What to Wear... to chill

I'm not sure if it's because I'm officially "in my 30s" or if it's

because loungewear has become it's own category on most retailer's

websites, but it's time to step up my lounge game. There are too many

good options to say no. Even places like Target have increased the size

of the pajama/loungewear department. It's time, y'all... it's time.

Whether you're hanging out at home alone, inviting your best girlfriends

over for the Bachelorette finale, or having a Netflix and chill night with a

significant other, throw on something comfy but cute. It's as simple as a

cute pair of track shorts, a basic white tee, and a long cardigan (something

I plan on living in this fall). Start with that combination and add your own

spin to make yourself more comfortable (I see changing out the shorts for 

my old faithful high-waisted leggings when the temps drop). 

The long cardigan is something that can almost double as a robe around

the house (especially early in the morning when it's always 10 degrees

colder inside, someone explain that one to me). Here are some of my

curent favorites that are light enough to wear around the house and will 

be the perfect choice when fall arrives:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

I'm also positively obsessed with anything from Barefoot Dreams 

including this sweatshirt. I would live in this. I also cannot curl up

on the couch without my favorite BD blanket. It's the softest thing in 

the world as most of their products are, AND it's included in the 

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It's the perfect time to pick up a few

early Christmas presents if you ask me (it's available in multiple colors 
here)!

cardigan: Nordstrom  |  t-shirt: Nordstrom  |  shorts: Nordstrom  |  blanket: Barefoot Dreams

[ prints available here ]

Home for the Holidays

Planner available here

Winks available here

Catherine Truman Photography

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

You absolutely cannot beat a cup of peppermint hot chocolate at Christmas time. It's so seasonal, it keeps you warm on those chilly nights, and is even better when sipped by the fireside (and Christmas tree). Williams Sonoma has the best. Bonus points if you sip it out of a brand new BFP cup (get one here before they sell out)!

Ok, but first presents pjs  ||  Catherine Truman Photography

Consider this my auto-reply... social media might make it appear like I'm working around the clock, but today marks my last day in the office until 2017! I'm stepping away to spend time with family doing Christmas things. I hope you do the same! 

2 Easy Holiday Cocktails

'Tis the season for eating, drinking and being merry!

Today we're bringing you two of the easiest cocktails that will surely make a splash 

with your guests. Whether you're the host or simply being a gracious guest by not showing 

up empty handed, these are two cocktails you'll want to have in your arsenal. Seriously, 

they're are so easy (translation: they take about 5 minutes to throw together and have about

 4 ingredients total). 

They pass the taste test, the time test, and most importantly, the short list of ingredients

test. I have been wanting an excuse to use my fresh rosemary plant, and both of these

cocktails called for a garnish of rosemary!

I came across the first one while flipping through the Favorite Things issue of the O Mag. 

Oprah always seems to kill it at all things Christmas, let's be serious. The only thing that

takes a little planning is freezing ice cubes in advance. They are what takes this one to the

ultra fancy (looking) Christmas punch level. I halfed the recipe below to simply make one

pitcher full.

pitcher: World Market  |  champagne flutes: World Market  |  tray: West Elm  |  "Eloise" notecards

Cran Rosemary Punch

2 bottles Prosecco (chilled)

3 C white cranberry juice (or white grape juice)

20 drops Angostura bitters

1 C fresh cranberries

Rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

In each section of a large ice cube tray, place a few cranberries and a cluster of rosemary leaves. 

Fill with water and freeze about 6 hours or overnight. In a punch bowl, combine Prosecco, juice, 

and bitters. Add prepared ice cubes and additional fresh cranberries to bowl just before guests arrive, and serve.

(recipe source)

The next one popped up on my instagram feed as a sponsored ad and instantly grabbed 

my attention. It screams cold weather with hints of maple syrup, a splash of something

sweet in the grapefruit juice and a Christmasy touch of rosemary as a finishing touch. 

wine glasses: Pier 1  |  "Mays" notecards  |  all photos: Catherine Truman Photography

Grey Goose Fireside

4 parts Vodka (Grey Goose)

1 part organic maple syrup

5 parts freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice

1 pinch of sale

1 sprig of rosemary

Add the maple syrup, a pinch of salt, and a sprig of rosemary to a glass. Mash

the rosemary to combine the flavors. Top with the vodka and fresh grapefruit juice. 

Serve over ice.

(recipe source)

Cheers to the holiday season! 

SaveSaveSaveSave

Spark Joy

Have you heard about The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up? 

Surely you have, and if you haven't I urge you to pick up a copy of it and it's sequel, Spark Joy.

Your life will be changed, I promise. While I like to think my closet is quite organized, in the midst of implementing the KonMarie method, I came across a handful of items I had completely forgotten about. Buy it. Read it. And prepare to be amazed. The folding methods alone are enough to make you jump for joy. My drawers have never looked so pretty when I open them. My tanks are finally lined up so I can see all of them at a glance (which made me realize I have about 10 black and 10 white tanks - half of them went to Goodwill). 

I hope your life is changed and your life is filled with joy again! 

This is me carefully examining a dress with the tags on it. I've never worn it and after trying it on, I realized it's entirely too short. It went to the Goodwill pile as well. The pink Uggs were a toss while the cowboy boots were a keep. 

How to Work From Home

Working from home has it's perks, but it can also be tough getting motivated on

those early Monday mornings. With no one to report to, it's up to you to get the job done!

I've discovered that a chic but clean workspace does the trick. Keep it simple so you're

not easily distracted by cute (but semi-pointless) decorative objects. Everything on my

desk serves a purpose which helps keep the clutter to a minimum.

While this isn't an exact representation of my desk situation, it has elements of my actual

desk and workspace. See this article by Domino for more home office inspo. 

I also saw this on Damsel in Dior's Snapchat (of all places): even if you're working from
home, throw on a pair of heels for a conference call. It makes you feel more
official, I promise.

mirrored frames: Target  |  chapel prints: Etsy  |  desk lamp: West Elm  |  similar chair: 

West Elm  |  rug: Target