Holiday Talk + Weekend Links + Steals

How was everyone's Christmas?  We had a cozy, low key holiday and it was just perfect.  I cannot believe it is almost the new year- now that I'm a mom I totally sound like an old person but TIME FLIES SO DARN FAST.  I feel like I blinked and it was December.  I know 2016 was a tough year for the world, with a lot of celebrities lost and Voldermort, sorry, Trump, looming.  But for me personally, it was an amazing year.  Being a mom is all I ever wanted to be, and now that I am I kind of feel like I'm living the dream.  My little sidekick and I are gals about town all day long, and it's pretty much the best.  Speaking of Ophelia, I want to do an update on how she is lately, because seriously this kid is magic.  She's so funny and clever and absorbing more everyday.

Happy New Year to you and yours, friends!

Here is some good reading for the long weekend:

Best sports bras for size and sport.  

Has feminism left stay at home moms behind?

Best beauty products for pregnancy.

What a pretty, simple top.   

I want one of these super bad. 

Natural deodorant round up.  I use this currently. 

Feminist children's books- love this!

Easing kids back into reality after the holidays.

A pretty wishlist for warm weather.

What each state googled the most in 2016.  

15 of Carrie Fisher's best feminist quotes.     

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Good Stuff Under $50: This, this- such a steal, and so pretty! These, this and theeese are unreal.  This looks like the perfect white tee, this flannel, and this pillow is so cool.   

More Winter Sale Picks

The sales, they just keep coming.  Apologies to the wallets.  

click to shop!

Nordstrom Sale Picks

Winter stuff for such a steal- those baby bogs and kamiks are great deals!
just click the pictures to shop!

In Reality

Yay champagne flute// Pink cardigan// Navy sweats// Socks// Pink pom sweaters// Pink sweatshirt// Blue joggers// Champagne glasses// Pink slippers (only $10!)

 

In all realness, my New Year's Eve will look a lot like this.   My days of sequin dresses, fighting for cabs, dancing in sweaty clubs with personal space invaders aplenty, and freezing my tush off are over, at least for the time being-  and I secretly couldn't be happier.  New Year's Eve is kind of overrated.

Black Velvet Lace Dress

 What I wore for Christmas Eve! Dress, (similar here, here, and here), boots, and necklace.
I hope everyone had a great holiday!

aannnnd some more good velvet, lacy dresses! So perfect for the season.  

click to shop! 

merry merry

merry merriest to one and all.  & thank you all for reading my little blog- it's been so much fun.

love from our family to yours!

annnnd just for fun, some pretty eye candy for this holiday weekend!
click to shop!

Around Here Lately

snuggling my heart after making cookies the other day! note that she sampled some dough, obv.  

AROUND HERE LATELY we've been: 

getting ready to go see Santa

the difference from last year to this year- so. freaking. crazy.  i'm not a fan of making the baby cry with santa, so i sat on his lap, and ophelia joined me for about 15 seconds.  she was not very fond of the old guy.  

we were a little stir crazy for awhile when it was super cold last week!

went and visited the conservatory to warm up! ophelia was sick in this picture, hence her lack of enthusiasm. 

and bundled up for winter walks.  ophelia is wearing this fleece suit, these boots, and this hat. all highly recommended for cold weather babes! 

and my very favorite thing- took some naps on mom.  

tis the season to be cozy. 

Gift Guide: For the Last Minute Gifter

No worries, friend.  Amazon Prime exists and all of these things will arrive by Christmas Eve, and you don't have to get up from your couch! 

For the ladies:  monogrammed necklace, marble cake stand, lip stick set, sparkly clutch

For the men: slippers, grill tools, beard oil/ shave set

For the kiddos: musical instruments, truck and car set, ride on wagon, pull block set

And I have many Amazon items on my other guides, so if you need more inspiration check out these:

Gift Guide for the Home

Gift Guide for Your Mom

Gift Guide for the Men

Gift Guide for the Kiddos

Gift Guide for Toddlers & Babies

Gift Guide for a New Mama

and My Wishlist!

Ready, set go!

I Want to See You Work Out For Me

Blue pants// Colorful pants// Black and white pants// Black floral pants// 

Water bottle// Maroon running shoes// Orange running shoes// New Balance running shoes

Black Sweatshirt// Grey sweatshirt// Sports bra// Yoga mat

Yoga tank// Light pink tank// Hot pink tank// Black tank// Weight set

Cliche? Work out clothes for the new year? Totally.  But I'm actually not that girl- I never do New Year's Resolutions, or really even get into the New Year, New Me thing at all.  BUT the fact of the matter is I'm hoping to start some new fitness activities, switch things up a bit.  I run four days a week right now, it keeps me sane, but it's getting a little stale.   I'm thinking of adding some new things to my regime- maybe trying Kayla Itsines' app Sweat, or  getting back into yoga and barre classes, which I was a regular at up until I went into labor with my little babe.  I actually have to credit my super fast labor to all the squats I did with my huge nine month pregnant belly in barre class. I know taking on a bunch of new things at once never sticks, so I'm thinking baby steps.    I want to try something new when I workout once a week- switch just one of my runs for something different.  And, um, of course, new workout clothes ALWAYS help me get motivated!    

