Eggnog

I feel like I am one of the rare people that actually like eggnog, and I grabbed it immediately at this grocery store once it officially became Christmas season {aka, the day after Thanksgiving}. I like it even without alcohol, and a little bit of cinnamon sprinkled on top. Homestead Creamery's eggnog is so delicious, and tastes homemade. I poured myself a glass after getting our tree this year, and I sense a new tradition in the works :)

Holiday Hydration

As much as I love the holidays and this time of year, it can be tough on my skin; all of that sugar, alcohol {oops}, and colder weather usually leaves my skin in need of hydration. I recently tried a new product, and am officially in love with it - Herbivore's rose hibiscus face mist {buy here}. It keeps my skin feeling fresh and hydrated, and it smells amazing. This is my new lifesaver for the holidays and winter months :)

Holiday Glam

I love getting dressed up for the holidays! Although I normally wear a dress or skirt, this year for Christmas I decided to go for a fun top and slim-fitting black pants. I also love the idea of wearing non-traditional colors/accessories for the holidays, and some fun jewelry in pastel/blush shades is the perfect way to do it in my opinion {those earrings are amazing!}. Here is my take on holiday glam this year:

Smashbox eye shadow trio in "Screen Shot" via Sephora {here}

Johanna Ortiz one-shoulder ruffle shirt via Net-A-Porter {here}

Lulu Frost x Brides bracelet {here}

BaubleBar earrings {here}

Formula X nail polish in "Revved Up" via Sephora {here}

MSGM slim fit crepe trousers via Matchesfashion.com {here}

Christian Louboutin heels via Nordstrom {here}

Lipstick Queen's "Jean Queen" via Net-A-Porter {here}

Gifts that Give

I love shopping for Christmas gifts for friends and family, and I love it even more when I find gifts that give back in some way. Below are some items that give back in some way, and would make such sweet holiday gifts -especially have my eye on the earrings, leather clutch, and of course, the candle! 

Mali Mudcloth Makers pillow via The Little Market {here}

Prosperity Candle in "Holiday Spice" via The Little Market {here}

TOMS leather ankle booties {here}

FEED Projects leather clutch {here}

Wood Carvers of Kenya olive wood measuring spoons via The Little Market {here}

Manuela Ramos knit mittens via The Little Market {here}

Purpose Jewelry earrings {here}

Matr Boomie scallop frame via The Little Market {here}

FEED Projects + West Elm pot holder {here}

FEED Projects wine tote bag {here}

Manuela Ramos handmade Peruvian alpaca penguin via The Little Market {here}

Simple Seasonal

I love this time of year, and all of the festive decorating involved. I don't always love the overdone red-and-green-everything look, and didn't want to spend a fortune on new Christmas decor, so I tried something a little more simple. It started with Thanksgiving when I got white roses and branches of boxwood {my favorite!} in my favorite Target and Anthropologie vases. I loved the way they paired together, and it inspired me to use this look throughout the rest of the holiday season. The boxwood lasts forever, and the white roses keep it neutral and goes with everything. This, along with the Christmas decor we already had, has made our place feel festive without breaking the bank {or looking cliché}. I think simple and seasonal might be my go-to style for the holidays from now on :) 

My Christmas Wish List

My Christmas wish lists have definitely changed over the years, and I really feel too old to even have one. I mostly think of things to ask for solely to help out family who ask what I'd like. Below is my wish list for this Christmas, which can be categorized by sparkly/holiday wear, home/kitchen, and a few random items like a darling pair of cat earrings and an art print from a restaurant that we went to in New Orleans on our honeymoon. Santa, here you go! :) 

Fire lace midi dress via Nordstrom {here}

Archer and Olive "Ring for Champagne" print via Scoutmob {here}

J.Crew Factory sequin t-shirt {here}

J.Crew reindeer socks {here}

Candlefish Three Month Library box {here}

Victoria's Secret flannel pajamas {here}

Quill and Fox "caroling cats" yuletide ornament via Anthropologie {here}

Nadia Castillo Designs New Orleans Commander's Palace print via Etsy {here}

Rifle Paper Co. citrus floral recipe box {here}

Hortense cat earrings {here}

Grove Street Press lagniappe oyster cards {here}

Art et Manufacture pie plate via Food52 {here}

$25 & Under: Gift Guide

I can't believe that this month is just flying by, and we need to have our Christmas shopping done relatively soon! Below is a $25 and under gift guide for this year; loving anything plaid, Christmas-related, and of course, a candle :) {$50 & Under Gift Guide here}:

