Black Friday Steals & Deals

It's Black Friday time! Let's get ready to shop! Here are a few favorite retailers and items I am currently adding to my gift/wish list. Let's do our shopping online in our PJs instead of fighting the crowds and lines. Is that cool? I mean, most of the online deals are EXACTLY the same as the ones in the stores. First up, my personal holiday wish list. Can someone email, call, text or somehow let Ross know about this round up? Please and thank you!

Old Navy Leopard Jacket // Gap Corduroys // J.Crew Factory Sequin Skirt // Forever 21 Heels // Loft Polka Dot Vest // The Limited Leopard Clutch // Kendra Scott Tassel Necklace // Target Leather Accent Sweater // Marc Jacobs Roll On Perfume // Express Plaid Cardigan // Sephora Nail Polish Set 

In other news, here is a list of sales that you don't want to miss. I thought I would take the added effort and time to include gift ideas for everyone on your list...including the boys and kiddos.

Old Navy - 50% off entire store

Gap - 50% off entire store

Banana Republic -  40% off entire store + 50% off all full priced items until 1 PM on Friday.

J.Crew Factory - 50% off entire store

Loft - 40% off entire store

Express - 50% off entire store

 
The Limited - 50% off entire store.

Kendra Scott - 20% off site wide

 
Forever 21 - Yellow tag deals starting at $3.00 + 50% off sale items

Nordstrom -  60% off select items

Target - 40% off all denim & sweaters for men, women and kids

Sephora - $10 deals while supplies last

Happy shopping, gift buying and bank account draining.

P.S. Did you see my Get It Girl gift guide from eariler today? Lots of fun gifts for the ladies in your life!

Get It Girl Gift Guide

Happy Thanksgiving! Today we not only celebrate all our blessings, but we are also gearing up for the biggest shopping season of the year. Tomorrow all heck will break loose, well sadly enough, most stores will open tonight and the madness will begin. It's time to get serious and start our holiday shopping. We have less than a month to get all our gifts purchased and wrapped. I am hoping to help you ladies out with some of your shopping over the next several weeks. Today, I wanted to start with what I like to call the "Get It Girl" gift guide. 

Cosmetic Bag // Alex and Ani Bangle // Dorothy Parker Journal Set // Plaid Scarf // Hair Ties // Sequin Slippers // Trader Joe's Cookbook // Mittens // Pajama Pants // Naked Basic Eyeshadow Palette //  Polka Dot Flask // Leopard Ear Muffs // Essie Polish Set // Passport Case // Glitter Bow Belt // Kate Spade iPhone Case // Zebra Socks // Sequin Happy Shirt // Coffee Mugs // Soap & Glory Butter Body Butters 

We all have ladies to shop for whether it's for family, friends, a Secret Santa at work, Bunco gift exchange or possibly for ourselves. I searched high and low for some unique gifts that won't break the bank. Almost everything above is $30 or less...there are just a few that are right under $40. They make fabulous stocking stuffers and a few are pretty bold. 

I almost died when I came across these coffee mugs from Urban Outfitters. You guys, they seriously have some of the most clever and hilarious gifts in their kitchen and bar section. 

I can't get enough of all the Alex and Ani bangles that Nordstrom has to offer. These are so fun stacked and great for giving throughout the year for special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries or "just because" gifts. 

And of course I had to throw in a few Forever 21 finds. The "I Need Lipstick" cosmetic bag is right up my alley. Fill it with some lip gear and you have yourself an adorable gift ready to go for less that $20-$25. 

You can never go wrong with giving a pair of comfy pajama pants coupled with sequin slippers. I know I ask for this every single year. Not only will your loved ones sit warm and cozy by the fire, but they will be doing it in style.

I hope I sparked some gift giving ideas. There is so much out there, the emails promoting sales are bombarding my account and it can be so overwhelming. At the end of the day, no matter what you buy it's the thought that counts. It's definitely not the reason for the season, but so much fun scouting gifts that have some thought put in them.

Stay tuned, I will be posting some Black Friday sales from my favorite retailers bright and early tomorrow. You guys the deals are insane!

Happy shopping and be safe out there!

P.S. It's totally okay if you go ahead and forward this post to your husband/boyfriend/significant other..they need all the help they can get, right? You're welcome.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! I hope everyone is either spending time with family or heading toward them today. We are spending the day with Ross's side of the family and then making our way to my parents' house on Thursday. Count me in for a double dose of turkey and pumpkin pie.

Military Top: Sosie c/o (similar) // Cream Top: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's (similar) // Leggings: Old Navy // Boot: MIA Calvary // Leopard Infinity Scarf: Express (now 50% off) // Gold Pave Bracelet: Target // Micheal Kors Watch c/o Jeweler's Wife // Ring: Kendra Scott c/o Jeweler's Wife // Glasses: H&M (similar)

I truly am one blessed lady and have so much to be thankful for over the last year. I have a loving, sexy, blog picture taking, hard working, strong hands, gentle hearted husband that puts up with all my shenanigans. Two healthy and gorgeous girls that keep me on my toes and fill my heart with pure joy. A family that supports me beyond my wildest dreams. A circle of friends that have stuck by me through good times and bad. The opportunity to travel more this year than any other and to see places I have never been. Blog opportunities and partnerships that I will forever be grateful for. Readers that touch my heart on a daily basis. Last but not least, a church home that has brought me closer to The Lord.

