holiday party

12.19.12

For some reason, I feel like going to a holiday party is an excuse to pull out all the stops. Well, maybe not all the stops, but a few. Like when else could you pair a festive red skirt with gold and black polka dot tights and get away with it?

Also, don’t tell my husband but that’s totally his shirt. There’s something awesome about wearing your dude’s shirt in a girly way. I’m into it. And I especially love it with a little bling peeking out from the collar.

Oh and by the way, you can still get that skirt on super clearance from some J.Crew stores! I got a couple of different colors because it was such a steal. Happy holiday partying! xoxo

Top // Esprit Men
Skirt // J.Crew
Tights // American Eagle Outfitters
Shoes // Calvin Klein
Necklace // Forever 21
Nail Polish // Butter London

Make and Give // Printable Christmas Gift Tags

12.18.12

We’re getting close to Christmas, and I’ve got some simple little gift tags for you to print in case you’re in one of those classic “Oh Shoot I Forgot to Get Gift Tags and Now I’m Home and Don’t Want to Go Back to the Store” type situations. In which I find myself just about every year.

So just download these and print them on some cardstock! Just FYI, the version I printed had a tint of color on them, but the downloadable version is just the outlines of the tags and the black lettering, so you can print them on any shade of paper you like. Cut them out and either tape them to your gifts or punch a hole and string them on some ribbon. Boom! Taken care of. (Oh, and if you want to know how to make that wrapping paper, check it out here.) Make it and give it! xoxo

grouped // animal farm

12.17.12

You guys know how badly I want a dog. I think that my unfulfilled pet wishes are starting to rear their ugly heads on my Pinterest boards, where a full-blown menagerie is starting to congregate. Except these are mostly ones you can wear. Who wouldn’t want a little rhinoceros hanging around her neck? And that zebra could teach us all a thing or two about how to wear a tiara, if you ask me. xoxo

Lobster sweatshirt. Umbrella. Tasseled llama. Rhino. Bulldog earrings. Fancy zebra.

this week

12.14.12

We leave NY on Sunday, and it’s been a beautiful week! We saw some pals in their Broadway shows, ate an inappropriate amount of good food, and maybe even spotted a star or two (Any other Downton fans out there? I may or may not have become a bumbling idiot when we ran into Jim Carter on the street). Add to all of that the holiday cheer that’s out in full force and I’m a happy camper. How was your week? xoxo

P.S. I just realized it looks like I’m giving a big ol’ thumbs-up in that last photo. I promise I’m not. I mean, I love that tree and everything, but you know me better than that.

Make and Give // DIY Paint Swirl Ornaments

12.13.12

Today’s installment of Make and Give literally could not be any simpler. You need two materials and no tools whatsoever, but the result is awesome and it would be a perfect gift for someone who’s celebrating the holidays in a new home or needs a few extra ornaments. Just grab some clear glass ornaments and a few colors of craft paint, and get your swirl on.

Just remove the hanger from the top of the ornament and pour in some paint. Not too much or it may not dry well, but you can always dump some out.

Start swirling the ornament around until the paint makes a pattern that you like. I left some of mine clear; you could also cover the whole ornament and make them solid colors. (I also played with the idea of tossing some glitter in there, which could be an entirely different story!)

Set them to dry overnight without their hangers. In the morning, replace the hangers, package them up, and you’re all set. Make it and give it. xoxo

Travel // NYC

12.12.12

I’m not gonna lie — it’s kind of weird to be a visitor here in the city. After having lived here, coming back sort of feels like coming home. After we arrived at the airport and hopped in a cab to where we are staying, I half expected the driver to drop us at our old apartment!

But whether we live here or not, NYC is still one of the best cities in the world – especially during the holidays. So we’ve been making a point to soak up the festivities and hit up all of our favorite spots. Here are a few peeks at our trip so far — come back later this week for more! Also, lots more photos here on Instagram. xoxo

make and give // diy gold nugget earrings

12.11.12

Hi guys! So are we all on the DIY holiday gift train? I’ve got another one today for your stylish sister or best friend — we’re making gold nugget earrings!

Of course, our nuggets are made out of clay and the gold is painted on, but hey — I’ll take it. Here’s what you’ll need:

sculpting clay
sculpting tool or knife
earring backs
gold paint
small paintbrush
super glue

Start by cutting off a small amount of clay with a nice flat backside (haha, I said backside). Use your tool to cut angles off of the piece of clay until you’re happy with the shape. Make two of these.

Bake the clay according to the instructions on the package. Let it cool and paint it gold.

Superglue the earring backs to the flat side of the gold nuggets. Let everything dry thoroughly.

This little project comes together really quickly, and would be so easy to make in big batches to give to lots of people! Put them on a cute little card when you give them and watch people be impressed. Make it and give it! xoxo