Holiday Traditions

Holiday Traditions, it is what makes the holidays special.  I still remember growing up two of my favorite traditions were that 1) we were each allowed to pick one gift to open on Christmas Eve.  I can't tell you how excited we got about this.  2) Going to watch a live enactment of the Nativity every year after Christmas Eve Church.  Now that I have kids of my own I am trying to create some new memories with them that they will remember and hold dear to their hearts one day.

One special tradition Sterling and I have is we make food for our neighbors every year.  In the past I usually picked what recipe I wanted to make but this year I decided to let him choose and he chose Christmas Funfetti Cupcakes.   Who doesn't love some Funfetti??

 While he had rest time one day I surprised him with this decorating station- outside is key trust me there were sprinkles every where.

 

I found the adorable table cloth and plates at Pottery Barn Kids.  Not gonna lie the Pom-Poms sold me on the Runner.

and the plates are non-breakable which is always key with the kids.  Every night Sterling requests his Rudolph plate I only wish I had ordered two more!  I bought two different types of icing and sprinkles so Sterling could get creative.

My little man getting down to business decorating cupcakes,  Take note of the sheer amount of sprinkles on his.  And he is obsessed with his Elf pajamas.  Wears them all the time.

Elf On the Shelf PJS (ON SALE)

 Pure Bliss.

 

The finished product. I found the little cupcake toppers at TJMaxx.

Time to deliver.

Another new tradition we have is our elf on the shelf. 

Sterling insists on decorating his room too so I found him this cute tree set from Pottery Barn Kids.  He loves the three different sizes. And I like that later on if I want to use them I can separate them and spread them around our house.  Last night Sparkles our Elf decided to land on his trees.

Today only Pottery Barn Kids is offering free shipping on all orders so a great time to order last minute gifts or decorations!

Snow Tree Set | Elf on the Shelf

Frances digs them too.

This year I also ordered these Santa Bags with the kids names on them.  Since we travel for the holidays they are great for packing all their gifts in.

Santa Monogrammed Bags

In the meantime til Santa comes Sterling likes to use his as a sleeping bag- the size large is indeed large!  There is also a smaller option as well.

What are your favorite Holiday traditions?

Thanks to Pottery Barn for sponsoring this post and gifting me the items featured above.

Baby It's Cold Outside || Major Deals at Target

Right now Target is running an amazing offer where if you buy one cold weather accessory like scarfs, hats or gloves you get the next pair 50% off!  Not everything is included but what is not included is on sale.  All of this stuff would make great stocking stuffers! 

L A D I E S  

I actually stopped in Target a few weeks ago and bought this leopard scarf. The color palette was just perfect for what I was looking for.

Ombre Hat | Plaid Infinity Scarf | Ikat Scarf | Brown Leopard Isotoners |  Knit Hat (comes in 11 different colors) | Floral Scarf | 

Houndstooth Scarf | Gray Leopard Isotoners | Basketweave Beanie | Black Smart touch Isotoners

I also tried on the Ikat scarf above, the colors and design are so pretty!  Wishing I bought it now!

It also comes in this fabulous pink color.

M E N 

Lots of cool stuff for the guys and most is under $20

Insulated Gloves | Running Gloves | Stripe Scarf | Herribone Gloves | Bluetooth Beanie |
Naughty Hat | Fur Hat | Plaid Scarf 

K I D S
I recently bought this owl headband for Frances, it is so stinking cute and it keeps her ears really warm! Her leopard tights are also from Target and only $5!

A few other kid favorites, all sets are only $10!

Pom Pom Hat | Bunny Hat | Stripe Hat | Geometric Hat | Dinosaur Hat | Raccoon Hat

and for the older girls this leopard pom-pom scarf\ hat are amazing.

some fabulous deals and remember no matter how big or small your order is there is free shipping at Target this Holiday Season.

thanks to target for sponsoring this post

Layers.

I know I have no room to complain about cold weather.  As far as weather and temperatures go Charleston is pretty mild!  This weekend however we had a cold snap and it's gonna last the whole week.  It was time to bust out some cold weather essentials and layer it up.

Hat | Scarf | Jacket (on sale) | Jeans | Leopard Flats|  Sunglasses 

This scarf is the softest thing ever.  It keeps you so warm and lays perfectly.  It is the infinity style which I prefer because then I don't have to try and knot or tie it.  The plaid is neutral enough that it just goes with everything.

These sunglasses look just like the mirrored ray bans I love but are a fraction of the price.

and these shoes are pretty much amazing.  

They run true to size and are actually really comfortable.  I wore them all day while we got our Christmas tree and shopped around.  

Plus they are affordable less than $70!

Love the hat too.  It also comes in a pretty cream color but I tend to gravitate more to darker colors so I went with the charcoal. I actually have been wearing the gray one so much I am tempted to order the cream color as well.

 a better look at my jacket  all zipped up and its on sale!

The hat and shoes were my first order from Sole Society and I was so impressed with both of them.   Great prices and really good quality stuff!  If you still have Christmas shopping to do definitely check out Sole Society- free 2/3 day shipping and today only all jewelry is 40% off! 

 Love this Jasper Ring and it is only $25 now!

I have to share the sunset view in our neighborhood.  It is pretty spectacular.

Shop my look below and other favorites from Sole Society!

thanks to sole society for sponsoring this post.

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!