Hello!
It is officially sale season! I wanted to share some sales from my favorite retailers, and my top picks from each. I know you are here for the deals, so click any picture to shop each retailer & my favorites!

Hello there!
Christmas is pretty much my favorite thing in the world. All of the twinkly, cozy things and getting to get all of my loved ones gifts? It all just makes my heart so happy! Not to toot my own horn, but I am a pretty great gift-giver. I am never stumped, and I love finding people gifts that will just make them feel special. I look forward to making gift guides every year, and I hope these help you find something perfect for everyone on your list! You can click on the guide to shop it. So, lets get into them.

Did I miss someone on your list? Need more ideas? Leave a comment & I'll help you find something perfect. Who do you have the most trouble shopping for?
Happy Holidays!
​Emily

Hello there!
Baking pumpkin muffins in the fall brings me so much joy. They're so simple, easy, yet delicious! Totally get me in the spirit for fall. And, they make your house smell incredible! I love having these on hand for breakfast or a snack throughout autumn, and I wanted to share my recipe with you. So, let's get into it!

What You'll Need:
-1 cup pumpkin puree 
-1 egg
-1 tsp vanilla
-2 tsp cinnamon
-2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
-3/4 cup brown sugar
-1/4 c milk
-1/4 c vegetable oil (or butter)
- 2 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-1 cup flour
-1 cup rolled oats
-cinnamon sugar ( for topping)

What to do:
1. Pre-heat your oven to 350
2. Put your pumpkin, egg, milk, oil, vanilla, spices, and sugar into a bowl and mix until smooth.  (You don't need a mixer for this one!)
3. Next mix in your baking powder and baking soda, and mix until smooth.
4. Fold in your 1 cup of flour and oats, and mix with a spatula until your mixture is smooth.
5. Line your muffin tins, and evenly scoop your mixture into 12 muffins. (about 2 Tbs per muffin)
6. Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top of each muffin, then stick them in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
​7. Remove once risen, fluffy, and delicious!

These are also so goo with some raisins, or some nuts mixed in! I usually use sliced almonds, but it's all personal preference. Also incredible with some mini chocolate chips to really make them a treat. I like this smaller batch because you can enjoy them before they pass their prime, but you can double the recipe for bigger crowds! My mom made them recently, and added a cream cheese frosting glaze to the top- which looked heavenly. What is your go-to fall baked goodie? 
til next time,
​Emily

Hello there!
While Minnesota has decided it is winter-it is still technically fall, and I still have fall outfit inspiration to share! So this is what I would wear if I wasn't freezing my butt off in South Canada. Well, I did wear it clearly- but only for 15 minutes to take these pictures! Ran back into a heated space as soon as I could.

I love these corduroy skirts in autumn. Every year they come back into style, so I feel safe saying that they are a fall wardrobe staple at this point. I would say the classic colors are black, camel, and a burgundy shade like this. I love the burgundy because it is also darling during the holiday season! 

They're so cute styled with a tee and cardigan, bodysuit and scarf, and my personal favorite- with a cozy sweater tucked into it! Since it is a more form-fitting skirt, I like pairing it with cozy, looser fitting top to even out the look. ChicWish sent this one over, and I love all of the adorable details! The square neckline and puff sleeves are so on-trend, the cropped fit makes it perfect for pairing with this skirt, and the mini baubles on the sleeve and bow in the back make it so charming! 

Here I styled it with my pair of over the knee boots. I had never had a pair up until this season, and I am really loving them! They really dress up this look with the pointed toe and block heel, and that extra leg coverage is very much needed in MN. If you don't have OTK boots, or it is simply too hot still where you live (looking at you, Texas!), it would be adorable with your favorite booties and some polka dotted tights. That was my favorite way to style this skirt for Texas in the fall & winter time! My MN & other midwestern ladies, you'll want to throw on a trench coat... at least I was definitely wishing for one. 

Are corduroy skirts one of your fall staples? Let me know your favorite way to style them!
til next time,
​Emily

Hello there!
It is no secret that I am a lover of all things frilly and feminine. I have been so happy to grab chunky knits in all of the prettiest fall shades lately while enjoying my first fall in Minnesota, I can't stay away from my lighter colored girly pieces for long! It is a balance wearing the lighter, brighter shades in the fall without looking out of place or like I am ignoring the season. And while I will bust out a bubblegum pink sweater in the middle of fall, I think this outfit is the perfect blend of feminine and autumnal!

