Stars & Stripes

You know I love any excuse to dress festive and July 4th is right around the corner. This look is perfect for a casual backyard BBQ, day at the beach or boardwalk, or laying out at the park. This year D's mom invited us down to her shore house in LBI (Long Beach Island) and we were pumped because it would be the perfect getaway for us since all the engagement hoopla. Did I just say hoopla? Anyway, going down the shore for a few days sounded perfect complete with lounging out on the deck, and eating fresh crab legs and drinking ice cold coronas with the ocean breezes wafting through the air…..until we forgot we had a dog and, what are we going to do with her??

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Frayed denim shorts / Tory Burch leather thong sandals / Tory Burch genuine leather backpack / Alex and Ani wire bracelet / Yellow gold jewelry / Ray-Ban aviator style sunglasses / Sole Society black straw fedora / Burt s Bees lip gloss makeup / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics spray perfume / Deborah Lippmann matte finish nail polish / OPI thin nail polish, / Essie nail polish / Usa flag shirt

With our recent engagement-moon to AC, we dropped Tiki off at my parents house for what I like to call, "Tiki's vacationing at her country estate." While she loves it there, she is a sensitive dog who is very attached to us. We couldn't possibly ship her out again. And putting her in a kennel is out of the question for this pampered pooch. She wouldn't last a day there! So sadly unless we come up with some magical solution, we will be bumming around town for the 4th. Luckily, there is always something to do, so we might lay out at the park, hit up some food truck and try to catch the fireworks over the Hudson River. I guess plan B isn't too shabby.

So what are you all planning to do for the 4th?

xo Steph

Happy Christmas!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas with lots of laughter and love. 

And I hope santa was good to you all ; )

With love,

Steph

Love Lately: Holiday Edition

As we get just a few short days away from Christmas I wanted to share with you somethings that I'm loving lately - holiday edition!

1. Holiday parties. 'Tis the season for holiday parties galore! It seems like every weekend in the month of December we have different parties to attend and people to celebrate with. So much good food, cold drinks, gag gifts and silly festive wear!

 2. Festive drinks. Whether its a glass of wine or a mug of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows, enjoying festive beverages while sitting in front of a lit Christmas tree might just be one of my favorite things in the world to do. I seriously can't get enough of my Christmas tree! And this adorable hand painted santa wine glass : )

Can you guess who's mug is who's?

Hint: I may have went a little heavy on the marshmallows : )

 3. All things Christmas scented. I may have gone a little crazy at Bath and Body Works and snagged up these awesome 3-wick candles on sale (usually $20 a pop, but got them for 2 for $22). Because there is nothing better than a warmly scented house this time of year. My absolute favorite scents? Fresh Balsam hands down (it enhances the real tree scent we have) and also Cinnamon Frosting because it smells like I'm at a Cinnabon store haha.

4. Ugly sweater parties. They are always a good time to just be silly and tacky with your friends. And of course, my lack of planning and Target's lack of item I needed to create the ugly sweater "costume" I wanted left me and D high and dry without something to wear. With the party only hours away, I was desperate. So don;t have an ugly sweater for a party? Improvise and stick yourself in an XL gift bag. #ghettofab #lastminute yup, this was our outfit folks!

Well that's my holiday edition of my love lately list. Today is Christmas eve eve so the big day is quickly approaching! Hope everyone is enjoying the season and getting in all their last minute shopping!

xo Steph

A Day at the Christmas Tree Farm

Amidst the holiday hustle and bustle I realized I never shared my pictures from when I went to get my family's Christmas trees the day after Thanksgiving. We bundled up with hot beverages in tow and headed to this adorably charming tree farm to pick out a winner. It then dawned on me that I'd like to open my own Christmas tree farm. I'm seriously in the wrong business -- these people make a FORTUNE selling trees. Holy moly at $70 bucks a pop, these tree farms are probably set for the year based off of one seasons earnings! 

 The boys getting down and dirty to cut the tree while my mom and I take pictures and cheer them on!

 me and my twin : )

I also found Tiki's cousin -- this wire haired dachshund. I wish we brought her to the farm with us but I know she would have been misbehaving and barking at young children so we decided to keep her home, all snuggled up and burrowed in her blankets.

the family Christmas card? I love how D is holding the giant tree measuring stick as a festive prop.

the boys hauling our two tree back to the truck.

nothing like Christmas trees and kisses in the pick up truck.

probably one of my favorite pictures.

