Getting in the Holiday Spirit with Tipsy Elves

I'm super pumped to share my latest post with you guys because it's an extra fun one.  I've partnered up with PayPal today on SS to tell y'all about Tipsy Elves, one of the coolest brands I've discovered on the net.  For those of you unfamiliar with TE, they sell outrageous clothes that make GREAT gifts - think hilariously "ugly" christmas sweaters, adorable onesies, neon ski-suits and more!

I was literally lol'ing as I browsed their sweater collection.  I ended up getting this "Challah" knit, but it definitely took me a while to come to a decision.  Here are some of the other ones I really liked! Which one's your personal fave?

1 || 2 || 3 || 4

Anywho, I'm all about supporting small businesses.  As much as I enjoy shopping at big retailers, it's important to go local for the economy.  Support independent businesses in the comfort of your home without your wallet or credit card with PayPal.  They have an option called One Touch that allows you to pay for items in your shopping basket without having to enter billing details - if you're interested, you can activate it here.  

For bigger ticket items, you have the option to use PayPal Credit, which is based on your transaction history.  You can apply for credit during checkout, and where available, choose to use their easy payments option to spread the price of your purchase payments over time.  

Oh, and FYI, this holiday season, PayPal is offering free return shipping called "Return Shipping on Us" on items up to $40 for up to 11 purchases (!!!!) So don't be afraid to get your shop on.  How's holiday shopping going for you guys? Are you almost done with it all? Where do you usually like to shop for gifts?  And is there anything in particular YOU really want for the holidays?  OH, and a HUGE thanks to the wonderful Andrew Bogard for snapping this fabulous photos.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

'Tis the Season for Giving: Getting My Holiday Shop On with Riders® by Lee®

I'm so beyond excited to share my latest post, sponsored by Riders® by Lee®!  I'll be telling you guys all about the ensemble I wore last weekend.  I was out getting my shop on so I wore a comfy - but stylish - look for the occasion.  Christmas is right around the corner, which is awesome but also quite stressful because malls are ridiculously crowded this time of year.  I decided to go super early to beat the crowd, but it didn't really make much of a difference!  I guess everyone else was thinking that, too.  Hashtag great minds think alike? Ha.

I have to say though, I went prepared this time!  Last year, I wore sky high boots - don't ask me why - and a short sweater dress and totally suffered.  I spent a good 30 minutes standing at each store just waiting to checkout so my feet were pretty much dead at the end of the day...I'm literally wincing just thinking about it.  So, for this year's holiday shopping spree, I decided to go with a casual-cool vibe. I threw on my fave Riders® by Lee® jeans and paired them with a quasi-layered striped top and stylish utility jacket.

I'm seriously obsessed with Riders® by Lee® Bounce Back Denim.  I can't even begin to tell you guys how comfy these skinnies are! Available in both black and blue, these babies conform to your bod and keep their shape all day without bagging or sagging (think stretch that keeps its shape).  They sit right below your waist, mid-rise style so you don't have to worry about a muffin top or anything along those lines.

This goes without saying, but good jeans are hard to find!  So, when you find an affordable brand with fab styles that won't break the bank, you definitely want to take advantage and stock up.  I, personally, have always been a huge fan of skinny jeans.  I love dressing them up & down, for any and every occasion.  

If you're more into bootcut or straight jeans, you'll want to check these versions out at either your local WalMart or K-mart. They're all mid-rise, but trust me, that's a good thing.  I always go for mid + high rises because they're a bajillion times more comfortable and form-flattering.  TIP:  if you're looking to visually slim your figure, go for a darker wash!  Oh, and I recommend buying two pairs so you can get one hemmed for flats and one hemmed for heels.  Where do you guys usually like to buy your jeans?  And what's your favorite style?

Here's a full body shot for you guys.  I went easy on the accessory front today because I wanted to keep things simple but couldn't resist throwing on a fabulous pair of tortoiseshell cat-eyes.  Don't be afraid to experiment with different styles and colors!  You'll seriously upgrade your look in a matter of seconds.

Photos shot by the wonderful Sung Shin and sponsored by Riders® by Lee®.

Strolling Around Dumbarton Oaks

Alright guys, I'm pumped to share a stylish work friendly ensemble with y'all today on SS.  I re-featured one of my favorite dresses because I'm all sorts of sensible (I featured it here back in the day if you're interested).  I paired it with my fave faux-leather jacket, accessorized with a bold necklace, and threw on animal print booties to up my print game.  I can't even begin to tell you guys how much wear I'm getting out of these babies.  They seriously up my style game tenfold!

