New Holiday Must Have: Tiny Pies

I learned about Tiny Pies from another blog (Camille Styles - a daily read for me!) and after checking out their website, absolutely had to have some for our Thanksgiving dinner. I ordered a variety pack dozen of pecan, brownie and peach pies, as well as Dutch apple pies in Mason jars for place cards. I also got a couple bags of their cinnamon pie poppers - perfect little snacks! Everything was absolutely delish and I'll definitely be calling Tiny Pies for the upcoming holiday gatherings we'll be having.

Tiny Pies is a mother-daughter business based in Austin, TX. They use highest-quality ingredients, with a preference for local ingredients whenever possible. To find out more and to order some for yourself, check out their website here!

Golden Arm

Warm up your jewelry collection this season and add some pretty, natural and gold pieces to your arm. You can stack any number of these pieces together with bracelets you already own to coordinate with any outfit for any occasion.

1. Leighelena  -  2. Tinley Road  -  3. Kora Designs  -  4. Ella B Jewelry  -  5. Giles & Brother

And don't forget to enter our giveaway for the Ella B bracelet here!

Holiday Kickoff: Ella B Jewelry Giveaway

Happy Holidays everyone! We're thrilled to announce our official kickoff to the holiday season with a giveaway from our friends at Ella B Jewelry. One lucky winner will receive a woven tassel friendship bracelet (in your choice of gold or silver!) - the perfect bit of sparkle to add to your holiday ensemble on its own or as part of your collection.

How to enter:

1. Like "The HSS Feed" on Facebook

2. Like "Ella B Jewelry" on Facebook

3. Leave a comment below that you've done both and 

include your Email address (so that we may contact the winner)

Extra Entries:

1. Follow @HSS_Feed on Twitter

2. Follow @EllaBJewelry on Twitter

3. Leave a comment below that you've done either or both

Get your entries in by 12:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, December 2. 

The winner will be announced on Monday, December 7.

The fine print:

US Residents only. Winner will be decided by random number generator.

Thanksgiving Wine

Having wine that pairs perfectly with Thanksgiving dinner can make the best meal of the year even better!  In theme of the American holiday we recommend keeping your wine choices domestic.


Kick the night off with some sparkling wine. It is a great way to start the celebration, but it also goes very well with food.


Domaine Chandon makes a great sparkling wine!  I did a wine tasting there on a recent trip to Napa and their Brut Classic is very nice.

As for the red wine, a Pinot Noir and a Zinfandel are both good choices because the fruit-forward style compliments the saltiness and sweetness of a Thanksgiving meal.

Au Bon Climat from Santa Barbara makes a perfect Pinot Noir

Ridge Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains is known for making some of the best Zinfandels in California.  Their Lytton Springs Zinfandel is definitely worth trying.  

Enjoy AND drink responsibly! 

Shopbop Event of the Season

This morning Shopbop launched their biggest spend and save event ever! The more you spend, the more you save - this is a great way to beat the Black Friday/Cyber Monday rush and get started on your holiday shopping. 

Just enter the code BIGEVENT at checkout. Offer begins Wednesday, November 23, and ends Monday, November 28, at 11:59pm PT.  Code cannot be applied to shipping costs or towards the purchase of a gift certificate.

Success Story: Carrie Rezabek Dorr

We are so excited to kick off our Success Story feature with the founder and CEO of Pure Barre, Carrie Rezabek Dorr. Pure Barre is the fast, most effective way to change the shape of your body. Using small isometric movements at the ballet barre to motivating music. Pure Barre lifts your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms in record-breaking time. Carrie founded her first Pure Barre studio in Birmingham, Michigan in 2001 and the company has grown to have locations in 23 states. The brand also boasts DVDs, podcasts, apparel and even a new skin care line.

We admire Carrie for a lot of reasons: her keen business sense, determination and drive to succeed, and she is a truly motivating and inspiring person. We were fortunate to get some time to have her answer a few questions for us and our readers and here's what she told us.


HSS: You have some serious education with degrees in law and business, what inspired you to start Pure Barre?
CRD: Although I have degrees in business and law, my passion and talent has always been dance, fitness and athletics.

