Best of 2013.....Fail.

met & mingled with some amazing bloggers at an xmas partay // stayed warm drinking hot cocoa out of my camera lens mug // got some prezzies professionally wrapped fo freeee // took some selfies in the car // took our annual temple lights pic with aimster // snuggled up to the hubs at temple lights // painted my nails all festive-like // went to another blogger xmas partay & had a blast // flew with ma boyz to seattle // found my new bff // took more selfies in the car // finally found an xmas tree after driving for 3 hours to every xmas tree farm & discovering they were all closed // got my dream taylor guitar from connor, i mean santa // had an amazing xmas day // spent quality time with familia // bought some foxes to keep my feet warm

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So I wanted to be cool like my fellow blogger buddies and make a "Best of 2013" post of some sort, but since I only started blogging in April of this year and I have no written recollection of what happened in my life before that (hence why one of my New Year's Resolution is to keep a journal), I didn't want to be lame and post a "Best of 2013, minus January, February, and March. ya know?

I'm also really lazy.

SO, I decided to do just a "Best of December" post like I usually do at the end of every month! :)

Previous "Best Of" posts

November
October
September

2013 has really been an awesome year. There were lots of smiles, laughs, decisions, stress, cuddles, celebrations, and tears. 2013 was a tough year, but also very rewarding.

I can't wait for what 2014 has in store for me, my marriage, and my blog!
See you next year ;)

Minxy says...

This is my friends' cat, Minxy.

Minxy says to go over to The DayLee Journal today because I am guest posting for Marsa while she is away in Japanland.

Minxy says thank you and have a great week.
meow.

Seattle Rain

Skirt: c/o Gypsy Threads
Shirt: H&M
Watch: c/o Arvo
Boots: Forever 21
Necklace: Wet Seal [similar]

Hello Seattle, I am a mountaineer

In the hills and highlands

Oh, Owl City.

How you fill me with memories of freshman year.

Gonna admit, I was bummed when it started raining while we were taking pictures, but the end results look amazing! The combination of light and rain give the photos such a rustic, vintage vibe. Don't you think? Seattle has been amazing. I just love how everything is fresh and green--I'd take rain over snow any day, to be honest. These pictures were actually taken in Connor's backyard. Yes. His backyard. This kid got to grow up playing tag in a fortress.
Lucky punk.

The skirt I am wearing for this look is from the adorable online shop, Gypsy Threads! Gypsy Threads is actually based in Seattle, so I thought it was pretty perfect that I was wearing their apparel in their hometown! I've been looking for a faux leather skirt for a long time, but all the ones I've found previously hardly covered my butt! This skirt from Gypsy Threads is the perfect length and it's so ridiculously comfortable! The fabric is stretchy so I don't feel constricted even though it's high waisted!

You should definitely check out Gypsy Threads for all your Stylista needs! They've got a great selection of unique vintage apparel that will spice up your wardrobe.

Hope everyone's Christmas was lovely!
Next up, New Year's Eve partayyyyyy time.
Gotta start workin on them resolutions.....

Blooper Reel

I've been wanting to do a blooper reel post for a while, so I figure right before 2013 comes to a close is the perfect time to reflect on the un-glamorous human side of the blogging world. 

Yes, we have our share of un-photogenic moments, believe it or not.

So here is my slice of never before seen pictures, featuring my awkward self--unedited and unfiltered.

I can't tell if this is a pout or duck face.

My sad attempt at a "candid-in-the-moment" shot.

The smile that Connor fell in love with.

Obviously I'm at a hoe down.

Grumpy cat?

Jump on it.

Long hair, don't care. Unless it gets all up in your face.

Baywatch, baby.

#lightingprobz.

Do I look sexy in these or what?

Love, The Hamiltons.

Merry Christmas!
From my little family to yours :)

Hope today is filled with lots of joy and cheer!

DIY Holiday Striped Nails

Woohoo!

Christmas is just around the corner! Are you ready?

Better question: Are your nails ready?

Haha, just kidding.

No, but really. Are they?

Because if they're not, I've got a fun tutorial today on how to make your nails all ready and glammed up for Christmas!

The tools that you'll need: tape, a base coat, red polish, gold polish, and a top coat.

1) After you file and clean your nails, paint on a layer of base coat (so you don't stain your nails red).

2) Paint yo nails red. I know, I'm HORRIBLE at coloring inside the lines...

3) Cut up thin slices of tape (size depending on how skinny or wide you want your stripes to be). Place the tape on top of your nails in the pattern that you want--MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NAILS ARE DRY BEFORE PLACING THE TAPE, or else the tape will peel the red polish right off.

4) Slather on some gold polish, making sure to cover every part that isn't protected by tape.

5) Wait for the gold polish to dry and SLOWLY peel off the tape. Clean up the edges of your nails and finish it off with a top coat!

Voila! 

Holiday Striped Nails, just in time for Christmas!

You're welcome.