After getting our trees, we stopped at a bakery for well, baked goods and some hot chocolate. and this was no ordinary bakery, but the bakery where I worked my very first job at the tender age of 13. Of course the owners didn't recognize me at all (which was probably for the best - I was a rather immature 13!) but it was a fun stroll down memory lane nonetheless. 

 haha this bear. 

and on that note we headed up, put up BOTH trees (remember in this family we rock the Christmas mullet -- more on that here) and sat by the fire. I was in heaven!

xo Steph

'Tis the Season for Ugly Sweater Parties

For today's #tbt, I thought it would be fun to revisit the ugly sweater. This was a sweater I actually got last year from Target (on the clearance rack no less) for an ugly sweater party (pics of that party seen here) and in reality I got more compliments on it than I did laughs (which is the whole point of the ugly sweater party.) So that's when I realized this sweater wasn't really ugly at all, and if anything, it as totally on point with the aztec print trend. I have my annual ugly sweater party coming up in two weeks, so this year I need to make sure I bring my A game!

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Sweater: Target (clearance rack baby!) // Vest: Gap // Jeans: Target

Rain boots: Hunter // Gold Watch: Fossil // Spike bracelet: Asos

So what do you think -- ugly or not-so-ugly sweater?
Do any of you partake in ugly sweater parties?

 xo Steph

How City People Get Their Tree...

When you live in an urban area like me, going to that picturesque tree farm to get your tree looks a little different. Instead, we go to a tree lot with pre-cut trees. And us urban dwellers either drag our tree home on foot (which I've done before) or cram it in the back of your trunk! We did the latter this year since this tree was the biggest one we've had so far. About 5 feet tall when looking at it in comparison to me.

Our 2013 Xmas tree. 

The tree lot in Hoboken is actually at this really cool and really old church, which I'm pretty sure isn't even used as a church anymore. But its beautiful nonetheless. Inside we could pick out decorations, ornaments, tree stands, you get the gist. And of course it was those old stained glass windows that give the whole experience that vintage feel.

There she is.

"A little full, a lotta sap..."

look at D hard at work.

Homeword bound we go!

She's up and ready for the holiday season! And of course, you know from this post that I am so agreeable with D that we did not only the colored lights, but the small and large vintage bulbs. Even though I prefer white, this tree is nothing short of fun and festive.

There's nothing better than sitting back and admiring your tree, while drinking hot chocolate in your Snoopy Christmas mug. 'Tis the season!

xo Steph

My Christmas Bucket List

If you've been reading my blog from the beginning you'll know that I love bucket lists. They are fun to put together and even more fun to start checking things off! With Christmas, there's just so much fun holiday stuff to do that gets crammed into the little month of December that it can be overwhelming to try and fit everything in. In an ideal world, I would have all 25 days leading up to Christmas to indulge in some kind of festive merriment but unfortunately I have a job that takes up a majority of my time. Boo. But creating a Christmas bucket list is the perfect way to keep you on track and serves as a reminder to try and accomplish all your holiday fun. Check out what's on my list below:

My Christmas Bucket List

*Kiss in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree in NYC (it's a tradition)
*Go to D's Families White Elephant gift party and exchange gag gifts

*Get a tree and decorate it

*Sit on Santa's lap

*Decorate a gingerbread house
*Drink festive drinks (peppermint mocha anyone?)

*Bake Christmas cookies

*Roast chestnuts or s'mores

*Volunteer

*See the light show at Shady Brook Farms. (another tradition)

*Kiss under the mistletoe (one of my favorite traditions)

*Bundle up & take a walk to look at all the Christmas lights

(and bringing the camera of course!)

*Watch a Charlie Brown Christmas (among other holiday classics)

*Get cozy by the fireplace

* Ugly Sweater party

Stay tuned in as I post about the things I completed this holiday season -- are you ready for all the festivities and merriment to come?!