"Adventures in Chicken" cookbook by Eva Kosmas Flores via Amazon {here}

Rewined rosé bar soap {here}

Gloria Hornby oyster print via Etsy {here}

Art et Manufacture porcelain moose ornament via Etsy {here}

NARS eyeshadow in "Parallax" {here}

Bourbon soaked toothpicks {here}

J.Crew Factory shearling foldovers slippers {here}

J.Crew Factory plaid scarf {here}

Catbird travel candle in "Kitten" {here}

Formula X City Chic nail polish set via Sephora {here}

Anthropologie moose bottle opener {here}

Friday, I'm In Love: December

Happy Friday! I am so excited to spend the weekend celebrating all things December; I foresee lots of Christmas movies, hot chocolate, balsam-scented candles, and a lot of snugging on the couch in pajamas with a knit blanket. Happy December, happy weekend! 

$50 & Under: Gift Guide

Happy Gift Guide season! I love checking out gift guides on all different types of blogs, but I also love creating my own. I love every single one of these items below, and they're all $50 or under! Time to get to shopping :)

J.Crew Factory leopard loafers {here}

"Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook" via Food52 {here}

Anthropologie gilded votive set {here}

Tarte eyeshadow palette via Sephora {here}

McFadden Farm fresh bay leaf wreath via Etsy {here}

J.Crew lucite necklace {here}

J.Crew Factory sweater {here}

The Grove Street Press New Orleans Shotgun print {here}

Heirloomed holiday tea towels (set of 2) via Food52 {here}

Matr Boomie hand painted floral box via The Little Market {here}

Suite One Studio french madeleine ornament {here}

Candlefish candle making kit {here}

Christmas Time of Year

Has it really been more than 2 weeks since we got married? Is Thanksgiving really over? Cannot believe how fast November has flown by, and it's already Christmas time. Between wedding, work, and the holidays I have definitely had less time to post anything/been too lazy, but I want to make an effort to post more during one of the best times of the year {second only to fall/Halloween}. I can't wait to get more photos from our wedding back too, and post them here. In the meantime here is a combo of both Christmas-related/wedding-related: festive scarf and holiday nails {OPI's "Big Apple Red"} + new antique bling that I proudly wear on my right hand :) Happy Christmas time of year! 

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! With a new husband, hosting for the first time, and the best cat on the planet, I'd say we have a lot to be thankful for. Have the most wonderful holiday with family, and be sure to eat, drink, and be merry! :)

Wedding

I can't believe it's finally here. It feels like just yesterday we got engaged, and the wedding seemed so far away. We are trying to savor every moment, and prepare for the best weekend of our lives. It is good for us to be here :)

Friday, I'm In Love: 1 Week until Wedding Weekend

 Happy Friday! It is the last weekend before our wedding week kicks off - I CANNOT believe it's here! We've been super busy finishing up the last details, and are now just so excited and cannot wait to celebrate with our friends and family  - and to get married :) I hope to spend most of the weekend doing what our cat does best: snuggle on the couch. Cheers to Friday! 

Apple Pie

I never used to love baking, and pie was definitely not my favorite dessert, but now I am kind of addicted to both. Even though we are trying to watch what we eat from now until our wedding, I really wanted to make an apple pie this fall; I tried a delicious recipe I found on Food + Wine's website, referred to as "Perfect Apple Pie" {here}. Not only was it amazing, I used my beehive cookie cutter from Williams-Sonoma to make it a Beyoncé-themed pie. This is what a diehard Queen Bey fan looks like...or just a crazy person, you decide. Happy Fall! :)

Fall Farmers Market

Farmers markets in the spring and summer are my favorite, but they are also great in the fall! We went to the Athens Farmers Market this past weekend, and it was so nice to be there with the weather a little cooler. With some good coffee and a breakfast biscuit sandwich, it was a great morning, but picking up some seasonal dahlias was the icing on the cake! Excited to soak up all things fall throughout the rest of October :)

Friday, I'm In Love: Final Countdown

Happy Friday! I can't believe that we are in the final stretch of wedding planning, and getting so close to our big day. We are looking forward to checking off the final items on our list, and just enjoying the last few weeks of being engaged :) Have a great fall weekend!

