Where are my fellow May babies at? I am aware that I am 100% biast in saying this but May is my all-time favorite month of the year and has been since I was a wee one. There is so much to celebrate in the month of May: me (LOL), the warm weather, college graduations, weddings, fellow Taureans and more! Whether you are looking for a gift for yourself or to celebrate someone special in your life - I am sharing some items (both ones that are affordable and a bit of a splurge) that I have my eye on as a kind of birthday wishlist. Most of the products I chose are from online shopping hubs like Netaporter, ASOS, and Shopbop. Let me know what you think! I hope this makes a shopping occasion for you easier! xo
This is by far my favorite outfits thus far for Cathclaire: a sequin beret, a Gucci T-shirt, and a balloon sleeve red coat with my favorite jean shorts (the ones I've been wearing nonstop since Vegas here) and OTK boots. Yes, that is snow on the pond in the background but I braved the cold because: fashion and well I love these shorts. I have been continuously wearing these pieces ( you already know this if you follow @cathclaire on Instagram...)so I wanted to share them with you before they get sold out in every size! All of these items and similar ones are linked below from several different retailers.
These photos were taken at an Airbnb in Charlottesville, VA the weekend before New Years Eve. I spent this time in Charlottesville going to wineries, sitting by the fire (mostly out of neccesity because I was wearing shorts and it was snowing), and playing "What do You Meme?" It was such a lovely time to get away from the hustle and bustle of Richmond and it was extra lovely to see my best friend from college, whom I haven't seen since her wedding day in September. We chat every morning but you guys know, chatting on the phone is NOT the same as being with your BFF.
We are less than a week away from Christmas. What the!
Yes, I have been watching Christmas movies basically every night since Thanksgiving (which I'm sure you guys have seen on my cathclaire instastory nonstop), but being so festive this year REALLY made time fly by super fast. Does anyone else feel this way?
1. Plan Ahead: This may sound like a no-brainer when it comes to packing tips, but if you ask me, it's even more important when packing for the holidays. Not only are you traveling with gifts so the extra space is key, but you are also probably traveling to spend time with family or friends. If you plan ahead and get clear about what you may need while on your trip, you will avoid forgetting an essential item and wasting precious time scrambling to get an outfit together or for something you need vs enjoying time carefree with your people!
2. Maximize Space in Your Suitcase: Towing gifts to your destination can take up a lot of space when packing, especially if you are flying. One of our favorite packing tips we just learned? To make the most room in your suitcase, roll your clothing. Not only does this maximize space but it also creates much less wrinkles. Doesn't that sound amazing?
3. Pick a Neutral Color Outfit Base: The Crystal Press is a huge fan of packing a neutral outfit base (think black, white, camel, navy), whether we are traveling to fashion week or home for the holidays. Packing with one main color in mind allows you to interchange pieces throughout your travels for different events without overstuffing your suitcase. Getting off the plane to meet friends for a fancy welcome dinner? Throw a blazer over your airplane get-up and trade out your flats for heels. My go-to neutral base for this trip (and pretty much always) is black. I am going to be packing everything in this outfit post for my holiday travels - these leather culottes from ASOS are the most versatile piece I own right now and not to mention super comfy. I love how they pair with this old skool Vans and also can be dressed up with black heels for a night out or church with the family
4. Keep Essential Items In Your Carry-On: If you are like me and can't seem to travel without checking a bag - be sure to use this packing tip when traveling! Holiday travel can get crazy because it is such a popular time to jet-set so be prepared. Nothing is worse than getting to your destination without your necessities and essential items and especially during such a special time like the holidays!
5. Find Your Favorite Luggage / Suitcase Brand: This is something Rebecca and I on The Crystal Press have been shopping alot for with all of the traveling we have been doing the past few years. Here are a few of my favorite suitcase and luggage brands we are shopping right now!
I am addicted to cheesy Christmas movies on Netflix this year, guys. I do not know what came over me this year like I mentioned in my 98 Degrees Christmas tour post, but I am feeling so cheesy and so festive and so INTO Christmas in EVERY way this year. TBH, I've never felt better.
I haven't posted anything on my blog in 6 days because guess what I have been doing? I have been watching every Christmas Netflix movie........what feels like nonstop. How am I supposed to do research for this blog post (aka watching Christmas rom-coms) AND work on my blog?
