Hello everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you are having a great week and are doing something festive this December weekend.
Last weekend, I went to see a Christmas show and a dinner out and it was so much fun and got me in the Christmas spirit.
This got me in the Christmas spirit!
I have been making my way through Christmas shopping and wrapping and baking. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
I baked lots of gingerbread, YUM!
This week’s post is full of holiday favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
Let’s dive right in!
Christmas in Notting Hill– I have been on a Christmas movie kick. I started on Thanksgiving afternoon/night with the Netflix movie, Christmas in Notting Hill. It’s about a young woman who goes to visit her sister in England. She falls for a cute guy, only to realize he’s a pretty big deal and has a connection to her sister. This is your classic, cheesy, Hallmark-esque movie. But I loved it and it got me in the Christmas spirit.
Festive Accessories– Speaking of the holiday season, I have been picking up some festive, but subtle accessories to add to my wardrobe. I got this cute red barrette, which can dress up any outfit. I love the festive pop it can bring to a look. I wore it with blue and white, but it can be worn with black, white, green and of course, red!
Wall Flower Scent– As I was decorating for Christmas, I had to break out a new wall flower scent from Bath and Body Works. This is fresh balsam from Bath and Body Works and it smells like Christmas in a cup, the perfect mix or peppermint, a fresh cut Christmas tree and snow. It’s the perfect scent to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Rosemary Cashews– I found this recipe from Ashley Brooke’s blog. I love a good salty mix and this is the perfect snack for an appetizer spread. You can eat it on its own or add it to a fruit, cheese, and meat tray. I love the salty and flavorful taste the rosemary brings. We enjoyed it with other snacks after decorating and it was so tasty!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pie– Another recipe that I made over the holiday weekend. I found this one on Mix and Match Mama’s blog. I love anything with chocolate and this was such an easy pie to make and can be enjoyed in the fall and winter. It tastes like a warm chocolate chip cookie. I would recommend it with some vanilla ice cream or a glass of milk. You can find the recipe here. Yum!
That’s a look into what I’m loving this week. Lots of holiday cheer and goodness. How are you enjoying the holiday season? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great holiday season as we make our way through the second week of December. I’ve been having a great start to December and I hope you are too. We are recovering from a massive snow storm, so needless to say, it definitely feels like Christmas.
So much snow
Even more snow
It wouldn’t stop
Here’s a look at what I have done so far to celebrate the Christmas season.
Watching the tree lighting in NYC
Holiday Baking
And Wrapping
All year long, I have been linking up with Shay and Erika for Let’s Look as we share different parts of our lives. Here’s a look at the topics we have covered in 2024.
For our final Let’s Look of the year, we are sharing how we unwind during the holidays. The holiday season can be a magical, but busy time of the year. You have all your regular things to get done, plus make some holiday magic, and additional holiday to-do’s to get done. Needless to say, it may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be an overwhelming time.
Here are some ways I try to unwind during the season.
Make a Gift Giving Plan– I always feel better with a game plan and that takes the stress away. I like to set deadlines for making my list of who I have to buy for, when I want to have my wrapping done and when I want to give gifts out to people.
Schedule Christmas Activities– Life can certainly get busy during the month of December, I make sure to put things on the calendar for must-do activities. For example, there are certain things that are spur of the moments activities, like see Christmas lights or watch a Christmas movie. But other things like see a Christmas show or bake Christmas cookies or gift exchanges should be put on the calendar.
Don’t Add Unnecessary Things to the Calendar- With so much already going on, December isn’t the month to add more to the calendar, save the doctor’s appointments or or unnecessary appointments until after the new year to save you stress and to free up your calendar.
Do Things that Bring You Joy- There can be a lot of pressure around the holidays, especially when it comes to making Christmas magic. Don’t feel like you have to do it all. Only do what brings you joy. If you don’t have the time or desire to bake dozens of cookies, don’t do it. Save yourself the time and pressure and only do what you have time for and what you want to do.
A hot chocolate bar and movie night brings me joy!
