Christmas shopping is in full swing and I have a few gift guides coming your way that will hopefully give you some assistance! Starting off with the ladies, I’ve gathered a number of ideas that should cover friends, sisters, mothers and daughters alike. Cozy loungewear and slippers paired with a faux fur blanket would make for a great gift bag! A festive puzzle and coffee supplies would be great to bring along for anyone that may be hosting you this year. For those on-the-go women, a splurge-worthy pullover paired with some chic pants and a cute, yet practical duffle bag would be ideal. For the traveler, anything from an amazing cosmetics bag to packing cubes or a crossbody bag would be appreciated. There’s also a handful of items that would make a great add-on to other gifts you may already have including some amazing socks, cute and festive earrings, a cute hat or cozy gloves. As much of a gift lover that I am, I love being the giver and hope these help to inspire your gift giving as well!
Colder weather has made its way in and consequently layers have quickly come in to play. I broke out my cocoon coat for the first time this season and was reminded how much I love it. I have it in a green as well, but I purchased this neutral color last year and had no idea how much I’d be gravitating towards it. They have some beautiful colorways available this year (dying over the purple) including a similar color to what I’m wearing. My pants are older, but you can find a similar style here. These chelsea boots became quick favorites last year and I know they’ll continue to be a closet staple this year as well. They are great with all of the ankle length pants that we all love right now. Varley is a brand that I’m growing more and more fond of. They are a little pricey but the quality and fit are well worth it in my book. I have their longer Vine Pullover and just recently got this cropped pullover which I’m obsessed with. It’s casual by default (you can easily pair it with leggings or joggers) but more dressy than a sweatshirt. Great ideas to add to your Christmas list!
I’m still here taking in the gorgeous fall we have been having. The weather and the views have been nothing less than magnificent. It’s been perfect sweater weather, this one in particular getting a ton of wear. I love a good quarter-zip and I’m tempted to grab it in a few more colors, especially while it’s on sale. Neutrals have really been drawing me in however. I ran with the neutral inspiration when Kathy of Magpi & Bobbin asked if I’d collaborate on a bracelet stack with her. Together we came up with a stack of bracelets that can be worn with most any outfit. It’s named accordingly as the ‘Marisa Stack‘. We also created a smaller stack of three that would be perfect for any festive holiday outfit you may have planned. I’m so thrilled with how they turned out and hope you all love them too! Kathy was kind enough to offer a 15% discount on any purchase from her site, just use code marisa15 to grab yourself some jewelry and get a head start on your holiday shopping!
Hey all! It’s been a busy few weeks and I can hardly believe we are jumping into November in just a few days! We have had one of the most beautiful autumn seasons that I can recall and I’ve been savoring how scenic all the views have been. Sometimes it feels as though we jump straight to winter here in PA, but that hasn’t been the case this time around.
Today I’m sharing some snaps of my everyday looks that I’ve been wearing the past few weeks. There have been a lot of new items that I’m loving and have a feeling you will too…
Some of you know that black is not what I gravitate towards but this set was too chic too pass up! It’s perfectly casual for a weekend at home but also looks adorable with a jacket over top as you run around town. I ended up in the S for the bottoms and XS for the top as it seems to run a bit large.
I had ordered this sweater last winter, so when it showed up at my door late summer it was quite a surprise! I now understand why this cashmere sweater is as popular as it is. Not only is it cozy, but the shape is exactly what I’d hoped for; a mock neck and a length that’s on the shorter side without being cropped. You may have seen me style it with my trousers here.
If you need a comfortable on-the-go or travel pant, these are a must! I had originally ordered them in the ‘tan’ but when they arrived they were much more taupe (nearly purple) in person. They were pretty, but not what I was looking for. I ended up loving the fit so much that I decided to order them in black instead. They ran a touch big for me so I kept them in an XS instead of my typical S. The thermal top is a comfy Free People piece in one of my fav colors.
