I don’t really know why, but this is the first year I’ve taken holiday decorating to the bedroom. Now I’m thinking… why on earth haven’t I been doing this every year!?
It’s so easy to add a few special touches to make things feel that much cozier, and I want to share three quick and subtle tips to transforming your bedroom to a magical holiday fairyland (too much, too soon?)!
1. Add some soft textures. Bonus points for pom pom or faux fur!
I have different blankets I use at the foot of our bed depending on the season. So in the summer and spring I have a cotton quilt vs. in the fall and winter I had a faux fur or pom pom blanket like this one to add some extra texture and softness to the room. I also added a faux fur pillow this year that is SO soft and a great size! Nordstrom has so many great home decor items, and with super-fast shipping, it’s such an easy way to try out some new pieces.
2. Toss in some greenery.
This is frequently a decor tip of mine, but it’s amazing what some greenery can add to a room – whether it’s real or faux. In this case, I added eucalyptus from Trader Joe’s along with a mini faux boxwood wreath to the headboard that I snagged at Nordstrom.
3. A strand of twinkle lights will change everything – hang ’em up girl!
Our first Christmas we had a real tree. Then I was one of the many who got a pre-lit faux tree (details here), and was like… ok this is way too easy. So we have a few sets of Christmas lights from our first year, and what better way to use them than to drape them over your headboard? Instant magic! We used the second set to wrap around the stairway banister.
You can find other bedroom details in this post. Do you decorate your bedroom for the holidays? I’d love to hear any tips you have! I wish we had room for another mini tree in our bedroom but it’s just too small for now. Le sigh – maybe one day!
You can find so many great holiday decor items right now at Nordstrom – some would make great gifts. I have my eye on this ornament! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
The weekend before Thanksgiving my sister and I went to Jamaica for the first time with Seagram’s Escapes. I have been to the Caribbean many times but never to Jamaica, so I was excited to see what the island was all about!
What I didn’t look up ahead of time was how much time it would take me to get there. After about 10 hours on planes… I finally arrived! I think after living in the South so long I tend to forget that pretty much everywhere is extremely far from California. BUT, there’s no better place to relax than on the beach with warm ocean water and an open bar. Sign me up!
We went out to Dunn’s River Falls on a boat, snorkeled in the ocean, got massages, watched fire dancers (I think my jaw is still on the ground remembering this) and listened to local musicians. One night they had the “Jamaican Whitney Houston” performing and she was incredible.
All while sipping different Seagram’s Escapes cocktails. The resort made a rum punch with Jamaican Me Happy, coconut rum and a sweet & sour mix and it was SO good. The Calypso Colada is also quite delish. Dangerously good!
Have you been to Jamaica before? Christian went in jr. high for a mission trip that involved sign language, and he still remembers a decent amount of signing.
I feel like this outfit is not complete without a baguette or croissant or something to help me fulfill my Parisian chic dreams. But we aren’t here to talk about my love of carbs or all things French-cool-girl. Today I’m talking about a way to maximize some of last year’s sweaters in your closet!
Fun fact: this isn’t really a dress. It’s a long turtleneck sweater that I’ve belted for a makeshift dress. I’m 5’7″ (commonly asked so it’s actually in my FAQ!), so I don’t have many sweaters I can do this with. However if you’re on the more petite side, you’re in big luck, sister!
I think the best way to balance out something short in the colder fall/winter months is with some tall boots and/or stockings. Or you could wear leggings and booties – your call.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 – I have and love these, run TTS | 5 | 6 – I have these and they’re even more fab in person! | 7 | 8 – my favorite coffee machine, shared here! | 9 – I’m on the hunt for the perfect camel jacket and this one might be it | 10 | 11 – I bought these last year on Black Friday and they’re my favorite pair for travel
It’s Cyber Monday! Which means the deals are even better today than they were all weekend AND it’s now or never to score some major discounts. I’m sharing some of my all-around favorite picks above and the best in multiple categories in the slideshows below. Can’t wait to hear about the deals you guys scored!
BEST OF SWEATERS:
I mean… I could have listed 100 sweaters I love that are on sale, but I’ll just give you the BEST. I love this chunky, cozy gray knit sweater. Love the sleeve slit detail in this sweater and if you’re looking for the perfect OTS fuzzy sweater, this one and this one are two of my faves.
