Scenes From Our Weekend

I am starting to feel slightly stressed out that Christmas is right around the corner and I have yet to wrap one gift or finish my Christmas shopping.   I am kicking it into high gear this week.

We actually had a fairly busy weekend this weekend.

This year I have been trying to get more creative with Sparkles our Elf.  Now I am not nearly as creative as most people but I was proud of this scene I set up Friday night.  I found this adorable Melissa and Doug Nativity Set so after Sterling fell asleep I snuck in his room and set it up with Sparkles.  He woke and screamed Mommy The Elf brought me a baby Jesus set.  He was so excited and I thought it was a nice way to try and incorporate the real meaning of Christmas.  The nativity set is great because it is wooden, he and Frances played with it most of Saturday setting it up and rearranging the figures.

Saturday Matt worked most of the day so I decided to take the kids to see Santa at WonderWorks.  

This was the face Frances made when I told her were going to see Santa- not a fan.

and can we discuss her outfit- it is all Old Navy!  They have had the cutest stuff lately!

Vest | Dress

 I also snagged this poncho at Old Navy as well.  It is so stinking cute.

|| Poncho

As I expected Frances did not like Santa and I don't blame her.  This Santa was kind of lame,  I really prefer the ones with the real beards.  Even Sterling kept asking him if he was the real Santa.  I do love a crying Santa picture though.

After our visit with Santa I got brave and took the kids to lunch solo.  We ate at LaTabella and it was delicious.  I shared the Bang Bang Shrimp with Sterling and had the chopped salad as well.

Then we hit up the park.

I came home to the loveliest package from L'Occitane.  I am obsessed with their hand and body creams.

Hand Cream | Body Cream

This box would make such a beautiful gift for someone.  It is filled with all the best selling L'Occitane items and is currently on sale!  A great way to try out some of their items if you have not before.

|| Best of L'Occitane

Saturday night I helped host the Pink Chicken Store Opening and did not take one photo!  But you must check out the store its awesome!  Then we met some friends for drinks at Coast and headed to Caycee's 30th Birthday party.

Wearing: Clover Canyon Dress | Claire V Clutch

We had such a fun night dancing at Trio.

I love Amy photo bombing our picture!

Sunday was a struggle not gonna lie.  This Momma can not hang like I used too.  Thank goodness for real coke, it always helps.

I finally got around to hanging my Michelle Armas from One Kings Lane.

|| Dark and Stormy

 

Ended the weekend with some comfort food.  I made a homemade chicken pot pie and it was divine.  The recipe is under my recipes tab- this time I used pie crust instead of puff pastry.

Lastly one of my friends in Charlotte just published the cutest children's book.  If you live in Charlotte and have kids this book is a must!  Such a fun tour of the city.  Would be a great Christmas Gift.  You can order your copy HERE and use code CRICKETSHIPPING for free shipping!  

Stocking Ideas For the Ladies All Under $50!

Today I thought I would pop in and share some fabulous stocking ideas for the ladies all for under $50!

|| Nest Hand Soap

My mom put this in our stockings last year and it was a huge hit.  The best smelling hand soap I promise you!  The Bmaboo scent is my favorite but you can't go wrong with any of them!

|| Grapefruit Spoons

Since I have been obsessed with grapefruit lately I bought a few of these and they make eating grapefruit so much easier!

|| BeautyCounter Twig Lipstick

This is my favorite everyday lipstick.  I love BeautyCounter products so much because there are no chemicals or anything weird in them.  This is a great shade that would look good on anyone.  The other shades are pretty too- you can view all the different shades HERE

|| BeautyCounter Hydrate Everyday Lotion

I also swear by this lotion I use it everyday.  A great stocking stuffer.  It is lightly scented but not overpowering at all- normally I don't like scents but this is a fresh scent.

|| Nest Beach Reed Infuser

I love these infuser in the bathroom.  They really make the whole place smell amazing.  This beach scent is so delicious and I like that it comes in a white vase instead of clear.

