I always have a list of dream bags in my head… some I’ve been able to save up and make come true, others might be on my lust list forever. So for those far off dreams, sometimes you find a designer look for less close enough to fill the void! I discovered Teddy Blake last year (another bag styled here), and I really love the quality of their bags.
They’re made of Italian leather (Buti), and are such a great size for travel. I wore their bags all over NYC at Christmas last year and took the taupe one to London in October! When they offered to send me a new color for spring, I knew this soft pink would be perfect. I had never had a pink handbag until about two years ago, and I was so surprised to find that it really acted as a neutral and goes with everything.
If you want to expand the color of your bags but want a color that is still going to be versatile and go with most of your closet – I think a soft pink or navy blue would be two great color options!
bag c/o Teddy Blake | denim (if you’re in between sizes I would size down) | boots – run small, these are a better Stuart Weitzman dupe and they’re under $100! | scarf , also love this one | top – available here and here, 40% off in black here | sunglasses | ring | watch
Do you have a dream bag that you’ve been trying to hunt down a look for less for? I’d love to hear!
– arriving in Europe with my sister for a girls trip –
Happy Friday! This week has been a special one because it’s not only the start of the new year, but I’m beginning 2017 with an incredible experience – visiting London and Paris with my sister! I’ll be sharing more of this trip on the blog when I return, including what brought us here and what we have been doing while we are here (and if you’re heading to London soon you can check out my recent guide here), but in the meantime you can follow along on Instagram if you want a sneak peek of what we’re up to!
We have a few more days here before heading back to America, so thanks so all of your incredible emails and suggestions in this Instagram post, we have some fun things planned. My sister has two adorable small children, and while I am completely in love with them, it is so much fun to have this one-on-one time with her. She’s a nutritionist (I interviewed her here), and I think she’s mastered the art of balance in her life. #Goals.
How are you guys kicking off the new year? I think January and February are kind of those sleeper months, so it’s always great to have some things planned to look forward to before the spring sunshine. Thank you so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend! XO –
Last week I shared some of my favorite looks for NYE from the past year of outfits on CBL, so rather than share another “Best of 2016” like last year’s Best of 2015, I wanted to share some of the posts I enjoyed creating the most. 16 for 2016! So you know we have to kick it off with some closet faves…
I’m always looking to expand into other categories than fashion (all categories listed at the top of this page!), and I’ve found that the home, travel, food and personal posts are some of my favorite to write. I want to be sure I’m creating content that interests you guys and makes it worth taking the time to visit. I know there are so many blogs out there now, so it means a lot to me that you take the time to visit CBL.
If there is any area of CBL you would like to see more of from these categories or any specific posts you’d love to see, I’d love your feedback! I had a reader message me she would love to see my favorite healthy recipes, so I’m going to be working on that post soon.
You are the reason this blog is my full-time gig now, so it’s incredibly important to me that you find this content relevant and helpful. Thank you so much for your support, kindness and feedback. I am so excited to start this year with fresh ideas and hopefully more of what you want to see!
Thanks so much for reading, and of course if you want to talk resolutions (mine are in Monday’s post), I’d love to hear that too! XO –
I’m still missing our snowy weekend in the mountains, but I’ve been reliving it by going through all of the photos from our long weekend! I don’t know what I would have done without these boots and my rainboots – several areas had snow up to my knees!
I snagged this gigantic scarf last year and sadly it’s no longer available, but I linked several similar styles at the bottom of this post! I think an oversized scarf is a winter must-have. This one is one of my favorites to pull out! I feel like I’m channeling my inner Lenny Kravitz.
I wanted to share some of the photos from our Christmas in the mountains with our California family. Last year Christian took me to Mammoth to ski and have our first white Christmas, and it was not overrated. It was magical! This year he found out he had an extra day off for the holiday weekend, so we thought it would be so much fun to go back to the mountains in hope of another beautiful, snowy Christmas.
