25 Days of Christmas

Now that Thanksgiving is over I can officially get in the holiday spirit. I've been waiting to start listening to Christmas music until just after Thanksgiving. Along with Christmas comes ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas. These movies make me so excited for the holiday season. Here's the schedule! Ahh I'm so excited!

These are the my favorite Christmas movie titles!

•The Polar Express

•The Santa Clause

•The Santa Clause 2

•Elf

•How The Grinch Stole Christmas

•Home Alone

•Home Alone 2

xoxox

I ♡ Winter Tag

With winter rolling around it seems like the perfect time for the I ♡ Winter Tag! I don't love Winter all that much, but I love Christmas. Honestly, who doesn't? The season is just so cozy and fun! I was going to make this into a video, but honestly I'm way to lazy to edit that whole thing together ha ha. Let's just get onto the questions!

1. Favorite Winter Nail Polish?

My favorite has to be Jade is the New Black by OPI. It is like a dark green color and oh so perfect.

2. Favorite Winter Lip Product?

I've been obsessed with the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable balm stain in the shade Romantic. It is the perfect red shade for the winter and is a totally wearable bright color. 

3. Most Worn Winter Clothing Piece?

My coat or boots. I basically live in both of those.

4. Most Worn Winter Accessory?

Probably gloves because my hands get so dry and cold! I especially love the tech-friendly loves so I can still use my phone while wearing them!

5. Favorite Winter Scent/Candle?

I love Slatkin and Co.'s candle called Flannel. It smells like Abercrombie which everyone seems to hate, but honestly I love the smell. 

6. Favorite Winter Beverage?

If we're talking something warm I love apple cider. But if we're talking New Year's Eve I'm obsessed with Martinelli's sparkling juices. So good and festive!

7. All Time Favorite Christmas Movie?

Home Alone 1 and 2, Santa Clause 1 and 2, and  Elf. 

 8. Favorite Christmas Song?

Mistletoe by Justin Bieber. I just die.

9. Favorite Holiday Food?

Chocolate covered pretzels or reindeer cookies! Delish!

10. What is your favorite Christmas decoration?

I've always loved the Christmas lights, but I also love having garland hung around the banister of the stairs and over the archway to our front door.

11. What's at the top of your Christmas list?

I think either a polaroid camera (want one so bad) or an iPad mini.

12. What are your plans for the holidays this year?
Just relaxing at home. That is my favorite way to spend the two weeks off school!

If you're reading this I tag you to do it! Leave a link if you do this tag!

xoxox

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope your day is filled with good food and great people! Eat lots of turkey and other yummy food! And don't forget to go Black Friday shopping! Every year we host Thanksgiving at my house and 40 people come! It's a great time, although I'll let you in on a little secret: I hate Thanksgiving food. I'm a pretty picky eater, but for me I just hate all of the different foods on Thanksgiving. But that doesn't mean I hate the holiday! I love getting together with my family and then going Black Friday shopping! And my sister is home from college, so that is great too! Her friend actually is here too!

Anyways I hope y'all (I'm not southern, what am I trying to do...) have an amazing Thanksgiving! Enjoy the day!

Here are ten things I'm thankful for:

1. My amazing family, I have no idea where I would be without them.

2. My friends that I definitely do not appreciate enough.

3. My parents for always supporting me in everything that I choose to do.

4. This blog that has provided so many opportunities for me.

5. My computer, I know this is shallow, but it completes me.

6. God, who always is there for me.

7. My sister who helps me through everything (and the inverse).

8. My brother who has taught me that passion is everything.

9. My grandparents for always being there for me.

10. California, because it is where I belong to live (sorry, I just had to put it in my top 10). 

xx

Winter Makeup

I used to be extremely addicted to makeup. It was pretty bad because I would want to buy so much makeup everywhere I went. My mom basically cut me off from buying makeup and ever since I really haven't bought any. Last year for Christmas I received both the Naked and the Naked 2 palettes by Urban Decay so I was pretty set. Recently though I've been a little more interested in purchasing makeup. My skin is just so sensitive to anything that I put on it though, so I'm super careful. Clinique breaks me out, Nars breaks me out. I just never know what to use anymore! But luckily my eyes are never sensitive to any products that I use. That would be a real pain. Even though I do have both Naked palettes I'm still looking to invest in some more high end makeup products. I really don't have that much makeup so a few new additions could be needed. Here are the items I'm adoring for winter makeup.

