Author: chelseawp

Stocking Stuffers for All | 2014

Reality check! We officially have a little over a week until Christmas, are you ready?

With about one week left, I’m hoping you at least have a solid idea of what you are getting everyone on your list… if they aren’t already wrapped and under the tree. Are you having trouble deciding what to get that special someone? Check out my Top Gifts for HerTop Gifts for Him, Gift Guide for the Hostess and Gift Guide for the Girl on the Go for some quick help!

At this point in the season, I usually have all my big presents bought and my main focus is stocking stuffers. Stocking stuffers are something I just recently got into and thats because they happen to be a BIG deal for me this year- my husband and I decided to skip the presents and just fill up each other’s stockings. This has given me a perfect chance to go out on a limb and get some fun, funky and inexpensive gifts for him. I’ve had a ton of fun brainstorming ideas so I decided to pull together some of my top ideas for this 2014 stocking stuffers.

I included some girly gifts (cozy socks and beanies), some entertaining gifts (cocktail game and coasters), gifts for the techy (cord wraps and tech gloves), gifts for the lucky (lottery tickets) and gifts for the naughty (coal)!

STOCKING STUFFERS | 2014

Pottery Barn Cocktail Game ($29) / HMNS Agate Coaster Set ($24) / uncommon goods Coal Gum ($5) / Lottery Tickets / uncommon goods Wooden Puzzles ($20) / Old Navy Chic Tech Gloves ($7) / Anthropologie Gold Monogram Mug ($10) / Pinch Minimergency Kit ($24) / The Container Store bobino Cord Wraps ($3-$5) / Target Striped Cozy Socks ($3) / uncommon goods Cocktail Towels ($14) / ASOS Embellished Pom Beanie ($19) / Quench Bar10der Cocktail Tool ($40) / The Container Store First Aid Kit ($6)

December Rocksbox Review | 2014

I’m so excited to share my latest Rocksbox with you! This month’s box was not only filled with the usual three beautiful jewelry pieces, but one extra! A super cute gold script necklace that says shine and it’s mine to keep! What a nice gift from Rocksbox, right?

How it works- It’s a monthly subscription costing $19.99/month. First you create a style profile, which basically consists of a quick survey of what jewelry types, metals, etc. you prefer and a gallery of pictures where you can pick your favorite items. From that profile, three styles are picked just for you and delivered in cute little boxes wrapped up with a ribbon. Now for the fun part, you can wear the jewelry as much as you want and just as easily send them back whenever you want! There’s no timeline, you can get as many or as little boxes as you want a month. As soon as you’re ready to send them back, you drop them in the mail and three more will be sent your way, almost immediately! Fall in love with one (or all) of the items? No prob, keep it! You get 20% off the retail price of any piece in your box to add to your personal collection.

Below is this month’s collection:

December Rocksbox | 2014


SLATE Barred Cuff

Slate Barred Cuff (retails at $38, member price is $30)– I love this cuff! It’s simple, but edgy! Most of my bracelets are gold these days, so it was nice to get this silver cuff to mix it up and make a statement. For a casual look, it’s great to layer over a long sleeve top or with just a t-shirt and jeans. I know it will be easy to get my money’s worth out of this rental!

 

Gorjana Fancy Horn Long Necklace

Gorjana Fancy Horn Long Necklace (retails at $68, member price is $54)– This is now the third Gorjana piece I’ve received in my Rocksbox, and they do not disappoint. This necklace is stunning! Similar to last month’s delicate necklace, it’s an amazing layering piece and is super versatile. You can’t really see the chain in the picture, but it’s a long necklace, measuring in at 27 inches long! I think it’s amazing and will definitely be layering it with my free “shine necklace” from Rocksbox!

