SILVER & GOLD: SEASONAL ACCENTS FOR HOME

With Thanksgiving and Black Friday behind us the holiday season is in full swing. One thing I have always loved about the season are the decorations and nothing says holiday like "Silver and Gold" decor. Check out some of these festive decor accents to compliment your silver and gold themed home.


Interior Define Owens Sofa, $1100

Threshold Faux Fur Stool, $56

Gray Metal Cage Lanter, $12

Papertrophy Deer Wall Trophie, $70

Threshold Origami Snowflake Pillow, $20

6-Pack Christmas Ornaments, $10

Anthropologie Aldalora Pillow, $78

Kim Seybert Trevi Christmas Stocking, $126

Janice Minor Golden Leaf Christmas Stocking Holder, $150

2-Pack Christmas Ornaments, $6

 Certified International 6-pc Plated Mug Set, $42

 What theme did you decorate your home with this year?

THANKSGIVING DAY STYLE GUIDE

The time has come...the day that officially kicks off the "holiday" season; Thanksgiving! It's the only holiday where it is completely acceptable to get all dressed up with nowhere to go :). Whether you're going all out glam or cute and comfy check out these Turkey Day Style Inspirations:

OUTFIT #1
1. Forever 21 V-Cut Back Sweater, $16
2. H&M Skinny Low Ankle Jeans, $30
3. Hat Attack Army Avery Hat, $100
4. Commuter Chic Tote & Clutch Set, $39
5. Mixed Chains Faux Leather Booties, $38

OUTFIT #2
1. H&M Faux Fur Jacket. $80
2. Urban Outfitters Ecote Topanga Cozy Ribbed Long Sleeve Mini Dress, $69
3. Navy Suede Tote Handbag, $40 
4. Bauble Bar Juliet Crystal Bib Necklace, $68
5. Tan Suede Over the Knee Boot Dasia-14, $40

OUTFIT #3
1. Old Navy Lace-up-Yoke Swing Dress, $37
2. Zara V-Neck Jacket, $50 
3. Aldo Edauviel Handbag, $42
4. Melody Ehsani Trek Earrings, $48
5. Steve Madden Hansil Boot, $180
 

What's your Thanksgiving Day Style look like?

5 MUST-TRY RECIPES THIS THANKSGIVING

Hi Ladies and thanks for stopping by today. I'm still in shock that Thanksgiving is literally one week away. While I'm sure many of you have already begun your meal planning and ingredient purchasing, I have not. This year I started looking into trying some different recipes to spice up my Thanksgiving Day meal and here are a few recipes I'm interested in trying:

1. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Glazed Carrots
 What you will need:
- 2lbs of baby carrots
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cook Time:
- 5 minute prep
- 4 hour cook time

Directions: McCormick.com

2. Old-School Cranberry Salad 
 What you will need:
- 4 cups of fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup drained maraschino cherries
- 1 cup peeled and chopped Bartlett pears
- 1/2 cup drained mandarin oranges
- 1/2 cup drained pineapple tidbits

Cook Time: 
- 20 minute prep time
- 3 hour cook time

Directions: MyRecipes.com 

3. Creamed Collards
What you will need:
- 4 1/2 lbs fresh collard greens 
- 1lb chopped bacon
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 large onions, diced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Cook Time: 
- 20 minute prep time
- 40 minute cook time

Directions: MyRecipes.com

4. Maple Sweet Potato Cups 
What you will need:
- 2 (24oz) packages frozen steam & mashed sweet potatoes
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/3 cup firmly packaged light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Cook Time:
- 15 minute prep time
- 40 minute cook time

Directions: MyRecipes.com

 5. Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage
Now this recipe has a special place in my heart. Almost 20 years ago I lost my uncle to the HIV virus. Our very last Thanksgiving together I helped him prepare the meal along with my older cousins. Cornbread Stuffing was one of those dishes. Prior to being introduced to this recipe I absolutely HATED stuffing. I mean, everything about it just disgusted me. There was something about the introduction of the sausage and cornbread that completely changed my perception of stuffing. So, if you are like I used to be and cannot stand stuffing I definitely urge you to give this recipe a try; and if you do I want to hear your thoughts.

What you will need: 
 - 1lb ground sausage
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 2 large onions , chopped
- 5 cups crumbled cornbread
- 5 cups seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 3/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sage

*Please note that my personal recipe only includes: celery, sausage, cornbread, stuffing mix, and melted butter*

Cook Time: 
 - 10 minute prep time
- 1hr cook time

Directions:  AllRecipes.com


What's on your Thanksgiving Day menu?

WEEKLY STYLE LUST - JOSEFINAS

 

WHAT'S GOT ME LUSTING?: Ever since I came across Converse's NUDE collection that is/was exclusively available at OFFICE; my search for the perfect nude sneaker began. Since the converse collection has pretty much sold out I was left with this nude void that needed to be filled....and then I found @Josefinas :). Outside of the color being the perfect shade of blush nude these shoes have personality! 

