November Favorites

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Oh my goodness! I cannot believe that it is December. Aside from the fact that my apartment has been perfectly decorated for the holidays since mid-November, I simply cannot wrap my head around the fact that we are now in the last month of 2014. Absolutely crazy!

Each month, I anxiously await for my favorite bloggers and YouTubers to post their monthly favorites video, so I decided that I'm going to incorporate these types of posts into my routine. I think it's fun to try new products that people rant and rave about and I mean, it's a great excuse to go shopping (duh).

For my own blogging purposes, I'm going to pick a few different categories and share a favorite or two from each.


Hair Care
Herbal Essences Naked Dry Shampoo

Y'all - I picked this up on a whim and I am hooked. I'm a huge, ginormous, major fan of dry shampoos, and this one is great! I don't have to worry about this product making my hair look gray (brunettes + dry shampoo don't always mix) and it smells aaaaa-mazing. It's super inexpensive, too which is definitely a bonus!

Beauty
Naked 3 Palette

I only added this Instagram picture in to show how long I've had this palette. 50 weeks ago I splurged on this beautiful rose gold-toned collection of eye shadows. Now, I love Urban Decay. I always have.... but I struggled with this palette for so long. I completely used up my favorite color in the palette (dust) and then kind of forgot all about this gem. Well, this month, I've been very into shimmery, bronzey, brown eyes so I pulled this bad boy off of the shelf, and it's really the only shadow I've been gravitating towards lately.


Clothing
Oversized Cozy Sweaters

get it here
Imagine this sweater but in an oatmeal color paired with leggings and boots. This is basically what I have been living in this month. This particular sweater is from Gap and is so perfectly snuggly and cozy. I will wear it with a pair of boxer sleep shorts or modal leggings for lounging or with leggings and boots out in public. I have gotten so many compliments on the sweater as well. If you can get your hands on this beauty, do it! It's the perfect fall/winter sweater.

Accessory
Ohio Necklace (or really any dainty, simple, gold necklace)


This isn't the exact one that I own (I purchsed mine from a darling boutique in Hyde Park Square (leeli + lou), but I think a simple, dainty necklace in any state shape would be adorable! I think they make great gifts, and mine always seems to start a conversation. Definitely glad I picked this piece up, and something I've been really grabbing for this month.


Candle Scent
Hot Apple Toddy
I mean ..... this candle. It smells like a cold night spent inside, snuggling up with a hot mug of apple toddy (or any spiced, hot cocktail), with a blanket and a good Christmas movie. When I say this candle smells amazing, like... there are no words that are descriptive enough to explain how obsessed I am with this candle. Just... go smell it at your closest B&BW. Please?


Book
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella


Just a fun, light-hearted read. I've read this book at least a dozen times, and I re-read (well, this time listened) to it on my Audible app on my commute to and from work...that is when I didn't have Christmas music playing! If you like chick-lit, Sophie Kinsella is your girl. I've read many titles by her and have devoured and loved each and every one. They're easy, sassy, witty, and just plain fun!


Movie
Love Actually


All I'm going to say is this: if you haven't seen this movie, I know what you're now doing with your weekend. Watch it, drink wine, cry, laugh.... all of the feelings. All of them.

Music
The Penatonix - That's Christmas to Me


Festive, fun, and their voices are like butter. To say I'm obsessed is an understatement.


App
Pinterest


I love scrolling through the app when I wake up in the morning or before bed at night. I've recently been really into pinning gift guide ideas or Christmas decorations and such. Of course, my Pinterest is like 10% weddings (because I'm a girl), 30% things with glitter (see the screen shot from above), 40% cocktails and bar carts, 10% holiday and home decor, and 10% Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf (or gossip girl quotes). So...if any of that sounds appealing to you, I'd love for you to follow me! (click here!)


Cocktail
Mimosas!

Why, thank you, Blair Waldorf. Don't mind if I do.
I mean..I always love mimosas. There are so many fun things you can do to them -- mix in different flavored juice, use sorbet instead of juice, add a bunch of fresh fruit (and then eat the champange soaked fruit when you're finished!). The possibilities are truly endless! I feel like I've been craving mimosas more this month than in months recently passed. November was a good brunch month because it's been getting chillier and my motivation to do anything super productive on a weekend off has been dwindling...hence, mimosa pitchers! I know this makes me sound #basic as all get out, but ... I don't even care. Pass me another mimosa, please!


Nail Color
All I Want for Christmas is OPI (OPI) & Beyond Cozy (Essie)

as seen here
 & 
& here

These two colors are my two current go-tos. They are both so festive and fun. The red is the perfect holiday color and the glitter is just perfect for parties and events. Also, props to all of you girls who are excellent nail-painters and can post these flawless pictures of your fingers on instagram. I look like I'm bleeding every time I paint them red for at least a day until I can get all of the stain off of my cuticles. I'm working on it.


& LASTLY....

Random 
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!


So two things. One: why did I just now discover that there is a music video for this song? Did 8 year old me know that this exsisted and I just forgot...or where has this gem been hiding? Two: HAPPY HOLIDAYS, everyone! I am a big fan of celebrating Christmas starting mid-November, but I totally realize that not everyone likes to celebrate Christmas (or their respective holiday) and Thanksgiving in the same month. BUT! Now that it's officially December, the Christmas tree is up and lit, the festive music is playing, and I just want to frolick through the snow with hot chocolate and look at Christmas lights, and cuddle, and sing carols, and eat good food! 


