Life Update: New Work Project + NYC Life

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Photo is from 2012 trip to Wall Street with my friend Michael

Hello friends! I am so sorry for the brief blog hiatus, I had planned to take some time off during Christmas and get back to work creating content over the weekend for this week, but then the day before Christmas Eve I found out I would be heading to New York City on Monday for a 3-month project in the financial district. As can be expected, I then shifted focus to preparing and spending time with Alex before I left. I will be home on the weekends (sometimes) but for the time being you can consider me a resident of NYC. I even have a corporate apartment in Lower Manhattan, it's a pretty nice set-up and I can't complain. 

Although the blog content was lacking this week, I promise to get to work over the long weekend and have some great content for you soon! Also, now that I'll be in NYC I plan on shooting outfits in fun, new locations, exploring new places, and bringing you great content over the next few months. I hope you'll be along for the ride!

Thanks to everyone who filled out my year-end survey and check your emails, I just sent one lucky reader an email about the Starbucks giveaway! I hope you all have a very happy New Year and I cannot wait to see what 2016 has in store!
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Star Wars Tank & Moto Jacket

Tuesday, December 22, 2015


Jacket (on sale + extra 40% off) // Jeans // Tank Top (similar also love this one)
Heels (on sale for under $100) // Lipgloss (Chelsea Girls by NARS)

Is it a little embarrassing that I've owned this tank top for about four years? I'm by no means a "super fan" of the franchise, but I always liked the movies growing up. When I saw this tank at Forever 21 a few years ago for $5 I know I needed it. And I have worn it a LOT, we're probably at pennies per wear at this point. I love throwing it on with white jeans and a denim vest or jacket or with faux-leather leggings and my new moto jacket. When Alex, his friend Joe, and I went to see 'The Force Awakens' this weekend I knew I had to bust out this top to wear for the occasion. I decided to dress up this casual look with my new (super comfy) leopard heels from Sam Edelman and my new Banana Republic moto jacket (mine is a tall and I love how long the arms are)! 

I loved this look so much I had to take pictures later in the afternoon to share on the blog. Although my tank top is old, there are tons of fun Star Wars clothing items available with the release of the new movie. 

Has anyone seen the new movie? What did you think? Please don't post any spoilers in the comments out of consideration for readers who haven't seen it yet! Also, do you own any Star Wars gear? 

P.S. Don't forget to take my year-end survey (available right here) and after taking the survey enter to win a $10 Gift Card to Starbucks! Thank you to everyone who already took the survey and entered yesterday! The giveaway will run until next Monday and I will email the winner sometime next week! Here is the widget to enter the giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Year End Survey + GIVEAWAY to Starbucks!

Monday, December 21, 2015

Happy Monday Friends! We're almost to Christmas, can you believe it's this week?!?! I've been rushing around getting all my last minute things together for the holidays, but I'm just so excited for Christmas to actually arrive! Are you guys ready?

Anyways, I've been doing this whole blog thing for a couple of months now and I thought it was time for a little giveaway and a reader survey. I'd love for you to fill out the reader survey, and as a thank you for your feedback and for following along on my blog, I am giving a $10 gift card to Starbucks! The link to the survey is right here (only 10 easy questions!) and the giveaway and you can then enter the giveaway using the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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P.S. The giftcard will be given in the form of an emailed giftcard. I will send it to anyone, but the giftcard value will be in USD and will be valid in the United States only. International entrants are welcome to enter, but they will only be able to use the giftcard in the United States. Thanks for understanding!

The Best Holiday Party Ready Pieces

Thursday, December 17, 2015

holiday_party_looks
Tartan Pants // Necklace (25% off today!) // Scalloped Dress

TGIF everyone! Can you believe it is EIGHT DAYS until CHRISTMAS? And in just one little week it'll be Christmas Eve! Are you done your shopping? I only have a few small gifts left to pick up and a few things I'm waiting on to come in the mail, but I'm feeling pretty good about being done on time this year! I'm finishing up sending out Christmas cards, I've been doing them in batches because my hand cramps up and I like to take time and think about what I want to say in each card, so I'm feeling great about that. Tomorrow I'm heading up to my friend Jackie's house for an ugly sweater party with a bunch of friends from high school/my hometown and then on Saturday is my dad's extended family's annual white elephant/pasta Christmas party. It's always a fun time to get together with family members, sip some wine, play some games, eat the tastiest homemade pastas, and give out silly presents. 

