Last Minute Secret Santa/Yankee Swap Ideas

This holiday season has really snuck up on me, I can't believe Christmas is literally 6 days away! As I get older, I feel like Christmas has become less and less of a big deal. Almost similar to birthdays or other social and life events. It seems like as children we are more in tune with the magical and festive components of this part of the year, and get more excited about whats to come. I will say though it does seem like people are stretching the holiday earlier and earlier into the year...I mean October? Come on now,  the specialness of the holiday has so much to do with the fact that it only happens once a year. Maybe this is just American culture, in that we always want more as fast as we can get it, but in my opinion Christmas should remain in the month of December.

The Happiness Effect

Have you ever had one of those days that just starts out like complete shit, so it makes you feel like the rest of your day is going to be the same way. Well newsflash sistah, if you allow those feelings to creep in, guess what!? You will feel like that for the rest of the day. Rolling with punches and taking each moment as it comes rather than holding on to it after it leaves is how happiness remains. You make a mistake and a complete fool of yourself...so what! Move on and kick butt, let that be the fuel that ignites the rest of your day.

The Lip Mask You Need This Winter

Dry cracked lips are the worst, especially when your already freezing and trying to stay warm during the winter months. Let's be honest the struggle is more than real, it can be downright painful at times. For that reason I set out to find something that was better than just a basic chapstick, that I could put on my lips at night and not have to worry about it. Well, I found it! This lip mask is the legit real deal, I even have my husband using it despite the girly and beyond Instagrammable packaging.

Gift Guide #4: Stocking Stuffers

To be completely honest, I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet! I know, I know many of you reading this are probably biting your nails just thinking about it, but I just haven't found the time or inspiration to go shopping for gifts yet. However, I do usually buy stocking stuffers last, because every year I put together a stocking for Michael. I feel like stockings are a wonderful way to get creative and your could go in many different directions based on the person you are curating it for.

Wardrobe Essentials: The Sweater Edit

In my November Fashion favorites I mentioned a couple knitwear pieces, and I'm going to reiterate here that my favorite additions to my wardrobe this season have to be knitwear and sweaters. There are so many great options on the market this year and I just want to buy them all! I hang all my sweaters and knitwear and if you would like to read my post on How to Keep Clothes Nice with Pets I go into more detail on how I care for my wardrobe.

Weekly Low Down

Long time no low down...I haven't done one of these in 2 weeks I think, holy moly! We were camping and had no access to the internet for Thanksgiving, and then last Friday was my birthday, so I didn't do anything blog related and took the day off. I think from now on I might do this every other week on Friday just so I have more interesting things to share with you guys! I have missed a couple blog post the last couple weeks but want to make it up to you guys with some new stuff! Before I continue babbling on, let's crack into the blog post shall we!

November Fashion Favorites/ Instagram Recap

November is always one of my favorite months for fashion just after December. The weather shifts to winter and layering becomes a necessity where I live. The first snow fall makes fashion more challenging but definitely more fun. I love piecing outfits together and layering different textures and styles. If you would like to see daily outfit pictures make sure your following me on Instagram (@whosthemo). I share a lot of behind the scenes stuff via Instagram stories as well.

Abercrombie & Fitch 3 Day 60% off Sale

I just received an email in my inbox saying that Abercrombie is offering 60% off certain styles and you know I had to share it with you guys. This sale is only for three days so if your going to shop it, it has to be soon! There are some really cute styles and definitely some that would be great to incorporate into your holiday wardrobe, and you know I'm placing an order! My favorite comfy pants are included too, so if your one of the many people that said they were obsessed with them, now is the time to snatch them up.

November Beauty Favorites

Happy Monday guys! Can you believe it's already December!? It feels like just yesterday I was packing away my sandals and shorts and trading them for more weather appropriate knits and over the knee boots. This month's beauty favorites are rather simple because I have been more obsessed with good skincare than any thing else and I just posted my skincare routine to the blog last week. All those items are also my favorites and you can find that post here.

Winter Skincare Routine: Fight Your Dry Skin

When I say winter, you say? [insert answer here]...Hopefully it wasn't dry skin! If so I have some tips that will have you going from alligator to smooth operator (that was so corny...I just picture the eye rolls now). In all seriousness though if you are one of the millions of people that suffer from dry skin when the weather shifts to cooler temperatures you are not alone! Dry skin is very common especially when winter rolls around due to the drop in humidity. You may think if you just moisturize non-stop you'll be fine, and for some individuals this may work...but for others, this should be attacked as a holistic problem.