Well, that's it for this month. Thank you so much for reading along! Feel free to leave a comment letting me know what some of your favorites were in November -- maybe it'll spark my desire to try some new things!




getting to know you

Tuesday, December 2, 2014





Hello there! I'm so glad that you stumbled onto my blog -- I can't wait to start this blogging journey, and I hope that you will connect with me and follow along.

To start things off, I thought I would post a list of 10 little facts all about me. I love reading other people's Q&A blogs or fun facts, and I love watching tag videos on YouTube (and I hope you enjoy this, too!)



1. my name is Alli and I'm a monogram-a-holic.
Reese Witherspoon once said "if it doesn't move, monogram it!" What a wise lady. When I say that I monogram everything, I mean it. Coffee mugs, hair bows, sweatshirts, rain jackets, tote bags, clutches, and even my Christmas stocking. I think that adding a monogram to a gift makes it perfectly personalized, and it can jazz up anything you own.
delightful
2. brunch is everything.
To me, there is nothing better than sleeping in on a Sunday and then mozying to my favorite brunch spot (which just happens to be right across the street from my apartment. so convenient). Mimosas, bloody marys, french toast, hashbrowns.... I mean, everything. Brunch is my favorite meal of the week and it is the perfect time to gossip with girlfriends about the scandalous (or boring) details of your weekend or to catch up with a good friend over breakfast friendly cocktails and delicious food. Whether you're in the mood for sweet or savory, brunch has got your back. The amount of brunch pictures on my Instagram feed are mildly embarrassing, but who could resist a meal in which cocktails are encouraged before 4pm?
found on pinterst - hey now hey now, this is what dreams are made of

3. Carrie Bradshaw is my spirit animal
Something else that goes hand in hand with a girls' brunch is discussing which Sex and the City character you are. As silly as this sounds, it has definitely been the topic of many of my Sunday brunch excursions. "Oh my gosh you were totally slutty this weekend! You're suuuuch a Samantha!" (I'm cracking up as I type this,,, I know this is ridiculous). For years I would tell everything that I was definitely a Charlotte York, I was on the hunt for domestic bliss. Here I am now, 24 with no ring on my finger (trust me when I say I am not complaining) realizing I've always been much more of a Carrie than a Charlotte. With an ever-growing closet, a love of cosmopolitans, and the eternal search for love and the perfect pair of shoes (hello, lover!), I am Carrie Bradshaw.... now where is my Mr. Big?
truer words have never been spoken


4. I have a very serious nail polish obsession
...and no intentions of ever stopping. My windowsill is lined with all of my Essie polishes, lined up in color order. 6 more and the entire length of my window will be covered (small victories). My bedside tables are stocked with OPI nail polishes or other brands (a few Nars or Sephora by OPI nail polishes). There's a polish for every occasion, but lately, I've been very into vampy Christmas reds or dark greens.
current favorite All I Want for Christmas is OPI


5. if I'm ever having a bad day, a cupcake is the cure
There is a bakery in Cincinnati called the BonBonerie and... oh my god..... amazing. Every one of their treats is divine. I can never stop in for just one thing. If I make a trip to the bakery, I will come home with $30 worth of sweets. French macarons, pastries, cookies, cupcakes, I can't even, The salted caramel cupcake is the one cure for anything: bad day at work, broken heart, post hangover,
in all of its glory

6. a trip to target is like a religious experience
In all seriousness, I love Target. I will make several trips to Target throughout the week.... just because. I love to peruse the dollar section (you can find some serious gems), and then make my way through the clothes, the shoes, the electronics, the bath and bedding section, home decor, the HOLIDAY SHOP (aka heaven), the wine aisle (because constantly having a bottle of red and white is a must for every 20 something), and then I end with the office supply aisle and the NAIL POLISH. I have only left target a handful of times without impulse buying a new Essie. It's a problem and a solution all at the same time.


#AlexFromTarget ... but really, who is this kid?


7. I want to be Colleen Ballinger (Miranda Sings) when I grow up.
If you haven't watched any Miranda videos or any of Colleen's personal videos on YouTube, you're definitely missing out. She is hilarious and her videos never fail to cheer me up or put a smile on my face. Seriously. Go check out her YouTube channel (Colleen's Channel & Miranda Sings)



8. Taylor Swift's 1989 is the current soundtrack of my life
Like any other 20 year old girl, I am obsessed with Taylor Swift's new CD. Every song is perfect. I love the songs I hate (wrap your head around that one). I'm constantly playing the music from the minute I wake up until I go to sleep. It's just..... perfect. Taylor Swift just gets it. disclaimer: I have terrible taste in music. I will be the first person to admit this. but this cd is great.



9. I love Lilly Pulitzer
Maybe it's the colors. Maybe it's the patterns. Maybe it's the carefree, fun lifestyle the brand embodies. I don't know what it is, but I am hooked. I'm not as into Lilly in the fall and winter, but I still love to display my Lilly shorts and dresses in my closet all year long. The colors and patterns are just too pretty to not want to look at every morning! I think Lilly is my favorite thing about the spring and summer (is this a little sad? maybe. do I care? no). One of my best girlfriends got married this summer and had a lilly-inspired wedding that was a-dor-a-ble...so of course the bachelorette party was Lilly themed. Complete with fun cocktails, tons of lilly patterns, and lilly gifts! oh!  I almost forgot to mention that her wedding was on National Wear Your Lilly Day. Obviously, I had to dress in theme...

the boyfriend and me decked out in Lilly (print: I Herd You) on NWYLD


10. I am SO excited to start this blogging journey and to learn more about each and every one of YOU!
So leave me a comment with a fun fact about you! I can't wait to connect and share our experiences.
Thank you so much for stopping by!


 
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