Holiday Gift Guide: For Him

I'm not sure why, but shopping for guys is always the hardest. Whether it's a boyfriend, husband, dad or other family member...it just seems like they are always the people that everyone has trouble buying for! (They usually aren't all too helpful with suggestions either! ;)) So I rounded up some picks that would be great for any man in your life!

1. Michael Kors 'Gage' Watch // 2. The Art of Shaving Kit // 3. Barbour Leather Wallet // 4. Vineyard Vines 'Flag Clubs' Belt // 5. Beer Making Kit // 6. Ray Ban Clubmaster // 7. Merona Cold Weather Scarf // 8. Burberry London 'Rohan' Tie

Shop these picks and more here:

Happy shopping!
-Kylie

Best Black Friday Sales

A roundup up of some of the most amazing sales out there! Happy Shopping! (And be safe if you're venturing out into the crazy!)

Accessory Jane: 20% off with the code "thanks20off"

Aerie: 40% off almost everything, and pajama pants BOGO

Ann Taylor: 50% off with code "CELEBRATE"

Anthropologie: 25% off everything with code "SHOPTOIT"

Apartment Eighteen: 25% off and free shipping with code "thankful", plus a surprise gift card with each order

Banana Republic: 50% off sweaters, and 40% everything else with code "BRFRIDAY"

Barrington Gifts: 10% off sitewide with code "TURKEY10"

BaubleBar: 30% off everything with code "THX"

Design Darling: 20% off with the code "THANKFUL"

GiGi New York: Free gifts with purchases $100+

Gray Malin: 30% off all prints with the code "TURKEY30"

Half United: 50% off everything and free shipping, no code needed

J.Crew: 30% off your purchase, plus 40% off clearance with code "HOLIDAY"

J.Crew Factory: 50% off everything (prices as marked), plus free shipping on orders $50+ with code "SHIPGIFTS"

Kate Spade: Surprise sale up to 75% off, plus 25% off the rest of the site with code "MERCI"

Kendra Scott: 15% off with the code "SALE15"

Kiel James Patrick: 25% off with code "SETSAIL"

ILY Couture: 25% off with the code "ILYGIFT"

LC Lauren Conrad: 15% off with the code " TURKEYTIME"

Lilly Pulitzer: Free gifts with every purchase

Lo & Sons: Up to 40% off their most popular styles

Loren Hope: 20% off with the code "THANKFULLY"

Madewell: 25% off everything with code "CALMDOWN"

Manor: 30% off with code "BlackFriday"

Marley Lilly: Free blanket scarf with purchase of $100+, plus 100's of styles on sale

Moon & Lola: 20% off $75+ "OSTYLE20", 25% off $150+ "OSTYLE25", 30% off $225+ "OSTYLE30"

Morning Lavender: Black Friday Bucket Sale

North Detail: 40% off everything, no code needed

Old Navy: 40-60% off everything

Red Dress Boutique: up to 90% off, plus free shipping

SS Print Shop: 30% off with code "BLACKFRIDAY"

The Mint Julep Boutique: 40% off sitewide, discount applied at checkout

The Trendy Sparrow: spend $1-$100 and get 20% off with code "BLACKFRIDAY20", spend $100+ and get 25% off with code "BLACKFRIDAY25"

Tory Burch: Spend $250+, receive 30% off with code "THANKS"

Viva La Jewels: 40% off with the code "THANKS40"

Pumpkin Maple Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Still looking for a last minute dessert to whip up for Thanksgiving tomorrow? Or a recipe to get rid of that extra pumpkin you now have? You're definitely going to want to make these. You probably have most of the ingredients already, and these cupcakes come out amazing! And the icing is to die for. I had leftover in the end, and I was putting it on everything! You have to give these a try!

Pumpkin Maple Cupcakes 

ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp imitation maple syrup extract
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup milk

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 F. Line standard muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl/stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then add the vanilla, maple, pumpkin and vegetable oil. 
4. Beat in flour mixture alternately with the milk.
5. Divide the better among the cupcake liners, about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, and then cool cupcakes on a wire rack.
6. Frost once completely cooled.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

ingredients

• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 cups powdered sugar

directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in vanilla and cinnamon.
2. Add powdered sugar and beat on low until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth.
3. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes with your favorite frosting tip.

Enjoy!

-Kylie

Casual Thanksgiving Outfit

Can you believe that it's the week of Thanksgiving? I feel like this fall just flew by! Although, I have to admit, I am so so so ready for all things Christmas! :)
But before Christmas is Thanksgiving, which means planning an outfit for the day. My family keeps things pretty casual. Every year, we do an early dinner and then go see a movie. (We're seeing Mockingjay Part 2 this year, and I am PUMPED!) So a comfy and low-key look is perfect for me. Enter a cozy blanket scarf and a classic white shirt, and I'm ready! Bring on the turkey and pie!

scarf: Accessory Jane (exact) // shirt: Ralph Lauren // jeans: Calvin Klein (similar) // boots: Unisa // sunglasses: nich boutique

What do you do for Thanksgiving?

