Holidays – Page 6

Categories: Holidays

My Christmas Wishlist

Okay, so can I be bluntly honest for a minute? One of the things I love most about Christmas is giving and receiving presents. I know, I know – it’s not cool to be all “presents YAY!” anymore, but what the hell, I totally am. I love crafting my wishlist for the year, I love buying presents for my family, I love wrapping gifts and seeing the presents underneath the lit Christmas tree. I love anticipating what my family bought for me this year, and anticipating how my family will react to the gifts I bought them. It’s all so fun to me! I can’t deny I love it.

What I also love? Reading other people’s wishlists! I’ve done my own a few times, so I thought I’d spent time today reviewing what I want Santa to bring me this year!

1) Over-the-door shoe organizer. The shoe organizer I brought to my new apartment didn’t actually fit anywhere in my closet, so right now, my shoes reside in a basket, which serves its function but is a little annoying to sort through when I need a specific shoe. So, an organizer like this would be perfect!

2) Food scale. I love having a food scale around to weigh out specific portions like meat (3 ounces weighed looks completely different from 3 ounces eyeballed by Stephany) and pasta and fruit. My mom got the food scale in the move (considering it was her Christmas present from my brother, heh), so I’m in the market for a new one!

3) Essential oils diffuser. The main reason I put this on my list is because I heard that using a diffuser can help naturally aid in nasal congestion, and I’m in month four of experiencing nighttime congestion so I’m willing to try anything at this point. (Currently, I’m doing a saline nasal spray + allergy meds + Nasonex regime, which helps but not completely.) I already have an entire set of essential oils, I just need the diffuser to bring it all together!

4) Bedrest pillow. I work a lot from my bed and I don’t have the best support while doing so. I’m either hunched over or leaning way back. I think this pillow can solve my problems, yeah?

5) Laptop tray. This one goes hand-in-hand with the pillow and I love the one pictured above. It seems super sturdy, allows me to play around with the angle of the laptop, and even has a place for a drink. Please, Santa? I’ve been good this year!

6) Vera Bradley Petite Trifold Wallet. I always like to include a few Vera Bradley items on my Christmas lists, and I’m in dire need (not really) of a new wallet. I love this one as it’s smaller than the ones I have right now, but still super functional. And I love the pattern.

7) Adult coloring book. Because they’re all the rage and I’m desperate to be like the cool kids. I can just imagine how coloring while watching a TV show (rather than catching up on my snarky blog forums) could relax me and improve my mood.

8) Vera Bradley Lighten Up Lunch Cooler. I wouldn’t say I need a new Vera lunch bag, but I sure would love one! I use the one I have right now every day, and I’ve had it for maybe 2-3 years now, so I’d say I’m due for a new one.

9) Curling iron. I’ve actually never owned a curling iron (fun fact!), but I’d love to have one and start playing around with adding waves to my hair. My hair is usually just blown dry and straightened (or if I’m feeling lazy, pulled back in a ponytail, which happens all too often), so this can add a little variety to my hair game!

Okay – your turn! What’s on your wishlist this year?

Categories: Holidays

Obligatory Thankful Post

Yeah, yeah. I’m totally original.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States. Tomorrow, my family will gather at my aunt and uncle’s house and enjoy a meal with all the traditional fixings – turkey and stuffing being my favorite, of course. It will be our first Thanksgiving without Grandma and just typing that sentence makes my stomach flip-flop. Her loss is still so raw, but what I do know is that being around family – laughing and crying and reminiscing – is exactly what we all need.

Whew.

I didn’t intend for this post to begin on such a somber note, but it’s funny what comes out when you sit down to write.

Thanksgiving is a time when we take a step back from our busy lives and spend time with family, reflecting on the past year and everything we’re thankful for.

So, without further ado, here is what I am thankful for this year.

I am thankful for my mom. She supports every decision I make, calms me when I’m upset, and showers abundant love to me every day. She is my best friend and my safe place.

I am thankful for Dutch. He is the light of my life and my favorite friend. He is fiercely devoted to me and only me and that kind of devotion makes a girl feel good.

