We made it to Christmas Eve! The presents are wrapped, cookies are baked, dinner is cooked (well appetizers at my house), the Hanson Christmas album is playing…
and there's really nothing left to do, but to thank you for hanging out in my little corner of the Internet and wishing you a merry Christmas and happy holidays!
What do you do if the tree is trimmed, the stockings are hung, the reindeer pillow's on the couch, your guests are coming over in an hour …but the house still doesn't feel festive enough?
Easy: Turn your picture frames into decorations!
It's cheap, quick, and looks adorable!
All you need is tape, string or bows, and some leftover wrapping paper. Simply take a piece of wrapping paper that covers the front and goes a little over the sides of the frame you want to wrap, secure it with tape (or thumb tacks if you're using a wooden frame, and don't mind damaging the back, make sure you don't cover the hanger with paper, add a little bow, and put it back on the wall!
The options with this are endless, you can go for a classic look in silver and gold, use a fun print for a kid's room, or ad some straw bows and stars to match your shabby chic decor. But whatever you decide on is guaranteed to make even the most sparsely decorated room feel festive.
Looking for something other than Dickens' Christmas Carol to put on your holiday reading list?
I've got you covered:
Let It Snowby John Green, Lauren Myracle & Maureen Johnson: I'm not gonna lie, especially the first story in this collection of young adult holiday romances that are all connected through a blizzard, reads like something I've seen on Hallmark at least 20 times... but in a good way! I mean, there's a reason the stuck in a snowstorm trope is so popular, and mixed with the authors' quirky characters it's the perfect book to snuggle up with on Christmas Eve.
The Silent Night Trilogyby R.L. Stine: I already wrote a post about the series last year, but I just had to include it. The books about mean girl Reva Dalby, and her not so pleasant Christmas surprises (psycho stalkers, kidnappers, you name it) are hands down my favorite holiday escape. If you are a fan of Scream Queens, Pretty Little Liars, or "bubble-gum horror" in general, you won't be able to put these books down.
The Fat Man: A Tale of North Pole Noir by Ken Harmon: There's usually no place for Christmas Cheer in a Noir universe... unless an elf gets framed for murder. Harmon's hilarious satire is filled with brilliant pop-culture references (the murder weapon is a Red Rider BB gun!), and shows how gritty the North Pole really is once the Christmas lights go out.
Can you believe it's been 25 five years since Home Alone came out? The movie will always hold a special place in my heart, not only is it the perfect Christmas movie but it was also my first introduction to John Hughes (he wrote and produced it), which was the beginning of a lifelong obsession. And something this special has to be celebrated!
If your old VHS tape is slowly dying, it might be time to upgrade to the anniversary box. It includes all the movies on Blue-ray (yes, also the not so great sequels, but we'll look past that) plus some cute gimmicks (that battle plan poster!), and comes in the coolest paint can packaging.
The "Punk Goes" Christmas Album is already home to many of my favorite holiday tunes, but the new Deluxe Edition features a rocking cover of the Home Alone Theme, and I've been playing it on repeat all week.
And nothing says I'm a fan, like owning a sweater with your favorite quote …I know what I'll be wearing on Christmas Day.
And then there's this hilarious article from TIME that explains what the movie would look like if it was made today …#HomeAlone
Or thisin-depth piece by James Hughes (John Hughes' son), in which some of the key cast and crew members reunite to share their memories and some behind the scenes secrets about the movie (a must read for every fan!)
I decided to cut back on the gift guides this year, I just feel like everyone has it covered (and if not, you can always look up my old ones) but I still had to share a couple of my "christmas essentials":
I don't know about you, but I feel like it's not Christmas without the silly presents. Makeup and tech stuff is nice and all, but there always needs to be a cute teddy or a funny book under the tree. I also love little things that make the holidays even more festive, like fun straws for drinking hot cocoa or a cookie scented shower gel. And we can't forget a pair of awesome PJs (preferably one that's festive but still works after Christmas).
Is it just me, or is it getting harder and harder to find "Ugly Christmas Sweaters" that are actually "ugly"? Because these definitely don't fit that particular requirement:
It's that time of the month again, time for my November favorites:
80s Movie Soundtracks
I have a new obsession: buying the soundtracks of all my favorite 80s soundtracks on vinyl (Still looking for the "Dream a Little Dream" one …just in case Santa's taking notes).
Turtlenecks
I've always preferred scarves over turtlenecks, but lately I can't get enough of them. This one's from H&M.
