Monday, December 30, 2019

2019 Year in Review

Happy almost 2020! I can't believe it is the end of the decade. It is kind of crazy. I started the decade as basically a freshman in high school, and now I am a college graduate working in the real world. Time really does fly. In the past I have done lots of different re-cap like posts at the end of the year. This year I wanted to go month by month and remember some of the many things I did this year! It included a lot of travel, visiting friends, and of course lots of memories. I've also highlighted some of my favorite blogposts from each month! You can also see some of my past year in review posts below if you really want to walk down memory lane...... 

PAST YEAR IN REVIEW POSTS 

JANUARY 
I kicked off the year with my normal work trip to New York city in the middle of the month. Luckily the Mickey 90th exhibit was still open and I was able to go visit it while I was in town! Shout out to all of the staff there for taking super cute pictures of me because I went by myself. I also took a work trip to Dallas. January is usually a busy work month for me so there wasn't too much going on! Lots of fun and busy times during January 2019. 


FEBRUARY 
February is another busy work month for me! I went to Vegas for the Project show which you can see me at below. Then of course I have my big trade show for work in Chicago in February! Pretty much in the month of February I just worked. 

FAVORITE BLOGPOST | Tale as Old as Time Tea



MARCH 
March brought on some fun traveling! I went to LA for work and was able to explore a little more than I have in the past. I went to Rodeo Drive, the Beverly Hills Hotel, and walked around and explored. Another highlight was shopping the Stoney Clover Lane x Beverly Hills hotel collaboration pieces. I picked up a lot of cute cuties while shopping at the hotel! 



In March I also headed to Walt Disney World for about 8 days with my family! We did our full blown Disney routine including all 4 theme parks and lots of photos of course. Crowd wise we did not get so lucky as we were there during Mardi Gras which is apparently when everyone from the state of Louisiana comes to Disney World. We still had fun though!


APRIL 
In April my boyfriend and I traveled to Cancun, Mexico for our friend's wedding! Spent some time sitting by the pool and trying to relax, which I am not very good at. It was so nice to be there for our friends big day! 



MAY 
During the month of May I wasn't traveling as much for work so we were able to relax and enjoy living in the city for our last month of our lease. We visited some fun restaruants like Jojo's Milk Bar for fun giant milkshakes. Then we packed up a lot of stuff and headed back to the burbs. 

FAVORITE BLOGPOST | Purple potion spirit jersey


We also took an adventure down to Kansas City for our friends wedding reception. Visiting with friends we haven't seen in a while was awesome! I may have also requested Sucker by the Jonas Brothers at the reception.... 


JUNE 
June is always my favorite month, for a lot of reasons. But, mainly because it is my birthday! I turned 24 on June 19th. Chuck my little pup turned one years old on June 8th! Then I celebrated my 4th anniversary with my boyfriend Jeremy on June 22nd. To say June is a busy month is an understatement! 

FAVORITE BLOGPOST | My birthday wishlist


Below you can see Chuck celebrating his 1st birthday! My big boy is so grown up. He's not a puppy anymore, even though he still acts like one. 


At the beginning of the month we headed down to St. Louis for another friends wedding! We enjoyed their beautiful ceremony and reception then visited the St. Louis arch on our way out of town. On our way to the wedding I was actually trying to score Jonas Brother meet and greet tickets. Which, was probably the most stressful thing I did this year. But, I GOT THEM! Thanks to Jeremy to stopping at a Jimmy John's so I could connect to some internet. 

 

JULY 
My work started to pick up again in July as we prepped for the Spring Summer 2020 season. I headed to New York to spend a week there for my work trip. During the summer I try and take advantage of being in the city and do some exploring. I was able to head to The Met's fashion CAMP exhibit. Naturally, I had to take a picture on The Met steps in honor of Gossip Girl. This was also the same month I finally splurged on a Lele Sadoughi headband. Haven't looked back since!

FAVORITE BLOGPOST | Nordstrom Anniversary sale haul


We celebrated the 4th of July with friends and watched some great fireworks in the burbs!


AUGUST 
Lots of fun adventures in August. It was a very busy month! One of my good friends from college and study abroad came to visit. We went to one of the hottest new restaruants in Chicago and somehow got seated. Sipping on Aperol Spritz's we had an amazing view of the Chicago River. 

FAVORITE BLOGPOST | Casual shopping day outfit


Also in the month of August I headed to Vegas for a work trip. My mom tagged along and we got to explore Vegas more than I have ever before. Let's just say Vegas has some great photo opportunities. 


Then after my Vegas work trip we headed to Disneyland for a quick little weekend trip. One day at Disneyland then one day at California Adventure. I pretty much find any excuse to go to Disneyland if I'm close enough. 


