winter workout wear …

  i love my lululemon as much as the next girl, but my wallet certainly does not!  lately though, i've noticed more and more retailers have products which look very similar to theirs.  as they say, "imitation is the sincerest form of a compliment"  which is why i'm loving the active line from target!  some of the pieces look exactly like those i've see at lulu lately!  i love the color selection for spring, and i promise the quality is just as good as lululemon, if not better (i.e. no see-thru pants! :) at a better price! speaking of the pants, my absolute favorite pair is from the C9 premium activewear line.  they're perfectly tight and have just the right amount of thickness to wear either running outside or underneath a cute top or sweater with boots.  they give lululemon's wonder unders a serious run for their money!
click below to shop a few of my favorites!





this week i'm linking up with these fabulous girls!

currently coveting …

 every year after the holidays, i frequently peruse the sale section of my favorite stores and their outerwear selection.  in my mind, it's the perfect time to buy that coat you've always needed at such a great discount!  i crave a wool camel toggle coat in the absolute worst way ... and every year, i've can't seem to pull the trigger.  i think it's because i have soooo many other coats in the closet, but when i look through them, i clearly gravitate toward one color. black.  i think this year it's time for a change.  especially, after seeing kat from with love from kat style hers. absolute casual perfection.

 and, since i was finally able to get my hand on this much coveted, hard-to-find zara scarf, it's a definite now.  i mean,  i've already dreamt up the absolutely, must-have, my wardrobe will be that much cooler outfits i'd be able to wear if only i had a camel colored coat to go with it.   of course.  completely logical.

if i'm dreaming of and coveting a camel toggle coat, this burberry one is the.one.and.only.  but, realistically speaking, these options are a better fit for my (errrr…. husband's) wallet.  this coat at Lord & Taylor is great in addition to this London Fog one.  both this one and this one are from Macy's.  the  first has a bit darker tone, and the second has some leather detailing on the sleeve and shoulders.  i'm especially loving the fur collar and leather detail on this one. i think it's my favorite!  another one  at Macy's has the fur collar as well!  here's an even budget friendlier option.  i know this llbean doesn't come in a camel option, but it was just too cute!

if you're uncertain of which size you may be, check out this handy guide as how to measure yourself when shopping online.

happy shopping!

be sure to check out these other great bloggers!

                         

Burberry Coats · Asos Coats · Coldwater Creek Petite Outerwear

photo credit:  coat 1 via pinterest // coat 2 // coat 3

… friday five …

photo : www.craftlovely.com

  with all the past gift guide blogging, i'm exhausted!  i intend on spending the upcoming weekend finishing christmas shopping for my family and then enjoying our holiday traditions.  one tradition includes gathering in my mom's kitchen and baking cookies.  i can recall doing this ever since i was a little girl with my sisters, mom, grandmother, and my cousins.  it's one of my fondest memories :)

i'm certain we'll be baking chocolate chip cookies.  how can you not at christmas time?! i'd like to try this recipe.  it's the chocolate chip cookie recipe from the New York Times and claims to be the BEST chocolate chip recipe of all time.  pretty hefty claim.  only one way to find out! here's a slightly different version of chocolate chip cookies.  jessica of how sweet eats has this recipe for brown butter oatmeal chunk cookies.  yum!

this year, i'd like to attempt baking these "peanut better balls".  angela of ohsheglows created this recipe and it looks ahhh-mazing.  it's a re-vamped holiday treat which she's made to be "healthier" and lighter.  it's also vegan and gluten-free. and... what's better than chocolate and peanut butter together?!  in my opinion, nothing!  another fun christmas "cookie" recipe for homemade peppermint patties via mel's kitchen cafe.

speaking of traditions,  there's nothing better than sitting by the fire, sipping hot chocolate, and listening to christmas carols.  so comfy, so cozy!  here's an awesome list of christmas tunes to rock out to and put you in the holiday spirit.
you must try this nutella hot chocolate recipe via clara at clara persis blog.  it sounds to die for!  and, while we're at it, this recipe for nutella stuffed brown butter & sea salt chocolate chip cookies will definitely help to meet the nutella quota for the year. and, lastly, peppermint chocolate spoons?!  why have i never thought of it before?!?! it seems like an absolute must for stirring in hot chocolate.

traveling over the holidays?  here are a few essential items to pack to look put together and ready to celebrate!  go for dressy casual with this skirt, this sweater, and these boots.  be sure to layer on an infinity scarf which an absolute must this season.  here's a cute one from jcrew and on sale, too!  find every color available here for an infinity scarf.  or, glam it up with a pair of faux leather pants found here, here, and here and an oversized sweater found here, here, here, and here.   if you really want to sparkle and shine, wear this top! this brocade top has a cool festive look, too!  stack on these rings and this NARS nail polish is the perfect red for your nails.  i'm loving the weekend bag featured above.

i'm hoping to be able to start a holiday tradition of taking a picture of my littles in front of the christmas tree. i say hoping because they never seem to sit still long enough for me to capture a sweet moment.  with high hopes of being able to snap a pic, i'm going to read up on how to take pictures in front of a christmas tree here.

