What to Wear this Holiday Season...

I'm heading to my parents house this week and I couldn't be more excited! Living so far away, I relish the moments I get to spend with my family, especially during the holidays. 

When I travel to my folks house I like to pack light, as I can always do laundry if I need to (or borrow something from my mom or Kir). 

I've put together some cute outfits to wear for the various outings I have on the calendar this upcoming week. 

Sweater | Jeans | Vest | Boots | Luggage

Since I only travel with a carry-on these days, I'm planning on wearing my tall boots and puffer vest on the plane to make extra room in my suitcase. 

Plaid Shirt | Jeans | Vest | Booties

All the ladies in my family (Mom, Oma, Aunts, Cousins) are getting manicures and pedicures and going out to lunch the Friday before Christmas. I'm really excited because we rarely get to spend time all together. 

Sweater | Leather Leggings | Heels | Earrings

Christmas Eve is always spent at my Oma and Opa's house. The attire is pretty casual, but I've been dying to wear my  faux leather leggings again, so I'll probably wear them. I'm going to bring mini caprese salad bites as an appetizer!

Sweater | Black Jeans | Earrings | Heels | Plaid Shirt

Christmas Day will be spent at Kir's house this year. I'm really excited to attend Christmas morning service at her church and enjoy the day with my family. I'll more than likely wear heels to church and then change into my booties once we get home -- depending on the weather, of course. 

What are y'all wearing for the holiday festivities this week! Chime in with a comment below...

XOXO

Meg

PS: This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on a link and/or making a purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission. As always, thank you for supporting this little blog!

Holiday Boot Camp: Part 1 -- Gift Giving

While it is only the first of September, I know the holidays are right around the corner! I absolutely love Christmas, but somehow my good intentions and holiday cheer get lost in the mix of last minute shopping and overspending -- like the year I had to next-day a bunch of gifts! Ugh! Somehow gift giving isn't nearly as fun when you're paying overnight shipping fees!

Anyone else have this problem?

I've decided to make it my mission to have a stress free Christmas this year -- and you're all invited on this quest for happier holidays -- to actually celebrate the birth of Christ, spend time with your family and friends, bake cookies, and even remember to move that darn Elf on the Shelf!

The only way to lessen the stress of the holidays is to plan. plan. plan!

And I've got an easy five part series to start planning for Christmas... right now... in September! Grab your calendar and a notebook and let's get to it!

Let's start with a tough one... gift giving!

I love giving gifts but I have a hard time finding that perfect gift! This is usually because I wait until the last minute. Whoops! 

This year I'm taking a vow to shop early!

Here's what we're gonna do...

Make a list of everyone you plan on purchasing gifts for. 

Next to each name write down how much you plan on spending for each person.

Next to the dollar amount, brainstorm ideas of what that person needs and/or wants. 

Also make some notes next to each name. Will they receive their gift on Christmas Eve? Christmas Day? Mid-December at the annual holiday party? Do you need to mail the gift? Make it a goal to mail all of your Christmas packages three weeks prior to Christmas Eve -- that is Saturday, December 3, 2016. Write that in your calendar!

You'll want to factor the shipping costs into your budget and you'll want to factor in extra shipping time if you are shipping internationally!

Planning ahead allows for us to pick thoughtful gifts, shop sales, and avoid the holiday crowds!

Keep the list in your purse to remind yourself of your shopping plans and to fill in any blanks when you come up with brilliant ideas!

Here is a snapshot of some of my list. The list is a work in progress and I likely won't complete it for a month or so, but the main thing is I have started to think ahead and am being intentional and thoughtful about my gift giving.  

Next, get out your calendar and set a goal of when you want to have all of your Christmas shopping completed. I marked my calendar for December 1, 2016. This may sound insane, but with enough planning, I know I can do it!

Is there anything you can purchase now? I know I am going to buy my nephew the Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set. (I bought it for my niece last year and it was a big hit!) I can order this now and store it in the closet until December. Done!

Are you a gift card giver? Can you buy a gift card every few weeks? This helps spread the cost out over the next few months! Winning! Just don't forget where you put those gift cards!

Do you typically attend numerous holiday parties? Don't forget a hostess gift! Candles and bottles of wine are super easy to buy now, store, and gift later!

That's all for now! With enough planning we're definitely going to a have a stress free holiday!  Cheers!

