{cyber monday sales 2015}

After finally getting wifi back at my house late last night I've got ANOTHER round up of sales!! I didn't take advantage of any Black Friday sales this weekend so I'm excited to get the ball rolling tonight... Christmas is in full force :) yay!!

PS. There's a giveaway to one of my favorite bracelet brands, Knox Thomas Designs, happening on Instagram - today only!! Hop on over to enter to win your own personalized cuff bracelet. They make really great gifts ;)

ACCESSORY CONCIERGE

30% off entire site until 11/30

code: THANKFUL

ANTHROPOLOGIE

25% off everything until 11/30

code: SHOPTOIT

ASOS

30% off everything until 11/30

code: BLESSED

BAUBLEBAR
25% off 1 item with code GOGIFT25
35% off 2+ items with code GOGIFT35
until 12/1 

COLE HAAN

40% off site wide + free shipping

COORDINATES COLLECTION

30% off site wide

DESIGN DARLING

20% off until 11/30

code: THANKFUL

DL1961

40% off site wide until 12/2

code: DLCYBER

ESCAPADA LIVING

20% off site wide

code: MONDAZE

FOREVER 21
21% off your next purchase + free shipping
code: RSTYLE21

GAP

50-70% off everything (restrictions apply) until 11/30

GIGI NEW YORK
spend $125 save 20%, spend $250 save 25%, spend $350 save 30%, spend $500+ save 35%

H&M

20% off $25+ with code: 2020
30% off $50+ with code: 3030
40% off sale with code: 4040

J.CREW FACTORY
50% off every single thing + free shipping with orders over $50+
code: SHIPGIFTS

JENNIFER ZEUNER

25% off entire site until 11/30

code: RS25

KENDRA SCOTT

15% off everything until 11/30

code: SALE15

LILLY PULITZER

free domestic flight with purchase of $1500+ until 12/31

LOREN HOPE

20% off site wide + free shipping until 11/30

(purchases made on 11/30 will receive 20% off + free shipping + free studs with purchases of $250+)

code: THANKFULLY

LUISAVIAROMA

extra 20% off on sale items until 11/30

code BFR20

MACY*S

60% off women's clothing, women's plus size clothing and junior's clothing
Friends and Family sale: 12/1 - 12/10 extra 25% off watches and designer handbags
code: FRIEND

MODCLOTH

25% off everything

NARS

shop Cyber Monday and receive 30% off
receive an exclusive 20% off purchase + free shipping on purchases of $50+ until 12/2

NASTY GAL

up to 50% off everything until 12/2

NEIMAN MARCUS

gift card event! earn up to a $500 gift card with your select regular-price purchase online until 12/1

code: GC4YOU

NIKE

extra 25% off clearance at nike.com until 12/1

code: GETOUTHERE

NORDSTROM

up to 50% off select styles for all + free shipping and returns

OLD NAVY
40-60% off everything (no exclusions)
code: BESTCYBER

REBECCA MINKOFF

25% off all orders + free shipping + Essie Nail Polish until 12/1

REVOLVE
up to 85% off + 50% off final sale items until 12/1
code: CYBER50

SHOPBOP

spend $250+ and save 15%, spend $500+ and save 20%, spend $1,000+ and save 25% (s'well and Stuart Weitzman style level exclusions) until 11/30

code: GOBIG15

SHOW ME YOUR MUMU

50% off select styles, all sales are final

code: 50FORMU

SOLE SOCIETY
30% off shoes, apparel and accessories

STUART WEITZMAN

free express shipping on all orders until 11/30

code: BLACKFRIDAY

TARTE COSMETICS

25% off holiday collection + special deals

THE FRYE COMPANY

40% off select styles + free shipping

TOBI

up to 80% off site wide sale until 11/30
code: THANKFUL50

TOPSHOP

up to 50% off selected lines until 11/30

TORY BURCH
spend $250+ receive 30% off
code: THANKS

TUCKERNUCK
15% off site wide with code: CYBER-15
20% off orders $200+ with code: CYBER-20
25% off orders $500+ with code: CYBER-25
30% off orders $1000+ with code: CYBER-30

URBAN OUTFITTERS

$15 off $75 or $50 off $150

VICTORIA'S SECRET

buy 1 bra, get 1 50% off until 12/2

code: DOUBLEUP
free tote with $65 purchase (excludes clearance online only)
code: CYBER65