SEPTEMBER 
September may have been my favorite month of the year. I kicked off the month with a girls trip with my best friend from middle school to Nashville. This was our first girls trip, and I think it will become a yearly tradition. We explored Nashville, ate some good food, took cute pictures, and watched a lot of Friends. 

FAVORITE BLOGPOST | Travel guide to London


Then we also saw the Jonas Brothers in Nashville! Seeing the Jonas Brothers together was pretty much a dream of ours since middle school. We both loved them so much that once we knew they were getting back together we had to go to a show. I then headed back home to Chicago to see the Jonas Brothers at both of their Chicago Shows at the United Center. We had amazing seats and I am so thankful for the amazing experiences I've had with my friends at the Happiness Begins Tour this year. 


THEN probably the highlight of my year, decade, and life I MET THE JONAS BROTHERS! I have dreamed of that moment since I was 11 years old. Now, over 10 years later it finally came true. I legit lost all words but I am happy I look normal in my meet and greet photo. 



The same month I met another one of my favorite artists Andy Grammer! This was my third Andy Grammer show but my first time meeting him. I had a fun night with friends and got to be front row at the concert. 



OCTOBER 
October was a busy travel month! The first weekend I headed to Denver, Colorado to visit my Big from my sorority and my best guy friend. We went out in Downtown Denver, went to brunch, visited Boulder, and attempted to be outdoorsy. Clearly I didn't get super into the Denver outdoor lifestyle, but I still had a blast! 

FAVORITE BLOGPOST | Apple Orchard OOTD


The rest of the month included a weekend trip to visit my friend in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a day trip to Washington D.C.. We explored Georgetown and ate a the yummiest restaurant. Then in Minnesota we explored a local downtown, ate brunch, and had a relaxing movie night. 


Then of course no October would be complete without a trip to the apple orchard! I did a ton of fun fall activities this month like visiting the apple orchard, heading to the arboretum, and the glass pumpkin patch event at the Morton Arboretum. I also took a work trip to Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa and was able to drive and see all of the fall leaves! Like I said lots and lots of travel in the month of October. 



NOVEMBER 
November was a chiller month and I didn't too many exciting things! I celebrate Thanksgiving with family and spent some time relaxing. Then I headed to the press preview of my favorite holiday event the Santa Baby Bar in Wrigleyville! 

FAVORITE BLOGPOST | My Christmas wishlist 



DECEMBER 
I closed out the year in December with lots of fun festive activities! The first week of the month I went to New York for a sales meeting for work. I was able to fight the crowds and go to see the Frozen windows at Saks. Although I wasn't there for long I was able to see some Christmas magic in the city. Then I saw Christmas Vacation and White Christmas in the movie theater. Also, binged a ton of Christmas movies all month long! 

FAVORITE BLOGPOST | Midwest winter must-haves


What is your favorite memory of 2019? Let me know in the comments! Cheers to another great year and another decade. 
XOXO
Miranda 

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Sew Cute Holiday: Christmas Day


Merry Christmas one and all! I'm back with another Christmas look. This time it's wrapped in a bow. Literally I am basically wrapped like a present. But I am loving it! 


To say I am obsessed with this giant bow blouse would be an understatement. It is so so cute! I made it more casual by pairing with jeans but I think it would be super cute with a skirt and red tights. To mix it up a little bit I wore this old Atlantic Pacific x Halogen blazer I got last year. The gold buttons and black tweed just screamed Christmas to me! Blazers are my calling honestly so this look is very me. 


When my co-workers asked what I was doing for Christmas I replied: Just eating beef and wearing headbands, normal Miranda things. And that my friends about sums up my Christmas plans. I completed this look with a J. Crew x Lele Sadoughi headband, of course. This one reminds me of candy stripes! It is black with metallic accents and goes with so many of my holiday looks. 

The best part of this holiday look is that most of it is on sale! This bow blouse is on sale in a gorgeous aqua color. It really does make the perfect special occasion blouse. My blazer is old but there are two very similar styles on sale at Nordstrom right now. This blazer with feather accents is on sale for $150. Then this more simple option is on sale for $119


Where it's from: 
Blouse: Nordstrom (on sale!) 
Blazer: Nordstrom (old) (similar on sale!) (similar on sale!) 
Jeans: J. Crew 
Bracelet: Monica Vinader


I've linked a few of my Atlantic Pacific favorites on sale at the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check them out! Some gorgeous pieces are included in the sale. 
XOXO 
Miranda 



Friday, December 27, 2019

Sew Cute Holiday: Christmas Eve + J. Crew Sale


I hope you all had a great Christmas! I wanted to share my fun Christmas looks as some of them are on sale this week! This gorgeous tartan blouse is on sale for 50% off. There are limited sizes available but there is a darker black watch tartan print available and a more red tartan too


I think this top was perfect for Christmas. The gorgeous rhinestone buttons just complete the look. It adds a dash of sparkle without being too much. I paired it with a simple pair of dark jeans to make it more casual and comfortable. In previous years I've always worn a dress to Christmas. But, now with a puppy running around and jumping on things I don't like to risk it! This top does the trick but is still comfy. 


