Wednesday, December 23, 2015

{deck the halls}












Photography by Emily Smalling

Striped Shirt // Plaid Scarf // Loren Hope Necklace // Loren Hope Cuff // Knox Thomas Cuff c/o // Rock & Republic Pants // Sam Edelman Heels, old (similar, similar, similar) // Essie Nail Polish in "twin sweater set" // NARS Lipstick in "heat wave"





Well I'm finally home for Christmas! Boy, the anticipation almost drove me insane this year... my sister is coming home (she wasn't in Baltimore for Thanksgiving which was sooo weird), my Mimi is in town from California, my mom and dad don't have to work, AND my boyfriend is coming for Christmas this year!! This sounds silly but even after 7 years of dating we've never spent a major holiday together :) He's going to open presents with his family Christmas morning and then drive to Baltimore! Basically, this is shaping up to be the BEST holiday ever.

My sister, Samantha, lives in Chicago and I rarely get to see her... maybe only 3-4 times a year. Ugh. It's hard because we used to do everything together. I mean, hi, we went to the same college and then joined the same sorority and I was her pledge mom haha ;) We especially bond a lot around Christmas and always squeeze some last minute shopping in on Christmas Eve. Even if it's to just get out of the house and away from the chaos - because there always is some!

This look is a typical Christmas day outfit for me. Comfy, stretchy and with a big scarf thrown on top. Of course I added my signature red lip! I won't be wearing heels to our family dinner but I thought it would be fun to show how easy it is to take a "lounge worthy" outfit into night time. Take off the fuzzy socks and leggings and add nice black pants, jewels and heels. TA-DA! 

See you all after Christmas... right before NYE with some sparkly ideas ;)
Don't forget the reason for the season!

Love Always,

Thursday, December 17, 2015

{holiday pattern mixing}












Photography by Lauren Middledorf


I never shy away from pattern mixing so pairing up a small, red print with a large, neutral one was a no-brainer in my book! I was able to throw in a third pattern because the red shirt and white scarf are both squares - they provide contrast with their scale and then the leopard adds in the fun pop!

Normally my sister and I wear dresses for Christmas Eve dinner (we go to a candlelight church service after dinner) so we tend to be on the fancier side. I've had a lot of fun this year playing around with different holiday looks... like adding a pop of red and playing up leather fringe! I also instagrammed a couple festive looks. I'd love to know which outfit is your favorite!


If you're still needing gift ideas don't forget to check out all of the Gift Guides I made this year :)
For Him // For Her (or you) // For your Sister // For your BFF // Stocking Stuffers (under $25) //

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Love Always,


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

{gift guide: stocking stuffers under $25}



Christmas is literally around the corner! If you've completed your list and you've checked it twice then it's time to top off those stockings with some fun little presents. I've created a list of gifts that are under $25... some are on sale and most are actually that cheap! Be sure to snag them before they sell out!!


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Do you have any stocking traditions? We always get clementines, scratch-offs and chocolate in our stockings!! I won $5 last year hehe ;)

Love Always,

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

{camel colored vest}












Photography by Lauren Middledorf

SheIn Vest c/o // Chambray Shirt, old (similar) // Rock & Republic Jeans // Tory Burch Boots, old (similar - on sale!) // Steve Madden Purse, old // Kendra Scott Color Bar Jayna Earrings // Loren Hope Bracelet // Moon & Lola Ring // Gorjana Ring // Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses

I found another piece of clothing that I've worn a million ways... With the temperatures dropping and then climbing, vests have been a constant in my wardrobe. This one is perfect because of the length in the back and easy material. I wore it over a long sleeve black dress with heels and tights, I styled it for a casual girls dinner on Instagram a couple of weeks ago, wore it over a leather skirt to meet Andre Leon Talley, and threw it over this red popover last weekend.  The shape is literally a circle with holes cut in it for your arms. This allows you to create a high collar and have the fabric sit on your shoulders (like I've done in today's post) or have it fall over them and create a more cape like effect the length of a sleeve. The price point is unbeatable too! A simple, heavy material creating a unique outfit. Perfection!

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Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win $525 Paypal Cash Giveaway!

Love Always,

Monday, December 14, 2015

{gift guide: for her}

Be sure to scroll down for a very special early Christmas gift from my blogger friends and me...



Gifts for that woman in your life... sometimes you get lucky and know exactly what to get your mom/sis/girlfriend/BFF/grandma/roomie/etc. and other times you're clueless! I'm a pretty picky person so while my family was pestering me about what I wanted for Christmas the past weeks I began saving a ton of links. Then this list was created - It's totally random and full of different price points but you can use it to begin to think of the perfect present for the lady in your life or casually leave it open on your laptop computer for the person buying YOU gifts to find ;) Whether you're shopping for a big ticket item or you need to find the perfect sweater, this gift guide is a great starting point! It's always fun to buy for your family and friends but it doesn't hurt to dream for yourself a little hehe!


Aaaaaaaand.... in the spirit of Christmas I'm helping to host ANOTHER GIVEAWAY! Keep reading and scroll down to enter to win!

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SHOP MORE GIFT IDEAS:




$525 Paypal Cash Giveaway

Today I've teamed up with a few of my blogger friends to give one lucky reader $525 Paypal cash! Entering is easy. Simply scroll down to the giveaway widget below and complete as many entries as you'd like. We will be validating all entries. Good luck!



What are you asking for from Santa and your loved ones this year?

Love Always,

Thursday, December 10, 2015

{fuzzy reversible vest}













photography by Lauren Middledorf

Reversible Vest // Kendra Scott Necklace and Earrings c/o // DL1961 Jeans c/o // Black and Nude Flats // Black Sweater, old // Vera Bradley Purse c/o // Shop Ditto Sunglasses (get your first month free with code SOUTHERNANCHORS) // It Cosmetics Lipstick in "Perfect Nude" c/o

I realized that I probably should have included this vest in yesterday's gift guide post. The second I posted this vest on Instagram after wearing it I got multiple snaps/texts/comments that people went and purchased it for themselves... and I totally get it!! The second I saw it in stores myself I knew it had to be mine (especially since it's reversible). My mom agreed too haha, I wore it over Thanksgiving and we went to get her one while I was home because otherwise she was going to take mine :) It's perfect to dress down and run errands in but I've also worn it over black pants and a blouse for work. It's the perfect amount of warmth if you're wearing a light blouse in the office! Plus, it has pockets and the prettiest waterfall effect at the front.


Which side would you wear more? The grey cotton side or the white fuzzy side?

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Love Always,

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