 

Loren Hope Ursa EarringsLoren Hope Ursa Earrings (retails at $78, member price is $62)– Wow, these are some statement earrings! Now I love a good pair of statement earrings, but for a normal workday I tend to lean towards statement necklaces. They usually come off a bit more casual and are just more comfortable for all day wear. These earrings are really fun, but I don’t see myself getting a ton of use out of them. That’s why Rocksbox is amazing, I can get a few fabulous wears out of them, send them back and start wearing my new fabulous pieces!


Loving this month’s collection as much as I am? Check out my last set of jewelry at October RocksBox Review. Still want more? Sounds like you are ready to get your own Rocksbox! Click here to get a $25 gift card when you join ( use code: GIVEANDGET ).

Gift Guide for the Girl on the Go

Happy Humpday! Today is all about that girl on the go in your life. You all know one! Maybe it’s your workaholic mom, jet-setting bestie or your overachiever sister. These girls are running from one meeting to another, dressing day-to-night and always look amazing at a moments notice. How do they do it? By having all the right tools at their disposal.

Below is a list of what every girl on the go needs and some of these items are so fun! I love the gem speaker for a girl who is ready to dance at a moments notice, the Minimergency Kit for the accident prone and the Naked on the Run full makeup palette that can get any girl ready in a flash! And don’t forget to stash all these amazing finds in this Reversible Tote from Nordstrom!

Which travel necessity is your favorite? Gifts for a traveler

Etsy Passport Case ($29) / Forever 21 Gold Stripe Cosmetic Case ($10) / Rifle Paper Co Bon Voyage Journal ($15) / ban.do Gem Speaker ($40) / Bella J Manicure Set ($12) / kate spade jubilee ultra thin portable charger ($50) / J.Crew Lightening Cable ($26) / Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit ($18) / Happy Plugs Earbuds ($30) / kate spade initial card holder ($30) / kate spade bow eyemask ($38) / Echo Tech Gloves ($28) / Urban Decay ‘Naked on the Run’ Palette ($54) / BaubleBar Gold Jewelry Set ($58) / Street Level Reversible Tote and Wristlet ($48)

Holiday Jackets | 2014

It’s that time of year, holiday events and parties seem to be sprinkling everyone’s calendars these days. Holiday dressing can be a ton of fun, but it can also be a little tricky. So many holiday trends come in the form of tiny dresses and tank tops so it’s important to find the perfect layer to keep you warm on those wintery nights!

To help a sister out this year, I pulled together some of my favorite holiday jackets, all under $100! Some are dressy, some are comfy, but they are all adorable! As you can see, most include faux fur and sequins- just a couple of my favorite things! Share your favorite in the comments below and stay warm <3!

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Holiday Jackets | 2014

Forever 21 Fur Collar Coat ($60) / Forever 21 Open Front Sequin Blazer ($33) / H&M Sequin Jacket ($60) / Forever 21 Plaid Overcoat ($55) / Mural Metallic Boyfriend Blazer ($74) / Forever 21 Shaggy Layered Jacket ($38) / Pure Sugar Sequin Gold Jacket ($88) / Tildon Sequin Blazer ($88) / Forever 21 Faux Fur Jacket ($31)

November Birchbox | 2014

November quickly came and went and turkey isn’t the only thing I enjoyed! I got a fabulous new birchbox in the mail and I can’t wait to share my samples with you! 

If you aren’t familiar with Birchbox, it’s a company offering a subscription to receive monthly samples of beauty products (They offer boxes for both men and women!). I love it because it’s a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus- it makes a great gift for the girl (or boy) who has everything!

Below is what I found when I opened my special gifting November Birchbox… And wait til you read about them, I feel like an especially lucky sampler this month!

November Birchbox 2014

derma e® Evenly Radiant® Brightening Cleanser

amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

theBalm® cosmetics Cindy-Lou Manizer®

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen

Laura Mercier Longwear Crème Eye Pencil

Camille Beckman Platinume Gold Imperial Repair Hand Therapy

Chuao Chocolatier Assorted ChocoPod


Let’s start with the derma e® Evenly Radiant® Brightening Cleanser. I’ve been using this cleanser for about a week and my skin is feeling fresh and smooth. This cleanser is a little gel like and since I prefer a little exfoliation in my facial cleanser, I paired it with my Clarisonic and got great results! I love the light citrus scent and it leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed! I have to admit, using it alone left me a little underwhelmed.

Next up is the amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo. I love this stuff! Since I have pretty long hair, I try to skip a shampoo every now and again to avoid massive damage to my locks. I’ve tried a few dry shampoos, but haven’t found anything noteworthy- they either leave white residue, smell like baby powder or don’t work at all. Then I found amika! Although I think I’ve used more effective dry shampoos, my best overall experience is with amika. It’s able to absorb oil and add volume without the smell or powdery look! Unfortunately, Birchbox is currently sold out, but I will be stocking up ASAP!

Get Ready! theBalm® cosmetics Cindy-Lou Manizer® was the next sample I tried out (and loved!) I love theBalm products in general. I have a really fun eye shadow palette from them that I love to death! The sense of humor the company brings to the packaging is super fun, not to mention they have amazing products! I’ve been using this highlighter everywhere! It’s got a light, peach shimmery look that I think is just perfect! I’ve used it on the apple of my cheeks, below my brows and even as eyeshadow- it’s so versatile!

Now onto Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen. This tinted moisturizer is lightweight and gives the perfect amount of coverage. (Keep in mind it’s a TINTED moisturizer, not foundation!) I personally hate wearing foundation so I love the light, fresh feel this moisturizer leaves. It applied smoothly and lasted all day. My only complaint is the sample size was a little small, so I was only to test it out once.

Didn’t get enough Laura Mercier? You’re in luck because I also got a Laura Mercier Longwear Crème Eye Pencil in violet! I’m not one to wear crazy eye makeup (or really any color on my eyes), but I’m loving this bold violet eyeliner. First off, the liner is the perfect texture. It’s easy to apply, goes on smooth and lasts all day. I usually have issues with pencil liner smudging by late afternoon, but this one didn’t at all! This eye pencil left me one happy camper. I have a feeling this sample will last awhile, but I will definitely be purchasing when it runs out.

Onto another find, Camille Beckman Platinume Gold Imperial Repair Hand Therapy. This lotion left my hands feeling amazing! It absorbed quickly and left my hands feeling silky smooth. Although my hands felt softer to the touch than they have in awhile, they didn’t feel truly moisturized. I didn’t mind the scent of the lotion, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite. It had a light lemony/floral smell that lingered. The lotion has great results, but for the money I think you can find a better option.

Today I’m wrapping it up with a dessert, Chuao Chocolatier Assorted ChocoPod! I was a little skeptical of this chocolate when I first read the label- firecracker! Boy, talk about ending with a BANG! This chocolate not only had a spicy kick to it with added chipotle pepper, but it also has popping candy! As soon as this chocolate hit my lips, I could feel the snap, crackle, pop! It felt like I was eating Pop Rocks and chocolate all at the same time. I loved trying the firecracker one, but I can’t wait to try the other flavors (including the potato chip and oh my s’mores bars!) What a fun twist on chocolate!

And that’s it for this month’s Birchbox products. Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below! Maybe you’re just craving more beauty buys? Check out last month’s post, October Birchbox | 2014.

Top Gifts for Him Under $50 | 2014

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving and a successful Black Friday Weekend! As you know, today is Cyber Monday and I suggest dedicating your lunch break to some sale shopping! It’s a great opportunity to get some names crossed off your gift list.

To get you started, I pulled together some of my favorite gifts for men- all under $50! This year, my husband and I are foregoing the large haul of gifts and sticking to stocking stuffers. This inspired me to pull together some fun, small gifts for the man in your life. The list ranges from festive boxers to martini tools, all perfect items for stuffing this year’s stocking without breaking the bank!

Click the links below to shop! Happy Cyber Monday Shopping!