VINCE

extra 25% off

code: WRAPUP25

WANDERLUST + CO
30% off storewide + free world wide shipping when you spend $50+
code: CYBER30

WILDFOX
up to 60% off everything
code: NEBULA

HAPPY SHOPPING AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Love Always,

{black friday sales 2015}

Happy Black Friday everyone!! Today's a day to eat lots of leftovers and (in my opinion) never leave your house. Why? Because there are plenty of ONLINE sales to enjoy and it's not even Cyber Monday yet!! You can find me in front of my computer shopping, sitting on the sofa, watching cheesy Netflix Christmas movies and drinking mulled wine. Hey, it's the holidays… you know you want to be doing it too ;) So let's get to shopping shall we?!

ACCESSORY CONCIERGE

30% off entire site until 11/30

code: THANKFUL

AMAZON.COM

30% off select clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry and watches

code: 30BLACKFRI

ANN TAYLOR

50% off everything

code: CELEBRATE

ANTHROPOLOGIE

25% off everything until 11/30

code: SHOPTOIT

ASOS

30% off everything until 11/30

code: BLESSED

ATHLETA

20% off entire purchase until 11/29

code: WORKIT

BANANA REPUBLIC

half off sweaters and 40% off the rest of your purchase

code: BRFRIDAY

BARE MINERALS

receive a Free Collection with any purchase of $75 or more

BENEFIT COSMETICS

get up to 6 deluxe skincare samples with your order until 11/30

CHICWISH

extra 20% off

code: BLK20

COLE HAAN

30% off + free shipping

COORDINATES COLLECTION

30% off site wide

DESIGN DARLING

20% off until 11/30

code: THANKFUL

DL1961

30% off full priced items until 11/28

code: DLBLACK

ESCAPADA LIVING

20% off sale items

code: BRIGHTIDEA

EXPRESS

50% off everything + free shipping until NOON TODAY!

GAP

50-70% off everything (restrictions apply) until 11/30

H&M

up to 60% off

JENNIFER ZEUNER

25% off entire site until 11/30

code: RS25

KATE SPADE

surprise sale up to 70% off until 11/28

KENDRA SCOTT

15% off everything until 11/30

code: SALE15

LILLY PULITZER

free domestic flight with purchase of $1500+ until 12/31

LOFT

40% off almost everything

code: BF40

LOREN HOPE

20% off site wide + free shipping until 11/30

(purchases made on 11/30 will receive 20% off + free shipping + free studs with purchases of $250+)

code: THANKFULLY

LUISAVIAROMA

extra 20% off on sale items until 11/30

code BFR20

MACY*S

extra 25% off clearance designer handbags, 50% off select junior's clothing, 60% off select women's coats, 50% off women's sweaters, 70% off memory foam pillow and toppers until 11/28

MADEWELL

25% off your entire purchase until 11/29

code: CALMDOWN

MODCLOTH

up to 40% off select styles

NARS

receive an exclusive 20% off purchase + free shipping on purchases of $50+ until 12/2

NASTY GAL

extra 30% off sale, plus 30% off select black styles until 11/29

NEIMAN MARCUS

20% off sale items for up to 50% off online

$50 off select regular price purchases of $200+ online until 6pm on 11/28

code: THANKFUL

NIKE

extra 25% off clearance at nike.com until 12/1

code: GETOUTHERE

NORDSTROM

up to 50% off select styles for all + free shipping and returns

OLD NAVY

60% off hundreds of styles, 50% off even more, 40% off everything else (restrictions apply)

REBECCA MINKOFF

25% off all orders + free shipping + up to 70% off selected styles until 11/29

SAM EDELMAN

30% off site wide

code: SAMSGIVING

SHOPBOP

spend $250+ and save 15%, spend $500+ and save 20%, spend $1,000+ and save 25% (s'well and Stuart Weitzman style level exclusions) until 11/30

code: GOBIG15

SHOW ME YOUR MUMU

40% off select styles

code: 40FORMU

STUART WEITZMAN

free express shipping on all orders until 11/30

code: BLACKFRIDAY

TARTE COSMETICS

25% off purchase until 11/27

code: FRIDAY!

