The best of 2015

Well, this is my last post for 2015! I figure I will take the rest of the week "off" from blogging to enjoy the holiday and recharge for a bigger and better 2016! Last year I did an end-of-the-year recap, which I very much enjoyed, so I decided to put together another one for you! I've picked a favorite outfit for every month. Let me know if your favorite made the cut!

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Another packing post

(Outfit details included below individual photos below)

With our recent holiday trip to SoCal again last week comes another packing post for you all! As usual, my planning typically starts with flat lays. It's just easier for me in terms of cataloging and jogging ideas. I wasn't really sure what we would be doing outside of Christmas itself and my blogger lunch, so everything else really just needed to be comfortable and remixable. I decided to ween myself down to 3 pairs of shoes and only 1 scarf. Outside of that, everything pictured above came with me, and some of what you see was acquired on the trip! I did also bring this neutral jacket in case I needed it, and then the only outfit that is missing you can see here. For the record, I did not check a bag. :)

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Hello Monday: The epic lunch

Left to right: Daphnee, Gina, Rachelle, Charnele, Noelle

Oh, you guys! Looking at this photo makes me so happy! It's funny how we all "see" each other every day, whether it's on our blogs or on some kind of social media platform. You get to know each other through these bits and pieces we share of our lives and form genuine friendships. And then if you're lucky, you get to meet these Internet friends in real life and it's everything you hoped it would be and more! The moons aligned, and Rachelle decided she needed a SoCal vacation the same time I would be there for the holidays. So, we planned a lunch near Gina and Noelle and the rest is history! What the heck do you wear for a momentous occasion like this?!

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Hello Monday: Self inflicted

Earrings: Kate Spade | Scarf: Paperdolls Boutique (c/o) | Bag: Gucci (option) | Sweater: Gap | Top: Express (option) | Bottoms: Express | Boots: Frye

This is the first time I've had a chance to just sit and open my laptop since Thursday night. I'm not used to all of this social activity, but it's silly for me to write a pity party post since it's all self inflicted! Friday evening we went to see Amy Schumer and it's been all downhill since then. Four family Christmas-related events, two of which were hosted at our house. Plus Christmas shopping, then packing for my California trip this week. I swear Christmas has just got to be a thousand times more stressful when you have to travel on top of all the inherent craziness! I wore this outfit yesterday for a Santa breakfast, last minute shopping, and then Christmas dinner and gift exchange with the immediate family. I honestly didn't mean to wear this for dinner also, I wanted to dress up a bit, but I didn't have a choice because I quickly ran out of time!

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Random roundup

Jacket: JCrew Factory (similar) | Scarf: Express (option) | Top: Old Navy | Bottoms: Express (option) | Boots: Michael Kors

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My Instagram hashtags

Instagram handle: carylee07

This is a little bit of a random post, but I've been wanting to touch on this for some time, but  wasn't really sure how to communicate it! With things getting a little crazy around here for December, I figured this was a nice easy, breezy post to help close out the week. So, what is this all about? Well, if you look at my Instagram account, at first glance, it appears to be a hodgepodge of randomness. I love the look of a consistent, organized feed, but I don't just want to provide one type of content because I like sharing my outfits in different formats. One night I decided to create my own hashtags for the main buckets of photo types I share most regularly. It makes the OCD part of me very happy to see each photo type mingle nice and happily with its peers. And today I wanted to share those hashtags with you!

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Paperdolls Boutique: Holiday Launch Party

Disclosure: Paperdolls Boutique gave me free merchandise in exchange for my attendance at this event along with this post. However, all views expressed are my own.

Left: Jacqueline (Stylin' in St. Louis) | Middle: Jenna (Sincerely Jenna Marie)

Last Thursday I was invited to a Holiday Launch Party for Paperdolls' new website! The night consisted of cocktails, light bites, shopping, grab bags, and a short fashion presentation of some of their holiday-ready ensembles. Jenna and Jacqueline were there as well, and while you already know my love for Jenna is real, I was very psyched to get some face time with Jacqueline!

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What to buy for me

1 Not Your Mother's hair products | 2 Trinket trays | 3 Pajamas | 4 Message Tees | 5 Coffee table books | 6 Kate Spade accessories (here and here) | 7 Nail polish (Seche Vite top coat, Orly) | 8 A soft throw | 9 Philosophy Amazing Grace | 10 Lip color

Yes, you read the title right. I've put together a wishlist so that all of you can shop for me! Ok, not really. But this is the time of year when everyone is asking for a list, and not only do I have to come up with what I want, I have to tailor them for different audiences so I don't end up with the same thing. (Seriously, one year, we ended up with THREE Keurigs!) As I was putting together the list for my the husband's family, I realized there are some tried and true products that I could ALWAYS use, and it really wouldn't matter if I ended up with duplicates. So, I'm sharing this list with you in hopes that it inspires some of your holiday shopping! And, if you *really* want to buy me stuff, I'll let you. :)

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Hello Monday: Special

Sunnies: Ray Ban | Necklaces: Kendra Scott (here, here, here) | Bag: Michael Kors (similar) | Plaid Top: Express | Stripe top: Nordstrom | Leggings: Express (similar) | Boots: Coach (option, option)

The "special" sign in the background is a bit ironic because it was extra difficult to take these photos! Not only was it raining, but it was terribly windy, so although we were able to take these under a covered walkway, the wind was relentless! But the show must go on, so I'm sharing my special photos with you anyway! This was an easy outfit to throw on for mild fall weather and some last minute Christmas errands. Both the plaid top and the stripe tee are not only favorites in my closet, but one of multiple colors I have in each! And while you can't tell in these photos, the hem is longer for both at back, so I am covered quite comfortably from behind.