Delayed Gratification– A lot of work comes with the holiday season, put in the time and effort now, so you can relax and enjoy the holiday season and relax and be present later. The last thing you want is for everyone to be relaxing and you still be working. Get all the to-dos done early on, so you can be present and remember the reason for the season.
Work hard to relax later!
I also try to carve out little moments every day to enjoy the season, whether it’s with festive mugs in the morning, Christmas scents, or holiday music at all times. These are little ways I like to sprinkle in Christmas cheer all season long. How do you unwind during the holiday season? Let me know in the comments below! I hope you take the time to unwind and relax during the holiday season and take some time for yourself.
Family time is the best time!
Enjoy the Christmas season and remember the reason for the season.
I hope you are having a lovely December so far! I have been doing my best to savor the Christmas season in between the daily to-do lists and the to-do lists that come with the holiday season.
My pups getting into the holiday spirit with all the snow.
This is truly one of my favorite times of the year, so I’m trying to soak it all up. I have some fun holiday fun planned for this weekend which I’m very excited about.
As I wait for the holiday fun to begin, I wanted to share some things I have been loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
Special Forces Casting and New Season– Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test announced the casting for their new season and launched the trailer. I’ve enjoyed watching this series over the last few years and I’m always excited to see who joins the cast. Some of the challenges seem pretty daunting and I know I could never tackle them, so it’s always interesting to see who makes it out on top. You can watch the trailer here. It comes out next month!
Geek Girl– Have you seen Geek Girl?! It’s been on Netflix for a while, but I just got around to watching it. So far, there is only one season, but it’s super cute. Episodes are only about 30 minutes so they are easy to watch. It’s all about an average looking girl who gets picked to be a model and her world turns upside down. It takes place in London and I love all the references and the setting. Definitely a cute show to watch if you are looking for something new to watch.
Pandora Broadway Tracks-Besides listening to Christmas music 24/7. I have been on a Broadway kick lately on Pandora. I am a big podcast listener, but have been changing it up with Pandora. Broadway hits has been my go-to after seeing the new Wicked movie last week. I love the variety of music and genres the station plays and it has even introduced me to some new shows and artists.
All The Colors of the Dark–All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker came out in August and I have been wanting to read it after hearing rave reviews about it. I finally got a chance to check it out at the library and finished it in two days. One because it was so good, and two because there was a wait list for it and I couldn’t renew it. It starts out with a murder and kidnapping in the 1970’s, but follows the characters through decades of their lives as they grapple with different things thrown their way. There were beautiful moments, heartbreaking scenes and times where you want to throw your book across the room. But overall, I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who asks. It’s in the running for my favorite book of the year.
New Holiday Scent- Are we surprised this is a Friday Favorite?! The holidays mean seasonal scents and it was perfect timing to break out my new holiday scents from Bath and Body Works. You may remember I got these scents as a gift last year and I saved them for this holiday season. I’m so glad I saved them and had them to look forward to for this Christmas season. I love the scent and the holiday cheer these holiday scents bring.
That’s a look into what I’m loving this week as we are in full on Christmas mode. I hope you have a great weekend and are doing something fun and festive! See you back here on Wednesday as I share my Christmas Bucket List!
I hope you are having a wonderful week and are enjoying the Christmas season. We got a ton of snow, needless to say, it’s been a winter wonderland.
I don’t know about you, but since Christmas is only a few weeks away, I’m doing my best to enjoy everything this season has to offer, while doing all the daily things. We decorated for Christmas last week and it put me in the best mood.
There’s so much to celebrate and accomplish and only so much time. My favorite way to make sure I’m enjoying the season to the fullest is by making a Christmas Bucket List.
Here’s what I hope to accomplish this Christmas Season:
Decorate for Christmas (room and home decorations, scents, and mugs)
Listen to Christmas Music
Watch Christmas Movies (Cheesy ones and the Classics)
Read Christmas Themed Books
See a Christmas Show/Performance
Christmas Shopping and Wrapping
Send out Christmas Cards
Go Skiing
Go Ice Skating
Exchange Gifts with Friends
Bake Christmas Cookies
Try a New Christmas Recipe
See Christmas Lights
Enjoy a New Christmas Activity
Light a fire and Enjoy Hot Chocolate
Get a Tree and Decorate it
Give Back to Others
Build a Gingerbread House
Celebrate Christmas and New Year’s
There you have it! My Christmas Bucket List, I know I will be spending lots of time with family and friends too! I love creating a goal list to hold me accountable and to give me ideas of things to do on days off or weekends. Tell me: what do you plan to do ahead of Christmas? I am always looking for new ideas of things to celebrate the Christmas season.
Have a wonderful Christmas season and I’ll see you back here on Friday!
Happy Black Friday! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family, friends or loved ones.
Here’s how I celebrated the day!
I started the day with our Turkey Trot 10K and hit a new PR!
I made it home to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
We enjoyed Thanksgiving with family and had a relaxing afternoon.
I’m not a big Black Friday shopper, I may do some browsing, but I don’t go all out. Our family typically decorates for Christmas today, which is one of my favorite traditions. I’ll be sharing some photos next week.
Before I start decorating, I wanted to share some favorites with you today as I link up with Erika and Andrea. Just head’s up, there’s a lot of holiday favorites once again! Let’s dive in!
List of Holiday Movies and Shows– Speaking of the holidays, there’s nothing that goes better with a Christmas cookie than a hot cup of cocoa and a holiday movie. I came across this list from TVLine of all the traditional holiday movies and specials and when they will air. I can’t wait to add them to my calendar and watch them all as the season progresses. This would be a great page to bookmark and refer to through the season.
Wicked– I saw Wicked when it came out last weekend and I was blown away. I think they did a great job with the casting. I loved the costumes and the cinematography as well as the setting. I definitely think it lived up to its expectations. It was a longer movie, but the music, singing, dancing, and plot moved it along. I know I will be listening to the soundtrack for the foreseeable future.
Phone Holder– I got a phone holder to prop up my cell phone at work and it’s been a game changer. I am always on my phone at work and for years I have just had it next to me or propped up on random items, but now having something to prop it up so I can see things on my phone has been a huge help. I even got it for free at an event which makes me even happier.
Night Agent Trailer- A lot of my favorite shows that I follow on streaming services are getting ready to return for new seasons including the Night Agent. The show is all about an overnight agent working for the government who is forced to step up and take on a new role to save the government from going corrupt. The first season was really good and I’m excited to see what the second season will bring. You can watch the trailer here.
New Starbucks Drink– Calling all Starbucks fans! Did you get your free red cup last week? I know I did! It was pretty warm, so I opted for a refresher as opposed to a warm drink. I love Starbucks refreshers in the summer, I typically drink a Mango Dragonfruit Refresher with Lemonade in the summer. I opted for the Merry Cran Orange Refresher and I loved it! It was refreshing, but also very fall-like. I love the taste of fresh cranberries! What’s your go-to Starbucks holiday drink?!
That’s a look into life lately and what I’m loving. What have been some favorites of yours from this past week? Let me know in the comments below!
It’s the final week of November and Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Are you all ready for the holiday? Are you hosting or attending? We will be doing a bit of both this year. I love Thanksgiving and the slower day that it brings. I plan on starting the day by running our local Turkey Trot, enjoying a family dinner, and then relaxing. On Friday, we tend to decorate for Christmas and get into the holiday spirit.
This month went by so fast! It began with a busy stretch of days for work, followed by a weekend away and then all the holiday prep! It’s been a fun month that went by too fast. Here’s a look at life currently.
What I’m Up To:
Since my last currently post, I celebrated Halloween with a festive dinner and dressed my dog up. I think he enjoyed it more than me. Haha!
A close up of dinnerI even dressed up my dog!We had lots of tasty treats!I made a festive taco soup
I started the month off by accomplishing my longest run by running over 11 miles. It felt good to get it done when the weather was still comfortable.
I also enjoyed more runs at different spots including new neighborhoods and parks. Some morning were so chilly that layers were required.
The start of my 11 mile runThe leaves looking extra prettyFrost is a sign of winterA new running spot
Over the past month, I spent time with family in Columbus for the day which included some celebratory dessert.
