It is finally Fall! One of my favorite times of year is that sweet spot when summer is just leaving the air but the harsh chill of colder months hasn't set in yet. I have the best Fall memories from growing up. Saturdays were spent doing different seasonal activities, whether it was visiting a pumpkin patch or raking leaves to jump in at my grandparents' house. Sundays were spent with the windows open, football on all day, and always were full of yummy game day food. In my college years I would love sitting out on campus, with a hot latte just checking out the beautiful trees that were changing color and getting excited for all of the new opportunity of the new school year. 

Now I look at Fall as the ultimate time to get family and friends together. Everyone is back from their summer vacations and are winding down back into their routines. Everyone appreciates a get together a little more when it feels like something exciting to look forward to at the end of their week instead of an added event to jam into their summer schedule. Some of my favorite activities for Fall are football Sundays, outdoor wine tastings, and craft nights to make seasonal decorations. I love anything that lets me be outside and enjoy this perfect weather while I can.

One of my all time favorite things about Fall is shopping for it. I love layering cozy pieces and one of my favorite places to get them is Marleylilly. I recently just got a TON of stuff from the site and I feel pretty sure that I have something to wear for just about every Fall event. I may be just a little more obsessed this year because I have an excuse to put my soon to be new monogram on everything. I won't lie, the site can be an overwhelming endless abyss that can swallow you and spit you out a few hundred dollars later (in a good way of course), but I wanted to try and make this easy for you all. I have rounded up my favorite Fall pieces from Marleylilly along with where I would wear them and included the links below. One of my favorite things about Marleylilly is that they have such cute stuff that is actually affordable for those of us that are trying to stay on budget (aka plan a wedding hellllp). Enjoy my roundup, share with your friends, and happy shopping! (:

These things are all the rage with "basic" college girls everywhere. I'm not going to deny the fact that I am pretty basic but these boots really are so convenient for my lifestyle. They are perfect for taking the dogs out for walks even in damp weather, for frequenting the hiking trail near our house, and just to simply throw on with leggings while running errands at Target on the weekend. These boots come with two additional toppers that you can attach to the boots to change up your look or just wear them by themselves!

I love these as a staple to wear with everyday outfits. Whether you are pairing them with a blazer and dress or jeans and a puffer vest, they are sure to provide a classy, put together touch and really "make" the look. They also come in a variety of different colors so stock up.

The plaid detailing on this one totally stole my heart. I love this pullover for just about any Fall activity. I'm thinking a pumpkin patch, sipping some apple cider. Sign. Me. Up. This also pairs perfectly with either jeans or leggings so you can dress it up or down.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this piece so much. It is cozy, it is chic, and it has quickly become a staple in my closet. I love this for a wine tasting, a girls night, or for traveling. I actually really think this piece is perfect for traveling because it is so comfortable and blanket like. I am getting sleepy just thinking of curling up in this. Every time I've worn this I've gotten so many complements and people asking me where to get it. I swear this thing is like the Traveling Pants (please tell me you got that reference) but it looks good on everyone and makes you feel like a chic but comfortable monogram lover. 

Loafers are one of my favorite things. They are kind of "grandma chic" in the best way. They are comfortable, they are stylish, and from Marleylilly... they are monogrammed. If you haven't caught on yet, everything that I am really into is both comfortable and chic. These monogrammed loafers are so classy and perfect for the Fall weather. I would tell you exactly where I would wear these but the answer is literally everywhere. I haven't purchased them yet because they are brand spankin' new, but you better believe I am taking advantage of the shoe sale and these will be at my house in less than a week. 

Pretty gloves will always have a special place in my heart. My grandmother had a beautiful collection of them and I used to love trying them on when I was little. Now in my adult years I like to slip on a pair of classy gloves to instantly make me feel like a regal lady. I love the plaid print on these because they can add a fun and unexpected twist to a routine Fall outfit. 

