Whatever your New Year's Eve consists of...

...be it pizza and beer, champagne and confetti or snuggles and couch time with someone you love...

I hope it brings you smiles and joy and that oh-so-invigorating feeling that a new year is ahead.

And ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

I love you all. And I've so enjoyed sharing my life and things that inspire me on a daily basis here at November Grey.

So until next week, my loves...

Be safe, be happy and see you in 2011!!!

pic 1 Voyeur Photography , pic 2 We<3 it

L.A. Rain/Closet Inspiration

So what do you do on a rainy day when you're stuck inside staring at a house full of unwrapped gifts, freshly washed vintage clothing and 2011 staring you right in the face?

Why... organize, of course! So, OK... the image above is the things that fairy tales are made of. Could you just die to live inside there? Ya, me too.

But a little more my space and speed is this INSANE DIY from fellow blogger Love Aesthetics. I'm a little bit obsessed with her.

She created a clothing rack out of a branch, people! See her entire tutorial here.

I'm also loving the idea of splashing your inspiration board all over your walls or closet doors as seen here .

But because marriage is about compromise (blah, blah...)

I will spare my very minimalistic husband the agony and settle for the below organization inspiration inside our hall closet.

Maybe some pictures splattered on the inside? xx

Favorite Presents

It's been sunny once again in Southern California, and while the rest of the world would slap me upside the head for complaining...

The hubs and I feel a little nostalgic (if not downright jealous) of all the snow NY has seen these past few days.

I'll admit is has been nice and gave us an excuse to get our blood pumping after several days inside our cocoon of a home.

Now you know I'm a lover of all things vintage, but it's also quite fun to be gifted the new.

Including  this American Apparel jumper and bag

The best (just been flushed by love) blush called Orgasm by Nars

And some gorgeous Emporio Armani lace boy shorts 

(Not seen, but wearing them!)

What have been some of your favorite gifts this year, lovelies?

OK... back into my cocoon! xx

Soak it in

 Reasons to decorate & Peppermint soy latte's

 The child and glamorous doll in all of us

 All images via We<3it

Winner! Vintage purse!

Congratulations...

You're the winner of the vintage clutch giveaway!

 And the coolest part?

Tucker shares an almost exact birthday as moi!

Happy birthday, girl!

Make sure to check out Tucker's blog Fairy Tales are True.

(I believe! I believe!)

Merry Christmas, all... 

See you back here next week! xx

image 1 We<3it

image 2 A gift wrapped Life 

image 3 ianton 

A Christmas Dinner

I spent the most lovely evening last night having Christmas dinner with some truly fabulous people.

All the stops were pulled.

Homemade turkey dinner, classic English and American dishes, homemade desserts, presents on our chairs, overflowing champagne...

Laughter, love, and reasons to dress up in my festive vintage gear.

Military jacket, hat & purse - vintage

Inspiration here

Underneath was an excuse to wear a ridiculously sexy red dress I found via thrift a couple of weeks ago.

Not true vintage, just a cool find someone was silly enough to give up.

The hostess (my goddess of a friend) was so glamorous in her couture gown from Paris (that she found crumpled up in a ball at a charity shop for $8!)

It was literally jaw dropping gorgeous. With a draping cape back, elegant neckline, in a flawless silk fabric. ($8!!) See why we're friends?

It was so much fun that the hubs literally had to drag me away. Hope you have somewhere fabulous to go, somewhere soon. Happy holidays, guys. xx

Check back in tomorrow for the winner of the
vintage clutch giveaway!

Winter Whites

Inspired (to near winter-white death!) over this stunning photo from Bazaar 1/11 issue!

This sleek cream dress from Calvin Klein Collection matched with lustrous locks, crimson lips and liquid lined eyes... I mean, this has me written all over it!

So I searched my closet and found a little thrifted-something I plan to tweak and tailor until I get the same sort of feel.

True, it's sleeveless and a bit creamier cream, but that's the thing about fashion ~ get creative and declare your own interpretation of something that inspires you.

Lucky Enough

I was lucky enough this year to celebrate my birthday twice. Once with my family, and once my girls.

Here's the highlights... hope you're enjoying this week!

Favorite guy, favorite sushi place, and a tiny tot running around making friends.

A sleepover and some serious UNO with my hilarious sister, her foxy fiance, and cheeks that hurt from laughing so much.

Some jazz, some amazing gifts (thank you, girls!), some wine, and some serious planning for 2011.

Happy birthday to me! A present for you!

Well, it's coming up on my birthday this weekend, and I wanted to celebrate by giving away a present.

Why you ask? Well, simply because you guys rock.

And I feel lucky. 

And this year I want to try and concentrate on what I do have, instead of what I don't.

The holidays are upon us and everyone disappears this time of year... which used to bum me out. 

But then I realized that everyone and everything I need is right here.

And I feel grateful.

So I want to offer you guys a chance to win something that makes me very happy. 

What else? A spectacular vintage find...

This black vintage clutch is just the right size to fit your phone, wallet & makeup goodies.

And the worn-in buttery leather makes it a classic keeper.

To be eligible for drawing:

1. Become a follower of November Grey and leave a comment ~ (if you are already a follower, let me know!)
2. Simply tell me what your favorite birthday memory is. 

(Remember to leave your contact details here or at novembergreyonline{at}gmail{dot}com)

Open to international submissions

Contest ends 12/20/10 at 10pm PST

Winner will be drawn randomly & announced on Christmas Eve!

Above 3 images via we<3it 

The Perfect Nude Lip

You know I love me some red lip. But if I had to be honest, my go-to makeup look when going out is smoky eyes and a nude lip.

Just like finding the perfect red lip routine, going nude takes a certain amount of prep. 

And lucky for me, two of my sisters and one of my dear friends are professional makeup artists who keep me stocked with tricks and tools to get it right.

1: Brush your lips with a toothbrush and some sugar mixed with warm water to remove dry skin.

2: Apply lip balm lightly all over lips.

3: Gently brush on a thin layer of concealer. Blot.

4: Apply a nude pencil liner on lipline and fill in the center as well. Use a deeper nude for darker toned lips, such as MAC Spice. A lighter tone for medium lips, such as MAC Carmellow or Whirl. A fair pencil for pale lips, such as MAC Subculture.

5: Toss a gold or yellow-gold gloss on top, Such as Becca Granita, or Becca Champagne.  

xx

Above pic courtesy Voyeur Photography 

Makeup/Hair Lisa Dempsey 

Nude lip tutorial courtesy Noa Bolozky

Vintage pants in the key of Lang

Running off to an early pitch meeting but I wanted to share one of my "new" favorite thrift pants. 

I was thrilled when I found them as they reminded me a bit of the Helmut Lang pleated stovepipe pant I've been lusting over.

They're slouchy, comfortable, cool, and have just enough shape where it counts most.

And I threw it all together at the last minute with one of my fave vintage tops (also seen here) and motorcycle boots.

Sometimes rushing out the door works!

Anyway, have to run, but Out of the Closet $1 tag sales. It's where it's at. (Yep, these were $1!) xx

Know Your Muses/Katy Perry

Katy Perry in the December issue of Bazaar...

Clean, crisp, sophisticated lines...

With retro elegant and fabulously feminine lips and locks.

P.S. I'm a big fan of the magazine tear inspiration board. 

But I also keep a file on my desktop labeled

"Muses"

for  whenever I need a little encouragement style wise.