shop at home: happy new year! edition.

a few weeks ago, i shared with you the first part of the holiday shop local gift guide i styled for fore front fashion and mainetoday.com. and today i am sharing with you the second part to get you ready for new year's eve! shop stores like bliss, joseph's, portland dry goods, helene m, ll bean signature, and portland flea-for-all to get the looks seen here: Shop at Home: Happy New Year! 



see popular portland spots, petite jacqueline and the snug, all dressed up. and did i mention you may see a familiar face hanging around in these photos? it is none other than my favorite guy, terry!


hope you enjoy this lookbook as much as the first and you find some inspiration for a very festive and fabulous new year's eve!

merry christmas.


hope you get everything you wished for this year and have a wonderful day spent just how you like.

happy christmas eve.


hehe. this is my kind of funny. 
(thanks jess.)

hope everyone is good today so santa will come tonight!

holiday wish list: terry.

name: terry reth.
age: 27.
current city: boston, ma.
occupation: operation tech analyst. (computer stuff.)
social media: twitter and intstagram - @youcancallmeted
blog - youcancallmeted.tumblr.com

favorite part of the holidays: family, friends, and the routine my girlfriend has me on annually now. (hehe that is me!)



1. best made co american felling axe. $158
'because. it's an axe.'

2. best made co ditty bag. $118
'the bum sac refined.'

3. topo designs mountain jacket. $279
'and i'd wear it every day, every day, every day.'

4. stolen riches dickie blue boot laces. $19.50
'pop.'

5. j. crew jersey union suit. $59.50
'for the love of ___ please have a rear access panel.'

6. billy kirk for j. crew medium carryall. $310
'i'd make love to it.'

7. forum snowboards "the honeypot". $389.99
'its a tool, not a toy.'

8. j. crew the ludlow suit. $425
'hubba hubba.'

holiday wish list: rachel.


name: rachel helm.
age: 25
current city: portland, maine.
occupation: stylist at akari.
social media: twitter & instagram - @rkhelm87
blog - eighteen months at akari she may not longer be an assistant at akari, but she gives you a look behind the scenes of learning the craft of hairstyling.

favorite part of the holidays: my family and i save a bunch of our wrapping for christmas eve and do it all together and my dad makes me and my sisters meatball sandwiches on christmas eve too! oh! and i love watching other people open the gifts i got them and seeing them be happy!



what am I asking for christmas?
in the dead of winter there is only one thing I really love to see and that's green...no, not money.
plants! i have developed a love for my chlorophyll-ed friends and i after many dead plants i have finally figured out a system for my forgetfulness. succulents. you only need to water them about once every 2 weeks and they love it. if the soil is super dry you just dump a decent amount of water in and let 'em drink. so I am asking for more plants this christmas. hen and chicks are my top choice, they are fast growers and need very little attention and if you start with one or two you'll end up with 10. so a good plant to share with friends. they don't need a solid soil base so you can grow them anywhere. and they some in a wide variety of colors and textures. golden sedum - they are lovely! kalanchoe thyrsiflora have a really neat texture and great color and mexican snowballs have cool flowers that bloom from them. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-best-succulents-53080 this is a great link for newcomers to the succulent world! there are a ton of great websites that will mail you succulents and since they don't need a lot of watering or soil they can take the shipping. and even with shipping they are really quite cheap, in the $4 - $10 range.

one of the other things I'm asking for is baking supplies. i've been living on my own for 7 plus years but i still never have enough:
pizza pan. $15.99 i will no longer have to put it on my cookie sheets that it always seems to stick to!
- bundt pan! $35.00 i have one but this one is cooler!
- tart dish. $19.99 which i don't have and i would make the hell out of some tarts (and it doubles as a quiche dish! YES!)
- cookie press. $19.99 i have a very old fashion one, one my mom used to use when we were kids but this seems like it could churn out a few more cookies more quickly.
(all kitchen gifts above are found at leroux kitchen on commercial street in portland!)
kitchen gifts are awesome for your baker friends, plus you can always add ingredients, i.e. a basket full of flour, sugar, vanilla, chocolate chips, baking powder and soda and not only will your friend/family member love it but you're guaranteed to get some sweet treats in return.
if my secret santa ever wanted to really treat a lady nice (and had a very good paying job) I would ask for this:

holiday wish list: sara hallie.

