Holiday Gift Guide with Francesca's

Francesca's is quickly becoming one of my favorite stores to shop at. I find myself looking at their website almost everyday to see what is new! So needless to say I have been putting together a little wishlist for the Holidays coming up.

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1. This cape is incredible. I first saw it in the store and completely fell in love with it. I have been looking for one for the longest time ad I think I have finally found the one. This would make an amazing gift for one of your best friends as well.

2. Cute Christmas tree earrings for an early Christmas gift exchange. Perfect to wear on Christmas.

3. I love candles that not only smell good but also look good sitting there. You could use the jar after the candle is all burnt up too.

4. You can't go wrong with a thick, chunky cardigan. Perfect for lounging around while watching the snow fall outside.

5. A gold deer head for your wall. Yes.

6. I am all about the dainty necklaces, even more so ones that have leaves and flowers on them. So perfect.

7. Can this scarf be any better? A red plaid, blanket scarf to keep you warm while out searching for that perfect Christmas tree.

8. This purse is so perfect! Just the right size and I love that it is not all the same material. It has detail without being to showy.

9. While I do love the dainty necklaces,  I can't resist this black statement one.

10. I love the subtle bee in the middle of this watch! Just enough to make you do a double take!

All of these items would make perfect gifts this year for your friends and family. The stores will be closed Thanksgivng, but be sure to keep your eye on Francesca's website Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday! I heard there are going to be some amazing deals you won't want to miss out on! I just might have to snatch up that cape, the scarf and those adorable Christmas Tree earrings myself :)

This post was sponsored by Francesca's but all opinions are my own. 

Party Party!

Today I turn 25 years old! Ive been reminded more than once already today that I am now a quarter of a century old… So, yeah. So of course I had to wear my favorite skirt for this occasion and visit this amazing conservatory in Seattle. Sadly it was closed, but opens in a couple weeks all decorated for the holidays. I cannot wait to go back for that! Im off to enjoy my unplanned day and then dinner at the Pink Door tonight!
Hope you all have the best day!

Outfit Details

Skirt || Francescas

Sweater ℅ Francescas

Top || H&M

Flats || Target

Belt || Anthropologie

Photos by Brent

Bulb Planting 101

Its a little early to start thinking about Spring gardening but that is exactly what I want you to do right now! If you want those daffodils, tulips or hyacinths in your yard next year then now is the time to plant them. Go to any gardening, home improvement or general home store and they will most likely have a wide array of bulbs to choose from. I love just going and looking at them. And bulbs, I think, are A LOT easier to plant and take care of then other flowers in the spring and summer. So go and get yourself some new bulbs, follow these easy instructions and watch them come up next spring!

Choosing the Right Bulbs

If you get your bulbs from a big store, then the bulbs are most likely in a bags of 10-50, depending on what variety you choose, so you won't get to choose the actual bulbs you want. But if you go to a specialty garden store then you might get to choose the bulbs yourself. If this is the case, you want to choose the largest and firmest bulbs. These bulbs generally produce more flowers then small and mushy  ones. 

Where & When to Plant

Most bulbs do well in full sun areas but you are going to want to check the package yours comes in to make sure. Choose a location that has well drained soil. You don't want the bulb to get mushy and moldy from sitting in water that cannot drain. It is also important to plant at the right time of the year. You want to give the bulbs enough time to establish roots before the cold winter hits. Again check your specific variety for times. 

Planting Directions

• Different bulbs get planted at different depths, so look on the packaging for specific directions. 
• Dig the hole at the correct depth and place the bulb with the pointy side up. The pointy side is where the plant will grow from and you may notice that bulb will already have some roots growing from the other side. 
• You want to stop the weeds from growing around it. Weeds will take water and other nutrients away from your flower. So weed the area, then place some mulch on top of the soil to prevent more weeds from emerging. 
• Last but certainly not least, water, water, water. The bulb can only get established in the area if there is water to feed it. 

                                                                                   Journal Notes

• Plant them in groups to make more of an impact. 
• To get a more naturalized look, toss them in the area you want to plant and plant them where they land, rather than planting them in rows. 
• If you live in an area with pesky squirrels, after you plant the bulbs place some chicken wire on top of them so that the squirrels can't dig them up. Once winter is in full swing, you should be able to remove the wire and not have to worry about them. 
• If you don't dig the bulbs up year after year (you don't have to!) you will get more and more flowers popping up without planting anymore bulbs. They like to multiply but not in an invasive way! My favorite! 

