brand new you

Lulus Brand New You Sequin Long Sleeve Body-Con Minidress in SILVER.

The Serena van der Woodsen vibes are strong with this one.

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NOTD: NAILS INC. Girl King Nail Polish in Bosses Be Like

Two coats of NAILS INC. Girl King Nail Polish in Bosses Be Like. Rose Gold Metallic.

Can we just take a moment to bow down to this total b-o-s-s? Like seriously!

Bosses Be Like is a romantic rose gold metallic that legit gives new meaning to the term neutral. Babes, this color is phenomenal! It applies like a dream {no brushstrokes here}, and catcches the light like whoa! This beauty is long-lasting, fast dry, and an absolute essential for your collection - especially as we approach NYE. Get. It. Ladies!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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happy christmas angels!

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

—Calvin Coolidge
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BOOK REVIEW: The Paper Bag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne

"Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart’s possessing returns to you glad."
John Greenleaf Whittier
Kevin Alan Milne's The Paper Bag Christmas has held a spot on my Kindle Wish List for the last year or so, and I so wish I would have added it to my download list sooner because this one...y'all, this one made me cry. We're talking tears-streaming-down-my-face-snotty-nose cry. Though simple in its words; this tale has such a powerful message that our world needs now more than ever. Trust.

Nine-year-old Molar "Mo" Alan and his eleven-year-old brother, Aaron, are convinced that they're too old to believe in Santa Claus. Nevertheless, that doesn't stop them from adding anything and everything to their Christmas lists while waiting in line to see the mall Santa Claus the day after Thanksgiving. The two boys, however, are quickly informed by the mall Santa that they will be receiving none of the items on their hastily scrawled wish lists. Why? Because the mall Santa just so happens to be one Dr. Chris K. Ringle, a pediatric oncologist who has an important job for Mo and Aaron for the holidays: to volunteer in the children's ward acting as his personal elves.

Though the two boys will be visiting all of the children in the ward; each has been given a special assignment. Aaron will buddy up with Madhu, a boy on the organ transplant list who is fast-talking and insatiably curious about Christmas due to the fact that he, himself, is not Christian. Despite his lack of knowledge, Madhu is determined to play a Wise Man in the hospital pageant, and will stop at nothing to succeed.

Mo's charge, however, is a little more difficult. Katrina is a vibrant yet lonely girl who has been severely scarred after multiple surgeries, resulting in her hiding beneath a paper bag, refusing to allow anyone to see who she is. It is up to Mo to bring her out of her solitude, befriending her, and helping her to see the true spirit of Christmas at work.

This is a very quick read, but one that will remain with you long after the final page is turned. Character-driven and brimming with Christmas beauty, The Paper Bag Christmas will become a cherished, read-every-year tome for families. Never preachy or lecture-fueled, The Paper Bag Christmas espouses the importance of kindness, compassion, love, and friendship in the face of differences; while bring forth the fact that the gift of love and friendship is far more important than receiving the hottest new video game or toy for the holidays. Bravo Mr. Milne; I look forward to sharing this one with my family for years to come.


Star Rating: *****


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NOTD: OPI Holiday 2021 Celebration Nail Lacquer Collection in Paint the Tinseltown Red

One coat of OPI Holiday 2021 Celebration Nail Lacquer Collection in Paint the Tinseltown Red. Holographic Red with Red and Silver Metallic Flecks.

Y'all, I don't typically go gaga over reds; but this bad boy right here slays. See what I did there?

Paint the Tinseltown Red is a dreamy red holo that isn't your classic Christmas creme; yet still manages to bring all of the festive to your fingertips! This one was so easy breezy to work with. One coat and you. are. golden. Highly recommend this beauty for soiree season!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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run free

Free People Run Free Print Shirt in CHOCOLATE COMBO.

Feeling all swoony over this cutie!

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Essie Winter Market 2021 Nail Lacquer Mini 4-Pack Swatches + Review

Y'all, I have had zero Essie in my life this year; so when I spotted the Winter Market 2021 Nail Lacquer Mini 4-Pack at Ulta you best believe I snatched that bad boy up in 2.3 seconds. Does it contain new shades? Negative; but it does contain four shades that were new to me, and totally necessary for my collection. Plus, they happen to be perfect for the holidays. Enjoy!