name: sara hallie richardson.
age: 27.
current city: portland, maine.
occupation: singer and songwriter! (major talent in this girl. listen for yourself!)
social media: twitter - @sarahallie instagram - @sarahallie714

favorite part of the holidays
every year, my mom makes me a handmade holiday calendar counting down the days till Christmas. being a jewish mother, her excitement for all things christmas is extremely endearing. however, whether it's lighting a menorah or decorating a christmas tree, she has taught me the value of celebration. so each year, i am always so thrilled when I receive a beautiful calendar made with the things that we should all celebrate this time and all times of the year: love, good health, happiness and all the wonderful things in life.






*so i am posting sara's christmas list as she sent it to me cause i thought it was pretty cute.

of course, when i'm asked to think about things that i'd want for the holidays or even for birthdays, I can never ever think of things. there's that part of me that thinks: i have everything i need. but the question is not about NEED, it's about WANT. and if money were no object, these are the items on my wishlist:

1.decleor foaming face wash. sadly it's discontinued?? or maybe i'm just looking on the wrong site. (feel free to not use this one..) $36
(http://www.dermstore.com/product_Aroma+Cleanse+Foaming+Cleanser_5675.htm i found a place still selling it in case you all wondered!)
2. a massage
4.  lots of local coffee
5.  an HBO account so I could watch all the good shows!
6.  a new desk! $699


holiday wish list: stephanie.

name: stephanie gildart.
age: 27.
current city: portland, maine.
occupation: marketing & public relations specialist.
social media: twitter & instagram - @selizabethelene (though it's mostly just photos of my handsome nephew and brand new beautiful niece).

favorite part of the holidays: christmas movies, sweaters, and parties..




1. j. crew keeper chambray shirt $78
2. lululemon wunder under crop yoga pant $72
3. marc by marc jacobs preppy nylon pearl weekender $378
4. kate spade new york cobble hill ellen bag $238
5. ll bean handsewn fleece lined slippers $39.95
6. ll bean signature washed oxford cloth plaid shirt $59
7. frye melissa button boot $328
8. clementine's jewelry tiny black cameo stud earrings $15

holiday wish list: danielle.

name: danielle hanson.
age: 27.
current city: boston, ma.
occupation: sales rep.
social media: twitter - @danielleadele

favorite part of the holidays: getting new pjs on christmas eve! 





1. l.l. bean beach bag.
2. roasting pan.
3. hd tv.
4. fun patterned wool socks
5. sewing box to keep sewing tools in.
6. caribbean vacation and less stress!



holiday wish list: alana.

name: alana dunne.
age: 19.
current city: san luis obispo, california.
occupation: student at cal poly studying aerospace engineering.
social media: instagram - @nalameowmeow

favorite part of the holidays: seeing family.




  1. A pom-pom beanie like this one from American Apparel
  2. A pair of animal slippers
  3. Cards Against Humanity
  4. skull shot glass
  5. Nail art stamping kit from Konad
  6. This raincoat from the North Face $90
  7. sewing machine
  8. Star Wars: The Complete Saga $84.99

holiday wish list: laura d.

name: laura duplissis.
age: 27.
current city: portland, maine.
occupation: communications and marketing manager.
blog: sweeter salt (check out laura's blog whenever you are in need of some dinner (or dessert or beverage) inspirations, as well as some classic outfit ideas!)
social media: facebook, twitter & instagram - @sweetersalt

favorite part of the holidays: seeing my family and feeling all cozy at home with my christmas decorations up. oh, and the yummy food :)