With all these events on the horizon, and all the events that have happened the past weekends (plus it gets dark at like 4pm) I have really been slacking on taking outfit photos. Therefore, I wanted to put together an inspiration collage on some of my favorite pieces I've been seeing that would create darling holiday looks. I hope to shoot some outfits this weekend and have them up for you next week, but for now I leave with you this round-up of festive, fun holiday pieces that I would not mind adding to my own wardrobe. 

I own the red heels and I can't wait to pull them out on Christmas Eve for church with my family followed by a Chinese food dinner (our tradition) and then continue wearing them all winter to work! I wore the plaid Old Navy skirt on Thanksgiving and it was such a steal at only $7. It does run large, I wish I had sized down, but I did get the Tall and recommend it for length for anyone who has a problem looking appropriate in most mini-skirts like me. I'm really lusting after that BaubleBar necklace (currently 25% off!) and that cashmere-cotton blend button down, maybe a little Christmas present to myself? 

What're you planning on wearing to holiday parties and events? I hope you have a great Thursday!
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Career Wednesdays: How to Adjust to a New Company Culture

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Welcome back to career Wednesdays! The last three weeks we discussed everything you need to land your next position: How to Update your Resume, Interview Tips, and How to Quit Your Job Without Burning Bridges. At the end of the long road of changing companies and positions, you will find yourself starting at square one in a new place! 

Starting at a new company is exciting, but it can also be daunting. There are so many little things to learn, outside of actually learning how to do your new job! I put together a list of tips to keep in mind when starting out at a new place that will help make the transition more smooth. 
five_ways_to_adjust_to_new_job

1// Pay attention to the work environment and be consciously aware of what others are doing. Maybe at your old company everyone wore headphones and listened to music in their cubicles, but before pulling out your Beats take a look around and see if anyone at your new company is listening to music. If nobody had headphones in, it might not be part of the company culture of your new company to listen to music at work. Other little things to note are where people take phone calls, if people leave the door to their offices open or closed, how long people tend to take for lunch, and if people tend to eat lunch out or pack. Playing by your new company's rules doesn't mean you always have to do what everyone else does, but it's important to try and make an effort to adjust to your new company culture. You don't want your new co-workers to think that you're trying to be an outsider!

2// Attend company events outside of work. Sometimes the last thing you want to do is hang out with your co-workers when you don't have to. But, if you attend events like dinners, happy hours, parties, sports games, etc. it will show everyone that you're a part of the team and excited about your new position. Also these events are the best place to make friends at work, and having work friends will make your work life so much better.

3// Identify a mentor and a buddy. If you're not pre-assigned a company coach or mentor, try and identify someone in a senior role that you can talk to about career advice, performance reviews, and technical advice. This person will be your go-to when you have a professional question and should enjoy having this relationship with you. It's also important to have someone around the same level as you who has been at the company longer to answer everyday questions like "Do I put this on the expense report, where is the extra ink for the copy machine, and how do I map the printer to this computer?". This person will help you adjust to the company while you're still learning all those little things. 

4// Read the company handbook and conduct code. This is boring, but make sure you know the rules of the company. This way you know the professional expectations and you should play "by the book", at least for the first couple of months. Maybe you company dress code mandates women wear closed toe shoes, but you notice that many women are wearing peep-toe shoes around the office. Before jumping on board, you should abide by the code until you get a better feel of the company. If you noticed something in the company code that you believe no one is following, ask your buddy about this rule and see what they say. It's always better to play it safe and follow the rules than be sorry. The last thing you want is an email from HR when you first start. 

5// Lastly, make sure you maintain the level of professionalism that you displayed in your interviews. Although you are now employed by the company you still need to prove yourself. Nobody knows you at your new company and you need to prove yourself as a valuable asset. It's important to work hard, be professional, and also try and enjoy your new position! 

Transitioning to a new role is both rewarding and stressful. It takes time to make friends, learn the ins and outs of the company, and learn your new role. If you feel overwhelmed just remember that many people are very understanding. They know that you will not be an expert on day one. If you feel that what you're being asked to do does not match your expectations when you applied for the job, ask to speak to your coach or supervisor. Make sure you lay out what you want to talk about logically and be prepared to explain what you've done and how you're feeling. 

