Sunday Thoughts....

These next couple of days my posts will be small because I will be taking a little bit of a break to spend time with family and friends! Today I will be spending the entire day with all of my cousins, it's the first time we will all be together since July. So I'm leaving you with a Sunday Thought....

How was your weekend?

xoxo

Gift Countdown: $25 & Under!

It's finally here, my last gift post of 2013! Stocking stuffers are always the last thing I buy so most of the items on this list would make great stocking stuffers but theres also a couple of other great items that are affordable and would look great under the tree!

1. Socks: I've said it before, I don't own any white socks. I also rarely buy socks for myself typically relying on my yearly stocking filled with fun patterns! I love the J Crew Factory socks because you can get sets for as low as $2!
2. Statement Jewelry: I love fun costume jewelry! I like to pick out a fun outfit and then buy matching jewelry to accessorize with.
3. Desk Accessories: I'm sure I'm not alone in my obsession with fun desk accessories. Plus we all love anything monogrammed so a fun pencil and pen holder would dress up any desk!
4. Pajama Bottoms: I'm a firm believer that you can never have enough pairs of pajamas. 
5. Candles: Bath and Body Works has had so many great holiday scents, hot buttered rum is a personal favorite of mine.
6. Prints: There are so many great print sets on ETSY that are under $25. My personal favorites are from History in High Heels Preppy Print Shop because you can print them from home and get your own frame!
7. Essie Nail Polish: Um do I need to explain my reasoning on why these make great gifts? Didn't think so.
8. Coffee Mugs: I'm obsessed with the Kate Spade Swoozie line because it's super affordable and they have the cutest accessories. I dare you to go find something on that website that you don't immediately want to own. 

How many of you are headed to those crowded malls today?!

Monogrammed Pencil Cup // Bath and Body Works Candles // Glamourous Print Set

Essie Nail Polish // Bow Socks // Baublebar Necklace // Eat Cake For Breakfast 

Polka Dot Flannel Pajamas

xoxo

Currently Loving...

TGIF Everyone!

I am officially on Christmas break and I couldn't be more excited, the perks of working at a school are definitely awesome. I am looking forward to spending the next two weeks catching up with family and friends and doing some celebrating!

Here are the things I'm loving this week:

The Jingle

Tonight is our annual holiday party we call The Jingle! All my friends will be home for Christmas and we will be reunited again! I am so excited for our Secret Santa and cookie exchange. Above is pictures from our previous themes (Christmas pajamas and ugly sweaters). This year we are doing a Christmas character theme... I've got my reindeer antlers ready!

Holiday Treats

I dont know about the rest of your but my house is filled with a variety of Christmas treats from candy to cookies. My waist line isn't very happy but the rest of me is, I can't stop snacking! Guess I'll start fresh in the new year!

Vests

The malls have been so hot lately that I couldn't bear to walk around in a winter coat. I'm loving this Lilly vest because it would keep me warm without causing me to become overheated!

Family Game Show

Each Christmas Eve my cousin and I host a family game show for my extended family. They are split up into 3 teams and asked questions about a variety of different topics including pop culture, history, name that tune, and Christmas trivia. We already have the topics for this years game show but still have to come up with some questions! Lucky for our family we will be giving away prizes this year to the winning team! We always have so many laughs!

Is anyone else going to any holiday parties this weekend?

How many of you are officially on Christmas break?

xoxo

Gift Countdown: $25-50

We are getting down to the wire here, one week from today all the presents will be unwrapped and we will all be suffering from the post-holiday blues. But, in the meantime I am working my way down the price line to bring you my picks for the perfect gifts in the $25-50 range. 

1. Stone Cuff- Banana Republic has had some beautiful jewelry lately, I especially love their incorporation of turqoise stones in their baubles. This statement bracelet will definitely be a conversation piece!
2. Lilly Make-Up Bag- For the girl who loves to travel this make-up bag will fit great in your luggage and it's a fun traditional pattern.
3. Forget Me Knot Earrings- My ears are super sensitive so I cant wear very many earrings but it doesnt stop me from looking for others. I love these hot pink ones!
4. Cheers Bangle- With NYE coming up who could resist this fun bracelet from C Wonder!
5. Slippers- I have been guilty of running to my car in my slippers which is fine in most cases but not when there is snow on the ground. These slippers have a rubber bottom which wont get wet on quick runs to the mailbox/car in the snow!
6. Calf Hair Belt- I've been obsessed with calf hair leopard lately. This is definitely a great staple to add to the wardrobe and a great way to subtly add leopard into your wardrobe.
7. Jeweled Striped Top- I love a good long sleeved shirt, I wear them under so many things. This top is a fun twist on the traditional long sleeved top with a small jeweled brooch detail that makes it just a tiny bit dressier!
8. Monogrammed Coasters- This gift would be great for friends who love to decorate their apartments and for friends who love to entertain!

