Gift Guide: For The Fellas

Hubby Tee // This tee looks like it would make for an awesome snuggle partner. What husband doesn't want to be reminded what their role is in marriage? And how much they are loved, of course.
Bespoke Subscription // I've seen this subscription box floating around, and can I just say this is the neatest thing ever! The have several different options specifically designed for men, and you can even skip a month or two. Brilliant.
Meat Book // The title speaks for itself. Your man will love it. Shaving Bag // When we travel, my husband always puts his randomness in my cosmetics bag. If your fella doesn't have his own bag, this is the ticket. Moccasins // I'm not sure if these moccs are made specifically for inside or out, but I think this would make a perfect slipper.   IPA Glass // This is perfect for all those craft beer lovers in your life. Personally, I don't understand the mechanisms behind a "beer glass" but apparently it makes all the difference for IPA drinkers. 

Christmas Tree Farm-ing

We went to the Christmas Tree Farm this weekend to scour the rows and rows and rows of Christmas trees for the perfect one. Neither my husband or I had ever been to a Christmas tree farm, and it is hands down the best family tradition to start. All of the trees were perfectly manicured and look edstraight out of a storybook. As a bonus, they had a hayride, bounce house, BBQ, a train and a few farm animals. 

Before we took the hayride deep into the farm, Anabelle wanted to hop on the bounce house. With mommy. Not allowed, they said. So, we hopped on the hayride, and off we went. Anabelle absolutely loved getting pulled by a tractor! She loves farm equipment and trains. It must be that Texas blood in her ;)

Always with a snack. And juice. Juice is her new jam. 

You see that sad, dead spot on the tree? It's faced towards the wall. The tree itself is absolutely gorgeous and fluffy. I love it. It's sitting in the middle of our living room waiting to be decorate. Tonight, I promise. We had a few, okay a lot, of technical difficulties trying to get it to stand up straight. User error, I bet.

Leather Jacket // Cardigan // Jeans // Puffer Jacket // Leggings (sold out) // Moccs 

Before we left, Anabelle wanted one more shot at the bounce house. She totally understood she I couldn't go in with her (even though my husband didn't fail to mention I'm child size, anyway) and she did it!

Bounce house win.

We also went to visit Santa, but after a meltdown and a protest, they didn't become fast friends. Oh, don't you worry my dearest, we will attempt the Santa picture another weekend. And it will be glorious.

Cheers to Monday. 

Gift Guide: For The Ladies

I'm not going to lie, putting this gift list together was way too much fun. I may or may have not added this entire line up to my Christmas list. Everything is relatively inexpensive for that special gal in your life. I always have a hard time picking out gifts for women. I seem to second guess if they would like it or not, but these are all things that we can use or we would really love to have!

Swan Trinket Dish // I seem to always put my wedding ring everywhere it doesn't belong, and this is the perfect gift for ladies like me. Plus it's beautiful to look at, and it looks like these swans would be lovely company for my jewelry :)
Soap // This hand made soap is from an Etsy shop I ran across. Hand made soaps are so gorgeous, and this would make a great statement piece in your bathroom.
Reversible Tote // As much junk as I have in my purse, it doesn't hurt to have another to lug all the junk my toddler leaves with me. I'm pretty sure I can start a survival kit with whatever is in there. This tote is reversible so you can switch up without buying another!
Floral Mouse Pad // This mouse pad is so sweet! It would make me smile while beating a deadline.
Arrow Head Necklace // This shop has such gorgeous items, but this was my favorite. It's a little edgy but beautifully made.
Candle // Light it up, take a bath and relax. Candles are a perfect gift for any woman. 
Body Butter // Organic to beat dry skin. With a name like Skin Food, how could you not?!
Happy Friday everyone! We're headed to see Santa tomorrow and to chop down our own Christmas tree like Paul Bunyan. It's going to be epic. 
xo, Valerie

Anabelle's Christmas List + Toddler Gift Ideas

Last year, Anabelle was 10 months old during the holidays, and she was more concerned about the light and ornaments on the tree than anything else. I've been talking about Christmas non-stop post Thanksgiving gut and she's pretty excited to look at all the "twees" and decorations that are everywhere. It was so fun shopping for Anabelle's Christmas List with items I knew she would adore!

Wooden Play Camera // This was the first item on my list, since Anabelle loves taking pictures and saying "cheese." Bonus, it's a small business on Etsy and it's so beautifully made! Now she can chase after us all trying to capture a moment. Checkmate. 

Tea Set // When I saw this tea set, I immediately fell in love. It's such a sweet item, made out of tin so a certain you-know-who won't shatter the pieces all over the floor. 