Best of luck and I hope anyone reading this who is starting a new job finds their transition smooth and enjoyable!

Do you have any tips for starting a new job and adjusting to a new company? I'd love to hear your advice!

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So You Want to Adopt a Cat...{tips + adoption story}

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Something I haven't blogged about much here which is actually a big part of my life is my little bundle of joy, Kalliope Jolie. I adopted Kalliope in July 2014 when she was just 4 months old and a tiny little nugget. While she was absolutely adorable, and I do not regret adopting her for one second, sometimes having a pet can be work.

I'm so lucky that since Alex moved in with me he's helped a lot in taking care of Kalliope, however when I was living alone I did all the care for her. I put together a list of a couple of things to keep in mind if you're thinking about adopting a cat or kitten!

1// Make sure you're committed to having this cat for the long haul. Cats can live anywhere from 15-20 years, my parent's cat is 15 years old right now and in great health! While I see this as amazing, if you are not committed to having a pet for the next 20 years then you might want to think about adopting a different animal, or possibly considering adopting an elderly cat from your local shelter (they need love too)!

2// Put together a monthly budget of how much per month you would be able to spend on expenses for your new cat. We spend approximately $15 per month on food, $10 on litter, and another $5-10 on miscellaneous expenses. Kalliope does not really like wet food so we really only have to buy her a bag of dry food every month. Some cats really like wet food so I would recommend budgeting more than $15 per month for food because if you need to get wet food it will be a little more expensive. Another thing to consider, if you're living in an apartment it's possible you will be paying a monthly pet fee, these fees can be as much as $50 per month so it's something to verify and budget for!

3// In addition to monthly expenses, also include an annual budget for vet visits, vaccines, etc. Also in case your cat gets sick or has a medical condition vet bills can get expensive. Make sure you are in a financial position to pay these bills if necessary. If you're worried about emergency care expenses you can look into pet insurance to minimize the cost of unforeseen medical bills!

4// Make sure having a cat is agreeable to your landlord and roommates, if applicable. The last thing you want is to bring home your new pet and get in trouble with your building or roommates!

5// Plan out who will take care of your cat when you're away, whether for a week or a night. I have some friends in the city who will come feed and play with Kalliope if Alex and I are away for a night or two. If we go away for a longer period of time my parents are more than willing to watch her. It's important

6// Once you know you're ready to commit, go to your local shelters and meet the cats! See if you make a connection with any of them. Be sure to find out if they've been tested for Feline Lukemia and FIV, if they are positive for one of these conditions make sure you're willing to commit to adopting a cat with medical issues.

7// Get your place ready for your new baby! I made sure to buy food, food bowls, toys, a litter box, litter, and a cat carrier before I picked up Kalliope. When I first brought Kalliope home I only let her in one room in my apartment so she could adjust to her new life. Once she was more comfortable I let her into the main room and eventually gave her access to the whole apartment. I try to keep things she might want to chew or scratch out of her reach so that she doesn't ruin anything.

8// Enjoy your new pet's company. I love having Kalliope around, she kept me company when I lived by myself and now Alex and I enjoy playing with her and having her around. We're so happy to have her and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made!

Amazing water color of Kalliope by the talented Lauren

As an ending note, I asked one of my best friends Mikaela to send me her adoption story for when she adopted her cat Teddy. She sent me back this story, just to give you another perspective on adopting a cat:

"I never expected to have a cat growing up. My family was always very decidedly a dog family and I liked to think I was the same way. Then I moved out on my own and realized how lonely it could be. I knew I wanted company but that a dog was too much of a time commitment since I was working upwards of 11 hours a day. Then I heard a mouse in my apartment and my decision was made.

The first time you have a cat, it is important to remember that you are in charge. Even though they'll whine and yell at you, life must run on your schedule. Otherwise you'll wind up with a cat who wakes you up at...each day because he has deemed that to be breakfast time.

Toys are great but you don't have to worry about needing to afford anything too fancy. Most of the time, the simple things are their favorites. My guy adores hair ties.

I think my best advice though, is to keep an open mind. All cats are quirky. They have a spastic air about them by default but even the most standoffish ones will love you unconditionally. Plus, nothing makes a person feel more adult-like and accomplished than being responsible for another living being."  - Mikaela, if you would like to follow her adorable cat, he has his own Instagram @teddygram05

Do you have a cat or any pets? Feel free to share your adoption story in the comments below!
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My Favorite Purchases of 2015 (great gift ideas)

Monday, December 14, 2015

Quilted Barbour Jacket // Nikon DSLR Camera (what I take all my photos for the blog on!)

