Christmas Ornament Swap Reveal

It's time to reveal my Christmas ornament from the Blogger Ornament Exchange I co-hosted this year.

I was paired up with Susan from The Courson Crew. Susan is a working mom like me. She is from Texas, loves coffee, everything western and is a very sweet woman. Go check out her blog to see what I got her.

I told Susan a little about myself: loves coffee, wine, snowboarding, being outdoors, traveling, snow, cooking, running and wine. So what did Susan send me?

 This is already up in my kitchen. I tell Rory everyday that I wish this would come true.

 This sounds super good and easy to make.

 Who doesn't love a little chocolate?

I promptly put my new ornament on our tree and I think he fits in perfectly.

I can't wait to check out everyone else's ornaments.

Be sure to link up below if you participated.

An InLinkz Link-up

Palm Springs Trip

*this post may contain affiliate links.

I am dropping in for a little update on my trip to Palm Springs last week. I will have a weekend update coming on Wednesday because tomorrow is my ornament exchange reveal.

I went to Riverside and Palm Springs, CA on Thursday and Friday for work. I was a little worried about the fires down in the LA area, and I was right to be. My flight from San Jose to Ontario was delayed due to the fires and the super strong winds. 

Our flight into Ontario was extremely bumpy. Plus we were able to see all three fires when flying into Los Angeles.

Once I got into the Ontario airport, I headed towards Riverside. I grabbed a quick bite to eat and made my way through Riverside. Once I was done with everything, I was only two miles from the cemetery that my grandfather (father's side) was laid to rest. I haven't been there since I was pregnant with the girls, so I made my way over, found his grave immediately, had a heart to heart talk, snapped some photos, said my goodbyes and made my way to Palm Springs.

I checked into my hotel, worked out and then went to an Indian restaurant which wasn't that great. Since it was still early, I headed back to my hotel and walked the block to downtown Palm Springs to check out their village festival. It took place over several blocks on their main street. There were street vendors everywhere plus most of the shops on that street were open. I walked and walked. I bought several things for the girls along the way and stopped in at Lampert's for some ice cream. But after reading some reviews, I opted for the Dole Whip. Have you ever had it? I thought you could only get it in Disneyland, but this place has it and it is legit. Seriously, sooooo good. 

Art installation in downtown Palm Springs

After walking the whole festival, I headed back to my hotel to watch The Heart of Christmas. Wow. This movie is really good, but incredibly sad. I LOVED it though and it reminded me of my friend whose son is in the hospital fighting almost the same thing. A good Christmas watch, but grab some tissues.

Friday morning I got up early, packed up and headed to breakfast at Elmer's Restaurant for a German Pancake. I rarely get German pancakes and this one did not disappoint. It was amazing. 

Then I made my way through Palm Springs and Palm Desert before heading back to Ontario airport to fly home.

It was a successful, but short trip.

Friday Favorites

*This post may contain affiliate links.

It's finally Friday. Not that I am counting the days away because I really love the month of December. I just would rather be at home with my family. Plus right now, I am flying home from Palm Springs where it has been in the high 70s and I am headed home to the low 40s. Brrr.

Onto Friday Favorites and Happenings.

ONE. While I didn't write out our Christmas Bucket List, I have kept a mental note of it. One of the items is baking cookies with my girls to leave out for Santa. This weekend we are doing just that. We are baking sugar cookies at my parents house and letting the girls decorate them. I think they will love that. Plus they will love eating the toppings and finished cookies even more.

TWO. Last weekend we took the girls to meet Santa and take photos with him. The girls were soooo excited to see Santa. They talked about it all week. Whenever they saw Santa on tv, they screamed his name.

When we got to the place to meet Santa, the girls kept saying where is Santa and were super eager. That was until Santa walked out. Sutton immediately started crying and wanted up. Avery saw her sister get scared, so she got scared and wanted up as well. Then it was our turn to take our photos with Santa. As we got closer the girls started crying hard and screaming. The photographer told us to drop them and run. And that we did. Here is how it turned out.

THREE. We are knocking another bucket list item off our list this weekend as well. We are going to look at Christmas lights in our city. I am sure we will do this several more times before the holidays are over, but this is our first official light looking of the season.