Clean Christmas Cookies

This Christmas stuff with a little one is seriously so much fun.  Everything seems so much more important this year- I feel like we're starting all these traditions she'll remember all her life.  I remember making Christmas cookies as a kid, and don't want her to miss out on that, but I also don't want her associating the holidays with too much sugar and gorging yourself on indulgent treats, like so many people do.  I feel like if you take care of yourself all year long, why make yourself sick and feel yucky during the holidays? I care about what she eats, and wanted to make a clean recipe she and I both felt good about.  These are super easy to make, and actually sooo delicious.  Happy cooking! 

Ingredients

• 3 cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 pinch pumpkin pie spice (or just nutmeg)
• ½ cup coconut oil, melted
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

Instructions

1. In a large bowl combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and nutmeg
2. In a smaller bowl, mix together coconut oil, honey, and orange zest
3. Mix wet ingredients into dry
4. Separate dough into 2 balls and place each on a piece of parchment paper
5. Cover each ball of dough with another piece of parchment paper and roll out ¼ inch thick
6. Place in freezer for 30 minutes
7. Use cookie cutters to cut out cookies
8. Bake at 350° for 5-7 minutes
9. Cool and serve  

Recipe is modified from this one 

We topped our cookies with my favorite way to make cranberries: Boil them until the pop and are squishable, then add the juice of 1/2 an orange and 1/4 cup honey.

Our "sprinkles" are the zest of oranges, limes, and lemons.   

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted.

baby ophelia in mexico last spring

As I write this, it's... four degrees and snowing.  And hey, I  love winter, but this is just a lot of winter, way too soon.  I'm wanting just a teeny bit of a break.  It's just a daydream so far, but we're brainstorming some vacation spots for the end of January, so here is a little bit of prep. 

What Mama's Packing 

 1. Embroidered coverup

2. Sunglasses

3. Ruffle swimsuit

4. Towel

5. Knot swimsuit

6. Bag (love this!)

7. Off the shoulder blouse

8. Panama hat

What Ophelia is Packing

1. Embroidered dress

2. Sun hat

3. Rashguard swimsuit 

4. The best sunscreen for babes.

5. Set of onesies.  This and her bare feet are all she'll need to wear all week. 

6. The cutest swimsuit. 

7. Bug spray

8. My favorite swim diapers.

Weekend LInks + Steals

 

Hi! How goes it? It's cooooolllld here but we are going to get our hygge on this weekend and enjoy it.  We're off to see Santa at a holiday party our birth center is hosting today, and otherwise hope to lay low this weekend.  Cannot believe it's almost Christmas.  Almost 2017!  Time is flying by. 

Here are some links!

What people googled in 2016- this had me chuckling.  

Low sugar, super food packed desserts for the holidays.  

How Positive Parenting Shapes The Brain.

How Can I Help the People of Aleppo? This is so devastating. I want to help any way I can.  

The characters of Love Actually, ranked.  My favorite holiday movie.  

-25 degrees this weekend apparently- get me in these, stat.  

Hacks for moms for staying sane.  

Our favorite baby carrier just came out with a ring sling- I'm so excited to try it!

This outfit is just so darn cool.  

Running makes you smarter.  As a runner, I feel like I kind of already knew this- you feel so much... clearer after a good run.  

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Good Stuff Under $50: This is so cozy, these are a steal,  this, and these are gorgeous.  This is so pretty and perfect for a holiday party! These are way cool, this and this would make great gifts, and these look perfect for this weekend. 

Trying to Stay Cute When It's Freezing

 Hi from 8 degrees!  Freezing our tooshies off here.  But- if you know me, you know I don't let a little cold slow me down.  I try to still get outside for just a walk, even if it's just down the block. Layers are they key, like everyone says.  Maybe I'm related to Elsa- the cold never bothered me anyway!  

 I am wearing this sweater, this vest, this jacket, these jeans (with tights or fleece lined leggings underneath!), duck boots, hat, and gloves.  

Stay warm out there!

Note to Santa- On Our Christmas Wishlists

Here is what my crew and I are hoping for under the tree this year! 

