New Year's Eve Essentials

The holiday season is when I throw my minimalist style to the wind in favor of all things sparkly and velvet. I feel like Christmas and the New Year provide the perfect excuse to dress up and play with makeup and glittery nail polish, and I love it.

This New Year's Eve, I'm wearing my vintage 90s crushed velvet dress. When I was little, I had a red crushed velvet nightgown that I wore for more years than I care to admit, and this dress reminds me of that, except it's acceptable for wearing out. It's so cozy and soft, and really figure-flattering. Usually, I would pair it with a statement necklace, but this year I'm paring it back and wearing my ring from Josh, and a pair of statement earrings.





I'm going for this gorgeous blue shimmer polish from Julep--it's a bit different from my usual red, which I like, and oh my, the color is just swoon-worthy.

For the lips, I'm wearing my favorite Kat von D lipstick. I feel like berry tones always look nice with blues and grays, like I went for with my eye look.

Finally, I'm going for a gray smoky eye with my favorite Julep duo. The colors are really pigmented, and I love the velvety formula.

And I'm finishing the look with a sparkly vintage clutch, which I initially purchased for my wedding. I love any excuse to pull it out!

Happy 2017, friends!

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe time celebrating (or staying in!)! Josh and I have a church service to attend this evening, but after that, I fully intend on snuggling up in some cozy PJs and ringing in the New Year with a mug of cocoa.

What are your New Year's Eve essentials? Do you dress up and go out, or just stay in?

 

 

The Merriest Christmas

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I wound up taking an unintentional blogging break this past week, due to the business of Christmas festivities and anxiety over dental appointments...it all caught up with me on Monday, and I came down with some kind of bug. Thankfully, I seem to be on the mend, and I'm excited to finally share these snippets of our Christmas decor with you!





This Christmas felt like a hectic one, especially with the addition of a little baby to the mix, and I was determined to slow down on Christmas day, and really enjoy the time with my family. I'd tried so hard to get the house clean for Christmas, but in the end, I decided it wasn't important, so I relaxed and focused on spending time with the hubby and Miss Adelaide. Josh and I decided we were going to get up early for breakfast and our gifts for each other, a plan that kind of went south after we woke up and decided neither one of us really wanted to get up and make breakfast. Instead, we snuggled for an hour before opening gifts and getting ready for church...and we grabbed taquitos from 7-11 for breakfast en route to church. I was very much okay with that...though next year I'm determined to make breakfast beforehand for us to eat at home.

After church, we hopped over to my parents' house (with a very tired Miss Adelaide) to exchange gifts, then to Josh's family's Christmas dinner (with an even more tired Miss Adelaide), and after a nice three hour nap for baby at home, to my family's big gathering. The nicest part of the day was really just coming home to relax, chat, and watch Christmas movies with Josh after Adelaide went down for bed.




This year especially I've begun to appreciate the quiet, simpler moments of Christmas. Snuggling up on the couch by the Christmas tree, seeing Adelaide's awe at the lights and shiny ornaments, long talks with husband and family, and wrapping presents to the sounds of my favorite carols. Everything else is still lovely, but those are the things I look forward to most. What are your favorite parts of Christmas?

Gift Guide for Her

Last, but not least, here is my gift guide for any last-minute shopping you have to do for all the ladies on your shopping list, or maybe even yourself...I know I was super tempted to snap up a couple of these! ;)



1. Hey Girl, Feel Better Herbal Tea - This is the perfect gift for the tea-loving gal in your life, especially during the cold and flu season! This herbal blend has lots of great ingredients, like ginger, echinacea, and elderberries, to help you feel better when you're under the weather.

2. Vintage-Inspired Letter Board - These are the perfect addition to anyone's home decor, and can either be useful or just display pretty quotes. And I'm in love with that light oak frame.

3. 52 Lists for Happiness - This weekly journal from Moorea Seal has been on my wishlist for some time now. I love the focus on positivity and an intentional approach to happiness. And it's just gorgeous. Perfect for anyone who loves journaling. Or just making lists...I can't be the only one out there! ;)

4. Ipow Magic Color-Changing Mugs (Set of 2) - These morphing mugs are just too cute! And really, is there anyone out there who doesn't love a cute mug? :) This would go great with the Feel Better tea, too!

