Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve! I will be taking the rest of the week off from posting to celebrate Christmas with my family, but I just wanted to wish all of you — my beautiful readers and friends — a very merry Christmas and happy holidays. I hope you all have a chance to step back from the busyness of your lives to really enjoy the season and the people you are sharing it with.

See you back next week!
xo,
E

P.S. No, those aren't giant presents...it's just a mini tree ;)

P.P.S. Check out the rest of my holiday posts, if you're interested.

structured and sequined

boyfriend blazer / faded chambray / sequin shirt (old, similar here and here) / Express jeans (50% off through Christmas!) / Forever 21 boots (sold out, similar here and love these!) / NARS lipstick in "Scarlet Empress" / Baublebar button-up ring / similar silver watch

There's still a little time left in the Season of Sparkles (aka the holidays), which means all things sequins, shiny and shimmery! I've really been getting into the sparkle this year, buying sweaters and shirts with hints of glitter and wearing sequined tops like this one. For this outfit, I wanted to add a girly touch to a classic menswear look, which is a style I'm currently loving.

The boyfriend blazer, chambray and pointed toe boots add a masculine touch to the outfit, while the pink sequin top adds a festive and feminine element that's absolutely perfect for the holidays. This outfit is fun but still low-key enough to wear to the office. Just throw on a matching lipstick and you're ready to go!

Are you wearing all things that sparkle this season? What's your favorite way to add a little glitter to your outfit? 

P.S. What to wear to holiday parties, faux-leather skater skirt and my fall uniform

best holiday movies

Happy Tuesday! First, let me start by saying sorry for the lack of posts last week. If you saw my Instagram, you might know that I was sick (again) and decided to take the whole week off to get some very necessary R&R. Thank goodness it paid off, because I did not want to be sick for Christmas! Now... back to the fun part.

The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of the year, and one of my favorite traditions is watching some of the cheesiest, most stereotyped Christmas movies ever made. I know — how original, right? ;)

You know the ones: girl bemoans spending the holiday season alone, perfect guy shows up out of nowhere, kisses her under the mistletoe and Santa’s magic ensues; the holidays are romantic and perfect after all!!! When it comes to Christmas movies, the cheesier the better. There are only 3 (!!) days left till Christmas, but there's still time to watch your favorite movies! Which is what I'd love to be doing every single day in December. Basically, if you need me in the next 72 hours, you can find me watching ABC Family and Hallmark. Here are the movies I’m most excited to watch:

Holiday in Handcuffs. A personal favorite and possibly the epitome of Christmas cheesiness.

The Mistle-Tones. A Christmas musical?!?! Obviously, yes please.

The Holiday. In the realm of beautiful yet unrealistic scenarios, this is one of my favorites.

Snowglobe. A whole Christmas town that lives in a snow globe — ‘nuf said.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This one is less cheesy and more rite-of-passage, but it’s a classic that should be watched every year. (The Jim Carrey version, not the cartoon)

Holidaze. If it’s got Jennie Garth, it’s got to be good.

Snow Bride. What would Christmas be without a good lie to start a relationship?

A Royal Christmas. Spending the holidays in a castle, because it’s normal.

A Bride for Christmas. Trying to get someone to marry you by Christmas? No problem.

Let It Snow. Really, anything with Candace Cameron Bure is a holiday must.

Side note: Have you seen Bill Murray's Christmas special, A Very Murray Christmas, on Netflix? Adam and I watched it a couple weekends ago and it was... different. But highly enjoyable if you like weird, nonsensical things ;) 

P.S. my favorite holiday traditions and 7 things to do in Des Moines for the holidays

holiday traditions

The holiday season has always felt like a magical time to me. Maybe it’s because I’ve watched one (or 20) too many cheesy Christmas love stories on Hallmark, but I just love the sense of excitement and hopefulness that surrounds this time of the year. Seeing holiday lights on the houses and giant Christmas trees set up in the mall, people bundled up in scarfs and hats and powdery snow falling at night… Okay, so this description is about 1000 times more Hallmark movie than Iowa reality (especially since it hasn't snowed in weeks here!), but you get my point, right? The holiday season is beautiful.

delicious (and easy) holiday cookies

Since I was visiting my brothers in Ohio last weekend and seeing the new house they bought for the first time, I decided to do something I rarely ever do and bake some cookies. I know — revolutionary.

