Is there any combo more “Pinterest inspired” than a buffalo plaid shirt and herringbone vest? My vote’s no, but let me know what your favorite Pinspired combos are.

The cooler weather means I’m spending little to no time outside, but the little time that I do spend outdoors requires me being wrapped up. I finally broke down and dragged my coats out of storage this past weekend, however I’m mostly still in denial and wearing my vests for warmth.

I love this down-filled vest, because of how warm it is, the large pockets (perfect for car keys when I don’t want to bring a purse with me and/or snacks), and the print. My exact vest is currently sold out, but I’ve linked a similar herringbone vest that’s currently on sale for $40 as an added bonus, this seller is offering a free pair of touch screen gloves with your order.

This flannel was a must have item for me last year because of the fun polka dots on the inside of the cuffs and collar, but the fit is a little strange on me. It’s much larger in the chest than most smalls run.
 

I don’t know how everyone else’s Thanksgiving weekend went, but I came through the weekend feeling so burnt out and spent most of my Sunday recovering from working on Black Friday + Saturday. As tired as I was I still found the energy to go out for Mexican + margs with my co-workers which ended with me getting carded in the most humiliating way possible (“you want a daiquiri….with alcohol? Miss, I’m going to need to see your ID.” #k) and having a very strange restaurant experience. How often do you see people bring their pet bird to a restaurant, order it a taco salad and feed it while it’s sitting in a booster seat? Never.

I also, Lord only knows how, worked up the energy to go to the gym. When I actually manage to get in a regular gym routine, I usually treat myself for making so many regular visits a week. So right now, in the midst of all the holiday craziness, I’m trying to work off the undeniable holiday calories (I’ll never turn down pumpkin pie, buckeyes, chocolate chip cookies, advent calendar candies, etc) and motivate myself with fun new items. I love this S’Well bottle, a Fitbit Flex (although I did put this one on my Christmas list),  and fun new long sleeved workout tops like this one, because wearing a jacket to the gym is overrated.

I did manage to sneak some (online) shopping in during all of this craziness and am feeling so much better as I’m able to cross out some of the names on my Christmas list. I’m definitely not done by any means; I tend to be the gift giver that somehow keeps accumulating items during the course of November and December, but making progress always makes me feel better.

If you’re still kind of metaphorically stumbling around, be sure to check out Macy’s Friends and Family Sale that starts today. This 25% off sale (free shipping when you spend $99) includes lots of brands and items that are usually excluded and features 10% off select home items with code FRIEND. I love this coffee, tea and cocoa gift set (on sale for $5 with code FRIEND) that includes mugs and could easily be split up to knock out a stocking stuffer, co-worker gift AND act as part of your Secret Santa gift for your friend. Gotta get some mileage out of your money, right? This black and gold Michael Kors watch is another sale fave at just $140.

SHOP MY MACY’S FRIENDS AND FAMILY FAVORITES

The gift guide has lots of good ideas of where to start as well as gifts under $25, $50 and $100. Also if you’re having any “why didn’t I buy that this weekend while it was on sale” remorse, J Crew Factory is offering 40-60% off today!

All of my packages showed up last night, major shoutout to my postman for coming by at 8:30 at night #YouTheRealMVP, so I’m looking forward to putting up my mini tree this weekend and hopefully knocking out some wrapping. I’ll have to decide on some wrapping paper first, obviously, which is consistently one of the toughest decisions I make every holiday season. Do I go classic with red paper with gold foil dots accompanied with white and gold foil striped paper? A trendy buffalo plaid so that I can match my packages? Fa la la llamas? Do I bring back the gold glitter paper from last year? <– Very Nicole-esque but probably not appreciated by all my friends and family when their homes were covered with the residue. My bad, y’all.  Do you all use wrapping paper themes or just go wild and use a little bit of everything?

Hope your Wednesday is stress-free, easy and maybe even a little magical 🙂