not all accordion lovers look like this guy

via

The whole accordion look really snuck up on me this winter. It all started with this picture (below, not above!) from the fabulous Bee at Atlantic-Pacific.

Obviously the entire outfit is stunning, but the skirt is to die. So I have been looking for some accordion options for my own closet. Here's what I've found so far - some are within the budget and most are way outside, but it can't hurt for some inspiration!

INC accordion pleated maxi

Halston Heritage pleated skirt

ASOS contrast pleated midi

Alice + Olivia Shannon skirt

Now....... off to Spotify some polka!

so clutch

How great is this polka dot clutch from Anthropologie? It just exudes "I'm fun and cute and ready for a night on the town", or "I like brunching". Which speaking of.... I need more in my life at the moment. For some reason the winter takes the brunch out of me. Need to change that, stat. Happy Tuesday loves!

Anthropologie polka rounds clutch

diy: ornament wreath

Who else gets the creative bug over the holiday season? Hobby Lobby was having a huge sale on their Christmas decorations last week, so I decided to make an ornament wreath like the ones I have been obsessed with on Pinterest lately. 

I wish I would've taken more pictures of the process, but I was way too wrapped up in hot glue gun string to grab my iPhone. Here's a picture of the final product, a silver and gold wreath with a little K-State purple sprinkled in. 

All you need is a large styrofoam wreath (found in the gardening section), about 100 ornaments of 3 different sizes, a hot glue gun, and ribbon to hang the wreath afterwards. I glued the 4 large silver balls first and then started filling in. I like that the ornaments have a bunch of different textures: some look like disco balls, some are matte and others are glittery!

breakfast of champions

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I am sufficiently stuffed, but was somehow still in the cooking mood, so I whipped up these bacon & cheese croissants with the limited ingredients I had in the fridge. They are so easy, reheat deliciously, and can be enjoyed on the go, which is important for me since I am not a morning person by nature.

All you need is a can of croissant biscuits, cheese singles, and 6-8 slices of bacon. Here's how to make these super simple breakfast rolls:

Preheat the oven according to the croissant can instructions.

Separate the dough and split the cheese singles in half.

Cook the bacon to your liking. Is there anything better than the noise of bacon cooking? Love. 

Cut the cooked bacon in to small pieces and sprinkle on top of each croissant triangle.

Roll 'em up! Stick them in the oven for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy!! I have 2 for breakfast each morning and just reheat them in the convection oven.

attire inspiration: Thanksgiving

I can hardly wait to assist my Mom in making the creme de la creme of my Thanksgiving meal: Gravy! (I don't trust myself to make it all by myself just yet). I looooove Turkey Day and have so much to be thankful for this year. 

Our family friends have a huge turkey smoke out at their house the night before Thanksgiving, where people I've known since I was in diapers show up year after year for the Chili cooking contest and warm rum cider. This is also where I fret about what to wear: do I go trendy over warmth? Do I go Midwest fashion over my latest fashion-forward piece? I typically play it safe even though these are the parents that have had my back forever and supported me in everything I do, and my friends who will still be my friends even if I show up in red long underwear (or a faux fur vest). 

Here's my classic fall wardrobe inspiration for tonight and tomorrow:

 ~all images via my Pinterest~

This will probably be my last post until after the holiday, so I hope you all have an absolutely lovely and fine Thanksgiving!

welcome to Kansas City: H&M

Kansas City finally has it's own H&M! It's located in the heart of the Plaza, which is walking distance from my apartment! Woo hoo!

Here are some looks I'm currently crushing on. Can't wait to get in the store and try these beauties on!

I know, you don't see any Versace for H&M pieces here. They are just so not me. I am not a big print/color girl.... my thought is my red hair is loud enough as it is, so blacks and neutrals (with a few jewel tones here and there) are my best look!

trip highlights: napa wino weekend

Happy hump day! As promised, here is the recap of my wonderful weekend getaway to Napa with my girlfriends!! If you are not at all interested in reviews of places to eat, wineries to visit or the other lovely amenities Napa has to offer, skip down to the pics..... But fair warning, you should be interested. Napa is amazing!

First item up for discussion: The Vineyards

We trekked to nine wineries over our three-day stay. My favorites were the ones tucked away in the mountains where the GPS lady would say our destination was only 6 miles away, but it took 25 minutes to get there due to the windy roads hugging the cliffs. Of course there wasn't a single vineyard that was less than enjoyable, but my two favorites were Barnett Vineyards and Outpost Wines. These had the best views, excellent ambiance and my favorite Pinot Noir and Grenache, respectively.