BEST OF BOOTS/BOOTIES:
These are my favorite black booties and they’re 44% off. I think these could be great casual booties that go with everything and you can’t go wrong with these OTK boots. These strappy sandals are the pair I wear with almost everything and the block heel makes them great for all-night wear.
BEST OF OUTERWEAR:
I have this coat in my basket, and this might be the camel coat I’ve been looking for (I’ve been on the hunt for almost three years but don’t want to spend a fortune). If you don’t have a military jacket this one would be a great find!
BEST OF DENIM:
I have this pair (runs TTS) and this pair (size up one size) and can’t recommend them enough. Both are 40% off right now! I also really love this pair and this pair.
BEST OF PAJAMAS:
I have these in two colors and LOVE them and bought these last year so C and I could have matching Christmas pajamas (throwback to this pic).
TORY BURCH | 30% off orders of $250+ (including sale styles) with code THANKS
URBAN OUTFITTERS | 50% off purchases $150 or more, $15 off purchases $75 or more
YUMI KIM | 25% off sitewide and in store with code THANKS
WORLD MARKET | 40% OFF $300, 30% OFF $200 and 20% off $100 with code CYBERSALE
Happy shopping and thanks so much for coming to CBL for the scoop on the deals. I will be keeping this post updated throughout the day as things sell out! XO –
1 | 2 – the bootie that goes with everything | 3 | 4 – one of my favorite new scents (shared here) | 5 – I’ve heard great things about this wand | 6 – would make a great gift | 7 – one of my favorite serums (shared here)! | 8 | 9 – I have this watch and it’s like a bracelet + watch in one (shared here) | 10 – comes in 8 colors, would make a great gift! | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 – comes in 3 colors
Happy Thanksgiving! We are spending this year’s holiday in Orange County because Christian is on call all weekend, but thankfully my brother’s family was able to come down. We’re making a big feast and crossing our fingers C will be able to enjoy it with us – after all, today is his favorite day of the year (true story)!
I wanted to share my overall favorite sale picks (above) as well as my favorite picks in a few fall categories. I’m also sharing all the best discount codes so you can shop on your own if you have a favorite retailer. I will be keeping this post updated, so continue to check back as new sales are added and items are replaced as they sell out!
For all of my Shopbop picks in their huge buy more, save more sale going on this weekend, be sure to check out yesterday’s post!
BEST OF SWEATERS:
BEST OF DENIM:
BEST OF BOOTS/BOOTES:
BEST OF BEAUTY:
BEST OF OUTERWEAR:
ANN TAYLOR | 50% off everything with code THANKFUL
YUMI KIM | 25% off sitewide and in store with code THANKS
Thanks so much for reading, and ENJOY this weekend with loved ones. Hope you have lots of laughs, lots of food and lots of memories with your favorite people. Thank you so much for reading CBL – I’m truly so thankful and appreciative of each and every one of you. XO –
1 – have in two colors #love | 2, also love this one | 3 – everyone needs a classic white shirt! | 4 | 5 | 6 – in my basket for sure | 7 – if you don’t have a pair of sock booties, get on it girl | 8, also love this one | 9 – just bought and LOVE, runs TTS | 10 – have and love, size up one size (worn here and here) | 11 – under $50 and come in 4 colors | 12 – have three pair of Stuart Weitzman OTK’s and wear them year after year | 13
The sales are a-comin’, and Shopbop is kicking things off with some serious markdowns! They’re offering 20% off orders of $200+, 25% off orders of $500+ and 30% off orders of $800 or more with code MORE17.
This is the ideal time to snag some Stuart Weitzman boots, that perfect moto jacket, cozy sweaters and my favorite jeans (also have and love these). Last year I loved this scarf so much I bought it in two colors, trust me – it’s that good! Also included in the markdowns are these leggings which I wore yesterday here and earlier this year here and last year here. I have them in ALL three colors and they’re a fall/winter staple for me!
This sale will only go on this weekend, so take time to find those fall and winter items that are worth a bigger investment to really take advantage of this major sale. My favorite classic picks are above.
