Party Girl! (On a Budget!)

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and a successful Black Friday!

With Black Friday comes the start of the holiday season and with the start of the holiday season comes holiday parties!

Who doesn't love all the food, mingling, and pretty outfits a holiday party?

To make your decision of what to wear a little easier, I put together a collage of some of my favorite party pieces. 
And because I know you probably spent way too much money today(it's totally okay...no judgement here), everything on this list is UNDER $100!

Party Girl! (On a Budget!) by aglitzylife featuring satin tops

What will you be wearing this holiday season?

xoxo

Holiday Cookie Recipies

Christmas Eve is usually always spent making cookies.
Every year we look for new recipes to try and make!
So this past weekend, I spent some time on marthastewart.com looking for some different cookies to make.  I wanted to share some of the recipies I found and most definatley will be trying out this holiday!

Giant Ginger Cookies

Chocolate Expreso Snowcaps

Jam Stripe Cookies

Cinnamon-Nut Buns

Basic Sugar Cookies

Black Forest Cookies

Icebox Butter Cookies

Oatmeal Cookies with Salted Peanut Butter Chips
{not from marthastewart.com, but look so yummy!}

What are you favorite cookies?
xoxo

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

DIY Holiday Gifts

So last week I wrote a post about DIY decorating, but today I wanted to share some super easy, super inexpensive DIY gift ideas!

This holiday season I've been trying not to spend a lot of money on presents because I'm saving for a trip (which is super hard!).

However, I don't want this to cause gifts for friends and family to be any less great then I would normally gift.

Lately, I've been seeing great DIY gift ideas on Pinterest and thought I would share them with you guys!

Truffle Hot Chocolate Balls

Make some of these and throw them in a super cute mug and voila - you have the perfect hot chocolate kit!

Candy Sleighs

These are great if you have to make a lot of gifts!  You can even use these if you're giving a gift card as a little something extra.

Candy Cane Sugar Scrub

I love gifting bath stuff.  I feel it's something that people don't usually buy for themselves and really appreciate.  I love how colorful this scrub is!

Cookie Ingredient Jar

I think this is perfect for gifts for co-workers or teachers!  I love the way this is packaged in the jar! 

Have you ever given gifts you made yourself?

xoxo

Sunday Snapshot [12.9.12]

I can't believe how it's December already.  It seems like this year went by so fast!

I'm super excited for Christmas though!  It's without a doubt my favorite, favorite time of year!

I was extremely excited when I started hearing Christmas songs on the radio!  Christmas music always puts me in a cheery, happy mood.

So today I wanted to share my top 10 favorite Christmas/Holiday songs!

What are your favorite holiday songs?

xoxo

DIY Christmas Decor

There's nothing better to do to get into the holiday spirit then a little decorating!  

I love decorating our house for Christmas.  It's just makes me so happy and excited for seeing family, watching christmas movies, and of course the holiday food.

I usually  buy a little tinsel and string on some ornaments, however I saw these cute DIY crafts that I think would be super fun to use as decor!
If you try out any of these crafts let me know!

Ornament Wreath

Love this!  It looks super easy and it looks so much cuter than a plain, regular wreath that everyone else has hanging on their door!

Glitter Fruit

To be completely honest, I love anything glittered.  Glitter is extra essential during the holidays and I think these faux-fruit glitter pears are perfect to put in bowl and display on the kitchen table!

Cranberry Candle

I love the color of cranberries!  I think this would look so pretty at the Christmas dinner table!

Advent Calendar

I just bought an advent calendar, but I think this one is so adorable!  I love how each piece of the calendar is different.

Star Branch Wreath

Another wreath, i think this one is super cool!  All you need are some sticks and a hot glue gun!

How do you decorate for the holidays?

xoxo

Target x Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection 2012

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

So this past weekend I did a little shopping and while walking through the store, I noticed the large amounts of holiday themed merchandise already out on the floors!

It's crazy since it isn't even Halloween yet, let alone Thanksgiving!

I love Christmas though so I don't really mind.  December is my favorite month of the year without a doubt.  It's just such a happy month between holiday shopping, my birthday, and family gatherings!  

Anyway, as many of you probably already know, Target teamed up with the eminent department store, Neiman Marcus, to create a holiday collection being released December 1st.  Tons of well-known designers are participating in this. For example, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, and Diane von Furstenburg are just a few of the established brands.

If you haven't been to Target/tried shopping online when they come out with one of their capsule collections, let me sum it up in one word for you.

Chaos.
Absolute chaos.

I've only gone to the Target closest me, so I can only speak for the people who go there but literally, people act like animals.

Yesterday Target released the look book - to check out the full book click here!

Here are some of the items I'm eyeing - not only for myself but as gifts for friends and family!

Alice and Olivia Luggage $179.99

Brian Atwood Leather Gloves $49.99

Diane von Furstenburg Jewelry Box $49.99

Tory Burch Thermal Drink Container $24.99

So if you are brave enough to face the crazy Target shoppers, make sure to get there early and defiantly wear your running shoes and something comfortable!

xoxo

Fourth of July Food

One of the biggest reasons I always look forward to Fourth of July is for the fun BBQs with friends and family.  I love sitting outside, enjoying the weather and reminiscing about past times.  Whether you are hosting a BBQ at your house or going to one, these treats are sure to be a hit!

Berry Bites - a healthy treat!

Recipe via Lauren Conrad

Fruit and Brownie Kabobs - a cute (and easy!) treat to bring as desert.

Recipe via Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Spangled Sandwich Pops - looks really fun!  I definitely want to try these!

Recipe via Family Fun

Have a Happy Fourth!

xoxo

Valentines Day♥

  I remember the Valentines Day parties we would have in elementary school, where we would build mailboxes, deliver cute cards, and eat cupcakes. I wish I could go back to those days.  Now, Valentines day is a just another uneventful holiday.  Well at least for me.  Although I do have to admit that I love all the chocolates and cute cards that come out this time of year!  While there are a plethora of activities people do on this day, I've put together a few outfits below for some inspiration for certain festivities.  Enjoy!


Valentines Dance
     These are perfect for those valentines day dances at school!

1. Bloomingdales 'Aqua Dress - Strapless Mini'
2. Modcloth.com 'Weave 'Em Breathless Dress'
3. Nordstrom 'Way-In Sequin Skirt One Shoulder Dress'

Date Night/Girls Night Out
     These outfits can easily be worn out to dinner with that special someone or going out with your best girlfriends.

1. Urban Outfitters 'Sparkle & Fade Cold-Shoulder Silk Blouse'; Urban Outfitters 'BDG Ciigarette High-Rise Jean'; Jeffrey Campbell 'Perfect Platform'; Forever 21 'Bow Frame Clutch'

2. Nordstrom 'Frenchi Silk Pocket Shirt'; JBrand '620 Mid-Rise Super Skinny'; Bloomingdales 'Tory Burch Leather Reva Ballet Flat'; Nastygal.com 'Rebecca Minkoff Mini-Mac Clutch'

3. Forever 21 'Tribal Bodycon Dress'; Urban Outfitters 'Silence & Noise Boyfriend Blazer' [also comes in hot pink!!]; Steve Madden 'Kennyya'; Macy's 'BCBGeneration Jacklyn Wallet Clutch'

How will you be spending your Valentines Day?

xoxo

Sunday Snapshot [holiday edition♥]

Hey everyone! 

 With just one week until Christmas, I thoughtI would share with you the things that are inspiring me this holiday season.  I can't wait to celebrate the holidays with everyone and for the holiday break from school!  This week has felt like forever and I'm so glad it's finally over.

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Deborah Lippmann nail laccquer in Happy Birthday!

Absolutely perfect for any occasion. 

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Perfect DIY ornaments to add character to any tree. 

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Obsessed.

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Completely appropriate for the month.

Happy birthday Taylor((&me!))!

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The perfect collage of what December means to me.

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Cutest picture ever.

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Love the boots.

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Love this time of year!

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Special holiday drinks!

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Pure Perfection.

 Have a Joyous and Safe Holiday!

xoxo