Where is June?

HOST A HOLIDAY MEAL

December 22nd, 2014

I am hosting Christmas Eve at my house this week. It has become a tradition and I am really looking forward to it this year! Borrowing a page from my husband’s family play book-we serve cracked crab for dinner. It is the best main course because you truly don’t do anything except unwrap it and bring out the tools for cracking. I ask my guests to bring the sides for the meal. This year we are having au gratin potatoes, crusty bread, and a large salad. The rest is up to me! Here’s what I have planned.

THE DETAILS

Instead of traditional linens I use a chalkboard paper runner and paper placemats. I don’t have a super large kitchen -so the paper runner comes off my dining table after cocktail hour and we quickly set the table for dinner. I usually wrap the silverware early. Last year I used a simple gift tag and label for each guest and placed a festive saying on each plate. I found these movie quote printables that I am going to use this year. I have added twinkling lights to my bar cart thanks to the inspiration from Pinterest! We are ready to be merry and bright!

BEFORE THE MEAL

I like to have everything set and ready, so that the food and drink are READY when we arrive home from church. I am excited to try some new appetizers!

1. Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip

2. Salami, Cream Cheese, Pepperoncini Roll-Ups

3. Antipasti Plate

4. Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

AFTER THE MEAL

I keep dessert simple and follow what my grandmother used to do for Christmas Eve. Lots and lots of cookies and sweet nibbles. I am starting the baking today and the boys will be denied access until later in the week!

1. Salted Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats

2. Five minute Fudge

3. Candied Pecans

4. Salted Peanut Chews

Visit my ‘Tis the Season and The Entertainer Pinterest boards for more ideas on hosting a great holiday meal!

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{DIY} HOLIDAY WRAP

December 19th, 2014

I promised a post about making your own wrapping paper! To accent the holiday palette that I chose this year, I thought it would be fun to add a few small gifts with customized wrapping paper. I would not advise doing this with large gifts, unless you are going to paint the words. This DIY is really easy and you don’t have to be crafty. If you can write you can do this. Actually, have your kids do it. Their darling handwriting on the paper would be a gift in itself. Grandparents love that kind of stuff!

Step one:

Gather your paper {I used this one}, a pen and your gift. I used a gold paint Sharpie, but on black paper white would look awesome too!

Step 2:

Write your message. I wrote diagonally because I find that easier! Any message works!

Step 3:

Wrap it and gift it!

Give it a try. The wrapped gifts turn out great.

PS:: Is there someone on your list that would love What Shat That? [The Pocket Guide to Poop Identity]? Find it here! AND you’re welcome.

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{MOM UNIFORM} HOLIDAY RUN AROUND

December 16th, 2014

It’s been awhile since my last Mom Uniform installment. Most likely because once we lose daylight savings time I go into a deep hibernation. If you don’t leave your home, you don’t need a uniform! But there is nothing like the holidays to pull you out of your yoga pants! With just a little over a week until Christmas, I bet you are running around town doing this and that. Why not look put together while doing it?! {This uniform is actually yoga pants in disguise.}

Start with a pair of faux leather leggings that feel more like PJ’s than pants. Pair with a popover shirt that is long enough to cover your toosh -it’s just more flattering. Don’t worry about the weather or doing your hair because a beanie takes care of that. A pink coat makes this uniform. It adds the pop of color and warmth! A soft coral lip and a subtle shimmer on your lids are all the accessories you will need. Finish with a pair of comfy, cool sneakers -so you can run all day long.

Please note: The link for the pink coat is different than the coat pictured. Zara sold out of the coat I chose, but the Vince Camuto is a great alternative!

We all need a uniform:

{Mom Uniform}Rainy Day Field Trip

{Mom Uniform} Concert Cool

{Mom Uniform} Mixed Prints

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR HER

December 15th, 2014

Next up on the gift guide train is a guide for the women in your life. {But in all honesty it’s really just my wish list!} With only 9 days of shopping days left, many retailers have reduced prices and are offering great deals. See, you put off shopping for a reason!