This sheer, dotted sleeve sweater is from ChicWish! They always have the loveliest, girly pieces throughout every season. It will be so cute dressed up over the holidays with a velvet midi skirt, and a pearl embellished knotted headband. The chiffon sleeves make it a great pick for early fall, or if you are somewhere where it doesn't feel like fall quite yet! The ruffled cuffs and neckline are just adorable too. 

Here I dressed it down a little with some dark wash denim, and my over the knee boots.  I have wanted to try over the knee boots for a while, but have never gotten myself to make the purchase! JustFab sent this pair over, and they are such a fun addition to my autumn wardrobe. I love the dark, chocolate brown color, almond toe, and block heel. They are the perfect fit on my legs, and they tie on the back of the top helps they stay up! And you know I'm a sucker for a bow. 

I added my blush leather belt from J.Crew, my delicate pearl headband, and my pearl beaded bag from Rachel Parcell. To dress it down even more I would pair the sweater and jeans with some ankle booties, and a chunky scarf around my shoulders! I linked a new favorite I picked up from Target in the prettiest sage color, with a cream and blush box-check.

Do you just love fall colors, or do you miss the lighter more feminine shades of the warmer months? Let me know!
til next time,
​Emily

Hello there!
It's fall, and I cannot recall the last time I was so in love with this season. In Texas, the leaves didn't really change, the temperatures didn't really drop, it just cloudy and humid. So while I have always adored fall fashion, I had never really gotten to do it justice. I mean, unless I wanted to sweat it out in the 90 degree weather. However with our move to Minnesota in August, it has given me the chance to wear autumnal looks I never could have worn in Texas. And really fall in love with these stylish, layered looks!

I shop an embarrassing amount from Red Dress Boutique, so I am absolutely thrilled to partner up with them again to share some fall outfit inspiration! They have trendy, unique pieces you won't find anywhere else which is what I love so much about their shop. They make everyday fashion feel special, which I am all about! All of these pieces are from Red Dress. The hat, jeans, and denim jacket I had already purchased- and the rest was gifted for this post! I have linked everything for you throughout the post, so its easy to find. So without further ado, let's get into these fall 'fits!

So, which look is your favorite? I absolutely cannot pick, and please don't make me! Working with Red Dress is always such an honor, I have been shopping there since high school! Their curated collections of such special pieces is what always has me going back. Let me know if you want to see more from them, I'll take whatever excuse to shop there that I can get!
til next time,
​Emily

Hello there!
Did you know girls get more basic as the temperatures drop? I mean, how was I supposed to walk past this courtyard of leaves and not frolic in them? I don't know exactly how to describe the smell of fallen leaves on a crisp fall morning, but it makes me so happy. Sort of sweet, earthy, and a little damp. I know that sounds terrible, but trust me it is much better than the Leaves candle from Bath and Body Works. It is time to open up the windows to let the fall breeze in, blast some Taylor Swift, and cozy up under some blankets because it is most certainly feeling like fall!

Jumper dresses have been one of my favorite fall pieces for several years now. Typically in Texas, I would wear them with a short sleeve tee underneath and some sneakers until the temps dropped, but this year I got to layer it up! This maroon, corduroy one is my very favorites. Is there a more quintessentially-fall color than burgundy? You can pair just about any color underneath it, and it will still have that autumn color scheme. I got this one a few years ago from The Pink Lily Boutique, but I have linked several similar options that are still in stock! I paired this pumpkin-spiced-pink long sleeve, lettuce hem tee under it. It would be darling with white, black, brown mustard, or even any kind of floral! I topped it off with one of my favorite pairs of heeled booties , and some burgundy socks for a little extra something !

click the pictures below to shop them!

Hello there!
Remember when we all thought COVID & quarantine was just going to be everyone watching Tiger King and making banana bread for 2 weeks? Ah, simpler times... And I'm ready to bring it back. That's right I am sharing another banana bread recipe with you today! But, this one is only 4 ingredients. Don't worry, it isn't too healthy!

