I love a good LBD, but especially during the holidays. Christmas parties, dinners, New Year's Eve... there are so many excuses to dress up! I love this dress in particular because it's not too long (I'm 5'3 and a lot of nice dresses come down to my knees!), it's incredibly high-quality and it's only $68! If you like the dress but want it in another color, check out this look-alike. It comes in ELEVEN colors! Also, you may notice that I've been wearing the same crystal earrings over and over... they are so cute and match everything in my closet. They're only $30!
I don't know what it is about Christmastime, but my life gets about 9834753264327 times busier than normal. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with everything that needs to get done... I'm waking up early this morning to try to get a head start before the weekend! Hope everyone has a great Thursday!
Remember this post where I talked about my favorite tunic ever....? Where I mentioned it was long, comfortable, affordable, perfect for layering, and I couldn't help myself from ordering it in a bunch of colors? Well this is the same tunic in black! I wanted to show you the black one because it's proof that you can wear it with leggings (it covers your tush!) and goes perfectly with faux fur vests. Instead of this striped vest, I also wore it with a plain black faux fur vest & tall black boots for a dinner date last weekend. Halogen is one of my favorite brands that Nordstrom carries because their clothes are so well made and just plain comfortable. I linked up some of my favorite Halogen pieces below!
If you follow me on instagram you may have seen that I'm traveling somewhere this weekend! My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Quebec, it will be our first time in CANADA and we are so excited! (Don't know why I felt the need to capitalize Canada haha!) If you have been to Quebec City before we would love your recommendations!!
Mothers can be hard to shop for… I've found that my mom loves beauty products that are classic and tried-and-true. All of these products from Sephora are products that she would love… body scrubs, fresh-smelling soaps, neutral nail polishes, and moisturizing lip gloss. She would especially the fresh fig honey bath scrub… you could even get her a soft, fuzzy bath robe to wrap up in afterward!
If you've been following my blog for a while, you probably know that Topshop is one of my favorite brands. I wear their stuff over and over… when I was in London, I visited the Topshop store and it had four floors (I was in heaven!). Thankfully, they do ship to the U.S. and they also carry some pieces in Nordstrom. I love how cute, trendy, and affordable their products are... For example, the glitter pumps look just like a designer pair, but they are less than $100!! The items above make up my holiday "wish list," but you can also check out their gift guides here.
I'm currently writing to you from Quebec! Sorry for the sporadic posting the past couple of days, our internet is not the best here. It has been snowing/sleeting all day and we have been exploring the city while also trying to stay warm! I have had four or five hot chocolates today haha!
Today I'm partnering with Goodnight Macaroon to show you five different looks with five of their sweaters! All of these sweaters are extremely versatile and can be styled a number of ways, as you'll see. What's more, take 20% off sitewide today with code CMCOVING!
First up, a cute winter casual look featuring the Layla cape! I would wear this if I was going to be outside all day walking - the black and grey vibe is very chic, and my boots are weatherproof so they are perfect for the outdoors. You could easily dress this outfit up with different shoes!
Second up, the perfect look for a Christmas party featuring this adorable peplum sweater. I wanted this look to be really fun and holiday-looking, so I paired the striped sweater with a buffalo check skirt. A sequin skirt or just plain red skirt would be just as cute! You could also ditch the skirt and wear the sweater with jeans or black pants. The peplum hum makes it super flirty and cute.
Next is something I would wear on date night - a comfortable but very chic black and white outfit. This sweater is really cozy and I love the white chiffon layer that comes out from underneath. It's perfect to wear with leggings, since it is so long!
This next look is perfect for a Friday night, whether you are going out to dinner with girlfriends, heading to a movie or grabbing a drink. The over-the-knee boots make it dressy enough for Friday night, while the cape is just plain gorgeous. The beige color is really classic!
I thought this last look was so cute for doing something really casual and fun, like Christmas tree shopping! The plaid layer peeking out from underneath is so fun and unexpected. I paired it with some pops of red to make it look Christmas-y!
Happy Wednesday! Today I've rounded up some of my recent instagrams, as well as included a full guide to Quebec City at the end of this post. I have love love loved Quebec & highly recommend it, especially during this time of year!
