I’m lucky if I find ten minutes to get my hair out of a 3 day top knot these days! I have to get creative with quick and easy options for the fun occasions like NYE! Here is a two minute hair tutorial you can try out for your next fun occasion. You’ll be surprised how easy it is! If you have shorter or medium length hair, just adapt to one or two twist ties.
VIEW FULL POST
Layered Twist Tie Hair Tutorial
December 31, 2016
9 Dresses by NYE
December 27, 2016
I’m not very good at taking a blog break am I? Don’t worry, this was prepared before Christmas. I am probably currently sipping coffee on the floor while simultaneously playing magna tiles with the boys.
We have a New Years party coming up with family coming in town, and so I am resorting to good old Amazon prime to make it happen without having to leave my home. Also, totally just ordered a dress for $26 with two day shipping. Score.
It made me think that most of you with Christmas being a main priority haven’t thought twice about New Years Eve, and may need a few quick options on what to wear that can arrive in your mailbox in time. If you are wearing pjs, more power to ya!
Here are my top 9 picks for NYE under $100:
1. Champagne pink shimmer
2. Metallic fit and flare dress
3. Dusty lace scallop dresss
4. Sheer Overlay peach pink
5. Winter white dress
6. Feather hem dress
7. Metallic midi dress
8. Gold sequin maxi skirt
9.Sequin front trousers in 6 colors
*Nordstrom is having their half yearly sale and fast shipping as well!
What will you be doing for NYE? I love hearing different stories from around the globe!
Outfit details from the above image in this post.
Christmas 2016 in photos
December 27, 2016
O Holy Night,
The Stars were brightly shining,
it is the night,
of our dear Savior’s birth.
O Thrill of Hope,
The Weary world rejoices,
and yonder breaks,
a new and glorious morn.
The song that so richly encompasses the gift of Christmas, and the joy we are able to experience as a result of it.
These were just a few of the moments I hope to remember from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was such a good one.
I’d love to hear how your Christmas or Hanukkah was?!
Warmest wishes to you all:)
*The boy’s little tweed suits and girl’s dresses are from Janie and Jack.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
December 22, 2016
This year was a heavy one, wasn’t it? I can’t stop thinking of the global sufferings that are affecting families and cultures across the world, my friends and family who have lost children, husbands, and fathers in recent weeks, and the many local shelters filled with the hungry and cold. It seems to be a time of year where we feel the ache for peace more than ever, and subsequently is a time when we need the hope Christmas brings more than any other time of year.
The light of a newborn King born in a humble stable reminds me that light in a dark world is simpler than it seems. That within our homes there is first chance to practice compassion, understanding, and love for each other. There are opportunities all around us to ignite more light in this world.
I have found so much hope in my children this year, and their eagerness to do acts of service this year renewed my spirit. They are all anxiously awaiting Christmas morning, and they make Gabe and I feel like big kids ourselves.
No matter what faith you are, I sincerely hope each of you gets a taste of true peace and joy this Christmas and, and I look forward to keeping in touch with you in 2017!
We will be back soon, but taking a small break to celebrate the goodness that Christmas has to offer.
Much love and many blessings~
Our photos were taken by Chelsey Heidorn.
P.S. Thank you for each of you that entered the Home for the Holidays giveaway. I wanted to send so many of you home for Christmas! We drew a winner and she is a very deserving gal who will hopefully share how she used the tickets very soon!
The Love Your Hair Campaign
December 19, 2016
Veronica used to say she wished her hair was straight and short like her brother Gabriel’s. I would have to try not to laugh as she told me through her sincere blue eyes. She looked up to her brother, and as far as she knew, getting haircuts was the cool thing to do. I would reassure her she was given such lovely curly locks that were a unique family trait passed down to her from her great grandmothers, and that she should be so proud of that.
Fast forward till today and she wishes her hair was long and dark like Rapunzel’s. A more accurate depiction of a 5 year old dream right? I work on confidence in her weekly. Reminding her that there are many types of beauty. Long hair isn’t as important as a kind and compassionate heart. Looking to help others or building up your siblings and friends with kind words is a far greater feature than exterior details. She is learning and responding more as she can now finish my sentences when I ask her, “What is more important than how we look?” Discontentment or comparing starts at such a young age, and I truly believe confidence in her self-worth can stem from catching her thoughts and changing them in a different direction.