I also spent a weekend in New England which was decked out for Christmas and had really warm weather.
Here’s a look at some of the things I did.
I started with a smooth flight in
Enjoyed lots of walks
The HarborSome historic sitesCute neighborhoodsQuincy MarketAnd the insideI enjoyed a Lobster Roll
Views over the city
What I’m Reading:
I had a pretty good reading month, a lot of books I had on hold at the library came in which always makes me excited. I also did some travelling which led to even more reading. Next month will be all about holiday reads, I can’t wait!
Here’s what I read this month:
Husbands and Lovers– Beatriz Williams’ book, “Husbands and Lovers” follows two parallel storylines of two women, one in the present day and one in the 1950’s. The theme is all about how far a mother will go to take care of her family. I really liked the compelling storylines and the connections between the two. There was also a bit of mystery and romance in both stories. I personally liked the 1950’s storyline more, but both were interesting to follow.
Julie and Julia– I have always heard of the book and movie, “Julie and Julia”, but have never seen or read it. It’s based on a true story and it follows the story of a young woman nearing her 30’s and decides to take on a challenge of cooking all of Julia Child’s recipes. I loved hearing about all the different recipes that Julie tries and what she learns about herself along the way. I am looking forward to watching the movie, but was sad to hear that the author, Julie Powell died a few years ago.
The Mystery Guest– I really enjoyed Nita Prose’s “The Mystery Guest”. It’s all about a mystery writer that comes to stay at a hotel and right before he’s about to make a career announcement, he drops dead. Everyone in the hotel is a suspect and some have a connection to him. I love a classic “Who Done It?” I finished it fairly quickly and it was perfect for this time of year.
Summer Romance– This was a perfect palette cleanser. Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan is about a woman who is recently divorced and is moving on from the death of her mom. She is trying to juggle a new life, three kids and a career when she meets a man at the dog park. She’s not planning on jumping back into the dating world, but life has other plans, especially when she’s least expecting it. It was a cute, summer beach read that was really a good chance of pace after some heavier reads.
Blue Sisters– I heard about Blue Sisters from several blogs from the summer and I couldn’t wait to read it. It follows the story of three sisters who come together a year after their fourth sister dies. The book tackles relations, addictions, healing, and the importance of sisterhood and family. It was interesting to hear the story told from each sister’s perspective. It was definitely a heavier read, but so beautifully done too. I can see why so many people raved about it. I finished it in one weekend.
A Most Agreeable Murder-I finished A Most Agreeable Murder by Julie Seales. It’s a “Who Done It” back in the 1700s-1800s. A ball and dinner party gets derailed when a guest ends up dead. Many people have a reason for killing him, but who did the killing? You won’t find out until the very end. A very good mystery!
The Friend Zone– I listened to The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez and really loved it. It’s all about a girl and guy who meet in unexpected circumstances. They end up being the maid of honor and best man in their best friend’s wedding. What starts out as disdain turns into friendship and sparks of love. But secrets and shock keep them a part. I thought the story was going in one direction, but it took some unexpected twists. I really, really enjoyed listening to this book and finished it in just over a week.
What I’m Watching:
This month I finished the second half of Outer Banks season 4, which the finale left me reeling. If you watched, what did you think?!
I also watched The Diplomat’s second season which was good too!
Plus, I have been slowly watching some holiday classics too, I can’t help myself by getting a jumpstart on them!
What I’m Wearing:
The weather has changed so I had to break out the winter coats. My red jacket from Old Navy is one of my favorites to wear in the winter especially around the holidays.
I also have gotten use out of my new blazer from Old Navy for both work and play.
I also got a lot of use out of my new red, rain jacket too! Do you sense a theme with red?!
I’ve also been loving turtlenecks this season too!
What I’m Cooking:
One of my friends started to make sourdough bread and dropped off a loaf, it was a delicious for a nice soup night.
With the colder weather, I have been enjoying lots of heartier meals including:
Tortilla Soup– I love a good tortilla soup, we had this on Halloween.
Lobster Risotto– This didn’t turnout like the photo, but it was still good.
