birthday dinner

((Free People top, Gap vest, Joe's Jeans pants, Nixon watch, Silpada Modern Maze ring, Tiffany & Co. mesh ring, Emi-Jay hair tie, Michael Kors booties))

For my birthday dinner with my family I had to wear some of my new birthday gifts, naturally! Luckily, I got some pretty nice presents this year including this extremely comfortable and warm vest and these show stopping booties. I've been living in this vest since it has been so cold around here and I know these heels will be getting a lot of use (basically every time I go out!). It sure was a fantastic 25th!

I didn't get a good shot of my new favorite booties, but I still had to show you all them!

chocolate chip cream cheese cookies

Since everyone was getting into the baking spirit during the holiday weekend, I decided to get involved as well. I had been wanting to make these chocolate chip cream cheese cookies for a while now, but had never gotten around to it. These cookies are unique because they are made with crescent rolls instead of traditional cookie dough. This treat sure was delicious and I will definitely make them again with the sweet cream cheese spread, but this time I may trade in the chocolate chips for either butterscotch or peanut butter chips. I will let you all know how that turns out!

birthday party

((Cartonnier blazer via Anthropologie, Bardot top via South Moon Under, Joe's Jeans pants, Anthropologie necklace, Nixon watch, Kate Spade ring, Tiffany & Co. mesh ring, Emi-Jay hair tie))

I used to not enjoy having my birthday on or near Thanksgiving since I thought it was regularly overshadowed. Now in my old age (haha), I have come to enjoy it! It is nice that all of my out of town friends and family are in town for the holiday and in turn my birthday as well. This year my friends got together for a mini-reunion that turned into a birthday celebration. For the get-together, I wanted to wear my new blush colored blazer. I just bought it on sale and it has proven to be a worthwhile purchase. The blazer combined with a recently purchased black bustier-type top was the perfect way to ring in my 25th year! I cannot believe I'm 25!

stowaways: thanksgiving edition

((give thanks))

Last week's stowaways post (posted this week... whoops!) is dedicated to Thanksgiving. This holiday is so wonderful because we get to be around family, relax, and realize just how much we truly have to be thankful for. My grandparents were in town and my sister was back from college so the rest of us at home were especially happy to have them around to celebrate the holiday. The food was beyond delicious and I obviously ate way too much! I hope you all had a fun and entertaining Thanksgiving as well!

If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily. -Gerald Good

((gold accented table setting))

((turkey salt and pepper shakers))

((turkey and stuffing))

((family round of mimosas))

((flower bouquet to brighten up the table))

((let's eat!))

((apple, pumpkin, and custard pies))

((after Thanksgiving meal treats))

seven layer bar

Every year around the holidays my sister will whip up the most sinful dessert, the seven layer bar. We thought it would be the perfect dessert to make while waiting for our guests to arrive. It is filled with all of the favorites: graham cracker, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and the list goes on. Throughout the holiday weekend, we would all walk by the dish and slice off a little bit to nibble on. Before long, the entire dish was gone and we were all 5 pounds heavier... worth every bite!

sister style: thanksgiving eve

The night before Thanksgiving is always such a fun night. All of our hometown friends are in town and everyone is very excited about the holidays. It is a great way to catch up with old pals and reminisce about the good ole days! My sister and her friends went out that night, so I busted out the camera and snapped a few shots of them before they partied the night away.

Sister style x 3!

((Blank NYC jacket (seen here), Look infinity scarf via South Moon Under, Banana Republic top))

((Free People dress, BB Dakota vest via South Moon Under))

((Banana Republic sweater, Free People dress worn as a skirt))

giving thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope you all have a terrific day with family and friends filled with lots of love, laughter, drinks, and turkey! Here is a list of the top things that I am thankful for this year...

1. My incredibly loving and fun family 

2. Being able to celebrate this holiday with my parents, sisters, and grandparents

3. My beautiful friends

4. My family's health and happiness

5. My adorable pups

6. Having a job that allows me the ability to do all sorts of fun things

7. Being able to celebrate my birthday in a few days with out of town friends and family

8. The delicious feast we are about to consume

9. The service men and women who allow us our freedom to celebrate these holidays with the ones we love

10. Having Sunshine Stowaways as a place to put all of my inspiration, photos, and the things that make me happy... and hoping you all get inspired and happy reading it as well!

What are you all thankful for this Thanksgiving?

((image via))

gift guide: south moon under

I wanted to try something a little different with the holiday gift guides. Instead of doing gift guides for certain categories, I wanted to compile guides for my favorite stores and online sites. I tend to stick to the same few stores when shopping for myself, so I figured this was a good way to put together the favorites at each store. These are items that I would love to receive or give to those on my list this year!

The first gift guide up is South Moon Under. I shop there on an almost weekly basis. It is one of my absolute favorites and the always changing selection brings me in on the regular. Here are a few of the items I am coveting for the holidays.

1. Beaded Collar Peplum Top @ $68
2. Illume 'Naughty' Votive Candle @ $16
3. Top Handle Dome Satchel Bag @ $68
4. Metallic Dot Camisole Top @ $74
5. Sweater Skirt @ $64 $49.99
6. Love You More Sign @ $12.95
7. Etched 6 Side Ring @ $28
8. Platform Pumps @ $129.95
9. 3 Wishes Long Bar Necklace @ $86.50
10. 'Fat and Jolly' Mug @ $12

NOTE: This is not a sponsored post... just my favorites from a favorite shop.

mac and cheese muffins

Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Although the standard Kraft mac and cheese is tasty, the meal is made even better when you cook the macaroni and add in your own kinds of cheese specific to your taste buds. The kicker when I made the mac and cheese was that they were made into bite size muffins courtesy of this recipe. The mac and cheese bites were definitely a hit at the Thanksgiving work potluck. I just wish there were some leftovers so I could snack on them throughout the holiday! This snack may need to become a Thanksgiving (or every holiday...) staple!

casual day off

((Style Mint top, H&M pants, Frye boots, Nixon watch, Tiffany & Co. mesh ring, Silpada Modern Maze ring, Twistband hair tie via Birchbox))

On my much appreciated day off from work, I spent the day getting pampered. Hair cut, salon services, manicure/pedicure were all needed and I enjoyed every second of them! In order to run from appointment to appointment and be in the utmost relaxed state of mind, I wore my new Style Mint top. This top could not be more soft and comfortable. I may just need to get it in all of the colors it offers!

PS: I may or may not have worn this outfit again to go see Flight the next day!

sister style

((Rubbish button-down top via Nordstrom, South Moon Under vest, BDG pants, Michael Kors watch, Steve Madden boots))

For a double dose of sister style today, this is the outfit that my sister pulled together for the Timeflies concert this past weekend. She decided on a more casual outfit than mine (seen here). Her denim top and vest were a perfect combination. I love the outfits that are warm enough where you don't need to bring a coat and carry it around all night. That is what this outfit was like. I will say that I had to borrow this vest for a cold walk to the car after the concert!

Click sister style for more posts in this category.