Holiday Gift Guide with The Accessory: Stocking Stuffers

Hold onto your beanies and faux fur wraps - the holidays are coming in fast and furious. I can't believe it's already Turkey Week, and Christmas is right around the corner! With all the hustle and bustle around holiday shopping and gift giving, I'm not going to lie... I feel a wee bit stressed. Finding that perfect gift for your loved ones is a challenge. Rest assured, I'm doing my research.... scouring the shops online and in store... reviewing my favorite bloggers' gift guides (like this gift guide from The Average Girl's Guide). Curating some treasures and over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing with you my findings!

First up - stocking stuffers! Totally understand that for some, stocking stuffers can be a mere afterthought. We buy the big gift, and then fill up that little stocking with candy, gift cards, and fuzzy socks. Personally though, I find the stocking stuffers to be really neat because they are usually filled with really useful items such as nice hand lotion or a trio of lip glosses. 

This year, jazz up your stocking stuffers with these personal picks for your loved ones!

xoxo

"Sweet Creamy Frosting" body lotion by Philosophy / Crystalline Hair Ties from Anthropologie / Twist-Tone Earband from Anthropologie / Rose Gold Pave Wrap Bracelet from Baublebar / Nocturnals Nude Lip Gloss Trio by M.A.C. / Glitter belt from J. Crew

sneak peek: happy home.

I've  been a busy bee this weekend with the rest of my unpacking, decorating, catching up with friends and taking care of my main squeeze who got the sickies... even managed to fit in some home cooking (made homemade lasagna feat. pasta & co. fresh spinach lasagna sheets and roasted butternut squash soup). 

But.. I thought I'd share a sneak peek of my home tour!

one of my favorite photos: grandpa and me | styled on a two by two ikea expedit bookcase

kate spade. daisies. oversized diamonds and a creme brulee scented candle.

As I began the home decor styling last night, I reflected on all of the fun recent purchases to make my place a home. Here are a few of my new happy home accessories: 

1. this beautiful, sweet smelling anthropologie capri blue mercury glass candle (above)
2. the cutest and cheerful coasters from j.crew (above) - similar coasters here from sugar paper
3. anything from one king's lane... (addicted!)
4. my brand new coffee table book - kate spade's things we love.
5. my super, comfy new white pin-tucked bedding

Stay tuned this week as I wrap up the decorating and share with you my happy home via video home tour.

xoxo 

happy home: kitchen accessories.

image via

By far, the most important part of a new home (besides my fluffy bed) is the kitchen - a place that brings me calm over good food, bubbly and sweet treats. As the kitchen is a haven where I seek simplicity and comfort, I want to decorate it with simple, vintage pieces - bringing that sense of warmth and assurance that there is no stress in this space - just beautiful plates and bubbly.

I'm thinking a mix of Anthropologie-like serving ware, gold-rimmed champagne flutes from One Kings Lane (my latest addiction), and these beautiful, oversized mugs from West Elm -- Also, I love the idea of a quick mix-match - so print or no-print, it doesn't matter. If it passes my "cute" check-list, then it's going in the shopping cart.

Totally understand that my color palette for my new space will be filled with bright pops of chartreuse and shades of gray, but for my kitchen, I'm going to focus on incorporating more simple whites and ocean blues into my serving ware so that when I'm plating my meals, the colors in my food will be more vibrant... and remember, the meal tastes as good as it looks too :) Currently with my existing plates and bowls, there's a lot of simple black and whites and of course, clear glass. With the whites and blues, I hope it will help soften the harshness of my current cupboard collection. Maybe a little gold will add some glitz to the bar tray, and glam to my gastronomic oasis.

Here are a few of my favorites that I've been wanting to add to my new kitchen. If you have any places you suggest I look, please do share in comments below.

Otherwise, feel free to shop with me here!