Tag: 11…

11..., Lifestyle, Style

11… Holiday Outfits

RaeAnna

Happy Holiday Season and 11… 

I’m behind because the internet has sucked EVERYWHERE!!! I’ve also been disinclined to work. So here are 11… Holiday Outfits I Love. I wore them all this year. They’re cute and festive. 

1. Holly Jolly Pajamas
Okay… This Holly Jolly sweatshirt isn’t technically pajamas, but I love it! It looks so cute with the candy cane striped flannel shorts. Beau loves her jammies. And my socks kept me warm!

DSC_0070

2. Green Turtleneck Sweater Dress & Red Flannel
I love comfy yet festive. I do live in my pajamas, so sweater dresses feel like an extension of that. This cute green turtleneck sweater dress is amazing. I love tying a red flannel shirt at my waist. Over the knee black boots keep my legs warm, and a chunky hat keeps me cute and cozy. A sparkly touch is a cute pear shaped sapphire necklace and earrings.

wp-1577775213445.jpg

3. Vintage Burgundy Off-the-Shoulder Dress
I love this dress!!! It’s so cute and vintage. I’m always shocked when defined waist dresses actually fit me because I’m so tall. The green art deco earrings are gorgeous. Paired with silver heels and a rose gold watch, it’s perfectly simple yet classic and classy.

DSC_0177

4. Casual Green on Green
I am super obsessed with casual jersey dresses, flannel shirts, over the knee boots, and chunky knit hats. Obviously I combined them into a Christmas picture!

DSC_0093

Shop the Post [so far]
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3866861″]

5. Sparkly Candy Cane Dress
I LOVE THIS DRESS!!! Who doesn’t want a ridiculously sparkly candy cane dress for Christmas? Pair it with rose gold sparkle shoes to be extra disco bally. I love my new black glasses. A cute velvet bow and dangly earrings make it perfect.

20191215_185131

6. Backless Velvet Bodysuit & Taffeta Skirt
This was one of my favorite Christmas outfits last year. The burgundy velvet bodysuit is backless with black trim and it’s amazingly Christmassy!!! I also love the green taffeta skirt. Nude heels let the outfit shine. Pair with a cute rose gold watch.

wp-1577774611612.jpg

7. Cozy Statement Outfit
I love this outfit. It’s festive without being blaringly Christmas or New Year’s Evy. This purple satin skirt is so cute and comfy. I love pairing it with a chunky over sized sweater. Sparkly bootie heels are the perfect glam factor. My black glasses are nerd chic. An understated pink scarf and cute snowflake earrings tie it all together.

wp-1577774886701

8. Classic White
This is probably my favorite outfit ever. This white and black skirt is perfect, and it’s amazing to twirl in. I paired it with a simple white turtleneck. To make it festive and pop, red high heels.

wp-1577775257119

Shop the Post [continued…]
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3866863″]

9. Vintage Green Dress
This is such a fun green, 50s style dress. It’s simple and comfortable. Paired with red high heels it’s very festive. Blue pear shaped earrings and necklace with a rose gold watch is elegant and cute.

wp-1577775242583

10. Buffalo Plaid
Buffalo plaid flannel shirts are so wintery. I love tying it at the waist with a black jersey dress. Over the knee boots and my smart watch make it a casual look for the winter season, while still being comfy and warm.

wp-1577775288241

11. Blue Tartan Wool Skirt
Wool skirts might be old fashioned, but they’re beautiful. I love this blue tartan wool skirt; it has pockets!!! A cute blue shirt, silver high heels, basic white earrings, and a silver watch make it wintery and festive without loud and obnoxious.

wp-1577775324995

Shop the Post […and done]
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3866864″]

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

11..., Lifestyle

11… Christmas Songs I Can’t Live Without

RaeAnna

 

DSC_0140
Getting into the Christmas spirit with my playlist! | Hair Bow | Sweater | Pajamas | Reindeer  Slipper| Starbucks Mug  | Christmas Tree |

I love music, and nothing gets me into the holiday spirit like some great Christmas songs. My Spotify Christmas channel has been on repeat since November 1; I’m not ashamed of it! I’m picky about my music. Some remakes are better than the original, but there are a few originals you just can’t beat. The list could go on and on, honestly, but these are my absolute favorites!!!