I found a recipe for 3-ingredient butter cookies on A Cup of Jo a while back and have been wanting to try them, and since I already had two out of the three ingredients in my kitchen, I decided to give it a shot. The recipe was straightforward and very simple; the only hard part was stirring in the flour using a spatula and my extremely weak arm ;)

I wasn’t sure how I’d like the taste of them since it’s just butter, sugar and flour, but they were rich with just the right amount of sweetness. The only downside? The recipe only made about 20 cookies… So if you’re planning to make these for a holiday party (which I definitely am!), I would recommend doubling or tripling the recipe (they're also bite size). You can have fun adding garnishes for different tastes and looks. I used mint-chocolate chips on my first batch.

Have you made butter cookies before? What are your favorite toppings to garnish them?

P.S. My grandma's apple pie recipe and 7 holiday-themed things to do in Des Moines

7 things to do for the holidays in Des Moines

It’s easy to get lost in all the holiday prep this time of year, and sometimes we forget to actually celebrate. We’re too busy shopping for presents, decorating the house, etc. to take a minute and remember that there is still fun to be had before Christmas hits. Anyone feel me on this? Well, this year I found some fun holiday-themed activities to do before Santa gets here! Some are family-friendly, and some are for the more booze-enthused ;) Whatever you're looking for, here are 7 holiday-themed events and activities to add to your calendar this year:

what to wear to holiday parties

top row: black mesh sequin dress / metallic floral dress / sequin slip dress / red skater dress

bottom row: white bodycon dress / sequin shift dress / black maxi dress / red lace dress / blue sequin dress / high neck glitter bodycon dress / green plunge neckline dress

The holidays are upon us (finally!) and that often means a full calendar of parties, events and get-togethers. My favorite parties are the ones that require guests to get all dolled up — and who doesn’t love to rock sequins on New Year’s Eve?! I’ve only got a couple parties on my calendar so far, but that won’t stop me from buying at least one new dress! I’m sure many of you are also looking for a dress or two for holiday work parties or maybe even family gatherings, which is why I rounded up some of my favorite styles from stores like Nordstrom, Asos, Tobi and Express. 

Are you dressing up for any holiday parties this year? Which dress is your favorite? I think mine has to be... a tie between the black maxi and the metallic green dresses!

P.S. A gift guide for her, one for him and a wish list for me ;)

all I want for Christmas...

pajama shirt / black crystal ring set / Essie nail polish in "Ignite the Night" / Too Faced Melted Lipstick in "Rosy Orchid" / Kate Spade iPhone 6 case / NARS satin lip pencil in "Palais Royal" / silver bar ring / "The Grand Budapest Hotel" / Y-chain necklace / gold bar earrings / BCBG glitter pumps / Too Faced lipstick in "Naked Dolly" / chain cuff / volcano candle / bralette

I love making gift guides, so naturally I had to continue this year's series with a little wish list of my own ;) And of course my Christmas list would have three types of lipsticks on it...is anyone surprised? Even though there are many things I could add to my list for my kitchen or apartment in general, I still believe that presents are a time for giving things that people want as opposed to what they need. Most people will buy needs before wants, so I think it's nice to surprise them with gifts they might not go out an buy for themselves. Aka, this fun pajama shirt, glitter pumps and a fun movie that I love.

What's on your wish list this Christmas? Are you asking for more "wants" or "needs" this year? 

P.S. Last year's wish list, a gift guide for her and a gift guide for him

tips for your first holiday with your SO’s family

I think most people can agree that meeting the parents is a little stressful. I’ve always dreaded it, even though I’ve never had a particularly bad experience. It just makes me nervous and a little uncomfortable — basically the same as meeting anyone new when you’re an introvert, ha! But seriously, meeting the parents can be intimidating, especially if it’s during the holidays, which is typical for new couples. If you’re planning to meet your S.O.’s parents during the holidays this year, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

gift guide: for her

wine stopper and cork screw set / Kate Spade ring dish / travel perfume / pyramid studs / candle / sleep mask / Layla headphones / coffee mug / geometric picture frame / ring holder / gold speckled coasters / passport holder 

Another gift guide is here, and this one is for the ladies! I've gathered up some of my favorite gift ideas for sisters, best friends, moms, boyfriend's girlfriends and all the other women you know! I found a lot of goodies this year, but I think my favorite is definitely the the Kate Spade wine stopper and cork screw! How adorable, right?

I also love the passport holder, perfect for the girl on the go. It's also customizable, which is great if you're looking to add a personal touch! And of course, you can't go wrong with a cute coffee mug or the perfect dish and organizer to display your favorite baubles.

