Very Chic Tassels

Hello lovely reader! One of my goals for 2018 for this blog is to bring back the fashion focus. I want to keep things simple, chic, and informative providing links and details to outfits. I want to share pieces that I personally own and love as well as ones that I am seeing in the world, in person and through social media.

     This look combines two of my favorite pieces that I have purchased within the last few months. The first being the gorgeous burgundy top with a high neck and tassel (Zara refers to them as pompoms) trim along the bottom. What I really liked about this top was that it has the cut of a classic piece but also a simple detail that brings a bit more fun and energy to it. It can also be dressed up or down by pairing with black pants as I did here or with a skinny jean. I think that it's also perfect for an environment where you may need to be business professional or casual but still want to show some style.
     The shoes are one of my other favorite purchases, I'm quite sure anyone who works in fashion or follows it would agree that the Gucci loafers were one of the defining pieces to come out of 2017. Every high end blogger had the exacts and every fast fashion retailer had the dupes it seemed like almost over night! While the actual Gucci loafers are still the dream, I wasn't quite ready to make that type of a financial commitment and so I looked all over for shoes of a similar style. I tried on multiple pairs but struggled to find ones that were actually comfortable and didn't look super cheap! When I found this pair by Steve Madden it was like a saving grace! The soles are so comfortable and the leather around the back is super soft so they don't dig into your heels like the other pairs I had tried on. 

Top: Zara - Exact & on Sale!
Shoes: Steve Madden - Exact
Pants: Similar & on Sale, Similar & exacts that Zara styled with top


Are there any details you are loving in fashion right now? Xx

What I Got for Christmas 2017

Hello lovely reader! Happy 2018! Definitely going to take some time to get used to writing that! I hope you all had a fantastic holiday season and New Years. Today I wanted to share some of my favorite gifts that I received for Christmas with you! I have done these posts in the past and always feel the need to say that this is in no way a "showing off" write up nor is it written with any intent to be flashy. These are some of my favorite posts to read from other people and I enjoy putting them together as well. I love to share things that I like with others so that you might enjoy them too. So that is where I am coming from when I personally put my posts together! I will try to include as many links as possible to the pieces that are still available (they are not affiliated links with me either, aka I am not getting paid if you buy any of them). Enjoy!

-Zara Jacket - Currently on Sale!
-Zara Sweater
-LCF T-Shirt
-LCF Hoodie
-Ellesse Leggings

-Cheek to Cheek CD
-Anthropologie Planner
-First Wives Club DVD
-Eloise at the Plaza DVD
-JBL Free Wireless Earbuds

-Sam Edelman Circus Hand Lotions -Couldn't find online
-Molton Brown Body Wash Set
-Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact

What were some of your favorite gifts? Xx

November Favorites

Hi lovely readers! "The most wonderful time of the year" is almost upon us and I am so excited! I cannot wait to start doing all things Christmas but am enjoying the fall while it lasts! The leaves have been extra gorgeous this year and the weather has been ridiculously nice for this time of year. To wrap up the fall I wanted to share some of the things that I have been loving this past month with you all.

IJOY Soul 360 | This purchase was made somewhat on a whim as I was still using my iHome speakers from YEARS ago, cord and all and was beyond due for an upgrade. I picked this speaker up at TJ Maxx one day not having done any prior research and I was pleasantly surprised to find that this speaker is really nice! It's small enough that it is easily portable and the sound quality is great. The battery lasts long and is able to be charged by usb which is convenient. Of course the bluetooth element is the best part, no cords no mess. I also like the sleek and clean design. 

"New Rules" Dua Lipa | Staying on the topic of music, I have had this song on repeat since it first came out. Not only do I love this song, but I am also a fan of Ms. Dua Lipa. I first discovered her when I was living in London and "Be the One" was being played everywhere! Her vocals are so now and unique and effortlessly cool. I love the beats and mixes of her music. The "New Rules" video is classic California vibes mixed with modern tones and flamingo flocking.

