Holiday/winter dressing is super fun but it can be super draining on one's wallet and at times, exhausting. In the summer you can get away with $20 tank tops every week, however you don't really get the same effect with sweaters. Over the years I've worked out a pretty good system though - buy only a few really great quality, unique and versatile items that I can wear again and again over the course of the holidays. 

This year I thought I would share a list of what that may look like. 

I think the checked top by ace & jig is fantastic - it's special enough where it would make a chic statement with some leather pants but also look easy dressed down with jeans. The Madewell sweater is another "fancy" item that would jazz up any outfit (wear with a simple wool skirt for a dressed up option or the leather pants for something more casual). Additionally a great pair of boots will do all the work for you and I adore my Sienna boots from Shoemint*, they look as great with a dress as they do with jeans. I never spend a lot on accessories as that's an area where I like to have a lot of fun. I love this splashy red toggle coat from Target (only $40!!) and this happy little scarf from H&M. And this hat says, rather than screams, snow!

*this is a referral link & I will send you the biggest bear hug for using it

It was sort of surreal to look at these photos again, hard to believe that we were in such a beautiful place just a week ago! I'm so glad that we got a chance to go to Bandelier during our stay in New Mexico.  The site serves as a preservation site of the homes and territory of the ancestral Pueblo people. The contrast of the red rock and white snow created an unforgettable scene as did the knowledge that human presence here has been dated to over 10,000 years ago!! The magnificence was almost dizzying at times as there was so much to take in from every angle. 

Our group gasped in unison when we came upon the hundred year old pictographs on the rock, it's so humbling to see something that has stood the test of time and is a reminder of just how much has come before us. At times I would look around and then close my eyes and try my hardest to imagine it all alive - the hustle and bustle of life that existed in this very space hundreds of years ago... Babies crying and being born, meals being cooked and eaten, stories being told, smiles, hugs and tears. If only walls could talk...

Birdie was such a rockstar too. She was wide eyed the whole way and I could tell she just adored soaking up the scenery. I put a good dollop of balm on both of her chubby little cheeks and we kept her hands inside her down bunting. Because she is such a trooper sometimes it's hard to tell when she's hit her limit but before we were able to reach the highest point in the park my mummy senses were tingling and I could tell we were on the verge of tears. I guessed correctly as a few feet shy of the car we had us a good old-fashioned meltdown. Nothing a bottle, some tunes and a warm car couldn't fix though. So all's well that ends well right?! 

Bandelier certainly scratched my adventure itch for now but I would be lying if I said I'm not already brainstorming our next trip...

hat - stepcat of canada, sweater - madewell, jeans - ae, shoes - shoemint

To say that we loved the snow in New Mexico is an understatement, we pretty much went crazy taking all the photos we could fit on our camera. And then we got a warm day and even then the snow decided to stick around! It was kind of awesome to not have to hide my new sweater under a coat and so voila! Outfit photos! 

By the way I have wanted this sweater for months and months but Target has completely spoiled me to the point where I will not pay over $40 for anything. Well lucky for me Madewell had the sweater on sale for $40 last weekend!! We're inseparable now! I just need some leather pants since I love the way they styled it on their site. 

^ baby's first lolipop! ^

^ if only these gorgeous rugs weren't $15,000 a piece... ^

^ my favorite Russian ladies ^

^ this place totally lived up to the hype - delicious!! ^

^ a strong gust of wind turned this photo into a winter wonderland ^

We are back in the quiet of our little cabin today. Suitcases oozing clothes litter the floors and the dining room table is piled high with a week's worth of mail. It's nice to be home - in our bed with familiar sights and sounds around us. It was a whirlwind week and though there are no promises of life slowing down any time soon there's a comfort in the daily routines one misses when traveling. 

New Mexico was a dream. From the moment we stepped into the airport we felt like we were somewhere we had never before been - the adobo architecture, the navajo prints and the snowcapped mountains that surround you from all four directions. The downtown area was already decked in christmas lights and wreaths and a magical sort of feeling laced the air. 

We were so blessed to be able to spend a week with my cousins, catching up and getting to know their spouses. We couldn't help but feel old thinking of the way our parents would organize similar get togethers many, many years ago. We cooked, we played, we laughed, reminisced and talked late into the night. Birdie fell in love with all her aunties and uncles and she loved being the star of the show. 

I also cooked my very first turkey and according to one of our guests my gravy and bird were the "best thing he's ever had" so suffice to say I was quite pleased (I'm not sure if this is considered cheating or not but we got a pre-brined bird and I think it was a big reason it was so tasty). We had every side dish imaginable as well as some fantastic desserts, including some Russian ones! Oh, I also made my first "strawberry pretzel salad" and oh my goodness had we all been missing out!! It has officially become a must make dish!

And so it was with a heavy heart that we packed our bags and headed for the airport on Friday. It always feels like you didn't have enough time when you're having a good time with family. We all spent Thursday nigh lamenting the fact that it all seemed to go by way too fast. But there's always next year I suppose and I'm quite positive there will be another "reunion" in the works very soon.

I took an embarrassing amount of photos of our trip so I will be splitting it up. Look out for another post soon!