Traditions of Christmas

I can't believe there are only ten days until Christmas! I'm finally mostly done with my shopping, and was very proactive with my wrapping as well, so happily I'm not staring at two dozen shopping bags of presents needing to be wrapped (been there, done that).

Now it's time to start the baking, which I always love. Last night I made a batch of gingerbread cookies, which are not usually something we do. Cut-outs seem to be an every other year (or maybe every three years?) kind of cookie. They can be pretty tedious as cookies go, even though I don't really mind sitting for hours piping on icing in intricate designs, it just means that there has to be some sort of planning and time management involved.

My sister will be home next Friday, so this is really the last weekend to get things done. Once she's here it will be just a constant stream of watching our favorite Christmas movies, baking and eating more cookies. We'll do our best to get through Home Alone one and two, Love Actually, Elf, Christmas Vacation, It's a Wonderful Life, our favorite Hallmark movie that they don't air anymore, The Christmas List (somehow it's still on YouTube in it's recorded off of TV in the early aughts entirety), The Santa Clause, The Holiday, and maybe if we have time, we'll check out that new one on Netflix. Overwhelming, I know...but it's our tradition. What are your must-watch holiday movies?

     

The Rundown
Camel Sweater Dress Banana Republic
Red Bow Pumps Ferragamo via eBay
Plaid Blanket Scarf Zara similar
Circle Earrings c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie

Linking up with

Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (one year ago today)

Cozy Neutrals

As much as I love color and print, chilly grey days often have me reaching for cozy neural colors, and true to form, I'm continuing my end of year boycott of tights. Thankfully over the knee boots provide the perfect solution to staying warm while still getting to don a dress.

This month is already flying by, and hopefully this weekend we'll get the tree and then it will really start to feel like Christmas. I still have so much shopping - and wrapping - to do! I also have some lofty baking goals, and just had to talk myself out of spending $10 on a copper reindeer cookie cutter at Williams Sonoma, since I only wanted it for the purpose of being a background element in photos. I decided to be rational and ordered a $1 cutter instead (but split the difference by adding half a dozen other shapes to my cart). Are you ready for the holidays yet?

       

The Rundown
Grey Sweater Dress Old Navy similar
Cream Funnel Neck Teddy Coat Loft similar
Over the Knee Boots Marc Fisher similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
Tortoise Earrings Loft
Diamond Chip Ring c/o Crown Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with

Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (one year ago today)

Venturing North

This weekend I met up with Courtney of Live Lovely Photography, we had coffee at Oxford Baking Company and ended up chatting for hours. She then showed me a couple of her favorite spots in Woodbury and took outfit photos for me. It's crazy to think having lived in this state my whole life, there are still so many towns I've never been to, so many cute places I haven't seen. It's easy to scroll through instagram and get hung up on all the exciting places in New York or Los Angeles, but I know if I were to take the time, I could find amazing spots right in Connecticut.

Focusing more on what my home state has to offer is something I've been trying to do more of over the last few years, not just for the sake of content, but for my own benefit! While I was chatting with Courtney she told me she had a whole list of places to visit, and I need to take a page from her and set about discovering all of Connecticut's little gems.

         

The Rundown
Burgundy Sweater Dress Target similar
Navy Coat Mark New York via South Moon Under similar
Grey Over the Knee Boots Ivanka Trump similar
Fur Bag Vintage via Roundabout similar
Earrings Susan Roberts

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Gold Ring Thrifted
Nail Color "Couture Curator" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Photos By Live Lovely Photography

Sweater Dresses Under $100

One of my favorite things about summer is the ease of simply throwing on a dress and heading out the door. With the arrival of fall comes the necessity for layers, however, with an abundance of adorable and warm sweater dresses, some of which have long sleeves and thus the ability to stand on their own, the transition to fall becomes a bit more fluid.

I don't know about you, but there is something about that first day I pull on my jeans after they've been hanging out in my closet all summer that just feels so constricting. I'm happy to have my growing collection of sweater dresses that I can reach for on the days when I'm just not ready for denim.

I've looked at my own personal favorites and also pulled a lot of fun new styles for this season and rounded up over 25 sweater dresses, all for less than $100 (okay, I could only find one leopard print dress and it's $140, but it's cashmere and still a really good deal) so I hope you find one you love!

Cozy Turtlenecks

Bell Sleeves

 

Off The Shoulder

Ruffles and Fringe

Prints