A Little Faux

Tee - JCrew / Vest (similar) - Banana Republic / Jeans - Gap / Flats (similar) - Tory Burch

The faux fur vest has been a trend for a couple of years now, and until really recently I hated them. I tend to be against a lot of trends initially and then they start to grow on me. All the sudden fur vests started looking really luxe instead of tacky, and I realized they were the perfect way to stay super cozy all winter. I love how expensive this one feels, and how it works with a tee shirt and jeans or can be really dressed up. While this vest is currently sold out online, I did spy a couple in stores last week so you may still be able to snag one.

Are you on board with the faux fur trend?

Linking up with Random Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday and Style Sessions.

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This Weekend...

This weekend I...

...Finally bought and decorated the tree! Jeff and I didn't get to go cut down a tree with my parents like we usually do, so instead we ended up getting a fake tree. Turns out fake trees aren't so bad, especially when you buy scented ornaments to make it smell like a real tree.
...Went with a couple of my lady friends to Chriskrindlmart downtown for some spiced wine, German treats, and gossiping of course.
...Continued the German experience in Lincoln Square at Chicago Brauhaus, which turned out to be much more authentic than expected. There was a polka band and a tiny 80 year old German man asked me to dance, so you know, night made.
...Lost my fantasy football matchup in the playoffs for our couples fantasy league, which means I'm officially out for the season. The good news is that the girls won this season overall, although a guy could still be the overall champ.
...Met up with a couple friends at Parlor for a little Christmas party planning session. When we plan parties we go big or go home, and it sounds like this year's party is going to be quite the event.
...Grabbed dinner at Revolution Brewing with Jeff for some wings (of course) and delicious, delicious beers. Every time we go there's been a wedding upstairs, and one of these days I'm definitely going to turn into a wedding crasher ;)

I hope you had a good one!

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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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Casual/Cute Christmas Party

Top - Express / Skirt (similar) - Loft / Flats (similar) - Tory Burch / Bracelets - BaubleBar (similar) and Michael Kors

Let me paint you a picture. Last weekend, we were heading to a birthday party for my great uncle. We weren't supposed to leave until 5, so I felt like I had plenty of time to get ready and spent a good chunk of the day lazying around in my pajamas. Then all of the sudden it was 4, my mom texted me to say we actually needed to leave at 4:30, and the outfit I had picked out did not work, and the hair style I had tested out the day before was refusing to recreate itself. We rushed outside to take pictures before leaving, and only one, the very first picture we took, turned out. Oh, it was a day of the #struggs. It was also so windy that this hairdo ended up looking crazy afterwards and I just took it down and went with it. But then Jeff made me giggle on the drive up and my sister and her husband wore silly matching sweaters and I made (maybe too good of) friends with the bartender, so it ended up being a pretty good night in the end.

So here you have it, the one picture of my outfit from Saturday's party. Casual, cute, with just a hint of festivity.  

Tell me, do you have the struggs every time you try to get ready for a party?

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November Budget

Phew. Can you believe it's been almost a whole year of budgeting at this point? It turns out the $300/month budget I set for myself is dead on - it keeps me in check every month, but doesn't make me feel deprived. This month I went for a bunch of lower priced items, and two bigger ticket pieces - new boots and a faux fur vest. I actually had a pretty hard time picking out new boots after my favorite pair broke in October. Every pair I tried just wasn't quite right. Then I thought, why keep looking when I really just wanted my old pair back? So I went to DSW and bought an almost identical pair from the same brand. As far as the vest, I had been holding back for a while because Banana Republic refused to put it on sale. But then I noticed sizes started disappearing online so I decided to pull the trigger. Then it came in the mail, and they forgot to take the security tag off. I called to complain, and they took 20 percent off the price! Which means I ended up coming in right under budget for the month. Here's the damage for November:

BaubleBar Crystal Necklace - originally $44.00, on sale and used credits, $26.00
Old Navy Plaid Flannel Shirt - originally $26.94, on sale $16.25
Loft Striped Tee - originally $24.50, on sale $8.25
Banana Republic Faux Fur Vest - originally $130, used credits plus extra 20% off, $82.40
Forever 21 Beanie - $8.90
Bandolino Coppa Riding Boots - originally $149, on sale $99.95
Loft Striped Chiffon Tee - originally $39.50, on sale $23.70
Loft Lacey Tee - originally $54.50, on sale $23.25

Total Spent: $288.70
Total Saved: $188.64

While I did get a lot of things I liked this month, I didn't get the one thing I really needed - a new laptop bag. Maybe I'll gift it to myself with Christmas giftcards. Besides that, I'm really just looking to get some sweaters (because it has been so cold so far this fall) and maybe a new dress for NYE.

How did you do this month?

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A Little Everyday Sparkle

Shirt - Ann Taylor / Sweater (similar) - Loft / Jeans - Gap / Flats - Tory Burch / Necklace (similar) - BaubleBar

Phew, it's been windy lately in Chicago, can you tell? After living my whole life in the area I really shouldn't still be surprised. I actually used to check weather.com to see the wind speed for the day, and wouldn't wear skirts if it was above a certain speed (smart). For some reason I don't do that anymore (not smart), which has led to a few Marilyn Monroe moments. 

I bought this sweater back in March and then kind of forgot about it. I love the way it elevates a simple button down/cardi combo into a more special look. Of course, the sparkley neon necklace doesn't hurt either.  

Linking up with What I Wore to Work, Style Me Wednesday, Style Sessions, Trend Spin Linkup and Stylish Tuesday.

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This Weekend...

This weekend I...

...Took an abnormal number of Thanksgiving selfies with Jeff's family. Is that not what you did on Thanksgiving? We went to two Thanksgivings this year - an early one with Jeff's dad's family, and a later one with his mom and stepdad. Which means I got double turkey, double mashed potatoes, and, oddly enough, double brussels sprouts (definitely not complaining!). I also determined that I do like sweet potatoes, as long as they're mashed up and covered in sugar and pecans.
...Didn't hit any stores for what now seems to just be week-long sales, but did pick up a bunch of Christmas presents (ahem and one or two for me) online.
...Had a big group lunch with my extended family at Rock Bottom Brewery, where we've gone every year the day after Thanksgiving for the last ten years or so. If there's anything my family likes, it's a good tradition, like eating all of the hot wings and ordering another pitcher every time my grandma leaves the room.
...Tried to watch Let's Be Cops, and it was so bad we could not sit through the whole thing. Don't watch Let's Be Cops.
...Went to a big 95th birthday party for my great uncle, which was a great excuse for dressing up, gossiping with family I don't see very often, and eating all of the tiny meatloaf cupcakes.

I hope you had a great weekend!

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