The Christmas season is my most favorite time of year. I literally wait all year for it. Friends, family and tradition are all a big part of what makes Christmas so special to me, and I always feel so blessed. The official kick off to this fabulous season is absolutely defined by the tree. As soon as my tree is set up, it’s game on. I’ve been sticking to a gold and red theme for my tree for the past few years, with a strict, ‘you may watch, but please put that ornament down’ policy. I love pulling out each ornament and reminiscing about where or who it came from. I love the richness and warmth of the colors, the glitter that seems to get everywhere, and the final moment where you plug in the lights and it takes your breath away. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy love am obsessed with this holiday?
Joie Sequin Tee, Graham & Spencer Shorts, Spanx Tights, Dolce and Gabbana Booties (similar here), Christian Louboutin Booties, La Vie Parisienne Earrings
With all of the holiday parties coming up in the next couple of weeks, it seems as though there is so much pressure to get the look right. I think, as long as all the goods are covered up, it’s okay to step out of the box once in a while and try something a bit different. So was the case when I decided to introduce my sequin top to a pair of loose fitting silk shorts. It’s a little more unexpected than a traditional skirt, but yet dressy enough to get away with at a slightly more casual cocktail hour. The best part of going out though, definitely the room I get to dress up in.
Wildfox Sweatshirt, Joie Lace Pants, Yves Saint Laurent Pumps, Chanel Handbag, Hermes Watch, Kate Spade Bracelet (similar here)
There are those moments in life when you just want to feel cozy. I find this especially true when the winter months are filled with chilly days. You don’t, however, want to sacrifice style to have a little comfort. I found that I didn’t have to sacrifice one for the other when I came across these gorgeous lace pants and paired them with the most comfortable sweatshirt possibly ever. The moment I knew it was almost too good to be true was when I got home and didn’t have the urge to change immediately into sweats.
“The marathon is a charismatic event. It has everything. It has drama. It has competition. It has camaraderie. It has heroism. Every jogger can’t dream of being an Olympic champion, but he can dream of finishing a marathon.”
Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
I had the incredible honor of running the Seattle marathon with my brother and two dear friends this past weekend. It was an extremely challenging course, 26.2 miles filled with too many hills to count. It took us just over four and a half hours, with not a drop of rain and views so spectacular it almost made you forget about the pain. It’s the second time I’ve embarked on such an endeavor, and it was just as humbling as the first time I completed it. I’m in awe of not only myself, but also my running partners, as we rallied together over the tough bits and came across that finish line together. My brother was the hero, as he easily added on over 30 minutes of time to what he would have been able to finish to make sure the rest of us got there. I feel exhausted, ecstatic, humbled and proud, so very proud.
With the weather as cold as it is, I’ve been craving a baked good that would warm me up from the inside out. It’s been forever since I’ve made a batch of classic chocolate chip cookies, and this recipe from the Flour Bakery cookbook was just what I was looking for. I remembered after I had secured the cookies away why I don’t make them often. Between eating testing the cookie dough, and thereafter the various stages of the cooling cookie, right out of the oven, two minutes out of the oven, hmmm how are they ten minutes out of the oven, better eat one just to check. I don’t want to admit to the exact number I ate, let’s just say this may have to be a semi-annual cookie, max.
