– treats for our delivery ladies and gents who work so hard –
– wishing I’d bought hydrangeas instead of peonies, they last so much longer! –
– the prettiest winter arrangement, I hope it lasts! –
I’ve been feeling the full spirit of the holidays lately, trying to enjoy as much peppermint coffee, holiday movies (Happiest Season = loved) and Christmas pajamas as I can. The month always flies by too fast, so I’m trying to really soak it up! Knowing that we won’t be traveling this month makes it more relaxing for sure.
I still have one person on my gifting list that I always have trouble shopping for. So I need do that like… yesterday. I hope the gift guides I’ve been sharing with you guys have been helpful for a little guidance this year! If there is a theme I haven’t hit, please let me know in the comments. I also have a “last minute gifts under $50” coming next week.
One of my gifts to myself this year is going to be a Pilates Studio membership. I’ve been out of the loop for what really feels like too long, and even if I need to wear a mask the entire time, I think it’s worth it. I was going to join this month, but after looking at my work calendar I didn’t feel like I would be able to enjoy it as much as I want to. It’s that “me time” that helps me feel more relaxed, more energetic and in a better overall mood.
Even though I secretly hate the cliché of getting back into fitness in January, it happens to be a slower work time and therefore… I’ll be there with the masses! Until then, I’m trying to get back into a little exercise in our basement. I was doing pretty well in the spring and once summer hit… so did my desire to sweat. BUT I feel so much better when I do, so I’m trying to remind myself about those endorphins.
If any of you have any tips for staying motivated in your fitness in the winter, I’d love to hear! I hope you guys have a fabulous weekend. Thank you so much for reading – XO –
I think a beautiful diffuser and an essential oil would be such a wonderful gift for someone. Truly the gift that keeps on giving.
I don’t have this booty mug, but you know I love it.
I ordered this laundry basket for myself and this one for Hudson’s downstairs toys. I love that it has a drawstring. So when you’re entertaining you can hide those plastic toys a little easier!
Whether you have your own little ones or not, you might have a dozen or so nieces and nephews to be shopping for like myself.
A few of the things below we have and love, and others I might have my eye on for Hudson. Kids stuff is so cute… once you get started it’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole!
To shop, simply click on the item below or find its associated number below the collage –
This mat can be personalized, and once Hudson was constantly on the move I was convinced it was time to put it up. But even now that he’s full blown walking, he loves to lie down on it or wrestle with the elephant head. It’s so soft and easy to put out in any room… a win!
We have these $11 booties in multiple colors and he wears them almost daily.
There aren’t cuter pajamas out there than these and c’mon… a robe!? I CAN’T. Nothing cuter!
This block set was a recent addition, and I don’t know who loves it more – Hudson or myself. I’m building all kinds of masterpieces (wink)!
A piggy bank was on Hudson’s birthday list because he was already collecting little bits of money here or there. There isn’t anything out there sweeter than this one.
We have this chair (can also be personalized) and it is so cute. I’ve had it in H’s room, but I’ve been toying with the idea of putting it downstairs… I think he might really lounge in it. He loves it in his room so far.
We might also have these on our wish list… I mean… adorable.
Currently a little young for this itty bitty bike but I’ve had my eye on it for months.
Sometimes you see toys out there and it’s like… is this for the kid, me, or a little bit of both? This is one of those toys. I can see myself loving this as a kid. And this!
For more gift guides and holiday content, be sure to check out the posts in the the “holiday” page at the top of this site. More gift guides coming this week! XO –
When we got married, I had a stack of extra wedding programs because our reception was at the same venue as the ceremony. So many, understandingly, left their programs at the venue. We worked so hard on making them beautiful, and when I say “we,” I mostly mean my mom, let’s be honest. So I was determined to find something special to do with them!
I started with some Christmas ornaments, and then moved onto a little paper rosebud wreath (pictured below). Since then, I’ve found other sentimental paper pieces to make into ornaments as well. Save-the-dates, birth announcements, leftover fabric from my wedding dress, you name it. It just occurred to me this year that I should make an ornament with each year’s Christmas card.
Most of us end up with a few extra each year, and I’ve never had the heart to throw them away. Somehow these cards have made it with us for not one, not two, but three city moves. So I bought some clear glass ornaments at a craft store (you can also find them here), and got out the scissors.
All you need to do is cut your item into strips. Then I like to either roll the strip around my finger for a loose curl or roll it tightly (see photo below). Slip the rolled pieces into your clear ornament and that’s it. Super easy! I’m sure you could get creative with a zig zag, confetti-like pieces, etc. They don’t all need to be the same.