5. Trigg Hanging Container (Set of 2) - These hanging plant holders look so modern and chic. And they're minimal, so I feel like they'd work in just about any home. Perfect for that green thumb on your list! Or even the black thumb--just add a couple air ferns (or fake succulents!) and you're good to go!

6. Casa Tissue Box Holder - There's definitely a cold-weather theme here...but how cute is this little tissue holder?

7. Bestrice Makeup Pouch - This pouch is such a versatile gift. It can be used for makeup, for toiletries, as a clutch, or for purse storage...the possibilities are endless! And this is such a classic look, too.

8. Daniel Wellington St. Mawes Watch -  This watch is such a classic accessory. It goes with just about everything, and it's simply gorgeous.

9. Inspired To Grace Verses For Women: A Christian Coloring Book - I love that adult coloring books are a thing now! Coloring is just a great way to unwind at the end of the day, and there are some really gorgeous coloring books out there. I have a few myself and I love giving them as gifts. This year, I got my friend one with Bible passages in it (similar to this one), and as one of the reviewers noted, it's a great way to meditate on a passage because you're spending so much time coloring each page. I love that! :)

10. Instax Mini 90 Film Camera - This instax camera is a great gift for your photography-obssessed friend, or probably just about anyone, to be honest. And this new style is retro and adorable!

11. InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser - For the friend who loves essential oils, this diffuser is the perfect gift! I love the minimal design, and the fact that it lights up, so it can also function as a night light.

 

And there you go! Hopefully this helped give you some ideas for anyone left on your list. :)

 

Gift Guide for Baby

This gift guide was one of the most dangerous ones for me to make, because it was far too tempting for me to load all of these into my shopping cart! One of the things I've been concerned about is how to have a baby and be a minimalist at the same time...I feel like children accumulate toys so quickly, and with Adelaide I'm working to just be very intentional about everything that we bring into our home for her. When shopping for her, I like to look for products that are practical, that are high quality, are educational, and will last beyond the span of a few short months. Anyway, with that in mind, here is a list of items that would be perfect for any baby on your list! :)

1. Pride and Prejudice: A BabyLit Counting Primer - The beautifully illustrated board books from BabyLit are your baby's perfect introduction to classic literature! I chose Pride and Prejudice to use as the example, but they also have books based around Moby Dick, Les Miserables, A Christmas Carol, and Jane Eyre, just to name a few! And the art is just darling in all of them!
2. Manhattan Toy Skwish Natural Rattle and Teether - Adelaide is teething right now, and I can just see her spending hours with this. This would be perfect for any teether, and besides that, it's also great for teaching fine motor skills. It's also collapsible, so it can easily be thrown in a diaper bag to take on the go!
3. Finley the Fox Rattle Buddy - Oh my goodness, this little guy is the cutest thing! And besides being adorable, he's handmade, organic, and fair trade (I'm so excited to have discovered this brand!). If foxes aren't baby's thing, they have a variety of other designs to choose from, including the cuddliest robot ever. :)
4. Organic Merino Wool Baby Cap - This darling bonnet will keep baby's head and ears snug and cozy this winter. I like the practicality of the design--the chin ties keep it from slipping off so baby's head stays warm. My struggle with hats on Adelaide is that they're always either falling off, or she pulls them off to chew on...I bet this one would stay put!
5. Kid O Wobbles - These cute little guys will wobble back and forth when pushed but won't fall down. They're great for developing motor skills and hand-eye coordination. And I am in love with the sweet, minimal design. I did break down and buy the raccoon for Adelaide's stocking...it was just too cute to pass up, and I'm pretty sure she'll love it.
6. Wooden Stacking Rings - Again, great for developing hand-eye coordination and motor skills. And I love the aesthetic of these handmade natural wood rings as opposed to the colorful ones you usually see on shelves.
7. Shea Chamomile and Argan Oil Head-to-Toe Baby Shampoo and Lotion - This is the most practical gift on this guide, but it's still so good. It's soothing and moisturizing and gentle for baby's delicate skin, and it's organic, which I love.
8. Friendly Faces in the Yard: Baby's First Soft Book - This is the cutest soft book--it has black and white pictures of animals you might see in the yard. It's great for new babies, because of the black and white images, and also for older babies, who can practice turning the pages and also (more likely) chew on it. And it's good for keeping them occupied during church. ;) The description also says it's great for the bathtub, and I love that idea!
9. Wooden Teething Pacifier Clip - I've seen this pacifier clips around the internet for awhile now, and I finally picked one up for Adelaide, since she needed a pacifier clip anyway. I like this over the traditional cloth clips because the wood beads are good for teethers. And I chose this one in particular because it has the rings on it for baby to play with. I also like the neutral beads, since they will pair well with everything. Pair this gift with an all-natural pacifier, like this one, and you're good to go!
10. Baby Bandana Bibs - These are the cutest bibs--they look more like a fashion accessory than anything. I have a few of these for Adelaide, and currently they're amazing for catching drool.

