NYE Outfits

I've always done a really low-key New Years.  Typically I get dressed up, me and a few friends go out for dinner, then go back to someone's house to watch the ball drop.  This year is going to be no different.  I'm out doing a little last minute shopping with my mom (before my resolution to "shop my closet" begins) and then I'll be having a fun and relaxing evening.  Here is the outfit I'm planning on wearing (not wearing yet because I'm trying to save it for tonight)

Shirt (old) and Skirt from JCrew factory. 

For the day running errands I'm wearing this (sorry for the mirror pic!):

Sweater and Pants: JCrew

Jacket: Burberry 

Shoes: Cole Haan (old but similar here and here) 

Plus my fun and festive arm party

Watch: Fossil

Bracelet: Kate Spade (no longer available) 

Bracelet: JCrew Factory 

2014

I'm still slightly in disbelief that tomorrow is the last day of the year.  Pretty soon I'll be returning to school, running recruitment, and (eek still in denial) getting ready to graduate college.  The past year has flown by but I am ready for 2015.  Here is a quick recap of 2014, from Boston to Washington DC, to Cape Cod ( my first of hopefully many trips) to California it has been a great year!  Enjoy some photos from the past year (plus a blurry photo documenting the Jack Rogers tan I managed to get by the end of Summer).

NYE outfit idea: Lightinthebox Bow Skirt

Hey there,  here is the first NYE outfit post I'll be doing!  I'll be spending NYE in California, likely doing something very lo-key (since I'm stuck in suburbia).  So my outfits are going to be on the casual side.  Regardless I'm trying to make them fun and festive.

Shirt: Banana Republic (old)

Skirt: Lightinthebox

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman (old) 

-xo
Claire 

New Year Resolutions

Every year I make roughly the same resolution: go to the gym more.  I do have to say over the past two years I have been frequenting my university's fitness center more, but this year I want to challenge myself more and try to make more positive changes in my life.  So here we go, my ten resolutions for 2015, though I'm actually starting to implement these right now (why wait another 3 days to improve your life, am I right?)

What are your new years resolutions?  I always love hearing others resolutions!

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone is having a great Christmas Eve.  So far I have spent the morning watching Christmas movies and baking (peppermint bark and gingerbread cookies!) I love making peppermint bark because it is such an easy recipe.  All You need is 4 bars of chocolate (I use 2 dark chocolate bars and 2 white chocolate bars, both Ghirardelli brand) and candy canes or peppermint.  Melt down the dark chocolate into a large pan on wax paper and let cool.  Then melt down the white chocolate and pour on top of the cooled dark chocolate (TIP: make sure the dark chocolate is completely change cooled to ensure the white and dark are separate layers, unless you want to mix the two chocolates together.  Finally sprinkle crushed peppermint on top.  I usually put roughly five average sized candy canes in a plastic bag and beat with a rolling pin to crush the candy canes up into little pieces.  And voila peppermint bark.  I also made gingerbread cookies off of this recipe with cream cheese Kahlua frosting (Yum!).

Gingerbread Cookies and Chocolate Bark 

Finally for last minute Christmas shopping I wore this outfit out and about.  The shoes I purchased for sorority recruitment  but to me scream "there is no place like home for the holidays!"  

Shirt - J.Crew Factory
Skirt - J. Crew Factory
Shoes - J. Crew (now on sale) 

I hope you all had a merry Christmas Eve and a great day tomorrow!

Holiday Traditions

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!  One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is spending time with family.  My family has many traditions that make this time of year special.  Here are a few of my favorite tradtions:

1. Baking!

My family loves to bake during this time of year.  My favorite treats to bake are peppermint bark, Christmas cookies (my family has a special recipe we've been using my whole life) and gingerbread (cakes and cookies).  On Christmas morning we also always make croissants and French toast.  Baking is a great way to spend time with family and make your whole house smell yummy!  

