It feels like holiday sales start earlier and earlier every year! I want you guys to know that there are lots of deals that have already started! I’m going to be keeping this post updated all weekend. I’ll also be posting new codes, sales, picks and gift ideas through Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can come to CBL and stay up-to-date, sister!
You can also find all holiday content under the “holiday” tab at the top of the page, which drops down to all holiday gift guides from this year and years past. Now onto the good stuff –
You guys, don’t miss out on that Shopbop sale. I bought these pants a few weeks ago and now am kicking myself I didn’t wait until they were marked down!
Thank you so much to everyone who checked out the super fun video I shot with Neiman Marcus to promote their InCicle membership I posted Friday! It was a Carrie Bradshaw-filled day for sure and probably one of the biggest “pinch me” moments of this little blog’s career.
Hope you had a great weekend and Happy early Thanksgiving week! I hope everyone will have the time to take a step back, turn their phones off and really soak up the time you have with the people around you. Life is short, and there’s no better time to enjoy one of the greatest gifts in life – your relationships. Love you guys, XO –
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I can’t EVEN with this faux fur jacket. I wish you guys could feel what I’m feeling right now to see how incredible this beauty really is!
The sale of animal fur is actually illegal in San Francisco, so finding the perfect faux pieces are a priority. This coat is all the things – the perfect color, length of fur, deep pockets, a heavy weight that feels luxe, warm and chic. And I just discovered this blazer with faux fur cuffs at Bloomingdale’s. Need ASAP.
When it comes to holiday parties, there’s no better time to add faux fur (or sequins!) in my opinion. I think styling a piece like this with faux leather leggings and OTK boots make this outfit appropriate for any holiday party or get together. I also think it would look fabulous with light denim jeans and black ankle booties or a leather mini skirt (40% off) and OTK boots.
I chose to belt the waist with a belt bag to give myself a little shape, but scroll down to see it without the belt bag. I love it just as much!
Do you have a faux fur piece you love most in your closet? I’d love to hear what it is!
Another faux fur item I reach for over and over each winter is a classic black faux fur vest. You can wear it a ton of different ways, it’s cozy while still being a vest so it’s not too cozy, and even better if it’s long enough to cover your bum. Bloomingdale’s has some fabulous options here (30% off) and here (40% off)!
Tell me if you’re pulling out the faux fur this holiday season. There’s no better time! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
I’m so excited to share a super fun video that was filmed with Neiman Marcus last month to promote their InCircle membership! This video was shot in Dallas and Fort Worth, and I had such an amazing day with the most fabulous team. I didn’t want it to end!
I’m actually an InCircle member myself, so some of the best perks of being a part of InCircle must be shared, like:
1. Pick a day to earn double points on your purchases in store, online or by catalog.
2. You have access to their InCircle Concierge, which offers seasons professionals to help arrange in-demand restaurant reservations, personalized travel experiences and wait-listed runway styles and more.
3. Use your Perks Cards toward store services like lunch at Neiman Marcus restaurants, alterations or expedited store delivery!
You can see all the member benefits here. Fun fact: since filming this video, I’ve been to Neiman Marcus in two different cities. And you know I used my InCircle card both times… except it was without a camera crew, gorgeous wardrobe and team of stylists to make me feel like my most glamorous self whilst shopping. Ah, memories.
Thank you so much for reading and watching! I’d love to hear what you think of the video and if you too have a personal memory or story from Neiman Marcus experience.
Until then, I’ll dream of this day, turnovers with strawberry butter and this Alexis sequined blazer.
I don’t know about y’all, but as an adult with no kids, Friendsgiving seems to be becoming more and more popular each year! I think it’s lovely to want to make some time for your friends before everyone heads to their respective families.
I love celebrating the holiday season with friends, but to be honest, I don’t really want to cook two turkeys, worry about two rounds of holiday checklists, etc. I remember one year when I was still working at my corporate job and CBL, I was up until the AM cooking.
