I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Whether you’re stopping by the company Christmas party or planning for a dramatic entry at this year’s NYE celebration, there’s no reason to not be dressed for the nines. With holiday gifts crossed off the list (hopefully!) it’s time to settle on the perfect holiday party outfit.
From statement feathers to crop tops and fancy pants, the possibilities are endless for a chic holiday get-up. As you’ll see in the slideshow above, these six outfit ideas prove that there’s really no excuse to play it safe this year…even at your holiday office party!
Thanks to inspiration from some of our favorite trendsetters, we’ve found a few key statement pieces from J.Crew, Tibi, Elizabeth and James, Milly and more that will help us round out 2015 in style, but will also find a place in our wardrobes for years to come. And of course, if the holiday gifting list gets a bit long, we turn to Rent The Runway to score these high-end designer duds without a blow to the wallet. Click through the slideshow above to find six chic outfit ideas for your holiday party, along with links to get the look! Cheers, Kat
SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
PAIRED FESTIVE FLAIR
WHAT BETTER TIME THAN THE HOLIDAYS TO PAIR FUN AND FESTIVE FROCKS? IT IS, AFTER ALL, THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. THINK TULLE, CHIFFON, STRIPES AND BEADS...THE MORE THE MERRIER.
THIS KNOCKOUT DRESS IS WORTH FINDING AN EVENT TO WEAR IT TO, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR CALENDAR ONLY CONSISTS OF UGLY SWEATER PARTIES. MEG STUNS IN THIS EFFORTLESSLY ELEGANT LOOK, PERFECT FOR A FORMAL HOLIDAY PARTY.
FEATHERS ARE ALWAYS A FUN WAY TO SPICE UP AN OUTFIT, ESPECIALLY WITH BOWS AND SHIMMERING TWEED. JESSICA LOOKS BOTH CHIC AND COOL IN THIS HIGH-END TAKE ON THE CLASSIC LBD.
HERE, KAT PULLS TOGETHER A PERFECTLY POLISHED LOOK. THOUGH THE PIECES ARE WHITE-HOT THIS SEASON, WE KNOW THEY TRANSLATE AS WARDROBE ESSENTIALS THAT WILL TRANSCEND SEASONS. WE ADORE THE SUBTLE DETAILING OF WHITE FEATHERS POKING OUT UNDER A SHARP BLAZER.
There’s no denying that Christmas is one of my all-time favorite holidays. Cozied up with loved ones in cabin socks next to the Christmas tree, sipping mulled wine while watching Home Alone? That’s my definition of an “entertaining” holiday season.
But along with that cozy picture I just painted comes a lot of additional holiday hosting duties. And the truth is, hosting during this time of year can quickly become a little chaotic and even quite stressful. In the Rye household, it usually consists of a few holiday dinner parties, several out-of-town houseguests and a kitchen full of dirty dishes after Christmas morning brunch. And all that chaos, while lovely, can leave my home in need of a little refresh. Think full guest bedrooms (and bathrooms), the smell of holiday recipes lingering for hours after we’re full, and wine stains on just about every surface…you get the picture.
So long before guests arrive, and long after they’ve left, I prepare by festively spritzing the heck out of my home. As you’ve seen on Snapchat, Addy loves to lounge on our designer pillows and just about every bed in the house, so those of course all need a quick spray before guests arrive. And since we always have an artificial tree, we miss the smell that comes along with having a real one. Needless to say, I did a little happy dance when I found Febreze’s Jolly Pine Air Effects spray to get us that whiff of pine I love so much. I also find the Cranberry Cheer to be helpful in the kitchen when all I want to do is join everyone on the sofa after dinner (the dishes may or may not wait until the morning…). And without question, I make sure to have the original spray and plug-ins in those high-traffic areas. A little spritz here, a little spritz there…and the entire place feels clean, yet festive. When preparing for houseguests, these thoughtful details that are sure to keep everyone comfy and me sane this season. Truly, MKR
P.S. Our friends at Febreze take holiday entertaining sans smells seriously just like us. And for all of you fellow Glee fans, Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison put it quite perfectly in a nice little parody on the truths of having holiday houseguests and the 12 stinks of Christmas…a vid that will sure make you smile. And we’re giving away a prize pack full of goodies to keep the 12 stinks away! Head over to Facebook to enter. Happy holiday houseguesting Loves!
SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
Photography, Kathryn McCrary | THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FEBREZE, A BRAND WE LOVE AND USE REGULARLY. OPINIONS AND IMAGES ARE 100% OUR OWN.
When was the last time you intentionally took a time out? You know, planned for a little “me time” during your day? It may sound like a trivial question, but all too often we miss the chance to catch our breath during simple, refueling acts because of our all-too-crazy schedules.
In recent months, I feel like time has flown as I approach my twenty seventh birthday. I found my schedule bursting at the seams, and I felt the resulting onset of stress as I worried about fitting it all in and balancing it all. I went through bouts where I ate poorly, missed workout classes, took my stress out on loved ones…you know the drill. I would always tell myself it was just a crazy-busy phase, and it would all calm down soon.
Well I’m not quite sure when the “ah ha” moment happened, but it recently dawned on me that this is how life was going to be from here on out, and even more so in coming years. And in order to ride the wave, I would definitely need to learn how to unplug and try to slate more “me time” to make sure I could keep going and keep that tank full.
It’s also easier said than done! Slowing down during this hyper-engaged day and age requires intentional reminders, but sometimes it’s really just as easy as returning to the simple things that make you happy. I’m sharing seven easy ways I like to enjoy “me time” personally, like finding a creative outlet and fitting in a quick HIIT workout, but I’d love to know how you do too in the comments below. Happy Monday! Cheers, Kat
SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
SLOW DOWN
WHETHER YOU'RE DIGGING INTO A NEW NOVEL, LEARNING TO MEDITATE OR JUST REMOVING YOURSELF FROM YOUR ROUTINE FOR 20 MINUTES TO THINK, THE SIMPLE, INTENTIONAL ACT OF SLOWING DOWN IS A MUCH-NEEDED WAY TO GIVE YOURSELF SOME "ME TIME."
THIS ALMOST GOES WITHOUT SAYING, BUT STOP CARRYING YOUR PHONE EVERYWHERE WITH YOU! LEAVE IT IN THE CAR WHEN YOU RUN TO THE GROCERY STORE. DON'T BRING IT TO THE GYM. IT'S EASIER SAID THAT DONE, BUT THOSE SMALL MOMENTS SANS PHONE CAN BE DELIGHTFUL AND JUST WHAT YOU NEEDED.
RELISH A SLOW MORNING BY TREATING YOURSELF TO BREAKFAST (OR EVEN JUST COFFEE OR TEA) IN BED WITH THE PAPER, A MAGAZINE OR NOVEL. TAKE YOUR TIME WAKING UP TO A NEW DAY, EVEN IF IT'S JUST AN EXTRA 15 MINUTES ON THE CLOCK.
THERE'S SOMETHING SO SOOTHING ABOUT SPENDING TIME IN THE KITCHEN ALONE. TRY YOUR HAND AT A NEW RECIPE WHEN THERE'S NO AGENDA, NO PARTY TO RUSH TO, JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO SOAK UP THE PROCESS (AND ENJOY THE RESULTS!).
IT'S AMAZING HOW THE ACT OF CREATING SOMETHING CAN SOOTHE THE SOUL, AND FINDING YOUR CREATIVE OUTLET WILL ALLOW FOR SOME TIME TO YOURSELF TO ENJOY THE SILENCE AND LISTEN TO YOUR INNER VOICE.
A DEDICATED WORKOUT ROUTINE HELPS YOU AVOID THOSE SEASONAL RUTS. AND WHILE THE ENDORFINS PUMP THROUGH YOUR BRAIN, YOU'LL HAVE A WELCOME RELIEF TO THE STRESS FROM YOUR DAY.
PRESSED FOR TIME? A SHORT HIIT WORKOUT IS A PERFECT WAY TO RECHARGE IN JUST 30 SHORT MINUTES.