Top Gifts for Him | 2014

Gap Snowflake and Christmas Boxers ($13 each) / H&M Leather Gloves ($35) / Crate and Barrel Whiskey Rocks- Set of 12 ($20) / Quench Martini Multi Tool ($40) / S’well Woodgrain Water bottle ($35) / J.Crew Snowflake Socks ($17) / Nordstrom Red Buffalo Check Scarf ($20) / Old Navy Pajama Pants ($17) / Minnetonka Slippers ($46) / Urban Outfitters Hibernate Flask ($18) / Herschel Chapter Toiletry Case ($25) / Herschel Charlie Card Case ($20)

Black Friday Deals | 2014

If you’re anything like me, you like to have a game plan going into black friday. My main priority is finding out what deal everyone is offering and how long the deal lasts. Next, I scout out what I want to buy before the deals start, that way I can shop around for the best price. Finally, I like to write out a list of people I plan on buying presents for and potential gift ideas for them. That way they are fresh in your mind when you are browsing the sales!

In honor of black friday, today’s post is dedicated to the deals I think are worth checking out this black friday!

BLACK FRIDAY 2014

Aldo: Extra 50% off sale items. 11/28 thru 12/1

Amour Vert: 25% off entire site. 11/28 thru 11/30

Athleta: 20% off entire site. 11/28 thru 11/30

BaubleBar: 15% off two items, 25% off three items, and 35% off four items. 11/28

C. Wonder: 40% off entire site. Now thru 12/1

Express: 50% off entire site. Now thru noon 11/28

FRENDS: Get a bundle pack of over-the-ear ‘Layla’ headphones and in-ear ‘Ella B’ ear buds for $100. 11/28 thru 12/1

Gap: 50% off entire store 11/28

H&M: Up to 70% off select items. Now thru 11/29

House of Harlow: 25% off all RTW items. 11/28 thru 12/1

J.Crew: 30% off full-price styles & extra 40% off sale (code HOLIDAY). Now thru 11/30

J.Crew Factory: 50% off everything. Now thru 11/30

Joe Fresh: 50% off all full-priced items (excluding Fresh Expedition). 11/28

Kate Spade: Up to 75% off (all sales final). Now thru 11/29

Kohl’s: Over 500 Black Friday Deals plus an extra 15% off (code HOLIDAY15) and $15 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spend. Now thru 11/28

Madewell: 25% off your purchase (code GIFTON). Now thru 11/30

Macy’s: 30-50% off Lucky Brand, Kensie, Bar III, RACHEL Rachel Roy, and more. 11/27 thru 11/29

Missguided: 30% off entire purchase (code CYBER30). 11/28 thru 12/1

ModCloth: 50% off select styles. Now thru 11/30

Old Navy: Up to 50% off. 11/28 thru 11/29

Piperlime: 25% off site wide. 11/27 thru 11/29

Sole Society: 30% off all footwear. 11/28 // 30% off all footwear and handbags. 11/29 thru 11/30

Stella & Dot: Extra 25% off sale items. Now thru 11/20

Ted Baker: 30% off your purchase. 11/28 thru 12/1

Happy shopping! <3


 

Fall Flats | Oxford Chic

I am fully embracing the flat trend this fall. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my heels, but some mornings it’s just a little easier to walk to work in flats.

One of my favorite flat trends right now is taken right from the men’s department, lace-up oxfords! But these flats are anything but manly- pastel, leopard, polka dots and sparkles are just a few ways to add a feminine touch to oxfords. I think the metallic pairs are a ton of fun, I snagged these Naya Tahlia Metallic Oxfords from Hautelook a few months ago and have been getting a ton of milage out of them, check them out in my Mint Tweed post!

Below, I pulled together some of my favorite fun oxfords for fall. I am obsessed with both the leopard pair and the gold striped pair!