    1. Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt
    2. Carol of the Bells 
    3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan 
    4. Sleigh Ride by Carpenters
    5. Peace On Earth/The Little Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby and David Bowie
    6. Happy Holidays by Andy Williams
    7. Man With The Bag by Jessi J
    8. O Holy Night
    9. Last Christmas by Wham!
    10. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
    11. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayle Peevey

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3855765″]

11..., Lifestyle

11… Reasons I Starbucks

RaeAnna
DSC_0017
Who doesn’t love a red Starbucks cup??? | Here Comes Santa Claus shirt | Norwegian Pattern Pants | Christmas Tree | Red Blanket |
DSC_0027
Even Beau wants in on the action!!! | Santa Claus shirt | Norwegian Pattern Pants | Christmas Tree | Red Blanket |

Sometimes I’m real basic. I like to support local coffee shops as much as possible, but you know, Starbucks calls. And it’s hard to pass up a photo opportunity with their cute Christmas/holiday cups!

  1. My best friend, Alex, worked at Starbucks in college. He would always wake me up in the morning with a caramel apple spice or something else delicious he made up for me. It’s hard not to love free! When I miss him, I still head to Starbucks for a caramel apple spice.
  2. They are everywhere, and you always know what you’re getting. As a traveler, Starbucks is nice because it feels familiar on the other side of the world or in an airport.
  3. Rewards programs get me every time. Alex made me get a reward program almost nine years ago. I’ve been a gold member every since. I get tons of free coffee, and now that they updated the program, I can buy merchandise with my stars!!! (My wallet was stolen four years ago, and I’m still pissed my gold card was stolen. So much ANGER.)
  4. I have one 137 steps from my front door. A gate opens up from my apartment complex into a Starbucks parking lot. Convenience is sometimes key. It’s hard to compete with a minute away. I’m doing a service to the earth by not using gas, bringing my own cup, and taking my dog for a walk.
  5. Puppuccinos are Beau’s favorite thing. She will get mad and sassy if I come home with a Starbucks cup or a green straw and no puppuccino for her. Yes she can tell the difference. I have checked.
  6. I like being able to scan my phone and pay with the app. It’s convenient. I can grab a coffee while out on a walk with Beau even though I leave my wallet. I’m responsible, so this never happens, except all the time. 
  7. I can send Starbucks gift cards to my best friend as a treat, when she has something to celebrate, or she’s having a lousy day through the app. It’s easy to make a small gesture. Or for a last minute birthday/Christmas/whatever present if you forget.
  8. They treat their employees well. Alex loved his time at Starbucks, and we’re still friends with lots of his coworkers. Some still work there because it’s a good job. I like supporting businesses which treat their employees well.
  9. Christmas cups are selling point for me. I love the holiday season. I’m not religious, but Christmas is my jam. They get behind it with their red cups and holiday merchandise. Yay!!!
  10. No matter where you are in the world, you know what you’re going to get. Starbucks makes sure everything is cohesive. A vanilla latte will taste the same in Iowa as it does in London or Munich. I know because I have product tested in those locations.
  11. They’re nice. Starbucks takes customer experience seriously. I have met some of the nicest people behind their counters. No snarky baristas there. Or if they’re snarky, it’s because they’re being funny and playing off my snarkiness.

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

I’m also including a bunch of Christmas pajamas that I love and wear
this time of year… and all year round because I’m weird.
Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3838405″]

11..., Lifestyle

11 Reasons A Florist Friend is the Best Kind of Friend

RaeAnna
20191118_083325-01
Vase | Desk | Mug | Laptop
20191118_083044-01
Vase | Side Table

I actually met and fell in platonic love with my Houston bestie because of Instagram. She’s a local florist and reached out to me about a collaboration. Over a year ago, Amanda walked into my living room with an arm full of flowers, told me we should be friends, and now, she can’t get rid of me. There are a few perks to having a florist for a bestie…. There are more than a few perks, but here are eleven I can think of. 

By the way, she’s Amanda owner and creative genius behind Amanda Bee’s Floral Design. Click here to find her website. Or give her a follow on Instagram or Twitter or Pinterest or Facebook too. She’s the best. I’m not just saying that because I’m staring at a gorgeous and underpriced bouquet; she really is completely talented. 

