BLOGMAS DAY 11 // HOLIDAY PARTY OUTFIT GUIDE

asos

HOLIDAY PARTY OUTFIT GUIDE


 I love me a good holiday party... like I mean really love them. The food, the music, the chit chat. I may be an introvert but throw in Christmas and I'm in my element! It's also so important for me that I feel confident in what I'm wearing. There's nothing worse than wearing an outfit that is too revealing or too tight. It's your night to own it! So here are some of my picks from this years selection of dresses. 

DRESSING FOR THE SEASON //

Aerie

As I was sitting down to write this post my initial intention was to make it as Fall as possible. The funny thing about this season is that I had never really experienced a true Autumn until I moved to New York. No surprise here but... it quickly became my favorite season. 
The humidity in New York would finally leave and in its place came a chilling air. The leaves in and around the city would become absolutely breathtaking. Don't get me wrong, Spring (after a long and freezing winter) is just as beautiful but it was Fall that stole the scene. 
Now that I'm back in Los Angeles I am aching for a taste of real Fall. The weather here is a roller coaster that stays somewhere between 80 and 90 (27 to 32 Celsius) and it just really kills the mood. Wearing shorts half-way through October isn't exactly my ideal situation. 
What usually happens, at least here in Southern California, is that people dress for the season and not the weather. It can be 85 degrees without a cloud in the sky and you can bet that there will be a woman with a turtleneck sweater drinking a hot pumpkin spice latte. It's quite hilarious I can't lie but you know what... I am culprit of this as well. So I am going to humor myself here and post some of my current favorite looks for Autumn that won't be too ridiculous to be wearing walking around the beach or in the stifling hot city.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO MISSION DISTRICT

beauty blog




I wanted to share this cheeky little photoshoot my sister and our friend Alex did this past weekend. I love the mission district so much, especially this area. We went to the Hummingbird Cafe for brunch and then Hidden House for an Iced Chai! 
I got my skirt a year or so ago from Nordstrom's but it is my absolute favorite and I have to say it went well with the Train's color scheme! I am also loving straw hats this summer, it adds a special little something I think.
If you are ever down in the Southern California Area I highly suggest taking a day trip here :) xoxo Sam 

April Favorites

april
Finally have some down time sit and blog! SO much has been going on lately with friends, family, school, work, blah blah blah. But everything is slowly but surely falling into place and I can only hold my breath and hope that things keep going smoothly. With 2.5 weeks left I am more ready than I expected to get on that plane and make the big move back to California. But there were few things that have caught my eye this past month that I would love to share with you all!

Makeup
Cheap Thrills ColourPop 
Brazilliance PLUS+Self Tanner+Mitt by Tarte
Wavepool by Floss Gloss
Clothing
Topshop Sequin Cactus One-Piece Swimsuit
Sleeveless Tie Jumpsuit by Gap
Misc. 
Music: I have been so blah with music this month. Besides seeing the broadway show Brightstar *which now has 5 tony nominations yay!* and listening to that soundtrack on repeat, everything else has been the same. I did listen to the beyonce album to see the hype and it was pretty good. Not something I'm gaga over but it was nice and easy to listen to. 
Books: After much deliberation I have been rereading the Harry Potter series yaaaaas! I forgot how magical they are and how nostalgic they make me feel for my childhood. I can't wait to get back and go to Harry Potter world at Universal Studios! They are going to have to apparate me home ;) 
TV: My TV watching has been way out of whack except for the ultimate show on television which of course is GAME OF THRONES. I mean I wrote my senior thesis on it... and read the books... and devoured the series. And this season has already been way too epic to handle!
Movies: The Jungle Book was so incredibly amazing I could honestly watch it over and over and still revel in the beauty of it. 

That's it for April! Let me know what some of your favorite things were in the month of april or link your blog and I'll check it out! xoxo Sam 




March Favorites

aveda
It was the fastest month of my life you guys. Like how is it already April 4th?!?! Not that I'm complaining because it feels great to officially be in the decline of the semester. And March really was a great month in terms of travel and friends... not so much in how much I had to work. But I digress...
This past Thursday I headed down to Baltimore to present my senior thesis at the Eastern Communications Association Undergraduate Scholars Conference (now that is a mouthful). It was really fun and I loved exploring Baltimore with some of the classmates from my school. The city is super quaint (compared to New York) and reminded me a lot of Boston. And listening to other undergraduates from across the country share their research was very uplifting for me. I think I struggle in school sometimes because some people just don't value the education they are receiving. It makes me really sad to hear of people who don't study, don't read, or don't even try. I know I'm very close to finishing my own path of education but I think learning is life long. And to be around so many other people my age who have the same passion is really refreshing.
But now I am officially back on my typical school routine which is nice and I have a lot of fun things planned this month so it makes it go so much faster!
Now to get into the things I was loving in March!

