new year's resolution

In 2013, I resolve to love every part of my life. If I don't love it then I will change it.

 This is a simple recipe for a great year and I think this is a resolution I can stick to. 

2013 should be the best year yet! 

Happy New Year's to you all! See you in 2013!

* image via

new year's eve party

Looking through photos on Pinterest made me realize how much I would love to host a New Year's Eve party. I would have a blast decorating for the shindig! Here are some photos that served as inspiration to me for my dream NYE party. Have fun celebrating tonight and ringing in the new year the stylish way!

* images via Pinterest 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

sweater love

((Free People sweater, H&M pants, Shoe Mint booties, Silpada Modern Maze ring, Tiffany & Co. mesh ring, Nixon watch, YT Clothing cross necklace))

Another awesome Christmas present was this versatile Free People sweater. I love that the neutral color makes the sweater work with a variety of outfits. The back of the top is such a contrast from the front, which makes it very unique. I recently wore this for my sister's birthday dinner and even though it is a more casual top it worked well in a fancy restaurant. Next, I want to dress this down with a pair of jeans and my Tom's to run some errands. I love how this top can be worn with so many different levels of clothing!

dark blue

((Maeve blouse via Anthropologie, H&M pants, Nixon watch, YT Clothing cross necklace, South Moon Under spiked bracelet, J. Crew string bracelet, Tiffany & Co. mesh ring, Coach ring, Frye boots))

I have always loved the color blue, but this particular shirt just brought the love to a whole new level. This shirt was given to me this Christmas and I absolutely cannot get enough of it. The color, the light fabric, the shape, and the small details are a few reasons why I will wear this shirt consistently throughout the year. This top will be great in the summer since it is a lightweight fabric just as it is perfect for the colder temperatures we have now. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors!

stowaways

((Christmas is here!))

I hope you all had a terrific holiday celebration! I had such a fun and relaxing time with family and old friends. Christmas was truly perfect! It is always a bittersweet feeling after Christmas is over and all of the gifts are opened. We still do have New Year's to look forward to, although I am not looking forward to ending my extra-long holiday break! 2012 was definitely a year to remember, but I am so excited for 2013 and everything that it will bring!

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

((gifts under the tree))

((photos on the blog are sure to be improved with my new camera!))

 ((Christmas present I got for my sister for apartment decorating))

((Santa's sleigh))

christmas eve

((Style Mint top, Style Mint skirt, Shoe Mint booties, Forever 21 bangle, Nordstrom necklace, Michele watch))

I am not a big skirt wearer as I do not think they look very good on me. I, however, saw this velvet skirt from Style Mint and decided to give it a try. I figured that the skirt would be appropriate and stylish for family functions and work especially during the holiday/ winter season. I wore this outfit on Christmas Eve and I actually love the skirt! I do not think I would wear it out on the town, but it is perfect for more formal occasions and it could not be more comfortable. This skirt is definitely a winner in my book!

merry christmas

I hope you all have a magical and wonderful Christmas!

I will see you all after the celebrations. 

Happy Holidays to all! 

* image via

waking up christmas morning

Everyone in my family is so giddy on Christmas morning with all of the new gifts, delicious smelling breakfast, and mimosas on the ready. Since so many photos and video are taken during this time it is important that we are wearing cute pajamas. A t-shirt and boxer shorts will not do on this day! Here is a round-up of some great pajamas that anyone would be happy to be photographed in on Christmas morning.

1. Vintage Short-Sleeve Pajama Set via J. Crew @ $78 $68
2. Fireside Long Jane Pajama Set via Victoria's Secret @ $49.50 $34.99
3. Polka Dot Piped PJ Set via Forever 21 @ $18.80
4. Cashmere Thermal Nightie via Free People @ $98 (would look great with #5)
5. Terry Ruffle Shorts via Gap @ $19.95
6. Sheepskin Moccasin Slippers via Anthropologie @ $70
7. Heathered Terry T via Gap @ $29.95 $25.99 (pair it with #8)
8. Bow Poplin Pajama Pants via Gap @ $34.95