20191118_083136-01
Vase | Side Table
  1. Flowers For some odd reason, florists have flowers lying around, and Amanda’s house smells like a greenhouse on steroids. 
  2. Creativity To be a floral designer takes a lot of creativity. It’s such an interesting perspective, and she brings it into every part of her life and now mine. 
  3. Knowledge I like to know things. Plants and flowers are everywhere, and I don’t know very much about them. I can always text Amanda a picture of a plant or flower, and she’ll have the answer. It’s like having my own personal plant dictionary at my disposal.
  4. Wholesale If you’ve never been to a wholesale flowers, you should. It’s magical.
  5. Dirty People think florists are soft and fragile, but they’re willing to get their hands dirty. Taking care of flowers, making them pretty, dethorning them, and all that crap is hard work, and it’s dirty. Amanda is never afraid to get her hands dirty and get to work doing stuff.
  6. Beauty Flowers are dirty and a pain, but they’re pretty. Amanda always brings small and beautiful elements to just about everything in her life.
  7. Teacher Amanda is full of knowledge, and she’s always teaching me new things, like how to know if a flower is healthy, when to dry them, pressing techniques, and so much more. 
  8. Flowers Sometimes when there are leftovers, I get some fun flowers. It’s a solid perk. I also get a genius arranging flowers I buy because I am genuinely not good at creating interesting arrangements. 
  9. Firm I always functioned under the idea: flowers are fragile. They are, but they’re not. You can use a firm hand to get them to do what you want them to do sometimes. 
  10. Ingenuity I’m not saying she forages, but I’m not saying she doesn’t. Floral design isn’t just flowers; it’s about creating beautiful floral arrangements for spaces and people. Branches and fruit and feathers and more can go into arrangements to create depth, movement, and texture. Watching a truly creative designer do what they’re good at is fascinating.
  11. Flowers Have a mentioned being surrounded by flowers and a literal flower girl is just plain good for the soul?

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3805170″]

 

 

 

Books, Reading Lists

11 Books to Read This Christmas

RaeAnna
20191112_022226-01.jpeg
Beau agrees, she can’t believe it’s Christmas already!!! | A Christmas Treasury | Christmas Dog Mug

Hi. Halloween has come and gone, which means it’s the best season of all. Christmas. I’ve been listening to Christmas music for eleven days now. Last year, I read a bunch of Christmas books in three weeks. I started earlier this year, but I have more to read. I haven’t posted any seasonal book reviews yet because I know not everyone is as Christmabsessed as I am. Anyways, here are eleven books you can and should read during the happiest time of year. 

  1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (classic, duh)
  2. The Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas (not the ballet)
  3. The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn
  4. The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
  5. Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
  6. Letter from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
  7. Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire
  8. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
  9. Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella 
  10. Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
  11. How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn

Some of these I’ve read in previous years. Some I have read this year, and there are a few I haven’t read yet, but they’re waiting for me on my shelf to read in front of the tree!!!

11..., Lifestyle

11 Reasons I Can’t Give You Autumnal Vibes on Instagram

RaeAnna
201910065236941932191214024
Having a gourd time at Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Texas. | Skirt | Bralette | Blanket |

20191006_230436-01

20191006_230520-01.jpeg

201910064488492943135096302

These photos were taken at Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Texas, where there were lots and lots of cute pumpkins, so I took some pumpkin pictures.

20191006_230803-01.jpg

 

I love autumn. It’s my favorite season. Pumpkin spice isn’t my jam, but apple cider sure is. After moving to Houston, fall is one of the things I miss about my Northern life. Fall here in humid Houston regularly visits the 90s. Yay.

  1. I keep it real. My Instagram is a reflection of my real life, and my real life takes place in Houston. Instagrammable fall doesn’t exist here, so unless I’m traveling, I would be lying to you if I posted all the autumnal vibes.
  2. Beach photos almost never end up looking anything but warm and tropical. 
  3. Other Houston bloggers, mostly of the fashion variety, are posting fall outfit inspo pictures, and I feel like I’m going to die for them. It’s hot. I’m not putting on a sweater for a picture. Nope. 
  4. Changing of the leaves is beautiful, but non-existent here. If I find myself somewhere it’s occurring, you’ll see it. Until then, you’re gonna see skirts, green grass, tank tops, pools, and bright blue skies. 
  5. I hate pumpkin spice. I took a taste of the Starbucks drink when they first came out with it or I first became aware of it, and I hate it. 
  6. Pumpkins are amazing. I have nothing against them; other than the spice capitalism and consumers have forced upon it. The pie is delicious. Roasted, soup, puree, and stuffed is all up my alley. I just don’t post them because everyone else is, and I’m here to be different. 
  7. Mood often sways the way my pictures turn out, and it’s hard to be in the autumnal, sweater, scarf, and cozy socks kinda mood when it’s 90 degrees and as humid as Satan’s crotch after hot yoga.  
  8. Houston winter feels like a casual fall to me, and it doesn’t come until after the new year, so you’ll see cozy from me for three weeks in mid-January or February, then it’s back to your regularly scheduled shorts and tees. 
  9. Being uncomfortable in a sweater or scarf in Texas is not worth a cute picture. I’ll do a lot for pretty photos but not that. 
  10. Houston
  11. Houston

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3751798″]

201910035288169907637988.jpg
Shirt | Bralette | Skirt | Shoes | Sunglasses | Watch | Blanket