2010 Wasn't So Bad.

This year had its ups and downs for sure.  I'm ready to put the worst of it far, far behind me. That said, here are bits of what made my 2010 a blast!

I learned to rock climb.

Celebrated LOST!

Visited LA for the first time, saw Glee live and met Soju the cat.

Got my first Wang bag.

Attended the Independent Fashion Bloggers' Evolving Influence Conference

Saw Pee-Wee Herman on Broadway

My Etsy store got featured in Lucky Magazine.

Saw M.I.A. act like a complete brat in Queens.

Got featured on MTV Style!

Road tripped from LA to San Francisco with one of my best friends. 

Happy New Year and thank you for reading mandabear! 

Cabin Fever

I'm snowed in! That explains the randomness of this update. I love staying home, but I'm going a bit crazy. However, I am much happier on my couch having a Skins marathon instead of sitting in an airport all day. Even though the snow stopped, it's very windy outside, so frolicking can only go so far.  Not looking forward to my commute to work!  

(Jeffrey Campbell shoes, Hello Kitty for Sephora perfume, Clarissa Explains it All from Danielle, Low Luv x Erin Wasson ring, Sephora OPI "Looks Like Rain, Dear" nail polish)

Holiday Macaroons

Happy Holidays! This was my first time baking coconut macaroons.  The recipe came from my friend Steph's blog, The Baking Barrister.  It was actually very easy but I think I could have taken them out of the oven a bit earlier?  I don't know, I'm a confused baker about 99% of the time.  They do taste delicious though!

Early Holiday Cheer

I came home tonight to a box of holiday presents sent to me from my good friend Nicki in Arizona.  I absolutely love her drawings. The labels are adorable and if you know me well (or want to), Shiba Inus are the way to my heart! I think I was meant to be a cartoon because I'm way cuter illustrated. Thank you so much for the love Nicki!  I really do have the greatest friends.

My Little Holiday Wishlist

Just for fun, I put together a quirky little holiday wish list of things that I want off the top of my head.  I always end up purchasing my own wish list items myself, so maybe this is just a little reminder to myself.  This list is based more on small items and accessories. Though I would not turn down a new wardrobe, obviously!

1. Proenza Schouler Mochila Wallet, 2. House of Harlow Large Leather Cluster Ring, 3. Fashionology Silver Knuckle Ring, 4. Panda Pillow Pet, 5. Benefit Bella Bamba Boxed Blush, 6. Deborah Lippmann Glitter Nailpolishes, 7. Digby & Iona Giant Hare Ring, 8. Urban Outfitters Mirror, Mirror Jewelry Box, 9. Jeffrey Campbell Denmark Bootie

Coping With Cold

Winter is not my favorite season.  I've lived in New York my entire life and I'm sure if I really cared to do something to avoid living with winter, it would've happened already.  I just try to cope for three to four months of the year.  This chilly weather is making me go crazy lately!  It was 20 degrees today and windy.  My face was all red from windburn! I always love a good pick me up so here's what's been aiding my winter blues these days...

A GOOD SCARF

I searched like crazy for these chunky knit infinity scarves from the Gap.  They were all sold out in Manhattan.  Sometimes I'm late on liking things and they end up being oh so inconveniently sold out when I want to buy them!  I got lucky after a brutal hunt and I found two in Queens - this dark blue and a light grey, which I took right off a mannequin.  They are very soft and nicely priced at $15 each on sale!  The Amanda from 5 years ago would shoot myself for not attempting to knit or crochet one of these...

PAPABUBBLE CANDY

I visited Papabubble yesterday for the first time ever and I'm very impressed.  My candy and sugar cravings approve of this place and its candies!  Papabubble is a cute little candy shop near Little Italy that specializes in custom and unique hard candies in clever flavor combinations.  I went for the Arctic Mix because I couldn't say no to those little polar bear faces. At first I thought it would be a minty mix, but to my surprise the flavors are: lemon/horchata, pumpkin/coconut, eucalyptus/lime, apple/cinnamon and some others.  I am not a hard candy fanatic, but this is a perfect exception.

LUSH BON BON LIP SCRUB

This is a limited edition holiday item from LUSH.  It's made of white icing sugar, cranberry and lemon seed oil.  The consistency is different than the other LUSH lip scrubs (less grainy) and it's by far the best tasting one! I would be lying if I said I didn't spend one Saturday evening eating about 1/3 of it.

CHEWY EGG NOG COOKIES

Trader Joe's had so many new holiday treats when I went last week. I randomly picked up this box of Chewy Egg Nog Cookies.  They are egg nog flavored and are drizzled with white chocolate.  I don't even think I like egg nog and I LOVE these cookies!  I highly recommend you try these next time you roll into your local TJ's. The iced gingerbread men are next on my list!

(Trader Joe's, I love you, but the last sentence of copy for this product was pretty weak: It's like having a cup of eggnog always at the ready, in the form of a cookie.  Really? I think you can do better.)

Jewel Jams

Right now, New York City is sample sale heaven (especially with jewelry) but that doesn't mean that I am fully indulging.  I've been giving myself the challenge of picking the right sales to actually get up and go check out - only the ones that I know have things I will most likely genuinely love and wear.  Wallet friendly is another factor.  It's just so easy to get swayed by sales.  I probably missed out on a few goodies by not caving into my curiosities but that's okay.

I went to the Giles & Brother sample sale last week on Friends + Family day. In the pouring rain. That's how excited I was to go. I went to their last sale in June and I have been anxiously awaiting another sale since. I just love this line. There's some glitz, some unexpectedness but also wearability. I'm so glad I went because I got the one thing that I've had on my wishlist for a while now - a railroad spike cuff! It was a custom stamped sample and it was marked down to only $35. I also purchased two bangles for $10 each and a Pyramid Deco Ring with multi-colored rhinestones.  

If you have a CVS near you and like glitter polishes, you should go look for the Miliani nail polish display for this new line they have. The only one that caught my eye was Gems, a less expensive option (it's only five bucks or so) for Deborah Lippmann's Happy Birthday glitter polish. Party nails! So festive and fun, but a bitch to remove. 

I recently got a pair of shoe stretchers. I took these unworn Dolce Vita studded flats that were just hanging out here and gave them a good stretch.  Breaking in new shoes makes me so nervous. 

NYX Cosmetics Review on We Heart This!

It's that time. As a new addition to the We Heart This review team, I am excited to announce that my very first post went up today!  I tested and reviewed a few products by NYX Cosmetics, one of my favorite affordable makeup lines. If you like NYX or were ever interested in trying this line, please do check out my review by clicking below!

(photo: we heart this)