This & That | Getting Ready for Christmas

Hello friends!  It’s the weekend before Christmas and I hope you are winding down and getting ready for the Christmas cozy.  I think I will be right there with you AFTER today.  There’s still some things to do before I feel like I can really relax and slow down. Do you feel like that too?

If you missed anything this week, check out James Bedroom Makeover, Last Minute (under $50) Gift Ideas, Just (the best) Sales, and a brand new Amazon fashion try-on sesh!  And if you are really under the gun for last minute gifts, Nordstrom has FREE Christmas Eve delivery on lots of items if you order by noon!

THIS & THAT | CHRISTMAS EDITION

Today, I’m sharing our Christmas plans, my To Do list so that I have it all in one place, and a few This & Thats to catch you up on things happening around here.  Basically, grab your hot coffee or tea and let’s chat!

Cute winter outfit with puffer vest

Pink Puffer Vest XS • AG Jeans 33% off • Long Sleeve Tee • Booties 45% off • Similar Tote 39% off

TODAY’S CHRISTMAS AGENDA

School Christmas Program & Class Party

We’ll be spending the morning at James’ school Christmas program and school party then Christmas vacation officially starts at noon!  I was happy to get those errands out of the way this week (James’ haircut, my nails, and James ortho appointment), so we don’t have to worry about that during vacay!

The school Christmas program is always super cute with the kids singing Christmas songs and all giddy about Christmas.  I’m heading up the 3rd grade classroom party this year with the help of some awesome mom friends.

School Christmas Party Craft

We’ll be making a Christmas tree ornament from cinnamon sticks, faux garland, wine corks that the kids can decorate and hang on the tree.  One of my friends came over this weekend and helped me glue gun the trees together so we don’t have to do that part at school.  The kids can just use the twist tie and sticker decorations I bought.  We wrote 2018 at the bottom of the cork so the kids could remember when they made these decorations.

Christmas Craft cinnamon stick tree ornament

School Christmas Party Game | Trim the Tree

I found a super easy game where you divide the class into teams and they have to decorate a member of their team as a Christmas tree.  The first team to wrap the tree and decorate it with 10 bows wins a prize.

Fun-Kids-Christmas-party-games

via The Mad House

Teacher Gifts

This year, we kept it easy with $10 gift cards to Target for James’ teachers, along with a handwritten note from him.  Then we embellished the envelopes with holiday stickers.  He said he gave each teacher a hug with the gift, which I thought was so sweet!

Teacher gifts

On the Christmas To Do List

Later today, I’ll be doing some last minute grocery shopping for food to eat throughout the Christmas break, take to my family’s house, and of course our traditional Christmas morning breakfast.

Baked French Toast 11

TIRAMISU CAKE

My brother and his family just moved into a new house, so they’ll be hosting Christmas dinner at their house this year.  It will definitely be a fun one with a new baby cousin in the mix.  Sweet Carter is just 6 months old!  It’s a potluck style dinner and I’ll also be making a Tiramisu Cake.  I’ve never made it before, but I had it at a Bunco party and it was delicious! Fingers crossed it comes out tasty!

Tiramisu Cake

REINDEER FOOD

We still need to bake cookies for Santa and need carrots and reindeer food for the reindeer.  The reindeer food ‘recipe’ is super simple- just a mix of oats and colorful sprinkles will do.  We sprinkle it on our front lawn so the reindeer know where to land!

reindeer-food

via Clean Eats & Treats

Post Office

This will be the first year without my dear Grandma Nola and already, life hasn’t been the same without her.  I miss her terribly, and especially our long phone chats.  She collected owls and loved them because they symbolize wisdom.  I’m sending my two aunts and cousin these owl ornaments in her honor.

Owl Christmas tree ornaments

Stocking Stuffers

I was also considering making one last run to the Dollar Store for some inexpensive stocking stuffers.  My shopping is basically done, but I always have the nagging feeling like I forgot something and I want to make sure the stockings are full!