Makeup
Polished Pinks Mini Marvelous Moxie Trio
Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist
Floss Gloss El Capitan
Clothing
H&M Loves Coachella Collection Patterned Jumpsuit
Sub Urban Riot 'Sunday Morning' Tee
Misc.
Podcasts: 
I am loving the Myths and Legends Podcast available on the Iphone Podcast App. I have always loved mythology (especially greek) and I can literally sit on the subway and completely lose track of time just listening to all the different stories and characters. I highly recommend checking it out!
Music: I have recently discovered a few new songs I wanted to share with you guys: Past Lives by Børns as well as their song Electric Love. Also iT by Christine and the Queens. If you haven't heard these yet you'll be listening to them on repeat for sure. 
TV: This month saw the return of Girls (something that can always be either really good or horribly horribly bad). Luckily this season has been surprising really good. I also caught up with my favorite guilty pleasure show - Once Upon a Time. I got really sidetracked and stopped watching like half way through last season so I'm happy to be up to date on that!

That's pretty much the things I loved the most this month and I hope you all enjoy! Let me know what some of your favorite things were this month in the comments :) xoxo Sam

Flirting with February: My Top Gift Ideas for Valentines Day

Aerie
Happy February to all! January is finally over (anyone else feel like it was the longest month ever?) and we are quickly approaching probably one of the most controversial days of the year - Valentine's Day. Now I will say I have never been a huge lover of Valentine's Day because I think we should show our loved ones everyday how special they are. There shouldn't be one day that you are required to buy gifts in order to show your affection.
Recently, however, I have had a small change of heart. What's wrong with buying a dozen roses, a box of chocolates, going out to a nice dinner, and sitting amongst people who are also sharing their love. And I also don't think that Valentine's day is meant only for couples. Last year my friends and I all had a huge Valentine's day photo shoot and then threw a party after. It was so much fun and, although the party ended up getting a bit out of hand, it was the first Valentine's day that I didn't bash or loathe.
So with that said here are some of my top gifts for the special ladies in your life!

PJ Salvage Print Pajamas
S'well 'Hand Painted Satin Collection' Water Bottle
Japanese Cherry Blossom Gift Set - Bath & Body Works

AEO Statement Sunglasses
Contemporary Crinkled Gauze Top - Forever 21

Also wanted to mention that BH Cosmetics is having a great Valentine's day sale and it ends in like 18 hours to go go go!
I hope these inspire you all and here's to a new month! xoxo Sam








Holiday Party Outfit Inspiration!

bblog
Welp we are coming in the home bend here as finals week begins next monday! I have to say I'm surprisingly the most relaxed I've ever been coming into finals week so hopefully that's a good sign. I am so so ready to be home though. We recently decorated the apartment (shown on Snapchat: samantha_wiggs) and it's going to be sad to leave all the little decorations behind when we go home for the holidays! But, we decided to throw a christmas party this Saturday as a sort of bon voyage to all our friends before finals week and a good excuse to stop studying for a few hours.
I went through Forever 21, H&M, and Nordstrom to find some holiday outfits that I thought would look great for parties or even for New Years Eve, which is only a few short weeks away!! (YIKES 2016!)
So here we are:

Forever 21

I thought this was a gorgeous cut for a Forever 21 dress. It looks beautiful and would be great for a fancier event (or an event that you want to show off your vavavoom to that special someone)

H&M
49.99 Sequined Silver Dress
This simpler, sequin-ey piece looks like it would be a great dress for someone going to a dance party or a night out with the girls. I am really so not a sequin person but for some reason this time of year always makes me think twice...

Nordstrom - TopShop
Gigi Embellished Body-Con Dress
The print work on this dress is just gorgeous if you look at it up close. I feel this is the perfect balance of being sophisticated but still relaxed. The color is great as well; nude colors really do work all year long.

LOL
So when looking at Forever 21's website I came across this little number in the holiday outfit section and almost burst. Watch out Grandma and Grandpa Sam is back from University.


Well I hope this inspires you to go out and find the perfect holiday dress! Let me know what some of your favorite stores to shop in are and I'll check them out!
Love always xoxo Sam

INSTAGRAM