Casual Weekend Style

DETAILS.
Black Puffer Jacket (on sale) // Forever 21 Striped Tee (old similar here & here) // Denim // Converse Sneakers // Mini Cross Body // Gold Chain Watch (on sale)

CODY'S OUTFIT.
Grey Two Tone Shirt (similar here)  // Denim // Grey Boots // Sunglasses (on sale) // Jack Spade Watch (loving this one)

Outerwear selections are insane this time of year. Don't get me wrong, I love a pretty dress coat (this pink one is my favorite), but you also need a good basic, neutral jacket that you can wear with anything. I got this quilted black puffer a couple weeks and it's been the perfect light weight layer as we run around on the weekends.  I think people automatically assume quilter or puffer jackets make you look puffy, but it's actually the opposite. Flat stitching and quilting on a smaller scale will actually make a piece more form fitting and feminine (stay away from larger puffs and oversized coats to keep it sleek) A quilted jacket’s versatility allows it to go from sporty to chic at the flip of a switch, like switching sneakers for heels. The quilted texture keeps things interesting, so keep other textures understated to let the quilted feature be the star of the show.

Below are a few more casual weekend pieces I'm loving this season. Monday I will be launching my new site! So excited to share with you guys! 

Faux Leather Jacket

Navy Lambskin Leather Scuba Jacket

Free People Hooded Faux Leather Moto Jacket

Snap Front Quilted Down Jacket

Short Ruched Down Jacket

Brit 'Starkford' Belted Quilted Jacket

Faux Shearling Cocoon Jacket

Burberry Brit 'Reeseford' Leather & Genuine Shearling Trim Quilted Jacket

Turnkey Quilted Jacket

Thanks fo reading!
XOX, 

Christine
* Photos by JessaKae

Fall Date Night Ideas under $50

DETAILS.
Denim Jacket (size 0) // Grey Cardigan (size small - so soft!) // Black Coated Denim (runs true to size) // Nude Patent Heels // Chanel Bag (similar under $200 here) // Michael Kors Watch // Sunglasses // Necklace

CODY'S OUTFIT.
Jacket // White V-Neck // Plaid Top (old similar here and here) // AG Skinny Jeans // Sneakers (on sale) // Sunglasses // Nixon Silver Watch


Today's post is a continuation of our mini series on Date nights (if you missed the first post you can read it here). Cody and I put together a list of nine Fall date night ideas under $50:

1. Bonfire: Build a bonfire and enjoy some campfire treats of your choice, like s’mores or roasted starburst. Don't forget skewers! I just ordered this s'more tree skewer so you can cook more than one at a time. 

2. Local Ghost Tours:  Join a local ghost tour in your city.

3. Outdoor Movie Night: Stream a movie of your choice outside with this projector designed for your phone and a blank wall (or sheet). Cuddle up in a flannel blanket with popcorn, some apple cider or any warm beverage of your choice.

4. Geocaching: A friend just told us about this and I am so excited to try it! For those of you not familiar, geocaching is treasure hunting using GPS coordinates. The treasure is usually hidden in weather-proof canisters and range from random trinkets to a pencil and log of successful hunters for you to add your name to. Find geocaches near you by searching online or downloading a Geocache app. 

5. Call it a (bed) day: Stay in bed all day, or as long as you can. Indulge in the laziest activities you can think of, like marathon binge-watching your favorite TV shows, or catching up on a good book or magazine. This blanket alone looks like reason enough to stay in bed all day.

6. Carve pumpkins: Challenge your date to a pumpkin-carving contest. If you wanna take it a step further - solicit votes from friends or on social media. May the best carver win!

7. Fishing: Head to the best local fishing hole and cast a few lines for a relaxing date. If fishing isn’t your thing, take an old loaf of bread to a local pond and feed the ducks or fish.

8. Roam a local bookstore: Share some of your favorite books or discover new favorites together. We like to pick a book store that has a Starbucks or coffee shop so we can drink something warm while we peruse.

9. Hike: Fall is the prettiest time of year. Take advantage of it! 

Below are few more favorites for your Fall date night:

WOMEN'S:

BLANKNYC Faux Leather Jacket

Grey Open Cardigan

Coated Boyfriend Skinny Jeans (just got these- obsessed!)

Kurt Geiger London 'Bond' d'Orsay Pump

MEN'S:

Puffer Fleece Hooded Jacket

Black Watch

Grey Thermal Henley

New Balance '574 Pennant' Sneaker (Men)

Plaid Flannel Shirt

Have a great weekend!

XOX, 

Christine

*Photos by JessaKae

11 Things to Do In October

DETAILS.

