Favorite Christmas Movies

My favorite holiday is right around the corner! There's nothing I love more than curling up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa and watching Christmas movies with Greg & my family. I thought it would be fun to share my favorite holiday flicks and hear which ones you look forward to watching every year!

 
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

{image}

 

Elf

{image}
 

Love Actually

{image}

 

A Christmas Story

{image}
 

Home Alone (1&2)

{image}

The Family Stone

{image}

 

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

{image}

Liebster Award

Thank you SO much to Danielle from Blush Blossom for nominating me for the Liebster Award! It's an honor to be recognized from such an inspiring woman! I was actually nominated a few years back but I wanted to express my gratitude for being nominated again, and follow through with the rules by spreading the praise to some of my blogger babes that deserve the award!

Below are the questions Danielle asked & my answers:

1. Favorite place you have ever been?

Paris - going to the top of the Eiffel Tower was one of the most magical experiences of my life!

2. How do you usually spend your weekends?

Since moving back to Florida, my weekends are filled with family time and playing with my niece & nephew! And of course, Florida State football games in the fall!

3. What is one of your talents? 

I was a competitive dancer for 8 years when I was younger and can still do my splits!

4. Why did you start blogging?

I started my blog while I was in college and I actually didn't have a direction in mind at first - I just wanted to write about and share my passions: fashion, food, beauty, etc. My blog has evolved a lot over the years but that's what I love about it!

5. Piece of advice you would like to share?

Something I've been trying to work on: be present & live in the moment.

6. Planner, spontaneous, or both?

Definitely a planner, which is why I'm trying to remember the above advice!

7. What is the greatest memory of your past?

That's a hard question but if I have to pick one, I'd say baking cookies with my grandma Audrey.

8. What is your favorite way to work out? 

I love yoga and a great spin class.

9. Favorite dish?

Sushi is my go-to.

10. Bag or shoes? (if you HAD to pick one?)

It's pretty much impossible for me to choose since I have a serious addiction to both, but if I HAD to pick one, I'd choose shoes for the sole reason (pun intended!) that they can make or break an outfit!


Bloggers I nominate for the Liebster Award:

  Rachel from The Daily Luxe

Kelly from Rosy Outlook

Annessa from Seeking Sunshine

Amy from Straight A Style

Susie from Sequins & Strawberries

Lauren from Disco Daydream

Rachel from Threads for Thomas

Ashley from Le Stylo Rouge

Jill from Born Fancy

Tiffany from Flaunt and Center


My 10 Questions:

1. How would you describe your style?

2. What is your favorite part about blogging?

3. What is your favorite accessory?

4. Smoky eye or bold lip?

5. Heels or flats?

6. What is your favorite food?

7. What is your favorite brand/designer?

8. Cats or dogs?

9. Sunrise or sunset?

10. What is one thing you couldn't live without?


Liebster Award Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and comment on their blog.

2. Include a link to their blog.

3. Nominate 10 bloggers that you think deserve the award and notify them.

4. Answer the questions you are given and create 10 questions of your own for the bloggers you nominate.

5. Make a copy of the rules in your post.

Poncho + OTK Boots

Over-the-knee boots are the must-have shoe of the fall and winter season! They add a bit of edge to an outfit and I love the juxtaposition of an oversized poncho & cable-knit leggings paired with them. This look is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner - cute & cozy, and forgiving for the inevitable post-feast food-baby.

Grey Cashmere/Wool Poncho - Max Azria
Cable Knit Black Leggings - T.J. Maxx
Black Leather OTK Boots - Arturo Chiang (last worn)
Black Quilted Leather Crossbody - Zara
Gold & Green Watch - Michael Kors
Lipstick - Maybelline "burgundy blush"
Nail Polish - Essie "stylenomics"

Warby Parker Winter 2015 Collection

{Warby Parker Winter 2015 Collection}

I'm so excited to team up with Warby Parker for their Winter 2015 Collection launch! If you aren't already familiar with Warby Parker, it is THE destination for prescription/non-prescription eyeglasses & sunglasses (styles start at $95!) The best part: for every pair sold, they distribute a pair to someone in need! For the Winter 2015 collection, the designers at Warby Parker were inspired by the cooler season and translated this meditative pace into a chillier color palette of tranquil blues, icy greys and crystals. There are 5 new shapes - Chilton, Chelsea, Baker, Wilder and Eaton - which compliment the returning knockout frames in new colors! I took advantage of Warby Parker's Home Try-On program to check out some of these gorgeous frames in person! The Home Try-On feature lets you choose up to 5 frames to test out with completely free shipping both ways, and the shipping is super fast - mine arrived in just 3 business days! Below you'll find my 5 favorite frames from the Warby Parker Winter 2015 Collection, which one is your fave?


{Chelsea in Whistler Grey}

The Chelsea is one of my favorite new shapes for Winter, and the subtle plaid print on these frames is perfect when paired with lush grey cashmere sweaters.

 {Abbott in Heritage Bronze}

I love these 70's-inspired round Abbott sunnies. The retro vibe looks ultra-cool with a cozy blanket scarf to keep you bundled up in style while blocking the sun's rays.

{Wilder in Blue Squall Fade}

I instantly became obsessed with the new Wilder frames - they are so unique! The ombré blue makes a statement without being too over-the-top, and they look great with a comfy flannel in a matching color scheme.

{Dempsey in Polished Gold}

What is more American than classic aviator sunglasses & denim? I'm a huge fan of the aviator shape and these Dempsey frames are no exception. They look good on (pretty much) everyone and will match virtually everything in your closet.

 {Baker in Glacier Grey}

The Baker frames are also brand new to this collection and the icy glacier grey is the perfect compliment to a cozy faux fur scarf for those chilly winter days.

Huge thank you to Warby Parker for sponsoring this post! All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Sausage & Apple Stuffing

I can't believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner! I haven't been home for one of my favorite holidays in 3 years since I was living in LA, and I'm so excited to spend it with family this year! While I love all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes, our Sausage & Apple Stuffing is what I look forward to the most. We all stand around the kitchen island in the morning with the parade playing in the background, and "taste test" the stuffing for breakfast about as fast as my parents can make it. It's full of spicy sausage, sweet apples, and fluffy breadcrumbs - so delicious!

Ingredients

1 bag of cubed stuffing (we use Pepperidge Farm)
1 onion
2 apples, peeled
6 celery stalks
1 package hot sausage (we use Jimmy Dean)
chicken broth / giblet water
sage
poultry seasoning
salt
*all ingredient amounts can be adjusted to preferred taste 
and depend on how much stuffing you are making

Recipe

Chop apple, celery and onion into small, fairly uniform cubes.

In a large skillet, brown sausage over high heat. Once the sausage is done, remove and transfer to a separate bowl.

Throw onion and celery into the skillet and sauté. Add sausage back to the skillet and stir in with the onion & celery.

Pour breadcrumbs in a large bowl.

Add the sausage, onion & celery mixture. Add apples. Stir everything until evenly mixed.

Warm the chicken broth in the microwave (or boil turkey giblets in water) and slowly pour over the stuffing while stirring until thoroughly moistened.

Season with poultry seasoning, sage & salt. Mix together until all flavors are combined.

You can either stuff your turkey or bake the stuffing in an oven-safe pan at 350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes. Enjoy with the ones you love!

Western-ish

My love for denim runs deep, with denim-on-denim looks being some of my favorites. This outfit turned unintentionally western-ish with the addition of my new hat, but I can't resist throwing it on with everything lately. 

Wool Hat - Target (similar in black)

Chambray Shirt - Urban Outfitters (last seen)

Black Ripped Skinny Jeans - Zara (similar here)

Cognac Crossbody bag - Vintage Coach (last worn)

Brown Suede Booties - Dolce Vita (worn here too)

Lipstick - Revlon "kiss me coral"

Viva Las Vegas

I've actually never visited Las Vegas (shocking - I know!), but I teamed up with Vegas.com for the #UltimateVegasOutfit challenge, and thought it would be fun to live vicariously through this post! Below you'll find three looks that I would pack for a day in Vegas including the hotels & hotspots!

{Brunch at Lavo inside The Palazzo}

Printed Ruffled Romper - William B & Friends (worn here and here)

Ivory Leather Fringe Bucket Bag - Joie (worn here)

Cognac Peep-Toe Ankle Booties - Steve Madden (last seen here)

Brunch is my favorite meal of the day! There's almost nothing I'd rather do than sleep in and drink bottomless mimosas on the Lavo patio overlooking the strip. A flirty ruffled romper & peep-toe ankle booties are perfect for a mid-morning meal of their breakfast mac 'n cheese, including fried eggs, pancetta and truffle shells - yum!

{Pool Party at Wet Republic in the MGM Grand} 

Teal Fringe Bikini - Zara (worn in the Keys)

Straw Fedora - boutique in Santa Barbara

Cognac Heeled Sandals - BCBG (seen here)

Packing essentials for an epic pool party at Wet Republic: tiny bikini, heels, hat (and sunscreen!) Throw in a few cocktails while lounging in a poolside cabana and you've got the perfect afternoon.

{Dancing at VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub at the Rio}

Black Crop Top - BCBG

Black Bandage Mini Skirt - BCBG

Black Quilted Leather Crossbody - Zara (worn here)

Red Color Blocked Lace-Up Heels - Zara

Nightclub and Vegas just go hand-in-hand. For a night out of dancing at the VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub, I'd opt for an all-black crop top & mini with a pop of red in the form of lace-up caged heels.


Thank you to Vegas.com for sponsoring this post. All thoughts & opinions are my own. 

Spaghetti Squash & Sea Scallops

This dish is a light and healthy alternative to my beloved pasta by substituting it with the festive fall vegetable spaghetti squash. Topped with seared sea scallops and mixed in a white wine & garlic sauce, it's equally as satisfying and delicious as pasta but with less calories!

Ingredients

1 large spaghetti squash

1/2 bag frozen sea scallops

4 garlic cloves, chopped

 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/2 cup white wine (I used chardonnay)

1/2 stick of butter

grated parmesan cheese

salt/pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Carefully cut spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Fill the bottom of a baking sheet with water and place both halves open face up to bake in the oven for about 45 minutes. Remove and let stand until it's cool enough to handle. Shred the spaghetti squash with a fork and transfer to a bowl. Meanwhile, sear the sea scallops in some butter on a skillet over medium heat. Season with salt & pepper. Cook scallops on each side for about 2 minutes. Add spaghetti squash to the skillet. Add chopped garlic, basil, and white wine. Stir frequently until all ingredients and flavors are combined. Serve warm and sprinkle with fresh basil & parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Vamp

Lipstick is by far my favorite beauty product and I love experimenting with different shades! I tend to gravitate toward orange and coral colors, but for the cooler months I wanted something deeper with more impact. I had been searching for a vampy lip color for over a year and finally found one! The key for me was finding a lipstick with a brown undertone so it doesn't come off too reddish. Maybelline "Burgundy Blush" was the winner, with a creamy matte formula and rich color, which gives me perfectly wine-stained lips.

Currently Obsessed

{wool hat via Target}

I've never really been a hat person for the sole reason that I usually don't like the way they look on me. I have a petite frame so some shapes are just too overwhelming, but I've been coveting the wool hats I've been seeing everywhere this season! While in the black hole of Target, I spotted this one and thought I'd just try it on. To my surprise I actually loved it! The brim isn't too wide and the color will match everything! At $20 I couldn't pass it up, and I know it will be getting a lot of wear as it's quickly becoming my favorite fall accessory!