Casual Holiday Style

It's always when you aren't looking for something specific, you find the most perfect piece, isn't it? Ryan and I were on the hunt for something for him to wear to a cocktail party a couple of weeks ago. While he was finishing up in the fitting room I (naturally) browsed my section and stumbled on this shirt (and this sweater, which you can see on instagram). 

I had a couple of Christmas parties lined up so I knew I would wear it for one of them! While I (kind of) dressed it up a bit with these velvet booties, I think this would look equally adorable with a pair of skinny jeans and flats. 

I kept the accessories to a minimum because the sleeves speak for themselves and make a statement all on their own! The sleeves were so much fun and surprisingly didn't get in the way like I thought they would!

I won't be blogging Monday for obvious reasons, so I will see you back here next Wednesday. I hope you all have a wonderful, merry Christmas filled with lots of love and family. Although it's fun to get presents, let's not forget the true reason we celebrate Christmas. 

Outfit Details:

Top: H&M /// Jeans: Loft /// Shoes: DSW 

Our Holiday Cards with Minted

Thank you to Minted for sponsoring this post. Although sponsored, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own

There's a lot of things I love about the holiday season-more time with extended family, seeing the excitement and anticipation of my girls, and getting holiday cards in the mail. I must say, checking the mail every day during the holidays is much more fun that the rest of the year, is it not? Between packages and cards from family and friends, each mail day is so much more enjoyable.

I have been using Minted for the past several years for our Christmas cards (and Valentine's for the girls, and even prints for their bedrooms). Their selection each year gets better and better, and the whole website makes the process from start to finish easy and quick!

One of the options that Minted includes with their cards is getting mailing addresses, as well as your return address printed on the envelopes. They give you the option to upload a spreadsheet (if you already have one with addresses) or you can enter in your recipients addresses one by one-sounds tedious but it's actually not terrible, and once it's done, it's saved for future use! What's even sweeter, is you can choose from a variety of images/fonts for the recipient and return addresses-there are so many options! 

We didn't get professional family photos done this year-time just seemed to slip away from us! Because of that, I knew I wanted an option that had multiple images so I could incorporate pictures that I snapped on my phone. Not as fancy as using professional photos, but totally us! Ella helped me during the whole process-it was fun to have her input! They have a lot of really adorable foil pressed cards, holiday ornament cards, and even New Year's cards for those who are a little late to the game! 

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

Coated in Camel

Hope you all had a great weekend and are gearing up for the holiday! Can't believe we are one week away from Christmas! The only thing I have left to do is get a few stocking stuffers for the girls and we are all set!

I have off on Mondays, so I will be spending the day today wrapping all of the girls presents-my least favorite thing to do! I feel like when you become a Mom you should automatically inherit the ability to wrap presents beautifully! Unfortunately, that isn't the case...I am still terrible at wrapping! 

I wore this outfit over the weekend- we had a great time visiting my family for our annual Christmas party. Ryan and I had a couple of errands to run so I tossed on this easy, casual look. So comfy an perfect for an everyday look!

Outfit Details:

Jacket: Old Navy (similar) /// Sweater: Old Navy /// Jeans: Loft (similar) /// Shoes: Target 

Weekly Series: OOTD Roundup

Another week, another post sharing my weekly outfits that don't make it to the blog! I have to say my blue Loft sweater was a hit this week, as was my Elizabeth & West sweater. I loved them both, and they were totally cozy! 

I hope you've been enjoying these weekly roundups-I enjoy documenting them and sharing them with you all!

Hope you all have a great weekend...I'm headed back home for a family Christmas party! 

Jacket: J.Crew Factory /// Sweater: Loft /// Jean: Old Navy /// Scarf: Loft /// Shoe: Converse

Sweatshirt: Elizabeth & West /// Jeans: Old Navy /// Shoes: Converse

Sweater: Elizabeth & West /// Jeans: Old Navy /// Shoes: Sole Society

The Merriest of Sweaters

There was just something about this sweater that I absolutely fell in love with. It was one of those online purchases that you really hope works out when it arrives. 

Not only was the red color just so rich, but I loved the detail and the fact that it cropped! I dressed it up last week one day for work, and decided to take it for a more casual spin on Sunday for church and our usual Sunday errands. 

It's really low in stock, so I made sure to find other gorgeously red sweaters for you to check out! 

Outfit Details

Jacket: Old Navy /// Scarf: Old Navy /// Sweater: Asos (see similar options below) /// Jean: Old Navy /// Shoes: Adidas /// Hat: Elizabeth & West (old, similar) 

Navy + Mustard

There's something about navy and mustard together that I love...I think they just go together so well! When I got this sweater, I was trying to think of how to style it. I knew jeans and booties but wanted to add a little more to it-the navy jacket was the perfect finishing touch! 

Navy can be tough sometimes because it can give off a black vibe in certain light, but I loved just how navy this jacket looked against the mustard.

