:: Coffee Talk with C&C- January Favorites ::

I hate to be THIS person but isn't January one of the most useless months of the year? After NYE it's kind of like, "OK now what?" But this month was my coziest month EVER! I lived in some great Sherpa sweatshirts, leggings, and amazing boots! I added in some new and added back some old favorites to my skincare routine that have been saving my skin from the nightmare that is January weather- I mean honestly it was 60 degrees one day and LITERALLY the next it was 14!! How is that right? It's amazing I've kept any sort of sinus infection at bay.

I will say that my recent trip to Raleigh and Charleston brought me so much joy and was much needed to be traveling with some of my best girlfriends to see my very best friend and her brand new baby! Charleston is amazing and I intend on doing a post on recommendations based on our (too) short trip!

But on to the favorites

1. SHERPA!! I added a few Sherpa sweatshirts to my ever growing sweatshirt arsenal and have LIVED in them when it's not completely inappropriate to be so casual! The are soft, warm, and pair easily with leggings or skinnies to run errands or snuggle on the couch! Below I've pulled together some amazing, cozy options to buy right now!

Cozy...

2. Skincare!! Of course, this time of year is all about wellness but after a Holiday season of eating and drinking whatever I pleased  I needed a month of repairing my skin! I received a Bliss giftcard for Christmas and did not waste anytime spending it to ensure I had everything I needed to get my skin back in check for the new year!

Skincare...

3. Sip by Swell travel mug! This one may seem silly but I have spent too long getting spilled all over taking my coffee from the car to the office. I don't know if I'm the only person in the world who doesn't know how to put a lid on a travel mug but once I invested in this Sip by Swell travel mug from Target my whole life changed! Below are some of my favorite colors... I purchased the white because I have the white water bottle (I've included some of those too)!!

Travel Mugs...

4. New pink lip combo! I have been searching high and low to find my go-to pink lip combo and I FINALLY found it! Fortunately for me (and you) it's a really inexpensive pairing for products. I use this lipstick as a base and follow it up with this gloss!!

5. Warm winter boots. It's no secret that January brings cold and snow so I thought it wouldn't be a waste of money to invest in a pair of cute winter boots that aren't Uggs or Hunters.

Winter Boots...

6. Updated red polish! If there is anything that makes me feel pulled together it is a great manicure and red ALWAYS looks great. I do my nails myself from day to day so it's important that the formula and color work well for me! Generally I use this red but I wanted something with a bit more pop so I picked up this one from the Essie Gel Couture collection! I HIGHLY recommend for anyone doing their mani's at home, the formula, brush, and colors are amazing!

I am hard at work find my February favorites and pulling together some fun new posts to get us thru this winter slump!

xx

:: Coffee Talk with C&C- NYE ::

::necklace/stella & dot, rings/henri bendel {old-similar}::

I'm literally exhausted haha! I live for holiday break but by the end of it I am so ready to get back into my routine! Obviously I had a whole list of things I wanted to accomplish and generally only got through half it. I wanted to rearrange my closet, go through our guest bedroom closet, and clean up the basement. I did none of those things :) Wife of the year!! I did go through my closet and deep clean it but it's still set up exactly as it's been. So, I have that going for me! Although, I did get through the first season of The Crown on Netflix and I HIGHLY recommend it! It's so so so good! The new seasons need to be here like right now! 

I hope you all had an amazing New Year's Eve filled with bubbles & sequins and your New Year's day is topped off with a boozy brunch to get your through the day! 

xx

:: Coffee Talk with C&C- Snowed it ::

::similar bag found here::

Well, winter has arrived here in WI! It started snowing yesterday night and hasn't stopped since! Now, I am in the minority of people who love snow! I find it relaxing and what better reason to stay in and watch movies!

We went to a local supper club called Hobnob last night which is my absolute favorite restaurant in the area, it's been open since 1954 and I think 90% of the decor hasn't been updated since and I am in love with it. Not to mention the menu is great, the food is always delicious, and don't forget the amazing brandi Old Fashions.  The bar for example, has pink. velvet. bar stools. Dead. It's right on Lake Michigan so the view out the window last night was of a gentle snow fall and then pitch dark, it was beautiful. We felt like we were in a snow globe.

::via pinterest:: 

Today, we've both been snuggled in watching movies (me, football for him) and watching the snow fall. It's literally supposed to snow until 8pm tonight!! That's over 24 hours of snow!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

xx

:: Coffee Talk with C&C- Dad ::

I should call this wine talk with C&C this week considering how late I'm posting this but yesterday I had a bachelorette party and today we visited Kyle's family for Father's day. We are doing dinner with my dad in 2 weeks but I stopped by the house to say a quick hello before heading over to the in-laws.

