happy thanksgiving.

"There is always something to be thankful for."

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Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday at home with family and friends! I'm in New Mexico this week spending time with my parents and siblings...and my brother and I just got home from the Albuquerque Thanksgiving Day 5k Run!

Rather than bore you with a list of sales that are taking place tomorrow (seriously, we all get the same email alerts), I thought I'd put together a quick little post with some of my favorite finds this week:

• I really want to make a DIY bar cart for NYE and I'm loving this turquoise option, this industrial red option, and this sleek white option! I'll be sure to post photos with the outcome!
• I love this kate spade inspired DIY earring idea!
• I may or may not have an obsession with nail polish...#20 all the way!
• #BlairWaldorfismyhero
• This jalapeno popper dip looks amazing...so amazing that I'm afraid I'll eat it all! Dangerous!
• It's not out until next May, but I'm looking forward to Pitch Perfect 2!
• This "how to tie a necktie" infographic will definitely come in handy this holiday season...Nick and I can never remember how to tie one from memory and end up googling it each time!

Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving, and have a great long weekend! Stay tuned next week for my next holiday gift guide: for the home!

xoxo,

gift guides: beauty

1. Hot Tools 1" Curling Iron // 2. Hot Tools Ionic Professional Dryer // 3. Essie 'Winter 2014' Four Pack // 4. Philosophy Amazing Grace Gift Set // 5. Clarisonic Pink Holiday Set // 6. Biosilk Silk Therapy // 7. M.A.C. Basic Brush Kit // 8. Urban Decay Naked on the Run Kit // 9. Stila Stay All Day in Orange Red // 10. Philosophy Hope in a Jar // 11. kate spade Cedar Street Makeup Bag // 12. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue // 13. OGX Moroccan Oil Three Piece Set

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For the second installment of my Holiday Gift Guide series, I'm bringing you some of my favorite beauty items. With items ranging anywhere from $17 to $100+ there's a little something for everyone and every budget!

If you need any gift suggestions or just have a question, feel free to comment below!

Next week's gift guide: "for the home"...stay tuned!

xoxo,

pattern mixing: stripes + florals

shirt: H&M (similar, similar) // skirt: J. Crew Factory // scarf: H&M (similar, similar) // watch: Michael Kors
tights: Target // shoes: J. Crew Factory // nails: NYC 'Madison Avenue'

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Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend! It's a short week for me and I'm hoping on a plane tomorrow morning to spend Thanksgiving with my family.

Today's outfit is comprised of everyday basics: b&w striped tee, black wool skirt, black tights...so I decided to spice it up and add a pop of color with a dark floral scarf. Pattern mixing...simple, fun, easy...perfect for a Monday morning!

Hope you all enjoy the short work week!

xoxo,

gift guides: my holiday wish list

1. kate spade "Places To Go, People To See" // 2. OHF Arrow Earrings // 3. Baggu Canvas Tote // 4. kate spade Travel Mug // 5. Nordstrom Chunky Bracelet // 6. Madewell Mira Pumps // 7. C. Wonder Navy Pumps // 8. UD Naked 3 Palette // 9. kate spade Skinny Belts (leopard, glitter, patent) // 10. Madewell Calf Hair Skimmers // 11. C. Wonder Earrings

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Today I'm kicking off my new series of Holiday Gift Guides, starting with my own personal wish list! Each week, for the next five weeks I'll be posting a new gift guide to help you ladies (and gents) this holiday season! Start your gift planning now, no one wants to pay for rush shipping at the last minute....or worse, battle the mall crowds!

Feel free to comment below or email me with any holiday gifting questions...I love picking out gifts and I'm happy to help!

xoxo,

outfit inspiration >> navy + yellow

shirt: Target (similar) // belt: Target (old) // earrings: Stella + Dot // necklace: Forever 21 // pants: Banana Republic (40% off) // heels: J. Crew via eBay (similar) // watch: Michael Kors

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Today's outfit inspiration can be credited to one of my favorite bloggers, Jean from Extra Petite. She's wearing the same Sloan pants from Banana Republic and they're amazing (and come in petites). If you haven't tried these I highly recommend them!  Bonus...everything is 40% off until tomorrow!