Apron // This one is no longer available, but their other options like this and this are so adorable! Anabelle loves cooking in the kitchen with me, and I know she would love dressing up to play the part. As often as I am in the kitchen, I don't wear an apron, but I have feeling that's going to change.

Crayons // Stackable crayons that fit on toddler fingers? Yes, please. I bet these would be easier to find when they magically disappear under mommy's bed.

Cat pillow // Anabelle is going to transition to a big girl bed very soon and I thought this pillow would make it fun. She adores our three cats (yes, we are those people) and I love that it's hand made from a talented artist. Is it just me, or are hand made items so much sweeter?

Book // A kid can never have too many books. Plus, I've been wanting to read this book forever. Win-win.

We're also going to have a few stocking stuffers and start Christmas traditions to make this year even brighter. I'd love to hear what's on your kid's wish list!

Happy Friday Eve!

xo,

Valerie

DIY Christmas Advent Calendar + Free Printable

 Happy December! I can finally allow myself to start thinking about Christmas. I just can't focus on gifting and decorating until Thanksgiving is over. I.just.can't.


How was your holiday? We laid low, since Anabelle wasn't feeling so well after Thanksgiving. The highlight (lowlight?) of our weekend was our trip to Target turned merchandise tragic. My sweet toddler was sitting in the cart eating raspberries and chattering up a storm about Christmas decorations, I bet. 

No less than three minutes after taking this picture to send to daddy, she broke a snow globe with a precious bunny rabbit inside jumping up and down in the cart. After I told her repeatedly to sit on her bottom. Luckily, she didn't get hurt, but that sweet bunny rabbit globe is gone forever. And it was the last one. I cried a little on the inside.
After I took her out of the cart, I grabbed our stuff, and tried to find an associate to tell. I think I was a little frazzled, because I couldn't find anyone to help me, so I made Anabelle walk all the way to the phone kiosk (she hates walking when we're in public). I pick up the phone kiosk and it's dead. What? When does that ever happen in Target!? After we paid for the one item we managed to salvage, I told her how dangerous it is to be jumping around in the cart! She forgot about it within seconds. I didn't though. I continue to mourn the death of that snow globe...   Anyway, I couldn't wait to share this DIY Christmas Advent Calendar with you guys! I was longing to create a calendar last year, but she was so young that I didn't think it would be too much fun, but this year, oh boy! I'm so excited!!

Supplies:
-Plywood. I used a piece that measured 48 x 24 and painted a few coats of flat white paint on it. -Nails -Pencil -Envelopes (3.5 x 3.5) -Green and white twine -Tape -Embellishments (optional - not pictured)
I sketched out my tree using the twine and washi tape. It was easier to envision exactly what I wanted that way. 

After the outline was complete, I hammer the nails directly through the washi tape. As a safety side note, I recommend putting electrical tape on the back of any exposed nails, in case your kiddo (or animals) decide to explore what's behind the Christmas tree. Remove and discard all washi tape.   Wrap the twine tightly around each nail, and loop it twice all the way around until you reach the beginning of the nail. Tie the pieces together and cut off any excess string. Complete the process until you've wrapped each nail into the shape of a tree. 

Print your advent activities on coordinating cards or plain paper and put inside each of the envelopes. Stick each envelope in between the strings and put tape on the back of any envelopes for extra support. I used this tutorial to print the numbers directly on the envelopes. If you prefer simple, black numbers, here's a link to a free printable of the simple black numbers I used.  

I added a few Christmas ornaments I had on hand and I cut out a star from gold poster board to stick at the top. Isn't it so lovely in her playroom?  

Here's a list of our advent calendar activities for toddlers:
1. Watch Elf also known as the best Christmas movie ever. 2. Sing Christmas carols. 3. Pick out a Christmas book at the bookstore.  4. Find a toy to donate for the toy drive. 6. Decorate the house and playroom. 7. Help daddy put up Christmas lights. 8. Pick out a Christmas tree. 9. Make Christmas crowns. 10. Make a washi tape Christmas tree. 11. Perform a random act of kindness. 12. Create a card to send to grandma. 13. Donate blankets to the homeless. 14. Take pictures with Santa. 15. Go on a Christmas candy cane hunt. 16. Decorate our cousin's gifts. 17. Bring breakfast to daddy. 18. Make our teacher's gifts.  20. Check out Christmas lights in our festive pjs. 21. Donate supplies to an animal shelter. 22. Make Christmas cookies for Santa. 23. Make Christmas-inspired breakfast.  24. Attend Christmas church service.  25. Make a birthday card for Jesus. We sang an early birthday song for Him yesterday and Anabelle loved it! 
Have a wonderful Monday!