I am thankful for my brother. He’s the person I grew up with. We went through every up and down together, including ending the relationship with our father. He lets me be myself without question, and I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without him.

I am thankful for this blog. Through blogging, I have met people that I would have never known but who mean the world to me. The friends I have made, and still make, through blogging make this all worth it. I love identifying as a blogger and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

I am thankful for reading. It’s my favorite pastime and I love nerding out about books and reading and literature with other people. I don’t know where I would be without books.

I am thankful for my friends. Building your tribe takes patience, vulnerability, and effort. But when you find those people you just click with, the people you can be your total weird self with, it’s so worth it.

I am thankful for writing. It feeds my creative side and allows me to make sense of the jumble that happens inside my head. Without writing, I’m not sure I would be as self-aware as I am.

I am thankful for a beautiful apartment in a city that is slowly starting to feel more like home. I love where I live and I feel so grateful to be able to afford such a nice apartment in a more expensive part of the Tampa Bay Area. I’ve come a long way since childhood.

I am thankful for the experiences I have had while traveling. Traveling is such a gift, and I think many people forget that. Not everyone has the means to travel. I didn’t until I graduated college. I’m glad I make it a priority, but I’ll never forget that it is a blessing to even be able to travel.

I am thankful for my job. It is a wonderful job. I love what I do and I love the people I work with. You cannot get luckier than that.

I am thankful for football. Football has always been an escape to me, and it has been my escape over these past few months with all the changes my life has gone through. Football is a game I love, a game that connects me to my brother, and it brings me so much joy.

I am thankful for podcasts. I have no idea what songs are popular on the radio nowadays because I’m always listening to podcasts. They educate me, make me laugh, and help me feel less alone.

I am thankful for my grandma. She taught me so much and meant so much to me. She shaped my worldview and helped me see that I am a worthy, loved person. I miss her so much, but I can only hope to be the kind of person she was.

Categories: Holidays

A Christmas Survey

Merry Christmas Eve! I saw this Christmas survey on Amber’s blog yesterday and I thought it would be fun to chime in with my answers. Enjoy!

Favorite Christmas movie?

The Santa Clause, followed closely by Elf. The Santa Clause will forever hold the number one place in my heart because of how many memories I have attached to it. My brother and I quote it frequently all throughout the year. I like to watch it every Christmas Eve night!

Favorite Christmas song?

It’s a tie between Carol of the Bells and Go Tell It on the Mountain.

White or colored lights?

I like white lights on the tree and colored lights everywhere else. This year, we have white lights on our tree, red lights bordering a window, and I have colored lights for my cubicle at work. I’m equal opportunity, I guess you could say. 😉

Christmas Eve traditions?

We don’t have any Christmas Eve traditions in my family. We celebrate on Christmas Day, usually. This year, my aunt is hosting a family dinner on Christmas Eve, since they’re going out of town on Christmas. Usually, Christmas Eve is about watching Christmas movies, baking cookies, and anticipating the following morning!

Oh! I do have one fun Christmas Eve tradition that my brother and I used to have where we would try to stay up all night, in anticipation of Christmas morning. Once we had our own rooms, one of us would sneak into the other’s room and we would spend the night playing games, reading, and talking. And, it never failed, we would eventually fall asleep around 1 or 2. The only year we were successful with staying up the whole night was when we stayed at my uncle’s on Christmas Eve and had his collection of movies to keep us entertained. (I believe we ended up watching Independence Day and Men in Black? Quintessential Christmas movies, I know!)

How did Santa deliver the gifts?

So I’ve lived in apartments my whole life, and in all the movies, Santa enters through the fireplace. We didn’t have a fireplace. (Also: Florida.) So, when I was little, I asked my mom how Santa delivered our Christmas gifts, and she said he entered through the front door. ?!?! As a five-year-old, I thought this was an acceptable answer. And Santa’s gifts were always wrapped, another thing I thought was odd because, in the movies, Santa gifts were never wrapped! I don’t remember thinking much of it, though. I stopped believing when I was around seven when everything stopped making sense to me. I guess you could say I am easily skeptical.

Christmas Day traditions?