What's on your Christmas wish list this year? 

P.S. the perfect gift guide for him

gift guide: for him

bottle opener / cologne / monochrome playing cards / phone charger / Nomad candle / football stein / cocktail shaker / Beats headphones / NYT "Book of Cocktails" / shave set / Nixon black watch / underwear 

It's that time of year again... the gift guides are out! I love picking out gifts, and this year I found a bunch of great stuff for all the men in your life. For the fashion-forward, the cocktail lovers and the techies, I've rounded up some of my favorite items in every price range. Picking out the perfect gift can be stressful, so I tried to find things that could appeal to most guys — every guy needs a watch and underwear, right?

What is your method for picking out the perfect gift? 

P.S. Last year's gift guide for him and for her

Thanksgiving-inspired table settings

I’ve never really had the desire to host my own Thanksgiving, but now that I’m starting to be a grownup — you know, living in my own place, setting budgets and baking pies and whatnot — I suddenly have the urge to play hostess. It’s not in the cards for this year, though, as I’m usually too busy to even remember to buy groceries once a week so preparing a whole meal just isn’t going to happen. But hopefully by next year I can start to think about at least throwing a Friendsgiving, which would be so fun.

Grandma's homemade apple pie

Last weekend, I spent my Saturday learning how to make my favorite thing in the world: my grandma's homemade apple pie. Let me just start out by saying, my grandma makes THE BEST apple pie in the entire world. At 84 years old, she's had a lot of time to perfect the recipe. But the funny part? She doesn't actually have a recipe. Which is what I learned when I asked her to teach me how to make it.

Fourth of July style

red drop earrings / rope necklace / red bikini top and bottom 

straw hat / blue espadrilles 

blue strapless dress / red halter dress (40% off!) / white embroidered dress

There are so many fun ways to dress up for the Fourth of July — whether you're spending the day on the lake or throwing a party or having a picnic, you can create something fun for any scenario. The truly fun part is playing with colors: you can use one color on its own or accessorize with two of them or use all three! The options for Independence Day style really are endless.

For me, I tend to go the more casual route on July 4th, so I really love these striped espadrilles and the rope necklace. They have a fun nautical look that would be perfect for the boat or a picnic, and for fireworks later, of course! As for the dresses, the white embroidered option would be adorable for the holiday, but it's also neutral enough to transition to regular day-to-day wear.

What do you like to wear for the Fourth of July?

P.S. chic sandals, summer tote bags and swimsuits for every budget

Valentine's Day outfit ideas

1. Black dress (Express) 2. Love me some purse (Forever 21) 3. Leopard pumps (asos) 4. Crossed arrows necklace (Forever 21) 5. Floral dress (Express) 6. Lip pencil (NARS) 7. Candle (Forever 21) 8. Nightie (aerie) 9. Bralette (aerie) 10. Varsity sweater (aerie) 11. Heart socks (Express) 12. Boxers (aerie)

After being sick on the couch for most of last week, I'm finally getting my energy back and feeling more like myself. Just in time for Valentine's Day! And after two trips to the mall this weekend with Adam, I feel like buying myself a little something in honor of the holiday — and all the new season's clothes in stores now ;)

Maybe it's just me, but I think Valentine's Day calls for a little self-indulgence. We tend to focus so much on the couples part of it and forget that we deserve a little splurge for the occasion, too. That's why I decided to pick out some of my favorites for both going out and staying in, because both options call for celebration, am I right?

Whether you're going out for a special date, spending the night in with your S.O., or hanging out with your girls — take advantage of the holiday and treat yourself to something fun! Like a gorgeous pair of heels or some fun new PJs. These are my favorite picks for whichever way you choose to celebrate this year. I'm really loving these dresses from Express, but I'll be wearing something more along the lines of those socks and that varsity sweater while Adam and I stay in, cook dinner and watch movies together.

Do you like to dress up special for Valentine's Day, or are you not so interested in all the hearts and red everything? I'd love to hear...

Related: Non-cheesy Valentine's Day gift ideas

Non-cheesy Valentine's Day gift ideas

My parents always used to surprise my siblings and me with little gifts for Valentine's Day when we were growing up. It could have been candy, a shirt or a charm for my favorite charm bracelet — I never knew what I was going to get, but I always loved it. Even though most people I knew at the time didn't celebrate Valentine's Day with presents, I always loved the idea of giving gifts for the special day.

