Cozy Crannies...

Well, we are about to get our first December snowfall here in MN tonight & I know exactly what that means to me: Time to Hibernate...

When the seasons change & if you're like me, the more your body goes into shock, the more you want to  find perfectly cozy little nooks & crannies to cuddle up in...

What makes your dwelling comfortable? Plush features? Dim & soft lighting?

...Or does a toasty fire keep you snug?

Regardless, stay warm this winter season & build your coziest fort, cave, cranny to hibernate in!

5 New Trends to Try for Holiday Parties...

The fun part about the holiday season is incorporating the traditional color palette of Christmas!  Here are a few looks that I put together with 5 new trends to try for your upcoming Christmas Cocktail parties!!

1. Sequence Bomber

Perfectly paired with an elegantly cut dress with low hemlines.  Add pops of color to bring the overall look together...

2. One Shoulder Wrap Dress

Sexy, yet sophisticated, keep the trend classic with a faux fur shawl...

3. Nude Bows

My love for a polished nude pump prevails!  Find one with an ankle bow & spice up the rest of your look with an animal print pattern...

4. Long Sleeves

My ULTIMATE favorite trend of the season- dresses with sleeves! Lace keeps the dress chic & a skinny ankle strapped heel pulls the entire look together...

5. Nudes & Golds

If the Green-Red-White seasonal color palette isn't exactly your thing, don't worry, nudes & golds are perfect for holiday get togethers too!  Without feeling complete washed out, add black features, & keep the heel simple with a sequence dress...

Happy Shopping :)

Sip, Nibble, & Be Merry!! Christmas Themed DIY #3

What goes better with good food & good drinks, than good company!?  Christmas is a time of year to be fabulous & enjoy the fruits of a beautiful life with the ones you love.  Which is why Christmas parties are the perfect gathering to reconnect with friends & family, all while dining over some specialty snacks & cocktails!!

The perfect party, starts with the perfect invite...

(This weekend I will be finishing up my DIY step-by-step holiday invites for you all)

...followed by a chic ambiance...

... & a cozy fragrance lingering in the air...

Let's not forget to keep our guests entertained with specialty beverages!! Here are a few of my favorite Christmas Cocktails...

(Recipes Below)

1. Spicy Ginger Man

1 oz. Vanilla Vodka

1 oz Hazelnut Liqueur

1/2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps

2 oz Ginger Beer

Cinnamon Stick

*Combine all ingredients-Shake-Service over Ice*

2. Winterwonderland Martini

2 oz Vanilla Vodka

1 oz White Creme de Cacao

2 oz White Chocolate Liqeur

1 oz Cream

1/2 teaspoon of coconut flakes

1 white chocolate wafer stick

*Combine all ingredients-Shake- Strain into martini glass- Sprinkle coconut flakes- Add wafer stick*

3. Berry Merry Christmas

1 oz Pomegranate Vodka

1/2 oz Triple Sec

1/2 oz Peach Schnapps

1 oz Cranberry Juice

*Combine all ingredients-Shake-Strain into martini glass or pour over rocks*

4. Candy Cane Lane

2 oz Vanilla Vodka

1 oz White Creme de Menthe

1/2 oz Peppermint Schnapps

Cream

Splash of Grenadine

Peppermint Candy Cane

*Add a dash of grenadine into the bottom of a chilled martini glass- Pour the rest of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice-Shake & strain into the martini glass with grenadine to create a 'swirl' effect- garnish with peppermint candy cane*

{recipes via: singlemindedwomen}

Don't forget to provide your guests with yummy stuff to nibble on...

Lastly, this is your party! Be a fabulous host on the inside & out!!  As a courtesy to your guests, mention the attire required in your invite.  A very important detail that many leave out.  If it is a casual affair, state that, but if you would like your guests in cocktail attire, be sure to mention that as well!!

I want to apologize for the lack of blogging lately.  I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving & are geared up & ready for the holidays ahead! 

xo, kl

Christmas Themed DIY #2...

As promised, I am going to work on finding a new Christmas themed DIY each week leading up to the big day.  This week, I was inspired by the warm inviting smell when I walked into my momma's house.  Nothing screams the holiday season is here, like cinnamon spices & spruce tree candles!

The key to this simple DIY will be to begin by finding your favorite Christmas scent!  From there we will come up with the perfect holiday decor that fits your particular scent. Here are a few of my favorite ideas...

{Images via DigsDigs} 

What I have in mind is, purchasing a few different sized cylinders...

... & then filling the base of where my favorite candle will lie, with these easy DIY glitter bulbs!

I will be sure to post my steps as soon as I am finished :)

xo, kl

DIY Ornament Wreath...