There you have it! I hope this guide helped give you some ideas for any last minute baby gifts you still need to pick up!

Adelaide's Six-Month Birthday

My baby bun is six months old today! We are celebrating with lots of snuggles and Christmas tunes. ❤︎

Happy Friday, friends!

Gift Guide for Him

I don't know about you, but I always feel like the guys on my list are the hardest to shop for. When I'm shopping for the men in my life, I always like to look for something that they'll like, of course, that's unique, and that's fun or functional, and for some reason that's just more challenging than it is shopping for women. And my husband is especially picky! Here are my picks to help you find something for every guy on your list this Christmas, no matter your price point. :)



1. Retro Flip Clock

This retro flip clock would be the perfect addition to any guy's desk! It's very 60s retro, but I think the design has a modern edge that would make it fit in just about anywhere.

2. Magnetic Sand Hourglass

Speaking of items that are great for desk decor, how cool is this magnetic sand hourglass? It's classic and minimal, and the magnetic sand sculptures it creates are so neat.

3. Nordic Fleece Hoodie

I can think of so many guys who would love this Christmas-y hoodie! It's a great alternative to a Christmas sweater, and it's warm and fleecy!

4. ION Turntable

If the guy you're buying for is a music fan, this gorgeous ION turntable is the perfect gift! The modern wood exterior is just so cool.

5. Banned Books Mug

This mug is definitely a conversation starter! It has titles of banned books printed around its outside--when the mug is cool, the names appear to be crossed out, but when hot liquid is poured in, the lines disappear to reveal the names. Give this to the literary guy in your life and see how many of the banned books he's read!

6. Brooklyn Botany Beard Balm

For the bearded guys in your life, pick up some beard balm! It'll help keep that beard soft and conditioned. This one's all-natural and has argan oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter. So good. Incidentally, I'm planning on picking this one up as a stocking stuffer for the hubby.

7. Art Deco Mismatched Socks

I feel like socks are one of those Christmas presents that are so lame as a kid, but super awesome as an adult. I know my hubby always asks for socks. These ones are just a little extra fun! They're perfect for the guy that wants something more unique on his feet, but wants to remain classy. How cool would these look with a suit?

8. Vacuum-Insulated Water Bottle

This snazzy water bottle will keep its contents hot or cold for hours. 12 hours for hot drinks, and 24 for cold, to be exact! So great for road trips. Or work commutes. Or anything, really. This is just a great gift for any guy on your list--he's sure to love it!

9. Codenames Game

So this is actually a gift that I bought this year. Josh and I played this game with my family on Thanksgiving, and had a blast. It's one of those great party games that just about anyone can enjoy--even my grandma got in on the fun at Thanksgiving! I really recommend it for any guy on your list who loves games!

 

That's it! Hopefully this gift guide gave you some good ideas for any guys you have yet to shop for!

 

 

My Winter Capsule Wardrobe

Hey there! I'm not sure if it's just the holiday season or motherhood or some combination of both (probably both), but lately I feel like I'm in a continual state of playing catch-up. As far as motherhood goes, I once read that you should only expect to tackle one thing on your to-do list a day, and I feel like that's certainly true in my case! There are those rare days where I feel incredibly productive, but more often than not, I'm lucky to finish one thing on my long list of things to do. Anyway, today's one thing is getting this blog post up! I finally took the time to put together my winter capsule wardrobe, and I'm really excited to share it with you all! I feel like it's a pretty big capsule, but because of all the layers I wear in the winter, I don't think it's too big. Regardless, I do see some areas I could pare down and better curate in the future. Anyway, on to the pieces!

