Holiday Gift Guide: Cozy Gifts

Another Tuesday means another gift guide! This guide is 100% dedicated to the girls who LOVE to be cozy and cuddled up on the couch. Warm sweaters, throw blankets, cozy socks and so much more - the best part is these are great gifts for just about anyone on your list because they're at all different price points! Here's the best cozy gifts to buy ASAP:

Cyber Monday Sales + What You Can't Miss

Another day, another incredible set of sales! I hope everyone's Thanksgiving weekends were the best - filled with family, friends, lots of relaxation and holiday decorating! Oh, and a little holiday shopping on the side. ;) Black Friday had some incredible sales (some of which are still happening - see that here!) and now Cyber Monday is even better somehow, some way! But can't complain - I'm trying SO hard this year to get all of my shopping done before rush shipping is required, haha! There's a ton of things you have to check out today (and all week - a lot of retailers have turned it into Cyber Week - who could be mad about that??) so get comfortable where ever you may be, and enjoy these sales!

The Best of Black Friday (Weekend) 2017

It's Black Friday and it's time to shop! I rounded up some of the best deals I've seen today - and so many deals are going on for the entire weekend so you have plenty of time to shop them. Update: after 13 hours of shopping today, I'm ready for my couch, Thanksgiving leftovers, QVC tv (it's an addiction on Black Friday! ;) and cozy blankets for some more shopping, ha! Here's what's worth the time in line (or online!) today and through the weekend:

How to Effectively Shop for Black Friday

This whole week is always such a whirlwind, but a FUN and exciting whirlwind! From family time to delicious food and taking the time to slow down, relax and be present - it may seem contradictory to have a day like Black Friday immediately after. However I consider it a part of the weekend, and I know a ton of others do too! It's such a fun and exciting post-turkey-coma day, but it gets really, REALLY overwhelming. Fast. There's a million sales thrown your way, people rushing in and out of stores to get the best deals - and it can be stressful, but if you love to shop it should be really fun. The best part of gift giving is picking out presents for everyone on your list, and seeing that special something in a store and knowing it's perfect for them.
As a marketing grad who loves seeing company strategies, this whole "early Black Friday blowout sale" BS grinds my gears. I don't really know how it benefits stores, but nevertheless the sales have begun to creep in. I still save the sales and shopping for Friday - maybe I just don't like change? Haha! But really, I can't be the only one who hates how it starts earlier and earlier each year right?? I think it should be kept to Friday and Cyber Week! Let Thanksgiving have it's moment, sheesh. Anyway, I like to consider myself a seasoned Black Friday shopper at this point -- I've been going for years, and I just get so much joy out of it! ;) I've tried going at midnight, going at 2 AM, 4 AM, all day Friday... and these tips get me through year after year, and are so important when it comes to conquering Black Friday:

Shopbop Sale Finds: What to Buy for the Holidays (and for yourself!)

Just in time for the holidays, Shopbop launched their Buy More, Save More sale!! It's such a great time for it as we kick off the holiday shopping season and you can get up to 30% off of your purchase when you shop. There's a TON of items on the site on sale, and these picks are the ones you can't miss out on! Things sell quickly during these sales though, so shop while you can!

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for the Hostess

Holiday party season is here, and with all of the craziness that comes with this season, remembering to get a gift or getting a gift you know the party hostess will love is easier said than done! Whether she's a new home owner, in an apartment or condo without limitless room or is the friend who has everything, these ideas should help! They're all ideas you'll want for yourself just as much - good luck not changing the quantity to '2' when you add to cart! ;)

30 Showstopping Thanksgiving Dishes

Thanksgiving week is HERE! I am way too excited for all of the food, drinks (surprise surprise!) and family time we'll be getting to enjoy. I'm pretty sure the best part of Thanksgiving dinner is the side dishes and desserts - there are sooo many recipes to choose from; the traditional, yearly must haves (stuffing, cranberry sauce apple pie...) but then a couple of extra, totally delicious and beautiful dishes too that'll give you the best host award too! ;) Here are 30 totally showstopping side dishes and desserts you can make for Thanksgiving that'll leave everyone in complete awe - both taste wise AND presentation wise:

How to Be Flexible and Make Investments to Grow Your Brand

Thank you to NJ SEO for sponsoring today's post! As always, all thoughts and opinions are solely my own. 

