What to Wear this NYE

similar dress / similar heels

Okay you guys, so I know that this weekend is Christmas, but that means that NYE is just a week away! I don't know about you, but every year New Year's Eve sneaks up on me while I'm busy wrapping presents and baking cookies and then I realize I have nothing to wear.

Jeff and I were planning on keeping things casual this year, that is, until we ended up agreeing to a trip to Vegas - cue the glitz and glam!! I love a good excuse to dress up since Chicago is so casual, so I'll definitely be pulling out all the stops. I'm planning on pulling out all of my oldies out of my closet, like this pretty sequined number I wore last NYE.

If I had more money in my budget for December and hadn't already gone a hundred dollars over (whoops!) I would maybe be shopping for something new - here are a few of my favorites!

So tell me, do you have big plans for New Year's Eve? What are you going to wear?

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What to Wear for NYE

What are your plans for New Year's Eve? We got invited on a ski trip to New Mexico, which would have meant a more casual night. But since we're taking off kind of a lot of time and dropping a big chunk of cash in the next couple of months between our wedding, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and our friends' weddings, we decided to be responsible and stay in Chicago instead. Now that we're staying, we may have gotten talked into hosting a little party ourselves! 

Like just about every girl, I love New Year's because I love the excuse to wear something sparkly. I've put together a couple of looks that would work for any NYE plans, from a casual night with friends to a fancy party. 

Sweater / Shoes / Watch / Clutch / Nail Polish / Jeans

Scarf / Heels / Clutch / Bracelet 1 / Bracelet 2 / Blouse / Skirt

Clutch / Heels / Earrings / Lipstick / Dress

What's your NYE style?

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Happy New Year!

I hope you had a very happy New Year!  After a nice long break, I'm happy to be back blogging.  Since I've been gone, I...

... Spent NYE at a party with a bunch of our friends, but sadly then spent over an hour trying to get home via public transit.
... Checked out a blow dry bar for the first time - thought they did a really good job, but I seem to get more staying power when I curl my hair myself.
... Ate my weight in cookies and candy, and then skipped a couple of gym appointments, whoopsies!
... Spent a ton of time with both my and Jeff's families, including dual Christmas morning present openings.
... Took care of my parent's dog for a couple of days, she wasn't doing so good (couldn't get up on her own!) but now is on some meds that dramatically improved her health.
... Went shopping several times but only managed to buy a six dollar tee, despite all of the Christmas cash burning a hole in my pocket.
... Sang "twin bed" on repeat at a super classy family dinner.
... Watched the Illini play in Chicago and made it on TV a couple of times.
... Went to see American Hustle and The Hobbit, and learned that you shouldn't put metal in the science oven.
... Spent a whole lot of time relaxing in my pj's, the way a successful Christmas break should be spent.

I hope you had a good one!




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NYE Dresses on a Budget

I always want to buy a new fancy dress for New Year's Eve, but after all of the Christmas shopping (ahem, and shopping for me, the sales are just too good!) it seems silly to spend a lot on a dress I'm probably only going to wear once or twice.  I've pulled together some cute dresses for NYE that are under $25, under $50, and under $100.

1 - A'GACI - $22.50

2 - H&M - $24.95

3 - Macy's - $22.99

1 - Forever 21 - $27.80

2 - H&M - $34.95

3 - Nordstrom Rack - $39.97

1 - Piperlime - $69.00

2 - Express - $58.80

3 - Macy's - $52.99

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Enter to Win with Hpnotiq's SparkleLouder Contest

This post is sponsored by Hpnotiq but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to Hpnotiq's SparkleLouder contest.  Luckily for you, there's still time to enter!  Every entry gives you more weekly chances to win one of 20 EFFY Diamond & Blue Topaz Rings Sweepstakes Prizes (four each week).  The entry that Sparkles the Loudest will win the Grand Prize: A New Year’s Eve trip for you and three girlfriends to New York City for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the ball drop in Times Square.  What would be more fun than NYE in NYC?

To enter, visit http://www.hpnotiq.com/SparkleLouderContest and upload a pic showing how you plan to Sparkle Louder on New Year’s Eve - whether it’s a glam outfit, you with your girlfriends or a selfie. Then use Hpnotiq’s “SparkleLouder” app to make your photo shine, like mine above.  Hpnotiq’s SparkleLouder contest runs from November 4 - December 8, 2013 so make sure to enter soon.  When you share your SparkleLouder entries on social media, be sure to use the hashtag #SparkleLouder.

What would you do on your perfect New Year's Eve?  Sure, I think it would be fun to host a party at home, but my ideal NYE definitely includes no work, so I would go to some fabulous party downtown and take a limo so there would be no fighting for cabs at the end of the night.  Of course, my perfect NYE also includes some sparkling cocktails, like Hpnotiq's Dazzler (2 oz of Hpnotiq Harmonie and 2 oz of champagne, chilled and poured in a champagne flute).  Champagne is always a must for me on NYE, so any cocktail that includes it is my best friend.

Have you started planning your NYE yet?  Remember, it's never too early!  New Year's seems to sneak up on me every year, but not this time!




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Since I've Been Gone...

Today I have to go back to the real world after a great week and a half off.  My little Christmas break was great - relaxing and fun.  I spent some time with my family, with the boy's family, and with my friends.  Here are a few photos from my break, get prepared for a photo overload.  

At Zoo Lights with the boy.  Somehow I've never been before!  It was actually way cooler than I expected.  

Most of the animals were asleep, but a few were getting ready for bed - including these monkeys that were giving each other good night kisses!  Super adorable.

Remember the little piggy I wanted?  Well I may or may not have ordered him while writing that post.   We don't have any bookshelves to put him on yet, so he's been assigned to another task in the meantime.

 This is a terrible picture but I saw the Christmas train go by me!  Unfortunately it was on the other side of the tracks so I didn't get to ride, but I did get to wave at Santa.  

Dessert with the boyfriend - I've never had a dessert that came with two little cups of hot cocoa before.  So adorable!

Relaxing with the boy after opening our presents - he got me the best one!  

The watch I've been dying over for ages and ages!  I may or may not have sent the boyfriend an email with the link and the subject line "BUY THIS FOR ME!"

Christmas at my parent's house - we did a great job with the color coordinating, yes?

The fireplace at my parents' house.  Fun fact - I made the painting on the mantle in art class in elementary school.  I'm pretty sure I copied it off of a postcard.  

Craft time with my brother's fiance for their wedding.  This is a wine bottle we wrapped with twine, I think these will be used for centerpieces.

My parents' new dog, Sophie!  She's great at laying, right?  My parents are so sweet to have adopted her, she's 12 years old and was returned to the shelter because her owner had to move into a retirement home.  Now she has a new home and a new family!

 I was at JCrew after Christmas and somehow resisted this coat.  They only had one left and it was in my size, marked down to only $50!  But I already have tons and tons of coats, so I left this baby behind.

Middle Sister wine, yes please!  I think my role as middle sister could be categorized as mischief maker, but my siblings may disagree.

A reunion dinner with my college roommates!  Love these girls!!

My NYE mani, I decided that super bright was the only way to go to compliment my super sequins-y dress.

Being silly with the boyfriend on NYE.  Apparently this is the "Kristina" pose, which my family teased me about and then copied for all of our Christmas photos.  

Happy New Years to all of my readers, here's to a fantastic 2013!