In My Life

» Blog Better Boston has a new and improved website! And if you’re a Boston blogger - make sure to submit your links for their new {hub}LINKS newsletter. 

» Have you all seen the video going around of the Airline that surprised a flight of passengers with Christmas gifts? I’m not gonna lie… I cried. So beautiful (and such crazy amazing PR). 

» I know it won’t happen this year, but I wanna make these balloon ornaments next Christmas. So awesome.  

» Boo and I have a wintery couples shoot coming up soon. And of course I couldn’t decide on anything to wear….. so I decided to make something instead. I’m using this pattern and this fabric, and I’m really stoked about how it is coming out so far! (sneak peak above). 

» A few favorite Etsy treasuries featuring shopHollyDolly items - one, two, three.

» Speaking of shopHollyDolly, there is a few more days left to order any Christmas gifts! Don’t forget to use coupon code FREESHIP13 at checkout to receive free domestic shipping. 

» More wish list wants - this jumpsuit and this dress. 

» This just in : cats in sweaters are hilarious. 

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

 

Classic

I felt like one classy lady in this outfit. From the cape, to the red and grey and black color combo, to the simplicity, to the nude ballet flats. The whole thing felt timeless. I wouldn’t say that that is a word you would associate with most of my outfits, but it’s nice to break out the classics every once in a while :)

cape: American Apparel

sweater: Gap // thrifted

necklace: shopHollyDolly

jeans: Urban Outfitters

flats: H&M

Buffalo

I’ve lived in the Boston area for over 3 years now, but I’m a Buffalo, NY girl at heart. Which means anything even remotely Buffalo related must immediately go into my closet. Including a sweater covered in cute little buffalos. It’s my new favorite!

sweater: Forever21

beanie: H&M

jeans: Old Navy

purse: gift // Target

glasses: Warby Parker

booties: Forever21

December Rain

coat: SheInside

scarf: c/o The Seam Designs

bow clip: shopHollyDolly

jeans: Old Navy

booties: Boutique 9

glasses: Warby Parker

umbrella: Urban Outfitters (old)

In My Life

» 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 cushion, burlap 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

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…..

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…..

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!

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 :)

Repeat Offender // Boston Bloggers

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 :)

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

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. 

coat: DKNY

sweater: SheInside

shirt: Urban Outfitters

pants: Forever21

glasses: BonLook

clutch: c/o UnCommon Goods

pumps: Nine West

Holiday Lust List

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In My Life

» 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!