5 Pieces You Need For the New Year

And just like that, 2017 is just a few days away! I always feel like after the New Year means getting back down to business. After spending the majority of December in my sweats and favorite Christmas pajamas I feel like my wardrobe is in need of a refresher. Here are 5 pieces every wardrobe needs for the new year – all of which are on sale right now.

1. A Sweater You’ll Wear Everything. By amount the end of November I start feeling like I’ve cycled through most of my knits and sweaters a time or two. I love this cable knit sweater (on sale under $50) – the detailing is perfect for an office look or with your favorite boyfriend jeans and booties.

2. An Addition (or 2) to Your Shoe Collection. When you are wearing boots 7 days a week during the dead of winter (thank you Utah snow! but really because I love boot season 😉 can you ever really have enough options? I love this one – it’s a great heel height you can wear anywhere and it’s at a great price point right now under $100 (on sale). Also saw this amazing pair (40% off) and it was in my cart 2 seconds later – obsessed with the chunky heel and how pretty is the burgundy suede?

3. Fresh Workout Gear. Tis the season of New Year resolutions! Being healthier is a constant among most people’s resolutions and what’s better motivator than fresh workout wear? I love this graphic logo tank and colorblocked windbreaker (a must for those outdoor activities). I’m a sucker for Nike and there are so many great pieces on sale at Nordstrom right now – also love these sneakers.

4. Denim, Denim and More Denim. I always stock up on denim whenever it’s on sale. Topshop is one of my favorites for budget denim – this pair and this one are both under $50. I can’t get enough of the distressing and high-waisted combo right now.

5. An Oversized Sweatshirt. Ok I will never say no to cozy, oversized sweatshirts. I always size up for a baggier fit and the Nike ones are always so cozy that I’m always tempted to get one in every color haha. Love this one!

The Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale has tons of good finds up to 50% off through January 2nd but sizes always sell out really quick so it’s always a great time to buy. And as always it’s free shipping and returns so you can try out a few different sizes or pieces if you can’t make it in-store. You can find more of my favorites from the sale below.

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Nordstrom and ShopStyle.

xo, Christine

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INSPIRATION BOARD

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

SWEATER (UNDER $20) | VEST | JEANS | BOOTS

MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU GUYS!!! This is really the best time of year!! I can’t share my love and appreciation of all your support enough!! You guys have become family to me and from our family to yours we wish a Merry Christmas!!

XX,

Christine, Cody, Mara, Wes, B (and Mio 🙂

xo, Christine

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BECKAM FAMILY FAMILY STYLE FASHION MEN'S STYLE MY STYLE STYLE WINTER

3 Winter Travel Style Staples

B waving at the cars and then yelling at them to stop.

These boots are so comfortable and super warm! So easy to get on and off for traveling!

DETAILS: SWEATSHIRT (WEARING SIZE MEDIUM) | FAUX LEATHER PANTS (UNDER $100) | GREY STRAP WATCH | BLACK SOREL BOOTS

This was the year of travel! It was our New Year’s resolution this year to see more and experience more as a family and we did it! Now I’m just as excited to be home and enjoying the Holidays in my cozy sweats with a nice cup of hot chocolate. We still have a couple weekend getaways this month, and it seems like with the Holidays everyone is traveling! I wanted to share some of my travel style essentials:

Layers – You rarely get to control the A/C or heat while you are traveling with others, whether it’s the plane or a road-trip, so layers are the best way to travel. I swear I’m always all over the board – it goes from freezing to hot and stuffy in just a matter of minutes, especially on planes. I always bring a cozy sweatshirt that’s easy to throw around my waist when I get too warm.
Good Shoes – I have limited luggage space as it is, but especially during this season I’m packing lots of layers and bulky jackets for both me and the kids. So when it comes to travel shoes, I always try to pick something that works for the plane/car ride and my destination once I arrive so I can make the most of the shoes I’m packing. I love this SOREL pair (also obsessed with this curry color – how cute are the laces! and this white one!!). The black is a classic style that you can wear with anything and they have a sneaker effect that makes them so comfortable so I can keep up with B while he’s running around the airport. 😉
Cute travel luggage – Packing (and unpacking now that I think of it) is such a headache, and I know it’s silly but pretty luggage really does make a difference! It makes packing just a little bit less painful so you can start your trip on the right foot.

What are some of your destinations this season? I’m always looking for new spots to add to my bucket list. You can find more great boot options for traveling below.

