LAST MINUTE GIFTS

Anyone else out there a last minute shopper? If you are looking for any last minute gifts, I've got some cute picks under $25 for ya.

A couple notes on the picks:

• Barista's Guide to Coffee - I already bought this book as a gift, and it is seriously incredible (if you are very into coffee). It is very, very thorough and informative. If you have a coffee love in your life, I can't reccomend this book more.
• Voluspa "Crane Flower" - This scent is a one size fits all. It's a rich smell, but still light. I've given this candle as a gift numerous times. Fun fact, Voluspa candles also double as a hard perfume!
• Cards Against Humanity - This is another crowd favorite. I have a blast every time  I play CAH and would actually love to get it as a gift myself! However, it's wrapped under the tree for another recipient :). 
• Travel Coffee Mug - I brought this for my book club gift exchange and it was a hit. The print is different famous works of literature, so it's a great gift for any bookworm. 

1. Barista's Guide to Coffee, Anthropologie $25
2. Earrings, ShopBop $25
3. Pennants, Scout and Lily $25
4. Candle, Voluspa "Crane Flower" $20
5. Candle, Paddy Wax "Amber and Smoke" $18
6. Cards Against Humanity, Amazon $25
7. Shoe Shining Kit, Nordstrom $16
8. Notepad, Paper Source $8
9. Travel Mug, Kate Spade $18

BEST FALL AND WINTER CANDLES

Fall and Winter are really when I start burning candles frequently. I just feel like it adds to the Fall/Holiday vibe in my apartment. I love all of the woodsy and spicy scents that come out during this season, so I rounded up a few of my favorites.

1. Paddywax Library Collection 'Edgar Allen Poe', $21 - I just bought this one yesterday! It's a mix of cardamon, absinthe, and sandalwood (Sandalwood, who is up to no good!). The sandalwood and cardamon add a nice spicy, woodsy scent but it's not overpowering. 

2. Rewined 'Spiked Cider', $23 -  Rewined candles are all pretty awesome. I like the white wine scents for a lighter, cleaner scent, but the spiked cider smells freaking delicious for when you want to feel cozy.

3. Voluspa 'Cinnamon Ceylon and Copal' $16 - Voluspa has been a long favorite brand of mine and I really love the Holiday Collection this season. I hate cinnamon scents that smell artificial and Big Red-esque, and this Voluspa one smells like real cinnamon. 

4. Illume 'Woodfire', $36 & Matchbook, $5 - I miss the smell of fires burning in the fireplace during the winter, but this candle does a good job of filling in scent-wise. I also LOVE the giant matchbook that Illume makes. It's much more mature than our Ralph's economy size matchbooks, ha!

OCTOBER !

I feel like I start every month this way... but wow! I cannot believe it is already October! Where did 2014 go? I love the Fall and Winter because there is constantly holidays to decorate for. I already picked up a few halloween decorations for our little abode.  Now if only it would cool down so I could break out the sweaters and boots!

Bra Set, North $99 - Stripe Tee, Uniqlo $30 - Colorblock Sweater, BlackFive $29

Sneakers, Nike $85 - Nail Polish, 'Mandarin Orange' Marc Jacobs $18 - Phone Case, Etsy $20

Earrings, 14th & Union $10 - Candle, Voluspa $24 - Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs $325

Pillow, Global Bazaar $86 - Mug, ThumbsUp! $14 - Lipstick, 'All The Way' Marc Jacobs $30

WHAT I LOVE LATELY III

1. Hamsa Necklace $6 and Eye Ring $4, Brandy Melville - I have been on the hunt for a hamsa necklace for quite some time, and surprisingly, this cheapie one fit the bill. It's a nice midlength instead of a long, big pendant or short, small one. I figure it will tarnish eventually, but I'm all about it right now! I also love this tiny knuckle ring, I think it looks the eye on top of the pyramid on one dollar bills.

2. Saijo Persimmon Candle, Voluspa $27 - I actually bought this for my sister as a birthday gift, but I plan on buying it for my own apartment as well. It smells so fruity and delicious. I also really love how pretty the tin is. 

3. Espadrilles, J. Crew $30 - I finally got a pair of espadrilles. It took me awhile to decide on a color combination, but this navy and white striped pair seems to pair well with quite a bit in my closet. They are also very comfortable.

4. Bikini, American Eagle $30 - I was surprised at how cute American Eagle bikinis were, and I thought this one was perfect for my East Coast vacation. The ruffle detail is really adorable and the top is more supportive than I expected. 

5. Romper, TopShop $24 - I cannot rave about this romper enough. It is a light linen fabric and has very wide legs, so it looks more like a sundress than a romper. Also, the waist has a small fringe of pompoms that I didn't notice in the online photo. I wore it to the first day of Outside Lands and it was perfect. I can't wait to wear it again!

6. 'Vanity Fairest' and 'Clambake' Polish, Essie $8 each - I have been wearing bright polish on my fingers all summer, but now that I am interviewing for jobs I had to tone it down a bit. Vanity Fairest is a very pretty opalescent pink shade that looks both professional and feminine. Clambake is a great because it has an orange tone and it looks great against tan feet. I would love a lipstick this color too!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: FOR YOUR FRIENDS

Holidays can be a tricky time for a woman on a budget. Especially when you have a big, fabulous group of friends to buy for.

When I buy gifts for friends, I like to DIY, or get something small and cute. A great way to do this is buy things in packs (like the E.L.F. nail polish set below) and break it up into individual gifts. Also, take advantage of 5/$25 deals for things like PJ Shorts or cute undies. Finally, anything miniature is adorable, so keep an eye out for mini versions of any of your favorite products.

1. PJ Shorts and a Mug
Shorts, Forever21 $5.80
Mug DIY here

2. Shot Glasses and a Mini Bottle
Shot Glass, Target $6 (set of 2)
Assorted Mini Bottles, Bevmo
Straws, Williams-Sonoma $5 (box of 20)

3. Nail Polish, Files, and Face Mask
Nail Polish, E.L.F. $10 (set of 14)
Face Mask, Forever21 $1

4.Candles and a Spa Mask 
Candle, Voluspa $9
Spa Mask, Amazon $4