Easy Holiday Outfit (everything is on sale!)

Button Shoulder Sweater// Velvet Pants

Today I am sharing a really easy outfit to wear around this time of year! It's perfect for more casual holiday parties and you could even wear it to work! The best part is that the sweater and pants I am wearing are very affordable (we're talking under $50!!).

Not to mention, LOFTis currently having a major sale for the Holiday Style Event! You get 40% off everything now through December 12th when you use code STYLEEVENT. It's a great time to get some last minute shopping done for all of your upcoming holiday parties or do some Christmas shopping for others! I also love LOFT's basics, so I stocked up on things like this swing tee, this shirttail tee (under $15), and these navy gingham pajamas pants.

Items are selling out fast in popular sizes, so I suggest placing your order sooner rather than later.... even the pieces I am wearing are down to limited sizes, so I've also found some other similar pieces and then some more items I am loving (like this plaid puffer vest that's under $55!).

But I really want to highlight the skinny velvet pants because they're amazing. I suggest sizing down as they stretch a little when you wear them, but they really have a great fit. They fit just like a pair of your favorite skinny jeans. I've always loved a great pair of black cords or velvet pants (I wear them more often than jeans in the winter), but it's even more appropriate this year since velvet is so on trend right now!

Thank you to LOFT for sponsoring this post! 

Lately 12/8/16: Vineyard Vines Pittsburgh

Dress c/o// Turtleneck// Pumps

Sunglasses// Tassel Earrings

Wearing: Last night, I popped into the grand opening of the Vineyard Vines store at Ross Park. I am so excited we have a store now! The party was so much fun and the best part was definitely getting to meet Shep and Ian-- the guys who started it all; so cool and very inspirational! I loved that they had so many Vineyard Vines 'Pittsburgh' items. I have added the 'Pittsburgh' Shep Shirt to the top of my Christmas wishlist, that's for sure. Oh, and did you know that they have CHAMPAGNE pajamas?! I saw them in the store and they are too cute! I wore this adorable festive plaid shift with a great ruffled neckline. It would certainly make for a wonderful Christmas dress! It runs true to size, I am wearing a size 2!

Watching: Brooklyn. This movie was amazing and a must see for anyone and everyone (it's free if you have HBO). It's a love story between and Irish and Italian immigrant, but it's not your conventional chick flick/love story. It's beautifully filmed and the storyline is touching and really gives you a look into 1950's Brooklyn and Ireland. My absolute favorite part is shortly into the movie when a man sings an acapella Irish song called Casadh an Tsúgáin. It's so beautiful I got tears in my eyes. I did some research and the man that sings it is Iarla O Lionaird, he recorded his album version of the song, here (the acapella version is the best, though, in my opinion).

Watching: Also-- can we talk about the finale of Westworld and the last episode of This Is Us?! Both were nuts in their own ways. I hardly ever watch TV, but these two series are just SO good. Does anyone have any recommendations now that I'm finished with these?!

Giving: Make sure you are following me on Instagram (@SummerWind41490)-- I have a very fun giveaway planned for Saturday with two of my favorite brands!

Loving: I do a ton of online shopping and with that, comes a lot of disappointment when things arrive and they're not as great as you had hoped. However, I've been absolutely loving everything lately! Scroll through the widget above to see some of my favorites-- namely this cozy sweater which I had low expectations for. Not only is it adorable and cozy, but the quality for the price is great!

Wanting: When someone asks me what I want for Christmas, I can never think of anything. I mean, in reality, I have everything I could ever want and need. But I have been realllllllly eyeing this cream.

Gifting: I just checked, and one of my favorite curling irons of all time is currently available on Amazon prime for under $13. It would make a great gift/stocking stuffer for anyone and everyone. Also, another random Amazon gift that makes for a great stocking stuffer are these sponges that I swear by! I seriously give one of these to everyone I know because they're so great!

Pittsburgh-ing: I ate at two new restaurants this past weekend. New places are popping up so quickly, I can barely keep up! I ate at DiAnoia's on Friday night. It's located on Penn Ave. in the Strip District. It was wonderful. Authentic, homemade Italian dishes from pastas to meats and everything in between. We had a great carafe of their homemade wine which was good, too. I want to go back to try some of the appetizers/starters because we didn't try any of those. The gnocchi was my favorite dish. There were 4 of us so we got 4 dishes and shared all of them, which is the way to do it! Great spot for friends and family but also great for date night, too... it's going to give Girasole a run for their money!

