The Perfect Party Dress

This time of the year is filled with holiday parties, dinners downtown with friends, ballets, plays, and plenty of cocktail hours.  The perfect holiday dress has a little something special - be it a rich velvet, just the right amount of sparkle, luxe organza, or a dainty bow.  Below are a few of my favorites which I would be more than happy to pull out whenever the occasion arises this season.

{1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6}

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The official countdown to Christmas is in full-swing, and I have already been doing plenty of decking the halls, picking up goodies for friends and family on my Christmas list {Etsy + Anthropologie are two of my favorite places for unique gifts}, listening to and singing holiday tunes, and thumbing through favorite magazines {Bon Appetit especially} looking for new recipes to try.  This weekend we will be heading out to the country to cut down our tree, going to dinner with friends, and attending a few holiday events in the city.  

A few things I love about this season:

SNOW!  What I wouldn't give to have a tiny little house in snow country.

Vintage ornaments and simple, rustic decor.

Having a reason to pull out a very special dress, be it gold sequined or a festive satin {my go-to is this little number which was a incredibly thoughtful gift from my boyfriend last year}.

Images via {1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6} {7}

The Doors of Paris

One aspect of Paris that really stuck with me on my first trip was the exquisite and ancient doors.  Practically EVERY building was anchored with a gorgeous {and HUGE} door.  It completely inspired me, and someday when I own a house I want to invest in purchasing an antique front door and paint it a vibrant shade of blue, red, or green.

Some photos of the particularly extraordinary doors below.

Thankful

I am thankful for my amazing friends, supportive family, and forever loving boyfriend.  I am thankful to have MANY places to call home.  I am thankful for the two sweetest dogs in the world.  I am thankful for my dreamer spirit.  Mostly, I am thankful for every single day I am given in this crazy and beautiful thing we call life.

Home for the Holidays

{Is it too early to be hoping for snow?}

Today is the last day of my month long journey through France, Switzerland, Austria, and London.  While I am most certainly going to miss the excitement and adventure of travel, I am SO excited to be heading home for the Holidays.  I am already listening to Christmas music {in particular Michael Buble and She & Him}, watching Holiday movies, and of course have scooped up some Christmas gifts in Europe.

I have been on the move almost continuously since I left the United States in mid-October, and I fully plan to enjoy the Thanksgiving Weekend by catching up with friends and family, watching boatloads of Holiday films, doing a bit of cooking, sipping hot cocoa, and cozying up by the fire with my special someone :)  The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year and I am going to take full advantage of it!

{Image via} 

God Save the Queen

It's official - I love London.  The energy, the architecture, the mix of old and new, the people, British accents, the fashion -- everything!  My last two days with Ashley were filled with markets, sightseeing, great food, the Tate Britain museum, a chic nightclub, and Christmas cheer.  It was so wonderful being able to catch up with Ashley and see the city from a local's perspective.  Some photos below!

'Ello London!

I have been in London for the past two days and have been absolutely loving it.  I am visiting a dear friend who I hadn't seen in about 3.5 years, and it has been so wonderful being able to catch up. Today will be a photo heavy but text light post, enjoy!

Salzburg

Yesterday I took a day trip to Eastern Austria to the beautiful town of Salzburg (where the famous Von Trapp family lived).  It was a three hour drive through Austria and on the way we stopped into the picturesque lake village of St. Gilgen.  The lake was covered in a foggy mist, and peaking through you could see portions of the Swiss Alps.

{St. Gilgen}

{The adorable town of Salzbug}

{The yellow building is where Mozart was born}

{Wandering around the gorgeous little town, an old monastary carved into the rocks, seeing the fort on top of the hill, the oldest restaurant in Europe -- built in 803}

{Overlooking the churches of Salzburg, and a restaurnt with a view AND Christmas decorations}

[The city of Salzburg and rubber ducky Mozarts}

{So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu}