Happy New Year!

Best wishes for 2011, here is to believing that all of your wildest dreams will come true. Yeah, I watched Napoleon Dynamite the other night. I want to thank you so much for your support, kind comments, and reading Black Eiffel in 2010 -- I am grateful to the moon. I look forward with great excitement and anticipation for '11.

Happy New Year!!


(photo by nik daum + White & Wander)

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Happy New Year!

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Nintendo Art Academy update

Remember the Art Academy learning game I talked about a few weeks ago? See the previous post here. I wanted to give you a quick update and show you how fast our daughter has enhanced her skills, it is pretty neat to see how much art exploring she has been able to do. I'm impressed by how it teaches art skills like drawing a foundational sketch before you paint and how to layer colors. I took these shots throughout the last few weeks on my phone while we were in the car. It has been such a fantastic car and running the errands activity for her, that she doesn't get bored with. Who else has played around with Art Academy?

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Nintendo Art Academy update

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Egg Press at Target

Egg Press let me know about their fantastic venture in joining forces with Blue Sky to bring an exclusive line to Target, yahoo! The line includes a great selection of calendars and planners with their signature Egg Press designs. I've seen some samples up close and there are some really lovely options in their collection. If you are looking for a stylish and affordable calendar option, check them out at your local Target.

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Egg Press at Target

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Best Albums of 2010

Did you have a nice Christmas holiday? We sure did and I extended my holiday a few more days unplugged, which was really nice. I cannot believe how fast 2010 is coming to an end! Looking back over the year I compiled a list of my top ten favorite best albums of 2010. There is a little bit of everything on the list, because my taste is rather eclectic.



Pointer -- it is great how many of these mp3 albums are $5.00 and under on amazon -- follow the links below to preview each album.

Vampire Weekend - Contra $6.99
Beach House - Teen Dream $5.00
The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt $5.00
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs $7.99
Angus & Julia Stone - Down The Way $5.00
Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History $5.00



Laura Veirs - July Flame $8.99
Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid $4.99
The Morning Benders - Big Echo $9.90
The Black Keys - Brothers $3.99

What were your favorite albums for 2010? Shout 'em out.

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Best Albums of 2010

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3,2,1 Happy New Year!

A comfortable and easy way to look stylish is the maxi dress. One piece of clothing and you've got an effortless, great looking outfit. Also, it's a great excuse to wear flats - which I am always a fan of. Wear stylish sandals like any of these above. Then, pile on a mix of bangles. Mix colors and metals, just make sure it compliments your dress and you're good to go. 

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3,2,1 Happy New Year!

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3,2,1 Happy New Year!

I love this mix of masculine and feminine and it would be a great look for New Years Eve. A blousey, oversized tuxedo shirt with a tutu skirt is both chic and fun - exactly what you want to accomplish on NYE. 


For shoes, wear lace-up, peep toe oxford booties to keep the masculine/feminine theme. They will compliment the look really nicely. Wear simple jewelry because there is so much embellishment in the outfit.

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3,2,1 Happy New Year!

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Shop This Place: Bryna

Bryna is a San Francisco-based accessories label.  Bryna's bags are AWESOME.  They aren't cheap, but they aren't over-priced, either.  And they do get marked down.  The bags are unique, fun, and- dare I say it?- edgy designs worth checking out. And the prices seem justified given the apparent craftsmanship and amazing materials used (hello, lambskin and stingray). 

Here are some of my favorites:

Harlow ($225, marked down from $320):



Bay Bag ($105):



Mason ($165, marked down from $280)

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Shop This Place: Bryna

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Handbag of the Day: Varennes Clutch

This is the Varennes Clutch, at shopbryna.com.  It's marked down to $135 (from $195), and comes in 5 colors.  It's a gorgeous bag, and while it's pricey for something so small, it's also something that could take you from day to night and through all seasons.  It has a removable strap, which adds to its versatility.  I love this little bag and think it would make a good holiday gift to your self, if you received some extra cash this year...

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Handbag of the Day: Varennes Clutch

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Outfits of the Day: Dressember 24, 26, 27

Outfit Details: Dress: Old Navy; Ring: Kate Spade; (brown) Tights: DKNY; Boots: bought in Amsterdam

This was my Christmas Eve look.  The dress is pretty short but loose, so I could eat, drink, and be merry without feeling constricted.

Dress it up: add smart jacket and statement necklace, switch boots for heels

Dress it down: switch boots for ballet flats or oxfords, lose the ring, throw on a cardi





Outfit Details: Dress: She-Bible; (olive) Tee: Banana Republic; Flats: Target; (owl) Necklace: Stella and Dot (find it here)

Dress it up: switch tee for black or brown cami, switch flats for wedge heels, add leather jacket

Dress it down: this is pretty damn casual already





Outfit Details: Dress: Anthropologie; (deep aqua) Tee: Calson at Nordstrom; Tights: DKNY; Boots: bought in Amsterdam; Ring: Kate Spade (find it here, still available in several colors)

I love this dress because it looks like a blouse tucked into a skirt with all the convenience of a dress.  And it has pockets.  Not thrilled with how my layering turned out, but it's cold so I had to layer over or under it and the aqua tee picked up the blue in the pattern perfectly.

Dress it up: lose the tee, add long pendant necklace, switch boots for heels

Dress it down: switch boots for flats, throw on leather jacket

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Outfits of the Day: Dressember 24, 26, 27

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3,2,1 Happy New Year!

 Not to make anyone think I'm a negative Nancy, but I think New Years Eve is pretty much always a letdown. There are always high expectations, and rarely a big payoff. However, we can still look great as we watch the ball drop. Here are my suggestions for what to wear on New Years Eve. One recommendation I have are dresses in bright jewel tones with simple black pumps.






