New Year's Eve is now SO close that you can literally taste the champagne flowing, hear the end-of-year playlists playing and also have the possibility of finding tons of glitter or confetti wherever you step. If you're like me, you can find all of these quite fun - because who doesn't love the chance to sparkle + shine while you're celebrating! I wanted to share five ways to do just that tomorrow night, including everything that you will need to ring in 2017 with a dash of glitter. Make sure you've got the right wine, a few of your friends, some delicious food and you'll be ready to party. Who knows, you may even be able to wear any of these all year long!
1. A showstopping dress -  ASOS CURVE Mermaid Embellished Shift Dress ($69): The name of this dress says it all! Feel like a mermaid while dancing the night away with the absolute perfect length sleeve + hem. I'm loving the relaxed fit and the all-over embellished sequins!

It has been such a strange week that I wasn't sure if I necessarily wanted to post something like this during it. It's been a mixed bag of emotions - some happy, some neutral, but mostly sad. I figured I had to chin up and keep going because life is already doing it for me + everyone else. I hope that while we're all trying to get through these last few days of 2016 that you've at least been able to spend some time with family and friends during this holiday season. This time of year can be kind-of a lull between being so festive for four weeks to then realizing that midnight on January 1st is really just another day. I believe it's the night before that counts and that is what today's My Style File post is all about!

Actually celebrating New Year's Eve can be a hit or miss for me. There have been quite a few years past where I've made plans and had them abruptly canceled, to not having any plans and figuring something out last minute, to finally realizing that I may never get a New Year's Eve kiss at midnight in this lifetime. Luckily, this year has panned out to be something that I'm actually really looking forward to. Not only will I be able to spend it with some great people, but I'll be properly dressed to party the night away!
My absolute favorite trend for this year, one that I've talked about several times on here + my other social media channels, is velvet! There has been so much chatter about this deliciously gorgeous trend that I spent probably a month or so trying to find the perfect velvet dress that would make my style dreams come true. I just so happened to have found it through another favorite fashion trend of mine this year - the Who What Wear x Target collection. There were so many things to choose from the collection, but the Women's Velvet Wrap Slip Dress is finally all mine and I couldn't be happier. It's so comfortable, the perfect length and the best thing to layer with when you want to switch your look up. For today's look, I decided to make it a little more casual by pairing a striped tee (similar) from Old Navy underneath. I paired it with the best cheetah glitter clutch from Betsey Johnson, some cute flats and a big statement necklace  I'm thinking for New Year's Eve that I will put something red or sheer on instead to make it a bit more festive, so I'll be all set to watch the big ball drop!

What do you guys think of this outfit? Hit or miss? I'm pretty excited to switch up the top and a few other accessories. Also, let me know what you're wearing for NYE and/or your plans! Hope you all have a lovely time celebrating any way you decide to, we all deserve it this year. xoxo

Here you have it! All the songs that made 2016 a little bit more bearable for me. If you can find one song to give you chills, goosebumps or make you sing out loud - then you've found a keeper. These were just some of the many songs that I found myself singing along to when they first came out, even though some came out years previously. At least my ears found their way to their melody! Music is such an important part of my life and I hope you can find one song from this playlist that will give you a special type of feeling while the rest of the year wraps up!

Listen to the entire playlist, here! ♫

This time of year is always my favorite when it comes to fashion. I always tend to find myself wearing a little bit more sparkle, daring to wear dresses when it's freezing outside and finding ways to incorporate winter accessories into whatever outfit I'm wearing. All of this definitely tests my desire to be super casual, but I think I've actually found a good balance on how to be both this holiday season. It's all about the details!