Shop my look (featuring pieces from varying price points):

A closer look at my necklace from J Wholesale!  Statement jewelry will always be a weakness of mine. That and designer bags...and shoes, ha.  What your favorite accessory?  Let me know by leaving a comment below.

 Dress:  c/o Stitch Fix || Necklace:  J Wholesale || Jacket:  Donna Degnan || Shoes:  Nine West (similar)

Shot by the spectacular Jared Wolfe.

Sensible Stylista x Two Perfect Souls: Win Custom Shoes of Your Choice ($100+)

It's giveaway time, errbody!  I'm SUPER excited to partner up with Two Perfect Souls today on SS. I'm all about supporting fab independent boutiques so I jumped at the opportunity to collab with 'em. Their specialty is *drum roll, please* made to order shoes that slay!  In addition to killer heels, they sell unique jewelry made with 3D tech. They're adding a bunch of new designs soon so sign up for their newsletter to stay in the know.  

BTW, I ordered a pair of THESE babies for myself!  Aren't they ridiculously cute? Worth $200, you could win these boots yourself.  Anywhoooo, their shoes take about 1-2 weeks to make but are shipped express so the receiver will get 'em within 4-7 days after.  If you want to read more about their handmade beauties, check out Evelyn's (the fabulous founder) latest post.  One VERY lucky international winner will score a pair of their choice (they're like $100+ in value) by simply following them on instagram via rafflecopter below.  As always, there are several bonus entries available to up your chances of winning.  

Oh, and one more thing!  They're currently having a bomb sale, and some of the ready-to-ship shoes (made in Spain and Italy) are a total steal - click to get your browse on!  Good luck, guys.  This giveaway ends on Jan. 2nd and will be announced here the day after so check back.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

6 Ways to Save Time on the Daily: A Millennial's Guide to Max Productivity

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are mine alone.  #CentrumFunFlavors #CollectiveBias

Alright everyone, I'm super excited to tackle time management today on SS.  As a doctoral student juggling 4 different jobs, efficiency is key to both my productivity and sanity.  It's easy to get overwhelmed at times - and it definitely doesn't help that I'm an anxious person by nature - so, for my latest, I'm going to spill the beans on how I work smart all day, every day.  Big ups to Centrum® MultiGummies® for sponsoring this post.

1.  Create a detailed to-do list first thing in the morning.  Start by writing down everything you need to accomplish that day, and then number tasks by importance.  If you have a BIG goal listed, break it down (step-by-step if you need to) to increase manageability.  Tip:  Figure out when you're most alert and tackle tasks accordingly.  I always fade around 2-3 PM so I either squeeze my workout in then or do something that requires less brain power.  If your mind's not in the game, move on.  Why spend 3 hours working on "x" when you can do it in 1 with a clear head?  Yeah, like I said, work smart.

2.  Set time restraints for tasks.  Keep an alarm on hand and be strict with yourself.  It's tough to let go once you delve deep into a project you're passionate about, but you have to move on at some point!  Plus, a fresh perspective will always do you good.  Setting limitations can often up your efficiency tenfold.  For example, if you set aside 3 weeks to complete "x," it'll probably take you that exact amount of time when, quite honestly, you could've finished it in half that time.  Take my word, and push yourself!

3.  Prep as much as possible the night before.  I really can't stress this enough - this seriously saves me so much time!  Every night, I lay out my outfit, pack food (if I have to go in and teach), organize my tote (so I can just grab 'n go), and prep meals.  I like to chop up different veggies (onions + peppers) for quick omelettes - I buy liquid egg whites in bulk - in the morning, while cooking a huge pot of pasta sauce with mushrooms, zucchini, and ground turkey.  If I get sick of whole wheat pasta, I nom on black bean burgers.

4.  Focus on ONE thing at a time.  Multi-tasking may seem great, but it's actually a really inefficient way to go about doing things.  IMHO, it's mental - you think you're doing a lot, and you feel busy, but at the end of the day, there's no (or not enough) substance.  

Edward Hallowell, renown psychiatrist & director of the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health, insists that "true multitasking is a myth.  We may feel we're doing two or more things at once, but it's an illusion. Instead, we're quickly switching our focus back and forth.  The cerebral cortex can pay attention to only one thing at a time.  What people really do is shift their attention from one task to the next in rapid succession.  That reduces the quality of the work on any one task, because you're ignoring it for milliseconds at a time."

5.  Give yourself a break.  If you're feeling fatigued, take ten - FYI, if you need ideas on how to stay alert during the day, check out "25 Ways to Stay Alert When You're Super Tired."  I highly recommend timeboxing (50 minutes of work + 10 minutes of play) unless you're on a roll.  If you feel super focused, just go with the flow until you hit a wall.  Remember, long hours don't mean quality work.  Trust me, a clear head will help you get much more accomplished.