Tops:


1. Black and White Button-Down - Target

2. Grey Pleated Button-Down - J Crew, thrifted

3. Chambray Button-Down - Gap 1969, thrifted

4. Black and White Blouse - Target



5. Black and Red Flannel - thrifted

6. Blue Flannel - thrifted



7. Grey Long-Sleeved Tee with Leather Details - Ann Taylor, thrifted

8. Grey Tee - Target

9. Teal and White Striped Turtleneck - Rue 21

10. Black and White Striped Long-Sleeved Tee - Target

11. Gray and White Striped Long-Sleeved Tee - Target

12. White Tee - Target



13. Red Flannel Top - Rue 21

14. Blue Flannel Top - Rue 21


Sweaters:


15. Black Sweater with Zipper Detail - Forever 21

16. Black Long-Line Cardigan - H&M

17. Grey Long-Line Sweater - Target

18. Camel Turtleneck Sweater - Forever 21

19. Cream Sweater - H&M


Bottoms:



20. Black High-Waisted Skinny Jeans - Forever 21

21. Skinny Jeans - Ross

22. Black Suede Skirt - Target, thrifted

23. Blue Suede Skirt - Vintage, thrifted

24. Black Circle Skirt - Vintage

25. Black Button-Down Skirt - Refashion by me :)

 

Dresses:


26. Plaid Dress - H&M

27. Black Lace Dress - H&M

28. Black Pleather Dress - Forever 21


Shoes:



29. Black Flats - Charlotte Russe

30. Black Oxford Heels - Thrifted

31. Green Faux-Suede Boots - Forever 21, thrifted

32. Black Faux-Leather Boots - Charlotte Russe

 

Not Pictured:

33. Black and Cream Patterned Sweater - American Eagle, Marshalls

34. Black Winter Coat - Calvin Klein, Ross

35. Army Green Anorak - Ross

36. Leather Jacket - JC Penney's

 

I'm so excited to start sharing the outfits I put together from these pieces! What's in your winter capsule?

A Minimalist Guide to Gift Wrapping

Am I the only one who's obsessed with prettily wrapped gifts? I just feel like a nice wrapping job helps to make a gift feel that much more special, and for me, it helps make wrapping gifts fun. Also, they look oh so nice under the tree! Today I wanted to pop in and share how I wrapped my gifts this year, and give you a few tips for how to add that special touch to your own gift wrapping.




My Supplies:

01. Butcher paper + 1 roll of printed wrapping paper (from Target, last year)

02. Assorted twine, ribbon, + string

03. Washi tape

04. Candy canes

05. Evergreen branches

06. Scotch tape + scissors

I wound up using butcher paper this year for the bulk of my gift-wrapping. It's like a blank canvas--you can do whatever you want with it! And it's super cheap--in my case, it's actually leftovers from my wedding reception where we used it to cover the kids' tables.


Tip #1: Keep it Simple

Sometimes the prettiest gifts may be the simplest. Try wrapping a gift in butcher paper, then tie some twine around the middle, and finish it off with a candy cane.



Tip #2: Create Your Own Design

A simple pattern can add the perfect pop to an otherwise drab looking gift. I did a simple star pattern with sharpies (which I'm in love with!) on this one; other patterns I tried were trees and polka dots. So easy (if not a bit time-consuming)!


Tip #3: Layer it!

I feel like this achieves a really sophisticated look. Simply wrap your gift, then cut a strip of a complementary paper to go around the center. Fold the edges under for a cleaner look, then top with a bow!


Tip #4: Toppings!

Finally, my favorite way to bring a gift together is with some pretty twine or ribbon and some kind of topper...my favorites are always tree cuttings and candy canes, since they add such a timeless touch. There are so many other things you can use too, like ornaments, bells, or small gifts--some stores, like Target, also sell a bunch of pretty gift toppers!

Those are some of my favorite ways to wrap gifts. How about you? How are you wrapping your gifts this season?

The Beauty Capsule 04 - Read My Lips

I'm going to be honest, I've always been a bit of a lipstick hoarder. I used to have about 5 of  nearly the same berry shade lipsticks in my makeup bag. And if I liked a lipstick at all, I would hang onto it just in case the perfect occasion arose. However, I usually found myself reaching for three or four specific lipsticks, and that was how I was able to cut down. I also curbed my habit of buying a new lipstick every time I went to Target...that helped a lot. ;) I also discarded all of the ineffective chapsticks I'd been hanging on to until all I had left were my two trusty Burt's Bees chapsticks (seriously, so good. I will never buy another brand of chapstick again.).