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with SOREL and ShopStyle.

xo, Christine

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ADIDAS BECKAM FAMILY MY STYLE SPORTSWEAR TRAVEL TIPS WINTER

5 Things Every Bookcase Needs

Obsessed with these florals! I can’t keep plants alive so I finally invested in some pretty faux ones!

DETAILS: HYDRANGEA BOUQUET | GEODE (on top of books) | GEODE BOOKENDS | GOLD KNOT SCULPTURE | TIC-TAC-TOE SET

BOOKS: BOOK OF CHIC | ONE OF 100 | VALENTINO

Hi guys! Excited to share another little corner of our home. We had this empty wall that has been bugging me forever and one day I was sitting in my office and realized the bookshelf from my office would go perfectly there so we brought it upstairs and of course it sat empty for over a month as I tried to figure out what all to decorate with and voila! I am so excited to show you the finished product!!

Our rental home we are in right now (as we finally start building our new house!) has a lot of warm tones, which drives me crazy because I want to paint the whole house white! So I wanted to bring in a lot of white tones to try and brighten up the space.

With that said here are 5 things every book shelf needs.

The obvious – books! I’ve been collecting tons of fashion books lately – they are so pretty and full of beautiful inspiration. I wanted to stick with white so I got this one and this one to add to the collection. Pick books that interest you, our family loves the beach so I just ordered this one. I also just found this One of 100 book and Ferrari book for Cody. He’s obsessed with cars so I was really excited to find a few books that flowed with the space and were something he would like. STYLING TIP: Books can really add up when you’re filling a whole shelf, and sometimes it’s hard to find all the ones you love at once. I went to the used book store and found some filler books for a couple dollars to fill the gaps while we continue to add to our collection. Turn the books various ways to create depth and dimension to your shelf.
Statement bookends: Almost as good as the books themselves – pretty book-ends! I’ve found so many amazing ones lately! I ordered both this geode set and this set; I ended up going with the geode, but I think I will save the others for somewhere else in our home.
Pictures: Nothing makes a bookcase more personal than adding pictures, whether it’s shots from the family or art prints that mean something to you. Pretty frames are also an easy and natural way to bring in more accents if you are going for a certain aesthetic. I wanted to bring in more white to the space and a picture frame was an easy addition – love this white and gold one.
Some greenery or flowers: I think every space benefits with a little bit of greenery! It makes every house feel like a home. Buuuut I don’t have much of a green thumb when it comes to plants so it’s a struggle haha. I haven’t given up on live plants yet but until then, a good faux floral piece can go a long way! I love having fresh flowers around the house but a bookcase is the perfect spot for faux florals since you don’t have to worry about replacing them every couple weeks. I love this hydrangea bouquet and just ordered this pink bouquet for our home too. (Also love this one)
Something you’ll actually use: You can’t go overboard with decorative elements – after all a bookcase is one of the best ways to display all of your favorite decor accents. Don’t forget to add something that people will actually use to make the bookcase not just decorative but also functional. This tic tac toe set from Horchow was one of my favorite finds – one of the kids favorite games is tic tac toe – plus it’s so pretty!! It’s nice having something fun to pull out and play with the kids or when we have guests over.

I’m always arranging and rearranging my bookshelves so what are some of your must-haves on display?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Horchow and Shopstyle.

xo, Christine

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Home Decor LIFE

Holiday Dressing

DETAILS: DRESS VIA TRUNK CLUB | FUR COAT VIA TRUNK CLUB | NUDE PUMPS | BLACK CLUTCH | SUNGLASSES

Holy cow, am I the only one who feels like the holidays get so crazy! With the hustle and bustle of the holidays a lot of times you forget to shop for yourself. It’s usually the worst time for it too because you’re rushing around planning for everyone else and there are so many parties and occasions to dress for. Cody has a huge family (I’m talking like 8 brothers and sisters! I love it!) so we usually have like 3-4 events during the season just with his family, from gift exchanges to Christmas traditions and adults-only family parties. I’ve been using Trunk Club for almost a year and it saves me in those hectic last minute situations – especially during the holidays – when you’ve been doing so much shopping for everyone else that you feel like you have nothing to wear. (Cody always teases me when I say that, but we all have that feeling when no matter what’s in our closet nothing feels right!)