THE FRYE COMPANY

The James Collection was $229 now $199 until 11/30

receive $100 gift card for every $400 spent + free shipping

TOBI

50% off site wide sale until 11/30

TOPSHOP

up to 50% off selected lines until 11/30

URBAN OUTFITTERS

30% off sale, 40% off sale for Urban On Members

select women's + men's sweaters are $39, all women's + men's flannels are $29 until 11/28

VICTORIA'S SECRET

buy 1 bra, get 1 50% off until 12/2

code: DOUBLEUP

VINCE

extra 25% off until 3am on 11/29

code: BFEXTRA25

okay… that was a doozy!! Happy shopping y'all - I hope you have a safe, warm, wonderful Thanksgiving vacation. XOXO!

Love Always,

{gift guide: for him}

Ray-Ban Sunglasses (buy 2 pairs, save $40) // Long Sleeve Tee (extra 20% off with code TURKEY20) // Leather Charger Roll Up (free monogramming & free gift wrap) // Smathers & Branson Belt (worth the price - you can personalize so many ways!) // Beard Grooming Kit // Herschel Duffel Bag // Wireless Fitness Watch // Patagonia Quarter Zip // L.L. Bean Boots // Nordstrom "no-iron" Button Down Shirt // S'Well Water Bottle (I am obsessed with mine)

Don't forget to enter to win $500 in Paypal cash!!!

This gift guide probably takes me the longest every year so I thought I would knock it out for y'all early! The majority of these ideas have been tried and true by me and are sure to be perfect come Christmas morning :) They're perfect for your guy, brother, dad, father-in-law, grandpa, etc.

When it comes to guys it's easy to stick with the basics (the things they need and want, not clutter) and then take it up a notch. Find a way to personalize it: a specific color, a monogram or his favorite team logo. If you buy him boots or shoes get him a pair of socks to go with them. Buying him a pair of sunglasses? Grab a cool pair of croakies so he doesn't lose them. Taking the gift a step further shows that you really put some extra TLC into gift giving. Plus it makes the gift wearable right away so if you're trying to style your man for a party that night… well, he'll get the idea ;)

My boy's favorite gifts have been: Bean Boots (he wears them to every tailgate and during the winter), Herschel Duffel Bag (perfect weekender bag to visit me!), Smathers & Branson belt (I got him the VT logo… so yep, it's his favorite), and the classic Wayfarer Ray-Bans (I got him these for our first anniversary and they're his only sunglasses).

Because we all need some extra inspiration… here are my favorite "guy retailers" gift guides!

J.Crew (30% off with code GETSHOPPING) // Nordstrom // Neiman Marcus // Vineyard Vines // Tuckernuck // Banana Republic (40% off with code BRFRIENDS) // L.L. Bean

SHOP THE POST:

EVEN MORE GIFT IDEAS:

Love Always,

{holiday cash giveaway}

Today's post is going to be short and very sweet :) I had a wonderful weekend with my boyfriend and his family getting the holidays started! We went to see the Hokies play in Blacksburg and despite a loss it was an amazing game to go to - an overtime nail biter and Coach Frank Beamer's last home game. So amazing to see him be carried off the field. He really made Virginia Tech great. Next up, rivalry week against UVA! Sunday was low key with football and food. Jon's grandma always has an early Thanksgiving meal on Sunday so I had a full belly before driving back to DC… Hence the short post!

It was a family filled weekend and I didn't have time to finish my Gift Guide for this week (I like them to be thought out and not rushed - I take these to heart and a lot of the things I post I end up buying as gifts). So coming to the blog tomorrow: gift ideas for HIM! After 7 years of dating my guy I still need ideas… why are boys so easy but SO hard to buy gifts for? So stay tuned ;) in the mean time… let's get y'all $500 in PayPal cash!! How does that sound?!

$500 Paypal Cash Giveaway

Hosted by: Ashley Brooke | Diary of A Debutante | Mash Elle | Livvyland | b.y.o. beauty | April Golightly | Covering The Bases | Alicia Tenise | Sidesmile Style | Money Can Buy Lipstick | Visions of Vogue | Primp & Proper | Glitter & Gingham | A Southern Drawl | Southern Anchors | The Fashionista's Diary | Blonde Expeditions | A Fancy Affair | B Soup | Rarely Taken Seriously

Today I've teamed up with my blogger friends to give away a $500 holiday shopping spree to one lucky reader! To enter, simply fill out as many entries as you'd like in the giveaway widget below. Good luck!