That takes a little bit of the fun out of it, don’t you think?
SO, this year I’m proposing a new pre-Thanksgiving party plan. Why not have your girlfriends over and do some of that prep together! Grab the Cupcake Vineyards Prosecco, turn on the fireplace (or fireplace DVD if you’re in an apartment like yours truly) and check some things of your list while catching up with the girls.
It’s never a great idea to try making a new dish for the first time on a holiday. Ask your friends to bring anything they plan on “testing out” beforehand. Everyone can critique and share recipes!
One of my favorite easy, fresh and pretty appetizers are tomato-mozzarella bites. I combine cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, some olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped basil to a bowl. I skewer one mozzarella and tomato on a cocktail toothpick and serve them on a platter for a colorful and bite-sized app.
Decorate your place cards
I like to set place cards at the table for holidays. I think it elevates the occasion to something special, and you can make them as simple or extravagant as you’d like! If you want to buy some fancy paper and stamps, you could have a whole place card-themed party. Some cute ideas here.
Another idea – leave a question on every place setting. Some examples are:
What were some of your goals for 2018 and did you achieve them?
What is something you’ve been seeking peace with this year?
Who is someone you’d like to thank this year and why?
What is one of your proudest accomplishments of 2018?
I went to a lunch once with these kinds of question (more about that here) and it was such a cool experience. You can go around the table and answer the question while you have dinner… or better yet, dessert!
Practice your centerpiece
Centerpieces are one of those things that usually sneaks up on you. We spend so much time planning the menu, the centerpiece can often be an afterthought.
Invite your friends over for a centerpiece tutorial or DIY-in-action from Pinterest. Everyone can go ahead and prepare what they’ll need for their own table decor!
I love combining eucalyptus, white roses and bright red pomegranates for a simple but colorful centerpiece. On the day of you can even cut some of the pomegranates open. Gorgeous!
Have a Cupcake Vineyards tasting
Ask everyone to bring a bottle of wine and have a taste test! You can all try each others and ultimately decide what you’d like to serve for Thanksgiving dinner.
My favorite sparkling wine right now is Cupcake Vineyards Prosecco. I’m not typically a bubbles gal but for this Prosecco I definitely make an exception. It’s refreshing with notes of grapefruit that make it crisp, light and easy to drink. For an extra holiday touch, throw some pomegranate seeds in your glass. Delicious!
Thanks so much for reading, and if you have any ideas for a holiday prep party, please share! You can see all of CBL’s holiday content at the top of this page under “holiday.” XO –
One of my favorite ways to make outerwear more versatile for fall is throw a belt on. I recently added this sherpa coat from Old Navy to my closet, and I think it looks so cute belted! I love the cognac lining, and it’s soft and warm without being too thick, making it such a great layering piece for fall.
While we’re talking about staying warm and cozy, fun fact – these jeans are made of fabric that intentionally keeps you warm. Seriously!! And trust me, with this San Fransisco chilly breeze, I could feel the difference.
I was so surprised when I slipped them on that they didn’t look any thicker than regular jeans, which is amazing. Originally I thought they might look thicker or add bulk to my legs, but that definitely wasn’t the case. Win-win!
During winter I like to mix up my outerwear style by layering vests over coats – particularly a faux fur number. So cute and completely transforms your look!
Yesterday I took you guys into my medicine cabinet, and today we are taking some of that skincare love a little bit further with a gift idea for your skincare-obsessed lady in your life!
I’ve mentioned my love for Tula products many times on this blog and social (you may remember reading about them here). As someone with sensitive skin, I’ve always been really picky with what I put on my face. I have been using Tula products for years and the quality for the price really can’t be beat.
I am especially addicted to the day/night cream and exfoliating treatment mask, and have recently tried their new sheet masks for special self-care nights. I’ll put it on and use a facial massage roller on top of it, leaving my skin feeling like silk! The best.
