Holiday Sparkle | Holiday Dress Part 1

With the holidays right around the corner now is a legit time to start planning for all your holiday events and parties.  I swear the good dresses get gone fast.  We actually have quite a few parties this year that I am super excited about.  Last year I had just had Frances Moon so the holidays were a bit of a blur. I didn't attend one party nor could I really indulge in Holiday cocktails since I was nursing.  This year I am ready.

So I bought this dress because of the sequins. I found it online at Nordstrom, their holiday dress collection is pretty awesome, and promptly ordered it.  I have always wanted a sparkly dress, I mean that is what the holidays are for right??  Time to bust out the sequins and shine.  There is a fine line between tacky sequins and good sequins and I like to think this falls in the good category.  Plus ladies it is so stretchy and comfortable, an added bonus while indulging in all the delicious holiday treats.

 French Connection Fit and Flare Sequin Dress | Pumps (on sale) 

Kate Spade Stud Earrings | Nars Gipsy Lipstick

I just love the flirty skirt part.

Since it is stretchy I find that is a super flattering silhouette.

The back has the cutest scoopneck.

My serious face.  I call this my Blue Steel look.

The dress runs TTS.  I am wearing a size 4 for those curious about how it fits.

I think another cute way to wear this dress would be paired with black tights and booties for a more casual look.

This is how excited I am about the holidays and my sequined dress.

(Matt insisted I include this candid picture, it is pretty funny).

If you need a more conservative look for a work event, I really like this classic black dress with the dot details.

|| FC Mona Black Dot Dress

and if you want a real bargain this sequin dress is 40% off but only a few sizes left.

|| Spectucalr Sparkle Dress

Nordstrom has free shipping and returns which makes shopping so much easier.  You can try out several dresses in your own home and send back what doesn't work!  Shop the entire collection of holiday dresses at Nordstrom Here.

A few other favorite holiday dresses with a little sparkle because the Holidays are a great excuse to wear something shiny:)

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom, all thoughts and outfits choices are my own always!

Just Reduced.

A few things just marked down.

The Tory Burch Manda Dress.  Love it, had to order it.  I had been patiently waiting for it to go on sale!

|| TB Manda Dress

The matching horse blouse which I also own is marked down as well.  I am wearing a 4.

|| TB Horse Blouse

The blouse version of my Cora Dress was marked down too.  The pattern is so much more gorgeous in person.  This would be a great blouse that you could wear for work and also on the weekends.

|| Blaise Blouse

The Fringe adjustable shoulder bag is reduced as well.  I really want this and love all the colors.

|| Fringe Shoulder Bag

Nordtrom just started their Clearance Sale. 

These Rag and Bone Newbury Booties are 40% off-I know I blog about the Newbury boots often but they are a favorite of mine and you will not find them cheaper than 40% off.

|| Rag and Bone Newbury Booties

The gray canvas version is also 40%.  I own the tan ones in the canvas style and really like it for a more casual look.

|| Canvas Newbury Booties

If you need a plaid blouse, I just love this Joie version also comes in Navy.  

|| Joie Plaid Blouse

Best Zella leggings ever now 25% off.

|| Zella leggings

I love these Alor bracelets.  I borrow my moms all the time.  They are rarely reduced 40% off so a great time to buy one.  They look so good layered!

|| Alore Infintity Bracelet

 The Pave Bar Version is also 40%.  

|| Alor Pave Bar Bracelet

 

On Saks this Equipment Star Blouse is marked down.  I always love a star print.  It is full price everywhere else.

|| Equipment Star Blouse

 Some fabulous deals, a great time to get a head start on Christmas shopping!

Loaded Potato Dip

I have now made this dip twice in a week.  It's that good.  Plus it is super easy,  it takes like 5 minutes to whip it all together.  Such a great appetizer to bring to a party, would be great for football watching too.  I served ours with Ruffles Potato Chips, but someone commented on my instagram that they serve theirs with waffle fries and I think that is a genius idea.   This seriously tastes like a loaded potato and what is not to love about that??   Bacon + Sour Cream + Cheese = a damn good combo. Try not to eat it by the spoonful I dare you!!