November 23rd $500 Paypal Cash Giveaway

Love Always,

{kendra scott charlottesville + giveaway}

Photography by Lauren Middledorf

Ann Taylor Cape // H&M Sweater // Rock & Republic Jeans // Target Heels, old (similar) // Kate Spade Clutch, old // Kendra Scott Necklace ℅ // Kendra Scott Earrings ℅ // Kendra Scott Ring // Knox Thomas Cuff ℅ // David Yurman Cuff // NARS Lipstick in "Heat Wave"

I'm so excited to be teaming up with some gorgeous VA bloggers to announce another store opening for Kendra Scott!! Yep, you lucky Charlottesville ladies are getting your own Kendra Scott store on November 23 (You're allowed to freak out… I did when I found out about ours!) To celebrate this VA store opening we're hosting a giveaway!! 4 winners and 4 prizes!! Read below to figure out how to enter to win! I've been a huge fan of Kendra Scott for awhile so I'm thrilled that this giveaway will only begin to kick off the season of giving :) Can't wait to hear what pieces y'all love most and let me know how you would style it!

Be sure to check out Julie, Kristyn, and Melinda to see how they styled their KS jewels!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SHOP MY LOOK:

Love Always,

{photo shoot tips for bloggers}

You can have a fancy camera and spend a ton of money on different lenses but if you get down to the nitty gritty of it… that's not going to give you wonderful pictures. After being in front of a camera for blog photos for over a year now I've learned a couple ways to accomplish more interesting photos. I've also taken photos for blog friends on their cameras and learned some tips for being behind the camera and shooting (however, none of these have to do with aperture haha). I have 5 of my top tips and would LOVE to hear what yours are as well!

I'm no professional let's get that very straight :) I wouldn't be anywhere without all of my friends who have taken time out of their lives to take photos for me and help me learn (Emily in particular - your eye and superior gift of photography are incredible)! I would never have been able to make my blog a beautiful place without all of you so thank you!

1. Timing // This is everything. I've played around with morning and afternoon for photos - a lot of the time due to busy schedules. The time of day can determine the type of light: sunrise provides warm colors with long shadows, morning will give you a neutral light with good visibility, midday will give you dark shadows and can cast strange shadows, afternoon is similar to the morning but with warmer colors, sunset (aka the "golden hour") provides the best diffused light and can give some great silhouette shots.

2. Details // I look at fashion as I do at design - It's all in the details. I look for something unique to add a personal element to my style. The little things are what pulls an outfit together… perhaps a necklace, purse, texture on a pair of heels. I love to take close-up photos because that's what drew me to the product in the first place. These also provide for very "pinterest-worthy" photos ;) 

3. Color // Every blog has an aesthetic. Perhaps it's cool and clean, saturated and vibrant, or soft and light. Photo tools can help you achieve that look specifically but setting up what color you see in the background can change everything.  You want your background to contrast with your outfit enough so that you don't blend in but also support the feel you're going for! Bloggers are known for always scoping out the best colored walls or the cutest streets (I, however, am not one of them. Oh well!). Even if you took a picture in the best lighting possible you may still need to adjust the photo slightly so that the coloring is correct. This is always the case with blacks, dark colors and whites, you want to make sure they're crisp and clean - getting rid of any yellow or blue tones can be fixed with an easy slide of color correcting.

4. Movement // Walking, sitting down, lifting your arm, going down steps, etc. Doing anything besides just standing there and looking pretty will automatically give you enticing photos! If you feel awkward standing and posing while smiling different directions ("why are all these people staring at me") try walking forward slowly and looking at the ground, pushing your hair back as you step, then grabbing your arm as you look forward. It will begin to feel more natural because you will relax! I tend to feel really awkward with my hands so I try to keep them moving and doing something otherwise they're in some weird position looking uncomfortable. Holding a purse, touching a piece of jewelry, grabbing the hem of my sweater, adjusting my sunglasses… these are all ways I create simple movement to vary my poses.

