Happy New Year...

A year of great pics...  and I am very thankful... here's to an awesome year and a better one to come! 

Happy New Year!

Layers & Murphy's Law...

Flannel Shirt- Old Navy (similar here)

Vest- Target (old)

Jeans- American Eagle

Shoes- G by Guess (similar here)

Scarf- Forever 21 (old)

Sunglasses - Cotton On

Purse- Marshalls (gift)

My "after Christmas shopping" outfit... I was ready, prepaid with a ridiculous amount of layers, shoes that take forever to put on and take off along with awesome hair... at least I had that going for me... I can't tell you how many times I thought today, "do I really want this?" "do I really want to deal with all the layers in the fitting room?" I mean really, it's a legitimate question... not to mention the horrible lighting in there, it's almost enough to make you swear off sugar or something... almost... or maybe just swear.. just kidding... sorta...

I adore the layered look and right now I am loving plaid flannel, it's warm and cozy and awesome! 

This is one of my favorite new shirts thanks to my super great hubby... Thanks babe! Paired with a puffer vest and classic jewelry you can't go wrong! However I don't recommend this for when you plan on visiting the fitting room like a dozen times! 

In my excursion today I experienced Murphy's Law in shopping,  you go out planning to find something amazing for yourself and you don't... and then somehow when your strictly looking for someone else, you find everything that would make your closet complete! Oh the agony... I know I cannot be the only one that this happens to? 

In my moments of shopping frustration I've decided that I'll settle for online shopping! At least that way I don't have to deal with the fitting room!

Road Tested Tried & True... Curling Iron

It's all about having the right tools... and I am in LOVE with my new Hot Tools Curling Iron...  not only does it heat up in a second, it gets HOT, like 430 degrees hot... Glory! I got introduced to this little beauty when a friend came to visit and I used her curling iron, (nothing like borrowing a friend's stuff when they come to visit you..geez) I used it once and I was hooked! So much so that I asked for it for Christmas, I barely could wait that long but... my waiting paid off!  This is such a great curling iron, that even with my day after Christmas coma, I couldn't wait to use it this morning.

Here are a few of it's features,

• Fast heat up time... who has patience to wait anyways? not me apparently... 
• 24k gold-plated barrel... not sure why that's important, other than anything gold is awesome!
• Extra long cool tip.... no burning your fingers...yahoo!
• Extra Long cord... because there will never be enough outlets in a bathroom... 
• Wicked hot barrel...curls stay longer..no looking like a wet cat by 3pm!

There are many other features of this curling iron and you can find/buy that here... I fully recommend this if your in the market for better curls & waves... which who isn't? Go check it out!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas....

Merry Christmas!

Seth & Hope

For she's a jolly good fellow....

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this important announcement.... 

Happy Birthday Mom!!! 

Turns out, my mom was right... just in general... growing up, I had many a moment to doubt my mom's input and wisdom. I am not sure if it is just me getting older or a new appreciation for all she's done. But I am grateful, it's the eternal sacrifice to be a mother, and even though I do not have any children... Daily I find a new area of life where my mom was giving, patient, kind and thoughtful. Happy Birthday Mom! And thanks for all that you do, and have done! I love you so much! I hope you feel loved today and forever because you totally are!

Love....
Hopie
.

Cozy Days...

Cozy Days... by hopehowland featuring printed shirts

Well, nothing quite says glamour & gorgeous like a box of tissues, Airborne & nasal decongestant.... That's right folks, it's 5 days till Christmas and I am furiously trying to get rid of a cold...  Getting sick is never convenient but this is just plain old ridiculous! 

In moments like this what is a fashionista girl with a cold to do? Live in comfy clothes of course! Which usually means "borrowing/stealing" my husband's socks... so darn comfortable...  Most of us, if we are being honest our "couch" clothes are not something that should ever see the light of day. A well loved pair of leggings, means... saggy butt... there I said it.. so beyond comfortable but it looks like you could use it for a parachute. Not my best moment, but it's the first thing we reach for when your in for the evening... woah, sexy... 

Here is my suggestion, let's improve that department! My closet gets quite a bit of attention of improving and staying current, why not the essentials? Genius! Here are my "must have" basics... for a day just like today...

• Comfy T-shirt, I prefer V-Neck but your own preference is fine, I like white because even if I get something on it I can bleach the heck out of it....
• Cute Sweatshirt pullover, it needs to be cute... a few varieties is always good... like this one
• Leggings, or Yoga pants... NO sweatpants... I know their like "live in" comfortable but they do nothing but make us look frumpy... so no.. no .. no sweats...
• Moccasins! adorable... funtions kinda like a slipper, and you don't get that whole "I'm, too lazy to wear real shoes" look... ahem, Uggs...  buy the moccasins here.

Lastly, style this look by keeping your makeup fresh and simple.. a top knot bun would look smashing and paired with your favorite reading glasses... your look for being cozy is assembled!

Now if you need me, I'll be sitting on the couch sipping tea and waiting to take my next round of meds...  Cheers everyone! Thanks for reading!

All that glitters is gold...

All that glitters is gold... by hopehowland featuring a lace dress

Seems like every time I plan on doing some "serious" Christmas shopping, I will always find something that is perfect for... me... Story of my life... Lately, more like always... I've been loving me some gold... it's everywhere! I've especially been inspired lately of all the wonderful things that Target is doing these days! I love Target it's the best place to go to for paper towels an walk out with a whole cart full of things you never knew you always wanted... Much like Ikea and Costco in that regard... Gloriously dangerous! Here are some fancy schmancy items that would make an amazing gift for the fashionista friend....

1. Robert Rodriguez Dress       

2. Mossimo® Crocodile Flap Clutch - Gold
3. Altuzarra Shaker 

4. Altuzarra Double Old Fashioned Glasses - Set of 4  
5. Threshold™ Stoneware Decal Mugs with Gold Zig Zags Set of 4 - White 
6. V-Neck Metallic Tank 
7. Altuzarra Tray 
8. Gold Greek Print Enamel Bracelet 
9. Cubic Zirconia Stud Earings 
10. Sonia Kashuk® Gilded Cage Holiday Brush Set - 6 pc

11. Lux Case for iPhone®5

12. Black/Gold Chandelier Stone Oval Earring

I know I made this list... but I think its awesome! If I do say so myself...  If you are on the hunt for a great gift for that bestie.... make sure to check out some of these awesome finds... or just buy it for yourself! I know I would...