Basically you set up a call with your stylist and tell them what the event is and your favorite brands or pieces you love and they do all the hard work for you. I love having it all sent to me to try on in the comfort of my home. I ended up picking this gorgeous brght red dress and the strap detail is so unique. They also sent some great pieces that can work for the more casual holiday gatherings this season – so you will probably end up like me with a few extra things you love and decide you need to keep. 😉

Using Trunk Club also really helps simplify my life so if some of the pieces don’t work out, I can just send everything back in one place instead of having to return stuff to 50 different stores. I like to have options so I swear sometimes I spend more time dealing with returns than the actual shopping so I love being able to return it all to one spot. You also just pay for the pieces you keep and shipping is free both ways. 🙂

I made a little video with the goodies from my trunk and more about the process. Watch it here and let me know what you think. 🙂

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Trunk Club.

xo, Christine

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DRESSES FASHION MY STYLE VIDEO VIDEOS

The Fix For Winter Hair Woes

DETAILS: TOMMY HILFIGER TEE | DENIM (ZARA – SIMILAR HERE) | BLACK BOOTS (ZARA – SIMILAR HERE) | RED TRIMMED PARKA |

Happy Sunday guys!! Cody is out on a guy’s trip this weekend and B and I are finishing all our last minute shopping until Cody gets home tonight. I went to the salon and got a hair treatment earlier this week. You guys have heard me talk about how dry it is in the winter and it seems like my hair and skin are the two things that are most affected by it (I really need to try and drink more water too!). Plus, with so many events to go to this season my hair has been taking a beating from all the heat styling. It’s just felt dull and damaged – especially the ends. Kérastase has been a favorite hair lines for a while – you guys have seen on my Snapchat – I’m obsessed with the VIP (Volume in Powder) Spray and always use it to add texture. So I reached out to see if there were any other products that would help my dry, damaged hair.

The before: My ends were so bad!

I went to Lunatic Fringe Parleys Salon and did the Kerastase Fusio-Dose Treatment, which you are supposed to do about every 6 to 8 weeks in the salon. The stylist mixed a customized treatment for my hair to help reconstruct and protect damaged hair. The treatment also helps to reduce 50% of the damage and breakage caused by blow drying your hair! I have only done it once and noticed such a difference, especially in the ends and the shine. My hair overall felt softer annnnndddd the best part is that they also give you a REALLY good scalp massage so I was in heaven haha.

the ends were SO much healthier!

Seriously you never notice until you can compare the before and after side by side. You can see how bad my ends were before and now they are so soft and smooth!

I’m also a sucker for all things mint-colored – how cute is this collection? At home I’m using the Résistance Force Architecte collection which is designed to help rebuild damaged, dry hair and helps prevent and future breakage or split ends. There is a a shampoo and conditioner, masque, and leave in treatment that help to continue restoring my hair. For styling, apply the Ciment Thermique to towel-dry hair (make sure your hair is really thoroughly dry so you don’t waste any product 🙂 – it makes your products last a lot longer.) Then apply the the Fibre Architecte as a leave-in serum which helps repair your dry, split ends and strengths your hair as you use it. Then style!

What are some of your favorite tricks for dry and damaged winter hair?

XX,
Christine

*In collaboration with Kerastase.

xo, Christine

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BEAUTY HAIR SERIES

Cookies and Calvin’s

DETAILS: CALVIN KLEIN SWEATSHIRT (UNDER $100 – WEARING SIZE SMALL)| GREY CALVIN KLEIN JOGGERS (UNDER $100 – WEARING SIZE SMALL)

I am loving all the throwback 90’s styles that making a comeback right now! All the chokers, Calvin Klein logos, and crop-tops were huge when I was really starting to get into fashion as a kid so I feel so attached to it now that it’s coming back! I just ordered basically all of this Calvin Klein collection at Macy’s, haha (no surprise – you guys know how much I love my loungewear ;). I’m obsessed with all the elastic logo bands, especially with this sweatshirt and joggers set. They are seriously the softest combo so they make great PJs but I love that they are still chic and fitted so you can also wear them out and about as cozy separates.

Also I LOVE LOVE their underwear. For like cotton bikini stye, they are the only style I use. This classic bralette and underwear set in like 5 different colors, and makes the best gifts or stocking stuffer. I’ve been wearing them for years and they are so comfortable. Also there’s something kind of fun about wearing a match bra and pantie set! I also just got this retro logo bralette and love the detail on the back. I’m still on the hunt for a CK tee with the oversized vintage logo so let me know if you guys see any!

