When you’re dressing for holiday parties, you can’t go wrong accessorizing up a classic LBD. It’s my go-to for an outfit that is appropriate for any setting – work, your guy’s work, church, friends, family, etc. This dress is stretchy (read: comfortable) and unique in its angled hem that it’s definitely going to be my fall and winter black dress of choice.
And everything looks more flattering with over-the-knee boots, right? At least I think so!
Thanks for reading and tell me if you scored any great deals for Black Friday/Cyber Monday! I snagged these jeans and this hat at 30% off, these boots and got five awesome gifts for my nieces/nephews. Checking off some of that Christmas shopping and adding some presents to our first-ever Christmas tree, is there any sweeter feeling? Thanks for reading! XO –
This crop top and midi skirt is probably my favorite outfit I’ve worn in quite some time. While I know what looks good on my body, I can’t help but want to try out new trends. Bermuda shorts, mini skirts, leg warmers with ankle booties, lots of hair braids – I love all of these trends on other gals but they don’t really do anything for my body. Crop tops and midi skirts? This is a trend I gladly embrace.
I have always had a lean torso and carry my bulk in my bum and thighs – I’ve been told have my grandmother’s figure who I never got to meet but I’ve seen photos and can totally see it. Thanks for thighs, Bette! I love a full or flowy skirt that hides this while accentuating my waist. It gives me a little shape which is nice. But don’t get me wrong, I love a comfy, loose top and shift dress… although Christian isn’t a fan of loose clothes on me. Not that I really care, obviously I dress for myself. BOOM! #makingCarrieBradshawproud
So forgive me for sharing too many photos of this top + skirt combo – I’m just quite obsessed with it and love winter white this time of year!
It’s here! Black Friday is tomorrow and tis the season to get great deals on those items you don’t want to pay full price for – cashmere, leather, designer sunglasses, designer shoes, etc. I have a little list of goodies I hope to score this weekend and want to share some of the greatest sales with y’all!
J.CREW – 30% off select full-price styles and additional 40% off sale + free shipping with code HOLIDAY J.CREW FACTORY – 50% off everything + free shipping with code THANKS
KATE SPADE SATURDAY – 30% off site wide + free shipping with code DEALME KENDRA SCOTT – 15% off + ground shipping with code BFCM2014
MADEWELL – 25% off your entire purchase with code GIFTON
Happy Thanksgiving and happy shopping! I’ll be sharing more codes tomorrow so stay tuned! Don’t forget to enter the Ray Ban & Rakani watch giveaway – XO –
Now that I don’t go home to my parents or in-laws house for Thanksgiving, I realize how much I took these holidays for granted when all I did was show up! Not that I don’t love cooking and showing my love for others through food (I mean, hello, I’m Southern), but I have a feeling I’m going to come home from work and will be up into the AM prepping for Thursday. All in the name of a casserole, right?
It’s fine, now that I have a serious addiction to this podcast.
This year, I plan to bring several dishes, including this sweet potato pie that is delicious time and time again. Christian and I aren’t huge pumpkin-lovers, so the sweet potato is the perfect pie to accompany the mandatory chocolate-anything pie. And you can’t serve dessert on a holiday without a hot cup of coffee. This year, I have fallen head over heels in love with my Nespresso VertuoLine. I love that I can instantly have a hot cup of coffee, flavored coffee, decaf, an espresso, latte, macchiato, you name it. It’s actually the perfect machine for entertaining because you can straight up take coffee orders like you’re at Starbucks (but not like this).
I fell in love with this machine when there was one in our villa on our honeymoon. And not that Christian doesn’t have amazing coffee-making skills, but this Nespresso has me looking forward to my morning stumble down the stairs and it’s the perfect partner to my Thanksgiving holiday. Who has one of these beauties and how much do you love it?
I’ve recently stumbled into a new blog crush, these gals, and saw Brooke had purchased this leopard scarf and it looked so cute on her… so I had to have one for myself. Combine blanket scarf with leopard and it’s basically a no-brainer.
Bailey and I coordinated our outfits before having brunch in Big Bear and I was cozy as could be. There is a 80% chance this is almost exactly what my Thanksgiving day outfit will look like. Christian has the day off this year (last year he was working and I had a Friendsgiving with other out-of-state friends), and we plan to go to LA to spend it with my brother’s family and a Dermatology resident. I’m bringing the sweet potato casserole, a pie (you will see the recipe tomorrow!), a green bean casserole and stuffed squash. My sister-in-law is prepping her first turkey and I have total confidence in her!
But back to shopping… today I’m teaming up with some adorable blogger gals for a giveaway valued at $400 – scroll down to check it out!
Let’s chat about this giveaway! I’m teaming up with some seriously adorable ladies to give away a pair of Ray Ban Aviators ($150) and any Rakani Watch (up to $250), for a total value of $400, just in time for the holidays. The giveaway runs through midnight, 12/5.
Thanks so much for reading and entering… and good luck! XO –
PS – I’ll be sharing more info tomorrow, but today is the last day to get 25% off a Nespresso! I’m addicted, and if you’re a coffee-lover, you’re going to need one of these for a Christmas gift… to yourself. More to come but the sale ends today!
Christian and I recently rode our bikes to brunch and stopped by the Chapman campus along the way. The campus is so beautiful and lush – it always reminds us of our days at Ole Miss. So the question is – are we the cute newlyweds with nostalgia or the creepy random old people cruising the campus where we didn’t go to school? The verdict is still out.
