Making Merry 2018: Hosting Christmas at Home

I hope everyone had a very happy holiday season! Sean and I hosted my parents for Christmas Eve and Christmas, and we had the nicest little holiday just the four of us, even though we missed relatives who live further away. We made Italian Christmas Eve: Sean's mom's manicotti recipe with sauce, sausage, and meatballs. For Christmas, we made Cornish game hens, which are surprisingly easy to cook and look pretty when they're plated. My mom brought a ton of yummy Christmas cookies, so I made a blueberry pie—Sean's favorite. My favorite pie hack is to use cookie cutters to create a pretty top crust that looks beautiful but is actually so much easier to create than your typical lattice. My mom let me borrow her collection of holiday cookie cutters. I couldn't decide on one, so I used them all and made a menagerie of holiday favorites. The more the merrier! Happy holidays to from our family to yours!

Chenille Sweater and Flare Culottes

Head to toe: Sweater and culottes, TJ Maxx // Clutch, vintage // Booties, Dr. Scholl's (last season) // Necklace, Alex Woo

When I first saw chenille sweaters were making a comeback, I was dubious. I never loved them as a kid when they were hot in the '90s—I think it was a tactile thing, velvety feeling things always freaked me out. Apparently, 20-some years can change your perspective. When I saw this perfect mauve sweater for a few bucks at TJ Maxx, I had to have it. And now I think I need 100 more. It has just enough sheen to feel more festive and dressed up than your average nubby sweater, it never wrinkles, and it feels so super soft to the touch (I've gotten over my velvet issues, it seems).

I do have one gripe about this sweater that I shared in a small Instagram rant. It's hand-wash only, and it drives me crazy when cheap items are hand-wash or dry-clean only. I'll be delicate with my J. Crew cable-knits, but this, unfortunately, went for a spin in the wash. I laid flat to dry, and it doesn't seem any worse for the wear. Ain't nobody got time for that, especially with less than a week until Christmas! Who's ready?

Photos by Laurel Creative

Cozy On The Go In Downtown Manhattan

Head to Toe: Turtleneck and boots, TJ Maxx // Overalls, H&M // Boots, Seychells // Bag, Brahmin // Beanie, J.McLaughlin // Necklace, Alex Woo

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to participate in a “Sip & Shoot” event with NYC website My Life OOO and photography studio Laurel Creative. It was my first experience doing a shoot on the other side of the camera—besides posing for my auto-timer or having a friend snap a few photos. I learned that modeling is way harder than it looks, but I had a blast and love the way these photos came out.

I’ve been obsessed with the whole Hygge movement (a Danish concept for coziness) lately, hunkering in at home with my pups under a cozy blanket. This super push fleece hoodie lets me take those vibes with me when I have to go out into the real world, and it’s perfect instead of a coat for a warmer morning. Thankfully, it’s Friday and I’m planning on staying in as much as possible this weekend. Who else is team let’s stay home?

Photography by Laurel Creative