How to Keep Clothes Nice with Pets

Do you ever feel like your the person who can't have nice things? Your not alone...this thought runs through my mind multiple times a day. It can be difficult to keep clothing nice with pets especially if they shed or have a chewing problem. I always feel like I'm chasing after my dogs for some reason or another, but I have developed some tried and true methods to keep my clothes and shoes nice and away from my sweet fur babies.

Cyber Monday is Here!

Hey guys sorry I have been MIA for the last couple days, we were camping in Northern Maine and there was no cell signal or WiFi! I will be making up the posts I missed this week so look forward to some extra content headed into your inbox. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter so you can get updates weekly about the posts that went up and a little extra! Without further a do lets crack into my Cyber Monday post!

Target Black Friday Picks

This post is going to be short, sweet, and to the point. If you have given my Black Friday and Cyber Week Deals Post a read, then you know Target is offering $10 off 40 or $20 off $75 from their clothing, accessory, and shoe sections. I have taken this opportunity to share the items I think would be great to get during the sale. I actually own a couple of these pieces and love them already. Let me know in the comments below which are your favorites and if you plan on shopping all the awesome online sales this week.

Three Days of Thanksgiving Instagram Giveaway

Hello everyone and Happy Tuesday! I wanted to come on over to the blog and share a giveaway opportunity with you. If you head over to my Instagram: @whosthemo I'm collaborating with a couple bloggers to give our readers and Instagram followers some pretty awesome gift cards for the holidays. All you have to do is head over to my feed and find the pictures stating giveaway and follow the directions to enter.  The giveaway is only valid for residents of the United States, but you have three chances to win!

The Best Cyber Week/ Black Friday Deals

So many sales are starting earlier and earlier every year. I'm not complaining because that means no dealing with the craziness all in one day, and I'm sure retailers are also benefiting from the increase in sales from extending their discounts. I have decided to list the sales that sound the most interesting as it relates to beauty and style, and the ones I think you guys would like the most. I have included promo codes if the sale requires them, and there are a couple that I'm very excited about!

Comparison: The Killer of Joy

I honestly think Instagram is the new crack...now hear me out. Just like you can get addicted to drugs, I think you can get addicted to the instant gratification the app brings. The market is so over saturated right now and the algorithm just keeps changing. It leaves me to question what in the literal hell is going on. I get so excited about posting my daily outfits, only to see my engagement go lower and lower. I feel like I'm comparing myself to others every single day and its not fair to me or them. I want my blog to grow, but for the right reasons...that my readers enjoy what I'm putting out there.

1 Dress 2 Ways

There is just something so great about seeing a piece of clothing in a store or online and immediately thinking about all the outfits you can make with it. This dress from H&M has quickly stole my heart for its versatility and unique print, and I have so many styling ideas for it. Dresses can be an underrated part of the fall and winter wardrobe, but with a few tweaks this staple can be carried through all the way to spring! I love finding pieces that can be styled in different ways, because you get the most cost per wear out of the product.

Weekly Low Down

This week was not as eventful as previous ones, but regardless some great things have been happening. It seems like it isn't fall anymore, so winter has starting creeping in and with it, all the holiday preparations. I can't wait to put up my tree after Thanksgiving, because then I'll really feel the Christmas vibes. The weather is changing which means so is style, beauty, and skincare. Now is the time to switch your routine and find new more wintery day-to-day activities. I have a new skincare routine coming to the blog soon along with much more winter and holiday content, so stay tuned.

Abercrombie & Fitch: 50% off Sale Picks

You can imagine my surprise to check my email this morning and find out that Abercrombie was offering 50% off on select styles, and it's not even Black Friday yet! Abercrombie & Fitch happens to be one of my favorite stores to shop from, and I have been shopping with them for over 15 years! Holy moly that makes me sound old...I'm not even 27 yet okay! But anyways, after browsing, browsing some more, and then placing an order, it occurred to me that I should share this sale with you guys.