Off Tropic is a Grove Green Creme. The polish world is seriously slacking when it comes to green polishes, but this beauty def makes up for it! Off Tropic is a lush grove green creme that will add a little holly jolly to your holidays. Y'all, this bad boy is a one. coat. wonder. NGL, it's a teensy tiny bit flirty with cuticles; but as long as you wipe the brush on the lip of the bottle well-enough, it's easy to control. The shine here is unreal, and will make your tips the talk of the town. Highly recommend if you're looking for something diff this December! This is 1 coat.

Wicked is an Oxblood Creme. Le sigh. Y'all, this color is so. good. Wicked is a deep, dark, sinister oxblood creme that is legit mandatory for your winter polish rotation. Babes, this beauty is 100% opaque in one coat and lasts through everything! Craft projects, holiday decorating, cooking...you name it and it is a survivor. Bonus: I experienced zero staining upon removal, so this one is a winner for sure! This is 1 coat.

Blanc is a White Creme. Is it even winter if you're not rocking white creme polish on your tips? Blanc is a brilliant white creme that makes me think of all of the winter things {sleigh rides, marshmallows, snow}. There's just something about a white mani that is all things dreamy and magical and perfect! This one applies beautifully and lasts. for. days. Bonus: my second grade babes complimented the color so. many. times. Thus, total winner! This is 2 coats.

Summit of Style is a Gold Glitter in a Clear Base. Swoon...so in love with this playful topper for December! Summit of Style is a gorgeous gold glitter in a clear base loaded with both hexagonal glitter pieces and microglitter. Though it could easily be worn on its own; to give it a Rudolph vibe I layered it over OPI's aint the Tinseltown Red which proved to be a stellar combo! This one is a total glitter bomb that applies evenly, without requiring manual manipulation of the glitter pieces. Grab this one if you're seeking a little extra sparkle! This is 1 coat. 

  AVAILABILITY: Ulta. 

  PRICE: $12.99 for the 4PC Mini Set; $9.00 for each full-size bottle.


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NOTD: Essie Nail Polish Collection in Off Tropic

One coat of Essie Nail Polish Collection in Off Tropic. Grove Green Creme.

The polish world is seriously slacking when it comes to green polishes, but this beauty def makes up for it!

Off Tropic is a lush grove green creme that will add a little holly jolly to your holidays. Y'all, this bad boy is a one. coat. wonder. NGL, it's a teensy tiny bit flirty with cuticles; but as long as you wipe the brush on the lip of the bottle well-enough, it's easy to control. The shine here is unreal, and will make your tips the talk of the town. Highly recommend if you're looking for something diff this December!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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carrie

WAYF x Emma Rose Carrie Sequin Long Sleeve Minidress in BERRY.

An all sequin dress? I'll take it!

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NOTD: OPI Downtown LA Nail Lacquer Collection in Art Walk in Suzi's Shoes

Two coats of OPI Downtown LA Nail Lacquer Collection in Art Walk in Suzi's Shoes. Crimson Red Creme.

Babes, I have found the only red you need for the holiday season!

Art Walk in Suzi's Shoes is a charming crimson red creme that was 100% made for the holidays. This beauty is rich and creamy with a TDF formula that applies like a dream, dries in minutes, and lasts forever. True story. I wore this polish for over a week, including five days spent in a classroom with second graders completing multiple art projects, and experienced zero chips or tipwear. Highly recommend for the holidays and beyond!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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BOOK REVIEW: Twelve Slays of Christmas {A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery} by Jacqueline Frost

NGL, I have struggled with finding the Christmas spirit for the last few years now, so I'm always on the hunt for a book that will add a little merry to my step. Enter Jacqueline Frost's Twelve Slays of Christmas: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery. This one appeared on my radar a few weeks before Thanksgiving for $1.99 {gotta love those Kindle deals!} and I loved every second of it. You guys...this literally made me so excited for Christmas!

Despite hailing from Mistletoe, Maine, twenty-six-year-old Holly White is not experiencing a holly jolly Christmas. With less than two weeks left until her Christmas Eve wedding in Portland, Holly's fiance cancels their nuptials {having been swayed by a bendy yoga instructor}, sending her packing back to Mistletoe to mend her broken heart with a little help from her parents at their Christmas tree farm, Reindeer Games. Not to mention a large dose of snickerdoodles, peppermints, and rich cocoa from the Hearth...the very location where all of Holly's troubles begin.