Happy Monday everyone! Can you believe its only 10 days until Christmas Eve? Like...what? I'm not ready, I'll admit it. I feel like the holidays are about to be over before they even started. This weekend was so fun because my friend Alex from DC came to visit and we went on the annual Mad Elf Stumbler pub crawl with my boyfriend Alex and his friends, and my friend Amy joined as well! Sunday we got brunch with our friend Brynn and her boyfriend at a place I haven't tried before, Bud and Marilyn's. Last night Alex and I indulged in watching trashy TV (and Quantico, our new fave) and relaxed. It was a pretty great weekend! I'm looking forward to next weekend already because my friend Jackie is having an Ugly Sweater Party with all my friends from my home town and then my family is having our annual White Elephant and Pasta Christmas party at my aunt's house! I just love all the fun social engagements which happen this time of year! 

Anyways, as I am still not done my Christmas shopping (and two packages of things I ordered online are missing...that's something I'm working on figuring out today) I thought other people might also be slackers and need to finish their shopping as well. I thought it would be fun to share my favorite items I either bought or received as presents in 2015. All of these items have gotten a LOT of use from me over the year and I think they would make anyone on your gift list happy!

The cutest (monogrammable!) laptop case, my favorite bikini that I wore on my vacations this past summer, my favorite splurge mascara, the best lightweight coat, an easy-to-learn DSLR camera which will up your photograph game, every blogger's favorite clutch, a page turning thriller novel, the BEST leggings, a heated blanket for chilly nights, my favorite face wash, my new foundation secret, my favorite hip-hop album of the year, and the best inexpensive sparkling rose. These are at a range of price points and there's something on this list to satisfy almost anyone on your Christmas list! 

What're your favorite purchases  of 2015? Are you done your holiday shopping yet? I hope you have a fabulous Monday!
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TGIF + I want your Opinion!

Friday, December 11, 2015

Happy Friday blog world! I'm sorry for being a little lacking in posting around here lately, there's just been so many changes happening, holidays, new job, visiting friends, etc. lately that some things have taken a backseat, and lately that's been this blog. Another issue has been it gets dark sooo early. It's actually impossible to take photos after work and I have been fighting a bug lately (I feel 100% back to myself today though and even went to the gym today!) so getting up early to take photos has been a struggle/I haven't wanted to take photos while feeling not so good physically. I wanted to pop-in here though and get your opinions on what types of outfits you'd like to see coming up? Business/Professional looks? Weekend casual? Dressy? Weird combinations I wore in college where I'll have to link to "similar" items because everything is from Bloomingdeals (it's in New Orleans, best thrift shop ever) or something I've bought since high school. 

I know I normally post links on Fridays but I didn't scour the internet enough this week to find too many links for a full post! I did want to drop off a couple of things:

1// I posted a Facebook status earlier this week asking friends to post their favorite songs that used to play in our college dining hall. The results were amazing, and while I totally didn't post this with the intention of turning it into a playlist to post on here, but after the amazing results I decided how could I not. Here is the playlist. If you were in college during 2008-2012 you will feel the nostalgia. 

My Everyday Make-Up Favorites + How I do my Everyday Make-Up

Thursday, December 10, 2015

I've made it no secret on here that I'm a bit of a make-up junkie (see this post and this post for evidence). Some people are into shoes, others dresses, others accessories. My "vice" is definitely make-up. Sephora is my kryptonite. I'm constantly changing up my routine, trying new products, and developing new favorites. Recently I've fallen into a bit of an everyday routine using a couple of old favorites and a couple of new finds (half of which are thanks to my fellow make-up addict friend Amy, girl needs to start a blog). With that being said, I thought it would be fun to share the products I've been reaching for everyday, whether to help you find some new items to try or to inspire a gift idea for the beauty junkie on your list. Also, if you have any suggestions on products you love that you think I should try let me know! I'd like to eventually start doing some more beauty reviews and tutorials on here and I'm always looking for new things to try!

