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Holiday Gift Guide

12/10/2018

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Anyone who knows me knows my love for Nordstrom. They have the most quality curated selection of brands and items. Plus, they always offer free shipping and free returns. And, if you order before December 18th, it will be there by Christmas Eve! What better place to finish off your holiday shopping list?

I know that last minute shopping can be overwhelming, so I've scoured the site to find the best gifts for everyone on your shopping list - with most of the items coming in at under $50! Check out my recommendations below; words in bold are linked for easy shopping!
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For Mom or the chic granDMA

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Anthropologie Candle

You just cannot go wrong with Anthropologie! These soy wax candles are so beautiful in appearance and scent! 
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The La Mer Sheet Mask

Enjoy the luxury of La Mer without spending a fortune. Their sheet masks are sold individually for only $25, or you can buy the six pack and gift one to multiple people. I'm telling you from experience, just one use is completely transformative to skin. Think of it as giving the gift of an at home facial! They're perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin. 
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Anthropologie Pie Dish

I don't even bake, but this gorgeous pie dish makes me want to! Gift it to the woman in your life who makes the best goodies for a special kitchen addition.

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For Your Girlfriends or Sisters

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Peter Thomas Roth Mask Set

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What girl doesn't love to treat herself to a little luxury at home? This mask set makes the perfect gift for your girlfriends or sisters to try out ALL of these coveted and Instafamous masks for such a steal of a price point. ​​ 
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Kendra Scott Birthstone Bracelet

Kendra Scott jewelry pieces are some of my favorite things to give and get! They're durable, gorgeous, and always fun.
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Cute Pajamas

Years ago, I vowed to throw out my ratty bedtime t-shirts and upgrade to real pajamas. With all of the comfy and gorgeous pajama sets out there, like these, I've never looked back! Easy to size and give, pajamas are a Christmas gift classic. They're a little more than $50 for the two pieces, but these leopard print Madewell ones are a dream. 
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Nail Polish

Not all nail polish is created equally. These gorgeous bottles of Smith & Cult are proof of that! So many chic colors to gift!

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For the men in your life

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Cashmere Sweater

Your husband or dad, if they're anything like mine, probably wouldn't even think about looking for a cashmere sweater for themselves, but at this price, it's a must have for any man's wardrobe!

Also, check out THIS JCrew version that comes in a bit over 50 but is 40% off right now.


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Portable Espresso Machine

If you know a guy who likes his coffee, but who also likes to camp/travel/explore/works outside or at job sites, this is the gift for him! It's a super sleek, take anywhere espresso machine. It's so cool!
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Herschel Supply Travel Bag

This is the perfectly sized and stylish bag for guys to throw their toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, and whatever other men's grooming products they need in when packing for a trip. Otherwise, they might be tempted to just throw their toiletries loosely in a duffle with all of their clothes and whatnot! 


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For Anyone on your list

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Plush Blanket with Fringe

​You guys. This blanket is heavenly. I own two of them already. I wash them all the time, but they still look brand new years later. It comes in SO many colors- it makes the perfect gift for absolutely anyone on your list!
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Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

From dads to coworkers to brothers to kids, a waterproof speaker is a fool proof gift. This one is easily portable and comes in so many cool color combinations!
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ALLSAINTS Beanie

Not even going to lie, I've had my eye on this for myself for a while now! It comes in a few gorgeous neutral colors, and it's unisex, so it makes a great gift for everyone. 



For Little Ones

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Melissa & Doug Vet Set

We love all things Melissa & Doug brand. We actually bought this vet set over the summer and it is still a most-played-with favorite in our family.
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Cubcoat (cuddly toy that turns into a hoodie!) 

As a mom of two and auntie to a handful of nieces and nephews, I can say that this would be a major win for littles and their parents! These transforming "cub coats" come in several different characters, from Poppy the Troll to Micky! I know Isaiah would love the Marvel Black Panther one!
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Hunter Boots
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Last but not least, is there anything cuter than a baby/toddler/kid in little Hunter rainboots? Nope. They're $55, but size up a bit and wear them for more than one season. 
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Ooh La Love La Mer: An honest review of la mer skincare

12/4/2018

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One of the most common questions I’m asked by my insta-girlfriends is what I think about La Mer. I respond with guilty lavish because I have to say, my only regret about the La Mer line up in my skincare stash is having ever tried any of it... because now, truly, nothing else compares!

​It seriously is an incredible skincare line. But, as with anything, some of their products are more stand-out than others, so it's important to know which products will best suit your needs before you invest.

Here are my thoughts on some of La Mer’s skin products, from the ones I use least often to the brand's "holy grails."
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The Eye Concentrate - It's hard for me to say whether or not this product works because I'm not a huge fan of eye creams. I'll slather one on here and there at night, but since it isn't one of my top problem areas, I hardly can tell whether an eye cream is working or not. It does feel nice to put on, though! The texture is super smooth.

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The Cleansing Foam - I love the foaming action; this face wash leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean! I feel like it might be a better choice for those with oily skin, however. 


