Tag: warm

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Let's Look

Let’s Look: Top Comforts

Hello All and Happy Wednesday!

It’s the second Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for our final Let’s Look of the year as I link up with ErikaĀ andĀ Shay.Ā 

This has been my first year participating in Let’s Look and it’s been so fun. Not only do I love sharing glimpses into my life, but I enjoy reading about other people’s lives too. Here’s a look at all the topics we covered for the past year.

Last month, in November we talked about stocking stuffers, October we discussedĀ our biggest fears, in September, we talked aboutĀ evening routines, August, we talked aboutĀ our worst habits, in July, we talked aboutĀ new favorite summer finds, in June,Ā we talked aboutĀ best travel tips, in May, we talked about ourĀ morning routines, in April, we talked aboutĀ pet peeves,Ā in March, we talked aboutĀ Amazon purchases,Ā in February it was aboutĀ our medicine cabinets.

Today’s topic is perfect for this time of year, we are talking about favorite comforts. I love every season for different reasons, but there is something special about the Christmas and winter season that makes you want to cuddle up and get cozy.

Whether you are getting cozy for Christmas or looking to stay warm in the winter, here’s my top comforts.

Flannel Sheets in the Winter– A few years ago, I picked up a pair of flannel sheets to use in the wintertime and they are a comfort that has brought me so much joy. I only use them around the holidays, so when I take them out, it makes them even more special. They provide extra warmth; they make my bed feel a bit fancier and they make my bed look a bit more festive too. We spend hours every day sleeping in our beds, so it’s important that we make that space comfortable and cozy.Ā 

Fuzzy Blankets– If I’m curled up on the couch with a good book or movie, chances are I have a warm blanket to go with it. I love a good throw blanket, not only are they practical, but they also make a great decor item. I have them draped over chairs, beds and couches. I use them all twelve months, but I get the most out of them in the winter months.

Throw blankets can add a lot to a space.

Seasonal Candle– Another way to make a space comfortable is by lighting a candle. Although, I light candles year-round (typically florals in the spring and summer and harvest/festive in the fall and winter) candles make a space extra cozy when it’s chilly outside. A candle sets the mood in a space and can make it more inviting, festive, or cozy. It also cancels out smells and odors which is a gameĀ changer if you have pets or just finish cooking a meal that has an aroma that lingers. I love to light a candle in my room when getting ready or relaxing, in the family room when people are visiting or watching a show or in the kitchen after cooking. You can purchase a candle without breaking the bank and it adds a lot to the ambiance of a space.

Festive Drink- If I’m looking to create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere, a warm drink will most likelyĀ be included. I enjoy hot chocolate in the winter, hot cider in the fall and then in the summer I enjoy a flavorful tea. Hot cocoa is my favorite holiday drink, I add some peppermint or candy canes for some extra flavor and to make it a bit more festive.

All festive drinks this time of year.

Good Book or Movie in the Background– After you have your drink poured, blanket handy and candle lit, it’s time to enjoy all these comforts. I like to enjoy them by reading a good book or watching a movie or tv show. I tend to get comfortable and cozy at the end of the day after the chores are done and work is on pause until the next day. Whether it’s for an hour or fifteen minutes taking time for yourself is so important and getting cozy and comfortable can only make it better.

That’s a look into my top comforts, nothing to exciting or special, a lot of things you probably have around your home, but they are little ways to elevate your space and help you relax and unwind a little especially this time of year when it can get extra busy.

Tell me: what are your top comforts? Let me know in the comments below! Have a great Wednesday and I’ll see you back here on Friday!

Categories
Fabulous living

Making Your Space Cozy

Hello all! 

As we make our way through November, December will slowly creep up on us and the cold will be here to stay.Ā I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of the cold, which is why I try hard to make my space extra COZY! This past week we have seen temperatures in the 40’s…brrrr.

In honor of the chilly weather, Iā€™m sharing five ways to make your space cozy and comfortable.