When I was a kid, Christmas Day started around 4am or 5am. My brother and I would wake up and go through our stockings. Then, we would wake my mom and dad up at 6 to open gifts. My dad would make breakfast, and we would play with our gifts before going over to a relative’s house for more Christmas presents and dinner.

Nowadays, Christmas is different. This year, my mom and I will open presents in the morning, but probably not until 8 or 9. (I’ll probably still be up early because I still get little kid excited about Christmas morning!) Then, we’ll clean up and start cooking Christmas dinner. This year, it’s a small gathering, something my brother requested. It will just be my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law, my nephew, and me. (My mom’s fiancé is going to be on the road. Bummer!) They’re coming around 2 to open presents, eat dinner, and hang out. It’s going to be a busy day, but a fun one!

Favorite Christmas cookie?

I really love Joy the Baker’s double chocolate peppermint cookies. I made them for the first time last year, and they’ve become my go-to. I also make a mean M&M cookie, something my mom requests I make for family get-togethers. What I don’t love is sugar cookies with frosting. I have a raging sweet tooth but even those are way too sweet for me to handle.

Favorite Christmas candy?

Hmm… I like chocolate-covered cherries, but that’s about it. Oh! And Snickers nutcrackers. Somehow, those taste better than a regular Snickers bar to me.

Eggnog… yes or no?

Yes and no? I’m slightly lactose intolerant, so I really shouldn’t be drinking it, but I make an exception for eggnog every once in a while. It’s one of those drinks I’ll have if it’s around, but don’t go out of my way to have it.

White elephant exchanges… love them or hate them?

I love White Elephant gift exchanges! My work throws one every year, and it’s hilarious to watch people fight over the gifts. It gets cutthroat! I always get stuck with a lame gift, but I don’t even mind it. The experience more than makes up for it.

Do you send Christmas cards?

I haven’t sent Christmas cards for a couple of years now. I used to send them to blog friends, personalized cards with a message, but it was such an intense project and a little costly that I stopped last year. I think sending Christmas cards is more fun when you’re married and/or have kids. For me, right now, not really worth the effort. (Hashtag Grinch?)

What do you want for Christmas this year?

Hm… well, I posted my wish list for this Christmas last week, so anything on that list would make me happy! But, really, this year more than ever before has shown me how incredibly blessed my life is. There is a lot to be grateful for, so I guess I’m just happy I’ll spend my holidays surrounded by family.

Have a fun and safe and blessed Christmas, my friends. I’ll be back next week with my usual year-end wrap-up posts.

Categories: Holidays

A Christmas Wishlist

So, Christmas is somehow nine days away. WHAT?! I don’t even know where this month has gone. I’m nowhere near done with my shopping. I’ve finished with my brother and my nephew, but I still need to do some serious shopping this weekend for my mom and some friends. I thought it would be fun to do a little Christmas wishlist, something I’ve done many years before. So, without further ado, my Christmas wishlist for 2014!

1. A new pair of TOMs

I got my first pair of TOMs for Christmas two years ago and I’ve worn them ragged. They may not be the prettiest of shoes, but they are super comfortable and are one of the few types of shoes that I can wear for walking long distances. Finding a new pair under the tree would be a delight!

2. A Keurig

I would love one of these, but they are pretty pricey and it’s one of those wishes that I put on my Christmas list for funsies. I’m not a huge coffee drinker, and I don’t have a regular coffeemaker now (I usually just whip by Starbucks or drink from the coffeemaker at work when I need a java jolt.) A Keurig would be such a treat! We’ll see what Santa thinks. 😉

3. A new Vera Bradley tote

Another thing I am in desperate need of. The one I have now is fine, but I’m just ready for a new one. You know how that is. I typically only use my totes on weekdays, for traveling to and from work, but they’re so nice to have on hand.

4. The SkinnyTaste Cookbook

Probably about 80% of the recipes in my regular cooking rotation now come from SkinnyTaste, and I definitely need her cookbook. I rarely buy cookbooks, but I’ve tried so many of her recipes before and I love them all.

