In My Life

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» After posting the hand warmer DIY yesterday, I realized that it has been forever since I’ve done a DIY post. I think I need to remedy that :). Heres a few past favorites : necklace stand, mason jar pin cushionburlap envelopes, yarn lanterns, passport cover, faux fur snood

» I love me some The Seam Designs for cold weather accessories. But another new favorite - check out Salem Style. I met Lianna at Tuesday’s Boston Blogger event, and she is a sweetheart!

» The Black Friday / Cyber Monday craze may be over, but I’m still offering a deal for anyone that is looking for a special handmade holiday gift! Use the coupon code FREESHIP13 for free domestic shipping on your order from shopHollyDolly

» Are you on Instagram? Follow along! My username is : hollyjollydolly

DIY Hand Warmers

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I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a baby in the cold. Even having lived somewhere that has a cold, snowy winter my entire life, I still can’t handle it. And I’m actually dreeeeeading another Northeast winter. 

So I made up a few batches of these little teeny hand warmers to try and combat the chill. I keep them right next to my keys, so I remember to heat them up quick before I leave. That way I don’t have numb fingers on my walk to Starbucks the grocery store. Oh who am I kidding,  I’m going to Starbucks. 

Here’s how I did it…..

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1. For a set of hand warmers, cut 4 3x3” pieces of cotton fabric.

2. Place two of your squares wrong sides together, and sew 1/4” from the edge. Pivot at the corners, and leave about 1/2- 3/4” opening. Don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and end. 

3. Fill your square pouch with rice about 3/4” of the way full. I used a funnel so that I didn’t make a mess :)

4. Sew and close up your small opening.

5. Trim along the edges with pinking shears so that they don’t unravel. That’s it!

………

But if you would prefer a cleaner look…..

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Start by placing your two square pieces right sides together, and sew just like before (1/4” from the edge, leave 1/2” opening). Clip your corners and trim the seam allowance, and then turn right side out through the opening.  Fill with your rice, and then close your opening with an invisible slipstitch.

Just slightly more work, but it does have a simpler, cleaner look!

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Right before you walk out of the house, just heat them up in the microwave for about 30 seconds and slip them in your coat pocket. Caution! They’ll be really hot! I But I like to get them just a tad too hot so that they stay warm longer.

Stay toasty, my friends :)

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Repeat Offender // Boston Bloggers

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This is quite possibly one of my favorite outfits ever, so it was a no brainer to repeat it. I’m sure I’ll wear it a couple more times this winter, too. And it just so happened it worked perfectly for last night’s Boston Blogger’s holiday event. You know, with the sparkles and all. Nothing says holiday party like sequins :)

Speaking of the blogger meet-up - it was such a fantastic night! It’s always fun to get together with everyone, and catch up with some girls that I haven’t seen in forever. And without fail, I always meet a bunch of new faces to add to my blog roll. Every time. This city is full of such talented people! Thanks to Allison and Kate for being so awesome and organizing these events for us :)

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sweater: Naomi and Lavender

faux fur snood: Jack Wills // Buffalo Exchange

skirt: JCrew // Buffalo Exchange

clutch:  LilaLu Bags // Crompton Collective

booties: Steve Madden

Rust and Teal

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I’m determined to start incorporating my outerwear into my outfit posts more. I’ve also collected a lot more winter coats than I have any other winter season to date. I guess I just really don’t want to freeze as much this year.  So if my coat is actually part of my outfit, and not just thrown on top of said outfit, I may be able to survive this winter blogging season. Maybe. We’ll see. 

I’ll keep you posted. 

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coat: DKNY

sweater: SheInside

shirt: Urban Outfitters

pants: Forever21

glasses: BonLook

clutch: c/o UnCommon Goods

pumps: Nine West

In My Life

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» I hope everyone had a super fantastic Thanksgiving! We kept it really really low key this year. It was just me and Boo (and Henry, too, of course). We dressed Henry up in some hoodies (which he didn’t really appreciate), and opted for duck instead of turkey. 

» Don’t forget - use the code HAPPYHOLLYDAYS13 between now and monday to get 20% off your shopHollyDolly order! There are some shiny holiday bows in stock, and I also just added a few more Five and Mixer necklaces as well!

» A few other noteworthy deals:

     - at InfinEight you can get free shipping until Dec. 1st with the coupon code HOLIDAYSHIP (shop small!)

     - Bonlook is offering 20 - 50% select frames.

     - LOFT is offering 40% off everything with code ENJOY (ends Sunday)

     - at Madewell you can get 25% off entire purchase + free shipping with code FEAST25 (ends monday)

     - LeBunny Bleu has a whole bunch of different deals going on this weekend. check them all out here.

     - ASOS : get 20% off site wide! Use code: GIMME20

     - Ruche is offering 20% off site wide for black friday

     - And for all you sewers, Mood Fabrics is also offering 20% site wide today only!

» Don’t forget that tomorrow is Small Business Saturday! For those of you in the Boston / Worcester area, head on over to Crompton Collective to shop shopHollyDolly and so many other amazing handmade and vintage sellers!

Shop Update : Holiday Bows / Discount Code

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It’s that time of year again! And shopHollyDolly is now stocked with a couple of handfuls of holiday themed bows. You can now find both the hair clips and necklaces in holiday red and festive metallics. I have a number of  silver and red pieces in stock, but the gold and bronze bows are limited (i.e - only one of each size available!)- so shop fast if you are interested :)

Oh, and for all of you black friday / small business saturday / cyber monday shoppers out there, use the discount code HAPPYHOLLYDAYS13 at checkout, for 20% off your shopHollyDolly purchase! 

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Doubled

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Two things:

1. It’s getting chilly. Time to double up on the scarves :)

2. Growing out your bangs is no joke, people. I’m surprised I’ve had enough willpower to not cut them already. But after having bangs for the last 3 years (well, except for a couple of short periods in high school and college, I’ve actually had them my entire life), I feel like I need to change it up a bit. Wish me luck.

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jacket: Forever21

leopard scarf: H&M

orange scarf: gift

necklace: gift

glasses: Warby Parker

jeans: Urban Outfitters

booties: Target