And just like that, the holiday season is in full swing! We drove back from my parents’ house yesterday and as much as I wanted to do Black Friday justice when we got home, I didn’t get any holiday shopping done other than a few things for myself: a sculptural watering carafe, four smokey glass cordial glasses, and a flirty black skirt. I’m hoping that I can find a few gifts today during the Small Business Saturday festivities downtown. And then, we’d like to buy our Christmas tree! I can’t wait to cozy in with spiked eggnog and a holiday record as we decorate the tree.

Weekend Reading:

• Tips to create the perfect cheeseboard.
• Combat chapped lips with a gentle exfoliant.
• I’m excited to see the new film adaptation of the Murder on the Orient Express and loved reading this piece on Agatha Christie’s likely inspiration for the book.
• Do we need to let traditional retail die in order to save the industry?
• Small boutiques that have great online shops.
• This handpainted ornament is a gorgeous gift to hand on hand for unexpected holiday gifting. (This keyring is a great alternative for guys.)
• Tips on lighting your Christmas tree. (Although, I’ve never started stringing lights from the bottom. You?)
• The origins and escalation of the holiday shopping season.
• A look at Chanel muses throughout the years.
• Twenty-three ways to use up all of your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Five Under $50:

• Use code THANKU on this cozy sweater.
• Sparkly cluster earrings.
• A faux fur scarf with colorful stripes.
• A modern marble candle holder.
• A sleek envelope clutch.

Sales to Shop:

• Ann Taylor – 50% off everything with code GOPINK
• Anthropologie – 30% off everything
• ASOS – 30% off everything with code EPIC30
• Banana Republic – 50% off all BR merchandise
• Coach – 30% off with code THANKS17
• Cult Gaia – 20% off your purchase with code VERYRARE
• Gap – 50% off everything
• J.Crew – 40% off and free shipping with THANKU
• Kate Spade – 30% off sitewide through Sunday with code GIVEJOY
• Lele Sadoughi – 25% off sitewide
• LOFT – 50% off sitewide
• Lulu and Georgia – 25% off everything
• Madewell – 25% off your purchase with code DONTSTRESS
• Nordstrom – Extra 20% off select sale
• Rejuvenation – Buy more save more with discounts starting at 15% off a purchase of $100
• Tory Burch – 30% off a purchase of $250 or more
• West Elm – Buy more save more with discounts starting at 15% off a purchase of $100

Earlier This Week:

• An easy outfit for “nothing-to-wear” days.
• Luxe gifts under $50. (I can’t tell you how much I love the candle holders! Plus, they’re 15% off with free shipping this weekend!)

 

Who else is planning to eat like a bird this weekend to offset any damage by pigging out on Thanksgiving? 😉 Seriously, though, can you believe that next week is already Thanksgiving and the official start of the holiday season? I’ve been listening to Christmas music and starting to pull out some decorations, but it still feels a little early despite how excited I am. As far as this weekend is concerned, we have some house projects to work on (as always), we’re going to tailgate for the Badger football game tomorrow morning, and we’re having friends over on Sunday. I got an early start on the house projects on Friday afternoon when I swapped out the ugly beige outlets in our bathroom for one white ones. However, I didn’t realize that the correct breaker wasn’t turned off to one of the outlets. That was a bit of a shock, quite literally! Here’s hoping the rest of the weekend isn’t as electric!

Weekend Reading:

• I absolutely adore Gordon Ramsay. When this video popped up on my Facebook feed this morning, I was giggling so loudly that I woke Dave up. In it, Gordon stands back-to-back with an amateur cook and walks him through the process of making crab cakes.
• Jay Z had a rap battle with Busta Rhymes in high school.
• Six things to know before getting your brows microbladed.
• I’m loving this bag from a new-to-me brand.
• The most iconic costumes from Downton Abbey will be on exhibit.
• I came across this place card idea on Pinterest. It would be so easy to pull off for your Thanksgiving table next week. Order these wood slices with Amazon Prime, write each person’s name on one, and you’re done.
• Don’t limit your Thanksgiving leftovers to just sandwiches! Try one of four impressive-looking recipes instead.
• A peek at Van Cleef & Arpels’ jaw-dropping, Noah’s Ark-inspired installation.
• Get a start on your 2018 travel plans with inspiration from the world’s most colorful cities.
• Men are now more likely than women to “marry up.”

Five Holiday Gifts Under $100

• Pineapple bookends for the glam bookworm.
• Inexpensive yet chic kitchen towels for the cook.
• A luxe candle set for the homebody.
• A sweet little doll for the girl on your list.
• A macramé plant hanger for the green thumb.