I know there are some good dupes of this Free People sweater, but the quality of the OG is hard to beat. This is my third color in this tunic and I just adore it. It’s versatile, lady-like with it’s neckline and manges to be flattering even with its oversized fit. I do size down to an XS as it runs a bit large. The pull-on pants are a pair that I’ve have for a few years, but they brought them back again because they’re that good!
I can’t get enough of these trousers lately. They’re a nice change to jeans and I can wear them with many of my sweaters with a little front tuck to define the waist. This sweater is from JCrew and I’m glad they brought this back again as well. It’s a geat, classic quarter zip that’s one of my go-to’s every year.
If you need a great rain jacket, you should check out this one. It has a large hood and a great length to it that will actually manage to keep you dry. If you are petite side however, this could overwhelm your frame, so keep that in mind.
My girls and I on one of out fall outings. I love my jacket which I grabbed on sale pre-season. It’s so warm and cozy but it does run large. If you are a true XS it may run too large for you. But otherwise I definitely recommend it!
We are in the midst of autumn where, here in Pennsylvania, the trees fill the landscape with all of their bright and vibrant colors. It’s one of my favorite times of the year and I savor not only the colors but the crisp air before those freezing temps settle in (for far too long in my opinion!). My wardrobe has been adjusting to the change in seasons as well. I loved pairing this cashmere sweater with these new trousers over the weekend. The sweater is a classic wardrobe staple that can go from lounge to weekend to work depending on how you style it. These wide leg trousers are so comfortable with a perfect amount of stretch to them. They are available in short, regular and long lengths so you can get a fit that’s perfect for you. I’m 5’7″ in the regular length and you can see they fall just about floor length when I’m wearing flats. I completed this outfit with a pair or leopard flats that I’ve owned for years, but below you’ll find exact and similar pieces to help you pull off a similar look of your own.
Not to worry, I won’t be flooding you with holiday decor just yet! However, most of you know that all the good things sell out long before we are actually ready to deck our halls. Since Studio McGee just released their holiday collection, I wanted to share some of the pieces that caught my eye. I always appreciate their classic and neutral appeal. I do add reds and pinks to my own Christmas decor, but I always love the quality and overall style of their collections. See my picks below and shop their whole collection HERE.
I’m so excited to share with you a home that I was fortunate to be a part of designing this past year. If you are a fan of Modern Farmhouses, you’re going to love this one! I was brought on board with Steve Hackman Builders to help with the colors and design elements of this beautiful home and upon completion it turned out better than we all could have imagined.
The mix of white vertical siding, black roof and windows with wood accents and the addition of the stone brought everything together on this show-stopping exterior.
Now that the grass has grown in and the landscaping has been complete, this home has really come to life. Their gorgeous ferns are the perfect accent to create such a welcoming entry.
Both inside and out, the color palette remains very neutral and simplistic. We used SW Iron Ore as an accent for the doors and mudroom built-ins. It’s a great black that’s just a touch softened when compared to more of a true black such as SW Tricorn Black.
I didn’t want the black accents to overwhelm the exterior, but I love the way their garage doors make such a statement on the side of the house.
You’ll see how we intentionally tied this stone to the interior as well as the exterior as you continue to scroll. I love the addition of the gable accents we did which also ties into their front porch posts. It all pulls together to give a cohesive and intentional feel.
One of the most breathtaking parts of this home has to be the two story fireplace and living room. We added vertical shiplap on the window wall to add interest to the room while at the same time tying in the exterior. It was a great way to add another element to the room without taking away from the stunning fireplace.
Below you’ll see how we again brought in the dark wood tones with some accent beams on the ceiling. It’s difficult to capture everything in its entirety, but you’ll have to trust me that this room is simply dreamy.
The owners ended up purchasing the same sectional that we own at my recommendation and as you can see, it’s perfect for the space. We used BM Pale Oak throughout most of the interior. I pulled the taupe undertone from the stone in the fireplace and it proved to be the perfect neutral backdrop the owners were after. Not to mention it worked perfectly with the upholstery in this sectional.
