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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 🙏🏻

I bought the brown wallet from target from your post and I absolutely love it! The zippers are all sturdy and my cards fit in their snug enough so they won't fall out, but not so tightly that it is impossible to pull them out. I am definitely happy with it!
I got a great one from Brooks Brothers about a year ago and I love it! It's classic and holds everything perfectly! XO
I have a Target one. Mine is a little thicker than the average wallet of that style; I can fit my Chapstick in it. =) It's been very durable and handy.
Definitely check out the Hobo brand. They are one of the biggest trends on my campus and every girl has one. They're a little expensive but they will last you the rest of your life. They keep you super organized and are soo sturdy. If you want suggestions as to which are more popular and why email me (dollardje@appstate.edu).
You should check out shopstyle.com it's awesome!
As the seriously brand-obsessed one, I'd suggest coach.com. I've had my coach wallet for about 2-3 years. It has held up great and I like that it's a snap and not a zipper, it's more discreet. I also like that I don't worry about it breaking as easily, though it does only hold a finite amount of loose change.
marc jacobs
mine is urbanoutfitters, but the boutique I work at had hermes copies and now I want the real one…its the perfect shape and organization…just a tad out of my price-range!
xoxo em
Hobo International, Lauren style! It holds everything, but isn't too large!
The ones you have are really cute! My favorites are the Kate Spade one and the yellow polka-dot from Target. Another great place to look (where I get almost all my wallets) is Vera Bradley! They also have multiple styles to chose from.
I have a Marc Jacobs wallet and love it. They are on the pricier side but he even makes super small ones that are less expensive that fit on your key chain (think vera bradley id case but in a Marc Jacobs style). His stuff is really durable and will last for a really long time. Hope this helps!
I love Hobo wallets! I have one in pink and adore it. It makes it so easy to show your ID, get your credit card, and store things like chapstick. You should check it out! 🙂
I've been wanting a Kate Spade one for a while now– the one I've had for the last 3 years is just getting worn out!
Loving the Kate or the Tori! The Target one is pretty cute too 🙂
I have that Tory Burch one in cream and I'm in loveee with it!
I have a KS wallet and it is in the vinyl material and i've only had it for like 8 months and parts of it are already falling apart which makes me sad. In their defense, I do use it everyday and it does get thrown about between purses and my backpack. If you chose KS, I'd go with a leather option and see if that holds up better.
Alicia Klein-Tour One. Best Wallet ever! I have had it for 5 years and it will easily last another 5. There are so many pockets and it is so slim.
I have a Lilly Pulitzer Original Wallet and I love it!
Definitely go with the Kate Spade – those from Target fall apart so fast! I have a red patent leather Kate Spade one and I love it. Pricey, but you get what you pay for!
I absolutely love my Coach and Marc Jacobs wallets. I have them in constant rotation.
The Kate Spade one will most likely be the best investment. I've had my Kate Spade wallet for about 5 or 6 years and I've never had any problems…it still smells like that "new leather smell" when you first get a wallet. And also, getting a wallet in leather instead of plastic or a canvas material will last a lot longer and look more professional.
Go to Nordstrom and get the Abas wallet. You will never regret it. My looks brand new after almost 10 years and i get a million compliments on it.
I really like the Hobo wallets! Mine is a chocolate color and the inside fabric is really cute. I also like the fact that you can use it as a clutch also.
I have a beautiful coach gold leather wallet, that is perfect! It's slim and compact and still manages to hold dollars without folding them. Plus I got it from the coach outlet store where they are almost always on sale. My purse got stolen last year and I was devastated, and I went to search for a new one and ended up buying the same one again. They are that good.
~Blair
LOVE that you did a post about this! I've been looking for a new wallet as well!
I LOVE my Vera Bradley wallet. I have the "All In One" wristlet, so if I don't feel like dragging my purse with me, I can grab this wallet and know I have everything I need. I'll admit, though, I'm not overly crazy about a few of the new patterns, but some of the cute, slightly older ones are still available online?
Those are all really cute! I've been using a Lilly one in a blue and green flower print for a while now.
i got a kate spade wallet for christmas this year and it's by far the best wallet I've ever had. its big enough to fit everything and bright so that it's easily found in my purse. I highly recommend it!
I am in desperate need of a new wallet, I'm glad you wrote this post! I have an old Vera Bradley wallet that is falling apart…lesson learned: never buy a fabric wallet, it won't last. Definitely going for sturdy leather next time!
I need a grown up wallet. I no longer need my keys on my wallet now that I graduated!
Love the Kate Spade wallet you posted! Be wary of Tory Burch wallets; my sister has had a few and each time the zipper-pull logo falls off and opening the wallet becomes a pain. Happy Shopping to you! LV has some unique ones out, but I love looking at etsy too! I bought one made out of a map on Paris a few years ago, it is really fun!
http://www.thealyway.blogspot.com
I have wallets from Coach and Hobo and love them all, but I am seriously minimalist and have been using a simple card case from Vera Bradley for a while now. Not great for spare change, but easy to slip into a pocket.
check out Orla Kiely! They're wonderful with fun prints.
I have a wallet fetish! I love the Tory Burch wallet, I currently have a Coach wallet but that might be my next pick!
ive been wanting a lilly wallet for a while. my sorority doesnt have a print, does anyone know if thats all theyre offered in now?
I love my kipling wallets. They are well made and hold everything while still being simple and unpretentious!
If you are interested in paying a bit extra, Burberry wallets are definitely worth the extra cash. They last for literally ever and are absolutely adorable, classic, and preppy. This is one that I have, it comes in different colours as well.
http://uk.burberry.com/store/womens-accessories/small-accessories/wallets/embossed-check-patent-leather-wallet/sku-37294261-embossed-check-patent-leather-wallet/
x
As I am relatively new to your blog I was stalking your old posts and came upon this one! I would personally recommend Jon Hart designs. Almost every girl at my school carries a Jon Hart something and they are monogrammed!