Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi everyone! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow and have safe travels. I will be up in Greenwich with my family where my mom is making three turkeys and countless other things that I cannot wait for. My uncle and aunt and their 5 kids are in from Los Angeles, as well as my grandma, Mimi, from Florida. Friday, I'm heading down to Raleigh too see Riley for the weekend so hopefully these terrible traveling conditions pass! Pretty sure I'll be bullied into a family turkey bowl at some point but tomorrow is the one day of the year that I won't mind because I'll be full and happy and the day after Thanksgiving is when Santa buys all of my Christmas presents : )  There are so many things to be thankful for starting with being able to spend the holiday with my family. Happy turkey!

Holiday Party Dresses

I don't know about you guys but I have a lot of holiday parties coming up and not as many holiday dresses. Below are a few I have my eye on. Anyone see any other cute ones??

Gift Guide 2013 - For the Guys

Shopping for men always seems to be difficult. Whether your brother, boyfriend, husband or dad, they aren't usually very vocal with what they want so it can be hard to pinpoint the perfect present. Below are a few gifts that they may not even know they wanted : )

Links: 

Johnnie-O 4 Button and Swim Trunks

Restoration Hardware Fishing Rod, Ping Pong Table Set, Bike Mount

30 for 30 Gift Set

Birchbox

Gift Guide 2013 - For the Little Peeps

Just because they're little people doesn't mean they shouldn't get big gifts! I'm dying over those baby duck boots and the Tods (and the cashmere mittens and the cape and the Johnnie-O gear...) The stackable/personalized rings are made using organic/environmentally safe products and I would've died for that kareoke machine or the jeep as a kid. 

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Gift Guide 2013 - $100 or Less

My roommate, Morgan, asked me to do an "under $100" gift guide post so I thought I'd help her out. Now that I'm in the real world I feel like I have way more presents to give - co-workers, family, friends (you guys probably aren't getting anything this year...), doormen, boyfriend, etc. etc. With so many gifts, it is crucial to stay on budget. All of the below are under $100 and are appropriate enough for the office Secret Santa. If you have any more ideas, please send my way - just trying to help a roommate out!

1 // Diptyque candle in Pine Bark is beautiful to look at and has a slightly Christmasy smell

2 // A Warby Parker Gift Certificate is awesome for a co-worker and so much fun to get. They go on the website and choose 5 pairs to try on and then the pair they choose is only $95!

3 // Coasters are pretty boring but these ones are pretty and will spruce up even the most boring office desk

4 // Portable ping pong set is fun for anyone via

5 // Cashmere socks are unisex and so so cozy - J.Crew has some cute ones

6 // This Clare Vivier tassel is a little luxury and can be personalized with a monogram and different colors

7 // This J.Crew wallet/phone case is great when you don't want to carry too many things

8 //  Penguin Classics has created beautiful new hard covers for some of your favorite books. I'm dying for a Fitzgerald set that comes in black and gold

9 // There is no dessert I love more that Caroline's Cake in Seven Layer caramel. It is out of this world and the perfect treat to enjoy on Christmas night (or on a random Wednesday) . They have other flavors too - my sisters love the chocolate and my mom loves the coconut cake via

10 // Dead see bath salts are luxurious and come in cute containers via 

11 // Bobbi Brown Twilight Pink Lip & Eye Palette - this one is only good for the girls but it is an awesome gift or stocking stuffer

12 // Festive moleskine notebooks are gender neutral and inexpensive via

13 // If you use your iPhone a lot for work, this is a fun charging station and head set  via

14 // Might have to get this desk skee ball set for my brother, Robby, via

15 // Three in one game set that can be monogrammed is fun as a hostess gift, too via

16 // C. Wonder has adorable gifts - these gloves allow you to use your iPhone and they come in a bunch of other patterns and colors

17 // I love cute mugs - this one is festive (from C. Wonder

18 // I am constantly heating up my coffee at work and this Brookstone heated coaster is the perfect way to get around that. I actually really want this... via

19 // Under $100 and so easy to use. I had this Keurig in college and saved so much money making my own coffee. Has already lasted me 6 years

Gift Guide 2013 - For the World Traveler

We all have that friend/sibling/colleague that is SUPER tough to shop for. He or she may have been everywhere and seen everything and seems to have all sorts of interesting things. Below are some unique gifts for the world traveler/collector in your life.

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Gift Guide 2013 - For Your Favorite Foodie

I always love giving and receiving food as gifts (and wine/champagne for that matter). You can only give so many candles/tea towels/bottles of wine/ornaments as hostess gifts and any of the below are a creative way to say thanks for hosting.

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Quote of the Day

Working on my gift guide to share with you all next week. Have a great weekend everyone!

Fireplaces for All

Today I want to be in a cozy room with a great fireplace. Fireplaces in every room please (and outside)!

That mirror! That couch! The windows! I'll take it, please.

via

This bathroom is absurdly glamorous. I would spend hours in that tub.

via Elle Decor

How dreamy is this bedroom with the french doors and the four poster and the fire place?

via Lonny Magazine

A fireplace in the kitchen would definitely make me want to spend more time in there hence cook more

 Source unknown

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Where better to have a great fireplace than a ski house?

both via Elle Decor

Click for more!

