What are you all wearing Christmas/ Christmas Eve? It is usually a decision I make the day of, and scramble to get things together like tights with no snags;)
I teamed up with Anne Klein to style a few holiday pieces and fell for the detailing in this skirt, which is now a contender for Christmas festivities. And the sweater with leather trim? Definately adding this piece to my #consciouscloset efforts. (Both pieces launching on the site soon!)
I am looking forward to this last full week before Christmas. The anticipation is in the air!
Wishing you much peace this coming week!
Outfit details: Top, skirt, watch: Anne Klein c/o // Boots: Sam Edelman // Necklace: Kendra Scott // Clutch: Wink & Winn
I haven’t been able to devote the time like I used to in creating holiday gift guides. I probably spent a little too much time on them;) A few years ago was the last one I published, and there were quite a few golden DIY’s, recipes, and festive ideas included….
(DIY Geometric Chocolate Stir Sticks by Hank and Hunt)
I skimp over holiday decorating throughout the year. Maybe some fall decorating, maybe some spring florals for Easter, but Christmas? Make way! I save all of my decorating energy for this most wonderful time of the year. Our neighbors surely think we are party poopers until Christmas rolls around;) We have our annual Christmas party next week and even the bar cart was converted to a festive merry maker on wheels! Here is how I gave it a Christmas punch…
I don’t think I have made a cranberry and popcorn garland since I was 8 years old. Maybe it’s the old Christmas movies that convince me it is needed in the world though, so the over achiever in me decided my bar cart needed a garland. Didn’t actually take very long to string up, and is the perfect mindless activity to do while watching a Christmas movie! I also added in some fresh berries and greenery, long branches, and faux gold berries in mercury vases for the top and bottom shelves. I love a silver and gold theme, and will probably carry that them over to the table.
Next, WINE. By the way, it was fun hearing from you all on FB of what wines you love to entertain with. Recently, Kendall-Jackson AVANT® sent over some of their blend to try, and I cannot wait to serve it to guests. K-J AVANT Red Blend has rich raspberry and bold black cherry flavors and hints of spice and dark chocolate which you can imagine dances on the palate. I am dreaming up some appetizers to pair it with such as bacon wrapped dates! Any other ideas you all have? Appetizers are my favorite thing to talk about;)
The bottom is stocked with glasses which is only visible after sweet little toddler hands are snoozing in bed of course. The wine and whiskey decanters are a fun way to display your drinks and offer a way for guests to get an aroma before pouring!
A gold tray for holding the bar tools, bottle opener, and a few fun entertainment options like playing cards, and conversation starters were a few more additional elements on top.
I can’t wait to have some time with good friends so close to Christmas. Will share some more entertaining ideas soon! Cheers!
As you all know, December has been slow down month for us. It has been a really good time of rejuvenation and getting ready for the new year ahead. I especially look forward to weekend mornings. They are never quiet mind you (hello little miss morning bird Veronica!), but they are easy paced and always involve a hot breakfast and a record player.
Recently, I got the royal treatment in bed which hasn’t happened since mother’s day! My little ones love to surprise me lately even if it means a scribble scrabbled note they made the moment before. So when Gabe schemed up a breakfast plot, they were beaming with smiles to deliver it. I love how they can’t really keep surprises either since they can hardly stand to keep it to themselves.
I would say my husband can cook up a better breakfast than I any day. Scalloped potatoes with over easy eggs, sauteed tomatoes, cranberry orange juice, and fresh fruit. Still thinking about it…ahhh. Although, I don’t believe any mother has every really eaten breakfast in bed without a few hands tackling it before she does;)
We have a few more weeks before we head to St. Louis for Christmas. I am hoping I get a few more mornings like this (no breakfast needed, maybe just coffee) with my little ones. It has been so good to have more time with them.
Gabe always asks me in the weeks leading up to Christmas day if I want to open up my one of my gifts early. I am ALWAYS tempted, but the answer is always the same. It would take the fun away from the actual day of Christmas! He waits all year for this holiday, so I don’t blame him, and I often feel like a little kid who wants to peek through the wrapping paper to find out what is inside while no one is looking.
