{December Picks: Making A List - Checking It Twice}

Well it's close enough to the beginning of the month - so you know what that means....it's time for my December picks. This month I thought it was appropriate to share with you my favorite 6 items from my personal Christmas list. Yes I am {clearing throat} years old, and yes me and my sisters are still required to submit lists to Santa {simply because my parents don't have any grandchildren yet, so the focus is still on us, and we're ok with that}. To check out my entire Christmas list click here!

1. Customized iPhone case. You pick the design, the colors, and what you would like to have written on it. I'm going for the grey chevron with Jessica written in black. You like?

2. Dwell studio gold urchin. I love this little guy - and while it's sold out on the Dwell site, Jamie over at Furbish has them in her store. Score!

3. I've blogged about this Kate Spade weekender bag several times before. This weekend, it went on sale and I sent the message to one of Santa's elves to make sure he gets the memo.

4. American Fashion Designers at Home book. You know I love coffee table books, and you know I love fashion and interiors - so duh....perfect!

5. Ice cream maker. I would say this is my top item on the list. I have big plans for making low cal/low fat recipes - I'm obsessed with ice cream, so I'm dying to make my own.

6. Don't you love this shuguh {sugar} bowl. Super cheap and super cute. It's mine.

So there's a sneak peak of my list - again, to see all of the items above and lots of others - click here. What's on your lists??? Any must-haves?

{Christmas Wreath Gift Cards}

Good Morning Peeps! Let me just say - I am exhausted after the 9-hour drive yesterday. How was your Thanksiving? Mine was fantastic - and while I did indulge as I planned, I think overall I made it through the holiday successfully. I wasn't brave enough to go weigh in on Saturday, so I have a few more days to shed all of the macaroni and cheese, stuffing, and cranberry/pear sauce that I devoured over the weekend. In addition to all the eats - Black Friday was also a success. We were at Target at midnight - then headed over to Best Buy and then Macy's. Went home to take a "nap" and then went back out around 9:30 am and didn't come home until 9:30 pm. If you thought I was a shopaholic - you must meet my mother! Nevertheless, we had a blast and most of her shopping is done. So now the fun begins - I love turning into a kid for a month. Stay tuned for holiday decorating ideas, recipes, and my annual gift guides! 

Aren't these wreath gift cards the cutest? Such a great {and green} idea. Click here for instructions!

{On The Road Again}

Morning Peeps! In just a few minutes, me and Addy will be hittin' the road for a 9-hour trip up to Ohio for Thanksgiving. I'm super excited because I haven't been home in a while and I'm ready for some quality time with the fam. Once we get home I'll probably take a little nap to recoup from the trip, and then I'll be helping mom in the kitchen with the last bit of dinner preparations for tomorrow. After that, I plan to sit back with a glass of wine, kick my feet up, and just enjoy being at home.

Enjoy your day today - and if you too are traveling home for Thanksgiving, be safe!!! I'll be back on the blog next Tuesday!

{What Are You Wearing To The Dinner Table?}

No matter how old we get, or how many times we try - me and my sisters always try to come to the Thanksgiving dinner table in sweats - but my mom insists that we get dressed up. So as I am planning what to pack for my trip home tomorrow - below is what I'm packing for Thanksgiving dinner. This year I won't protest because as I'm on this journey to a healthy life and body, it's a good idea not to come to the table with stretchy pants on - so I will come to the dinner table dressed up - but the second we're finished, it's back upstairs I go to put on the sweats and get all cozy so that my Dad can bring me some hot cocoa and a sliver of skinny pumpkin pie...

{Leftover Turkey Sandwhich Ideas}

Check out these scrumptious sandwiches to help you gobble up what's left of that bird on Thursday. While flipping through the November issue of Real Simple this weekend, I came across these ideas - and they just looked too good not to share. What other meals do you make with your leftover turkey?

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the DIY links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- Make your own starburst urchin - don't think for a second that I won't be making a few of these...

- The best cake recipe ever (so they say) - I think I want to try it...

- DIY glitter labels - think perfect packaging!

- DIY tinsel stirrers - perfect for the upcoming holiday parties

- DIY Tory Burch Eddy Bow Flats - genius?

- DIY sweater wine wrap - great Christmas present idea!

Ok that's all I've got...for now - -enjoy your weekend Peeps!

{Recent Purchase Report}

I recently received a magazine in the mail from Fossil - and when I saw it I thought "Fossil?? How did I get on the mailing list for Fossil? They sell watches, right?" WRONG! I started flipping through the pages and after several ooohs and ahhhs,  I landed on these boots {shown below}, and I said "oh I'm so getting those" and went online to purchase them. It was literally love at first sight, and yesterday when I received them, I love them just as much {if not more} in person. They are the perfect height, sooo comfortable, and let's just say, for those that see me often - I apologize in advance because I will be wearing these all the time - so I don't want to hear you say "dang, she's wearing those again?" - k? If you also thought that Fossil only sold watches - click here and look through their site - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! (OH! - and check out the holiday lookbook that Kendi Everday did for Fossil - love her!!!)

{Sweet Paul Magazine: Divine Chocolate}

The online holiday issue of Sweet Paul Magazine went live yesterday, and it's filled with all sorts of festive goodies and amazing photography. One thing that I haven't had in months, is chocolate, so right away this recipe jumped out at me. Doesn't it look so m-word* and delicious?

