Merry Christmas Eve | 2014

Merry Christmas Eve from me to you and yours!! I hope that you are spending your Christmas Eve the same way that I will be—enjoying the true meaning of Christmas. We will be going to Christmas Eve service, eating a delicious meal, skiing/snowboarding, hanging out, watching Christmas movies, playing games, and jumping into our matching pj’s before bed!

Each year when we get to Snowshoe for Christmas we stuff our wooden tree with presents & wrap it with lights and a few ornaments. This year Alex 3D printed white snowflakes to add to our tree. I love how large the snowflakes are. They really pop out in photos & will be something we will use for many years to come. It might not be your traditional tree but we sure do love that it’s easy clean-up and involves no watering!

Can you spot the snowman?

For Christmas Eve I wanted to finally share our 2014 family Christmas card. It was hard deciding on what pictures and memories to put into the card that we could have honestly send out a photo album…but we didn't! This year’s card highlights our family {photo cred: Jack Gillespie}, Alex’s College Graduation, our 16 year old puppy Cricket, and crossing one off my Bucket List: Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge! 

Merry Christmas Eve!

xoxo

Welcome to New York

Today I left Charlotte on a 6 am flight heading for NYC ... need I say more?

My Tips for this awful early flight {besides the Starbucks & Chick-fil-a}

1. Jamming to Taylor Swift's "Welcome to New York". 

2. Live Updates: Prince William and Kate during their NEW YORK CITY tour {planning where I am going to catch a glimpse}.

3. CARRIE UNDERWOOD's celebration of her Decade #1 Album Release Party today at the iHeartRadio Theater in NYC. The show will also be broadcasted on a jumbo screen in Time Square. {hoping to run into her too!}

4. Lunch @ Shake Shack. ALWAYS a must!

5. Getting to see the Saks Fifth Avenue Christmas Light Show + all the other wonderful Christmas windows & decoration!!! Check out the 2013 show below. It was even more amazing in person last year & I cannot wait to see the 2014 show!

xoxo

Hello {HECTIC} December

December, you're the last one so your supposed to be the best one!! I was so excited you finally arrived until my world turned into a blizzard.

Yes, I'll admit this time of year is often hectic with shopping, cooking, traveling, but add about 100 projects on top of that and welcome to my December. The below depicts what I thought the rest of 2014 would look like.. a little up hill and easy, but in reality it is all over the place.

I know that I am not the only person that feels this way during this season and I hope that through the midst of all the chaos you can find time to laugh, relax, and enjoy being with others. Here is some comic relief from the office today... clearly they have had a hectic December too!

#findtheERROR

xoxo

2014 Favorite Things| Stocking Stuffers

I am excited to link up with April, Elise, Katie, & Zelle to share a few of my favorite STOCKING STUFFERS for others!!! In my stocking I love getting some candy, practical items, and a few surprises along the way + who can forget the mini wine bottle that has made it in my stocking since I turned 21. #santaknowseverything

If you don't know what to get someone, a Gift Card or MULAH will always work, and you will never hear a complaint!

Now onto the list...

ONE/ Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Toffee. If you have not had these, you need to try them. they are amazinggg! Let's face it--- what isn't amazing from TJ's? They offer many different sweet treats that are perfect to fill the stocking.

TWO/ Don't you hate when your favorite drink loses its hot/cold goodness before you can fully enjoy it. Why not give someone the YETI Rambler in their stocking? It's an over-engineered tumbler that comes in two sizes.

THREE/ Every time I walk into World Market especially around Christmas I am sure to find a few items that someone on my list needs in their stocking. I love this Tonal Gold Tassel Necklace made in India + its under $20!!

FOUR/ The new iPhone6 or charger accessories. 

FIVE/ Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline has been one of my new favorite scents this year.. but I have not made the plunge and bought a bottle. Most perfumes come in a rollerball or purse size bottle-- so if you know his or her favorite scent why not pick up a smaller travel size bottle.

