Currently // December Updates

It's time for December updates, and this one is naturally all about the holidays. I began participating in this link-up last month, and I love how it not only breaks up my usual content of outfits and beauty, but also connecting with you on a more personal level.

The holidays haven't always been the most wonderful time of the year for me, and you can read about that here. But, I want to end the year on a positive note and so this time I've made a conscious effort to celebrate in my own ways, on my own terms. I hope you are too.

Currently...

1. Lighting - We bought our tree over the weekend but have yet to fully decorate it! I've only had a real tree once in my life, and that was the year that Nate and I got married. After we got our dog Nettie, we took a break from getting a tree at all, real or not. She was way too curious and I was afraid that she'd end up destroying whatever we put up. I'm still catching her trying to eat pine needles, but she has definitely matured in the last few months and I can't wait until our tree is fully dressed with glittery lights.

However, we did visit the tree at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, and as usual, it was a beauty! 

2. Spending - I could answer this in several ways, but I think I did enough monetary damage on black Friday to last me awhile! I'm really spending more time with friends and family. I have a few get togethers planned with my girlfriends and it's honestly the best (and most meaningful) kind of spending anyone can do.

3. Choosing - What to get and do for Nate's birthday. His 36th is on December 30th and I have NO clue what to get for him or what to do to celebrate! I guess I need to read a few more gift guides ;) It's always tough figuring out Christmas and his birthday since they are only a few days apart. Not to mention New Year's. Any suggestions are welcomed!

4. Sending - We took our first ever family pictures at my friend's ranch this past weekend. My brother-in-law took them in various locations on the ranch and even though I had low expectations, I'm really happy with them! I say low expectations because working with a dog can be tricky! Lots of treats and positive reinforcement were involved. But Nettie stole the show as usual, and the photo below is getting a special frame somewhere in our home. All of our friends and family will receive a Christmas card this year.

Princess Nettie

5. Singing - I'm not much into holiday music, but I am into the Lumineers/Vance Joy show we are going to this Saturday. I've been listening to their albums non-stop. For like, a month straight. Do you ever binge on a band or performer you're about to see?


How is your December shaping up so far? Let me know of any updates you may have in the comments! Linking up with Anne and Catherine 

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Holiday Outfit Idea: Cozy Cardigan

For my last holiday outfit idea, I decided to take things down a notch and dress the way I usually do for family gatherings - simple, comfortable, and casual. As much as I love getting dressed up this time of year, I must confess that my friends and family are more about sitting by the fireplace than partying it up somewhere fancy. Which ultimately translates into casual clothes that I can chase my niece in AND play board games involving wine (um, it's a thing around here). Bonus points for a ridiculously soft layer you can later sleep in too! I mean, after all that kid chasing and pinot noir...

Cozy Cardigan

Wear it to: 

Shopping on the weekend

Brunch

Party at a friend's house

Christmas Day

New Year's Day

Wearing //

Gibson cardigan

Asos skirt

Express cami, similar here & here

Halogen clutch, similar here

Stella & Dot covet necklaces 1 & 2

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Black Friday Purchases

Hey ladies, happy December! I just have a quick rundown of my purchases from last week when practically everything was on sale. I've never been much of a black Friday shopper but the deals were hard to resist this year! In fact, some of these items are still on sale and I have a feeling that most stores will continue to run promotions throughout the month so check often.
I'm finding that although I'm drawn to a lot of the current trends, I'm still committed to buying pieces that will get plenty of wear, fill a void in my wardrobe, and look great with things I already own. You know, the whole "buy less, choose well" mantra from Vivienne Westwood.

Aside from some gifts, here is what I picked up for myself:

1. B.P. Nordstrom leopard scarf - I can count on one hand how many scarves I own (I don't really need them living in southern CA) but I do love the way they make a sweater or coat look more interesting. After seeing this leopard print scarf on Gina and Amy Ann, I knew it would be the perfect neutral addition to my closet. 

2. Lush pocket tee - On my never ending quest to find the perfect t-shirt, I stumbled upon this one by Lush. I went down a size because they are quite forgiving. Love it in the taupe color I got, but also tempted to order another in white. They are incredibly soft. 

3. Old Navy rockstar jeans - The Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans are some of my favorites due to fit, length, and price. I have two distressed pairs that I keep in constant rotation, and I'm happy to add another in a darker rinse. They will go with absolutely everything!

4. Sole Society "Devyn" booties - I have a few pairs of Sole Society shoes and I've always been happy with the level of comfort and price point. 

5. Asos pink cord mini skirt - I just received this in the mail and I love it! It's definitely a "mini" but as long as the rest of me is covered, I can wear it comfortably without feeling too exposed. 

