Holiday Gift Guide for Her | Gifts under $50

one | two | three

four | five | six

seven | eight

This may just be one of my favorite gift guides to put together... mostly because I either already own and love, or would gladly take one of anything on this list.

These gifts are great, for friends, sisters, wives, moms... or perhaps you might even be tempted to treat yo' self!  

You can't go wrong with a pair of cute and warm boot socks, or a super cozy blanket scarf this time of year.

A planner from Sugar Paper LA's line for Target is a great way to help someone kick off the new year in an organized fashion.

Adult coloring books are all the rage, and make for an awesome gift when paired with some gel pens or colored pencils.

A huge reversible tote is like giving 2 gifts for the price one...

and a great lip gloss sampler or a trendy eye shadow palette are perfect for anyone who loves make up and playing with color.

Anthro's candles smell like heaven, and they're the perfect gift for someone who can be tough to buy for.

The best part? Everything here is under $50, and most of the items are significantly less than that,  making them great gifts to give, and easy on your wallet!  Some are priced so low that you could afford to combine ideas.  Either way, there is something here for all of the ladies on your list!

Our Weekend

{mug from Homegoods}

I don't want to bore you with too many of the dull and uneventful details of our weekend.  It went pretty much the same as most...

Lots of lounging, snacking, coffee, and football.  We noshed on TONS of Thanksgiving leftovers, snuggled by the tree in our Christmas pj's, and sipped on peppermint mocha flavored coffee.  It was fabulous.

{Ornaments, all from Target}

We did, however, manage to get in some holiday decorating.  Our main tree; a 12 footer that we cut down, and then had to give a major trim in order to fit in our living room, is totally traditional. White lights and family ornaments are scattered all about its massive branches.  

Max was really into helping this year, and was fascinated as he watched me pull out all of our decor... It made me super happy to see his excitement over Christmas, and gave me great anxiety as I watched him hang ornaments, and had to patiently wait until he wasn't looking to rearrange them.

We decided to have a much smaller tree in our playroom this year, and went a little rogue with that one.  Colored lights, strung popcorn, and whimsical colorful ornaments cover it from top to bottom.

{Snowflake stocking holders, glitter deer, and bottle brush trees from Target | Gold candle holder from Michael's | Anthropologie-Inspired pom pom garland can be found under the DIY section of this blog}

{coat, boots, cowl}

A quick trip to the local farmer's market, and then to Trader Joe's capped off the long holiday weekend, and now we're (very) slowly easing our way into the week ahead.

{sheets}

Hoping yours is a good one!

Swoon Worthy | Small Business Saturday

I hope you're all recovering nicely from the overindulgence that comes along with Thanksgiving, and  that you got the opportunity to take full advantage of some of the great Black Friday deals that were floating around yesterday.

We had a pretty low key holiday, seeing as we all seem to be fighting some sort of never ending cold/virus over here.  So, we spent the day in pajamas, stuffed our faces, and lounged by the Christmas tree.

Now that we are actually in the throws of the holiday season, it seems that the shopping madness has officially begun.  As much as I love a great Black Friday deal, I am a HUGE supporter of Small Business Saturday.  Shopping small is a cause that is near and dear to my heart, and it always makes me feel good to support the small business owners who work so hard to create some truly amazing products.

This week's Swoon Worthy post is dedicated to some of the small businesses that I have grown to love so much, and the creators of some of my favorite quality products.  Some of them are even offering awesome discounts this weekend, so please take advantage while supporting a great cause!

1.  The Jones Market offers some of the most gorgeous necklaces and bracelets.  They're non-toxic, come in an amazing variety of colors, and are great to give as gifts, or as a treat for yourself.

2.  This shop is hands down one of my favorites when it comes to beautiful and unique artwork.  Their handmade signs are amazing, and they have an impressive choice of quotes, scriptures, and song lyrics available to suit any taste.  They're offering 20% off your purchase today with the code:  THANKFUL.

3.  The absolute best and most beautiful handmade hair accessories are made by this small business.  Their color chioces and Liberty of London prints are to die for.

4.  This shop hand makes some awesome all natural soy wax candles in scents that are just so good.  They're offering 30%, today only, with the code: BF30

5.  These guys make some awesome printed tees, with some of the best phrases on them, including my current personal favorite.

6.  I recently discovered Stop Growing Up.  I love that all of their amazing prints can be purchased as digital downloads that you can print right on your home computer.  I scooped up a bunch to frame for our playroom, and I think these not only make for great decor, but would be great as gifts too.

7.  The owner of this handmade shop is the sweetest, and her products have even been featured by Martha Stewart.  She's offering 20% off today with the code: 20PLAID.

8.  Giving the gift of awesome children's books is always a great idea.  This collection is a definite favorite in our house.

9.  For my fellow expectant mama friends, these are a great investment.  They can be worn as a stylish maternity top while pregnant, and then used as a nursing cover, a shopping cart cover, or to drape over a car seat/carrier once baby arrives!

10.  Last, but not least, I'm offering 15% off your purchase in my own shop, with the code:  SHOPSMALL15.

I hope you'll all check out some of these great shops, and the amazing items that they have to offer!

Have a great weekend!