Trish McEvoy Mascara // Nars Palette // Mac Mineralize Skinfinish // Chanel Plum Eyeliner // Clinique Concealer // Bare Minerals Powder

xx

Touches of Chic

I've noticed that on Pinterest lately many of my favorite style images are super easy to recreate. They all seem to have pretty basic and neutral pieces paired together in such an amazing way. There are little elements of chicness thrown into an outfit in such an effortless way. These looks to me give me great inspiration on how I style basic pieces.

The outfits are so basic, but look so perfect. I especially love the third look with Mary from Happily Grey. Her style is absolutely stunning and if you don't follow her on instagram than you definitely should for daily style updates and inspiration. The stripes and the gray sweater along with the statement necklace look so put together, but not too busy. 

xoxox

Holiday Update

I was feeling a little update on my blog. I've been really thinking about actually getting my blog professionally designed, but then again I change my blog so often that I should just keep to designing it myself. This style is inspired by the holiday season! I'm loving the cranberry and the pine tree colors for this holiday so that's what I used in my newest design. I think that it needed a little bit of a tone down from the pastel colors that were more "spring-ish". I'll definitely be re-designing it soon, so don't get too comfortable. I'm really just never satisfied with blog design. 

Before :: 

After :: 

What color scheme do you want to see next?

Also stay tuned for holiday gift guides! I've got plenty coming your way!

xoxox

Sunday Morning

Ahh those mornings when you sleep in a little later. You wake up to the street traffic. It's sunny and bright. You hit the town for brunch, or the local donut shop for a sweet and delicious breakfast. The morning can even consist of going for a walk in the park or taking an easy bike ride. These are my ideal Sunday mornings. I think that Sunday is taken for granted. Sunday is the perfect day for relaxation, yet with the hustle and bustle of the week approaching it seems to be a tense day for me. I'm really trying to re-think my homework schedule and try to get it done before Sunday so I can just enjoy my Sunday. I even have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to my ideal Sunday Morning. I'm pretty obsessed with this board.

Happy Sunday!

xoxox

20 Facts About Me

Hey there. I just saw Adalia from Sequins & Florals do a post called 20 things about me. I really loved learning more about her so I was inspired to do my own version of the post. So...here are 20 facts about me!

1. I was born in October, but I hate the fall.

2. I so badly want to move to California. It is my favorite place in the world.

3. I have naturally curly/wavy hair. The hair in the picture above is my natural hair.

4. I hate coffee.

5. My favorite song at the moment is Slow Down by Selena Gomez.

6. I hate working out, unless I'm dancing. 

7. I especially hate running.

8. You'll always find me wearing my hair in a ponytail.

9. I love makeup, but I hardly ever wear it.

10. My favorite foods are chicken nuggets, fruit snacks and gluten-free pasta.

11. I always have bags under my eyes no matter how much sleep I get. 

12. My MacBook Pro is basically my best friend.

13. Thirteen is my favorite number.

14. I hardly ever get acne.

15. Valentines Day and New Years Eve are my favorite movies.

16. I used to make music videos all the time when I was younger.

17. I only like Apple products. I cannot stand PC's. 

18. I would love to work for a magazine when I get older.

19. I am bi-polar about random things. One day I hate it, the next I love it.

20. I suck at math.

I hope you learned something new about me!

Happy Weekend + Links

This week has gone by pretty fast, but unfortunately I am sick! I'm actually glad to be sick now, rather than winter break which is when I usually get sick. Last year I missed my last final because I was so ill! But I'm getting my bad cold now so hopefully it will take its turn and then leave my system until next year! So I did a post like this last week and I really like these. I think they are just a fun way to end the week! And the photo above is just too cute!

-I've been obsessed with Sugar Paper LA and love Caroline's post about it

-I desperately need these running shoes, but the black is on backorder until January #bummer

-I'm in love with all of Essie's latest collections

-I need these shorts from Brandy

-I've been having a sweet tooth for drinks and my Sweet Sippin' board is perfect for drink consultation

Happy Weekend!

xx

Tumblr

I seem to be a tad late on catching the bandwagon of tumblr. I just recently figured out how to actually use it and I'm starting to love it. I've caught myself on it a lot and reposting pictures of all sorts of cool stuff. It's funny though because my tumblr is the complete opposite of this blog. This blog is all preppy and classy and my tumblr blog is surfer and wild. I really like my tumblr and I think that having both of these "blogs" show the mix between my personality. Some days I dress ultra-classy with pearls and polos, etc. Other days I like to have a more laid back vibe with Brandy Melville graphic tees and skirts. 