Reading: My sweet friend, Francene sent me these three books by Ashley Farley! I just started Her Sister's Shoes and am loving it so far! Definitely check them out if you are looking for new reads!

Via

Quoting: I think I may have shared this a few years ago, but it's very appropriate for right now. I absolutely love it. The last sentence could not be truer.

The Little Things in Life Part III

The few minutes after you blow out a candle and the scent is the best. 

The first few notes of the band playing at a wedding or concert. 

The golden hour. 

Someone telling you you're beautiful. 

Hot soup on a snowy day.

The good point in a book when you can't put it down.

Seeing your dog's sweet face through the window as you're coming home.

Frank Sinatra's voice. 

Warm sun coming through the car window on a frigid day.

Friends re-runs.

Christmas Eve mass.

When your hair blows in the wind and you catch how good it smells.

When your song comes on and you and your friends belt it out together. 

Letting someone know how much they mean to you. 

Men in tuxes.

Acoustic music on really good speakers. 

A movie or show that's so good, you don't check your phone during it.

Extra marshmallows in your hot chocolate.

Wearing a little black dress and pearls.

A song that brings you to tears.

The intro to your favorite show.

The warm glow of Christmas lights.

When a guy gives you his coat.

Pajamas all day.

Surprise flower delivery.

When your plane takes off and everything appears increasingly smaller out of the window.

The last few seconds of 'happy birthday' being sung, right before the candles are blown out.

When you're up high, whether in a building or on a mountain and can see for miles. 

Learning something new. 

Jumping into the water for the first time on a hot day. 

Being so tired that you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.

The lights being left on, waiting for you to get home. 

When your coffee is the perfect temperature.

Fog at dawn hiding the tops of buildings.

Hearing the ice cream truck off in the distance and children rushing to it. 

Breakfast in bed. 

An Arnold Palmer on the golf course. 

Warm chocolate chip cookies.

Free samples at Costco. 

Watching home movies with your family and cracking up.

The crackling of a fireplace.

Red lipstick.

Room service. 

Seat heaters.

Paying for a random person's coffee. 

The smell of fresh pine.

Receiving a genuine and thoughtful compliment. 

The sound of clinking dishes when cleaning up after a dinner party.

When you're waking up but not fully awake yet.

The resonance of a piano in a grand hall.

Cashmere blankets.

The first Christmas movie of the season. 

Part 1// Part II

Gift Guide 2016: The Best Gifts for the Cozy Gal

Sweater (under $100)// Leggings// Tank

Ugg Boots

As many outfits as I post, I have to admit, I wear a whole lot of leggings/sweats/pajamas while at home. This is especially true during the cold winter months when all I want to do is cozy up in soft, comfortable clothing. There is nothing I love more than being at home in a cozy chunky sweater 

Not to mention, when it comes to warm, comfortable items, you can never have too many. So not only are these gift ideas great for those who love to lounge, but they're also great for someone who has everything and in turn, can be hard to shop for! 

Truth be told, I love my Uggs... I've had this pair since 10th grade and they never let me down. I very rarely wear them outside but always wear them around the house. They're so much better than a traditional slipper because they're infinitely warmer. I would love to have another pair as these are on their last leg!

I've also mentioned in past posts how much I love long sweaters like the one you see above (under $100). They not only work for loungewear, but I also love that they double as cozy robes. In fact, I actually prefer sweaters like this for a robe as opposed to 'actual robes'. As for fit, this one is oversized, I'm wearing a small and it fits loosely; so size down if you want something more fitted!

I think the best part is that all of these gifts are available at Nordstrom. I did the bulk of my Christmas shopping there this year because they offer quick delivery and the free shipping alone makes it worth it; not to mention returns are a breeze if your recipient needs to exchange for a different size, etc. They also have something for pretty much anyone and everyone on your list... from men to women to babies, you can't go wrong! The last date to order for Christmas arrival is December 23rd! Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.