{gift guide: DIY}

So today's gift guide is mixing it up a little - if you know me I love creating something cool and unique. Aka I'm a big DIYer. Pinterest is my source of inspiration in all categories. One of the best things about Christmas is that it's not all about the present… it's about taking the time to say I appreciate you in my life and care about you! That's when a simple, thoughtful gift comes in handy and it doesn't have to cost you a fortune!! I've pinned some of my favorite ideas and gathered them in here in one place so that you guys can recreate them. They are linked below the collage to their creator with the DIY tutorial. I'd love to see if you guys do any of these yourselves. Tag me or email me a picture :)

Any DIY gifts that you've created in the past that were a hit?

Stemless Wine Glasses // Hot Cocoa Mix Ornament // Glitter and Sharpie Mug // Mistle Toes // Gingerbread Chex Mix // Mason Jar Cocktails

PS. Thanks to my coworker, Haley, for giving me the inspiration to do this post - she made me some delicious bourbon salted chocolate fudge. It had the most adorable little tag and cellophane bag. Adorable and YUMMY!!

Love Always,

{lady in red}

One of my favorite things to do is help accessorize and dress my friends. Finding the perfect jewels for an outfit, or helping someone decide how to do their hair and makeup, just makes me so happy! I know… I'm a total girly cornball but I can't help it. I've always wanted a life size barbie doll ;)

Sooo I figured it was time I introduce y'all to my mini-me and the girl who's gone from stealing my clothes to simply making me dress her in them! HA…

My little sister, Samantha! You may recognize her from a couple of my instagram photos!

Over Thanksgiving weekend she was invited to attend her good friend's Cotillion.

It's a pretty big deal in Baltimore. I'm talking ball gown and elbow high white gloves. (To say I was jealous is an understatement. I am obsessed with any event that requires black tie… let alone WHITE TIE?!) Samantha picked out the dress (looks pretty similar to something I once wore huh? hehe) and I helped her with the jewels, shoes, hair, etc. Again, life size barbie.

Badgley Mischka Dress via Rent The Runway // BaubleBar Necklace (on sale for $36!) // BaubleBar Earrings // Vince Camuto Heels, old (similar, similar) // Lipstick: Revlon Color Stay Ultimate Suede in "trendsetter" // Eyeshadow: Naked2 Palette // Bronzer: Bare Minerals in "Warmth"

I was so excited to snap some photos of her because a) she's a stunner and b) how festive is this look?!

You could easily recreate this look for Christmas Eve/Day. Red dress, nude heels, sparkles, DONE. Also, if you are in need of a dress for a big event don't forget about Rent The Runway! If you're in the Georgetown area you can simply walk in to rent a dress - amazing!

Looks just like the emoji right?! And of course Kelty had to tell his Boo how pretty she looked!

This post was not sponsored by RTR I just can't help but brag on what a great deal it is!

Love Always,

{winter white and plaid}

A little white in the winter? Why not!

Old Navy Shirt (same style different colors) // J.Crew Jeans // Franco Sarto Boots // BaubleBar Bracelet ℅ // BaubleBar Earrings ℅ // Gigi New York Crossbody (worn as a clutch) // MAC lipstick in "See Sheer"

I balanced these white jeans with some warmer pieces: a loose boyfriend fit button down and some casual brown leather boots. The long shirt and high boots help cut down on the amount of white showing and make the outfit appear more "weather appropriate".

I haven't stopped wearing this Old Navy shirt and this one all fall and winter. The loose fit and cozy material go perfectly for lounging around the house or brunching with friends. Everyone went crazy over them this season and for good reason. Get your hands on one before they're all gone! My two plaids are sold out but there are three great options still available.

P.S. These. Earrings. I'm obsessed with them. I love that the back piece hangs below your earlobe to add another dimension. So cool!

Love Always,

{gift guide | for him}

Okay ladies. I've compiled THE hardest person to buy gifts for… those hunks in your life. Guys never know what they want and if they do then they sure don't tell ya! I always think long and hard about what to give my dad, brother and boyfriend and it never gets easier. So to help YOU out I give you…. THE list!

Red Quarter Zip // Southern Tide Belt // Portable Charger // Travel Bag // Gingham Dress Shirt // Travel Tie Case // Aviators // Driving Shoes // Nixon Watch // Bean Boots // Puffer Vest // Patagonia Vest // VS Cologne // Golf Hat // Flask Set // Tech Gloves // Craft Beer Set // Olive Pullover

One of the easiest things about gift giving for guys though? They like the practicality in things. Shoes they will wear in snow and rain. Gloves they can wear to work and still be able to send that email. Beer glasses for hanging out with friends. Travel bags for packing easily for a work trip. No fuss, no nonsense. Take the drama and worry out of it and just get him something you know he will wear every day. (Hmm maybe I should take my own advice and stop worrying if my boy will like what I get him?) Moral of the story: if it's a gift from you… He will love it.

Dads and brothers and boyfriends just appreciate the thought (seriously).

What are you getting for the guys in your life?

No… but really… I can always use more ideas ;)

Love Always,

{red zippers}

A red sweater with cute gold zippers on the side? Yes, please!

LightInTheBox Sweater ℅ // Striped Shirt // Slate Golden Flair Necklace ℅ Rocksbox // H&M Skirt // Sole Society Andie OTK Boots // Revlon Color Stay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in "trendsetter"

The zippers are an adorable detail on this sweater. I love that it elevates a plain jane red and adds in some tiny interest. It was super cold so I decided to wear a long sleeve shirt underneath and have some stripes peeking out. Pairing it with a circle skirt allowed me to unzip the sides slightly and let it flare out more! Hence my *cutesy* little poses haha

The real winner with this outfit is my Rocksbox necklace!! I recently joined and I'm kind of in love with this concept. For $19 a month you get 3 beautiful designer jewelry pieces that are curated and picked by a personal stylist after you have answered a personal style survey. You can wear these pieces the whole month or send back your box for 3 new picks as often as you want (during that same month).  You get a prepaid envelope to send your jewels back in so the only price you truly pay is the $19 monthly cost. Unless you keep something that you can't bear to part with of course! If you join right now you can get a free $25 gift card with code GIVEANDGET (because y'all are the best). All of the jewelry you get to sample can be purchased with a 20% discount! That's not too bad considering there are designers like Loren Hope (my fave!) and Gorjana in the mix ;) 

PS. While I was gifted this sweater all thoughts and opinions are my own. I have ordered things from LightInTheBox before and been happy with my purchases.

Love Always,