5. Composition // This is where the "thirds rule" comes in to play. You want your subject to be centered, left justified, or right justified. If I don't like the way a photo is set up I'll normally crop it down. Creating movement across your photos is the easiest way to make scrolling down a blog post entertaining - it keeps the readers eyes moving and inspecting the photos. Composition also means making sure no ugly signs, awkward cars, or unsightly objects are in the photo. You may have to change your standing location (photographer and/or subject) to arrange yourself for the most ideal shot!

What other photo shoot tips do you have? Is there a blogger whose photos you always admire? How do you pose and get yourself to relax?

Love Always,

{boho cold shoulder}

Photography by Lauren Middledorf

Free People Sweater // DL 1961 Jeans ℅ // Forever21 Booties, old (similar with zipper) // Hat, old (similar) // Forever21 Necklace (Gorjana version) // Gigi New York Purse // Kendra Scott Ring // David Yurman Cuff Bracelet // Knox Thomas Bracelet ℅

When the cold weather rolls around all I want to do is bundle up in a scarf and sweater and not be cute… am I the only one who gets like that? When I saw this sweater it was like al of my prayers had been answered! It was cozy AND cute enough to wear out. Crisis averted :) I wore this sweater to a Friendsgiving last weekend (turkey belly) and then I wore it downtown. Shoulders are always my favorite thing to show off in the summer so why not give a little glimpse in the winter as well!?

Shop the Post:

Love Always

{gift guide: beauty}

Essie Nail Polish Set // Sephora Face Masks // Ralph Lauren Blue Perfume // GlamGlow // Sigma Basic Face Brush Set // Solid Brush Cleaner // Laura Mercier Lip Glosses // Bite Lipstick Duo // Kate Spade Travel Case // NARS Cheek Palette 

You can browse through all of my gift ideas and last year's holiday gift guides on Pinterest! I've created a special "present ideas" board for all the people in your life with lots of ideas! I'll be updating it regularly this season :)

Here come the gift guides! Some people may think it's crazy to be thinking about gifts already but for me it's economical… instead of buying everything at once I space the gift buying out over time so that it's never too big of a hit on my wallet. Plus I can plan out things to buy during upcoming sales! I always start by making a list of my loved ones that I want to buy gifts for (normally on my phone) and then add my gift ideas as they come to me!

I'm a total beauty junkie so beauty gifts are some of my favorite to give :) Perfect for your sister, coworker, roommate, or best friend! GlamGlow is my absolute favorite beauty item in my bathroom… I rave about it all the time because it makes my skin flawless. My pores look smaller and I have zero blackheads! I have a Kate Spade travel case and it makes throwing beauty products in a bag for the weekend really easy - hair stuff, makeup, brushes, they all fit perfectly. Having the plastic lining means no worries about spills. Cleaning your brushes keeps them fresh and in the best condition while also whisking away any lingering makeup and possible bacteria. I've already added these Bite Lipstick Duos onto my list - 2-in-1? Perfect! I've also added these "cashmere" nail polishes. I've been curious about trying the matte look for awhile and these soft colors would be perfect. Top it all off with the perfect scent! I've been using this Ralph Lauren Blue perfume for years! It's not too floral or spicy and my favorite part is that it lasts for hours - I can still smell it on my wrists after a whole day of work! Any beauty gifts you're asking for this year?

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Love Always,

{blue suede dress}

Photography by Emily Smalling

WAYF Dress // Kendra Scott Necklace ℅ // Sam Edelman Heels, old (similar) // Bite Lipstick in "Palomino" // Essie Polish in "bahama mama"

I finally found a dress that can do two jobs: business during the day and out on the town by night! I say this a lot - that I try to make my wardrobe wear two different hats. It's not easy. Normally I have no desire to wear clothes out on the weekend that I've worn to the office before. I like being able to feel like I'm putting special on. Let's get real… I've got champagne taste on a beer budget so I've got to make my clothes work multiple ways!! Finding WAYF at Nordstrom has been a major game changer. I'm obsessed with everything they design.
This dress is super comfortable because the suede is stretchy and never wrinkles. I also love how the length is comfortable while not being too long/short. Dress it for work with tights, black heels and nice earrings; dress it casually with booties and a scarf; dress it up with a chic necklace and sexy heels! There ya go - 3 looks in one dress!

SHOP THE POST:

WAYF CLOTHING:

Love Always,