This shirt describes all of my favorite things this season. I love this for movie nights with your S.O. or for tailgates or football outings. This shirt is so comfy but still so cute, you really can't go wrong. 

It is never too early to start thinking of adorable holiday gifts! As soon as I saw these cute jewelry trays I knew they were going to be at the top of my gifts to give this year. They are so cute, functional, and a great way to personalize a gift without being corny or over the top. I may have to pick one up for myself too....

Make sure to like, share, and spread the word about CrohnicallyBlonde.com! Also, please DM me on Instagram or comment on my most recent post to tell me what Marleylilly items you are loving right now and where you would wear them for Fall!

If you guys haven't noticed I've really embraced Instagram Stories after a long while of shying away from anything following the Snapchat model. I never jumped on board to Snap bandwagon just because to me it honestly just seemed like a whole lot of work and set up for little to no ROI. Let me explain.... you have to make a conscious effort to make sure you are promoting yet another user name on another platform for your brand, you have to make sure you are keeping up adding brands you are going to promote on both Instagram and Snapchat, and it just was another app that I had to deal with. Sounds high maintenance but I also just couldn't get into the whole sharing every little thing in my life until I realized there was actually value I could add by doing so. I still don't share everything but I do get to share quick tips on products, funny things about my dogs, and give people a look at what my non curated life looks like. Not only does this leave my Instagram feed freed up but it also has helped me to connect with readers/followers of CB in a whole new way. I just love it now. I like that Instagram is already something that I utilize on the regular so adding a new feature is easily integrated into my social media habits. I love that I can just tag brands that I already love without having to go find and follow on another site and I love being able to see updates from not only my friends but businesses and bloggers I follow along with. Instagram you did it right. There are a whole lot of other things that I do not like about you right now but I will save that for a different post..... (in case you haven't heard, Google "Instagram algorithm" be prepared for lots of shade).

Basically the point of this whole rant is that I've been utilizing stories to share real time updates and finds so I think I have slacked a little on sharing them on here. I DO want to get back to doing that though because I think it really is important to have posts to go back to that round up the top content you are sharing day to day. So, takeaway #1- follow me on Instagram to see real time updates, #2- enjoy this new, updated post of all of my favorite new and now finds that I can't get enough of. 

​xx

I absolutely LOVE decorating for Fall. That being said, though, I don't like veering from my neutral color scheme and the usual fall colors don't go with my whole "look" I have going on at home. In the past I have been all about the white pumpkin decorating craze that dominates Pinterest but this year I switched things up to green pumpkins! They aren't AS basic as the white pumpkins but still fit my color scheme requirements. I picked up some cute decor for Fall (including green pumpkins, at Hobby Lobby and Target).

I got a sample of this product at Sephora the other day and have been so obsessed ever since. It is super moisturizing, tastes amazing, and adds a perfect finish to your lips if you are going for a natural look (which I pretty much always am). I can't get enough of this stuff and have been recommending it right and left to pretty much every person I meet. You can get it for yourself HERE. You won't regret it. 

I am so OCD about office/school supplies and the pens/pencils that I write with so when I found these I was skeptical at first but soon made a believer. I ordered these bad boys off of Amazon (I have the multi color pack) for writing and color coding my planner and for organizing my notes at work. The thin tips make it so easy to write neatly and the color selection is amazing. You can get them on Amazon and have them at your house in two days. Score.

I did a whole Instagram post on this stuff  but to give you a quick rundown.... this stuff is a miracle for whitening teeth painlessly. It is made of clay, it is organic, it is pain free, and you can get 30% off of your first order with my code "M30". Click here, you are welcome.

This stuff has become my go to. So far I have tried their Pinot Noir and the Rose and both have been heaven for my tastebuds. The wines aren't too sweet and definitely gets you a little buzzed with your first class (or is that just me?). Did I mention that they come in cans? Yup, cans. So they are great for bonfires and other outdoor Fall events. Especially for us gluten free folk who can't drink beer, these are a cool alternative so you don't have to look like the asshole drinking out of a wine class while everyone else has Miller Lite cans.

