Our Christmas Break

Happy New Year everyone! I hope all of you had a wonderful and magical holiday! I can't believe how quickly this past month, year, and holidays went! Wasn't it just the start of December?

Our Christmas break was so fun and memorable. It was one of the best Christmases I've had! Matt and I both have had the last ten days off work and I've loved being home together. Our vacation had a good mix of both busy and fun. We baked, watched Christmas movies, stuffed our bellies, crafted, and relaxed. Here's a quick recap of our break!

Gift Guide: Toddler Girls

Good morning, I’m so excited for today’s post- a gift guide for toddlers because shopping for the girls is my favorite! They are at such a fun age and the magic will only grow over the next couple of years. I started my holiday shopping early this year and I only have two gifts left to buy! Unfortunately, I’ve also over shopped for them and will be putting some of their gifts away for good behavior. We're going to be doing a massive purge in the toy room and donating all of their toys this weekend.

Gift Guide for Her: 25 under $25

Christmas shopping is a ton of fun, but sometimes it can be a bit daunting if you have a long list or you're not sure what to get for who. I started early this year, I have the girls done and I'm half done with everyone else. Just waiting for Black Friday deals to finish off my list. In our family we have a $25 limit per person so as I was racking my brain for ideas for the ladies and myself, I thought I'd share some goodies on my list!

Our Christmas Weekend

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday this past weekend- it's such a magical time (yes, I know how corny and cliche that sounds, but it's the truth!). We had an amazing Christmas and I'm really not ready for it to be over so quickly.

On Christmas Eve, I had to work a short day, then we headed over to Matt's parents' home to celebrate Christmas with his side. Santa came to visit and brought each child a gift to get the party started. Ellie was in total amazement and even gave Santa a kiss! It was really special and a lot of fun, it was the perfect start to the celebration.

I was so excited for the morning and couldn't wait for everyone to get up. I was up first, bright and early and the girls both slept in- I couldn't believe it! When Ellie came out of her room and saw her kitchen and gifts, her eyes just lit up and she had to wake up Emma to join us. We had a lazy morning and played with all her new goodies before getting ready and heading to my aunt's to celebrate with my side.

Saturday morning we tried and failed to sleep in so we got to work on cleaning up the house, putting away Christmas gifts, and we even started taking down all of our decorations.We usually keep them up til after the new year, but since we had the time we thought it was best to take advantage of it. We headed back to my in-laws so they could watch the girls while Matt and I went on a date.

We haven't had dinner out and alone in months, I was still pregnant on our last dinner date! After dinner we thought about going back to Matt's parents place because we missed the kids, but decided to catch a movie instead. What we really wanted was to head back home and go to bed, but we'll sleep when we're dead. We watched The Big Short (we really enjoyed it!) and it was the first adult movie we've seen in theaters or even by ourselves since 2013! It was so nice to get away and have some time together. We really need to make it more of a priority to get away more often together.

Sunday we had breakfast and visited for a bit before coming home. The girls and I went to church and relaxed the rest of the day. It was really one of the best Christmases I've ever had and I'm so very thankful for our family. I loved the whole weekend and seeing everyone. Everything I've ever wanted in life I have and I'm so thankful for the blessings in our lives. I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas and were able to spend time with your loved ones.

Wishlist Wednesday: Easy Gifts Under $25

Prep & Finish Set // LORAC Palette // Too Faced Lips 

Headband // Studs // Cuff 

I've been all over the internet on the hunt for some gift ideas for my sisters and thought I'd gather some ideas for anyone else looking for something great for a good price!  I saw these items online and thought they'd make perfect gifts.

Makeup: Everyone can use some primer and setting goodies to help their makeup last through the holidays. I've been OBSESSED with my LORAC palettes and this one is a steal with some truly gorgeous shades that are perfect for every day. It's a small case so it would fit nice in a makeup bag. The Melted lipsticks have been on my radar for a long time- I think it's time to test run them!

Accessories: I love the basics! Simple pieces you can wear daily, you can't go wrong with studs. I love the vintage styling on the sides of these ones! The bangle is gorgeous and would pair perfectly with a watch and mixed with other metals and bracelets. The headband is beautiful and would really make a statement with a simple hair style for the holiday parties!

What do you like to gift and get?

#SpreadCheer with Betty Crocker + $20 Giveaway!

One of my favorite Christmas memories is my Grandmother's cookies. She made all different kinds, but my personal favorite were her sugar cookies. They were amazing! She would have to make hundreds and we'd all eat them all up so she would have to hide them from the family. It was always a hunt when we came over and we only found them twice- buried in the snow! She was an amazing cook and baker and her treats always made us feel special.

