I'm Just Assuming People Have The Winter Blahs....

... and that's why they be acting like fools. There was a little too much nonsense and things that made me go "hmm" this week, and it's just Thursday.

I'm assuming it is because of the weather, but honestly, this is Alabama. It has been Spring-ish since Feb.1, and we can always get some freak ice storm in April.

We do have 28 days of Winter left (according to the all-knowing Groundhog). And that's okay! because we are going to make the best of it! I have compiled a list of happiness for you.

Here are some wonderful things I love about winter:

1. Soup:

2. Cozy Clothes

Like this cashmere wrap from Portolano (sold out on Bluefly). Can find similar here at Last Call: Nieman Marcus. (I may actually commit a whole post to Portolano Cashmere because it is beautiful and looks like it would feel like buttah).


3. Snuggling

4. White Wine and Oysters.




I suggest this lovely Sancerre from the Loire Valley if you want to spend around $25 bucks. It is called Delaporte. It is best buddies with oysters. If you don't like this wine, it's because you are sick with a cold or something and can't smell or taste properly.

If you want to spend around $12, try this little Muscadet from France as well. It is made from Melon de Bourgogne, which is French for "Drink me with Oysters". This is from a winery called Chateau Ragotiere.

(By the way, if you like to eat oysters, we are automatically Friends + 4 + EVA.  And the best place to sit and enjoy oysters in Birmingham, Alabama is at Satterfield's. Love love.)

5. I get to go to New Orleans every Winter after the Holidays. It is my favorite. This year we visited my friend Darling Jeff who works at SoBou. They have a drink there that I can't remember the name of (surprise) but you get a pair of sunglasses with it. They are awesome!!! So is the food. Go there, ask for Darling Jeff. He set you up real good.

6. Boyfriend makes Chili!!!!!! YAYSIES!!!

7. It is the start of awards season. Golden Globes, SAG awards, Grammys, the Oscars!!!! So much judging of fashion! I recommend following all of this on Tom and Lorenzo. They are Fabulous and Opinionated.

8. And my most favorite thing about the changing of seasons is that everything from the season before goes on sale. And it all goes on sale before it really even needs to go on sale. So you can buy brand new boots and coats NOW and probably still get to wear them! See! Spruce up your wardrobe. Buy your Christmas cards for next year. Invest in wintry smelling candles. Buy an OUTDOOR FIREPLACE. All for CHEAP. BECAUSE STUFF GOES ON SALE BECAUSE WE ARE A NATION OF RAVENOUS CONSUMERS.

So, there are a few things that can help get you out of your Winter Slump. Winter and its dark, cold, bleakness happens. It's supposed to happen, if the world is to operate in the fashion in which it was created. Now smile and be nice!

****The Boyfriend's favorite thing about Winter is Spring Training and something about Pitchers and Catchers, but that sounds dirty and I don't get it.****

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

I'm going to spend today telling about a few things I love right now. (other than the obvious: Spanky and Boyfriend)

But today, some other obsessions are keeping me happy, too!

Like my brand new Skull Sweater I bought in New Orleans at my new favorite store called Hemline.
They have stores all over the Southeast (two in NOLA: in the French Quarter and on Magazine).
I loooooove this sweater. And it was a total impulse purchase, I spotted it from about 50 yards away, stormed into Hemline, and the shop girl was like, "Yeah, I know what you want. They're folded over there." and then pointed to a stack of folded skull sweaters. Get you one. Go to Hemline.

This is called the Rhythmic Skull Sweater.







Also, I love my new glasses:

They are Raybans and they are AWESOME. Also a impulse purchase.
Well there's nothing "impulsive" about getting glasses, especially for me because a 15 year old cat with glaucoma has better vision than I do. But these frames were certainly impulsive. One lady at the eye doctor was like, "Yes! Get them!" and the other lady would not even make eye contact with me, so I did what EVERYONE should do and called my cousin Weldon, who is honest to the point of "ouch, flinching, that hurts" and she said "only you can pull those off" and I'm not sure if that was a compliment or not, but I bought them anyway.

