Carrie Bradshaw Lied

The Best OTK Boots

Two years ago, after owning several pair of black over-the-knee boots, I decided to splurge on my dream pair, the Stuart Weitzman Lowland boots. I’ve worn them countless times since then, have zero regrets, and if anything – wish I would have gotten them sooner! Instead of hunting for the new “perfect” pair every year, this is my third year wearing the same pair because I know there’s nothing better out there.

I definitely think there are some winter staples that aren’t worth the splurge (like beanies for example… I snag new styles every year!), but when it comes to shoes you can wear with everything for long periods of time, I think it’s worth saving up for a really great pair.

I’ve even brought them on many trips because I know I can wear them all day (and they’ll be coming to Europe with me in January!). I have both this pair and a heeled pair, but you can shop all of Stuart Weitzman boots at Nordstrom here. And because Nordstrom always price-matches, so you know you’re getting the best possible deal! There are all kinds of heel heights available, and if OTK isn’t your style there are plenty of other styles that are equally comfortable.

photos by Vincent Elejorde

Shop some of my favorite boots at Nordstrom right now:

Thanks so much for reading – and Merry Christmas week! I hope all of you have some special plans this weekend (and that it involves a fireplace and lots of holiday movies).

If you’re still holiday shopping, today is the last day to get rush shipping on your orders, so check those gifts off your list! My holiday shopping guides are all at the top of this page under “holiday shopping,” and don’t forget Saturday’s last minute shopping guides (including stocking stuffers) for the dudes. XO –

Brought to you by Nordstrom

12 Comments|See Comments

Last Minute Gifts for Your Guy + Stocking Stuffers

1, also available here – they’re foldable! | 2 | 3 – so classic! | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 – slim fit, best invention ever | 9 – every guy needs new underwear | 10 – I bought these for C’s bday and they’re so cute | 11 | 12

Several of these items I’ve snagged for Christian in year’s past, so they’re definitely dude-approved. Who doesn’t have a crush on Chrissy Teigen? I’m like, “here! Eye candy AND you can cook for me one night!” They don’t even realize that you’re the one who actually wins. #score

I also wanted to share some stocking stuffer ideas that I would totally put in C’s stocking –

1 | 2 – C loves this brand | 3 | 4 | 5 – every guy needs cute socks! | 6 | 7 – a 1 lb. Reese’s, my mom gives C one every year | 8 | 9 | 10 – so great for the commuter, I have this one! | 11 | 12 | 13

Thank you to one of my lovely readers Julia for reminding me to do this post! Above are some stocking stuffers that I would absolutely get for Christian. He even saw me working on this and was like, “oohhh put a nice shaving cream on there, that’s something I never would buy but would love to get.”

Don’t forget that tomorrow is the last day to get standard shipping to get your gifts by Christmas, so really – get all your shopping in now and you can enjoy the rest of the holidays without stress!

Thanks so much for reading, and you can find more holiday shopping guides under “holiday shopping” at the top of this page. XO –

5 Comments|See Comments

Friday’s Five

– a pretty new bag (Lula-approved) –

– falling in love with some new lip colors from Stila, would be such great stocking stuffers! –

– watching this goof think she is 1/8 of her actual size –

– a new hairdryer that is helping me not dread blowdrying my mane, this would be such an awesome Christmas gift –

– helping Christian design a custom pair of denim with Blue Delta, I think this would be such an awesome Christmas gift! –

Happy Friday! I can’t believe next weekend is Christmas. WHAT!? It always seems to sneak up every year! I am so excited for this year’s holiday weekend because we’ll be spending it with my brother’s family in a cabin in the mountains. It means I get to watch a two-year old open gifts and run around – free entertainment! It’s our family’s first Christmas without my niece, Edie, and just typing that brings tears to my eyes. We miss her every day, but knowing that she is spending Christmas with Jesus Himself makes my heart really, really happy.

In other news, I’ve been wanting to share that earlier this year Christian worked with Blue Delta to create his own pair of custom raw denim jeans. Raw denim is actually not to be washed in the washing machine, and the best way to break them in is to wear them… a lot! A new concept for us, but C always enjoys a challenge, ha! The company is headquartered in Oxford, MS where we went to college, which we both loved. We were mailed denim and stitching samples, and after a few mailings and emails back and forth, Christian received his own carefully crafted pair. They have locations all over the US, so if you’re in one of those locations you can book an in-person appointment! I think this would be such a cool gift for the guys in your life – we all know shopping for guys can be so hard.

Other items I think would be great gifts are linked above, and remember that if you’re buying holiday gifts online, this Sunday is the last day to get standard shipping… so try to get your shopping done this weekend if you can! I have my holiday shopping guides linked at the top of my blog under “holiday shopping,” and check back tomorrow because I’m sharing last minute gift and stocking ideas for the guys!

Thanks so much for reading and have a great weekend – XO –

10 Comments|See Comments

Luxe Holiday Gifting

I remember asking for my first David Yurman bracelet (this one) for Christmas my freshman year of college. I went to Ole Miss, and I met so many new friends with these beautiful bracelets! From there, Christian added to my collection by giving me another bracelet in college, I was given a bangle as a graduation gift, a pair of earrings to mark my debutante, and so on.

They are classic and timeless, and each piece I have symbolizes an achievement or special occasion over the past 10 years. Just last month for our wedding anniversary, Christian surprised me with this gorgeous ring, and I was floored. It’s so beautiful!

David Yurman is such a great luxe holiday gift that the recipient remembers forever. I love that the pieces are beautiful, yet can be worn everyday with any outfit. Even my photographer and friend Vincent told me the other day, “I love that you wear your Yurman in every photo.” But it’s because they look great with everything and they’re so special to me.

photos by Vincent Elejorde

Thanks so much for reading and happy holiday shopping – XO

Brought to you by David Yurman

18 Comments|See Comments

Secret Santa with Vince Camuto

This post is a little different… and definitely more fun! I teamed up with a few other ladies for a little Secret Santa gifting with Vince Camuto from their holiday collection. And I got to team up with some of my favorite blogger girls for it (hint hint – head over to Kendall of Styled Snapshots to see what I picked out for her!).

I’ve been looking for comfortable strappy sandals with a block heel, so this pretty little gift is something I know I will wear over and over again. The block heel is so much more comfortable for longwear than a stiletto, and I love the texture of the leather. And lucky for me these heels come in five colors. The gold is so pretty!

When I unwrapped them, I knew just the skirt I would be pairing them with…

photos by Vincent Elejorde

I’ll never say no to a tulle skirt, and this one is from the CBL for Morning Lavender collection. I can’t wait to wear these heels with jeans – I love the sleek pairing of denim with a strappy sandal!

Some of my favorite shoe picks at Vince Camuto right now –

Thanks so much for reading – and if you’ve played Secret Santa so far this year, I want to hear what you got! XO –

Brought to you by Vince Camuto

10 Comments|See Comments

What to Wear to the Office Holiday Party

If you’ve read this blog for a little while, you might remember that the first several years of my career was spent in a corporate office where the men wore suits, so of course the the woman were expected to adhere to a dress code. It challenged me to incorporate my personal style into my weekday outfits and choose pieces that I could wear different ways after the workday.

That’s when I fell in love with Banana Republic. I could find versatile pieces that worked for the office and the weekend. This dress is an essential, and perfect for this time of year! It looks beautiful on its own or can be paired with a blazer or sweater for an extra layer. I think this would be such a great outfit for an office holiday party (or your guy’s if you’re attending his office holiday party), but then you can take the sweater off and add a fur stole or wrap for an amped up weekend holiday gathering. The best part about a classic black slip dress – it can be worn so many different ways, all year long.