I always see Moon Juice products featured by The Skinny Confidential but haven't been totally sold. The other day I gave in and tried this Brain Powder one morning at work. I was pretty surprised that about 20 minutes after drinking the powder (I mixed it with caffeine free mint tea) I was more alert, awake, and focused. Usually it takes me a couple cups of coffee to get to that point but if this powder can get me amped up that quickly without the negative gastro effects from coffee then I guess it is worth it! Get yours here.

I am always on the hunt for products that will hydrate my skin without making me break out or have a reaction from it. ThirstyMud is heaven for skin transitioning seasons. I put it on for about 20 minutes while I am taking a bubble bath and when I take it off my skin feels plump, moisturized, and so smooth. A little of this stuff goes a long way so you can make the jar last. 

Charleston is obsessed with toys that we can stuff treats into and those things will keep him busy for hours. Kong toys are a lifesaver when we are trying to get things done around the house and need Charleston to be occupied. Rhaegar is a little easier to entertain. We put him in front of the window and he can stare for hours. I like to browse the different Kong toys at my local pet store to decide what is best for my boys. There are different ones for different ages and strength of chewers. 

It all started with Red Lentil pasta from Trader Joe's and then when I saw this stuff I had to give it a try. This has quickly become a dinner staple in my household especially when I need to whip something up quickly. While I usually opt for zoodles or spaghetti squash for a gluten free pasta alternative, this pasta is a great way to get your carb fix while still packing in protein and keeping gluten free. I usually just make this quickly with a bit of olive oil, garlic salt, and parmesan cheese. Perfect come home late from work week night dinner.

I was going through my makeup to organize it the other day and found an unopened Butter London eye pencil that I got for free a while ago and never had the chance to use. What! So I started using this in Earl Grey and have become kind of addicted to it. I like that it is a softer color than the black I usually use. It blends easily and is long lasting so I don't have to worry about it smudging throughout the day, even when my eyes are watery from allergies. I've used other Butter London products, all of which have been great, so I wasn't surprise when this stuff exceeded my expectations. You can get yours from Ulta.com. 

I am a Tory Burch flats girl through and through. Call me basic, but I love how comfortable and durable they are. I have worn some variation of a Tory Burch flat almost everyday to work for the past year or so. My black flats are on their last leg so I wanted to replace them but try something new. I have been loving monograms lately, especially with my new monogram (I am so corny, I know). When I saw that I could get monogrammed flats from Marleylilly I had to place an order ASAP. I am so picky about my shoes but these definitely are up to my standards. They are cute, comfortable, and unique to you. 

I can't wait to hear what you guys end up trying or have tried from this list! Also, please feel free to message me any recommendations on new things to try! I am always game for a new product. 

​xx

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you all had a relaxing, refreshing, and rejuvenating weekend! I have been curled up in my house, post Remicade, catching up on blogging and Real Housewives of New York. Today I had my big outing of the weekend and went to grab some Greek food for brunch with my mom, grandpa, and Matt. We tried a bunch of small plates (they have GREAT gluten free choices) but my favorite was the spinach frittata, seriously to die for. It's nice to get dressed and put some makeup on even when you aren't feeling so hot, it boosts my spirits a bit. 

I sported my new Lulu's aviators which I ordered in my ER/pain medicine induced haze and I've ended up really loving them. Also, below is my live action shot of me yelling at Matt for something because I am a gem of a girlfriend. Just kidding, not yelling at him, love you boo.

Anyway, by time I got home I was totally exhausted and I knew writing the full post that I wanted to do was NOT happening. I got a little creative with this one and decided to just do a video of what I was going to do a post on. Genius! According to Gary V. video and audio content is the KEY right now so count me the F in. Honestly, when I am not feeling great it is way easier to articulate myself through spoken words than it is writing something witty and engaging (sorry yall!).