  1. Tassel key ring (available at the Portland Flea-For-All) $12
  2. Pug Print $15
  3. DIY Mozzarella/Ricotta Cheese-Making Kit $25.95
  4. Fringed Plaid Scarf $39
  5. Vintage Jadeite Mixing Bowls $48
  6. Bauble Bar Green Krypton Necklace $48
  7. Float Rope Door Mat $68 
  8. L.L. Bean Signature Plaid Lambswool Crewneck $69.99
  9. J. Crew Edie Tricole Purse $258
  10. Rose Gold and Black Diamond Ring $375

holiday wish list: pat.

name: pat haley.
age: 25.
current city: portland, me.
occupation: assistant retail merchandiser in the home department for ll bean.  
social media: twitter & instagram - @yelhtap.

favorite part of the holidays: christmas is rad for many reasons but mainly because its all about having nothing to do but kick back with friends & family, have some good cocktails and indulge in an endless supply of great food. i also love the fact that I can wake up at 5 am and be excited about it. christmas...I don't hate it. 



best made american felling axe $275

poler the camera cooler $60

ello there national parks checklist map $115

grady's cold brew $30

sydney hale co woodsmoke & amber candle $28

campfire cologne $12.95

juniper ridge body gift set $112

pendleton ipad case $68

in the boughs bamboo iphone case $99

ll bean eastport handsewn ranger boot $99

holiday wish list: laura s.

name: laura serino.
age: 28.
current city: portland, maine.
occupation: copywriter for llbean signature. blogger at fore front fashion (this is not one to miss! full of great east coast style inspiration!)
social media: twitter - @forefrontfash, instagram - @lauramser




Here's what is on my holiday wish list.

I spotted this guy at Picnic and fell in love with this stuff. If I had my wish, I'd have this rucksack under the tree. $350

I always ask for good books. I have a long list this year - and this is one of them. $15.99

I know this site is for kids, but I've wanted two of these lamps for my bedroom for ages. $69

A nice calendar. Lusting after this one. $26

I'd also love a foot soak at Soakology and a dinner at Earth in Kennebunk!

holiday wish list: kim.

this is the time of the year where we see all sorts of gift guides, from bloggers to retailers, showing you what to buy. i decided to do something a little different. instead of telling you what kind of things i like and think you should be buying this holiday season, i have reached out to a handful of people in my life, all who are very different, to share their wish lists. seeing gift ideas coming from multiple people with different personalities will hopefully inspire you with new ideas for all those on your shopping list this year. or if nothing else, will surely help add things to your own wish list!


kicking off the wish list series is my sister!

name: kim jordan.
age: 25.
current city: portland, maine.
occupation: nanny & substitute teacher. (with a masters degree in early education looking for a full time teaching job, if you know anyone who is looking!)
social media: twitter & instagram - @kimmijeans. (blog coming soon. will keep you posted because it will be good.)

favorite part of the holidays: 'being with my family and all our little traditions.'





-madewell the aberdeen two tone boot $210
http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/SHOESANDBOOTS/sale/PRDOVR~29775/29775.jsp

-fjallraven kanken classic (yellow red or teal) $75
http://www.fjallraven.us/p-55-knken-classic.aspx

-anthropologie here & there fox tee $48
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-blouses/C25931551.jsp

-yellow owl workshop canning jar pendant $44
http://www.yellowowlworkshop.com/collections/pendants/products/canning-jar-pendant

-ray ban erika sunglasses $159
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23756794a&color=020&navAction=jump&itemdescription=true

-llbean 100 anniversary maine hunting shoes $139
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/72423?feat=510572-GN1&page=women-s-100th-anniversary-maine-hunting-shoe&attrValue_0=Tan/Brick%20Red&productId=1208120

-hudsons bay point blanket $379
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/22955?page=hudsons-bay-point-blanket

-herman miller eames molded plastic armchair with rocker base in red $549
http://store.hermanmiller.com/Products/Eames-Molded-Plastic-Armchair-with-Rocker-Base

-rifle paper co heirloom recipe card box $135
http://riflepaperco.com/item/Heirloom_Recipe_Card_Box_NEW_Garden/350/c6

-brooklyn slate co slate cheese board $22
http://www.brooklynslate.com/products/slate-cheese-board