Stocking Stuffers

Christmas is easily my favorite time of the year, and it's rapid approach has me feeling giddy with excitement! One of my favorite traditions is stuffing stockings; the combination of gift-giving with decor is perfection in my book. Growing up, my three sisters and I each had matching stockings in 4 different colors. Every Christmas morning, we would come down to the family room and see them hanging from the mantle, filled to the top with tiny treasures. My mom would always carefully individually wrap the contents and inside we would find adorable items such as lip balms, lotions, patterned socks, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, beauty products, notepads, pens, and other things that were practical but also fun. 

To this day my sweet mom still fills our childhood stockings for when we come over to exchange gifts and celebrate Christmas. It's one of my fondest memories and cherished traditions. Now as an adult, I always look for extra, smaller items to share with my sisters as part of their gifts each year. Plus, K and I have stockings of our own to fill with festive goodness this year to expand the tradition! 

Below are some of my favorite items to give and receive as stocking stuffers. These items also work well if you exchange gifts with your girlfriends, or participate in Secret Santa exchanges. I have also included some items that are inspiring my stocking stuffing for K too. Happy shopping!

under $10
lip gloss | make-up brushes  | mascara | brush | nail polish | compact | tea | head phones | bbw lotions 

$10 to $25
eos | iPhone case | socks | mug | hair ties | ring | philosophy lotion | chocolates

$25 to $50
wine topper | key chain  | earrings | scarf  | hat | stationery

$50 plus
bracelet | perfume | gloves | wallet | candle | perfume | gift cards 1 2 3  

under $10
bbq sauce | beef jerky | hat | scarf | head phones 

$10 to $25
whiskey stones | giant candy bar | measuring tape | cologne | shave cream | shaving kit

$25 to $50
nuts | passport case | movie  | belt | socks | candle | shot glasses

$50 plus
watch | neck tie | bow tie | movie theater gift card

Happy shopping this holiday season!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Cyber Monday Sales

Happy Monday lovelies! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I know we enjoyed a long vacation from work, spending a lot of time with family, and of course, eating tons of delicious food! Quickly on the heels of Thanksgiving was the start of the retail frenzy leading up to Christmas. K and I were out shopping Thursday evening and again Friday afternoon. It was a much less rushed feeling than in years past, which we appreciated. Following shopping, we pulled out all our Christmas decor and decked the halls Saturday. Finally, on Sunday we wrapped all our goodies from shopping the days earlier and enjoyed a Netflix marathon. 

Today we are back to work and it is a bit of a drag. Luckily, today is also the magical day of online super sales, guaranteed to aid in the completion of your holiday shopping: it's Cyber Monday! I have put together a little synopsis of the discounts happening around the interweb as well as a few of the items I have already picked up for the holidays. While you are shopping, don't forget to keep an eye out for holiday party apparel and little gifts for stocking stuffers too, both of which I will be talking about in upcoming posts. Good luck and have fun shopping!

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Shop Tory Burch || 20-30% off with code LUCKY

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Shop J.Crew Factory || 50% off entire site & an addition 10% off with code YOUVEGOTSALE

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Shop Kate Spade || 30% off entire site with code CYBER30

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Shop J.Crew || 30% select styles and 40% off select sale items with code MONDAY

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Happy shopping this holiday season!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

His & Hers Gift Guides

I don't want to panic anyone, but Christmas is a month away. Say what?? Yep, only 30 days away, crazy right?! It's even beginning to feel a lot like Christmastime. We received our first real snow in the motor city this past week and with Black Friday on the horizon, I am just buzzing with excitement! Christmas is my favorite time of the year; I love the bustle of the crowds, the spreading of good will, and the joy of celebrating the reason for the season! I must also confess that I am one of those crazy people who is almost done with their shopping. Giving gifts is by far one my favorite part of the holidays and I have been plotting and planning and shopping for months now. Next is wrapping, ribboning, and bowing, an OCD person's pinnacle of bliss. But before I get too carried away, I thought I would share some of my favorite things to buy (and in some cases, receive). 

To start, gifts for him. I think guys are always harder to shop for than girls because they are actually really simple and we tend to overthink it. I tend to follow three general rules: can he play with it, will he wear it, and does he already use it. Pretty simple, right? First, boys like toys - electronics, movies, tools, and the like, are all things that guys get abnormally excited about, we don't have to get it, we just need to know it. Next, most guys are hopeless when it comes to shopping for themselves and rely on their partners to select and even purchase their clothing and accessories for them. Christmas is the perfect time to do this without having to drag him along complaining as you find pieces to replace or fill his closet. Lastly, is it something he already has or uses, again, really simple. Guys will use their stuff until it falls apart. Look for items that could use replacing - chipped coffee mug, worn wallet, scuffed belt, or items that he may enjoy a little higher end version of like shaving lotions and grooming tools.

mug | regimen kit | flashlight | sweater | travel case | tie | french press | chrome cast | wallet | bbq tools

grooming cream | slippers | beer glass set | headphones | grooming kit | measuring tape | hat | pajamas

scarf | belt | messenger bag | watch | flask | gloves | socks

For the special ladies in my life, I like to find gifts that they may not be inclined to buy themselves because they are busy taking care of all the other people in their lives. We all know women like this, they care about their family and friends and often put them first. The ones that always take your calls, make your coffee date chats last hours, dance with you til dawn, and wipe away your tears; your persons. Pamper and spoil these girls that are always there when you need them, time and time again, all year long with some comfy pj's and a pair of slippers, some gorgeous beauty products, or jewelry. Look for luxe finishes, rich textures, and anything gold to brighten her holiday season!

