Converse Sneakers

Converse 'Shoreline' Sneakers

Converse sneakers have been around forever. We all know them. And I never thought I would own a pair, they just aren't my "style". However, these 'Shoreline' slip-on versions in white are so cute and have a fun, preppy vibe as opposed to the 90's grunge look they have always reminded me of. I have been dancing around the idea of grabbing myself a pair and finally decided to cash in my Ebates to do so. (Paying off student loans AND saving up for a house does not allow for random purchases without having additional funds coming in from somewhere...)

SO. I am anxiously awaiting their arrival and have already been planning outfits in my head. Here is one combo that is sure to happen.

Jeans + Stripes + Army green = no-fail outfit 

Jeans

long-sleeve

short-sleeve

Green jacket (with fun lace detail!)

Chevron necklace for a fun final touch

A great, comfy, casual, yet put-together look, don't you think? 

These shoes would even look cute with a striped t-shirt dress!

Billbong

Outfit Replication

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Another outfit by With Love From Kat that I love.  This feels very "New York" to me, chic and polished. This outfit is built using classic pieces we should all have in our closet. (I'm still trying to get my hands on the perfect black leather jacket!

These are the same shoes Kat wears in the outfit. Expensive, but definitely worth the splurge

High-rise black skinny jeans

Jeans go with everything, so does a chambray top!

This may just be the faux leather jacket I've been searching for! Inexpensive and classic lines. Designed by Cupcakes and Cashmere, another blogger I love!

 And a go-with-everything grey scarf in a fun basket-stitch pattern to tie it all together.

Valentine's Day Sweets

This is my first Valentine's Day married to my favorite man. So, I am trying to make this a special one! Not that they all won't be special :) I'm all about adding special touches. Don't just buy, make, or do something because "that's what you do" on Valentine's Day; make it unique to you and your sweet life together. It will be that much more appreciated when an effort is made to show how much you really care and that you aren't doing something just because you feel like you should.

Am I right?

Ok, moving on.

I love baking and make any excuse to do so! My husband loves the cookie cakes from Great American Cookie. We even ordered one for his groom's cake! So I thought what if I get him one of those heart shaped ones for Valentine's Day, but then I decided I could just bake one! And then realized I didn't know how to make it heart-shaped...so, I ended up baking individual chocolate chip cookies and using heart-shaped cookie cutters to shape them. (I cut the dough but they turned into blobs anyway so I just cut them after they baked) I have lots of chocolate chip cookie recipes, but for this I just used the one on the Nestle Toll House chocolate chip packaging. So. Good. They know what they are doing...THEN! I found a recipe from Tidy Mom for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frosting! I decided to make cookie sandwiches with the frosting in between. SO GOOD! And to make it extra festive, I put red crystals on the frosting peeking out from the sandwich. He's going to love them! (And I will, too!)

They turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. (Displayed on the cutest ruffled cupcake stand from TJ Maxx, a Christmas gift from my sweet mother-in-law!)

Another delicious (and decadent!) option are individual Molten Chocolate Cakes. I've made these many times and LOVE THEM. They are super easy to make and taste like they're from a high-end french bakery.

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These delicious desserts are sure to impress anyone! And not just on Valentine's Day :)

Enjoy!

Outfit Replication

So, one of my favorite things about blogs is all of the inspiration I get for outfits! Which is so fun but then I also see things that I want to BUY! Yikes, so I just wait until things go on sale and use birthday, Christmas, Ebates money :)

Here is one outfit from the beautiful blog With Love From Kat. She has a very classic, sometimes boho style that I love. Her pieces can be pricey (she has good taste!), but it's fun to replicate her looks with less expensive versions. This is a great outfit that's not fussy, but you still look put-together. Will be a great one to take you from winter to pre-spring!

Enjoy!

The Inspiration - love the soft, cozy feel with the creamy colors, fur vest, and suede booties

Dark wash skinny jeans

Lightweight creamy sweater

Love the colors of this fur vest

Fun arrowhead necklace that adds a touch of bohemian whimsy

Suede booties are the perfect touch to any outfit

Now just add your gold arm party, favorite go-to brown leather bag, and best Jackie-O sunglasses for a look that's sure to be your new favorite :)

Disney at Christmas

After Elsa *froze* Cinderella's castle

The best time of year to visit Disney World is at Christmas. It's also their busiest season so I guess I'm not the only one who feels this way. There's a reason so many people travel from all over the world to see Disney World at Christmas; think about it - the magic of Disney PLUS the magic of Christmas?? You see what I'm getting at?

