Tibi + Ebay Holiday Collection

Did you know that Tibi is a part of Ebay's Holiday Collection this year? Designer Amy Smilovic created five different comfy tees and sweatshirts that are reasonably priced, by Tibi standards. There is a limited quantity and will only be able for purchase for a short time during the holidays. Personally, I love the simplicity of the grey and black. How cute is the penguin?!

 

 

I'm leaning toward this last shirt, the one above. I think that these could easily be layered under sweaters or cardigans, or you can wear them alone for a casual, comfy look. Pair any of them with red jeans or leggings for a very vestive outfit. I can imagine wearing this Christmas morning while opening gifts.

 



What do you think? Is it just me or are these tops cute? I hope you all are enjoying  your weekend!

Thanksgiving Table: Rustic + Charming

A table's decor can make or break a festive event. But don't think that you have to break the budget to make it look fabulous and glam. For the tablescape that I created below, most of the items are pretty basic and can be found at local stores--Pier1, Michael's, Hobby Lobby or even Wal-Mart. The gold chargers are less than $2 each and can be used again at Christmas and New Years. Look around your home to see if you have a basket, box or container that could work as your planter. Silk florals can be found at a craft store or get a bunch of fresh florals from your grocery store--you don't have to get them from the florist and pay a pretty penny. Depending on if you want faux or real white pumpkins, both are at the craft store or grocery store, too. Voila! You have a beautiful, yet inexpensive, festive Thanksgiving table.
 

{Click on the picutre to purchase each item.}

Holiday Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

 

Are you looking for the perfect stocking stuffers? There are so many options out there that it can be overwhelming. One thing about stocking stuffers is that you don't want them to cost a lot. It takes quite a few of them to fill up an entire stocking. I tried to keep the prices of all of these reasonable, but I did add a few that are a little bit more expensive and would be great if you and others are filling stockings together. All of these trinkets make me want to break out my stockings, hang them by the fireplace and wait for Santa.



{Remember to click on the pictures to show you prices and where each item can be purchased.}

Snowshoeing

On Sunday evening our first friends from home came to visit! Adam and Briana had been to Las Vegas for his sister's birthday and decided to keep driving and come see us. Adam and Bryan had big plans for mountain biking, unfortunately fortunately mother nature had other plans. I'm not sure how much snow we got at our house, but the resorts had at least 30 inches.

The first stop on Monday was Olympic Park. I always read something new and interesting each time I visit it. It sill blows my mind that we live right next to it.

 

After lunch at one of our favorite sandwich shops, we headed out to snowshoe for the rest of the afternoon. None of us had ever done it before and we all had so much fun. I told Bryan that we are going to have to buy some snowshoes. It will be a great thing to do with people who don't want to ski the whole time they visit.

 

 

I'm not sure what prompted me, but I had to eat some snow. I also felt the urge to jump in the huge drifts and make snow angels. As long as I stay warm I'm all about playing in the snow. It was in the low 20's when we went out, but all I wore was a silk thermal top and fleece, which made me plenty warm.

 

 

For dinner we went to one of my favorite restaurants, the High West Distillery. Adam and Briana said it was the highlight of eating on their trip.

 

 

Everyone's food was delish. Bryan had a burger and I had pulled pork on top of three golden fried yellow tomatoes. My goal is to find some of the thick glasses that the distillery uses for all of their drinks. Bryan loves the size and feel of them.

 

 

Bryan had to take a picture of the piano in the transit center. Most places have signs that say not to play the piano, this one is quite the opposite--they want you to sit down and play. Briana made the comment that it was the nicest transit center she had ever seen. It's true, it is very clean, warm and pretty.

 

 

We had a wonderful time together! It makes me happy to have extra people in our house visiting. I wonder who will come see us next? Have a great day!

Holiday Gift Guide: 50 Under $50

It's up, it's up--the first of the Holiday Gift Guides! It is a little bit later in the day than I had planned, but we had company leave this morning and then I thought my computer crashed. {huge panic} I hope you find some goodies! Be sure to click on the pictures to take you to the links that will show you where to make purchases.