6.  Maintain a healthy lifestyle.  If you want to be on top of your game, you need to take care of yourself.  That means getting enough sleep each night, eating healthily, exercising regularly, and taking key supplements.  

Centrum® MultiGummies® makes it easy for me to support by health while enjoying my busy lifestyle.  These multi-benefit multivitamins include 100% or more of essential nutrients, Vitamins B12, D, and E.  B vitamins aid in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.  Antioxidants such as Vitamins C, E and Zinc help support normal immune function.*

Alright folks, that's it for today!  I hope you all found this post helpful.  Make sure you guys head on over to Walmart to get yourself a bottle of Centrum® MultiGummies® - don't forget to click here to browse deals.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

Find of the Day: The Mesh Midi ($27)

Alright guys, it's time for another find of the day. I'm pumped to share my latest purchase with y'all today on SS! I copped this baby online at ASOS a week ago (available for purchase here), and I couldn't be happier with my buy. I'm convinced that I stumbled upon another magical LBD (I talked about one HERE a while back). The silhouette's flattering yet forgiving, and it's super comfortable because it has an elastic waist.  

Now, don't get me wrong, I love bodycon and all, but I really have to be in the mood for it.  If I feel even the slightest bit of bloat, I'll feel self-conscious all night long which is NOT my idea of fun. This piece, on the other hand, is a design you can always whip out.  So, if you're looking to impress this holiday season, pick this dress up STAT.  You really have nothing to lose because ASOS has an amazing (aka free) return policy.

I absolutely love that this dress is both sexy and classy at the same time! The cutout front + mesh fabric ooze sex appeal while the length balances everything out.  You're not really showing anything which keeps it classy in my opinion.  Your legs & cleavage are covered so you're just workin' that playful peek of skin.  

Made of a polyester + elastane blend, this dress is machine wash so you don't have to worry about taking it to the cleaners.  For those of you wondering, I bought this in a US 4, and it fits me beautifully.  The straps are adjustable so it works for girls with bigger busts!  So, who here's looking for a fab new holiday dress? Where do you typically shop for 'em? Are there colors or cuts you prefer?  Make sure y'all leave me a comment below! I always love hearing from you guys.

Showing Serious Poncho Love

Excited to feature yet another fabulous piece from Stitch Fix on SS.  I centered today's entire OOTD around my new poncho!  I'm a huge fan of neutral shades so this piece tickles my fancy in every way possible.  I paired it with gray pants + accessories for a simple yet stylish look - I borrowed my mom's YSL for the occasion (to see MY designer collection, click here).

Other fabulous ponchos under $100: 

Now, before I leave y'all, I have to tell you guys about my new skinny jeans.  I picked them up at Aero during Black Friday for $14, and I seriously can't get enough of 'em.  I actually bought 5 different pairs (various cuts) because they fit me so well.  I loved that they hit me right at the ankle! I'm on the shorter side so I always have to cuff my jeans up, which is fine and all, but it'd be nice not to have to every once in a while.

Anywho, I feel like Aero has kind of a bad rep.  I know that most of their stuff is high-schooly in nature, but their jeans are second to none.  If you're looking for comfy + stylish denim, you seriously need to hit them up.  Well, them and Stitch Fix!  They both sell magical jeans that hug your curves like nobody's business!

Jeans:  Aeropostale || Bag:  YSL (borrowed) || Poncho:  c/o Stitch Fix

Strawberry Fields Forever

I'm so beyond excited to partner up with Jared Wolfe again on SS for my latest.  I absolutely love working with him - he has an incredible eye, and his style's super distinct. I feel like I could spot his work anywhere!  If you're interested in working with him, hit him up here.  He just opened a new studio in DC so it should be fun times all around!

Anywho, for today's OOTN, I styled a fun going out look for you guys.  I (unfortunately) don't have a dress link for y'all, but I'll make sure to share other cute options for you guys below so scroll, scroll, scroll.