So, without further ado, here are the five lipsticks in my beauty capsule:


Berry Tones: 1 & 2


I love a good berry lip! I think they're so flattering on just about everyone, and darker shades are gorgeous for the fall and winter months. The two lipsticks I reach for most often are NYX's Violet Ray, a beautiful, dark purple-red, and Kat Von D's Prayer, which is a brighter, more  red, berry tone (and it has the best packaging!). Incidentally, Prayer is the shade I wore on my wedding day, after hunting and hunting for the perfect berry shade! I love both of these, though I must say, I think I prefer the NYX formula--it glides on so creamy, and it's not drying at all. It wears really well and it's easy to touch up as needed throughout the day. On the other hand, the Kat Von D one is an amazing color and I love it, but it does not wear as well, and I find it more difficult to touch up.


Reds: 2 & 3


I have always had such difficulty finding the perfect red lipstick. Every one I picked up prior to these two had two much pink or orange, or simply didn't flatter my skin tone. These two, however, are my favorites of all the ones I have tried. The first one is Julep's Lady in Red, which I picked up because it claimed to flatter all skin tones. And I'm pretty sure that's true! I love the shade (and the formula is great too!) and so does my friend, whose skin tone is much darker than mine. The other one is actually from Forever 21, their Love and Beauty line. I didn't expect much from a $2 lipstick, but it is so good! It's matte, and takes a few swipes to build up the color, but it is such a lovely deep red, and it wears really well. It's one of the few lipsticks I can kiss my husband with without worrying about it all coming off! (This lipstick doesn't seem to be available anymore, but my sister just gifted me Nars' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella, and it's really similar to this one as far as shade goes. If you're looking for something similar, I would definitely recommend it!)


Nude: 5


You guys, NYX's Thalia is my favorite nude lipstick ever. And I guess it's because it's more of a dusty rose shade, but it is just so pretty and universally flattering. I never liked wearing nude shades because I felt they washed me out, but this one just gives a subtle something to your lips. I gifted this one to my bridesmaids, and they all loved it too! Seriously, NYX has some of the best lipsticks, and they're really affordable.

So there you have it, my favorite lipsticks. What are some of your favorite lip products?



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DIY Minimal Wreath

With the holiday season in full swing and Christmas fast approaching, decking out my house in all things festive is definitely on my mind. This project actually wound up killing two birds with one stone; I had been holding on to my dried wedding bouquet for sentimental reasons, but it took up so much space, and I didn't really have anywhere to display/store it. I debated what to do with it for a few weeks after we moved, since I really didn't want to throw it away! Finally, I carefully disassembled and sorted the parts of the bouquet and used it to create a wreath that added a nice decor element to our home, and could remind me of my beautiful bouquet. So, if you, too, are racking your brains for something to do with your giant wedding bouquet, or just want to learn how to make a pretty wreath, read on!


You will need:

01. Scissors

02. 12 gauge wire

03. Florist's wire

04. Wire cutters

05. Pliers

06. Your chosen greens and flowers

07. A long piece of ribbon (optional for hanging)


First, I carefully took apart the bouquet, taking it from this...



...to this. I had a lot of greens, like all that gorgeous eucalyptus, and a few pops of color that I wanted to incorporate (By the way, can we all just take a second admire the amazing work my friend did on this bouquet?! So good.). I also wanted to find a way to use the gray ribbon.


Then I used the wire to create a large circle, about fourteen inches in diameter. I used a large bowl to get the rough shape. I left a little extra so I could wrap it as shown in the photo.


After that, I began to add in elements of greenery. I began with the larger pieces that I wanted to be on the bottom, and fastened them to the wire frame with the florist's wire. Make sure to start where you wrapped the wire to secure the circle, so that it's covered.

Then I layered on the other pieces. I did a little experimenting to get the placement I wanted, then secured it on top of the other pieces. It was about this point that I realized how brittle some of the dried pieces were, and I hot-glued some of the bits down to add extra staying power. If you are working with fresh greens and flowers, this won't be a big problem. I wound up completely gluing the roses on at the end, because everything was so fragile at that point!




I finished up by tying the ribbon around the top for hanging purposes. And voila! I had a beautiful wreath that not only made a beautiful addition to my home, but also could remind me of my wedding every time I looked at it!



Be sure and let me know if you try your hand at wreath-making! I'm also thinking about making a couple more "Christmas-y" ones in different styles, so look out for those posts in the coming weeks!