SO, that’s why their holiday gift sets are such a great splurge gift idea for the holidays! Or better yet, you can drop some hints if you’d like your name on the gift tag (wink wink).
The one I’m going to share a sneak peek into today is the Ultimate Self-Care Kit. Scroll down for why it would be my pick and don’t forget to use KATHLEEN20 for 20% off!
This kit includes the day/night cream, exfoliating treatment mask, eye renewal serum, illuminating face serum and two sheet masks! You get two of their anchor products (the cream and mask), as well as two of the newer serums and limited-edition face masks. This kit has your daily and splurge day pieces. Plus you get the translucent cosmetics bag! I love clear bags for travel because you can easily see exactly what you have!
Have you ever tried Tula products? I’d love to hear what you’ve tried and your thoughts. If you have any questions about these products – let me know! And don’t forget to use KATHLEEN20 when you check out for 20% off!
In our current apartment (full tour coming this month – both video and photos!), our bathroom is so small it literally has no drawers. You read that correctly. Not one drawer! If you look at the above photo, it gives a “woman-attacks-small-bathroom” vibe. Just to give you some scale here.
But we do have a linen closet and this medicine cabinet, so I thought it could be fun to take a peek into the items we use the most behind the mirror.
I love seeing other #shelfies, so let’s get into what’s in ours, shall we? And please give us grace… we have one small window in the bathroom but this space gets zero natural light. So while the lighting for these photos was not ideal, I still thought it would be a fun post to share!
Electric Toothbrushes | We both are addicted to our electric toothbrushes! I use this one ($55 off with code CBLELEMENT), and I also use this charcoal whitening from time to time (approved by my dentist).
Elemis Resurfacing Facial Pads | I’ve mentioned these before but when my skin is looking splotchy or I’m seeing the beginning of some breakouts, I’ll use these at night with my skin routine and it really helps keep things at bay. I’m a believer!
Georgette Klinger Facial Mist | This facial mist smells so refreshing and I will reach for it mid-day for an afternoon skin pick-me-up.
Thayers Witch Hazel | I know so many women who swear by this stuff (it has over 10k reviews… so there’s clearly something to it). It’s a great an inexpensive toner that lasts such a long time!
SkinCeuticals Conditioning Solution | My mom bought this for me when I was struggling with some blemishes on my body, and it’s another really great toner for oily skin.
L’Occitane Divine Cream | I love all things L’Occitane (you can see one of their hand creams in the cabinet too – a great stocking stuffer!). They have mastered their lotion formulas and this is one of my favorite face creams they carry.
Bliss Cream-to-Water Hydrater | This is a really great lightweight moisturizer for day time. Sometimes I’ll add a drop or two of facial oil to it to get a little glow going.
Hard Night Good Morning | I hit Housewife heaven when I connected with D’Andra Simmons earlier this year about her skincare line. Her team generously sent a box of goodies and I have to say, I love every single product I’ve tried so far. This daytime cream feels incredibly luxurious and is cruelty and chemical free. The L22 Elixir is another amazing product that I will apply before a serum!
La Mer Soft Cream | I finally tried my hand at the infamous La Mer soft cream and I get it. When I really want to pamper my skin and feel like my most Mariah self, this is what I reach for.
Elemis Marine Cream | Elemis probably has my favorite moisturizer with SPF. Most moisturizers with SPF make my skin feel extra oily and inevitably leaves to build-up but not Elemis. They have their SPF formulas mastered!
Kate Somerville Eye Cream | Kate Somerville is another brand I really love and have been using for years. I’ve been to their salon in LA, and when it comes to attention to detail – they really have it down. They have many eye creams I love, but this is one I’ve been using lately and it’s fabulous.
Dr. Brandt Eye Cream | My mom actually started using this brand first and I’ve slowly introduced some of their products myself. They have a great line of retinol products, and this eye cream is really lightweight and a go-to of mine for daytime.
