New Year's Eve in Fur, Feathers & Fringe

1. mango jacket / 2. front row dress / 3. front row skirt / 4. bcbg headband / 5. h&m top / 6. nasty gal bag / 7. topshop dress / 8. asos heels / 9. h&m top / 10. piperlime dress / 11. deux lux clutch / 12. mango hairclips / 13. mango jacket

One of the trends that I can't get enough of this year is texture. I love, for example, that outerwear in a classic silohuette can be transformed into an eye-catching statement piece with the help of a little fur.

With New Year's Eve just a few days away, why not introduce a little texture into your party attire? Now, I love sequins just as much as the next gal, but can you really beat a fringe or fur dress?

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Sunday Browsing vol. 25

Happiest of Sundays, friends! Although I never had breakfast in bed this week, the past 6 days embodied what this picture represents - pure relaxation. It sounds ridiculous, but I honestly can't remember the last time I woke up to anything but an alarm - even on weekends. This week I broke that trend and it was glorious. I learned just how important it is to stop and relax, even if that means not checking off every item on my to-do list.

Here's to hoping you have a Sunday that resembles the one in the picture above! And enjoy a few links, of course.

• to celebrate: the ultimate new years eve bar checklist for Wednesday's festivities. 
• to adorn: dying to re-create an all-black version of this star crown for new year's eve.
• to drink: a spiced apple cider cocktail was my drink of choice this Christmas week.
• to follow: I've been crushing on Jess of prosecco & plaid for a few weeks - all of her instagram photos make me want to run to the nearest mall & if someone could teach me how to mimic her hair, that'd be great too.
• to shop: have you checked out ASOS sale yet?! Select merchandise is up to 50% off & there are plenty of goodies left! PS - this site is a great resource for all my soon-to-be momma friends!

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Off Duty

Merry Christmas Eve all! Starting yesterday, I have 6 days off from work (holla!) and it has been nothing short of fabulous. My days have been filled with Christmas preparations & celebrations, late wake up calls, Christmas movies, baking and simply enjoying being home. 

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, filled with love, laughter and a reminder of what is truly important in this life. 

j.crew tee / rachel zoe jacket, last seen here / nordstrom scarf / old jeans, crushing on a pair from madewell / nike shoes, similar (under $50 with code HOLIDAYTIME) / old navy bag, similar at target / maybelline lipstick

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Conversation Starter

It's always important to maintain a sense of humor when getting dressed, especially when wearing a fur coat (& a sweater with questionable graphics). 

You know those rare moments when a piece of clothing catches your eye from across the store & you're instantly in love? Well, that's my story with this fur coat. It was on serious sale on Black Friday and it was just the right fit - this never happens. 

I broke this bad boy out for the first time on our trip to new york and then decided to take it for another spin yesterday where it became quite the conversation starter. A few of my faves: "how often do you water that?", "do you have to shave it?"& "what sheep did you kill?". Don't worry all of these came from friends & family and was in good fun, with me laughing right along.

Now as for the sweater, I was informed when I wore it to work (I work in a pretty lax environment) that apparently: 1. the leaf resembles a drug that is quickly becoming legal in varying states & 2. this does pass as a christmas sweater. Call me naive, but I was completely oblivious to both when I bought the sweater a year ago. Don't worry, I still plan on wearing it and playing dumb :)

bp coat, similar from nordstrom & forever 21 / urban outfitters sweater (last seen here) /  zara pants / husband's beanie, similar at asos / french connection bag / vince camuto booties / movado watch

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Sunday Browsing vol. 24

Happy Sunday Friends! I know it's been only a step short of radio silence on the blog lately, so thanks for bearing with me. My mind is kind of blown by the fact that it is only 4 days before Christmas, and up until last night I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with the holiday season (big surprise, I know). However as we were spending a quiet evening celebrating Christmas a little early with family, I was reminded just how important this time of year can be, a time to reflect and reground on what actually holds weight in our lives. With that, I wish you a very merry Sunday!