Hope you're all having a great week!

xoxo,

fall favorites.

1. Old Navy Striped Top // 2. Mossimo Flannel Shirt // 3. F21 Pleated Blouse // 4. F21 Lace Blouse
5. Old Navy Plaid Peacoat // 6. Pashmina // 7. Oversized Scarf // 8. J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer
9. F21 Patent Flats // 10. Old Navy Ankle Boots // 11. Old Navy Faux Suede Pumps

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My fall favorites are a mix of high and low end pieces, which is pretty typical of my shopping habits. I love a good bargain, but I hate sacrificing quality. Case in point...I can't tell you how many black blazers I've been through over the years. I've tried them from everywhere from Target, to H&M, to Forever 21...and they either didn't fit quite right, or showed signs of wear after just a couple of uses. I recently decided to just bite the bullet and invest in the J. Crew Schoolboy blazer (which I found on eBay in my size!), and IT. IS. AMAZING! I got it in petite sizing it's the perfect fit in the shoulders and torso, though the sleeves are about half an inch too short for my taste (I just cuff the sleeves). Perfect example where it's better to invest in the pricier option for a closet staple...and I'll have it for years to come!

On the other hand, I can never get enough of Forever 21's blouse selection. Their quality seems to be a bit better in recent seasons and you can't beat the prices! Another favorite of mine this season has been the patent flats from Forever 21 above, and the ankle boots from Old Navy...seriously, these are sooo comfortable!

What about you...have you found any must have items this fall? I'd love to hear about them!

xoxo,

this vs. that: red + black buffalo plaid

shirt: Target // jeans: Forever 21 // shoes: Target // watch: Michael Kors (on sale!)
earrings: Oh, Hello Friend // lip color: Revlon "Fire + Ice"

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Lately I've been all about comfort, which for me turns out to be a button up shirt, jeans, and flats for work. Being the bargain shopper that I am, I was able to put this outfit together (details above) for a total of $72.88 (shirt, jeans, and flats).

Now let's take a look at some nearly identical pieces that aren't quite as wallet friendly: J. Crew Factory Flannel Shirt, J. Crew Cece Flats, and J. Brand Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans...totaling $370.50.

Wow. Just remember ladies...it pays (or rather saves) to shop around! And PS...these genuine leather flats from Target are wayyyy more comfortable than the near identical version from J. Crew! Bonus!

xoxo,

cranberry + cream.

blouse: Old Navy // necklace: thrifted // earrings: Forever 21 (similar) // skirt: Zara via Crossroads Trading Co (similar, love this wallet friendly option!) // heels: Joan + David (similar) // watch: Michael Kors // coat (below): H+M (similar, wallet friendly option)

It's finally happened ladies. It's finally cold enough to wear a coat! To celebrate, I pulled out my favorite winter coat and decided to dress it up a bit with a cranberry skirt from Zara and black patent heels. I realized I haven't gotten this dressed up for work in quite awhile...and I miss it! I think it may be time to head to Pinterest for some fall outfit inspiration!

What about you...what are you looking forward to wearing this fall?

xoxo,

closet staple: the utility jacket

utility jacket: H&M (old, similar, love this one) // striped shirt: H&M (similar, similar, love this one)
necklace: J. Crew via Poshmark (similar) // jeans: Forever 21 // flats: Payless // watch: Michael Kors // earrings: Forever 21

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This cargo jacket is probably my favorite purchase from H&M...ever. I've seen stylish girls rocking similar jackets for awhile now, and I used to think they weren't really my style...that I'm more of a cardigan type of girl. I'll admit it...I was wrong (first time for everything, right? Right?!?). I LOVE this style of jacket and the fact that it's so versatile. I love layering it over a simple striped t-shirt (above), over a semi-casual work outfit, though my favorite is pairing it with boots and a scarf for colder weather. Definitely a closet staple!

While I've seen much pricier versions at J. Crew and Madewell, this version was only $40 at H&M! If you're in the market for a cargo jacket this fall, be sure to check out Target, Old Navy, F21, etc for wallet friendly versions!

Hope you all have a great Monday!

xoxo,