O P H E L I A 'S    W I S H L I S T 

1.  Fleece suit- this is seriously adorable, and she is already outgrowing her current fleece!

2. Galaxy ball

3. Swimsuit- for a warm weather adventure, hopefully!

4. Eco play dough- the perfect stocking stuffer.

5. Sneakers

6. Play food

7. Play pantry set- Santa just may have a play kitchen already on his sleigh, so we need to stock the shelves!

8. Mittens

Memberships to Blooma for yoga, The Children's Museum, and Edinborough, our favorite indoor playground.  

J O L I E 'S    W I S H L I S T

1. Bag- technically it's for the owner, but so perfect. 

2. A squirrel tree toy- so she can live out her fantasies of finally getting them. 

3. A pretty leash. 

4. Ceramic bowls

5. An indestructible ball

6. Who says doggie's can't have Christmas cookies?

7. Dog bed

8. Boots for those icy sidewalks!

M A M A 'S    W I S H L I S T 

1. A pretty peplum tee

2. Obsessed with this bag- it's the perfect mom, go everywhere, tote!

3. Magnetic mask

4. Striped off the shoulder top

5. Winter boots that don't look so winter boot-ish

6. Pink pom beanie

7. Ruffle one shoulder top- neeeeeed

8. A highly recommended crock pot cookbook

9. Cozy sweater

10. Joggers.  I live in these, and could always use another pair!

Holiday Gift Guide: For The Home

A gift guide for the cook, the entertainer, the hostess! Or just anyone who likes pretty things in their home.  I love everything on this list- instead of giving a candle or a bottle of wine, go for something a little prettier this year!

1.  Amazing throw pillows- I'm obsessed!

2.  Marble and wood cheese board- so good and such a good price!

3.  Copper cookware- amazing. 

4.  Salt lamp- number one thing on my wish list this year.

5.  How To Cook Everything.

6. Coziest throw blanket- the perfect gift for anyone. 

7. Turkish beach towel

8. Prettiest bakeware

9. Marble and wood cake stand

10. Indigo napkins- so pretty!

11. Measuring cups- we are way overdue for a new set.

12.  A llama pillow. I mean, a llama pillow!!

Mama & Mini : Twinning Winter Looks

MINI: Pink floral coat, navy hat, pink duck boots

MAMA: Pink coat, floral beanie, navy waterproof booties

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MAMA: Army parka, quilted duck boots, plaid scarf

MINI: Army parka, baby duck boots, plaid trapper hat

MINI: Leopard furry coat, black pom beanie, buckle boots

MAMA: Leopard furry coat, black pom beanie, buckle booties

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MAMA: Red toggle jacket, cable knit mittens, brown booties

MINI: Earred red toggle jacket, cable knit mittens, brown boots

Weekend Links + Steals

It has been a loooong week!  I've had a sick babe on my hands, so not much has gotten done.  It's the first time she's ever been sick, and it's pretty much the worst.  I'm hoping for a cozy, restful, and healthy weekend.

This had me chuckling- the gift every woman has given and received during the holidays. 

Crazy things beauty insiders have done for clear skin- some of these were crazy!  

Super interesting- c-sections might be changing the course of evolution.  

How meditation changes the brain and body- I've been trying to be more mindful and stay in the present lately.  Waay harder than it sounds- especially for someone like me, who tends to... think of approximately 96 things at once.  

These J.Crew new arrivals have me dying for a beach vacation.  

Instead, Minnesota is apparently heading into negative degree next week.  I'll be living in this.

Ugh- I think I hate it-the apparent color of the year for 2017.

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Good Stuff Under $50: This, this, this- cozytown! These, these, this is so good, and this. 

Pretty Little Wishlists

Today is just one of those days.  It's been grey outside forever, the babe is sick, (and dropping a nap!  IT'S THE WORST!!) and I'm pretty sure we could all use a warm weather vacation.  Since that isn't happening, I put together a couple dreamy wish lists that lower my blood pressure just by drooling over them.  I'll take anything and everything, please and thank you!

For Mama:

1. This pink sweater is speaking my language.  Fluently.  

2. The best smelling candle in the world. 

3.  A pretty lip tint. 

4. Velvet loafers. Velvet loafers!  They are very impractical for my life, but I need them.  

5. Drop earrings. 

6. Bohemian blouse. 

7. Petrified wood trays.

8. Off the shoulder top.

9. One shoulder ruffle dress- this emerald one is so pretty too! 

For Babe: 

1. Bow beanie

2. Onesie set.

3. The prettiest ballerina dolly.

4. Floral blanket.

5. Unicorn bodysuit- oh my goodness. 

6. Glitter mary janes!

7. Heart tights.

8. Grey heart tulle dress.  Those four words are among some of my favorites. 

9.  Headband set - I want this for Ophelia!

It's My Birthday and I'll Dance if I Want To

Taking the day to appreciate how lucky I am to have experienced another free trip around the sun! 
wearing: fringe blouse is old, but this is super similar, jeans, booties