Weekend Ruminations {Thanksgiving 2015}

Posted on November 30, 2015November 30, 2015 by SimplyStyledEmily

Happy Monday! December will be here tomorrow and the cold weather is not holding back and helping get me in the holiday spirit!

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year, the family, the food, the fall weather.. and nothing could be better than a PA Thanksgiving. I got to hear stories from my grandmother, get in baby snuggles with my cousins new little guy, eat stuffing and home made pie, enjoy local brews with family and spend hours laughing and catching up with everyone!

Here are just a few photos from the best long weekend…

A little happy hour was needed after a Wednesday spent shopping and my uncle had the counter ready for visitors!

After watching the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade, we got out my grandmother’s photo albums and listened to her stories as she showed us pictures from my grandparent’s honeymoon in the Poconos, their trips to the shore, her switchboard when she worked for Philadelphia electric and childhood pictures of my mom, her brother and sister.

We have started a day after Thanksgiving tradition of enjoying lunch at the local brewery in Downingtown then heading to my cousins house for a day-after party. We were up late with my dad’s brothers, sisters and all of my cousins playing games, telling stories and laughing until we couldn’t breath!

We headed home Saturday and spent a lazy Sunday hiding from the fact we were back to work on Monday. And as sad as I am to see the Thanksgiving Holiday come to a close, I am now prepping myself for December 1st and getting in to full Christmas mode. Bring on the Lifetime movies, Christmas carols and twinkling lights!

Outfit Idea {Thanksgiving}

Posted on November 17, 2015 by SimplyStyledEmily

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I am so excited. It is definitely my favorite holiday and I can not wait to pack my bags and head to Pennsylvania for a family-filled Thanksgiving with my aunts, uncles and cousins (and the newest adorable little member of the family). Now PA’s weather is a bit cooler so I am planning on packing some cozy layers. As I start my packing list with my favorite blanket scarf I thought a little outfit planning couldn’t hurt…

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Loving Lately – Fall Décor

Posted on November 12, 2015 by SimplyStyledEmily

While it is so tempting, I am strict on my “no Christmas before Thanksgiving” rule. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and think it deserves to have it’s time in the sun too. So I must admit I am pinning Christmas décor and mentally planning my holiday season, I am still fully basking in fall! And while other’s Christmas trees may be gracing their living rooms, we still have our fall pumpkins proudly on display. So I thought I would share a few of our new home décor pieces and a few inspirations I have come across this fall.

Pumpkin Kisses Sign (snagged this after season last year and was so excited to put it out, and that I actually remembered I had it!)

Gobble Til You Wobble – Michaels Arts & Crafts | Pumpkins – Joann’s Fabrics

Twig Pumpkin – Home Goods (From our Pennsylvania trip to see my grandmother. She loved it but said she had too many decorations so it needed to come home with us)

And some great inspirational fall home looks. I am loving the neutrals and simple styles.

link

What are your favorite fall inpirations? Or have you wiped out fall and dove head first into the magic of Christmas!?

Sweater Weather

Posted on November 11, 2015November 11, 2015 by SimplyStyledEmily

The unseasonably warm weather has transformed into the perfect fall temps! These days are amazing! And while it is nice that crummy weather doesn’t stick around long around here, the nice days don’t stay nice for to long either (we like to keep the weathermen on their toes around here). So I am taking full advantage of this sweater weather and heading outside.

outfit details: Sweater – Old Navy | Jeans – New York & CO | Pumps – Target | Bag – Phillip Lim for Target

Vegas Vacation

Posted on November 10, 2015November 11, 2015 by SimplyStyledEmily

As a little birthday get-a-way, Brandon and I headed back to Dover Downs Hotel and Casino for a day date. The morning of the trip we woke up early, got right on the road and swung by the first Starbucks we came to on the way. We listened to podcasts, chatted and jammed out to music on the long drive to Delaware. Once there we played blackjack together, lost a few dollars in the penny slots, grabbed a big lunch and when Brandon went back to the game tables, I headed over to the mall to do a little birthday shopping. We ended the night with a delicious meal of oysters and champagne and a few more hands of blackjack (where I won back the money I spent on the new sweater and shoes I bought… winning!).

The ride home had me thinking that while Dover is a great casino option close-by (well… within driving distance) a trip out to real-deal in Las Vegas may need to be on our travel list! Brandon and I have been to Las Vegas in the past and had such a great time. It was a long drive home from Dover so a little planning started happening. And of course, when planning any big trip, mentally outfit planning is completely necessary too!

So here is the dream day plan (and coordinating outfits… obviously) for our next trip to Vegas!

Morning: Breakfast together at a local café to start the day of right.

Afternoon: While Brandon heads in to the casino I would head to the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian (The Palazzo) because I would rather lose my money to a new dress than to the card table! We would meet up for lunch to grab a bite and do a little of our favorite Las Vegas pastime, people-watching. Then we’d take a stroll through the casino lobbies to see the amazing displays.

Evening: We would head to our dinner reservations at the Top of the World at the Stratosphere to take in the breathtaking view. After dessert we would catch the Bellagio Light Show which is one of my favorite things. Lastly, the night would end with a few more dollars on the card tables before we headed to our hotel suite at the Bellagio Hotel.

