Hi guys! Sorry for my lack of posting this week, but as expected it’s been a bit non-stop around here. I turned 37 in the midst of it, spent quite a few hours volunteering at school, and hosted my annual cookie exchange party. The kids have their last day of school today and then we’ll be able to finally settle in. Thankfully very little travel is required of us which I appreciate after years of making the trek from Hoboken, NJ to central PA. But for those of you that will be on the road, I pray you have safe travels and a wonderful time spent with family and friends.
I talked Jack into sneaking in a quick shoot in between errand running yesterday. Audrey was of course in tow and she rarely turns down a picture! This coat was a birthday gift from my mother. One of those ‘Marisa, what do you want’? gifts, and I’m a’ok with that!! I first ordered it in brown because the green was sold out, but then it restocked and I quickly grabbed one! I was happy with the brown, but as a green eyed gal, it was just calling my name. I love it’s structure, the fact that it’s collarless and the gigantic pockets. It does run large though, so I definitely recommend sizing down. I wore it over a typical everyday outfit of mine which included my Ugg wedge booties. They are an investment but I’ve already gotten a ton of wear out of them and can pretty much guarantee they’ll be my most worn shoe over the next few months.
Happy Monday! I’m gathering a bunch of my recent outfits that have been shared on Instagram but have not yet made it to the blog. A bit more of my normal day-to-day if you will. I hope you all have a great start to your week. It’s bound to be busy, but full of excitement!
Happy Friday, all! I know it’s such a crazy time for everyone right now, but it’s also so magical, isn’t it? Tonight we’ll be attending Jack and Madelyn’s Christmas concert which is always such a great performance. Then we actually have a somewhat calm weekend before the insanity of next week starts. The week before Christmas can be such a blur, but then everything comes to a sudden halt and I so look forward to that time. Pj’s and cookies and movies and eggnog and family and friends, loooove it!
In case you didn’t hear, LOFT is offering 50% off your purchase once again. And since that’s when we all shop, I wanted to share my current ‘best of’s’. I’ve got a little bit of everything to share so you’re covered for holiday festive to cozying up by the fire and everything in between.
You already saw me style this sweater on Monday, so you know it made it’s way home with me. I love the cropped length and the chunky knit. It runs TTS and I’m wearing a small.
For my fellow pastel fans, here’s a pretty plaid sweater. It’s Lou & Grey, very cozy and I’d likely pair it with some of their sweats to dress it down at home.
Another great Lou & Grey sweater. I love mixing grey and brown, so I’m all about this striped combo.
I rarely wear red, but this outfit just calls for it! I love the bold pop of color from the pants and the feminine lace detail on the sweater. You’d get your wear out of it all winter long.
If I could come up with enough reasons to buy all the dressy things, trust me, I would. This top was adorable! It’s a true wrap top, fitting TTS (I’m in an XS) with a button closure at the chest.
Not that I’d necessarily wear these two pieces together, but I wanted to show you the tunic length of this sweater that’s perfect for leggings. And if you are on the lookout for some out of the ordinary leggings, the color on this velvet pair is very pretty.
I really liked this dress but it just wasn’t doing much for me. I love how it looks on the model however, and if it fell a little shorter on me I think that would have been helpful.
If you need a piece that’s festive but not over the top, this dress is worth checking out. It’s stretchy and fitting without being clingy. You could easily wear a faux fur vest and knee high boots or even tights and some heels.
This sweater dress was awesome. Not too thick, not too thin, not too short, not too long. Add leggings or knee high boots and you’re set!
These Lou & Grey leggings caught my eye not only for the tuxedo stripe but also the speckled material. I could see them being dressed up a bit just as easily as they could be dressed down.
I love the colors in this blouse. Another piece that could be very versatile in your closet. Throw on a cardi or a blazer and pair with anything from denim to trousers or a pencil skirt.
If I had to convince you on making one purchase, this would be it. I’m not kidding, this duster has become my new ‘house coat’. And if that’s not a thing, it is now! I’ve been wearing this every single day over my pj’s (it’s currently wrapped around me as I type). It’s that magical Lou & Grey material that’s cozier than anything else I own and it adds the perfect layer of warmth for these cold winter days. I’m wearing a small and would say it’s TTS.
These pants unfortunately weren’t in store, so I had to order them. They arrived yesterday and I’m loving them. They run slightly big (I’m usually a 2 in their slim trousers, but these straight leg pants are a 0). They aren’t lined, but since the fit is loose it’s not really an issue. They are ankle length which is perfect for pairing with heels and I could see any number of festive tops being paired with these. As of now, this is what I’ll likely be wearing to our Christmas Eve service.