Details are so important for any outfit - they can make it or break it, let's be honest. I've been pretty lucky to have a keen eye for finding a lot of items that have exactly what I'm looking for, and this outfit is definitely one of them. You may be thinking that an all black outfit can't necessarily be 'festive' during this time of year, but like I said, it's the details that will bring out everything you need to be in the holiday spirit. My favorite part of this casual outfit? It has to be the AVA + VIV Bell Sleeve Peasant Blouse from Target! I purchased this during the fall and I've worn it several times, especially during October, but it has transformed into one of my favorite blouses to wear on a special occasion. The bell sleeves are probably the best part of it, as they bring out extra bohemian vibes along with the lace accents on the sleeves and upper area of the blouse. It's easy to wear with pretty much anything, so that is why I put the Mossimo Loose Fitting Long Vest from Target over it. It just adds a nice sophisticated touch that you can dress up or down, which fits perfectly into my type of style. Finally, I put on a pair of my favorite Mid-Rise Pixie Ankle Pants from Old Navy, the cutest ankle velvet booties + a velvet choker to complete the look.

This entire look cost under $100 as well, so you can't go wrong with finding something that matches your style + budget. I'm definitely looking forward to wearing this at least a couple more times, in various forms, this month and the next. At least I know I'll be casual + festive!

For the past week + a half, I have been happy. Just plain happy. I don't know if it's just luck that I so happen to be feeling this way around this time of year, or if it's because I've purposefully just made myself feel content + happy with how life is at the moment. There have been so many positives in these past several days, and I'm hoping it stays that way. The #mostlylisagiftguide series this year was probably one of my absolute favorites that I have ever done, and I want to say from the bottom of my heart - THANK YOU! Thank you for receving it so well, for entering + sharing it with your friends. There is now officially only ONE MORE (FULL) DAY left of the giveaway, so make sure if you haven't entered to do so. Tell your family, tell your friends! While you're doing that, make sure to visit me at Madewell in Mall of America tomorrow for a fun holiday shopping event. It's going on from 5:30-7:30pm on Level 1, South. I'm very, very excited to actually be hosting my official first event ever in the capacity of being Mostly Lisa. Can't wait!

Anways, the point of this post is actually a little bit of what has made this month so far positive. I am always looking for sources of inspiration, and Instagram is always at the top of the list when it comes for a variety of it. One of my absolute favorite IG'ers is blogger, Carrie Santana de Silva of WishWishWish! She is a travel blogger + personal stylist based in London, who I have been following for probably a year or more. Her photography skills are beyond amazing, and her scenic shots of the bustling city and other areas she travels to, are gorgeous! Lately she's been sharing some lovely holiday-inspired photos of London and it's got me feeling the wanderlust. For this reason, she is officially my Insta-Crush for this entire year. Enjoy some of my favorite photos she's shared, and make sure to follow her for your own source of inspiration!

I CANNOT believe that it is already the last day of my #mostlylisagiftguide week! It's literally gone by in a flash and I am so excited for everything that this year has brought in regards to connections, the new brands I've found and just sharing all of this with you guys. It's been a little tough because this entire week I have been battling a cold, but I promised myself that I would get this out for everyone just in time for the holidays and I made sure to push through and get it done. There have been several sleepless nights making sure that this got done right, and I can't wait to take a breather for just a few days after this. That being said, who else is excited for this post today? It's all been leading up to this moment right here, especially if you've seen me post on Instagram, Facebook + Snapchat! When thinking of who I wanted to make this last guide for, it ended up being not for a person but for an item that you could easily add to your wishlist on its own - the Christmas stocking, the piece of fabric you hang above a fire, the best sock ever! What makes this item so special? It's obviously because all everything that can fit inside of it is under $25!

