Wellness

Books I Want To Read This Year

I’ve talked a little bit about this on Instagram lately but one thing I want to put more time into this year is reading books, which apparently is on a lot of people’s agendas this year! Reading inspires, teaches, encourages, and enlightens… it’s just all-around good for you. At the beginning of last year, I wrote a post about wellness books I wanted to read in 2018 and I’m honestly embarrassed to admit how much of a complete failure I was at reading those books. However, my mindset and goals are slightly different going into this year and I have a feeling I’ll be making more time to read these.

I made a much more realistic list of books I want to read this year including some that haven’t even been released yet. I’d love to know what is at the top of your reading list! If I’m being honest, I’m usually drawn to memoirs and motivational or inspirational books – anyone else? I just feel like there is so much to learn from others but I do want to find some fictional books this year. If you have any recs, please let me know!

BOOKS I WANT TO READ IN 2019

Becoming by Michelle Obama
This book has been #1 in the Amazon Charts for weeks (such good reviews too) and shares the story of Michelle Obama’s life starting from childhood, motherhood, and as the former First Lady. “Becoming is never giving up on the idea that more growing is to be done.”

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
Shoe Dog tells the story about the history of Nike and how it came to be one of the most profitable companies. It shares how Phil Knight launched his start-up company in 1963 by selling shoes out of the trunk of his car and goes into detail about the mistakes and struggles he made along the way.

The Energy Plan by James Collins
This book just released last week but I’ve always been super interested in how nutrition plays a huge role in a person’s performance, productivity, and energy – which was the main reason I decided to study human biology and nutrition in college. This book goes into detail about how to fuel your body for your life. I’m also own the book Brain Food but haven’t had a chance to start it yet.

The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins
I’ve owned this book for probably a year now but haven’t sat down to really read it yet but I want to this year. I love, love, love motivational books. This one is one of the “most read” in Amazon charts and shares with you a simple tool for breaking the habit of procrastination and self-doubt – a 5 second rule.

Everybody, Always by Bob Goff
Another one of Amazon’s “most sold” books and follows his “Love Does” book, which I also would love to read at some point. This book shares the author’s secret of living without fear and worry and he believes the secret in that is loving everybody, even the difficult ones. He seems like optimistic guy and I love these types of books that give you a whole new perspective of how to live.

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niquist
I’ve officially had this book for a year and haven’t finished it… not because I didn’t like it but because reading wasn’t a priority for me last year. This book is super popular on Amazon and with a lot of girls who read this blog. I think the title gives a good summary of what the book is about but the author basically talks about leaving the pressure behind of being perfect and how to simply live in the present and how that changed her life as someone who was once burned on busy. My wedding planner loaned this one to me now that I think about it (promise I’ll return, Stephanie!)

Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst
I have several books by this author and love them all! This one specifically caught my eye because occasionally everyone can feel left out or lonely and everyone experiences rejection. This books shares Lysa’s own experiences of rejection and talks about how to stop feeling left out with the secret of belonging.

Girl, Wash Your Face and Girl, Stop Apologizing (March 2019) by Rachel Hollis
Girl, Wash Your Face was probably the book I heard the most about this past year and I’m surprised I haven’t already bought it BUT I do love to listen to Rachel Hollis’ podcast when I go on walks. My goal is to read the first before March so that I can read the second once it releases!

The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yip-Williams (Feb. 2019)
This books tells the story of the life of Julie Yip-Williams who was diagnosed with colon cancer as a young mom. She coped by writing about her experiences and shares motherhood, marriage, her experience of being an immigrant, and so much more. I know this one will make me cry but also be super inspiring for making the most of life.

The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno (April 2019)
I love reading about different cultures and how each has unique ways of living their best life. This book shares 100 Japanese lessons and little habits that they’ve found to be life-changing in terms of bringing more peace to your mind (ex: lining up your shoes after you take them off makes your mind feel more orderly and putting down your fork after each bite helps you feel more thankful, etc.).

How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith
This books focuses on 12 habits that hold women back from their full potential and future success. I think this book would be great for anyone who works in a corporate environment but also beneficial for all women.

Naturally Tan by Tan France (May 2019)
Tan is one of my favorites of Queer Eye and this book tells his story of growing up in a South Asian family in England, finding his style, and how he came out to his family when he was 34. I love him and can’t wait to read.

I’d love to know what is on your reading list! Are you more of a fiction or non-fiction reader? Let me know and maybe I’ll start some book review posts.

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Uncategorized

01.10.19

Target Diaries: Home Edition

*all items above are clickable

If you’re like me, you can frequently be found in Target, any day, any time. I was browsing their home decor selections the other day and it got me so excited to share some of my favorite finds. I love shopping for home stuff at Target because 1. you can usually find a pretty good deal and 2. they have so. much. to. choose. from. I could spend hours on their site looking at all of the decor, storage containers, nightstands, rugs, bedding, everything! I decided to share a few of my current favorites above and hope to do these more often. After analyzing where you guys like to shop for the most, I would definitely say that Target is in the top 3 or 4! So cheers to more Target in 2019.

