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The Best of Black Friday Sales

Happy Friday! By now, I'm sure you've already started shopping some of the incredible sales, but to be sure you haven't missed anything, I've rounded up some of my favorites below!
J. Crew // 40% off select styles & 30% off everything else (including stuff that's never on sale) with code: HOLIDAY

J. Crew Factory // 50% off everything & free shipping on orders of $50 or more with code: SHIPGIFTS

Madewell // 25% off entire purchase with code: CALMDOWN

Gap // 50% off everything with code: BLKFRIDAY

Old Navy // 40-60% off everything

Bauble Bar // 30% off with code: THX

Madeline and Company // 30% off with code: THANKS2015

Nordstrom // 25% off a ton of amazing items

Bloomingdales // 50% off select items and $25 off every $200 you spend

Tory Burch // Spend $250 for 30% off with code: THANKS

Kate Spade // 25% off entire purchase with code: MERCI

Anthropologie // 25% off with code: SHOPTOIT

Happy shopping!
xoxo

Thankful


I love Thanksgiving. I think dedicating a whole day to food, family, friends, and focusing on what we are so grateful to have in our lives is such a blessing in itself. I am truly thankful for all of the incredible people, opportunities, and experiences I've had in my life and I am lucky enough to call them all mine. A huge thank you especially goes out to each and every one of you for supporting this blog and supporting me every day! My life is so enriched by TBP, and I wouldn't love blogging half as much if it weren't for all of you incredible people standing with me through the journey.

I wish you all a day filled with love and gratitude, and remember to enjoy your company, your pie, and count your blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving from mine to yours,
xoxo

Holiday Makeup Look


I'm not huge into makeup. I have my favorite products and I have my usually routine that I rarely ever stray from. I don't do anything bold or too exciting, but I love that I tried out a bright lip for this holiday look. It's so festive! I had a friend do my makeup for fun after a sleepover last weekend, so I couldn't tell you all of the products, but I think trying out any variation of a bold lip for the holidays is going to be a bright and successful experience! 



Bralette // Shirt // Sleep Shorts (Similar) // Polaroid Camera (would make a great gift!)










And that's it! I just applied my favorite mascara // a little blush and bronzer for a glory look, and did a simple and natural shimmery eye. 




Necklace c/o // Dress (Similar) // Earrings

What do you think of the bold lip?
xoxo

Gift Guide: Guys


You might think I'm crazy when I say this, but I think guys are so easy to shop for. Unlike girls, where we are picky and particular, guys are so low-key. Get your brother, dad, boyfriend, best guy friend, cousin, or whomever something cozy and classic that he will actually get a little use out of, and your gift is golden. I've gathered up a few things below that are favorites among the guys in my life, so they're sure to be successful options for whoever you're shopping for. 

How to Throw a Friendsgiving

I love Thanksgiving. Sometimes, I honestly think I might like it better than Christmas. There is a lot less stress, the entire focus is on food, and the whole spirit of the season is already here (not going to lie, I listened to Christmas music all weekend after it snowed Friday night). It's pretty much a win, win, win on all fronts!

Tomorrow night I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my friends, aka part-taking in "Friendsgiving", before I leave for St. Louis on Wednesday to actually celebrate Thanksgiving this year with my mom's side of the family. Because it is senior year, my friend group is really funny and over the top in the sense that we now do a lot of fun, random, extravagant activities and we plan a lot more get togethers than we have before. 


Our "Friendsgiving" has already begun down it's treacherous path of what's going to be night of far too much food and laughter, but that's what it should be, am I right? The e-vite has been sent (I'm not kidding), and now it's time to plan the event! Here are a few of my suggestions for a fun friendsgiving...


Create a theme // It's unrealistic for a bunch of teenage girls to cook a turkey after school on a Tuesday afternoon. Thursday will include all of the classic Thanksgiving recipes we've been waiting around for all year, so it's probably best not to bother with something so complex anyways. My friend group is currently stuck between breakfast for dinner or making Thanksgiving a thing for the whole continent and doing Mexican food. So random, but it's a lot easier! Thoughts?

Assign what to bring // Telling ten girls to bring whatever they want would be a disaster. We would probably end up with a lot of brownies and chips and salsa, tbh. Try to stick to your theme, think of a balanced meal and include a main course, drinks, desserts, and side ideas and assign each person a specific treat to bring!

Make it memorable // Our idea is to dress up, have a little photoshoot, and then make "Christmas cards" from our friend group. I think besides just looking cute, it'll be so nice to have some pictures from the night and a little memorabilia to hang onto forever! We're also going to do superlative awards and "most likely to's" throughout the night. I'm excited ;)


Have you ever thrown a Friendsgiving?! Any suggestions??
xoxo

This Week's Top 10


1. I am so excited for this weekend... I'm heading down to Chicago with my mom, my best friend, and her mom for today and tomorrow to celebrate my friend's 18th birthday!


3. Speaking of gifts... Did you catch my gift guides from this week? Gifts under $50 here, and gifts for the hostess here! You can even shop more in the Holiday Shop.




