Diary

I feel like I blinked and October was over. And now that we are past Halloween, you know that it’s time to turn our thoughts toward the upcoming holiday season. I am a purist and fully embrace Thanksgiving and all that November brings before I focus on Christmas. I like to take my months one at a time.

But I did want to tell you about one thing I’ll be doing for sure in the next few days to make my holiday season both easier and more festive. I’ll be ordering some personalized items from Two Funny Girls.

Look at some of their cute options for Thanksgiving. I’ve decided that personalized paper plates and styrofoam cups are the new crystal and china. Plus, think of all the time you’ll save not washing dishes.

I get more joy than I should out of leaving my house with a paper coffee cup with a lid and cute seasonal coffee sleeve. I blame Starbucks for this.

You can find all those and more here.

And for those of you already thinking ahead to Christmas, look at some of these cute things.

And who wouldn’t want to drive around and look at Christmas lights with one of these cups filled with hot chocolate?

You can find everything from personalized plates to cups to napkins for Christmas here.

And there are a ton of pre-packaged plastic Christmas cups, styros and coffee cups here.

I happen to think they make a great hostess gift if you’re going to a Thanksgiving or Christmas get together. In fact, I just thought about how excited I get over some cute seasonal styrofoam cups or coffee sleeves and have just realized it’s my love language. Give me cups or a new pair of pajamas and it’s really all I want out of life.

I am a simple girl with simple taste. As long as it’s in a cute cup.

This isn’t an ad or anything, just honestly sharing something that makes me happy.

Now for the cute things I found this week:

1. hermosa sweater coat

This is at Anthropologie and it’s a little pricey at $138 but I think it’s one of those pieces you’d wear over and over again. I have something similar that I bought years ago and I still wear it every winter.

2. oversized thermal button-front top

These tops are $44 but currently 25% off and come in several color options. They are so soft and are great for wearing alone or as a layer. I also like that you can tie them up or wear them loose depending on your preference.

3. bobby boyfriend striped sweater

I think this striped sweater is darling. It’s $69 and comes in a few other colorways. I kind of like them all, but maybe like this one the best? I don’t know. I can’t decide. I just know this is perfect with jeans and sneakers for cold Saturday morning soccer games.

4. adidas swift run sneakers

I love these Adidas sneakers because they are retro and comfortable. They come in several color options, but I really love this pink. They are $85.

5. treasure and bond menswear blazer

If I have learned one things from following Meghan and Harry while they were on their Royal Tour of Australia, it’s that a menswear blazer is something I need in my life. She and Duchess Kate have both worn one in the last week and every time I see the pictures, I swoon a little. It’s an easy way to dress up a pair of jeans, yet you can also wear it to the office.

This one is $89.

6. commando perfect control faux leather leggings

My friend Heather posted about these leggings this week and I’m intrigued. Apparently they feel much more like leather than the Spanx version and the price is the same at $98.

I also like these commando control top velvet leggings because nothing says holiday season to me like something velvet. And also cute personalized cups apparently.

7. loft criss cross wrap dress

This dress has great reviews online and I love that it’s a good basic to have in your closet, yet can be dressed up or down depending on your fashion needs. Pair it with a leather jacket and boots and you’ve got a fun outfit for a night out. Wear it with a menswear blazer and heels and you’ve got something for the office. Throw on a denim jacket and Converse and you can go run errands all day.

It’s $69.50 but 40% off right now and is sold online only.

8. st. jubileens hoodie sweatshirt

I saw a sweatshirt like this somewhere but it seemed like too much to pay for a hoodie sweatshirt. But then I found this one on Amazon for $27.99 and it comes in several color options. It has great reviews and I think it’s a great casual basic with a little flair to it.

Quit talking about my flair.

9. chelsea mock neck tunic

I posted this last week but now have gotten mine in and I love it. It’s lightweight but warm and a great length to wear with leggings if I want. It’s $78 and also comes in black, camel and a gorgeous blue.

10. glen plaid jumpsuit

I was looking around on the Nordstrom website and saw this picture and thought those were the cutest pants, but then realized I’m never great at figuring out what kind of top to wear with pants like that and it just gets complicated. Then I realized this is a jumpsuit. They have done the top work for you and I think this is just perfect. You could easily wear a sweater or jacket with it now and then wear it as is during warmer weather. It’s $149.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

I don’t know that I’ve ever loved the internet more than I did yesterday when I had no less than twenty people message me on Instagram to let me know that they noticed that Nordstrom Rack had the Sam Edelman Camellia boots in stock. If you’re new here or don’t listen to the podcast, then maybe you don’t know that I have spent the better part of a year lamenting the fact that I didn’t buy these boots before they sold out. I had such deep regrets.

And so I searched high and low. I searched on Poshmark. I searched on Ebay. I debated emailing various fashion bloggers who owned the boots to see if they might be interested in selling them. And, finally, I gave up.

But the lesson here, kids, is never give up on your dreams. Because I have now ordered the Sam Edelman Camellia boots for myself and they are 35% off the original price. Dreams still come true. And apparently sometimes procrastination pays off.

Here are the boots along with other cute things I found this week.

1. sam edelman camellia tall suede boots

These are the boots. There are similar versions out there, but none that also have this wooden heel which I believe is the key to their success. They are 35% and $129.97. They also come in black.

And sizes are already selling out and that’s an indicator of how fabulous they are. It hasn’t even occurred to me that they might not fit or be comfortable. I’m believing they are the boot of my dreams.