A few more of my favorite pieces in the sale below –
All my Thanksgiving sale favorites will be on the blog tomorrow – so check back for a huge roundup of markdowns! In the meantime, here are some sales that have already started:
ANN TAYLOR | 50% off everything with code THANKFUL
Christian and I took a mini anniversary trip to the mountains recently. You guys had a lot of questions about Big Bear so I thought I would answer some of those today!
Where to Stay:
We usually visit Big Bear in the fall for a taste of the season and both last year and this year we have snowy December visits planned. I think fall and winter are the best times to visit, and you’ll want to find a cabin on VRBO or Airbnb (better selection than hotels and more nestled away in the woods).
What to Do:
My favorite thing to do in Big Bear is just this – cozy up in Ugg slippers, all the cashmere and drink coffee/hot chocolate/wine by the fire. We play board games and watch movies. We usually spend the majority of our time at the cabin which is why C always spends a lot of time finding the perfect place.
I leave the fancy clothes at home and bring my Ugg boots (bonus points that they match Bailey’s hair – lab owners, you know what I mean!) and comfy pieces. I love the Ugg selection at Bloomingdale’s, and they have some of the best cashmere pieces.
Where to Eat:
I was surprised on this visit to see a lot of new restaurants! On this particular trip we only ate out once, but in past visits we have visited the below –
The Old German Deli – this is a new sandwich spot and has really, really good meat. Warning: they do put mayonnaise on everything even though the description doesn’t say mayo, so if ask for it without if you’re not into that. I say this from two people who don’t eat mayo!
Grizzly’s Manor Cafe – great for breakfast or brunch. Think coffee and gigantic pancakes!
Peppercorn Grill – the best place for a nice dinner…. but I still think you might be better off grilling steaks at your rental!
Saucy Mama’s – great pizza and sometimes on the weekend they have music outside.
The Black Kat – for years I’ve said that Big Bear Village would benefit with a little wine tasting spot and now they have one! We actually sat outside on little couches with heaters and had a tasting on this trip, and it was lovely. Would definitely go back!
photos by Christian Barnes
slippers, also love these | boots | leggings – comes in 4 colors | crop top (intended to be worn underneath tops and dresses but I wore it as a top) | scarf – comes in 10 colors, also love this one | ruffled cape – comes in 5 colors
I hope this was helpful to some of you planning to head to the mountains!
And I definitely plan to pull this outfit back out over Thanksgiving weekend. Bloomingdale’s has so many cozy pieces right now, I want to stock up on layers for some cold weather trips ahead. Talk about comfy layers!
If you’ve been following CBL online or on Instagram, you’ve seen me talk about Dana Seng Jewelry. I’m always wearing her pieces and get asked about them so often that I quickly added the info to the FAQ page of this blog. I did a giveaway with her earlier this year, so I’m so excited to share some more beautiful pieces and why I think this could be the perfect gift to hint hint at for the holidays!
My favorite has to be the initial and number necklaces. I rotate between my ruby “K” and diamond “3” and wear one or the other 24/7. Seriously – I never take it off! I think these personalized rings are so sweet and I love that you can stack them. I also have a “C” bracelet that I really love, and if you’re not a clasp person the personalized cuffs are so beautiful.
The ability to personalize fine jewelry (without an additional charge) is what I think makes her pieces so unique and is why I treasure them so much. Because each piece means something to me, since in a way you get to be involved in the design, letter, number, stone, etc.
– roses and lilies in my courtly check vase from my guy for our anniversary –
– still dreaming of these cotton fields in Mississippi (outfit here) –
– the prettiest handbag that I attached my new pom pom strap to – in love! –
– hot cocoa with a cozy knit blanket by the fireplace in Big Bear (recipe here) –
Happy Friday! I am actually coming to you from… sunny Jamaica! I’ve never been to Jamaica before, but an opportunity arose and my sister is coming along as my plus one/photographer. About a year ago we explored London and Paris together, and this year we are having a little pre-holiday beach time. I love making memories like this with her that I know we’ll look back on in the years to come!
I’ll be sharing more about this trip on the blog soon, and you can follow along some of our shenanigans on Instagram.
Above are a few highlights from our long anniversary weekend in Big Bear, and after receiving a lot of questions from you guys on social media, I’ll be sharing some of our favorite things to do there next week. We go at least once a year (sometimes twice), so we definitely have some favorite spots. So more on that to come!