Before it is too late, get those bulbs in the ground now! You are going to be happy you did come Spring! :) 

Have fun choosing your flowers, thats always the best part.

Good luck!

xo

Fall Layers

And so it begins. Wearing sweaters over my favorite summer dresses. I actually like wearing dresses more in the fall and winter than in the summer because of the layering that I can do. I love the look of tights and socks and sweater and scarfs all in the same outfit. It may be a little much but its cozy. I would also like to add more winter coats to my closet this season because when it gets really cold out, that really all anybody is going to see, my coat. So it better be a good one! I am actually just a little jealous that the some parts of the country are seeing snow already.. Just a little…

Outfit Details

Dress & Sweater || Forever 21

Tights, Socks & Hat || Target

Boots || Kenneth Cole

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Thanksgiving is in just a few short weeks and whether you are hosting at your place or going somewhere else, a floral arrangement would make a good centerpiece for your own table or a perfect hostess gift. It might sound a bit intimidating to make your own arrangement, but I promise its not as bad as it sounds!

You are going to need a vase or two, floral wire and water proof floral tape (you can find these at any craft store), wire cutters, floral clippers and of course your choice of flowers. I chose to work with Eucalyptus, Rose hips, Hypericum, yellow and purple Mums, and Sunflowers. You can find flowers at your grocery store, your closest wholesale flower market during public hours, or go to your florist and buy single stem flowers.

Step by Step

• Begin by washing out your vase and clippers and prep your florals by removing all of the leaves. This will make the arranging go a lot faster.
• Ball up a portion of the wire and place it in your vase. Secure it in place with the tape. 
• Start with your chosen foliage to make a base. Cut the stems to size and remove all of the leaves that would be in the water. Keep on adding the foliage until you have a good base. 
• Next I go in with my textural elements like the rose hips and hypericum. You can place those wherever you want. I usually like to have some berries hanging over the edge in front and high off to the side. But really, put them anywhere you want. 
• Then I pick out my showiest flower and place that right in front but not center, just off to the side.  Then start putting in my smaller flowers around it. I like to group the same flowers in three's so that they show up more and make more of a statement. 
• When you have those key pieces in place, fill in with the rest of your flowers and add more rose hips and hypericum. 
• Place on your table and enjoy!

Things to keep in mind

• You don't want any leaves in the water or on the flower stems. Leaves in the water will make it dirtier faster and leaves left on stems will take water away from the flower heads. 
• Place your vase on a box so that it is more level with you. This will make it a whole lot easier!
• Step back often to look at your arrangement from a distance and from a different perspective. 
• Don't make it to high. If it is a centerpiece you want to be able to see over it to see across the table. 
• Most importantly, if you don't like your finished product, take everything out and start over. Its OK! I had to do that this time. I just didn't like the first one I made, at all. I hesitated taking everything out and am so glad I did. So really, its ok to start completely over. You will find also that it goes by a lot faster. 

I hope this helps you out and gives you the little push and confidence to make your own arrangement. If you do, let me know how it goes! Just remember, practice makes perfect. Don't be discouraged by the first arrangement you make. It will get easier. 

Thanks for reading!

xo

Nancy Drew

I bought this dress within about 15 minutes of finding it on the Ruche website. That NEVER happens. I usually find something I like, think about it for a bit, go back and look at it a couple more times, think some more, then order. I just instantly fell in love with it. I also feel a bit like Nancy Drew wearing it, which is never a bad thing. I kind of wish I went as her for Halloween now. I loved reading those books when I was younger and not going to lie, sometimes got a little scared reading them at night, in bed with just my lamp on. Every fall I want to get one back out to reread. Maybe I will now, after I get done solving the mystery of the old clock in my house…

Outfit Details

Dress || Ruche

Boots || Target

Tights & Sweater || Old

A Few of My Favorite Things

Awhile ago I printed out a bunch of my Instagram photos and just had them in a pile on my table. I didn't quite know what to do with them. I didn't want to put them in a box because I knew they would never be looked at. So I got this perfect little 4x4 photo album. Im in LOVE! It is so perfect and so much better than just having your photos laying around. And plus everyone loves flipping through photo albums right?

I mentioned this boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil before and I love it so much I'm mentioning it again. If you are still removing your makeup with towels, stop. This has changed everything. This Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Wine with Everything, is so perfect for right now. It is the perfect combination of red and berry. And this Buxom blush in Shangri-La-La is my favorite fall one. Berry toned with some shimmer.

And last but not least this amazing skirt. I love everything about it and really just want to wear it everyday. I am now on the hunt for more colors and am loving this black one from Ruche.