While Brandon had some eye rolls as I planned our itinerary down to the 15 minute mark we would hit the Bellagio Light Show I found the Vegas.com site to be the greatest tool for my over-planning self. Not only did it have all the detailed information you would need, like “what time can you see the Bellagio Light Show”, but also things such as the dress code for all the local restaurants (now I know there is a strict business casual code for the Startosphere) and of course all the tools you need for reservations for dining, sleeping and activities all over the city.

Now back to planning the rest of our trip to City that Never Sleeps! How would you spend the day in Vegas?

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Weekend Ruminations {November 6 – 8, 2015}

Posted on November 9, 2015November 11, 2015 by SimplyStyledEmily

And we are back to Monday! The weather was unseasonably warm last week, I am talking 80 degrees in November, so I am looking forward to the cooler weather that is coming this week. Break out the blanket scarfs and boot socks!

But first, a quick look at the past weekend.

Friday I ran into Target and snagged one of the new Sugar Paper Co. for Target planners and I am a little obsessed. I am very particular about my yearly planner (I could go on and on about planners… total organizer junkie here) and was pleasantly surprised how much I liked the planners this year. And with a $12.99 price tag, you can’t go wrong.

Friday night we headed with my in-laws to the local Mexican restaurant for nachos and margaritas, yum!

Saturday morning I was excited to have one of my best friends over to visit with her little ones. Beth and her husband have been living in Ohio the past few years and now they are moving to Richmond and will be so close now. I am so happy they will finally be close again, and I know they are happy to be close to family!

made this little treat for Beth to have when they move in to their new house in two weeks… coffee is always necessary when unpacking!

Saturday night we headed to Brandon’s Aunt and Uncles for a bon voyage party for his uncle who is headed out on deployment with the Navy. It was so nice to see them and be able to wish Nate well on his cruise.

Sunday I attended a local work conference at the oceanfront (could be worst places for work meetings) which included a social hour with yummy treats and drinks. I love the work I get to do and meeting people who work in the same field in a social setting was a great end to the weekend.

When a hole in your pants leads to a full shopping bag!

Posted on November 5, 2015November 11, 2015 by SimplyStyledEmily

I have been attempting to get in a morning routine to get myself out of the door on time and ready for the day (rather than my normal spastic self running around with wet hair, unable to find the car keys). I have been picking out my outfit the night before so I can grab it quickly without having to stand and stare at my closet for 10 minutes wishing I had more options. Tuesday night as I was picking out my outfit I noticed a hole in the butt of my favorite pixie pants from Old Navy and was so sad. They have been my favorite go to work bottoms and fit so well. I tossed them in my “get rid of pile” and scoured the closet for something else.

So wasn’t it a fun surprise when I woke up on Wednesday to an e-mail from Old Navy about their new sale, it’s like they knew!

I hopped on-line to grab a new pair of my favorite pants, and scrolled through to find a few more goodies. I filled my shopping bag, grabbed the discount code and even scored free shipping. And a good sale is too good not to share so of course here are my picks!

Grab some great pieces while they last! Don’t forget to use coupon code “MORE” at check-out to score even more discounts!

Weekend Ruminations – Halloween Weekend

Posted on November 2, 2015November 11, 2015 by SimplyStyledEmily

We are back to Monday after a great weekend spent with family and an endless feed of friend’s little ones in costume filling up Facebook! But it’s my BIRTHDAY so that makes Monday a little easier to bear, especially when you get to enjoy your free birthday Starbucks too!

red cups…it’s officially Christmas time

Here’s a peek at what we were up to this holiday weekend (though I use holiday loosely… if you don’t get an extra day off work, does it really count?!)

Thursday I kicked off the weekend helping a co-worker put on a “Yappy Hour” social at the local dog park. What’s Yappy Hour you ask, oh just adorable dog’s (in costume… because it’s a holiday, right) and booze for the owners! I was excited for a reason to put on a Halloween costume this year and the scarecrow costume I mentioned last week was perfect!

We had my family over on Sunday for a little dinner for my birthday, so Friday was spent prepping my cleaning game plan and clearing out the DVR with Brandon. We cleaned out the fridge by drinking the last of the Coney Island Root Beer we had picked up when friends were staying a few weekends back. We grabbed these when we couldn’t find Not Your Fathers Root Beer at our local grocery store and think they are pretty delicious!

Saturday I was in full cleaning mode and then crashed on the couch at night for a Halloween movie with Brandon. I also took a cleaning break to dress our dog in his best Halloween costume to send a picture over to my nephews who had sent us theirs.

Mid-yawn but I swear it looks like he is yelling “fire!!!”

And Sunday’s dinner at our house was a perfect way to celebrate the big 2-9. A big “thank you” to my mom for pre-making the lasagnas… because otherwise it would have been frozen pizzas! It was so nice having everyone over at our house for a change.

Sunday night I straightened up the house…again, ran the dishwasher, and headed to bed ready to take on a new year!!

Simply Styled Emily

A Life & Style Blog

Month: November 2015