"Flicker" Niall Horan | "The Thrill of It All" Sam Smith | Last for music, I have been loving these two albums. First "Flicker" is Niall Horan's debut solo album (former or current One Direction member, depending how you look at it) and it is the perfect soundtrack for taking a long drive on a fall day. Easy smooth music with lots of guitar and lovely lyrics. "The Thrill of It All" is Sam Smith's sophomore album...he is back and better than ever. A voice that cannot be matched, this album will take you to church. His vocals are so unreal and you can feel and hear the honesty in each and every song!

Dynasty | I'm not usually one to get into scripted TV series but Dynasty has got me hooked. The fashion is to die for and I am all about Fallon's quick comebacks and remarks! Also a fan of Liz Gillies and think she is perfect for to play her character. The show is a modernized version of the 1980s soap and while I wouldn't really call the 2017 version a soap it does have it's drama some corny and predictable but this weeks episode had me full on immersed and featured quite the plot twist! You can catch up on the CW's website.   

Duolingo | It has always been a goal of mine to learn a second language. I took the basic Spanish classes that are required in High School but retained basically nothing and have always wanted to learn French. So last month after hearing a guy speaking French in the grocery store, I told myself it was time to start learning! Duolingo was the first and top rated website when searching for a free outlet and after using it for the past few weeks, I can honestly say that I feel like I'm learning. The way it teaches you is really fun and makes each level feel like a game or a challenge to complete!

Reviews.com | This website is great if you are someone who wants to read reviews and get the best products in their category but doesn't want to do all the digging and constant scrolling. You can simply type a product category or scroll to the bottom of the homepage and choose one and they will give a page with the best products and runners up. But whats is even better is the amount of research and explanations they give as to why they say things are the best. You can get the 30 Second low-down or scroll through the whole page to get more details. I've also been using it a lot recently for holiday shopping.

Hoop Earrings | Short and simple, different shapes and sizes, I like them and enjoy pairing them with street styles or more dressed up looks.

Pumpkin Pie Larabar | Last but not least, these Larabar's have been my go-to this month when I am craving a sweet snack. They are non-gmo, gluten free, vegan, diary free, and soy free and have super simple ingredients making them a healthy "safe" snack. They do actually taste like pumpkin pie and the texture mimics it as well! And now for December it's time to stock up on the gingerbread and snicker doodle flavors!

What have you been loving this month?

Spooky Sweet Treats | Pumpkin Shaped Sugar Cookies

Hi lovely reader! Happy Hallo-weekend! Fall is in full swing here, the leaves have changed colors and the temperatures are starting to drop. I wore my first heavy coat today and am ready for sweater weather! Today I wanted to share a fun and festive treat with you that is a Halloween tradition for me. My mom and I have baked these cute pumpkin cookies for as long as I can remember. They are super simple, quick, and fun to decorate. Perfect for a last minute addition to an upcoming Halloween party or special treat for yourself or trick or treaters!

Note that this recipe makes vanilla sugar cookies, they are pumpkin shaped, not pumpkin flavored:)

You will need:
-1 cup of butter
-1 cup of sugar
-1 large egg
-2 teaspoons of baking powder
-1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
-3 cups of flower
-pumpkin mold tray or pumpkin shaped cookie cutters
-Orange food coloring (optional)
-Cooking spray
-Icing, sugar, or candy to decorate your pumpkins

First preheat your oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, cream your butter and sugar with an electric mixer and then beat in the vanilla. 

After that add the baking powder and then the flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each cup. Once you have added the flour, the dough will become stiff and is ready to be shaped into the molds or rolled out if you are using a cookie cutter. Be sure to grease your molds with cooking spray before placing the dough in them. You can also knead food coloring into your dough at this point if you want to make your pumpkins orange. 

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes (mine tend to be done closer to 10 min), cool, and remove from the pan. Then repeat the process, being sure to grease your pans each time. 

After the cookies have completely cooled, you are ready to decorate. This year I used an orange icing pen for the eyes, nose, and mouth and then poured yellow sugar over them to give a glowing sparkly effect. I then used chocolate icing and green sugar for the stem.

Enjoy!

Do you have any favorite Halloween treats? Xx