Thought of the Day... Plus Treat Yourself

I'm feeling a little under the weather today so I wont be doing a long post. Just wanted to share with all of you the sale that C Wonder is having, all accessories are 40% off! I was able to head to the store yesterday while in NYC and scoop up some awesome deals, looking back I may make a couple extra purchases today. 

Happy Shopping!

What did you do this weekend?

Is anyone else ready to fast forward to Christmas so we can eat, drink and be merry?!

xoxo

New York, New York

Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend! 

I'm headed to NYC today to do some holiday shopping with my mom, looking forward to scooping up some deals and seeing some of the beautiful Christmas decorations in all the stores!

xoxo

Currently Loving...

TGIF friends! 

I am so happy it's the weekend (I always feel like the first 5 day week after a long weekend takes forever to end). Here are the 5 things I have been loving this week....

New York City

I leave tomorrow for a day trip to NYC and I am so excited. My mom and I go every year the first week of December, our holiday tradition. Normally we go see a show but this year we didn't get tickets so we are focusing on shopping instead. I'm pumped to hit up stores like C Wonder and Lord & Taylor which aren't in my area, plus I get to eat at my favorite restaurant down in the city Clyde Fraziers Wine and Dine (owned by former New York Knick Hall of Famer) and see the Christmas tree is Rockefeller Center! 

J Crew Ruffle Collar Top

I am having some serious regrets right now. I've had my eye on this navy ruffle collared top for some time now but figured I would wait until the Black Friday sales to scoop it up. Unfortunately, when I went to buy it last week it had already sold out, so I am patiently waiting with my fingers crossed that it will come back in stock before Christmas. 

Booking a Flight!

This week has been a nightmare trying to coordinate with everyone going on the Costa Rica trip and finding flights at a decent price. Each time someone bought a ticket the price would go up and different airlines were offering different deals. I was so relieved when I finally settled on a flight and booked everything. This trip is really coming together!

Christmas Lights

I don't know about the rest of you but I've seen so many beautiful light displays in my town and it has totally gotten me in the Christmas spirit. Plus this Sunday we are putting up our tree and decorating it, I am looking forward to drinking some hot cocoa, having a fire in the fireplace and bringing some Christmas cheer inside my home. 

Dexter on Netflix

So over a year ago I got hooked on the show Dexter, I bought seasons 1-3 on DVD and watched them all pretty quickly. However, it gets expensive buying DVD sets so I stopped but now I just found out the first 4 seasons are on Netflix and the final 4 seasons will be released on January 1st! I already started season 4, so addicting I definitely recommend the show to all of you!

What do you have planned for this weekend?

xoxo

Holiday Gift Guide: Gift Cards

So I know everyone has been blogging about the best holiday gift ideas and so many of you have had some amazing, thoughtful and creative ideas but today I wanted to talk a little about gift cards. I know how impersonal gift cards can seem but sometimes they are the perfect gift for someone who is impossible to shop for. Plus they make awesome stocking stuffers! Each year my parents always put a couple gift cards in my stocking for different restaurants and gas stations and they really come in handy when money is tight.

 Here are my picks for the top 6 gift cards to buy:

1. Spa Gift Cards: Often times people wont spend the money to pamper themselves so the spa gift card is the perfect gift! My mom normally picks me up one to get a facial at my local salon Changes and I love it so much because there are times when I am feeling stressed and would love a nice relaxing break but don't want to spend the money. Also getting a general spa gift card allows the gift card receiver to pick out what service they want (manicure, pedicure, massage, facial... so many options!)
2. Coffee Shop Gift Cards: For all the coffee lovers out there I'm sure the best way to start your morning is with a free coffee/latte/cappuccino!
3. Restaurant Gift Cards: My parents always stock my stocking with $10 gift cards to Panera because I'm a frequent visitor. These $10 cards allow me to pick up lunch on the go even if I don't have the money to treat myself. I'm also a big fan of getting gift cards to other restaurants because who doesn't love a free meal?!
4. Movie Passes: Each year my aunt gets all of us cousins movie passes. Movies can be super expensive (they are $14.50 at my local theater for a 3D movie) so these come in handy for someone who loves to watch those summer movie blockbusters when they first come out.
5. Amazon Gift Cards: Amazon literally has everything, there is no way your gift receiver could find something they want on that website. 
6. "Treat Yourself Card": I'm also a big fan of getting someone a gift card for an expensive store that they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford anything from. It allows them to treat themselves to something fun on your dime!

Where do you buy gift cards from?

Do you like getting gift cards as gifts or are they too informal?

Spa Gift Cards //  Panera Gift Card // Starbucks Gift Card

Movie Gift Card // Amazon Gift Card // Lilly Pulitzer Gift Card

**Also make sure you check out my guest post on my blogger friend Whitney's 
blog McKenzie Wild!**

xoxo

Holiday Gifts: Mom

Or....

