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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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Just want to go on record to say that I have loved bows and worn bows in my hair before it was cool 🎀
…. and I’ll still wear them when the trends move on 😜
📸 by @carterfish

📌 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 🙏🏻

The BEST part about JW is that they ship free to America 😀
I could totally see you doing a semester in London – it was one of the happiest times in my life!
You mentioned your friend was studying in Ireland, what part? You should def take advantage of that and go for a visit! HTen you could just hop right over to London for a day or two!
I love that style of pajamas! I have a similar one from J.Crew. Love that brand, thanks for posting, i'd never heard of it before.
they have this store in nantucket (which really shouldn't be allowed because it is a chain!). they have a few key items, but sometimes it felt like i was in the A&F of england…
but ps, we definitely should move to england!
they have stores in uber preppy places in the states, but little v is right, it is basically abercrombie and fitch with a british pricetag. BUT–their PJs are super comfy, I have to admit. If you do want to order something, their sizes are really small so make sure to order a size up!
I grew up in England and the general feeling amongst my friends is that whilst Jack Wills does make some wonderfully cute clothes, sometimes the price tag is just not worth it. I am usually quite willing to pay more for better quality but I'm not really prepared to pay 98 pounds (approx. $147) for a gilet, however cute. Especially when I know where to get one that is just as sweet, just as good quality and not nearly so expensive.
Jack Wills is a great if you want to treat yourself but otherwise it's not always where you want to shop.
I mean, surely almost $90 is a little excessive for a pair of sweatpants in anybody's book?!
(Really sorry if I accidentally submitted this twice. Something went wrong the first time I tried!)
I have been OBSESSING over Jack Wills ever since I visited their store in Nantucket this past summer! LOVE IT. And the employees were all hot British guys! Even better!
Just went into my first JW the other day. Reminded me too much of abercrombie.
I used to love Jack Wills. When I lived in Cambridge I was there at least twice a week!
There is a very similar dress at Ann Taylor Loft, that you might want to check out, and I am positive that the price tag will be much better!