  • Candles– Lighting candles can really change a space, based on previous posts, you know I am a fan of candles. In the cold months, thereā€™s nothing better than lighting a candle. In the winter months, I love changing my scents like pine or spearmint or frasier fur, those warm and rich scents can easily elevate a space no matter how big or small.
This is one we have going in our family room. I love lighting at night and having it burn while we watch tv or visit. 
  • Throw Blankets– I LOVE THROW BLANKETS. I have gotten them as gifts and I have gifted them to friends. A blanket, a coffee mug and some chocolate are a perfect gift for someone if you arenā€™t sure what to get especially as the holidays get closer.Ā I like blankets for different seasons and I love having different patterns and textures of blankets. I drape thinner ones over the chairs in the summer for cooler nights and have warm fleece ones in the winter, I even have ones for the holidays. Bringing out warmer blankets and having them over a couch or in a basket makes the space more inviting and cozy and it allows family members or friends to take a throw if they get cold and need some extra warmth.
  • Mood Lighting– In the spring and summer I spend a lot of time outdoors with all the natural light. In the fall and winter when it gets dark so early, instead of turning on bright overhead lights, consider turning on lamps instead. It makes the room more inviting and softer. 
Putting a fire place on adds warmth to a room too.
  • Flannel Sheets-Adding flannel sheets to your bed is just another small way to make your bedroom warm especially on cold nights. I typically put my winter flannel sheets right around Thanksgiving and I leave them on until after the new year. Adding warm sheets is just another small way to feel extra cozy all hours of the day.
  • Warm drinks– Nothing completes a space than a warm drink, whether itā€™s a hot cup of coffee, a warm tea or some hot coco or cider. Fill your favorite mug and enjoy your warm and cozy space. 

Those are just a few ways to make your space no matter how big or small more cozy and warm for winter. 

Now, turn on the lamps, light the candle and maybe even the fireplace too, pull a throw blanket out and pour a warm drink and cozy up.

Categories
Fabulous living

Breaking Down: Diffuser, Candles and Essential Oils

Hello All! Happy October! 

I hope you are all having a great start to your new month.

As we begin a new month and new season, one thing you may enjoy as the temperatures begin to drop is cozying up inside. I know thereā€™s nothing I enjoy more than taking out a fuzzy blanket and having a room that smells like fall when Iā€™m looking to relax. But how do you get a room to smell warm and cozy and inviting? Do you light a candle, plug in a wall flower, diffuse some essential oils? Iā€™ve tried all three and in good news, I donā€™t think you can go wrong with any of the options. Iā€™ve tested them all and think they can all be used in one way or another.Ā It all comes down to preference.

Letā€™s start with diffusers. Iā€™ve used my diffuser the longest. I started using it in college when you werenā€™t allowed to use candles or wall flowers in dorm rooms.

I really like how natural essentials oils are and how they made a room smell. I also liked reading and learning about different oils and how you can combine them and how they can be used for your health too.

Some of my favorite essential oils to use are lavender or peppermint (especially at night to help with sleep or headaches), lemon when cleaning or a few combinations of oils in the winter to help build immunity to avoid getting sick.Ā 

I tend to use essential oils at night or when Iā€™m looking for a subtle smell to have in the background. In my opinion, the only one downside it that essential oils are super strong so if you are looking to really have your room smell different then this may not be the best option. I keep mine by my bedside and always enjoy the smell it brings when I go to bed or wake up.

Option #1 Diffusers

Next up candles! I love burning a candle when Iā€™m getting ready in the morning or when Iā€™m reading or watching a movie or just relaxing at the end of a long day. I really like the atmosphere and tone that lighting a candle provides. Itā€™s almost as if you are being intentional to relax, calm down and unwind. Thereā€™s so many different scents and combinations you can make your space smell fresh, or warm and inviting or even like sheet of fresh baked cookies. I tend to go with scents found in nature like pine or peppermint, or seasonal scents too, like apple in the fall or cedarwood in the summer. I like the mood that lighting a candle can set for any room. Plus they make a nice piece of decor too.

My current favorite candle

Lastly, we have wall flowers. This is my latest favorite room essential. I got my wall flower and scents from Bath and Body Works. One thing I like about wall flowers is how you can choose how strong you want a scent to smell and it can really take over a room. Whether you like that or not is another decision. I often find myself turning on a wall flower if Iā€™m looking to really have my room or space smell a certain way if that makes sense. I will often use it for only a few hours a day when Iā€™m spending a lot of time in the room or if Iā€™m having company over and Iā€™m looking for a stronger scent. Another nice thing about wall flowers is you can stock up on favorite scents so you donā€™t run out.Ā Plus, there’s so many different fun scents for the holidays too.

My current favorite

In my opinion, you really canā€™t go wrong with any of the these options, they are all around the same price range (minus getting an initial diffuser or wall flower) They all have peaks and pits to them,Ā  but I think it really just depends on how strong you want a room to smell, how works best for your space and the atmosphere too. Plus, with the holidays coming up, this could be a great gift for someone in your life or something to ask for for yourself. Thereā€™s no right or wrong way to go about this, but I think that changing the way your space smells is a great way to elevate a space for you and any company you have.Ā 

So, I want to know, whatā€™s your favorite way to go about making your space smell good? Let me know in the comments below.!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #85

LOTD

Hi all! Happy Thursday! This past month has gone by so fast since Iā€™ve been home. Iā€™ve done a lot of running around, working, and some relaxing. Today, Iā€™m on my way back to school for the new semester. I know this upcoming semester will be busy but Iā€™m keeping and open mind and staying positive despite the unknown. Todayā€™s outfit of the day is all about being comfortable and cozy in the cold winter months, plus I got a few pieces of clothes for Christmas and I couldnā€™t help but not share them. This outfit is perfect for running around and doing errands, doing homework, or heading to an early morning class. 