Recent Red Carpet Favorites

Blake Lively took the housewife thing to heart in a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta dress

Selena Gomez looked HOT in this black cutout dress. Later Biebs...

Kieran Shipka always looks good. Here she is in Preen by Thornton Bregazzi

 Hillary Rhoda looked absolutely flawless in a pink cutout dress

My girl, Allison Williams, kept it lady like at the CFDA awards this weeks. Her shoes are killer. 

and ALSO how amazingggg does Kate Hudson look in the new issue of Harper's Bazaar??

AND don't forget Isabel Marant for H+M launches tomorrow! Happy humpday everyone!

Travel Tuesday - Chic Luggage

Nice luggage is the ultimate luxury. It's one of those things you don't want to spend money on but imagine how glamorous you'd feel with a cute luggage set! Naturally, the bag I am obsessed with below, by Moncrief, is over $8000... so I won't be getting that one... Damn you, Net-a-porter, for even putting it on there! The tiny little "pea-shooter" (as my dad calls it) that I use is starting to show it's age with rips along the zipper so I may need to start thinking about investing in a rolly I will have forever!

Splurge vs. Save - Black Boots

I'm obsessed with the Stuart Weitzman 550 boots but at almost $600, they are a bit out of my budget right now. I walk by the Vince Camuto store every night on my way home from work and I spotted an almost identical pair of boots that are more than $400 less.Vince Camuto has really been hitting the mark with well made/cute shoes and bags that are at a really reasonable price.

Hostess Gift Guide 2013

The holiday season is quickly approaching and with it comes lots of parties and hostess gifts. While a bottle of wine is always appreciated, below are a few more creative ideas to tell the hostess thank you. I love the idea of giving a personalized present like an engraved cheese board or a monogrammed tray. I'm also obsessed with that dog on a boat matchbook and the adorable patterned backgammon set from Serena and Lily.

Porcelain Candle Holders - via

Ornament - via

Notebooks - via

Heart Mugs - via

Monogrammed Tray - via

Engraved Cheese Board -via

Cream and Sugar Holders - via

My Life Lately 11.7.13

+I've had some great weekends the past month and another one coming up (starting tonight - 4 day week woot woot!) in Raleigh. I had a great time in DC and went to a couple great restaurants in NYC. One of my best friends, Jen, was in town from San Francisco and we had a ball.

+My parents closed on a new house in Greenwich and the renovations have begun on cottage #1. I'll be sure to share lots of updates because it is so neat what they're doing. The property has three run-down (but old and charming and adorable) cottages and an old barn (which will become a party barn). They are starting renovations on the cottages and then plan on building a main house. The landscaping alone is a huge project. The property is stunning and I can't wait to see what my mom does with the place!

+I went to Boston for Tory's play, which was hysterical and we went to brunch at Gaslight in Beacon Hill, which was delicious and the perfect place for a cheat meal.

+ Riley was in town for the Ranger's game and it was fun to finally get parents to go to a game with me!

+One of my best friends, Juls, ran the marathon and even though I stood out there for an hour it was so worth it to surprise her on mile 22. I almost cried.... everyone's emotions were really high it was awesome!

+Is there anything cozier than a cocktail and a roaring fire on a comfy couch on a Sunday in the Fall??

+ New planner alert! Because I couldn't wait til January... May Designs have the BEST customizable planners 

Leather in the Home

I love the look of leather in the home. Whether a big item like a couch or headboard or a small detail like a pillow or ottoman, leather adds a rustic and slightly masculine touch. Mix in a little fur, some exposed beams, maybe some plaid and a fireplace... and you've got yourself the comfiest room for Fall! I am sort of obsessed with the rooms below...

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 I love this room's bamboo shades and old worn in leather chair

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I love this room featured on Domaine

 via

Antlers and leather and exposed beams and fur and a fireplace?!  Lonny Magazine always finds stunning rooms

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I'm a sucker for monograms and that leather chaise is to die for. This room is perfection.

via

Love these worn leather chairs and that vintage trunk. What a fun mirror too!

via

 I love these leather chairs in this gorgeous office - how about that light fixture?!

via

Click for more!

Travel Tuesdays: Everywhere Else

I keep thinking of more amazing places I want to go to...might have to extend my "Travel Tuesday" series! I have the worst cold right now so looking at these warm places makes me stir crazy at my desk. Even imagining being cozy in Iceland is helping this day go by a little faster. A couple more late adds to my wishlist: Charleston, Vegas, New Orleans, Dubai, Morocco, Barcelona, Lisbon, Mumbai, Monaco, etc. etc. etc...

Click below for more!

Black on Black with Style Crush Christine Centenera

Vogue Australia’s Senior Fashion Editor, Christine Centenera, has been killing it with her street style looks. Known for her black on black ensembles that are crisp, tailored and chic, Centenera is someone you've likely pinned without knowing it. She seems to appreciate well-made, timeless pieces. And her shoe collection? To die for. I am a self-confessed color-whore but I appreciate a good all-black outfit, especially now that I live in New York.