Other sexy dress options for you guys (all under $50):

My neckline's already hella fancy so I accessorized with bold statement earrings instead of a pretty necklace as per usual.  I got these earrings from Charlotte Russe back in the day, and they STILL look fab.  I expected them to change color and whatnot, but they're good as new.  They're no longer available online (since I bought them years ago), but here are other affordable styles for your browsing pleasure:

How-to Get Mistletoe Ready

I'm totes excited to introduce you guys to editor-in-chief of Yahoo Style, author and host Joe Zee today on Sensible Stylista.  He's taking over (via video) and giving y'all amazing tips on how to get holiday ready this season. Some additional tips for you guys:
1.  Go all out and make a statement:  Have some fun and step out of your comfort zone!  Seek a statement piece - maybe one you typically wouldn't wear - a funky jacket, a big piece of jewelry or a bold tie, and add it to that holiday look.  This is the fastest way to add pizazz to your ensemble.  It's also an easy way to take a look from day to night which is important during the busy holiday season. 2.  Start with the winner:  Know what makes you feel food and play it up!  Throw on that pair of shoes or that specific skirt that gives you confidence and always makes you feel like a million bucks and make it your signature piece for the holidays! 3.  Let it shine:  Embrace the sparkle in you!  Metallics and shine are a huge trend right now so add sparkle to your everyday look.  Try a sequin trimmed tee with a pencil skirt or add a metallic belt + shoes. 4.  Layer that LBD:  Take this simple staple and turn it into something new for each occasion. Consider it a blank slate you can dress up and down with layers, fabric textures and awesome accessories. 5.  Look the part from head to toe:  Being well-groomed is just as important as what you wear!  Take time to pamper yourself before your holiday event.  Reflect on how you want the holidays to unfold, don't just let them happen.  This will make sure you're at your very best.  Take a luxe bath and leave time for grooming. Man, I'm SO glad he talked about grooming.  I'm all about treating myself so at-home spa nights are a total must. Lucky for me, these products available on Walmart.com/mistletoeready to help me get my pamper on.  So, without further ado, let's take a look at what's inside my pretty package!

1.  Gillette Venus Swirl Razor and Cartridges ($10.75):  You guys have no idea how much I needed this.  My razor was super old, and I was running out of cartridges so I was beyond pumped that this was included in my toolkit. Not to mention, Venus has been my go-to for YEARS now - it gives me the closest shave possible without nicking and all that garbage. Soft skin is super important to me so moisturizing after a good shave = bliss.

2.  Oral-B Pro White 1000 ($29.90):  After trying this toothbrush out, I don't think I can ever go back to anything else...but then again, I'm kind of cray when it comes to dental hygiene.  This brush does an amazing job keeping my pearly whites clean.  The in-handle timer pulses every 30 seconds to let you know when to switch areas, and it's clinically proven to break up and remove more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush.  Walmart.com's currently offering a $15 mail-in-rebate so make sure y'all take advantage (valid until 12/31).

3.  Crest 3D White Whitestrips ($36.99):  As much as I love wearing pretty jewelry, I truly believe that my best accessory (by far) is my smile!  These whitening strips are def. a must for me. I used to drink a ridonkulous amount of coffee daily so my teeth suffered.  I actually decided to stop drinking it entirely a month ago, but I still need these to keep everything in check.  You'll see results in 3 days, and full results will come in 20.  They'll remove 14 years of stains (!!!) delivering professional-level teeth whitening results for a fraction of the cost.  Andddd the best part? It's all SUPER safe so you  don't have to worry about damaging your enamel.

4 -5.  Gillette Fusion ProShield Chill Men's Razor & Braun Series 3:  These two items are for guys so I'm not going to review them!  I'll be gifting these babies to my pops though.  I'm sure he'll appreciate 'em.  FYI:  Now's a great time to stock up on basics since Walmart.com's offering a bunch of P&G products for a fraction of the price.  See the full list here!

Alright guys, that's it for today!  If you guys have questions about any of the aforementioned essentials, just shoot me a message.  Also, I want to take a second to thank P&G for sponsoring today's latest. Cheers, everyone!

Keeping it Casual on the Daily

Excited to share another fall-friendly look with you guys today!  I'm all about casual cool for my latest post, anddddd like my last blast, I'm wearing Stitch Fix from head to toe, ha.  Don't judge me, guys.  Their clothing's just too freakin' cute.

Anywho, I centered my latest around a blue/gray color scheme!  I started with a simple striped shirt and threw on a drape cardigan to match.  I thought about wearing gray pants, but decided to keep things more casual with jeans.  What do you guys wear to run errands?  How do you execute casual on the regular?

My feeble attempt at twirling!  This was totally weaksauce.  I promise to step my game up next time, ha.

Cardi + Top + Bag:  c/o Stitch Fix || Jeans:  Aeropostale || Necklace:  J Wholesale || Shoes:  Wild Diva (similar)

The West Elm @ Lab 1270 Holiday Party

Stoked to tell you guys all about my latest adventure at West Elm.  Last Thursday, I hit up their DC store for a fun night of food, dranks and ornament-making with blogger friends.  For those of you interested, they're hosting their first "Makers Residency Program" there this holiday season.  They're sponsoring 9 local artists to offer customers a curated assortment of handmade goodies (!!!!) in addition to their own stuffs. Their metro-area makers will also be hosting workshops there so it should be good times all around.

