12 gorgeous winter essentials!

Today I've got twelve gorgeous winter essentials for you… because, let's face it Christmas may be over but winter is just getting under way.  We've got a few months left of bundling up and multiple layers.  So now is the perfect time to invest in a few more basics especially with all the after Christmas sales and Christmas money burning a whole in your designer bag.

Now is a great time to snag new
 coats, boots, sweaters, and all the cute winter goodies you didn't get as a gift but still desperately need!

top row, from left:

faux fur cowl, white duffel coat (I'm obsessed with this!), hunter boots, plaid pajamas

middle row, from left: 

plaid top, hat, black jeans (on constant rotation in my wardrobe lately!), two-tone back zip sweater

bottom row, from left:

brown ankle boots, navy shawl coat (LOVE!), striped lounge pants, plaid scarf (only $10!)

sale alert: shop the sales!

I can never (ever!) resist a good after Christmas/New Year's/end of winter sale. Never! Especially since we are looking at another solid three months of cold weather here in the mid-west. I'm just getting started on wearing my winter clothes…

Here are a few great sale picks to boost up your winter wardrobe for the long haul… and maybe to get a little spendy with those gift cards and Christmas money that you just KNOW is burning a hole in your pocket.  Yes, you know what I'm talking about!

1. cowl back sheath dress - so gorgeous and classic! 2. camel wool blend coat 3. houndstooth loafer 4. chunky link bracelet 5. wink iPad mini case 6. belted wool cardigan 7. marled infinity scarf 8. skinny jeans - one of my faves! 9. leather cross-body bag 10. riding boots - stunning! 11. 'the stars' iPad air case 12. earrings 13. long tweed blazer - LOVE!

my outfit: a fresh start!

January marks the anniversary that I started this blog way back in 2008 (SEVEN years ago!)  Back then I had a three year old and a six month old, I was a working full time outside of the house and I was about to turn 30.  In the coming year I would proceed to quit my job twice, watch my hopes dashed as my dream job/industry would become a wasteland due to the economy and wade into the scary and unknown-to-me land of being a stay-at-home mom. In that year I don't know if I "found" blogging… or if blogging found me. I have a feeling it was the later.

I created this blog to help find my personal style and hopefully help others do the same along the way.  In 2014 I wondered if it was time to bow out of blogging.  2014 was an amazing year for the blog… on paper, it was the best year yet. But in my heart something wasn't feeling right. But every time I seriously thought about quitting… the computer drew me back, my readers drew me back and before I knew it I was publishing another post.   While no one knows what the future holds I don't think blogging is done with me yet. And with a fresh year upon us, I am more excited than ever about this blog, where it's going, what it's intended to do and the place it holds in my life.  I'm so thankful for my readers who make this blog what it is.

This new year and a fresh start couldn't come at a better time.  I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for us! Cheers!

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:
Coat, J.Crew (similar or similar)
Bag, J.Crew (similar or similar)
Sweater, Gap
Jeans, Gap (similar)
Flats, Madewell (similar or similar)

three last minute NYE outfit ideas!

It's time to pop the champagne and ring in the New Year tonight! And whether you are painting the town red or opting for a quiet night with friends or loved ones… you are going to have to decide what to wear before you starting letting all that bubbly go to your head!

We are planning on a quiet night with friends, but if you are like me you waited until the last minute to decide what to wear. But fear not… I've got three super easy last minute outfit ideas for you made of pieces you probably already have in your closet.  So there is no dashing out to the store last minute for these looks! I promise.

all black

I love this combo because it is easy to throw on last minute and very sophisticated.  Break out your favorite black ensemble and pop on some heels and you are set to go!

shop the look: jeans, top, earrings, bracelet, shoes

sequins + distressed jeans

This look has the perfect "I woke up like this" flair while still being super fun and festive! Grab some sequins or jewels, some distressed jeans and super fun accessories and you are set to go!

shop the look: earrings, jeans, sweatshirt, clutch, shoes

lbd + faux fur

This look is so simple: just grab your favorite stand-by little black dress and pair it with a faux fur scarf and a few baubles and you are set to go! Sequin shoes get bonus points!

shop the look: dress, faux fur scarf, ring, shoes

Happy New Years ladies! Enjoy your night safely! 

the damage, december 2014! (plus a rundown of the entire 2014)

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." For 2015 I am brainstorming on how I will be shopping and budgeting for the year and how I will share that information here on the blog.  I am thinking I would like to switch it up somehow, but I am not really sure how yet.  So stay tuned!

