Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy New Years Eve!

Happy New Years Eve everyone!! 


Now that NYE is officially here, I am busy planning what we will cook tomorrow. I love planning a little menu for a special day and as I mentioned, Stephen will be helping cook as well! He is looking for a beef briscuit today, but if he can't find one we will be doing smoked pork. I think I will make this dip for our black eyed pea fix, serve the fondue {how cute are the skewers above!} and then also make my favorite crock pot macaroni and cheese {I found the recipe in a magazine on our honeymoon and it's always a hit!} We also need some collards so that will be part of the menu as well. 

As of right now we actually don't even have a reservation for tonight {whoops!} so we might end up eating at Stephen's parents. I'm sure Weeks will be happier not being at a restaurant anyway, so that will be just fine. I'm looking forward to celebrating with my sweet, sweet boys and I hope we all have a wonderful, wonderful 2015. 


Cheers to you all! 
xoxo.

Monday, December 29, 2014

New Years Eve Party/Comfy + Food

party/comfy

All Over Sequin Mini Dress {take additional 50% off!} // Sequin Woven Tee {take additional 50% off! skirt is separate here} // Gilded Lace Top {take additional 50% off...wear it now, and wear it later with white jeans!} // Foil Stripe Tee {take additional 40% off!} // Sequin Trim Sweatshirt {take additional 40% off!) // Roll Sleeve Tee With Bow {take additional 40% off!}

With New Years Eve plans going around, it's always a mixed bag. Either you have a party to attend, a dinner, or you plan on spending it relaxing in the comfort of your own home. Or maybe just heading to a bar! Either way, you can probably find something above that you will be able to wear more than just NYE. If you have a cocktail party coming up, the sequin dress would be so much fun. And don't get me started on comfy tops- I live in them. All of these above would set you back somewhere between $15-$40 I think- that is crazy good! 

This year I am quite content that we are planning to go out for a good dinner and then will come home with our sweet boy and spend some time on the sofa, I'm sure. That sounds about perfect to me! And, I love looking forward to a yummy meal on New Years Day! I already picked up this cute little dip for a fondue style snack, from Harris Teeter. You can keep the terracotta dish for using it again too. 


Stephen got a smoker for Christmas so he is thrilled to try something that he can cook all day in that. Don't you love new cooking gifts? Especially when that means your husband is excited about cooking! Stay tuned over the next day or so as I recap what we dined on over Christmas...everything was amazing!

So what are your plans? Do tell! 

Cashing in on gift cards + Customer Service

Well hey everyone! Welcome back. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas with all of your loved ones. We had a busy, whirlwhind time but it sure was nice. We spent the first half with Stephen's family and the latter with mine. Yesterday I spent all day taking down Christmas decorations and attempted to get them in better order for an easier time next year. More on all of that later, I'm sure!

If you are like me you might have a gift card or two burning a whole in your pocket. I am a huge fan of gift cards. A lot of times I love to browse but hesitate on pulling the trigger when it's something for me. Usually I have to have some sort of incentive, like a sale and free shipping to really entice me! But, when you have a sweet little gift card in your wallet, it makes it a little easier to splurge and buy yourself something.

I actually have a gift card from J.Crew that I received from a return that I have been waiting to use. One note on J.Crew's customer service: I was thoroughly impressed. My Mom bought my sister and I a beautiful pair of boots about a year ago. I know when I first wore them that the lining felt a tad off- it felt like on one boot it would slide down making it very hard for my foot to even get in the boot. I kind of forgot about it since we have a short boot season from here on {I probably wear boots for the last time early March!} Fast forward to about a month ago...I was once again trying to get my boots on and was practically breaking into a sweat trying to get my foot inside the boot. The lining was now sliding all the way down making it impossible to wear them. I tried taking them to a shoe repair, no dice...so I took a chance and emailed J.Crew. Pretty much no questions asked, they would take the boots back. We just had to find our order receipt and they would issue a return. I was shocked! So here I am, looking at buying another pair of shoes that I have heard wonderful reviews on. {at least I know they stand behind the product if I have a problem!} Do you own them? I am leaning towards the pretty white pair. I think they feel fresh for the New Year and could brighten up a dark/black outfit!

shoes



Wishing you all a happy Monday as we get back into the swing of things!

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas Y'all



Sending Christmas blessings to you and yours. I am signing off for this special season to be with my loved ones. I am so thankful for all of my sweet readers and wish you all the Merriest Christmas!

card via tiny prints

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Favorite Things 2014

I thought I would share my favorite things that I really, really loved in 2014...some were favorite gifts and others were things that I splurged on for myself, big or small. I finally made some headway on my gifts yesterday. Seeing all the thoughtful gift guides online has definitely helped prod me along, what about you?

Fitbit Flex
I love my fitbit!! I know I've mentioned it before several times, but it really is kind of an addiction to see my activity. I actually had to have mine replaced earlier this year and the company was great about that.



Electrolux Vacuum
On a practical note, this little vacuum is so handy to have around, especially with dogs and kids! I could clean my floors every day I swear...



Jo Malone Perfume
Obsessed with my new perfume!! It needs no explanation. Another longtime favorite scent is this, my signature scent pretty much!

I spoke about this last week, and seriously this thing is awesome. Amazing sound quality and so nice to be able to listen to your favorite music right from your phone. We also have the mini in our bathroom. I use the songza app a lot for a variety of music! 


My latest lens...I have barely begun exploring it but I think I am really going to enjoy this addition to my camera bag.




I am loving my new boots I received for my birthday. They are so comfortable, even with a little bit of a heel. I can wear them all day and be fine. And, they are on sale now!!


I am now obsessed with Zella leggings. I wish I had a pair for every day of the week. I line dry mine and they are holding up extremely well with all of the wear they have gotten this fall. I even sneak them  as real pants sometimes, with flats and a sweater. Total Mom move!


This is a fun addition to your kitchen and makes breakfast sandwiches so easy. We usually use an english muffin, egg, piece of cheese and sometimes a slice of canadian bacon. Everyone in my family got them for Christmas last year. 

What were your favorite things for 2014? 
I can't wait to see what everyone gets for Christmas and loves this year!



Monday, December 15, 2014

Our Christmas Home Tour 2014

Welcome to our home, Christmas 2014. Hope you enjoy the tour...it was so much fun to decorate this year and I really feel like it's a reflection of our style. Lots of pops of bright colors, of course with lots of gold {my have!} It feels warm and inviting, and perfect for our family. Enjoy! 

-the living room and the tree-













-the dining room-




-the den-














 



Merry Christmas! 
love, Katie 


Friday, December 12, 2014

Shopping for the men in your life...


I don't know about you, but all I'm thinking about is crossing gifts off my shopping list. Who is left? Well, Stephen hasn't given me a ton of gift ideas this year so I have resorted to going out on my own. But, I did pull together this list. I believe most men could find something they would love on this list. Stephen is a big fan of J.Crew shirts- these are all so handsome. Everyone deserves a pair of Ugg slippers- am I right? The duffel bag would make travelling easy and stylish {since men are obv worried about that!}. One thing the hubs asked for was a pair of sunglasses- what do you think about these honey? We have this speaker in our bathroom and are completely obsessed with it, making it so easy to stream music from our phones. We also have this speaker in our kitchen {Stephen's last birthday gift} and use it almost every single day. So worth it! Last but not least, I bought these personalized beer mugs for Stephen last Christmas, along with both of our Dads. On Stephen's I put our last name and the year we were married in the established blank. I think everyone loved them! I know for a fact the ones in our house get some great use ;) 

Lots of these items are on sale today so make sure to check the links and sites for specials!
....And I'm back to shopping- enjoy your weekend!! 


Monday, December 8, 2014

Christmas Cheer Here and There...

I found this beautiful, downloadable print while browsing pinterest. After following the link, I found such a neat post on a woman offering these Christ-centered prints available for free downloading. Her goal is for us all to share them and enjoy them. Make sure you check them out, all of them are beautiful! Such a wonderful message as well.



All I have left to do with my Christmas decorating is add the garland to my stairs! I had such a fun time decorating this year and I feel like it is truely a reflection of my style. I can't wait to share the pictures! One of the finishing touches on my tree was big gold, Kate Spade-ish bows.

Now look, I love, really love giving gifts. I love brainstorming, finding them and wrapping them. So  I really enjoy posting things that I may find this time of year, in hopes that you could enjoy them or give them as a gift as well. I know there are TONS of gift guides that are bombarding you everywhere you look, so I understand if you are over it. But I'll still post a few things that stick out to me that I feel like are worth mentioning. 

C.Wonder is having an incredible sale on things that would be PERFECT for stocking stuffers. Things usually over $30 are available today for 9.97. I love this little dish so much and how can you beat the price?

Nordstrom just marked more giftables down like this Keepsake Box. So dainty and fun!
I also love this crystal bowl. We received a beautiful crystal vase with etched polka dots for our wedding and it is still one of my very favorites to use! So elegant but fun.


For the men in your life, this is a great deal on this Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Shirt. You had me at non-iron, and Brooks Brothers is great quality.


Amazon is offering some amazing deals today for Green Monday, including the newest version of my camera. Have I ever told you how much I love that thing!? Photography has become so fun for me. 

Happy Monday!! xo.