We picked out a big cabin to fit both our family and my brother’s family (and our three pets!), and it was one of our most memorable Christmases yet. The snow began to fall during our drive up the mountain and continued to pour down all day on Saturday. On Christmas morning, we woke up a winter wonderland, and the entire weekend we received over 20 inches of snow. So much more than these Mississippians could have asked for! It was our first Christmas without our niece, Edie, and I like to think the snow was her gift to us while she celebrated the real deal – the birthday party for Jesus in heaven.
I wanted to share some photos of the weekend along with some 2017 resolutions. I know, I know, they’re a little cliché, but I think set goals is always a great initiative to buckle down, focus on the big picture and stay motivated.
Take a wifi-free trip with Christian. Because I work for myself and Christian is so supportive, we tend to snap photos on every trip or getaway we take. This year I really want to unplug for a trip with him to give him my undivided attention.
Weekly date nights. In college we were so good about taking regular dates, but with our extremely different schedules we’ve slacked off the past year or so. Once a week I want to have a date – it can even be in our dining room! Just some cell-phone free time to talk about goals, life and always – the trips we are planning.
Read more books. I’ve always loved to read. I was the girl in elementary school who was favored by the librarian because I actually visited it regularly to pick up a new book to read for fun. I just started Present Over Perfect and was given this book and this book for Christmas that I can’t wait to read.
Eat your vegetables. I shared in this Instagram that I’ve been working on cleaning up my eating habits, and I really want to reach for vegetables first. I’ve been loving cucumbers and hummus, broccoli rice (this recipe is a weekly go-to) and green smoothies this past month, and I really want to try to keep it up. With each year I get older (and my metabolism gets slower), it’s becoming more important to me to find nutrients and vitamins in the food I choose to eat. My weight has fluctuated within a 10 lb. range for the past 7 or so years (yes… I’ve had readers wonder if I was pregnant from time to time. Nope! Just a taco baby), and I want to be more consistent with my eating choices.
Think outside the box. In this blogging world, it’s easy to feel like everyone is doing the same thing – taking the same trips, wearing the same clothes, styling the same looks, etc. I really want to try to think outside the box and challenge myself to create more unique, personalized content that is both interesting and exciting for all of us!
Exercise more from home. In college I would do Pilates DVD’s from my bedroom several times a week (call it homework procrastination – this video was my jam). I take a Pilates class twice a week currently, but I want to get back into working out from home – even if it’s just a quick 30 minutes. Christian got a stationary bike for Christmas – so perhaps that will be some motivation!
Do you have any of your own resolutions? I’d love to hear! I like to write these down in the beginning of my new annual planner so I can flip back to read them from time to time.
Thanks so much for reading – and here’s to your best year yet! XO –
If you follow on Instagram or saw this post, you know that we have delightfully had several rainy days in the past few weeks which means we have finally had an actual fall… just in time for Christmas! I’m not complaining – I’ll take it any way I can.
I recently got this black maxi dress, and I know I’m going to wear it all the time. It’s fabulous on its own with the scoop back and slit but I think it looks equally cute layered with a sweater or chambray. A cotton maxi dress is such a versatile piece and worth finding the right fit because it take you through the entire year!
And of course, happy Friday! I can’t believe it’s already time for NYE. In case you missed it, I shared several ways to amp up your New Year’s Eve outfit in yesterday’s post. I hope it inspires you to put together something fun from your closet!
And just like that, we’re looking at NYE! I wanted to share some outfit ideas that might help you when looking in your closet this weekend for something to wear. These are outfits shared on CBL under the “Fashion” category or on Instagram. I had so much fun pulling my twirliest looks for you guys!
Here’s to celebrating all that was in 2016 and looking to the future. May 2017 be your best year yet!
Christian is working this weekend, so I’m still not exactly sure of my plans, but it might involve packing since I’m heading on a fun little sister trip on the 2nd. If you have big NYE plans or traditions, I’d love to hear – I’m always looking for new ideas!