|| Hanky Panky Thong

I still love Hanky Panky thongs.  Currently on sale so stock up!

|| Glow Sugar Scrub

This is hands down the best body scrub ever.  I am addicted to it.

|| Kate Spade Monthly Planner

I love this Kate Spade Planner- perfect for most moms or people who need to stay organized.

|| Corkcicle Wine Chiller

For all you wine loves, this thing is so cool.

|| Tassel Key Chain

I have this and love it.  I swear it makes finding my keys easier in my purse!

|| Embossed Coasters

Love these classic coasters.  Great for any lady who entertains or has a messy husband:)

|| Jesus Calling Devotional

I got this in my stocking 3 years ago and I still read it everyday.  I love this devotional.

|| Spanx Tights

The best tights ever.

|| Rose Water Spray

I just started using this stuff and love it!  I spray it on before I put my makeup on and I think it helps moisturize my skin and makes it look fresh.

|| Rebecca Minkoff Coin Purse

I really want this for me!  Love the floral print.  There is always loose change in my purse so this would be great storage.

 

|| Mason Pearson Comb

I swear by all Mason Pearson Products.

|| Bobbi Brown Cool Pallete EyeShadow Set

This is the perfect set of eyeshadow.  All the colors are great neutrals for everyday wear.

 || Kate Spade Small Square Studs

I own these in the clear color and wear them all the time.  They are on sale right now for only $28!

I also like the tortoise color a lot too!

Gift Ideas for the Men AKA the hardest people to shop for

If you are anything like me then the men in your life are the hardest people to shop for.  I struggle so much when it comes to my Dad and Matt and deciding what to buy for them.   I think it is because they don't really give me any gift ideas and lets be real men don't like to shop like women do.

I rounded up a few of my Dad and Matt's favorite things to give you girls an idea of gifts for the men in your life. 

Both my Dad and Matt love the Levis jeans.  They are not into the designer ones and you can't beat the price at $68.  I love them too, they are classic and not too over the top.

This is the version they both wear and love.

|| LEVIS 501 Original

 a few other washes in the same style:

501 Oil Change |  501 Charcoal | 501 Stockholm (on sale)

I also find that athletic shorts are a good gift.  Both Matt and my Dad wear athletic shorts often.  

This Nike Pair is great.

|| Nike Dri Fit

a few other athletic options for your men.

I think the Fitness band would be such a cool gift if you man loves to workout.  It comes in 4 different colors if orange isn't your favorite.  It tracks steps, calories, distance, and activity time.

Under Armor New Tech Tee | Nike Dri- FIT Knit Shorts | Fitness Wrist Band |  Nike Long Sleeve Dri-FIT Tee | Adias Shorts | Bose Headphones | Nike Running Shoes

My Dad Swears by these BOSE Headphones.  He flies often for work and always packs these. My sister and  I actually chipped in and gave him these for Christmas a few years ago.  A bit pricey but so worth the money.
|| Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones

This version is not the noise cancelling kind but they are on sale and it is hard to find Bose on sale!

|| Bose Sound True Headphones

Outerwear is also a good idea.  I know every year when my grandfather was still alive he would give each of us Patagonia or North Face Jackets.  Matt still wears his!

My personal Favorite is this black Northface Fleece and its on sale!

|| Denail Fleece

Other great choices:

Northface Black Puffy Coat (on sale) | Silver Northface (on sale) | Northface Puffy Vest (on sale)

Northface Soft Shell Vest (on sale ) | Northface Wind Stopper (on sale) | Barbour Vest | Barbour Quilted Jacket | Hoodie

and if you need just some miscellaneous ideas:

I have to tell you we received the Bose Wi-Fi speakers below for a wedding gift and they are amazing! and what guy doesn't love a flask or a manly knife with a cutting board- great gift idea if your man hunts or fishes. Plus how cool are the Northface E Tip gloves? You can still use your IPhone and IPad while wearing them!