This week I wanted to show you all my favorite things that I am obsessing over lately! I feel like I used to do these in individual posts but I have been trying out so many cool new things that I feel like I needed to group some together. This segment has a mix of books, jewelry, beauty, sparkling water (yassss), and my favorite website for summer fashion. The best part is that everything I am recommending to you all is under $20 and you can get pretty much everything on Amazon. That is, minus Lulus.com because you can spend a boat load of money there. I am not responsible for that. 

I hope you guys enjoy! Please let me know if this is a style of delivering content that you guys and enjoy and I can do some more of these!

Also, feel free to drop me a DM or let me know on my Instagram what products you are ABSOLUTELY LOVING RN. 


​xx.

Guys, I am finally doing it. I listen to podcasts like it is my job and am so obsessed with them that I have been toying around with starting my own for about 8 months now but was always waiting for when I had everything so perfectly ready to go. Well shout out to Lauryn Evarts whose main piece of advice is to just freaking go for it when you are looking to launch something. 

Part of the reason I was finally ready to take the plunge was that I had such a cool experience of being a guest on The F-Word Podcast (I will post and share the link to my episode when it airs!). Matt bought me all of the equipment off of Amazon so I really had no more excuses. 

I am currently just putting the episodes on SoundCloud for now but hopefully will get them up on iTunes if we can get a decent amount of traffic. Now let me just say, I KNOW that I say "um" a million times during this and I know it is kind of all over the place but it is my first one and honestly it is a lot freaking harder to talk to yourself for 20 minutes straight than you might think. So take it easy on me and hopefully you enjoy! I will be hopefully trying to get episodes out maybe once every two weeks to start and eventually once per week. I need to get some guests lined up though so if you are interested in being a part of Crohnically Blonde: The Podcast please don't hesitate to reach out.


Enjoy.

​xx

Tis the season of gift exchanges, parties where host gifts are required, and wrapping your brain around what to get not only for these events but for the regulars on your Christmas gifting list. I am ALL about girl gifts. Sisters, friends, coworkers.... I think it is selfishly because it is like I am living vicariously through what I am buying for them but hey, it is what it is. It is always my goal each year to think of unique and thoughtful gifts that my friends and family will actually use. I am all about cute monogrammed items and things that are probably something you wouldn't buy for yourself. 

Fun fact: This year my sisters and I were featured in the Land's End catalog to showcase our matching monogrammed moccasins from Christmas 2015! Showing off all of the girl gift love! 

 This year I tried a different approach and started listing cool things that I came across throughout the year so that by time Christmas came I had a unique compilation of ideas. Whether it was something I tried and loved, gotten as a gift and thought it was great, or was dying to try... it went on the list. I know it sounds like I was making a list for myself (maybe, sort of) but my friends and family on the ladies side of things are pretty similar to me as far as taste goes.

I put together this list to hopefully make this last weekend of shopping a bit easier for you! Some of these can be purchased in the store and others online, which I why I wanted to push this post out before it would be to late to get things shipped before Christmas! The other great thing is, they're all under $50! Click the set below to shop my picks.

1. Heartspring Co Lip Balm- Literally my favorite lip balm ever! The new all natural brand was created by Kristina Kelly (you may know her from Bravo's Vanderpump Rules). They are so soothing especially in the cold weather and the fact that they are all natural is a huge win in my book. Get your friend one of these and she will be immediately addicted. Kristina puts all the TLC into these, hand bottling the formulas in her Santa Monica apartment and it really shows in the quality of these!

2. Lyte Planner- For your super organized giftee there is nothing better than a fresh new planner! Some of my favorites are from Lyte Planner which not only are super stylish but have a clean layout that just clicks with how my brain works. OCD that is.

​3. Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist- One of my coworkers had this and after I tried it I became totally obsessed. If you are looking for a pick me up that is both soothing and refreshing AND has a ton of skincare benefits, this has got you covered. This is one of those items that you don't know you need until someone gets it for you.