Crockpot Lasagna Soup– This didn’t turn out the way it was supposed to, but it was still warm and hearty.
Grilled Chicken Bruschetta– I got this recipe from Joann Gaines’s Magnolia cookbook. It was a hit and healthy with lots of flavor!
I also started some holiday baking which included making Halloween Candy Cookies. I have already been crowd sourcing new recipes to try this holiday season.
I also baked chocolate chip cookies. Yum!
What Inspires Me:
Here’s some quotes that have inspired me as of late.
I also have been inspired by all the holiday and start of Christmas cheer.
I picked up my Starbucks red cup for the season!
What I Accomplished: Between work, seeing friends, spending time with family, and some travel, it’s been a busy month in the best way.
A beautiful fall worth remembering
Goals from Last Month:
I did my best to pace myself before the craziness of the holidays. I also got a jumpstart on my holiday prepping too!
I also enjoyed time outdoors this fall!
Goals for Next Month:
Enjoy the Christmas season! I LOVE this time of year, from shopping, music, movies, decorations, and baking. I can’t wait to savor it all! I will be coming out with my Christmas Bucket List next week, stay tuned!
That’s a look into what I’m currently up to. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I will see you back here on Friday!
Hello everyone! Happy Friday! It is the Friday before Thanksgiving. The holiday being so late this year is really throwing me off, so I have already begun to do some of my holiday prep, since I know December will fly by.
Signs of Christmas have already been popping up!
I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend, whether it be festive or not. The past few weeks have been busy between work, family commitments and some trips too, so I am looking forward to a bit of a breather before the holidays.
You know winter is getting close when you see frost in the mornings.
Today’s post is very holiday themed and I have a feeling the next several Friday Favorites will follow suit, here’s a look at what I’ve been loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
Holiday Sweatshirt– I always love my festive graphic tee shirts to wear around the holidays. One of my local grocery stores had a bunch of seasonal items out for display, including sweatshirts. I thought they looked cute, but didn’t buy any. For the next several days, I kept thinking about the apparel and decided to go back and buy one and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I love the colors and the fact I can wear it through the winter too, and not just on Christmas.
Start of Holiday Baking– Since Christmas is weeks away, I have begun my holiday baking. As a way to make sure I don’t get too overwhelmed with the thought of baking dozens of cookies the week before Christmas, I started a new system last year that I will continue to use this year. I love to bake and typically bake one type of cookie or dessert a week. Now, through Christmas when I do my weekly baking, they will mostly be a family favorite cookie, and I will share half and save the other half. This way, people are still enjoying a homemade item every week, but I have cookies for the holidays. I am slowly making my way through my cookie list. A few weeks ago, I made my Halloween Candy cookies (it’s a sugar cookie with leftover pieces of candy) and they were a hit. I can’t wait to continue more baking in the next few weeks.
A beautiful first batch!
Bridget Jones New Trailer– I am a huge fan of rom coms and Bridget Jones Diary is one of my all time favorite movies. A new series was announced through Peacock following the three movies and the trailer just came out. You can watch it here. I was a bit sad to see the plotline and concept for it, but I will be watching. It’s a great example of moving on in life after loss. It’s so fun to see a lot of the characters return and interesting to see how they have aged through the years. Will you be watching?!
Outlander Returns– Sticking with tv, one of my favorite tv shows returned for a new season. Outlander is back! I binged watched this show several years ago and have been watching it weekly ever since. The show is in its final season, so I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up. I may or may not have started it yet, depending on when you are reading this, but I can’t wait to get back to binging it.
Here– Have you seen the new movie “Here” yet? It stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. It’s all about a home and all the different people who live there through the years. The coolest part of the movie was the fact it was shot from one camera angle. It’s truly a cinematic masterpiece! I loved the concept, the storylines, and the casting. The message was truly beautiful too! It’s a must see for me!
That’s a look into what I’ve been loving this week. I can’t believe we are less than a week away from Thanksgiving! Time is going by too fast! Have a wonderful weekend!