Baking and cookies are something I want to share with my kids and loved ones. Now that I'm back to work, it's so hard to try and squeeze everything in on the weekends and nights before bedtime. I'm loving that Betty Crocker is here to help me through the holidays. Her cookie bags are simple to follow, make delicious cookies, and her cream cheese frosting is to die for.

This season, you can help #spreadcheer with Betty's new campaign to share the holiday spirit with friends, loved ones, and neighbors. It's so simple and a great activity to do with your littles and help teach them the joy of giving!

1. Download your coupon and grab your goodies at your local stores

2. Start baking easy holiday treats with your little elves

3. While you wait for cookies to finish baking, take advantage of their free printables! They have coloring pages for the kids, gift tags for the cookies, and door signs for the goodies!

4. Once your cookies have cooled- get to decorating! I hope our neighbors like sprinkles...

5. Tie up your cookies with the gift tags and drop them to your neighbors!

Our cookies turned out so good, we're baking them again this weekend! Can't beat a simple cookie mix, butter, and a single egg! It's so nice that these treats are so easy and quick to make. We had a great time baking and decorating them together and Ellie had so much fun delivering them to neighbors. The little boy above has been sick for a while and was ecstatic to have some treats! It was the sweetest moment, he couldn't believe they were his and it really brightened up his spirit.

Now for some fun and your chance to win $20 in PayPal Cash!!

Spread cheer with your family, snap a photo, then share it on your choice of social media with the hashtag #SpreadCheer and nominate two friends by tagging them to join in the fun! Come back and link to your share so I can check it out or tag me in your original post! I can't wait to see everyone's goodies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Black Friday Buys!

This year, Black Friday was a huge success! At least I think it was, I did the majority of my shopping online so I’ll be waiting to see how it goes once my items are delivered. I’m most proud of the fact that in all my Black Friday hustling years, this is the year I've shopped the least for myself. Now I definitely got myself some nice goodies, but I’m going to wait on some of what I snagged for myself and have Matt wrap it for Christmas. Most of my buys were clothing for the family, everyone really needed some cold weather items for the season. We did buy a few things for the house and a couple of gifts for the little ones in the family too. I’ve linked everything below- including a few items I picked up earlier in the week and items that were not included in the sales.

For myself:

Cocoon Sweater // Lightweight Sweater // LORAC Palette // NYX Lip Set // Pajama Bottoms and Top // Vest

For Matthew:

Henley // Sweater // Jeans // Plaid // Button Down

The Little Ladies:

Gray Set // White Hoodie Set // Pink Hoodie Set // Jumper

Peplum Top // Hooded Zip Sweater // Sweater Dress

Toys:

Disney Magiclip Princess // Play-doh // Lego Dimensions // Kitchen // Bow and Arrow

Doll // Matching Game // Book // Octoplush // Textured Balls

For the House:

Wood Frame // Silver Frame // Appetizer Dish // Pastry Board

Phew! Such great stuff, I really hope everything is just as awesome in person as it was online! I did end up going out around 9pm on Thursday night to get the few things that weren't available to buy online or were sold out. The shops were nearly dead!! I didn't wait in line to check out at Target or Toys R Us and it was so weird. I really love to shop Black Friday, but part of the joy for me is waking up in the middle of the night and being a zombie with my family and girlfriends. I'm really glad that this year so many places had deals that went all week- it was nice to shop without any crowds.

Did you do some shopping? What did you get?

Our Holiday & Weekend Recap

The holiday came and went so fast! I had planned on writing a big post filled with pictures and stories, but then we took like 2 pics that day. We charged up our DSLR camera, took it to Nana’s and didn’t get a single picture of anyone! It was such a fun Christmas and Ellie loved opening all her gifts, she wanted to play with each one that she opened until she opened the next one. She was absolutely spoiled this year by the family; dolls, strollers, books, Little People sets, and Frozen everything. We have to keep a few toys in their box for her to open and play with later (we usually keep a few put away and bring them out little by little over a few months) and I have a ton of cleaning and organizing to do in our playroom.

