(Photo Source: HWTM)
 
Obligatory 'WHERE HAS THIS YEAR GONE?' is needed to begin this post. It's hard to believe we are moving so quickly into a new year that will bring new hopes and dreams. Tonight I will be surrounded by family and my dog, drinking champagne, watching movies and enjoying a delicious dinner. It's going to be a laid back night, but I am alright with this. I think it's good to have a night to relax and just let other people have fun. I don't like to think like this, but I am perpetually single and so it's hard sometimes to go and celebrate on a night where a kiss is most often expected. Maybe next year, right?
 
I thought I would also reflect back on some of the major parts of 2013 that happened to me. It's hard to sometime remember every little detail, but these stand out.
  • Started working at I've Got Your Style, which is a local Personal Styling company here in Minneapolis, where I helped with social media outreach and updating the blog.
  • My lifelong friend, Tammy, married her sweetheart in Austin, Texas. It was the first time I had been in the state.
  • Visited my beautiful friend Lexi in California. I stayed there for four days and it was an absolute blast.
  • FINALLY got my driver's license after two failed attempts. I started crying in the car because I was so happy.
  • My beautiful second nephew, Riley, was born on August 30th. He was 7 lbs., 6 oz. I feel super blessed because I helped my sister during the two days while she was in the hospital. I got to see him grow just in those first few days. So special.
  • Began my first day of my last class of my college career in September.
  • Saw Mumford and Sons for the first time at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was epic to say the least.
  • Attended my Portfolio Show where I presented my final product to faculty members, industry professionals and guests.
  • Attended my GRADUATION and am now officially a college graduate with a Bachelor's of Science in Fashion Retail & Management.
  • Ready to put on my big girl pants and find a job!
Here's hoping that 2014 will be just as epic. I have a lot of goals and hopes for this upcoming year, which I hope will come true. To start it off with a bang, look to Mostly Lisa tomorrow for a brand new theme and layout! I am very excited to show everyone and switch up the look and feel of this passion. Much love to you all and I all hope you have a fantastic NYE and 2014!
 
Always,
Mostly Lisa


 


Hope you all had a fabulous holiday! I can't believe Christmas has come and gone and we're now looking forward to the New Year. This weekend is going to very relaxing, but I wanted to share some beautiful photography.

I am a huge fan of fairytales, and so when I found this gorgeous Holiday 2013 lookbook through Honey Kennedy, I was super inspired. It's moody and mysterious, and features some beautiful vintage clothing. That first dress is to die for! I had never heard of Summerland before, but I am glad I ventured through their site. They have some lovely items for winter including their Frost Top, Chelsea Coat and their Yoko Tunic. Take a look through their shop and let me know what you'd buy! Have a great weekend.
Always,
Mostly Lisa
 
Hello everyone! Merry Christmas, from my family to yours! I truly hope you all have a beautiful and happy holiday. It's been an absolute blast getting to know each and every one of you this year, and I can't believe how much more I have grown through Mostly Lisa. From the bottom of my heart thank you for reading my posts, connecting with me through Facebook and Twitter, making me smile with your lovely comments and for even just viewing my page. I hope you enjoy my little handwritten card above, thought it would make this post a little extra personal.
 
I will be spending Christmas day with my parents, eating some good food and watching my various options of several different movies. 'Muppet Christmas Carol' is at the top of my list. Also can't forget the Doctor Who Christmas special! We also received some more snow yesterday, so it's truly a White Christmas. Hope you all will be able to spend your day with loved ones, let me know in the comments of what you'll be doing! I am also deciding on doing a reflective post on the past year, but let me know also if you'd like to read that. Again, thank you so much for reading and I look forward to hearing from you guys. xoxo!
 
Always,
Mostly Lisa

A Fancy Pajama Party
 
It's finally Friday, which means it's time for a relaxing weekend to gift wrap any last minute presents or to just watch holiday-themed movies. My weekend will be consisting of a belated celebration of my graduation by getting together with friends and playing a good game of bowling and eating good food. In the downtime though, I always make sure to wear comfortable clothes around the house. So my pajamas consist of cotton PJ pants and a fun t-shirt or long-sleeved T. I consider this my 'Must-Have', and have included that above with some other great PJ sets that can create a perfect fancy PJ party! So ladies, how will you will be staying comfy this weekend?!
 
Always,
Mostly Lisa


Happy Monday lovelies! It's been quite an eventful couple days! I graduated from college on Friday and am officially done with my college career. It's so weird saying that, and I really can't believe it's already done and passed. There was so much anticipation, nervousness, stress and so much more that went into this. Now I am done. It's time to put my big girl pants on and hopefully find the job I am meant to be apart of. I am in the works to put together an outfit post of what I wore because I thoroughly enjoyed what I put together for my portfolio show and for graduation. But enough about me and onto the subject I wanted to talk about today.