Maybe you're celebrating with your sweetheart, or maybe you want to get a little something for your best friend this Valentine's Day. Either way, if you want to buy a gift and you're not sure what to get, here are my top picks. For the sweet, chic, sarcastic and all-around awesome people in your life.

1. Leather watch (Nordstrom). This monochrome watch looks so sleek and cool. I know it's a man's watch, but I kind of want it for myself...

2. Greeting card (Forever 21). If you're not about spending a lot of money on Valentine's Day, a sweet little card like this one is a great way to show you care without breaking the bank. Or, if you're creative, a handmade card is even sweeter.

3. Travel bag (Owen and Fred). This travel bag is a constant reminder for your guy that you're thinking of him. Cute and functional — it's a win-win.

4. Copper Mug (Nordstrom). Even if you don't like Moscow Mules, these copper cups are the perfect addition to any kitchen/bar/bachelor pad.

5. Tote bag (Forever 21). One can never have too many cheeky totes, am I right?

6. Lipstick set (Sephora). This NARS lip pencil set is perfect for the lipstick-lover who likes trying new colors but doesn't want to commit to the full-price, full-size versions.

7. Monogram necklace (Urban Outfitters). A personalized gift like this one is perfect for Valentine's Day.

Will you be giving any Valentine's gifts this year? Do you usually, or do you have other traditions?

Related: Gift ideas for him and for her

Goals, resolutions, intentions

Welcome back, lovelies! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and hopefully a nice little (or big!) vacation. For my first post of 2015, I decided to go a little traditional and focus on new year's resolutions.

Each year I decide on one typical resolution for the new year. And each year, I forget it sometime around March. Sound familiar?

Instead of choosing one big thing to focus on, I wrote this list of more general things that I can work on every day, little by little. I think I'll have more success with more inspirational goals than just the single rule I usually set for myself.

So these nine things are what I'm aiming for this year, to make myself a better, happier and healthier person.

What are all of you striving to accomplish in 2015? How do you decide on your new year's resolutions?

Related: Have you seen Marilyn Monroe's new year's resolutions from 1955?

Have a very merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Week! Somehow it seems like Christmas has taken forever and sneaked up on me, all at once. I'm so happy to have a couple weeks off work to spend time with my family and enjoy the holidays, but I'm definitely keeping busy.

I (finally) finished up the rest of my Christmas shopping yesterday and then made the drive back to my dad's house with one of my brothers. After visiting grandparents on both sides, I'm so full of yummy treats and rich foods that I won't even be hungry for Christmas dinner. Well, maybe... ;)

With my time off from work (and school!), I'm hoping to read a couple books, get my nails done, finally start listening to the apparently amazing Serial podcast, and of course, work on some wonderful new blog posts for 2015.

Starting this blog has been so fun for me (and hopefully for all of you!), and I have high hopes for its development in the next year. So stay tuned for some great new content, and here's a look back at misc•eleni•ous throughout its first four months.

Where do you spend the holidays?

If you could have Christmas anywhere — where would you go?

I saw this article by Travel + Leisure magazine on the best places to spend Christmas, and it got me thinking about where I'd like to spend the holidays in the future. I've only ever been in Iowa for Christmas and New Year's, but I think I'd love to visit a new place and see how it's different from here — maybe a warmer climate without snow? (Side note: I love the way Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell have ornaments floating in the pool in their amazing Christmas commercial.)

Here's my top picks of places I'd love to spend the holidays some day:

1. New York. The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve... it seems pretty fabulous, despite the masses of people and tourists. (And there is so much to do!)

2. California. I've only ever had a white Christmas, and don't get me wrong — I love snow on Christmas. But I think it would be fun to experience a green winter for a change.

3. Munich. That 100-foot Christmas tree sounds like something I want to see, for sure.

4. France. It's France — need I say more?

Where are you spending the holidays this year? Do you have a favorite place?

Related: My wish list, the perfect Christmas playlist and holiday dresses.

(Photo via the Daily Mail)

Christmas cookies and a sweet surprise

Adam's mom surprised us with a package of Eleni's Cookies from New York last week, and I can't tell you how excited (I think giddy would probably be a more appropriate word) I was when I opened the box and saw my name all over the packaging.

You know how all the kids had rulers and pencils with their names on them in second grade? Well, my name Eleni, and doesn't get printed on rulers. So you can probably understand how exciting it was to see my name all over a bunch of cookies.