12.19.2011
Holiday Gift Guide: What the Bloggers Wanted…at 22

Here’s the deal.  My blogger girls are some of the trendiest, most IT girls you will ever meet so naturally, I needed to know what they’ve been lusting after for the last several years.  Here’s a rundown on what they wish they could’ve purchased for themselves at 22, even if that was a decade ago for some of us.

Andrea Lavinthal – UsMagazine.com: D.L. & Company Delft Skull Plates

While technically I could’ve afforded the $185 set of four plates, I had no real use for them because when I was 22 entertaining meant uncorking a $9 bottle of Pinot Grigio (wait, I actually still do that) and putting out a bag of Tostitos. Now, that I’m an official grown-up (I have the paperwork to prove it) I like to serve my guests snacks and whatnot on real dishes and these are the perfect mix of badass and fancy-pants.

Rachel Adler -StyleCaster.com: Olympus E-P3

Now that I’m a “grown up” (ugh) I would splurge on a fancy camera like the Olympus E-P3. I borrowed one last fashion week and it was a life saver — super lightweight and the photos I took made me look like a professional photographer — any camera that can do that is worth a purchase!

Anne Fritz – TheJetSetGirls.com: nude Jimmy Choo Platform Pumps

Of course, there are so many things I want to give myself that I STILL can’t afford—a Chanel J12 watch, a car…But one “present” I did buy for myself this fall was a pair of nude Jimmy Choo platform pumps. I wanted them forever (at least three years). When I finally did get them, I had two Saks gift cards from various events and one that I had cashed in my Amex points for. I ended up getting them for like $250. And, now that I have them, they’re everything I dreamed of. They really do go with everything and I feel super sexy in them. If only I could walk five blocks in them, they would be perfect!

Amber Katz – BeautyBloggingJunkie.com: Four Seasons Bed

The thing I can buy myself now that I couldn’t buy when I was 22 is a FOUR SEASONS BED. YES. I’m going there.

When I moved to NYC in June of 2002 (happy 10th anniversary to me, almost), I inherited my brother’s old apartment (he was moving back to Philly and I kind of… evicted him). I also inherited his bed he’d had for a year. It’s a meh full size bed, perfectly fine except for the fact that he and his ex-fiance lived together, which weirded me out from both a Feng Shui and a–just ew– standpoint. I’m convinced my romantical chi has been fakakta since sleeping on a mattress tainted by a failed relationship and I was also in the market for a new bed but I had to wait until things like barely making rent weren’t an obstacle. And as you can see, that took about ten years.

So a couple weeks ago, I ordered the bed of my dreams–I figure, it’s an investment, but I’ll get 10 good years of amazing sleep on it. It’s coming within another two weeks and I seriously cannot wait. I slept on a Four Seasons mattress on a recent trip to Morocco and was sold.

Jeannine Morris – BeautySweetSpot.com: Chiristian Louboutin heels

When I was 22 and had my first job at Cosmopolitan all I wanted were a pair of red soles.  I remember splurging on a pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs black patent leather and velvet peep toes that I adored (and still have), but all I wanted were Louboutins.  Now, I own two pairs of the coveted red soles and allow myself to buy them once in a while.  They’re a nice treat!


Dina Fierro – Eye4Style.com: Philip Lim 3.1 fur iPad case

Say what you will about fur, but I love animals every which were possible – as pets, meals and yes, even accessories. Tops on my holiday wishlist this season is Philip Lim 3.1’s deliciously decadent dyed fur iPad case – truth be told, I can think of no nobler end for a bunny.

Kristen Turner – GlitterNGlue.com: Brian Atwood Fringe Suede Lace-Up Booties

I was 22 in 2004…during the height of hurricane Beyonce.  She just started her solo career and she was EVERYWHERE! I was obsessed with the Manolo Blahnik lace up boots that she was wearing in the Bonnie and Clyde video with Jay Z. Don’s ask why, but I was obsessed. I wanted a pair so bad. I even bought myself a knock off pair, but it just wasn’t the same. I guess the only way you can really get away with wearing those shoes is if they’re Manolo’s. Knock off just won’t do! I forget the exact cost, but they were Manolo$ so I’m sue they cost a pretty penny. Whatever the exact amount it was more than I had as a Loyola University New Orleans junior.