Sometimes I gripe and moan over the small imperfections that the world throws my way, but in the grand scheme of things, life is pretty darn good and I am content.

I wish you and your family a safe and glorious Thanksgiving. Don't forget your elastic waist pants.

I plan on being here in blog land the rest of the week to share some holiday gift ideas and Black Friday deals. Not sure if I will be brave enough to hit the stores, but I have a feeling I won't have the willpower to stay away.

 **If you are linking up today, the only request is that you follow my blog with GFC or Bloglovin' and link back to it in your post. It's how weekly link ups work. Oh, and go meet some new friends! 

 

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Linking up with The Pleated Poppy.

Faux Fur - Trends to Try

One of the must have trends of the season is faux fur. If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon just yet, don't worry, you still have plenty of time. With the weather cooling down across the country, now is the the time to add a piece or two to your closet. Vests and coats are a simple way to add some luxe to your look. Faux fur will not only keep you warm and cozy, but it will definitely put some pep in your step and turn some heads!

Faux Fur Animal Print Jacket: Target // Fur Vest: Forever 21 // Plaid Top: Forever 21 // Faux Leather Pants: Forever 21 (similar here and here ) // Over the Knee Boots: Forever 21 (similar here and here) // Hat: Target // Sunglasses: H&M (similar) // Belt: Forever 21 (similar) // Necklace: Lookbook Store c/o // Crown Ring: Lilac Bijoux c/o

MORE FUR FINDS

Okay, ladies, it's your turn to show off your colorful, faux fur style. Need some incentive? How about a trip for two to New York City with all the glam included? Let's just say it includes a shopping spree, hair, make up and an editorial on Glam.com. Did I mention it will take place in NYC?

Go ahead and "try it for yourself". This week is all about fun, colorful fur. Upload your picture to Glam's Facebook page for a chance to win. Each week the Glam editorial team will pick the best photo and the winner will receive a $100 AMEX gift card, plus be eligible for the grand prize fashion trip to New York with a friend.  

Every Tuesday, for the next four weeks, I will be announcing the trend of the week. Get ready to snap your pictures and enter to win. Hint...next week is all about the softer side of the color palette (pastels). So, get your thinking caps on and start styling!

Go ahead and try the trends of the moment. What do you have to loose? Absolutely nothing. Focus on what you have to gain; a shopping spree and chance to visit the BIG APPLE in style. It's a win-win scenario. No excuses. Start planning your outfits now.

Shouldn't you decide what works for yourself? At Kotex®, we believe in the power of choices. That's why we offer a full lineup of tampons, pads and pantiliners. But you never know what works best until you try it. So, each week, we are challenging you to try a new trend - and flaunt your new look!

U by Kotex® provides protection that passes the only test that matters - your life. Try U by Kotex® for yourself and commit to protection you can get serious about. Head to Facebook to grab a sample and show us what trend you're trying this week. Let the world know what you think!

This contest runs from November 25, 2013 through December 29, 2013.

*Disclosure: Compensation was provided by U by Kotex® via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of U by Kotex®.

Cardinal Red

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and People StyleWatch and InStyle magazines but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PeopleInStyle http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

There are so many trends on rotation in magazines, on blogs, worn by celebrities and promoted in stores that it can be hard to keep up and almost make your head spin. Pair this with that. Wear that with this. Seasonal Pantone palettes. Popular prints. Must haves of the moment. 

Being a lover of fashion I enjoy challenging myself to styles that I honestly wouldn't put together on my own if it weren't for being mildly obsessed with flipping through the pages of InStyle and People StyleWatch magazines. Yes, I also get an immense amount of inspiration from style bloggers, but these magazines are where I really begin to think outside my "normal" style box. 

Blazer: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's (similar here and here) // Pants: Old Navy Rock Star Skinny Denim // Top: Forever 21 Oxford (similar) // Shoes: Zara Ankle Boot Heels (similar) // Bag: Phillip Lim for Target (similar and similar) // Necklace: Lookbook Store c/o // Glasses: Forever 21 (similar) // Bracelet: Lilac Bijoux c/o // Ring: Kendra Scott c/o Jeweler's Wife Watch: Michael Kors c/o Jeweler's Wife // Earrings: Forever 21 (similar)

This look is a perfect example. I must admit that I first I laid eyes on the monochromatic red ensemble on Atlantic Pacific's blog, but then as I was paging through this month's issues of said magazines and I kept seeing one of my favorite colors over and over again. It's not as if red is anything new, but for some reason it's a current color crush in the world of fashion. The best part, it's a color that I have plenty of in my closet. I have had both the boyfriend blazer and pants hanging for awhile, waiting to be paired together. This look was a little out of the norm for me, but that's what it's all about. Taking risks, stepping outside of our comfort zones and having fun. It's one ginormous experiment except you can't blow anything up if you don't get it right the first time. 

I encourage all of you to pick up the latest issues of InStyle and People StyleWatch. Thumb through the pages, pick a few looks you love (even if you don't think you can pull them off) and rock them before we ring in the new year. Yes, that's a challenge from me to you. Go for it, have fun and take a risk. It's not rocket science...it's called being a girl and playing dress up.

Make sure to swing by Target from 11/29 through 12/7 to pick up BOTH magazines because you will get a $5 gift card to spend at the greatest store on the planet. Plus, both issues have some pretty fabulous holiday gift ideas. Below are this month's covers...just trying to make things easier on you ladies!