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Foundation:
I start with about 3 drops of my Cover FX drops and mix them into my Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation on the back of my hand. Once they are combined I use my Beauty Blender to apply the foundation all over my face. I make sure I include my neck and forehead to ensure everything is even. I really like this foundation method because it evens out my skin tone and isn't too heavy or "made-up" looking. If I am going out I will add an extra drop of the Cover FX drops for additional coverage, and if I'm having a low-key day I will usually only add one or two drops to my facial moisturizer and skip the primer all together. I use the solid cleanser to clean the Beauty Blender after each use, this keeps it like new much longer. My blender is over a year old and still works just as good as the day I got it. 

Once I have the base applied I use the Bare Minerals 'Stroke of Light' product and blend a swipe under each eye to combat my natural dark circles (which appear no matter how much sleep I've gotten).  After this is done I move on to my face and cheeks. 

Face/Cheeks:
First I take my Ambient Lighting powder in 'Dim Light' and apply lightly all over my face using a large face brush. This sets my foundation and adds a slight 'blur' effect to my skin, giving it a perfected glowing look, I've actually gotten so many compliments on my skin since I started using this product rather than a traditional setting powder. 

After that I take my favorite bronzer, Hoola by Benefit (I love it because it builds easily if needed and it's matte so it doesn't look too shimmery or glittery). I use a big bronzer brush, take a little of the product and tap the brush to get any excess off, I don't want to over-bronze or look streaky! Then I brush bronzer over the bottom and apples of each of my cheeks, the sides of my nose, my chin line, and my temples. I add and tap off additional bronzer as necessary when applying. Once I have bronzer on each area I want I will blend the bronzer in by swiping the brush repeatedly over the areas I applied the bronzer, without adding any additional product to the brush. I think this part is key because otherwise the bronzer does not look natural. 

Next I take an angled blush brush and apply whichever blush I'm loving at the moment to the apples of my cheeks and swipe slightly upwards. Right now I'm loving 'Mood Exposure' by Hourglass, but I also love Becca's mineral blushes and NARS blushes

Lastly, I take a fan brush and apply a highlighter to the tops of my cheek bones, tops of my temples, the top of my nose, and my cupid's bow above my lips. I'm loving the Laura Mercier Baked Matte Radiance Highligher, it is subtle and makes your skin look glow-y without going overboard. I also really like Becca's Highligher in 'Moonstone' but this is a little stronger and I normally use this product for a more made-up look if I'm going out. 

Eyes:
I have a couple of palettes and favorite eye shadows, however lately all I've been reaching for is my Viseart palette in 'Sultry Muse'. It's a pricey palette, but so high-quality and the the amount you get of shadow is much more than most palettes, which makes the price a little easier to swallow. 

I start by first applying an eye shadow primer on each of my eyelids, I found that this helps keep everything in place all day, even when I was working until 11pm my eye shadow would be looking the same as it did at 7am when I applied it! 

After the primer I take a medium light color from the palette and apply it liberally all over my eyelid. Then I take my accent color and apply it to the crease. After initially applying the color I will blend it into the crease by using my favorite 'Smokey Crease' brush and rubbing it back and forth over the crease without applying any additional shadow. After I get that blended I take the darkest color of the look I'm using and use a thin angled brush (like this) and apply a little to the outer corner of my eye. I then use the brush to blend it into the other shadow and down into the lash line. Lastly, I apply a highlighting color to the top of my brow bone and inner corner of my eye. 

After applying the shadows I then take my eyeliner (either liquid or kohl depending on the day) and line my upper eyelid. If I'm doing a more dramatic look I will use the small angled brush and smudge the eyeliner to smoke-out my eyes a little. Then I line my waterline with a kohl eyeliner. 

Lastly, I apply about two coats per eye of mascara, my current favorite (it's the best I've ever tried) is Chanel Le Volume de Chanel. I know it's pricey, but I have thin, blonde eyelashes and this plumps them up and does not look clumpy, because who wants to look like they have 4 long eyelashes. 

Lips
For lips I do a couple of different things. First, I like to use this Sugar Lip Scrub a couple of times a week to keep my lips "lipstick ready", because there's nothing worse than applying lipstick over dry, flakey lips, ew. Then I either will apply the lipstick I'm going to wear that day or lipgloss. I've been either reaching for a red lip (I love Bobbi Brown's Red) or a classic lip gloss (I just bought Chelsea Girls by NARS, love it...fun fact, it's Kim Kardashian's lip color). Some days I just apply Rosebud Salve to my lips, it's my preferred chapstick, I love it in the winter and usually just wear this a few times a week in lieu of lip color. 