6. Need the perfect dress for holiday parties, under $60? Done.

7. No fear, your pre-holiday workout plan is here.

8. These are hands down the coolest riding boots I have ever seen.

9. I am obsessed with the pictures from Krista's holiday magazine, which she did an amazing job on!

10. When I'm a mom, I want to be Liz.

xoxo

Gift Guide: The Hostess


If you saw my post yesterday, it's quite possible you're now scheming out what party you'd like to throw next ;) , or maybe marking your calendars for some events you might already be attending! No matter your age or the type of holiday soiree you might be attending, bringing a hostess gift is always appropriate. It's the season to give to others and if someone is so kind to have a get together, the least you can do is give a little something something back.

Holiday Party Ideas

My favorite way to celebrate the holidays is to throw a fun and festive party with my friends! There really is no better way to spend the season than to gather together for a holly jolly afternoon with the people you love doing something merry and bright. 


Cookie Exchange // This year, I'll be hosting my favorite event, our annual mother-daughter Christmas cookie exchange. Technically, it isn't all that "annual" because my mom and I skipped the last two years, but it really is one of my favorite traditions that my mom and I do together, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. I invite my friends and their moms and everyone brings six dozen cookies to exchange at the party. Snacks, cookies, Christmas music, and mingling with each other always makes for a fabulous event and I love co-hosting with my mom (check back tomorrow for some hostess gift ideas!); it makes it so special and memorable every time and the love and spirit that the holidays are all about really shines through when I get to spend some extra time with her.

Ugly Sweater Party // I have never been to an Ugly Sweater Party, but I would love it if one of my friends threw one. What could possibly be more fun than dressing up in tacky sweater and hanging out with friends to celebrate the holidays? You could set up a photo area with props and tassels for decor and go nuts with a polaroid for some festive snaps to use for a holiday DIY project.

Gingerbread Decorating // It might be childish, but I love decorating gingerbread houses. This could be a fun way to gather your friends together to decorate and then you could even turn it into a little service project. By donating the houses to an organization like the Ronald McDonald house, you could really brighten a child's day (you'd have to check the rules for donations if you decide to go about this). This is the season of giving to others and this is a wonderful way to share the Christmas spirit.

Christmas Movie Marathon // Turn your typical slumber party into a festive night of fun! Opt in Christmas movies for your rom-coms and chick-flicks and swap your typical snacks for candy canes and hot cocoa.

Gift Exchange // Of course, it wouldn't be the holidays without a little gifting! "White Elephant", or other joke gift exchanges, are always so entertaining. Set a price range and tell everyone to bring a gift and do some exchanging one afternoon.

Are you throwing any parties this season? Do you have any traditions like mine?
xoxo

Gift Guide: Under $50



Today marks the first of many gift guides soon to come your way from TBP! I am so excited about the holidays (as is anyone!) and I absolutely love shopping around to find the best gifts for my own friends and family, so why not share some perfect presents with all of you?! This first round up is a fabulous bunch of products all under $50.

Staying on Track During the Holidays


As the holidays approach (seriously, how often have I found myself saying I can't believe ___ is already here?!), I am noticing that my list of things to cross off my to-do list is increasing, and my motivation is dwindling. When will I finally get the chance to sit by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and r-e-l-a-x?!

This past weekend was so low-key, and I'm kicking myself for not taking advantage of my super lazy Saturday and cranking out some work. Between AP classes, blog duties, the school newspaper and endless college $h!t, I accomplished a lot less this weekend then I should have. So, in lieu of that, today I am sharing a few of my favorite ways to crank out work when I'm loaded up with procrastination and I need a little motivation. I can't possible be the only one in this boat!


Make some tea and write a list // I am such a stress eater. It's bad. I will sit in my kitchen for an hour just thinking about everything I have to do and next thing I know I will have finished a whole pint of ice cream! I have found that making myself a cup of tea and taking it upstairs with me to my desk is the best way to go. Tea is meant to calm and soothe and destress your mind and body, and the taste curbs the urge for sugar! If I make a list and my mind is focused on my tasks rather than chocolate, I'll be so much more capable of checking those boxes. And, if you're like me and always cold, tea really can heat you up and make studying a lot more comfortable because you won't be shivering at your desk!

Put down your phone and get some sleep // These past few months I have taken huge advantage of my body's capability to function without a full eight hours of sleep, but this is definitely not a good thing. Just because some of us can make it through the day on five hours of sleep (or less!) does not mean we should. If you find yourself on your phone, getting distracted, or simply just not really accomplishing anything, then it is better to go to bed right away and give yourself some extra time in the AM to have a productive morning than to sacrifice sleep for unproductive time awake.

Schedule your time and make a plan // Write down everything you need to do for a day. Not specific assignments or tasks, but bigger things like "workout" or "service" or "appointment at 3 PM". Having a sense of the time that you actually are busy and occupied (don't forget to prioritize exercise... that should count as a scheduled block of time!) puts into perspective how much time you actually do have to accomplish all of the things you need to get done. Or, it might put into perspective that you really are busy and need to prioritize what must be accomplished at a particular time, and what can wait.

