The Best of Black Friday

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  There's no denying it now-the season is upon us. Christmas Trees are going up and people are out stampeding in the malls.  I'm going to save you the crowds and hassle with my list of super awesome sales going on right now for Black Friday.  Click the links below for all the shopping codes for incredible deals.  No need to go out with the crazy when you can click, click, click.  Happy Shopping!!!!

• Nordstrom: My favorite place to shop for Christmas! Save up to 40% off with this new sale! 
• Gap: 50% off Everything with the code BLKFRIDAY. I mean this is a super sale.  I love all of the cute jammies for Caroline here. I have this skirt-it's super cute with black tights and tall black boots.
• J Crew:  Save 30% off  full-price and 40% off sale styles.
• Tory Burch: New items added to the sale! Save up to 40% off.
• Vera Bradley: 50% off selected styles.
• Madewell: 25 percent off sitewide now through Nov. 30 with code GIFTON
• Banana Republic: 50% off until 1p today!!! 30% off your purchase with code BRBLACK30. 
• J Crew Factory: Save 50% off everything! Use code THANKS!
• Kate Spade: Up to 75% off everything plus free shipping!!!!!
• Ann Taylor: Save 40% off full-prices & an extra 50% off sale styles with code SHOPANN.
• Crate and Barrel: 15% and free shipping.

Click below for some of my favorites from the Madewell 25% off everything sale.

Click below for some of my favorites for the kids from the Gap 50% off EVERYTHING sale.

Click below for some of my favorites from the Crate and Barrel 15% off and free shipping sale.

Click for my favorites for men from the Banana Republic 50% one item and 40% off everything sale.

Happy Shopping!!! Happy Weekend!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  Hoping you are having a wonderful, peaceful day.  We are stuffing ourselves silly while watching the parade and lots of football.  I'm so thankful for my beautiful family, our friends and all of you who read this little piece of me everyday.  

I hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Cheers! xo

image source

Holiday Night Out

Scallop T//Suede Heel//Essie Polish//J CREW Skirt//Wishbone Necklace//Confetti Phone Case//Bracelet//Wristlet

Most years I'm not rushing Christmas.  I like to embrace fall in all it's glory.  We have two birthdays in the month of November as well as the Thanksgiving holiday and I like to to enjoy each one without the pressure of a Christmas rush.  Although, this year I'm feeling it-and in a good way!  The weather has been wintry and with the snowfall and cold I'm wanting to bring out the twinkly lights and go get the tree!  I admit I've turned up the Christmas tunes and burned my favorite Christmas candle.  I'm excited for the preparations and nights out celebrating with family and friends.  This look is my fave for a night out during the holiday season.  Make sure you check out the skirt here for 30%off. -Yippee!! Tis the season and this mom is ready!

Don't Miss These Super Sales:

• Nordstrom: My favorite place to shop for Christmas! Save up to 40% off with this new sale! 
• J Crew: Save 30% off  your purchase with code GETFESTIVE.
• Tory Burch: New items added to the sale! Save up to 40% off.
• Banana Republic: 30% off your purchase with code BRBLACK30. 
• J Crew Factory: Save 50% off everything! Use code THANKS!
• Gap: Save 30% off your purchase with code HAPPY. I have this skirt-it's super cute with black tights and tall black boots.
• Ann Taylor: Save 40% off full-prices & an extra 50% off sale styles with code SHOPANN.
• ShopBop: Great sale happening with all my favorite brands!  I have this clutch.  It's perfect for the holidays and every other day!

Shop this post:

Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving is this week and there is so much to be thankful for…wonderful husband, four amazing kids, snugly pup, loving family, caring friends, a cozy home.  We will be in town for the holiday.  Just over the river and through the woods to my brother's house we go.  My sister-in-law will be cooking the bird this year so there is no need to set the table at my house.  Although, if you need some inspiration I've found these beautiful tables, perfect for an amazing Thanksgiving feast.

The Tomkat Studio

This Is Happiness

Apartment 34

A Thoughtful Place

This is our simple Thanksgiving table-see the post here.

Ideas for a beautiful fall table.  I love them all!

Holiday Preview

Hi All!  Hope you had a great weekend!  We got a dusting of snow and it's getting me excited for the holidays.  This time of year is always my favorite.  I love the sparkle and sense of excitement.  I love spending extra time with family and friends, which is one reason I try to shop in advance and leave nothing for last minute.  So here is a holiday gift preview-In the next several weeks I plan to share more favorite gifts for everyone on your list.  Also, there are so many sales-which I love.   Are you anxious to begin holiday preparations?

Click below for all products details.