WHY YOU SHOULD BE LUSTING TOO?: Not only can you customize your Thelma & Louise (oh the shoes have cute names too 😁) with fur on the laces but they also have a collection of inspiring patches that read "Women Power", "#ICanDoIt", and "#Strong". These sayings seem so fitting since we are coming down from our latest political elections where women's rights where at the forefront. Plus, if you just want to add some flare to a pair of shoes you already own you can simply purchase the fur accessories alone. 

PURCHASING DEETS: 

Price: $350 - $415

Where to Buy: Josefinas.com 

SEASONAL SCENTS OF HOME

Hi Everyone! Thanks for stopping by today. It's so hard to believe that we are half way through November. With Thanksgiving a little over a week away I am trying to get my home in the holiday spirit. One way to do that is with scent! From candles to room sprays and diffusers to wax melts these scents of the season are sure to get you and your home in the holiday spirit.

1. BBW Fir Sprig Wallflower Fragrance Plug, $12: There is no way that we can have a discussion about scent and NOT bring Bath & Body Works into the mix. This Wallflower Plug features glittered pinecones on an evergreen bough. Simply pair it with your favorite scent such as Salted Caramel  or Spiced Apple Toddy. (Wallflower refills are sold separately for $6.50)

2. L'Occitane Winter Forest Scented Candle, $21: Think Fireplace x Pine <3

3.  Claus Porto Candle in Chypre, $75: This candle is not particularly a "holiday" scent but with notes of grapefruit, orange leaves, crushed roses, and cedar wood it sure does boast a distinctive and memorable fragrance. The diamond patterned porcelain vessel it is encased in draws from the Portuguese architecture it is inspired by.

4. Crabtree & Evelyn Noel Room Spray, $19: Just a few quick sprays and breathe in the scents of warm mulling spices, lively citrus, and Fraser Fir.

5. Avon Holiday Spice Candle, $20: This festive candle features notes of cardamom, cinnamon bark and vanilla(my favorite).

6. BBW Vanilla Snowflake Room Perfume, $7: All year round my number one favorite scent has always and will always be VANILLA. I love how BBW added a holiday twist to my favorite scent with this Vanilla Snowflake room spray; it is the perfect blend of creamy vanilla, iced fir, wintry mint and coconut flakes.

7. BBW Iridescent Snowflake Fragrance Melt Warmer, $19: This fragrance melt warmer gently warms scented wax with a soft-glow light bulb. The sweet snowflake design allows the light to shine through projecting soft snowflakes on surrounding walls and surfaces. Pick the holiday scented wax melt of your choice.

8. GuruNanda Tower Diffuser and Cinnamon Essential Oil, $50 : This ultrasonic diffuser features a color-changing LED light to add to your sensory experience.  Pair the diffuser with their 100% Pure Cinnamon Essential Oil for a true scent of the season experience.

WEEKLY BEAUTY CRUSH: DURA CHI HANDSHOT HAIR DRYER

WHY IT'S MY CRUSH: 
As I get closer and closer to my 30th birthday I'm embarking on this journey to try new things in many different areas of my life. One of those areas is with my hair. I've always been one of those people who loved long hair, always wanted long hair, and envied those with lengthy locks. Now my hair has never been what you would consider short, but it was never as long as I wanted it. Now that I have long hair...I have no idea what to do with it. So I'm forcing myself to try new products, routines and styles.

So, when I came across this new hair dryer I was immediately intrigued.

WHY IT SHOULD BE YOUR CRUSH:

1.The absence of a traditional handle allows for more freedom and control to achieve different styles
2. Features a state of the art touch sensitive control screen that deliver a number of heat and speed settings that can be combined to achieve the best results.
3. The dryer can be placed on a flat surface for hands free use....(can you say VOLUME?).
4. There is a screen locking feature that prevents you from accidentally changing your setting while in use.

PURCHASING DEETS:
Price: $145
Where to Buy: Loxa Beauty

Have you ladies tried this dryer or something similar?

WEEKLY STYLE LUST - VELVET CRUSH

Hi Ladies,

If you're like me, you are loving the come back of VELVET in this season's fashion trends. However, I've been struggling a little to find the PERFECT velvet piece to add to my wardrobe...that is until I took a little visit to asos.com. There, I hit the velvet jackpot. Their site has pretty much everything velvet you can think of: rompers, dresses, shoes, bags, even scarves. Check out some of my favorite velvet piece they have available now:

Velvet Bomber Jacket, $83 

White Crushed Velvet Trouser, $128  

Baseball Cap in Purple Velvet, $15 

Missguided Crushed Backpack, $38 

One Day Petite Allover Velvet Wrap Front Jumpsuit, $54

Public Desire Lila Pink Velvet Heeled Ankle Boots, $53 

How have you incorporated velvet into your Fall wardrobe? 

 

A LETTER TO MY FORMER SELF....