SIX/ LULULEMON. Roll almost anything up and it will fit somehow into the stocking. I have been loving this and this.

SEVEN/ Working out I like to listen to music. It pumps me up and keeps me going throughout my workout. Although the cord does not bother me, it bothers some. Why not give them the new BEATS by Dre Wireless Headphones. They come in many different styles and colors. Designed for Sound. Tuned for Emotion.

Thanks to April, Elise, Katie, Zelle 

xoxo

5 on Friday | Oh the Weather Outside is Freightful

Thank goodness it if FINALLY FRIDAY!! It's has been bitterly chilly here the past few days {ahem... Tuesday all 50 states were below freezing!!}, which has called for layers upon layers of comfy, cozy sweaters, scarves, and boots. For me, this week has been hectic and outright crazy. I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend and spending Saturday playing football and enjoying a meal with friends.

Sooooo let's get to it:

ONE
The theme of my week has been crazy "firedrill" after "firedrill" at work. Planning a year in advance can sometimes be difficult & setting up and "fluffing" aprox. 18 Christmas Trees was just the icing on the cake. I think that I learned this week more than I ever want to know about a fake Christmas tree. From tips to hinges versus branches to wrapped and twigs, I can now call myself a Christmas Tree EXPERT!

TWO
I added this new Maybelline ColorSensational Lipcolor to my make-up collection and I have been getting so many comments on the color and friends asking where they can get it that I thought I would share. Lately it has been a go-to in my makeup routine.

THREE
I linked up with Elise, April, Katie, & Zelle as they hosted one of the best link ups during the Holiday Season-- These are a few of my favorite things. If you missed out you can find my list here. Next week I will be sharing some stocking stuffer ideas! 

FOUR
Last night {Thursday} I went to the Do It Herself workshop with Home Depot. The project turned out to be very challenging.... but in the end we 85% completed the Holiday Marquee. My group selected that since I was the best with the Jig Saw at cutting the rounded edges that I should take our project home. I think after a little more TLC & coats of paint it will be something fun to hang in the house for the Holidays.

FIVE
Today marks 33 days until Christmas! YAY for taking time off work and spending time with family and friends. On Monday my friends and I put together our Operation Christmas Child boxes and are going to deliver them this weekend to the drop-off. I am filled with JOY knowing that I am touching a child in need with a special Christmas gift!

Thanks to Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha!

2014 Favorite Things| My List

These are a few of my favorite things 2014 Christmas List:

one| I absolutely love all GOLD everything and these Pavé Round Stud Earrings would be the perfect addition to any outfit + they are timeless. I could see wearing them while running errands or dressing them up for a night out on the town.

two| I have been needing some new boots, but I am not willing to splurge myself for these beauts. Hoping that Santa sees my list this year. nod.nod.wink.wink.

three| Now that the cold weather has come to stay I am craving some new flannel pj's. I love the penguin & snowflake print of this Bedhead pair. 

four| Monogram. Need I say more. The two letter monogram has been pretty popular this season and I have been looking at this necklace for a few weeks. A huge plus is that is is less than $40!

five| I cannot live without my morning coffee. I got a friend this to-go cup earlier this year and now am wanting one for myself.

six| Who can go wrong with new nail polish in their stocking. I am always in need of a new pink or red shade {my go-to colors}.

seven| I love being organized & having cute stationary. This journal would be perfect for me to keep my daily work notes or to do lists in.

eight| I would really love to add this new coat to my closet this year. I love that it has a hood and is longer than my other Barbour I have had my Barbour red quilted jacket for a super long time. I have been very pleased with the quality despite the price tag. I would definitely recommend to anyone.

nine| This year more than anything I want to take a fun trip somewhere. Jack and I have both been saying this for a while and there are so many places that we want to visit that {fingers crossed} we can pick one and jet set!

Thanks to April, Elise, Katie, Zelle 

xoxo