The hubs and I had a 4 day weekend where we drove down to Florida on Thursday (had to stop at 4 Rivers Smokehouse for lunch), visited the Disney resorts that afternoon to take in all of their decorations, and finished Day 1 at Disney Springs (Downtown Disney) for supper at Earl of Sandwich and dessert at Ghirardelli.  Friday we did Epcot, and Saturday was all about Magic Kingdom. Sunday was our driving day :(

Day 1 outfit details - shirt Southern Fried Cotton, jeans Express (similar), shoes Nike

We spent 13 hours at Epcot and 15 hours at Magic Kingdom...we did it ALL. And of course had to stay until the very end to see the spectacular fireworks shows!

We made reservations for lunch at Le Chefs de France at Epcot - so good! We had fish and chips for supper in the UK then headed back to France for Buche de Noel for dessert. In America we got to watch the Candlelight Processional where the Christmas Story was read from the Bible by Chandra Wilson with a huge choir and orchestra to play Christmas music. So awesome! Another fun thing at Epcot was how each country had their own mini show talking about their Christmas customs. Loved hearing how the world does Christmas! After an epic Christmas-themed firework show, we headed back to the shuttle to get some rest before another long(er) day at Magic Kingdom!

Father Christmas in the UK

We took pictures with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy - Mickey tried to run away with me...

Day 2 Outfit - shirt Victoria's Secret (similar), jeans Express (similar), shoes Nike, monogram necklace Etsy

Candlelight Processional

Buche de Noel

We got to Magic Kingdom an hour after it opened and headed straight for the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. We hit as many rides as we could and then parked along the side of the street for the Christmas parade. That night we stopped again for the Electrical Parade then camped out for over an hour in front of Cinderella's castle for the Frozen Special where Elsa froze the castle! Then there was a cool light show on the castle and fireworks!

We had so much fun celebrating the Christmas season at such a magical place and can't wait to go again!

Day 3 outfit - sunglasses Ray-Ban, sweater Forever 21 (similar), leggings Fabletics (similar), boots Ugg Australia, monogram necklace Etsy

Cinderella!

My favorite ride, the Mad Tea Party!

What are your favorite rides/things to do at Disney World? Has anyone been to any other locations?

Christmas Eve PJs

Prepping for a cozy winter morning!

My handsome pup wanted in on the fun

Lounging in my favorite flannel PJs from VS! with my fav Starbucks mug :)

Christmas is right around the corner!! Is it just me, or did the weeks leading up to Christmas FLY by?? We can be very busy this time of year (I know I have been!), but I hope y'all have had a chance to slow down and just enjoy it all! 

With Christmas Eve just days away, let's talk about those cute PJs everyone wants to wear! A lot of families have traditions where they all get matching Christmas PJs on Christmas Eve to wear that night and Christmas morning! I love this, so I have rounded up some of my favorite Christmas-y PJs for you to run out and snag if you haven't already as you make the final preparations for CHRISTMAS! Seriously, I feel like we just celebrated Halloween...

Nordstrom PJ Salvage Thermal Knit Lounge Pants in Fuchsia Snowmen

Nordstrom PJ Salvage Thermal PJs

J. Crew Marled Camp Socks - 30% off
(need warm socks to go with the PJs)

J. Crew Fair Isle Leggings - 40% off

Gap Printed cotton leggings in snowflake holly berry

Target Nick and Nora in Winter Snowglobe - on sale!

Target Holiday PJ

Victoria's Secret Fireside Long Jane in Grey Fair Isle - on sale!

Victoria's Secret Dreamer Flannel PJ (what I'm wearing!)

Christmas Gift Ideas

We are less than 2 weeks away from Christmas! Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Just now starting? No worries! There are TONS of great gift ideas out there, and if you follow a lot of blogs, everyone has their own version of a gift guide for everyone on your list!

One thing that pops up around Christmas that makes gift giving easier are gift sets! I think these take the guess work out of trying to find the perfect gift and they're a lot of fun! The packaging is great and often times various brands have "limited edition" sets that are only available this time of year! 

Here are some that I personally love (to give or receive!):

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm Trio

Burt's Bees Holiday Gift Set - Tips and Toes

Drybar 'Escape Plan' Travel Set

Hanky Panky Original Rise Thong (3-pack)

Jo Malone Cologne Collection

Laura Mercier 'Little Indulgences' Hand and Creme Collection

L'Occitane 'Beautiful Hands'

Fresh 'Skincare Starters' set

philosophy 'candy cane' duo 

Volupsa 'Maison Holiday' Petite Decorative Candle Set 

Kiehl's 'Nourishing Essentials' set

 

What are you favorite go-to gifts?