Olive you

Coat: c/o Persun Mall

Boots: Forever 21

Jeans: Kendall & Kylie

Necklace: Wet Seal

Winter--or rather, cold weather--brings up a problem when it comes to fashion:

You put on a super cute outfit, but then you have to cover it all up with a coat so you don't freeze when you step out of the house. And if you're like me, you have that one, same old coat that you wear every day, so BASICALLY, it's like you're wearing the same outfit every day.

LAME!

Solution to this problem?

Fill your wardrobe with lots of cute, warm coats! (:

That way, you can switch it up a bit at least with your outerwear.

It's a bummer because coats are admittedly on the expensive side of clothes, but if you leave in an area where winter dominates 6 out of 12 months, trust me--it's a good investment.

If you're looking for a shop that has awesome, yet affordable merch, Persun Mall has a great selection of stylish coats to keep you warm this holiday season. My olive woolen coat is classy and cute, and it keeps the cold air out!  

B T Dubs, after I uploaded these pictures I realized how my hands are MIA in every shot.

twas cold, okay?

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We landed in Seattle a couple nights ago and I am sooooo enjoying just being able to RELAX every day so far. Winter break has officially begun! I'm looking forward to just hanging with the in-laws for the next couple weeks and celebrating Christmas with family. (:

En route to Seattle with ma boyz. We got to ride in a new Delta plane--did you know you're allowed to use your Personal Electronic Devices now below 10,000 feet??? Oh, and complimentary movies are back so I got to watch Despicable Me 2. Best flight ever!

Obviously, I was the only one excited to go get a Christmas tree...

I finally found what I want for Christmas! :)

Hope you are enjoying your holiday break!!!

that Kevin McCallister kid has got style.

Home Alone.

It's a movie we all know and love.

It's in my top 3 all-time favorite holiday movies (Elf and Arthur Christmas being the other two).

It's a movie I watch at least 5 times during December.

This year during my first viewing of the movie, something funny happened.

In the middle of the film, I turned to my husband and said, "I really want that beanie Kevin is wearing!" After I made that comment, I all of a sudden started noticing all the cute outfits Kevin was wearing. "That plaid shirt is so cute." "Awww, I want that sweater!"

"This 8-year-old kid has got some style!!!!"

It's funny because I have watched this movie over 30 times, but only now have I noticed the "fashion" in this movie. Being a fashion blogger has definitely had its effects on me...

My realization got me thinking of a really fun blog post idea: An outfit inspired by Kevin McCallister from the movie, Home Alone, as well as how to get Kevin's look. Yes folks, I was inspired by an 8-year-old Macaulay Culkin. I must be losing my mind. But I cannot deny the fact that I am extremely envious of his beanies and sweaters in the film.
So here we go.

Sweater: c/o Persun Mall
Beanie: Forever 21 [similar]
Jeans: Kendall & Kylie
Moccasins: J. Crew
Necklace: c/o Wild Butterfly Boutique

I love this sweater from Persun Mall! It's nice and fitted, yet still gives my body room to breathe. And who doesn't love some elbow patches? It's also the perfect bright color of red for the holiday season. My moccasins are possibly the most fluffiest, comfiest, cutest things I've ever worn on my feet. They're seriously the best. Check them out at J. Crew!

Funny story about the jeans I'm wearing:

I'm a Nosy Nora when it comes to celebrity gossip (I mean come on, don't tell me you don't occasionally check what scandal Miley Cyrus is involved with at the moment), so one day I decided to check up on the status of Kendall Jenner and Harry Styles "relationship" on my friend, Google. I was scrolling through the most recent pictures of them spotted together and noticed Kendall's jeans were sooooo cute in the photos! The thing I loved most about them was that instead up a zipper and button in the front, the zipper is on the side and the button is inside the jeans! Aka, no awkward, bulky section in the *ahem, crotch area. So anyway, I was at PacSun the other day and voila! Turns out the jeans she was wearing is from the Kendall & Kylie fashion line--and they were on SALE! I of course had to snag a pair of my own and oh my goodness, they are soooo comfortable! I luff them.

Okay, back to Home Alone:

Here are my some of my favorite pieces Kevin wore in the movie (I even added one from the sequel). Below, I put together some items you can purchase to get a similar look! The beanie that Kevin is wearing in the left pictures is the beanie that I really wanted so naturally, I am totally putting the similar one I found on my Christmas List. :)

I hope you liked my silly, yet totally serious Home Alone-inspired outfit post!
I had a lot of fun putting it together and was kind of stoked that I got to blog about one of my favorite movies. :)

What's your favorite holiday movie?
I need to build up my collection!

ps. I have some exciting news! I have been featured in two online magazines!
I did a fun New Year's Eve style guide for The Hunt in their NYE Glossi magazine. View that HERE!
I also was in an ad for Pure Impressions Jewelry in the 5th issue of Afterglow magazine! Yeahhh, I'm in the same magazine as Zoey Deutch and Francia Raisa. NBD. View that HERE on pg. 66!