The other *wonderful* wineries we visited were Cade, Alpha Omega, Cliff Lede, Hess, Robert Mondavi, Grgich Hills and Darioush. I could seriously write an entire post about each of these experiences they were so great.... well except Cliff Lede, where I was more than a bit hazy after 3 wineries and a visit to Pancha's (make sure you have cash and have decent knowledge of Dire Straits for this little gem!). So I guess I need to go back to give Cliff Lede a real chance next time.

Here's the view from Barrnett Vineyards:

Can you believe this gorgeousness???

Second item: f00d!

Like I said in my previous post, we had all of our tasting fees waived, and did I mention we had all of our accommodations taken care of, too? Seriously, my friend is a big shit in the wine industry. So we decided to spend all our funds saved up for the trip on food!

My no-contest favorite meal was at Redd, where I enjoyed scallops, fried bone marrow (that was a first) and the most amazing steamed pork buns I could have ever imagined. For real. We all enjoyed the pork buns more than our expensive entrees.

Other restaurants on the must-visit list were Mustards Grill and Bistro Jeanty. Both fabulous for foodies and non-foodies alike. I unfortunately fall in the non-foodie category since I'm on the picky side, but I'm trying to get better!!

OK, third item: Pictures!! Enjoy :)

at Outpost

K-S-U!

We all met thanks to Chi Omega, whose mascot is the owl. Hootie hoo!

Barrel room at Mondavi

via my Instagram (monicarosekc)

Darioush

We had so much fun!!!

gifting

Have I mentioned what a lovely time I had in Napa? I am completely spoiled, though. Since we went with a sommelier who is an assistant buyer at one of the largest wine stores in Kansas, we enjoyed some very special treatment.  I'm talking about private lunch prepared by the executive chef at Hess, private tasting rooms and all of our tasting fees waived.

So us lucky girls who got to join in the fun decided we need to thank our wine-o friend for bringing us along. We just ordered these champagne flutes for her, how great are they? I think they're the perfect gift for a hostess with the mostest or a newlywed couple. They say "Cheers" in six different languages!

via

lucky 11-11-11

I think this art piece is so wonderful. Forget about all the crap and remember......

via

Also, a sincere thank you to our Veterans for their service. U-S-A!!!

beauty stash: hand creams

Hello lovely readers and happy hump day!

I promise I will get some Napa adventure pictures up soon, but until the girls get their photos on Shutterfly, I am stuck with only my pics and a desire to not have wine again for a few more days....

This is rando but are anyone's hands crazy dry already this season? I know it's not just a Kansas-weather thing either, because it all started when I was in California. I even had a dream my finger nails were cracking right down the middle the other night (much like the United States is - wtf with all the earthquakes in OK and KS over the past week???).

I'm addicted to L'Occitane's travel sized hand creams. Best stocking stuffer a girl can ask for! The only problem is I run out of them really quickly because the lavender scent is so wonderful I keep applying when I don't really need to.

L'Occitane Lavender Hand Cream Trio

So this year I'm going to try a new, unscented hand cream to test my loyalty to L'Occitane. It's never good to get stuck in a rut, am I right? So here are a few carry-on sized moisture providers I'm eyeing this winter....

C.O. Bigelow Chapped Hands Remedy

Kiehl's Unusually Rich But Not Greasy At All Hand Cream

That's all for now! If you have a tried and true hand lotion let me know.... 

leaving.... on a jet plane (again)

I have some really exciting (and quickly approaching) news I have forgotten to share: I am going to Napa Valley this weekend! Actually... I'm leaving in 4 short hours and still have some packing to do - ah!

Confession #1: I love wine. Like I drink it 5 nights a week.

Confession #2: I am an overpacker.

I'm going with three wonderful friends, one who just happens to be a certified sommelier. Coolest job ever. With her help, I plan on learning a lot more about wine, enjoy the beautiful scenery, laugh a ton with a wine buzz, indulge in delicious meals and make some unforgettable memories with my unforgettable friends! Ohmygoodness so excited.

Here's what I've packed so far.... the weather is supposed to be in the 50s which just might be my favorite weather to dress for!

This is going to look like a promotion for J. Crew......

J. Crew Dream Alexie sweater

 I got this sweater monogrammed! I was hoping for a large letter (thinking Laverne's signature sweaters from Laverne & Shirley) but it ended up being teeny tiny. Still cute, just understated.

J. Crew skinny jeans

Best jeans of my LIFE!!!

Frye Melissa Button boot

Also included are lots of scarves, my favorite Banana tan jacket, lots of black for going out at night (including this beauty from Michael Stars) and more jewelry than I'll ever be able to wear. Gotta be prepared!

OK - off to pack some more. Have a wonderful weekend everyone, pictures of Napa when I get back! PS: If there's anywhere we need to go - let me know!