My Secret for Winter Dressing
February 8, 2016
Skirt: J. Crew (unfortunately I couldn't find anything similar). Booties: Calvin Klein (similar). Clutch: Forever 21. Blazer: Nine West (similar). Turtleneck: Ann Taylor. Necklace: Loft (similar).
When I'm feeling uninspired with putting together an outfit, like I often am in the winter, I have a go-to formula that makes it super easy. Black shoes + black tights + skirt + black top. Adding a jacket or sweater too is a great way to add more visual interest. I think the all black on bottom and the black on top pulls the look together, and makes it seem like you put more thought into it than you actually did. I can't say why exactly, but I only ever wear black shoes with black tights. I think it looks nice and sleek and elongates my legs. Here are some other examples of this formula in action: one//two//three.
We had a really nice, relaxing weekend. The weather was beautiful so we walked to go get ice cream on Saturday, which felt like such a luxury in February. We saw a couple Oscar movies. And we hosted a little Super Bowl party at our apartment. It honestly wasn't anywhere near as crazy as I thought it would be since we live so close. That's a good thing though! We have more visitors coming this weekend, so it was nice to have a weekend in between to just hang out and do nothing.
Hope you have a great start to your week!
xo Catherine
Budget Home Decor Shopping
February 5, 2016
With our move-in date quickly approaching, I've got home decor on the brain. I really want to just buy all of the things and replace all our furniture, but I know I need to be sensible and patient. Hopefully we'll be able to purchase some new items over the next few months to make the new apartment even better. Being that we're both just a year out of school, we can't exactly afford to buy a $500 coffee table, though. Wouldn't that be nice? Until we can buy fancy coffee tables I've come to appreciate a few places in particular where I know I can get a good deal, and good quality for the price I'm paying.
Target is definitely the ultimate place for me. You can get really nice furniture, and all of the candles, vases, lamps, candy, and random things you think you need too.
Our new place has a bay window and I would love love love to put two of these beautiful chairs in the window.
And this table would look fabulous between those two beautiful chairs :)
If you haven't heard of Wayfair yet, well then, you're welcome. It's an online only retailer with all things home at really good prices. The only downside is that you can't see the items IRL before you buy.
I would love to make this coffee table mine, just wish it had drawers!
I also love this TV stand because you can hide lots of wires and such in those cabinets.
Next up is obviously IKEA. What college student or recent grad doesn't own at least one (or ten) pieces from here. A lot of their stuff is a little too modern for my liking, but they have some really great basics too.
My sister had one of these chairs in her room growing up, and it was surprisingly comfortable.
I would love to upgrade the chairs around our kitchen table with something upholstered like this!
World Market. One of my absolute favorite stores, I could browse around here all day long. They have so many beautiful pieces and at really manageable prices.
I didn't even know that I needed a decorative mirror in my life until I saw this one.
We have these wine glasses and the champagne flutes and they're some of my absolute favorite glassware pieces.
I just discovered that H&M has a Home section right before Christmas. Now, the pieces may be H&M quality, but you can't argue with a $4 pillow case as cute as this one.
Also feeling like I need this pineapple candle to get ready for summer. Palm pillows and fruit candles. I should just go for a whole tropical themed apartment!
These are just a few of my favorite places to find great prices on home items. I also love scouring Goodwill for glassware. TJ Maxx and Homegoods have great pillows, frames, and candles. You can find a lot of brand new, unopened Anthropologie items on eBay. I just bought these euro sham pillow cases for a fraction of the price they would have been from the store.
Where are your favorite places to shop for home goods at great prices? I'd love to know if you have any tips for a gal on a budget!
xo Catherine
My Favorite Apps for the Superbowl
February 3, 2016
I don't know about you, but when it comes to the Superbowl, I'm only in it for the food. This year I feel like I have to participate though because the game is being played literally a mile away from our apartment. Therefore, we're having a little get together so that Mark and his friends can go walk around and soak it all in on game day. I'm excited about it because I get to make lots of yummy appetizers. Win-win! Here are some of my favorites:
Pepperoni Cheese Stick Roll Ups
Image and recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Mini Crescent Dogs
Image and recipe via Pillsbury.
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Image and recipe via Damn Delicious.
Taco Dip
Image via Brown Eyed Baker.
Recipe:
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 cup mayo (can be substituted with plain Greek yogurt)
1 packet taco seasoning
Mix all ingredients and spread on bottom of dish. Top with shredded lettuce, Mexican blend cheese & diced tomato. Serve with tortilla chips.
I've made and love all of these, but I have to say that taco dip is always the crowd pleaser and will be gone so quickly!
What are your favorite game-day recipes??
xo Catherine
Stylish Detective
February 2, 2016
Coat: Calvin Klein. Pants: Club Monaco. Sweater: Loft (similar). Hat: Anthropologie (similar). Shoes: Banana Republic (similar). Purse: Tory Burch (similar). Sunglasses: Ray-Ban.
Phew, what a weekend. We had one of my friends staying with us, so there were a lot of indulgences (wine...and donuts). I feel like I need to detox this week with lots of salads or something. One of the highlights from her visit was heading up to Regale Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. When you think of places to go for vineyards you normally think of Napa and Sonoma, but there are so many more options than that. We didn't want to make the drive all the way up to Napa/Sonoma so we headed south instead to Regale, and it did not disappoint. It was so beautiful up in the mountains. There were a ton of wineries up there, so I would definitely recommend checking it out and making a day of it if you're in the South Bay!
This is the outfit I wore on Sunday when we went donut hunting, and then later when we went to Michael's to pick out crafts to do :)
Hope you had a great weekend!
xo Catherine
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