Sunday Best

Wearing //

Olivaceous dress

I.N.C. coat via Macy's, check stores but similar

J.Crew pumps, obsessed with these and these

Michael Kors bag

Nordstrom lariat necklace

Beauty //

Essie nails in Urban Jungle

Mac lipstick in Hot Gossip

Let's get right to it ladies. I felt like a "power bitch/girl boss" in this outfit. Or is it #powerbitch #girlboss? Either way, if I could wear a great coat, black dress, and perfect pumps every day of the week, I think I'd get a lot more done around here, and I think my head would probably get a little bloated. As much as I love being comfortable in jeans and a tee shirt, there's nothing quite like pulling yourself together in something more feminine. When I look sloppy, that tends to affect my productivity and overall attitude. I can't make eye contact with the barista at Starbucks if I look like a human gym locker. It may sound silly to some, but the power of dressing up is real. And for the record, I did get my to-do list completed. I finished my Christmas shopping, we dropped off Nettie at doggy daycare, enjoyed a tasty brunch, and had a nice visit with the in-laws. Not bad for a Sunday. Let's see if I can channel this energy for the rest of the week because it's about to get real. Real crazy. I'm sure you feel it too, so wishing you lots of luck!

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Winter Skin Essentials

Is it Winter yet? No? Not until next week I believe. Well you can tell my skin that because it has been in Winter mode for about a month now and it looks like it might be a rough season (pun intended). As much as I love the cooler temperatures, my skin goes into shock every year and becomes so bitterly dry that I spend a small fortune trying to find the latest and greatest products so I don't look like a withering piece of old fruit. Not only is dry skin bothersome, but it can also be itchy and painful. Not to mention how it ages you! I'm still on the lookout for a great body balm or butter, but I do have some other products that I swear by every Winter. If you suffer from the same problem, maybe these will be worth trying for you as well. I've already done little reviews on most of these products so I'm just refreshing your memories and letting you know that I don't just buy things, blog about them, and move on. I really am very loyal to certain items because they work!

For the undereye area

The best lip balm, really.

Ultra moisturizing hand cream. This came in a pack of three 

Body scrub (scent) from Heaven. I use this every day on my arms and legs. 

Can you tell I love this brand?

This product is new. I bought it in place of my Lush body conditioner because that product isn't easily accessible and this one by Nivea is. I think I prefer the Lush, but only because of the rose scent. Otherwise, this works just as well and leaves my skin much softer than if I didn't add the extra step.

I just bought a new body lotion from Target that I'm going to test, and I also was sent a couple of organic skin products from a Canadian brand. Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for reviews on those. Winter skin is serious beauty business! Let me know if you ladies have any recommendations for me! 

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The Grand Tradition Estate

Wearing //

Zara cami, similar

Express jean leggings and cardigan (check stores)

Missoni x Target scarf, similar

Forever 21 flats, similar

Michael Kors bag

Kendra Scott necklace

Beauty //

Lips in Lancome Lip Lover #334

Fallbrook is just a few miles down the freeway from Temecula, but I can count on one hand the number of times I've been there. It's more rural than where I live, filled with greenery, small pubs, beautiful homes, and a pristine estate called the Grand Tradition. It's a popular wedding venue, and now that I've seen it in person, I can absolutely understand the appeal. The gardens are breathtaking, and there's even a heart shaped pond to stroll around. The restaurant has great food, surprisingly reasonably priced. Overall, the grounds scream beauty and I want to go back immediately! It's a hidden gem that everyone in the San Diego area should visit. After being sick last week, it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. 

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Recent Outfits

I've been MIA lately due to being under the weather, but with the help of antibiotics, I'm finally beginning to feel like myself again. I normally don't blog this late in the afternoon, especially on a Friday but I got the itch. When I first started blogging, I'd do it as many or as little as I pleased, and sometimes I miss that freedom rather than it being so scheduled. I know a regular routine makes sense for readership, but for now, I'm breaking the rules.

These are all outfits that I've worn in the past couple of weeks and have posted to my Instagram account. I've linked to items that are still available, and they are all great basics that I mix and match. You've seen them before, many many times in most cases so I hope this is helpful. I'm enjoying posting these!

Wearing //

Loft Cardigan

Express Cami

Topshop Flats

Michael Kors Bag

Wearing //

Express jeans

Essie Nails

Wearing //

Express Cami

Wearing //

Nordstrom Jacket, similar here

The last outfit is probably my favorite! I don't own many scarves. In fact, I can count on one hand how many I have now but this infinity scarf from the Missoni for Target collaboration is the one I always reach for.

I hope you ladies have a wonderful weekend! I'm extremely excited about mine. See you next week!

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The Party

Wearing //

Kenzie blazer, similar here

Zara cami, similar

Loft skirt, similar

Zara pumps, similar

Express bracelet, similar

Banana clutch, still want this

Francesca's necklace, love this

Beauty //

Lips NYX soft matte lip cream in Prague

This unfortunately will always live in my memory as the Christmas party that never happened. Well, it happened alright. It happened without me, and I'm happy to report that I got to see it live in action via my best friend's snapchat Saturday night. So I was there in spirit! All the while, sitting on my couch with my dog and husband, nursing a sore throat that has now morphed into a full fledged cold, possibly sinus infection. This season has been rough on my body. But anyway, back to the party. My best friend loves to entertain, and her attention to detail makes her a wonderful hostess. I was looking forward to a fun celebration. I even got my hair done that afternoon, but as soon as I got home from taking these photos, I plopped onto my bed and just couldn't muster up the energy to make it back out. What a downer. I've had great (non-static) curls ever since, and they have been wasted on lying around in sweats, a box of kleenex at my side. We always seem to come down with something at the worst times, don't we? Although I guess there's never a good time to get sick. I'm hoping that I can redeem myself this weekend, when I actually do go to another party. I can't waste another opportunity to get dolled up.

How was your weekend? Are you guys staying healthy this season?

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The Blues

~ I forgot my sunglasses ~

Wearing //

Loft softened chambray shirt, similar here and here on sale

Express jean leggings

Zara kitten heels, similar

Michael Kors bag

Stella & Dot necklace and bracelet

(Don't forget to use Noelle Engel as your hostess ;)

Beauty //

Make up for ever HD Ultra foundation

MAC twig lipstick

This time of year is always bittersweet for me. I used to love Christmas because it was really the only chance I had to see my extended family. My mother would go all out, working like a mad woman to ensure the perfect decorations, lights, and presents. But after my parents got divorced when I was eighteen, family stopped coming around. We isolated ourselves from people, and I spent most holidays going to friends' houses who were gracious enough to let me join and be a part of their families. Now that I have my in-laws, it's wonderful to be included in their traditions. I'm extremely grateful, but there's still this little ache in my heart because I haven't spent a single Christmas with my own family since I was a teenager. With the work that I do with foster children, I see how this otherwise happy time affects them as well. They long to feel normal. They don't care about gifts like a lot of well-adjusted kids do. All they want is to be reunited with their parents, and unfortunately, that's not a possibility for obvious, heartbreaking reasons.

I don't mean to write such a sad post, especially when it's attached to an outfit I wore but I know I'm not alone in this. Plenty of people experience the holiday blues, more than we probably imagine. In the hustle and bustle of putting together fun looks to wear to parties, gift guides filled with pretty things to buy, and traditions to carry out, I just hope we can be aware that not everyone thinks this is the most wonderful time of the year. For some, it really isn't. I hope for most of you reading this though, you are having a great end to 2015. I am trying my best :)

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