Blog can come up with. But as the daughter of a teacher, I can safely say no grown woman - let alone one who spends all day with your entitled child - wants a monogram of her last name in Crayola. When creating something teacher related, ask yourself, would I want these crocheted apple coasters in my house? Probably not.

I realize we are in a recession, and people are trying to save money. So if all you have is $5, I think putting that towards a Starbucks  gift card will be far more appreciated than this:

Poor Ms. Ina

Something tells me she would have preferred a Birkin.

This could only be cheesier if each adjective came off the letters of Mrs. Cooper's name.

Magnificent

Rad

Scotch Tape! You shouldn't have!

A plain frame is so boring. Good thing you added that extra touch to ensure it matches my home decor

Don't forget your computer teacher

And my personal favorite. Because every teacher wants an Elmer's Glue cake. Attention Moms, the glue is provided by the school for free.

Whoever said the best gifts are handmade from the heart was obviously a woman with bad taste and too much time on her hands.