 



 

 

Simple Christmas List

First of all, it is killing me, KILLING me to be talking about Christmas this early. Like I said last week, I like to get through one holiday at a time. I actually have two to get through before I start celebrating the Christmas season, Thanksgiving and then my birthday. Once those two are over I pull out the Christmas decor, turn on the carols and start lighting the eggnog candles. The reason that I am posting about Christmas today is because I am staring my holiday shopping guides tomorrow and wanted to talk about this before I started posting gift ideas.

 

This year is going to be a bit different around our home since we recently made a huge move across the country and will not be going home for either of the upcoming holidays. Bryan and I have decided that since we are going to be spending so much money on buying ski equipment and passes that we will let those be our main presents to each other. Fun! Right? Not so much in my mind. I'm the person who LOVES to buy gifts and likes the tree to look nice and full with pretty presents surrounding it. Seriously people, I am going to struggle with this.

 

My parents are doing one big gift for each of us, which will make it easier when mailing gifts. I already know what Bryan is getting {he wants it right now so he can play with it}, but I haven't made up my mind as to what I want. My sister and I have set a specific amount to spend on one another, too. Another thing that is very hard...I like to spoil her rotten with tons of gifts and don't care if I spend more on her than she does on me. Gifts are my LOVE language, folks.

 

Have you heard of giving just three gifts to your kids? They represent the three gifts that were given to baby Jesus. Have any of you moms done this? I think I would struggle keeping it to three actual gifts. It is a huge reminder of the real reason for the season.

 

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We all wrote letters to Santa and made Christmas lists growing up. Some of us still make actual Christmas lists and post them so they are clearly seen. {Don't judge me, I'm guilty.} I love this idea of a simple Christmas list, not only because we aren't having a big Christmas this year, but because it makes the holidays special. For the person filling their list out it includes:

 

 

I'm not going to lie, this makes me super excited. It allows for wiggle room and creativity, gives you some direction and helps you not blow all of your hard-earned money on meaningless things that take up space.

 

 

I wish that I had come up with this concept and cute graphics on my own, but it was originally posted on Somewhat Simple. Click here to read about it and find the printable version of this list.

 

Way too much money is spent each holiday season on stuff that will easily break, get pushed aside or never even be actually used. Don't buy things just to buy them. Reconsider how much and what you plan on purchasing for this Christmas.

 

I know there are many different ways to help others during the holidays, but one way that is very dear to my heart is by packing a shoe box filled with toys. Samaritan's Purse has a program called Operation Christmas Child. This is a great way to get your children involved and teach them about the importance of giving to others who are less fortunate, and sharing the love in Jesus at the same time. I grew up packing a shoe box every Christmas season. Five years ago I was visiting my parents in the Balkans, and was able to actually hand out the boxes to the children there. It was amazing to watch about how the simple efforts of those of us in America bring joy to children all around the world. This week is the national collection week, but there is still plenty of time to participate this year. Click here to learn more about it.

 

 

And last, but not least, I saw this and thought it would be a great to print and frame or hang on the fridge throughout the Christmas season.

 

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If you are still reading this...Bravo! I promise this will be my only Christmas post other than the gift guides until after Thanksgiving.



Falling All Around

The snow started yesterday morning and is still coming down strong. Ivy and I went on a walk with the snow swirling all around and she was in doggy heaven. She absolutely loves the snow. She runs extra fast in circles and dives into it. When it snowed a couple of weeks ago she would sit by the door and whine to be let out to play in it. Can we say pitiful and spoiled?

 

 

This is what it looks like right now. I don't think this picture does a good job of showing what has accumulated in the past 24 hours. Bryan got up early to duck hunt with his extra happy duck dog. I've been getting cozy, sipping vanilla chai tea and eating warm chocolate chip pumpkin bread.

 

 

Enjoy your Saturday!