Holiday on So Much to Smile About

Sears Holiday Dressing

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 15:27:54 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I’m so ready for the holiday season! It might be a bit colder than I’d like right now, but I can’t wait for the Thanksgiving weekend and getting dressed up for holiday parties! Of course, I still have to make it through finals before I can really relax, so I won’t have as much time to think about outfits or presents or holiday parties as I’d like. But to help get everyone ready, I’ve partnered with Sears for a few posts (note: compensation provided). Up first? Dresses for every occasion!

Home For Christmas

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

I still have another day at home in Wisconsin before getting back to real life in DC, but it’s been great to relax and spend time with my parents, grandparents and siblings! Every year, we have Norwegian meatballs for dinner on Christmas Eve before heading to church, and then Christmas morning we have delicious homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast after opening presents from Santa. Lots of wonderful food and family time!

Happy Holidays!

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:29:22 +0000

Between my flight getting in late and spending most of the day shopping and putting lights on my family’s huge Christmas tree, I didn’t get around to posting yesterday – but I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and no matter what you are celebrating, a warm and joyous weekend! I’ll be back next week with holiday recaps, end of year wrap-ups, and lots of NYE inspiration!

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Holiday Spirits

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:41:36 +0000

Between all the shopping and any traveling, I hope you get a chance to relax and enjoy a cup of cheer! Here are some delicious drink recipes I can’t wait to try.

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And here are all of the directions! 1. Christmas Rum Eggnog / 2. Blushing Berry / 3. Winter Wonderland Martini / 4. Pear Cocktail. YUM!

Gift Guide For The Foodie

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Know someone who is most comfortable in the kitchen? Or maybe a budding chef? That’s not me at all, but I did my research and I feel certain the foodie in your life would appreciate these gifts! And if they need someone to cook for, feel free to send them my way! Maybe if I had that apron I’d get in the kitchen more… I also recommend checking out this gift guide from My New Roots for a pantry list, kitchen equipment and cookbooks.

Gift Guide For The Boys

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

I may not have a boyfriend to shop for at the moment, but I do have a younger brother (who recommends newegg.com for techie ideas), dad (who loves history books, golf and fishing), guy roomie, work husband, and lots of guy friends (who are always there for me when I want to play COD or need dating advice)! So I was thinking of them when I put together this gift guide. BUT I also love these guides from Curly in the City, Six Twelve Place, Coco’s Tea Party, Breakfast at Toast and Refinery29! So many options!

A Tiffany’s Party

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

I’m not sure there’s a girl out there who hasn’t dreamed of getting that iconic blue box to open at some point or another – so what better time than the holidays to check out the latest that Tiffany’s has to offer! The lovely team at their Chevy Chase store invited a handful of bloggers to try on pieces, sip champagne and learn even more about the great American jeweler (did you know the company was started in NYC in the 1830s with just $1,000?). There was so much more to admire than their diamond rings (though taking off that classic Tiffany’s solitaire diamond ring was tough)!

Thanksgiving Inspiration

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week! And even though I don’t go home for it anymore, it’s still one of my favorite holidays. I love having a few friends over for a big dinner after cooking and getting ready all day. Which is sort of strange since I usually avoid the kitchen at all costs. But something about Thanksgiving gets me inspired…

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Be Mine?

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Valentine’s Day is less that a week away – even if you don’t have a significant other to celebrate with, it’s a great opportunity to tell our family and friends how much they mean to us. In the words of Sydney Smith, “Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.” To my friends and family, I love you so much! And to everyone, thanks so much for your support! Be sure to check out my roundup of great Valentine’s Day blog posts below!

Bubbles And Sparkles

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

“Champagne is the only drink that leaves a woman still beautiful after drinking it.” – Madame de Pompadour

Images via Crush Cul de Sac, Patterson Maker, This is Glamorous and Martha Stewart

Adam, Philippe Audibert, Dior, Vince

For more sparkly shopping options, see Shop Style’s roundup here.

New Year’s Resolutions

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I took some time this year to write out my resolutions for the new year. I don’t wait for January 1st to set goals and priorities for myself, so this is more a compilation of what I’ve been working on lately and what I will continue to work on. But now that it is in print, I really will have to hold myself to them! Do you make New Year’s resolutions? What goals are you setting for yourself?

NYE Inspiration

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

New Year’s Eve is just a few days away. Hopefully you already know what you’ll be doing and what you’ll be wearing! I’ll be celebrating with close friends at a local restaurant and will most likely don a drapey black Ali Ro dress with big, sparkly earrings and tall heels. I struggled a bit more this year than usual – so in case you are in search of some outfit inspiration too, here are some perfect party options!

Holiday Dinner

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

On Sunday, I had some of my closest friends over for a holiday dinner and gift exchange. I love entertaining but still think of myself as a struggling cook – thankfully, I had no trouble making some amazing appetizers, which I served with grilled salmon as the main course (though I didn’t even have to make that much salmon because everyone was chowing down on the appetizers)! After dinner, there were cookies galore and pumpkin pie for dessert. I’ll share my grandma’s molasses sugar cookie recipe in a later post, but see below for all the appetizer recipes I used! I promise they are simple, and will have all your guests smiling with satisfaction!

Joy

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I just love this snowy editorial and the beautiful holiday decorations. Also, Joy is my middle name (literally) so naturally, I had to share.

photograph not archivedModel Sophie Vlaming photographed by Milo Keller & Julien Gallico for L’Officiel December 2010, via Fashion Gone Rogue. “Joy” image via The Style Files (see also for ornaments that you can make yourself) and the Crate & Barrel image via Apartment Therapy.

photograph not archivedphotograph not archivedOther images via The Style Files and Apartment Therapy.

First of December

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Happy first day of December! I can’t believe it’s already here! This year has absolutely flown by…

Tiffany & Co. Holiday Campaign via Haute Design

Wintery Mix

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

photograph not archivedAE Holiday Campaign by Nagi Sakai, via Dress Design Decor

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photograph not archivedFor more from American Eagle, shop their site.

All I Want For Christmas

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

All I really want for Christmas is to spend time with family and friends – BUT, if I was to put a dream Christmas list together, this would be it.

La Bella Vita

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

“Refined detail and understated opulence set the scene for the grandest of seasonal get-togethers… A month of festivities calls for high glamour: see out the year in sensational style!”

photograph not archived photograph not archived photograph not archived photograph not archivedModels Dasha Rose, Christina Carey, Christopher James, Damien Suschetet, Jack Vanderhart, Sebastian Correy-Combs and Ben Waddell, photographed by Carlotta Moye with fashion editor Victoria Collison for Vogue AU December 2010, via Dustjacket Attic.

Winter Glamour

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

“I love playing with fashion: you can wake up in the morning and be any kind of character.” – Nicole Trufino

Edita Vilkeviciute on the cover of Vogue Deutsch December 2010 by Alexi Lubomirski, via Noir Facade

photograph not archivedModel Nicole Trufino photographed by David Gubert and styled by Valeryi Yong for InStyle AU Dec 2010, via Dustjacket Attic