Flocked Christmas tree

Christmas Home Tour

Look at Christmas Lights

We haven’t looked at Christmas lights yet!  #gasp! It’s one of my favorite things to do because there are neighborhoods near us that do it up in such a magical way.  I’m ready to jump into our Christmas jammies, hop into the car with a thermos of hot cocoa and blast the holiday tunes while taking it all in.

ON MAMA’S CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

There’s truly nothing I need right now, but I do have a few wants. 😉

I asked my Mom for the new Joanna Gaines decor book, Home Body and since I ordered it for her on my Amazon Prime account, I’m pretty sure it’s coming my way! ha!

I bought myself and three close friends the Lavendaire Artist of Life 2019 Workbook.  I’m planning on digging even deeper into personal and professional growth this year and I think this will be a great way to get clear on those goals.

If someone really wanted to spoil me, I’d ask for the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer.  I’ve borrowed my friends’ before and my hairdresser uses it. It’s truly a game changer for drying your hair fast and without damaging it.

My Polar Heart Rate monitor stopped working, so I’m interested in a FitBit or something that can measure your heart rate.  I wore my old monitor around my chest, so a wrist one would be less cumbersome. It would also be nice to be able to check messages without having to hunt down my phone when I’m not near it!

What are you hoping Santa leaves under your tree?!

PARTY PANTS & JUMPSUIT

Jumpsuit

Black & Gold Jumpsuit

Remember when Ali-Shaun and I tried on this jumpsuit?  Well, mine is back from getting the length altered and I love it!  It feels amazing and comfortable on with the flowy legs and tie waist.  The top is halter style with a bit of pizazz in the keyhole check.  I’ll be wearing it to this year’s school “Starry Night” Gala and Ali-Shaun wore hers to the Elton John concert.

I also think it’s a fun party outfit, especially for New Year’s Eve!

Jumpsuit (1)

Aren’t the gold ‘brush stroke’ flecks pretty?!

Cute holiday outfit

TankVelvet Tie Pants 

These paper bag waist velvet pants feel so luxe and also warm on.  They are crop length with pockets and will be a perfect option for a holiday party or NYE if you don’t want to wear a dress.

Cute holiday outfit (1)

Similar Strand Necklace

FINTESS eBOOOK

There’s been so much going on here lately that I haven’t kept you properly updated on the Fitness eBook that will be launching soon!  Cari and I have been diligently working on it behind the scenes and we have a photo shoot planned for early January!  I really can’t wait to release this baby out into the world next year!  I hope you are as ready for it as I am!

 

This may be the last time we chat before Christmas, so I want to wish you a joyful and very merry Christmas! I’ll be enjoying my friends and family and hopefully doing a whole lot of nothing for a few days!  Doesn’t that sound blissful?!  Huge hugs to you friends!

 

 

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

14 Comments

  1. Merry Christmas!!! Have never commented before and just wanted to say thank you for this blog. Peace and hugs. Your Grandma Nola is one proud angel.

  2. Merry Christmas to you and your family! I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog, it truly is one of the emails I look forward to every day.

  3. Good morning Megan! I like the looks of the puffer vest. When I click on the link below the picture it takes me to a lovely sweater. I tried looking on Amazon for it, but couldn’t find it. Can you post the link? Thank you!
    That tiramisu cake looks amazing. I may have to try making that also. I always look forward to your posts. Have a blessed Christmas!
    Patoots

  4. The kids programs at school are always the sweetest. I am so sorry to hear about Grandma Nola, somehow I missed that. My apologies for not saying so sooner. Praying you all have a very Merry Christmas. The kids are at such a wonderful age. Such a magical time for them.

    1. Oh you are so kind Lauren. I really miss her and our talks, she was always so full of wisdom and not afraid to give the hard advice. I’m happy she’s at peace and I know she was ready to be with the Lord. Merry Christmas to you and your family too!

  5. Those tree ornaments are positively darling. I love making reindeer food for the littles. I just gave some to my 3 little next door neighbors yesterday along with “snowman soup”. The perfect little gift. Merry Christmas to your family! XO

  6. Hi Megan, Im hoping you can tell me where Jen from Iheart organizing has gone. Thx in advance and Merry Christmas

  7. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, Megan! Looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2019.

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