Thank you so much for making this year one of my favorites of my career. You. Rule.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 – comes in black too! | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 – I have this sweater and have worn it at least 10x already
Nordstrom is having a HUGE post-holiday sale with items marked up to 50% off, and I couldn’t help but round up some of my favorites while I was shopping. Just when you think you’re all shopped out… they reel you back in! A few more things from the sale that I’m loving:
Thanks so much for reading – hope you score some sweet deals! I can’t believe we’re already back to the grind… how did the weekend go by so quickly! All in favor of rewinding the clock say aye! XO –
I love awards season. A reason to bring out the party treats and comfy clothes with girls, pick our favorite gowns and red carpet looks and root for our favorite films and tv shows. With the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show being earlier this month, it only kicked off the fun, and I’m excited to prep the house for the glam nights ahead.
You guys know I love a glass of wine, but it’s always nice to offer multiple beverages for your guests (especially when they’re driving to you… and driving home). I have become quite the coffee lover over the past few years, so I’m sharing Hills Bros. Cappuccino’s #CapptheNight Campaign to share how I would set up for an awards show get together!
To me, cappuccinos and chocolate go hand in hand, so it’s nice to have some sweet bites after the richer hors d’oeuvres to finish the night with. The Hills Bros. Cappuccino Single Serve Cups I chose are English Toffee flavored, so they pair so deliciously with these chocolate covered toffee bites! I really want to try the Salted Caramel – yum!
What’s your favorite awards show to watch? I was one of those girls who screamed when Leo finally won an Oscar last year. #truestory
If you have a Keurig and want to try these single serve cups, you can find them at your local Kroger or Shop Rite (store locator here). They’re also offering a coupon here for $1 off every box that you buy.
Lastly, I wanted to share the #CappTheNight Sweepstakes runs until 2/28/17 where you can enter for your chance to win one of six award season prize packs AND the chance to win a $2,500 shopping spree! You can enter to win below –
Christmas weekend is finally here – I can’t believe it! We are headed to the mountains for a cozy (and hopefully snowy!) weekend to celebrate this beautiful holiday, what it means to us and reflect on the past year.
This season is filled with joy, love and generosity, but it also can be an emotional holiday. It brings memories spent with loved ones who are no longer here, and while we know they have the best seat in the house celebrating in heaven with Jesus, we still feel their absence. I always try to take a moment to say a quick prayer for those with healing hearts.
And of course, let us rejoice together the birth of our Savior. “For to us a child is born, to usa son is given; and the government shall beuponhis shoulder, and his name shall be called WonderfulCounselor,Mighty God,EverlastingFather, Prince ofPeace.” – Isaiah 9:6 One of my favorite songs sung at church every Christmas Eve.
Lots of love to each of you, and thank you for helping to allow me to manage CBL full-time. I truly never thought this would be my career when I started this blog six years ago, and after working in a corporate office for five years, I recently told Christian that I think I am happier now than I have ever been. I owe a huge part of that to each of you! Thank you for your support, advice and friendships over the years. Honestly I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to truly show you how much you guys mean to me. I am so overwhelming appreciative.
Love love love and Happiest of Holidays to each and every one of you! XO –
It’s time to get in the spirit because it’s Christmas WEEK!! I don’t really go all out with holiday decorations in our home. We live in a small townhouse so there’s only so much you can do without a mantle, notable front door or mailbox… buuutttt we still find ways to get festive. Nothing is better than sipping coffee by the Christmas tree. Got to have it!
I wanted to share some of my favorite things to do with my family over the holidays, no matter where we are. Sometimes there can be some lulls in the day between the eating and lounging, so it’s nice to have some activities up your sleeve in case everyone hits a wall. We all have so many memories of how our families celebrated growing up, and now it’s time to have some of our own!