Last week I mentioned trying a Christmas-y DIY project each week, leading up to the big day.  Here is my step by step tutorial for how to make your very own ornament wreath!

Items You Will Need:

-Wreath Frame

-Wreath Hanger

-Different Size Bauble Ornaments 

-Bell Ornaments

-Thick Ribbon

-Wire Ornament Hangers

Step 1: Begin by threading 1 bauble to the end of the wire & completely bending the wire off so there is no way that the ornament can slip off...

Step 2: Add 1 to 2 more baubles on the wire hanger & allow the baubles to drape however they may...

Step 3: Adhere the group of baubles by wrapping tightly around 1 section of the wreath frame.  My suggestions are to start at the top of the frame & work your way around.  At first you will notice gaps & you will not like how each bauble hangs, but stick with it, because at the end, you can go back in & thread individual, smaller bulbs into those gaps...

Step 4: Use the Ribbon to make a bow to drape off of the bottom.  Then place the frame on your wreath hanger & admire your work :) (The red, different shapes & sized bulbs are where I filled in my 'gaps')...

Helpful Hints/Things I would Have Done Differently:

-Use "shatterproof bulbs" because you are often tightening those wire hangers so tight that if you have the expensive real bulbs, they will shatter!

-IF you use glitter bulbs... do this project in a space where it is used to being messy, the garage or workshop,  i.e.. not the kitchen table

-For display purposes, I would suggest a thick, sturdy, double sided ribbon- I used a single side & do not like how you can see the white behind the gold (I will eventually change this out)

-Have fun with it!! I got frustrated because I could see so many gaps, but do not stress yourself out about the gaps & spaces, it is so easy to go back & fill those in after you have the main structure finished with!!

Enjoy :)

xo, kl

Making Light of a Dark Space...

Have you ever come across something that you cannot simply get your mind off of until you have it!?  That is me, with the couch below. Ever since I came across it while perusing the web one day, I have been feverishly searching for where I can get my hands on it.  Unfortunately, I have come short & have only been able to find close replicas.  I am completely enamored with this oversized, endless tufts of love, grey velvety smooth, sofa...

Recently, I found a close replica at ZGallerie & it looks like this:

...& they have it suggestively styled like so:

& although I love the couch, I just do not particularly adore the dark features that so many feel the need to add to a room with a gray furniture?  I am a woman of color & I love mixing masculine & feminine attributes & frankly, this is not my style...

Yet, I still am hoping for the comfortable & cozy feel that shades of gray bring to a space, I just would prefer pops of color with my gray palette...

Mixing hues of pinks & roses definitely bring light to an already dark space & provide you with that feminine touch on the overall room...

So although I went through hell trying to find that gorgeous couch & then when I finally found a close replica, I second guessed myself for wanting the gray couch in the first place, because it is so commonly decorated with dark features.  But, I knew if I added a few of my own personal touches on the trend (blush pinks) I could reclaim my love for the gray sofa & make the space uniquely mine!

I think the overall inspiration for the color palette was derived from this childhood character...

xo, kl

Sweater Season...

The time of year has come- to bring out your favorite sweaters!!

I thought it would be fun to share with you some new ways to make the most out of all of your sweaters.  The key to wearing sweaters in style without looking frumpy is to pair each sweater differently with different clothing accessories.  Today I want to share with you all, 3 of my favorite sweaters & how I like to pair each separately.  Let's start with the Sweater Dress...

 

What I love most about sweater dresses, is that you can still achieve that 'put-together' look, yet are very comfortable.  Couple a sweater dress with riding boots & a small peek of a knee high stocking & you cannot go wrong... 

Another one of my all time favorite sweaters is of course the classic cable knit.  One question I have been frequently asked so often is, "How can I make the cable-knit sweater look feminine without looking frumpish?" ... 

While the cable knit sweater can get a bit tricky depending on your body type, the trick is to getting the right length.  If you choose a cable knit sweater with a longer length, you are able to belt it & re-define your waist.  Keep the look delicate with a thin pleated long skirt & pair with this seasons hottest accessories... 

Lastly, my favorite go-to staple item: the boyfriend cardigan.  A sweater that is so flexibly worn in multiple seasons, is now in it's favorite time of year!  This oversized button down cardigan is a perfect touch on those chillier days... 

The best part about this style of sweater is how well it looks with many different trends.  Often the look is kept casual, paired over a pocket t-shirt & flats.  This is one sweater that is hard to mess up- play around with the style & try it with different features- make the look 'yours'... 

And for those old warn out sweaters that have seen their better days, don't get rid of them! Re-use them...