We didn’t get her a “big” gift this year because we couldn’t decide between a kids table (we’re looking at this one) and a kitchen set (we like this one and this one). I know she would enjoy both, but I didn’t want to get her too much so we decided we would get her some toys that would work for both and decide in the new year which she would enjoy most now and get the other item for her 2nd birthday. We gave her a ton of art supplies- Crayola Triangle Crayons, Gem Crayons, Paint Dabbers, Color Magic Markers & Notepad for her to use at a table and then Santa brought her some Sprouts Food Baskets (ours are from Costco and comes with a breakfast, lunch, and dinner basket) for a kitchen set. We figured we would see which she would get the most use of at this time to buy first. She uses a kitchen during free play at pre-school, but never uses the one at her Nana and Papa’s house, so I wanted to wait on it. She uses a table at both pre-school and her grandparents and I know that would always be good to have, but I have no idea where we would keep it and I have a place for the kitchen set in mind. So we’re waiting to see which we should get first.

Our only family pic from the day. Toddler life is not for the weak.

We’ve been playing and playing with all of her Christmas gifts and I had to work both Friday and Saturday so we took the rest of the weekend easy. Saturday night Matt and I rented Maleficent and filled up our bellies with holiday treats and pork rinds (a rare indulgence for us). Sunday, Ellie and I were both kind of tuckered out so we mostly napped and watched a Tinkerbell movie on Netflix. We did make it out of the house for a quick Target run, which forced us to get dressed for the day (only to come home and get back into jammies). Ellie insisted on buckling her baby in the cart to keep her safe too. It was the cutest thing!

I’m very excited for New Year’s Eve this year, last year and the year before that I was sick. This year we’re having a few people over for dinner and dessert. We’re excited to have plans this year! Hope you all have a great week!

Our Christmas Card

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
I hope tonight and tomorrow is filled with love, joy, and magic this holiday season.

Ellie's Christmas Wishlist

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year (just like everyone else in the world) and it’s so much better now that I have a child to share it with. All of the holidays are better with children. Seeing the magic through their eyes, the wonder, it fills the season with more joy. We’ll be heading off to see Santa this week and here are some items on her wishlist:

Frozen Toddler Anna & Elsa Dolls // Frozen Slippers // Etch a Sketch // Disney Dolls // Gumball Machine // Housekeeping Set // Color Wonder Markers and Pages // Chunky Puzzles

Last year we had a great visit with Santa, she just stared at him and was so curious. This year I think it’s going to be a scream and run type of stranger danger situation. Wish us luck! What’s on your little one’s list this year? 

Currently...

beanie // tights

1. It’s still hot, hot, hot over here in CA, but I’ve started to dream about boots, booties, jeans, scarves, and tights. I bought this knit beanie from Target this week and I’m dying to wear it outside. I think we need a family trip to Oak Glen…Last year we barely had a fall or winter season, but it’s supposed to be extra cold and rainy this year. We shall see! That’s definitely something I miss about living in Utah- it’s so gorgeous there and I loved the scenery year round. That’s one of the biggest reasons I mostly visit in the winter time too, so I can get a bit of cold and snow to hold me over.

gem crayons (in store) // paint dabbers // purse // beanie and mitten set

2. Even though it’s barely fall and Halloween is just next week, I’m focused on the holidays. I’ve already started my shopping with a few items for stocking stuffers, have made a mental list of items needed to decorate the house, and we’re already drawing our Secret Santa’s for Matt’s side of the family this weekend. Last year, Christmas was a lot of fun and I expect it to only get better as Ellie gets older and understands the holiday more (not just the gifts/Santa stuff). I’m really looking forward to this year and seeing her face light up when she sees the tree and Christmas lights.

mama and me headbands

3. Matching headbands is totally happening soon. I ordered this sweet Olivia Lace set from Willow Crowns and I can’t wait to match with my little mini-me (or mini-daddy depending on the day- she changes so much!). With her fall/winter wardrobe I’ve kept a little bit of what I have and what I’ve bought for her in mind so we can coordinate, but even still, these headbands will do the trick! I have a feeling that Ellie will be just as excited to match as I am.

IMAGE Skincare

4. The last few months, my skin has looked a little so-so. I’ve thought about making an appointment with a dermatologist to see what’s going on and I’ve scoured the beauty aisles at Target, but I just don’t know where to start. I don’t have acne, but my skin isn’t as radiant as it used to be. It just seems blech. That’s why I’m so excited to try some new products from IMAGE Skincare. I’ve been using their products for over a year now (check out my reviews HERE and HERE) and have started to use these new products for just over a week. I told my husband after just a few days I was already convinced that I could see a difference. I’ll definitely be doing a full review in a few weeks.

5. We are taking family pics this weekend with all of Matt's side of the family and I'm so excited to work with Lovers of Love Photography again. We've talked about doing family pics for years and I'm so happy that we're finally doing it.

Happy hump day! Hope your week is going well!