Thursday, November 15, 2018

Holiday Gift Guide Series: Hostess and the Homebody

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Which can also be the most stressful time of the year.  Sometimes the season requires searching for a gift for someone that "has everything" and sometimes there's searching for a gift for someone that you have absolutely no idea what to get for them.  I've compiled a series of gift giving ideas to help ease the holiday shopping stress a bit.

But before we dive into the gift-giving ideas, I have a few important things to remember:  Do not go broke trying to buy the perfect gift.  Make a budget and stick to it.  If you know what you intend to purchase, plan accordingly.  Check out what sales are happening on Black Friday, Cyber Monday (my preference because it's much less crowded and there's no line wait when shopping from home), and don't forget to support small businesses for Small Business Saturday.  Also, throughout the hustle and bustle, don't forget to be present.  Enjoy and appreciate the magic of the holidays while celebrating with family and friends.  Being present is the best present you could give...corny, I know, but so true.

The first of this gift-giving series are gift ideas for the Hostess and the Homebody.  The hostess loves to entertain and have a good time so you can definitely expect an event planned by them in the upcoming months.  The homebody enjoys being cozied up on the couch (but who doesn't in the winter months?) and would obviously rather entertain at home than go out.

Whether you need a gift for an event they're hosting, draw their name in a gift exchange, or need a little something special for someone, these gifts will direct and inspire present ideas.


The Hostess:


A thoughtful hostess gift with a swanky touch for charcuterie, fruits, and more.


The agate stone hangle adds an unexpected twist to the classic Moscow Mule mug.
Anthropologie - Agate Moscow Mule Mug


Make every day a special occasion.  The metallic gold rim dresses these glasses up while the flat bottoms are practical for everyday use.


This marble wine coaster stylishly protects counter and tabletops from condensation, rings, and drips.


Modern, minimalist, and functional coasters.


Just in case a bottle of wine needs to be preserved after its opened, this Geo Bottle Stopper Set will do just that.


Tin plates that are (almost!) too pretty to eat off of.
Biscuit Home - Tin Plates


Because Champagne is always a good idea.


Striking and illuminating prism candleholders or vases make a perfect centerpiece or statement displayed on a mantle.


A party isn't a party without some music.  These sphere wireless speakers provide style and wireless streaming capabilities.

The Homebody:


Coffee and Cardio / Wine & Weekends.  This reversible sweatshirt will go from yoga at the gym to wine and a Netflix binge on the couch.


Not only are comfortable leggings great for workout wear, but they're greater for lounging at home.


Cozy yet elegant.  This Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Robe is perfect for winter evenings at home.
 

Ward off the holiday season tired eyes with the BeautyBio Bright Eyes Set.


This plush pillow will persuade anyone to stay in.


A super soft and cozy fleece blanket is the ultimate wrap up and stay a while gift.


Adding greenery to the home makes a space that can be difficult to leave for any plant lady.


Hermit in the winter?  The flicker of this shimmery candle will keep her company while curled up with a book. 
Urban Outfitters - Jupiter Cande


Gifts for the home are great gifts for a homebody.  This dusty rose and grey fringe woven wall hanging blends both vintage and contemporary flair.


The title of the book says it all.

Which of these gifts would you love to find under the tree!?

♥ always
Allison

Image sources:  Modcloth, Anthropologie, West Elm, Nordstrom, Biscuit Home, Etsy, Target, Project Social T, World Market, Urban Outfitters



Saturday, November 3, 2018

Trending Now: Camo Print

If you haven't noticed, camo print is having a major moment.  This isn't your typical "hunting season, blend-in with nature somewhere out in the country" type of camo.  It's now a casual-cool look that is seen everywhere in clothing and accessories, and neutral enough to mix with color...just avoid a neon orange-camo combination if you don't want to look like you're about to go get your deer hunting on.  Read on to find all the cutesy and cool camo pattern things I've found!

I've actually had my eyes peeled for a camo jacket for some time now and the sweet people over at Gabriel Clothing Company were sweet enough to send me this utility style one!  I'm obsessed.
Photographed with the Pumpkin Spice Spice Girl tee that was featured in a previous post.






























So yay or nay!?  Are you on board with the camo trend this fall?

♥ always
Allison

Images from Nordstrom.com

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

5 Last Minute DIY Halloween Costumes

With Halloween just a week away, the Halloween parties, bar crawls, and other festivities are taking place this weekend (and obviously on Halloween).  If you're just not that into Halloween or dropped the ball on planning out a costume, I'm here to hopefully help you out with 5 easy last-minute Halloween costumes (plus some throwback photos for your enjoyment).  Since I tend to be on the more thrifty side of the spectrum, I'm a huge fan of costumes re-purposing things you already own or purchasing things you would wear again.


