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?

BLACK FRIDAY SALES ROUND UP!

Surprise!  Black Friday is here a day early… and BOY are the deals good this year. I mean, really, really good!  So good in fact I've already been doing some shopping myself this morning already!  Here I have rounded up my top 11 sales - it was going to be ten, but I had to throw in that extra sale - for you today and tomorrow!

Happy shopping and may the online retailers gods be ever in your favor!

1. Fair Isle Sweater 

J.Crew has 30% off full-price items and 40% off sale items! Plus $5 shipping or shipping is FREE with orders over $150. 

2. Kate Spade Handbag

 Kate Spade has their surprise sale with up to 75% off and the steals here are unimaginable!! Shipping is free with orders over $200!

3. Green Wool Coat

J.Crew Factory has 50% off all items (whoa!) and FREE shipping on orders over $50!

4. Tory Burch "Amanda" Leather Hobo

Nordstrom has fantastic deals on beauty, handbags, shoes and more! This bag is 30% off!

5. Buffalo Plaid Blanket

C. Wonder has 40% off site-wide today - such a great deal! And FREE shipping over $100.

6. Fur Lined Hooded Vest

Gap has 50% off site-wide! What a fantastic deal, you can shop for your whole family here!

7. Alexandra Earrings in Magenta

Kendra Scott has 15% off site wide today - so rare! Hop on this deal! Plus FREE shipping with NO minimum!

8. Branda Leather Knee-High Riding Boots

Sole Society is offering 30% off select shoes AND fast and FREE shipping!

9. Pajama Pants

Old Navy has up to 50% off the store including $8 pj pants for the family!  PLUS an extra 15% off your order for a limited time!

10. Embellished Fair Isle Sweatshirt

LOFT has 50% off site-wide today - which is such an amazing deal!

11. Real Simple

Amazon has $5 magazine deals - one of my favorite deals all year!

my everyday style: neutrals and a HUGE thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you eat yourself silly and are wearing your favorite (and most stylish!) stretchy pants today!  But on a more serious note I hope that all of the blessings of Thanksgiving are with you today: friends, family, fellowship, love, patriotism, gratitude and peace.

It's also really important for me to send each of you a huge Thanksgiving hug.  I am so thankful for you - my readers - who let me do what I love each and every day and never give up on me and continue to encourage me.  Your comments, visits, sending your friends my way and emails brighten my day each and every day. I don't know what I would do without this little corner of the internet.  Life just wouldn't be the same!

So, THANK YOU!  You visiting here each day gives me lots of gratitude!

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Scarf, Banana Republic (or similar less expensive)

Coat, J.Crew Factory (similar or similar less expensive)

Sweater, LOFT

Jeans, Old Navy (or similar - on sale!)

Shoes, Coach (similar or similar or similar less expensive)

Purse, Madewell (similar or similar)

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

Or shop the look (and more options!) below…

holiday gift guides! (the classics!)

Today I've got a line up of the most classic of gifts to give this season.  There are a few things that end up under my tree year after year after year.  Books, pajamas, sweaters, hats, scarves and slippers… without fail - a recipient (or four) gets some of these every year.  These gifts are so popular to give because they are practical while still be thoughtful.  Here I rounded up the classics that you will want to give… that are still special and beautiful enough that your loved ones will love receiving them!

for the little lady:

pajamas, slippers, scarf, The Princess in Black, Gaston

for the little gentleman: 

pajamas, slippers, hat, Greenglass House, The Boundless

for her:

sleep shirt, slippers, scarf, Delicious!: A Novel, edith warton's Three Novels of New York

for him:

pajama pants, sweater, hat, The Curious Bartender: An Odyssey of Malt Bourbon & Rye Whiskies, george martin ice & fire

Or shop the gifts below…

Or you can find ALL of the gift guide picks (and more!) at Pinterest!!!

holiday gift guides! (budget friendly!)

Today I've got more holiday gift guides for you… for the aunts, nieces, bff's, babysitters, teachers or, I won't tell anyone, yourself!  For any stylish lady in your life… no matter the budget, here are 28 awesome stocking stuffers and holiday gift ideas.  Just for you - consider your holiday shopping in the bag!

(above: earrings, scarf, tea cup, socks, lip gloss, tote, journal, hat, "happy" tee)

(above: "vivez" tee, lipstick, turkish towel - a personal fave!, hat, perfume, striped tee, slippers, gold bracelet, candle, leopard coaster set)

(above: pajamas, leopard clutch, necklace, animal glassware, sweater, vest, boots, "glitter" canister, faux fur scarf)

Or shop by price below… $25 and under gifts:

$50 and under gifts:

$100 and under gifts:

my everyday style: dressing for all weathers with my Hunter boots!

We have already gotten 30+ inches of snow here in West Michigan and then it all melted.  It is some of the craziest weather I have seen in a long time.  Which makes getting dressed each day no small feat.  Most days I'd rather just be in sweats sitting by the fire reading all day - but since I have to leave the house now and again I've been calling on my Hunter boots to get me through whatever Michigan's weather has in store.

Hunters are the best for keeping my feet dry all year long… in the winter I layer them with my warmest wool socks to keep my feet both warm and dry.  I wear these so much lately that I would really love to get another pair (red maybe? or green? or navy?)

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Red Coat, J.Crew (similar less expensive)

Sweater, Gap

Jeans, Gap (similar or similar)

Boots, Hunter

Bag, Madewell (similar or similar)

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

Shop these and more options below!