Weekend 11.2

I had a ridiculously epic week this week. It was so full of wildness, I almost don’t even know where to begin! So let me just get the big one out of the way:

Linzi was Santa for Halloween.

She wasn’t Sexy Santa, she was, like, Fool Small Children Into Thinking Actual Santa, Santa. With a full red suit, and those stupidly big costume-boots and full beard and hair and hat and freaking glasses. With a full Santa belly which meant (between the belly and the boots) that she could only waddle down the street. Also it was 80 degrees in Philly. But you don’t realize how terrifying Halloween must be for little kids until you see them spot Santa among the zombie and ghouls. These kids were BEAMING at Linzi-Santa with equal parts joy and relief. That was easily the best part of her costume.

The worst part? Well…once Linz commits to a role, she stays in character ALL NIGHT LONG, so my Halloween was all, “HO HO HO…SHANA, WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CH–” pant, pant “HO HO HO….WAIT FOR SANTA” pant, pant, wipes sweat “HO HO HO SHANA” pant, pant “WHY ARE YOU WALKING SO FAST? COAL IN YOUR STOCK-” pant, pant.

Good grief.

We also launched our first-ever TME Holiday Gift Shop this week!! It’s been a total labor of love for the entire team, and something that I hope we can expand beyond just a holiday pop-up. We’ve been talking – for a really long time – about how to make our shopping recommendations more sustainably-minded, unique, and fresh, and linking you guys up with beloved local businesses just felt right. (Also, can I brag for a second about how freaking gorgeous and inspiring the shop is?? This team is blowing my mind.)

The promo pics, if you’re local to Philly, were shot at Midnight & The Wicked, the freaking coolest bar/club I’ve ever seen. The vibe is something straight out of The Great Gatsby, and is worth getting dressed up for a date night (or girl’s night!!). There’s three different rooms with totally different vibes (includes one with a dance floor) and gahhhhh it’s a really fun night out.

We’re also doing a giveaway for newsletter subscribers – $500 cash, just in time for holiday shopping, will be given out as a little thank-you to two lucky subscribers, chosen at random. (We brainstormed ‘thank you’ ideas and we were all like, we’d just want…cash? haha.) If you are already subscribed – thank you! – do nothing! You’re automatically in. If you’d like to be entered, subscribe here.

Lastly, on Friday night, in a pinch-me kind of moment, we got to hang out with Gwen Walz, the current First Lady of Minnesota (and, hopefully, our future Second Lady). It was just Gwen and the TME gang, chatting it up for a few hours. She’s an absolute delight, and you’ll have to read our little interview together to find out how Gwen & I first met.

And if you want Gwen’s great-grandmother’s ginger cookie recipe…donate $5 in these final days and it’s yours. 🙂

In all seriousness, we have so much at stake on Tuesday. Gwen challenged us to talk to THREE people between now and the election, to tell them why this election matters – on a personal level. And if you can volunteer your time to get out the vote on election night – it does make a difference. You never know what obstacles suddenly pop up for people, and part of the get out the vote effort is simply just helping people get to the polls. To find out how to volunteer in your state, go here.

It’s wild to see how close these races can be. Literally EVERY vote matters. For example, in 2016, when Trump was elected, he took my home state of PA by only 44,000(ish) votes. And know how many people (in PA) voted for a 3rd-party candidate that year? 268,304. (If interested, you can see what happened in your state, here. Page 11.)

So choose carefully. Our votes, our voices matter.

Ummm…OKAY, PAIGE. I’ve been firmly stuck in Levi’s land (these) but this pair of Paige jeans just stopped me in my tracks. The seam detail, the cool, French-girl vibes (done in a really unique, fresh way) – I’m totally smitten. Not to mention: on sale. All sizes in stock at Saks, too (also 30% off!). NOTE: These jeans have a whopping 34.5″ inseam, so I’ll definitely need to hem.

Petites, I offer you…these super soft Mother jeans in a perfectly faded black wash called, “Not Today, Satan.” Ha! More sizes available here.

Tonight. We have a Bar Mitzvah tonight, and I’m wearing a long, one-shoulder dress I’ve had for a few years – it’s stunning. IF it still fits! Finger crossed. But it’s floral, so jewelry can be tricky – the dress doesn’t need much, but does need something. I think I’m going to go raid our shop for these cluster earrings. They’re basically perfect with anything (and I can wear them out for brunch tomorrow, too).

Party, party. GAP’s Party Shop is SO good! My top three picks are this leopard print dress that looks like Reformation, this cropped faux-fur (in ‘taupe beige’ – STUNNING) and these green velvet pants which I’m now coveting because they kind of remind me of Scotti’s.

Gahhh UGG why u so cute? These boots, Gang. Seriously warm and waterproof. But which color? (I’m leaning chestnut…)

Hear me out: A totally unconventional holiday outfit, made up of this Apres Ski cashmere sweater….and these sparkle jeans???? YES??

Triple threat: This Kate Spade shoulder bag is the perfect shape, a great size for everyday, and has the *exact* right mix of ivory, tan and…black. So chic.

More green. I do not want to overstate things but this green velvet Adidas puffer is making me SO HAPPY. I’m shocked by how much I love it.

Best cashmere under $100? Quince just came out with new colors for their 100% cashmere fisherman sweater and they’re gorgeous. And while it’s not quite as good as Jenni Kayne’s, I figured out a trick: size up one size in Quince, and then this under-$100 sweater looks prettttttty darn close.

Target has my number. These vintage-inspired ornaments (this one, and this set) are my whole holiday vibe. Gahhh I love.

Had. Enough. Candy. We are somehow still drowning in Halloween candy even though Pax is the only one who trick-or-treats. I’ve been googling healthy breakfast ideas, and Love & Lemons must be on the same wavelength because she rounded up 60 good ones.

Happy weekend…

xo,

S