Seattle is buzzing with Hawk excitement!  Our infamous 12th man will be in full effect Sunday…this time making some noise in living rooms, pubs, and sports bars.  I love it when one single unifying event brings us all together.  Why not cheer for really big men trying to knock the snot out of each other?  I am confident they will win on Sunday and this cheer train can keep on rolling!  [And PS. we have the best damn quarter back in the NFL.  It doesn’t hurt that he is pretty darn cute to boot!]

I have fond memories of watching the old school Hawks with my dad on Sundays.  The 80’s gave us Steve Largent, Dave Krieg, Curt Warner.  And who can forget Brian Bosworth?  There were a few playoff runs, but no Super Bowl appearances when I was a kid!   And now my kids are watching the games with me.  I am feeling it this season.  Big W will be sporting his Earl Thomas jersey on Sunday.  We are convinced it is lucky.  Since he started wearing it on game days, the Seahawks haven’t lost.  [It’s only weird if it doesn’t work.] 

Looking for something to serve at game time?  Spotted these at Top Pot Doughnuts.  Perfect for a 10am start. 

Go Hawks!

top image :: via

My little men and I are going on a grand outing next week.  We are attending a matinee performance of The Nutcracker.  One might ask, “Why would you take two uber active boys to the ballet?”  It is a legitimate question.  I am certain that they can rise to the occasion.  Well, at least Big W.  Little Man is another story all together.  He isn’t known to just go with the flow, so I am hedging my bets.

When I was teaching it was called building background knowledge.  Current day, I call it covering my a^#!  I am hopeful, not delusional.  With my entire arsenal, I am getting him pumped up to see this ballet.

I have been reading him a simple picture book that tells the story of The Nutcracker Ballet.  I am confident Little Man will enjoy the performance more if he knows the story.

A few weeks back, a good friend and I were seriously debating whether or not to buy these Starry String lights at Restoration Hardware.  We weren’t sure exactly how we would use them or how to hide the battery pack.  For $25, we needed a plan and since neither of us had one-we both passed.

Fast forward to this week.  I decided my mantel needed some TLC.
I used this image as my jumping off point.

It is easy to feel like your head is spinning during the holidays.  I have revolving to-do lists, some that I have actually written down.  Gifts, cards, meals, cookies, parties, family, kids….and… and…the lists are endless!

So, with less than two weeks to go…….

Keep your sanity.
Idea #1:  Let someone else do the thinking!  Use gift guides.

Here are a few to start with:

1. Gift guide for the guys- cupcakes and cashmere
2. Guide for sisters, brothers, dads….. – a cup of jo
3. To and From – a gift guide from bloggers and tastemakers [this one is unbelievable!!]

Brilliant Idea!  Use the valet parking at the mall.  Splurge.  Why not?  ‘Tis the season of indulgence.

{clockwise from top left}
1.  The original ornaments.  Purchased in 2000 for $2.99 for our very first tree.  Only a few remain, but I can’t leave them off.
2.  An ornament engraved with my name.  For the last 37 years, it has been on my grandmother’s tree [along with all of my cousin’s ornaments].  This is our first Christmas without her.  I lovingly hung it on my tree this year. 
3.  iheartny.  A little ornament to remind me of an amazing trip to New York City last December.
4. A bag of plastic ornaments purchased at Home Depot.  In 2007, I had a baby on the move and needed ornaments on the tree that wouldn’t break [or kill him if he bit one].  Certainly not designer, but we put them on our tree every year.  It makes my heart full remembering my boys as babies. 

Around my house there is no chance for velvet dresses or satin bows this time of year.  However, I don’t throw the towel in completely.  The Santa picture is my one chance to dress my guys in their finest.  My oldest has always loved wearing ties and looking good.  Little Man begrudgingly agrees only with the promise of a candy cane after seeing Santa.

A few tips on dressing up little men:

1.  Keep it simple and slightly hipster. 

I am sucker for ties and we have quite a collection.  Most of them are clip on ties, like this striped one, from The Children’s Place.  At $7.95, it is the perfect little boy accessory.  This gray tie [similar here] is actually a real tie I bought last year.  My husband tied the full Windsor and then we slip it over his head.  Pair the tie with a white shirt and pair of jeans-you are good to go.

2.  Forgo the dress shoes.  Buy something they will wear again.

If only.
Between the crummy weather and hectic schedules-I find my workout is the first thing that falls off the daily to-do-list!  Which is really a shame, since there is a box of Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark calling my name from the cupboard.  [Not sure what they put in it to make it so decadent, but it should be illegal!]

Good luck getting your cardio done…..shopping or otherwise.