I love the aesthetic the owners were after. Clean, simple, light and airy. The camel and cognac accents they have added give the perfect amount of warmth to their home.
We went with a timeless and classic white kitchen that is another showstopper. We took the cabinets to the ceiling so that we didn’t waste any space and accented with glass doors. The wood details and brass fixtures help to balance everything out.
I love seeing how the rooms are all coming together for their sweet family to enjoy.
This passway between the kitchen and dining room is proving to be very beneficial. For day to day it makes the perfect coffee bar and when they are hosting gatherings it could quickly be transformed into a bar or prep area.
This room is such a great bonus. It currently serves as a playroom for their young children, but could easily become an office or sitting room in the future.
This home utilizes every space to the fullest allowing it to function the way they’ve always wanted a home to function. I love the mudroom built-ins that we accent with SW Iron Ore.
Last but certainly not least is their serene master bath.
I love the sleek and modern vibe in this room. That tub is a beauty all on its own and I know some little kiddos and going to have it filled to brim with laughter bubbles in no time!
This was such a fun project to be a part of and I’m filled with joy as their family continues to grow and fill this home with many memories to come.
Details:
Contractor: Steve Hackman Builders Flooring: Anderson Tuftex, Buckingham in Cambridge White Oak 17024 Paint Colors: Wall color: Ben Moore Pale Oak, Kitchen and trim: SW Pure White, Built-ins and doors: SW Iron Ore
It always takes me a little bit longer than most to fully get my wheels moving when it comes to jumping into fall. Honestly, it’s probably my favorite season of the year, especially living here in Pennsylvania, but I’m always hesitant to fully let go of the summer weather and all that goes along with it! Here we are, mid-September, which is when I typically start making the transition. It also happens to be our wedding anniversary today. Sixteen years ago we had as beautiful of a day as we are experiencing now. A perfectly sunny and beautiful September day…I’d do it again, year after year <3
When it comes our home, I don’t make any major decor changes around the house, more like small shifts. I change out some florals and bring out my large bin of pumpkins to scatter around the home. I love that these changes can hang around from September until Thanksgiving, until I’m ready to switch to my Christmas decor where I go a bit more dramatic.
Click on images below for shopping details.
Above I have gathered some decor that would transition into your home for fall and beyond. Changing out textures and bringing in a bit of warmth (with blankets, pillows, candles etc.) is all you really need. I love live pumpkins, but I love pulling out my faux pumpkins that last from year to year just as much. Below you’ll see a few images I gathered from around our home.
A large tray is so helpful to use as a base for a centerpiece for a dining room or console table. It also makes it easy to clean around and remove for dining when needed. I simply added a few pieces of eucalyptus from my floral stash to the pumpkins above, which are all from HomeGoods.
This was our porch from last year,the door has since been painted one of my favorite shades of blue. The pumpkins above aren’t real if you’d believe it! They are also from HomeGoods years ago and I love pulling them out each year.
Mums are the quintessential fall flower and I love finding them in all the shades to spread around our exterior. I plant a few in the front yard, and add them to our back deck as well since all of my summer florals have since bit the dust.
If you haven’t ever tried a DIY wreath, let me encourage you to do so. With a basic grapevine wreath you can simply poke your florals in without having to use hot glue or floral wire if you don’t desire to do so. Mine always hold tight and then I’m able to reuse the wreath with the change of each season. I’ve acquired quite a bin of faux florals over the years, so often I don’t even need to purchase anything new in order to design a new creation.
I hope you are all enjoying the shift in seasons too and are able to draw a little inspiration from any of the simple ideas I’ve shared!
As the weather is ever so slightly beginning to shift for us here, shoes have been one of the first things I’ve started to adjust when it comes to my outfits. I wasn’t overly inspired by anything new over the summer months, but fall is another story. There’s something about all the cute loafers, booties and sneakers that have me adding to cart like crazy. I’m obviously gravitating towards the browns, taupes and neutrals as you can see below, but that makes them easy to pair with almost anything.