1.  Audrey Hepburn.  There are a few roads you could take with this option.

The first would be the classic Audrey as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's.  


Black dress (or black fitted top with a black skirt), black elbow length gloves, statement necklace and bracelet with pearls and rhinestones, oversized cat-eye sunglasses, topped off with a tiara.

Me as Audrey:
I loved this costume so much that I wore it multiple times.


1.5.  The second option would be Audrey as Jo Stockton in Funny Face.  Long sleeve black top, cropped black pants, black loafers and you're set.


So technically this was two costume options but since it's the same person, we'll say that's one of the five last-minute costume options :)

2.  A witch.  Although it may be a little over-done and generic, it's a freaking spooky classic!  


Throw on a black dress or if you happen to have anything with bell-sleeves (v. popular right now), it totally adds to the witchcraft vibe.  Run to Target, grab a $3 witch hat, maybe a skull, black crow decor, or broomstick to carry around and BAM!  You're a witch.

3.  A scarecrow.



If you own a plaid button-down shirt, this is a piece of cake...or should I say fun-size candy?  Costume essentials are a flannel button-down, floppy hat, distressed jeans (or really whatever bottoms you want...overalls would be great as well), and a dollar store fall floral to add some foliage to the look.  For the makeup, I used a coral color lipstick I had, black eyeliner, iridescent eyeshadow (or highlighter) to add the doll-like glow, and just used inspiration from searching "Scarecrow Costume DIY" on Pinterest.

4.  4-Eyes.


The only 2-minute Halloween costume I've ever come up with and is great if you're really in a bind...I forgot about a Halloween get-together until very last minute and already had googly-eyes for a costume I was making for the real Halloween party.  Slapped two googly-eyes on the black shirt I was wearing and called the costume "4-Eyes".

5.  Rosie the Riveter.


Nothing screams "Girl Power" quite like the classic image of Rosie the Riveter does.  This iconic feminist costume is effortless, requiring only your favorite jeans, a chambray top, and red bandana.  You go, girl!

I'd love to know, what are you (or your kids) being for Halloween!?

♥ always
Allison

Thursday, October 11, 2018

If you don't like pumpkin spice, do you even like fall?

If you don't order at least one Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte within the first few days its released, do you even really love fall!?  I don't like to be basic, but I'm basically in love with pumpkin everything.  Throughout the fall, just about every single run to Target or Trader Joe's will include me leaving with some sort of pumpkin something to try.  I get it, some people are more into apple stuff than pumpkin stuff, and that's cool, too...I can get down with some caramel apples just the same, but this post is dedicated to pumpkins.  Fall!  Yay!  Pumpkins!  Yay!...which brings me to the point of this post.

I grew up in the time when the Spice Girls were all the rage.  To this day, you can't go to a karaoke night without Wannabe being sung!  Girls' nights and road trips guarantee some Spice Girls songs.  That's why when I saw this tee by Gabriel Clothing Company, I had to have it.  It combines two things I feel passionately about and also makes people laugh.


\Gabriel Clothing Company allows you to customize your tee in a variety of colors, using the super soft Bella brand.  You can get your own tee or a number of boutique items for 30% OFF using the code ALWAYSALLISON at checkout.





3 Available:  Good Witch, Bad Witch, or Drunk Witch




What else I'm wearing:
Bucket Bag:  Vintage, Nine West
Buffalo Plaid Shirt:  Old Navy
Distressed Black Skinny Jeans:  Ashley Mason from Nordstrom Rack
Fuzzy Sandals:  Target
Watch:  Jord Watches
Sunglasses:  Rayban
Starbucks cup:  Starbucks ;)


♥ always
Allison

Monday, October 1, 2018

Do More with Do More Boutique + Exclusive Discount

The fall and winter months make me want to bake all sorts of baked goods but I could also use a little help with measurements.  This adorable conversion chart was sent to me by Jennifer at Do More Boutique.  Not only does it add a pop of cuteness inside a kitchen cabinet door, it also helps us adults be able to adult a little easier.  The conversions are readily accessible rather than hitting up Google or Pinterest to figure out different measurements.

The recipe I followed was Joanna Gaines Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Although mine didn't turn out quite like the photos (partly Pinterest fail-worthy), they still tasted very good.
Here's the recipe:  Joanna Gaines Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm so excited to use this conversion chart for all my baking needs in the upcoming months!  You can get your own conversion chart with an exclusive discount of 20% OFF here:  Do More Boutique Conversion Chart

Happy Baking!