Style
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Tea Party Styled Shoot With Henesy House
Styling: Lauren Henesy
Photography: Mattinson Photography
Florals: Liz Kiesow
Rentals: Relics Vintage Rentals
Location: Park Lafayette Towers
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Let’s Get Hygge With It
Happy Monday, lovelies! I hope everyone had a warm cozy weekend in side. We got a few inches of snow throughout the weekend so it was the perfect opportunity to make hot cocoa and drink it by the fire. Today I want to talk about Hygge and making the most of the winter months.
Pronounced “hoo-ga,” this is a Danish concept that encompasses feelings of coziness and contentment with the small things in life. Enjoying a cup of hot cocoa on a snowy day or curling up with a good book on a rainy Sunday is Hygge.
Denmark’s national obsession with all things cozy is credited as one of the reasons they are always at the top of the list of happiest countries, despite their miserable winters. I’ve lived in Wisconsin for over ten years and when I first heard of this concept a few years ago I fully embraced it. I think it has definitely given me a better outlook on our brutal winters!
Here are some things you can incorporate to start living the Hygge lifestyle:
- Put on your coziest loungewear
- Light a candle
- Curl up by the fire for a warm night in. Even better if your mantle is decorated for winter!
- Wrap up in a faux fur blanket
- Pour yourself a warm drink in a cute mug
- Make comfort food like chicken pot pie or do some baking
- Go outside for a winter walk with family and friends
- Cozy up with a good book before bed
I hope the concept of Hygge inspires you to live your best winter life! Had you ever heard about Hygge before? I think changing my mindset a little bit has definitely made me embrace the winter and enjoy it more!
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How To Stay Warm and Stylish
After Christmas this year we went up to St. Germain, Wisconsin for a little winter getaway. It’s been such a mild winter here in Milwaukee we had to drive the 4 plus hours north to see some snow! Living in the northern United States has definitely taught me the art of staying stylish while bundling up. Here are my top 3 tips:
Embrace Your Inner Snow Bunny
Coat // Earmuffs // Gloves // Boots // Jeans
I love that all of these fuzzy coats are in this year! I fell in love with this faux shearling coat and had to get a pair of matching earmuffs.
Add a Pop of Color
Coat // Hat // Gloves // Boots // Leggings // Socks
I love adding some color to contrast against the gray winter skies. This coat is thick and heavy and I love how long it is. I found it for under $100!
Add Luxurious Accessories
Coat // Hat // Gloves // Boots // Jeans
When you have to bundle up to go outside you should at least get to put on something that feels nice! This cable beanie is the softest ever and I love how buttery these gloves are. Bonus they match my camera case!
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Four Holiday Looks
Happy Monday everyone! It’s the last week before Christmas, I can hardly believe it. I have one gift left to buy and I haven’t wrapped a thing!! This week I thought I would put together some holiday outfit ideas for last minute parties, Christmas Eve dinner, or even New Year’s Eve.Â
This dress you may recognize from this post. I love the way it looks for the holidays with a moto jacket and a scarf. When it gets colder just add a pair of black tights!
Who doesn’t love a tulle skirt?? I love the way this one looks with a military jacket. The plaid scarf adds the perfect touch for the holidays.
I love a jeweled collar – it dresses up a classic black sweater just perfectly for the holidays. Add a cranberry colored skirt and heels and you are ready to go!
For this last look I paired a cozy flannel with a black midi skirt. Add some sparkle to dress it up a little and a pair of heels for the perfect holiday look.
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My Cyber Monday Picks!
Happy Monday all! I hope everyone had a nice long weekend. Now it’s back to the Monday grind but there are still deals to be had!Â
American Eagle and Aerie have 50% off sweaters and leggings! This cardigan is the chunkiest, softest sweater ever! And if you don’t have a pair of these Play Pocket Leggings you need to get some ASAP. They are the softest, comfiest leggings in the world.
J. Crew Factory has extra 40% off! These slippers are guaranteed to keep your toes toasty all winter. They have some super cute pajama sets – I love these and these. These tassel earrings are perfect to add a little sparkle, pair them with this adorable sweater dress for the perfect holiday party look!
It’s the last day to snag some great deals at Nordstrom! Included in the sale is my favorite flattering dress I own in three colors. The perfect sweater tunic in holiday red, pair with these faux-leather leggings for the perfect Christmas outfit. Loving these simple riding boots. This was my favorite pink cardigan from last fall. These are my favorite jeans! And if you’re going to buy one thermal top make it this one!
Happy Monday and Happy Shopping!
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What To Wear To A Winter Wedding
One of the hardest events to get dressed for is a winter wedding. Short or long dress? Sleeves or sleeveless? Tights or no tights? I think this dress could work for a wedding or a fancy holiday party. I love that it’s long and has sleeves so you don’t get cold, but the folds of jersey fabric add a little interest.
