individually abby

It has been awhile since my last posting on a book, and I have read a few since then. Two of the books I have read over the holidays were really intriguing reads. I love historical fiction with a little bit of mystery involved, and both of these incorporate both of those themes.

The first book I read was The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.



Kate Morton is one of my favorite authors. She has written several wonderful books that have a lot of intrigue to them which makes the books hard to put down. This particular book just came out this year and circles around a family mystery told through the mother and her daughter. The daughter witnesses her mother kill a man while she is young but doesn't try to figure out the mystery until later in her life. There are a ton of great twists and turns that will keep you guessing on how this book ends. Rating: 5 Stars!

The second book I read was The Sherlockian by Graham Moore.


This book was also a great mystery. I'm sure you have heard of Sherlock Holmes and all the murder investigations involved with that character. In this book, there is a group of men called the Sherlockians who basically worship Sherlock Holmes and know all things related to the character. But the question is can they solve a mystery like Holmes when a man is mysteriously murdered and clues derived from the Sherlock Holmes stories are left behind. There are also wonderful twists and turns in this novel as well that will keep the reader guessing until the end. Rating: 5 Stars!

I recommend checking both books out! Happy Reading...

Sweater: JCrew | Dress: JCrew (last seen here) | Belt: JCrew | Jewelry: Madewell

Mondays after a holiday are always the hardest days to get through. I swear the clock was stuck on 2PM for over three hours. Nevertheless, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a lovely time visiting my family in the Texas Hill Country. We spent a lot of time outdoors walking and playing with the kids. I haven't seen my dogs more exhausted! Pictures to come soon. :)
Outfit for today involved mixing it up again. This time I utilized this wonderfully printed dress as a skirt by layering a simple sweater over it.

Shirt: JCrew | Skirt: Halogen | Shoes: BCBG | Jewelry: Gilt Group, Madewell

Blending ideas together to make a new look is something I love to experiment with. This tartan plaid shirt that has a very preppy feel still mixes well with this edgy leather skirt. Don't be afraid to mix the unknowns in your wardrobe. You might not always have a hit, but at least you are being creative.

Sweater: Gap | Skirt: JCrew (old, similar here and here) | Shoes: Miz Mooz | Jewelry: Nordstrom, Madewell, F21

I was feeling inspired by British prep mixed with autumnal hues, and this skirt definitely helps pull that look together. I love how people in Europe always seem polished and put together...like every piece they put on was well thought out. I love the look! What do you think? Are you mad for plaid?

Jacket: Collection B (old, similar here) | Sweater: H&M | Jeans: Madewell | Shoes: Cosmopolitan | Jewelry: JewelMint, Madewell

Some days it is nice to just stick with the basics. You don't always have to create interest through color or conversational pieces...being simple is a story in itself. I love mixing brown and black together, and inserting cream as a neutral, makes the perfect balance.

Shirt: F21 | Jeans: Madewell | Shoes: ShoeMint | Jewelry: Zara, Madewell

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week, and I need to get some Christmas shopping done ASAP! Since my family has grown quite a bit over the years, we started to draw names for Christmas presents. It is a wonderful idea for those on a budget. Unfortunately Thanksgiving is the only holiday we will all be together this year, so we are exchanging then versus paying to ship later. Whatever you can do to save some money, right?
When shopping, I like to be comfortable but still want to look like a made an effort. My favorite key item to wear are flats...keeps my feet happy and makes it easier to bob and weave through crazy mall traffic. There are so many great ways to upgrade your style through flats this season. I personally love the loafer trend! Make sure to check them out and maybe add to your holiday wish list. :)

Top: H&M | Pants: H&M | Shoes: Cosmopolitan | Jewelry: Madewell

I love this new trend of wearing matching patterned separates together. Most speciality stores already incorporate their key patterns into various items, so it is really simple to put this look together. The key is to find a pattern that looks great worn head-to-toe. I picked out this pattern because it had a small repeat, wasn't overly busy, and contained a minimal number of colors. The perfect choice! What do you think?

Shirt: JCrew (old, similar here) | Vest: Sanctuary (old, similar here) | Jeans: Madewell | Shoes: Steve Madden | Jewelry: JCrew, Madewell, Urban Outfitters

Another great layering piece is a vest. I personally love a good faux fur vest for the winter season, but there are other great options out there. Some new trends to check out and play with...denim vest and leather vest.

Sweater: Loft | Twill Pants: JCrew | Shoes: Steve Madden | Jewelry: Madewell

Dressing within a color family is another great way to style an outfit. People are usually good with blue because you can basically pair any shade of blue jeans with a blue top and you have your blue color story. I like to mix it up a bit and try different families...just another great way to re-think your wardrobe. Keep in mind that when playing with color, it is always a good idea to keep your shoes and accessories neutral.

Happy Veteran's Day to all those out there who have served our country. I am off to celebrate the day with my husband, a Navy man himself. :)

Sweater: Gap | Jeans: JCrew (old, similar here) | Shoes: Steve Madden (old, similar here) | Jewelry: Madewell

Oh sweater season...how I love thee! The stripe trend continues into fall and I am loving all the different variations in sweaters and tees. The Gap has some great options right now with pops of color and fun use of color blocking. This version spoke to me with the shawl collar and solid sleeves. I picked it up a size larger than I normally wear to give it more of a tunic-like feel. There is nothing better than a big cozy sweater on a cool winter day!

Dress: Urban Outfitters | Riding Pants: JCrew | Sweater Cardigan: Gap | Shoes: Target (old, similar here) | Jewelry: JewelMint

I'm really excited for all the color pops out in stores for fall this year. I feel like normally fall makes people gravitate towards dark subdued color palettes, but just the right color mix can make an outfit stand out in the crowd. I layered up this summer dress with a chunky cardigan and riding pants..still utilizing its bold blue color as a focal point. Just another great way to utilize your wardrobe more and blend seasons where it works.

Sweater Cardigan: Free People (old, similar here and here) | Tee: JCrew | Jeans: GAP | Shoes: Steve Madden

Chunky sweaters are probably my favorite thing about colder weather. I love to feel cozy and warm in an oversized sweater. This sweater cardigan was a special piece that I purchased last season and is wonderful for layering. Hopefully this season I can come up with new and interesting ways to wear it.

Shirt: Gap | Corduroy Pants: Madewell | Shoes: Nine West | Jewelry: Nordstrom, Madewell, JCrew, F21

The boyfriend jean is a trend that I have never really jumped on board with this past year. I have tried on several pairs of denim styles and really just didn't care for the look on me. I finally found this amazing pair of slouchy cords at Madewell and fell in love. They are so comfortable, the perfect shade of grey, and can be dressed up or down at my leisure. I only wish they had them in more than one color! What do you think?

I am a huge Pinterest junkie and love to peruse the site for new recipes. Since it is finally November and I am getting pumped for the holidays, I decided to try out this Pumpkin donut recipe. The recipe is easy to follow, and the donuts were a hit in our house regardless of their frumpy look. I obviously need to work on my "pretty" baking skills. You can follow me on Pinterest to see what my interests are and maybe what recipes I'll be cooking up in our house this fall. :)