You Can Now Shop All My Looks on Liketoknow.it

Good evening guys! Tonight's post is going to be short and sweet, but don't worry I will have 2 posts for your tomorrow. I just wanted to hop on here and let you know that you can now shop my posts on the Liketoknow.it app. I'm beyond excited and think this is going to make shopping my Instagram and blog 10 times easier. If you want to follow me on the app you can find me here. I also added a tab to the top of the blog titled Shop my Instagram, here you will be directly linked to my Liketoknow.it page.

Gift Guide #3: The Beauty Junkie

I really wanted to make this post different from recent ones that I have done related to my favorite beauty buys, I think the holidays are the time to really step up and add a unique flare to your makeup look and there are always wonderful limited edition products on the market around the holidays. Personally, I would love to receive any of these as a gift, and think any beauty obsessed girl would too!

Gift Guide #2: Style Obsessed

Do you have that person in your life whose style you seriously envy? Do you just end up going to them again and again for fashion advice and they always look chic, even in pajamas. Well, I thought I would create a gift guide for that style obsessed gal pal or loved one in your life. I have broken it down into splurge and budget sections, so I have choices for everyone!

The 4 Best Photo Editing Apps for Instagram

Here we go with another start to another week, can you believe Thanksgiving is next week!? I can't. Before you know it, it'll be December. I thought it would interesting to talk about the photo editing apps I use for my Instagram photos, because why not. These are the apps that are my favorites, and I even use some of them everyday for my posts.

Recent Beauty Buys

I needed a couple beauty bits to replenish my collection, but I was also feeling a little spendy this week so this is the inevitable result. This is a combination of both Sephora and Walgreens hauls. I would love to do another post in the future letting you know what I thought of each product almost like a review post if your interested. What has been your favorite beauty buy lately? Because I'm nosey and I want to know!

Nordstrom Sale Picks

This weekend Nordstrom is having a huge sale on many of it brands and the discounts are up to 40% off! You know I had to pick out my favorite items and put together my wish list for the sale. I hope you enjoy browsing as much as I did putting this together. All these items I could see working into my wardrobe because they are great staple pieces that will work for years to come. There are a lot of shoes, because I couldn't help myself, page after page I just kept seeing more and more that I liked. Let me know if you like any of these items and what you plan on buying during this crazy awesome sale in the comments below! 

Weekly Low Down

The first week of November has come and gone and it feels like Christmas is creeping closer and closer (even if it is inch by inch). So many people are talking about how their Christmas trees are already up and their holiday decorations are all set...IT'S NOT EVEN THANKSGIVING YET! This may be perceived as blasphemous coming out of the mouth of a blogger, but for me and my house, it just seems a little early. It appears like people are decorating earlier and earlier every year. Next thing you know the Halloween decorations are going to start bleeding into winter wonderland territory, but I digress. I don't want to get on a rant, because let's face it, the decorations are gorgeous, and it's an individual's choice when to put up their own decorations. This week there was a couple of things of note that I thought was worth mentioning, so let's crack into it!

Gift Guide #1: The best gifts for $25 and under

I decided to start the gift guides off with a more affordable option for those that may be on a budget or might be looking to be more fiscally responsible. All these items are either $25 or less, and I think they would be great gifts! As the holiday season goes on, I will continue to update all the gift guides, just in case things are sold out or if I find new things that I think you guys might like. If you have any items that you think should be on here or just any questions in general, please let me know in the comments below. I think these are all great budget options and I even found some brand names at affordable prices too!

Review of Xcaret Park in Cancun, Mexico

While in Mexico, my mom and I got to leave the resort and go to Tulum (you can find my blog post here) and Xcaret, a Mayan centered theme park. We ended up going to the part during the Day of the Dead holiday festivities and got to watch a special show that only occurs once a year on November 1st. We only ended up booking the excursion for a half day, so we arrived at the park around 3:30pm and were there until 9:40pm.

October Fashion Favorites

Chillier temps in New Hampshire this time of year compared to the upwards of 90 degree weather I experienced in Mexico made this past month's fashion favorites a jumble of two seasons. If you are going on vacation anytime soon or live in a warmer climate, some of these may suit you just fine. Even if you aren't it is always great to stock up for next year! Don't worry though, the majority of these are my fall fashion favorites and work well with the weather changes we are about to see!