I like to add some pretty ribbon or a little charm to write on for an extra touch.
Believe it or not, these ornament are some of my favorite pieces to pull out year after year. So easy, inexpensive and special.
Thank you so much for reading! And please let me know if you try this yourself. It would make me so happy! Merry Christmas, XO –
The first Friday in December. December of 2020… guys, we’ve almost made it an entire year. Can you believe it? Honestly, I can’t. I took Hudson on an errand with me today and I can count on my hands how many times he’s been in a store. So when I take him with me, his eyes light up like it’s Disney. So much to see!! He is a year old and I’ve sheltered him as much as possible to limit his exposure to the world. I joke that whenever we have another baby, I’ll have to learn how to be out and about in the world for the first time with kids. Scary!
This was the first week in over a month that I actually felt like I didn’t have an overwhelming amount of “to-do’s.” Christian and I happen to have the same busy seasons in our jobs, which has made this year interesting. Each year is a little different, and considering last year we had our first baby, this year has been a major learning curve. I feel so grateful to have crazy November behind me and am excited for a more manageable December! Do you guys plan on taking some time off this month? I’m toying with disconnecting between Christmas and New Year’s… but we’ll see!
I finally got a jumpstart on my Christmas list for Christian and nieces + nephews. I pride myself in giving good holiday gifts, so I really try to find something that is going to be memorable. I still have a few little ones left on my list, but at least I’ve made a dent! I have more gift guides for hostesses + coworkers, kids, homebodies coming next week. Until then, you can check out some of the 2020 gift guides so far at the top of this site under “holiday.”
I had lunch with some friends this week, and we got to talking about creating family traditions or habits. They were sharing Friday movie nights with “Dad’s famous popcorn,” family Christmas pajamas, Chinese food after picking out Christmas trees, etc. It really got me thinking about setting intentions now that we have a son. In California we would go to the beach on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Last year was kind of a newborn/postpartum fog, but this year I want to try to incorporate some of those holiday “habits.” If you have any that are special to you, I would absolutely love to hear!
Thank you so much for reading and sharing, and happy December! XO –
If you’ve been around here for a little while, you know my longtime love of Annieglass dinnerware and serving pieces. When we were getting married in 2012, I registered for the Roman Antique Salad Plate and the Ruffle Buffet Plate to compliment the china pattern we had chosen. I vividly remember each time I was gifted one of those pieces because I was so excited!
Cut to eight years later, and I’ve used my Annieglass collection far more than any other china or serving pieces. Why is that? Well not only are they beautiful, but they are dishwasher safe, chip resistant, display beautifully and I find them to serve multiple purposes. This wine cooler can double as a centerpiece or fruit bowl. This wine coaster can also be used as a dip bowl. These buffet plates can also be used as platters for appetizers. I’m always mixing them around and finding new ways to use them.
The majority of my collection is in platinum, but I also have a few gold trimmed pieces and they are equally stunning. Annieglass has a wide array of different designs and collections, but my favorite have always been the Roman Antique, Edgey and Ruffle.
Annieglass has been around for over 30 years, and I have truly loved expanding my collection. Christian knows it’s a fool-proof gift for me, and I have no doubts I will continue to collect and treasure these pieces in the decades ahead. They are beautiful, durable, dishwasher safe (so fabulous it’s worth mentioning twice!!) and chic. I am a forever fan!
You can find more posts featuring Annieglass here, here and here.
If you’re new to the brand, I would encourage you to consider adding a piece to your Christmas wish list. Seriously – I know you’ll love it. Thank you so much for reading! XO –
Thank you so much for reading! Happy holiday hunting and remember that you can find all holiday-related content and gift guides at the top of this site under “holiday.” XO –
The gift guides will continue over the next few weeks… and I actually need to start shopping. Work has been so busy that I am just now getting started. Not good!! Off to purchase some goodies –
My mom recently bought me this neck massager from Amazon and it’s a gem. It makes me want the foot one!Thank you so much for reading! Happy holiday hunting and remember that you can find all holiday-related content and gift guides at the top of this site under “holiday.” XO –
Earlier this week I shared some of my top picks for things I hoped to snag this weekend, and today I wanted to share some of my top items in different categories. You’ll also find some of my picks from particular brands at the bottom where the codes are!
To shop, simply click on the item in the collage or find its associated number below. And you can find all of the holiday-related content at the top of this site under the “Holiday” tab!
