Pretty In The Pines

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Island Time

Coat: Quilted Parka by Lauren Ralph Lauren (found at Marshall's for way less) | Sweater: Ballet Boatneck Sweater from LOFT | Jeans: J. Crew Midrise Toothpick | Boots: LL Bean (sold out) but original here | also love these boots

Well, Christmas flew by. Tomorrow is Monday but I can definitely deal with these short holiday weeks. This weekend was spent celebrating my boyfriend, TJ, and I's 5 year anniversary. We decided to go to Hilton Head Island, our favorite vacation spot! I'll share more details about the resort we stayed at later this week but for now, I wanted to share with you this "quilted parka" or as I call it, my warm puffy jacket, because I found it online on SALE! It isn't as cheap as I found it at Marshall's, but at least it isn't full price. It is the warmest coat I own now and I love the soft faux fur hood.

On Saturday, we decided to rent bikes from the resort and go cruising down the island. I really wanted to bike the entire length of Hilton Head but I totally underestimated how long it takes to bike. By the end of the day, we were exhausted and couldn't even muster enough energy to go out to eat. That was okay though because we got take-out from a local hole-in-the-wall treasure called Sea Shack and took it back to the resort to eat and relax. Anyways, I can't stop looking at beach cruiser bikes online now and hope to one day have one of my own to take on beach trips.

Happy last week of 2014!

Shelby

Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard Faux Fur Vest | Mint Oxford Shirt | White Denim | Brown Riding Boots | Mug (similar)

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas! I spent the day relaxing, eating way too much banana-nut bread, watching a plethora of cheesy Christmas movies, and spending time with my wonderful family. What a beautiful and sunny day it was too after what seemed like weeks of torrential downpours. I am currently on the way to spend the weekend in one of my favorite places, Hilton Head Island, in South Carolina. If you've never been, it is the most beautiful, tranquil, gorgeously landscaped, and favorite island I've been to. It's so peaceful but there is still so much to do! The food is one of my favorite parts... fried green tomato BLT's, shrimp and grits, the best sweet tea. I'm looking forward to getting a bite to eat at my favorite spot, A Lowcountry Backyard. It is a bit of a trek getting down there (almost 5 hours) but it is totally worth it! This Saturday, my boyfriend, TJ, and I will have been together for 5 years! We'll be celebrating not only 5 happy years together but also my new job I'll be starting in January! I am THRILLED!! Anyways, feel free to follow along on instagram for some weekend photos of our trip.

Today, I've also shared a winter look with this snow leopard fur vest you can get for under $40. I found it at Steinmart a while back but could only find it online at Sears out of all places?! It is honestly a really great quality vest. It is thick, has big warm pockets, and is gorgeous. Paired with a mint oxford shirt, it's a refreshing and casual outfit you can wear just about anywhere! Shout-out to my little sister, Alex, for braiding my hair that day. She has done about 12 different hair styles on me since I've been home for Christmas. If only I knew how to braid my own hair. We're also lucky to live a few minutes down the road from the lovely Fearrington Village where we visited some "oreo cows". I included a few pictures above of our cow friend. Anyways, I hope you all have a great post-Christmas weekend!

Shelby

What to Wear on NYE

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
New Years Eve is just around the corner and I finally have some solid plans made to ring in 2015. The only part I don't have figured out yet is what exactly I'm going to wear. New Years Eve is that one night (besides your birthday) when you can go above and beyond your normal holiday attire. I'm talking sparkles, feathers, embellished jewels, lace, etc. I am looking forward to SO many things in the next year and cannot wait to spend the last night of 2014 with some of my favorite people. But first, let's all have a wonderful week before Christmas! How is it already time? I can't wait to take some time off work and relax with my family this week. I also have a little weekend Anniversary getaway to my favorite spot next weekend planned. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Shelby

Holiday Party Dress

Sweater Weather + NC BLOGGER GIVEAWAY

Brrrrrr! Is it too soon to be day-dreaming of warm beach weather? It has been COLD here this week and it has contributed to a mountain of worn sweaters in the corner of my closet... Today I'm sharing a simple sweater look with y'all with a comfy little piece I found at Old Navy. I'm also teaming up with 5 other beautiful NC bloggers for a fun giveaway with Moon and Lola and many other local NC businesses, so don't forget to enter. Keep reading for more details!

Nikki of Bedazzles After Dark | Corbin of The Classy South | Courtney of The Dainty Darling | Taylor-Rae of Style Souffle | Laura of Louella Reese | Shelby of Pretty in the Pines

The winners will receive one of the following gifts from NC born and bred businesses:
1 $50 Moon and Lola gift certificate, 3-Pack Honest Hazel Eye Gels, Early August "Little Leaf" Necklace in gold OR silver, Sugarlips Charming Velvet Jumpsuit in Black from Lililu On King, Tartan Scarf and Red Kendra Scott Inspired Earrings from Boone Belles, Teal House Collections Dark Silver Tassel Necklace

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Simplicity

Cable-knit Turtleneck Sweater; Quilted Leather Skirt; Vera Wang Black Tights

Raise your hand if these next few weeks are packed full of events/deadlines/chaos for you! Me too. The month of December always seems to be the busiest for most people. Don't get me wrong. I love planning Christmas parties, trying out festive drink recipes, and creatively wrapping gifts for people- but you have to find some time for yourself to stop, breathe, and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. This year, I am trying to stay as simple as possible, only keep things on my agenda that I truthfully want/have time to attend, not over-spend on Christmas gifts, and overall enjoy the season with my family and close friends because it goes by so quickly. This past weekend, I wore a rather simple outfit- black and white, or cream, I should say. This cream colored cable-knit turtleneck sweater is so cozy, affordable, and comes in a variety of neutral shades. I wore it with my go-to quilted leather skirt from Banana Republic. This skirt paired with black opaque tights and booties makes it a simple, classic, but still semi-dressy outfit for your holiday season!