As Holly's family gears up for the Twelve Days of Christmas event, wherein the entire town of Mistletoe, along with out-of-towners, converge on Reindeer Games for shopping, games, and sweets leading up to Christmas Day, unheard of tragedy strikes the charming town. After an altercation with Holly's father at the Hearth, Margaret Fenwick, President of the Mistletoe Historical Society, is found bludgeoned to death. Her body left in a sleigh display on Reindeer Games' property. The murder weapon? A wooden stake used to identify trees at the farm.

The first murder Mistletoe has experienced in 40 years, Holly's father, Bud, is the prime suspect, and Holly is not having it! Reeling from her recent breakup, Holly resolves to clear her father's name and bring the true murderer to justice. An investigative feat that places her toe-to-toe with Sheriff Evan Gray, a handsome newcomer to Mistletoe hailing from Boston who vows to keep Holly safe at all costs. But as Holly continues her line of questioning with the residents of Mistletoe, she finds herself moving towards the murderer's naughty list. If she doesn't solve this mystery soon, she just might not make it to Christmas Day.

Oh, how I loved this one! The characters within the pages of Twelve Slays of Christmas really drive the story, and keep you captivated. Sheriff Evan Gray is charming and someone you'd love to find standing under the mistletoe. Holly, though she oftentimes acts younger than her twenty-six years, making her come off as a Nancy Drew-esque character, is BFF material, and someone you would love to make jewelry with IRL. Then there's Cookie and Caroline, and their fondness for cupcakes, cocoa, and other sweets; not to mention Holly's adorable parents, and a slew of other characters you wish you would encounter in the everyday. I will admit that I pinpointed the killer very quickly; but Frost peppered the story with enough red herrings to keep you guessing. A truly charming tale to be devoured by a roaring fireplace in your coziest pjs, a steaming mug of cocoa in hand. I cannot wait to pick-up book two, Twas the Knife Before Christmas!


Star Rating: *****


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OPI Downtown LA Fall 2021 Nail Lacquer Mini 4-Pack Swatches + Review

So...I legit dragged my feet in buying OPI's Downtown LA Fall 2021 Nail Lacquer Mini 4-Pack because the colors didn't look too intriguing; but I am so glad I pulled the trigger because this quartet literally became one of my favorite polish purchases of 2021...not to mention that it was phenomenal for all of November!

Espresso Your Inner Self is a Coffee Brown Creme. Ladies, I have said it before and I'll say it again...there are not enough brown polishes in the nail world, and I am so glad that I caught this cutie before Thanksgiving! Espresso Your Inner Self is a scrummy coffee brown creme that gives you the perfect shot of energy on sight. This is a nice middle ground if you're not daring enough for black, but want something more unique than deep blue or red. The formula here was brilliant. Easy application, fast dry, and zero chips despite how many times I use my tips for a variety of tasks. Highly recommend for Turkey Day! This is 2 coats.

Metallic Composition is a Rose Gold Shimmer. 'Tis the season for girly shimmers! Y'all, I live for shimmers during the winter season and this one is so. good. Metallic Composition is a romantic rose gold shimmer that literally screams ice-skating-and-cocoa-in-the-park date, amiright?! The formula here is so brill! It's not streaky, it applies flawlessly, and I didn't see a single chip or signs of wear for all of the 8 days that I wore it. It even survived helping 140 second graders make thumbprint turkeys, and that's saying something. Grab this one fast ladies! This is 2 coats.

Art Walk in Suzi's Shoes is a Crimson Red Creme. Babes, I have found the only red you need for the holiday season!Art Walk in Suzi's Shoes is a charming crimson red creme that was 100% made for the holidays. This beauty is rich and creamy with a TDF formula that applies like a dream, dries in minutes, and lasts forever. True story. I wore this polish for over a week, including five days spent in a classroom with second graders completing multiple art projects, and experienced zero chips or tipwear. Highly recommend for the holidays and beyond! This is 2 coats.

Abstract After Dark is a Blue Purple Shimmer. Le sigh...I do love a vampy blurple shimmer for the holidays. Abstract After Dark is a sultry blue purple shimmer reminiscent of OPI's iconic Lincoln Park After Dark with the bonus of...sophisticated glimmer. This one showed signs of tipwear on a few of my fingers within 24-hours; however, aside from that, it held up well for the week that I wore it. Bonus: one of my students complimented it a week after wear. With a 7-year-old's seal of approval you know it's a w-i-n-n-e-r. Recommended for all of your chic soirees this season! This is 2 coats. 

  AVAILABILITY: Target. 

  PRICE: $16.99 for the 4PC Mini Set; $10.50 for each full-size bottle.


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