One of the things I look forward to most each holiday season since we’ve been engaged is sending out Christmas cards to our friends and family. I didn’t expect to be quite so busy this fall and winter, so our Christmas card photo session ended up getting delayed over and over again as new projects and deadlines came through. Finally, my husband and I were able to find a time that worked for us both and we took our photos in front of a beautiful Colorado backdrop lightly dusted with snow.
I looked online and saw I could get the Christmas cards rushed… (And then I would no doubt be rushing to stamp them all and send them out.) One of my goals this holiday season was to stop stressing and to consciously take time to enjoy the little things that make this time of year so special. Curling up with my husband and our pups by the fire. Watching cheery, slightly cheesy, Hallmark movies while I wrap gifts. Enjoying one too many chocolates. And spending time with friends over a hot cup of cocoa.
So I ordered New Year’s cards. Cards that would arrive after the New Year and wish our family and friends a beautiful, blessed 2017. Cards that wouldn’t get lost in the Christmas chaos and would perhaps even brighten someone’s day after the glow of Christmas ends and the dreary January weather sets in. New Year’s cards were what we needed, what I needed, this year… So that’s what I did.
It’s Christmas Eve and time to be cozy. But just because you’re cozy, you don’t have to give up your sparkle. I paired these super-soft swan print pajama pants with some seriously glam Kendra Scott jewelry.
I was so impressed with their fine jewelry collection. The beautiful pavé pieces are so well-made and incredibly sparkly; they’re the perfect jewelry to layer and mix with your current favorites. My favorite pieces in the collection are the necklace and bracelet in yellow gold. For a statement NYE look, I would layer the necklace with this multi-strand necklace with lots of light-catching crystals and add the chandelier earrings to match.
I am so thankful for each and every one of you. As a thank you, I am hosting a Chloé card case giveaway right here. I draw the winner on Christmas Day and I can’t wait to see who gets to start 2017 with a brand new blush pink card case. I wish every entry could win; I would love to gift you all with something wonderful to thank you for all your love and support this year. But for now, I get to send one lucky person a little Chloé and it makes me so happy. Good luck!
I am so excited to be able to offer you this giveaway. This is an item I’ve had my eye on for months and even included in my Luxe Gift Guide. It’s this beautiful blush pink Chloé Card Case that holds four cards and has both an open pocket and a zippered pocket for coins or receipts. I think it’s darling and I hope you like it as much as I do.
I apologize for not filming a video to reach my YouTube followers and show you the product up close. I was packing and doing laundry until 1 AM last evening and I just needed to close my eyes and rest before our drive today… This holiday season has been a busy (but wonderful!) one. Video aside, I can assure you that the card case is beautiful and well-made and will be the perfect addition to your handbag and may even become your go-to piece when you’re out and about or running errands.
Please enter through the giveaway down below in the Rafflecopter widget. The giveaway begins Thursday, December 22nd at 12 PM MST and will end Sunday, December 25th at 12 PM MST. This giveaway is open to international entries as long as you are 18 years of age. If the winner does not email me ([email protected]) within 24 hours of the announcement another winner will be chosen.
Wishing you the best of luck… Thank you in advance for entering and participating! I hope you have safe travels this holiday week and take time to make beautiful memories with your friends and family. And thank you so much for supporting and encouraging me throughout this year… I appreciate each and every one of you so very much.
Oh wow, that might be the prettiest card holder I’ve ever seen! Thanks for sharing and thank you for the opportunity at a chance to win one! Happy holidays!
In this coming year I am most looking forward to studying abroad in Ireland this summer. I am so excited and think that this card case would be perfect to carry the necessities that I will need while I am there. 🙂
I love this little key case, it would be perfect for my honeymoon! 🙂 I’d like to see some more daily vlogs, how you stay organized at home, exercise & cooking recipes!
What a gorgeous card case! Crossing my fingers! I would love to see beauty reviews; I always appreciate your honest opinions of products. Merry Christmas!
During the holiday, this a-line plaid skirt is my go-to piece. I can pair it with anything from a turtleneck to a moto jacket or this cape jacket and it always looks pulled together. This one I’m wearing is two years old from Kate Spade, but this one is similar. And I just bought this shorter plaid skirt I’ve been loving as well.
I just shipped out my first giveaway of the holiday season and Glamour Bar is currently giving away a free mani + pedi to one lucky Denver girl on my Instagram! They do my beauty prep for all my shoots and they’ll have you looking great for New Year’s Eve too. Be sure to enter because it is only open for one day! And check back soon because another big giveaway is coming to the blog this week.
I know it sounds a bit silly, but every year I looked forward to the Oprah’s Favorite Things episode on TV. I loved seeing all her favorite items and the gifts she planned on giving that holiday season. Even after her show is gone, I still buy her Favorite Things magazine issue to see the items she’s picked. I was inspired by this idea and I wanted to share my own Favorite Things with all of you. Luckily, my favorite ladies were up for it and we started planning.
So I hosted a holiday party (TCG’s second annual – see the first one here) where we shared our favorite brands and goodies and we wrapped them up to give to our friends and family. There was plenty of girl talk and laughing as there always is with these sweet girls I’ve found in Denver! And no holiday party of mine is complete without a hot cocoa bar and sweet treats, so we had those too. Keep reading to learn about my favorites and why I love them so much.
The science behind Biossance is pretty incredible and I would highly suggest checking out their website or this informative little video I made a while ago. Their collection of skincare products is based around one special ingredient: squalane; a natural, plant-derived version of the moisture our skin used to make naturally when we were young.
