Starbucks And My Love For Coffee : Part V

The holidays came and went and I can't even believe it's February 1st! One of my favorite things about the winter months is switching to hot coffee and drinking more tea and hot chocolate. Starbucks has so many options of beverages that you'll never go thirsty again. These are all available where you buy groceries, so it's very convenient, and easy to find them, even if you're not near a Starbucks. I am in love with their Via Instant coffees and lattes- especially the white chocolate mocha and peppermint mocha flavors. These are so easy to make- all you do is put hot water in with your packet- and voila- you have your drink!


Whether it's holiday entertaining, or just having a morning cup- Starbucks makes it easier to get through the long, wintery days ahead. All you need is a nice warm cup of your favorite drink, and you can snuggle up and stay warm. 

 

Details: Starbucks Travel Cup / Starbucks via Instant Peppermint Mocha / Coffee stamped spoon / Starbucks Hot Cocoa / Holiday Blend Coffee / Hot Chocolate Salted Marshmallow / Holiday Mug

My Easter Best

This year Catholic Easter and Greek Easter landed on different days, so I get to celebrate twice! Double food, double desserts, and 75% off candy for next weekend! We spend Easter with Ryan's family and next weekend we'll be with my family and friends. Yesterday was one of the first nice days we have had in a long time. It's so nice to wake up, open the windows and breathe in some fresh air. It seems like it changes the whole day.

Although we're not in full swing of "bare leg" weather yet, I am enjoying the transition period with my tights on. I had a very eventful and busy weekend, did some unnecessary shopping and got to hang with my nephews. We even baked cupcakes together- which is something I don't do enough. Today I am spending the whole day with one of my best friends, and we're having a best friend/girls day starting with the gym, and ending with a mani-pedi! What do you guys have planned for today? Hope your Monday is great- don't forget to smile!

Details: Make Me Paisley Dress (2 left-go get them!) c/o PBJ Shop (similar in green) , Concho Feather Booties c/o Minnetonka, Michael Kors Watch, Necklace & Rings are vintage, Lace Tights via Nordstrom

Valentine's Day Gift Guide For Your Sweetheart

I know most people think that Valentine's Day is a tacky-hallmark holiday (and maybe it is) but there's always a reason to make the ones in our lives feel special, and any day that stands for LOVE is good in my book. I put together a cute little red & pink gift guide for those hunting for their loved ones. I'll be making a gift guide for the fellas as well (so no one feels left out!) Just hover, and click on the little squares for direct links to these products!

I am excited to celebrate my first Valentine's Day with my man this year and I think what is most important about this day is that it serves as a reminder to tell people in our lives how much we love them. To buy a special card and write a little something for them. It may after all be a hallmark holiday, but it can still be great for those who aren't in a relationship. Think of it as a time to go out with your favorite girlfriends, or to send a family member a little bit of happiness and love. Who are you going to be celebrating with this year?

Into The Woods

After the holidays it's easy to fall into the blues. The winter can do that to me sometimes too. It's just the change in weather and sunlight that makes me lose focus and energy. Wearing pretty dresses and making sure I take care of myself (ie. gym, eating healthy, etc) helps a ton. I wore this outfit on Christmas day and got so many compliments on my dress. I love the bell sleeves and the lace detail throughout. It makes me feel like a princess, but it also has that 70's vibe which I LOVE.

The holidays threw my workout routine for a loop! I ended up taking an unplanned week off because I was so busy with work/planning. Now that the holidays have finally concluded I think things will start to go back to normal again. Plus with the new year coming I feel more motivated than ever. I love the thought of starting fresh and creating new goals. There are so many great things planned this year and I am so excited for it. I have a feeling this is going to be a great year all around. With a new outlook on life, and a new motivated mindset, anything is possible, and I truly can't wait for it all to unravel. Hope you guys have a safe and fun new year! Tomorrow I will be recapping my year in blog posts, so stay tuned for that! 

 Details: Dress , Tights (on sale!) , Flower Crown (similar), Ithaca Booties , Three Finger Ring

Shop this post!

Lulus Party Perfect For The New Year

When the New Year is upon us, I can't help but think of the perfect dress for the perfect occasion. I was never one to go out and go crazy, but the past few years I have had a blast going out dancing with my friends. I love the idea of a classy black bodycon dress, and lately I have been obsessed with back details in dresses. This dress is perfect for a night out on the town, and i love how it accentuates my waistline perfectly.

 Details: Be All Trend All Backless Midi // Elsie Black Single Strap Heels courtesy of Lulus

Update To My Workout Story & My Fitness Fanatic Gift Guide

This post is part gift guide part update on my workout story. I started fully working out 4-5 days a week approximately a year and a half ago. In my progress I lost 13 pounds, as well as gained a great deal of muscle in various parts of my body. Besides the obvious body changes, I feel so different. Mentally I am more at ease when I know I can make it to the gym. Physically I feel stronger and more motivated. As a whole I have found myself being extremely motivated to become stronger and work harder towards my goals.

Although I have had great progress so far, I have had my highs and lows. Some weeks I have no energy, and on the busier weeks sometimes I don't get into the gym as often as I would like. Throw in the holidays and I find myself smuggling cookies and sweets here and there. I am not sharing these stories for pity, but more to show that sometimes life happens. Sometimes you eat cheat meals more than twice a week, sometimes you want to eat a french fry, or a whole plate of them. And sometimes, your body needs a break. I gave myself a week break because I could tell my body needed it. I was feeling weak, and tired, and close to exhaustion. I was forcing myself to go, and then I realized maybe my body was trying to tell me something. The break I took, was exactly what I needed. I came back stronger and more motivated than before, and I am so happy I did. We all fall off kilter sometimes, but the important thing is to motivate yourself even when things seem hard or you're having a hard day.