SHOP:

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Our Home

01.07.19

Tips for Decorating After Christmas

Taking down the Christmas tree and all of the other holiday decorations at the beginning of January can feel so good, almost like you and your home have a clean fresh start for the year and your mind feels less cluttered. Your mind starts drifting off to warm beaches and pretty blooms until you realize, “wait… we are only a couple of weeks into winter! We still have 2.5 months!”. We usually have a few snows by March so I like to spend January and February soaking in the coziness of winter and making my home feel like a winter escape… complete with thick blankets, a warm fire, and winter candles. Today I’m teaming up with At Home to share a few ways I keep that post-Christmas glow strong in the home…

WINTER WHITE.

I always love decorating with white but especially during these post-holiday winter months! There is something about decorating with neutrals that make you feel clear-minded, cozy, and clean! I picked up a few throw pillows and swapped out my plaid/holiday pillows with some cable-knit and faux fur all-white pillows and it instantly made the living room feel more clean. White candles, white lanterns, candle holders, white pillows…. It all just feels so fresh and reminds me of the snow!

TEXTURES.
If there is any time of the year to add in some texture in your home, it’s winter! Thick knit blankets, faux fur details, embellished snowflakes, and cable-knit everything gives the home an inviting and comfortable touch for those days when you come home from work and just want to warm up in a blanket and watch The Bachelor (anyone else watching tonight?!). Having a dedicated “blanket basket” set by the fireplace is always nice for when guests are over and also makes your living room feel much more organized.

LANTERNS & CANDLES.
I always like decorating our fireplace with a lantern or two on the hearth and adding different items to the inside whether that be pine branches, pumpkins, candles, or pinecones depending on the time of year. By the way, if you’re on the hunt for lanterns, there is almost an entire aisle dedicated to them at At Home – every shape, size, and color you can think of! Going back to the winter whites theme, I couldn’t pass up on this big white lantern which will also transition into spring time perfectly. As for candles, I like the wintery fresh, creamy or woodsy scents. One of my current ones we’re burning is by Farmhouse Delights (also available at At Home) and is called Fresh Made Cream. It smells heavenly.

LESS IS MORE.
With the fresh year just starting, clutter is the last thing you want in your house, or at least that is how I feel. Anybody else watch Marie Kondo show on Netflix? When it comes to winter décor, less is more. I made sure to keep my coffee table décor to a minimum… just a candle or two, a book, a small vase with eucalyptus and not much else.

WINTER ELEMENTS OF NATURE.
I’ve talked about this one before but I just LOVE bringing little bits of the outdoors in whether that be through art prints of landscapes/animals or greenery & florals! For the months between the holidays and springtime, I like to stick to eucalyptus but I also love adding in some pinecones and birch logs where possible. I have a few little vases that I will stick a eucalyptus branch in but I also love my eucalyptus garland, and one other item which brings me to my last tip…

SIMPLE WINTERY WREATH.
I’m a year-round wreath kind of person. Even in the spring, I decorate with soft pink wreaths. After the holidays though, I put away the more holiday festive ones and bring out a simple wintery wreath made of faux eucalyptus. I actually love this one for year-round but it’s especially perfect for this post-holiday time.

I love this time of year so much and hope these tips helped give some inspiration for decorating this winter. After all, we still have a little bit to go until spring so we might as well embrace it!

Thank you At Home for sponsoring this post.

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Skincare & Beauty

01.05.19

Top Purchases of 2018

At the beginning of last year, I wrote a few blog posts on my favorite beauty/skin, activewear, and denim finds of 2017, so I figured I would share my favorite purchases of 2018 before we get too far in to the new year! Believe it or not, my spending habits really changed this year. I learned to focus on only buying things that I 120% LOVE, even if it means quality over quantity, and I wore items much more repeatedly. I included several photos within this post where you’ll probably see me wearing a lot of the same things over and over again.

This past year was a year of exploring more “clean beauty” products. Not everything on this list is considered “clean” though (I definitely have a ways to go) and my beauty routine isn’t perfect yet but I’m learning! I’m excited to learn more about cleaner beauty brands and find some new products this year!

Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil: I just ordered my second one of these (that’s how you know it’s really good) and I started using this in place of my regular moisturizer. I found that it works 10x better than any moisturizer I’ve used and my skin LOVES it. I use it at night and in the morning.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water: Best makeup remover I’ve ever used and bonus points because you can get it at a drug-store! Before using this I was removing my makeup with coconut oil thinking it was good for my skin but my under-eye area would get irritated.
T3 SinglePass Curl 1.25’’: Love this curling iron so much, especially for shorter hair, but I think the key to good curls for me is this heat protectant (another one of my favorites) and some good texturizing spray. My favorite texturizing spray I’ve tried this year: Drybar Triple-Sec.
Bareminerals Original Foundation SPF 15: This makeup really made me realize that I don’t think I’ll ever go back to wearing liquid foundation, unless I have a really special occasion or something. My face cleared up and it feels like I’m not wearing makeup yet still covers up any imperfections. I use this Beautiful Finish Brush to apply! Definitely read the reviews… there are SO many but they are super helpful.
Clip-on Bangs (JK… but not really?): I ordered these on Amazon to see if I would look good with bangs and they ended up just being really fun to put on my dog occasionally. The laughs though = definitely worth the $5.99.
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Fine-Point Eye Pen: I was never really good at doing winged eyeliner until I found this stuff (ok, I’m still not that good but this definitely helps!). I LOVE it and not sure if I’ll ever use anything else.
Bioclarity Essentials Routine: I started using this in September I want to say and I love the fact that it is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben free, and sulfate free- and a really, really affordable price. I love TULA products too(all the rage on IG) but it can get very expensive when you’re repeatedly buying it. That does bring me to my next favorite though…
TULA Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream: I absolutely loved this stuff for the summer. It was perfect as a makeup primer too since it has a gel/cream consistency.
Isle of Paradise – Self Tanning Drops: I recently started using these drops on my face and I love the subtle glow it gives! I’ve used just about every tanning “drop” you can use on your face and this one has the cleanest ingredients I’ve found so far. They are hard to find in stock lately though! Also sold at Sephora…
BareMinerals Gen Nude Eyeshadow Palette: I’ve been using this eyeshadow palette for several months now and I don’t know if I’ll ever need anything else! It doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of colors and each color is perfect for everyday wear or you can add an extra bit of darker shades for a night look. It comes in 4 color palettes but I’ve only used the “Neutral” one.
St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse: I think this was on my list for the previous year too. I’m always using some sort of self-tanner (my skin is very, very fair and skin cancer is one of my biggest fears) but this one was my go-to in 2018, especially in the summer! I love how you’re tan in just a couple of hours. One thing I’d like to find in 2018 though is a self-tanner with cleaner ingredients.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen: This product is actually life-changing. I used to hate putting sunscreen on and saw it as an inconvenient chore almost but this stuff has a clear gel-like consistency and is SO GOOD. I actually enjoy putting it on and it can also work as a makeup primer!

