Peace Out 2017 & December Rewind
I cannot believe we are already at the last weekend in December and the last weekend of 2017! We are settling in for a long Christmas break, since school is out until January 9th! Do you have any fun NYE plans? Our big plans include pizza and a movie on the couch in pajamas! I’m wishing y’all the most blessed, joyful and full of life 2018 ever! I’m ready to say, “Peace Out 2017”, and ring in the new year! Aren’t you?!
Top XSP • Skirt XXSP 40% off • Similar Jacket • Similar Heels • Similar Clutch  • Similar Bracelet • Ring • Earrings • Sunnies • Watch
Top XSP • Skirt XXSP 40% off • Similar Jacket • Similar Heels • Similar Clutch  • Similar Bracelet • Ring • Earrings • Sunnies • Watch
And here’s one last look back at December on the blog in case you missed any of it! I will say this month has flown by faster than most!  We started off with one of those random This & That posts, like a casual chit chat where we just catch up on all kinds of things! I shared how we did pics of just the kids this year for our Christmas cards as well as our overall Christmas preparations!  And my tips for how to get good pics of your kids for next year’s Christmas cards! Hint: I’m not above bribes!
The final product turned out soooo cute!
cards via Minted
Then, Nordstrom asked if I would share my 10 Must-Have Jewelry Items and I said, “no way!”. #kidding I enjoyed putting together this list and sharing details of my favorite jewelry and why I love each piece! In addition to my faves, I also included links to some similar (more budget-friendly) options!  I hope that was helpful for you!
Tank Dress XS • Necklace • Similar Booties • Cozy Cardigan XS/S
It’s as if Nordstrom knows me #havewemet? so for Part 2, I shared my must-have fall/winter shoes. Really rocking the booties right now. The grey ones I got at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this summer are the MOST comfortable and come in multiple colors (and currently on sale again- 40% off!). Yesterday a reader asked if I wear socks with my booties and the answer is, yes, if it’s cold. Like right now! And it’s getting colder- supposed to be in the 20s next week!
My favorite no-show socks are very comfortable and don’t shrink in the wash.
Long Sleeve Peplum Tee SP •  Booties
I wonder if we’ll get snow again! On the night of our Annual Favorite Things Party, it started snowing just as we were finishing up and everyone went bananas!  I shared some super warm sweaters and cozy jammies for staying in all day in my December Dressing Room post.  Lots of those things are on sale now, so check it out!
Robe S
December brought not one, but TWO Holiday Home tours! In the #DeckedAndStyledHolidayHomeTour I shared the first floor of our home, including the dining room, kitchen, entry, breakfast room, and our main Christmas tree.
9-Foot Tree • Icicle Ornaments • Console Table  • Train •  White Boxes • Clay Pots • Silver Urn • Peace Love Joy paperÂ
And with my long-time friend Chris, I shared the holiday decor upstairs. I have so enjoyed having all the decorations up and I’m not ready to take them down yet!
Wreath • Tree • Ottoman • Chair • Similar Rug
For the second year in a row, we hosted a Girlfriends’ Favorite Things Party. If you have never been to one of these, I suggest you start planning one for next year! It’s such a good time and a great opportunity for a girls night amid the breakfasts with Santa and hayrides and gingerbread house building! #adultsonly #noboysallowed
One of the most talked about gifts from our party was this Hair-Tie Bracelet!! Did you get one for Christmas?!
Women’s Bracelet | Teen Bracelets for Smaller Wrists | Kids’ Colorful Bracelets
So of course I ordered these for all of my last-minute gifts! I did find that they ran big so measure your wrist before ordering. The little kids ones are really cute and have little sayings on them. My nieces loved them!
The Favorite Things Party wasn’t ALL about the things – we shared some good food too!! I posted about the SIX items I committed to make and how I either made it or FAKED ITÂ and hopefully, that makes hosting your next party easier or gives you some ideas for what to bring to a party!