The Renewal Oil - This is the most recent addition to my collection. My skin gets dry very easily, so it drinks this stuff right up. It has a delicious, herbal scent and leaves skin GLOWING, but I can’t say whether or not it's much more effective than any other oils I’ve tried. Oils are just not my favorite. 


The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation - La Mer has a really, really incredible foundation. It has the same good-for-your-skin qualities of the tinted moisturizer, but with more coverage. It isn't necessarily a matte foundation, but it doesn't leave your skin SUPER dewy either. Nevertheless, it is a great foundation that won't irritate even sensitive skin.


The Treatment Lotion - I have a weird relationship with this product. What even is it? It definitely isn't a lotion (it's liquid), but it's not quite a serum either. I can’t figure it out, but somehow adding this step to my skincare regimen makes me feel more complete. I put it on before my cream in the evenings and it seems to seal in an extra layer of moisture; my skin just looks BETTER, with a more even texture and tone.


The Tinted Moisturizer - This was the second La Mer product I ever bought. I have tried about every tinted moisturizer out there (Bobbi Brown, Bare Minerals, Laura Mercer, Chanel, etc.) but none compare to this one. It isn’t sticky or spotty; it is truly moisturizing and leaves skin radiant and glowing. Plus, it actually works to improve the tone and texture of skin overtime. Amazing!

The Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask - I love this product! It is a sheet mask, but it leaves skin feeling so rich after it's removed. I feel like this is their best product for targeting fine lines and wrinkles.
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The Mist - This was actually the first La Mer product I ever purchased. I was looking for something to add a dewy glow to my skin as an alternative to traditional setting sprays. The kind lady assisting at my favorite Nordstrom's La Mer counter spritzed me, I bought my first bottle, and I have never looked back. I use this almost daily. It is so refreshing and gives skin a lovely, dewy glow. 


The Cream - This is the OG of La Mer products. Scratch that. All moisturizers. Nasayers will tell you it’s all mineral oil and no different than a $1 jar of Nivea cream (I tried it - it’s NOT the same). I stand firm that this stuff is magical. My skin loves it. My hormonal acne spots, redness, fine lines, and painfully thirsty dry skin gets immediate relief and lasting improvement every time I dip into this boujee jar.


The Intensive Revitalizing Mask - Okay. This is definitely my favorite mask, ever. This makes skin softer, more moisturized,  more radiant, more even, and smoother. It smells amazing and feels SO luxurious when applied. I love love love this and think it's definitely worth the money. I don't use it too often, so a bottle lasts about a year for me.


The Moisturizing Soft Cream - This is hands down my favorite skin product, ever. If I could only use one product forever, this would be it. It smells amazing, feels luxurious, and leaves skin just as radiant and glowy as the original cream, but it’s much easier to apply.
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Hosting an at Home "Wine and Design"

12/4/2018

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With holiday budgets and wintery weather upon us, you may be wondering how you can have a fun night with friends while still staying in! If you're looking for something to do from your own living room (that doesn't involve Netflix!), consider hosting a little "paint night" for you and a few friends! You don't have to be super artistic to have a fun, relaxing, and creative night in that beats the cold!
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​All you need are a couple of blank canvases (you can get them super cheap on sale at Michael's or order from Amazon), paints, and brushes. I personally like to use "paint knives" instead of brushes for abstract stuff. 

Don't be afraid of suggesting BYOC (bring your own canvas!) if you don't have any extras lying around!
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​Fill a couple of mason jars with water, set aside some cloths or paper towels, and lay an old comforter down to protect your floor. To cultivate an atmosphere that yields creativity, put on an artsy vibes station like Bon Iver on Pandora or Spotify, light a couple of candles, diffuse some peppermint and lavender essential oils, and Voila! You have the perfect set up for a relaxing night of good conversation, chill time, and crafting.
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​Of course, everyone knows the best host provides refreshments for his or her guests! 

I like to set out a cheese board and some vino when having people over because it adds to the ambiance of the evening.

If your evening is scheduled in the midst of dinner time, here's a tip: throw together an easy CrockPot or InstaPot meal ahead of time! This way, you all have something nutritious and delicious to eat whenever you want throughout the night, plus you aren't busy with cooking or clean up when your guests arrive.

My meal of choice? A hearty chili! It's perfect for cold weather whether it's vegetarian style or traditional chili. 
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I don't follow any recipe, but prep only takes like ten to fifteen minutes, and clean up is a one-pot breeze! I just throw together browned meat, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste, some cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, and red pepper in my CrockPot and allow it to cook on low for at least six hours during the day! Provide cheese, sour cream or yogurt, basil, and whatever else you can think of for garnish toppings.
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So that's it! Everything you need to have your own little "wine and design" night from the comfort of your own living space. A few art supplies, a chill atmosphere, and some simple food and drink! If you have kids like me, put them to bed a tad bit early and enjoy this inspired evening.
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    Kara Garcia

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