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My Step-By-Step Guide to Hosting Thanksgiving
Ever since we moved into our house five years ago we have been hosting Thanksgiving. I have two older brothers that live far away and it is an eight hour drive to my parents house. Since my parents are retired, and it’s a far way to drive for a long weekend, my parents started coming up here. I’ve had fun learning each year how to cook the whole meal (with the help of my mom). I’m excited to share what I’ve learned over the years!
One Week Before Thanksgiving
- If you’re buying a frozen turkey – buy it now!
- You can go ahead and make your cranberry sauce and store it in the fridge. This is the recipe I use every year! Fruit Infusion Cranberry Sauce
- Stock up on wine.
Sunday Before Thanksgiving
- Print out recipes and make a list of necessary ingredients.
- Clean out your refrigerator.
- Go shopping for the remaining items on your list.
- Put your turkey in the refrigerator to thaw.
Day Before Thanksgiving
- Cut up bread for stuffing. Season as desired and place on a cookie sheet overnight to dry.
- Chop vegetables and herbs for stuffing and store in the fridge.
- Make your pies, cover, and refrigerate.
- Prepare any make ahead side dishes and store in the fridge.
- Chill drinks.
- Set and decorate the table.
Thanksgiving Morning
- Prepare stuffing, cover and refrigerate. My mom is in charge of the stuffing and I don’t have her recipe. We don’t actually stuff the turkey with it.
- Since it’s just the four of us I make a turkey breast in the slow cooker. I use a liner for easy cleanup.
- Clean the turkey. I unwrap the turkey breast and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut off the skin with poultry shears, and discard.
- Salt and pepper the breast liberally. Plop it breast down into the slow cooker. Wash your hands thoroughly!
- Cut up an onion coarsely and push some pieces down next to the turkey and put a few in the rib cavity. Add a stick of butter on top. Pour two cups of white wine over the top. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours. Use a meat thermometer to test doneness – it should register at 170°.
Three Hours Before Dinner
- Start green beans. Again, this is my mom’s job and I don’t have her recipe!
- Make sweet potatoes. This recipe is my go to! Maple Pecan Sweet Potatoes
Two Hours Before Dinner
- Make mashed potatoes. This is how I do mine. Very Best Mashed Potatoes
30 Minutes Before Dinner
- Remove the turkey from the slow cooker onto a platter. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving.Â
- Make gravy.
- Place side dishes in serving bowls.
- Light Candles
Serve Dinner!
- Serve the wine.
- Set out a pitcher of water.
- Make sure there is salt and pepper on the table.
After Dinner
- Serve dessert.
- Everybody go Black Friday Shopping!
I hope breaking it down step by step makes hosting Thanksgiving seem a little less daunting. Don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of wine and remember that the holidays are about spending time with those you love. Cheers!
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Plaid On Plaid
Now that it’s November I’m ready for all of the plaid and holiday looks! I don’t know when I turned into Buddy The Elf but it seems like every year I’m ready to put up the tree and lights earlier and earlier. I also love plaid but especially for the holidays. Red plaids just seem so cozy. I love layering different plaids and even throwing in some stripes. It’s a fun way to take a basic print and make it interesting.Â
Shop the post: Coat // Scarf // Jeans // Booties // Sunglasses // Bag
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Weekend Recap
Happy Monday everyone! We had a busy weekend so I thought I would recap it here including what I wore.Â
Friday I took a much needed day of from work. I have some vacation days to use up before the end of the year and I just needed a day to run some errands and get my house in order. I am such a nicer person when my house is put together! It felt really good to go into the weekend with a clean, organized home.
Saturday night we went to Pizza Man for dinner. I went to the original Pizza Man with my dad when we came to Milwaukee to find me an apartment. That location burned down but they reopened close to our house a few years ago. It’s so funny to go there with an extra little person now!
Sunday afternoon was Trick-or-Treating in our neighborhood. Margot dressed up like her idol, Elmo. I promise she had more fun that it looks like in this picture! She of course wants to walk and do everything herself these days and did not want to be held for a photo. She was a little too shy to say “Trick-Or-Treat” or “Thank You!” but she had a lot of fun walking up to each house and getting candy. I think at this age Halloween is still more fun for the parents than it is for the kids.
I hope you all had a great weekend and have a fabulous week!
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Holy Hill
We checked another item off of our Fall bucket list this past weekend! It was the peek for fall foliage in the Milwaukee area and I wanted to go somewhere to see all the pretty leaves. We drove out to Holy Hill on Saturday afternoon, which was the perfect place to go for this activity. We got there right at golden hour, and it was beautiful! But also cold and windy. We froze our butts off! I think there were even a few snow flurries. We didn’t take many pictures because our hands were freezing but here are the few we did get if you’d like to see.
Holy Hill is a Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The shrine is located on top of a hill above 400 acres of woods. There is also an observation tower you can climb for stunning views of the fall leaves and the Milwaukee skyline in the distance. It was too windy the day we went, but the hike was beautiful and we still had great views from the base of the shrine. I’m sure we will have many opportunities to go back when the weather isn’t so crazy. How was your weekend?