Anyways, so other than my tumblr I've been reading other tumblr's too! I have a few favorites and these are them! 

PS::comment below if you have a tumblr with a link so I can check yours out too!

This is my tumblr and it's so different from this blog.

I've already posted about Shannon Barker the blogger behind this tumblr, but I'm legit obsessed with this tumblr. 

The Humans of New York tumblr is probably one of the coolest tumblrs ever. It has such cool images and cool stories behind each picture. 

And...

Happy Birthday to my beautiful mother! I love her so much and I honestly couldn't live without her. Thank you for everything you do, mom, and I love you to infinity and beyond. 

xx

LBD

With Thanksgiving coming up in just a few days, and Christmas along the way I've been looking out for dresses to wear this holiday season. I've been drawn to classic black this season, but also lots of sparkle. I'm not sure why, but this year I've been even more drawn to sequins and sparkles even more than before. Gold in particular! But for this post I'm focusing on the "little black dress". I really don't own a LBD, but I'm hoping to invest in a nice one that can be worn on multiple occasions. I've been loving these.

All are from Shopbop. Comment below for any specific dress!

xx

The Carrie Diaries

Okay, so my photoshoots were entirely rained out. I was so excited to go to my Grandma's this weekend and she has this beautiful big pond in her backyard and I was supposed to have photoshoots with my cousin Carly and it was super warm too! But, sadly it poured both Saturday and Sunday. It was so windy it was basically a hurricane mixed with a tornado yesterday. We were in TJ Maxx and everyone was freaking out because the rain sounded like hail pounding on the windows. Needless to say, it was insane. So my photoshoots didn't happen. I'm sorry because I was so looking forward to doing outfit posts! Over this weekend I think I'm going to do a Thanksgiving Outfit ideas video along with maybe a makeup tutorial and hair tutorial. Let me know if you want to see that because I definitely want to film that!

So after that little rant the main purpose of this post is to talk about my absolute new favorite show. The Carrie Diaries. It came out a little while ago, but I just have caught on to the trend. I'm instantly hooked! I went through the first season in a week and am now starting on the second season. I'm not sure where the episodes are today, because unlike when I was watching Gossip Girl, the show is still on air. The whole idea of the prequel before Sex and the City is super fun and I love the characters and the whole plot.

Basically Carrie is a high school student, but her dad lands her an internship at a law firm in Manhattan. She lives in Castlebury, Connecticut only an hour away from Manhattan, New York. On her first day she meets Larissa her new friend who happens to work for Interview magazine. Soon after she becomes engulfed in Larissa's world and eventually starts to work for Interview. I don't want to give too much away, but that's just a little plot summary of the show. I'm obsessed with the 80's vibe the show gives off. It is such a fun show and I'm obsessed with Austin Butler in it because he is #beautiful, I'm actually in love with him. 

xx

Sunday Pinnings

So, my photoshoots have had a little delay since it's been nothing but gloomy and rainy here in Chicago. I'm still trying to get some photoshoots done today, but I'd rather take pictures outside than inside, but I'll still try to get some done!

Here are some of my favorite pins of the week!

I'm obsessed with the first pin of a little apartment in Paris! The other pin is so fun with the penguin sweater and the actual penguins! I'm in love with the interior elements of pin number three. My favorite by far is the last pin--the little boy in the Vineyard Vines shep shirt is si mignon! I don't even know if I just used that right because I don't know any French ha ha! 

xx

Street Style

It seems that I have a Pinterest addiction. I always find myself pinning on-the-go with my iPhone or whenever I'm bored late at night scrolling through endless pins. I think my favorite thing about Pinterest is the fashion inspiration. I have recently been noticing street style. The looks are so fabulous, and they often use pretty simple pieces. For me it's nice to see these looks because I can always try to recreate them. These are some of my favorite street style looks. 

I don't know if you are as obsessed as I am, but I just love these looks! All of the pieces are so basic to me and use lots of neutrals, but are pulled together in such a unique and chic way. I'm hooked!

xx

Happy Weekend + Links

I've seen a lot of people do posts like this recently so I thought, why not give it a try!

Anyways happy weekend to everyone! This week has been a little hectic although it was only a four-day week. I'm just glad to have the weekend to relax and sleep. I'm going to my grandma's with my cousin over the weekend, but don't worry I'll still post. Some fall photo shoots will definitely take place there, so more up next week! 