I hope you are warm and cozy on Christmas morning!

oversized sweater

((Style Mint sweater, Gap vest (seen here), Joe's Jeans pants, Shoe Mint booties, Nixon watch, The Limited bracelet, Coach ring, Tiffany & Co. mesh ring, Emi-Jay hair tie))

I finally found the perfect oversized sweater. I wanted a big, comfy sweater for the winter. I needed one that I could dress up to wear out on the town as well as one to snuggle up in at home. I believe this Style Mint sweater accomplishes both tasks. The color of the sweater is also bright and fun. I think it could even work in the fall and spring as the sweater is not too heavy. I am so excited to basically live in this throughout the holidays!

PS: Aren't these new Shoe Mint shoes great?! They are ideal for the winter paired with pants or skirts with tights and they would even be perfect worn with shorts in the summer. What a find, especially since they are currently on sale!

stowaways

((Happy Holidays!))

Only 2 days until Christmas! I could not be more excited. The tree is bursting with gifts and I am so stoked to give some very cool presents this year. I am still hoping for a white Christmas! It isn't looking too promising, but it would be quite the Christmas miracle. Spending time with family and just sitting by the fire with my relatives and dogs is all I really need this time of year. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones! May 2012 end on a high note and 2013 be even better!

This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone. -Taylor Caldwell

((cutest snowman))

((peppermint bark + chocolate stuffed raspberries))

((a little something I picked up for myself while Christmas shopping))

((snowman + treats))

holiday red

((Abbeline peplum top via South Moon Under, Abbeline sheer shirt via South Moon Under, Joe's Jeans pants, Michael Kors booties, Nixon watch, Emi-Jay hair tie, Silpada Modern Maze ring, Tiffany & Co. mesh ring, South Moon Under necklace))

This red peplum top is one of my favorites and I figured that the holidays would be the perfect time to pull it back out. The bright red packs quite the holiday punch! I wore a similar outfit a few months ago, but this time changed it up by adding a sheer black sleeveless top to the ensemble. It was a small, but powerful touch for the outfit not to look the exact same.

sweater weather

((Free People sweater, Joe's Jeans pants, BCBG heels, Nixon watch, Kate Spade ring, Tiffany & Co. mesh ring, Forever 21 bangle))

I love the look of a nice, big sweater paired with more dressy bottoms. I love the casual meets elegant vibe of the style. I do not have any big sweaters as of yet (hello Santa...!), but I still wanted to wear a more casual sweater out one night. This sweater is a bit tighter than I would have liked, but with the unique pattern and bright blue color it ends up working well.

blush blazer

((Cartonnier blazer via Anthropologie (seen here), Style Mint top, Joe's Jeans pants, BCBG heels, South Moon Under necklace (seen here), Nixon watch, Kate Spade ring, bracelet from Peru, Emi-Jay hair tie))

In my opinion, blazers always add such a chic touch to any outfit. I wear my standard black blazer a lot since it matches almost everything and makes any outfit looked pulled together. When I spotted this blush colored blazer a few months ago, I knew I had to have it. It is a neutral staple that can be worn in all seasons. This time I wore it to add some punch to an all black outfit and it was the perfect add-on.

stowaways

((cheers!))

With the holidays fast approaching, most of my free time is spent searching and shopping for gifts for my loved ones. I cannot wait until they open them. I think they are some winners! I still have been doing some shopping for myself along the way... whoops! I also golfed for the first time last weekend. Sure it was only three holes, but hey you have to start somewhere. I am pretty awful, but perhaps it was the freezing cold and blistering wind. I assume golf is much more fun in the warm weather! In other holiday news, New Year's Eve plans are still TBD, but I am looking forward to the rest of 2012 and can't wait to see what 2013 brings! Happy Holidays!

There came a moment in the middle of the song when she suddenly felt every heartbeat in the room and after that she never forgot she was part of something much bigger. -Story People

((not the proper golfing attire))

((December Birchbox))

((rows of poinsettias))

((new Blue Avocado eco-friendly lunch boxes))

((delicious red velvet whoopie-pies for the work holiday party))