2. chelsea28 mock neck tunic

I’m showing this tunic in this blue color because I think it’s gorgeous. It would look great with black leggings or pants or even with white skinny jeans and perhaps some tall camel colored boots like the ones above. It’s $79.

I love the length, the side slits and it appears to be very soft. It also comes in a camel color which is such a great neutral and, also, would look great with the boots. I will henceforth plan my entire winter wardrobe around those boots.

3. paisley belted dress

I saw this dress in person at Anthropologie this week and it’s even better in person. It’s a heavier fabric that will drape beautifully and not wrinkle or pull. It would be great for the office or even for a holiday party. It’s $148.

Also, it would look great with the Sam Edelman Camellia boots.

4. bp dolman sleeve ribbed top

This top has great reviews and is just $39. It also comes in ivory, navy and rust (although the rust is almost sold out)

5. caslon cowl neck sweater poncho

I featured this a few weeks ago because I love a good transitional poncho that can be worn by itself of with a long sleeve top under it. And now it’s 33% off and on sale for $45.90. It comes in black, tan or gray

6. sole society stripe ruana

How cute is this? It would be perfect for the office or worn casually with jeans. It’s $69.95 but I’m pretty sure you can get a discount if you sign up for Sole Society emails.

(This is me thinking how great it would look with those Sam Edelman Camellia boots.)

7. sole society navajo chunky cardigan vest

I really like this. It’s $64.95.

8. j.crew western chambray shirt in vintage indigo

I bought this denim shirt a few weeks ago when it was on sale and I’ve worn it an embarrassing number of times since I got it. I have tried for years to find the perfect denim shirt, but they always were either too short or too tight or too big through the shoulders or the denim was weird. Not this one. It’s perfection.

via GIPHY

I’m normally a 4-6 in tops and I bought this in a 6. It’s $88 but 30% with the code CHILL at checkout.

9. j.crew tie neck button up shirt in leopard

Does something about this remind me of the blouses my grandmother wore in the 1980s when she was an important real estate saleslady? Yes. Do I still kind of like it anyway? Yes. Leopard is so in right now and I think this is a pretty cute version of it that would work great dressed up or down.

It’s $85 but 30% off with the code CHILL at checkout.

10. sole society harbor booties

I realize not all of us want a tall boot. Or maybe you already have some tall boots. These booties are on sale for $49.98 and I love this chocolate brown color because it’s a little different from the norm. They also come in taupe. I always think Sole Society shoes look more expensive than they actually are and these are 50% off which makes them a steal.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

I thought I’d be packing us up for a weekend trip to Dallas for soccer this weekend, but all our games got cancelled due to all the rain. So instead I’m wondering what to do with all this newfound freedom and time. The sky is the limit. We may go to Home Depot AND Bed, Bath and Beyond before it’s all over.

via GIPHY

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. ae oversized chenille turtleneck

The weather finally turned cold this week and it has me wanting all the sweaters. Once you read the reviews on this one, you’ll want to make it your very own.

It’s 30% and just $41.96. It also comes in several color options and is allegedly long enough to wear with leggings.

2. aerie play pocket and cuff leggings

I mentioned these one the podcast and I stand by my statement that they are the Gap sleep leggings of 2018. They are so soft and comfortable. They are $39.95 but 30% right now and on sale for $27.96.

There are also these aerie chill leggings which are on sale for just $10 and come in several color options.

I’ve been wanting some burgundy leggings so a pair for $10 was a done deal for me.

3. eclectic peasant blouse

I’ve thought this was the cutest top ever since I first saw it. It comes in two color options and both are equally pretty.

It’s $79.95 plus there’s an extra 25% off all sale merchandise at Anthropologie right now.

4. oversized sleep tunic

It’s hard for me to resist anything called a sleep tunic. I love a good soft top to sleep in. This is $29.95 plus an extra 25% off and it comes in other colors.

5. colorblocked waffle sweater

Okay. This is not on sale. But you know how sometimes you just see something and in your heart you feel it speaking to you? That’s how I feel about this sweater. It’s $148 which I realize is pricey but maybe it will go on sale at some point.

ALERT!!! As if I called it into existence by mentioning sale, Anthropologie has 25% off EVERYTHING for today only!!!

6. h&m knit turtleneck sweater

Here’s a much more reasonable sweater option that is just $19.99. It also comes in dark gray or light gray, but I happen to really love the thought of this blue with black leggings and taupe boots.

7. loft plaid ruffle collar blouse

I love a blackwatch plaid because it is festive for the holiday season but still translates well for all winter long. This top would be great for the office with a pencil skirt or a nice pair of black pants. It’s $59.50 but you can get 40% off if you sign up for emails at Loft right now.

8. loft modern velvet skinny jeans

Okay, remember the top you just saw? How cute would it be with these black velvet jeans? A perfect outfit for casual holiday parties. They are $69.50 but 40% off at Loft with the Friends and Family sale going on.

9. j.crew factory plaid flannel shirt

I haven’t bought a plaid flannel shirt this year because I hadn’t seen one in a colorway that appealed to me until I saw this one. I just really love it and it’s different from any others I have. It’s on sale for $34.50.

10. blank nyc meant to be moto faux leather jacket with removable hood

This week I was finally able to wear this jacket I bought way back during the Nordstrom sale in July and I love it so much. You can keep the hood on it for a more casual look or take the hood off and it’s perfect with nicer outfits or even over a dress. It’s just really a great piece. And even at regular price it’s just $98 which is a great deal for a jacket that feels and looks so much like real leather.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.