Bose Wi Fi Music System | Bose Mini Blue Tooth Speakers | Plaid Flask | Knife with Cutting Board | Ugg Bryon Slipper | Ugg Scuff Slippers | Ugg Ascot Slippers | Travel Case | Northface E Tip Gloves | Robe

I know I mentioned before but Nordstrom now price matches so definitely take advantage of that if you see a better price! Plus free shipping and returns always,  which to me makes online shopping that much easier.  The selection at Nordstrom for the gents is really awesome.  Happy Shopping!

thanks to nordstrom for sponsoring this post!

Randoms.

Happy Thursday.  Lets Dish. 

The girls at LAKE WEEKEND WEAR were sweet enough to send me two pieces from their line and I fell in love with it.  The clothes are so soft (made of silk) and comfortable yet still stylish enough to wear out- a genius idea really.  They are a great option other than wearing workout clothes.  They have four pieces in the line : tank top, short sleeve top, pants, and shorts.  They all come in the same 5 colors (Mint, Steel Blue, Petal, Taupe, and Poppy) and can be mixed and matched.   What I love is you can wear them together or mix them in with your day to day pieces.  I frequently wear the short top with my jeans.

I have the pants in poppy and the silk tee in taupe and adore them.   I put them on most nights to get cozy:)

If you want to try out the line use code NATALIE20 to get 20% off your order.  This would make a fabulous gift for someone who loves lounge wear.  I am getting the shorts next! You can shop the collection HERE.

BTW I am wearing an XS in both they run on the larger side.

 

On Tuesday night after the RHBH I watched the Girlfriends Guide to Divorce and loved it.  Watch it or DVR it it is really funny.

I made Ina's Roasted Butternut Squash Salad for dinner this week and man was it good. I have made it before but it had been awhile.  I highly recommend the recipe.  I used kale instead of arugula but otherwise followed the recipe.

One of my black friday purchases arrived and I am loving it.  It is actually still 40% off.  I am wearing a size small it fits TTS.  The color blue is so pretty in person.

\\ Joie Blouse

Another black Friday purchase that I am smitten with is this JCREW nightgown.  I love to sleep in nightgowns and was going to take a picture in it but then I thought wait, that is weird to post a picture in my nightgown. But what I like about it is you can wear it around the house and it is not see thru or inappropriate plus it is the softest thing ever.  I bought a small in the black and it fits great.  I love it so much I just ordered the gray as well.

|| Night Shirt (extra 40% of with code SNOW)

I am so excited because Charleston just got a Pink Chicken Store!  I stopped in this week with 

Frances Moon to check it out and it is awesome.  The cutest girl stuff ever.  I will be there Saturday night hosting an opening event if anyone local wants to stop in!  The event is from 5-8

 Frances Moon of course came home with both the adorable dresses she is wearing.

So confession I have tried to start meditating.  Not the chanting kind but I have started trying to take 5-10 mins usually at night to sit and breathe deeply to try and clear my head.  I have a hard time relaxing and my mind is always racing and I heard meditation helps.  You know it has made me way more relaxed and I have slept better at night too.  On that same subject I just ordered Eckhart Tolle's a New Earth to read- anyone read it?  Oprah approves so must be good:)

I have a new breakfast obsession.  Grapefruit and bacon.  Most days I eat turkey bacon but a few times I splurge and eat the real kind which is way better.   If I am really hungry I add a piece of avocado toast.  I swear eating the grapefruit everyday has helped me drop a few pounds.  I know they say it ups your metabolism and I have lost 2-3 pounds since I started eating it.  

Blake Lively, makes me want to be pregnant again.  She looks amazing and she is having Ryan Reynolds baby enough said. Jealous.

The cutest Santa Cookie and Cocoa dishes from Papersnob arrived this week.  Sterling was so excited about them!  They also come in a pink and blue design as well.  They are melamine so the kids can't break them so adorable!

21 days til Christmas!