A few links I'm loving lately:

• to give: this metallic deck of cards would make the perfect stocking stuffer.
• to give (DIY): loved this original idea for a gift wrapping kit.
• to shop: how fun is this metallic pleated dress?!
• to blog: I stumbled upon Christina's blog, the quarter life closet and fell instantly in love. So good!
• to be in awe: by far the most impressive bedroom makeover I have ever seen.
• to eat: I plan on making these (vegan) banana nut scones to accompany my over-indulgence this holiday.

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Unique Hostess Gifts

1. white whale cocktail mixers / 2. thug kitchen cookbook (seriously amazing!) / 3. furbish salt & pepper shaker / 4. jayson home spike pots / 5. anthropologie woodblock calendar / 6. leif bath salts / 7. leif coffee scoop (similar here) / 8. velvet crate holiday box / 9. c.wonder tea set

With only 8 days left until Christmas,  the next week is jam-packed with holiday celebrations of every variety. Since I'm still learning to be a grown-up (I can still claim that at 25, right?), I have been trying my best not to arrive to other's homes empty-handed, but instead with a small gift for the host. While the majority of the time I end up brining flowers or candle, I love the idea of stepping out of the box a bit with items like these spike pots or animal salt & pepper shakers. 

Now, if you're like me and usually running on an one-day life delay, velvet crate is your new hostess gift BFF. They offer beautifully curated, prepackaged gift sets that are covetable and would be a perfect  treat for anyone. The best part? Free shipping my friends, which means it's incredibly easy and painless to send.

True Confessions & Monday Sales

I totes wish that our apartment looked like the above right now, but I'm here to tell you that I'm currently starring at a lot of pine needles that need a little vacuum love and a kitchen table that is decorated with random mail, coats and work. 

Not surprising, I know. Also not surprising if you're a regular reader (hi, mom!) is this: this blog has not gotten much love lately. I'm completely stating the obvious here, but for those that are still hanging on, I wanted to give a quick shout out & a big thanks. There's no dramatic story to accompany the infrequency of my posts, except for that life has gotten in the way.

I started a new role about 6 months ago which I seriously love but is more time consuming and have tried my best to prioritize time with my husband and sleep. Moral of the story, I have many things planned & coming, but it might be a rocky road to get back up and running.

With that, I leave you with a few sales because if you're like me, you haven't crossed anyone off of your Christmas list.

• j.crew: 25% off purchase of $100, 30% off purchase of $150. Cardmembers receive 30% off entire purchase, all with code MERRYMERRY
• anthropologie: additional 30% off sale items with code EXTRAMERRY. A few things I'm loving: an adorable tote, the cutest measuring cups & the perfect stocking stuffer. 
• madewell: extra 30% off sale with code MERRIEST. The perfect time to stock up on a closet VIP, the chambray shirt.
• c.wonder: 30% off + free shipping!
• asos: 30% off select merchandise. This beauty semi-resembles a coat that my ultimate girl crush blake lively wore this spring.
• baublebar: 30% off everything with code INSTAGLAM.

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Gift Guide // Chicago & Cyber Monday Sales

 Is anyone else in complete disbelief that we are in the last month of 2014?! Seriously though, what happened?

It seems fitting that the first day of the biggest shopping month of the year is also cyber monday (#holla!) so I figured it is best to celebrate with another gift guide, this time inspired by my favorite mid-western city, Chicago. Click the image above to shop my finds!

Most of the black friday sales from this weekend have continued into today, but check out the list below for a few new ones to check out, and don't hesitate because they are good.

Cyber Monday Sales:

• vince camuto: 40% off entire purchase with the code CYBER.
• & other stories: 30% off purchase, check them out immediately! This is my absolute favorite store right now and they are only available online, unless you live in NYC.
• olive clothing: 20% off purchase with code CYBERMONDAY. This is my favorite UK brand right now!
• blank nyc: 40% off everything with BLANKCYBER. 
• french connection: 40% off sitewide with code FC40BF.
• need supply co.: 20% off everything with CYBER20. This is a fave of both mine & the husband!
• piperlime: 30% off everything with code CYBERSALE.
• sole sociey: 30% off entire site.
• baublebar: 20% off everything with code CYBER20.

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