BEST OF ACCESSORIES + SHOES
1 – the boots that go with everything, over 50% off | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 – $25 off | 8 | 9 | 10
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 – I want these! 40% off | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 – classic and over $80 off
BEST OF FASHION
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 – 50% off and gorgeous | 7 | 8 – the best jeans, 50% off
VERISHOP | 25% off fashion and 15% off home + beauty with code HOLIDAY
Thank you so much for visiting, HAPPY THANKSGIVING, and know that you can find all of the holiday-related content at the top of this site under the “Holiday” tab! XO –
I am excited to share the best of Cyber Week and Weekend with you guys! I will be sharing the best of Black Friday + Cyber Monday throughout the next several days, including what I hope to buy, what I actually bought and my picks.
We are starting off today with what’s on my wish list…
Shop each item by clicking directly on the item in the collage or by finding its number below the collage. And a reminder that you can find all holiday-related content, including Gift Guides, under the “holiday” tab at the top of this site.
I’ve had my eye on these ruffle bowls since the summer. I think I’m going to have to treat myself.
This speaker and a new soft cooler are the biggest items on Christian’s list.
We need a new car seat because Hudson is so long that he is close to the max height for our car seats. I didn’t expect for him to outgrow them so quickly, but considering the first words out of the nurse’s mouth was “long boy!” when he was born… I don’t know why I’m surprised.
These ember mugs are expensive, but I’ve only heard great things and the reviews speak for themself. Now that I have a child, I never use actual mugs. It’s insulated mug only because it can take me three hours to actually finish my cup of coffee. I think perhaps I deserve this fancy mug.
I had this cashmere set for Hudson last winter and we wore it so much. So glad to see it on sale this year! I also think this little play house is about the cutest thing ever. A few more things I have my eye on are a little red wagon for Hudson and maybe an iPad? I don’t think we are to the iPad phase yet, but I know it will be coming.
I also really love these gold teddy stockings. Hudson still doesn’t have a stocking, and I have a little bit of guilt about it!
And regarding #15 – no, I don’t plan to buy a reformer machine. But I haven’t been doing pilates since we moved to Georgia and I decided that in December I am officially treating myself to a membership so I can get back to that routine. It makes me feel so good that I know it’s worth it.
TUCKERNUCK | 20% off sitewide, 25% off orders over $500 and 30% off orders over $1,000 with code BIGSALE
VERISHOP | 25% off fashion and 15% off home + beauty with code HOLIDAY
Do you have some things on your wish list this year? I am always curious to hear what others are shopping for, so I’d love the tea! Thanks so much for reading and happy Thanksgiving week – XO –
I hope your Friday is off to a lovely start! You guys… this weekend is Hudson’s first birthday. With each month I am amazed at his growth and development but something about a year. It feels so definite! Even though we have guests coming in town and it’s both mine and Christian’s most hectic month of the work year… I’m still throwing a little something together for him. I couldn’t help myself!
I don’t know about y’all, but something about the time change has made me feel like I’m never getting enough done before 5pm. You would think it would get me in bed earlier, but it’s actually getting me in bed later… which is less than ideal. I literally have to set an alarm at 10pm that says, “get ready for bed,” because otherwise I seem to look down and it’s 11:30pm. Is anyone else this way?
I continue to be addicted to The Undoing on HBO Max. It is so good that I find myself thinking about it throughout the week, as if I know these people. That is when you know a show is really good.
Is there anything you’re really loving this week? I would love to hear. Thank you so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend! XO –
Some of you might remember me talking about my deep, deep love of my Our Place Always Pans not too long ago in this post. We have had ours for almost a year now, and with the holidays ahead of us, I thought there was no better time to remind you guys why this pan is the bff for anyone who spends time in the kitchen!
This pan is nontoxic, lightweight, comes in six different colors, and it’s ridiculously easy to hand wash. It also comes with a steamer basket that nestles easily into the pan in addition to a wooden spatula that we use all of the time. One of my favorite things about it is that the sides of the pan are taller than all of our other pans. This means it’s still really easy to use for any dishes that involve liquids – no boiling over!
I’ve thought about some of the ladies in my life several times and how much they would love this pan. I would highly recommend for anyone that is the designated chef of their house. So many of us are cooking more than ever this year, so anything that makes cleanup even faster is a friend of mine.
I pulled this very easy pesto pasta and garlic bread recipe from this post, I just used tortellini instead of rigatoni. Except I forgot to add the shredded chicken that I had already cooked. Thankfully, Hudson the hungry baby bird didn’t seem to mind!
You can find more information on the Always Pan here, and trust me – you’re not going to regret it. It’s our most-used cookware piece by a landslide. I love the Sage and Char colors.
And don’t forget you can find all holiday-related content, including gift guides, at the top of this site under the “holiday” tab. Thank you so much for reading – XO –