How to Keep Going When You Feel Like You Hit a Dead End

Sometimes it can feel like your in a rut or like you don't know where to go from where you are at, but that's okay! I want to share a couple ways I think help me feel inspired and find a new route from the dead end (because in reality you can always just turn around or cut through..am I right!?).

Tulum: Mayan Ruins Photo Diary

This past Saturday I just returned back home from a trip to Mexico with my mom. The weather was so amazing the entire time, and we got to see some great things while we were there. One of my favorite parts of the trip had to be going into the city of Tulum and seeing the Mayan ruins. Growing up in New England I have seen my fair share of historical sites, but this was much different. Not only did I get to learn about and see the history of the Mayans at Tulum, I also got to experience a completely different culture in Mexico. 

October Beauty Favorites

I can't believe October is already over and Halloween has past, where has the time gone!? November is going to be one of my more exciting months because not only is it Thanksgiving, but the last day of the month is actually my birthday. I'm going to be a whole 27 years young! But before I get to carried away with what's to come, lets have a review of the beauty items I loved last month.

The Cold Weather Accessories You Need This Winter

Now that it is November, its a slippery slope before the weather starts getting colder and before you know it, its already Christmas! No, I don't think I'm getting carried away and here's why. Before I left for Mexico it was literally 35 degrees where I live! As in Fahrenheit people...a couple degrees lower and it would be snowing! So before we get buried in the snow and the weather shifts, now is the time to stock up on all your cold weather cozies!

Weekly Low Down

This week has been amazing to say the least. My mom and I have been in Mexico since last Saturday and we have gotten to experience so many new things and see some pretty cool places. I have so much travel content headed your way soon, so make sure you stay tuned or subscribe to my daily content either via Google+ or Bloglovin. I have had such a fun week that all I want to do is crash on the couch with a nice glass of red wine and watch all the holiday movies, who's with me? These are the things that I have been most excited about this week, what was the highlight of your week?

Loft Halloween Sale

I can't believe the October is already over, where has the time gone? One of my favorite stores is doing a crazy deal right now for $50 off of $100! The Loft has always had stylish pieces that I feel like I can incorporate into my wardrobe rather easy. They offer a balance between quality and fast fashion which is the reason why it makes it one of my favorite places to shop. For this reason, I thought I would do a post on my top picks for the special holiday sale. Using the code: MYSTERY50, you can get $50 off $100 until 11/01! So hurry up, because this deal won't last for long, and this is a great deal. Like go now! I won't judge. Click on some of my favorites if you like them to, to check them out!

6 Fashion Travel Essentials

One of my favorite things to do is travel and see new places, as I write this right now I am in Mexico. It's the worst when you get to your destination and realized you don't have everything that you need. I always have that lingering feeling that I'm leaving something behind, and almost alway there is something that I didn't bring that I could have used. Let's be real, it sucks when you forget something, and for that reason, I thought I would share with you the 6 items I have appreciated bringing with me to Mexico.

My College Journey

Let's start this story with the fact that yes, it did take 8 years for me to get my Bachelors degree, and no it wasn't part time. With that being said I did change my mind about what I wanted to do a couple times. In order for this to make sense, lets travel back to a time around 8 years ago when I was graduating high school. It was the time of Rhianna ad Eminem collabs, Simon Cowell leaving American Idol (Do people still watch that show?), and the Angry Bird boom. Okay are you there with me? If you need to take a second to refresh your memory its okay, click here for a flashback (let's talk about how I realized the people in the video are Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox...)! Okay, now that we are on the same page, lets crack into it shall we.

In Flight Essentials

Have you ever made a Sephora order and stocked up on the free samples and minis only to wonder what the heck you would use them for? Well look no further, these are the perfect size to bring on a plane with you and and are great because they are one use then you can get rid of them (and they're free so why not right!?).

J.Crew Sale Picks

Sound the alarms, J. Crew is having a sale on everything and it ranges from 25% to 40% off!! If you use the promo code BRRR, you can get a discount on everything. So, I decided to pick out a couple of my favorites from their website before the sale disappears.

Weekly Low Down

While your reading this, if your reading it when its posted, I will either be in the air on the way to Mexico or in Mexico, cue the excited roar. This week has had a couple things that I was beyond ecstatic about and I can't wait to share the highlights. I think this type of post will become a regular thing after October if I continue with daily blogging. I really enjoy creating content everyday and never thought I would be able to do it! The month is almost over, I started on the 3rd, and I haven't missed a day yet!

