Hello There - Merry Christmas

 Sweater: Old Navy // Skirt: The Limited {old, similar here} // Boots: DV by Dolce Vita {crazy good sale!} // Glasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

It's officially Christmas break and I'm taking a few days off from work to enjoy being on the road with my husband. We are currently in Charlotte, NC - I woke up this morning and the rain had cleared and it is a gorgeous day! I will be cheering on the UNC Tarheels as they take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in The Belk Bowl on Saturday. I will be back next week with some more posts and some news to share with my wonderful blog family as we move into 2014!

I will be posting my Charlotte travels on instagram and twitter. 

Have a very Merry Christmas and a joyous Holiday season.

Transition

Have you ever had that favorite piece of clothing - but you've only ever found it appropriate to wear one season of the year? I'd challenge you to find ways to transition that special piece into something you can't wear all year round.

My example today comes from the Jordan Taylor Collection. This tunic is a great lightweight addition to my summer wardrobe. But I find the color is very cozy for the winter months. I chose to layer this piece to make it appropriate for the North Carolina 50 degree days. An easy transition.

Tunic: c/o Elif for Jordan Taylor // Shirt: JCrew // Pants: Trouve // Shoes: DV by Dolce Vita // Bracelets: c/o Kendra Phillip // Belt: F21 // Glasses: Prada // Hat: Sole Society {similar} 




*This is a sponsored post - all thoughts and opinions are my own

Party Bling

Top: NY and Co // Pants: The Limited {for houndstooth lovers} // Shoes: Steve Madden // Glasses: Prada // Bracelet: Givenchy // Earrings: c/o JoJo Loves You

Last weekend I was able to be home with family to celebrate my future sister-in-law. Unfortunately that family lives in the arctic - or what most people call Wisconsin. That is why you will have to excuse the funny faces I am making because my husband and I thought it would be a good idea to shoot these pictures outside when it was -2.

It was very much worth it to hang out with these two special chicks though. I am so very lucky I get to take on the Heckendorf boys with these two girls. My cute little nephew is surrounded by gorgeous blonde aunts and a gorgeous blonde mama - so I hearby name me his favorite brunette aunt {Can you tell I work in Marketing for a living?! ha!}

I'd like to point out my fun Party Bling earrings from JoJo Loves You! They are so perfect for this time of year with all the Holiday parties and SPARKLE. My favorite aspect is they pack so much bling punch - yet aren't heavy enough to hurt my ears. It's a win win!

JoJo Loves You Annual Bling Sale Starts today! Go pick up your favorite pair or three, with tons of shape and color decisions, for this Holiday season!

*This is a sponsored post - all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cape

 Cape: NY and Co {recent, similar} // Skirt: Target // Shirt: Caslon // Tights: c/o Hanes // Boots: Old Navy // Glasses: Prada

I love that there are still days in December in North Carolina that feel like Fall. All I need is a cozy sweater, or in this case - a cape, and I'm warm enough to be outside. These photos were from our trip to the farm for Thanksgiving. It was such a wonderful time spent with gracious friends. We are very lucky to have found a family away from family in NC - since ours is up north and we couldn't make it home for the Holiday.



Linking up with Style Sessions

Leopard Class

 Coat: Ann Taylor {similar} // Pants: Vince Camuto // Shoes: Steve Madden // Glasses: Prada // Jewels: JCrew, c/o Kendra Phillips {wearing gold piece in set}, Kate Spade // Belt: F21 {recent}


If I have to be cold this time of year - I like to bring a little bit of fun to my coats. And what is more fun than a nice leopard print? My advice - if you are going to wear such a strong print, pair it with simple, understated pieces.

Cyber Monday

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

My favorite sales today:

Kate Spade Saturday - 30% off

Baublebar - 20% off or more

Banana Republic - 40% off

Sole Society - 33% off 

J.Crew Factory - 50% off

Gap - 40% off

Touring NYC

{How cute is my friend Sara?}

My outfit -- Sweater Dress: Cynthia Rowley via TJ Maxx {similar} // Jacket: The Limited {old, similar} // Tights: c/o Hanes // Boots: Cole Haan {similar} // Hat: Sole Society // Glasses: Prada // Bag: c/o Galian

These are the last few photos from my trip to NYC. We were so fortunate to have such a gorgeous day to tour around through the city. It was my favorite kind of blue sky.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and was able to celebrate it with loved ones. We unfortunately couldn't be near our families, but had such a blessed time with close friends.

I also hope everyone is getting exactly what they set out to get on Black Friday! I will admit, I've spent the majority of today curled up in flannel pajamas, shopping from the comfort and warmth of my couch on this chilly Friday!