Below are a few more great Calvin Klein pieces to mix into your wardrobe. Hope you guys have a great weekend!!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Macy’s & Shopstyle.

xo, Christine

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BECKAM FAMILY FAMILY STYLE FASHION MY STYLE

Burgundy Hues

DETAILS: NUDE SWEATER | LEATHER SKIRT | BURGUNDY TRENCH (SIMILAR HERE) | OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS

Burgundy is one of my favorite accent colors to pull into any look and it’s taking over my winter wardrobe! Every once in a while I hesitate before adding another wine, bordeaux, or burgundy piece to my cart since I already have so many pieces, but one of the most elegant and understated combos is a monochromatic look – and in that case you can never have too many pieces in one tone! I had one of those moments with this leather skirt but it’s such a unique deep bordeaux shade that I knew it would be perfect to match almost everything in my closet or for a head to toe monochromatic look, plus the texture is perfect for layering cozy knits and wrap coats (love this one – on sale). The hem length is perfect to pair with my over-the-knee boots but it’s also long enough to be able to pair with ankle booties or flats without feeling like you are showing too much skin.

Neiman Marcus is having their Friends and Family sale – starting today through Sunday you can get 20% off your your regular priced purchase. So it’s a great time to stock up on some wardrobe staples for yourself or to grab some last minute gifts. I always get the best inspiration for other people when I’m browsing sales – anyone else?? Below are some more great picks for both him and her that are all on sale with code: FRIENDME.

FOR HIM: 1. LEATHER HEADPHONES | 2. COLORBLOCKED SWEATSHIRT | 3. MOCCASIN SLIPPERS

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Neiman Marcus.

xo, Christine

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FASHION MY STYLE WINTER

5 Ways to Drop Hints This Holiday

DETAILS: NUDE SWEATER (WEARING SIZE MEDIUM FOR OVERSIZED LOOK) | JOGGERS OLD – LOVE THESE) | EMBROIDERED CROSSBODY | NUDE SUEDE HEELS (SIMILAR HERE) |

Whether you are trying to check the hardest people to shop for off your list or you are that person, there’s an art to dropping hints! For kids, writing letters to Santa takes a lot of guessing out of gift giving during the holidays but adults are usually even harder to shop for and we don’t usually have a wish list to refer to when shopping for friends and family. SO let’s make it a little easier on everyone. 😉

Below are 5 subtle ways to drop hints this season and to get ideas for those people on your gift list that are impossible to shop for.

Pin it: I always check out people’s Pinterest accounts when I need some inspiration about what their interests are at the moment. So even if you aren’t a chronic pinner, take a few minutes to pin some gift ideas – you never know who’s watching!
Spread the Word: Send it through the grapevine and somebody will be sure to ‘spill the beans’ and let your friends and family know what you’ve had your eye on recently.
Shop together: I love the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. Whether you are out with friends or just strolling through the mall, point out some of the things that catch your eye and pay attention to what your S/O is grabbing and eyeing so you get gift ideas for them too!
Leave tabs open online shopping: Borrow your significant other’s computer (or find an excuse for them to use yours) and ‘innocently’ leave a few tabs open with some of the items on your wish list. It will get them thinking about it and, even if they don’t realize it immediately, could be a great way to subconsciously give them some winning ideas.
Snap & share: When all else fails, you can snap a picture of whatever is at the top of your wish list with a few #hints in the caption. 😉 (What would we do without social media, right? haha)

Neiman Marcus is doing an amazing giveaway for the holidays. Post a pic and hashtag #NMHint for a chance to win a little more spending money for the people on your gift list (or yourself ;). Add #NMhint to your insta and twitter posts sharing what’s on your NM wish list between now and December 24th for a chance to win a $200 gift card – winners chosen daily! There’s also a $500 prize package awarded on the 16th and 23rd and then the winner for the grand prize – a $500 gift card – will be chosen on Christmas Eve. You can read the full details here. Good luck!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Neiman Marcus.

xo, Christine

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MY STYLE WINTER

3 Gift Ideas for The Guy That’s Impossible to Shop For

DETAILS: NICKEL RAZOR AND BRUSH SHAVE SET | PEPPERMINT BODY SOAP BAR | PEPPERMINT SHAVING CREAM TUB | FACIAL SCRUB

I swear guys are always the hardest to shop for! When I’m shopping for guys on my list, I always try to get them something practical that I know they will use everyday (is there any better feeling than knowing your gift is actually being put to good use? haha 😉 but still feels special. Below are three ideas that work for any guy on your list – from family members and friends to significant others – to make their daily routines more special:

Travel Essentials: I always get attached to my favorite toiletries and grooming products, but travel sizes in those products are usually a little harder to get your hands on. For those jetsetters on your gift list, get them their favorite essentials in a travel size. This travel size kit has some great essentials that he’ll be glad to be able to take on the road. You can also add a personal touch by personalizing a travel bag with their initials and placing the travel items inside so you have the perfect mix of essentials and personal.