rough draft mini notebook ($12) | hot stuff ceramic mug ($14) | Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels ($8) | limited-edition gallery gals deluxe tarteist™ eyeliner set ($19) | Nest Eau de Parfum Travel Spray Trio ($12) | Seasonal Chocolate Truffle Flight ($18) | Nine and Three-Quarters Enamel Pin ($8) | Village Rewards at Arc's Value Village (Free! Shop + earn points) | Minnesota Tote Bag (SALE: $20) | Voluspa Limited Edition Japonica Mini Candle Set ($24) | Soft Matte Lip Cream Set 10 (Sold Out Online - Still In Stores ($12) | Art of Instruction Botanical Journals ($13) | E35 - TAPERED BLENDING BRUSH ($17) | STANDOUT EYES GEL EYE LINER - UNEXPECTED (SALE: $10) | Golden Wonder ($16) | Bergamot Geranium Hand Soap ($9) | Garland Jar Holder ($20) | Marled Colorblock Trouser Socks (SALE: $10)
After you're done shopping all these AMAZING stocking stuffer ideas, it's time to get ready to party! Yes, you heard right. Get ready for a party of gifts! Friends, this is probably my favorite giveaway I have ever done on this blog. The people who have graciously donated beautiful + unique items to it have won over my heart and I cannot thank them enough. The best part is that each gift is something I think everyone will really enjoy because dang it, I know I would absolutely love to have them myself. So not only are there a few new participants to this annual tradition here on the blog, but I obviously have to spoil you guys as well. Look for a few small gifts from me that are quintessentially #mostlylisaholiday! Read on for an in-depth description of all the gifts included in the giveaway, the rules and then make sure to enter through the Rafflecopter portal and tell all your friends + family to enter as well. Good luck to all of you, and thank you so much for participating! xoxo
a Rafflecopter giveaway

After a last minute adjustment, this gift guide is going to be a little different than what I had normally planned on doing. There's nothing wrong that though, because it's going to be SO much fun to read through. After browsing through so many websites, I have come up with a fantastic gift guide for the home decorator, furnisher, architect! You all know how much I enjoy daydreaming about decorating my 'dream' home, so I'm actually super glad I decided to change it up. Look through for unique items that are perfect for the holidays! My favorite has to be the Be Merry doormat by Dusty Signs + Kate Worum for Target, as well as the Jane Austen pillowcase by A Thing Created! Also, get excited! There's only ONE MORE DAY until the #mostlylisagiftguide giveaway goes live. I can't wait for everyone to see what it entails. I'm pretty jealous of all of you who enter.
Reindeer Place Card Holders | Ebony Monogram Holiday Merry Doormat | Felt Message Garland - Let It Snow | Chas Navy Blue Velvet Armchair | North Pole Trading Co. Hampton Pre-Lit Wreath | Blue Chunky Knit Throw | Desktop Notepad by Rifle Paper Co. | Booze Decanter | Clear Quartz Rock Box | Salt Crystal Lamp | novelty pillow cases | Illustrated Pillow: Jane Austen books | Diptyque Vanille Candle | Gettin Blitzened Towel | Drink Me Wine Tote

// THE GALS // THE GUYS // THE YOUNGSTERS //

I have to admit, finding gifts for little kids is probably one of the most fun tasks I could ever be set upon to do. It's like literally being a kid in a candy shop! This guide is for the kids, the tots, the babes! Now that my nephews are getting older too, it's making finding gifts that much more special. They now have their own interests + things that they really, truly love, which then makes it really easy to go shopping when December rolls around. That innocence and excitement that they possess during this time of year is something to behold. I miss those days. I may have gone a little overboard with this guide, but it's mostly because there are so many ages to go through for the youngsters. My favorite has to be; the Worry Eating Plush Pals from Uncommon Goods that encourages kids to write down their worries and then "feed" them to the helpful monster (SO CUTE), and the app-enabled BB-8 from Best Buy! Remember, shop all the links below! Which item is your favorite?

