Secret Santa Time

I am too excited to have a secret Santa night with some of my favorite girlfriends. Nothing can bring some ladies together like pasta, wine, and gifts. It's the best way to be able to enjoy a great night with each other without breaking the bank to do so. Hope you all have a lovely Thursday evening!

Some of the best pasta available around Central PA. Fasta & Ravioli Co. 

Today's outfit:
Sweater- LOFT 
Black Skinnies- Hudson 
Jeffery Campbell 

DIY Gift Wrapping Ideas

Tis that time of the year! Time to start getting ready for those Christmas parties and family gatherings. Being a broke college student this year not only did I struggle affording gifts but also the materials to wrap it all together! So my post today is dedicated to how you can be resourceful with things found around ones house and dorm when it comes to dressing up presents.

Materials I used:

Newspaper

Boxes from packages

Color construction paper

Hemp/twine cord

Colorful ribbons

Stickers

Fake Flowers

Helpful hints: Take advantage of all free gift boxes that are given out at stores!! Also be on the look all year round for little boxes and interesting paper patterns to keep stored in an area for this time of the year, it makes the scrounging up process much easier.

Not Sure Where You're Going

Just like some days when you get up and you have absolutely no idea what you want to wear or what life will hold for you that day, sometimes you're just not sure where you are going. Such is life sometimes especially when you're coming to a crossroads in life, like the major turning point of graduating from college. So you're an adult now...what's next?

I believe it is OKAY if you don't have the answer to this. Not only is it intimidating to think about being all on your own and getting a real job to pay for bills and rent but it's all around a transitional period of your life from partying every weekend to getting more serious. Who wants to do that? Well it doesn't necessarily need to happen like that but it is a big difference than most of us are used to.

Embrace it, push yourself out into reality and don't be afraid to get hurt and screw up. Failure is going to happen in your life and if you can push passed it and deal with those issues to try again you will become even stronger. Don't ever be afraid to follow your dreams even if people say you are crazy, because anything can happen!

All I know is where ever I chose to go, I'm taking my pup with me. 

Prep It Up

Happy Monday!! Also the countdown to Christmas has begun and it's time to start scrambling for those last minute gifts. Today I am trying to brighten my Monday morning mood by prepping up my style a little bit and therefore prepping up my mood a little bit too.

My adorable niece Kierra sat in on the photo shoot this morning. 

Today's layered look includes:
Knit Cotton Sweater- LOFT
White Button Up- Target
Paisley Print Pants- Forever 21
Black Booties- Hautelook 

Have An Open Mind

When you go in to your favorite store the next time you go shopping I encourage you to try the one thing in the store you would never wear, or think you could never pull off. This is something I believe you should do at every store, because I bet 9 times out of 10 you will be surprised with how it actually looks or the fit of it and how it becomes more likable than it appealed on the hanger.

Also have an open mind when thinking about taking a new chance on a look or the way you style an outfit. It takes a lot of confidence to not care what other people think but you will be so much happier if you live this way. To not care what anyone else thinks of you and to not judge anyone else because you wouldn't like to be judged either.

That's how I felt about the sweater I am wearing today but I am so glad I pushed myself to try it on! 

Today's Look: 

Chunky Knit Sweater- LOFT 

Black Leggings- Target 

Joe Lace Up Boots- Jeffery Campbell 

Red Velvet Doesn't Only Look Delicious On Cupcakes

I love that velvet has come back to the holiday season trend as hot as it was in the 1990's. There's something about that feeling of velvet that makes you feel warm and fuzzy, like the holiday cheer is just buzzing through you. It's also something that I believe adds some class to an outfit for a holiday party.

Today's Look: 

Dress 2011 Season- Tracy Reese 

Sparkly Tights- Urban Outfitters

Tuxedo Style Blazer- LOFT

Black Oxford Wedge- LOFT

When You're Feeling Lucky..

Go for it! If you have good vibes about something or have a strong feeling you could actually achieve something you really want you just need to jump in head first and go for it! Try your best and if you fail or don't get the exact results you want at least you don't have to live with the underlying question. what if? You never know when you could miss out on the next big opportunity just because you were afraid to take a risk.

I've been feeling lucky lately and have pursed entering as many free concert ticket contests, free trips, free clothes, and anything else I can just on the whim of having a good feeling about it. I haven't been completely unsuccessful either! About a month ago I won a re-usable tote from Ann Inc. and a contest they had going on their BFF app. Then last week I received a Taylor Swift Wonderstruck perfume set from another fashion blogger The Modern Austen. So next time you see a little contest on your Twitter feed don't think you'll never win! You may just be surprised.