Now I could splurge and buy myself a pair… but I wouldn’t! Let’s be honest what was hot in 04 prob won’t make the cut in 2011. Today I’d love to gift myself a pair of Brian Atwood Fringe Suede Lace-Up Booties.

Aly Walansky – MyGloss.com: Hair Extensions

What I want for myself more than anything is hair extensions! I may be as unable to afford them as a decade ago, but then I didn’t know how much hotter I’d be with them – and what a worthwhile reason for debt they truly are.

Annie Tomlin – BellaSugar.com: Travel

Now and always, the thing I want most is time to travel. Visiting new places makes me think of the world differently, and when I was 22, I was too concerned with squirreling away money into savings. I still save a good chunk of each paycheck, but now a portion goes into a travel fund. I’d love to see Thailand, Montana, or Patagonia soon.

Kaitlyn Dreyling – BeautyBlitz.com: Miu Miu Glitter and Calf Hair pumps

These Miu Miu heels are the perfect blend of two things I really love – shoes and sparkle! My favorite way to indulge myself is with a luxe pair of shoes, and I love that this pair has a sparkly take on a classic design. While they make a stellar party pump, I would pair them with an everyday look, too. I can definitely see myself getting plenty of wear out of these!





 

09.13.2010
Contest Alert/Three Questions with Andrea Lavinthal

So I’ve known Andrea Lavinthal for a few years now and I have to say, she regularly impresses me with her witty writing, in-depth beauty knowledge and lastly, the fact that ‘she’s co-written THREE books by the age of 30.  Impressive, to say the least.  Her latest is titled Your So-Called Life: A Guide to Boys, Body Issues, and Other Big-Girl Drama You Thought You Would Have Figured Out by Now (available tomorrow).  After checking out an advanced copy, I realized how I am completely and totally in this phase of my life…it’s a mix of the quarter life crisis and what Andrea and co-author Jessica call your “thrisis” or “redo-berty.”  Check out the three burning questions I had for Andrea and enter for a chance to win your own free copy of her genius book.

Q: What does “thirty, flirty and thriving” mean to you?

A: Depends on the day.  When someone compliments me on a story I wrote, a blind date actually has all of his hair, and my skinny jeans zip up without a fight, that phrase embodies the confidence you gain in your late twenties and early thirties.  However, when your boss utters the words, “pay freeze,” the cute guy with hair goes MIA, and you’ve taken to wearing leggings EVERYWHERE, “thirty, flirty, and thriving” can feel like nothing more than a line in a Jennifer Garner movie (albeit my favorite Jennifer Garner movie).

Q: What part of your “redo-berty” or “thrisis” is personally hardest for you?

A: You know how when one area of your life is going great, another one is falling to pieces?  Well, I feel good baout what I’ve accomplished so far in my prfessional life and I’m thrilled that I achieved my goal of publishing three books by 30.  Now I’m ready to get married and be a mother and let’s just say that writing the relationship chapter of the book hit a little too freaking close to home!

Q: You and Jessica obviously have an amazing friendship, which is so important to have, and especially during the “thrisis.”  What did Jessica bring to the book and what did you bring to the book that makes you such a great team?

A: As Women’s Wear Daily put it in a feature on the two of us, “Lavinthal, all citified sorority girl in knee-high Michael Kors boots and honey-colored highlights, and the more cerebral, reserved, Rozler seem at first glance an unlikely pair, but it was these differences that drew them together.”  While this quote not-so-subtly implies that Jessica is the brains of this operation while I’m the, um, hair, we are actually more similar than people think.  For starters, we share a wildy inappropriate sense of humor and a love of pop culture.  Also, we’ve been writing together since we met as journalism students at Syracuse University so at this point we can literally finish each other’s (written) sentences.  However, Jessica is more patient, conscientious, and thoughtful than I am, which makes her not only an amazing writer, but a meticulous editor as well.  Plus, she lets me hog the spotlight.

CONTEST:

Leave a comment and let us know your biggest “Thrisis” challenge then email me with your answer and email address (QueenoftheQuarterLifeCrisis@gmail.com).  Three winners will be selected on Monday, September 20th!