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Random roundup

Jacket: JCrew Factory | Necklace: Bauble Bar | Top: Express | Bag: JCrew Factory (in black here) | Bottoms: Joe's | Booties: Dolce Vita

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New Year's Eve-spiration

Sunnies: Ray Ban | Earrings: CS Gems (use code CARYLEE15 for 15% off) | Ring: CS Gems | Dress: Forever 21 (currently not online, but other options HERE and HERE) | Bag: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Tights: wine colored DKNY layered over grey colored DKNY for more opaqueness (similar here, more tights available HERE) | Jacket: Express (other colors HERE) | Heels: Joan and David (option, option)

I've done four shoots now with CS Gems, and this may be my favorite yet! It's hard not to love these photos though given the festive scenery! Stacy and Carrie asked us to wear some NYE appropriate outfits, so naturally I reached for sequins first and foremost. This shift dress from Forever 21 is perfect and very forgiving for a night of eating and drinking.

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The pullover sweater

Sunnies: TOMS | Scarf: The Fashion Lane (c/o)(in cranberry) | Necklace: CS Gems (use code CARYLEE15 for 15% off) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Top: Express | Sweater: Gap | Bottoms: Gap | Booties: Rag & Bone (budget option)

I realized I have a hole in my wardrobe when it comes to pullover sweaters. The few that I do have aren't solid colored, or they are thinner and not conducive to layering. So, during Black Fridayweek, I was on a hunt for the perfect one. These cotton sweaters from Gap got a lot of good reviews, so I took a chance and ordered three of them. I sized up based on a few reviews and based on how it looked on the model. I'm thinking I could have just gone with my regular Gap size, but I still like them just the same!

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Responsible

Disclosure: I was invited by Whole Foods Market on a tour of the newly remodeled store in Brentwood, MO. I was provided a Pacha Soap bar and Mineral Fusion Nail Polish of my choice as body care samples to take home with me. All views expressed are my own.

Sunnies: TOMS | Necklace: Kendra Scott | Bag: Chloe (other colors here) | Top: H&M | Bracelet: Kendra Scott | Bottoms: LOFT | Booties: Rag and Bone

I know the bulk of what I post on this blog is light and airy. Nothing too in depth or serious. I keep it like that on purpose because when I started this blog, I had a pretty stressful and demanding job and blogging became my creative outlet, my breath of fresh air, my one opportunity to march to the beat of my own drum, my reminder that life doesn't have to be so super serious and stressful! As I'm approaching my three year blog-iversary, I'm seeing more and more that blogging does give me an inherent duty to be responsible in certain ways like supporting local businesses, showcasing the many things St. Louis has to offer,  and mindfully choosing brands that I'm proud to promote, not only for their products but for their ethics and philanthropy.  

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Hello Monday: O Christmas Tree

Necklaces: CS Gems here and here (use code CARYLEE15 for 15% off) | Bag: Kate Spade (gifted) (budget option) | Vest: Express (option) | Dress: Bailey 44 (shop more Bailey 44 HERE) | Heels: SJP (other sizes and colors HERE)

Saturday was a such a fun day in blogging life! The gals at CS Gems arranged for the cutest photo shoot in the Central West End. The focus was around holiday style, New Year's Eve, and all the fun stuff in between. It was gorgeous and definitely got me just a little bit more into the holiday spirit! This was the first of three outfits I brought with me for the day. The Bailey 44 dress was one of my many Black Friday purchases, and I couldn't wait to slip this effortless piece on.

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Random roundup: Black Friday-week

Necklaces: Stella and Dot, Purple Peridot | Top: Pulse | Leggings: Express (similar) | Booties: Sole Society (option, option)

I figured I would finish out the week with outfits I wore during Thanksgiving/Black Fridayweek since a lot of the focus with this week's posts centered around the sales and it's helpful in my head to chronologically keep all this information together! First up is what I wore for Thanksgiving! I went with the comfiest of leggings and a very forgiving tunic. Nothing fancy - we end up just going to a restaurant for our Thanksgiving feast at lunch, and then spent the rest of the day grazing on snacks and cocktails while we played games with the family. It was fun and I was stuffed!

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Evergreen

Sunnies: TOMS | Earrings: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Necklace: CS Gems | Bag: Clare V (Shop other "Margot" style clutches HERE) | Top: Gap (shop other flannel tops HERE) | Jacket: JCrew (outlet) (similar) (shop other military style jackets HERE) | Bottoms: Express | Shoes: Hinge

Well if you couldn't tell from my lack of post yesterday, I only have 3 posts planned for you this week, which was for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I figured I should enjoy the long weekend to the fullest and not stress about shopping. I also figure everyone is as shopping hungover as I am, so I thought I would give you a break from all my enabling. Ha!

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