Did you participate in the sales this year? Share in the comments! Have a great weekend.

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Holiday Outfit Idea: Velvet

I wore this blazer twice over the long Thanksgiving weekend, and it's hands-down the current favorite in my closet. Out of all the looks I have planned for the holidays, this is definitely the most versatile. Trust me, you need some velvet in your life!

Velvet

Wear it to:

A holiday party or dinner

Date night

Girls night

New Years Eve

Anywhere!

This blazer is on sale too! 

Wear it more casually as I've done here, or drape it over a dress (it would pair perfectly on top of my first holiday idea).

Wearing //

Express blazer on sale

Lush clothing tee

Topshop jeans

Zara pumps, similar here & here

Sezane bag

C. Henry necklace

Stella & Dot covet necklaces (here & here)

Stella & Dot ring

Beauty //

Lips in M.A.C. "Ravishing"

There are so many beautiful trends making the rounds, but velvet is the one I'm crazy over.  It doesn't matter whether it's a top, skirt, or even heels, anything in this sumptuous fabric adds just the right amount of elegance. And the best part is that it doesn't seem to be going anywhere! Velvet is still going to be big well into next year, so you can keep the chic going long after the holidays are gone.

I hope you ladies had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and thank you to those who entered the Nordstrom giveaway last week! I'm jealous of the winner! 

Linking up with Gina, Amy Ann, and Brooke. 

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Perfect Gifts For Your Girlfriends + Nordies Giveaway

Hey guys, I hope your week is off to a great start! I have lots of fun things planned since it's the kick-off of the holiday season with Thanksgiving on Thursday. Are you ready for the marathon eating, drinking, and decorating? I have to admit, I'm actually...dare I say, excited this go around? I have no clue why, but I'm feeling more festive than usual, and I have a feeling you might be too after looking through all of the gift guides that my blogger friends and I put together below.

 When I thought about creating a gift guide, my girlfriends kept coming to mind. I get so much enjoyment shopping for them because most of the time, I buy things I personally would love to receive myself. I try to personalize each gift so that it feels meaningful to each friend, but ultimately I think all of my ideas are universal. Who wouldn't be happy unwrapping these? The best part is that everything is $50 dollars or less! I've already ordered a couple things...and because some of my friends read here, I won't say which!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Time for the giveaway! Enter using the form below to treat not only your friends and family, but also get a little something for yourself :)

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Beauty Treatments While You Sleep?

It's easier now more than ever to "get your beauty sleep." That saying has been around for awhile but this new batch of treatments are relatively new. We all lead busy lives, and at the end of each day, I think the last thing we want to worry about is adding more steps into our nightly routines. But what I've discovered with the products below is that it is possible to wake up looking fresher than the night before without sacrificing time. These work for you while you catch some Zzzs!

Let's begin with the watermelon glow sleeping mask by Korean brand Glow Recipe. This is a multipurpose product that can be worn overnight, or as a quick treatment whenever you prefer. It claims to hydrate AND exfoliate. The consistency is very watery, but the gel glides on like a dream. It comes with a tiny spatula that picks up the product. I usually just dab it on my finger and then apply it to my face, especially on my cheeks where I need the most hydration. It feels cool to the touch, but then settles in nicely and surprisingly does not transfer onto your pillow overnight. It's formulated with watermelon, which is packed with vitamins and hyaluronic acid. The results? Smooth, post-facial looking skin for a brighter morning! 

An overnight cream that conditions your hair is much more effective than a regular deep conditioning treatment you use in the shower. My hair can get dry at the ends, and now that I'm working on growing it longer, I want to put off on getting trims too regularly. This mask helps me do that! I use it once per week, focusing on my ends. I then throw it into a low bun, sleep on it, and wash my hair as usual the next morning (I do this mask on the night I know I have to wash my hair the next day). It smells amazing and leaves my hair ridiculously soft! 

Glow Recipe  Living Proof

This is by far one of the best products I've used all year. Laneige is another Korean brand that I wasn't familiar with until recently. It's been hyped on blogs and social media alike, and because I'm a sucker for lip products, I decided to give it a try. It is extremely similar to Sara Happ, but I find that this is much more hydrating as a nightly balm. It coats the lips without being goopy, and forms a protective barrier that stays on until you rinse it off in the morning. You have to try it!

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

What do you think of overnight treatments? Have you used any of these yet?

Before I go, I wanted to share with you what I picked up from the Sephora VIB sale. It's the perfect time to stock up on your essentials or get a head-start on holiday gift giving. All three are "holy grail" in my daily routine. The shower oil keeps my eczema at bay, the concealer is perfect for covering under-eye circles, and the foundation gives a flawless finish that lasts all day. Give them a try if you haven't already!

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