Agolde Denim Shorts: I purchased the darker pair last year and loved them but I think I love this lighter wash a lot more and wore these just about every weekend in the summer. They’re a little pricey for a pair of denim shorts but I promise they’ll be the only ones you want to wear, probably saving you more money in the long run. If you think they’ll be too short, they also come in a slightly longer version.

Madewell Summer Jeans: This year I really came to LOVE Madewell everything. I have a pair of pajama pants from there coming in the mail today and I’m so excited. Everything I’ve ever purchased from Madewell lasts. The quality is so good and their styles are seriously timeless. Shop the jeans here.

Aerie Chenille Turtleneck Sweater: I also came to really love Aerie this year; and while it might not be forever-quality (some of it is), the comfort, sizing, styles and pricing are all on point! I have bought this turtleneck sweater in at least 4 colors this year and it’s just the best option to wear with leggings which brings me to my next favorite…

Aerie Play Real Me Leggings AND Play Pocket Leggings: If you’re looking for a comfortable, high-waisted pair of black leggings (for spring/summer/warmer temperatures), these are the best ones I’ve found! I love them although they are pretty thin (I was cold in them in 60 degrees)! If you’re looking for a pair made for colder weather, I love these (plus they have pockets).

Lou & Grey Speckled Side Stripe Ponte Leggings: These are a more recent purchase but I am currently loving these that are made to be worn as a regular outfit (not working-out). They have the prettiest texture and the stripe adds a sporty feel but I still feel semi-dressed up whenever I wear them. Paired with an oversized sweater and sneakers – my ideal everyday outfit.

Aerie One Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit: This is another more recent purchase but I’ve never worn a swimsuit that makes me feel more confident than these. I ordered a small in these for reference and I love the one-shoulder/high-waisted combination. The price is so good too – I have realized I never really re-wear swimsuits from year to year so I’m kind of done with spending a lot for a swimsuit when I can find something at this price for this quality.

Levi’s Ex-Boyfriend Denim Trucker Jacket: Once spring rolled around last year, this jacket was on repeat! You can never go wrong with Levi’s- I know I’ll have this thing for years.

Grey Herringbone Blazer: Technically, I bought this is 2017 but because it was sold again in 2018, I want to include it on the list because it’s just that good. I love this blazer so much and is the easiest way to dress up any outfit year round.

Vionic Perforated Sneakers: I wore these almost every day in the spring and summer of 2018. To be totally honest, I didn’t see a ton of sales come from them (LOL) but they are still in my top faves and you can’t beat the comfort.

Brixton Joanna Straw Wide-Brim Fedora: There aren’t enough words to describe my love for this hat… I wore it with everything over the summer and got compliments from strangers everywhere I went.

Zella High Waist Leggings: These black leggings were worn quite a lot in 2018… I wore them with all of my outfits in this 10+ Ways To Wear Leggings video – I think they’re such a great option for both wearing as normal outfits in the winter and fall.

Franco Sarto Lowe Booties: I don’t know why I keep calling these my James Franco booties – these Franco Sarto booties were part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (but they’re back on sale now!) and I wore them everywhere, even walking around NYC for a full-day! So comfortable and chic. Franco Sarto and Cole Haan are probably two of my top favorite shoe brands after this year!

Oversized Boat Neck Sweater: This sweater is always going to be one of my favorites – they recently brought it back in even more colors and I love this neutral pinkish shade. In fact, Abercrombie made a comeback for me this past year and it’s now in my top 5 or so places to shop. Weird. Who knew in 2019 I’d be shopping at AE and Abercrombie but here we are.

Felt Panama Hat: Best. Hat. Ever. Love how structured it is and it comes in a few colors.

Chunky Beanie: Another. Best. Hat. Ever. My original tan one I found is this.

Sorel Waterproof Boots: Before our snowy trip in October, I bought a couple of Sorel boots that I knew I’d be able to wear for years to come. Love this pair and this pair in white. This second pair is unbelievably lightweight – they’re SO cool.