This month I had some fun shopping the sales (whoa were there some good sales!), picking up some fun holiday pieces and also some staples.

zip neck sweater, banana republic, $98 with 40% discount was $58.80 - on sale now!

fringe tank, j.crew, $68 with discount was $47.60 - on sale now!

beaded pocket oxford, j.crew, $98 with discount was $41.99 - on sale now!

lace peplum top, loft, $79.50 with discount was $38.75 - on sale now!

jeweled sweatshirt, loft, $69.50 with discount was $34.75 - on sale now!

distressed skinny ankle jeans, banana republic, $89.50 with 40% discount was $53.70 - on sale now!

sequined blue oxford, j.crew, $89.50 with discount was $47.70 - on sale now!

Total Spent: $323.29 (saved $268.71)

Thoughts on the budget: Thanks to some awesome sales I got my cake and could eat it too this month! There are a few things I ordered online with after Christmas sales/money that I didn't included here.  Reason: they won't arrive until the New Year and I want to try them all on first.  So maybe that is a bit of a cheat… but no biggie.  I don't plan on doing much shopping in January any way. 

Thoughts on the pieces: I had fun shopping for some fun sparkly and fancy pieces for the holidays!  The lace peplum top and fringe tank were awesome to have on hand for Christmas parties.  It's always fun to add a few girly pieces into the mix.  And I plan to make these fun "party" pieces mix into my everyday wardrobe by layering with blazers and cardigans throughout the year.  I'm also on a serious oxford kick… these two from J.Crew are super crisp and the perfect length (I've been wearing them with leggings endlessly).  And lastly I am seriously crushing on the new denim line at Banana Republic.  These skinny jeans are puurrrrrfect!

Now should we run down the entire year!?!? Let's.

January $248.79

February $291.44

March $243.85

April $710.08

May & June (combined) $254.90

July $402.79

August $509.63

September $169.70

October $534.06

November $295.62

December $323.29

Total for the year: $3,984.15

Average per month: $332.01

The average monthly spend was very close to last year (seen here)… like within $8!  Isn't that crazy?

So there we have it… this year's damage in it's entirety.

my favorite purchases of 2014!

Heya! I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas… it was so nice to spend time relaxing with family and taking a little break from blogging and "regular" life.  This week I am excited to both wrap up the year here on the blog and launch into a fresh new year as well .  A new year is such an exciting time of year!

Today I am rounding up my favorite purchases of 2014!  These are the items I really loved wearing and that were really "instant" classics in my wardrobe.

black ankle boots (similar or similar)

ankle strap sandals (similar or similar)

distressed jeans (similar or similar)

army-inspired jacket (similar or similar)

lace sweatshirt (similar or similar)

bucket bag (similar or similar or similar)

burgundy coat (similar or similar)

scalloped shorts (similar or similar)

new balance sneakers (similar or similar)

graphic tee (similar or similar)

last minute Christmas!

I'm laying pretty low here on the blog over the next couple days (week?) to relax and focus on family and the holiday.

But I thought I would pop in for all you last minute Christmas shoppers with a few deals that are too amazing not to share!  There are tons of retailers that are promising online orders to arrive by tomorrow (seems like way more than in years past - thanks UPS!) so it's still a great time to snag a few more things for under the tree! Or to make sure you are looking extra lovely Christmas Eve!

Shop quickly folks! Time is a ticking!

Pajama Set

Gap is already starting it's after Christmas sales, with great steals and deals.  But if you order by 3pm EST today you can get it tomorrow with their one-day shipping option!

Scarf

Banana Republic has 50% off already reduced prices (amazing!) and is also offering delivery by tomorrow if you order by 3pm EST today.

Bliss Sweater

J.Crew has 30% off regular priced items and 40% off sale - can you say deal!?!? Order by noon EST and get overnight shipping for only $10!

Slippers

Zappos has free overnight shipping if you order by 1pm PST! Order on up folks!

Michael Kors Bag in Red

Nordstrom has select items shipping overnight for FREE!

Origins Calm On Set

Origins has FREE overnight shipping and a complimentary Ginger Soufle with any order over $50! (one for you and one for them!)

Lace Top

LOFT has 40% off site wide so get a jump on your New Years Eve look!