Christmas PJS + Gift Ideas for the Kids Part 1

Every year we have a tradition where my parents treat all the grand kids to Holiday jammies.  We always order them early so the kids can enjoy them for awhile.  Although my kids wear theirs all year long- they love holiday pj's!  Hanna Andersson Pj's are our favorite. The quality is excellent and they wash and wear really well.  Below is what we picked out for this year.  The boys all got blue with Santa Claus and Frances got a red and green zip up pair.

Santa PJS | Red Zip-Up Pj's 

They are cracking up over my photography skills.

I also treated the kids to some slippers.  Sterling had out grown his old ones and Frances never had a pair.  Of course if her big brother was getting a pair she wanted a pair too.  These both light up and the kids love them.  They would make a great Christmas gift too!

Shark Slippers | Unicorn Slippers

and you might have noticed this guy,  Sterling is shark obsessed these days.  We bought this shark over the Summer and the kids love it. 

Over Sized Shark

Melissa and Doug have a great selection of these giant stuffed animals- HERE

These are great gifts to leave out under the tree.  Sterling has already informed me he wants the dolphin and boxer this year.

I wanted to share a few gift ideas for the kids. 

These are all gifts for the most part that we own and love and the kids play with frequently.  I love getting personal recommendations from people about what toys are their kids favorites.  So these below are ours.

I bought this nativity set last year as a treat for the kids from "Fred" our elf.  I set it out Thanksgiving night and they loved it.  It really is such a great nativity set.  I like that it is wooden and kid friendly.

Naviity Set

PERSONALIZED PURSE

We have a friend who has this and it is so cute.  I put this on Frances Moon's Christmas list. She is a purse lover and I love that you can personalize it.

SANDS ALIVE

Sterling got this last year for his Birthday and I can't tell you how many times it has kept him entertained.

REMOTE CONTROL ANIMALS

This is really cool.  The kids get to build their own remote control creatures. You can create 8 different animals that move.

BOOGIE BOARD

So true story I saw a kid drawing on one of these at the doctor's office and I asked his mom where it was from thinking it was going to be far more expensive than it was.  I ordered Sterling one and he loves it.  It is great at his age for practicing wririntg and just doodling.

Melissa and Doug Pattern Blocks

Sterling got these 3 years ago and still loves to play with them.  It is a great activity for the kids to help with color and shape matching.

Grocery Cart

Frances Moon loves a grocery cart.  We have a plastic that is on its last leg so I ordered her this for a gift from Santa.

Fold and Go Play Set

This is great for travel or play at home.  Both Sterling and Frances love play houses.  This one is great because it comes with the people and furniture.  You don't have to purchase them separately.

Stacking Bears Puzzle

Both my kids love this puzzle.

Magformers

These are so awesome.  My kids will sit and build with these for a long time.  It is a great way to keep them creative.

Lite Brite

This gem reminds me of my childhood. I loved this growing up.  We gave Sterling one last year for Christmas and it was a huge hit.

A few other toy ideas.  All from Nordstrom. 

We have the Simon Game and wood blocks and use them often.  Sterling also has the pirate costume, he loves to dress up.  Nordstrom has such a great toy selection right now.  Don't forget they will price match and offer free shipping.

Scratch Art | Lawn Mower | Wood Blocks | Spin Art
Glow Stick Lab| Color Attack | Simon Game | Pirate Costume | Picnic Set | Butterfly Tea Set

Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.

Thoughts For Friday

Happy Friday!  My one of my best friends is in town this weekend and I can't wait to hang out with her and her family!! We have lots of fun stuff planned.

Since we talked about Thanksgiving sides yesterday I found this one on Pinterest I may have to try out.

Kale, Mushroom, and Wild Rice Casserole

I have been reading Me Before You for about a week now.   It is a great read and thought provoking  about living as a paraplegic and quality of life.  I can't wait to read the sequel that just came out next.

I have to be honest for a long time I kind of snubbed Loft.  I thought it was a store geared towards older women.  Then I started seeing several people and celebrities wearing items from Loft that were cute, really cute.  So I stopped in and have been hooked ever since.

Loft is having 40% off the entire site today. No code just enter your email address.

 I have found some really cute stuff there lately and you can't beat the prices.  A few of my favorite recent purchases:

Tunic Sweater in Cocoa Cream wearing XS

Peacock Blouse wearing XS

This pink blouse is the same style as the Peacock.  It is one of my favorite style blouses at Loft.  I like  that their is no collar and the fit is nice.

Collarless Blouse

Dot Blouse XS

Frances Moon and her sweet friend Anna Louis after school.  They are the sweetest.