Here are some recommendations for hotels, restaurants & things to do in Quebec City! After being here for a few days, I've fallen in love with the city, but especially can't get over how nice people are. After every city and country I've been to, I can honestly say that the people in Quebec are the nicest. The city is French speaking (even the menus and signs are in French), but almost everyone speaks a little English too, so you don't feel too lost. When I walk the streets, I honestly feel like I'm in Europe! We heard that the two best times to visit Quebec are in the spring and now, at Christmastime. The city is breathtaking during Christmas: lights are everywhere, fresh Christmas trees line the streets, and Christmas music can be heard in almost every store and restaurant. It is pretty magical. Anyways, I'll stop rambling & get on to the recommendations!
Hotels:
Le Manoir d'Auteuil: This is where we are staying! It was built in the 1850's so it has a ton of charm and character, the beds are really comfortable, and the hotel staff is very nice (and they all speak English!). The best part is the price (less than $100/night) and the location: it is within walking distance of everything we have want to see and do. We haven't taken a cab once!
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac: This is probably the most well-known hotel in Quebec City, located right in the middle of Old Quebec. The location is SUPER, and it looks like a giant castle from the outside! The only thing that kept us from staying here is that I read a couple of negative reviews online beforehand. In person it is beautiful though, and has a ton of amenities like a restaurant, Starbucks and spa.
Coffee and Sweet Treats:
La Maison Smith: I love this place! We have stopped by a couple times for their hot chocolate or maple syrup latte - both are amazing. They also have small treats like macarons.
Paillard: Someone recommended the chocolate almond croissant from Paillard - I think it's a very popular restaurant overseas. They have a ton of sweets, but they also serve soup and sandwiches as well.
Restaurants:
Au Petit Coin Breton: This has been my favorite restaurant that we've gone to. It's an authentic French creperie out of Brittany, France. The crepes were amazing (I ordered the fresh strawberry and chantilly crepe), my boyfriend ordered a full breakfast and said it was the best breakfast food he's ever eaten in his whole life. LOL! The atmosphere is also really cool.
Sapristi:We have been here a couple times. It's an Italian restaurant, but they have great local beers and the food is outstanding. The french onion soup is to-die-for - they bake cheesy bread right on top of the soup!
Chez Ashton: We wanted to try authentic poutine while we were here, and this restaurant kept coming up as the best poutine in Quebec. When we got there, we were surprised to find that it is actually a fast food restaurant. We stayed anyway to try the poutine and it WAS amazing!
Chez Boulay: This restaurant is a four-star restaurant owned by Jean-Luc Boulay, featuring Nordic cuisine. We wanted to go to a nicer dinner one night, and this was the perfect romantic dining atmosphere! I highly recommend the gnocchi dish - it was amazing.
Activities:
German Christmas Market: The German market is only open during the Christmas season, but it's an authentic German market featuring small trinkets and lots of delicious German foods.
Petite Rue de Champlain: This is my favorite street in Old Quebec! It's beautiful, located right next to the water but you can see the toss of the Frontenac in the distance. There are some really cool restaurants, bars and boutiques located on this street.
Ice skating at Place D'youville: Our hotel is located right next to this ice skating rink - skates are only $8 to rent and you can skate for however long you like. Definitely warm up with some coffee at "Second Cup" afterwards.
Hotel de Glace: Unfortunately, this hotel isn't open yet, but we heard amazing things about it. They have an entire bar made of ice - even the bar stools. It is a must-see!
Terrasse Dufferin Slides: Unfortunately, the slides aren't open yet either, but this is something I really wanted to do on our visit. You have to buy a ticket for each slide, but it's supposed to be so much fun!
Do you recognize this side-zip tunic? You may not, but you've seen it before (I wore it in black in this post!). I loved it so much that I had to go back & get it in another color (it comes in seven colors total). The reason I love it so much is because it's long, perfect for layering with scarves and jewelry, and most of all COMFY. As in, so comfortable that I don't even need to change into pajamas at night. I love the white one paired with this red scarf - and it's a great deal - it's only $22!