The Middle (ABC)
Two Words: Charlie McDermott. I'm kidding, sort of… Yes, he's dreamy but definitely not the only reason why I always find myself binge watching the hilarious ABC comedy this time of year, I simply can't resist a Heck Holiday episode.
Maybelline Perfect Cream Mascara
I'm a huge fan of Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara, no matter which other mascaras I tried I always went right back to the tacky pink and green tube - but then I was shopping online, and needed an extra three bucks to get free delivery so I decided to give thePerfect Cream Mascara a try. I won't recommend this if you are a fan of the "Falsies" look, but if you prefer a more natural makeup then this is the answer. It has a super silky finish, is a dream to apply, and is a total bargain. Hands down the best drugstore mascara you can get.
Cloud 9
There's only one thing I love more than a classic DCOM, and that's a classic DCOM set in a winter wonderland. Technically Cloud 9, doesn't fall into the classic category (it came out last year), but thanks to the lack of musical numbers it certainly felt like one (there's even a remix of Superchick's One Girl Revolution – Cadet Kelly, anyone? – on the soundtrack). My new favorite "snow-com".
The mugs are available with the banned books design, the library card design, and two novel designs (Breakfast of Champions and Alice in Wonderland), and the super soft scarves come in three different colors (gray, blue, and yellow).
I think both the mug and the scarf would make great Christmas presents, or you could even use the scarf as part of the wrapping if you are giving someone a book. Just wrap the book in nice paper and tie the scarf around it like a big bow. And, as with every Out of Print product, the purchase sends a book to a community in need, so you're technically buying two presents.
But if it is the scarf you want, you have to act fast because they will not be restocked this year, and I imagine that they are going to sell out rather quickly.
It's finally cooling down! This whole november "heat wave" thing was nice and all, but I really missed my beloved winter accessories: Gloves, scarfs, hats, and earmuffs…Yes that's right earmuffs. If you would have told me last year that I would get excited about earmuffs, I wouldn't have believed it. I mean, they don't even keep your head warm!
But then I fell in love with Scream Queens, Chanel #3, and her earmuff collection...
They might not be as warm as a hat, but they make up for it in the style department (another plus is that they don't give you hat hair). And there are so many chic options:
Scream Queens, FOX
This oxblood pair from Ted Baker is definitely my favorite, the color is gorgeous and I feel like it's something that #3 would wear for Christmas dinner (even though it's not bedazzled):
I know, I know… it's a tiny bit too early to get all excited about Christmas, but some things require a certain amount of planning. And ordering Christmas cards is one of them, especially if you are looking on Etsy. If you order them too late, you'll get them too late, and you won't be able to send them out in time if your family and/or friends live farther away.
So, I put together a little selection in case you're looking for something special this year:
Do you know that feeling when you see something that's not your style at all, yet you still can't stop picturing yourself in it? That's how I feel about these Max&Co sneakers after seeing them on Olivia Palermo's instagram:
If you've been here for a while, you know that I'm a little on the fence about the whole sneaker trend. But I have to say, that I'm definitely more likely to wear them during the colder months. In the summer my shoes are usually what makes my outfits less casual, because a great pair of flats can even make boyfriend jeans and an old band tee look put-together …sneakers not so much. But in the fall and winter I'm all about structured coats, and pairing them with a pair of casual sneaks can be a fun twist. Especially if it's a crazy pair like the ones pictured above.
I'm always looking forward to Essie's winter collection. Last year the brand surprised me by releasing a set of colors that seemed more fitting for a garden party than a holiday dinner – but I ended up loving it. And this year's "Winter Wonderland" collection is the perfect mix of last year's soft hues and some holiday classics:
I love the pastels (you can never go wrong with a powder pink) as much as the classic reds, and the platinum "apres-chic" is perfect for any holiday party, but my favorite has to be "haute tub", a rich black with a hint of amethyst sparkle:
I'm usually not big on sparkly or glittery nail polish, but for some reason I'm really drawn to this one. Maybe it's because the sparkle is so subtle, or maybe because it goes amazing with a sweater I just bought… But whatever it is, "haute tub" is definitely going to be my go-to color this season.
As much as I love cold weather, I've always been a little jealous of people who live in a climate that allows wearing flats in the fall. I just love the way they look with jeans and a classic peacoat, but since I walk pretty much everywhere and hate being cold, it just wasn't an option.
But lately, it's been unusually warm here, warm enough to pull my flats out of storage and maybe even pick up a new pair. There are, however, a couple of things to keep in mind when shopping for fall flats, because no matter how high the number on the thermostat is, the ground is still cold …and no one wants to lose a toe:
1) Look for sturdy soles and/or small heels, in the summer I love my flats to be as lightweight as possible, but a barely there leather sole won't do in the colder months.