// THE GALS // THE GUYS //

Welcome to the second day of the #mostlylisagiftguide series! Today is all about those guys, the dudes, for him. This one is always the hardest for me, mostly because whenever I ask a guy I know in my life what he wants for the holidays, he never gives me a clear answer. For example, my dad always tells me he already has everything he wants and that I shouldn't bother getting him something for Christmas. Why must he be so difficult?! It doesn't always have to be bad though, especially if you can hone in on something that they really enjoy. My brother-in-law really enjoys nerdy things like I do, so I have multiple unique items to pick from. If I had a boyfriend, I could choose from a variety of flannels or a cologne that he enjoyed..I might have a type. -wink,wink- See, there's always a silver lining! Some of my favorites from this guide have to be; Julien Solomita's x Free Radical's Popsicle Pin (might be sold out right now, but he said he's restocking), and the fancy wool beanie from Paul Smith! Make sure to keep an eye out on my Instagram for daily sneek peaks of the giveaway that is going up on Friday! I'll be sharing previews throughout the week leading up to the big day.
Long-sleeve henley | Wool Dexy Beanie | Popsicle Pin | Animal Patterned Cufflinks | Shearling Glove | Beard Butter | The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave | Club C 85 Indoor | Fitbit Surge Smart Watch | S'well Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle | Rover Large Coin Pocket Bifold

// THE GALS // 

It's that time of year again! The fourth annual Mostly Lisa Holiday Gift Guide series is now LIVE and ready for you to enjoy. There are still a few days left of November but before you know it, we'll be fast approaching the biggest holiday of the year! So this time around, I am aptly prepared to help YOU find exactly what you need for anyone in your life. Get ready for five days worth of fun gifts that will be budget-friendly + splurge-friendly! This will all end with one fantastic giveaway that are going to have a few surprises you will not want to miss! So let's get #mostlylisaholiday started with something that will never change - beginning it with the gals, the women, for her. Pretty fitting, right?


As you can see, there are so many options to choose from this year. From a beautiful velvet caftan from MANGO, a Girl Gang denim jacket that is sure to make you feel like a bad ass, to even a strawberry pin from Tuesday Bassen - I can't decide which one is my favorite! Shop all the links below and let me know what you'd choose for the gal in your life.

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is actually Thanksgiving! This time of year always seems to rush together in one crazy whirlwind of celebration, delicious food and decorations everywhere. I am ready for all of it, surprisingly, and this how-to will get you ready in no time as well.
 Who doesn't enjoy a good table setting? Especially when there are so many great things to make it special for the person who will be sitting at it. This year, my mom has gone all out with the Thanksgiving decorations for our dining table. We're talking a festive tablecloth, candle-holders adorned with acorns + leaves, plus some adorable turkey salt & pepper shakers! Then when I was doing some research for a DIY option for our Thanksgiving feast, I came across this adorable idea from blogger oh my deer! DIY Thanksgiving place mats that you can write on with what you're thankful for this year. So adorable! So while we're pretty much set for our feast + celebration, I wanted to give you some tips on how to set your own table for the holiday! Shop all the links below, and let me know how you're celebrating this year.

Table Linens: Velvet Table Runner | Sour Cream Placemat | Thanksgiving Napkins by MudPie
Dinnerware: Metallic Lace Dessert Plate + Dinner Plate | Metallic Lace Bowl | Concave Turkey Cutting Board | Marchesa by Lenox Imperial Caviar Rose Gold Collection | Pumpkin Salt & Pepper Shakers
Glassware: Gold Dot Cocktail Shaker | Gold Wine Glasses | Stemless Glasses
Finishing Touches: Faux Burgundy Hydrangea | Mini Ceramic Turkey

It has been one interesting + exciting week for Mostly Lisa! So many new ideas and collaborations are in the works this month and the next. I'm beyond excited to finish off this year with a bang! I am also just completely game to collaborate, connect and be inspired. One of the bigger sources all of this came from was the partnership that I have now started with Caribou Coffee! You may have seen the post/giveaway I did with them last month for #CaribouTribute! Well, they asked me to participate again with their holiday campaign this year. Ho-ho-ho, indeed!

The company's campaign for Holiday 2016 is all about the toppings - whether you put whip, chocolate chips or even Snickers on your drink, you are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. So you have your classic drink combos, right? Well this holiday season, you can now choose from 500+ drink combinations.  Caribou Coffee has officially gone over the top! So they set out on asking influencers (yes, ME BEING ONE OF THEM!) how do we #TopBou? There was really only one way they could get us to answer, and that was by hosting an amazingly cool pop-up coffee lab in Mall of America on 11/15 + 11/16. They invited me, a few other local bloggers and guests visiting the Rotunda in the Mall to stop by and create our own unique holiday drink on Caribou!

Once we chose our drink of choice, whip cream flavor + toppings galore, we could then capture our creation on the special Coffee Cam they had up on the big screen! It was a really unique + interactive experience for everyone that attended. Being able to share the drink you made with people at the event and passing by felt like a really fun way to express yourself. You will see mine above + below, to which I decided to call the Mostly Lisa. Smart, right? The Mostly Lisa is pretty straightforward - a milk chocolate mocha, vanilla whip cream, vanilla chocolate chips, candy cane, toffee caramel crunch and brownie bites! It was pretty dang tasty, if I do say so myself. That being said, I would absolutely LOVE if any of you went to your local Caribou Coffee and ordered this drink. Make sure to do so on Tuesday because you can get $1 off a large holiday drink! Oh, and you better share a photo of that drink with me! #drinkgoals

Thank you so much to Caribou Coffee for inviting me to the #TopBou event this week! It was an absolute blast and I loved being able to get a jump start on the holiday season with a delicious drink.

FANGIRLING: Is anyone else freaking out over the new photos of the 2017 live-action version of "Beauty & the Beast"? EW Magazine has several new photos being released in their November issue this week and they all look absolutely beautiful. The minute I had heard that one of my favorite Disney animated movies was being remade with Emma Watson, I pretty much knew I would love it. Then we got that preview trailer a few months ago, and I was instantly gratified again. The production value for this movie looks absolutely spectacular, and they nailed the casting for all of the beloved characters. I am very intrigued to see how they handle the Beast and the characters who are objects. Are they going to sing? Are they going to do a lot of special effects? So many questions! I just can't wait to see all of them answered.

WATCHING: Whew boy! What am I not watching right now? There are actually some really amazing new shows this year for the fall season, and I am not complaining. 'This Is Us' has been a solid family drama that has made me cry pretty much every week since it started. The relationship between the father and the only daughter is super important and hits home a lot. 'Pitch' has just recently become one of my favorite shows, with a female lead who literally knocks it out of the park. I never thought I would like a show about baseball, but again the acting is so solid. Then finally, 'The Crown' was released on Netflix last week and it's beyond beautiful. The costumes, the acting and a more in depth look at Queen Elizabeth and her early life as sovereign. It all adds up to beautiful cinematography and fantastic storytelling. Please watch all of these!

LISTENING: I am a little late to the First Aid Kit train, but I am so glad that I finally jumped aboard! This Swedish folk duo is just what I needed after being on the hunt for a new band to enjoy. Their melodic voices + addition of instrumentals are so lovely and easily takes me away to a relaxing place while listening. I really hope they come out with another album.

COVETING: With the holidays approaching pretty quickly, my mind is turning with gift ideas for others and some that I would like to spoil myself with. I'm always coveting something, so this month is no different. If you saw my velvet post last week, you'll definitely not be surprised that this Velvet dress from Target is my NUMBER ONE choice from everything I've been eyeing lately. I have been obsessed with the Who What Wear collection, and it's been amazing to see them incorporate extended sizes into each style they've produced. It makes me feel included, and that I can actually be comfortable in something that I have fallen in love with. These Rifle Paper Co. Mermaid Wrapping Sheets might just be my go-to this year for any gifts I wrap for family and friends. How adorable are those mermaid illustrations? Finally, my beauty guru kicked in once I saw Sigma Beauty release their SigMagic Brushampoo! I have accumulated a LOT of brushes over the past year, and this is supposed to help clean them in a matter of minutes. It will be a must for beauty lovers this year, so I'm making sure to add it to my wishlist.

LOVING: Ruth Negga + Joel Edgerton in the November issue of Vogue has left me breathless! The stars of the new movie Loving by Jeff Nichols's appear together in this spread of gorgeous scenery, luxurious fashion and romantic expressions. It's hands down one of my favorite editorials this year.

What are some of your love for this month?!