-Kylie

weekly roundup

one: 23 pictures people who haven't worked retail won't understand. I work in retail for 3 years (RIP Delia*s), and I laughed my way through this whole post!

two: After watching this, I'm not sure that there is anything cuter than a baby trying to howl along with a dog!

three: Disney animals reimagined with human looks? I'm in! (Try to guess who these two are before clicking the link!)

four: And because we could all use something heartwarming this week, watch this video of a little girl singing to her mom who is fighting cancer. Ohhhhh, my heart.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Kylie

Holiday Gift Guide: Monogram Lover

Tis the season for holiday shopping and the never ending stream of holiday gift guides! ;) It's better to have tons of options and choices though, right? Today's gift guide is all about the monogram lover in your life. Monogrammed gifts always add that extra special touch that shows you were thinking of that person specifically, which makes it all the better!

1. Monogrammed Baseball Hat // 2. Extra Large Acrylic Block Monogram Necklace // 3. Monogrammed Bracelet // 4. Navy Monogrammed Sunshine Satchel // 5. Square Monogram Ring // 6. Marble Phone Case // 7. Alphabet Studs // 8. Monogrammed Plaid Flannel Blanket

(Also, J.Crew offers monogramming on most of their clothes...and a monogrammed pair of these pajamas would be such a fun gift!)

Have fun shopping for the monogram lover in your life!

-Kylie

insta roundup

This is a roundup of some of my favorite instagram posts from the past couple weeks, for those who don't follow along on instagram (@kyliemav) or who don't like using ShopStyle to shop instagram posts! 

First red cup of the season! You have got to try the caramel apple cider...so good! Also, this is probably the comfiest shirt I own. 

I have discovered the magic of poutine, and if I could have this stuff every day....I would happily be 500 lbs.

Okay, so this is also one of the comfiest shirts I own. PLUS, proceeds from all the shirts from Ivory Ella go to saving the elephants. Win. 

Okay, so I am no OBSESSED with podcasts. (Like, enough that I'm going to write a post about them soon.) And Serial is the one that started it all. Highly recommend listening to it!

And because this quote has become ever more prevalent after the events in Paris over the weekend....

I hope everyone has a great Monday!

-Kylie

weekly roundup

one: An artist reimagined Bratz dolls as iconic women, and they are beyond amazing! When will these dolls be available in stores?

two: One of the most adorable Ellen moments ever! Adam Levine meets his biggest fan.

three: 27 times Tumblr dropped some serious animal knowledge. Excuse me while I laugh loudly at all these ridiculous jokes. 

four: Bradley Cooper was on Ellen recently to promote his movie Burnt, and they put his cooking skills to the test in an....unconventional way!

five: If you haven't seen this Extra Gum commerical (yes, commercial!) yet, you absolutely need to watch. So sweet!

Have a fantastic weekend!

-Kylie

pumpkin doughnuts

I recently got a doughnut (or donut?) pan, and I couldn't wait to try it out! My first attempt didn't turn out so well (apple doughnuts that definitely tasted more like bread), but I hit a big success with these pumpkin doughnuts! So moist and delicious! I have a feeling these will be made multiple times this year!

Pumpkin Doughnuts with Sour Cream Icing (recipe from Real Simple)

ingredients for doughnuts:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

ingredients for icing:

• 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1/4 tsp fresh lemon juice

directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a doughnut pan.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl; set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, egg and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
4. Spoon 1/4 cup batter into each compartment of the doughnut pan. Bake until the doughnuts are golden brown and spring back slightly when touched, about 12-14 minutes. 
5. Let cool in pans for about 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. While the doughnuts are cooling, whisk together the confectioners sugar, sour cream and lemon juice in a small bowl. Dunk the cooled doughnuts in the icing and let set on a piece of parchment or wax paper. 

Enjoy!

-Kylie

weekly roundup

one: It's that time of year again. The time of year when Jimmy Kimmel gets parents to tell their kids they ate all their halloween candy while recording it. I feel bad for the kids, but it's just too funny!

two: At this point, I think everyone knows that I love funny dog pictures. So again, another post of adorable and hilarious dog pictures that are guaranteed to make you laugh.

three: I love Amy Schumer. And watching her open up about her struggles with her body made me love her even more.

four: These guys tried on high heels and wore them around for a whole day. Safe to say...they now appreciate what women in heels go through.

five: Kid Theater is one of my favorite sketches on Jimmy Fallon's show. And this edition with Tom Hanks is no exception. Hilarious!

Have a fabulous weekend!

-Kylie

black on black

Do you ever find those outfits where you just immediately feel super chic and sophisticated? This was totally this outfit for me. But really, who doesn't feel extra fabulous when wearing black on black with some fabulous shoes? (I also have just now fallen in love with the more pencil skirt style. Who knew they could be so flattering??) I added my absolute favorite sunglasses that I've been renting from Ditto (you can get your first month of renting free with the code DRESSINSPARKLES!) and a bright lip, and I was totally ready to take on the world! 

sweater: Ann Taylor (similar) // skirt: LC Lauren Conrad // shoes: Target // sunglasses: Illesteva c/o Ditto (use the code DRESSINSPARKLES to get your first month of renting free!) // lips: Covergirl Spellbound

What outfit instantly makes you feel chic and sophisticated?

-Kylie

PS the Chloe giveaway has been extended! Make sure to enter!

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