On a side note, these pictures make me really sad because my skin almost matches the white shirt :( I need some self tanner, asap.
Happy Friday, everyone! Want to keep this post short & sweet, but I will say that this turtleneck is one of my favorites and it's on sale right now for less than $50… I wore it in Quebec earlier this week with some pink mittens and a pink scarf - the grey color of the turtleneck literally matches everything. However I do love it with an entire neutral outfit like this one :)
Also - get dupes for my boots here for an amazing price. They look just like the ones I'm wearing!
Do you have your NYE outfit planned yet? Charming Charlie has the cutest accessories that are perfect for New Year's... pearl bracelets, glitter clutches, crystal earrings, and so much more - all for really affordable prices. The faux fur wrap I'm wearing is probably my favorite accessory, and it's only $25! I also love the pearl necklace, it will be perfect for layering with a monogrammed necklace with a more casual look. Charming Charlie even has NYE dresses if you haven't found yours yet!
What are everyone's plans for this weekend? I plan on sleeping in this morning, and I have a holiday party tonight that I'm super excited about! Hope everyone has a great Saturday :) xoxo
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*Thank you to Charming Charlie for sponsoring this post
Since today is the cut-off day for shipping (if you want it in time for Christmas!), I thought it was only appropriate to put together a "last minute" gift guide. Truth be told, I haven't even finished my own Christmas shopping, so I will definitely be placing a few orders today! I've split the gifts up in two categories, read on for some last minute picks.
I own a few things in the above picture… both the thermal sleep shirt and the fleece bathrobe are sooo cozy and comfortable, I wear them around my house all the time and love them. Each one comes in many different patterns and colors, so you can easily find one to match the style of whoever you're buying for. Also FYI, I use this curling wand on my hair (mainly with the 1 inch barrel) and swear by it. Almost all of my friends have gotten it after using mine! And lastly, you may have noticed I've been wearing Lancome lip crayons in almost every blog post lately. I recently discovered them and LOVE the colors and how long-lasting they are - I highly recommend!
Men are much harder to shop for (in my opinion!) but they pretty much love any type of gadget, technology or anything that makes them feel manly (haha). My boyfriend wore these North Face waterproof gloves while we were in Quebec and he told me several times that they kept his hands really warm, even in the snow/ice. My boyfriend also has this Daniel Wellington watch and loves it! He wears it almost every day - it goes with casual outfits and is also perfect for work. Other options that I really like: this phone case that also charges your phone at the same time, and this Clarisonic cleaner for men. Ladies love their Clarisonics, why shouldn't men use one too?!
I feel like this is a stressful week for everyone - Christmas is the best time of the year, but there's also a lot of pressure to get everything done, financial stresses of buying presents, and the pressure of trying to find the perfect gifts for friends and family. If you get stressed this week, remember to take every task one at a time, and focus on what we are really celebrating at Christmas.
Whenever I need outfit inspiration for a special event, I head to Nordstrom Rack. I know they'll have something special, while also being affordable! I found this sequin jacket while I was shopping there last week, and knew it would be PERFECT for New Year's Eve. And it's less than $50 (that's a steal!). I also found these Jessica Simpson booties in the store - they have a huge platform so they make you loo extra tall - but they re actually incredibly comfortable to walk around in. I couldn't find them online but they do have some really similar ones in the black booties category online.
I linked to some more sequin pieces below - they would be perfect for NYE!
xoxo
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MORE SEQUIN LOVES:
*Thank you to Nordstrom Rack for sponsoring this post
Happy Christmas Eve's Eve, everyone!! Most important info first: you still have until NOON TODAY to order in time for Christmas Eve delivery. Yes, you heard that right! Nordstrom is offering free rush delivery on many items, but you have to order by noon today to get them in time. So any of the items I'm wearing in this post, plus a lot of my holiday looks from this season you can still get by tomorrow!