Cole Haan Harrington Bootie (30% off now): These booties will forever be in my fall wardrobe!

I didn’t have a ton of home items that stuck out to me this year, except for a few. Honestly, we owned most of our furniture since before we moved into our current house so I haven’t done any big home purchases in a while – well, except for a stove/oven we just purchased a couple of weeks ago. This year will most likely be a year where I spend more on home items than clothing. We’ve lived in our house for a year and still haven’t bought an indoor dining table…

Jersey Rope Throw: These are pricey for a blanket but I love how much definition they add to a space with the texture. I’ve also tried blankets that have ended up shedding and these are the BEST quality. They aren’t very large but I look at them as an accent piece to a room.
Set of 12 Frames: I added these to a corner in our living room in early 2018 and, for a really inexpensive purchase, they add SO much to that corner. My goal is to fill them up with different countries that TJ and I have the chance to visit together.
Upholstered Panel Bed: This timeless bed is so beautiful and makes our bedroom feel like a coastal cozy escape. I know we’ll have this thing for a long, long time and I love how many different color options it comes in.
Acrylic Calendar: At the beginning of the year, I would hang giant paper calendars on my wall and, while they helped me stay organized, there is just something about these prettier ones that makes me excited to use each day. Definitely more of a splurge item but not when you think of how much you use it and how organize it keeps your life!

I know I’m probably forgetting something but that’s it for now! Excited to see what 2019 brings! I hope y’all have a great weekend- we’re planning to get some kitchen work done and continue organizing/putting up Christmas decorations.

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The Carolinas

01.03.19

The Carolina Inn Staycation

It feels like it was forever ago when it was really only a couple of weekends back but TJ and I planned a one-night staycation at The Carolina Inn over his birthday weekend right before Christmas. With all of the last minute deadlines and holiday craziness that week, it was so nice to get away even just for one night. It felt like we were on a trip in another state. We dropped off the dogs at my parent’s house and off we went to our luxurious hotel for the evening just in time to check-in, grab some appetizers and a glass of wine, and settle in for the night before our dinner reservations down at the hotel’s restaurant. I read in a book a while back that people tend to feel more relaxed when traveling mainly due to the lack of “things” everywhere. One of my goals this year is to simplify my life at home and make it feel more like an “escape” clear of clutter and unnecessary things. It was nice to get away from all of the holiday gifts, messy house, and to-do lists for a little bit.

A FEW TRAVEL FAVORITES:

I had only stayed at The Carolina Inn once before and that was for one of my good friend’s weddings at least 4 years ago. TJ and also were part of a really fun photoshoot a long time ago here! I remember it being so charming and quaint but equally as luxurious. If you’ve never visited, you must make a trip! The service is top-notch and there is a giant fresh cookie jar on at the registration desk… need I say more? I’ve never seen anything like it in this area and the decor, striped wallpaper in the hallways, furniture, and every detail blows me away every time. It’s definitely a very unique hotel complete with beautiful courtyards, a delicious restaurant, activities and events always happening, and so much more. Their event spaces make me want to plan an event just because.

Anyways, when we arrived, there was a gingerbread house competition going on and we had booked a dinner reservation for 7pm at the hotel’s restaurant, Crossroads. Since we had some time before dinner, we decided to visit a nearby restaurant and explore the area a bit. The town was super quiet with all of the students home for the holidays and we ordered some wine and bruschetta at 411 West. Afterwards, we went back to our room to relax before dinner. I think my favorite part of this entire hotel was the bathroom. The bathtub was a dream and I never wanted to leave. Travel tip I learned on this trip: always travel with travel-size bubbles!

We made it downstairs for dinner eventually and, again, the details blew me away down to the honey butter and biscuits. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious (highly recommend the seasonal fish with a side of brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes! Seriously, best brussel sprouts I’ve ever had) and we met up with some friends of ours in Chapel Hill right after dinner in this cave bar for Christmas sing-alongs haha, yes that is a thing… the location is the so convenient and you can get basically anywhere downtown within a few minutes.

It was such a good stay… quick but so good for the soul! We might need to make this an annual thing. Have you guys ever had any staycations in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area?

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Holidays

12.14.18

Weekend Sales and Q&A

Plaid Mini Skirt (wearing XS/40% off) || Cable Mock Neck Sweater (wearing XS/40% off) || Vince Camuto Bestant Boots (TTS/40% off)

ABERCROMBIE || 50% off entire store

AERIE/AE || 40-60% off everything

EXPRESS || 50% off everything

MACY’S || basically everything is on major sale but I couldn’t believe their coat selections!

Faux-Leather Trim Quilted Coat (53% off) || Faux-Fur-Trim Hooded Puffer Coat (over 50% off)|| Quilted Hooded Packable Puffer Coat (54% off)

LOFT || 50% off your purchase

Those are just a few of my favorite weekend sales going on but I also wanted to answer some questions I’ve had over the past week or so – many are gift focused, FYI.

Q: Do you have any amazon gift ideas for men? Specifically, stocking stuffer or smaller items?

A: Yes! I’ll leave a few of my favorite men’s amazon finds below. All of these should be on “prime” so you’ll have them by Christmas.

Q: I need some advice on wallet brands for Christmas. A new wallet is on my Christmas list but I want to give somewhat of an idea of a brand and I want it to have a zipper closure, if possible.