Ways to Style The Animal Print Trend

The animal print trend is in full force right now and happens to be one of my favorite fall 2018 trends. The prints I have been obsessing over are snake and leopard. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll probably have seen all the outfits I have been putting together lately and are keen on my slightly over the top obsession. I thought I would dedicate a post to the trend because a lot of people have asked me where the items I purchased are from.

Sephora Beauty Insider Event Picks

I got very excited when I looked in the mailbox the other day, because I found an envelope from Sephora meaning only one thing, a beauty insider event is happening! Sephora is holding their Beauty Insider Event this weekend and they are calling it Holiday Bonus. It starts Friday October 26th-29th (for VIB ROUGE) and resumes November 2nd-5th. For VIB members the sales starts November 9th and goes through the 12th. For Beauty Insiders, the sale starts November 16th and ends November 19th, however they only get 15% off.

The 3 Things Your Doing That Can Ruin Your Day

Have you ever woken up and taken on a couple tasks but already considered it to be a bad day? There are some pretty common things that people do that can set them up for a positive day or cluttered day. These are things that I have found to be true to me and my life. They might not true to everyone, but I thought I would share them just in case they are and you were looking for ways to improve your day.

Shop My Instagram

I have so many new outfits posted to my Instagram feed so I thought I could dedicate today's blog post to my Instagram and how you can get the same outfit or at least a similar look. I have been obsessed with sweaters and destroyed denim but I'm also all about how to be as comfy as possible.
With fall weather in full swing and winter on the way I'm also adding layers as the temperatures get colder. I hope you enjoy this post and let me know in the comments below what outfit was your favorite.

My Pamper Routine Essentials

Taking a moment for yourself every once in a while is key not only to feeling comfortable in your skin but being happy in your everyday life. I find sometimes it takes a day dedicated to myself to snap me back to reality and make me ready to take on life. I always feel better when I'm comfortable and refreshed, and I have a couple hacks to get me there quick but also items to incorporate into a whole day of pampering!

The Coats You Need This Fall and Winter

I happened to do a post a couple days ago on my 5 favorite styles of boots this fall (you can read it by clicking here), and you guys really seemed to like it so I decided to do a similar post but for coats and jackets. The temperature is dropping and we are starting to see cooler weather where I live, so I feel like this post is perfect timing! Now is a better time than any to buy a fall and winter coat so you are prepared for cooler weather, and you'll get your pick of the newest outerwear on the market.

Let Curiosity Lead Adventure

Have you ever felt like you wanted to do something adventurous, but soon after thought of reasons and excuses as to why it wouldn't work? What about being curious of something, but feeling bogged down by your perceptions of how others will react? Curiosity is what allows you to learn and grow as a person, and you should never allow anyone else to extinguish your curiosity or sense of adventure. In a sense, I think this is why childhood is so idealized in our culture, children are willing to be curious and adventurous without the fear of others' perceptions.

Everyday Fall Makeup Look

This week I got my Sephora order and I was so inspired to experiment and play around with my new makeup and the items I have had in my collection for a while now. I was really looking forward to using the new Anastasia of Beverly Hill's Sultry Palette and finding new looks that incorporated that into my day to day routine. I love the finished look and think that this palette will be a wonderful addition to my daily makeup routine. This makeup look was achieved with 10 different items, all of which I really enjoy using and can't wait to tell you about.

5 Styles of Boots You Need This Fall

The weather is getting cooler outside, the sandals are getting packed away, and the boots and booties are starting to come out of our closets. If your looking to purchase new boots this season there are so many great options and trends to choose from. There are many styles of boots on the market right now but there are 5 styles that I think everyone should have in their closet for fall and winter.

My 5 Favorite Netflix Shows

I have recently found a whole new love and appreciation for Netflix and all the amazing shows it has on offer. Nothing is better than a rainy day on the weekend, a nice big bowl of popcorn, and a Netflix marathon while kicking your feet up and cuddling up. I have loved so many shows in the past and this list doesn't include all the ones I have seen, but these are the ones that I have watched recently for the first time or again for the second time.