HSS: People say that they're addicted to Pure Barre, what do you think it is that is so addictive about it?
CRD: I think people are addicted to the challenge of the workout and the results it produces.  There is no sham about it - it really works!

HSS: It seems we're all so busy and getting busier! Do you have any tips for us busy ladies to stay in shape?
CRD: Find a workout you enjoy and then make it a "non-option," like brushing your teeth.  You really only need 45 minutes to 1 hour per day. If you make it a priority in your life, you'll figure out how to fit it in, guaranteed.

HSS: When you started PB with the first studio in Birmingham, MI what was your vision for the company?
CRD: Well that was 10 years ago so my vision was much different!  I certainly didn't have plans to become a franchisor.  My vision was focused on continuing to develop, grow and create the technique and run a small business.

HSS: Pure Barre has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years, what does the future hold?
CRD: We will open more locations only with amazing franchisees in the right markets.  We will also continue to grow the company as a lifestyle brand including skin care, apparel and food.

HSS: Do you have any advice for women who are looking to start their own businesses?
CRD: Hiring the right people is key- it's tough for a while because you may lack funds to pay the right people but as soon as you can- do it! Figure out what you are good at and what you are not and be OK delegating the things you struggle with. Love what you do and let that drive your business rather than the dollar. Don't let the fact that you're a woman make you think any differently about what you can achieve in life.

Find out even more about Carrie and Pure Barre here. If you're lucky enough to have a studio nearby, be sure to check it out - and if not, order a DVD and get the results for yourself at home!

**Photo credit: Cybelle Codish

Holiday Pretty

We're having a fairly low-key Thanksgiving this year. Lots of good food, family and relaxing, which seems like the perfect day. This outfit is a great fit for dressing up for dinner and being comfy all at the same time - although I may wait until I'm done cooking to throw the top on to avoid any Thanksgiving spilling mishaps!

1} David Lerner High-Waist Leggings   2} BCBG Crystal Lace-Trim Silk Top 

3} Kendra Scott Carly Botanical Stud Earrings   4} Tory Burch Sophie Wedges

A Breakfast Fit For A Parade

Thanksgiving morning is so much fun!  At our house, everyone is in their pajamas, drinking coffee, and watching the parade..... and then of course watching the Detroit Lions play.  Here are some easy breakfast ideas that you can enjoy while you are relaxing AND won't make you feel bad about the upcoming dinner.

Giada's Mini Frittatas 

Cinnamon Toast (one of our favorites growing up!)
Learn how to make it the "right way" from The Pioneer Woman

Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Maria's Homemade Granola :)

For those not drinking coffee.... Martha Stewart's Homemade Hot Chocolate

For those of you drinking the ever so important gift from God.... coffee! Try adding some cinnamon for some extra fall flavor.

Penzeys Vietnamese Extra Fancy Ground Cinnamon (it is to die for!)

Enjoy!!!..... and GO LIONS!! 

Introducing: Success Story

We're excited to introduce a new feature to The HSS Feed, Success Story. We'll be featuring stories of success from people we admire and hope to inspire you. We'll be kicking off this feature next week with an entrepreneur who has grown her local business to a nationwide craze in just a few years. Check back next Tuesday for our first Success Story!

Do you want to nominate someone to be a Success Story on The HSS Feed? Send us a little bit about that person's story, as well as your contact information to thehssfeed@gmail.com

Thanksgiving Decor Inspiration

Here are some fun ideas to consider for your Thanksgiving table! All of them are handmade from artists on Etsy.  

Inspirational Banners

Thanksgiving Kids Party Pack by Frog Prince Paperie

MonMell Designs Pillows

Potter and Butler Pie Banner

Vumbaca White Wine Charms

Product to Try: H2O

Spa Hand and Nail Cream

Our mom got us hooked on H2O+ products. They make my ultimate favorite hand cream.  It is creamy and thick, but it isn't sticky and doesn't have a strong scent. It moisturizes your hands without staying oily...... I LOVE it!  They have so many other great items like body wash, body lotion, and scrubs.  Great gift ideas for the holidays!

