Holiday Wishlist with Rue La La

1. Chan Luu Wrap Bracelet // 2. Saffron Candle // 3. Franchi Robie Clutch // 4. Fendi Suede Pointy Toe Pump // 5. Archipelago Tin Candles // 6. Mophie Workbook for iPad // 7. Charlotte Ronson Leather Shoulder Bag // 8. Free People Boxer Coral Cardigan // 9. Portolano Cashmere Gloves // 10. Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5 // 11. Nixon Women's Time Teller Watch // 12. Andrew Marc Almond Leather Jacket // 13. Surell Women's Hearmuffs

There's so much over at Rue La La for this holiday season and I'm excited to partner with them to bring you my top picks for holiday gifting. Whether you're splurging on Fendi pumps for that special someone, grabbing a tech gift for the lovable nerd in your life, or wrapping up some (totally awesome) hearmuffs for your teenage cousin, they've got it. You can shop my picks on Facebook or head to Rue La La to see their entire list of gift items.  Get to it!

Black Friday Sales Roundup

It's officially holiday shopping time! If you're looking for good deals, but don't want to wander out with all the crazy people today, check after the jump for awesome Black Friday deals from my favorite online shops!

Silver Screen Style // Planes Trains & Automobiles

Okay, yes. Another John Hughes film. But Planes Trains and Automobiles is the best (and one of the few) Thanksgiving-centric films. I hope all of my American Minis are having a great holiday with your families! Hopefully ya'll can pop this movie in and have a good laugh today!

What I'm Thankful For

This year I'm so thankful for everyone who has supported me throughout my Mini Penny projects! Because of you — readers, commenters, photographers, brands, sponsors, friends, and family — I had the courage to leave UO and follow my heart to where it belongs. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for all of you.

Muah! I hope you all have a lovely and safe holiday!

5 Fun Hanukkah DIY Projects

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah! And while there are tons of Christmas DIYs all around the internet, I figure I would share some of my favorite DIY projects for the Festival of Lights. Check them out after the break.

Who Killed Laura Palmer?

Sorry Minis! I'm obviously on a Twin Peaks kick. Oh and this outfit is my version of channeling Audrey Horne.

You've Got Nail 14 // Twin Peaks

Thanks to my recent Netflix Twin Peaks, I decided to make some Twin Peaks-inspired nails! Basically, Agent Dale Cooper should just marry me already. See more after the jump.

Weekstagram // November 24

I went to see some gyspy jazz at the Green Mill. It was amazing! // Biscuits and gravy, plus a piece of pie from Bang Bang Pie Shop. Thanks Popular Pays! // An awesome vintage tray from the Randolph Street Market // The goodies I purchased at Randolph — Side Effects by Woody Allen and an amazing 1940 Stagebill from Abe Lincoln in Illinois.

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram at @chaplinnn.

Randolph Street Holiday Market

Okay, first of all... brrrrr. Actual straight from the gut oh-my-god-I-can't-feel-my-hands kind of day. Shooting these photos were tough to put it nicely. It got down to single digits in Chicago. And I'm not sure I'm ready for this winter (oh why, oh why can't it be fall year-'round?).

Review // Julep Maven Box + Promo Code

I've been on a subscription box kick. Years ago, I was on Birchbox. I fell out of love with them and have been aching to try some new ones. I came across a huge list of beauty boxes and decided to try my luck with some of the nail subscriptions. The first one I have received is the Julep Maven It Girl Box.

Obsessed // Cranberries

Cold weather holidays means an abundance one of my favorite fruits (and colors): cranberries! I love that these can be prepared in a variety of ways (and yum, I have find memories of my mother using them at Thanksgiving!). See my favorite recipes after the jump.

Silver Screen Style // Pretty in Pink

I don't think it's any secret that John Hughes is one of my favorite writer/directors. Pretty in Pink came out the year I was born — 1986. In most scenes, I cringe at Ringwald's outfits. Regardless, there are lots of good individual pieces and inspiration to pull from this classic's outfitting.

Safety Orange

I wear a lot of black. A lot. Here's to stepping out of my comfort zone a bit.

You've Got Nail 14

After hearing about Scratch Monthly Mani Box, I signed up immediately. The bummer is that I did so around the second of the month, meaning I had to wait until December to get my first box. Agh! I was so anxious to try out their nail wraps, that I ordered a set to hold me over until my first box. After much deliberation, I landed on the Roppongi Glam wraps. I think it's pretty clear that I love geometric nail designs! They're a transparent wrap, so the color you choose shows through. Awesome.

Shop My Closet November

It's here! The first monthly Shop My Closet Sale. This is the first time that I'm utilizing the new Mini Penny Shop My Closet site to do this. So now, instead of emailing me, you can just check out through the site! I'm so excited! There are lots of great items this month. See the breakdown after the jump or just head over the the sale and get 'em before they're gone! Free shipping on all US orders! All items have sold. Please check back later for a new Shop My Closet sale!

Weekstagram // November 17

A rainy day patch from The Scout Project //  I spoke on an awesome panel for the Feed Your Feed social media discussion // I bought more man-scents. This time it's Prospector Co's Burroughs Body Cleanser // An adorable dog named Cosmo that I kept calling Kramer.

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram at @chaplinnn.

Crop Circles

Crop sweaters are one of my favorite trends of the season, especially when layered!

Isabel Marant x H&M

I did it.