Dermalogica Eye Cream | I’ve used Dermalogica products since I discovered it in my dermatologist’s office in high school. It’s a great product for sensitive skin and I’ve even gotten a girlfriend of mine addicted as well! I love this eye cream for daytime, and if you need a good exfoliator, this one is excellent and will last you forever.
Tan Luxe | You guys… this is the real deal! I’ve mentioned this product before here, but if you’re self-tanner obsessed (I have a full product breakdown here), these drops are incredible. I add 2-3 drops to my moisturizer a few times a week and it keeps a light tan on my face that helps me look alive. I love it. Complete addict and now I want the body drops!
True BotanicalsVitamin C Booster | When I need some brightening, I’ll mix a little bit of this powder with my serum. It stimulates collagen and is also Goop-approved, so you know it’s the good stuff!
Facial Oils | I tried face oils for the first time about five years ago, and I kept getting compliments on my skin. Cut to today and I don’t know how I could live without them! A few I’m using now are Boscia and Marula.
Korres Serum | I recently starting use this rose and vitamin C serum and I love using it at night. It feels luxe, moisturizing and brightens my skin to this dewy magical goodness.
Moroccan Oil | You’ve heard me talk about their products recently here. This is the first oil I used in my damp hair, and while I’ve tried others, it’s always my favorite. I also happen to be straight up addicted to the scent of Moroccan Oil products. Even Christian is obsessed!
True Botanicals Body Oil | After the facial oil comes the body oil. If you want a dewy glow, skip the lotion and just use oil! This one is delish!
Bondi Sands | I just discovered this brand this year, and I love their tanning products! I’ve shared more about them here, but I like to use this lotion the day after I’ve applied self-tanner to help maintain my color.
Herbivore | I love every product of Herbivore‘s I’ve ever tried, specifically their body oil. The Jasmine smells so good, I can smell it all day after using it!
Mary Kay Cityscape Dry Oil Mist | The Cityscape collection are my favorite products from Mary Kay I’ve ever tried. I love the scent, and if you’re new to body oils a dry oil like this is a great place to start.
Have you ever tried any of these products or brands? I’d love to hear if you have a favorite or what’s in your medicine cabinet that you can’t live without!
You can see more beauty-related content in the beauty category of this site. Thanks so much for reading! XO –
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– purchasing a ReFa roller at the Neiman Marcus Trending Beauty event and trying it out to sculpt away morning puffiness –
– these adorable slides with a shearling insole – an SF dream! –
– visiting Napa in November and the beauty of these golden vines! –
Happy weekend, gorgeous gals! This week is a little extra fun because tomorrow marks six years of marriage to Christian. You can see some of our fall wedding here! We’ve been together 11 years, and honestly I don’t even know where to begin. I can’t imagine my life, my business, the happiest and saddest moments, without him. He is so steady, so supportive, understanding and patient… the ying to my yang. There’s no one I’d rather travel, laugh, love and live my life with. He’s the best!
We are postponing celebrating with a weekend away next weekend, but for now we’ll hang in the city and enjoy this fall weather. Speaking of fall gorgeousness, talk about Napa in November! We took a day trip with Christian’s little brother and it was my first time visiting this time of year. WOW. The vines were all this gorgeous shade of gold, it was breathtaking. Now I get why everyone says to visit in the fall!!
We also made some reservations for Thanksgiving dinners in the city. It will be the second time in my life I’m visiting a restaurant for the holiday meal (the first time in NYC in high school with my family), and honestly… I’m not mad at it. A lazy year in the kitchen!
What do you have going on this weekend? Have you ever visited wine country in November? I want to hear about it! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
A few weeks ago I shared this look on Instagram and I was so pleased to see so many of you compare it to Clueless… I am so here for that.
I wanted to share a blog post with the full outfit details and dig deeper into this whole mini skirt + boyfriend blazer + OTK boots = school girl 2.0 chic!