5. Chromecast

Watching Netflix on my iPad Mini is fine, but it’d be nice to be able to plug this into the TV and watch Netflix on a larger screen. This is a purchase I’ve been meaning to make, but keep putting off, so I added it to my Christmas list to see what Santa thinks. If not, it’s something I’ll be buying after the holidays.

6. A pair of ankle boots

I have a pair of Uggs and knee-high boots, but I really need a pair of ankle boots. Of course, Florida has maybe 1-2 months where these are necessary, but I’m really trying to bulk up my winter wardrobe because it’s in a sad state. Ankle boots would really just complete things!

7. A keyboard for my iPad

This would just be nice! I don’t use my iPad as much as I thought I would because I hate using the keyboard. It’s mainly just used for watching Netflix, reading, and sometimes playing games. I’d love to be able to use it more frequently, and a keyboard would help me do that.

8. Yes, Please by Amy Poehler

I rarely buy physical books anymore, but I have a mad girl crush on Amy Poehler and I really want to read her book! I’m on the waiting list at my library, and I may just end up buying the Kindle edition if I don’t receive this for Christmas.

What’s on your Christmas list this year?

Categories: Holidays, Recurring Series

Five for Friday: The Christmas Edition

Happy Friday, friends! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed their time with family. I took a little bit of a blog break for the holiday, but I’m back with a Christmas recap, Five for Friday style!

One – Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a busy day for me! I woke up early, so I decided to spend some time finishing up Holiday Council work (including listening to the last live call! How is it over so quickly?!). There was a quick stop at Target to return a few gifts (emerged unscathed!) and then I picked up lunch at Publix. The afternoon was spent baking cookies, wrapping Christmas presents, and watching Christmas movies (A Boyfriend for Christmas and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation). That night, my mom’s boyfriend (who is home for the holidays, after being on the road since early October!) took my mom and me out to Carrabba’s for dinner. Yum, yum. He is further endearing me to him, that’s for sure. There was a round of peach sangria, multiple baskets of bread consumed, friendly service, and delicious food. While I intended to make another batch of cookies for our holiday celebration tomorrow, I just wasn’t in the mood when I came home from dinner. Instead, I took a long, relaxing bubble bath and read for a bit before calling it a night.

Two – Presents!

Oh, I was completely and utterly spoiled this year. I received an iPad Mini + case, Otterbox case for my iPhone, two gorgeous bras from Victoria’s Secret (I don’t even want to tell you how much I needed new bras! TMI?), two planners (one for work and one for home!), a new cardigan, a new blouse, cute headbands, and a most generous Target gift card from my mom’s boyfriend. Spoiled, I tell you, spoiled!

Three – Family!

My aunt and uncle hosted the family for a wonderful Christmas dinner. There were presents, pictures in front of the tree, tons of laughs, yummy food, spiked eggnog, and so much fun. It was also the first time some of the family met my mom’s boyfriend! (Can you believe they’ve been dating for a year now?!) It was such an enjoyable afternoon, though, and it made me realize how much I love my family. No, we’re not perfect and we’ve been through many trying times together, but through it all, they’re my blood and nothing is more precious than that.

Four – Nephew time!

After enjoying Christmas with our extended family, we still had to exchange gifts with my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew! We all left the party around the same time to head back to our apartment and do more present unwrapping. My nephew was spoiled, as per usual, and he loved all his gifts. Lots of action figures, LEGO sets, clothes, a coloring book, and a remote-controlled helicopter. He made out like a bandit! After all the gifts had been opened, he, of course, wanted to open up every single box and play with everything! By this time, I was exhausted from an already busy day (as were all the adults, it seemed!) but this little boy has unlimited amounts of energy. Toward the end of the evening, I showed him Photobooth on my iPad and he thought it was the greatest thing ever. We had a blast with it, as evidenced above!

Five – A Silent Night

After the busyness of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I was thankful that Christmas Day night was peaceful and quiet. Once my brother and his family left, I took a relaxing bubble bath and then settled in with a good book and some goal-setting prompts to brainstorm with. I am in full-on goal-setting, dream-envisioning mode, as I prepare to set my resolutions for this upcoming year, so it was the perfect way to round out the holidays.

How was your Christmas? What was the best present you received?

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