Shelby

Winter Skincare Favorites

From left to right: Mary Kay TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser (normal/dry) / Suki Purifying Foaming Cleanser / Earth Science Aloe Vera Complexion Toner and Freshener / Dior 'Hydra Life' Pro-Youth Protective Creme / Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer (normal/dry)

One of my favorite parts about the holiday season is getting to spend quality time with my family and loved ones. Everyone can get a little exhausted of working all the time and then bam! The holidays hit you just in time before you have a mental breakdown of work overload. This year I planned a little "surprise getaway" for my boyfriend and I after Christmas so I am very much looking forward to that. Ok, so I can't keep surprises a secret for very long and now it isn't even a surprise for him but I am still very excited for a quiet long weekend to one of our favorite places.

One of my least favorite parts about the winter time used to be my dry and itchy skin that would come out about this time. That was until I found some wonderful skincare products that have honestly changed my skin. I've always been that friend who took 45 minutes to get ready for bed at a sleepover. I mean, there are contact lenses to be taken out, facial cleansing to be done, moisturizing, and don't get me started on the teeth. You gotta do what you gotta do and some people aren't blessed with naturally perfect skin. Anyways, I've gotten multiple compliments lately on how clear and smooth my skin looks thanks to my new skincare regimen.

There are three important and basic steps that I make sure I do each and every night.

Step 1: Cleanse.

I've always grown up using drug store facial cleansers that would end up being too harsh and dry out my skin very quickly. A couple years ago, I graduated from college, started working full time, and thought I'd treat myself to some fancy natural facial cleanser... and it actually made a huge difference. It wasn't too expensive and worked great! This cleanser was Suki Purifying Foaming Cleanser. I have used that for the past two years thinking I had found my cleanser from the heavens above. Then my friend Amber introduced me to Mary Kay TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser (normal/dry). It is cheaper than Suki and I've fallen IN LOVE with how great it works. I really don't see me using anything else in the future. If you're interested in ordering any products, don't hesitate to send me an email.

Step 2: Tone
This step was a total game changer. I noticed my skin was getting less smooth over time and wondered if it could be because I'm not getting all the makeup removed before bed. Surely enough, that is what the issue was. I'm all for a more natural product that also gets the job done. You always hear about organic products not working well but I figured I give this a shot once I stumbled upon it at Wholefoods. It's called Earth Science Aloe Vera Complexion Freshener and Toner. This complexion toner has made the most difference in my skin and I am so much more confident now that my face is soft and smooth. I HIGHLY recommend this to everyone. The best part is that it doesn't dry out your skin because it has aloe vera in it!

Step 3: Moisturize.

I've also always had problems with drug store moisturizers eventually drying out my skin. I never understood how something that is supposed to keep your skin from drying could literally cause cracks in your face. I found out a lot of moisturizers are made with ingredients known as "humectants" which can actually dehydrate your skin. I recently came across two moisturizers that have worked wonders on my face: Dior 'Hydra Life' Pro-Youth Protective Creme and Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer (normal/dry). I've used these for a while now and have only seen improvements with my skin. No drying. No irritating. No breakouts. (...I just realized I sound like a infomercial for Pro-Active.)

*Extra Important Step*
4. Moisturize your lips! I use 'Sugar Advanced Therapy' Lip Treatment or Aquaphor Healing Ointment. I highly recommend both!

I am very thankful to have finally found a skincare regimen that works for me. It truly makes a difference in one's confidence and overall daily routine. Let me know if you have any questions about your skincare and maybe I can offer a few pointers.

Weekend Sales (updated Cyber Monday)

I've rounded up a few of my favorite sales going on right now incase you're like me and like to shop from the comfort of your own home. So, grab some hot chocolate and start browsing for those special people on your gift list! I'll continue to update this as I hear about more great sales. I just ordered this cable knit sweater for someone for under $27 with code "CYBER20". Also, I'm loving these shoes as a gift idea for your boyfriend/husband/dad/etc.

C. Wonder
40% off everything

J. Crew Factory

50% off everything + additional 10% with code YOUVEGOTSALE

Piperlime
30% off everything + extra 40% off sale items w/ code CYBERSALE

Old Navy

40% off with code CYBER

Sole Society
30% off All Footwear

ASOS

30% off everything with code ILOVEMONDAYS

West Elm
Up to 25% off with code "SUPERDUPERSALE"
Kate Spade
30% off everything w/ code CYBER30

LOFT
50% off everything w/ code MONDAY