2) Go up half a size, so there's enough room for a cozy insole.
3) Go for darker colors and play with texture (calf hair is not only stylish, it's also extremely durable!)
October is my favorite month of the year, and these are my favorite things about October:
Team Nightmare's Halloween Routine
I don't really follow Dancing With the Stars, but I never miss the Halloween Special. This year the group numbers were my favorite part, and while I also really enjoyed Team Who You Gonna Call's take on the Ghostbusters, Team Nightmare was outstanding!
Woah... that's what I thought after reading the first few Chapters of R.L.Stine's newest Fear Street novel. I read too much "grown up" horror to actually be frightened by anything that could happen on Fear Street, but that's why I love them, I read them to relax. But he really amped up the horror in this one...and I just couldn't put it down. It's the good old Fear Streat…just a little scarier.
The Final Girls
In The Final Girls the daughter of a 1980s Scream Queen gets pulled into her late mother's most famous movie, lots of "how to survive a slasher flick" hilarity ensues. Campy horror at it's best.
Butternut Squash
I was never big on pumpkins (shocking I know), but lately I've been crazy about squash. It has become my go to dinner. I usually just cut one up, throw it in the air fryer, and put some chili salt on it …but if there's time I also like to make a nice pasta.
It's time for my favorite post of the year, the annual presentation of my Jack O'Lanterns. And there was just no way I could not make a Back to The Future pumpkin this year. I actually went to a screening of all three movies on the 21st (for those not familiar with the movies, October 21, 2015 is the date Marty and Doc Brown travel to in the second movie), and the first thing I did when I came home was to look for Back to The Future pumpkin designs. My initial plan was to make a DeLorean, but I just couldn't find the right pumpkin for it, so I present the amazing Doc Brown (and a couple of Halloween classics):
Are you carving pumpkins this year (maybe even some Back To The Future ones)? Tweet me pictures!
Maybe it's because I get cold easily, or maybe because I can't resist a good accessory, but I've always been a scarf person. Wool, silk, or cotton, square or long, patterned or plain... there's one for every occasion, and there are just as many ways to wear them. Yet, my go-to style has always just been a messy drape, but thanks to Burberry's newest campaign that's about to change. And if anyone knows a thing or two about scarves it's Burberry:
The video tutorials show five easy ways to tie a scarf, from the classic tuxedo fold to the glamorous waterfall knot, and my personal favorite the bandana:
I love a good moto jacket all year 'round: they are easy to wear, look good with boyfriend jeans or your best dress, and are as comfy as an old hoody. But they are especially fun in the fall, when there are a bunch of different textures to choose from. From lambskin collars and tweed, to plaid and cozy suede in all the best fall colors, there really is one for every style…
…and for every wallet, because you don't have to spend a fortune to look great (or you know, blow all your money on one when you could buy three):
Since I did the whole mellow (well as mellow as it gets for me), cuddle by the fireplace fall playlist last year, I decided to put together something a little different this year: A Halloween Playlist!
Now, not every song on this screams Halloween, but they all bring back Halloween memories. Like the Ramones cover reminding me of my favorite scary movie as a kid, or the bittersweet lyrics of Acadia taking me right back to all the Halloween mischief we caused. And let's be honest, the new Dead Weather album had to be in there because it's the perfect haunted house soundtrack.
When I searched the Interwebs to find a specific hat worn on my newest obsession Scream Queens, I was surprised to find out that the "silly hats" are among the most criticized things about the show… Don't get me wrong it's my favorite thing on TV right now, but we all know that it has bigger flaws than the characters' accessorizing preferences.
But I guess hats are a little bit like the show itself, they're either your thing or not. And while I couldn't find the blue flat cap Grace (Skyler Samuels) wears on the show, I put together a couple of other fun options, including her (just as awesome) suede cabbie hat. Because I strongly believe that hats make everything better (which might be the result of early childhood brainwashing):
It's October! Also known as my favorite month of the year, because it means that it's finally acceptable to break into full Halloween mode. And while I did my Halloween shopping, I came across a few amazing pieces from Worn By:
How perfect is that print? I'm a huge fan of anything that's edgy but subtle, and even my mom who's usually not a fan of anything with skulls or bones on it, loved this. Take the dress for example, style it with riding boots and a navy blazer for a classic look, but wear it with black booties and a pointy hat and you're set for any Halloween Party.
…And the shirt with the matching leggings, would obviously make the best Halloween pajamas ever.
