a lovely living

There’s nothing like a good Loft try-on to kick off the week! I’ve got a number of great laid back, casual pieces to share with you today and most everything is 40%-60% off! They also have some festive pieces coming out if you’re on the hunt for that. Check out the crushed velvet top below or these beautiful sequin joggers. Both would work well whether you are heading out or celebrating at home. I obviously love Loft for myself but it’s also a great place for gifts as you’re checking off your list!

Even though we don’t have any exciting plans this year (thanks Covid), I brought this top home with me and plan to put it to use. It’s quite a stunning top in person and I can see it paired with skinny jeans and heels or with some dressier pants and skirts.

If you’re looking for something that doesn’t scream festive but still falls into the overall category, this top is super sweet. I love the smocked detail as well as the beautiful color.

Loved this pair of high-rise skinny jeans. Their curvy jeans work really well for me, eliminating the gap in the back that I often have an issue with. They’re quite comfortable as well with a nice amount of stretch.

Lou & Grey always makes great sweaters and I was immediately drawn to this one.

This cardigan was a really good find. It comes in a few colors (see another option below) and has a great, stretchy fit. I went with my TTS here but you could always size up with you rather a looser fit that you could layer under and wear unbuttoned.

These jeans are just about sold out, but if your size is still available, they’re a really great cropped jean.

This cardigan is so soft and cozy, I didn’t want to take it off! I ordered it in the light blue to try as well, so I’ll see what I decide between the two!

I adore the colors on this turtleneck sweater. Classic with a twist. I recommend sizing up in this one.

I just love the color of this coat and the style overall. It does run very large however, I’d recommend sizing down at least one if not two sizes.

This sweater and pair of pants were two of my favorites. The sweater for obvious reasons (I sized up for a slightly over-sized fit)and the pants had a better fit than I was expecting them too when I saw them on the hanger. They have a slim wide leg which makes them comfortable yet extremely flattering. I highly recommend these and I’d size down one from your TTS.

This coat was another one that I couldn’t get over. It has a fuzzy, herringbone print that is so subtle and chic. Great for work or everyday wear. I also saw that it comes in a beautiful blue!

I have my fair share of navy, camel and grey coats, but I also have a growing selection of colorful outerwear to choose from. It honestly doesn’t feel that out of the ordinary, but you wouldn’t believe the amount of compliments I receive when I pull out my purple or green or pink coat! Muted or bold, you can find a color that suits you and instantly adds some cheer to your look. Below you’ll find my picks in a rainbow of color options!

I’ve been pulling out more of my winter staples recently. My Spanx leggings (in bronze and black) and my Ugg boots (I love this ankle style). And if you’re looking for a really good, basic tunic sweater to cozy up in all winter long, this is the one you’ll want!

Coat / Leggings / Sweater / Hat / Boots

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This year’s holiday celebrations are going to look a little different than they typically do for many of us. When I took a poll online, the majority of the reponses said they’d be looking for laid back holiday looks. To some, that may mean flannel pj’s and to others that could mean jeans and a festive sweater. I wanted to come up with a way to show you how you can make your closet a little more versatile for the holiday season, this year especially. I selected a graphic tee, a crewneck sweater and a plaid top (all of which you likely have on hand) and worked each piece into three outfits with a range of casual to semi-dressy. Depending on your plans over the next month, I’m hopeful that you can pull a little inspiration from these nine looks below!

A cute holiday tee can really go a long way. From pairing it with a cute pair of sweatpants and slippers to jeans and a festive cardigan to tucking it into elegant lace pants, the possibilities run the gamut. I love being able to add a pop in the form of plaid or red in these instances. Just enough to feel festive without going overboard.

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A solid crewneck sweater is another great staple to work with. It helps if it happens to be a festive color, but if not you can always add some cheerful accents with layers or accessories. I adore each of these looks, from the relaxed jeans and fleece to the bright and cheerful plaid blazer and obviously the elegant monochromatic look with the pleated skirt and faux fur scarf.

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Whether it’s plaid or any other printed button-up you have on hand, you can easily work it into a number of outfits. Here I started with some dark denim and bright mules to coordinate with the shirt. I also styled a couple of dressier options including a gorgeous tulle skirt and luxurious velvet pants. Fun and festive pieces to pull together if you’re attending any types of gatherings this year.

With a lot less pressure this year of having everything going on, I hope you find ways to enjoy and take in the season in some unique and special ways with your loved ones.

xx, Marisa

I popped into Aerie yesterday with a return and ended up trying on a bunch of great pieces that I thought would be worth sharing with you all! Cute pj’s, comfy sweaters, a great fleece and some other good basics. I also included some more online options that I have my eye on if you scroll below. Here’s what I tried…

**My jeans are not Aerie, but this years version can be found here. They have a great slim, wide leg which is very flattering.

If you’re looking for some cute winter pj’s, Aerie has a few fun print options. You can also mix and match pieces as they have a few different bottoms to choose from including shorts. The sleeves ran a little short (which is typical for me) but otherwise I’d say these pieces ran TTS.

I snagged this henley and will likely be ordering more in various colors. I’ve been loving henley’s more than ever lately because they are great to layer with. This one runs TTS.

This oversized sweater is a dream. It would be great with jeans or leggings thanks to the tunic length. There are a bunch of great color options to choose from. The fit is oversized, but I went with an XS here as the S (which I’m wearing in the green) felt too large.

Another pretty sweater, this one also is meant to fit oversized, but I’d say you could go with your TTS.

Cute graphic tee’s for the holiday season. Nice to wear under cardigans or to bed!

Super cozy fleece in a bunch of color options. It’s great alone but it would work well layered under coats as well, especially with the high neck. This one does run large, I sized down.

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Happy Friday, all! It’s been a week around here and for you all I’m sure! Despite what’s going on in the world at large, today is a new day and we all get up, get dressed and do the best we can with the day before us. That’s something we have control over, what we do with each day is up to us! I’m choosing to make the most of it, regardless of outcomes, and commit to listen to others knowing we may not always agree and that’s okay. I’d get annoyed with too many of myself anyway ;)

Below is a round-up of some of my everyday outfits that I’ve worn over the past few weeks. As is obvious, t-shirts and henleys are my layering staple lately!

Well, it’s November. And last night we saw our first snow flurries as the kids trick or treated around the neighborhood! It was so nice to get to see many of our neighbors out and about and experience all the creative ways they handed out candy this year. Instead of making the year feel even more strange, I think the kids got a huge kick out of catching candy from slides and receiving pre-packaged goodies bags! It may have been dark (due to the time change) and cold, but there was no lack of excitement!

I found this quilted pullover recently and already know I’ll be wearing it often this winter. I’ve already worn it alone and layered under my puffer coat to provide an additional layer of warmth. Although it’s warm, it’s not oversized which allows you to layer without feeling overly bulky. These jeans were a purchase from Madewell’s most recent sale and I could not love them more. They have that perfect straight leg with just a touch of stretch giving them a fabulous fit. I do recommend sizing down one from your true size.

Pullover / Shirt (see similar below) / Jeans / Booties (see similar below) / Sunglasses

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