The guide for HER::

One// The perfect shade of orangey-red lipstick! {The color GEORGE will make her look like she just stepped out of a J.Crew catalog.}

Two// A collection of memos and letters written by Diana Vreeland. It would be perfect on her desk!

Three// Clutch + shimmer = perfection

Four// Instax printer for pictures captured on her phone. Snap it, print it, share it!

Five// Running vest. {This falls in the NEED category} Keep her safe.

Six// Tom Ford Black Orchid

Seven// This Jonathan Adler vase is total perfection!

Eight// Dana Rebecca diamond earrings

Nine// The most beautiful book ends.

Ten// A puffer jacket with a touch of plaid.

Eleven// A key chain that reminds her that she is a total babe.

Twelve// Awesome Saucony kicks!

The Holiday Guides so far:

Holiday Guide for a Bigger Boy

Holiday Guide for a Grown Up Girl

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CAN I LIVE WITHOUT EMOJIS?

December 12th, 2014

This seems like a ridiculous question right? Well, I must ponder this very deliberately because it is a real dilemma for me. You see, I dropped my phone about 3 weeks ago and it has been a roller coaster since then. The shattered screen was replaced, only to have seemingly set off a domino effect. First Siri would no longer chat with me. The mic/camera was then replaced. The new screen then glitched and blinked every time I touched it. The latest screen {Yes! That would be screen #3} worked for 2 hours. Two beautiful hours. Currently my phone works {most of the time} except for the bottom left corner. Why is this important you ask? Well, that is the corner for the number shift command -including punctuation and symbols on your keyboard. That I am almost willing to live with, since I can still use voice command to insert those characters. It is also where most ‘home’ commands are in most apps. Also annoying!

However, I am mostly sad about the emojis. Those darling little characters that make me smile every day! Sometimes one emoji can replace words altogether.

So my big decision is whether or not to send my phone to CA to be repaired. My gut says to just live with it. And then I wonder….Can I live without emojis?

LESSONS LEARNED:

1. Don’t check Instagram while on a walk.

2. Buy AppleCare

3. Take your shattered phone to the Apple store no matter what!

**In all honesty, it is just a phone. It is miniscule on the scale of real problems. It is just such a damn hassle.

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR A GROWN UP GIRL

December 10th, 2014

I don’t have girls in the house, so I turned to my favorite grown up girls to help me out with this gift guide! Their enthusiasm impressed me. While my boys grumbled when I asked for assistance with this project, Emma and Alexane delivered a beautifully hand-drawn wish list! {Thanks ladies!}

Here is their list {a guide for girls ages 8-12}:

ONE// Ivivva Clothing – Essential gear for the active girl! I love this scarf and wrap.

TWO// Nail Polish – This nail set is AMAZING. 24 colors with tiny brushes to create nail art.

THREE// Art Supplies – She can recreate 30 masterpieces by women artists with this book. Throw in a set of really good markers!

FOUR// Tickets to Ariana Grande – I like how these girls think! She is on tour and might be coming to a city near you. She will be in Seattle on April 14, 2015!

FIVE// Jewelry – How about a simple gold bar necklace with her initial?

SIX// PB Teen furniture – A furry beanbag would be the perfect spot to hang out and talk!

SEVEN// Trip to Hawaii to surf- Wow! That is a big one. While a trip might not be in the cards, a cool surfboard print for her room is doable!

Thanks Emma and Alexane! This gift guide rocks because of you! {I will post a picture of their hand-drawn list later today on Instagram! It is too good for you not to see it.}

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A HOLIDAY PALETTE

December 9th, 2014

Every holiday season, I pick a few new papers and a theme for wrapping. I don’t like wrapping in last year’s paper and love finding a new palette each year. Ok, YES, choosing a paper theme squarely lands me in the “I’m a control freak” category, and I totally own it. I used to run around to store after store looking for worthy paper. Somehow I was always disappointed. That is until I walked through the doors of The Container Store. I had been picked up and set down in wrapping paper heaven! Seriously, it is that good.

I am calling my theme for the year Snowy Cottage Glam. The plaid, glitter and two woodland papers are an ode to a glamorous snowy Christmas deep in woods. What do you think? I also picked up a roll of black paper and some chalkboard markers. I plan to make some personalized paper for a few smaller gifts. {I will post about this idea next week!} A few rolls of ribbon {this, this, and this} and gift tags and Team Thomas is ready to wrap!

My paper choices {clockwise from top left}:

Buffalo Plaid//Woodgrain//Red Berry Branch//Gold Glitter

Oh my goodness, there are so many I could create endless palettes for the season. Which papers are your favorite?!

Now, if only I can get my act together and not wait until December 23rd to wrap my gifts!! #bemerryandbright

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WILD MOVIE PREMIER

December 8th, 2014

Yep! Christmas comes early for me this week! Wild, the movie, will hit theaters in Seattle on Friday! It opened in New York and Los Angles last week. I have been waiting for over a year. I posted enthusiastically when I heard the amazing book Wild was being brought to the big screen with Reese Witherspoon as the lead. Since then, I have followed Cheryl Strayed and Reese on social media. Can I just say, I want to be the third wheel with this adorable pair?!?

The reviews for the movie have been amazing and there is Oscar buzz surrounding Reese’s portrayal of Cheryl. A few things I find extraordinary about this film, is how it came to be and the friendship Reese and Cheryl share. Cheryl sent Reese an advanced copy of Wild before it was even released and the project was born. Reese Witherspoon decided to produce and star in the film. Of course the road was not easy, but she was determined to tell the story accurately. {This article tells the story perfectly!} In the last 6 months, Reese and Cheryl constantly posted pictures as they have been together promoting Wild! They share an authentic friendship. Cheryl has been part of the movie every step of the way! From advising on the movie, being on set during filming, starring in a cameo role, attending film festivals, speaking at press junkets, and getting red carpet ready for premiers. I am not a Hollywood expert, but I doubt that happens very often!

I 100% adored every aspect of the book and I will wait impatiently until I can buy my movie ticket and settle in to enjoy this film!! Are you going to see it?

CAN’T WAIT to see #wildmovie!

{Pictures via Reese and Cheryl’s Facebook pages}

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A BOOTY CHALLENGE

December 2nd, 2014

A challenge just in time for the holidays! Following up on core and arms, it is time to focus on the booty! Keeping it simple, the exercises and repetitions stay the same all month. You just need to find the time time. No weights, no equipment needed. Put aside 10-15 minutes a day during this busy holiday season. You will thank yourself come January 1!

I have included links as a reference for each exercise.

Wall Touches//Walking Lunges//Speed Skaters//Mary Katherine Lunges

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A THANKSGIVING TABLE

November 26th, 2014

I am not setting my own table this holiday, but if I were-this is the simple approach I would take. I spray painted real mini-pumpkins matte gray and have been using them as decor since Halloween. I would place one pumpkin at each place setting along with a single bud vase. Any small flower from the grocery store will do.

The rest of the table has a soft palette using natural elements . A potted succulent, more gray pumpkins, assorted glassybabies, flowers, and a pop of gold. It is all extremely budget friendly. Nothing is safe from a spray paint can in my house. My favorite details is the embroidered linen table cloth. Passed down to me from my mother, it was made by hand as a wedding gift in 1972. I love the colors and intricate, repeating pattern.

I wish you very Happy Thanksgiving. May your table be surrounded by loved ones and good cheer!

{I am so sad the picture quality is so poor. I ended up having to use my iPhone. Gloomy Northwest days do not equal lovely indoor shots. At least in my house.}

HOST A HOLIDAY MEAL

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