Fun Sales

• J CREW: Save 25% off your purchase with code SHOPNOW & cardmembers get 30% off with code CARDTREAT. 
• NORDSTROM: Huge clearance sale happening at Nordstrom! 
• WILLIAMS-SONOMA: Save 20% off tabletop.
• BANANA REPUBLIC: 40% off your online only purchase with code CHEER. 
• J CREW FACTORY: Save an extra 40-60% off everything!
• GAP: Save 40% off your online purchase only with code CHEER. 
• BLOOMINGDALES: Friends & Family Event! Save 20% off with code HOLIDAY.

5 Festive Cocktails

We've officially started celebrating in our house.  The kickoff with our Jack turning 10 this week!   We started his day with these birthday pancakes and ended it with pizza out with 10 boys.  It was a great day! We have another birthday next week for our Finn and then the holidays are knockin' and I'm ready!

Nothing says celebration like a festive holiday cocktail. These well-balanced cocktails are inspired by the best of the season’s ingredients, infused with fresh herbs and fruit.  What's not to love!  Try serving the drinks with these appetizers that I wrote about earlier this week.

All the recipes are courtesy of Williams-Sonoma, one of my favorite places to shop for kitchen essentials.  Check out this shaker-I love it!  

HARVESTED APPLE COCKTAIL

• 1/4 fl. oz. St. Germain

• 3/4 fl. oz. Calvados (apple brandy)

• Sparkling wine

• Apple slice for garnish

Pour the St. Germain into a coupe glass and fill halfway with sparkling wine. Top off with Calvados and garnish with an apple slice. Serves 1.

CRANBERRY MARTINI

• Ice cubes

• 1 cup vodka

• 1/4 cup dry vermouth

• 1/2 cup cranberry juice

• 8 cranberries, frozen

• 4 lemon zest twists

Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Pour in the vodka, vermouth and cranberry juice. Cover with the lid and shake vigorously up and down for about 10 seconds. Strain into the chilled glasses, dividing evenly. Garnish each glass with 2 frozen cranberries and a lemon twist. Serves 4.

POMEGRANATE CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

• 1 fl. oz. pomegranate juice

• 1/2 fl. oz. Grand Marnier

• Sparkling wine

• Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Pour the pomegranate juice and Grand Marnier into a Champagne glass or flute. Top with sparkling wine and add a few pomegranate seeds. Serves 1.

APPLE-CRANBERRY HOT CIDER

• 32 ounces apple juice

• 3 cups of cranberry juice

• 2 cups of sugar

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 cup rum

Pour all ingredients into saucepan except for rum. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in rum and serve. Serves 12 to 15.

THYME COCKTAIL

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 1/2 fl. oz.  gin
• 1/4 fl. oz. fresh lemon juice
• Riesling as needed
• Lemon-lime soda as neededFresh thyme sprig for garnishTo make the thyme-infused simple syrup, in a saucepan over low heat, combine the water and sugar and heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the thyme sprigs. Let steep for 10 minutes, then cool to room temperature before using. You will need 1/2 fl. oz. (15 ml) thyme-infused simple syrup for this cocktail; refrigerate the rest for making more cocktails.Pour the gin, the 1/2 fl. oz. (15 ml) thyme-infused simple syrup and the lemon juice into an ice-filled highball glass. Top off with equal amounts of Riesling and lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a thyme sprig. Serves 1.

Hope you enjoy the weekend with one of these in hand! 

Cheers!

Take a look at my favorite cocktail must-haves:

images via

5 Favorite Appetizers for the Holidays

Good Morning!  This year we will be doing lots of entertaining for the holidays.  I've searched the ends of the internet for appetizer inspiration and I've found 5 favorites that are perfect for all types of holiday gatherings.  I will definitely be using these recipes.  Feel free to pin away and share with your friends who love to entertain.  

Spicy Cheddar Straws

Tortellini Caprese Bites

Cheese Tray

Shrimp Cocktail

Crostini

Check out this Holiday Wine Party. It looks so fun as well as festive.

Holiday Wine Party

To Help You Entertain

Don't Forget The Great Sales

J CREW: Last day to Save 25% off fall favorites with code GETWARM ends 11/11.

NORDSTROM:  Clearance sale happening at Nordstrom! Save up to 40% off.

WILLIAMS SONOMA: Save 20% off tabletop.

BANANA REBUPLIC: 30% off full prices with code BREXCITED. 

J CREW FACTORY: Save an extra 30% off everything with code EXTRA30.

GAP Save 30% off your purchase with code HAPPY. So many new arrivals!

Lately Loving

Happy Monday!  Hope you had a nice relaxing weekend.  I wanted to share some things that I've had my eye on lately as well as some great sales if you want to get a jump on your holiday gift getting.  I just ordered these boots and I can't wait to wear them this weekend with these.  The temps are supposed to drop later this week and we are headed to a football game on Saturday. They'll be perfect for a long day out in the cold.  So scroll through the slide show and check out everything I've been loving lately and hope you score big on the sales below.

