Bow Napkin Tutorial

Dec 19, 2017

Make your holiday table a little more special by folding your napkins into these adorable bows! 






1. Start by turning your napkin with the corner facing up. I obviously didn't iron these!






2. Fold it in half by bringing the bottom to the top.






3. Fold in small increments all the way up to the top.






4. It will end up in a long strip.






5. Fold the left third of the bow inwards. This will be one of the tails.






6. Fold an equal amount from the right side inwards.






7. Slide a napkin holder to the middle along the tail and the bow section.






8. Tweak the tail. I turned the right tail to the back in this picture.






It's so easy! It doesn't take long at all so if you have a full table of people I promise you won't be folding bows all night long.











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Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Dec 14, 2017

If you want to order gifts online and have them delivered before Christmas, it's time to get shopping! I've got ideas for her, him and the home. Here are some of my favorite items I've had my eye on for those last few people on your list.


For Her

I love to give luxury items for Christmas. These YSL lipsticks look as pretty in their packaging as they do on your lips! Gift sets are great because regardless of coloring there's at least one that will look perfect. The rest of them I use for mixing colors. The brown-toned lipstick is great for minimizing pink. I mix my lip colors almost every single day.

Black quilting is a classic! I love these Hunter rain boots, and this handbag is so similar to a certain Chanel one I've had my eye on forever. However, it's beautiful in it's own right. I tried nude one on in the store and was in love with the leather.

These YSL aviators are so hot right now! I love my Ray-Bans, but I really wish I had waited before I bought them since these came out. I can have two pair of aviators, right? Get these before they sell out!

I'm still the only person without one of these pop sockets. I've always wanted one, but just never got around to buying it. I love the pink and black color on this one. It would make a great stocking stuffer!









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For Him

I was on the hunt for cologne recently for my teen aged son. I fell in love with this Tom Ford Noir Extreme. The sales lady took me right over to it when I said I was looking for cologne. She knew what she was doing because out of everything I had smelled over the weekend it was by far my favorite. It was a little too old for my 15 year old, but it would be perfect for an older teen or adult.

Men just love Tumi. I don't get it, but they love it. Most of the luggage is very expensive, but this wallet is under $100.

All men need an electric razor. This Arc5 seems to be the hottest one right now.

The Amazon Echo! Get it for him, but also for you and everyone in the household. You can use it to ask the weather, turn on lights or music. The price point can't be beat either at around $30.








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For the Home

I've done my research on coffee makers recently. I've come up with a favorite. This Saeco is a super automatic (just push a button to grind and brew). What separates this one from other super automatics? It has an integrated milk frother. If you like lattes and cappuccinos, this one will add the perfect amount of milk for you. There's no wand to figure out. The best part is you can remove the milk container and save it in your fridge for the next day. It also makes regular coffee and espresso, which are my husband's favorites.

I am a sucker for anything monogrammed. I love these personalized cutting boards and coffee cups. This candle smells amazing and looks beautiful on any surface. My husband got a set of knives last year after complaining constantly that ours didn't cut well. I have to agree he was right now that I've experienced a really sharp knife.







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My Favorite Christmas Cocktail

Dec 11, 2017

Most of you know I'm an avid wine drinker, so much so that I list wine tasting on questionnaires that ask me about my hobbies. I have to admit that all of this holiday celebrating has me a little wine tired right now. I've always loved the look of a martini or pretty mixed drink, but not the taste. I found a few Christmas cocktail recipes online to try, but they were way too strong for me. I modified one a bit to come up with something that isn't overly sweet and has just a little kick of alcohol to it.






Christmas Cocktail Recipe

2 oz. Vodka

2 oz Cherry Brandy

4 oz Cranberry Juice

Half of a fresh squeezed lime

Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass. 

Optional-I garnished mine with red sugar and a lime since that's what I had on hand. Other options are sugared cranberries and/or a sprig of rosemary.


















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Holiday Gift Guide: So Cozy

Dec 5, 2017

I love everything cozy, which is why I own almost all of the items in this gift guide. I've also gifted many of them last Christmas. There are a few new things I've eyed in stores and put on my wish list for this year. Everything is linked below the pictures. 

This white sweater is the softest one I've ever owned. It's from Express, which is my favorite store for sweaters lately. It's also where I bought the pom pom socks below. They have amazing sales all the time, too.

The Pottery Barn robe is as soft as it is gorgeous. The pom pom throw is also from PB and comes in other colors. 

The gray PJ set is my absolute favorite brand, Honeydew Intimates. They are so soft and surprisingly affordable. 

These Ugg slippers are on my wish list! 




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I have two items on here from last year, both by Barefoot Dreams. The robe now comes in a leopard print. I still wear the circle cardigan every single day so I had to add it. 

The short, white robe is on my wish list because I need something for warmer days and it's one of the prettiest I've seen. 

I also added something for the men. I'm in a house full of them and I noticed they aren't fond of anything that looks like pajamas. These gray lounge pants are comfy enough to sleep in, but can be worn outside as well. 

The black and white poncho is one I own. It's perfect for those cool nights outside, whether on the porch or at a football game. 

I have several pairs of Butter socks and wear them all the time. I love giving them as gifts. You can stick them in a cute Anthropologie coffee cup for a little something extra or as a stocking stuffer.

I love everything monogrammed! This throw is a bit more elegant and can go in any living room. 





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Holiday Outfits: Casual or Cocktail?

Dec 3, 2017

Many holiday parties and events range in dress code from formal to casual. There are also those events where you're not sure if you're supposed to be in a cocktail dress or jeans. Unfortunately, I feel like it's always the latter. Here are a few options for those occasions.

The picture does not do this white and black sequin jacket justice! It is absolutely beautiful in person. Pair it with black jeans for a more casual look. I've had the black skinny jeans from Banana Republic for over a year, and they've become a wardrobe staple. I love the bow detail on this sweater dress. Pair it with leather leggings or over-the-knee boots if it's cold.




I never thought I'd buy a jumpsuit. They looked terrifyingly long for my 5'4 frame. I tried one on and was immediately a jumpsuit convert. I bought the black one from Nordstrom and had it hemmed for free by the alterations department. It's a free service for any full-priced item. I wore it to a company Christmas party at a restaurant and also to a theatre production. Half of the people were wearing causal pants/jeans and the other half were wearing cocktail dresses at both events. It was nice to fit in somewhere in the middle. 






You can shop the items at the bottom of this post. I've also linked shoes and accessories, too. The over-the-knee boots are the most similar ones I've found to the pricier Stuart Weitzman boots. The black tassel earrings are the ones I'm wearing in this post. I've worn them at least twice a week since I've bought them.

Here is a closer view of the earrings from last week's Christmas Tour post.  I've linked the Target red top below, too. I like it because the bell sleeves aren't overwhelming for petite frames. I have it in black too since it's only $17.99. I've worn both so many times!




Have a great weekend!