Golden Globes

@katebosworth instagram

Award season is in full swing and I have to say that overall I am loving the red carpet trends this year! Most dresses seem to be very sleek and smooth. Lots of clean line lines and subtle details, being creative with color, cut outs (tastefully!) and small details. My idea of elegance in every stitch! I loved almost ev.ery.thing and cannot wait to see what the, more formal, Oscar carpet brings us.

Gun to my head, here are my top 5 orrr 7. What were your favorites?

Kate Bosworth

Laverne Cox

Sofia Bush

Jaimie Alexander

Malin Ackerman

Amy Adams

Olivia Palermo

Weekend To-Do List!

It's been quite a while since I've done one of these. The last few months have been more a whirlwind. I think this will be the first weekend in a. long. time. that I don't have to worry about apartments, jobs, moving, traveling or entertaining. I just get to enjoy the little life I've spent 6 months trying to set up for myself.

This Sunday is also one of my very dear college friend's due date! I wrote this post, right after she announced she was expecting...I can't believe its already time to meet the little guy. She's the first of a handful of friends expecting in the next 6 months. #wegrowuptofast

As baby watch commences,  I'm hoping to finish the book I started {and almost finished} in Florida, hit the late pilates class at the gym, meal plan for next week, catch up on Netflix {Parenthood season 6!!} and clean out/organize my giant closet where everything gets stuffed when I quickly 'clean' between work and traveling. I can't tell you how pumped I am to have my shoe rack up and running!!

Wrapping up 2015!

The holiday whirlwind is finally over. I spent the last 2 months settling nto a new job, traveling to 6 different states and entertaining my on-a-winter-break-from-grad-school boyfriend in my studio sized apartment. It was so great to come home to his face (and sometimes cooked dinner!) everyday, but it made time go by so quickly.

I posted this quote on Christmas but I thought it was so perfect:

"We ate well and cheaply 

and drank well and cheaply 

and slept warm and well together 

and loved each other." ~ Ernest Hemingway

We drove up to my parents house in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. It was a quick trip because he was severely allergic to their dog (I know...we had the 'But what if we can never get a dog!?' convo on the way home). We were able to stop in Madison for an impromptu Engagement party/ baby announcement on the way home {don't worry they were separate couples :) }. I have to say it is amazing to be there and experience these moments with my college friends. For so long I was so far away and felt so detached. It's exciting to be able to sit with them, see the smile on their faces and smile back.  On the same cheesy note, it was super weird/great to have the BF there. I realized he's the only person in my life who knows both my California and College friend in a similar context to me. It was kind of special.

The week before Christmas we headed to Denver for some winter festivities with his family. Not before we missed our flight and spent the day in Ohare though.  We literally ran through the exact same terminal that they did in Home Alone with Christmas decorations and all. When we got there it was fun to be able to actually experience Denver with him, I went back in September and he had gotten mono so a lot of it was spent by myself or with his parents.

We split for Christmas; I headed back to Chicago for 1 day to work and then braved the airport, once again to get to Florida where I spent Christmas with my family. I had packed for San Francisco weather since the pan handle is usually pretty temperate, it was crazy weather though. 80 degrees and 100% humidity.  Once I relaxed I was able to spend a day or 2 in the sun with a book. 

I made it back to Chicago for another quick trip. Luckily I made it before the big storm. It was my 29th Birthday and some of my local college girlfriends put together quite the day of sparkles, catching up, champagne and gold! It was probably my favorite birthday yet. The BF making his heroic arrival at the end of dinner through the snow storm and flight delays.

The BF and I then flew to New Orleans for New Years Eve. Neither of us had been before so we were ready for the full the experience. The food was absolutely delicious and we ended up staying in an AirBnb a block from the LaLaurie Mansion....which was a little terrifying once we found out. 

We went out to the Bayou one day to see alligators. Unfortunately, its the cold season so we were only able the eyes of one peaking out of the water. There were tons of cute little raccoons though. Our guide said they've tried to feed them so many items and the only thing they respond to is marshmallows.

I'm settled back in Chicago now attempting to get ducks in a row for 2016! 2015 was filled with lots of exciting events and tons of self discovery, I can't wait to see with 2016 will be about!

Friday Five: Allergy Safe Holiday Cookies

To be honest I used to be a bit uncomfortable with the idea of a cookie exchange. Swapping baked goods without a lot of detail on them (or the people made them) doesn't create the best picture in my head. Then I went to one. As a busy adult with work, shopping, holiday parties and general life errands  finding a weekend to bake dozens of cookies all of different varieties with quite difficult. Being able to combine cooking and socializing in one event is fantastic AND you can walk away with as many bake good varieties as you like!

With my own {and lots of others} food allergies I've been searching for a crowd pleaser for my upcoming Junior League cookie exchange. Here are 5 of the most delicious looking gluten and dairy free options!

Caramel Glazed Donuts from Against All Grain

Gingerbread Men from Deliciously Ella

Coconut Meringue Nests by Simply Gluten Free 

Gluten-Free Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies from Gluten Free on a Shoe String

The frosting has butter in it, but I found this Dairy-Free Recipe

Peppermint Chocolate Macaroons from Against All Grain

Beautiful Boxwood

Christmas decorating is in full swing in my apartment and I'm loving the chicness of boxwood. From wreaths to garland to present wrapping, the round leaves adds a classic but modern look to Christmas. I'm hoping the wreath will last me through spring (just changing out the ribbon to be seasonally appropriate).

Pantone's Pastels

Pantone just announced their 2016 color{s} of the year to be the dusty pink, Rose Quartz and soothing blue, Serenity.

I love pastels...especially in winter. I have been rocking my white jeans with cozy ivory and blue spring sweaters well past Labor Day. Add a little sparkle and they make the understated tones perfect for popping Holiday Parties. I'm obsessed with these 2 Miu Miu numbers. Top them off with a long, classic camel {or, even better, ivory} wool coat and you're ready to celebrate the end of 2015.

Metallic Jacquard Mini Skirt

Cotton Jacquard Mini Dress

Keeping up with the Joneses (or Jones')?

How cute is this stationery!?

If you're planning on spending your weekend signing and addressing  a {seemingly} endless pile of Christmas cards, be sure to check out this recent Town & Country article on the 5 Most Common Grammar Mistakes....and watch where you put your apostrophes!