Friday Favorites – December 1st, 2017

The Family Archivist

Happy Friday! Today has been a whirlwind week but it is ending on a wonderful note as today is my 34th birthday! I’m still in disbelief that I’m 34 or that life has changed so much over the course of the year. Bo and I are celebrating together tonight with a date night at Grand Army. A local restaurant that has been on our list for over a year, I’m looking forward to lots of seafood and a fun cocktail, or two. Due to birthday celebrations and catch-ups with friends, this weekend is going to be busier than normal.

Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

  • One of my dear childhood friends, Mallory, recently opened an Etsy shop. Her shop, The Family Archivist, includes gorgeous, hand-painted traditional keepsakes including ornaments and silhouettes. We just received the above, beautiful, Lilly Pulitzer inspired silhouette that matches Katie’s nursery.  She is offering readers 10% off any orders with the code HAPPYHEALTHY as well as giving away two $50 store credits.  To win, please comment on this post sharing what you would purchase with the credit. I love her First Christmas Custom ornaments and think they’d make a great gift for my fellow mom friends!  I will choose a winner at 10pm on Sunday.  UPDATE – Winners chosen – Liz T and Erin P! Congratulations! 
  • I bought these sweatpants on Black Friday in gray when they were 60% off and am so in love with them that I ordered a pair in black this week! They are cozy and have quickly become my favorite pair of pants to change into each evening. Unlike most joggers, these run long, so they work with my long legs. The soft material and relaxed fit make them perfect for evening playtime and bath time with Katie.
  • I love Gina’s Advent Calendar Workout so much that I not only pinned it for future reference but I also printed it out for inspiration.  Most of the items don’t require a gym and can be done anywhere, which make them perfect for anyone!

  • Last night’s impromptu wine night with girlfriends reminded me that it’s more important to be present than perfect. My sweet friend Liz organized a mom’s night out to celebrate my birthday but forgot to put me or Bo on the email. Unfortunately, since Bo had a work event and we didn’t have a babysitter organized, I almost cancelled the event. But, then, quickly realized that getting the opportunity to catch up with friends while enjoying a glass of wine could still be enjoyed as long as I hosted it at our place. We laughed for more than two hours while enjoying our festive holiday decorations.
  • If you’re still trying to find some great gifts under $25, I loved the ideas Julie shared in her gift guide this week! In case you missed it, here is my under $30 gift guide!
  • The Cranberry Bliss Bars at Starbucks have always been a guilty pleasure of mine during the holiday season and this SkinnyTaste recipe makes it look SO easy to recreate a healthier version at home.
  • I love the pop of fun these tassel earrings give to any outfit and it seems like others do too as I always get compliments when I wear them!
  • I’ve been listening to Christmas music non-stop this week in my home office. My current playlist includes lots of Josh Groban, Mariah Carey, and classics like Bing Crosby. What is your favorite Christmas album?

 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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Gift Guide – Cyber Weekend Deals

Cyber Weekend Deals

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have evolved over the past few years. When I was growing up, every few years my mom and I would wake up and head to the outlets in Bluffton, South Carolina to work our way through her Christmas list for every one of our friends and family members. I remember the excitement of listening to Christmas music in the car as we drove 45-minutes to the outlets in the darkness, arriving at the first store when it opened at 6am.

These days, I do most of my holiday shopping online, quickly clicking back and forth between websites and referencing a notes page on my phone which I populate throughout the year.  In fact, this evening while Katie was taking her short, cat nap, Bo and I spent 45 minutes doing all of our Christmas shopping for friends and family members.

Have you already finished your shopping? Are you team in-store or online shopping? If you plan to spend time online tomorrow or Monday, here are a few of my favorite sales and items.

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Gift Guide – Under $30

Under $30 gift guide

Multiple times during the holiday season, I find myself needing a small gift. Whether it’s for an office Secret Santa or a hostess gift, having a few of these tucked away will make your holiday season a little less stressful.

  • Never have I ever met someone who didn’t like peppermint bark. The Original Peppermint Bark from Williams Sonoma comes in a tin perfect for gifting. Made from the finest Guittard chocolate and infused with peppermint oils this bark is addicting! $29
  • Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh Frasier fir? This perfectly price Williams Sonoma Winter Forest Guest Set includes hand soap, hand lotion and a votive candle. I ordered four of these to use as hostess gifts and small thank you gifts during the holiday season. $14.95
  • Need a gift for a female in your life who loves better-for-you beauty options? The Beautycounter Glow and Go Mini Oils set contains three oils that will help them reveal their best face during the cold, dry winter months. Whether they want balancing, brightening or plumping, this set has it all! $28
  • Another great gift idea for your girlfriend, sister or colleague is the top-selling Sephora Face Mask Magic set which includes six of their most popular face masks. $25
  • My mom introduced me to L’Occitane hand creams years ago and since then I’ve always carried one in my purse. Their 4-piece hand cream set features four hand creams that will keep your hands soft and hydrated wherever you are. I love that the scents aren’t overbearing and the cream absorbs quickly, leaving your hands soft not sticky. $16
  • My favorite candle during the holiday season, the Nest Holiday Candle is an aromatic candle that lasts for hours while filling your home with cinnamon, orange, pine and pomegranate. The packaging is fun and festive while their small, votive size is perfectly priced. $16
  • Stylish, fun and practical the Corkcicle Stemless tumbler will keep your beverage cold for nine hours or cold for three hours regardless of whether it’s a strong, morning latte or a glass of wine. Featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things this year, this will bring a smile to anyone on your list. $15.80
  • Help your friend or loved one chill the heck out after a long week with the Calm Bath Salts. These salts will transform your bath into a relaxing sanctuary filled with vanilla scent and detoxifying sea salts. $18
  • The custom stamp gift box set allows recipients to personalize their stamp with their design, address or greeting of choice. If you have a friend who enjoys sending or receiving snail mail or just moved homes, this is a perfect gift this holiday season! $27.97

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things for the holiday season. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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