Now, on to the actual post… this is the outfit & makeup look I plan on wearing to our family's Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow. I've been experimenting with a lot of Urban Decay's products and have to say that they are perfect for parties. My favorite part has to be these glitter false eyelashes because they instantly glam up your entire look. Since the outer corner of the eyelashes are the longest, they give your eye a "cat eye" look without even having to put on eyeshadow or liner. I also love their glitter eyeliner, I put a small amount on my waterline underneath my eye for some added sparkle. You can find all of these Urban Decay products at Nordstrom here. They will even arrive in time for Christmas Eve if you order this morning!
Hope everyone has a wonderful day & isn't too stressed! :)
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!! If you're looking for a little last-minute Christmas outfit inspiration, you've come to the right place. I've put together a few easy ways to take your holiday look to the next level... most of these are cheap and can be done last-minute, but they make a huge difference!
1. Dress in all black
I was never a huge fan of wearing all black, until I tried it for myself. There's something so chic & attention grabbing about an all black outfit! Black booties, black leggings, and an oversized black sweater are the only pieces you'll need for this look - and odds are you already have them in your closet.
original post here 2. Curl your hair I adore big bouncy curls for Christmas - it's such an easy way to look "dressed up" instantly. I use this curling wand with the 1-inch barrel, but a drugstore curling wand would work just as well. I like to curl the hair away from my face and then use my fingers to gently comb through the curls. A 1-inch barrel is the perfect size for big curls!
Tying a bow onto your blouse is a really easy, no-fuss way to transform an outfit. I own this tie-on bow from NastyGal, but a regular ribbon or sash from the craft store will have the same effect (you can even buy a yard of black fabric and cut your own). I also love tying ribbons into your hair… so classy and elegant!
Pull out your blingin' jewelry for Christmas Eve for the easiest way to glam up your outfit. Whether it's a pair of statement earrings, a sparkly necklace or a set of bracelets, bling is always the way to go. You've probably seen me wear these crystal earrings over and over on this blog… I love them & they go with any outfit!
My favorite way to instantaneously turn a look into a "festive" one is to add a red lip. Lately I've been going to Lancome's lip crayon in #100 for the perfect red pout. One tip for great-looking lipstick: apply lip balm with a Q-tip approximately 30 minutes before applying your lipstick. The Q-tip acts as an exfoliator to slough off dead skin, making your lips smooth and moisturized before you apply lip color!
Accessories can transform a boring outfit. I love this glitter handbag from Kate Spade, but a brightly colored or patterned handbag will give the same effect. Try pairing a red handbag or a leopard print clutch with an all black outfit. Easy and festive!
original post here 7. Highlight your Eyes Apply a little bit of white highlighter to the inside corners of your eyes to make them pop. I swear it works! I have this highlighter pencil, but any white makeup pencil will do. You can use it under the brows, around the inner corner of the eye or all over the eyelid - it gives your eye an instant lift.
8. Elongate your legs! Elongate your legs by wearing opaque black tights with black heels - this works wonders for your legs. Don't believe me? Just try it!
original post here
9. Try falsies
I only wear false eyelashes for really special occasions - both Christmas Eve and NYE qualify as "special occasions" in my book! The drugstore carries several brands of false eyelashes. I usually try to choose a natural-looking pair that enhances what you already have, rather than standing out as fake. Here's tip: be sure to wait 30 seconds after applying glue to the eyelashes. It needs a little bit of time for the glue to get tacky, and it will stick to your eyelid better!
I love wearing a "statement piece" like a sequin jacket or sequin dress. The rest of the outfit should be very simple and plain, because you want all of the attention to be on one piece of the outfit. This sequin blazer from Nordstrom Rack would be the perfect statement piece for NYE!
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." - Isaiah 9:6-10
I hope you are taking this day to relax, enjoy time with family, and that you remember why we are celebrating this day, the birth of our Savior. Merry Christmas to everyone, I love you all!
Nordstrom is currently having a huge after-Christmas sale… many items are 40% off (or more), so you can snag some great deals on clothing & accessories you can wear the rest of Winter. In the above photo, my exact tunic & faux fur vest are both marked wayyyy down! The items below are some of my favorites from the sale. You may recognize the black dress from this blog post!