Wedding Shoes

I can't believe we are 1 month away from our wedding day! We are starting to feel a little less stressed by making countless to-do lists and checking them off. We are getting so excited, and I can't wait to see all of the details come together for our big day. One of those small details is my wedding shoes! I cannot wait to wear the ones I picked out, and below are some other ideas for the bride's shoes for her wedding day:

Marco De Vincenzo braided velvet heels via Net-A-Porter {here}

Gianvito Rossi metallic leather sandals via Net-A-Porter {here}

Stuart Weitzman cuff sandal heels via Net-A-Porter {here}

Brian Atwood sandals via The Outnet {here}

Alexandre Birman leather sandals via Net-A-Porter {here}

Casadei stiletto pumps via Far Fetch {here}

Giuseppe Zanotti sandals via Net-A-Porter {here}

Brian Atwood satin pumps via Luisaviaroma {here}

Brian Atwood sandals via The Outnet {here}

Friday, I'm In Love: Fall Decor

October/Halloween is in full swing here, and I could not be more excited! I have slowly been putting up Halloween decorations, and think we are close to done {mostly because my fiancé can't take it anymore}. We've also been burning an awesome pumpkin-scented candle {purchase here}, and making fall meals. Tonight is all about trying a new fall recipe {turkey chili!}, watching a spooky movie {if my fiancé allows it}, and maybe a little bit of wedding planning. Cheers to the weekend! 

October

It is here! The best time of the year! I have already taken full advantage and made my mom's pumpkin soup and watched Hocus Pocus {the first of many times, I'm sure}, but I still need to finish putting up fall/Halloween decorations and make a fall to-do list. I foresee a trip to the pumpkin patch, a hike once the leaves change, and lots of fall recipes. Happy October! {calendar via Hartland Brooklyn}

Almost October

 Happy Thursday! It is Friday for me because I head for the Midwest today for my bachelorette party. I cannot contain my excitement to get back to Columbus with my best friends, especially this time of year - Happy Almost October!!!

Autumn Love: Food

I can't believe that October {BEST month of the year} is almost here, and it is technically fall. One of the best things about this time of year is obviously the food. I cannot wait to try new fall recipes, and remake some old favorites. Although I usually wait until October 1st to make anything pumpkin, I did cave and make this pumpkin bread about 2 weeks ago {turned out DELICIOUS!}. With the wedding coming up so soon, we will need to eat some healthy recipes this season {can't wait to try recipes like this Roasted Pumpkin and Lentil Korma Curry via Donna Hay}. But we will definitely sneak in the not-so-healthy-but-so-delicious fall recipes like this Brie + Apple + Beer soup by Half Baked Harvest, and this Apple Cheddar bread with pecans and rosemary by Southern Living. Cheers to fall and fall food! :)

Pink Autumn

I know I recently posted about my love for pink this fall just a few weeks ago {here}, but there is so much pink out right now for my favorite season! Below are a few items that I would love to add to my closet, and decor to add to our home {image via This Is Glamorous}:

Eva by Christine Lindstrom for Artfully Walls via Lulu & Georgia {here}

Essie's "Hubby for Dessert" via Beauty.com {here}

J.Crew wool peacoat {here}

Topshop trousers {here}

Kate Spade wallet via Nordstrom {here}

NARS "Earthshine" eye shadow via Sephora {here}

BaubleBar studs {here}

Belgrave Crescent bag {here}

Urban Decay liquid eyeliner in "Intergalactic" via Sephora {here}

Gianvito Rossi flats via My Theresa {here}

Wedding Beauty Inspiration

I can't believe how soon our wedding is, and how much we have to do! One aspect of wedding planning that is more fun than stressful is searching for beauty inspiration for the big day. I always hear that the goal for good wedding make-up is to look formal/bridal, but still look like yourself. I've also heard that heavier make-up is necessary for professional photos and to avoid looking washed out. Below are a few photos from Green Wedding Shoes that sum up what I am looking for in regards to beauty/make-up for our wedding day; I love the formal, yet effortless look and hope to achieve that on our big day:

Friday, I'm In Love: Host + Hostess

Happy Friday! So glad it's the weekend! We are looking forward to having family come from out of town, and hosting them as our first guests since we've moved into our new place. We are making dinner tonight, and are quite excited about the menu; cheers to Cajun food and LOTS of red wine :) Have a great weekend! 