What's on your holiday bucket list?
Anything fun and festive that you do that I can add to my list?

 xo Steph

Getting Your Christmas Tree Outfit

Hope everyone had a restful and wonderful Thanksgiving break.  And now we can officially look forward to the Christmas season with full force and decorate your houses to the nines (you have my approval now that Thanksgiving is over!) so what better way to kick things off by going to get your tree. Whether you buy yours from a lot or brave the forrest to cut down your own just like the Griswold family, you need to look the part. Here I put together a classic "cutting down the Christmas Tree" look to get you in the holiday spirit. I went this weekend with my parents to get their trees (yes, trees. We get two every year) and I'll be sharing those pics on the blog later this week. And I'm hoping D and I can maybe get our tree today or at least later this week so I can start decorating full force and finally have a place to put all those wrapped presents : )

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Reindeer cotton shirt // Plaid button down // Camp socks // Sperry Top-Sider weather proof boots // Red infinity scarf // Slouchy hat

Hope you all have a Merry Monday and start getting into the holiday spirit like I have : )

xo Steph

Also linking up with Still Being Molly

Turkey Day Duds

Happy Turkey Day Eve everyone! Did you know that Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest drinking night of the year in the U.S? Well if you didn't you just learned a fun new fact! Anyway, I wanted to share some fun Turkey day clothes you can wear for tomorrow. Whether you get a little dressier (like the jeweled sweater below) or go casual with these awesome off the shoulder sweatshirts to hide your growing Thanksgiving food baby - remember to be comfortable so you can have a good time! Stretchy leggings will be your best friend tomorrow! Also, don't forget to be festive and wear your best "Thanksgiving colors" aka browns, neutrals and other "harvesty" colors to complete the look.

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J Crew j crew top / Sweater / Grey shirt / Helmut Lang black stretch pants / Minnetonka brown suede shoes, $145 / J Crew j crew scarf / Sweet Potato Pie Thanksgiving Collection

Do what will you be wearing tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner? 
Do you dress it up or keep it comfy? 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Turkey Day Eve! : )
xoSteph

Halloween Recap & Guns N' Roses Reunion

Halloween was such a blast this year, and D and I got to celebrate it twice - we went out on actual Halloween night, and then went to a party with friends on Saturday night. Dressing up for Halloween has always been a favorite of mine (I don't think I've missed dressing up a year yet -- even considering the past two years we had a blizzard and Hurricane Sandy ruin our day) so wearing costumes is definitely my thing! This year I let D pick out what we were going to be, and though I was hesitant about the whole Guns N' Roses theme, it turned out amazing and we had so much fun! We entered the costume contest at the party were were at (1st place wins $300) but we left as a runner-up with a stainless steel cooler. So much for the cash!! Even though it is a pretty nice cooler. D's cousin and fiancee dressed up as Price is Right contestants and came home with 2nd place and $200 so good for them. All in all, such a great and loved every minute of this Halloween season. Now -- bring on the turkey because Thanksgiving is on the way!!

Did you dress up for Halloween?  Have you ever won a costume contest?

xo Steph

happy halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Are you feeling spooky yet? Are you doing anything fun and festive for the occasion? Well for me, we have the option to wear a costume at school, but since most of mine aren't really school appropriate (aka too tight/short) I'll be opting to wear my orange tweed skirt to show off my festive side. So today I wanted to share some pictures from this past weekend which was filled with fall festive fun! It was fabulous : )

D and I headed up to the Poconos to visit my parents. I forced him into doing a haunted house with me,  and it was hilarious because how much he hates this kind of stuff -- yet he still lets me do it. What a doll he is. We went to this place called the "Hotel of Horrors" which was supposedly a haunted hotel in the 1800's. I don't know if it's true or not but geeeez oh man, that ish was scarryyyy!!

Doesn't the outside of the hotel look like some scary old mental institution? At least that's what I thought. That's my scared face above as I try to warm up with some hot chocolate!

We made it out of the haunted house alive and headed back to my parents house for some major snuggles to warm up next to the fire. I love my parent's fireplace -- it's seriously one of my favorite things about going home. The smells of the burning wood and the sound of the crackling wood -- oh yes! Between the cracking fire, drinking hot apple cider, snuggling on the couch under blankets and making D watch the movie "Halloween" on dvd for the 38294782 time --

I was in HEAVEN!

On Sunday we hit up the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival bright and early before the Giants played the Eagles.

pumpkins and gourds galore!

the parentals.

me and momma.

love him : )

and of course we had to hit up the world's largest general store. If this was actually the world's largest general store, I'm not really sure, but it was pretty damn big and had fun for all. My mom left with some homemade peanut brittle, D left with two vintage style kerosene lamps he's been on the hunt for for a while now, and I came home with an amazing home made popcorn maker complete with organic kernels and all the fun seasonings. More on that in a future blog post coming soon!

Anyway, hope you all have a spooktacular Halloween!

Halloween costume pics of me and D coming soon : )

xo Steph