It is the week before Thanksgiving and boy, is this month moving fast, even with Thanksgiving being a week late, it has still been a busy month. I just got back from a weekend away which was so nice to getaway. Plus, some holiday decor was already up which made me very happy and get into the Christmas spirit!
Airports all decked out for the holidays!
Today’s post is more reflective as I’m sharing what I’m thankful for. I do these posts every year and they are such a good time to share my gratitude for everything I have and the people and experiences I have in my life.
First and foremost, I’m thankful for my incredible family, supportive friends and compassionate boyfriend. I don’t have the words to describe how lucky I am to have such a strong and loving support system.
My family is always there for me during big milestones or everyday moments. I am so lucky to have such a close-knit family that eats dinner together every day, calls and checks in with each other regularly, and loves to laugh and support one another.By working in my hometown, I am able to spend even more time with my family and it’s something I don’t take for granted.
My boyfriend is one my best friends and favorite people in the world. I don’t share too much about my relationship on my blog to keep things private, but he is one of the best things that has happened to me. He is so supportive, selfless, understanding, hardworking, funny, and pushes me to be my best in all that I do. He encourages me in work and is so supportive of my hobbies and interests. He celebrates the big milestones in life, but also acknowledges the importance of mundane moments. He loves my dogs as if they were his own and goes out of his way to make sure I feel valued and heard. I thank God every day that he came into my life five years ago on Thanksgiving Day (another reason to be thankful).
Montreal- one of the many places my boyfriend and I traveled to this year!
I’m also so grateful for my understanding and kind friends. I have stayed close with different friends from different stages and areas of life. Whether we catch up weekly in-person or over Facetime each month, I’m so lucky to have people in my corner who cheer me on, understand my fluid schedule with work and who put in the effort for our friendship.
Getting outdoors and taking walks with friends is so good for my soul
I’m so grateful for my good health and the health of my family and friends. This past year has brought losing loved ones and some illnesses and every day, I’m so grateful that I am healthy and so are my loved ones. I’m also thankful for medicine, good doctors and research and technology to help fight these diseases.
When times get challenging, I’m thankful for my faith in God. I know that I can always depend on his unwavering love and that he will guide me through life’s most challenging and most joyful moments. I’m grateful for my parents for making sure a relationship in God was a priority in my life growing up.
In times of doubt, trusting in God is so important
This year has been a year of change for me and I’m grateful for the new people who have come into my life to show support and provide guidance.
I’m thankful for a job that I love waking up and going to every day. I love that I have co-workers that have become friends to me. I’m also grateful for a job that challenges me, but also teaches me things around the world. Every day brings something new to my life and I’m so lucky that I get to call it my job. I also hit the jackpot by being able to work in my hometown and work in a community that means so much to me.
My job has taken me to pretty cool places and experiences.
I am so grateful for all the adventures and hobbies that bring me so much joy every day. I have tried new things this year and continued to enjoy activities that give me a creative and freeing outlet. Things like running, reading, baking and cooking bring me so much joy and balance in my life. I have traveled a lot this year to new and familiar places and I’m so lucky for the opportunity to see so much of the world and create lasting memories with family and friends.
RunningCookingBakingReading
This past year has been filled with adventures, new beginnings, reconnecting, challenges and staying true to myself and I’m so grateful for it all.
I have much to be thankful for this year.
With Thanksgiving just over a week away, tell me, what are you thankful for this year?
Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week. I am off for a little weekend getaway which is much needed after a hectic few weeks. I’m looking forward to some exploring, relaxing, and a change up from the regular routine.
A beautiful start to the day.
As I continue my weekend away, I wanted to pop on here and share some things that have caught my attention and I have been loving this week.
Let’s get started as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
New Jacket– I mentioned that I am back to enjoying all the fall vibes and that includes fashion too. I got this heavier jacket/blazer from Old Navy and have been loving it. You can dress it up with a dress, skirt, or dress pants, or keep it casual with jeans and flats. I have worn it both ways and have been pleased with the end result. It’s definitely a thicker jacket which is perfect for this time of year. A fall favorite for sure!
