Happy Friday friends! Is it just me or has the Christmas spirit really kicked into high gear the past couple of days?! Maybe it’s the cloudy, cool weather we’ve been having or the Christmas cards arriving in the mail, but I am FEELING it.
::grins big and does a little dance::
Since all that is on my heart today is sharing the JOY that seems to be bubbling up inside of me, I thought a loving lately post would be fun to write and even more fun if you guys hop in on the comments and tell me what is lighting up YOUR life right now!
….and I promise to chill now with the all caps.
I must start with this. I am LOVING (oops! ::wink::)
All things Christmas!
Christmas music is playing in every store I go in as well as in my car, so it’s like a festive soundtrack is following me throughout my days right now and I’m not complaining. We’ve been honoring the music with dancing, whether it’s outside at Birkdale Village while listening to the bears…
or at home in our living room while watching the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (now streaming on Netflix!) The girls were mesmerized and danced their booties off to it.
Clean Juice Acai Bowl
While in Birkdale, the girls and I swung through Clean Juice and I decided it was time to try my FIRST ACAI BOWL EVER because I’m always 5 years behind on a trend. You guys, I get it. YUM. It was like a delicious, healthy soft serve with dreamy toppings. It’s huge perfect for sharing! and the girls and I devoured it together.
A 2017 Wedding
I got such a fun facetime call last week (timely as I was makeup-less and in jammies) from one of my best college girlfriends telling me she had just gotten ENGAGED!
Alexis and Terry got engaged on a beach in Cali at sunset (um, amazing), but I’ll let her tell the story. I haven’t been around wedding talk in too long and am excited to chitty chat about all things flowers, dresses and venues!
Moana
Last Sunday the skies really opened up. We really needed the rain and I since David was working I took full advantage of the excuse to take the girls to the movies (mine and Hailey’s fav outing). We saw Moana and you guys it is wonderful!! Especially as a mom to two princess-obsessed little girls. The movie had zero romantic storyline (which I’m certainly not against but a welcome switch up) and was all about being true to and believing in yourself. The girls were captivated, as was I!
Party Planning
I’m sure some of my Christmas glee is due to the Christmas party David and I are hosting tonight! Five years of baby-raising has pushed our hosting habit to the side, but now with the girls at 5 and 2 1/2, we feel ready to ease back into it all. I’ve been prepping all week, starting with a double batch of rosemary maple spiced cashews.
I stopped by I Love Juice Bar in Mooresville for some freshly juiced ginger for a signature cocktail that David is working on.
Isn’t that a great idea for parties? Fresh juice for cocktails?! It makes them healthy! Haha, I’m so ready to sip on one. To tide me over, I did a ginger shot at the store; I’m hooked on them!
As for attire, I ordered both this dress and this dress to try for the party. I’ve seen others wear booties with dresses and I’m trying to decide if I can pull it off. Any tips?
Convenience Foods
My meal planning falls off its game a little during the month of December. I still put forth some effort but I also give myself a break and embrace the options available on the fly. I am pretty much addicted to Whole Foods’ sushi at this point.
We opted for dinner out the other night a place the kids could run around and “play” games (with no quarters- yay for young kids!) that served fish tacos. That’s what I call a win/win.
I am itching to get back to more focused meal planning, but know it will all settle down in a couple weeks. Until then, I’ll do what I can with the time I have and enjoying the treat of eating out!
Around the web
Food
Homemade soup mixes in a jar // 5 Mistakes to avoid when cooking French Toast // Beef tenderloin with a mushroom and white wine cream sauce (A Christmas dinner contender!) // Baked Brie with Blackberry Compote and Spiced Pecans
Health
Burn Bootcamp is opening a new location is East Cobb (where I grew up in GA! Y’all check them out!) // The Ultimate Guide to Foam Rolling Exercises // 10 to 100 Driveway Workout (no equipment needed!) // People Urged to be More Body Vigilant in Fight Against Cancer
Mom Life
Breaking the Santa News to Kids without Breaking their Hearts (I hope this is years away, but I LOVE it) // The Case for the Just Us Holiday // 10 Natural Ways to Balance Your Hormones // The Annual Family Photo Book for People Too Busy to Make Them
Amazing Deals to Snag Before They’re Gone
85% off Forehead Thermometer (great gift for a new mom!) // 72% off Stainless Steel Coffee Bean Grinder // 75% off Stainless Steel French Press // 63% off Mo+m Three Position Baby Carrier
What are you loving lately?!
Anything fun planned for the weekend?
John J. says
You are one fired up Christmas gal! Contagious. Hope the party is a smashing success. For me, I’m loving my hot date tonight – your Mother! Cheers!!
Alexis says
WOO HOO!!!!! This makes me more excited than I already am!! (Is that even possible??) SOOO glad you snapped this pic- what a moment!!! Love you xoxo
Allison says
I have the magic answer to making a dress and booties work! I have found the look works much better if the dress is short (def above the knee)…if you pair a longer dress with booties, I feel like it always makes me looks shorter/not proportioned. Hope this helps!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh that is a great tip!! I’m hoping the dress is short on me- it’s tough being that I’m only 5’1″ 😉 Love the sound of this though- thanks!!
Katie @ Live Half Full says
Yum! So making these cashews for holiday parties.
For the first time in probably 10 years I do not have a wedding next year- yet. We shall see what the holidays brings. 🙂
Nadia North says
I just pinned your rosemary maple spiced cashews recipe. I think they would make a lovely homemade gift for friends and neighbors!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wonderful! I hope you love them as much as we do!