A: I’ll share my favorites ranging in price points below! Personally, I am a new big fan of this brand and it’s all I really asked for for Christmas BUT I will share some other options too:

Q: What are your thoughts on the CBD oil you got recently?

A: This is the first time I used it (Pharm CBD) and I still feel like I haven’t used it quite long enough (or enough brands) to really give a thorough review of it; however, I do notice a difference with it! I’ve never really talked about this (I’ll save it for another day because I could go on and on) but I have developed somewhat of an anxiety issue over the past year… it really began right before our wedding and has gotten worse (way worse) since I have worked at home. I had heard that CBD oil can be life-changing and great for stress, joint pain, anxiety, sleep issues, and so much more- so when my friend told me her pharmacist husband co-founded his own CBD oil company, I figured I would test it out and see if it helped me. I’m all for people taking medication who need it (I wish I did some days) but the idea of taking medication itself gives me anxiety. So, I’ve been looking for natural ways that could possibly help. Overall, I have noticed that it kindof blocks my anxiety from going into a full-blown panic state but the overall feeling as still been there – just not as strong. I also noticed that I had slight headaches the first few days of using it but that could have just been me being dehydrated or something. I will continue to use it though and keep you updated. I may even order another brand and compare the two. Some of the other popular brands I’ve seen are: Charlotte’s Web, Mowellens, Care By Design, Cordial Organics, Rosebud CBD (I’ll link their IG accounts). Anyways, I wish I had a more detailed update but right now I think I just want to continue using it daily, maybe try a different strength, and maybe another brand to compare. We’ll revisit this topic in the future!

Q: Please share the most popular espresso machine recommendations from your stories!

A: Yesterday I asked my IG friends for recs on an espresso machine because I have decided I shouldn’t spend $7 on an oat milk cinnamon & honey latte multiple times per week (but every now I most definitely will). It’ll take some research but I’m determined to become my own barista! Below are the MOST popular recommendations that people gave me and most are on major sale and would probably make an incredible gift! I ordered them from least expensive to most.

Let me know if you have any questions you’d like answered next Friday! I’ll be spending the weekend completing everything for Christmas, going to my cousin’s gymnastics meet, working on some final deadlines for the year, and trying to stay out of the rain. If it’s your first time visiting and you need Christmas gift ideas, you can find more gift guides here.

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Uncategorized

12.13.18

This Year’s Winter Bucket List

Alexis Combat Boots

I know we’re a couple of weeks away until it’s “officially” winter but it just snowed here this past weekend and I’m drinking a hot cinnamon and honey latte listening to a holiday playlist, so, in my heart the winter season has already started! I’ve been thinking of all of the fun things I want to do this winter and thought it would be fun to make a winter bucket list while also sharing a couple of recent budget-friendly winter shoe finds with Shoe Carnival.

The older I get, the more I actually grow to love winter. It’s such a special time and there is really so much to do that makes it so different than other times of the year, whether we’re staying cozy at home with the fire or visiting a ski resort and enjoying the snow outside.

Before we get into the list, I want to share all the details about these gorgeous combat boots I found at Shoe Carnival. You would think these boots would cost over $100 but they’re not even close and I am seriously impressed with how comfortable and well-made these are! I love the mix of fabrics and textures and have a feeling these will be my go-to casual boots this winter. I can see myself wearing them with jeans, leggings, even a neutral skirt and tights. You can find these exact combat boots here and they also come in black/grey!

Another pair I’ve been wearing on serious repeat… these taupe Makalu boots! You can’t go through a cold winter without a pair of these and mine were such a good price! Honestly, these are what I am wearing 80% of the time, whether I’m running errands and it’s freezing outside or if I need to take the dogs out or am just staying home. I can’t get over how many beautiful styles the Makalu brand has either. I love this shorter style that comes in three colors and this simplistic more original style by Koolaburra here.

Shoe Carnival also sells brands like Nike, Sperry, Adidas, Converse, Koolaburra, Asics, and so many more! I stocked up on a new pair of Nikes while I was there and can’t wait to do my workouts in them. Anyways, let’s get into my “winter bucket list”!

Visit a ski resort and teach TJ how to ski. Actually, I’ll probably have to re-teach myself. Personally, I want to learn how to snowboard so we’re excited to hopefully visit one in the new year!
Plan a new years or galentines dinner party with local bloggers. I have fomo of work christmas parties this time of year so I want to plan a night of dinner/drinks with some local women who also work from home.
Plan a winter weekend visiting Charleston. I love traveling there during the low season and getting my southern food fix.
Grab lattes at a newly opened coffee shop near where I used to work in Morrisville, Fount Coffee. Their avocado toast also looks award-winning.
Go ice-skating outdoors!
Enjoy a snow day outside followed by nothing but all of the cozy things I wish I made more time for like reading good books and flipping through magazines.
Roast marshmallows by an open fire. We actually did this last weekend at a local farm down the street after picking up a fresh wreath.
Surprise TJ with tickets to a Hurricanes hockey game one night.
Have a spa day and cozy staycation at The Umstead. I visited their place for the first time a few weeks ago and it was the most relaxing experience and would be the best way to start the new year.
Many nights of trying new soup recipes. TJ has this one minestrone soup recipe down to perfection but I’m always wanting to experiment with new recipes I find on Pinterest.
Speaking of cooking, my goal is to begin renovating our kitchen at the end of January (after I try the Whole 30!).