1. Christmas Movies. This is a no-brainer, and last year I put together my favorite movies here. This year I want to see Office Christmas Party, and we just watched Miracle on 34th Street for the first time in almost 20 years
2. Hot Chocolate Contest. Everyone things they have the “best” recipe, so I like to put it to a test. Homemade marshmallows and all! Right now this one is my favorite.
3. Play Some Records. I bought the She & Him Christmas record a few years ago, and this year I added Ella Fitzgerald. Nothing makes me happier than putting on a record and lighting a pine candle. So fun!
4. Matching Pajamas. I fully recognize this can be kind of corny… but it’s still really fun. I bought Christian and myself a new set this year and they’re so soft – I can’t wait to wear them!
5. Pull out the Board Games. We are big fans of Life, Scrabble and Taboo.
6. Admire the new pins on the stockings. My dad’s family grew up with this tradition, and we have all kept it going. You know those pins and medals you get growing up? The ones that end up in a drawer and eventually thrown away? We put those on our Christmas stockings. C and I pick up pins when we travel. After a few years, you have these adorned stockings full of memories from your entire life.
7. Go through Christmas cards. Growing up, we always passed around the stack of holiday cards to see who had gotten taller, married, had children, etc. My mom always has a fat stack of cards and it’s so much fun to go through them.
8. Ride around to hunt down the best Christmas displays. I don’t feel like I see as much out West, but it’s no secret that the South loves some intense light displays. I admire the energy and spirit of anyone willing to go all out!
9. Christmas jog. When I was a sophomore in college, I was in a short-lived jogging phase and went on run Christmas Eve before the church service. When I got back to the house, my brother-in-law (a former college basketball player) was like, “why didn’t you tell me you were going? I would have gone with you!” So he rounded up my dad and brother to go and told me if I was really in shape, I would go again. So I said I would… and then before we knew it, the entire family of six was on a run together. Over the years we’ve called it the goof troop family run and it’s expanded to 10+ (including pregnant ladies). Christian and I even went on a jog together Christmas Day on the beach in Newport the first two years we lived here! Then you feel like you really earned that big holiday meal!
10. Read the Christmas Story Together. It’s easy to get caught up in the presents and cookies, but I read the Christmas story every year. Usually I like to have a moment in private, reading the story of the birth of Jesus and thanking Him for all of the blessings of the year. I don’t know how I would get through the ups and downs of life without knowing there is a Higher Being guiding us.
If you have any adult family traditions that make the holidays special to you, I’d love to hear. I’m always looking to try something new!
Also, I’m planning on doing a Snapchat (CBLied) Q&A this week, so feel free to email me any questions or leave them in the comments of this post! Thanks so much for reading, and Merry Merry Christmas to each and every one of you. XO –
The camel coat has always been a staple, but it feels like this year more than ever it’s be the outerwear of the season. I snagged this one40% off at Neiman Marcus Last Call. The perfect camel wrap coat under $80… Merry Christmas to me (and you if you’ve also been on the hunt!). I love that this jacket is also lightweight so I can wear it in fall and through spring.
I also snagged another black cashmere turtleneck, one of the pieces I wear most every winter. This one is 60% off and $50. You guys… that never happens. Seriously! Last Call is offering a huge last minute gift sale – 30% – 50% off your entire purchase, both in store and online! And if you have any gifts you still need to get for the crew, there is free rush shipping on purchases over $99.
coat (40% off), also love this one (50% off) and this one (50% off) | similar scarf here (60% off) and here (60% off) | turtleneck – a cashmere essential! (60% off) | similar denim (40% off) | similar booties here (50% off) and love these (40% off) | love this black bag (40% off) | similar sunglasses (40% off)
Another reminder – get 30% – 50% off your entire purchase, both in store and online through 12/24 + free rush shipping on purchases over $99 with code HOLIDAY.
Thank you so much for reading and Merry Christmas week! XO –
