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Glossy Hunter Boots (Matte version here, glossy short version here, and matte short version here and here. And I love these in “Pale Mint.”) / Hunter Boot Socks (Here’s the classic fleece version. And I love the cable knit short version as well as the fleece short version. And have you seen this insulated pair?!) / Canada Goose Jacket (Also love the shorter version and this version.) / Rag & Bone Jeans (Also love the black and gray versions.) / Burberry Scarf (Have you seen this?! It totally fits adults!) / Pocket Sweater / Barbour Hat (Similar here, here, and here.)

Well, it’s officially winter here in Chicago! Last December was really warm, so I have to admit that the cold and snow comes as a bit of a shock to me this year. But hey: it’s super Christmassy, wouldn’t you say?!

A few very random things on my mind this afternoon:

♥ My dad got Emma a stuffed animal Elmo for Christmas, and I cannot wait to see her with it. I really can’t tell you guys how much our little girl loves Elmo… it’s adorable. I do, however, remember getting “My Buddy” as a kid after wanting it for so long and being absolutely terrified when my parents gave him to me on my birthday. So I will NOT cry if Emma is scared, too, haha. OH! And have I ever mentioned that my parents live really close to Sesame Place? We’re going to take Emma over the summer. Be prepared for a million photos. ;)

♥ Do you guys have any suggestions for holiday gifts for a five-month-old? We’re getting Emma some sort of an activity bouncer that she can stand up in as well as some new toys to hang from her activity mat, but we need more ideas!

♥ It’s boot season! I FINALLY invested in a pair of cable-knit socks for my beloved Hunters, and I’m VERY surprised at how much warmth they add. Do they make them into boots appropriate for real Chicago winters? No. (Those would be my Sorels. Order 1/2 size up.) But for “wet snow” days, they’re perfect. (You know: when it’s not quite cold enough for the snow to stick.) This is the classic version of the socks, and I also recently came across this insulated pair and I’m dying to try. Anyone have experience with ’em?

♥ Above are some of my favorite shoes–the ones I wear frequently–from Nordstrom. Nordstrom is my go-to retailer for shoes, as the selection is ah-mah-zing, they’re constantly restocking, and shipping and returns are free. The customer service is off the charts, too. These days, I do most of my shopping online, as getting downtown with Emma is kind of tough. But I had the chance to stop into the store last week, and sigh. It’s so, so beautiful right now! A must-see during the holiday season if you’re in Chicago! Especially that shoe section…

♥ How cute are these little heart bullet points? It’s the little things. ;)

♥ This past week, I had dinner at Rangoli with ShaheenJess and Blair, and we had the best time. This time of year is absolutely nuts, and it’s harder than ever to find time to get together. I walked out of there feeling so lucky. And next week, I’m making it my MISSION to make it to a holiday party where I should see the rest of my Chicago girlfriends. I love the holidays so much, but is anyone else already kind of pining for calmer days? ;)

♥ On a similar note, I can’t wait to see my high school friends. When we were home for Thanksgiving, nearly the entire extended family was meeting Emma for the first time, and Mitch and I sadly ran out of days. But it’s our mission to see my ND friends while we’re home for Christmas. I miss everyone SO MUCH. We have weddings and babies-on-the-way to celebrate! I love Chicago more than I could ever explain, but sometimes it’s just so hard being this far away.

♥ And on a personal note, I love Erica Ganong. Erica, we are getting together in early January, okay? Do you hear me?! (Erica is one of our very best friends from New York, and she now lives in Milwaukee. You’d think that getting together would be a cinch, as the drive actually takes less time than the subway ride to and from our NYC apartments. But NO. We stink at getting together, and it’s no one’s fault. But the love is still so real…)

♥ Did you catch my recent post on picking out our Christmas tree? It was one of my favorite days ever, and tonight (after Emma and I grab dinner with Jess and Kira), we’re decorating it! I’m pumped, and I can’t wait to show you. We did forget our Christmas decor back East, but we managed to run to the store last night and grab some new stuff. And did I mention that the tree farm gave us a ton of evergreen sprigs? The house has never smelled so good!

♥ Whatever happened to Kate Spade? How do we feel about the brand these days? Are we all just getting older and moving on to less glitzy things? Is it going to be another Coach thing, where the brand kind of fades and then comes back with a vengeance? (Jess just got these boots, btw, and they’re so cute. I also love these rain boots, and I have these oh-so-comfy loafers.) So many questions, haha. (I have to say that I LOVE these Kate Spade scalloped pumps, and the flat version, too.)

♥ As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve become a bit more lax with posting times for the blog. I used to be SUCH a stickler and stay up until the wee hours of the morning to make sure my posts always went up “on time.” These days, I’m giving myself a break. If things are nuts and I just can’t do it, well… a “noon post,” it is! A noon post is better than no post, right? Or a post that makes no sense because Mommy’s so sleep-deprived? ;)

♥ Our packages are getting stolen! The whole block has been getting hit. It’s such a bummer, and I feel so badly for those who’ve lost the irreplaceable. (It also makes my heart hurt a little. I always like to think the best of people!) My mom shipped us homemade stockings that she and Grammie made our family last week, and I stayed home the whole day to make sure I was there to physically receive them. Feeling very grateful to A) have such an amazing family and B) have the stockings safely in our possession. They’re something we’ll always treasure! Thank you, Mom and Grammie!

This Burberry snood apparently works for adults, and it’s so much cheaper than mine! I’m considering getting it so I can review it on the blog and see if it’s as magical as people say it is. :)

♥ The little fam is headed down to the lake house tomorrow night. My mother-in-law is throwing a Christmas party for her friends, and we’re going out with Charlie, my brother-in-law, for a holiday dinner. Should be a blast! What do you guys have planned for the upcoming weekend?

♥ Okayyyy… I’ll let you go. Sorry for babbling for so long!

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Shop the post:

Glossy Hunter Boots (Matte version here, glossy short version here, and matte short version here and here. And I love these in “Pale Mint.”) / Hunter Boot Socks (Here’s the classic fleece version. And I love the cable knit short version as well as the fleece short version. And have you seen this insulated pair?!) / Canada Goose Jacket (Also love the shorter version and this version.) / Rag & Bone Jeans (Also love the black and gray versions.) / Burberry Scarf / Pocket Sweater / Barbour Hat (Similar here, here, and here.)

Shop my favorite shoes:

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom, but all opinions are my own. As always, thank you so much for supporting the partnerships that keep Kelly in the City up and running!