jewelry tray | lip gloss set | bow bracelet | knit blanket | mug | notebook | perfume | curling wand 
slippers | nail polish | yes please | mittens | pajamas | earrings | watch | philosophy set | socks | ring dish | rings | candle | handbag


Happy shopping this holiday season!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

J.Crew Factory Sale

There is nothing I love more than a good sale. Actually. Scratch that. There is nothing I love more than a good sale on sparkly things! With the holiday season right around the corner, I nearly squealed with delight when I saw the newest arrivals at J.Crew Factory this week - tons of glitter, metallics, and sequins. I was already penning an epic lust list when news of the 50% off sale reached my inbox this morning. I can't wait for these pumps to show up, I am already planning on all the ways I can pair them through the new year! Below are some of my other favorites, take advantage of the sale now and start planning your festive outfits too.

tee | skirt | pumps | sweater | socks
earrings | scarf | sweater | skirt | tee
button-up | loafers | hat | loafers | tights | tights

More sale items to love:

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Festive Bar Cart

With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, I can't help but want to spread some holiday cheer, or cheers, as the case may be! Since this is the season for entertaining, I am planning on giving my bar cart a little refresh, setting it merry and bright through the new year.  Here are some tips for adding some holiday flair to your bar cart.

1.) Silver & Gold. Nothing makes it feel quite like its officially Christmastime than dusting a little silver and gold on everything in the house, bar cart included! That's one of the reasons I am loving this silver and gold etched decanter, paired with this monogrammed bar tools set and this cocktail shaker; the perfect metallic trio!

2.) Put a Print on it. Let guests know they are invited to partake in a cup of cheer with a festive print displayed front and center on the cart. I plan on switching out the print currently on my cart, and I think the one below would be a darling replacement. Check out Etsy for cheap downloadable prints or have a fancy gold foil one mailed right to your door step. Nothing adds pizzazz to a cart quite like a cheeky print.

3.) FUNdamentals. There are certain essentials every cart should house, but there is no reason those essentials can't receive a little holiday make-over! Here are a few of my must-haves with a little seasonal twist: old fashioned & highball glasses with gold accents for the holidays, cocktail napkins in a fun print - I'm obsessed with the plaid ones pictured, a bottle opener with personality, & charming coasters - these gold dotted ones that say cheers are my favorite!

4.) Keep it Organized. An easy way to organize your cart and add a little something extra is with a tray. Display glasses and other accessories on it so people can easily locate and make their cocktails. Guests shouldn't have to shuffle all the contents around to make a beverage. You can also add decorative bowls and containers to showcase cocktail garnishes or collect unused tools, like stirrers.

5.) Make it Your Own. Choose some pieces that feel uniquely you! If wine is your go-to, find fun wine charms & stoppers to add a personal touch. If you are a cocktail connoisseur, stock up on unique straws & stirrers, see those adorable antler ones? So fun! Or just pick pieces that you love, like how this plaid-obsessed girl can't wait to scoop up the plaid ice bucket!

6.) Stock it up. The last and most important part of making your bar cart festive is stocking it! Consider what you and your guests will likely drink (spiked cider, wine, seasonally flavored martini's), and make sure to buy those ingredients including appropriate liquor, mixers, garnishes, and ice. Let the party begin!

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Shop more festival bar accessories here:

Looking for a bar cart to up your hostessing game? More options here:

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

C. Wonder Sale

I normally don't post on the weekends but this sale was to fabulous not to share. C. Wonder is hitting.it.out.of.the.park. right now. Their seasonal apparel is on point and there holiday gift collection is the stuff dreams are made of. Seriously! I am obsessed with their check collection and itching to add every piece of their holiday gold barware to my home bar cart. What's even better than their items, is the price. Right now they are having their 30% off friends and family sale. Best news ever. I know. Just add the items to your cart to see the discounted pricing. Below are the items I am swooning over - both for me and for gifts, of course!

Shop items here:

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous weekend!

Fall Essentials: Shoes

Today is the final day of my fall essentials blog series and I have saved the best for last; shoes. For me, fall allows the greatest diversity of footwear and I get the most excited for shoe shopping during this season. It's warm enough to wear flats and pumps, cools off enough to wear riding boots and ankle booties, and unpredictable enough to warrant a need for rain and cold-weather boots. I love the variety of colors, patterns, and types of shoes that autumn ushers in. Living in Michigan, where we experience tons of precipitation and a wide range of temperatures, I have a legitimate need to buy new shoes just about every season. I mean, #shoedeath (a serious, weather-based, fatal disease sweeping our nations' closets), is a real problem and one that cannot be ignored!

This year I have been living almost exclusively in leopard shoes and boots - of all varieties. My leopard shoe collection seems to be a newer obsession, while my affinity for boots spans many years. I have added quite a few new pairs for fall and am sharing some of my favorite fall footwear below. These 8 pieces will cover just about every occasion this season!

Rain Boots | Oxfords (1) (2) | Booties | Pumps | Bean Boots | Plaid (1) (2) | Moto Boots | Riding Boots

Here's some of the ways I have styled my leopard pumps so far this fall:

More fall shoes to love:

Which shoes will you be adding to your closet this season?
Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!