GAP// 60% off hundreds of styles GIGI NEW YORK // 40% off select items J.CREW// 40% off select winter items with codeSHOPNOW
J.CREW FACTORY // 30% off new arrivals + extra 40% off clearance with code SALETIME KATE SPADE // 25% off sale items with code THRILL LOFT // 50% off everything with code HOLIDAY50
MADEWELL// Extra 30% off sale styles with code YOUWIN
NORDSTROM // Half yearly sale - up to 50% off OLD NAVY // Up to 60% off site wide
SOLE SOCIETY // Up to 50% off select bags and shoes TORY BURCH // Extra 30% off sale styles with codeMERRY
2015 has been a wonderful year... I got to cross many things off my bucket list and experience new adventures, new cultures, meet new people and try new things. Here's a look at the best outfits from the past year!
When thinking over this past year, there is one quote that comes to mind: "If your dreams don't scare you, then they're not big enough." I love that quote - it reminds me that nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself. Never stop setting goals for yourself and working until they come true - even if those goals seem impossible to accomplish.
From the bottom of my heart I want to thank each and every one of you for following along this year... It has truly been an amazing year, and I couldn't have done it without you. I am so thankful for your support and I'm excited to see what 2016 brings :)
I own this turtleneck sweater in a few different colors (blue, pink and grey) because it is so comfortable and SO versatile. I've worn it with a faux fur vest, with a scarf, tucked in and long with leggings. I love love love this pale pink color (although it would look much better on someone with a tan!!!) because you can never go wrong with pink. These jeans are also new - I wanted to try out a new brand and I didn't want any rips in them, so when I found these by Hudson I knew they were "the ones." The length is PERFECT to wear with booties or heels. You don't even have to take them to get altered (woohoo!).
What are everyone's plans for NYE?! I have plans to go out, but I can tell I'm getting old because I would much rather stay in and watch movies until midnight, haha!
Our temperatures here in North Carolina have been mild for Winter... so mild that, I was able to wear a sweater dress & scarf with bare legs and feel perfectly comfortable outside last week! (Although it's nice, it's a little strange because it doesn't feel like January.) Anyways, I pulled my favorite blanket scarf out again because I hadn't worn it since the fall (you may remember it from this post). The scarf's colors go perfectly with this ribbed sweater dress, which is one of the softest dresses I've ever put on... It feels just like a blanket!
On another note, the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale starts this morning at 8 a.m. EST. I love Lilly's bright colored clothes during the spring & summer so you can always buy now and save them for spring. The After Party Sale is always incredible, but you do have to be patient - the website often crashes and things sell out unbelievably fast. If you want something, be ready to buy it right away!
Did everyone have a good New Year's? I took a few days off from blogging last week to relax and enjoy the NYE celebrations. It was nice! I am still working on my New Year's Resolutions, though... maybe I'll share them when I'm done!
I love a good black & white outfit, and this one is no exception! There's something about black and white outfit that just screams "chic." This striped turtleneck dress is the perfect dress for layering since it's pretty slim fitting. You can layer on cardigans, vests, sweaters and more to create a bunch of different looks. I do recommend going up one size… it's technically a "body-con" dress but I didn't want mine to fit too tight, so I sized up. Since I was going for a white-and-black look, I paired it with my favorite faux fur vest and some black OTK boots.
Remember yesterday when I talked about the "mild" winter in North Carolina? Well I spoke too soon! Today and yesterday our temps were in the 40s, but the wind has been ferocious so it's making it feel much colder outside. My apartment is in a high rise, so I can hear the wind howling at all hours & it's actually pretty scary sometimes! I wish our weather would just make up it's mind…
A few of my most-asked questions from readers include how do you curl your hair? and how do you keep your hair healthy? Today, I'm going over every little detail of my haircare... including how to keep your hair healthy and make it grow long, and even how many times I shampoo it per week. At the bottom of this post, you'll find a YouTube video showing exactly how I curl my hair!
To preface this post, let's just say that I didn't always have the healthiest hair. In middle school, I got blonde highlights and straightened my hair almost every single day before school... I remember it looking almost like straw :/ It wasn't until I stopped highlighting my hair, let it dry naturally and seriously started conditioning it that I noticed a huge difference. So if your hair is not super healthy right now - there's hope! Let's start with some Q&A questions...