If you local to NC, I’d love to hear your favorite local winter activities to do! And if you’re in the market for some winter boots, be sure to check out my favorite affordable finds at Shoe Carnival!

Thank you to Shoe Carnival for sponsoring this post!

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Holidays

12.12.18

Secret Santa and Other Small Gift Ideas (Under $25)

Christmas is 12 days away and if you’re still wondering about what to buy your family/friends/co-workers/etc, you’re not alone! I still have quite a lot to do myself but I did have a request to share some “smaller gifts” for secret santas, stockings, co-workers and basically items under $25-ish after sharing all of my other holiday gift guides. Those gift guides included some smaller items but I wanted to focus on some of my favorite finds that I think would make great small gifts.

*items above are clickable!

The gifts are kind of sectioned out into a little bit of beauty, inspiration, fun, and miscellaneous. I’ll be sharing some winter boots tomorrow and you won’t want to miss them (the prices are unbelievable). If you need any other gift ideas while shopping, you can see the rest of my gift guides here.

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Holidays

12.03.18

A Holiday Coffee Cart

With the holiday season in full swing, TJ and I have been trying to get our house in order for some guests. We replaced the carpet with beautiful new floors in the guest bedroom but I also wanted to make sure the rest of the house felt welcoming and festive. I thought it would be fun to decorate our bar-cart/coffee corner with some of my favorite finds from Home Centric (a home décor store in Crossroads in Cary, NC). Home Centric opened within the last year and ever since I’ve been so happy with everything I can find in there for the house! They have the prettiest furniture at the best prices and practically everything you could want for the home but this time I focused in on decorating our coffee corner for the holidays.

When decorating a bar cart or coffee/tea station, there are a few essentials that come to mind: a giant jar or container to store your coffee/tea, a tray or special spot to store some drinkware, sweetener and somewhere to store the sweetener, and the coffee maker. Then you have the decorative pieces to add in: candles, crates, wreaths, mini trees, twinkle lights, and other décor pieces you find that fit the look you’re going for. I found everything I needed at Home Centric (including a hot cocoa kit!) and I think it will be a great spot for guests to start their morning. I even found coffee, sweetener, and all of the kitchen things you could ever need.

Another fun and inexpensive idea for a small space like this would be to add in the twinkle lights inside of glass jars or lanterns. The lights were under $8 for 20 feet of lights and they add the perfect touch to practically any space during this time of year. You could even have a hot-chocolate bar and have all sorts mini jars filled with candy canes, marshmallows, and other fun treats!

I’m sure I’ll be swapping in pieces throughout the rest of the winter once Christmas is over but I love having a cozy spot to start the day and love knowing that our guests will too!

Thank you to Home Centric for sponsoring this post.

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Gift Guides

11.26.18

Cyber Week Sales, Gift Guides, and Holiday Lookbook

Cyber Week Sales are going strong (best ones are TODAY) and I wanted to fill you in on some of the best sales on the internet (in my opinion). BUT before I do that, I also have to share what all is inside of today’s post:

– Sales
– Gift Guides
– a Holiday Magazine

You might want to get a cup of coffee for this one because it’s much, much longer than usual. A couple of years ago, I created a digital magazine full of all things holiday and it received great feedback so I decided to do it once again this year! In addition to that, you’ll find sales, shopping guides, & some holiday looks (but more to come in December). For the best viewer experience, I’d recommend reading this post from a desktop (and in full screen mode) and don’t forget to scroll down for some of my recommended sales to shop! Every item within the gift guides and the holiday lookbook are clickable so it’s super easy for you to find out where it’s from!

*view in full-screen mode*

*items above are clickable

*images above are clickable.

*all items are clickable

*items above are clickable.

BOOTS (40% off using the code: CYBER40) || Marled Funnel Neck Coat (sizes going FAST but still available in lilac and blue!)

Jacquard-Knit Turtleneck (wearing a small/30% OFF)

Sherpa Military Parka (50% off PLUS an additional 15% off/wearing a small)

High Waisted Sash Waist Wide Leg Pants (50% OFF and wearing XS) || Velvet Butterfly Top (25% OFF and wearing S)

Plaid Skirt (40% off/wearing XS) || Mock Neck Sweater (50% off/wearing XS) || BOOTS (40% OFF)

Pleated Midi Skirt (burgundy sold out but found similar 25% off here ) || Cable Mock Neck Sweater (50% off)

CYBER WEEK SALES

AMAZON || up to 65% off Deals of the Day (favorites shown below)

ANTHROPOLOGIE || 30% off EVERYTHING (including my favorite slippers of all time)

NORDSTROM || up to 60% off the good stuff (including my favorite BOOTS!)

TARGET || BOGO 60% OFF ALL clothing, shoes, accessories (men, women, children)

LL BEAN || 20% off clothing and outerwear AND 25% off SLIPPERS (code: WICKED25)

I’ve always bought TJ’s gifts here (and my dad’s) because the quality is something he can wear forever. He wore this coat when we went up to Canada. If anyone on your shopping list is looking for high quality outerwear, flannels, socks, or boots, this is such a good day to shop here.