Natural Spring Moisturizing Body Balm

Spa Hand and Nail Trio 2011 Holiday Gift Set

Natural Spring Hand and Nail Cream

Club Monaco Holiday

Club Monaco's Holiday looks are available now at Shopbop. I can't find a single piece that I dislike in this collection but these are a few of my very favorites:

1. Belle Sweater and Angela Skirt

2. Reva Coat

3.  Jana Dress 

4. Sam Felt Hat

5. Leslie Slit Gloves

6. Dolly Clutch

Wardrobe Investment: The Perfect Shirt

It is always a challenge to find the perfect fitting button-down shirt, unless of course you've shopped at Rebecca and Drew. At Rebecca and Drew stores and online, you pick your shirt size based on your bra size and body type. They carry striped and solid styles, as well as dresses and tunics. You can also get any piece custom made with color, cuff, sleeve length and embellishments to your liking. The right button-down shirt is a classic piece worth investing in and taking care of. 

Check out Rebecca and Drew's online store here.

Find of the Day

Loving these flat booties by Minnetonka. Fun, casual boots to wear with leggings and a sweater (a current favorite outfit)!

Cute Cardigans

I love being able to wear casual clothes to work and one of my favorite outfits is leggings and a cardigan over a cute tank or tunic. With heels or flats, this is a great outfit if you're casual at work or for weekend errands or lunches!

Top row (L-R): Alexander Wang  -  LA Made  -  J. Crew

Bottom row (L-R): Splendid  -  Dolan  -  Tory Burch

A Woman's Perfume

When it comes to finding a fragrance I always think of our mom.  When we were little and our parents would go on a trip or I went to summer camp..... basically any time we were apart.... I would spray my mom's perfume on a sweatshirt or blanket of mine just so that I felt close to her when she was away from me.  There was just something about the smell that made me feel so much better.  I can't imagine leaving my house without perfume on.  Anything that Chanel has is my favorite.  I was in the Diane von Furstenberg store on Melrose and was tempted to try out her new fragrance.  I feel in love with the "Eau de Toilette!"  It is light and feminine without being too floral..... perfect for every day!  She also has the "Eau de Parfum" that is beautiful as well.  It is something worth trying AND something to keep in mind to give someone as a gift because she also has a gift set of the fragrance.  

Just added to my closet...

So I've been shopping recently (again). At 5 months pregnant, I'm maternity shopping, which has been a challenge, but all of the pants above also come in regular, as well as maternity sizes, so I'm gradually learning how to style the bump. Here are links to all of my recent purchases in regular and maternity sizes where available!

Top Row:

David Lerner Leggings (maternity here) - Topshop MOTO Jeans (maternity here) - Gap Always Skinny Jeans (maternity here)

Bottom Row:

Trina Turk Braden Vest - Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings - Rich x Ruse Anita Top

All About Scarves

Scarves are by far one of my favorite accessories! Not only am I ALWAYS cold... but I feel like they can dress up almost any outfit.  Another great thing about scarves is that they never go out of style.  You can invest in something nice and it will last you a long time.

Club Monaco Olga Snood (use this as a hood too!)

Marc Jacobs Sweater Scarf

Missoni Scarf

Juicy Couture Scarf

Maison Scotch Scarf

Bloume Baby

There is the cutest baby store located in Manhattan Beach, CA named Bloume Baby. The concept behind the store is "Growing Green" which means that everything there is free of toxic chemicals that could be harmful to your child. Annie Totten is the very fashionable owner! The items in her store are not only healthier for your baby and the environment, but I think they are much more unique (and cuter) than anything I have seen. Bloume Baby is also a partner of Healthy Child Healthy World which is "a non profit organization dedicated to igniting a movement that inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals." Bloume Baby donates a percentage of all sales to this organization.  If you don't live in Southern California you can order these products on her website (bloumebaby.com) Annie also has a great blog you can follow for more information.  Check out the website for lots of baby and mommy fashion and toys!

If you live in the Southern California area you should definitely stop by Annie's new location on November 13th for the store's reopening/holiday party! There will be appetizers and wine along with giveaways from local businesses like Trilogy Spa, Zenka Nail Salon AND 10% off all shopping that night.  The new location is located in The Metlox Center at 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd in Manhattan Beach.

                 

Owner Annie Totton (Photo: Siri Berting Photography)