Is Christmas really less than a week away. Wowza! The good news is that I’ve purchased and wrapped all of my Christmas presents. I asked Jason if he wanted to go to the NCSU basketball game on Saturday and he told me he needed that day for Christmas shopping. say wha? That boy is cray, but I love him for it or maybe I should say despite it. LOLZ. (gah, I just annoyed myself with that LOLZ.)
I’ve got a few life updates for you:
1. We spent this past weekend with my inlaws in Charlotte to celebrate the season. It’s always such a whirlwind because Jason comes from a LARGE family that all still lives in Charlotte so we’re always bopping from here to there to make sure we get to see everyone. It’s a total blast and the weekend culminates in all the cousins getting together to perform the Christmas play for the “grown ups.” You may argue that we should fall into the category of grown ups, but alas, birth order and not age dictates who does and does not participate in the play. If you are lucky enough to have married one into the family, then you get to be in the play, too. This is my 7th year running as an angel in the play, but the Tony’s have not yet come calling. Just call me the Susan Lucci of musicals.
It’s really a big production, complete with story telling and singing appropriate Christmas songs at appropriate scenes. Like, when the angels appear, we all sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing. And then when the kings arrive, we sing We Three Kings. And so on and so on.
2. Early Bird was selected to be a Vintage and Market Finds vendor on One King’s Lane. We are supes excited about this turn of events as it allows us to bring some of the finer things we stumble across to a mass market. Some rich person out there has got to be interested in these fab lamps, right? These can go for over $3,000 on 1st Dibs and they are really, really, really awesome. Like I never knew the difference between nice lamps and the $60 ones you find at Home Goods until we scored these. Major improvement. I hope you buy them.
3. No bump picture this week. I know you are frowning into your coffee right now. I’ve been swamped with tying up Christmas loose ends and getting ready for two holiday parties we’re going to this weekend, holiday baking, plus some guests that are staying with us. I love the hustle and bustle that this time of year brings, but I am just one woman and will gladly admit when I can’t handle it all. So this week’s casualty is the bump photo.
(alternately titled: stuff I like and other women probably will too)
I know you’ve seen tons of gift guides if you’re an avid blog reader, but here’s another one just for fun. I’ve pulled together some of my favorite items of the season and these would be just about perfect for any woman in your life that is 23 or older. Any of these are sure to delight.
These Love Birds LA clutches are so erm… clutch (see what I did there?). They range in price from $45 to $105 and each is totally unique. If you’re lady needs a spunky accessory that is totally swoon worthy, snatch her up one of these.
My new obsession is Kiehl’s body wash in the orange lychee scent. It feels totally luxurious on your skin and has a really subtle citrus scent that has just the right touch and leaves a lingering scent on your skin. It is really just lovely and at $24, it’s an affordable indulgence that your lady friend will love. It’s obviously available online, but if you’re in the Triangle, there is a Kiehl’s counter at the Belk in Crabtree Mall.
For unique, but affordable jewelry, look no further than Hyla Dewitt. Hyla is a local jewelry designer that I recently discovered and her pieces are SO unique and covetable. They range from $35 up to $220, so there really is something for every budget. But no matter which piece you pick, you’re guaranteed to gift something fabulous. Available here and here online and I believe the Charlotte’s at North Hills carries her stuff in the Triangle area.
If you want to gift a really special piece of jewelry, look no further than Kerry Catherine Jewelry. Unfortunately, you have to visit the brick and mortar shop in North Hills to purchase, but if you’re local consider yourself lucky. Jason has gifted me a few pieces from here over the nine years (!!!) we’ve been together and they remain some of my favorite pieces of jewelry. Kerry Catherine uses precious metals and semi-precious stones to create pieces that are so organic and ethereal. I always get compliments when I wear something from here. Definitely worth checking out if you have the urge to splurge.
And finally, a few items that are always in favor if you need something simple and straightforward:
- Kate Spade earrings. Can’t go wrong here.
- Korres Lip Butter. These are $12 a pop and make a great stocking stuffer.
- Restoration Hardware Luxury Plush Robe. Jason gifted me one of these a few years ago and I still wear it almost every single day.
- A Birchbox subscription. I talk about Birchbox all the time, so I feel like I’m beating a dead horse with this one, but it’s $10/month and you can get a gift subscription for three months up to a year. Birchbox is literally the one single piece of mail I look forward to getting each month. They are mailed on the 10th and I’m obsessive about checking my email from the 10th until I receive it.
- If you’re looking for a gift for someone under 23-ish years old, here’s my tip – head over the Nordstrom BP section and buy whatever they have laid out in the accessory section. It’s guaranteed to be what’s cool and hip with the kids these days.
Happy Holiday Shopping!
I’m makin’ a list and checkin’ it twice. And this year I finally crossed something off my list that’s been hit or miss in years past: I ordered Christmas cards.
Thanks to Julie Livingston Photography, we have some great family photos to choose from. Let’s just not tell anyone these shots were taken in May and I may or may not have forced Jason to wear jeans even though it was like 90 degrees outside because I knew I’d want to use them for Christmas cards.
Just a few more presents to buy and I will be D-O-N-E.
Oh, as long as you aren’t counting getting and decorating the actual Christmas tree which I most certainly have not. In due time.
(look at that flat stomach sans baby bump. One day we will be reunited, my precious, one day soon.)