Fall Trail Mix– If you have been a reader for a while, then you know I love all things sweet and salty. I made this fall trail mix for Halloween and have been enjoying it all this week. It’s so simple to make and I’m sure you have all or most of the ingredients at home or you can supplement it with your favorite snacks. I combined pretzels, peanuts, rice chex, candy corn, m&m’s, craisins, marshmallows and chocolate chips all together for a trail mix. You don’t have to incorporate all these snacks, you can just do a savory mix or a sweet mix, but I LOVE all the flavors. Perfect for an evening treat while you watch a movie.
Homemade Bread– I know making your own bread was big during the pandemic, but it seems to be making a resurgence. I am thinking about learning to make my own, but that might get pushed to the new year. One of my friends has started to bake her own sourdough bread and I was able to snag a loaf and it was delicious. Look how perfect it came out. We enjoyed it fresh with homemade soup and it was the perfect pairing! This gives me the push to learn how to make it on my own even more.
Face Mask– I love pampering myself with sheet facemasks and tried this one recently. It was cooling and my face felt rejuvenated and fresh once I was done using it. I don’t pamper myself with face masks or beauty products too often, so when I do, it’s always a treat. I will definitely be buying this one again to use.
New Book Haul– I typically go to my local library once or twice a week to drop off or pick up books and recently, several books that have been on hold came in and I couldn’t wait to pick them up. Now, it’s just a matter of figuring out what book to start with…I have some mysteries, new releases and recommendations. Have you read any of them? If so, what are your thoughts? These will keep me occupied until I start reading holiday books.
That’s a look into life lately and what I’m loving. I’m off to continue my weekend break. I’ll see you back here on Wednesday!
Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week. These next few weeks will be busy as we get ready for Thanksgiving and then eventually, Christmas, but I am ready for it. Bring on the challenge and the fun too! It’s still fairly decent weather for November, so I have been doing my best to enjoy the outdoors as much as I can, even enjoying my drinks outside when I can.
It’s the second Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for another Let’s Look as I link up with Shay and Erika.
Here’s a recap of the things we have talked about so far this year:
I can’t believe we only have a few more to go this year. Today’s topic is Gift Ideas for Men, now guys are hard to buy for, no matter the age, so hopefully, this gives you some ideas or suggestions. I asked my boyfriend for some help on this and I came up with my own ideas too. I created five categories or groups to get ideas from.
First, when it comes to men, always think practically. It may not be as fun, but most guys prefer a practical gift that they will use time and time again over something that is nice, but not as functional. Let’s dive right in!
Experience– Rather than getting a guy something they may not use or like, think about getting them an experience. This can be anything from tickets to seeing their favorite sporting team, going to a concert, maybe doing an activity, like beer tasting or trying a new hobby, and taking lessons or a course in it. You can still wrap up the tickets and make it something fun to open with the information inside.
Game Day Gear– Whether they are into sports or music or another hobby, you can never go wrong with getting them some gear. This can be more traditional items like jerseys or t-shirts, or you can go the more unique route and find something vintage online. Etsy always has such unique gifts and I love supporting local businesses too!
A Nice Watch– Guys might not be into jewelry as much as girls, but, you can never go wrong with a nice watch. You can take the more route with a traditional watch that they can dress up or down, or if they are more sporty, you can go the fitness watch route. I personally love my Apple Watch and use it every day. This is definitely a practical and useful gift for the guy.
Favorites Gift- For the guy who has everything, get him all his favorites. This can be his favorite foods, drinks, snacks, and gift cards to his favorite restaurants. You can even use this gift as a way to restock on his go to items, maybe he has a favorite type of pen that he only uses or a brand of shirts that he always wears, buy all his must have items and wrap them all up together or separate.
Upgrade Essentials– Purchase some higher quality versions of his favorite items. This can be anything from buying some nicer dress shirts or socks if he works in an office, to getting him a new pair of running shoes. Guys don’t always want to spend money on themselves, so this is a great way to get them things they need and splurge a bit.
I know these aren’t specific gifts for guys, but hopefully these suggestions lead to more ideas for the special guy in your life. Tell me: what are some things you plan on buying for the men in your lives? I’m always open to ideas! Happy Christmas Shopping!