And I LOOOVE this wine:

It is a wonderful Pinot Noir from Mongeard-Mugneret, a fantastic burgundy producer. It is a mouthful to say, I know. Those Frenchies love extra letters in their words (but so do English speakers: "bomb", am I right?), but say it like this : "Mon-yeered Moon-yer-way". I'm not sure if that is right, but who cares. You go buy it and drink it and call it whatever the hell you want. This wine is SO good no one cares what your French sounds like. I recommend it with salmon, and/or mushrooms.

Also on my love list: The Walking Dead is back (holla!) and so is Smash (don't judge me) and Justified (if you are not watching it, I'm totally judging YOU), my nephew Max, anything Russian themed, my friends and loved ones being happy in happy (-ier) situations, and mirrors (for decorating, stay tuned).

I'm ALL about simple and easy...

....but WHY is this a hairstyle? And WHY does it need a step-by-step DIY feature?

It's called "Low Messy Loop". By definition, it does not need instructions. Or product. 

I know it's Friday, and on most of the East Coast, it's raining/snowing....but did y'all seriously just dedicate time to what college girls do everyday to their hair?

Bitches be bored over at www.theGlitterGuide.com.

This is what most girls refer to as "Yoga Hair", btw. 

Do you know what happens when you Google “Gia” and “purses”?

Wonderful, delightful images will appear on your screen.

Try it.You’ll get this:

These are all Michael Kors and they are beautiful, right?

Here's the info if you want to buy one for me.

Michael Kors "Gia" Purse

Yes, I know they are fabulous. And there's more!

Look!

Also it's Michael Kors: just Google "Michael Kors Gia Colorblock Saddle"

There's like, a thousand purses he makes called "Gia" For the record, I have never met Mr. Kors. I have no idea how I managed to inspire such a amazing array of handbags, but here they are anyway.

***all images are Michael Kors. I'm serious, he has a ton of purses.

Okay, YOU try it. Google your name and then purses. Next, I'm going to Google "Gia" and "shoes".

Enjoy!

Hi!

I’m embarrassed to say it but I’ll do it anyway: “I’m back! Hey y’all!”  I’m embarrassed on a couple of levels: I’ve been absent, I’ve not been consistent (the true death of a blogger, I’m learning, is inconsistent postings), I don’t post pretty pictures of what I wear/eat/drink/visit…But sometimes I’m embarrassed because I don’t think y’all truly care about what I have to say, and why would you, really?

However, my dear friend AEP did a very scientific, thorough, controlled poll on Facebook and at least EIGHTEEN (+/-) of you seemed to give a vague indication that you are indeed curious as to what goes on in my head these days.

I’ll try to write something fun and/or informative I will! Truth be told, part of the reason I fizzled was because of writer’s block. Nothing was really piqueing my interest. I have no fashion conquests, no new house to renovate, no new craft project, etc. I’m done with oxblood, and almost done with Pantone’s new color for Spring and it’s not even Spring yet (if you don’t know Pantone’s new color, FOR SHAME). Everyone’s taking pictures of their food like they ain’t never seen jalapeno mac’ n cheese before. Everyone is drinking Bordeaux now (see: last post). What is new and fresh these days? I turned 35…is there no new and fresh?????

So, I challenge all of you to help me out! If there is something you want my two cents on, let me know. Books?  Recipes? Television shows?  Do you want my true feelings regarding large, Buddy Holly-style glasses on anyone over the age of 30 (love them, for the record. LOVE THEM.)?  Speaking of, when does the age of Hipster actually turn into not-a –Hipster? Do you want my opinions on that? (Yeah, I don’t feel qualified to answer that…which means I’m too old to be a Hipster…so…32?)

Or, perhaps we can play games! Guess Kimye’s baby’s name! An over/under as to how long it takes Lena Dunham to fall into the pressures of Hollywood and join Weight Watchers! Pantone’s color for Fall 2013!

So, Happy New 2013 everyone! Hopefully we can have some New Fun to go with the New Year. Or we can just start drinking now. I’m officially almost done with my first martini.

PS: If you clicked “like” on AEP’s Facebook post, “If at least 10 likes the post, maybe Gia Bivens will be update her post again”, and we have not actually met, God Bless You. You are in my head for life, and I am in yours.