4. 'Cravings' Serving Board- Sometimes a little something for the home is in order and I can't get over how cute this serving board is. Whether you're using it to serve a delicious cheese plate or just to look beautiful on your dining room table, this gift is a winner.

5. Tarte Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette- You cannot go wrong with this palette. The colors and matte finish are universally flattering and Tarte's products are approved for sensitive skin. This is another item that you wouldn't necessarily think to buy yourself (I would but that's just me) but once you get it you don't know how you lived without it. You're. Welcome.

6. The Magnolia Story- Chip and Jo #goals. If this book doesn't warm your heart while simultaneously make you want to redo your entire house you are a real Grinch.

7. Modern Mix Faux Fur Throw Blanket- Furry throws are a must for getting cozy and binging on Netflix. This is an affordable version from Target that gives all the comfy with less of the price tag.

8. Fringe Snood- Another cozy winter favorite right here. Not going to lie, Aerie makes a great scarf/snood. Well constructed, trendy, and warm as anything. Your Secret Santa will be thanking you as soon as the temperature drops below 40.

9. Monogrammed Wine Glasses- I really enjoy a good monogrammed home situation. These wine glasses are both useful and will look great in and Instagram picture. #priorities

10. Home for Christmas Lush Giftset- Nothing says treat yo self like a giftset devoted to doing just that. All natural goodness and relaxation is just what everyone wants but doesn't want to splurge on for themselves. Do your friends and family a favor and make them take some time for themselves!

I know this post seems a little out of season but I promise there is an explanation. Matt and I have a January adventure planned to the gorgeous island of Maui! Neither of us have ever been before so we are beyond excited. 

Now there is nothing that freaks me out more than the thought of slipping into a bikini right after holiday season. Thanks to Crohn's the days of carefree bikini wearing are long gone for me. Between fluctuating weight, bloating, and injection site bruising all over my stomach I've decided that I couldn't be more thankful for the return of the one piece.  When I first told Matt I was perusing Amazon for some new one piece bathing suits, he looked at me with the strangest expression and asked if my next purchase was a mini van. Definitely effing not. I had to school him on the revolution that one pieces are no longer just for soccer moms or swim team practice anymore friends! They can be sexy, stylish, and 100% romantic vacation approved. Another plus... more skin coverage to protect from UV rays... aka you are protecting your precious skin from skin cancer and aging. Yay! 

Shout out to these trendy monokinis for making my life so much easier.  Not only can I be super trendy, but I can also adventure through Hawaii without feeling self conscious and uncomfortable.  I've rounded up six of my favorite styles, three in my tried and true basic black and then three colorful patterns to mix things up a bit. 

Depending on the day you may catch me feeling sassy in a bikini but for now I'm going to stick with these babies (;

Click the photo below to shop my picks! 

​xx

In college my old blog focused A LOT on fashion. Those were the days when I wasn't dressing for a corporate environment and could rock whatever I wanted without second thought. Now whether I am on the clock or not, my style has evolved into what I like to think is classy but still trendy. I know when I landed my first corporate role I called my mom in panic about what to wear. Of course my mom sent me in an extremely conservative direction which I realized on my first day was not as necessary as I had thought. I have now blended my love for fashion with my need to be appropriate and customer facing on a day to day basis. I backtracked through my Instagram and picked the top 15 looks that are easy to recreate and pack a punch for either work or sometimes play. My usual go to is a mix of mostly neutral hues with the occasional pattern and statement accessory.  Enjoy x. 

1. Classic 
This look is a personal favorite. There is something about a crisp button down that I just love. This is a pretty conservative look and great for work. I paired it with a statement necklace from J. Crew so spice things up, and this shirt has leopard print under the collar for a sneaky little surprise. The purse is simple and big enough to store my laptop and my planner. 