In terms of sneakers, a classic pair of Converse is always a go-to for me. I recently got this pair and love the change from my typical white ones. I also have a pair of high-tops similar to these and love having them as another option to give an even more playful vibe. I love a good athletic sneaker that works with everything from an athleisure look to jeans and a sweater as well. This pair arrived recently and they are so comfortable! I did size up a half size as I typically do in athletic shoes to get a perfect fit.
When it comes to loafers/booties/mules I feel like many of them can be interchangeable with various outfits. Depending on what heel height you’re after, you could go for a slip on like this just as easily as you could use a heeled mule like these. The Sam Edelman loafers are a classic go-to of mine that I own in a few colors. They are sleek, classy, comfortable and won’t go out of style. A great shoe worth investing in. And if you need to update your booties, I love both these and these. The have a great shape and would look adorable with skirts or straight leg jeans.
(Click on images below for shopping details)
One of the best parts about fall shoes is that you can make the most of the cute styles without the worry of winter weather ruining them! But we aren’t there yet, so you can nix those snowflake images from your mind ;) Hope these help to provide a little fall inspo for your closet this season!
Hello all! It’s September! One of my favorite months of the year. I love the weather, football season, and the fact that it’s our anniversary month to name a few reasons. We had a wonderful summer and although I do miss having the kids home and enjoying our laid back days, it’s refreshing to get back into a routine and have more time to commit to work and upcoming projects. With Labor Day weekend before us, I’m guessing some of you will take advantage of the sales going on, Loft being one of them. I stopped in the other day and was drawn to so many of their dresses, which isn’t always the case. I wanted to share them with you as they’d make great options for anything from work, church, weddings, date nights to everyday paired with sneakers. Scroll on to see what I loved…
To be honest, the colors in this dress feel more spring/summer to me, but we all know that the warmth of summer carries well into September and it’s such a beautiful dress! I think grey heels or booties would help it to lend more towards fall but you could also through on a cardigan over top like this…
This sweater also comes in a few other colors. It has a great fit and is incredibly soft and comfortable. I’m wearing a 2 in the dress (it fits well, maybe ever so slightly large) and a small in the sweater, and I’d say they run pretty TTS
This is another similar dress in a different print and material. It comes off as more casual and could pair well with booties and a denim jacket but you could also do loafers and a blazer for work. I sized down to compare the 0 in this dress and it fit but I think I’d prefer the 2 (which is more TTS for me).
I probably have 5 similar jackets in my closet which goes to say this is a great staple to have on hand if you don’t already. It’s a great length to pair over dresses (in addition to wearing it with denim/pants) as the cut is more flattering. It runs TTS, I’m in the small.
This adorable dress is so preppy-chic, I adore it! The ruffle detail and tie waist pair perfectly on this shirt-dress. I love it with my Converse, but can also see it with heels/wedges as the weather allows and then with a denim jacket and booties when it starts to cool off. I’d say it runs slightly large, I’m wearing the XS here.
The print and colors on this drop-waist dress are spot on for fall while at the same time they don’t feel like your typical fall colors. The deep teal is striking and this dress style is another one that could easily be dressed up for down based on your destination. It runs slightly large as well, I’m in the XS and still had enough length to feel comfortable.
This dress is such a classic-chic with strong Jackie O vibes. Black and white is not really my style, but gosh it’s adorable. It’s rather fitted and I’d say it runs TTS, I’m in the 2.
Obviously not a dress, but I had to include this gorgeous skirt. The print is screaming fall in the most beautiful way, pulling together so many beautiful colors. Here are a few ways you could wear it; with a cardigan, a light-weight pullover, or going bold with a matching printed top. The skirt does run small, so I’d size down. All of the tops are pretty TTS (the pink runs a bit small in the sleeve), I’m in a small in all three.
