Motivation for Your Monday

Well, this is the last Monday before Christmas folks. In keeping with the Christmas theme, I wanted to have a quote from one of our family's favorite Christmas books/movies/stories- A Christmas Carol.

One of the hub's favorite authors is Charles Dickens and one of our Christmas traditions is to watch at least one movie version of A Christmas Carol every December. So far we have watched A Muppet Christmas Carol which is just so cute, have you seen that one? I just love it! And now, to prove we are adults, tonight's viewing will be the version with Patrick Stewart. I do not think I have seen this one in quite a long time but is the hub's favorite. 

As far as quotes go, this is one of my favorites from A Christmas Carol, it is just so good. Gifts are great and seeing family is wonderful, but nothing can lift or lower a mood like our attitude. This Christmas, my goal has been to stay relaxed, kind, patient, and nice. I would like to be solution oriented rather than basking in all the issues of the holidays. Sure we are giving family and friends gifts, but this really does seem like the greatest thing I can do for all of them- especially the hubs. Poor guy has had to deal with my Christmas craziness for too many years now. Not this time :)

Merry Christmas!

Perfect Party Outfits for The Holidays!

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is getting all dressed up! It is so much fun to pick those few cute outfits and shiny gems and with glamor being so stylish right now, there is no better time! This year I have two outfits, both with the same high waist, pocketed skirt from Express, but both so very different from one another. The first is way more glitz with the crop top and statement necklace, and the second is a bit more dressed down for some serious comfy chic.

Look 1: Top ($23.94) Necklace ($19.99)  Skirt ($79.90) Shoes ($72.01)

Look 2: Skirt ($79.90) Top ($88.00) Crystal Necklace ($20.98) Black Necklace ($19.99) Shoes ($72.01)

Personally, I love how easily this skirt can go with EVERYTHING. It is the perfect holiday option for me since it is just so classic and looks so much more expensive than the price tag really is. I also love the fact that a good skirt can make multiple outfits that run the gambit of formality. Of course, there is always the less formal, more edgy style of all black. My next go-to look for those parties in the winter months and for a less formal event is pleather pants, this black sweater from J. Crew, and a pair of booties. Can you say yes, I can! Oh my goodness am I loving this black on black look. If all the black is a bit much for you, I would totally recommend pairing this with some green gems and maybe even a brown accessory or two.

Look 3: Silver Necklace ($20.98) Gold Necklace ($20.98) Pants ($48.00) Top ($79.99) Shoes ($59.00)

And as a bonus, five tips for a budget savvy, super trendy outfit this season!

1. Add some glam. Sparkles make everything more festive! Add some gem-ed up earrings, gold bracelets, a few pretty rings, or a big necklace for some extra pizazz. Just be sure to limit your look to one statement piece at a time!
2. Red lips add glamor. Any outfit can go from day to night or plain to festive with the addition of a ruby red lip. This is also a great secret weapon when you just don't have enough time to finish your eye make-up. No one notices a dressed down eye when ruby red lips are in the picture!
3. Mix and match brands. I like to buy upscale statement pieces that will be stylish for years and add low-cost accessories that are super trendy right now.  This helps keep things new while staying in budget. For lots of price savvy items, check out Target's jewelry and heels, they are incredible (and comfy!).
4. Mix and match styles. Just like brands, styles can be mixed and matched to give a bit more depth to an outfit. The plaid shirt with black skirt and the black sweater with pleather pants are a perfect example of this. Both have one more comfortable, classic piece and one trendy, slightly more edgy piece. This keeps things interesting without being too off the deep end.
5. Keep the eyebrows tamed. It may seem silly, but well trimmed brows can make any look even better. People may not notice a few rogue hairs, but they will notice eyes that do not pop quite the same. Well trimmed eyebrows make eyes pop. It is almost a scientific law.

With these three looks, the holidays will be as easy as pie and you will always look like the bell of the ball. So, what is your favorite and what style are you going for this holiday season?

The Best Gifts for Anyone Ever

There are a few gifts that I have found in my search that are simply the best gifts for anyone, ever. These gifts run the gambit, from kids, to great-grandparents, there is something for everyone. And, since we missed Wednesday (so sorry about that), I will be adding a few things to this list from that post as well- all about gifts that give back. It may also be it's own post next week, I have not quite decided yet.