I hope that helps you guys! LOFT is always one of my favorite places to shop because you can find a little bit of everything. And being able to get it for 50% off is just the cherry on top!
Christmas is now less than two weeks away, so whether you are still checking things off your list or catching some deals for yourself, today’s post is for you. I’ve rounded up the top picks from some of the best sales going on now. Nordstrom has some fantastic discounts, J.Crew is giving you 50% off today, as is Abercrombie & Fitch! LOFT has 40% off a bunch of items and Madewell is offering 25% off your purchase, to name a few. Take advantage now while the prices are right and before shipping deadlines kick in!
Well, Christmas is two weeks away. I’m not mentioning this as an attempt to add stress to your day, but more of an effort to help you refocus and enjoy what you can out of the coming weeks. It’s so easy to get distracted and fall into all the busy-ness of right now. This year I set a limit on how much I was buying the kids and had that list checked off pretty early. I do most shopping online and that saves so much time from my day and I often get better deals that way too. I still have a handful of others on my list, but I’m trying not to let that part of the season overwhelm me. We’ve been attending concerts, church events and other various Christmas happenings because they will all be here and gone before we know it. We also started reading this Advent book as a family each evening. It’s not picture perfect each night, but I love how it brings us all together and helps us to keep our focus on the real reason for celebrating.
I wore this outfit yesterday to church and then to a Christmas Concert that my mother directs. The cardigan is so cute and cozy and I love it’s slightly cropped length. It’s going to be put to work in my wardrobe for sure! It would also look great dressed up over a top like this and pants such as these. But you know me and my casual everyday. And speaking of casual everyday, I bought these boots a few weeks ago for that very purpose. I didn’t expect for them to be much of a stand-out bootie, but you wouldn’t believe the amount of people that stop and ask me about them. I not only love the wedge that adds great height without sacrificing comfort, but also the fact that they are insulated and waterproof. Basically your perfect winter boot when you’re still looking for a bit of style. They were a splurge but I knew I’d be getting my wear out of them, so if there’s still room on your Christmas list you may consider adding them!
Each year I love finding at least one top or sweater that will serve as my holiday workhorse. I knew this was the one as soon as I scrolled upon it. I love that the ivory plays so well with anything from denim to red, black, green and basically anything in between. I have a pair of lace pants similar to these that I’ll be pairing with it at some point. If pom poms are a bit much for you, this sweater also comes in a handful of other solid colors. The fit is so chic and stylish with a perfect v-neck, slightly ballooned sleeves and the long cuffs. You can’t go wrong with this one. Overall, Madewell has been nailing it in the sweater department. I’ll share more of my favorites below since they still have their 20% or 30% off sale happening now (the best time to take advantage!).
It’s Wednesday and although the stomach bug interrupted the beginning of our week around here, I’m determined to get things back on track in order to finish out this week on a much better note! Today I’ve got a fun little under $50 gift guide to share with you all. Friends, family members, hosts, significant others…you should be able to find something on here for just about everyone.
Flannel: A great flannel is widely accepted and this one comes at a great price and in a number of color combos.
Water Bottle: Last year I made the resolution to drink more water. Half my body weight in ounces was my daily goal and although I didn’t hit that everyday I came much closer than ever before. The only reason was because I always kept (and continue to keep) a water bottle by my side. Maybe this would be a great goal for you and a friend. Plus, a cute bottle never hurt anyone.
Faux Fur: Any girlfriend of mine would love a little faux fur. Especially something simple like this that would add a little punch to any holiday outfit.
Lipstick: I get asked most about my lip color the most when I’m wearing this Stila lipstick. Not only do they have great color options, but the stuff really stays on. And since reapplication is not my jam, this stuff is my best friend. This set would make a great gift on it’s own or could be broken up to add to other gifts.
Cutting Board: A fun and festive gift that could be perfect for anyone that may be hosting you this year.
Earrings: I share these time and again. I love them because the shape is so flattering on everyone and they come in just about any color option. The gold is especially festive.
Cozy Minimalist Home: I’ve recently started following The Nester and love her and her motto that ‘it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful’. This is a book I’d love to get my hands on. Check her out on Instagram for a great follow.
Homebody tee: Does this tee speak to anyone else?! Not only do I love this tee, but I love the whole Proper Tee line by Chris Loves Julia. How cute is the MistleToe tee?
Travel Jewelry Box: What a perfect gift for the friend that does a lot of traveling. Makes a great stocking stuffer too.
Hat: Cold weather accessories are always practical this time of year, especially when they are classic and cute!
Slipper: I love these classy slippers in the form of a loafer. They also come in a blush pink if that’s more her thing.
French Press: For the coffee lover. This gift changed my coffee life last year. I don’t use it everyday, but we break it out a few times a week to enjoy a better/tastier cup of coffee.