Five under $50:

• With 40% off  your purchase and an extra 10% off on top of that, this merino turtleneck is a great basic to have on hand for winter to wear on its own or layered.
• No one would blame you if you bought this beauty set for the packaging alone.
• A cozy sweater dress with bell sleeves.
• I bought a set of these appetizer plates for Christmas. Aren’t they the cutest?
• An oversize sweater embellished with faux pearl beads.

Earlier This Week:

• Coveting red, white, and blue for winter. (And I just bought the hiking boots — they’re fantastic!)
• Five ways to stay sane this holiday season.
• Sharing two recipes from the author of the new cookbook, Pantry and Palate.

***
image source

I ordered this dress (on sale here) and these boots earlier this week, and provided they both work out, I’m putting my credit card on lock down when it comes to purchases for myself. Everything that pulls at my heartstrings over the next month and a half will find its way to my holiday wish list to we’ll see if Santa is feeling generous! It’s kind of fun to make that switch to the holidays, isn’t it?

Speaking of which, I’m unbelievably excited for the holiday season this year, especially when it comes to decorating our first house. In fact, I’ve already been sneaking decorations out of storage! We have a few projects we’d like to tackle this weekend before it gets too cold; I’d like to put some Christmas lights on the house so we’re not risking frostbite in a few weeks, my parents are going to be here to drop off a snowblower for us, and Dave’s dad is going to help install a garage door opener. I hope your weekend is more relaxing than ours will be!

Weekend Reading:

• A persuasive argument as to why you should get a silly winter coat.
• I put together a 101 in 1,001 list awhile back, but never did stay motivated to tackle everything. Jessica’s list is inspiring me to make one again!
• Deborah Lloyd is leaving Kate Spade.
• I’m pretty sure I need this faux fur stole to wear with my green winter coat throughout the holiday season.
• How to gracefully avoid a few awkward holiday situations.
• What’s the best insulated bottle for keeping your drink hot or cold?
• Eight tips for a stress-free Thanksgiving.
• Joshua Tree wasn’t on my must-visit list until I read this weekend guide.
• The newest Slip silk sleep mask comes in an adorable lip print! It’s a luxe gift option for the glam gal on your holiday shopping list, the homebody, or yourself.
• Four signs that it’s time to leave your company.

Five Under $50:

• This silk scarf is, well, très chic!
• Target has free shipping on all orders now through Dec. 23. I just ordered this ornament to commemorate the year we purchased our first house.
• Feather earrings for the holidays.
• I’m eager to try on this super-soft striped tee.
• If you’d love to try a leopard coat this season, but aren’t crazy about the price tag of most, try this one!

Earlier This Week:

• I’m crazy about my new winter coat!
• Eyeing up black and white.
• Buying art as a couple takes some compromising.
• Winter boots really can be chic!

***
image via Unsplash

Happy Halloween weekend! We are beyond excited for our first holiday in the house, so much so that we’re going to leave work early on Tuesday so we don’t miss a single Trick-or-Treater! We have some last-minute prep work to do this weekend, though, including pumpkin carving and finishing our costumes. (We’re going as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. It’s an easy somewhat-last-minute couple’s costume to pull off!) We’re also toying with the idea of getting a case of mini beer cans or bottles for the adults. (Why should the kids have all the fun?) What are you up to this weekend?

Weekend Reading

• Celebrate the return of Stranger Things with these viewing party ideas. (Assuming you haven’t binge-watched the entire season yet!)
• I know we’re all conditioned (pun!) to use conditioner, but I’m in the no-conditioner camp. It makes my hair look sad and limp.
• Halloween didn’t always have treats.
• Sorel teamed up with Chloe to make a pair of ultra chic snow boots. I’m bummed they’re already sold out!
• How to get your home ready for a dinner party. (Our house has such a good flow between the living room, dining room, and deck. We’re hoping that we’ll have these areas at a good point next year to host a holiday gathering or two!)
• Seeing Alicia Silverstone revisit her iconic plaid ensemble from Clueless made my day.
• An off-the-shoulder sweater is an unexpectedly sexy way to get cozy. (Here’s another great option if that one sells out in your size. It looks like it’s popular!)
• Is it time for Bacon to have his own bedroom furniture? Would that make me too much of a crazy cat lady?
• This clear pumpkin pie is waiting for its Instagram moment. (There’s even a recipe for it!)
• These are on my wish list for fall.

Five Under $50

• Can you believe this chic mini bag is only $27?!
• I’m loving the ruffles on this cami. (You could easily dress up the black one for the holidays!)
• Wear dark floral palazzo pants with a slinky black cami this holiday season.
• A pretty bell-sleeve top.
• Earrings that look like modern art.

Earlier This Week:

• Baubles on a budget.
• A few items on our radar this month.
• We took Monday and Tuesday off this week and hung out with this guy.
• Bought a new houseplant. (I’m addicted.)
• More weekend links over at Curated Couple.

***
image via Unsplash