{*moist is on a list of unspeakable words, so I refuse to allow it to come out of my mouth - lol}
PS - how do you like the new blog format?

{For My Raleigh Peeps: Fave Restaurants}

The question "where should we go to eat" is a question I have to answer at least once a week, and while I’m sure I have talked about almost all of these places, I have decided to start doing little food guides of my go-to spots and what I like to order there. And for those of you that don't live in Raleigh, use this as a guide for when you come to visit {hint hint - you know who you are}...

These are just four of my many favorite restaurants here in Raleigh - stay tuned for several more. For those that live here {or visited} what are some of your favorite breakfast restaurants?

{Preparing for the Holidays}

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? Although as I was strolling through the mall this weekend, they would like to make you think that Christmas is actually next week. I love Nordstrom's stance on decorating for the holidays - "At Nordstrom, we won’t be decking our halls until Friday, November 28. Why? Well, we just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time" - don't you wish all stores would do this? I usually start decorating my house the Monday after Thanksgiving (once I get back into town) and below are a few ideas I have for this year:

{garland | starry lights}

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- Wool and the Gang! I love this idea of getting a full kit to make a scarf, hat, etc. You'll be seeing this again in my Christmas Gift Guides, starting during the week of November 28th

- Speaking of Christmas Guides - check out Goop's...

- The next time I give flowers, I will package them like this...

- Do I love my Addison enough to make these for her? You bet I do!!!

- I love these but I can't find them in my size - maybe David will be able to...

- Wouldn't this, this and this make the cutest holiday cards? I'm definitely keeping this in my back pocket for when my Prince arrives on his white horse...

- Finally as you have a little down time this weekend - be sure to check out Lonny's Holiday issue...I know I will be!

Enjoy your weekend!!!

{Brown and Black: Do You or Don't You?}

Have I made you a believer yet?

{Get Your Geek On}

Now that the cooler weather is upon us - it's a necessity to keep your hands warm and effortlessly use your touch screen device at the same time! Over the weekend I purchased a pair of the gloves below {via Nordstrom} which by a quick flip of the tip of the glove allows you to text, dial or open an application. No more fumbling around when you get a call in the cold as you are trying to remove your gloves to use your phone.

{ANVE: Handmade Leather Sacks}

Loving these ANVE leather bags that are constructed to mimic paper sacks. Each piece is a gorgeous limited addition made from objects of unique materials. If they are inspired by a beautiful piece of vintage leather - they buy it, even it it's only enough for one little bag. Everything is handmade with love - and I love that! 

{Shop here}

{A Little Retail Therapy Always Helps}

When I enter the Nordstrom shoe department, I immediately ask for David. Let's just say he's my shoe therapist. He knows my taste, and knows what to bring out without me having to specifically tell him. This past weekend, after my binge, he told me that he is personally going to submit my name to be on the invite list for the annual exclusive Nordstrom Christmas party. Say what??? I've been dying to get invited to the party for years, and now I may be going! Crossing fingers that I'll actually get an invite! Needless to say, my therapy helped and now I'm ready to face another week. 

How was your weekend? Do anything fun? Any retail therapy?

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- The new edition of Matchbook Magazine is live - check it!

- Sick of the same old ways of tying your scarves? Well click here...

- Breakfast on the go - I like it.

- This week I visited the new Furbish shop and wow – it’s AMAZEBALLS. Jamie has done such an amazing job with the space – it’s HUGE! There is a grey couch and a gold dress that I’m dying for – and can’t get either out of my head. If I had only won the lottery the other day… the dress will be mine – but the couch….let’s just hope we get bonus checks this year!

- Apple Pie Cookies - mmmmm....I think mom needs to make these for Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your weekend Peeps!

{November Favorite Picks}

It's the beginning of the month and you know what that means - time for my November Picks:

1. I'm looking for a plaid shirt - but I don't want it to look like I'm on my way to the rodeo. I think I may try J Crew this weekend...wish we had a Madewell...

2. Love love love this shiny gold cuff from the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale...

3. What is there not to love about this Kate Spade weekender bag? It's on my Christmas list...

4. Speaking of the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale - I'm feeling these boots. I'm going to try them on this weekend, and if they look and feel good - they're mine!

5. When I make it to my goal weight - I am going to make and eat every drop of this sloppy joe grilled cheese sandwich - OMG!!!

6. I'm looking for a tweed jacket - and if I could find one with leather elbow patches - even better...

So what are your current faves?

{Wrap It Up}

Aren't you glad that scarf season (at least here in NC) is here? A scarf is the last think you want around your neck in 100+ degree weather - so I'm excited that the weather is much cooler and now I can get away with wearing a scarf without looking like a hot mess (literally). It's time for me to spruce up my scarf collection - so I did a little digging and came up with a few new faves:

{Click here to shop}

{Pre Holiday Pampering}

Now that Halloween is over and the holidays are right around the corner - I think it's time to stop and do a little pre-holiday pampering before the hustle and bustle starts. Take some time this week to easily prepare one of the two homemade scrubs below (the majority of these items you should already have in your pantry) and then pamper yourself by indulging in a long foot soak, pedicure, and facial. I think I'm going to make the lemon scrub...what about you?

{Recipe credit: left | right}