FOUR. Every night we read stories to the girls before bed. They are obsessed with their Olivia book. Recently, I saw an Olivia Helps with Christmas and then I saw that there is a whole line of Olivia books (here).

Do you have any books you can recommend that your kids love and want to read over and over? The girls also love the board book Madeline.

FIVE. If you are participating in the Blogger Ornament Exchange, don't forget that the link up is Tuesday, December 12th. I can't wait to see the ornaments that you all received.

I am linking up with April, A Little Bit of Everything, Meet @ the Barre and Cup of Tea.

Christmas Gift Guide - Hostess/Stockings

*This post may contain affiliate links.

It's time for the final gift guide link up with Owen (The Davis Duo), Emily (Three Boys and a Girl Blog) and Brittany (Life as the Mrs.). This one is for stocking stuffers or hostesses.

I love Sugar Fina and their candies. I get them for everything and they are starting to sell them in places like Total Wine. I always recommend the sparking gummie bears and the scotch chocolates.

Sugar Fina Set

I only started using an apron when I cook or bake a few months ago, but I love it. I can wipe my hands on the apron after washing them, or to dust off the excess flour on my hands. I need to be better about wearing mine more, but I love it. I actually have two and this one is close to the one I have.

Anthropologie Apron

I love tea towels and fun towels for my kitchen. I wouldn't mind receiving this as my hostess gift or in my stocking. So cute.

Rose All Day Towel

These bowls are the cutest and would brighten up any kitchen.

Latte Bowls

I am obsessed with the Capri Blue candle as it was in my Christmas Gift Guide for her and it is perfect for any hostess.

Capri Blue Candle

I love Peppermint Bark and the best comes from Williams Sonoma. Believe me, I have had my fair share. I always get a box for Christmas and share it. Soooo good. My brother-in-law loves it so much that he will eat a whole tin in one weekend. No joke. It is that good.

Peppermint Bark

Another thing that I always must have during the holidays is the Sea Salt Caramels from Williams Sonoma. They are soooo good. I would eat the whole box if I could, but I usually don't and savor them since they are only around during the holidays.

Sea Salt Caramels

I am obsessed with a super soft blanket by Saranoni. Another blogger friend introduced me to this company and I want all the blankets. We LOVE soft blankets and snuggle up in them every night. that is why I want all of these blankets.

Saranoni Blanket

Who doesn't love free coffee or tea? I know I do and love getting coffee gift cards.

Starbucks gift card

Weekending

*This post may contain affiliate links.

Since I participated in the TBB link up yesterday, I didn't get to share my weekend which was a pretty good one. Fast, but good.

Friday after work, I grabbed a quick bite for lunch and then got my hair done. I had her lighten it up even more. While I was there, one of the stylists was wearing these amazing sequins pants. She said she got them at Express last year and I knew I needed them. For my friends golden 30th birthday of course....because I had nothing to wear. Ha. I am sticking to that! Anyways, after getting my hair done, I ran to the mall which was chaos and headed to Express. I tried on a similar pair of sequin pants and I loved them, but didn't love the $79.50 price tag. I also tried on some velvet pants. Then I walked around the mall seeing if I could find anything better and I did not, so I went back and got the sequin pants. But I used a coupon and got a bunch of money off, so they were a great price.

Express Velvet Sequin Pants

Obsessed with these pants and I got a ton of compliments on them.

Anyways, after shopping a bit, I went to World Market and Hallmark for a few items and then I headed home. We ordered pizza for Rory and the girls and then gave them baths and put them down to bed. Rory walked Walter and I got our dining room table set up for Giuseppe to visit the girls for the first time. I laid out the books, socks, pjs and cards. Then I hung our elf up from the lights. 

 Sutton's

 Avery's

Right after I finished, I left and went to my friends birthday party where I had some shrimp creole, cake and cocktails. It was a lot of fun.

Saturday we got up and the girls walked out to see the set up and have donuts. Rory went to get donuts and didn't pick out the ones I had wanted, but the girls were still happy. 