2. Decorating the House 

My family has loads of decorations we like using to make the house feel festive.  While we don't have boughs of Holly there is plenty of ornaments, garland, and holiday cheer!  We decorate our tree every year, pull out our snow village and throw up stocking and more holiday cheer throughout the house.  When doing so we also put on our nutcracker soundtrack to make the house feel more jolly!

3. Christmas Music
There's nothing quite like Christmas music to get you in the holiday spirit.  My favorites are "All I Want for Christmas" by Mariah Carey and the Michael Buble Christmas Album.

4. Christmas Movies
No Holiday in my household would be complete without plenty of Christmas movies!  Time to cue Love Actually, Elf, and all the old Disney Chanel original features from my childhood!

What are some of your favorite Holiday Traditions 

Holiday Style

One of my favorite parts of the Holidays is dressing up for parties and celebrations.  I always love choosing fun and festive outfits for all occasions.  Here are a few fun picks you can wear during the holiday season!  

 

What I will be wearing this Holiday Season: 

On Christmas During the Day:

And for a Christmas Party (dress also comes in Navy and Black, perfect for celebrating other 

holidays!)

Check out more holiday dresses for all occasions here!  

What will you be wearing this holiday season?

-xx

Claire 

Pretty in Plaid

I've been obsessed with this new shirt I got from LightInTheBox! This shirt is perfect for studying in during finals week (which is all I've been doing) because it's comfy and soft.  I also love the colors because this is a great transition piece from Fall to Winter to Spring.

Shirt - LightInTheBox

Jeans - Paige Denim c/o Nordstroms

Boots - Sam Edleman Penny Boot

Necklace -J.Crew Factory

My Weekend: Finals

I can't believe this semester is already over.  Is it just me or does yesterday feel like September, and now I'm barricaded in the library with my laptop and massive cup of coffee.  As this semester winds down here are some study tips from me.

1. Be realistic with your expectations.

2. Do what works for you - if one study technique isn't working mix it up, try something different until you find what works. 

3. Make sure you are comfortable.

4. If you aren't getting work done take a walk outside (maybe a trip to get another cup of coffee or snacks). What I've learned is often your brain will tell you when your no longer being productive, and when I make my study breaks facebook or tumblr I say on them way longer than I should.  Walking outside gives you fresh air, and lets you stretch out your muscles.  

Yes these are all really simple tips and not very specific, but if I've learned anything from the past few years in college it is that everyone studies and learned differently.  So the ways I study may not be the way you study and that is ok!  

Good luck on finals to all my readers who have them coming up!

One Stop Gift Shop: Anthropologie

One of my favorite stores is Anthropologie.  I love it so much because the store has
a) A great mix of styles (a little something for almost everyone) and
b) Fabulous home goods (but actually my dream is to decorate my apartment from Anthro!)

Recently I was looking through the Anthro website and couldn't help but notice all the great gifts they had online.  From Christmas decorations to home goods, to jewelry, and warm accessories they have something for almost everyone on my list (minus the boys!) hence the title of this post "One Stop Gift Shop".  Even if you have a Mom, Sister, or Friend who doesn't dress similarly to Anthro's style they have such a large variety of home accessories and decorations (including fun ornaments) you are sure to find something there for almost every Woman on your list.  Here are a few of my picks from their website:

For Your Organized Friends :

Washi Tape 

Fun Post-it Note Reminders  

"Seize the Day" Notepad  

For the Friend Who Loves to Travel:  

2015 Calendar 

Book How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are 

Eiffel Tower Hook 

For the Friend Who Loves the Kitchen: 

Fun Mugs 

Hot Chocolate on a Stick 

Handmade Baking Book 

Sketched Art Cups

For the Friend Who Loves Home Decor:

Glass Votive Holders  

Candles 

Party Poppers 

Swan Jewelry Holder 

Candles 

Vintage Lipstick Rack 

More Candles 

Finally Personalized Gifts:

Monogram Hooks 

Monogram Pouch 

Monogram Pillow 

Monogram Mug 

Monogram Wall Art