Their skincare has changed my life – making my skin blemish-free, hydrated, and supple. (This is not an easy feat here in dry and sunny Colorado!) My favorites? Their makeup-removing cloths that utilize squalane and antioxidants to create a cleansing cloth that’s also hydrating and beneficial to skin. And their precious rose facial oil that I use as a moisturizer, lip balm, sleeping mask, and even split-end serum on my hair.
Get 15% off your Biossance purchase using CASHMEREGYPSY at checkout, now until 12-31.
I met jewelry designer Lindsay Bloom at an event here in Denver and instantly fell in love with both her personality and her beautiful jewelry. Her pieces are so dainty and delicate; they’re easy to wear and to mix and layer with your current collection. My first Bloom purchase was one of her Pave Diamond Delicate Necklaces and I didn’t take it off for two weeks!
The black diamond jewelry is my absolute favorite – it gives gorgeous sparkle, but still looks casual enough to wear with tees and sweaters. I also love the stone pieces; her moonstone ring being my favorite. Most of all, I appreciate the price point on Bloom Jewelry… I love being able to purchase fine jewelry without feeling guilty for spending on myself. The holidays, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day are soon approaching and any of the Bloom pieces would make a perfect gift.
Usual production time is one week, but you can email [email protected] if you need your piece ASAP!
I discovered Royal Scout and Co. last year and their Faux Fur Wolf Neck Wrap has been my go-to for spicing up any look. I can throw this on with something as simple as a long-sleeve thermal or a fitted sweater and it instantly looks pulled together. I just love the texture and luxe feel it adds to all my outfits.
The quality is beautiful and right now the Royal Scout and Co. Faux Fur Wolf Neck Wrap is discounted to $50 from the original retail price of $90. By using my discount code you can take an extra 15% off that, making them a lovely gift for anyone this winter season.
Get 15% off your Royal Scout and Co. purchase using CASHMEREGYPSY, now until 1-31.
If you’re a reader of mine, you’re probably aware of my long-time love affair with Yours Truly Cupcake. They were a major favorite at the bachelorette party I hosted for my bestie. What I love about their treats and sweets is that they are always just as delicious as they are cute and I find that to be so rare when it comes to desserts. They go above and beyond when it comes to making creative and picture-perfect desserts.
For our party, Yours Truly Cupcake made Rice Krispie Treat Pops, Snowflake Sugar Cookies, and Hot Cocoa Mini Cupcakes. Between the glitter and those tiny little marshmallows, I was honestly about to faint from cuteness. They were perfect and not a single one was left by the end of the evening.
If you’ve never seen or heard me gush about Glamour Bar, you’re probably new to my blog and social media because I adore this Denver salon and the people who work there. They keep me looking put together for my shoots and if I don’t stop in to see them before shooting photos, I always regret it! The best part about Glamour Bar is the one-stop-shop factor. I can pop in to one place and get my hair blown out, lash extensions applied, golden spray tan, and mani-pedi. In one afternoon, they have me ready for my shoots and events.
If you’re in Denver and want to try lash extensions, just mention my blog and you’ll get $50 off your lash extensions. Trust me – they’re wonderful. “I woke up like this” becomes a real thing. I love having them because I can get on Snapchat and Insta Stories and chat with you completely makeup-free.
I finished up my Christmas shopping this weekend at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. I love the atmosphere there; the holiday decor is beautiful, soothing music echoes through the stores, and there are plenty of options for food and drink when I start to feel tired. When I’m struggling to get into the holiday spirit, it’s always my first stop to improve my mood. After finding a gift or two and seeing happy kids leaving their Santa visit, I find myself feeling so excited for Christmas and everything that goes along with it. Do you have a special routine to put you in the Christmas mood?
I wore this cozy outfit and it turned out to be perfect for a shopping day. The poncho can be belted to show a bit more of your waist or left loose like a wrap. I love it paired with the black drusy earrings and ring and hematite necklace by Kendra Scott. If you wear a lot of dark clothing for work, these pieces will give it texture and shine without looking too loud.
There’s something so perfect about the ruffle detail and starry lace of this gorgeous green dress. It’s perfect for your holiday events this season and into the winter months.
I loved the belt detail with grommets so much and I wanted to play up that touch of edginess, so I went to our local Kendra Scott shop for a little help from the girls there! Right away, we found these amazing earrings and necklace that have both blue and green inside them. They bring out the colors in my outfit and they’re also reversible, with a glowing moonstone-like appearance on the other side. We added the cuff bracelet to highlight the black belt on the dress.
TIP: Remember Topshop is in UK sizing, so be sure to read the measurements in the size guide before you order. I found the US sizing/measurements true to size. I’m 5’7″ for reference.
GIVEAWAY CLOSED!! CONGRATULATIONS TO KELLI CRISS!!
Hello darlings. If you know me, you’re probably well aware that I love being cozy when it gets chilly outside and the holidays are near. I wanted to gift one of you something you can share with friends, then cozy up and enjoy. (If you enjoy it while watching cheesy Christmas movies, I won’t judge… I’m totally doing the same thing.)
Please take a moment and enter the giveaway via the widget down below; it means so much to me that I’m able to send this to one of you! There are so many ways to get extra entries, so complete as many as you can. This giveaway is open to anyone 18 years of age and older and I am opening this up to my international followers as well. The giveaway will only last for two days, so I will draw the winner on Friday, December 16th and will post it here and on my Instagram account.
Wishing you the best of luck! And stay tuned, because there are more giveaways coming to my Instagram and blog very soon.
That wrap is gorgeous! I love the old car as well! So vintage!
Briana
http://beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com/
Love this dress, the wrap and this entire shoot! Simply beautiful!