If you are like me and feel like cheesy and happy Christmas movies on Netflix are like a massage for your brain (kinda like a meditation...?) then this blog post today on Cathclaire is for you. Here are my top Christmas Movies on Netflix for your viewing pleasure. Get yourself a cup of hot cocoa (spike it for even more fun) and cuddle up on the couch with the remote and your favorite holiday candle to check em out!
Cyber Monday is here and I am sharing with you the two categories I am shopping this time around: workout clothes + beauty/treat yo-self products. While I thoroughly enjoy eating my weight in Turkey and whatever else I can get my hands while socializing with family and friend for a week straight, Cyber Monday is the perfect reminder to purchase some prods that will help get ourselves back on track before we do round two around Christmas!
Whether you drank too much Brunello (like me) or neglected your workout regimen in honor of hanging with your favorite peeps (like me), here are some sale items to get you motivated to get in shape and treat yourself (or a loved one) this Cyber Monday. I especially LOVE the fact that Neiman Marcus is including BEAUTY PRODUCTS in their Cyber Monday gift card promotion..yes, even perfume.
Yes, even Tom Ford "F***ing Fabulous" perfume. What better time to try new beauty products or to stock up on all of your beauty staples than when Neiman's is offering you a reward like a gift card? I have my eye on La Mer, Oui hairspray, and the RMS highlighter kit! RMS is all natural and one of my favorite highlighters for the dewy look that is popular now.
SO, don't wait too long because your size or favorite beauty product will sell out! Check out my workout picks from ASOS and my beauty picks from Neimans below!
ASOS Workout Gear: 30% off for Cyber Monday
Neiman Marcus Giftcard Promotion Cyber Monday Beauty Picks:
PS - Here is my hat from ASOS that you guys have been asking about from my Thanksgiving Insta-stories!
I love you summer, I really really do. However when it is peak summertime in RVA, the stifling temperatures can make getting dressed a little daunting/sweaty. There is nothing I like more than an effortless t-shirt dress when it is super hot out. I especially love this one from ASOS because of the tie detailing on the shoulders! What did you guys do (and wear) this weekend? I hope everyone stayed cool! Check out pieces from the outfit I’m wearing below:
My fiancè prefers that I wear white denim over my constant "the darker the denim the better" approach to my daily attire. When I scored these black and white striped beauts from ASOS, I immediately recognized them as a wearable compromise in skinny jean form. Cue the Maroon 5 "She Will Be Loved" earworm - It's not always rainbows and butterflies, It's compromise that moves us along. Am I the only one who can't say the word compromise without thinking of this song?
Some may call these Beetlejuice jeans and I agree, but they are also my fashionable compromise that remind me of a Maroon 5 song.
Who else is oh so into the crushed velvet trend? I scored these Simmi velvet booties the other day and I am very thrilled with my purchase! I love the way these boots compliment the TIJN mirrored sunnies in this ensemble. Not to mention, these Simmi booties give this ASOS black dress just the uniqueness that I was looking for. What velvet pieces are you crushing on this season?
I have acknowledged on several occasions during the life of TCP that I am a self-help junkie. While some may dismiss self help literature as overindulgent and selfish, cathclaire (that's me) thinks the complete opposite. Is learning how to show up as the best version of yourself for everyone in your life really a selfish thing? If you become better, can't you help everyone around you in an improved, better way?
(If you have any further questions about my views on the subject or about my latest and greatest epiphanies as a result of my latest book, just ask Rebecca. She listens to me babble on about all of this self-help-universe stuff just about everyday and I have to say, it's a great combination over some good Stella's vino and instagram.)
My second point in this post is that my never ending journey down the self-help rabbit hole has brought me to some very unexpected (yet EFFING amazing) places. Exhibit A: I am one step away from becoming a Reiki master. What is Reiki? I think this is something better explained with your own research (it's worth a google) because lets be honest, it freaks some people out and I ain't getting into that here. #goodvibesonly
From self-help gurus like Simon Sinek to Danielle LaPorte ( P.S her new Desire Map Planner for 2017 is OUT and awesome as expected) to Joe Dispenza and oh so many more, the common thread that this wonderful journey has made very clear to me, is that we are all connected. When I first came across this concept, it was very foreign to me. Little me couldn't understand it and therefore my brain dismissed it completely. The more I dig and the more I learn, the more I believe this concept. After all, how awesome is it to think that we are connected to Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber on some level of this beautiful Universe?
Pretty freaking awesome.
We are all connected, so give someone a compliment or a hug. Pay it forward, loves, it counts.
*My compliment goes out to Reb for taking care of me yesterday during a ROUGH Thursday. Nobody gets me like you do!*