When it comes to your blog and branding, you do everything you can to have an appealing view while still staying true to your mission and what you want your blog to be like. Growth is always the goal, and it's the true key to success - but it often requires being flexible with your growth strategies and taking time to make investments that'll benefit you in the long run! Like most, this industry requires a lot of hustle, constant growth and staying current to trends. Here's some of the most important investments you can (and should!) plan to include in your growth plan:

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for the Wanderluster

As I sit here drinking my peppermint hot chocolate, playing Christmas music and wearing my Santa slippers.... (ha! kidding a little bit ;) I'm so excited because it's officially Holiday Gift Guide season!! One of my favorite series' of the year, and this year there'll be a new guide every single Tuesday up until Christmas. There'll be a variety of different guides to help you shop for everyone on your list, at a variety of price points. I'm kicking off the 2017 season with one of my favorite topics - travel gifts! I know most of us love to travel, and if you have a wanderluster in your life (and/or even want to treat your travel loving self this season) these 14 gift ideas are the perfect place to start:

What to Wear for Thanksgiving Weekend

We are QUICKLY approaching Thanksgiving week... I'm really not sure how that happened so quickly, but I just saw my favorite Christmas commercial (the Hershey kisses/bells one!) and screamed from excitement! Whether your Thanksgiving is low key, you get dressed up or celebrate all weekend long - here's some outfit inspiration for Thanksgiving so you can get to shopping for this year's look:

The Best of the Sephora VIB Sale

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!! The holidays are so close, Taylor Swift's new album just dropped (who else stayed up wayyyy late listening???), Hallmark's cheesy but oh so good Christmas movies are on repeat, and the Sephora VIB sale is HERE! I know the majority of us are VIBs or Beauty Insiders, but if you're VIB Rogue and already shopped, props to you girl - no shame! ;) Ha! I still don't know how I spend enough each year there to be a VIB, but I guess that's what happens when you have an unnecessary addiction to the prettiest palettes and convince yourself you need every matte lippie on the market.
But if we're being honest, 20% off EVERYTHING in Sephora is a ridiculously good deal. Most department stores with the same brands don't even offer this, and being so close to the holidays it really is the best time to take advantage of getting started with your shopping! A little shopping for you, gifts for friends and all the girls in your life - nothing really beats this sale!

The Best Skincare Products to Travel With

Thank you to PRIMP and LaFlore for sponsoring today's post! As always, all opinions are my own.
There's two things I really will never get tired of - traveling, and trying new skincare products. If you've been around here for a while, you know how much I LOVE to try different skincare brands and see what works best, what addresses specific needs the best and which I'd recommend the most. For the most part, I stick to a skincare routine morning and night but this always can become an issue when it comes to traveling. I always take whatever products I'm currently using on trips and the looks I get from airport security sometimes - I tell ya! Ha!
When I started testing out LaFlore's skincare line, I was extremely excited because using it's probiotic technology, it's only a three step process. That's just three bottles to pack in your travel bag - no more struggling to pack 4578 different bottles when you're going on a trip, and that's a huge game changer if you ask me.

5 Foolproof Ways to Beat the Afternoon Slump

By 4-4:30 PM almost every day, all I want to do is jump on the couch and procrastinate every single thing I have left to do that day. Even if it's been a super productive day - I could have been blowing through emails, crossing things off of my to-do list and feeling great about work but there's something that hits the air at the same time most days that just takes your focus and "oomph" right out of it! Instead of reaching for your phone to play your favorite (guilty pleasure) game or aimlessly scroll through Instagram and watch Snapchat stories, try some of my tried and true tips that help me get through the rest of the workday:

Currently Craving: Early Holiday Favorites and Finds

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! November means the holiday season is soon beginning and the holiday shopping season is in full swing, as if you haven't seen all of the commercials already! This month's Currently Craving is sort of random - it has some entertaining finds that are great for this time of year, cozy fall favorites and some early Christmas wish list finds. I'll be kicking off my Holiday Gift Guide series next week and I am SO excited! Until then, here's some fun finds: