Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve is upon us! I have spent most of the day in the kitchen, whipping up one appetizer after another for this evening's annual Hors d'oeuvres Buffet. Pinterest has fueled the fire this year so I have several delicious new additions to add to my usual repetoire.

I refuse to wear seasonal holiday sweaters (unless it is specifically for a Tacky Christmas sweater party... or photoshoot...) but today's outfit gives a nod to the holiday: reindeer T-shirt, red pants and a bow necklace.

Now that daylight is fading away, we are about to pile in to the car and drive around time in search of the best Griswold-esque tacky holiday lights display. Happy Holidays to everyone out there! Whatever your reason for celebrating this season, all of us have our friends and family at its core. With my husband leaving for a military school for 6 months right after New Years, I am going to hug him and everyone else just a little closer and take the time to let them all know how much they mean to me.

Sweater: Old Navy
T-shirt: Old Navy
Pants: Old Navy
Ballet Flats: New York & Company
Necklace: Modcloth
Earrings: New York & Company

Descent In To Plaid-ness

I continue to go plaid!

Today was the eve of Christmas Eve and 85% of it was me sitting in traffic and standing in line while I got the last of the grocery shopping done. It was painful. I decided to reward myself at dinner by cracking open a bottle of Blue Christmas Pinot Noir I found at World Market. Anything Elvis is legit in my book and this wine's cork made my day!

Plaid shirt: Modcloth
Tank: Old Navy
Pants: New York & Company
Boots: Lane Bryant
Necklace: Etsy shop I Adorn U
Bracelets: Claire's Boutique
Sunglasses: Old Navy
Beanie: Target

 

Mad For Plaid

I can't wait for longer days now that we have crossed over Winter Solstice. All my picures lately have been indoors. I leave for work before sunrise and return somewhere around sunset.

Also, I spy a wrapped gift under that tree that I suspect is the camera tripod I asked for. I love my husband-photographer but he always insists on taking shots of my rear end. Don't tell him but he is getting a pink slip from his photography job very soon.

Sweater: Forever 21
Collar necklace: Cato
Tank: Old Navy
Jeans: Forever 21
Boots: Candies via Kohl's

One guess who the photographer was for this one.

I Vote Straight Ticket For The Cocktail Party

Election Day 2012! Susan B. Anthony and the gals worked too hard for us ladies to just sit on our asses and not vote.

Dress: Modcloth
Long sleeved T-shirt underneath: Old Navy
Cable knit tights: Target
Shoes: Blowfish from Shoe Carnival
Trench Coat: New York & Company
I Voted! Sticker: North Carolina State Board of Elections

Wearing red doesn't not necessarily indicate party preference. And, yes, I was asked several times today.

Modcloth's ubiquitous Coach Tour dress. My first Modcloth purchase that started my obsession with their site.

I am such a sucker for tweed!

I just hope today's grey, cold and miserable weather is not an indicator of the next four years

The best accessory you could wear on Election Day!

My Dirty Little (Shopping) Secret

I shop at Rugged Wearhouse. There... I said it! Don't know what that is? Check out their website here but for those not blessed with a Rugged Warehouse let's just say it is like a very unorganized Ross or Marshall's with way cheaper prices. Ours is in a bad part of town. And then there is that name itself. Upon pulling up in the parking lot, I thought it sounded like somewhere my husband would buy his Realtree camo pants or blaze orange hats for hunting. But if you can get past all of that and are willing to dig through the clutter, the place is actually a gem. They carry Ann Taylor, Express, NY & Company, Fossil, Dollhouse and Anthropologie (although the rack with those is mislabeled Anthropology... smirk!) for rock bottom prices.

Today's outfit is an ode to Rugged Wearhouse. I got the pants there (NY & Company) for $12. The shoes are Twisted brand and they set me back a whopping $6.


Top is from NY & Company and can be found here.

Other recent Rugged Wearhouse finds:


Hobo bag by Dollhouse for $12.99




Black and grey striped tunic sweater $7.99



Bag $12.99



Gauzy beach coverup for $9.99 (just in time for next month's trip to Jamaica!)