lastly, i'll be taking a blogging break over the next two weeks.  if you like what you see & read, please show me some love!   sign up now (found to the left of the blog page) to get chanes of love in your email or follow on google+ or bloglovin.  

i wish everyone a happy & healthy holiday season and a happy new year.  be present with those around you & cherish the time with your loved ones!  ENJOY! see you in 2014! 

stocking stuffers

clare vivier clutch  // monogrammed pendant necklace // tie dye hair tie set // forever 21 pompom hat // 'hello sunsine' cell phone case // bobbi brown skincare set // monogrammed correspondence cards // faux fur snood // old navy slippers (similar) // monomgrammed pendant bracelet // bobbi brown sheer lip color // glitter monogram pouch  // essie 'encrusted holiday 2013' nail polish // essie 'over the edge' nail polish // essie 'luxeffects' topcoat nailpolish // kate spade stud earrings // sonia kashusk 10pc brush set (available in stores only!)

need a stocking stuffer idea(s)?  well here's a few…or more!  sometimes the best and most fun present can be found in the stocking!  and, clearly i'm loving the monogrammed trend.  you simply can't go wrong with a gift that is personalized exactly for that special person!

happy shopping!

let's talk shop …

(photo via laura winslow)

  hello fellow shopaholics!  black friday is here… or rather, will be very soon!  here's a list of a smattering of black friday deals happening this year.   while you won't find me out shopping on Thanksgiving, i may check out some stores online tonight.  sometimes i can't help myself ;)
 check them out and let's go shopping!

1.  old navy & gap :  don't miss 50% off the entire store with code BLKFRIDAY at gap and receive up to 50% off at old navy online!  find 50% off merchandise in-store at both brands.

2.  banana republic : start saving online starting tonight at midnight.  you can score 50% off one full-price item until 1pm and 40% off any purchase all day friday.

3.  jcrew :  get 30% off and free shipping using code HOLIDAY.

4.  express : find 40% off of everything in-store and 50% online.  free shipping on all orders over $125.

5.  target :  will open it's doors tonight at 8pm with doorbuster deals.  tons of deals on electronics, clothing, toys, and more! even greater savings if you use your target red card.

6.   best buy :  stores open thursday starting at 6pm with doorbusters until 10pm on friday. great deals on electronics, of course!

7.  walmart : you can already start shopping online now to get some great deals (along with target & best buy, too!).  amazing deals on electronics, household appliances, clothing, toys, and much more!

8.  kohl's : deals are available online starting today.  stores open tonight at 8pm with 50-60% off jewelry, clothing, shoes, and more!

9. pipelime :  from november 29-30, take 25% off items site-wide plus an additional 40% off final sale items.  enter code GIFT at checkout.

10.  shopbop :  through november 26 - december 2, you can participate in the more you spend, the more you save deal.  spend $250, save 15%.  spend $500, save 20%.  spend $1000, save 25%.  enter code BIGEVENT13.

11. jcrew factory : 50% off everything and free shipping on purchases over $50 or more with code HOLIDAY50.

12.  anthropologie :  is offering 50% off all red-lined sale clothing and lifestyle items from 6-11am on friday and receive 20% off online.

13.  zara : 50% off select items and free shipping.

14.  bloomingdales : online only today (11/28), take an extra 15% off a selection of regular & sale priced items.  enter code THANKS at checkout.  ends friday at 4am.  also, spend $100 and receive at $15 gift card valid through 12/24/13.

15.  asos :  take 20% off everything on their site.  use promo code GIMME20. and up to 30% off winter wear.

16.  forever 21 : extra 50% off sale items with code EXTRA50.  then, on friday, special yellow tag deals starting at $3.

17.  prefresh : 60% off using code BLACKFRIDAY13. ends 11/29.  follow on instagram.

18.  janie & jack :  enjoy 30% off everything and receive free shipping with your purchase of $75 or more until friday 3pm.  afterwards, enjoy 25% of your entire purchase the remainder of the weekend.

19.  sephora : is having "dealtopia".  special limited offers at $10 each for black friday only.  items can be previewed on pinterest.

20.  athleta :  receive 20% off your entire purchase today only (11/29) online with code FIT20 and in-stores.

21.  nordstrom : receive up to 25% off  on select items.

22.  ann taylor : 50% off everything in-store only and 40% off online using code GET40

23.  ann taylor loft : 50% off all merchandise in stores and 40% off online using code ENJOY

24.  macy's : additional 15% off and free shipping on $99 or more with code THANKS.

25.  victoria's secret : free shipping on orders of $40 or more until midnight.  use code FREE40.  20% off orders of $125. use code 20SAVE.



and, if you're shopping online, don't forget to use Ebates!  i use it all the time when making purchases!  Ebates gives you a percentage back on your total amount spent in either a check or a gift card of your choice.  it's so simple and easy to use and they have almost ALL stores possible.  it's free money….well, sort of!  hey, as they say, "gotta spend money to make money," no ?!  ;)

be sure to use this code when signing up for Ebates!  click here & join:
http://www.ebates.com/


happy thanksgiving!!