Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Sale Alert :: Nordstrom

If you didn't already know, Nordstrom is having a huge sale (up to 40%) that goes until Sunday (Feb 21st)! I decided to check this sale out in person and picked up this Bernardo coat, I couldn't resist it at 50% off! I only had one really warm jacket for winter (that wasn't a snowboarding coat), so this will be a great addition I can rotate in.

Here are just a small handfull of other great items from the sale. Go check the rest of the sale items out on Nordstrom!

Nordstrom Sale


Xo C
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Monday, February 15, 2016

Essentials :: Winter Boots

Living in Boston, I spend a lot of my winter in snow boots. Especially last winter - I couldn't wait to put my boots away! This winter seems to be a different story, my rain boots are definitely getting a little more wear than usual... But anyways, I always try to have a variety of snow gear that I can rotate so I don't get tired of wearing the same things all the time (and to also keep me sane!).

My boots of choice are the Helly Hansen Garibaldi Snow Boots . Helly Hansen is a favorite brand of mine, these boots are super warm as well as stylish (for a snow boot, haha). I also love this color.
A New England staple is LL Bean's Bean Boots. I'm embarrassed to say I do not own a pair, yet! I'm waiting for the flannel-lined boots to come back in stock. And if you already didn't hear, these are highly coveted during the winter season and often are back-ordered (best bet is to order them in the early Fall otherwise you may not get them until Spring...)
Women's L.L.Bean Boots, 8"Women's L.L.Bean Boots, 8"Women's L.L.Bean Boots, 8"
Another great option is Hunter Boots. These are a good investment because you can wear them all year-round. For winter, all you need to do is get a fun pair of thick socks or Hunter even sells fleece socks that fit in their boots. I have a pair like the ones below, they also have a tall version.

Me last year in Antartica, er I mean Boston... 

Do you have a favorite pair of winter boots?

Xo C
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Monday, February 8, 2016

Travel Guide :: Killington, Vermont

There is nothing better than winter weekends in Vermont! I've been going to Killington since I was a kid and just visited this past weekend. There is so much I love about going North in the winter, but most of all I love being outdoors and enjoying the snow. Whether you're a skier or snowboarder, Killington is one of the best places on the East Coast you can go.

(if you couldn't tell, Brian and I love Burton!)
Where to Stay: Killington Grand Resort Hotel
I've been going here since they opened their doors. They have the best amenities, such as an outdoor heated pool and hot tubs, sauna, steam room, spa, restaurant and lots of cozy fireplaces! They also offer a free shuttle service (or what we like to call the drunk bus, haha) to just about anywhere you'd like to go on the main road. And best of all the resort is at the base of the mountain so you can walk right over to the lifts!

What to Do: Hit the slopes! There is a reason why Killington is called 'The Beast,' it's enormous! Killington has 7 peaks, so there are tons of trails and it's a great mountain for all levels. I've been going to this mountain for over 15 years and haven't gotten tired of it! Make sure you stop at one of the waffle cabins or at the Peak Lodge!
 
If you aren't a skier or snowboarder, there are a ton of other things to do in the area. If you want to experience some other outdoor activities you can go snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow-tubing, sleigh rides, take a ride on the Beast alpine coaster, mountain biking and so much more!

On the days where it's just way too cold to even be outside, one of my favorite indoor activities is to visit Long Trail Brewery. They also have an outdoor firepit if you want to sit outside. Or you can take a trip to some of the other towns in Vermont. Killington is close to Woodstock (45 min drive) which is a cute, little town that has some good restaurants and quaint shops.

It's also easy to do a day trip to Burlington (another great Vermont town!). It's only about 2 hours away and there are a bunch of fun craft breweries, great restaurants, and the Ben & Jerry's factory is along the way in Waterbury. I spent an afternoon in Waterbury this past trip and had a pretty amazing lunch at Prohibition Pig (their burgers with duck fat fries are to die for!) and we had a great time sampling different VT craft beers at The Reservoir - like beers from The Alchemist (any beer fan will have heard about the coveted Heady Topper), Hill Farmstead (best brewery in the world) and Lawson's (have to try Sip of Sunshine!). I mean, you can't go to VT and not sample some craft beers!


Where to Eat: If you stay around Killington there are a lot of great places to eat.
- Outback Pizza: Great for a laid back night of good pizza, cold drinks and live music. What more could you ask for!
- The Garlic: If you want something a little more upscale, The Garlic has great food and drinks. I'm pretty sure you can smell the roasted garlic from the road!
- Sugar and Spice: A little further down the hill, but they have the best breakfast! It's in a rustic sugar house where they still run the operation on the lower level. Thier signature pancakes are so, so good!
- Prestons: This is the new restaurant at the Killington Grand. I have yet to eat here but loved the old restaurant and the new menu looks amazing. It was packed while we were there, I'm bummed we didn't get to try it!

Other Tips: 
- You can buy a gondola pass to go up the Peak Lodge, so you can enjoy the food and view without having to ski back down the mountain.
- If you're looking for some nightlife, the Pickle Barrel is the place to be. Although be prepared for a pricey cover.
- Vermont is also beautiful to visit in the summer. I have yet to visit during the warmer months as I'm usually down by the beach, but it's on my to-do list!



What's your favorite winter getaway?

Xo C
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Thursday, February 4, 2016

Valentine's Day

Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is right around the corner. I personally like the holiday and I don't think it's just for couples, it's a great day to spread the love to everyone we care about! Plus, it gives me a reason to decorate the house with some pink and red, and it's the perfect excuse to binge on chocolate.


Here are some of my Valentine's Day finds!

I always love Crate + Barrel's holiday section. I actually picked up these heart kitchen towels to add some festive color to our kitchen, the heart vase is a beautiful way to showcase flowers, this adorable mug would be great for hot cocoa (with Bailey's of course, ha) and the ice mold/wine chiller is perfect to put some rose petals in with a bottle of champagne!
Set of 2 Valentine Heart Dish TowelsHeart Vase
If you're looking for some outfit inspiration - I like this casual heart sweater paired with skinny jeans for a cozy evening with your loved ones.


Or for a night out, this dress and fringe booties would be perfect together!


For a more subtle Valentine's Day look, it's easy to add a fun accessory. Clair V has a wide variety of colors of their fold over clutch (I actually have the leopard print one, shocking right!), this Kate Spade bangle is also perfect and a good staple piece (I <3 the saying on the inside!), or for something a little more flashy I love this David Yurman Heart Necklace.

NMF16_Y2DG7

And if food is the way to your heart, there are so many great options :) One of my personal favorites is chocolate covered oreos, yum! Which you could even make them yourself if you're feeling crafty. I've also tried Shari's Berries and they are super delicious! If chocolate isn't a favorite (I won't judge) than Sugarfina has a lot of great sweet options - Gilt actually has a deal right now for them! 
"Cheers to Us" Champagne Bears
Hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day, love it or hate it <3

Xo C

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