And then of course, this pom sweater would be so cute with jeans too – I love mixing and matching!

photos by Vincent Elejorde

sweater, also love this one | dress, also love this one and this one | earrings | similar pumps here and love these | love this clutch

Do you have an office holiday party you’re trying to put something together for? Or would you guys like to see more “work-appropriate” looks on CBL? I’d love to hear! Thanks so much for reading – XO –

Brought to you by Banana Republic

13 Comments|See Comments

Best Black Booties Under $100

I realized recently that I didn’t have a pair of “everyday” black booties. I had a few pair with sky-high heels, but none that I could wear all day without wanting to take off. I saw this pair at Nordstrom and knew they would be perfect. They have enough height to add a some length to your legs, but are still short enough to wear for long periods of time. I love the tan color too!

Because comfortable black booties are such a staple, I wanted to round up some of my favorite casual booties for you guys in case anyone was having the same problem as me. They’re linked at the bottom of the post!

As for these photos… couldn’t help myself. Who doesn’t love a tree farm? These images were shot at Tanaka Farms, and they offer seasonal strawberry pickings (C and I have done that – so fun!), pumpkin patches and Christmas trees – honestly it’s the cutest little farm ever. We also got their twice-monthly seasonal produce boxes for a while and it was a great value (but too much food for the two of us). I always try to support local farms – it’s tastier too, so really, everyone wins.

photos by Vincent Elejorde

Some of my favorite everyday booties under $100 –

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

Brought to you by Nordstrom

15 Comments|See Comments

Holiday Lace LBD

Sponsored by Lulus

I mean… a lace LBD is always a good idea if you ask me. And the sleeves on this Lulus number make it even more fun! Fun fact – we snapped these photos on what might have been the windiest day I’ve ever experienced. Once we were done, Christian emailed me a state-wide weather warning about “extreme wind conditions,” and I couldn’t stop laughing! I don’t even want to tell you how many photos we snapped to get a few without my hair in its own personal tornado. #Memories.

But let’s talk about this dress. You can’t go wrong with black lace, and I think the bell sleeves on this dress add so much interest and flirtiness. I wish it was a top so I could wear it ALL the time! When wearing something short like this, I like a high necklace so I don’t show off too much skin. I don’t normally wear short dresses, but this dress made me want to give it a shot and thanks to Vincent’s hilarious commentary, I think we totally made the windstorm work!

You can see more holiday-perfect dresses here, and where do I begin? Can I have one of each? I also think this lace LBD would look equally beautiful with OTK boots and a fur scarf or shawl, but I wanted to pair it with a classic strappy heels for a cocktail look. I also think a draped leather jacket or black sleeveless vest (like this one) would look so great!

photos by Vincent Elejorde

dress, earrings, heels c/o Lulu’s – loooooove this dress and this dress | bag | sunglasses

Do you guys have any formal holiday parties this month? That includes NYE! New Years always sneaks up after Christmas and I’m left thinking… “what am I going to wear!” If you need a cute dress, Lulus has been one of my go-to spots for years.

Lastly, I’ve been placed in a poll for “Favorite OC Blogger” by Locale Magazine. I’d really appreciate it if you would vote for me! You can vote once day (although I certainly don’t expect anyone to do that). Thanks so much for reading! XO –

12 Comments|See Comments

Miss Sicily Bag

Since I moved to California almost four years ago, my wardrobe has slowly shifted to mostly light colored neutrals to vibe with the beachy, laid back lifestyle here. This fall when packing for NYFW, I realized that I didn’t have a nice medium black bag to fit all of my things when I travel. The key is that I need it to be big enough to fit my phone, mophie, lip gloss, etc., but still be small enough to not be too heavy.

We all know that Nordstrom’s selection is enormous, and their handbag selection is just as fabulous with all price ranges. This bag was exactly what I was looking for. It’s big enough to fit all the things I need but small enough where I can wear it on my shoulder or across my body to free up my hands when need be. And I love it in nude! I mean… who doesn’t want to see the pink version under their Christmas tree?

Honestly, I’ve loved it so much I would absolutely consider getting another one in a different color/size further down the road.

Photos by Jason Huang

Do you have a nice bag on your Christmas wish list? You know I want to hear! I’m sharing some of my favorite bags at Nordstrom below, and remember, the last day to get Christmas delivery for your Nordstrom order is 12/23!

Brought to you by Nordstrom

5 Comments|See Comments

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15

I’ve shared my cozy gift guide and hostess gift guide under $50, but today I wanted to share some stocking stuffer gift ideas for the ladies! Growing up, we opened stockings last. It was so fun because after having breakfast and exchanging gifts, my mom would remind us about the stockings – we usually forgot! I was always surprised to find some hidden gems in the stockings – a really fun surprise.

These items start as low as $8 and then climb to a few more luxe pieces, depending on what you’re looking for. I have this mug and eye mask and think they’re the cutest things ever (the mug is the perfect size!). I have these eye patches on my Christmas list, and this pillowcase is a new addition and I am in love with it.

This neutral eyeshadow palette would look good on everyone, and this matte lipstick (I love Safe Word Matte) has been my go-to all season! I just bought this zip pouch for myself for travel after mentioning it in Tuesday’s post! I have a big trip coming up in January that I know it will be perfect for.

If you guys would like to see any certain theme of gift guide, I’d love to hear. I love putting these together – they help me with my own shopping for loved ones!

10 Comments|See Comments

5 Holiday Travel Tips

This time of year is definitely a busy travel time for many, and while I can’t make it back to the South for the holidays, I’ll be traveling with Christian and my brother’s family for our own white Christmas adventure! We’ve had fun creating our own little traditions during these residency years, and this year I’ll be packing for a long weekend in the mountains.

I shared this pre-owned Louis Vuitton Keepall from The Lady Bag in Friday’s blog post here, but these kinds of trips are exactly what I love this bag for. When I’m packing, I like to put all my clothing in a rolling suitcase and reserve a duffel for my makeup, toiletries, hair tools, laptop, mophie, etc. When I need some hand lotion, a hair tie or lip gloss, I hate having to go to the trouble of opening my rolling suitcase and dig through everything. This vintage bag is such a timeless travel accessory – I know I will be using it forever!

My 5 best travel tips for the holidays –

Wear your heaviest layers to save room (and luggage weight). I love a jacket around the waist! And try to weigh your bag at home if you can remember. I will step on the scale myself, then carry the bag and step back on the scale to subtract the difference. I hate feeling rushed moving things around at the counter.

Bring an empty water bottle. You can’t get through the security with water, but they don’t care if the bottle is empty! Then you can fill it all day to keep with you instead of rushing around trying to purchase another bottle.

Pack one day ahead. When I have layovers and winter weather conditions ahead of me, often it pays off to pack some pj’s and the next day’s outfit in your carry-on. I’ve spent the night in quite a few hotels c/o airlines after flight cancellations. No fun!

Cell phone battery pack. I have this one and it charges over 4 batteries worth. A life saver!

Ditch the wallet and bring a small coin purse. You don’t need that extra weight in your purse and even worse – if it got stolen what a nightmare! Pack the few cards you need, cash and coins and #liveyourlife.

You can find more of my travel recommendations here!

photos by Vincent Elejorde

If you love luxury items like Louis Vuitton – The Lady Bag is such a great place to shop your dream bag. You can snag it pre-loved at a major discount with 100% authenticity guaranteed. A great time to put a little something special on your Christmas list (hint hint to the hubs)!

10 Comments|See Comments

Black Tie Holiday Look Under $120

Tulle is an old friend of mine – I had a tulle skirt on my wedding gown, and I made sure to include a tulle midi skirt in the CBL for Morning Lavender collection. So when it comes to getting fancy for a black tie holiday event, a red or green tulle skirt = game over!

Morning Lavender is always the source of my most Carrie Bradshaw-eque outfits, and they have the best selection of twirly skirts around. I love this burgundy maxi, and the ivory one is so gorgeous (especially if your a bride-to-be looking for party outfits). I think this would be such a great holiday party look, and what I love most is that you can still mix and match them differently throughout the year. How chic would this lace top be with a black pencil skirt?