After lazying around the house for a bit, we went to Costco and Hobby Lobby. It was chaos and I remembered why I hate shopping during the holidays. After Costco, we headed home to feed the girls lunch and put them down for a nap. While they napped, I headed back out to Target (to get what I couldn't at Costco) and to Total Wine for a gift.

When I got back, the girls were up and we got them ready for their overnight with their grandparents. Rory dropped them off while I got ready. Then we went to dinner at a new to us place, Washoe Public House and then to a brewery for my friends 30th birthday party. This is why I needed something fun, sparkly and dressy. I paired my pants with this sweater from Express.

 Revisions Brewery

 The birthday girl and I

Yes the background does say what you think it does. It is their newest beer.

After closing down the brewery, we headed to another bar, The Chapel. We had a drink, people watched and caught up with some friends we hadn't seen in forever.

It was such a fun night. We got home at 1 am which was late for us. #oldpeople

Sunday morning we got up, got ready, picked up the girls and headed to get Santa photos. We got them done at the same place as last year because the set up was great, the price was amazing and it was a small local shop. Well the girls were excited about Santa. They couldn't stop talking about him. Then he appeared and Sutton freaked, so Avery got upset too. 

We haven't gotten the pictures back, but I did see a couple and let's just say, we have a repeat of last year. I can't wait to share them when we get them.

After Santa photos, we went to breakfast in the same shopping center and saw some other parents. They said their kids did the same thing and screamed. Ha. We went home and did some chores and put the girls down for their nap. While they were sleeping, I took a little cat nap while Rory walked the dog. Then I went grocery shopping. I came home and the girls were up, so we started baking oatmeal chocolate chip walnut cookies. 

Then we made dinner, gave the girls baths, watched some football and then they went to sleep. We caught up on one show before falling asleep ourselves.

How was your weekend?

TBB Asks - Christmas

I am back again with another round of TBB Asks. I hope you participate in this one because it is holiday themed and who doesn't love everything CHRISTMAS?!

1. Real or Fake Tree? I am all about the real trees. When I was a little, we would put up a fake tree. But as time went on, my parents started a tradition of cutting down a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving with their friends. It is something that I still participate in and now even bring my in-laws. We make an adventure out of it. We have about 8 trucks that go out to the Pine Nuts and we all cut down our trees. We have to hike around to get the perfect one. And then we all meet back up at the trucks for some goodies. Kind of like a pot luck. 

2. Favorite Christmas Cookie? Sugar cookies. They are simple, but taste sooo good. Growing up, we would decorate our cookies and pick the best ones to leave for Santa. We are starting this tradition with the girls this year as well.

3. Home on Christmas Morning or Travel? We are always home on Christmas morning.

4. Clear or Colored Lights? I love the colored lights. Preferably the multi-colored ones.

5. Send Christmas Cards? I love sending out Christmas cards. The past 5 or so years we have done photo Christmas cards, but before that, I would buy a bunch and write personal letters in each one.

6. Favorite Christmas Present Received? I would have to say my pink bike when I was about 7 years old.

7. Favorite Christmas Present Given? I honestly can't remember. 

8. Stockings or no stockings? We are all about the stockings. I love all the little trinkets and things you can fit into stockings.

9. Christmas PJ's? This is one we just started. Growing up, we didn't wear Christmas pjs very much, but now I get them for my girls and started that tradition.

 Sutton

Avery

 Avery

Sutton

10. Favorite Christmas carol? I am not the Christmas carol type of person.

11. Favorite Holiday Tradition? Tie between cutting down our Christmas tree and going Christmas light looking. 

12. Early Shopper or Last Minute?  I am all about the early shopping. I do most of my shopping on Cyber Monday, and then get a few items here and there after.

13. Favorite Christmas Movie or Show? A Christmas Story. I can't get enough of this movie. I watch it all day from Christmas Eve to Christmas on for the 24 hour marathon.

A Christmas Story

14. Favorite Holiday Beverage? Spiked Egg Nog. Double points if it is homemade.

15. Cookies and Milk for Santa? Yes. Last year we did cookies, milk and scotch for Santa. Ha.