monday monday

Good Morning!  Monday is here again and we are off to another busy week.  Always seems to be the case.  I only have time for a quick recap of the weekend but I would love to hear about yours!  Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me about the wonderful, exciting (or normal and less than exciting) things you did.  I have to live through you all these days with too much school work and too many extracurriculars to get me out much :)

Despite that crushing feeling of too much work, I did have a wonderful weekend.  Both Josh and I felt like we hadn't seen each other all week (true) and we both felt like we needed to spend some major time catching up on some sleep (also true.)  Luckily for us, we were iced in on Friday night.  An ice-in meant that we scrounged in the fridge and pantry and wound up with...

We also (finally) started watching the miniseries about the Kennedy Family.  It took us a long time to start, but now that we have I am so glad we did!  It is addicting and such a fascinating look at a period of our history.  I'm not sure how accurately the show is portraying some of the family interactions, but it  certainly draws you in and makes you appreciate the different dynamics of any family.  AND, whether the family dynamics are true or not, Katie Holmes is VERY true to Jackie's style...love those dresses, gloves, and the simple glamor she exudes.

Once we got out of the ice, I was able to venture out and run a fast errand...to TJ Maxx.  I know I am late to the game on this store (kind of like I was with World Market) but it is amazing.  Our store had Kate Spade purses, Tory Burch and Becca Rory dresses, and TONS of home goods.  Unfortunately you will note that I said the errand was fast and it was...I didn't have time to really soak it all in, but you can bet I will be headed back there at some point.  Just call me a "maxinista" in training...

Finally, we ended the weekend with our traditional sunday supper.  My sister in law made a delicious chicken pot pie and salad, my niece made amazing brownies, and my brother in law let us preview his newest art project.  (More to come on the art project...maybe even a give away?!  Check out his pieces here.)  AND, speaking of art...check out this art work given to us by our youngest nephew.  It is proudly displayed on our fridge right now, but I am thinking this might deserve a frame!

Please leave me a comment and tell me: (1) if you would like a giveaway from highcotton arts. (a valentine's themed piece perhaps?!) and (2) what you did this weekend!

xo,

winter weather survival

Happy Friday!  We are expecting our second "winter weather" event of the week today.  I know that doesn't seem like much to those up north, but it really throws things into a tailspin around here.  I think it's because it happens so rarely that people around here really don't have the tools to deal with it.  The weather forecasts on the news are frantic, the schools are closing early, and people are raiding the shelves of the grocery store.

The reality is that we will have some snow and ice for a few hours today and by tomorrow we should be back to normal.  All of the panic does make me a little nervous though.  I legitimately don't know how to drive on ice and in the snow.  I do have to be somewhere today at the time the storm is expected so my plan is just to go slow and steady.  I keep hearing keep your hands at "10 and 2" in my mind...over and over!

In honor of our weather event, today I am sharing my "winter weather survival" products and accessories: 

I use mainly drug store brands to keep my lips and skin from feeling too dried out in the winter.  I keep blistex and jergens lotion next to my bed and use it every night when I hop under the covers.  Just a quick shot on my hands and lips at night makes such a difference in the dry winter air.  The aquaphor is for the more intense times when I need LOTS of moisture.  I actually keep aquaphor year round and highly recommend it.  I use it on my face, my elbows, my lips, or anywhere else that gets extra dry.

While I don't wear hats often (definitely NOT good for my face shape), when the weather gets really cold I like to have a neutral hat to throw on.  The neutral color makes me feel like it is less noticeable and ensures I only need one to go with anything I have on.  (No use spending extra money to have variety with an accessory I don't like to wear right?!)  This hat from JCrew is a great neutral option that will keep you warm.  My other go to accessories are cashmere socks and gloves.  I love these knee high cashmere socks to wear under boots and these cashmere gloves have the "touch" technology so you can still use your iphone while wearing them.  

Hope you are staying warm this winter.  Do you have any favorites or products you turn to when the weather turns colder?  Help a transplanted Floridian out!

xo,