I am learning with each year, that the peace Christmas promises has to be fought for. Every time the temptations come to unwrap the party early, to buy, eat, shop, or be merry, I have to ask myself if it will actually make room for more peace, and less chaos. I don’t want to fall for the traps this year of the fancy bells and wrapping. I know you can fill yourself full of all very good things, but there is no room left for the great things. The things you cannot quite verbally describe but fill your body and soul with an unearthly joy. That joy that beamed out of a humble stable on that first Christmas over 2000 years ago…
I guess this is why it is more quiet than usual on the blog and social media these days. Just trying to make room for inner renewal, and make as much time as possible to encourage more purpose filled traditions in my little family.
Here are a few concrete ways we are trying to make this happen this year. An advent detox of sorts;)
1) I said no to Christmas cards. Gasp! I know, its horrible. But they are always a challenge for me to organize every year, and get them out the door. Going to find alternative ways to keep in touch with family and friends this year.
2) Kept my calendar clean. Hustle and bustle is so easy to slip into. I had such a whirlwind year that I decided to keep my calendar free and take each day as it came. No commitments, but a true effort to do what was best for my family each day instead of the month turning into a string of events. We have many things we want or hope to do this, but keeping only the most important as a priority and the rest can come as it may.
3) Minimal shopping – Gabe and I LOVE to give gifts, and usually bite off more than we can chew with who we want to give gifts to. We decided that instead of spending all the time running errands, standing in line, and shopping online for gifts, we would keep the list very minimal, BAKE gifts, and use the rest of the money for our favorite charities and spontaneous giving. (This has already brought us some incredible experiences!)
4) Saving the best Christmas movies/music for last. My personal favorites like It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Bishop’s Wife, etc. always deliver the Christmas spirit on a platter for me, and so I am trying oh so hard to save the best for the last week before Christmas, and the 12 days after.
5) Service. We hope that starting the tradition to serve our community, neighbors, family, etc. will become something our children look forward to. We looked into different opportunities in surrounding areas, and found places to volunteer and donate items or time. When Gabe and I first started dating, we met a very lonely women in meager circumstances who we would visit each week just so she had someone to laugh at her jokes and make sure she was okay. I think there are so many people who just need to know they are loved. This is my goal for not only in the coming weeks, but for the coming year. To let people know they are valued.
6) Reading. I don’t ever take time to read anymore and I am a former bookworm. Words move and shake me like only music can, so I am setting aside time each morning to read Ann Voskamp’s The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas, and it has been such a good way to keep me focused. The book for little ones is what we take excerpts from for the kids each night to help connect the dots for them about what Christmas is truly about.
Would love to hear some of the ways to add to this list! How do you all serve your community, or what projects you do for friends and family to give around this time of year? Leaving you all with an advent playlist with songs that are great for this preparation time for the 12 days of Christmas:) Any I should add to the playlist?
Welcome new friends and old! I have been anxiously waiting to announce and share what we have in store today as part of the 24 Merry Days giveaway! I am a girl who loves to throw a good party for family or friends,so it is only appropriate to give away a Dot & Bo BAR CART + $100 to spend on bar cart accessories! Just in time for Christmas and New Year too, eh? Cannot wait to see who wins this. Enter via the rafflecopter widget below, and then hop on over to the 24 Merry Days website or facebook page to see what giveaway to enter next. Every day a new blogger will reveal a new prize and believe me, they are all equally incredible. Best of luck to each of you:)
x, Anna
Ohhh how I love good rich color in a home. I am currently working on integrating more bold colors into our own home, so working on this post had me dreaming up ways to work in a velvet emerald couch or striking emerald walls.
So excited to be posting over at the Interior Collective with several ideas of how to style emerald in your home. I hope you enjoy it! See you over there:)
Anna
P.S. Come back tomorrow for the huge giveaway reveal!
, and it has been such a good way to keep me focused. The book for 
is what we take excerpts from for the kids each night to help connect the dots for them about what Christmas is truly about.
