Festive Favorites

This is the best time of year! The holidays are my absolute favorite and my personal time to shine! I love to host parties, decorate, bake, and shop in general so the holidays really amplify my hobbies. Dan and I host a cocktail party every year and I love planning the menu, décor and what to wear. It's a hard decision every year on the attire as there are SO many good options. I've been leaning towards velvet this year because it's so trendy but I also love a good tartan. I hit the fabric store this past weekend and got some inspiration and ideas for dresses to make too. Sewing a new dress usually puts extra pressure on me, so I don't know if I will go that route. Here are some of my favorite looks.

I love this multi- colored sequins dress from ASOS and think it looks awesome layered with a turtleneck. I also really like the idea of this velvet blazer dress from H&M. Full party skirts are my jam and a couple years ago I searched everywhere for this particular skirt pattern from a runway look I saw, so this pink ASOS skirt is a top contender. I really like the idea of a jumpsuit too and this TopShop velvet star jumpsuit is super cute!

 Some of my favorite mini dresses.

Gold Sequins and burgundy velvet from Abercrombie. Sequins stripes from Gap. Oversized sequins from H&M. Velvet blazer dress from H&M.

More favorites

J.Crew has so many good options right now! I'm obsessed with the satin stripe clutch and I always love everything tartan. Items from above that are J.Crew: Gold sequins earrings, bow earrings, tartan clutch, green velvet ruffle top, red velvet clutch, red velvet ruffle skirt, and tartan flats.

D'Orsay heels and gold clutch are from Old Navy.
Gold faux leather skirt is Nordstrom
Green satin top is Forever 21
Tartan boots are Jeffrey Campbell
Silver embellished booties are Jessica Simpson
Red Bell sleeve dress is Red Dress Boutique
Green Sequins cutout dress is Nordstrom
Red popover dress is Nordstrom

Fall Family Photos

We had our pictures taken last weekend in a really cool venue in our neighborhood. It's called the Ice House and it's decorated with vintage velvet couches and décor. Sarah from Kairos Indy took our photos for the 3rd year in a row. I think they turned out pretty well and we will likely use one for our Christmas card.

Outfit details:
On me: Nordstrom dress, Steve Madden heels
Roman: H&M sweater and jeans, Old Navy high tops
Dan: J.Crew shirt and jeans

Colorful Stripes

I'm a sucker for bright colorful stripes. In the last few weeks I've seen a few pieces that I'm obsessed with. This Anthropologie sequins skirt, is to die for! I'm trying to figure out how to get that into my closet and when I could wear it. I also love the dark stripes for fall and winter. This H&M skirt and Zara dress are so pretty! Lastly, isn't this bold sweater from Forever 21 so fun?

 

Forever 21 Sweater // H&M skirt // Zara dress // Anthropologie skirt

Velvet

A couple years ago wearing sequins was all the rage. Everyone was wearing sequins and not just for the holidays. Tops, dresses and even pants. Now velvet is the hot trend. I love it for the holidays but I think it works for every day looks as well. I particularly love velvet wrap dresses and am trying to find a good pattern to make one this year. Velvet accessories are a great way to wear the trend and not appear too dressy. Here are some of my current favorites:

Blue velvet wrap top from Express- I want this exactly, but in dress form. I'm trying to create a pattern and find fabric to make it. I'll definitely post if I'm successful.

Pink mock neck Madewell dress- I had this dress in black as a little girl and felt so special wearing it to church on Christmas eve.

Blue velvet ruffle top from Nordstrom

Velvet cami- I have this top from Amazon. Awesome deal for $12! I have a size small for reference. Velvet dress I found on Amazon too.

Gold velvet wrap dress- ASOS. Green velvet ruffle sleeves from Nordstrom

Velvet loafers Madden Girl $24. Velvet wrap skirt from Nordstrom

Velvet bags from Kohls. I love these! I think they look like such nice quality. The blue one looks vintage. Never would have guessed from Kohls.

Velvet sock boot - Velvet slides- DSW

Velvet Jumpsuit - Express // Gold Wrap Dress- ASOS // Wrap dress - Forever 21 // Jumpsuit - Lulus // Green wrap dress- Zara

Halloween 2017

Halloween is really special in our neighborhood. Our neighborhood spends months planning a huge street festival with week long activities. Neighbors go all out decorating their homes, planning costumes and even hosting a production in their front yard. The older homes and streets lined with colorful trees makes the perfect backdrop for all the fall festivities. It feels right out of a movie. We hand out almost 1,000 pieces of candy every year in the 2 hour trick or treating window. It's crazy and fun!

Roman really loved the kids zone music at the festival.

 

Family dressed as the Simpsons in the festival parade

 

Roman and his best buddy Patrick

Roman and his pal Alexandra

Roman really loved Trick or Treating. He ran up to every house and yelled Trick or Treat and said Thank you. He made it a couple blocks before wanting to go home and eat his candy. After we took the candy away he put his costume back on so he could go get more.

 

One of the homes in our neighborhood puts on a production every year. This year they set up a boxing ring and had a dinosaur boxing a robot. The kids all really loved it!