Luxury Shaving Kit: Most guys shave almost daily so a nice shaving set is a good investment and something that that will last forever and that they can use just as long. I got this Art of Shaving nickel plated shaving kit for Cody and I’m obsessed! It’s seriously so pretty!!! I want like a girl version for my tooth brush or something! It’s actually really heavy and great quality so it’s something that will last forever and it’s so pretty! Cody is obsessed with all things peppermint – I always get him some sort or something peppermint for Christmas because we love to give each other massages or facials and he loves the smell. So I got this peppermint soap bar, facial scrub, and shaving cream. The bar of soap has the cutest engraving on it too – the packaging is all so cute!

Cologne: Restocking his favorite fragrance or helping him find a new one is always a good gift and something he will get in the habit of using everyday. Cody always wants my opinion and wants something I will like, so pick a scent you’re drawn to and most likely he will trust your opinion. 🙂
What are some of your gift ideas for those hard-to-shop-for men on your gift lists?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with The Art of Shaving.

xo, Christine

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BECKAM FAMILY GIFT GUIDES MEN'S STYLE MY STYLE

2 Winter Accessories You’ll Wear Non-Stop

Happy Monday guys!! After two solid snow falls last week winter is in full swing here in Utah! If I’m totally honest I feel like I got a little seasonal depression this year. The actual days it hit were great – but outside of those days, I was feeling so moody and overwhelmed. My best friend and I decided to do a last minute girls trip this weekend to escape the cold and spent the weekend in California. OMG it was so beautiful! I love California during Christmas you have the magic of all the holiday decorations (palm trees and Christmas lights be one of my favorite things ever!!), minus the freezing cold! It was such a fun weekend sorry for all the over snapping and instagraming 🙂

Since it’s been cold in Utah, there are two accessories that have been on constant repeat for the last few weeks since temperatures dropped – oversized scarves and this chunky knit beanie. This plush beanie is really thick and cozy it has a fleece lining, so it’s extra warm – I’ve been wearing the black non-stop since it goes with everything but I also love this pretty burgundy and love this pink one! I’ve also been wearing these plaid blanket scarves with everything. I love the subtle red and green tones to bring a more seasonal feel to the look and the black and white are a good neutral contrast. Plus they are the best way to spice up even the most basic jeans and tee outfit.

Below are a few more great accessories you’ll wear all winter long:

XX,Christine

xo, Christine

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FASHION ILY COUTURE MY STYLE WINTER

Christmas Treats That Are Delicious & Adorable

Happy Sunday!!! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I was able to leave the cold and rainy weather in Utah and have a much needed girls trip in California with one of my best friends. We have been having such a blast, there is really nothing better than having some girl time! We are loving all the Christmas lights and decor at the hotel and in the city, its just so magical! I cant believe Christmas is only 14 days away, this month is seriously flying by. I wanted to share some cute holiday treats that I’m excited to make and even a couple the kids can help with! Let me know if you guys get a chance to make any 🙂

recipe via pinterest

GINGER BREAD CUPCAKES WITH CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM

| Makes: 36-40 Servings |

Ingredients:

3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
Coupons
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon nutmeg
¾ teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups hot water
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) Land O Lakes® European Style Salted Butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar, light or dark
1 1/3 cups molasses
3 eggs, at room temperature
gingerbread men/women, gold sprinkles + rosemary, for decoration (optional)

Caramel Frosting

1 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 sticks (20 tablespoons) Land O Lakes® European Style Salted Butter, softened
3/4 cup heavy cream
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
gingerbread cookies, for decorating

Instructions here.

halfbakedharvest.com

recipe via pinterest

MARSHMELLOW REINDEER TREATS

| Makes: 12 Servings |

Ingredients:

12 large marshmallows
1 bag small pretzels
12 eight inch lolly pop sticks
12 red mini M&M’s
24 small candy eyes
1 cup dark Merckens chocolate or chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

See detailed instructions with pictures here.

onelittleproject.com

recipe via pinterest

CHRISTMAS LIGHT CUPCAKES

| Makes: 18 Servings |

Ingredients for cupcakes:

1 box milk chocolate cake mix
1 small box chocolate instant-pudding mix
3 eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
½ cup water
¾ cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

To Decorate:

Vanilla Buttercream frosting
store bought black frosting
M&Ms

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line two muffin tins with 18 paper liners.
Add cupcake ingredients to the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat well, about 3 minutes, scrapping the bowl occassionally.
Divide batter evenly between muffin tin. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Using a large round tip, pipe buttercream in a swril onto the cupcakes. Draw a black line around the surface of the frosting. Stick M&Ms vertically into the side of the cupcakes.

bakedbree.com