I wore this last weekend when Ryan and I were away at Bedford Springs. I ended up wearing it for the car ride home, and it was surprisingly comfortable! I typically like to travel in super comfy clothes so I was hesitant about having to sit in the car for several hours, but the sweater (and even the jeans) were perfect! 

Outfit Details:

Jacket: Old Navy /// Sweater: Loft /// Jeans: Old Navy /// Shoes: Sole Society

Friday Series: OOTD Roundup

Sooooo this week only consists of three outfits, because I forgot to document Tuesday's outfit-oops! As I type this, I notice that I have a thing for cropped sweaters and high waisted pants! Never thought I would be one for anything cropped but I must say I love it! 

Outfit Details:

Hoodie Cardigan: Loft /// Tee: H&M /// Leggings: Spanx via Nordstrom /// Shoes: Target

Outfit Details:

Sweater: Free People /// Jean: Target /// Shoes: DSW

Outfit Details:

Sweater: Asos  (cute options: here, here, here) /// Pants: Loft /// Shoes: Target (old, similar)

Holiday Gift Guide: For Her

This gift guide is always a fun one for me to curate because I love to pick things that I know I would love (duh) and that my girlfriends would love! I tried to include all kinds of different price points so you should have a bunch of different options for all of the gals in your life! Happy shopping!'

GLAMboard: I have this and absolutely love it. It's perfect for countertop storage and even better when you don't have a ton of storage space.

Felt Letter Board: Something like this would be such a cute housewarming gift. I know lots of gals who would love something like this...it's the perfect gift!

Anastasia Sundipped Glow Kit: Got a beauty junkie in your life? This is perfect! Palettes are easy because depending on what they are, they can be an all in one gift. Pair it with a makeup brush set and you have a complete gift!

Apple Watch: This is quite the expensive gift, but one that would be loved for sure. I for one would love an Apple Watch. The price tag scares me a bit and is something I personally would never just buy for myself so asking for it for Christmas is the perfect alternative!

Jo Malone Cologne: I have heard great things about these scents, plus you can't go wrong with a little perfume for a gift!

Blair Ritchey Tote: If you follow my blog, you know I am quite the fan of Blair Ritchey Handbags, and I always include some of her items in my gift guide because they make the perfect gift. Such great quality, investment pieces that you will use season after season!

Robyn Rhodes Mien Necklace: All of her pieces are amazing, but this particular one is a favorite of mine because it's a classic neutral and handmade in the USA!

Belle Beauty Kisser Fixer: I have this in both the True Nude and the Berry Nude and love both! The color lasts and I love how you have the option of wearing it matte or with gloss!

Himalayan Salt Foot Care Set: I could really use something like this, and I know a lot of gals who could use it too! I love that it's a whole set-makes such a sweet gift!

French Press: I know absolutely nothing about coffee, but I do know this would make a great gift for a girlfriend or even a hostess gift! Affordable but chic enough to leave out on the counter!

Vans Sneakers: My slip on Vans are a go-to for me. I love the neutral sparkle of these-perfect for everyday wear!

Ugg Slippers: Pricey, but from what I hear, totally worth it. I have the knock off Target version and they don't hold up nearly as good as the Ugg ones do. Totally worth the price tag to be able to wear them year after year.

Blair Ritchey Petite Origami Envelope: Again, another item that is so adorable and functional. A cute little addition to any handbag!

Marble Floral Watch: Ok, I love this watch. I think it's so adorable, and it comes in several different colors.

Cozy Weekend Wear + Little Life Lessons

Hope you all had a great weekend! If you follow me on instagram, you saw that Ryan surprised me with a little weekend away to Bedford Springs. If you have never been, I highly recommend it. It was our first time there (which is hard to believe), but it certainly won't be our last. Our anniversary is in April, and we are already planning a long weekend there. It was magical at Christmas but I would love to see it in the spring! 

While we don't get away just the two of us as much as we would like to (hellooooo kids and budgets!), we do try to every once in a while. Our marriage isn't perfect but one thing we have learned over our 12 1/2 years of marriage, and one thing we have gotten pretty good at, is knowing how important it is to make time for each other. We explained to the girls that we hope one day they end up with someone who treats them the way Ryan treats me, and also how important it is to spend time together without kids. We reminded them that before being Mommy and Daddy we were husband and wife (or as Charlotte says, "ewww were you boyfriend and girlfriend?!" LOL!) and that it's important to make time for each other. I am sure it fell on deaf ears being that they are so young, but you've got to toss in those little life lessons when you can! 

Now onto the outfit! I wore this when we were home for Thanksgiving. It was perfectly cozy, and not the first time (or the last) that I wore the cardigan. I've worn this out and about, but also lounging at home. I'd say it's the perfect wear-all-the-time caridgan. While I am wearing a large and love it, I would say it's probably safe to size down! 

Outfit Details:

Sweater: Express /// Top: Target /// Jeans: Old Navy /// Shoes: Vans via Zappos /// Hat: Elizabeth & West (old, similar)