Blue

I would paint and decorate our entire place in all white if I could {and my fiancé would allow it}, but I have started to embrace color a bit. And by color I mean blue. I love the look of white and gold and natural wood, with a certain shade of blue. It's not quite navy, and not quite cerulean, but somewhere in the middle. We registered for a few items on The Little Market and I am so glad that we did! The blue of these ceramics adds the perfect pop of color to our decor, and their products on their site are so, so beautiful. I can't wait to more of the perfect shade of blue to our new place :)

LC Lauren Conrad Runway: Fall 2016

I am getting quite excited about fall weather and fall fashion, and LC Lauren Conrad's Runway collection is the epitome of fall fashion! It is available online here, and I have already picked out my favorites: burgundy/wine tones, blush, oversized blazers, floral wide leg pants, and the prettiest dresses than can be worn all throughout fall and for the holiday season. Bravo, Lauren Conrad! 

Friday, Im, In Love: Final Planning

Happy Friday! Even though it's only been a 4-day week, it feels like it was long. I am so excited for a weekend where we are actually home, and hopefully finalize some wedding plans. But tonight, it is red wine and this recipe. Have a great weekend :)

Currently Coveting: September

Happy September! I feel like this month is the buffer month in between October/Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It still feels like summer, but I usually spend all month getting excited for fall to officially be here, and all of the holidays to look forward to in the coming months. I also get the sense I will be spending September obsessing over food blogs {new obsession, it's a problem} like Joy the Baker and this recipe on Jojotastic. Below are a few items below I am also obsessing over, like good quality home goods, skin care products, and minimalist fashion. Cheers to September! 

Marius Fabre French black olive oil kitchen soap via Food52 {here}

Zara shirt {here}

Anthropologie glasses {here}

BaubleBar earrings {here}

Herbivore Botanicals rose hibiscus hydrating spray {here}

One Suite Studio ring dish {here}

Formula X x Atlantic-Pacific nail polish in "Misty Sage" via Sephora {here}

Needle & Thread maxi dress via BHLDN {here}

Topshop shoes {here}

Rebecca Minkoff envelope clutch via Saks Fifth Avenue {here}

David Yurman set of two silver rings via Saks Fifth Avenue {here}

New Books, New Recipes

 I LOVE trying out new recipes for my fiancé and I, so it only seemed appropriate to add a few cookbooks to our wedding registry. Below are a few we have recently received as gifts, and we are SO excited about them! Not only are they beautiful, the recipes look amazing; we've already tried one out of the "Keepers" book {purchase here}, and can't wait to try more out of the others. Purchase on Anthropologie here and here. Cheers to pretty new cookbooks and new recipes :)

Friday, I'm In Love: Goodbye Summer

Hello Friday, goodbye summer! I seriously can't wait for fall weather/fall everything to be here, but I guess I feel slightly sad that with summer being over I can't use fun table accessories like below {similar here}, or drink rosé like it's water. Cheers to Summer Sixteen - you sure were fun! 

Almost September

I will be honest and say I am not the least bit sad summer is over - except for maybe farmer's market season is coming to an end! I am so ready for cooler weather, and the crazy business of summer to end. I should not complain, because it was a great summer; we got to see plenty of family and friends so that is always reason to celebrate and feel thankful. But not only is fall the best season, it also means we are getting closer to our big day. Due to the business of this season, I have not been posting as often as I'd like, so I will make a conscious effort to do it more often. Goodbye to hot summer days, and peonies {sad about that, too}, and hello perfect weather, HALLOWEEN, and wedding day :)