Fall Flats- Oxford Chic

Luichiny Leopard Oxfords ($60) / Madonna Studded Oxfords ($60)

Dr. Scholl’s Polka Dot Oxfords ($40) / Crown Vintage Cut-Out Oxfords ($40)

Forever 21 Faux Patent Oxfords ($30) / Audrey Brooke Blue Suede Oxfords ($60)

Rollie Derby Gold Stripe Oxfords ($50) / Rollie Derby Rainbow Oxford ($55)

TOMS Silver Metallic Leather Oxfords ($120) / TOMS Wool Oxfords ($50)

Top Gifts for Her (Or You!) | 2014

What women want that’s a mystery men have been trying to figure out for centuries! I don’t think this topic is something I can easily sum up in a blog post, but I’m here to help you answer “what women want for christmas“!

I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but my Christmas shopping is already off to a strong start! Some of you might roll your eyes, but I live for this time of the year! I just love shopping for the perfect gift. It can be a lot of work, but nothing beats finding the ultimate gift that puts a smile on their face.

Below, I pulled together a complete collection of amazing gifts for any girl in your life. It’s important to keep in mind that every girl is different and therefore you need to pick a gift that suits her personality. Try using the collage below as inspiration. For example, accessories are a great gifting option (no sizing!), so maybe you decide to buy mittens. If your girl is a little funky, the bear mittens below would be perfect! But, if your girl is more classic, maybe a plaid print or leather gloves would be better. I love to get inspiration for ideas from the internet and then tailoring them to fit my friends and family.

Use this list to get you started, you do still have over a month until Christmas! 🙂 Love an item below? Share in the comments!

top gifts for her 2014

Madewell Blanket Scarf ($65) / theBalm Eyeshadow Palette ($36) / H&M Polka Dot Pajamas ($30) / Forever 21 Bear Mittens ($9) / kate spade Polka Dot Candle ($40) / kate spade Initial Pendant ($58) / J. Crew Polka Dot Journal ($18) / Tacolicious Cookbook ($16) / Tory Burch for Fitbit ($195) / kate spade Bow Earrings ($29) / Nordstrom Pom Pom Slippers ($34) / S’well Waterbottle ($35) / Frends Headphones ($150) / C. Wonder Buffalo Check Keychain ($18) / Old Navy Knit Beanie ($15) / Old Navy Plaid Flats ($24) / kate spade Bow Eyemask ($38) / Gap Jersey Backpack ($50)

DEALS:

Madewell– 20% off  [code- YOURGIFT]

J. Crew– 30% off  [code- SHOPNOW]

Gap– 40% off  [code- BFRIDAY]

C. Wonder– 30% off  [no code needed]


Be the Hostess with the Mostess | 2014

As the holiday season approaches, my mind is swirling with tons of holiday party ideas! With Thanksgiving only about a week away, I thought I would share some festive must haves for the modern hostess.

To me, the holidays are all about good food, yummy drinks and kicking back with family and friends. To make your holiday season a little easier, I pulled together some fabulous products that are bound to make this year’s get together memorable.

Why open your bottles with that boring opener hiding in your drawer when you can use this golden pretzel? Try serving everyone’s favorite dairy product on this festive snowflake cheese board, don’t forget to label them with these adorable fork cheese markers! Explore my other hosting must haves and share your favorites in the comments below!

10 holiday hosting must haves

Anthropologie Pretzel Bottle Opener ($10) / C. Wonder Snowflake Cheese Board ($38) / Anthropologie Glittered Cocktail Stirrers ($12) / Nordstrom Wooden Christmas Tree ($29) / kate spade Polka Dot Place Cards ($10) / C. Wonder Polka Dot Coaster Set ($48) / Anthropologie Bubbles Highball Glasses ($58) / C. Wonder Fork Cheese Markers ($28) / Nest Holiday Candle ($14) / Anthropologie Holiday Cookie Cutters ($28)

{BONUS– The whole C. Wonder  site is currently 30% off!}