Calf Hair Belt // Turquoise Cuff // Cheers Bangle // Forget Me Knot Pink Earrings

Lilly Makeup Bag // Monogrammed Coasters // Jeweled Brooch Striped Top // Plaid Moccasins

xoxo

Gift Countdown: $50-100

Day two of my Christmas Countdown features gifts ranging from $50-100. Luckily for all of us so many stores have been having awesome sales so you can grab a bunch of gifts that are normally over $100 for a discount price. 

1. Blinged Out Blouse- This top is so versatile it can be worn on its own or under a sweater for a layering look. Plus the extra sparkle on the collar would be perfect for holiday parties!
2. Cashmere Gloves- It's been freezing here in the 518 so these gloves would come in handy, plus they work on touch screen phones!
3. Plaid Blazer- When I was visiting the Woodbury Outlets last month I scooped up a plaid blazer from The Loft and I love it because I can dress it up for work or dress it down with a pair of jeans. I found a similar blazer from J Crew Factory that I would recommend to all of you!
4. Peter Pan Collared Dress- I've had my eye on this beauty for awhile. I love the structure of the dress, very flattering on the body.
5. The Statement Clutch- Whether its leopard calf hair or a witty quote, stand out from the crowd with a fun clutch this holiday season.
6. The Cailean Lilly Top- You can probably tell I've had warmer climates on my mind lately. I love the print in this tee, it has me dreaming of beaches and tiny umbrellas in my drinks!

How many of you are guilty of the "one for you, one for me" Christmas shopping mentality?

Peter Pan Collar Dress // Jeweled Collar Blouse // Cailean Top // Cashmere Gloves

All That Glitters Gia // Plaid Blazer // Leopard Calf Hair Clutch

** Also be sure to check out my guest post on Preppy on the West Coast **

xoxo

New Recipe: Snowball Cookies

Happy Tasty Tuesday Everybody!

In going with the Christmas theme the next two Tasty Tuesdays will be cookie recipes! I spent my weekend baking away and my kitchen smells fabulous. My waist line is not very happy with me but thats okay because this is the time of year I'm allowed to take a break from watching what I eat and treat myself, right? These snowball cookies literally took 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to bake so it's a great quick and easy cookie recipe for you non-bakers out there too!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter softened
• 1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup almonds
• Extra confectioners sugar (prob about 1 cup for rolling)

Cookies prior to sugar rolling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Combine butter, sugar and vanilla until mixed together thoroughly.
3. Add flour, salt and almonds to mixture.
4. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, place on ungreased cookie sheet
5. Bake until set but NOT browned. (about 10 minutes)
6. While still warm, roll in confectioners sugar.
7. Let cook and roll them in confections sugar again.
8. Eat until your stomach hurts. 

I'm doing the link up with Becky from A Girl and Her Sparkles today to share my recipe with more people! 

Thanks Becky!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Gift Countdown: $100-150

Can you believe we only have one week left until Christmas? I am so happy I finished up my holiday shopping last weekend but it hasn't stopped me from looking at all the great holiday gifts online. This week I will be doing a Christmas Countdown where I pick a variety of gifts from a specific price range. I'll be starting the week with gifts from $100-150 (see photo above) and ending the week with gifts under $25! Hopefully all of you will be able to get some last minute ideas!

1. Lilly Tunic: I definitely want to invest in one of these before I leave for the beaches of Costa Rica in April. For your friends and family members who do a little winter vacationing to warmer climates this would make a great gift under the tree.
2. The Gigi Clutch- They come in a variety of colors and can be monogrammed. Enough said.
3. A Warm Sweater: I love this Ana sweater with the star print! It would look so cute paired with a blazer and gold sparkly jewelry.
4. J Crew Pink Loafers: Just because it's winter and it's freezing doesn't mean you shouldn't add a little pink into your wardrobe. Plus they are super comfy!
5. Talbots Plaid Flats: I fell in love with these when I received the Talbots catalog in the mail.
6. Statement Necklace: This is the time of year to splurge on something fun. This beautiful Kate Spade necklace will definitely turn heads at your holiday party.
7. Lilly Popover: Similar to the Pink Loafers, just because it's winter doesn't mean you don't need fun prints in your wardrobe. This popover screams "Is it summer yet?!"

Are you finished with your Christmas shopping yet?

Darby Suede Pink Loafers // Ana Sweater // Sarasota Tunic // Skipper Printed Popover

Plaid Flats // Gigi Monogrammed Clutch // Bungalow Bouquet Necklace

xoxo