Baby Feet ($19.10)

Ok, this sounds weird, but I am legitimately interested. Apparently, you put these booties on for the night and them take off and discard. Five days later your skin starts shedding and what is left underneath is super soft, feet like a baby's. Sounds crazy, right? Crazy enough to be that perfect gift for your best friend who you share everything with!

The Best Sleepover EVER! ($145)

I want to do this. Unfortunately, it is only for kids. For a mere $145 you can give your kids a real night at the museum! That is right, the American Museum of Natural History has become a ten year-old girl and started hosting sleep-overs!!! Every child is given a sleeping bag, flashlight, and an adventure that they will always remember. It will also give you cred as being the best parent ever in existence.

Kids get to go on adventures throughout the museum, see a live animal presentation, watch the new shark movie in their 3D theater, then sleep under the giant blue whale. Sounds incredible, right? Ages 6-13 are able to go on this adventure.

A Necklace that Give Two Gifts ($78)

This necklace was handmade in Cambodia and stands for compassion and wisdom. All of the products from the Brave Collection were made by fair trade artisans and help those in human trafficking. Most of the employees are women with children or disabilities. All of the products are made using a traditional Cambodian style and all materials are from the country. 10% of what you give also goes to end human trafficking in Cambodia.

You can read about their story here.

Gifts for the Fit Friend Who Has Everything

We all know them, see them, and have them as friends and if you don't, chances are you're that friend. The girl (or guy) who is a super fit junkie but seems to have everything days, no, months before everyone else. These people are the hardest to find gifts for, but fear not, getting them the perfect gift is totally in your ability.

To start off this week's gift giving theme, we have gifts for that fit person who has it all. These gifts run the gambit of prices from $20 to $200 and more. The nice thing is, there is something on this list that will be a fit for that fitness junkie in your life.

Ballet Beautiful Classes- $35 each

Mary Helen Bowers is the founder of Ballet Beautiful and the [almost] official trainer for Victoria's Secret models everywhere. She is also the one who trained Natalie Portman for her role in Black Swan. Needless to say she has it going on. Her classes use her ballet background to form intense, lean muscle toning workouts that will give you the body of a prima ballerina.

Ballet Beautiful has a few studios in NYC but, she has online classes throughout the week that you can sign up for and take via the internet! These classes are not run-of-the mill streaming recordings of previous lessons, no, these are classes with MHB where you can see her and SHE CAN SEE YOU. What!?! Yes. Just yes. If you have yogi friends, Pure Barr fanatics, and previous dancers, let me introduce you to the best Christmas gift ever. This is something that almost any girl would flip for and can be added to a bundle with a few of her CD's to really get them prepped. Seriously, Christmas win.

Oh, and I am pretty sure this picture was taken like right after having her first child. Whhaatt?!?!?!

Fabletics $49.95 Monthly

Fabletics is a great clothing distribution site that Kate Hudson helped found. It is a bit like a cheese of the month club, but instead of cheese, you get credits towards fitness apparel and reduced prices to boot. I must admit that when I first started Fabletics, I thought it was awful. But, then I found my right size and, boy, has my tune changed.

This can be a wonderful gift for the fit friends who always looks great does not seem to need help in the wardrobe department. New clothes come out monthly and are chosen from a fit style test taken when your account is started.  This is the type of gift that will go well beyond the holiday season.

If a year membership is not something your wallet wants to give, you can always do a month or two, then let your friend decide if they want to keep it going. This just might be the gift of choice for a few people on my list!

Tory Burch for Fitbit $175-$195

Chances are pretty high that your fit friend also has a Fitbit attached to them almost everywhere they go. Give them the gift of healthy glam this holiday season with Tory Burch's line of Fitbit holding accessories. These beauties come in rose gold, gold, and silver and are made to hold the Fitbit Flex. Personally, I like the necklace ($175) a bit more than the bracelet ($195), but each are quite pretty!

This may not be the best gift for those friends who are biding their time until the Apple Watch comes out, but for all those other fitnessistas, it is perfect!

Sweaty Betty

It is like we went from one day of not hearing Sweaty Betty anywhere to it being all we talk about the next. If you have not heard about Sweaty Betty, they are a fitness line based out of the UK with ridiculously great workout clothes and Lululemon prices to go along with it. No, you may not be able to afford a complete workout ensemble, but a gift card to Sweaty Betty will go a long way in your fit friend's eyes!

Of course, if you know the activities said friend enjoys, their size, and style, you can always pick something out for them instead. It is hard not to love everything on the site so good luck just picking one item.

Here are a few great gifts under $50!