If I had to pick my favorite person to shop for during the holiday season it would be my mom. I definitely get my sense of style from her, she is never afraid to take risks and she is quite the fashionista if I do say so myself. My mom is the queen of statement jewelry and funky heels which makes Christmas shopping for her a breeze. However, not everyone has an easy time finding fun and affordable presents for their mom so today I will share my favorite gift picks for the mothers in your life. 

1. Cashmere Sweaters: You can never go wrong with Cashmere, it's a timeless fabric that all ages will appreciate
2. Pajama Sets: I feel like my mom never invests in a nice pair or pajamas for herself so these pretty set would be the perfect gift for her.
3. Candles: My mom is a sucker for Yankee Candles especially in the buttercream or coffee scents. 
4. Scarves: Whether it be for a winter coat or just a light scarf to compliment an outfit, there are so many fun prints out there mom will love.
5. Jewelry: I know every mom is different but if you paired a piece of jewelry with a fun sweater, mom could have a whole new outfit to wear!
6. Cake Stand: My mom is not much of a baker or cook but for any mom who loves to spend her time in the kitchen baking goodies this polka dot cake stand would be a perfect way to display her finished product!
7. Handbag: My mom has a rule "her shoes have to match her hand bag"... a classic bag never goes out of style so treat your mom to a bag she'll have forever!
8. Fur Throws: My mom is always cold (I must get it from her) so this faux throw is perfect for those cold New York nights.
9. Wine Stoppers: For the mom who loves to entertain and host parties
10. Monogrammed Jewelry Box: To hold all the jewelry you put in her stocking... duh!
11. A Big Ole Mug: My mom is a big tea drinker and she prefers her mugs be giant, this C Wonder cup is too cute and quite cheap!

Have you bought anything for mom yet for Christmas?

Do you have any fun suggestions for me to give to my mom?!

Yankee Candle // ALDO Forest Green Handbag // Periwinkle Necklace 

Topaz Gem Teardrop Earrings // Holiday Wine Stoppers // Printed Floral Scarf

Cashmere Sweater // Polka Dot Pajama Set // Monogrammed Jewelry Box

Giant Ski Tea Cup // Polka Dot Cake Stand // Faux Fur Throw 

xoxo

New Recipe: Garlic Cheesy Pull Apart Bread

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

I have an easy but delicious recipe for garlic cheesy pull apart bread for you all today that takes only minutes to prepare. With the holidays coming up, I always end up serving/bringing a variety of side dishes and this is a fun one to have with an Italian feast!

Ingredients:

• 1 can of Pillsbury Grand Biscuits
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp parsley
• 1 tsp minced onion
• 1 tbsp parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Melt butter in a bowl
3. Add garlic powder, parsley and minced onion to melted butter and mix well
4. Pour butter mixture into a round metal cake tin
5. Sprinkle cheese on top of butter mixture until evenly displaced
6. Open biscuits and place them on top of buttery mixture in the pan
7. Bake for 20 minutes (or until top of biscuits are golden brown)
8. Flip biscuits upside down onto a plate so that garlic topping is facing you
9. Pull apart garlic bread and enjoy!

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest to get all of my Tasty Tuesday recipes!

xoxo

What To Pack in a Work Bag

Now that I'm a working girl (finally!) I find myself packing a work bag everyday as opposed to bring my purse into work. Slowly I've been figuring out what I need to bring to work each day and carry with my when I go to class with my students. So today I will highlight my favorite work bag items. 

• Fun Pencils and a Nice Pen (plus a case to carry them in): I take a lot of notes at work and I love these cheery pencils from Design Darling, they are definitely a great pick me up when class gets boring. Plus you can carry all your writing utensils in a pretty Lilly pencil case. I'm super guilty of digging through my bag looking for something to write with so having a case is perfect.
• Paperclips: I'm always collecting papers and homework assignments so these fun paperclips would keep me organized.
• USB drive: I am always running to the computer labs to print things out and make copies. How fun is this Kate Spade drive?!
• Note pads: Perfect for taking notes and jotting down different brainstorming ideas. I love making checklists so these little pads are just right!
• Kate Spade Tumbler: I bring a fruit smoothie to work with me every morning. For awhile I was carrying it in this old travel coffee mug and it would always tip over and make a mess so this Kate Spade Insulated Tumbler is on my Christmas list.
• Planner: I live for a great planner, it helps me keep track of things I need to do, plus it's a great place to record my blog topics for the week.
• Lunch Bag: A couple years ago I bought a Vera Bradley lunch bag and I still bring it to work with me everyday. It's big enough to hold my everything I need for lunch, and it's insulated so it keeps my things cool.
• Michael Kors Tote: I bought a similar tote in teal at the Michael Kors Outlet last year and I love it. It holds all of my other items perfectly.

What do you keep in your work/school bag?

Kate Spade Insulated Tumbler  // Paper Clips  // Dot, Dot, Dot... Notebook

Design Darling Pencil Set // Lilly Agenda // Lilly Ink Pen

Michael Kors Black Tote // Hustle Notepad // Pencil Pouch

Kate Spade Bow USB Flash drive  // Vera Lunch Bag

xoxo