Homemade Toffee vs. Trader Joes
Fig & Goat Cheese Toast | Fake it or Make it
You know it’s a crazy month when I come up with TWO This & That Posts! In the Mid-Month Post I compiled a little bit of our Christmas Season adventures plus some Outfits Lately – which is pretty much all one fleece pullover #sorrynotsorry
Fleece Pullover S • Jeans 0P • Kids Women’s Hunter Boots 30% Off • Savannah Zippered Tote
I loved it so much, I bought it in aqua also! Â I’m usually an XS in tops, but in this pullover, I preferred the Small.
Fleece Pullover S • Jeans • Boots • Hobo Bag
Jordan and I accidentally had a “Mommy and Me” Barrington Bag moment. She’s holding the St. Anne Petite, which I exchanged for the Savannah Zippered Tote.
I found a new pair of jeans that I love and have to share!! I styled these black skinny jeans five different ways. And they’re marked down 40% now!
Plaid Shirt • Leopard Belt • Jeans • Pumps
I finally changed out of my fleece pullover just enough times to get some photos of what else I’ve been wearing lately!
Black Tee XXS • Jeans • Slip On Sneakers • Necklace
Sweater XS • Jeans 33% Off • Booties 40% Off • Bar Necklace • Hobo Bag
Butter Soft Top XS • Jeans 25 33% Off • Boots 40% Off
If you are a softness junkie like I am, this butter soft pullover is a MUST HAVE! It’s seriously the softest thing I’ve put on my body and so lightweight with a high/low hem and comes in lots of colors, including solids! It looks great with the light tan knee high boots and those are on sale too!
And the last Dressing Room post of 2017, I started out wanting to post some great New Years Eve dresses but I was uninspired and only found 2 I really liked!
Sequin Dress TTS, XS
But I did find some stripes!
Stripe Sweater SP 50% Off • Jeans 25 33% Off • Booties
And a nice comfy cardigan…
Cozy Fleece Cardigan • V-Neck Tee • Jeans
and a great high waisted jean!! Â #mombod
 Similar Top XS • High Rise Skinny Jeans 24 (size down) • Booties
If your gifts cards are burning a hole in your wallet, the gift guides I created in December just might come in handy right about now! Â And the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale ends January 2, so make sure to check out my top picks before it ends!
Robe • Candle • Pop Socket • Fleece Pullover • Necklace • Cardigan • Earrings
Pullover • Bracelet • Manicure Set • Wet Brush • Mascara • Flip Flops
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11• 12
Bracelet • Earrings • Beanie • Reed Diffuser • #1 Teacher Frame • Personalized Keychains •  5 Year Memory Book • Leopard Scarf • Kate Spade Tumbler • Reversible Plaid Scarf • Brush Set & Case • Swell Water Bottle
Finally, as we near the end of the year and our life seems overwhelming, I’ve been trying to make the effort to take it a little slower and start each day in a meaningful way.  The Miracle Morning suggest starting your day with these 6 practices: Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercising, Reading, and Scribing.  I’ll have a more detailed post next week to show you what my miracle morning looks like.
If you missed our Christmas recap, you can see all the cuteness here, along with the top posts of 2017 and a look forward at 2018!
AFTER CHRISTMAS SALES
And if you happen to be sitting at home in your pajamas today (like we are!) you might want to take advantage of these after Christmas sales from the comfort of your couch!
NORDSTROM • Half Yearly Sale! Up to 50% off! Hunter Boots are 25% off, get this cozy pullover before it sells out, and this cardigan!
LOFT • 50% off everything
ANTHROPOLOGIE • Extra 30% sale items
EXPRESS • 50% off everything!
GAP • 40% Off your purchase online + Extra 20% off
JCREW • 30% Off
OLD NAVY • 30% off everything!
_______Â
loving every single pic
Thanks Giulia!
What a fun month!! Loved following along with you!
Thanks so much for checking in Alexis! Have a great weekend!
Re: Maria Shireen bracelets
What do you do with the plastic piece when you use the hair tie? Or does it get tied into your hair too?
Thanks!
Hi Karen! You wear that as a bangle bracelet on your wrist!
Thanks! I think I need to try them as I always have that black band arrive my wrist :/
Happy New Year to you and the family Megan. I personally am looking forward to leaving 2017 behind, and bringing in 2018.
Me too Lauren! Happy 2018 to you and your family!