I don't know about you guys, but I did nearly all of my holiday shopping online. I'm still waiting for some gifts to come in the mail! But online shopping can be super convenient when it comes to having a busy work and school schedule - especially with all of the great deals online. 

Did you know that 80% of the population will buy at least one thing online? Think of all the packages arriving on people's doorsteps and front porches! 

23 million Americans had packages stolen from their homes last year alone - which is why it's so important to protect your house and anything that may be delivered to it. Today I'm teaming up with SimpliSafe to give you guys some tips on staying protected this season! 

1. Be Neighborly 

I have a few neighbors where I live, so we all try to look out for each other. It's no different when we are expecting packages to be delivered, especially if someone won't be home. If you know you're going to be receiving something on a day where you're out or you're at work or school, ask a neighbor who might be home if they can keep an eye out for when it gets delivered - that way they can hold it until you get home. Do the same for them! 

2. Check Your Email

Nearly all online stores send out shipping confirmation emails, and if you have the tracking number you can always keep track of where your package is and when it'll be delivered. When I order something, I always star or flag the email so that I can check it as easily as possible and know if there's any delays. Amazon is usually really great about letting you know when your order is delivered as soon as they leave it on your front porch.

3. Notify Your Delivery Service 

If you're away from home a lot and are worried about leaving your packages unattended, call your post office and ask them to hold the package until you can pick it up. This may be a bit of a hassle and not ideally fit into everyone's schedule, but at least you won't have to worry about your packages sitting outside until you're home.

Stay safe this holiday season! 

If you had no luck finding a festive dress for the holidays, have no fear! Accessories can always turn a plain outfit into something glamorous - and I guarantee you have some kind of statement piece just waiting in your closet. 

1. Bralettes 

Bralettes are great statement pieces if you have a low cut top or dramatic V-neck and make great stand-in pieces so you don't have to bother with any necklaces. I find that the halter top ones offer more support for bustier girls. 

2. Bib Necklaces

Plain tops are safe and classic, but add a bib necklace and all eyes will be on you! In high school, I loved pairing these big, bulky necklaces with casual graphic or band T's - actually, I still do. But if you add one of these necklaces to a plain black dress or a plain Jane blouse, it instantly dresses your outfit up! 

3. Statement Belts 

I love belts like this gold plate one. This is such a simple piece but can also totally transform a little black dress or pull together a skirt and simple blouse. 

4. Glitter Heels 

I actually think glitter heels like this go so much better with one-colored dresses or outfits. It'll draw all of the attention to your legs. These also make a perfect pair of heels to wear on New Year's if you're still looking for a pair of heels! 

What accessories would you use to glam up your outfit? 

I'm one of those people where if it's going to snow, it better come down in blankets so that it covers everything. 

I hate slush. I don't want watery, soppy snow. I don't want a dusting where bits of grass still peak out. 

I want snowy branches and heavy, weighed-down evergreens. I want to be able to smell the snow before it comes and enjoy the silence as it storms. 

The world is at its quietest during snow storms. It's my favorite moment when I can stand outside and it's like the whole world is holding its breath. 

I love staying up while it storms overnight. I'll put on my boots and wrap myself in a coat and sneak outside to stand on the front lawn while the snowflakes fall down around me. I stare up into the sky and measure the darkness of the sky with my eyes and strain my ears to hear a sound, but I can't. It's like the whole world is asleep at once. 

For just a moment, I forget everything else. It's like I'm the only person in the world. 

Today marks one week since finishing my finals, so I thought today would be fitting to share my bucket list for this winter with you guys. It's my last winter break which is a little bittersweet, but I'm now only one semester away from graduating college. 

Clearly, a few of these are a little cliche or overdone, but I can't even tell you the last time I got to have a lazy day in and do nothing. College can be so draining, and while I appreciate the opportunity to be able to earn my degree, there is nothing more that I miss than being a child and carefree.

#2 has been on my to-do list since I started college, actually. I'm really hoping to be able to cross that off before spring semester starts. 

#10 is something I definitely want to start during January and keep up with throughout the entirety of 2017. I have been feeling less and less creative the longer I stay in college, but I'm hoping that with some more studio time next semester, my creativity will be able to find me again and that a bullet journal will help me become more productive. 

I'm curious! What's on your winter break bucket list? 

One week left 'til Christmas ...

My favorite gift to give is always books. I know they're not for everyone because not everyone likes to read, but I think that giving books about someone's favorite subject or anything that they're interested can be such a special gift. 

Book shops are cozy any time of year for me, but there's something about going into them during Christmas time when I'm trying to escape from the cold. I love browsing every single book shelf and finding the different titles and feeling the spines of each book. 

I think I love giving books so much because I love getting books. If you're last minute shopping and need a meaningful gift, check out some of my top picks for this year. 

1. The Universe of Us by Lang Leav

"No matter what happens next, I will always be glad to know there is someone like you in the world."

Lang Leav is one of my favorite writers. If you have a significant other in your life who's in love with words as much as they are you, I highly recommend getting them this book. 

2. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling 

"Newt: Don't hurt those creatures - there is nothing in there that is dangerous. Please don't hurt my creatures - they are not dangerous ... please, they are not dangerous!"

If you're shopping for a Harry Potter fan and they already have The Cursed Child, this is the best addition to their HP collection. The book itself makes a great coffee table addition. If you haven't seen this book in person yet, the cover is absolutely stunning. 

3. Stuff I've Been Feeling Lately by Alicia Cook 

"I love her when we drive around during the holidays, her feet up on the dashboard, sipping hot chocolate and looking at Christmas lights."

This book is a fantastic addition to anyone who loves music. Each collection of words ends with a "Currently listening to" blurb, listing all of the songs that Alicia Cook listened to. 

4. The World of PostSecret by Frank Warren 

"Life is beautiful and I'm ok. Nothing you've done or will do can change it."

I found this book at work one day while I was tidying up some of the bookcases. I started flipping through it and found all of the raw, anonymous messages to be sort of beautiful in their own right. 

5. Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten 

Ina Garten is one of my favorite chefs. There's always delicious recipes to look forward to, but I think that this book being dedicated to her husband and their 48-year marriage, makes this a special gift for someone you love who also loves to cook. 

What is your favorite gift to give?