Hey guys! Hope you had a great weekend! We tracked down our Christmas tree on Saturday and despite everyone’s best efforts, I wasn’t giving in until we found that perfect tree. When I say perfect, I never really know what that means until I see it. Sometimes it’s quirky other times it’s gigantic, but this year it turned out to be picture perfect. We were ready to give up when someone tracked us down and told us that we could enter a ‘do not cut’ area that they were just opening. Talk about our Christmas angel! And would you believe that that area was full of the most perfect trees all in a row and we were the first to enter! Just a little slice of heaven on earth for two tired parents and three cranky kiddos. We may have taken home half a field of mud, but it was all worth it.
I layered up for our tree hunt wearing this pretty flannel (that’s currently $25 and comes in a bunch of colors) and this cozy sweater that’s on sale at Madewell, as are the updated version of my jeans. I get asked often about my Madewell jeans and I love every pair I have. They hold up wash after wash and are very much worth the splurge, especially when they’re on sale as they are now. They run true to size and my favorites are their high-rise fit. Another perk is that they offer free shipping and returns when you’re an Insider (which is free to sign up for!).
Hello Friday! This week flew by for us. With the kids off school on Monday and preparations going on for a big fundraiser that’s happening at the kids school tonight, I really don’t know where the week went! I’m sure many of you have your Christmas shopping well underway, or at least started, so today I wanted to share my gift guide for all those guys in your life. Jack can be one of the more challenging people on my list to shop for, but I’m pretty sure he’d love more than one or two things from this guide. It helps that I requested his input as I worked on this post as well as the help from one of our most resourceful, stylish and in-the-know friends. Hopefully this can serve as a great aid as you check off that list!
Hoodie: Most guys love a good hoodie and I love this one that’s made from a thermal knit jersey. It would perfect to lounge in but could also be a great layer over top of a plaid button-up shirt.Scarf: I love a good tartan scarf, especially one that I could borrow for myself.
Wall Art: I think most guys would enjoy a piece of art that could serve as a memory of a past trip or dream and plan a vacation to come! Perfect for a home office or den area.
Hindsight: I haven’t read this book, but I know Jack would enjoy this. First off because the design is top notch (and was done by the design firm he used to work at), and second because who doesn’t want a behind the scenes look into JT’s life? I love this blurb about the book: ‘Living a creative life, observing and finding inspiration in the world, taking risks and listening to an inner voice—this is Justin Timberlake’.
Yeti: I’m sure I’ve shared this in years past, but if you don’t own one, you may not know how great these insulated tumblers really are. They make a perfect gifts for anyone on the go and keep your drinks hot or cold for hours on end.
Gloves: They may be typical, but practical is always appreciated! Jack is due for a new pair, so I have this pair sitting in my cart now.
Sneakers: These have been on Jack’s list for a while now. I love the look and the fact that they don’t look athletic, but perfect for everyday wear.
Smart Plug: I’ve seen and heard a number of people that use these plugs and if you have an Alexa, you should probably add this to your list. You can have it control anything that’s plugged into it, but it seems to be most resourceful for turning lights on/off, especially with all the added Christmas lights this time of year!
Putter: I won’t pretend to know anything about golf, but coming from my good friend, this has greatly improved his game!
Watch: Classy and timeless, you can’t go wrong with this handsome watch.
Pants: I don’t know about you, but Jack doesn’t shop for his own clothes. He leaves that to the hands of myself and I’m thinking it couldn’t hurt to add a little color to his winter wardrobe. These are also flannel lined and have some built in stretch which is always an added bonus!
Many of you know that pastels are pretty much my favorite. I’ve always been drawn to the soft, beautiful shades any time of the year. I’ve shared this sweater on here before and absolutely love it. Not merely for the color, but the flattering faux wrap, the perfect weight (not too bulky nor too light), and the fact that it comes in various colors. It’s worth putting on your list. I more recently grabbed this scarf at LOFT for all the obvious reasons <3 It pairs perfectly with grey for those of you that may own a grey coat.
Speaking of coats, J.Crew is one of my absolute favorite places to purchase winter coats. I’ve owned this one for years and years and you’d never know it! The same goes for a number of others that I have from them. The quality is always top-notch, as is the fit. But I think my favorite thing is the variety of color options that they offer. From classic navy, camel and grey to a pop of red or pink, or a soft but unexpected shade of lavender or green. They’ve literally got you covered ;)
Lastly, I wanted to mention these earrings that I ordered through my friend at Noonday. I love their neutral look that allows me to pair them with most of my everyday outfits. I’m sure many of you have heard about their wonderful mission, but if not, you can check them out here.
