Dressed in holiday style

That was a delightful little break. Seeing family, devouring amazing food, and oh yes, shopping. It's no exaggeration that I avoid the mall like the plague this time of year, however TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods pretty much become my second homes.

While I tried to do a good deal of my gift shopping online, there is something that is missed by not stepping to the brick and mortar stores. I love seeing all the Christmas decor; the lights, glitter, decked out trees and glistening shop windows. Then there is the gift wrap, ribbons, tags, all things I adore and tend to buy in abundance. Usually my desire to have a theme with my gift wrap goes out the window when I bring home half a dozen different papers I simply could not pass up. Cards, I've already mentioned, and just a reminder that I would love for you to exchange holiday cards with me!

The Rundown

Plaid Shirt J.Crew similar 

Black Skirt Thrifted similar

Red Pumps Nine West thrifted similar

Green Box Purse c/o Vintanthromodern similar

Pearl Classon Earrings c/o LydellNYC

Pearl Montague Necklace c/o LydellNYC

Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box

Nail Color "Cement the Deal" OPI

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall 

and

Monday Mingle

Holiday Card Exchange 2015

The holidays are full of traditions, that is part of what makes them special. Something predictable, something nostalgic. We all have our own, unique traditions. A few of mine are listening to the Charlie Brown Christmas album while decorating the tree, ordering a cheese pizza and watching Home Alone, and writing out Christmas cards.

I love cards, a trait I inherited from my Mother, and often I will find myself with more cards than I'd ever reasonably need, but that never stops me from buying more. I look forward to selecting my Christmas stamp design and getting a (literally) shiny new pen with which to write out my cards.

As I have done in years past, I would love to invite you all to exchange holiday cards with me! Just send an email to me at chiclyddie@gmail.com letting me know you'd like to participate and your mailing address. I'll send you back mine and that's it. I'm more than happy to mail internationally as well, so all are welcome to join.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying your Black Friday shopping!

Dog in Car - Papryus

XO - Rifle Paper Co.

Out Cutting a Tree - Paperless Post

Winter at Broadway and Wall Street - Caspari

Strike Gold Pen Set - Kate Spade

Charlie Brown Stamps - USPS

Getting ready for Black Friday

The biggest shopping day of the year is upon us, though it would seem most realtors can't even seem to wait and are rolling out the sales already. J.Crew Factory is boasting half off the entire store, Shopbop is offering their tiered discount, starting at 15% off if you spend $250, going up to 25%, and Old Navy in the same vein is giving 40% on purchases of $100 or more.

But I'm always looking to save more, and that is where Splender comes in. The cash back site is offering double the money back on every purchase made now through Cyber Monday, which means I have an even bigger incentive to do all of my Black Friday shopping in my PJs, on the couch with a latté in hand and hopefully a big pice of left over apple pie. Not that I wasn't going to do that anyway.

If you haven't signed up for Splender, now would be a great time to do it - you are going to shop anyway, why shouldn't you be getting cash back for it? Plus if you sign up with my affiliate link you will get a $5 bonus with the first $50 you spend.

Polished Casual

Plaid Button Down

Leopard Print Loafer

Grey Peacoat

Glamorous Gathering

Erickson Beamon Cocktail Ring
Ace&Jig Metallic Plaid Dress
Inge Christopher Box Clutch

Shopping via Couch
Fair Isle Sweater
Metallic Sherpa Lined Slippers
Lace Cammi

Mint to be

Winters in New England are long, the days are short, and the cold is biting. Every year I appease myself with new outerwear, rationalizing that since it has to become the focal point of all my outfits for the next four months or so, I need options.

With the promise of an extra 60% off sale items and $50 in credit card rewards I went to Banana Republic with the intention of leaving with a sensible black peacoat, as that is the one color I oddly don't own. When the black peacoat disappointed, there was this moto cocoon coat, thrice reduced. I slipped on the extra small. Still oversized I wasn't certain this was a silhouette I could pull off, but the color and the price had me sold. I left paying under $2 out of pocket.

Today I'm also featuring some gorgeous pearl baubles from LydellNYC, their pearl collection is so holiday ready and has on trend pieces like the pearl back stud earrings, along with updates on classics like this choker necklace. If past years are any indication, hold out making any purchases until Black Friday - it's usually half off the entire site.

The Rundown
Leopard Dress c/o Wallis similar
Cocoon Coat Banana Republic similar
Over the Knee Boots "Atilla" Ivanka Trump via DSW
Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Serendipity and Grace
Pearl Classon Earrings c/o LydellNYC
Pearl Montague Necklace c/o LydellNYC
Pearl Pacfic Bracelet c/o LydellNYC
Ring Vintage thrifted
Nail Color "Cement the Deal" OPI

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday
and
Cute and Little's on Trend Tuesday

Neutral fall

Coming from a lovely weekend and looking forward to short holiday week, it's not too bad for a Monday.

On Saturday I had an ambitious roster of eight holiday fairs to go to, but ultimately only made it to five... and a half. I had optimistically thought I'd get some gifts bought but only ended up with treats for myself; tiny hand painted ornaments, a vintage teacup, and a couple pairs of earrings.

Sunday, Sean and I had our first small party at the new apartment, we prepped all night, cooked all morning, and things came together quite nicely.

Aside from Thanksgiving I'm also anticipating getting some substantial holiday shopping done on Black Friday. I might even will most likely get something for myself. After seeing these over the knee boots on Kacie, and learning they were from Choies, I'm tempted to get them in black. I love my heeled pair and now I "need" a flat version! It doesn't hurt that they've started their Black Friday Sale early and are offering an extra 15% off.

The Rundown
Grey Tee Style Mint c/o ThredUP
Jacket Rafaella c/o Boscov's similar
White Jeans Old Navy
Pumps "Gennie" Coach thrifted similar
Leopard Fold Over Clutch Gap similar
Earrings Gorjana via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Pineapple Necklace Moon & Lola via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Lariat Necklace Made by Me similar
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Gold Ring Thrifted similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall 

and

Monday Mingle

Take time

I requested several days off from work around the holidays and I could not be happier with my decision. Just knowing I have a few extra long weekends in my future is making me a bit giddy. I still haven't had a proper vacation in years, but I'm already really looking forward to nearly a week off for Christmas to just spend time with my family, watch movies and bask in a little holiday spirit.

This weekend my Mom and I have our holiday fairs mapped out and we are going to attempt to make it to eight of them. I'm always hopeful I will find some vintage jewelry gems, get a bit of Christmas shopping done, and at the very least indulge in homemade confections like the Swedish Tea Log.

The Rundown
White Sweater Ralph Lauren thrifted similar
Black Leather Moto Jacket Express similar
Boyfriend Jeans Old Navy similar
Sneakers "Dainty Ox" Converse
Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Serendipity and Grace
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Opal Ring T Tahari
Gold Ring Thrifted similar

Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (One year ago today)
and
Linking up with Forage Fashion's Friday Finds

Classics

For the last few weeks my mornings have been a blur of my hitting the snooze button one too many times, or worse, turning off the alarm only to promptly fall back asleep.

As a result of my oversleeping, I have to force myself to not overthink my outfits and nothing comes together easier than black and white.

The Rundown
White Button Down J.Crew thrifted similar
Black Pants Gap similar
Trench Coat London Fog thrifted similar
Red Pumps Nine West thrifted similar
Huntley Tote c/o Joie similar
Chevron Earrings Express
Pave Triangle Necklace Meredith Leigh via TJMaxx
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Gold Ring Thrifted similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I Wore to Work

and

Happiness At Midlife's Throwback Thursday (last time I wore this trench)