#Shelfie

I cant tell you how much money I have saved since I discovered Kate Somerville products thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Sabrina at The Beauty Look Book. In the past I'd try a new wash/toner/lotion, find it to be mediocre, or decent at best, and a few weeks later, I would move it over to my husband's side of the bathroom shelf to finish, as I had lost interest.

I am 35, oily mixed with dry patches, mixed with occasional acne. (As you read this, I'm driving to New York (for the 4th time this month!) for a work meeting, so add to that I have huge under-eye bags.) The joy of finding the right products, ugh. But, I'm pretty sure I can now say I've found my holy grail. The best wash I have ever used to date is the Eradikate wash, which by some magic, dries up acne but does not dry out my skin. I follow with the clarifying toner at night, and then an Origins night cream that I don't think I can live without. The prices are reasonable for quality skin care (the wash is $38 and lasts forever, while the night cream is $44 with similar jar longevity since you only need a small amount). On two separate occasions recently, people I don't know have complimented my skin. The first time I chalked it up to my Tarte foundation, but the second time was after the gym and I was of course sans-makeup. So I think this new lineup is working magic for me.

Holiday Insta-Round Up

gingerbread house workshop with my #1 bud

casual fall weekend wear

Bloody Marys are the best!

Welly Bear's first haircut!

Friendsgiving cocktails with some amazing friends who happen to be neighbors

happy kids table on Thanksgiving

Tucker made me do this....

the extent of my #cybermonday splurge this year

Christmas cheer brought to you by Tucker

Weeknight charity event

Closet Staples

I will not be buying 'holiday' pieces this year, but my calendar is still full of some fun events over the next few weeks. So I picked my favorite basics- a J.Crew cotton cashmere tunic (at least 3 years old) and a pair of J.Crew black Pixie pants (I'm not sure they still make this, but its likely some of you own it from several years ago, or some other version of a black legging style pant). Target has some great pairs too. Change the shoes, the necklace, the lip color, add a scarf, some earrings. You get the point. I've worn this look already one time to the baptism of my best friends baby last weekend (bow flats and plum lipstick) , and have it in the queue for next week's mom's dinner and a movie. Nothing says 'happy holidays' like not having to shop for a new outfit!

Less is More

In the season of gifting, and the omnipresent 'SALE' signage, its tempting to shop, and shop (and shop some more). But in an effort to keep it simple, further the lessons of generosity we try so hard all year to foster in our children, and remain on that #budget, I am turning off my social media feed for a while (and updating who I follow).

I'm also getting rid of nearly everything non-essential in my closet. I read an article about a few working moms who took a challenge to wear nothing but a simple black dress to work everyday for 2 weeks. They could change up the accessories, the shoes, the lip color. But the outfit itself was the same (or a variation of the same black dress) every day. The result? Elation. Freedom. More spare time they touted. While I'm not running out for 5 black dresses tomorrow, I'm taking the lesson to heart. That $100 pattern blouse with bell sleeves and a fancy neckline? You'll wear it once. You'll promise to wear it again next year, but it will probably feel dated by then (because lets be serious- if Loft shows me one more cold-shoulder/bell sleeve/tie sleeve top, those loose sloppy layers and ties just begging to be dipped into my toddler's mashed carrots, or whatever else I may be eating myself- I'm going to lose my sh*t).

So the more 'special' something looks in the store, the less likely you'll actually get your money's worth out of it. A pair of black velvet pants? Sure- they are 1) black, and 2) can dress up any outfit making it 'holiday' on more than 1 occasion without being an obvious outfit repeat (which, by the way, I do all the time and have zero problem with). A plaid button down from J.Crew that every blogger is wearing in every staged Instagram shot and new outfit post? Sure- plaid is good for at least half the year on the east coast, and can be worn partially tucked into those black velvet pants with some nice earrings for a festive party. Go for it.

But put down the flow-y, peasant-meets-NYC drop sleeve, open shoulder, lace trimmed top and get something you won't groan about seeing in your closet 9 months from now. Too late? There's always the Salvation Army and local donation drives, which we frequent every month as the baby outgrows his adorable clothes.

So happy holidays, shop less, accessorize what you have more, and drink up. (I am not downsizing our wine supply).

Thanksgiving Looks

Thanksgiving Looks by christina-villecco featuring 3/4 sleeve tops

Insta-Roundup

We sure do love fall around here. We made time for a date night, happy hour, pumpkin painting, multiple apple picking trips, stroller walks, cub scout outings, the brewery with friends, and much more so far, and fall is not over yet!

Living Room Refresh

Thanks in part to a new baby, and mostly to a rambunctious 6 year old, our relatively new couch looks well beyond its years at this point. And a saggy, stained couch really drags down the decor factor of any room so a little face lift for the family living space was in order. I am always drawn to grays, and lately I am loving mixed metal accents in bronze, gold and steel. While the room needs to be family friendly, it also has to reflect our taste so its an ongoing process. I love West Elm for mid century style pieces, with an industrial feel. These items seem to mix really well in the updated farm house aesthetic of our CT house.

Any new or favorite home decor sites I need to visit?

#9Months

This bundle is 9 months old, and let me tell you- the joy is boundless. But don't be fooled- he still doesnt sleep, and refuses his crib. So alongside our joy sits chronic exhaustion, holding a forceful grip over mind and body, making certain daily activities sometimes enormously challenging (and causing me to feel extreme jealousy when I see mattress commercials featuring fresh faced people climbing into bed at night).

Wells has 2 teeth, eats almost exclusively homemade meals (as he began refusing pureed food in a  jar after his first bite of my meatballs), stands up with little effort, cruises along furniture, climbs an entire flight of stairs, laughs hysterically when Tucker tickles his feet, crawls faster than most people run, loves the pool (happily we have an indoor pool with a family membership nearby), and loves his brother. He also enjoys finger painting, and saying 'dada' over and over at anything that moves (including the family cat).

Fall Flats To Fall For

I love new shoes, but since I work from home about 70% of the time lately and am on the pesky budget I've been talking about, a new pair will have to be both practical and affordable. I ma fairly obsessed with mules I've been seeing everywhere, and have picked up the pair above from target while on a diaper and formula run (in both black and silver, still under $50!) Leopard is a neutral, and is the easiest way to dress up a pair of jeans period. And Tom's are a personal favorite- not the classic slides but their more fashion forward yet still eco-friendly styles.

Any new finds I've missed in footwear?

5(ish) Ingredient Crock Pot Meals

Crock Pot Turkey Chili

This is my family's favorite. We have it fresh the night I make it, leftover for lunch, and leftover again over a baked potato for dinner. Amazing also with chips as a snack while watching football.

You'll need:

• 2 lbs ground lean organic turkey
• 3 jars of your favorite salsa (try one spicy, 2 medium or mild)
• 1 can no-salt added black beans
• 1 large jar diced tomatoes (I like to dice 1-2 cups of fresh tomatoes, but a jar works well too)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder

Cook the turkey completely on the stove-top, drain the fat. Then sprinkle the chili powder over cooked turkey and let simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add cooked turkey to the crock, throw in all the other ingredients. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, leave it on warm until you're ready to eat. Enjoy!

Fall Snaps

Living in Connecticut is great all year, and come fall, its simply spectacular. The foliage, pumpkin patches, apple orchards and local farm stands explode with produce that inspires my cooking, cocktailing, workouts (and outfits!)