I was once told, why would you wear black to a party? The girl next to you is probably wearing black. I tend to take this advice to heart and try to wear vivid colors when I attend events and parties, and these dresses would certainly make a statement at any New Years Eve party. With a dress that is so vivid, keep shoes and accessories simple. Black pumps are perfect and easy to find. I would wear a blazer with pushed up or cuffed sleeves for warmth and simple but pretty jewelry such as a rhinestone cuff. Like these below:

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3,2,1 Happy New Year!

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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!! 
Sorry for my impromptu hiatus this week, but I promise I will be back on Monday with some great New Years Eve outfit suggestions!







Our Christmas Tree!

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Merry Christmas!

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A Call To Arms

There are certain sites that are going to try to convince you that the scrunchie is making a comeback.

It's not happening. 

If you are still wearing a scrunchie, for the love of people with eyes, give it up.  If you need to pull your hair back, that's why God Goody invented hair bands. And why barrettes, bobby pins, and headbands exist. 

Sure, you might see the occasional scrunchie on Gossip Girl or some other WB hideousness show.  School Girl Prep does seem to lend itself to scrunchies and penny loafers.  But seeing Blair Waldorf wear someone does not a great style make.  It's a COSTUME, people.  So it's supposed to be a little over the top, perhaps?

Thank you, likes of American Apparel, for confirming what I already know: if it's marketed to hipsters, I don't want any.

I don't give a damn if the things are made from the hair of unicorns and held together by the tears of virgins, they're hideous, dated, and unacceptable on girls or women of any age.

Scrunchies are the scourge of our nation and I will not rest until every last one has been eradicated from the planet.  Who's with me?

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A Call To Arms

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Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a most lovely Merry Christmas weekend! I hope you get to be around the ones that you love and create some special memories.

I will leave you with this quote from the Christmas Carol, "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach." - Charles Dickens.

(a few snippets from what we're up to at our house... all photos by blackeiffel)

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Merry Christmas!

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Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Whew... I think it is because of our sweet little newborn taking up most of my time that I didn't get around to making homemade gifts this year, so yesterday and today we decided to wrap up a little something (Chocolate) for our friends and neighbors in a simple homemade way using tissue paper, Japanese tape, crayons, and markers. Our four-year old of course took the lead.

(photos by blackeiffel)

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Last Minute Christmas Gifts

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Cool Christmas Cards

I dropped the ball this year and didn't get out Christmas cards, tears. I think it is my first year not sending them in a long time ... maybe I will send sweet valentines? Here are a few Christmas greetings from some pretty cool cats that I wanted to share with you, aren't they awesome?! Check out Justin + the Hackworth family's card above!



I'm gaga over Allyson from Unruly Things illustration! So cute.



Suann from Simple Song said she created this card last minute, wow! I love the milestone annual report, a lovely way to update your friends and family.

Have you seen any clever ones around? Did you get cards out this year?

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Cool Christmas Cards

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What's the Diff? Shoe Edition

This is the Ring in the New Year Heel.  They are $89.99 at ModCloth.




This is the Raines Heel.  They were $69.95, marked down from $128, at Anthropologie, and are sold out as of today.

These are actually the same shoe, with a couple of minor differences. They are both from Seychelles and both feature the same cross-over detail and contrasting colors.  The ModCloth version has a black heel and what looks like metallic leather, while the Anthro version has a brown heel and all brown leather.

I prefer the Anthro version and had these on my wishlist.  Since I've missed out on them, the ModCloth version would be a great alternative, though I find metallic leather hit or miss in the looking cheap department.  Do you have a preference?

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What's the Diff? Shoe Edition

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Outfit of the Day: Dressember 21

Outfit Details: Dress: Banana Republic; Tee: Calson at Nordstrom; Belt: Express; Ring: Anthro; Tights: probably Nordstrom; Boots: bought in Amsterdam

Dress it up: Lose the tee underneath, switch boots for heels

Dress it down:  Switch flats for boots, add leather jacket

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Outfit of the Day: Dressember 21

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Anthropologie Christmas Window Displays 2010

Anthropologie of course had to have its separate post when it comes to window displays. They hit another home run with their various looks throughout the country this 2010 Christmas season. I love how each store has a slightly different take with their creative details.

(Image credits :1 - Spring, Texas 2, 3-4 , 6 - Rockefeller, New York City | 5 Houston, Texas)

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Anthropologie Christmas Window Displays 2010

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Christmas Window Displays 2010

I always love a good Christmas window display. They are creative, fun to look at, and speak volumes about the store behind them. Have you seen any great ones while out and about lately? Which ones are your favorites? Here are a few of my favorites I've seen recently on the web for the 2010 holiday season.

First up and above, the simple yet elegant paper cutouts from this Chanel window in Zurich are just beautiful! (photo by anjoyplanet)



These Fendi lights on 5th Avenue look sparklingly stunning. (photo from NYC loves NYC)



Nicole Farhi teamed up with talented paper sculptor Su Blackwell to create their magical paper creation windows. (photos from here) I also thought that Su may have done or consulted on the Tiffany & Co. windows, but I was unfortunately mistaken. You'll have to read this to find out more.




These sweet Louis Vuitton illuminated lanterns seem like they would be especially brilliant in person. (photos from here)



The Conran Shop went resourceful and recycled unwanted wood to create clever trees for their windows. Cool! (photo from here)

I also have one more post coming up of a store that blows me away with their creativity in terms of window displays... any guesses? Stay tuned.

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Christmas Window Displays 2010

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