Thanksgiving Week

Yikes has it been hectic around here! Broken record I know, but it's the truth.  Though we had originally planned on traveling for Thanksgiving we decided, last minute, that we would stay at home for a quiet, low key, feast in our pajamas instead.

Between Max being super sick last week, me not feeling 100%, and the chaos that comes with packing little ones in the car for a roadtrip, we just weren't feeling up to it this year, and I'm actually totally okay with it.

We went and tagged an absolutely ginormous Christmas tree the other day at a local tree farm that was recommended to us by our super sweet neighbors.  We may have been a little over zealous in choosing, because after we returned home, we started thinking that the tree we picked might not even fit in our living room... think National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  We are just so excited to have high ceilings this year.  We are heading back today to chop one down, and whether or not the one we tagged will be it, is still up for debate.

{garland, trees, be merry print}

Aside from that, I'm cooking up a storm, continuing to decorate for Christmas and preparing to literally eat for two tomorrow.  Thank you maternity leggings! 

I thought I'd share the links for some of our favorite dishes, along with some new ones we're testing out this year.

This pumpkin gingerbread trifle it's an old favorite, and is always a crowd pleaser.  

I feel like Ina the woman to go to when looking for a classic turkey breast recipe.

And... for some nibbles while we wait for the main course, I'm sticking with a cheese plate and these flavored roasted almonds.

Lastly, I just wanted to say how thankful I am for all of you who take the time to read and support this blog.  What started out as a hobby, has really grown in to some really amazing opportunities for me, and you guys are the reason for that.

It goes without saying that I am also incredibly thankful for my family and friends, our health, the baby currently growing in my belly, and the roof over our heads.

I hope you all have an amazing holiday, full of time spent with your loved ones and amazing food.

I'll leave you with this, because when I saw it, it made my day!

Swoon Worthy

It's been one heck of a couple of weeks around here.

If you missed it, I went away for a couple of days to Cape Cod last weekend to spend some time with family.  Since I've been back, Max has come down with some sort of virus, that left us stuck in the house all week long (besides a couple of trips to see our pediatrician), and me with a severe case of cabin fever.  You're all well aware of my several-trips-to-Target-a-week routine... thank goodness for online shopping, or I might have been suffering from some serious withdrawals over the last few days.

I finally snuck out for a short while yesterday morning, for a doctor's appointment of my own... my 20 week ultrasound (more about that here), it's a boy!!!

Finally, after all of that excitement, I was actually able to sit down with my laptop, and get down to business with this week's Swoon Worthy list.

I am so looking forwards to Thanksgiving festivities over the next week, and the official kick-off of the holiday season, but in the meantime...

1.  Run, don't walk, to Target, or the grocery store, or wherever you can find the holiday flavors of this stuff.  The white chocolate peppermint is my personal fave!

2.  It's finally here, and I can't get enough!!!

3.  Loving this trend... and anything that I can buy that isn't maternity, yet still fits the bump!  I bought it in brown and love how cozy it is.

4.  Just because I can't drink, doesn't mean the rest of you shouldn't indulge in some festive spirits!

5.  Another favorite item that I've added to our collection of holiday decor this year!

6.  Go, make these now... you won't regret it!

7.  For my fellow expecting mama friends, loving this winter coat that I snagged on sale in the cream color.

8.  I try to pick up one of these table covers for holidays, whenever they're available. M&E love them.

9.  When I was in Cape Cod last weekend, I ordered these flavored roasted almonds, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about them.  I'm dying to attempt this version... and I think they'd be great to give as holiday gifts!

10.  I'm always a fan of a great pair of boot socks!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Gender Reveal | It's a...

It's official, the family name will without a doubt be carried on, and Ella will be well protected by her two brothers!

We're seeing blue around here, because it's a... BOY!!!

I literally headed off for this morning's ultrasound appointment feeling totally clueless as to what we were having, and though this little guy seemed to already be exhibiting that genuine stubbornness that tends to run in the family, when he almost didn't cooperate, he finally uncrossed his legs and revealed the family jewels.

It's kind of crazy, because I know a lot of ladies who are pregnant at the moment, and it seems as though almost every last one of us are carrying little boys!

This ultrasound was my first 3D experience, and it was seriously amazing.  How cool is it to actually see what your future child looks like on the inside!!!

I'm feeling very thankful for the important things; the fact that everything is looking good, that our baby is growing as expected, and that he is healthy... and then I'm excited and looking forward to the fact that we can finally start shopping and considering names for this little fella.

We really are so blessed.

Holiday Gift Guide for Littles

ONE//TWO//THREE

FOUR//FIVE//SIX

SEVEN//EIGHT//NINE//TEN

I've been in the holiday spirit for a bit longer now than I should probably admit.  This time of year just makes me so, so happy.

I'm trying to be proactive this year, and have already started my shopping, with the hope that I am not completely overwhelmed a week before the big day, though let's be honest, I most likely will be anyways!

I love putting together these super fun gift guides, so keep a look out for a bunch of others in the near future (Handmade favorites, for him, for her, etc.), but in the meantime, I thought I'd share some of our already-owned favorites, as well as some of the items that will be under our tree this year.

What are some of your favorite items for little ones?  I'm always on the lookout for new ideas.