I can’t share this Tvachia bag without telling y’all a little backstory. Based out of Atlanta, the leather comes from Calcutta, India and is drum-dyed and natural, an age-old process that dyes the leather throughout and produces the highest quality product.The color in Tvachia bags becomes deeper and richer over time, giving you a unique, one-of-a-kind bag. A portion of the proceeds benefits a non-profit organization in India that provides education to under-privileged children and helps women in the area form self-help groups. It’s pretty neat to know the handbag you’re carrying isn’t just a handbag and actually represents a whole lot more than just a cute purse.
I saw an instagram recently that said there were only five Saturdays until Christmas and my jaw practically dropped. It is seriously right around the corner and the holiday parties will be here before you know it. This little collage is my inspiration this year for classic party attire with a twist – pieces that you can still continue to wear different ways but have that extra element of fun for a party vibe.
And how great would this vest be with that classic LBD? I may live in Southern California, but the fur vests come OUT my friends. Oh yes.
What is your go-to for holiday parties (besides cocktails (my fave) obviously)?
Lastly, thank you to all who entered the Lulu & Georgia giveaway last week! So glad you guys loved this giveaway as much as I did. I’m excited to announce the lucky winner is…. Jessica Mabry!
Keep your eye out for LOTS of fun holiday giveaways coming soon. Thanks for reading and participating – your involvement makes these fun giveaways possible! XO –
– one of my anniversary gifts from Christian – the most beautiful fiddle leaf fig tree that I’ve wanted for almost a year (he says I kill all my plants…but my lemon and lime trees from my birthday are going strong so he caved – booya!) –
This has been such a fun week – celebrating our wedding anniversary and making Thanksgiving plans – one of the many reasons I love November I knew I wanted to get married in the fall because the cool, crisp weather, changing of leaves and fall holidays are my absolute favorite time of year. The first day of October always brings so much excitement for the months to come and I try to savor every minute! Speaking of – Christian and I have never had an actual Christmas tree because the first year we were honeymooning and he was interviewing for medical residencies and the second year our apartment was the size of a shoebox so we skipped it (Bailey ran through the screen door in that apartment multiple times, I could just see her knocking that tree down in an instant). THIS year, I finally have the opportunity to have a beautiful tree and Mr. Scrooge is all, “I don’t think we need it.” He’s crazy right?? WE MUST get a tree, right??
After such a romantic getaway weekend (photos to come!), Christian is working this weekend and I plan to do some really sexy things on my own – like clean out my closet, work on this blog, do a little early Christmas shopping and bake a sweet potato pie. I’m WILD! Speaking of shopping, it wouldn’t be the weekend if I didn’t keep y’all in the loop with the latest and greatest sales going around. Check it out:
Also, I couldn’t wrap up this week without thanking y’all for all of your heartfelt responses and advice to Wednesday’s post. I loved hearing your own relationship advice and lessons – it was beyond inspiring. Thank you so much for all of your well wishes and tips!
Lastly, don’t forget to enter the $100 Lulu & Georgia giveaway! Seriously I was on their website two nights ago and added like five things to my cart…obsessed. Have a beautiful weekend – XO –
Monday, 11/10, marked seven years with Christian and two years of marriage. He’s my best friend and partner in this roller coaster of life. I stole the words of Carrie Bradshaw (and had them embroidered on our wedding day handkerchiefs), “it’s just me and you.” I try to remember that along with what our minister shared with us during our pre-marital counseling, “remember to be kind to one another.” Simple words but always a good reminder.
I’ve shared bits of our wedding here, but I wanted to share with you guys some photos that I haven’t shared publicly before – some of my favorites. Thanks for sharing the trip down memory lane with me!
While Christian and I have been together for many years, we didn’t live together until we got married and this has brought along some new lessons. I actually realized a few weeks ago how much Christian really knows me when I called him while I was sitting in an hour of traffic to go just 15 miles from my work to our home (we recently moved closer to the hospital now that he takes home call and it’s made my commute a devil). Christian patiently listened to me vent, told me he understood how frustrated I was and why I was angry and talked to me the entire way home so the drive would go by faster. When I got home he had a glass of wine ready for me on the patio from a bottle we picked up on a trip to Santa Barbara and told me we were going to ride bikes to the circle to have dinner at Gabbi’s. Now that’s a man I’m lucky to call my husband! Now if only I could learn to be more patient and calm like him.
As our dear friends read at our wedding, “Love must be sincere.Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.Be devoted to one another in love.Honor one another above yourselves.Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.Be joyful in hope,patient in affliction,faithful in prayer.Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you;bless and do not curse.Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.Live in harmony with one another.Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil.Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12: 9-18
To my love – let the breakfast in bed, late night swims, drinks on the patio under the bistro lights, kitchen dance parties and early morning coffee dates continue. Love ya boo –
You can also take a peek at some of our first year anniversary photos here. Thanks for reading and to you married gals, what have you learned in your first few years of marriage? I would love to hear! XO –
I am so thrilled to be participating in the “12 Days of Giveaways” this year with Lulu & Georgia! I’m giving you guys a little extra help with your holiday gift giving by sharing my favorites above and offering $100 to one lucky CBL reader.
All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter below by following CBL + Lulu & Georgia on Facebook (CBL / Lulu & Georgia), Pinterest (CBL / Lulu & Georgia) and Instagram (CBL / Lulu & Georgia). Poof! You’re entered to win.
Must be a follower of CBL via Google Friend Connect (right sidebar) to be eligible to win.
I’ve stumbled upon a lot of hilarious quotes lately and I’ve been sharing many on CBL’s Facebook page. I wanted to gather some of my favorites as of late…what does it say about me that many are about food? #notashamed
What are some of your favorite quotes? I’m also mega obsessed with this site full of gif images, particularly this post, this post and this post. You can see more of my favorite quotes on my Pinterest page!
What words are inspiring you this Tuesday? Thanks for reading y’all – XO –