Naturally I paired this top with a Lele Sadoughi headband. This is from the J. Crew holiday collection she released a while back. There are still a ton of styles available on J. Crew's website! Including this fun petite style embellished with little gold beads. Chuck also got dressed up for the occasion with his collar tie. He won't let me put sweaters on him, easily that is. Last year I was able to get something on him but I doubt I'd be able to this year. He just won't sit still! He's a very busy boy. 


Where it's from: 
Jeans: J. Crew 
Bracelet: Monica Vinader


There are a ton of great pieces on sale at J. Crew right now! From tartan Christmas ready pieces to some of my other favorites, be sure to shop the sale while it lasts. I've linked a few of my favorites at the bottom of this post. 
XOXO
Miranda 


Sale of the Week: After Christmas Sales



J CREW FACTORY | 40% off new arrivals and extra 50% off clearance. Also, when you shop the sale you can get a coupon for an extra 25% off to use later! P.S. my slippers are on sale in the picture above!




AERIE | 50% off all bras, leggings, sweatshirts, and bralettes. Underwear is 10 for $35 and sweaters are marked down!




NORDSTROM | It's the Nordstrom Half Yearly sale! Save a ton on a lot of great brands like Ugg, Kendra Scott, and more. Check out my full blogpost detailing all of the great sale finds that I already own + my other picks!



Other sales to shop: 
RED DRESS BOUTIQUE | 50-90% off 1000+ items 
COLOURPOP | 25% off all Disney makeup! Including the new Frozen collection
SIMPLIFIED PLANNER | My FAVORITE planner is 20% off! Get your 2020 edition now! 
NORDSTROM RACK | Extra 25% off sale items
KATE SPADE | Up to 65% off sale items
LISI LERCH | Daily deals + up to 60% off sale items
BAUBLEBAR | Up to 75% off sale items
KENDRA SCOTT | Get an extra 25% off sale items

What after Christmas sales are you shopping this year? Let me know in the comments! 
XOXO
Miranda 

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Sale of the Week: Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale


It's the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale! This sale is almost as good as the Anniversary Sale honestly. It's a great time to pick up things you were eyeing during the holidays with gift cards or some Christmas cash. Some of my favorite pieces I've worn this holiday season are now on sale. So, be sure to check out this post featuring some of the pieces I already own that are included! 

OVERSIZE BOW BLOUSE | This bow blouse is gorgeous! It is the perfect top for a special occasion. Or for everyday, whatever floats your boat. My color is sold out but they have it available in this gorgeous aqua color! 


BOW BLOUSE | This adorable triple bow blouse is also on sale! You can never have to many bows right? Pair it with a skirt to dress it up or wear with jeans like I am here for a more casual look. 


ATLANTIC PACIFIC COLLECTION | The Halogen x Atlantic Pacific collection is also included in the sale! Some great pieces still available. I've linked a few of my favorites... 


STRIPE SWEATER | Another great Atlantic Pacific piece! I love this sweater, I've worn it on repeat this holiday season. Comes in 2 other colors as well. The little bow detail in the back is darling. Here is another Atlantic Pacific sweater I love that is also on sale


SILK TANK TOP | I picked up this BP silky tank top during the Anniversary sale. It is still available and on sale for under $40! It looks great with a leather jacket or even a cozy sweater. I love it for going out for drinks like I did in Denver, CO for a weekend visiting friends. 


BARBOUR COAT | My go-to Barbour winter coat of the season is on sale too!! Such a good deal for this coat. It's super warm and comfortable. I love it for traveling and just day to day. Stylish but also functional. There are a bunch of other Barbour jackets on sale here..... 


ZELLA LEGGINGS | GUYS my FAVORITE pair of leggings are on sale! They have pockets, are super thick, and high quality. These are perfect for a comfy outfit or for traveling. I got these during the Anniversary Sale and I think I am going to get another pair honestly they are that good. 


SPANX LEGGINGS | Not this exact pair, but there is a pair of faux leather Spanx leggings included in the sale. They are a fun snakeskin print! Perfect to wear with a chunky sweater and boots. 

I've linked a ton of other great sale picks at the bottom of this post! These are just some of the things I've worn/ personally bought that are currently on sale. From Kendra Scott jewelry, Ugg boots, and more there are some really great brands on sale so be sure to check it out! 
XOXO 
Miranda