POTTERY BARN || 25% off your regular-priced order (including my coffee table & favorite blanket) using the code: CYBER

WEST ELM || 30-70% off furniture, rugs (select styles… included some below)

ASOS || 25% OFF EVERYTHING w/ code: EPIC

ABERCROMBIE || 50% off ENTIRE STORE + free shipping on all orders

AERIE/AE || 50% off all SWEATERS!

BACKCOUNTRY || 30-50% off select styles (including Patagonia)

H&M || 30% off EVERYTHING + free shipping

BANANA REPUBLIC || 50% off EVERYTHING.

EXPRESS || 50% off EVERYTHING + free shipping

J. CREW || Extra 60% off SALE styles AND 50% OFF EVERYTHING ELSE (code: CYBER)

J. CREW FACTORY ||60% OFF (code: ADD2CART)

LOFT || 50% OFF EVERYTHING + free shipping

MADEWELL || 25% off EVERYTHING (NEW styles were just added!)

URBAN OUTFITTERS || $50 off $150 or more, $25 off $100, or $10 off $50

and MORE:

MINTED || 25% off EVERYTHING (I LOVE finding framed art from here!) code: CM2018

ERIN CONDREN || 30% off sitewide (my FAVORITE planner is from EC– such a great time to get a new one for 2019!)

More gift guides can be found in the Holiday Magazine. Today is the last day to enter to win a basket full of my FAVORITE THINGS (specific items can be found on my Instagram story highlights)! All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post letting me know which gift guide is your favorite or which one you would like to see (if I missed it!).

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Holidays

11.25.18

A Tree for Every Room

This time last year we were packing up our apartment, preparing to move into our house, knowing that we probably wouldn’t have time to go crazy with the Christmas decorations. We only had our regular Christmas tree up in the living room and that was it… no wreaths, no garland, just our main tree. This year we decided to do things a little differently and add a few more trees to the house because… why not? They make everything so much happier and inviting! Today I’m excited to take you through each room and show you the trees that we found to fit each space so perfectly.

filmed by Morgan Martin

First up: the living room! We went from a 7.5 ft. flocked tree last year to a 9 ft. tree this year and love the difference it makes. Our living room is one of the few rooms in the house that have taller ceilings so I knew I wanted to take advantage of them this year. I love the look of a tree with a little bit of faux snow on it and makes me feel like we’re bringing some of the outdoors in without having to get a real tree. I absolutely love real trees but I also love not having to clean up the needles or having to string lights. The 9ft Pre-Lit Haven Flocked Pine Christmas Tree from At Home fits perfectly in the corner beside our tv stand and I decided to decorate with all neutrals but add in some green ornaments since the branches were extra white. Plus, I just love green, especially the darker shades. At Home is a total Christmas decorating magical winter wonderland and has everything you could possibly need when it comes to Christmas decorations. No matter what color scheme you’re looking for, theme you’re wanting, they have it. They have color schemes I didn’t even know were color schemes. I decorated with mainly white, silver, and green ornaments and added in a few pine cones and other “statement” ornaments like this one and this one.

Moving on to my office space… I found this 3 Piece Unlit Greune Flocked Christmas Tree Set (which, by the way is about 60% off this weekend for Black Friday if you live near an At Home store. Regularly $69.99 but on sale for only $29.99!) Anyways, these guys are so perfect for any area where you don’t want a full tree but want to fill the space with something festive. I have them right beside my desk underneath where my calendar is hung and they make my long workdays so much brighter! I love how simple they are and how they don’t need any ornaments or lights to feel complete. Each tree is a different height too (3ft, 4ft, 5ft) so the variety adds so much dimension to a space but you can also place them in different spots around the house too. These would be great to bring to your office at work too or if you own a shop and want to decorate around a register area.

Last, but not least, is our bedroom tree. Adding a tree to the bedroom was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made all year. There is nothing like getting in bed early, turning off all of the lights, and reading a book or listening to calming music with the glow of Christmas lights. The tree we ended up getting for our bedroom is definitely unique though. It might look like your traditional artificial tree, but you can talk to this tree and tell it what type of lights you want meaning you can literally get in bed and not have to get up to turn it off… you just tell it “turn off”. It’s called the 7.5’ Pre-Lit Light Command Christmas Tree. You can tell it to do “all white”, “all-multi”, “white fade” (my favorite), “white twinkle” and “multi twinkle”, and a few others. For ornaments, we stuck to tans, browns, and other creamy neutrals. If you don’t know what type of color scheme you want to use this year, take a look at At Home’s Holiday HQ page here. The page includes different “Christmas Collections” depending on what your style is. You can go a colorful route with the Christmas Carnival collection, stick with whites with the Arctic Ice, do all blues with Winter Sky, and so many more. I picked ornaments from both the “Winter’s Evergreen” collection and the “Holiday Glitz”. You’ll get SO inspired seeing all of the options and how everything is organized in the store.

If you still have some decorating to do around the house, get inspired with all of the At Home Christmas Collections and, remember, there’s no limit on how many trees can be in your home!

Thank you to At Home Stores for sponsoring this post.

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Entertaining & Recipes

11.14.18

Thanksgiving on the Grill

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

Can you believe Thanksgiving is in a week?! This past weekend TJ and I decided to try out a bunch of Thanksgiving recipes (after realizing we had never cooked our own turkey before), to invite some family over, and have a pre-Thanksgiving meal outdoors to enjoy our patio one last time before it gets too cold. Grilling and outdoor dining is usually seen as a summer activity but my family has always cooked turkey and other foods on the grill on Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember. There is something about being outside with family in the crisp fall air with yellow leaves everywhere and a bonfire that makes me so happy. We decided to take advantage of our charcoal grill and grill some of our favorite Thanksgiving staples along with our other classic go-to dishes.