Shop the perfect workout outfit!

Since this post is focusing on working out , I also wanted to incorporate a little gift guide for those who are looking for new workout clothes/accessories. Here are my PERSONAL choices. I have a full workout wardrobe since I spend a lot of time in the gym, and I picked my favorite pieces to share with you guys. I really love all of these brands & clothing options, and they make my gym experience a better one. Plus, the new year is on the way and we all need a pick me up, so what's better than working out with some new gear? The confidence and comfort will go hand in hand.

Some favorites!

Lulus Party Perfect For The Holidays

Getting ready for the perfect holiday party? Lulu*s has you all set this year. From my head to my toes, I feel more confident than ever rocking my little black dress. I usually don't like to get too dressed up on a regular basis, but the holidays call for celebrations, and that means finding the perfect dress, and the perfect pair of strappy shoes.

I love the idea of a simple black dress and I love the neckline on this cute black dress. It hugs in all the right places, and makes me feel confident and classy. The most important thing a woman needs during the holidays is a nice dress, and comfortable shoes, am I right? Lulus helped me find the perfect party dresses this season, and I can't wait to show you the other one I picked! I love simplicity, and the two black dresses I am wearing for Christmas and New Years take the cake.

 Wearing: Exclusive Double Dip Black Dress // Elsie Black Single Strap Heels

Headband (similar) , 3 Finger Ring , Coat (similar) // Urban Outfitters

Celebrating The Holidays With Marshalls

For years and years I have dreamed of decorating my own house for the holidays. I got to do it for the first time last year, but since I had just moved in, everything happened rather quickly and I didn't get to decorate fully. This year I went all out. Our tree looks bigger than last year, I have more ornaments adorning it as well as a new set of chotskies. I love shopping at Marshalls for all my decorating needs because I know they'll have everything for half the price of the department stores. Being a girl on a budget means spending sparingly, and Marshalls allows me to do that without sacrificing my vintage style.

Some friends of mine started telling us about a tradition they have every year, and it made me want to start our own. I found these two beautiful nutcrackers, and I thought to myself that maybe that would be a fun collection. I haven't made a full commitment to that yet, but we'll see what happens next year. This was also the first year I had lights outside, and we also got two light up dachshunds that are absolutely adorable! Ollie is represented to the fullest in this household, even more so during the holidays.

Some of my other favorite pieces are this antique inspired rocking horse & toy plane. I love this collection of home decor from Marshalls as it doubles as Christmas decor but also regular home decor. The colors and distress on them is perfect and reminds me of something straight out of an antique store. Of course our home wouldn't be complete without my favorite snow globe. 

After watching the movie "The Santa Claus" with Tim Allen, I have been obsessed with snow globes. This one is rather unique, and sits high on a black stand. Maybe I should start collecting snow globes instead? Something to think about.

As Christmas approaches I am happy, but also a little bit sad. These decorations fill the house with so much warmth and love, part of me is sad to see them go. This is after all, the most magical time of the year, and the decorations, wrapping paper and lights just add the perfect touch.

Have you decorated your home this year? If so, what's your favorite piece?

The Perfect Men's Gift Guide

Since I mainly focus on women's clothes, I wanted to give a little shout out to the guys this holiday season! Don't know what to get that special man in your life? Here's my small, but awesome gift guide. I feel like men are so much easier to shop for. I think because they require a lot less fluff, and a lot more things that are staples in their closet.

Have you shopped for that special someone in your life yet? 

1. Urbanears Headphones

2. Buckhorn Fair Isle Socks

3. Herschel Wallet

4. Cashmere Scarf

5. Nike Running Shoe

6. Flannel Brush Shirt 

7. Round Leather Burberry Watch

8. Silver Hook Bracelet

DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater!

Who doesn’t love a tacky ugly Christmas sweater? It’s so easy to put together at home , you’ll wonder why you never tried it before! I went to a craft store nearby and purchased some fun things from the Christmas aisle. I had such a fun time making this sweater and I can’t wait to wear it at one of my upcoming holiday parties. I originally wrote this post for Glam in their Season To Sparkle section. Check out this DIY and other awesome holiday inspired posts for the season.

Items needed: Red sweater (I purchased mine at the thrift store for $3), Snowflakes, Sparkles (different colors), Snowflake confetti, Pom-Poms, Fabric Glue, Christmas tree stencil (I used this one) Sharpie Marker, Scissors, Sequins, Jingle bells, Needle & Red Thread , Dark Green Felt, Random Christmas decor of your choice.

-First, use your stencil to create a drawing on your felt
-Use the sharpie marker to outline the tree,also using a ruler or measuring tape for straight lines
-Cut out the felt in the shape of the tree
-Put fabric glue on the back of the felt tree cutout and paste it on your sweater
-Start decorating your tree accordingly, I decorated the tree with pom-poms, snowflakes, sequins
-Once you let your items dry for a few hours, finish by sewing on your jingle bells. Since they’re a little heavier you’ll need to pass some thread through and make a simple loop to keep the bells in place.

Tips & Tricks:
-Pick up your sweater from a thrift store or second hand store. You’ll find a sweater that’s much more unique, possibly vintage, and best of all, it’ll be a lot cheaper than buying the sweater brand new!

-Buy a variety of crafts and decorations to add to your sweater. Sometimes the most random pieces end up looking awesome!

-Plan out your sweater prior to putting it together. This will help guide the sweater decorating process once you start. A plan is always a good idea so you have ideas in your head before diving in. This will save you time, and will also help from making mistakes. I googled DIY Christmas Sweaters prior to starting mine. I decided to go with a Christmas Tree themed sweater, but there are many other options and ideas out there. Be creative, and plan ahead!