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Carly A. Riordan
a little bit of life, a little bit of style, and everything in between.
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📌 Save this post! Can’t get over the MAGIC that is @backtonature.nj’s Christmas Market during the holidays! 🎄🌟🎅🏻🧣The decor this year is on a new level. If you need to get into the holiday spirit (or pick up speciality gifts or more decorations for your home), 100% recommend making the drive! It’s worth it ❄️

When you don’t actually feel cute but then kind of end up feeling cute because you put a bow in your hair, slipped into a dress that fits, and swiped on your favorite red lipstick 💋 @hillhouse @annmashburn 🎥 by @carterfish, maybe I’ll post the video without music so you can hear her hyping me up, because you can’t imagine the crowd the bore witness to the making of this Reel 🫣

And then there were three ❤️❄️🎄🌟⛸️ Needlepoint stockings are a huge undertaking… they take hours (and hours and hours) of stitching. The final results are more than worth the effort though. These will hang on our mantle every Christmas and I can’t think of anything more special than that. I finished Mike’s stocking at the end of the summer after stitching almost every night for seven months. I am taking a little break and then I’ll start on the baby’s stocking for next Christmas!! 🥹
#needlepointstocking #needlepoint #ndplt

FROM THE ARCHIVES ❄️⛸️🌲some of my past favorite winter looks mostly because I miss real pants and being able to button my coats

This tree feels extra special this year. 🎄💫⛸️❤️🕯️ Jack is fully embracing the magic of Christmas (“kiss miss”) and his enthusiasm is downright contagious!
Not one of my best qualities, but I typically feel immense pressure trying to make things feel extra special and perfect and then I get disappointed when the reality doesn’t live up to my (unrealistic) expectations. I wish I could blame social media for this.... but I know the call is coming from inside the house.
This tree seems perfect to me, though, just the way it is. It was a true group effort getting it here. Another one of my not-so-great qualities is that I’m terrible at asking for help when I need it.... this year, I can’t ignore it though. I needed help, and a lot of it. Mike got every holiday storage box up from the basement (no small feat) and hoisted the into the house and got it up in the stand within minutes (then redid it twice to get the angle of the tree just so); my mom and I took multiple trips to the hardware store and drug store for the “right” colored lights (in case you’re wondering, “bright white” is warm yellow and “warm white” is actually bright white... make it make sense); my mom wrapped the tree in lights a second time when we learned the hard way that when the box says you can’t plug in more than five strands together they mean it; and Jack was there to help and hype us all up to say how “boo-full” the tree and lights are– and keeping us in line by scolding and reminding us that we aren’t allowed to touch the ornaments 🤭
I feel a little pang of sadness that we aren’t celebrating a first Christmas with a baby who was supposed to be here, while also struggling through a third trimester (just feeling physically tired and exhausted), while also cherishing our last Christmas as a family of three, while also getting excited knowing our baby will be here before we know it. Sure, it’s a lot of pressure to put on one single tree, yet here I am. ⭐️

Spent the weekend decking the halls 🎄 the garland is up, the tree is up, the wreaths are up! Fueled by three peppermint mochas, one bag of Milanos peppermint slices, one batch of chocolate chip cookies, and one loaf of zucchini bread… my mom and I got it done 🙏🏻

These boots are TOTALLY made for walking! Taking a spin in @stuartweitzman’s iconic 5050 Bold Boot and feeling like an it girl, who happens to value both fashion and comfort! ⭐️ Take advantage of #StuartWeitzman’s Black Friday sale with an extra 25% off full-price and sale styles with code FORYOU25! (Select exclusions apply; through 11/27) This *rarely* happens!! I’ve linked this exact pair of 5050 Bold Boots in the @shop.ltk app! You can shop the boots and a couple of my other sale picks here #liketkit https://liketk.it/4oWbB #fallfashion #swpartner

I love these gift guides, and all of your picks!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/
I couldn't agree more Lauren!
http://thatethiopiangirl.blogspot.com/
Love this!! I've been wanting the 36 Hours series forever!
Antonia x
http://www.londoninpearls.com
These are all such great gift ideas!
Hunter
Prep on a Budget
Cute but something like this would be SO much more helpful with price points/ranges included and some background info (why these brands instead of others).
Love your gift guides! Mine are scheduled for towards the end of the week. The toasts and tributes BB book is one of my favorite stocking stuffers!
xo
Breckenridge Clare
http://www.whimofthesouth.com
These suggestions are fantastic, Carly! Thank you so much for putting it together! I recently asked (forced) my husband to write a guest post on gift ideas for men and this list flows perfectly with his suggestions! Also, that state necklace is perfection.
http://organizedcharm.blogspot.com/2013/11/gift-ideas-for-men-advice-from-man.html
I may or may not be forwarding this list to my family for when they are out Christmas shopping for me. Theres so many items on this list I want!
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com/
Love these! Especially the Kate Spade watch and tartan loafers! Also great ideas for guys, my boyfriend is SO HARD to shop for!
daughterofasonofasailor.blogspot.com
This is a really great gift guide for guys. I think I want everything on here!
Kolbi | LIfe WIth Kolbi
I hate shopping for boys so this was super helpful thank you!
http://theuniversityffproject.blogspot.co.uk/
I absolutely love your gift guide, I might have to pick up some of those for my friends! I love your blog, I just followed 🙂
http://thepreppysisters.blogspot.com
Great lists! I want the Polaroid camera, it's so cool!
Kristin
crumbsandcurls.blogspot.com
OH! Those glitter pumps are to DIE for! LOVE
http://thatethiopiangirl.blogspot.com/
I absolutely LOVE that monogrammed weekender. I might have to buy it as a gift for myself!
Abby
thepreppycoxswain.blogspot.com
I adore that Bow Tie Bracelet, and the men's bow tie is pretty awesome too.
I know what you mean about wanting to buy everything on the gift guides. There are just so many amazing things this year.
Mana
Fashion and Happy Things
Love your gift guide! definitely will be getting some of these for my friends… and some for myself!
Kristen
http://www.alittlelookinsideme.blogspot.com
These gifts really great,Christmas is coming, the newest michaelkors bags here
http://www.jetsettotemichaelkors.com/
I'm getting my guy (and myself!) tickets to a Blackhawks/Bruins hockey game. Meaningful and something we can do together!
These are so great! I love Anthropologie for tiny gifts:) I'll definitely be gifting myself with some of these!
Ivy and Cedar
Great list! Don't forget to add gourmet foods to the list for a guy. My husband is a foodie and loves to grill so I found a site where you can buy seafood online and he was so happy to cook his own gourmet meal. The seafood was top-quality and definitely worth it!
Dogeared necklaces are the best!
it is very good site for online shop with great items for gifts and you can find online gift store in India with go to http://80vele.com/gift/ for lots of gift items …thanks