What are your tips to stay on track during the holidays?
xoxo

Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas

Whether you're spending this Thanksgiving volunteering, out to brunch at the country club instead of dinner, or sitting down for a classic Thanksgiving turkey dinner, you've come to the right place. Introducing: your guide to what to wear this Thanksgiving.
casual thanksgiving

flannel (on sale, under $50) // vest (I am obsessed with this!)
key pouch // ring // bangle // jeans // watch
  hat // boots (seriously my favorite boots ever... I have the 8 inch)
thanksgiving

top // monogram necklace (also makes a great gift!) // bangle // tortoise bangle
shoulder bag // scallop skirt (under $50!) // booties
Untitled #393

sweater dress (under $50 version here)
cape (under $50 similar options here and here) // watch // flats

What will you be wearing this Thanksgiving?
xoxo

This Week's Top 10


1. I got my first acceptance letter last night! I'm officially going to college.

2. I really want to frame this print in my room.

3. Speaking of interiors, I'm amazed by this one-room challenge. Mackenzie achieved a fabulous transformation.

4. These gold tennies are perfection.

5. I love the new Glitter Guide! Check out the new site... you won't want to miss it.

6. Tell me this doesn't make you want to rage !!

7. I'm in love with this pretty statement ring.

8. I've seriously been obsessed with tumblr lately!! Ask me questions. I love receiving them (and responding)!!



Happy Friday the 13th ;) Any fun plans for the weekend? It's mother-daughter on Sunday for me... the last one! So bittersweet but I am excited. Stay tuned to see my dress next week.
xoxo

Georgetown Cupcakes

This weekend in DC and Boston was a busy one, so I didn't take too many pictures. However, I did have a ton of fun touring schools and eating infamous Georgetown Cupcakes!


Georgetown itself is maybe the cutest place I've ever been. Colorful townhouses, incredible shopping, and the best food lines blocks and blocks of the quintessentially American village. Right in the heart of DC, Georgetown is an ideal location and I honestly might just want to live there someday!




My dad and I waited outside Georgetown Cupcake on Saturday for about 30 minutes (not too bad!) because I had my heart set on going there since I touched down in the DC airport. Let me just say... it was beyond worth it and I would honestly do that everyday if it meant I could eat all the cupcakes I wanted (and not get fat, of course).

The whole store is actually pretty small, but it is so pretty and pink that the ambience is amazing. While we waited in line, I picked out my half-dozen flavors for our box to bring to my aunt, uncle, and cousins in Boston. All of the flavors were delicious. I chose lava fudge, peanut butter fudge, coconut, chocolate ganache, pumpkin cheesecake, maple chocolate chip, and salted caramel. Technically that's seven cupcakes, but my dad and I couldn't narrow it down further!

I couldn't even tell you which was my favorite. I think the highlight of each cupcake was the frosting (so. good.), but the crust of the real pumpkin cheesecake was to die for, and the gooey fudge center on the lava fudge was also out of this world. My mouth is watering just thinking about this.


Seriously, such a fun experience. If you're ever in the area, and there are a few locations now, you simply must stop by at least just once!

Have you ever been? What did you think?
xoxo

J. Crew Fall




I had such a fun weekend in Boston and DC! It was an amazing few days spent with my Dad, which is always such cherished time for me, and I can't wait to be back out east for Christmas. I toured three schools while I was out and I loved one of them! I don't know if I have mentioned it on here, but I did apply early decision (binding) to one school, and I will know a little before Christmas if I'm in! Cross your fingers for me. However, the school I loved this weekend will definitely be my first choice if I am not accepted to my ED school.


The new arrivals at J. Crew are, of course, fabulous. I always secretly love most seeing the travel behind the scenes pictures from the shoots, and I am so fascinated by the excursion to Ireland. The photos and fashion are amazing. Shop below some of my favorite pieces...






Happy Wednesday... Halfway through the week!
xoxo

This Week's Top 10


1. Happy Friday! I'm on a 5 AM flight to DC. I haven't been since eighth grade and I'm so looking forward to seeing a few schools and being back in the prettiest city.

2. GAP is having an incredible sale this weekend (40-50% off your entire purchase!) I love this skirt.

3. I am obsessed with these running leggings from Old Navy!



6. Milwaukee finally got a Nordstrom! Don't miss the fall clearance sale.



9. Did you celebrate Kendall Jenner's birthday this week? Vogue did. 

10. Have a fabulous weekend! Any fun plans?

xoxo

Layering











flannel (similar) // poncho (similar) // jeans (similar) // watch // boots

I love a flannel for fall as much as the next girl, but I know how overwhelming styling plaid can get. You don't want it to be too over the top, you don't want to look like you're heading for the North woods, but you still want to look in season and feel all warm! Throwing a poncho over my flannel is one of my favorite ways to style it because the plaid still peaks out and I'm extra comfy and warm. It's a win-win!

xoxo