Enjoy!

|| L O A D E D  P O T A T O   D I P ||

- 1 16 oz Sour Cream

- 1 8oz block of cheddar cheese grated ( I prefer to grate my own cheese I like the texture better and think it tastes better)

- 8 pieces bacon cooked and crumbled

- 4 green onions chopped

- handful of chives chopped

- 1 tablespoon hot sauce

- salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together, save a little bit of the bacon, cheese, chives, and onions to garnish with.  Best if it can sit in the fridge a few hours before you serve it.

Obsessions

|| French Connection Ali Gator Dress ||

I am convinced I need this dress for the holidays.    The gator print, color, and style make me swoon.

|| IRO Booties ||

These booties are out of my budget but a girl can dream.   They are gorgeous!!

|| Cooper and Ella Tie Neck Blouse ||

The girls at Cooper and Ella were sweet enough to send me this blouse and I adore it.  Great for work or play.  Their blouses are a great price point too.

|| Riller and Fount Adeline Tunic ||

This is a great tunic to pair with leggings.  I own a few Riller and Fount pieces and they are so soft and versatile.

|| Nest Holiday Candle ||

This is hands down my favorite holiday candle.  I am not ashamed to admit I put mine out this weekend and lit it.  Ready for everything Christmas.  It smells amazing.

 || Tory Burch in Color Coffee Table Book ||

This is on my Christmas list, such a gorgeous coffee table book.

|| Joie Odette Silk Blouse ||

I am loving this new Joie Blouse.  It comes in such pretty colors!

|| See By Chole Bucket Bag ||

I am kind of loving the fact that bucket bags are making a comeback.  This is my favorite version I have seen.  The color and gold hardware are just perfect.

|| Equipment Cara Cami ||

If you need a camisole for layering this is a great one. Comes in nude and black.  Great alone in the summer or so cute under a cardigan or leather jacket as well.

|| In the Flow Crop ||

These are my new favorite workout pants.  The material is fabulous and they sit higher up and suck you in, plus the colors are awesome.

|| JCrew Fringe Pendnant ||

I have been all about long necklaces lately.  This one is stunning. I like the vintage feel of it and the gold would go with everything!  Extra 30% off right now too!

Lastly Saks just did some major markdows- it is worth taking a browse.  My Rag and Bone Nicole Long Sleeve Tee was marked down.  This is the long sleeve version of the tank one I loved and I have been wearing this one non-stop.  A great buy.

||Nicole Tee 

The acid wash V-Neck version of the Rag and Bone Tee is also reduced 40% off.  I wear mine at least once a week.  I am wearing a small in both shirts.

|| Rag and Bone Classic V Acid Wash Tee

 Also reduced is the striped Miller Tee.  Another favorite of mine (I know so many favorites but I swear by Rag and Bone Tees, they are my go to casual wear).  Wearing a small.

|| Miller Tee

Scenes From Our Weekend

I can't believe is November already.  I can feel myself starting to get stressed out thinking about planning Thanksgiving which we host every year, Frances Moon's birthday party which is two days after Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping.  I have mucho to do in these next few weeks.

We had a fantastic weekend.  It was cold in Charleston, like really cold Saturday but I loved it!!

It was fun that Halloween fell on a Friday this year.  We always go over to our good friends house and trick or treat over there.  They close down the streets and have a big carnival.  Its such a fun tradition.  The kids had a blast.

While I was in Charlotte I bought a new piece of furniture for our dining room. I found the piece at a Consignment Store called Clearing House, if you live in Charlotte check it out they get some awesome pieces in.   I had so much fun styling it, although I think it still needs some tweaking.

I also found a new light for my dining room at Lowes of all places.  It was more the sputnik look I was going for.

 This is so typical I buy something then find something I like better.  But I have a solution the West Elm light will go in Sterling's room,  his light fixture is so old and dim so the light will look great in there.  Hoping to have them both installed this week with pictures to come.

I tried out two recipes out of the new Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, Make It Ahead.  The cookbook is a real winner, I highly recommend it.  Both recipes were amazing and easy, I will be making them again.

Parmesan Kale Chips | Peas With Pancetta

My Rag and Bone Hunter boots arrived and I have to say I love them.  I wore them Saturday,  they were perfect for the yucky weather.  They are still on sale with a few sizes left.

Hunter Rainboots  (also in Burgunday on sale)

Took some hilarious pics of the kids.

Our new gas station blankets came in handy this weekend with all the cold weather.  They washed and dried perfectly.

 Basically wore the same outfit all weekend. Gotta love lululemon- cute even when you are not working out!

Jacket | Pants

Monday.