Q: How often do you shampoo your hair?
A: I wash and condition my hair around 2-3 times per week... it depends on what I have going on, but I definitely don't wash it every day. (FYI I take a bath or use a shower cap on days when I don't wash my hair!) Not shampooing every day is actually really good for your hair - there are a lot of natural oils in your hair that make it healthier and shinier and you strip your hair of these oils every time you shampoo. I typically wash mine at the beginning of the week... once I blow dry it and curl it, I won't have to for a few days. Sometimes I touch up the curls with a curling wand if I have an event that day/night, but that's it.
Q: What shampoo and conditioner do you use?
A: I like to switch up my shampoo and conditioner a lot so that my hair doesn't get too used to one product - it does better that way! Right now I'm using L'Oreal Everpure shampoo and conditioner that I picked up from Target. I've used L'Oreal's Everpure line for a few years and really love their products because they're really gentle and moisturizing. During the summer I was using L'Occitane's repairing shampoo and I really love that too - I'll probably go back to using it once I finish my current products.
Q: Do you recommend taking vitamins for hair growth?
A: I have heard mixed reviews on vitamins - they work for some people, and don't work for others. I recently started using this brand from Amazon after reading an article raving about them. I used them for almost one full month and didn't see much difference so I stopped - then the next month my hair grew like crazy - so I ordered some more! They contain Biotin as well as a bunch of vitamins (Vitamin C and E in particular), so they are really good for you regardless.
Q: Do you use a heat protectant?
A: Yes! Heat protectants are my best friends - especially because I blow dry and curl my hair so often. I really like this one (shown above in the pink bottle). I apply it before blow drying, it protects your hair from heat up to 450 degrees.
Q: Can you recommend some good deep conditioner?
A: I'm a HUGE fan of deep conditioners… I apply them once a week and I think they're the main reason my hair stays pretty healthy. I love both this deep conditioning wrap and this wrap for split ends. They really do work - the split end wrap is pretty cool because you just slide it over your ponytail and keep it on for 15 minutes. I'll clean or answer emails while it's conditioning my hair!
Q: What's one hair product you can't live without?
Definitely this Moroccanoil Treatment (shown above in the small brown bottle - I had to buy more because I ran out of my other bottle!). A little bit goes a long way, so this product will last you a long time. I apply it before blow drying my hair, and sometimes use a small amount on dry hair to tame flyways and condition split ends. It's truly a miracle worker!
Q: Any tips for growing out your hair? Taking care of your body by exercising and eating the right foods is actually the best way to make your hair grow... Make sure you're getting enough protein and vitamins in your diet. I've also heard that brushing your scalp with a wire-bristled brush can help stimulate the hair follicles and promote hair growth. I try to brush mine with this brush (shown above) for about five minutes every night. Also - they say you're supposed to get a trim every six weeks, but I totally don't follow that rule. Don't get a trim unless you need one, otherwise you're just preventing your hair from getting longer!
Q: What dry shampoo do you use?
I use Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo in the "dark tones" since my hair is brown (they also make one for you lighter haired gals!). I use it a lot, especially if I want to get away with not washing my hair another day. A good tip is to apply it at night if you know you're not going to shower the next morning, so your hair can soak it up all night.
Q: Do you wear hair extensions?
Nope! I don't wear hair extensions currently and never have. :)
Q: What heat products do you use to blow dry, straighten, and curl your hair?
To blow dry, I use this travel sized hair dryer - it's incredibly powerful for it's size, and I love that it folds up to become even more compact. It's perfect for travel! To straighten my hair, I use a Chi 1" straightener - mine is super old, so there are probably some better ones out now. And finally, to curl my hair I use this T3 curling wand with the 1" attachment. It really is an amazing curling wand… it's an investment, but definitely worth it.
Q: How do your curl your hair?
Woohoo, final question! I actually filmed a YouTube video on New Year's Eve while I was getting ready… it's much easier to show you guys how I curl my hair, rather than try to type out how to do it. Sorry if I'm awkward on camera, but hopefully this video helps some! The curling wand I use is here, and the Conair Pro Hair Clips I show in the video can be found here.