Holiday parties. We've all been invited to them, and we've either had a lot of fun or a lot of pain putting together the right outfit that will make us stand out against the party crowd. I myself enjoy a great glitter ensemble in whatever color possible, but I also know people enjoy looking relaxed and casual but with a pop of SHAZAM mixed in. I have put together three different outfits, all plus size because that is my target market, that will touch on three different moods. We have the casual yet sophisticated woman, the ritzy woman who enjoys sparkle and the glamorama woman that pulls out all the stops. Which of these three would you be? Let me know in the comments, and I hope you enjoy what I have put together.

Party Outfit #1: Casual Decadence Attendee

Party Outfit #2: Putting On The Ritz Attendee
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ah, the Holiday Gift Guides are finished. Now it's time to take the ideas I rounded up and bring them to action, I just hope that I can get everything I need in order for this holiday season to be extra magical. That magic brings me to what I am talking about in today's post! The gold trend has been around forever, and I noticed it was very present for fall and is now transitioning into winter. I do enjoy a great gold trend, as it can be easy to coordinate with anything and really makes you stand out. Gold is also very synonymous with the Holidays, and so I am going to give you some great inspiration on decorating your house/outfit/makeup/etc. during this time! I have also rounded up a cute outfit that I would wear in an instant to a Holiday party or get together. If I ever got invited to one, of course. Happy Tuesday!
 
Holiday Gold
 

 
Always,
Mostly Lisa


 
Happy Saturday everyone! Hope you are all staying warm and getting your decorations up in your house for the holiday that you celebrate! We're just about to put up our tree and start decorating, but I wanted to give you one last installment of my Holiday Gift Guide! I also hope that my previous installments helped any of you out with some good ideas on what to get your family members and friends! It's been a lot of fun doing these gift guides, so I hope you all enjoyed them just as much. In this last installment I am talking all about finding a great gift that is under $25! 15 items that are under $25 which is about all I could fit in this, haha. Enjoy!
 
Always,
Mostly Lisa
 
 
This next installment of my Holiday Gift Guide is for the older siblings in our lives. Whether you have one or a bunch of them, the older brother or sister can be a very important person to look up to! They are the person you either idolize or at least get confidence from. I know with my own sister that I am always able to talk to her and have a shoulder to cry on. I have not (obviously) had the experience of having an older brother, but I can only imagine how great it could be. So enjoy some of my gift ideas and I hope they go on your list! And of course, you can always rely on me finding budget friendly items! These, again, are under $100.

Animal Print Ballet Flats: You really can't go wrong with a great pair of flats! These great cheetah print ballet flats from Gap are perfect for a sister who is stylish and on her feet for long periods of time. From reviews on these, these flats easily mold to your feet shape and are very comfortable. Plus, they are on sale right now for only $40!

Osiris Mith Sneaker: I can only assume the older brother enjoys comfortable shoes, so these sneakers will add some great style to their wardrobe! These skate-inspired shoes are super casual and will look great with any outfit. Trick these up for only $30.

Kate Spade Things We Love Charm Bracelet: So Kate Spade has been a very common theme in most of these Gift Guides, but it's only because there are so many great gift ideas to choose from. This bracelet is a great take on a BFF bracelet that any older sister would love to wear. With cute charms that include pearls and diamonds, this would be a great stocking stuffer. It's a little pricey at $88, but it's something sis would remember for a long time.

Timex Watch: Make sure your bro knows what time it is with this great Timex watch from Macy's! It comes with a black leather strap that will look sleek with any outfit, whether he's dressing up or down and it's even water resistant. This is also a great item that will last him a long time and is a great investment piece. Price is $70.

Rebecca Minkoff Monogram Coin Purse: I definitely want to get something like this for my own sister, especially since it's extremely personalized! This leather coin purse is super cute and includes a monogrammed initial of your choosing! On ShopBop.com it's only $50!

J.Crew CHUP Socks: Who doesn't love socks? Who doesn't love a great fair isle print? These combine both and are also from J.Crew. They are would be a perfect stocking stuffer and come in a variety of prints and colors. $34 only!

Ultra-Moisturizing Hand & Body Cream:  Victoria's Secret is a perfect place to stop in and grab some yummy smelling hand and body lotion. This exotic scent will keep your sis smelling great and have super soft skin! They also have a great special on this lotion, $12 for one or 3 for $25!

House of Marley Headphones: Earphones are a necessity for anyone, but for your brother you can get these great noise-isolating headphones from PacSun! Not only are these earth friendly, but they have their own button controller and will also work with his Apple devices. I actually want these for myself! This is another great investment piece and will cost you about $100. I definitely think they would be worth the money though, and your brother would definitely love you even more. 
 
Always,
Mostly Lisa