-dying to try a virgin rendition of this ginger sparkler sounds so good!

-obsessed with this bcbgmaxazria dress

-loving my new board on pinterest of all adorable pups "man's best friend" 

-definitely adding this to my christmas list :: polaroid camera

-also really wanting an iPad mini for christmas...

-obsessed with these boots like i actually want them so badly

xx

Vineyard Vines Event

Last night was so much fun because I went to a Vineyard Vines party at the brand new Vineyard Vines in Chicago! The party was an absolute blast! The store was super crowded and chaotic when I first arrived, but as the night wore on it calmed down. They had a ton of employees dressed in their Vineyard Vines apparel (not that they regularly aren't) and they had live music which was fun too! Also they were giving away the cutest whale hats! I managed to snag three! They also had an open bar and tons of snacks. I enjoyed San Pellegrino and whale cookies the whole night! The shopping was fun too! All of the employees are so sweet and helped you find anything that you need! And 10% of all sales went to charity #bonus! But wait, there's more! With every $25 purchase you received a free gift card! I haven't figured out how much the gift card is worth, but still it's so fun!

Here are some snapshots from my super fun night! It was such a great time and I had so much fun! At first my parents really did not want to take me, but then they agreed to go if I drove, so I did! I have my permit, but I had never driven on the highway before, but it was not as scary as it seemed! Anyways, here are the pictures!

By the way, not my best night for pictures I look super bad in all of them!

Meeting Shep & Ian #foundersofVV!

Every day should feel this good!

Met up with one of my friends from drill who is like the ultimate prepster!

The supah cute hats that they were giving out!

The supah cute and supah yummy cookies! And they match my VV bracelet ha ha!

xx

Is it Christmas yet?

I don't know about you, but I have seen a lot of Christmas stuff hitting stores and online as well. Pinterest is overflowing with holiday cheer and I'm not sure I'm ready! I think I need to get past Thanksgiving before I really get into the Christmas spirit, but that didn't stop me from creating a Holly Jolly Christmas board. 

I'm still in fall mode, but it's feeling more like winter as each day passes. On Monday, it was snowing! It was wild snow too! I really just hate fall and winter, gasp I know. I think that fall everything turns ugly to me, but I do enjoy early October when everything is pretty and orange and red. But, as fall continues into November and December, I just don't like the cold. And for some reason my life seems to be boring at these points and in the spring my life brightens up and is great!

I don't know, but still, although I don't like winter, I still do love Christmas. Here's a little peek at my Christmas Pinterest board and be sure to follow it for more holiday related pins!

xx

Fall Playlist

I have been listening to more and more music as the school year drags on and I need some study and homework tunes. I don't really have a specific style of music that I like, but I usually just catch on to some of the music trends, but also find some of my own kind of music. 

I have been loving Lorde's new album. I know that everyone is obsessed with her, but she truly is exceptional. She's so talented it's hard to believe that she's only sixteen. I remember hearing Royals over the summer at dance camp, but her new album Pure Heroine is absolutely perfect. 

The other random music I listen to is a compilation of music my dad listens to (he has the best taste in music) and other random tracks that I find. Here is my current playlist.

xx

Leaves Finally Falling

I am again off school today, so I think I'll just be taking the day easy and relaxing. But last night I went to my cousin Carly's house for a Sunday night dinner. She was so excited to do a fall photoshoot, but failed to inform me of her ideas. So, I didn't have my camera or tripod on hand, but we made the best of it and just used my phone! The pictures actually turned out pretty great and I really love them!

Here's a look at our fall OOTD's. By the way, it ended up just basically being an artsy photoshoot, so that's really what we did ha ha.

I am obsessed with this last photo. The light is perfect!

Carly ::

sweater-nordstrom rack

leggings-aeropostale

boots-uggs

Katelyn ::

sweater-ann taylor loft

cords-gap

xx

Sunday Pinnings

I've bene pretty obsessed with Pinterest lately, pinning every little thing that I find. I always find myself on my phone during school pinning anything that catches my eye, or on my laptop later on when I'm looking for inspiration for blogging. Here are a few of my faves from recently. 

I am obsessed with Sloane's bedroom. It is legit perf.

My sister and I are actually Kendall and Kylie.

I love knee highs! I just don't know if I can pull them off/how to style them.

These look so good! I've been having a major sweet tooth lately and these would definitely satisfy it!

xx