Last but not least, I will be sharing all the best Black Friday/Cyber Monday steals and deals in the upcoming week. Be sure to check back as I keep posts updated with all the goods! You can see all my holiday posts under the “holiday” tab at the top of this page.
Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend – XO –
I love sharing holiday posts with you guys, and this year I’m getting a head start by sharing some of the ways I keep things low-stress when hosting.
This will be our fifth Thanksgiving and Christmas in California, so I’ve had fun learning each year how to cook the whole meal (with the help of my sister-in-law who is a great cook) and have fun while doing it. I definitely envy my friends who can just show up to their Aunt’s house with a pie, but I want to share some of what I’ve learned over the years!
1. Do as much prep as you can ahead of time.
This is probably the biggest no-brainer tip, but it makes a big difference. The first few years I had a full-time job + CBL so I would prep things at night. Now I am lucky to work from home so I can spend the entire day before cooking and prepping, playing holiday movies on my laptop and sprinkling cinnamon on everything!
2. You don’t have to make everything from scratch.
I mean… cut yourself some slack. Store-bought rolls, a pre-made casserole or a pie from a bakery never hurt anyone. One year I spent all this time trying to make gravy (I don’t even eat gravy) and it wasn’t even good. The next year I bought gravy in a plastic container which tasted better than anything I could have made.
3. Skip the complicated appetizers and opt for a cheese plate, or frozen goods.
4. Set your table the day before… and have fun with it!
By taking time the day before to set your table, you can have fun with it and play with it until you get it just right. I usually add greenery from outside and wait to add that the day of so it’s fresh.
5. Ask your guests to bring their favorite dish.
Everyone has a sentimental dish, so invite your guests to bring something they love! It’s also a fun way to try something new. Christian grew up with creamed spinach and I never had that during the holidays but now I’m trying to master it!
6. Place cards are a thoughtful touch and eliminates the whole “where do you want us to sit?” confusion.
I like to write names on greenery, but there are tons of charming ideas on Pinterest!
7. Have a glass of wine and remember that the holidays are for enjoying time with loved ones and making memories. You don’t want to be stressed in the kitchen the whole time!
Red wine is my go-to this time of year and Seven Daughters Red Blend is smooth and well-rounded. I pour myself a tall glass and try to remember that the holidays area about love, no matter where you’re spending the weekend. Cheers!
You can check out Seven Daughters on Facebook and Instagram and find their wine in your area here. AND the code CBL7D is good for 20% off any Seven Daughters purchase on Uncorked.com! XO –
Bringing you my fourth post from Mississippi (first post here, second post here, third post here) and wishing these leaves were outside my door right now!
I can’t not address this adorable fringe jacket that I’m happy to share is as soft and cuddly as it looks. This exact color is no longer available but I’m linking some of my favorite fringe layering pieces below.
I’m back in the land of palm trees and heading to another land of palm trees tonight (more on that soon), but will be sharing some of our cozy photos from Big Bear in the next week. Can you believe Thanksgiving is a week away!? How has that happened!? I’m still not 100% sure what our holiday plans are, but I see sweatpants and slippers in my future (more on that next week!).
I’m sharing a fun post tomorrow with tips for a stress-free holiday, and I’ll be staying up to share all the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping deals. Be sure to check back next week for the full scoop!
You can see all my holiday-related posts at the top of this page under the “holiday” tab.
One of my favorite trends this fall is the pom pom sweater. I saw this one on the runway earlier this spring, and I was like, Lord have mercy I HAVE TO HAVE IT.
So when I found this cardigan (and then bought this turtleneck sweater) for less than $70 I did a happy dance. It makes a statement everywhere you go while still being extra cozy and perfect for those “it was cold yesterday but today it’s 72 degrees” type of days that I feel like everyone is having!
I also think this would be a great outfit for Thanksgiving. You know how you wear a sweater and then it gets hot in the kitchen or the fireplace warms up the room. It’s nice to dress in layers so you can stay comfortable.
Of course I can’t go without mentioning these yellow leaves. Ridiculously gorgeous. This is right next door to my parents house and I had my jaw basically on the ground as we drove by. Brb – I’m about to make snow angels in these leaves.