Wine Cardigan (under $30 - size medium) // Grey Long Sleeve Tee (sized up to medium -wanted oversized)  // Distressed Jeans (run true to size) // Black Ankle Booties (true to size) // Delicate Pave Bar Ring // Pave Square Ring // Honeycomb Stud Earrings

CODY'S OUTFIT. 

Grey Sweater // AG Jeans // Sneakers // Black Watch

BECKAM'S OUTFIT.

Grey Hoodie // Skinny Jeans // * Photos by JessaKae

October through December is my favorite time of year. It's full of holiday traditions and my favorite clothing season - sweaters and layers! Below is a list of things we love to do in October. 

11 THINGS TO DO IN OCTOBER:

1. Pumpkin Picking – October wouldn’t feel complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch. It is one my favorite traditions - something my family has been doing since I was little and we have continued with our kids. We end up going a couple times each year because I just love the tradition. Some pumpkin patches have corn mazes and hay rides, making it a fun family destination.

2. Hello Starbucks PSL – Treat yourself to a pumpkin spice latte! If you aren’t much of a coffee person, ask for a few shots of the pumpkin spice syrup to add to your drink of choice, like cocoa or chai tea.

3. Giving Back – October 16^th is World Food Day, the culmination of World Hunger Action Month. Take a moment to collect some food or donate to a local food bank. 

4. Fall Polish – Break out those darker hues for your next manicure. How pretty is this color?

5. Decorate Pumpkins – The hunt for the perfect pumpkin is only half the battle – decorate your pumpkin to your taste, whether it be grim or glam.  You can see my DIY Glitter Pumpkins from last Halloween here.

6. Rock a Deep Red Lip – Although there are great lipstick selections for every season, fall is the perfect time to rock the deep red lip. Don’t let the opportunity slip by without puckering up with a classic bordeaux hue. I just got this one in brandy. 

7. Get spooked - Because no list would be complete without mentioning a good, old-fashioned haunted house. Some local amusement parks offer a kid-friendly version adopting a Halloween theme and tons of related activities during the month of October.  (Utah residents be sure to check out Frightmares at Lagoon.) 

8. Fall Recipe – Bake something pumpkin. Bake anything pumpkin! (Sorry to those of you who don’t love pumpkin. I am realizing a pumpkin trend in this list :) My favorite recipe  to bake in October is pumpkin chocolate chip bread. For all of the fun and not so much work, I use this pumpkin bread kit and add an assortment of chocolate chips. It's really easy and one of my kiddos favorites. For more advanced pumpkin recipes, here are 25 pumpkin recipes to try. 

9. Frightfest – Personally, I hate scary movies so even the thought of a horror movie freaks me out. For a healthy dose of horror, tune in to ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween. If you can handle something a little more intense, AMC’s Fearfest runs the last two weeks of October with all your classic horror flicks.

10.  Snuggle Up in a New Sweater – It's that time of year- sweater weather! Now is the time to snag the best new trends before your favorite sizes and styles are sold out. In case you missed it, here are nine of my favorite sweaters under $50.

11. Trick or Treat – You are never too old to dress up! 

Some Fun Dates for your Calendar this Month:

October 14 - National Dessert Day (I'll celebrate to that!)

October 16 - Boss's Appreciation Day (your chance to brown nose your boss a little)

October 16 - World Food Day

October 18 - National Chocolate Cupcake Day 

October 27 - National Beer Day

October 29 - National Cat Day (meow - snuggle up to those cute little felines)

October 31 - Happy Halloween!

XOX, 

Christine

6 Men's Gift Ideas You Won't find in Stores

DETAILS.

Grey Leopard Cardigan (size UK8 ) // White Blouse (on sale! -size small) // Nude Tank ($2 great layering tanks) // Zip Skinny Jeans (on sale -30% off) // Grey Boots (also loving these) // Chanel Bag (similar here)

CODYS OUTFIT. 

Carpe Diem Sweatshirt (also like tee version here) // Men's Skinny Jeans // Red Vans // Sunglasses 

Tomorrow is Cody’s birthday! I love birthday's and figuring out gifts for people. I like to mix a few store bought items with some sort of event or "non store item". So today I wanted to share a few ideas for the non store items and celebrating his big day for every budget:

$$$  Exotic Car Racing: If your guy is anything like mine, even the thought of driving fast cars at (terrifyingly) high speeds is enough to get his adrenaline pumping. Motorsports parks are a great place to let them fulfill those dreams. In addition to letting him walk on the wild side, this gesture is a huge symbol of your faith in his driving abilities. A lot of facilities will also offer motorcycle and kart racing too. Major cities like Las Vegas, New York, and California have exotic racing options, like Lamborghinis, Porches, and Ferrari's but staying local is great option if you are looking to save. 

$-$$$ Sporting Event: Tickets to a game are a go-to on most guys’ lists and luckily the options are pretty much endless! For those looking to splurge, a quick overnight trip to catch one of his favorite teams is one for the books. Local professional or college games can be just as much fun to attend, especially for those that want to partake in the tailgating experience. For those on a budget, you might be surprised at how affordable the less desirable seats can be for certain games. Plus a hot dog tastes just as good in the nosebleeds as it does in the front row. 

$-$$ Couples’ Massage: If your man is more the type that likes to unwind, consider scheduling a couples’ massage. The best part? You get to enjoy it too. Some massage chains have discounted introductory rates to make this gift more affordable, but also consider massage therapists at chiropractic or therapy clinics that might have lower rates. Another option that he might enjoy even more is a stay at home massage from you. Light a few candles, put on some relaxing music, and grab some lotion – and your ready for your at home massage session.

$$ Classic Shave: This might be hit or miss, depending on your significant others taste but I like to imagine a classic barbershop shave is akin to a girls mani/pedi. Research local barbershops and read reviews before you send him to a stranger with a razor at your man’s throat :) 

$ Birthday Boy’s Choice: Celebrations don’t need to be extravagant to be memorable. One of the best, and easiest, presents is to let him choose dinner and a movie. Maybe it's you guys going out, or maybe it's staying in cooking his favorite meal. You might end up eating wings and watching a ninja or superhero movie, but he will be happy – and really that’s all that matters.

Free – Coupon Book: Ok, in some sense this isn't free. After all, we will end up doing some work when he's cashing in on the coupons, but this is a great way to merge romantic and practical into one. Include IOUs for things he will enjoys, like full control over the remote for the night, a daytime lingerie shoe, or maybe a coupon for his favorite homemade dessert. This gift will be priceless – something he can’t get for himself.

No matter what you choose, he will appreciate you taking the time to plan something out! Below are a few more pieces I'm loving inspired by our look above.

HERS:
M·A·C 'Viva Glam Rihanna' Lipstick
Beige graphic animal print sleeveless shirt
'Sunniva' Ankle Bootie
Red Mini Pilot Bag
Cream leopard print midi skirt
HIS:
River Island MensGrey youth nation LA print sweatshirt
Nike 'Air Max 1 Essential' Sneaker (Men)
River Island MensBlack carpe diem print sweatshirt

XOX, 

Christine

Happy Birthday Babe! <3

Photos By JessaKae

5 Date Night Ideas

DETAILS.

Ivory Popover Blouse (size small - similar here) // Forever 21 Sweater (old similar here) // Distressed Skinny Jeans (true to size -26) // Nude Patent Heels (sizes sell out fast) // Calf Hair Clutch (also loving this one) // Sunglasses // Gold Watch

CODY'S OUTFIT.

Grey Henley Shirt // Green Utility Jacket // Diesel Jeans // Vans 

TGIF! Who else is ready for the weekend? Today I am excited to launch a mini series on date nights. Over the next couple months I will be sharing a few date night ideas correlated to date night outfits. Some will be dressy, some will be casual, but I wanted to share some ideas on fun things to do with your significant other. Cody and I always try to make date night a priority. After a busy week, it can be hard to find the time and energy for a night alone, but I think that time is really valuable.   

Here are a few date night ideas for a dressier but casual night with your beau:

1. Staycations! Exploring your own city can be just as exciting as traveling. Sometimes Cody and I pack up for the night and just see where the evening takes us. Hotels in Utah frequently offer major discounts to state residents especially in the off seasons (I'm not sure if all states do that, but I would assume they do). This makes it an easy, affordable way for a mini getaway. Also one of my friends recently introduced me to an app called Hotel Tonight, you can only book your stay the day of, but because of the last minute booking you get a larger discount than apps like Priceline. Our favorite staycation spot: Montage - Park City

2. Exploring New Restaurants. Cody and I love eating out. I think it's easy to get into a routine and only go to a few of your favorite spots so force yourself to find something new. To keep things interesting Cody and I take turns deciding on what new restaurants to try. Yelp is always our go to for finding new places. Honestly we have hit some bad spots, but most of the time we end up finding a new place we love. In addition to great food, being a patron of such a wide variety of restaurants makes us feel more connected to the community. 

3. Hot Chocolate Tour: Treats are our weakness! Cody and I especially love hot chocolate. One night he got the idea to try as many hot chocolate places as we could. We went to like six or seven different spots from restaurants, to coffee shops and candy stores. Admittedly I couldn't drink hot chocolate for like two weeks after but it was one of my favorite nights. If hot chocolate isn't your thing, pick a favorite treat you enjoy together, wine tasting, cupcakes, donuts, any treat will do.  Our favorite hot chocolate: Hatch Family Chocolates

4. Comedy Shows: We all know laughter is the best medicine. It releases endorphins and creates a special mood between you and your partner. Whatever your taste in humor, there is such a wide variety of comedy and shows that you are bound to find something you enjoy, whether it be improv, stand up, or even musical comedy productions, enjoy a night laughing together. 

5.  The Drive In:  I hope you are lucky enough to have a drive-in theatre near you – it is a perfect compromise when one wants to go to the movies and the other wants to stay in. Advantages include: new releases, big screens, audience atmosphere, the privacy and comfort of your car, no guilt about smuggling your own treats, easier to cuddle, controlling the volume, and the only person who can shush or be shushed is your date. 

Dressing for the Occasion

Hers:

While these activities don’t require formal attire, I love dressing up a little for date night. Layering a boat-neck knit over a long blouse is a great way to feature both pieces without distracting from the uniqueness of each one. These distressed skinny jeans add a much-needed balance to an otherwise feminine and overly dressy outfit. To complete the look, I wore nude heel, this animal print clutch, and minimal jewelry. These few basic finishes are the perfect way to achieve an effortlessly dressy casual date night look.

His:

Instead of a basic t-shirt, Cody opted for a two-toned tee with a buttoned neckline paired with one of his favorite jeans. He completed the look with an olive utility jacket and Vans with yellow laces. The muted tones leaves him looking composed yet not overdone.

Below are a few more neutral favorites for your date night look:

Christian Louboutin So Kate Patent Leather Pumps

Diane von Furstenberg 440 Haircalf Envelope Clutch

LA't by L'agence Long Sleeve Pull Over

MARC JACOBS 'Incognito' Leather Wristlet

Oversized Cotton-Blend Sweater

Leopard 'Carra' Pump

XOX, 

Christine 

Work Out Wear: Weekend Style

MY OUTFIT.

Nike Neon Jacket (size small - also loving this & this) // Nike Top (size medium - wanted it oversized) // Neon Sports Bra (color: black and neon yellow) // Nike Legend Capris (size small - my favorite so comfortable!) // Pink Nike Shoes (more sizes here) // Sunglasses

CODY'S OUTFIT.

Nike Hoodie // Nike Tee // Nike Shorts // Nike Internationalist Shoes (his favorite - under a $100) // Photos by JessaKae Photography

BECKAM'S OUTFIT.

Stroller // White Onesie // Grey Jeans // Black Leather Shoes 

The best part of weekends is the lax dress code. With no pressure to dress for any special occasion, I usually opt for oversized shirts, workout pants (these are my favorite), and comfortable shoes. I like to balance neutral black and white with a few pops of neon, which made this jacket an obvious choice, especially with the seasons starting to change. I usually get my other pops of color from a cute neon sports bras. They have a great collection here. Almost all our their bras are under $15, most are in the $8-$10 range. I like them because a lot of times they do unique cut outs with the straps or mix colors to make them more unique. I have this one (love the back detailing), this one, and this one. Somehow this laid back daytime combo leaves me feeling put together yet comfortable for family walks or last minute errands.

These Nike's are one of Cody's favorite shoes. The nice thing about the Nike Internationalist sneakers is they can be worn with a workout outfit or paired with jeans or dress shorts. A great universal shoe for the man in your life. 

More Wok out Favorites:

Pink Heathered Studio Leggings

Nike 'Free TR Connect 2' Training Shoe (Women)

Grey Nike Full Zip Hoodie

Cross Back Sports Bra

Nike 'Legend 2.0' Capris

Nike 'Lunarglide 6' Running Shoe

Nike 'Internationalist' Sneaker (Women)

Nike Rally Crew

Nike Long-Sleeve Gym Vintage Hoodie

I posted this outfit yesterday on Instagram. A lot of you were asking about the details on the look. This top is actually this dress (worn in this post) I folded into a top. 

Pink Lace Top (more sizes here - dress turned into top) // White Blazer // Distressed Skinny Jeans // White Pumps (last seen in this post) // Necklace (on sale for $18 until midnight tonight - CODE: FLOWER 18)

Hope you all enjoy the long weekend!

XOX, 

Christine