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Monthly Archives for November 2015

Cyber Monday Mania

Alright gang, Cyber Monday has arrived! In some cases it’s basically a continuation of Black Friday (how’d you all make out?!) and in others they’ve upped the ante! I’ve rounded up a compilation from some of my favorite stores to include gifts for her, him, the kids, the home, and maybe a little something for yourself after all of that hard work?! ;) I’m here for you, I really am.

Let’s begin shall we?

Ann Taylor: 50% off everything plus free shipping using code: EVERYTHING

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Anthropologie: 25% off sale items and free shipping on all orders with code: XTRAGOOD

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Francescas: 30% off everything plus 50% off all clearance

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Hanna Andersson: Free shipping plus extra 20% off everything

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J.Crew: 40% off 507 styles and 30% off everything else (some exclusions). Use code: Monday

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J.Crew Factory: 50% off plus extra 15% off and free shipping with code: TODAYONLY

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Janie & Jack: 20% off entire purchase plus an additional 20% off with code: JJCYBER20

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LOFT: 50% off everything with code: CYBER50

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Serena & Lily: 25% off everything using code: BESTMONDAY

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Sole Society: 30% off everything (with some exclusions)

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Tea Collection: 30% off everything Tea plus free shipping using code: SHOPNOW

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Other notable sales:

Aritzia: Up to 50% off everything and free shipping
Banana Republic: 40% off everything using code: BESTCYBER
Bauble Bar: Use code: GOGIFT35 for 35% 2+ baubles or GOGIFT25 for 25% off 1+ bauble
Dolce Vita: Up to 60% off and extra 20% off all sale using code: CYBER20
Gap: 40% off everything using code: BESTCYBER
Kate Spade: 30% off everything with code: SHINE
Old Navy: 40% off everything using code: BESTCYBER
The Land of Nod: 20% off plus free shipping

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday! We hosted for the very first time and after a little scare with the turkey (we grilled it), and a LOT of help from family, things turned out perfectly! We’re all in a bit of a turkey coma today, so while everyone else is either asleep or relaxing (and by relaxing, I mean the kids are watching a movie ;) ), I’m tracking down some of the insane deals that are going on today. I’m not sure I can tell the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday at this point, but I’ll keep you updated on what’s to come!

Here are some of my favorite deals going on today, as well as some of my picks from each store. It’s good guys. Really Good. Like 25% sitewide at Anthro good!

 

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Ann Taylor: 50% everything using code: CELEBRATE

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Anthropologie: 25% off sitewide using code: SHOPTOIT

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Aritzia: up to 50% off everything

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Banana Republic: 50% off sweaters and 40% off the rest of your purchase with code: BRFRIDAY

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BaubleBar: 30% off everything using code: THX

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Gap: 50% off everything using code: BLKFRIDAY

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J.Crew: 30% or 40% off sitewide using code: HOLIDAY

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J.Crew Factory: 50% off everything and free shipping over $50 using code: SHIPGIFTS

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Kate Spade: 25% off entire purchase using code: MERCI

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LOFT: 40% off almost everything using code: BF40

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Madewell: 25% off entire purchase using code: CALMDOWN

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Sole Society: 30% all shoes

Gift Guide

Well, Thanksgiving is finally upon us. This is my first year hosting and although I’m not in charge of the turkey (thank goodness!) I have a feeling my hands are going to be full! I plan on enjoying the day with our family and giving thanks for all of the blessings upon us. And then the shopping madness will commence! I’m not a huge fan of the Black Friday insanity (in stores at least), but come Cyber Monday, I’ll be here for you! To get the wheels in motion, I have a Girl’s Guide for the mothers, sisters, daughters and friends in your life. Oh, and everything here is under $50!! I just may slip this list to my husband as well ;)

 

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necklace / polish / poncho

cape / earrings / vest

slippers / lipgloss / earrings

Jewel Tones

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For those that follow along regularly, you probably know by now that you’re much more likely to catch me in softer colors than deep, rich colors. That being said, I’ve been loving burgundy this season and this sweater is adding fuel to that fire. The tunic length makes it all the more appealing as it allows me to throw it on over some leggings. Then there’s these green velvet pants and…well…I think they are a must as the holidays approach! They have a luxurious look and feel and come in a handful of colors to choose from. Perfect dressed down as I did here but they will easily be dressed up in the upcoming weeks!

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Details: LOFT sweater / LOFT sweater vest / Gap pants / Madewell tote / LOFT necklace (similar) / Leopard loafers (similar) / Wool Fedora

Sweater Coat

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I’m a huge fan of sweater coats. I love that they add a layer of warmth without the bulk that most winter coats carry. Granted, I’ll be forced to switch to the wool and down eventually, but for now I’ll stick with the lighter layers and add a scarf as needed. Speaking of scarves, how pretty is this one? I love the fur/knit combo, both of which provide warmth as well as comfort!

Be sure to scroll down as I’ve gathered a few of my other favorite sweater coats for you below. All are under $30 might I add!