I really, really wanted these pants from my November wish list. So yesterday I got up early and went to the H&M downtown and waited in line. It really wasn't bad —  I got there a couple minutes before opening and was in the third group to enter. There was no chaos. Just lots of people buying arms full of the new line.

Silver Screen Style // Heathers

Heathers is easily one of my favorite 80s flicks. For the record, it was mean girls before Mean Girls. And despite what many people will say, I think Wynona Rider is so awesome (aside from that whole shoplifting things, but whatever). If you haven't seen it (shame on you), catch it on Netflix Instant!

Short Hair Products

As we all know, I recently chopped off a lot of my hair. After the initial shock and immediately regret, it has grown on me — one of the main things I love about this bob is how easy it is to style. I can be out of the shower, dried and styled so much faster than before. Don't get me wrong, I'll probably always miss the mermaid locks, but for now, this is a fun change. Check out my favorite hair styling products after the jump.

You've Got Nail 13 // Ursula Nail Kit

Last week I reviewed the Disney Villains ELF nail polish set and was concerned that I had maybe missed my chance to feet my hands on any of the Disney Villains nail art kits at a reasonable, non-ebay markup price. Luckily, while Todd and I were downtown, I wandered into a Walgreens that was a little off the beaten path in hopes of getting lucky. My instincts were right — they had three of the four styles and I quickly decided on the Ursula kit.

Chicago // Feed Your Feed

Chicago! This Thursday, November 14th, I am joining some very talented local business owners on a panel discussion about social media! It will be held at Emporium Arcade Bar at 6:30pm. The event is open to all and beer will be provided from Solemn Oath! RSVP here and I hope to see you!

Venus

Alright, Minis, a couple of things...

Weekstagram // November 10

Posting was light on Instagram this week! I bought an iPad 4. Finally. // Weekend hangs with a fun Chicago photog shooting film and eating food. Hopefully some shots coming from this soon!

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram at @Chaplinnn

Maybelline Color Elixir + Refinery 29

First of all, I wanna shoot a big thanks over to Maybelline New York and Refinery 29 for sending me over these samples of the new Maybelline Color Elixir line! Be sure to check out Refinery 29, Maybelline and the #MyLipMagic hashtag on social networks this week to see how bloggers are wearing the new colors!

DIY // Future Banner

I had so much fun making Future Pumpkins last month, that I wanted to extend it further into fall. Introducing: Future Leaves!

I have a great mantle in my apartment (and it's purple), so I really enjoy switching up the banner that drapes across the front. It's an easy, seasonal update and fun project I can continue through the seasons.

Obsessed // Hats

Yes, yes. Hat season. I'm so stoked that even though I chopped off my hair, I can still rock wide brim hats, beanies, and all sorts of other fun headgear. Here are some of my favorite looks for the autumn season.

November Wishlist

Isabel Marant pour H&M Sequin Trousers, H&M ✔️ // Classic Embroidered Beanie, No Fun Press // Givenchy Le Vernis Nail Color in Bronze Précieux, Sephora // Woolen Wraparound Coat, Zara ✔️ // Arrested Development 'Her?' Brooch, Etsy

Colder months always get me in the mood for cozy coats and metallic accents. I'm excited to see the new Isabel Marant pour H&M line in person (and I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that I can actually get a pair of these sequined beauties) and have been lusting after that No Fun beanie for ages! What's on your wishlist?

Recipe // Peanut Butter and Nutella Cupcakes

I recently tried out this peanut butter and Nutella cupcake recipe and it's awesome (as if I had to specify...!). Totally perfect if you're craving something sweet that isn't leftover Halloween candy. See the full recipe after the jump.

Sparta Knit Jumper

When Todd flew in last Wednesday, we immediately headed down to the Hotel Palomar for a fun little staycation — good food, pool, jacuzzi tub, the works. It was a pretty rainy two days and warm enough for me to go jacketless and show off my new favorite sweater.

Staycation

Last week, Todd came to visit (again! yay!) and we had a pretty awesome five-day staycation complete with a hotel stay, rooftops, museum dates, and more. Check all of the fun photos after the jump.

ELF Cosmetics Disney Villain Nail Polish Set

I've been lusting over the Disney Villain makeup collection every since I saw these lovely watercolor-esque images on Tumblr. While running an errand at Walgreens, I came across my local store's small collection — and picked up the nail polish set and the Ursula eyelashes (more on that later).

Days Off + BucketFeet

One odd thing about blogging (and especially blogging about personal style), is that a lot of people think that I'm dressed up all day, all of the time. Many of my fellow bloggers have talked about how our lives aren't necessarily Pinterest boards — and I've mentioned this from time to time as well.

How-To // BA Star Holiday Red Lip Pencil

One of my favorite looks for fall lips is an ombre-to-black lip. BA STAR sent me this Holiday Red Lip Pencil  and I knew it'd be great for a black and red combo.

826 National // The coolest non-profit concept

So, I'm actually a little bummed that I didn't make this connection earlier. I heard mutterings of pirate supply stores, the museum of unnatural history, and other faux-fronted stores across the US that were actually non-profits focused on helping children learn through tutoring, after school programs, and more. On the flip side, I was considerably familiar with Chicago's The Boring Store which touts itself as being not-a-secret-agent store. And it's adorable.

Pretty Underwear

There are a few things I despise — weird, mainstream lingerie (I'm talking about sheer sexy teddies and overly-photoshopped runway models in them) is one of them. I'm pretty stoked that lately, there has been a rising focus on handmade undergarments and small designer groups and their delicate craft. Here are a few of my favorites from around the web.