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Holidays

Holidays Living

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

How? How is Thanksgiving right at two weeks away. If you have the luxury of bringing the pie and offering to wash a dish or three afterward, it’s safe to assume you are in chill mode waiting on dressing.

I, on the other hand amlow key freaking out. I’m hosting again and housing family and have done nothing as of yet to prepare.

As luck would have it my stovetop went out. Being an adult can really suck. In addition to waiting on my ordered cooktop to arrive I have to:

  • Purchase new linens and towels
  • Make a grocery list and shop
  • Put up new shelving in kitchen
  • Paint dining room and possibly purchase a new dining room set
  • Reserve tables
  • Take inventory of serving dishes that I need and purchase them
  • CLEAN THE HO– USE
  • Catch up on laundry
  • Pull out Christmas decorations
  • Making cooking schedule

As you can tell the next two weeks will be very busy. Wish me luck!

Are you hosting thanksgiving? If so are you ready?!

Featured Holidays Living

holiday décor and ramblings

If we are judging by the weather solely, in Atlanta where a slight chill on the wind this time of year makes seasonal sense to light a fireplace,  indulge in a TV show and a mug of hot chocolate, this  year it is beginning to NOT look a lot  like Christmas.

The weather has been so warm that I am really having a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit. The elves have moved all of maybe 10 times total and within the same 5 feet radius. I’m pretty over them at this point.

I’ve managed to sprinkle a few Christmas decorations about here and there.

Holiday home decor

I’ve visited homes this season that put my meager decorations to shame. I’m okay with it, because I’m planning to hit up the after Christmas sales and pick up some good ornaments and other decor for next year. I’ll refrain from showing you a photo of the tree because well frankly it looks like it belongs in a Kindergarten class

Holiday home decor

I let Addison decorate the tree this year, and it is full of her handmade decorations. Each child got two years and this is her last. Next year I see visions of a beautiful well coordinated pre lit false tree with cascading ribbons and glass ornaments. I’ll get them individual tress for their rooms next year that they can decorate.

Holiday home decor

A few touches here and there have given our home some Christmas cheer

Holiday home decor

On this 22nd day of December I’m happy to say all of my Christmas shopping is done. I know I said I wasn’t a fan of online shopping. I lied.

I did everything online and it was the best thing EVER.

Holiday home decor

We refrained from going overboard this year. Each child was granted three things that they really wanted. Two of the items my son wanted still needs to be purchased from the store and we’ll grab those items today.

Holiday home decor

We’ve gotten a plethora of Christmas cards over the past few days. My stepdaughter wasn’t with us over Thanksgiving and I didn’t feel comfortable sending out a photo card without her in it.  I’ll set up my tripod over the next few days and capture a photo of all of us and send out New Years cards instead.

About Christmas dinner? I’m not cooking.

I’m sure we’ll have people over but that job will be on my husband this year. He might want to get out to the grocery store because if I had my way we would be putting our legs up under another family’s table in exchange for washing the dishes and bringing a dessert.

How are your last few days of Christmas prep going? Are you done shopping? Are you just getting started?

What’s for dinner? I might fall through!

 

Holidays Living

fab top five christmas gift guide

The most wonderful time of the year comes with the responsibility to purchase gifts for the secret santa exchange, teachers, family members etc.

This month the Fab Top Five is giving you our top picks for easy and affordable Christmas gifts for the plethora of people on your list.

As a busy mom on the go here are my picks for must have items to make life stylish and convenient.

Gift Guide for Moms on the Go

 

  1. While waiting at a lesson and listing to a podcast or talking on the phone hands free these gold earbuds and microphone set are everything for just $9.99
  2. Don’t take a chance on remembering those spur of the moment thoughts and tasks. This Kate Spade notepad is perfect to keep in your purse or car – $14
  3. Keep your pens, lipstick, earbuds or any other necessities in this “All the Stuff I Need” pouch that you can grab and go when you don’t absolutely need your purse – $12
  4. I have discovered the crossbody bag and it is my favorite for hands free everyday use – $39
  5. For drinking on the go this mug not only steeps tea leaves but can also take fresh coffee grounds. Great for that tea and/or coffee lover on the go – $15

Lashawn’s Top 5 Gifts for the Photographer in Your Life

Photographer Gift Guide

  1. FujiFilm X100t Mirrorless Camera  http://amzn.to/1OI2USK
  2. Canon 24-70 f/2.8L II Zoom Lens  http://amzn.to/1IqKBSA
  3. Artifact Uprising’s Lay Flat Photo Album http://bit.ly/afuprisinglayflat
  4. The Kelly Moore Esther Bag http://bit.ly/kellymoorecamerabag
  5. Manfrotto Compact Travel Tripod  http://amzn.to/1IqLb2K

Bernetta’s Top Five Favorite Things

Christmas Gift Guide

  1. Apple Watch Sport 38 mm in rose gold $380  http://amzn.to/1XyjnjS
  2. UP3 by Jawbone activity tracker $140 http://amzn.to/21v9UJC
  3. UP3 by Jawbone activity tracker $140 http://amzn.to/21v9UJC
  4. EMU Australia Little Creatures boots $85 http://amzn.to/1Ip13Tq
  5. LuMee Phone Case $49.95 http://amzn.to/1NHtdv7

Kita’s 5 Gifts Under $50

Kita

  1. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime: Comfort Classics, Freezer Food, 16-Minute Meals, and Other Delicious Ways to Solve Supper! 17.99  http://amzn.to/1QjUS4m
  2. Swissmar S8117 Universal Can Strainer 16.95 http://amzn.to/1Q4Povx
  3. WeMo Switch, Wi-Fi Enabled, Control your Electronics from anywhere, Compatible with Amazon Echo 42.00 http://amzn.to/1N7LWdP
  4. PowerLine PowerCup 200/400 Watt Mobile Inverter with USB Power Port 90309 27.00 http://amzn.to/1Tpbzui
  5. Amazon.com Gift Cards – In a Gift Box – Free One-Day Shipping 50.00 http://amzn.to/1PDYS0Q

MJ’s Top 5 Gifts for Girly and Geeky Toddlers

MJ

  1. 8 Piece Tegu Pocket Pouch Magnetic Wooden Block Set, Tints http://bit.ly/Tegu8PC
  2. Geeky Girly Tee $18 http://bit.ly/GeekyGirlyTee
  3. KidKraft My Dreamy Dollhouse with Furniture $114.99 http://bit.ly/dreamydollhouse
  4. Ferrari 458 Italia Radio Control Vehicle $19.97 http://bit.ly/RemoteFerrari
  5. Basic Roominate $19.95 http://bit.ly/roominatebasic

 

*This post contains affiliate links

 

Holidays Living

oh christmas tree

So I mentioned earlier in the week that we are going to start a tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree and I am proud to say that the Mr. is on board.

We still have family in town so it will likely be next week before we can get around to it but I am so excited to start a new tradition for our family. I am slowly pulling out the Christmas decorations and I have every intention to have the house decked out by the end of the weekend.

We’ll see

Have you put up your tree yet?