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gifts for the littles.
This month was so incredibly special. I flew home to Dallas because my twin sister, Brittany, and her sweet husband, Shaun, were about to have their first little one. Initially, it was so surreal to process that my sister was pregnant. It is such a beautiful reality, yet at the same time, I feel like there is no way we could be old enough! Who's with me?So I must admit, I have a slight obsession with buying baby Kate bows. I can't stop, and it's becoming a problem. This store is my weakness, and the size of these bows gives me all the feels, but these fringe booties are the cherry on top. Thank you, Minnetonka! Baby Kate is going to look beyond precious in these little shoes, and I couldn't help but introduce her early to these perfectly cozy fall booties. That's one of my jobs as an aunt, right?
Let's talk baby gifts. Because I don't have any toddlers running around, I am going to stick with what I have become most familiar with (babies!). To start off, I believe books are the sweetest presents for a little one. Reading is so important for their minds and creativity even when they are still itty bitty. A child can never have enough books in my opinion! That is one of the things I remember most as a child - my parents reading me stories! Christmas Eve was always my extra favorite, too, because we would all snuggle up in bed and read some holiday classics. It was the perfect way to count down Santa's arrival. See some of my favorite books below; classics included.
I must admit that I have a major love for baby blankets. They are so adorable and snugly and never go to waste. An extra bonus: they are the cutest accessory on a stroller or in the nursery. See my cozy baby quilt picks below.
Clothes and bows are yes, yes, and amen. SO fun! Sorry I am sticking with the super girly gift suggestions, but I am so enamored with hunting for baby Kate, so I am not branching out too much! Are you guys ready for these outfit options? Contain yourself :)
The little extras are so fun. I am so drawn to the precious stuffed-animal rattles or the tooth fairy in a box! See my favorite present picks that would also be perfect stocking stuffers (I can't believe I am saying that phrase already). Hooray for the holiday season!
currently loving
Friday feels! Here is what we have been loving lately-
LO
This is my favorite daily morning read
My favorite non-toxic concealer
I truly don't know how I used to do my makeup without this blender
Yes, this is a little bit of a different one, but even with blind spot 'sensors' on my car, I still can't imagine driving without these. They make me feel extra safe!
We use so much lavender oil in our home. We put it on our temples and the bottom of our feet at night, and we love to diffuse it to make our room smell like a spa :)
MELIS
Lysa Terkeurst's latest book, Uninvited, is a must-read
This laptop case keeps my Macbook Air safe & secure
I just purchased this dressy maxi skirt for fall/winter and I love it so much
A pretty tray from Pottery Barn for a bedroom dresser or a bar cart
Lo had this candle on her list a few weeks ago, so I gave it a try! It's amazing.
dreamy fall color combo
I absolutely love simple statement pieces, like this kimono jacket. It's one of those unique, special pieces that you just slip on and you instantly feel stylish, confident, and comfortable. I've paired it here with Paige denim, Everlane boots, and a striped bodysuit.
The dreamy, classic combo of black and white stripes, denim, and camel is one of my all time favorites. This is a look that I would definitely wear during the day, but it could also transition to a dinner date outfit or happy hour with girlfriends. Since I live in LA, light layers like this kimono are perfect for fall, since it's not too heavy but it still has a fall look and seasonally appropriate vibe. xo
the outfit: jacket (c/o) | denim (c/o) | bodysuit (c/o) | boots (c/o)| sunnies (c/o)
images by felicia lasala
click to shop:
black basics for fall & winter
black leather crossbody: the city girl bag by hobo
black leather booties: accordion booties by seychelles
faux leather skirt: [old] from mango | similar | similar
moto jacket: [old] from loft | similar | similar
____
Wardrobe necessities are a real thing and these four items fall into that category- black leather bag, black booties, a cool black skirt, and a moto jacket. All four are timeless, versatile, and forever in style. The key is to invest in quality styles that you really love, to ensure that you will keep reaching for them time and time again // xo melissa
keeping it casual
When I think of dressing for fall and winter weather, comfort, warmth, and casual are three words that come to mind. Thankfully, there so many outfit combinations that make for a cute and put together look, but are still comfortable, warm, and casual. For me, this outfit is a major winner when it comes to fall layers and a typical day-to-day look for a weekday or weekend. Going out and getting dressed up is fun of course, but for the day to day wear, casual is where it’s at! Vests are probably one of my favorite wardrobe items because they add a cool, effortless layer and are so versatile. Below are the links to this look, plus similar options. xo
images by felicia lasala
THE OUTFIT: vest (here, too) c/o | leggings (similar + similar) c/o
sweater c/o | sunnies c/o | shoes| lip color | bag c/o
SHOP:
currently loving
[so many cool vintage pieces, so little time // via an antique store in florence Italy]
F R I D A Y. It never gets old, does it? Below is our currently loving list for this week, including everything from the coziest blanket from pottery barn to Lo's favorite pair of madewell jeans.
my five
the coziest oversized hoodie from abercrombie
my favorite pair of jeans for the fall and winter
indian healing clay that you mix with apple cider vinegar for the best mud mask
a super cozy, faux fur blanket for cold nights and slow mornings
pretty pillows from restoration hardware
lo's five
the pens that I use for everything, including underlining when reading books
I can't even describe my love for these jeans, but they do run a size big
noise canceling headphones are a must when traveling
this book has changed my life! I am going to re-read it when I am done
my favorite mid day snack - it is a roasted whole with no sugar
// happy weekend //
classic loafer
First of all, how cool is the above image from Everlane? The relaxed, effortlessly-stylish vibe is what the brand is known for and this image completely captures that attitude. Lo and I are both big fans of Everlane, and are grateful that they sent us each a pair of shoes earlier this year to see what their brand was all about. I decided to go with the modern loafer and could not be more in love with this pair of shoes. At first I was a little nervous that they would be uncomfortable, but after a few wears they are already broken in and quite comfortable. These loafers are not only a timeless and classic addition to my wardrobe, but they are so cool. I have received compliments each time I have worn them, and they somehow look great with almost every outfit that I pair them with. I've rounded up some clothing items below that would look cute with loafers, as some style inspo for you. If you are considering a pair of loafers this fall, I would definitely consider this pair // xo melissa
OUTFIT INSPO // JUST ADD LOAFERS
suede skirt + bell sleeves
Do you guys ever get wardrobe anxiety? I am talking about the fear that your wardrobe isn't good enough- not fashionable enough, cool enough, organized enough, or perfectly curated enough. I definitely get caught up in this silly, made-up pressure situation, and lately I have been praying hard over it. Clothes, wardrobe, fashion, and personal style are all gifts that are supposed to be enjoyed, loved, and celebrated- not stressed over! After many thoughts and prayers about this matter, I have been focusing less on the fantasy that my wardrobe needs to be and should be perfect- not only is that totally unrealistic, but that goal takes the joy out of what I actually do have in my closet.A mantra that has been helping me lately is "appreciate more, accumulate less". I find myself repeating this phrase whenever I get the panicked thoughts of "Oh, I need this" or "Oh, if only I had that". Instead of striving for false perfection, I am making it a conscious decision to love and enjoy each and every piece in my closet. This includes being more creative with what I have, mixing and matching, and "shopping my closet" instead of shopping online. It's definitely a journey of growth and appreciation, and it's already resulting in a more grateful heart day by day. Amen to that!Details + links to Lo's cute fall look are at the bottom of this post // xo melissaimages by felicia lasala
OUTFIT DETAILS:
top (c/o) | skirt (c\o) | shoes (c/o) (similar) | sunnies (c/o)
SHOP THE LOOK: