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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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Friday Favorites – November 18th, 2017

Friday Favorites

Can you guys believe that the holiday season is here! Thanksgiving is just a few days away and my Christmas vacation begins in five weeks!  It’s going to be a busy, but fun few weeks! The title of today’s post may be Friday Favorites but I’ll be the first to admit that yes, it is Saturday. I’m still figuring out how to manage everything right now between a new job, an adorable five month old daughter, trying to squeeze in workouts and blogging. But, better late than never, right?  Since we don’t have too many things planned this weekend, I’m hoping to draft a few posts including a gift guide or two and some thoughts on my workouts these days.

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.

  • Even though I tend to be a minimalist when it comes to makeup, I’m loving this eye shadow pallete from Beautycounter. The set includes 18 rich but neutral colors as well as a double-ended brush and a removable mirror.  I layered three colors this morning for our family photo shoot and was surprised to see that seven hours later, my eye shadow still look perfect!
  • It’s been three weeks since I purchased the Revlon One-Step Volumizer hair dryer and I’m still head over heels. I’m amazed how quickly it allows me to blow dry and style my hair. Unlike other blow dryers, this styling tool leaves my hair frizz-free without any product or even a straightening iron. In addition, my hair goes from wet to fully-styled in around ten minutes! I love that after seeing my Instagram stories so many people have bought this blow dryer and emailed or commented letting me know how much they love it!
  • I couldn’t resist buying this adorable Santa suit for Katie when I saw that it was just $13! We had fun with the outfit during today’s photo shoot – styling Katie with Christmas lights, soft ornaments and a fuzzy blanket. I can’t wait to see the proofs!
  • This soft turtleneck is perfect for the cooler weather we are enjoying in New York City. Since buying it a few weeks ago, I’ve worn it for both casual and professional occasions. This week in Arkansas I dressed it up with a necklace and crepe pants for work and today I paired it with tall boots and skinny jean. The golden burgundy is a rich red, perfect for the holidays, while the gray is a classic favorite. Word to the wise, order a size down as mine are already a bit too loose on me since I’ve lost another pound or two of baby weight!
  • This sweatshirt summarizes my morning workout struggle perfectly! I can’t wait to wear it tomorrow, after I workout, for a cozy afternoon on the couch.
  • Last night I squeezed in a manicure and pedicure right after Katie went to sleep and that hour of relaxation was exactly what I needed. I decided to switch both my toes and fingers to a festive, holiday red – OPI Dutch Tulips. Since I tend to wear this vibrant pink-red polish non-stop during the holiday season I ordered a bottle so I can do touch-ups at home in between appointments.
  • If you live in the New York City area and are looking for a maternity, newborn or family photographer, Michelle Rose is amazing! We had our first family shoot with her today and I was amazed at her attention to detail, easy going style and ability to capture some amazing shots even when Katie was starting to get tired.
  • My favorite pajamas are on sale for less than $50! These cotton knit pajamas are soft and cozy though I wish they made them in more colors. I’ve had my pair for two years and they are still the first pair I reach for in my pajama drawer.
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