Blessing Jar

Happy New Year's Eve!  A 2013 recap, December recap, and New Year's Resolutions are all to come, but today I want to share a quick and easy DIY for 2014 - A Blessing Jar.  

To make a blessing jar all you need is some paper, a pen, and an old vase or container.  We've had this jar forever, and I just added some gold leaf and a label to make it "fancier."  (Josh loves it when things get "fancied.")

The idea is that once a day we will jot down a blessing or something we are thankful for and throw it in the jar.  We've decided to initial and date each entry so that at the end of the year we can put them in order.   It's so easy to remember the highlights of each year, but I'm hoping the Blessing Jar will help us relish the little joys in each day.

"A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are."

Blessings to you in 2014!

xo,

New Year's Eve Outfit Inspirations

Happy Almost New Year!  Have you recovered from Christmas?!  It has taken me about 5 days, but I am slowly but surely getting back into the routine.  It's amazing how exhausting a day of celebrations, food, family, and fun can be.  

If you are like me, you've spent so much time and energy on Christmas that you haven't thought much about your New Year's Eve festivities.  To make things a little easier, I thought I would share a few outfit inspirations today.  Each outfit features the same pair of faux leather leggings - comfortable yet chic for a night of celebrating. 

leggings // top // fur vest // boots // necklace // earrings // watch (sold out - similar here)

For a casual dinner with friends, slip on a pair of flat boots and a fun top.  I love this midnight blue peplum paired with a statement necklace.  A fur vest is the perfect "casual chic" topper to fend off any chill in the air.  Finally, throw on a pretty watch so you don't get caught lingering over dessert when the clock strikes midnight.  (True story: this happened to me once!  We were having so much fun we completely lost track of time and wound up watching the ball drop with the waitstaff of the restaurant!)

leggings // top (on sale!) // earrings // shoes // bag // nail polish // watch

A New Year's Eve party with drinks and dancing calls for some shine.  Pair a sparkly top with dangling earrings in a similar tone for instant sophisticated glamour.  Add ankle strap heels to make sure you can dance well past midnight, and carry a cross body clutch with all of your essentials for the night.  Oxblood red works perfectly on your fingers or toes for a pop of color with an otherwise neutral outfit. 

leggings // sweater (sold out- similar here) // earrings  // bracelet // wrap // shoes // lip gloss // printable

Welcoming the New Year at home is one of the best ways to celebrate in my opinion.  BUT, just because you aren't out with the masses doesn't mean you want to wear yoga pants.  Throw on a cozy sweater, some chunky jewelry, and a pair of nice flats.  Add a warm wrap for wandering outside to watch the fireworks.  A touch of neutral lipgloss will help you feel pulled together and ready for a kiss to welcome in the New Year.  Finally, if all else fails, pop open some bubbles, turn up the music, and dance on the coffee table.  

Here's to a fabulous 2014!

xo,

Christmas blessings

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Christmas blessings to all of you sweet readers.  I will be posting only occasionally this week as I slow down and enjoy some time with family and friends.  Wishing each of you a joyous Christmas with time to relax and celebrate with those you love.  

xo,

Happy Friday

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Happy, Happy Friday!  After a long week of cleaning, baking, shopping, wrapping, addressing, and meeting, I am looking forward to enjoying the next few days.  Family and friends start arriving today, and I couldn't be more excited.  We have a few parties tonight and tomorrow, and then we are in relaxation mode until Christmas.  

Are you ready for Christmas?  I'm sure there will be a few loose ends that pop up over here, but all in all I feel like a kid just counting down the days now.  

Happy Weekend!

xo,

Christmas Travel Packing Lists

For many people, Christmas means travel.  Though seeing friends and family is always a treat, sometimes the stress of choosing what to pack can be overwhelming.  (Let's not even discuss trying to pack gifts and clothes into a carry-on size bag...)  While this packing list doesn't offer the most exciting outfits, it is easy and you likely already own some version of everything on the list. 

The flight to your destination is not the time to arrive in ratty jeans and a sweatshirt.  You will be greeting friends or family you love, and looking polished makes it much easier to go straight from the airport to meet your long-lost friends for dessert and drinks.  A good pair of flats and a snuggly scarf will keep you comfortable and chic on the plane, and a large watch ensures you don't miss you connection waiting in line at Starbucks.  

Rely on those trusty flats for brunch and sightseeing on Day 2.  Your scarf will add an extra layer of warmth, a large bag holds your essentials for the day, and leggings give you a streamlined look. 

Head out for dinner or drinks in a sleek, simple look.  Pull your hair back and throw on a pair of heels and a statement necklace. Finish your look with a swipe of color on your lips for an instant pick me up.

If you're like me, you've likely booked a flight later in the day to enjoy those last few hours with those you love.  Keep your look polished for your last bit of visiting with a blazer, but stay comfy with leggings and your trusty scarf.  

Sources:

Jeans // Leggings // White Top // Grey Sweater // Blazer

Flats // Heels

Bag // Clutch // Scarf // Lip Gloss

Earrings // Necklace // Watch // Sunglasses

Happy and safe travels to you this Christmas!

xo,

favorite things: Christmas Edition

ornament // carol // scent // decoration // movie // greenery // treat

1 week until Christmas, and it is most definitely the most wonderful time of the year.  I am extra excited for Christmas this year because we will wake up in our own house on Christmas morning!  This means I have been extra hard at work making the house festive and fun, and it has been a blast putting out all of our decorations.  

Though figuring out the decorations in a new house is fun, there are always those tried and true favorites that make appearances every year.  For us, this means frasier fir candles, spiced cookies, silver cross ornaments, and my very favorite nativity scene.  A new addition this year is a magnolia wreath for our front door, and I ADORE it.  I love magnolias any time of year, so combining them with Christmas decor leaves me a little weak in the knees. 

What are your Christmas Favorites?  Any I should add to the rotation?

xo,

Chicken Divan

This time of year, we can all use some time saving tips.  Enter: this recipe for Chicken Divan.  It can be made ahead of time and frozen to pull out for those late nights of wrapping Christmas presents, or it can be whipped up on the spot and enjoyed immediately.  It would also be great to have on hand for when guests arrive later in the evening and want some dinner- it only needs to bake in the oven for 15 minutes!  Nothing like it for a warm, satisfying, and easy meal.  

Chicken Divan

adapted from All Recipes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh chopped broccoli
• 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
• 1 can cream of broccoli soup
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 Tbs. dijon mustard
• Salt & Pepper (as desired)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 Tbs. butter, melted
• 2 Tbs. bread crumbs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450.  If needed, boil chicken in a large saucepan to cook, about 10 minutes.
2. Place broccoli in a large saucepan with water.  Cover and let cook 5-7 minutes until tender.  Drain.  
3. While broccoli cooks, combine soup, milk, mustard, and salt and pepper in a medium bowl.  Set aside.
4. Grease 9x12 inch casserole pan.  Line bottom of pan with cooked broccoli.  Cover broccoli with cubed chicken.  Top chicken and broccoli with soup mixture.  Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
5. Combine butter and bread crumbs in a small bowl.  Sprinkle over top of casserole.  
6. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Enjoy!

xo,