Finishing Touches
Once everything is done I will use a spot concealer if I need to, to cover-up a bad break out. Then I will spray Urban Decay Finishing Spray over my face to set everything and make it long-lasting. I was skeptical but it works, my make-up lasts all day, no matter what the weather is like outside.

Lastly I put a spritz or two of perfume on, my absolute favorite is Chanel's "Eau Fraiche", I've been wearing it for years and I just love the smell. I usually have a couple of perfumes on hand, but this is the one scent I have to keep around at all times. 

Ok, so I know that sounds like a lot, but honestly I have this routine down and can do everything in 5-7 minutes. I also love playing with make-up and products so doing this is fun for me. I like this routine because it makes my skin look even and glowing and defines my eyes, but doesn't look too heavy (as long as you remember the key is don't overuse products and BLEND). 

What're some of your go-to make-up items? Any of these items in your routine? 
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Currently...{12/9/15}

Wednesday, December 9, 2015


Happy Humpday friends! Next week I'll be back with my Career Series (with the help of my friend Nidhi) but I wanted to put some more time into next week's post before hitting publish. So, instead of Career Wednesdays, I thought it would be fun to put together a little list of my current favorites. It's already been a busy month, and with every weekend jam packed with family and friends obligations I've been trying to relax a little on weeknights before bed, you might notice this list a little "lounging/hibernating" themed, and that's exactly what I feel like doing these days, who's with me?
Reading // I am Pilgrim 
(technically I just finished last night and I've started Eight Hundred Grapes)

(and the Pop Holiday playlist on Spotify)

Eating // Chocolate Chip Cookies 
(best recipe found here)

Drinking // Troeg's Mad Elf 
(well I will be on the Mad Elf pub crawl I'm attending Saturday! Can't wait!)

Watching // Quantico 
(is anyone else addicted?)

Wearing // Waffle Knit Leggings 
(these come in Talls and are $8, I'm going to order some more)

Wanting // Swell Water Bottle
(allegedly keeps drinks cold 24 hours, hot for 12 hours and are so chic)

What are your current monthly favorites? I hope everyone is having a great week!
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Weekend Rewind: Puppy Playtime Edition

Monday, December 7, 2015

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Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a good weekend! As I mentioned in Friday's post I went down to Maryland this weekend to spend time with two of my best friends from Tulane and my friend Alex's family, including her three adorable dogs! Instead of a traditional outfit post today I thought it would be fun to share these photos I took of her dogs, Stella the Shar Pei, Darcy the female English Bulldog, and Teddy the male English Bulldog! You can follow along with these nuggets of joy on Instagram (@teddyanddarcythebulldogs). We took these photos on Sunday afternoon before heading back to Philly and it was a great last piece of country air before heading back to our city lives. Now I really want a puppy, anyone want to volunteer to get me one for Christmas?

I hope you all had a great weekend and enjoy this little bit of virtual dog therapy for your Monday!

P.S. The dog's antler beanies are available here for only $13!
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Linking up with Her Heartland Soul

10 Creative Wrapping Paper Ideas

Friday, December 4, 2015

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great week back after Thanksgiving break! I had a fairly laid-back week including taking an Excel Expert certification test for work (I passed yay!) and grabbing drinks with some friends last night. Tonight my friend Lauren and I are headed down to Maryland after work to visit our friend Alex's hometown. I love visiting Alex because not only is she one of my best friends who I don't get to see enough, but her family is so sweet and they have three adorable dogs (here's the dog's Instagram if you're a fellow bulldog lover). Follow along on snapchat @lauraaimevous for lots of puppy snaps! 

I wanted to keep it brief today and post a seasonally appropriate link post rather than my typical Friday links. I have some gifts ordered for the holidays (how is it ALREADY December?!?!) and so now I'm starting to turn to some inspiration for fun wrapping paper ideas! I feel like half the fun of giving gifts is making them look beautiful and surprising your friends and family with the festive packages. I rounded up ten of my favorite wrapping DIY ideas from around the internet which would be fun to try this Christmas/Holiday season, or even for birthdays or other occasions! 

How was your week? Do you have any fun wrapping paper ideas? I hope you have a great weekend!
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