Cozy for the winter months

Sherpas are the hit and a huge fashion trend this winter season. I got this gray/brown Sherpa from Marley Lilly for Christmas. Although, most Sherpas on the market today are in three quarter zip style, but I love this alternative style from Marley Lilly. I love the high neck and long sleeves with the Sherpa. It is not only warm but also very fashionable.Ā 

Keeps you warm both in and outside

I decided to pair my Sherpa with a pair of straight jeans from Old Navy. I love these jeans. They can be worn with boots, heels, and flats. For todayā€™s outfit, I decided to pair them with Sperry boots and boot socks. I love wearing a warm pair of boot socks with my Sperry boots. My socks match my Sherpa. I hope this outfit gives you inspiration with your next outfit. Stay warm these next few weeks in January. See you next week as we talk about fitness goals for the new year!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #34

LOTD

Hello and happy Thursday!

I don’t know about you, but January always drags on. The fast pace of the Christmas season is behind us and we look forward to warmer weather. With snow continuously falling and frigid temperatures, I try toĀ mix and match a few pieces to bring some excitement to my wardrobe.

Staying cozy and fashionable on a Thursday!

 

I wore this outfit out for dinner this past weekend and I got lots of compliments. Ā I wore my favorite pair of regular cut jeans from Old Navy. I prefer dark jeans opposed to light jeans. I love going to Old Navy for jeans since they come in many different styles for every body type. I decided to go neutral with a black cow neck sweater. I love this over sized sweater from GAP. I have it both in black and fuchsia pink. Since both sweaters are bold colors, they can go with any outfit.

My statement piece is my faux fur vest. I got this vest from Target, believe or not. I love Target, but I donā€™t always have luck there for clothes. However, this was a great find. I have worn it with leggings, jeans, even a simple black dress. Itā€™s a great piece to dress up an outfit.

I wanted to highlight two accessories I’m wearing. First, I got this gold bar necklace for Christmas and it is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. It’s a simple necklace but I love how it can go with anything. Also, I have my initials on it so its personalized which makes it all the more special.

So simple, but so personalized and elegant,

I also am wearing this fun collection of bracelets and a watch. It matches my outfit with the brown but it is also a statement piece. I got this from Francesca’s BoutiqueĀ  and I can;’t wait to wear it with other outfits.

Fun wrist accessories!

Sometimes it can be intimidating to wear something out of our comfort zone. But, I suggest to be BOLD. Try new pieces you may not normally pair with an outfit. You may never know you like an accessory unless you try it first. Have a great warm weekend. Stay warm!!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #33

LOTD

One of my favorite Christmas gifts. Definitely will be used with the snowy weather

Happy Thursday! How has your week been? Getting adjusted to being back to work after the holidays? Ready for the weekend?

Snow has been falling nonstop for the past few days. Life these days has been filled with snow covered streets and below freezing temperatures. Welcome to the East Coast!

Iā€™m sharing a fresh look of the day. For those who live where snow falls more than half the year, or if you are used to more temperatures in the 30ā€™s rather than the 80ā€™s then this post is for you. Planning a ski trip to the mountains, keep on reading. Ā Iā€™m giving you a peak into my favorite winter essentials.

One of my favorite Christmas gifts. It will be keeping me warm in the snow

No matter the weather, a heavy coat is crucial. I got this coat for Christmas and it is not only stylish but warm. I got it from L.L. Bean. It can keep you warm from 0 to below 50 degrees. Ā It is well insulated and well keep you warm walking to class or heading into work. Plus, who doesnā€™t love a big fur hood to keep your head warm.

Favorite boots and cabin socks

Another winter essentials I canā€™t live without are snow boots. We all love our Uggs but they can get ruined after constantly walking through the snow. These boots from Sperry, but I got them for sale at DSW, not only keep my warm but are stylish. Add a pair of warm cabin socks and you have yourself a stylish outfit. I love pairing boot socks and short Sperry boots together. These cabin socks are another favorite winter essential.

I wore a pair of hounds tooth leggings with this outfit with a black blouse. I wanted to dress up this print leggings. Be on the lookout for that outfit in the upcoming weeks. This outfit kept me warm on a day with freezing temperatures. Also, I couldn’t end this post without a shout out to my cousin, Grace for taking these fantastic photos. She did phenomenal especially in the freezing cold. What are your must haves when it comes to winter fashion? Happy Thursday friends