Happy Shopping!

---------------Gotta Love A Sale-----------------

• J CREW: Save 25% off fall favorites with code GETWARM until 11/11.
• NORDSTROM:  Clearance sale happening at Nordstrom! Save up to 40% off.
• WILLIAMS SONOMA: Save 20% off tabletop.
• BANANA REBUPLIC: 30% off full prices with code BREXCITED. 
• J CREW FACTORY: Save an extra 30% off everything with code EXTRA30.
• GAP Save 30% off your purchase with code HAPPY.

Cold Weather Run

This weekend I am headed downtown for two fun runs.  On Saturday some friends and I are running ten miles at Navy Pier for Chicago's Perfect 10. 

On Sunday we lace up our shoes again, this time with our daughters for the Chicago Hot Chocolate 5K.  It's a lot of running outside which I don't do too much of.  I know it's crazy but I enjoy the Lifetime Fitness treadmill.  I enjoy the people watching and multiple TVs-perfect distractions for a 5mile treadmill workout.  Although, this weekend I am heading outside and yikes it's going to be cold and windy! Which means I'll have to dress for the elements and layer up.  A great pair of running gloves, and an ear band are must haves for me when running in the cold.  I have these and I think I like them better than my gloves.  Check out the other finds that I won't be leaving home without:

1.  2.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7.

What are some of your essentials for an outdoor run?

Have a great weekend!

Ready for the Weather

I've said it before here….I love my Hunters!  Living in a city when the weather goes from rainy to snowy overnight these are so practical, comfortable, easy, functional, and super perfect for all seasons.  

I have these and I wear them at least once a week.  There are a ton of new styles that you can find here, And even some on sale here.  The packable version that you see above can be found here.

I have these on my Christmas wish list.  I mean who wouldn't love to find these under the tree???

I love the rainbow of colors.

And of course you can't forget the kids.  These are super cute for the boys.  And my daughter loves these and these.

Hunters are perfect for the rain and snow.  I love my fleece inserts when the tempertures begin to drop. My feet stay both dry and warm even on the snowiest days.  I can wear my hunters with skinnies, leggings-just about anything I wear day to day.  They are a staple piece in my closet and they make any outfit a bit more fun. Happy Hunter Shopping! 

Wanted to let you know that Nordstrom is having a great sale right now. Up to 40% off Clearance Sale from now until Nov.11th.

Favorite Go-To Chili

Cooler temperatures and darker evenings mean that I can make one of my favorite fall recipes.  A bowl of warm chili any night of the week just feels cozy.  I like to make a pot on the stove over weekend but if it's a night during the week when we are running the kids around I like to have it on the counter in my crockpot on low.  It's so nice to walk in the door and have dinner ready to go.  

I know there are lots of "favorite chili" recipes out there but the thing that I love about this recipe is that it can be served over rice and garnished with lotsa extras that just make it perfect on the pallet.  

Favorite Chili Recipe

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion chopped fine

2 cloves garlic minced

2 Tbsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. cumin

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. dried parsley

1 1/2 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. red pepper flakes-more if your family likes it spicy

1 tsp. ground pepper

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

1 large carton diced tomatoes

1 can chicken broth

1 can kidney beans washed and drained-I often illiminate the beans and serve beanless

extra toppings

1 pot of brown or white rice

2 large avocados chopped

1/2 finely shredded cheddar jack cheese

fresh parsley

freshly chopped tomatoes

tortilla strips

sour cream

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat.  Add the ground beef, onion and garlic and cook for about 7-10 minutes or until the beef is completely browned, crumbling the beef with a spoon as it cooks. Drain about half of the excess fat. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.  Cover and simmer on low for an hour.

*If you chose to use the crockpot then transfer the beef into the bottom of a slow cooker and add remaining ingredients/stir.Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours. Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper or seasonings if need be.

Serve warm over rice and with desired toppings.

If you are looking for a great slow cooker,  I really love this one, and this one.

Hope this recipe becomes one of your go-tos as well! 

Enjoy!

Hostess With The Mostess

Happy Monday!  We had a very lazy weekend which doesn't happen very often.  It was really cold/windy around here so it was really nice to have that extra hour of cozy as well.  Now that  Halloween is ova it's time for me to pack up the decorations and get ready for the go, go, go of the next couple of months.  I start to freak out a little bit this time of year knowing that we have two birthdays in November, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and hubsy's birthday shortly after.  It's a whirlwind of crazy!  So I'm trying to get myself organized and with the holidays right around the corner it's important to have a few hostess gifts ready to give.  Parties are plentiful and it's so nice to have a gift in hand.  Here are some of my faves:

1.  2.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7.  8.  9.  10.  11.

I hope this guide gives you some ideas for the little something for the holiday hostess.

Here's a few pictures of the little monsters from last week.