What to wear to holiday parties!

It's that time of year… if you haven't already squeezed in a holiday party or two, you are likely to attend  one very, very soon!  If you are asking yourself what to wear to all your holiday parties… today I've got answers! I always find that a little bling, a little plaid, a little red or a cozy sweater dressed up are always no-fail outfits solutions for any holiday party! Here are three outfits for any occasion the holidays may bring you.

the office party:

dress, necklace, clutch, bow heels

Christmas eve:

earrings, sweater, pencil skirt, glitter flats

cocktails with friends:

lip gloss, plaid top, jeans, necklace, pumps

Or shop the pieces below…

Holiday window inspiration with Nordstrom: home for the holidays!

Growing up in the Chicago area, a natural yearly tradition was visiting the city to look at the holiday windows.  The magic and style of the season was wrapped up with a bow in each and every window we would visit.  Each would send you to a magical world of holiday perfection.  Even still I love to visit those windows in Chicago and recently did it with my children, who I hope will remember it as fondly as I do.

Nordstrom asked me to create my perfect holiday window and being the homebody that I am I knew instantly what my inspiration would be: the home.  While I love getting fancy and hitting the town for holiday fun and family gatherings, to me the most special time of the year is the quiet moments at home with the ones I love.  Snuggling up in bed to watch a beloved classic Christmas movie, sitting by the fire by the light of the Christmas tree and reading, a night in primping and prepping to look my best for the holiday season or watching the fireworks from the comfort of my own bed on New Years Eve… this homebody loves to hunker down and create special holiday memories from the comfort of my own home.  To me the holidays means "home."

I hope you enjoy my dream Nordstrom holiday window… I sure wouldn't mind spending a night or two in it myself!

(shop the pieces: fur lavender eye mask, philosophy "glowing days" set, gold lips print, roses candle, marimekko striped bedding, gold/cream throw pillow, "hey gorgeous" throw pillow, deer print throw blanket, kai room spray, holiday champagne flutes, slippers, blue robe, striped pajamas)

Or shop the pieces below!

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom and Shopstyle. All opinions are my own. 

Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

my everyday style: flannel for the win!

I never was a super huge fan of flannel until this top came along (plaid, yes; flannel, meh)… but this is the softest and most flattering flannel I've ever laid eyes on or wore.  Yes, flattering! It's thin and the shirt is cut just right.  I seriously wear this top all the time! (I even wore in on Instagram yesterday, here! Also, seen here…)

For this outfit I layered it up with a cropped sweater - there are literally a million ways to wear this plaid flannel top and I plan on finding out all the variations! ;)

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

Coat, J.Crew (less expensive option)

Sweater, Banana Republic

Flannel Plaid, J.Crew (less expensive option)

Jeans, Gap (less expensive option)

Flats, Dolce Vita

Bag, Madewell (similar)

Or shop more options below…

holiday gift guide! (for the guys!)

I've got one last gift guide for you this season ladies (unless I am missing someone… is there someone I am missing?).  Today I've got gifts for all the guys in your life… gifts for your husband, uncle, grandfather, brother, boyfriend… you get the idea.  Here are the ultimate holiday gifts for the guys in your life.

I think we can all agree that often times the guys can be a little tough to buy for. They can be picky or swear they don't need anything (like my husband).  You know how it goes ladies.  I tend to go for the more practical gifts, because guys - at least the guys in my life - tend to be more of the practical variety. And hey, they may never say they need a new wallets, sneakers or hat. But you ladies know it might be JUST the thing they want!

These gift picks are just the type of things that my husband would totally dig for gifts… I'm hoping the guys in your life would love them too!

(above: vintage jersey, watch box, hooded sweater, chambray pj pants, NY hat, flask, sneakers, striped scarf, watch, wallet, bow tie, flashlight)

shop these pieces and more below…

my everyday (holiday!) style: leather dresses with 6pm.com!

This is the second (vegan) leather dress that I have come to own this fall/winter and I have to say… I am hooked!  Leather dresses have new style and appeal this season and they are absolutely perfect for holiday wear!  I love this one with it's leather paillette detailing - it is the perfect dress for the holidays and beyond.  Here I paired it with a faux fur stole scarf, but you could style this so many ways… with a blazer, a denim jacket, a plaid scarf, a bold necklace… the options are endless.

I am positive this dress will get tons of wear this season.  Today I am teaming up with 6pm.com to feature all the great leather dresses they have this holiday season… you are sure to find one you love!

Details:

Dress, BB Dakota via 6pm.com - ℅ 

Faux Fur Stole Scarf, Asos (similar or similar or similar)

Clutch, J.Crew Factory

Earrings, J.Crew (similar)

Shoes, Sole Society

For the rest of my leather dress picks at 6pm.com - shop below!  There are so many gorgeous dresses here and all at AMAZING prices!!!

Today's post is brought to you by 6pm.com and Shopstyle.  All opinions are my own. 

Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog!

holiday gift guides! (the hostess with the mostest!)

With all the holiday gatherings and events this time of year it's important to keep a few little something-somthings stashed at home for last minute hostess gifts.  I always like to have a few little trinkets on hand just in case I forget in advance (sometimes I am too busy planning what I will wear - wink, wink!).

Candles, stationary, bar accessories, personalized gifts or even fun books always make for great hostess gifts! Here are my top picks:

above: "trinket" tray, antler bottle opener, whiskey rocks, xoxo tea towel, roses candle, monogrammed wine stopper, ikat stationary set, "how to live like a lady" book, lavender hand soap, rifle paper co. two pack notebooks, gold chevron decanter

Or shop the pieces below!

the damage - november!

At the end of each month this year I am planning to pause to take a look at my spending as it's related to my closet. I call these posts "the damage." Each month my target budget is $300 and only 5 pieces of clothing or shoes. I haven't even really tried to keep to the 5 pieces lately… it just wasn't working for me. This "goal" will for sure be revised for 2015.

For some this budget may sound like a lot and for others it may not... for me personally this is my monthly goal. It works for my budget and lifestyle and doesn't break the bank. Shopping budgets are a personal thing, but I share mine here to show how I stretch my budget and work to create a well curated and fully stocked closet.

 Let's take a look at the pieces I purchased this month…

Gap, Chevron Knit Funnel Neck Sweater, $59.95 with discount $27.00

Banana Republic, Fit & Flare Dress, $130 with discount $78.00

Gap, Fair Isle Sweater, $49.95 with discount $29.97

Banana Republic, Cable Knit Tunic Sweater, $98 with discount $49

Banana Republic, Chunky Ribbed Infinity Scarf, $69.50 with discount $41.70

Sole Society, Bow Pumps, $69.95

Total Spent: $295.62 (saved $181.73)

Thoughts on the budget:

While the pieces I bought aren't super exciting… I was on budget! It always feels good to get to the end of the month and know that I didn't overspend. I took advantage of as many discounts and promotions that I could - and Gap and Banana Republic always deliver in that category.  Surprisingly I didn't shop Black Friday this year (at least for myself!)… but there are plenty more deals to be had!

Thoughts on the pieces:

I needed a new dress for winter events and this one with sleeves was perfect! I've already worn it twice - I love it and I was so pleased to find a dress with sleeves.  I know I will wear this ton over the coming years.  Otherwise I just stocked up on a few new sweaters for winter.  Not my most exciting month of shopping, but November and December are mostly focused on buying gifts for others! :)

What good buys did you have this month?