I want to talk about the 3 life lessons I learned from my dad this week. My father is the strong, silent type but as I've gotten older & through some tough life events my dad and I have gotten to know and respect each other so much.

1) Don't worry about what other people think or say about you if you don't worry about them otherwise.

I will never forget the afternoon I came home crying because some boy made fun of me for a red spot on my nose by calling my Rudolph. In hindsight I should have taken it as a compliment considering I love Christmas but at my young age I took it to heart. My dad came home, heard why I was crying and sat me down and asked, "Why do you care what this boy said about you?". I honestly couldn't think of a reason so I sat staring at him, he followed up with, "If you can't think of a reason it shouldn't bother you". I was forever changed, people are going to try and tear you down but until it's someone you care about, it's not important.

2) Family comes first.

I have never once in my whole life ever doubted that my dad put our family first, even before himself. He's been there, for everything. He took his life in his hands and taught me how to drive, he came to my choir concerts, & was so proud when I walked across the stage graduating from college. That loyalty, which did not only extend to me but to my mom & brother has rubbed off on me in ways I don't think he realizes. I will do anything for my family, especially this new family I've just created with my husband.

3) You can and should have an opinion but you should not always give it.

In an age where sharing your opinion is so easily accessible, it is hard not to weigh in on every topic but my dad taught me not to give an opinion unless asked. I would say I follow this really strictly when it comes to my friends and family but not always on social media (which I need to get better about!). My dad is a quiet guy and rarely offers an opinion unless you ask for it which I've really grown to respect about him. At first growing up I figured he didn't care or wasn't listening, it wasn't until I got older that I realized what he was up to.

These are not the only 3 lessons I've taken away from who my father is as a person but they're some of the biggest and most important. A father's impact on a child is irreplaceable, especially a young girl and I am so lucky for mine!

xx

:: Coffee Talk with C&C- Pineapple of My Eye ::

Welcome back to my Sunday series!! These posts are generally made up of what's been on my mind the last week or current obsessions I want to share! This week- my obsession with decorating my kitchen in pineapples. 

Pineapples have long been a symbol of hospitality and more recently a huge trend in home decor & fashion. My kitchen is made up of very neutral colors but I still want it to feel fun and fresh so I thought, adding pineapples will help liven the place up a bit! Here are a few fun ways I've added pineapples to my kitchen! 

::white & gold candles/target::

::pinapple wallflower/bath & bodyworks::

::crystal pineapple salt & pepper shakers/vintage:: 

Once we get back from the wedding, I found pretty pineapple curtains to hang!! Follow me on Snapchat to see when they finally arrive! 

xx

:: Coffee Talk with C&C- Marriage Advice ::

I realize this post is coming a day late but better than not at all! I am very quickly approaching my wedding and it got me to thinking about all the advice I've received so far regarding marriage and how those words of wisdom will actually apply to my relationship. Honestly, I don't think I believe in marriage advice.

We've all seen it, some celebrity with a seemingly perfect marriage writes a book with tips & tricks on how to keep your relationship healthy but then shortly after the book is published BAM scandal rocks the union & divorce in eminent. Or, your friend tells you this amazing thing she did for her husband to surprise him & you try it with your husband & he looks at you like you're crazy! No 2 people are the same so it makes sense that no 2 relationships are going to be the same.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love when the people in my life offer words of encouragement or a solution to an issue with my sig based on what they've been through but it's not always a guarantee fix for everyone. So while it's great that there is a lot of resources out there willing to give you ideas to make your relationship better, remember that just because one solution didn't work doesn't mean you're doomed. No one knows your marriage better than you & your spouse!

 

xx

 

:: Coffee Talk with C&C ::

Welcome to my new series, Coffee Talk with C&C! It's my Sunday post talking about anything and everything that is on my mind, first up is celebrities who change their style based on their latest significant other.

Gwen Stefani has had a very poignant style since the 90's when No Doubt sky rocketed to fame and Gwen stood out as the band's most talented! Her funky outfits & signature bleach blonde hair/red lip combo reigned supreme & helped to coin her as one of the most fashionable in Hollywood. Gwen's uber popular & widely accredited fashion line L.A.M.B. won her cred in the industry and was totally, 100% authentic Gwen Stefani.

Subtract 1 marriage from super hot, totally alternative Gavin Rossdale & add 1 new relationship with country king Blake Shelton & her style is something totally different. Case in point:

::before blake::

::after blake::

Now I'm not saying it's bad to change your style but when it comes in direct correlation to the new person you're dating, then it's a problem. Now, I'm not saying Gwen is the first and she certainly won't be the last, Brody Jenner & Avril Lavine anyone? But she is the most recent and her style was so specific it was impossible not to notice the change. What do you guys think? Comment below!! 

xx