What You'll Need:
-3 ripe bananas OR 1 can pumpkin puree
-1 box spice cake mix (any brand)
-1 egg
-1/4 cup milk (of your choice)

What To Do:
-Preheat your oven to 350
-Mash your bananas, then mix in your eggs and milk.
-Dump that cake mix into the bowl, and mix in with a spatula until smooth.
-Pour batter into buttered 9x13' pan or cupcake tin with liners.'
-Bake for 10-15 minutes for cupcakes, 20-30 for a a 9x13' pan.
Enjoy!

​This recipe is going to taste much more like a fall time, spice bread than your typical banana bread. If you are looking for a classic banana bread recipe, I shared my mom's recipe here ! It is a little more labor intensive, but so worth it for some delicious, classic banana bread! But, I am in love with this spice cake at the moment. It would also be delicious with a can of pumpkin puree. Spread some cream cheese on top & a dash of cinnamon and you are in for the loveliest little fall treat!

til next time,
​Emily

Hello there!
Well, it is officially fall! The leaves have started turning the most gorgeous colors here in Minnesota. I am used to it still being in the 90's in Texas, so this cooler weather and falling leaves is a welcomed change. Working from home with a cup of hot tea, looking out the window every day and watching the leaves come to life on the trees makes my heart so happy. And with the recent release of folklore, I have never been so ready to rock a chunky, knit cardigan.

When I saw this blush pink one from ChicWish, I knew it would be a go-to for me this fall! ChicWish has the coziest knits, and this one is no exception. I love the blush pink color, balloon sleeves, and mother of pearl buttons. Basically, a cute & cozy dream. As a perpetually cold person, this is the perfect thing to throw on while working from home! But also, the perfect stylish fall touch to an outfit! I am in the size xs-s, which is perfectly oversized. If you are in between sizes, I would definitely go down to your smaller set of sizes. 

Here I styled it with a sage green, lace trimmed tank. I don't typically gravitate to green, but I have been loving this shade of it this fall. It is muted but not boring, and is so precious with this pink cardigan! I have a couple of these lace tanks and they are from Abercrombie. They're silky, and great quality for the price. I get my normal small, but if you wanted a more drapey look you could easily size up. Paired it with some of my favorite medium-wash skinny jeans from Old Navy, their 'high rise super skinny' in a 0, and some white booties from JustFab! I have been loving the white bootie trend that has been going around this fall, and was so excited to try it out for myself. I am hooked- they're just so retro & fun! Topped off the look with my beige felt hat, and my sunflower charm necklace from James Avery.

While I am missing my friends and family back in Texas incredibly, this lovely Minnesota fall is bringing me so much joy at the moment. And I could not be more excited to go apple picking for the first time in 10+ years! 
til next time,
​Emily

Hello there!
Wedding dress shopping very quickly became something I was incredibly excited for. I had never really looked at wedding things before I got engaged, but after we picked out my ring I became enveloped in the very pretty world of wedding dresses. The floral appliques, the tulle, the hints of glittering beading... As a girl that already has a thing for dresses, wedding dress shopping was basically heaven. After two days of trying on as many dresses as I possibly could, I said yes to the second one I tried on. What can I say, I know what I like! So, I wanted to share some of the ones I didn't say yes to.

One of my bridal consultants asked me how I wanted to feel on my wedding day. I decided I wanted to feel like the prettiest cupcake. I mean, when else is it ever going to be appropriate for me to wear this much tulle again? Before I got to my appointments, I had spent some time looking at some of the designers that the bridal boutiques carried that were in my price range, and then noted some of the specific styles I wanted to try on.

I also made an effort to pick two bridal shops that carried different designers, because a lot of them tend to carry the same ones. This way I could try on a variety of dresses, from different designers! If you have a pretty good idea of what you want, and pick several boutiques with a similar vibe- chances are you'll see the same dresses again and again! Not necessarily bad, but if your goal is variety, then if doesn't make sense to have lots of designer-crossover.

My last tip? Enjoy it! It is so much fun. I loved every minute of it, and I consciously took my time to enjoy it all. I picked the second dress I tried on, but I still spent three hours at my appointment, and went to my appointment the next day to try on more. You only do it once- drag it out! 

Now, the dresses I did not pick. Let me just say that these are all so stunning- but none of these were my top favorites. Not sharing mine, anything by the same designer, or anything similar in style. Yes, I am treating my dress reveal like it is a very big deal. For me, it is! But, here are some dresses I ultimately decided were not for me!