Velvet Wrap Dress {I love this one, this one and this one too!}// D’Orsay Heels {similar here and exact here}// Tory Burch Kira Purse {similar here and here} // Crystal Necklace {other options here and here for a steal} // Crystal Bracelet {similar here}

The New Year’s countdown is officially on, and I’m over here simultaneously panicking and getting excited, per usual. New Years plans always get me a little anxious, because while I always look forward to ringing in the new year, paying an arm and a leg to go out in Chicago is a little soul crushing. Usually you have to coordinate with your friends and find a bar that’s less than $100 for cover, and I’m usually pretty sleepy around midnight and mostly just looking forward to putting on PJs and sleeping in without an alarm. I know, I’m a really exciting NYE date, Tom is so lucky 😉

This year, I’m planning on going to Second City with Tom and his friends {the perfect NYE pre-game!} and then getting together in a cozy house to ring in 2017, which is basically my New Years Eve low key dream. But the best part of NYE is of course getting a little glitzy to celebrate with friends – and I’ve been eying a few dresses that are perfect for the night, but won’t break the bank! One of my favorite new dresses {which I’m thinking might make the NYE cut!} is this pretty velvet wrap dress number from Target’s recent collection with Who What Wear. I saw it on a friend’s Instagram story a few weeks ago, and I instantly knew it would be the perfect dress for NYE {especially with the $35 price tag, yaaassss!}. It’s gorgeous with a pair of velvety heels {like these red ones for a steal} or your favorite pair of black pumps for a little Great Gatsby vibe. I’m planning on wearing some simple, delicate gold jewelry and a pretty pair of heels on New Years with my down jacket that’s more of a sleeping bag to make up for the thin straps – because in the Midwest you always have to rock your favorite holiday look with a ridiculously large jacket! I’ve been spending a lot of time this week thinking about what I’m looking forward to in 2017, and working to catch up on life a little bit before ringing in the New Year. The whole month of December was a bit of a blur between planning for the holidays, buying gifts, stopping by holiday parties and attempting to squeeze in blogging and work in between. It was a lot of fun and I loved getting to spend time with family and friends – but this week is all about relaxing, catching up with loved ones and planning on how I’ll be making 2017 even better. Hopefully I’ll get my life together in the coming days so I can share what I’ll be improving on in 2017!       So, please spill the beans – how are you planning to ring in 2017? Whether it’s at home with a good movie and PJs or watching the ball drop in NYC, I hope that no matter how you celebrate it’s the perfect way to ring in the new year. And if you’re still looking for the perfect holiday dress, I’d definitely suggest this little velvet number – thank goodness for express shipping! xx