2. Clueless
I was feeling like a corporate Cher when I wore this. A lighter plaid skirt mixed with a fall colored long sleeve tee is the perfect combination, especially paired with a neural scarf. I added in a textured bag and some simply jewelry pieces to complete the look.

3. So Witchy
I am obsessed with this unique dress from the Neiman Marcus for Target collection a few years ago. The great thing is, it is a statement outfit just by itself. I usually pair it with a simple necklace and studs and a simple pair of black pumps.

4. Weekending
This outfit is great for hanging out on the weekends or going to a bonfire! I love plaid paired with a patterned scarf. Also, Hunter boots are one of my must have wardrobe items. I got them in a bright red because they are rain boots, why not have fun?!

5. Mix It Up
Another case of mixing patterns. Black and white and cheetah print are just a few of my favorite things. This sweater is from Target and has become a complete staple in my wardrobe! 

6. Pretty Pastels
Last year I became obsessed with pastels for winter. This pale pink wool coat has become one of my cool weather wardrobe staples that adds a bit of trendy fun to corporate outfits. I love a good leopard print scarf to add some pattern to the look, I am also a fan of houndstooth with this. 

7. Basic
This outfit is to epitome of my style. All black and white, comfortable, and chic. I love all of the simple gold detailing that is consistent throughout. This striped cardigan from Nordstrom is EVERYTHING. It is so soft and I bought it in so many variations. Another personal favorite about this is my white grandma shoes, otherwise known as driving shoes which are my absolute favorite thing to wear. 

8. Fancy Pants
I love patterned pants with a basic shirt and a funky necklace. These pants I got on sale at Old Navy and paired them with a black Portifino shirt from Express and statement necklace from J.Crew... add some plain black pumps and the outfit is complete.

9. Is Coffee An Accessory?
When in doubt go for a classic silhouette in animal print and a statement necklace. Coffee never hurts either. 

10. Black n' Brown
Two of my favorite colors to pair together. I absolutely love this blazer from Target. It is great to pair with just about everything and is a heavier alternative to a lot of other options I have. The leopard print scarf helps to bring together the brown and black while adding an interesting element and the purse also adds some texture.

11. Talking Tweed
This textured dress is a closet go to for me. It has cute pockets in the front and has a very flattering silhouette. This dress is an outfit in and of itself so requires little need for accessorizing which is great for rushed mornings.  

12. Studs and Stripes
When things get cold I love a good sweater/scarf combo. This outfit is one of my favorites when it gets close to the holidays and the maroon pants add a fun little pop of color. This can also be good for family holiday parties or outings, no just for the office! For social events I would pair with a fun boot or booty instead of basic nude pumps which I usually wear to work with this. 

13. Wedding Vibes
This is a look that I wore to my cousin's wedding. I love the texture that is in the dress and the funkiness that the rock necklace adds. My absolute favorite thing about this though is the semi glossy cranberry lip that I created to match my dress. One of the greatest thing about the cooler months is darker lip colors!

14. Blanket Effect
I LOVE blanket scarves. They are absolutely my favorite. I make sure to incorporate them into any outfit where I think I might be chilly because I do not hesitate to spread it out and use it in true respect of its name! This one has some great cranberry hues but isn't to colorful to turn of a usually neutral girl like myself. 

15. Funky Fur
Last but not least. Fur vests are one of my all time favorite cold weather accessories. This black vest I usually rock for a night out with a plain black blouse and black leather leggings. Sometimes if I'm feeling sassy I'll add a red lip and call it a night! 

My friends... It is my FAVORITE time of the year. The Nordstrom Sale is upon us and I have selected my Top 10 Must Haves that I am dying to purchase. This wish list also basically doubles as my birthday list because my birthday happens to fall a mere month after the beginning of the Nordstrom Sale. Coincidence? I think not. I've already perused my local store and picked up a few (additional) must haves but here are my curated favorites that I have put insanely way too much thought into. 

Cue the neutral colors, multitude of textures, and shop my list away.