(Wearing – Anna: Dress, Veronica: Skirt , Azelie: Bloomers)
A recent Dove study found that 82% of girls learn to care about themselves from their mother. I couldn’t agree more. As a mother, you can make an impactful difference on the way they view themselves. My own mother was such an encouraging voice in me and my own sisters, followed by a support system of other family members and peers who reinforced those values. It taught me how I would pass self-confidence onto my own girls.
This month, you can join us in Dove’s mission to promote hair (and whole person) confidence with a mommy and me #LoveYourHair selfie and tagging @Dove. Let’s show our girls how beautiful their hair truly is. Add a special touch to one of your photos with Dove by visiting LoveYourHair.Dove.com!
Thankful to Dove for partnering on this post, and spreading a message I strongly believe in. Thank you Morgan Blake, for these photos I will hold dear!
5 gift ideas for the last on your list.
December 16, 2016
For our very last gift guide of 2016 I had so much fun teaming up with Kate Spade New York to create some thoughtful ideas for gifts that won’t be re-gifted at the next white elephant. Here are a few combinations that will hopefully help you solve the puzzling hunt for the impressionable gift…
For the bestie – Grab a few of these rose gold dotty frames and put some uplifting messages inside to adorn your bestie’s room, and also remind her of just how valued she is. I found these quotes in my favorite magazines.
For your favorite couple – Whether it is your parents, a pair of newlyweds or your dearest friends, a fine set of rosy toasting flutes and a bottle of champagne offers them a night to celebrate …. even if it’s just a Monday.
For the holiday party hostess – Forget the bottle of wine, and go for the gold. When you want to bring a gift for the hostess of your holiday parties, I love this glam golden serving set duo that would be perfect for use over the holidays.
For the co-worker – It’s usually easier to play it safe with our fellow female co-workers and always land on chocolate or gift cards. Take a risk, give a little sparkle to add to her handbag, and include a matching card case to boot!
For everyone else – Being a devoted lover of both coffee and color, I swooned over these initial monogram mugs. This should cover just about every unsolved person on your list. Fill it with a few holiday trees and christmas ornaments, and you have a thoughtful and fun loving gift.
9 more sleeps till Christmas! I can hardly wait!
A Christmas tour around our home.
December 14, 2016
I remember as a little girl my mom would leave no room untouched for Christmas. Even if it was something as simple as Christmas mice candle holders or a red dish cloth, these things reminded us that something significant was coming. I want to create the same atmosphere in our own home for my children, so for the past few weeks, I have added a wreath here, a garland there, and a million ornaments in between.
I decorated with them in mind so that it would become a place that felt full of wonder through their eyes. Our first Christmas in our first owned home called for more holly and lights than I would normally scatter. We are hosting this year as well, and staying put for the first time in years so I am taking my responsibility of Christmas cheer very seriously…
front door info in this post, trees from whole foods and pottery barn kids, car from an antique market
Bar cart, 12 days of Christmas print (by my friend Jessica), pine garland, lights, copper mule mugs, ice skates and mistletoe mugs, hot chocolate sticks, matches and lantern, felt garland c/o potterybarn, record player
Birch star c/o, nativity scene (found at Hobby Lobby), glass jug, pillar candles
Our beloved blue spruce with all kinds of heavily laden branches and tacky ornaments, tree skirt (Pottery barn out of stock), stag longhorn throw via In2Green c/o, side wooden table, stack of old Christmas books, rug (IKEA)
Village houses (Out of stock), white felt trees, eucalyptus, glitter wreath, fair isle stocking, birch logs and lights, floor lamp, cableknit throw
Wooden tree shelf (sold out from PBK), thrifted peacock chair, pillow, faux sheepskin, red and white felt tree
Knitted advent calendar c/o (I filled this with ornaments for the boys to decorate their tree), nativity scene c/o, mini tree (Gabe and I’s very first tree from our first year of marriage still going strong!)
An accurate depiction of Christmas with little ones.
We started working on our unfinished basement and bedrooms are turned upside down at the moment, but I made the most of the space we mainly live in. I look at these pics and chuckle a little knowing that around every corner there are stuffed socks in drawers, bottles under the couches, and cars in the tree branches. Signs of living as we like to call them.
Are you traveling or staying put for the holidays this year? Since we are staying put I am hoping to use that extra time to do some of the service ideas we have been brewing. The kids are getting so excited for Christmas morning. I’d say it’s a tie between seeing all 7 stockings hanging on our mantle and hearing Veronica sing Christmas carols at the hop of her lungs that is giving me the Christmas spirit in the deep down tingle your toes sort of way. Children bring so much hope to the world. “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.”
Wishing you all a warm and peaceful week leading up until the best day of the year!
The IHOD Print Shop:
