Life Lately

Exactly one week til Christmas Eve.  Can y'all believe it??  I think because the weather has been so warm here lately it doesn't really feel like the holidays.  I have had a nasty cold all week so I am hoping I feel better by the weekend. I still have lots of gifts left to wrap and shopping to do before we head to Charlotte!

Last weekend we took the kids to watch the Christmas boat parade.  We usually watch from Downtown but this year we watched from a boat and it was so much fun.  

The kids before we left decked out in their Christmas outfits.

Frances Moon's Tunic is Allegra and Luca | Leggings are Petit Peony | Mocs

Sterling's tee shirt is from a local store Southern Belles

How incredible is this sunset??  I think we took like 50 photos.  It looked like a painting, almost unreal it was so pretty.

My main squeeze.

Sunday I took the kids to church and had to snap a picture of Frances Moon's outfit.  I mean it doesn't get much cuter than a cape and glitter shoes.

Cape is from TJMaxx | Dress (40% off with code GIFTS)|  Yosi Samra Flats

Outfit planning for a Holiday Party.  I can't say enough great things about this dress.  It is the perfect shift dress.  Easy to dress up or down.  I loved the dark green color but it also comes in black which would be a great classic dress to add to your closet. It runs TTS, I have a size 4.

use code SHOPNOW to take 40% off, making the dress under $80!

JCrew Dress | Elle and J Earrings | Claire V Clutch | Yosi Flats

The best nachos in town at Zia.

Yesterday we had a playdate with my friend Ashley at Vintage Coffee.  If I had not already done my Christmas cards this would have been the perfect spot for a picture.  I will have to remember for next year!

We love Vintage Coffee for playdates.  Their cinnamon latte is amazing and if you want wine they also have a really good rose.

One of my new favorite red wines, is the Hess Cabernet.  Their Chardonnay is also good if you are looking for a white wine.

My fringe blouse I ordered from the Shopbop sale arrived already and I love it!  I got a small and it seems to be TTS.  Today is the last day to take extra 25% off sale items, use code BONUS25.

The Serena and Lily Private sale started yesterday.  Lots of great deals!

I bought the kids this guitar and piano last year for christmas and they still love them!  They are both on sale, I highly recommend if you need a gift idea.  I left them out from Santa and they went nuts over them.  You can shop the whole sale HERE

Guitar | Piano

This quote made me laugh and is very true for me and its Taco night tonight! Have a great day!

Ravioli Muffins + Gifts for The Cocktail Lover

These little muffins are basically just like lasagna and so good!  They are easy to assemble and you can make them ahead of time too.  Sterling gobbled them up and asked for seconds.  I was sure once he saw the spinach he would steer clear but he ate 2 of them and that is a winning recipe in my book.  This works best with the circle ravioli but the square would be fine if you can't find it.  Be careful not to over cook them, I barely got mine out of the oven before the tops got too hard.  If you want to make ahead just assemble everything in the muffin tray and then bake before dinner.  You can use any sort of the ravioli but we used the spinach artichoke kind and they were absolutely delicious.

Enjoy!

|| R A V I O L I   M U F F I N S  ||

- 2 packages ravioli (you need 24 pieces of ravioli)

- 8 oz box frozen spinach, thawed

- 2 garlic cloves, minced

- 1 large shallot diced

- 1 egg lightly whipped

- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

- 1 jar marinera (1 swear by Raos)

- 1 ball fresh mozzarella sliced

- 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese

Bring a large pot of water to boil and boil the ravioli for half the time the package says.  Drain and drizzle with olive oil so they don't stick together.

In a large skillet add 2 tablespoons olive oil.  Add in shallot and garlic and cook about 4-5 minutes.  Be careful not to burn the garlic.  Squeeze the extra water out of the thawed spinach and add to skillet.  Cook about 2 minutes.  Add in parmesan cheese and egg and stir together well.

Take a muffin pan and spray really well with cooking spray.  Take a spoonful of marinera and layer in the bottom of each cup.  Add one ravioli, top with spinach and shredded cheese.  The add a little more marinera, one ravioli and a slice of fresh mozzarella.  Continue in all the muffin cups.

Cook at 375 degrees for about 15-20 minutes until cheese starts to brown slightly and bubble.

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE COCKTAIL LOVER

I rounded up a few simple gift ideas for all those cocktail lovers out there!

Casamigas Tequila (the best tequila) | Antler Bottler Opener | Less More Shot Glass | Kate Spade Dot Martini Shaker | Grey Goose Vodka | Wine Decanter | Decanter and Glass Set | Copper Shot Glasses | Decanter Labels | Gold Bar Set |  Break the Ice Cooler Bag | Agate Coasters | Wine Rack |  Pineapple Shaker | Copper Drink Bucket

I also wanted to mention Shopbop just announced extra 25% off all sale.

I just ordered this blouse, I love the nude color and the fringe detail:) It is already 50% off then you get to take additional 25% off.

Rory Beca Blouse

My Top 10 Favorite Buys of 2015

Each year I like to compile a list of my favorite purchases from the last year.  You can read my favorites from last year HERE.  These are items that I use almost everyday or are on constant rotation outfit wise.  I highly recommend each and everyone of them.  They are great if you are still looking for last minute gifts or you just want to treat yourself.

ONE | Beauty Counter Lipstick

I really like anything Beauty Counter but their lipsticks are my favorite.  I now own 4 shades: twig, rose, currant, and scarlet and love them all.  Frances has been all about putting on my lipstick lately and it makes me feel good to know their are no weird chemicals in my Beauty Counter Lipsticks.  I also like that you can apply them to be almost sheer or layer on for more color.

  

      

TWO | Vince Claire Pumps

I scored these shoes on sale after Christmas last year.  

I own black and the nude and they are my favorite pumps.  They are very comfortable and the heel isn't super high.  The leather is so soft too.  I wear mine all the time with jeans and dresses.  I find Vince shoes run TTS, I wear a 9 which is my normal size.

The gray color is 40% off.

THREE | Gucci iPad Case

I recently got a new iPad and case.  I looked at several cases but I really liked the style of this one with the top flap.  It also comes in black, navy and blush (which I choose) and is on sale for 40% off right now.  You could honestly carry it out as a clutch too if you wanted to.

FOUR | Barrington St. Charles Tote

This is hands down my favorite tote.  It is great for a weekend away and also great if you are flying.  It is the perfect size to fit under your airplane seat and you can fit so much in it.  I use it as my carry on and then stuff a smaller purse inside it for once I arrive.  You can choose from so many different fabric choices and have your initials put on it as well.

FIVE | S'well Water Bottle

I never thought I would love a water bottle so much.  I fill mine up everyday and take it on the go with me.  It stays cold seriously for 24 hours.  I own the medium size and actually asked for a large one for Christmas I love it so much.

SIX |Fleece Lounge Pants

These are a fairly new purchase but I had to add them to the list because I am obsessed with them.  I can't wait to put them on every night.  They are so so soft and incredibly comfortable! They come in several different patterns too, I am tempted to get the plaid next.

SEVEN | Nike 5.0 Running Shoes

I have tried several brands of running shoes and these are my favorite.  I like that they are lightweight but still offer support.

EIGHT | Wet HairBrush

This brush is the absolute best.  I just ordered another one just for the kids because they were always taking mine.  It makes brushing your wet hair so much easier.  It doesn't pull or snag your hair at all.  These would make great stocking stuffers:)

NINE | Equipment Audrey Dress

This dress made the list because it is so versatile.  I can wear it to church, during the day with flats or for a night out with heels and fun jewelry.  It is a good investment piece for your closet.  It runs TTS, I have a small.

TEN | Candyshop Vintage Rice Beads + Julie Vos Initial Pendant 

I had to do a tie with these 2 necklaces because I love them equally.  They both are perfect for everyday wear, you can toss them on with any outfit.  The rice beads you can also wrap around your arm for a layered bracelet.  The rice beads also come in silver, turquoise, coral, navy, and rose gold.

The pendant is the perfect length for layering but also great alone.

Would love to know if you have any favorite purchases from the past year!

Non-Toy Gift Ideas for the Kids

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I know we did, I will share some pictures later this week.  Today I wanted to share a few non-toy gift ideas for the kids.  I try to give my kids a mix of gifts and not just all toys.  I like to gift a few clothing items and my kids always love pjs!

If you are looking for outerwear check out the Zelfusion line for the kids.  It is created by Zella.  Sterling spied the jacket and really wanted it because it had the thumb holes like my workout jackets. 

I like that it is like a fleece and workout jacket all in one.  Sizing wise he is wearing a small 7/8.  It is a touch big on him but I like for him to have room to wear it for awhile.

Zelfusion Jacket | Sweater | Jeans | Vans

I love the wolf sweater.  It is hard to find cute clothes for Sterling's age.  I always find the cutest stuff from the Tucker and Tate line at Nordstrom and it is not crazy expensive.

It also comes in this cute dog print.  Adorable for the holidays.

The Zelfusion Jacket also comes in a girl version. Sizes start at 4.

For the girls, I could not resist this bear tee shirt for Frances. The red sparkle mocs are perfect for the holidays too.  Frances is getting in her 2 year molars right now so ignore all the drool, she is constantly drooling these days:)

Bear Tee | Leggings | Mocs

I love the little lace detail at the bottom.

The bear shirt also comes in a Raccoon and Deer Print that are equally as cute:) They run TTS, Frances is wearing a 2T.

Two cuties.  I think either of their outfits would make great Christmas gifts.

Both of my kids get so excited about new PJs.  I rounded up a few cute options.

I actually bought both kids new pairs to leave out from Santa this year with matching stuffed animals.

llama Pjs (comes in 6 different prints ) | Heart Nightgown | Heart Robe

Moon Pjs | Stripe Robe | Robot PJS

Llama Nightgown | Bear Pjs | Army Pjs

Frances Moon adores this nightgown.

Nightgown | Hippo | Slippers

It may be only 11 days til Christmas but if you order now it will still be delivered before Christmas! Nordstrom makes it easy with free shipping and returns and they also price match as well!

Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.