December 2014 | Page 2 of 4 | Life's Candy Jar

Christmas Sweater & More

December 18, 2014 by Rachel Barkules

Sweater: Topshop / Jeans: Paige / Shoes: Similar here

We were all in a silly mood and ran over and took some pictures in Santa’s sleigh. It was probably this Christmas sweater that put me in the mood. That and when Sofia came home from school she said “Mommy! Why are you dressed like Christmas?”. I wanted to act like a silly kid for a moment and run around having fun. I got cold at the end and had to put on my coat. Then my kids jumped in and wanted to do a silly picture with me. I can’t believe it’s only 1 week till Christmas!! Most of my shopping is done and I can’t wait to see my kids faces on Christmas morning. They make it so fun and magical!

Speaking of Christmas shopping, I have been very busy this week shopping. I did most of it online because I don’t like fighting the crowds and I can do all my shopping in my pj’s after my kids are in bed.

//Here is a list of stores and their deadlines for ordering for Christmas Eve delivery:

Nordstrom: December 21st (midnight) for free standard shipping on all merchandise, December 24th on select merchandise
Amazon: December 22nd for free 2 day shipping
Target: December 20th for free standard shipping
Anthropologie: December 19th (midnight) for standard shipping, December 21st for express shipping
J Crew: December 21st (midnight) for standard shipping, December 23rd (noon) for overnight
Piperlime: December 20th (midnight) for standard shipping, December 23rd (3:00pm EST) for expedited shipping
Sephora: December 18th for standard shipping, December 19-22 for expedited shipping

Check out my entire Holiday Shopping Guide for gift ideas

Holiday Shopping Guide: Gadgets

December 16, 2014 by Rachel Barkules

Smart Phone Deck / Frends + Baublebar Headphone Set / Crosley Radio ‘Songbird’ Radio / Crosley Radio ‘Corsair’ Clock Radio / Selfie Stick / Marshall Speaker / Crosely Radio ‘Collegiate’ Turntable / Shure Sound Isolating Earbuds / Sony RX100 / Kindle Paperwhite / Jawbone

I love and hate gadgets all at the same time. They are amazing and make my life easier, if I know how to use them. This gadget gift guide is gadgets that I currently use or want to have in my life. I have the Marshall speaker sitting in my kitchen. This is what I use with bluetooth with my iPhone to listen to my music while I’m home. It has a vintage look with amazing sound! I use the Sony NEX6 for most of my Instagram pics, but it is now discontinued and sold out mostly everywhere. The Sony RX100 is their next model. I love these headphones that collabs with Baublebar that you get a sparkly pair of headphones plus a pair of earrings. The Shure earbuds are amazing. They are sound isolating, which is perfect for using anywhere in public; on the train, airplane or walking the streets. My hubby uses the Kindle paperwhite to read all of his books. It literally looks like paper, just like a book. He can read it in the sun and there is no glare. Download books, some for free with an Amazon prime membership.

I just discovered the Jawbone today! I want it in my life so much starting January 1st (lol!!). It tracks everything including: steps, exercise, sleep, fitness, calories burned, hours slept, quality of sleep; track your food, drink, calories, nutrients. I mean, this is the personal assistant I have been wanting in my life.

Green Blazer

December 15, 2014 by Rachel Barkules

Blazer: Nordstrom, available in several colors including metallic silver! / Top: Topshop (on sale) / Jeans: J Brand / Shoes: Kate Spade / Bag: so similar Topshop / Earrings: Baublebar

An embellished top like this is so easy to wear. It’s like it has the jewelry already built into it. I purchased this exact blazer in the spring in pink, now I’m back for round 2 with green. You may not be able to tell in these pictures, but I was soooo freezing! We were having a warmer day here (upper 30’s) and I was comfortable wearing this most of the day. Then we stopped to take some pictures and it was windy and felt way colder.

Christmas is only 10 days away!!! I went out and did some Christmas shopping this weekend. It was so insane! I ended up only buying a few gifts then going home and ordering everything online. It beats the crowds and there is a much bigger selection. If you are ordering gifts for Christmas delivery make sure you get it done this week. Most stores are offering free shipping for Christmas delivery if ordered by this Friday.

Shopbop is having a sale on sale. An extra 20% off sale items with code EXTRASALE

Meet Me in Paris

December 13, 2014 by Rachel Barkules

Sweater: Nordstrom / Collared Shirt: Foxcroft / Pants: Trouve / Shoes: Kate Spade / Bag: so similar Topshop

I feel like I always talk about how comfortable an outfit it. It’s probably because I wish I could live in loungewear. This sweater is so comfy I ended up wearing it around the house with my pj bottoms when I got home (without the white collared shirt underneath). And check out these sequin pants! They are elastic drawstring and no one has to know :) This is my kind of outfit; It looks wonderful, but feels like pj’s!

Casual Party Attire

December 12, 2014 by Rachel Barkules

Top: JOA (on sale)
Coated Jeans: Paige (on sale)
Shoes: Kate Spade (sold out), similar from Sam Edelman & Via Spiga, obsessed
Bag: Danielle Nicole
Earrings: Baublebar, also love this, this, this
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (on sale)
Lips: Gerard Cosmetics ‘All Dolled Up’, use code ‘rachel‘ for 25% off sitewide

My favorite holiday parties are the ones with my close friends or family where I get to come dressed casual. There is something about the laid back feel and the comfortable clothes that makes the time so much more enjoyable. I love this embellished sweatshirt because I still feel festive but sooo cozy and comfortable! I paired it with my leopard pumps, but I’m obsessed with these sparkly pumps. I wish I would have went and bought them just for this outfit. I’m sure I would have found other outfits to wear them with too, right? Heck, I would vacuumed my house in them just to wear them more :)