For this shindig, they had Samantha Testa of Painted Palettes come in and give us "faux calligraphy" lessons.  She handed us all packets and we sat around a huge table to practice tracing her lettering before tackling our DIY ornaments.

Left:  Samantha, our fabulous instructor, werkin' it like a boss!  Right:  La Belle Mel perfecting her calligraphy.  FYI, we were totally SILENT throughout our lesson because we were concentrating really hard.  Calligraphy is tough - I was definitely struggling.

Our finished ornaments!  Mel, Kate, and I totally cheated and asked Samantha to do ours for us.  In our defense though, we tried to make our own (my sad attempt's pictured on the right, ha).  Samantha wrote my name out for me, and I tried to copy it but it made no difference because I ran out of room *sniffles* I brought back an extra packet for practice though.  I'm gonna be a pro in no time...probably not, but hey, positive thinking never hurt nobody!

West Elm hired a nomtastic caterer + bartender for the event, but I didn't get to eat anything because of my whole clean eating diet.  All their drinks + treats looked delicious though.  I was super proud of myself for practicing such great self-control, ha.  

Afterwards, we went to Union Market to grab dinner.  I wasn't super hungry so I just went to South Block Juice and grabbed their Tropi-kale smoothie before joining Mel + Kate at Rappahannock Oyster Bar.  OMG, I can't even begin to tell you guys how yummy it was.  I expected it to taste super healthy (aka gross), but it was surprisingly delicious.  I don't remember all the ingredients, but I think there was agave nectar, coconut water, spinach, kale, mango andddd give or take a few fruits and veggies, ha.  It WAS super expensive though!  Dang, $8 for a smoothie?  Probably won't be getting it on the daily, but it was a nice treat! Anywho, that's all for today.  Who else LOVES smoothies? Comment with your favorite combination.

Editorial: The [Not So] Secret Garden

Pumped to share yet another dressy look with you guys!  I partnered up with the fabulous Jared Wolfe again for my latest because he's hella talented and all sorts of awesomesauce.  I styled a classic going-out ensemble for y'all for today's OOTD.

I got this elegant & (very) comfortable dress at Amiclubwear a while back.  I love simple LBDs because they're like blank canvases - can I get a woot woot for accessories - begging to be adorned.  I styled it with bold statement earrings from JWholesale and a beautiful choker from Trollbeads.  They released three gorgeous charms that go with it so feel free to go cray.  

I went with the pearl charm for today's post, but I'll be showing y'all more very soon so stay tuned. BTW, their new winter collection is seriously goals - if you haven't checked it out yet, you need to STAT!  OH, and one more thing, I wrote a post on finding the perfect LBD a while back.  If you missed it, you can access it here.

 A closer look at my fabulous choker!

 Other fabulous LBDs for your browsing pleasure:

Dress:  c/o Amiclubwear (splurge) || Necklace:  c/o Trollbeads || Shoes:  Qupid (similar) || Earrings:  JWholesale

Wearing Stitch Fix from Head to Toe

Extra pumped for today's OOTD because my adorable furbaby's making an appearance!  I took these shots with my mom back in Pittsburgh - my dad was grilling steaks + chicken outside so the entire family decided to keep him company.

For my featured OOTD, I pretty much wore Stitch Fix from head to toe!  I got everything - to be more specific, my jacket, scarf, and jeans - while I was there for my SF trip.  If you missed my recaps, click here for part 1 and here for part 2.

I can already tell that these pieces are going to be cold weather staples for years to come.  For those of you unfamiliar with Stitch Fix, they're an AMAZING styling service + fashion retailer.  If you're a fan of personalized packages, you'll absolutely love them.  All you have to do is fill out a detailed style profile (to help them understand your size, style, budget, lifestyle, and more) and sit back.  Note: you DO pay a $20 styling fee, but it'll be applied as credit toward anything you decide to purchase! Oh, and did I mention that shipping's (plus returns) totally free?  That's what I'm talking about!

Other fabulous scarves that are perfect for winter!

Daisy loves cuddling with me!  In case you were wondering, her haircut looks hella funny because I did it myself. The last time I took her to the groomer, she was traumatized for weeks so I do it for her now.  She loves going to Petsmart for toys and noms though, ha!  Do you guys have pets?  

Jacket + Scarf + Jeans:  c/o Stitch Fix || Tank:  Polo Factory Outlet (similar) || Shoes:  Seychelles