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Details: Sweater coat c/o SheIn / LOFT scarf / LOFT denim / Dolce Vita boots (similar) / Tiffany bow necklace / Kate Spade bow bracelet (similar)

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Cold Weather Accessories

Today I’m sharing some cold weather accessories that’ll not only keep you warm, but stylish as well! Furs, plaids, bows…there are so many options to choose from which makes layering up all the more fun! To make that task a little easier on you I’ve gathered some of my picks for you below. I recommend stocking up before the cold sets in ;)

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Grey Shrug

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Layers. That seems to be my styling theme from September through April. There are some key pieces when it comes to layering…vests, tunics, button-ups, jackets, scarves to name a few, and a shrug is another I’d add to that list. I got this one back in the spring while I was still pregnant with my daughter. It was as great of an option then as it is now for our fall weather. Nothing ground breaking here. Just a pretty shrug over a comfortable dolman top and distressed denim. The perfect weekend look.

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Details: ILY Couture shrug (this seasons colors) / DL1961 denim (similar) / DV booties (similar) / Rayban sunglasses / LOFT necklace / Marc by Marc Jacobs watch (similar)

Rose Cake

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Last weekend we celebrated my Mom’s 60th birthday. My family and I threw her a brunch that we managed to keep a surprise. Trust me, it’s hard to get things past her…even at 60! Love you, Mom ;)

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Paris has always been a favorite city of hers, so that’s the theme we went with.

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I decided to tackle the cake for her party. She has always loved the boxed classic, cherry chip, so I found a recipe to make it from scratch using maraschino cherries. My girlfriend had decorated a rose cake for her daughter before and I have admired it ever since. When I inquired about it she promised me it was a piece of cake (wink, wink). I took her advice as well as a few tips from Pinterest and tackled it like the amateur cake decorator I am. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but that’s why I love it. One, big, beautiful mess of icing!

In a quick summary, here’s how I tackled the cake:

Bake cakes (cherry chip recipe below).

Ice cakes with a thin crumb layer of icing.

Use a round cookie cutter and gently press around the cake to indent an outline of where the roses will go (this step was a huge help in keeping all roses the same size and spaced appropriately!).

I used a large 2D piping tip and simply piped the icing in a circular motion from the inside of the circle to the outside.

Continue until all circles are filled.

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Cherry Chip Cake and Buttercream Icing via Completely Delicious:

Ingredients
• For the cake:
• 1 10 ounce (283 grams) jar maraschino cherries
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups (226 grams) cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/3 cup (315 ml) buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice

For the buttercream frosting:
• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 4 cups (900 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions
1. To make the cake:
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
3. Drain the maraschino cherries, reserving the juice. In a food processor or with a sharp knife, finely chop the cherries. Set aside.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat the butter and sugar at high speed until light and fluffy. This will take about 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and add the egg whitesone at a time, mixing after each. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix until combined.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a smaller bowl, combine the buttermilk and maraschino cherry juice. Add the flour mixture to the mixer in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk mixture. Mix after each addition and scrape down the bowl as necessary. Stir in the chopped maraschino cherries.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 30-35 minutes. Let cool in the pans 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. To make the frosting and assemble the cake:
8. Place the butter, sifted powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract and almond extract in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (alternately you can use a hand-held mixer). Mix on low speed until moistened, then increase speed to high and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
9. Place one cake layer on a plate or cake stand. Cover with 1/2 cup of the buttercream frosting. Place second cake layer on top and cover tops and sides with remaining buttercream. Let firm up for at least 30 minutes in the fridge before serving.
10. Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

If you gals haven’t caught it yet, Nordstrom has their Fall Clearance Sale currently underway. Pieces (well, the good ones at least) are selling out quickly, so you may want to jump on anything you have your eye on! They have a lot to pick from, but I’ve narrowed down some of my favorites and styled them into 3 outfits that are perfect for those of you enjoying the fall weather with me.

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Outfit 1: top / boots / denim / sunglasses / watch

Outfit 2: coat / booties / watch / scarf / pants

Outfit 3: coat / booties / watch / bag / pants

Faux Style

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It’s nearly that time of year. The time when we break the fur out of our closets and layer up! I don’t own a ton of fur pieces, but the few I do certainly get their wear. It’s safe to say that the majority of furs fall toward more natural colors, which makes those that don’t all the more fun to wear! I’m absolutely in love with this soft green or ‘silver pine’ version. It’s absolutely beautiful in person and I should warn you, people may ask to pet you ;) Outfits such as this will be perfect as your events begin to pile up for the holidays. A classic blouse with bow detail, your favorite pair of black pants, topped off with some fabulous fur. You can’t go wrong!

Have you guys checked out the relatively new CeCe by Cynthia Steffe line? In addition to the two pieces I’m wearing, I also love this vibrant swing top and need an excuse to wear this dress! You may want to check it out :)

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CeCe by Cynthia Steffe top and vest c/o / JCrew Factory pants / pumps (love this option and this option) / Tiffany bow necklace

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