XOXO

Meg

PS: This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on the links or making purchases through the links, I may receive a small commission. As always, thank you for supporting this little blog!

A Very Cabo Christmas...

Merry Christmas! I hope y'all had a wonderful holiday with friends, family, and loved ones. 

Hubby and I spent Christmas South of the Border in Los Cabos, Mexico with his parents, brother, and sister-in-law!

We spent the first two days of the trip in out hotel room, working like mad, trying to meet a work deadline. Once we finalized our work we enjoyed the sun, sand, and margaritas in hand!

We are currently at the airport, trying to get back to San Antonio. We are experiencing a six our delay, we are going to miss our connecting flight in Dallas, and in order for everyone to get back to San Antonio to make it to work tomorrow, we're renting a car in Dallas and making the five hour drive... tonight....

Wish us luck....

XOXO

Meg

Christmas Subway Art

Thanksgiving has come and gone and now it is time for Christmas!

Hubby and I are heading back to Texas today. We had a great time visiting my family for Thanksgiving. 

I can't wait to get home and decorate our house for Christmas. I am really looking forward to going all out with my mantle this year!

Here are some of my favorite free printables for Christmas. I'll let you know which one I'll be using here shortly when I post photos of my holiday decor.

Cheers to a glorious Christmas season!

Lil Luna

The Chic Site

Eighteen25

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Petite Party Studio

DIY Swank

Designer Trapped

Love, Pomegranate House

Peppermint Creative

Sweet Blessings

Any Christmas decorating plans for y'all? Real tree or fake tree?

XOXO

Meg

Holiday Gift Guide: The Glamour Girl

We all know someone who likes to dress to the nines, who always looks fabulous, and who adores all things shiny! 

This gift guide is for that girl! Whether that be you, your sister, or your best friend, embrace the glitz and glam this holiday season!

J. Crew Factory: Draped Stones and Crystal Necklace

Sephora: Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eye Shadow

Bauble Bar: Crystal Trillion Collar Necklace

Jamberry Nails: Fade Out

Kate Spade: I Kissed a Frog Mini Clutch

J.Crew: Roxie Glitter Pumps

Anthropologie: Gilt Jacquard Dress

Birchbox: Jouer French Kiss Lipgloss Trio

Dill & Scout Boutique: Pink Rhinestone Earrings

Such sparkly finds! I ordered the necklace from J.Crew Factory for someone on my list!

XOXO

Meg

PS: Need more inspiration? We have gift guides for the baker, the coffee and tea lover, and the baby!

PPS: My Etsy shop, Dill & Scout Boutique, is having a huge 50% off sale! Use code: HOHOHO50 now until Dec 15th!

Holiday Fashion

I have no idea what I will be wearing this holiday season, but if the stars aligned and all my student debt went away (I wish) and Santa delivered a big fat check to reinvent my wardrobe, I think I would choose a few of these fabulous items below! What are y'all wearing this holiday season? Dressing up? Dressing down?

 Lucius Lace Shift

Starlit Stripes Dress

All that Glitters Clutch

Vintage Rhinestone Necklace

Statement Earrings

 New York Liza Pump

All of these items are so fun, sparkly, and perfect for a holiday party! I have a crazy busy weekend coming up -- the ballet tonight, a graduation on Saturday, and a play on Sunday. I'll be putting together some cute outfits to share with ya soon!

XOXO

Meg 

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas- Stove Top Potpourri

Christmas is slowly creeping its way into our little apartment. Although I don't have any Christmas decorations out yet (we're still in Thanskgiving/Fall mode) my hubby has been asking for a while now to make some stove top potpourri. 

So....I grabbed one of our pots that I don't use all that often (so I won't miss it while we use it for about a week or so), took out some simple ingredients and made my house smell heavenly.

In order to make this Christmas-y smelling aroma in your own house, all you need are a few everyday ordinary (things you should already have in your pantry) ingredients! Okay now let's get started assembling our "Christmas on the Stove" as my husband calls it.

First thing you need a pot, add an orange peel, 2 cinnamon sticks, about a Tablespoon of cloves and a dash of vanilla. Now fill your pot up with water and heat until boiling and then turn to simmer (and anytime you want to heat your pot up again just turn stove to simmer/low heat). That's it! Just a few simple ingredients that can last you a week, maybe even longer!  Just keep adding water when needed and enjoy! 


-Kir