Some of my favorite sales have been:

Gap - 50% off of everything

Ann Taylor - 40% off of everything

Cole Haan - 30% off of {almost} everything

J.Crew Factory - 50% off of everything

Kate Spade - Up to 75% off!

ASOS - 20% off - use code GIMME20


Good luck to all your football teams as we enter Rivalry weekend!

In The Stands

{I was making a point - I should have dressed warmer. brrrr}

Jacket: Old Navy // Vest: H&M {similar} // Shirt: American Eagle // Pants: Paige // Boots: DV {on sale!} // Glasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs // Earrings: Nordstrom // Watch: c/o Modify Watches 

Today I am sharing this weekend's game look with you in bits and pieces. Thanks to Monte for the "in the stands" photo shoot. Because that wasn't awkward at all. Ha! 

I was also introduced to Modify Watches at Lucky FABB last month. They sent me a light blue band to try with a fun sparkly gold face! What a great addition to my game day attire. Go Tarheels! 

Modify Watches has a promotion running from Thanksgiving (11/28) to Cyber Monday (12/2) - Everything on their website is 30% off AND they'll be giving away every 10th order FREE. 

Use code: EVERY10FABB

I say head on over and pick out a watch in your teams colors! How can my husband argue with me spending money if it is supporting his team, right?? Feel free to borrow that excuse...

Linking up with Funday Monday

Lucky FABB

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend Lucky Magazine's Fashion and Beauty Blogger Conference in NYC. It was a wonderful experience where I learned an incredible amount and met amazing people! And the shoe candy was mind blowing alone...

 Coat: Eva Mendes for NY and Co // Sweater: Ann Taylor // Skirt: Express {similar} // Shoes: similar - flats saved me when walking around the city! // Bracelet: jcrew // Glasses: Prada 

Coat: Ann Taylor {similar} // Dress: Ralph Lauren {similar} // Shoes: Guess // Bracelets: Michael Kors, jcrew // Glasses: Prada  

Tres Chic - Pink

Coat: Eva Mendes for NY&Co {recent} // Sweater: F21 {recent} // Pants: Vince Camuto // Shoes: similar // Glasses: Prada

This was one look I wore while in NYC two weeks ago. I wanted to walk and see everything - so flats were a must. I am absolutely in love with this pink coat by Eva Mendes. Not only is it a classic design - I absolutely adore her. I enjoyed getting to sit in on her session at #LuckyFabb. She even took a scarf from an audience member and taught us how to wrap up her hair - one of her favorite go-to styles. You can catch a glimpse of that here.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Random Wednesdays

Pink Pretty of the Week

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Did you think I've lost it? Mia - there isn't much pink in this picture. And I know that. But I wanted to share my favorite way to decorate with pink. How lovely does blush pink look next to creamy colors? Plus on this dreary day in NC - I'm dreaming of soft, pillow-y duvets. Hence one of my favorite bedroom inspirations.  Hello gorgeous.

Be Nice.

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Last week I attended Lucky FABB in NYC. I can't wait to share pictures and my experience next week on the blog - but I wanted to share one theme that seemed to be underlying in every. single. presentation. Be Nice. Simple as that. But it was profound.

Be a nice girl. You know what a mean girl is and we've all been surrounded by some. Hey, we may have even been that girl before. But what is the point? Whether in your personal life or professional life you have an opportunity to show kindness to all your peers. Take it.

I see this struggle constantly at the corporate level. Why are women in constant competition to be at the top? Why can't we work together to get there - like some argue men do. Why when competing do we resort to being catty and rude? Or standoff-ish. Why do some women feel the need to spend valuable time in their days cutting down others - we see this TOO often in the blogging world. We've all been burned by mean people, people doing mean things - but don't let that prevent you from being nice. 

This isn't to say I want you to be walked over. I want you to be the better person. (My mom will be so proud this finally sunk in!) I have found myself needing to be stern in both my professional and personal life, but there is a very big difference between being strong and being mean. Plus - what type of impression do you want to leave on others? I'd like to think my peers consider me a nice, caring person. (And hopefully some days a little more fun than boring!! ha!) Who doesn't like a nice person? Have you ever woke up and said - nope I do not want to be her friend she is nice. No. That doesn't happen. 

Support each other, help each other, converse with one another. It all helps us achieve more goals.

Personally, I'm drawn to nice people. I just want to squeeze them. It feels good to be surrounded by all kinds of friendliness and it continues to inspire me. 

So let's be nice. Be genuine. All of us. Spread that message. 


#LuckyFABB