If you’re new to grilling or don’t know where to start, we have a few recommended essentials. We’ve been using a Weber Charcoal Grill and always pick up Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes because it’s easy, only takes 15 minutes to heat up, is made with natural ingredients, and gives the food the perfect amount of smoky flavor. We always stock up with the 2-pack when we’re at The Home Depot because we never know when we’ll want to grill dinner at the last minute!

Our menu for the afternoon looked like this:

Smoked Turkey
Grilled Brie topped with Fresh Cranberry Sauce and Grilled French Bread (a great appetizer or dessert)
Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Mac & Cheese
Greenbean Casserole
Mashed Cauliflower
Cornbread Stuffing & Gravy

(We bought all of our food ingredients from Trader Joe’s including my favorite mini brie bites. I’ll share some of our recipes down below:)

Smoked Turkey:

12 lb pre-brined turkey

½ cup of dry rub (we used the Weber Dry Rub)

Pecan wood chips

This recipe is fairly easy with the pre-brined turkey. Once thawed, pat dry and let sit for about an hour. While the turkey is sitting, you can prepare the Kingsford charcoal briquettes and begin to soak your wood chips. For this recipe we smoked the turkey using the Weber grill. If you don’t have a traditional smoker, you can smoke meat by using indirect heat. When ready, place the briquettes along the sides of the grill, with a drip pan set in the middle. Pre-heat the grill to about 250-275 degrees for medium heat cooking.

Once the turkey has rested for an hour, begin adding the dry rub to the turkey. You may want to use canola oil or olive oil before applying the dry rub, but that is optional. Once the turkey is ready, set it on the grill. Add your wood chips on top of the charcoal briquettes and they will start to release the smoke to give an awesome flavor!

Keep an eye on the temperature of the grill and the turkey. You will want to use a meat thermometer and ensure the turkey gets to 165 degrees internally. The turkey took about 5.5 hours to cook fully, and we ended up adding charcoal about 6-7 times to maintain the heat levels.

Once the turkey reaches 165 degrees, remove from the grill and let rest for about 20 minutes. When all your other dishes are ready, cut and enjoy that good, smokey flavor! Serves 4-5.

Grilled Brie:

Mini Brie cheese wheels

French bread baguette

Cranberry sauce

This was another fairly easy recipe, but so good! We got the idea from one of our favorite restaurants. After the turkey was removed from the grill we added a fresh pile of Kingsford charcoal and cleaned off the grates. Add 7-8 mini Brie cheese wheels along the outside of the grilling surface. Along with the Brie, we placed small slices of the french baguette to get them warm and toasty.

It does not take too long for the cheese and bread to get toasted, so keep an eye on them. Remove from the grill once there are defined grill lines on the outside of the cheese and on each side of the baguette.

The restaurant we frequent adds a raspberry sauce to their Brie, but the cranberry sauce we found at Trader Joe’s was just as perfect. This is the perfect appetizer and can easily feed a crowd before dinner is served. Serves 3-4.

Green bean Casserole:

24 oz of pre-cut green beans

¼ cup sweet onion

½ cup portabello mushrooms (we skipped this ingredient, but I am sure it is good!)

2 tbsp of butter

1 box Trader Joes Cream of Mushroom soup

1 cup fried onion straws

1 handful Swiss cheese

⅓ cup water

This was another first for us in making Green Bean Casserole. Luckily, we found a good recipe on the back of the fried onion straw box.First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Start by melting your butter in a large skillet. Once melted, add the portabello mushrooms and saute until they begin to lightly brown. Add the onion and saute along with the mushrooms. As onions begin to get soft, add the green beans and heat through.

Add cream of mushroom soup and water to the skillet with the green beans, onions, and mushrooms. Once heated transfer to a casserole dish. Top with the fried onion straws and Swiss cheese. Place in oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Remove and serve promptly. Serves 4-5.

Mashed Cauliflower:

2 medium heads of cauliflower

6 oz. cream cheese

⅓ cup milk

Salt

Pepper

Chives to garnish

Add water to a large pot and bring to a boil. Remove cauliflower florets from stem and boil until florets are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove cauliflower from water and dry well, getting rid of excess water. Return cauliflower to pot and mash together with potato masher until there are no large clumps.

Add cream cheese and milk to pot and heat through, stirring frequently. Use salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and garnish with chives and/or butter. Serves 4-5.

Cornbread Stuffing & Gravy and Mac and Cheese: For these, we went with the pre-made stuff at TJ’s… when it’s good, it’s good and a great time-saving hack. Their regular frozen mac ‘n cheese tastes almost identical to our homemade recipe… it’s so good.

I kept the tablescape fairly simple with my eucalyptus garland and mini faux white and green pumpkins. This was the first time that TJ and I made this much food for one meal and it was great practice for the real deal next week! We’ll for sure be re-making most of these for our extended family next Thursday. My sister & her family along with my grandma (and cousins) will be in town and I’m so excited! Thanksgiving is for sure one of my favorite holidays… it’s also the busiest but I’m excited for the holidays to be here!

I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the promotional program described above (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

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