As a tall gal (I’m 5’7″), mini skirts are usually a dangerous territory for me. I feel uncomfortable showing too much leg, and things tend to look a little shorter on taller girls. My strategy for incorporating mini skirts on occasion while still feeling comfortable and like myself is to add some really tall boots and looser layering pieces on top.
I love the juxtaposition of menswear with a mini skirt. You can add a touch of flirty while still incorporating elements that keep you feeling like the boss that you are. You go, Glen Coco!
Aaahh, fall. In the throes of football season and finding ways to force myself to be remotely interested in it so Christian can get his college football fix.
A few ways to keep the ladies interested (unless you’re a huge football lover in which case, good for you!) – why not have a little wine tasting or pairing at home?
One of mine and Christian’s favorite things to do when we have guests over is to host our own little wine tasting. When we were in Southern California, it wasn’t as easy to hop in the car and get to wine country, so we would purchase a sparkling wine, a few whites and a few reds. I’d look up the information on each wine and the tasting notes, and then we could conduct our own little blind tasting for guests!
You could totally do this with Cupcake Vineyards’ vast array of varieties, and the best part is that you can do this no matter where you live! How fun to have a dinner party and wine tasting!? And the price point is excellent for a party tasting.
But let’s change gears to pairing. For today’s pairing, I’ve pulled out my Cupcake Vineyards Monterey County Chardonnay. This particular Chardonnay has notes of apple, lemon and vanilla with a hint of toasted almond, and is a great wine to pull out for light bites and appetizers. Hello, game day wine!
My favorite way to serve a light, crisp Chardonnay like this one is with fresh fruit and vegetables. The freshness complements each other so nicely. It also pairs well with saltier snacks like chips and dip, nuts and cheese and crackers. If you were serving this wine with dinner, it would be fabulous with any fish, grilled chicken or a silky, creamy pasta!
Are you a wine drinker or football lover? Better yet, have you tried Cupcake Vineyards before? I remember the first time I ever had it, at my friend Anna’s house in Dallas. So delicious I can remember my first sip (clearly a wine lover over here)!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing, and if you have pairing favorites, I’d love to hear! XO –
It’s been a while since I put together a wish list roundup and now that it’s November, it felt like it was time for some cozy inspo! I have all the windows open in our place and am fully embracing the chill in the air. Now that I’ve seen San Francisco go wild for Halloween (in a great way), I am even more amped to see how this city does the holidays!
But onto the swag, I bought this scarf (along with this camisole) from the Atlantic-Pacific x Halogen collection and it’s so cute in person. I know it will be a fab statement scarf for classic outfits, and it’s such a fun piece for fall and winter. You can wear all black and throw this pop of color on and boom – you look fab.
I recently tried these faux leather leggings and I love them. They’re lightweight, flattering and lengthening. A go-to pair for the holiday months ahead! I didn’t need gloves in Orange County but I’m wondering if this cashmere pair would be cozy rosy for SF. I love the camel and charcoal – so so cute.
I recently bought this pair of fuzzy slippers from Amazon but I’m kind of wishing I had this pair instead. They look so much fluffier and come in four colors. I love the pink!
I am having such a Carrie Bradshaw moment in this dress. I love it so much!
I received this gorgeous dress in early summer, and tragically it was stolen from my front door in Orange County. The horror! The brand was so lovely as to send another… and I couldn’t get it to zip up the back. But I loved it so much that I was still determined to find a way to make it work. Enter the belted blazer!
I’ve shared a similar look on CBL before here and here, but another way to get more wear out of those gorgeous cocktail dresses in your closet is to throw a blazer or vest over it and belt your waist. The end result is chic, unique and totally different than the dress on its own.
Thank you so much for reading! Can you see yourself layering over a cocktail dress for a different look? I’d love to hear, and if you’re not so sure, try it out. You never know what you might discover in your own closet! XO –
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