Winter Skin Essentials

1. Clarisonic Plus Cleansing System, $225, for deep pore cleansing and sloughing off of dead skin.
2. GlamGlow Mud Mask, $69, my new favorite mask. The mud tingles quite a bit, but it's totally worth it.
3. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, $48, collagen-boosting serum thats light and refreshing. Totally makes my skin glow.
4. Origins Rich Rewards, $19.50, serious treatment for hair and scalp.
5. Boscia Tsubaki Sleeping Mask, $34, real life beauty sleep.
6. La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume, $22.99, I will never leave the house without this. My all-time favorite hand cream.
7. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, $28, for those with severely dry and sensitive skin.
8. Archipelago Milk Oat Sink Set, $50, everyday use or for those lovely holiday guests.
9. Ahava Chamomile Lotion, $19.99, great for using just out of the shower.

Visiting Seattle

Where am I headed tomorrow? Only one of my favorite places in the world... home! Also known as Seattle.

Welcome to Seattle - the land of coffee houses and clouds.

Although, ironically, there are no clouds in the picture directly below... 

Seattle gets a bad rep.

 

 The fiance and I will be visiting family for the holidays, going to the last Seahawks game of the year (I'm a huge fan!), attending my Seattle bridal shower, and drinking as much coffee as we can. I'll be sharing some of my favorite places this week and giving you a glimpse into my Winter Wonderland-themed bridal shower, hosted by my lovely Maid of Honor, Ashley. More to come!

http://www.complex.com/

One of my favorite coffee houses. I highly recommend. The bookcases are such a sight.

Traveling Essentials

I'm heading back home to Seattle for the holidays and I'm counting down the days like a kid waiting for Santa. This will be the first time I will be back home for Christmas with the family since I left nearly 4 years ago (holy moly time flies fast). My mom is beyond excited to finally spend this cheerful season with her daughter and I can't help but share in her excitement. 

What I'm not excited about? Packing. No matter how much planning I do, I inevitably end up forgetting something important, and over-packing things I never end up using. It's a strange thing that happens no matter how much careful planning goes into it all.

Below are my carry-on essentials. I've at least got my carry-on packing all figured out. My checked bag? Let's just say it a "work in progress".

Leith Chunky Knit Slouch Hat, $24, my favorite kind of hat - comfy and slouchy.

Celfie Sweatshirt, $24, obvious play on words and play on designer. Adorable.

Acne Black Skinny Jeans, $220, skinny jean perfection. Lots of love for Acne lately.

Leopard Flats, $42.49 (on sale!), dress up or dress down, you really can't go wrong with leopard flats. Closet staple.

Leather Camera Bag, $110, handmade camera bag for the world's most fashionable traveler.

Ombre Infinity Scarf, $78, artful infinity scarf adds a little oomph to any outfit. Cozy for planes too.

Archie Grand "Gangsters" Journal, $17, because we all need to make sure we keep track of the gangsters we meet, right?

Galaxy S4, $price varies, cannot live without my galaxy S4. It goes everywhere with me.

L'Occitane 'Subtle Violet' Hand Cream, $12, moisturizing and relaxing. This stuff is always in my bag.

Claudalie Eye Cream, $98, I just recently started using this and I'm hooked. Pricey but well worth it to keep those darn wrinkles away!

Nars Lipgloss in Larger Than Life, $26, perfect pinky hue for blondes or brunettes (or both, like me)

Work Holiday Party

Our holiday work party was last night and I think we had a little too much fun, if you know what I mean. Spiked hot apple cider, wine, broiled salmon, gluten free cookies... we are not at a loss for cooks over here. We exchanged Secret Santa gifts and whoever picked my name knew me entirely too well, which was quite amazing, because the presents I received were beyond special. Complete with presents for my little puppy.

While holiday parties can be fun and *intoxicating they are also a place of picture taking and holiday cheer. Dressing up is always fun around the holidays so to help, I've compiled a few of my fav items for dressy and classy holiday work party inspiration.

*did I mention the spiked hot apple cider?

Mango Engraved Button Suit Blazer, $49.99 (sale!), classic and tailore jacket that you can dress up or down.

Benetton Sequin top, $49.50, a sparkly top that can work day or night.

Kate Spade Cobble Hill Brandice, $98, cross body bag, perfect for city streets or dressed up dates.

Reiss Pinstrip Tailored Trousers Black, $179, classic; you'll have them forever.

Gorjana Griffin G Set Gold Rings, $65, stackable gold rings that you can wear on one or multiple fingers.

Nars Lipgloss in Super Orgasm, $25, the perfect color for nearly any complexion. The blush is a cult classic!

Madewell The Mira Heel, $168, vampy pointy stiletto, but low enough so your feet won't be killing.

 

Black and Gold: bling and bold

If you're looking to stay on trend, black and gold is the talk of tinsel town right now. And what better timing? The gold sparkles are perfect for holiday parties or new years eve bashes. The black keeps things edgy... perfection.

La Mer Zappos Exclusive Clifton Black Gold Leather Wrap Watch

Barney's NYC NYC Tee

True Religion Skinny Black Sequin Logo Jean

Marc Jacobs Daisy Fragrance Gift Set

Real Go-Glitter Flat

Essie Luxeffects in As Gold As It Gets

Holiday Gift Guide: Your best friend, forever

Pop Fizz Clink Resin IPhone 5 Case, $40, because we all could use a little bubbly in our lives.

Rosanna Luxe Moderne Mugs S/4, $66, two for home and two for the office; life is complete.

Metal Wine Bottle Holder / Chalkboard, $29, a unique dinner piece perfect for girls' nights.

Birchbox Subscription, $30-$200, because what's better than receiving a monthly gift of goodies?

Rodin Lip Balm, $30, all natural and smells amazing. Perfect gift for winter lips and small purses.

Holiday Gift Guide: The Loveliest Woman You Know aka Mom

Feed 10 Burlap Tote, $20, a great carry-all that provides 10 school meals for kids.

Slate Cheese Board, $26, sourced from a quarry in upstate NY (this one is local for me) this rustic natural board is great for cheese or hors d'oevres.

Faux Fur Throw, $99(on sale), a cozy fur for the night mom just wants to cozy up on the couch.

Pink Amethyst Teardrop Bangle, $88, a beautiful and classic bangle that can gently be adjusted for any wrist size.

Blissmo Box, $monthly subscription, a monthly subscription of organic and eco-friendly products delivered to the home every month. 

Buddha Cup, $26, an interesting take on the coffee or tea mug. Mugs can really never be too big. 

Amco Rub Away Bar, $7, promises to remove any smell from your hands. Can anyone say onions?

4 Pure Beeswax Votives (Homemade), $15, lovingly made candles from my home state, WA.