Merry Christmas Eve!

December 24, 2013

Salem, New Hampshire.

Hey everyone!  I hope by now you've all gotten your Christmas shopping done- I actually just made a last minute trip to the mall with my Dad (a typical Christmas Eve tradition of ours).  I'm enjoying some time at home with my family now and getting ready to head to a holiday party with the rest of my family.  With that, I wanted to share some of my favorite holiday dresses for the many holiday/afterholiday/NYE parties you may have in your future and wish you all a Merry Christmas Eve!!

 

They are all in different price ranges- depending on your budget this holiday (or how much you have left over to spend on yourself after all of your holiday shopping).  As you can see, I am really into the glittery dresses right now- they're so fun and festive and just perfect for the holidays.  I have also selected a fair amount of emerald dresses because I am a big fan of this color right now- just beautiful.  Which do you guys like the best? 

 

Xo,

Kelly

California Holidays

December 14, 2013

Los Angeles, CA

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In a couple of short days, I’ll be headed back east for a nice long holiday break and while I honestly can’t wait- I just got off the phone with my Mum who informed me that it’s currently 11 degrees and snowing at their house… What?!   Oh yeah that’s right, I guess I forgot that it’s the time of year when it snows in a good portion of the U.S.  Living in LA, you tend to forget that the seasons are changing since the weather tends to be much more mild. I think it was seventy today! 

Since I haven’t been back since early November, having spent Thanksgiving here, enjoying dinner, jacket-less, outside by the ocean in Palos Verdes, I am no doubt in for a rude awakening.  I mean, my boyfriend, who virtually complains about nothing, just asked me for long underwear for his Christmas gift (and meant it) because that’s how cold it has been in Boston!  Am I looking forward to the cold? Yes and no.  While it’s never terribly fun to walk around the city (no matter how many layers or warm coats you’ve got on) it’s a great time of year to cozy up and enjoy the fresh winter air. It also feels a lot more like Christmas with that chill in the air (let’s see how much I agree with this statement once I’m back next week).  I have to admit, it never really feels much like Christmas until I get home and so if that means I have to throw on a couple extra scarves.. so be it.  Either way, it’s what I’ve always grown up with and it’s the kind of weather that I’ve come to love as being a part of my holiday tradition. 

That being said, I’d say you California natives don’t have it too bad and might I add that I’ve always enjoyed being able to go to holiday parties (sans massive coats) here in in LA before heading home.  In fact, I’m headed to a couple holiday parties tonight and can’t wait to catch up with old friends and see everyone before this city officially shuts down for the year.  In a town where most everyone is not originally from here, you’d be amazed to know how quiet it becomes.  Everyone gets away and travels and production in the entertainment world shuts down, so the holiday parties leading up to the big hiatus are also quite a blast- everyone wants to get in their goodbyes before the new year!

 

Hope you’re enjoying the weekend (warm or cold) wherever you are!

 

This is one of many holiday party outfits I’ve worn out here this past week.  I found the dress at H&M and the booties are from Aldo.  The necklace is from That’s Mine! Boutique, an adorable online boutique based out of Maryland, where the creator, Amy, specializes in handcrafted jewelry.  If you haven’t heard of it, you should definitely check it out.  She makes everything herself so it’s all completely unique, which I love!  While most of her jewelry is a bit more colorful, I went with this silver necklace today because the design (although they are actually flowers) reminded me of snowflakes… who says you’ll never see snow in LA?

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Necklace c/o:  That's Mine! Boutique 

Dress: H&M

Booties: Aldo

Bracelet: Ruche

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Photos today by: Courtney Lockes

Believe.

December 11, 2013

Beverly Connection. Los Angeles, CA

When we’re young, we were expected to believe in Santa Clause and all kinds of other magical things like: fairies, monsters, ghosts, and the Tooth Fairy- without any sort of doubt.  And weren’t those blissful days simply amazing?  

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Now I know most of us agree that even though we aren’t still running downstairs at 5am to tear through presents or making wishes when we fall asleep at night, Christmas brings a certain amount of hope and excitement to us all.  It’s a time to take off and snuggle with family and friends, and show loved ones how much we’ve appreciate their support throughout the year.  OK that all sounds lovely right?  Well, somehow over the years, Christmas has turned into a bit of a consumer frenzy.  Days like “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” have been created to force us away from our families and out into the cold to purchase as much as we possibly can afford.  In between all the holiday parties, travel, and end of the year work events, we are expected to pack in endless days of shopping.  What began as a beautiful day to celebrate with loved ones, may quickly turn into a bit of a stressful event that can leave a lot of us in over our heads hoping to pack as much as possible under the Christmas tree.

I think it’s always important not to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.  A few days ago I was with a friend of mine and I asked her if she was excited to give her adorable four-year-old daughter all kinds of presents for Christmas “ She’s going to be so excited!” I said. My friend then explained that while she planned on getting her a couple presents, she was also going to have her choose one present to give to another child at a local shelter.  “I need to teach her to be giving at an early age and she already has so much” she explained to me.  I this was wonderful and wanted to share it today because that’s what Christmas is really about- giving.

 I’ve found that homemade gifts are just as appreciated (if not even more) than store bought and nothing is better than spending quality time with loved ones.  It’s also great to donate to your local charities for those who may not be able to afford anything this Christmas, for whom Christmas may actually be a very difficult time of year.

My outfit today is entirely from OLD NAVY! Not only is it affordable and comfy, but it has a bit of extra holiday cheer that I need in my day today.  Love is something we can all afford this season.   Fortunately, love is also something we will never grow to old to believe in. 

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Boyfriend Jeans: OLD NAVY

Polka-dot Top: OLD NAVY

Graphic Sweater: OLD NAVY

Booties: Forever21

Purse: Marshalls

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Shop this look!

Photos by: Jennifer Biswas