Dress is Gap Kids

Caught my little man snoozing last night with all his friends. I love how he lines them all up:)

I stopped in Target this week to buy some globe lights for our pergola and of course had to browse. Their Christmas collection is on point this year.  There were so many decorations I wanted.  I couldn't resist this adorable Advent Calendar for the kids.

I am currently working on Sterling's room and making some changes.  It has not been updated since he was 2.5 and he wants some big boy updates.  I just ordered this adorable duvet cover and pillows- thank goodness he choose something I actually like too. I found them at a new to me site called Unison Home.

New favorite breakfast.  Thank you to whoever recommended adding a fried egg to my avocado toast.  Matt and I love adding jalapenos to our toast it gives it great flavor.

This Sweater + Necklace are on repeat lately.  As in I have worn them 3 times this week.

Joie Sweater | Rag and Bone Tee | Candy Shop Necklace | Waffles and Honey Necklace | Jeans | Gigi Tote

Lastly one of Matt's clients is in the running to have his Doritos video aired during the Superbowl.  Watch it HERE and vote for him:)  That is really him and his son in the video.

Have a great weekend!

The Best Broccolini Recipe + Other Ideas for Thanksgiving Side Dishes

I love a good veggie side dish.  I could take or leave the Turkey at Thanksgiving but the sides are what I am all about. Each year I like to add a couple new side dishes to our Thanksgiving Dinner.  I made this Broccolini a few weeks ago and it would be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dinner.  Best part is the kids loved it.  Sterling helped me make the cheese sauce and I think anytime the kids actually can help you cook they are more likely to eat the food.  You could easily make this the day ahead and reheat.  It saved well as we ate it again the next night.

Enjoy!

B R O C C O L I N I  W I T H  C H E E S E  S A U C E

Recipe Via Refinery 29

Ingredients

2 pounds broccolini
2 1/2 cups water
Salt and pepper
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Provolone cheese  

Instructions
1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat broiler.  

2. Trim the bottom inch off of the broccolini. Bring a medium pot of water to boil over high heat. Add the broccolini to the pot, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until nearly tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer the broccolini to a paper towel-lined baking dish and set aside. Reserve 1 cup of the broccolini water and drain the rest. 

3. In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly until golden, about 1 minute. Whisk in the broccolini water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and, whisk in 1/2 cup Parmesan and the Provolone until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.  

4. Transfer the broccolini to a baking dish and drizzle sauce over the center of the stalks. Top with the remaining Parmesan. Transfer the baking dish into the oven and broil until cheese is golden and broccolini is tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately. 

...................................................................................

I also wanted to share a few tried and true favorite side dishes we have made in the past.   I highly recommend any of these for the big T Day.  If you have any favorite side dishes please do share as I am still planning out my menu for this year!

W I N T E R   K A L E  S A L A D

B  R U S S E L S   S P R O U T S   G R A T I N 

C H E E S Y    C O R N    C A S S E R O L E 

R O A S T E D   C A R R O T S   W I T H   Y O G U R T  H A R R I S A 

L O A D E D   B A K E D   P O T A T O    C A S S E R O L E

A D D I C T I V E   B R U S S E L S   S P R O U T S    S A L A D 

C R E A M Y   M A C  &  C H E E S E

C H O P P E D   H A R V E S T   S  A L A D 

P A R M E S A N   R O A S T E D   B R O C C O L I

P A R M E S A N  C H I V E  S M A S H E D   P O T A T O E S

K A L E + R O A S T E D  B R U S S E L S   S P R O U T S  S A L A D 

R O A S T E D   C A B B A G E 

Lastly if you need an appetizer idea I made this cheese ball last year and it was huge hit.  Not only beautiful and festive to look at but seriously delicious.

P O M E G R A N A T E   W H I T E  C H E D D A R   C H E E S E    B A L L 

Lulu & Georgia 12 Days of Christmas | $100 Giveaway

Happy Humpday Friends.  I am so excited to be teaming up with Lulu and Georgia for their 12 days of Christmas.  We are starting early this year so people can shop early!

Each day there will be a new blogger sharing their favorites from the Lulu & Georgia site and a chance to win $100.  Below are a few of my favorites and you can head HERE to see my entire list! Any of these would make great Christmas gifts.  In fact Santa if you are reading I would love the wine rack, pink pillows, and agate tray.

If you want to enter to win $100 to Lulu and Georgia just follow my instagram account HERE

and you can enter to win!

The Ink Dye rug above we have Frances Moon's nursery and LOVE it.  Such a fabulous rug. 

My friend Megan used it in her dining room too.  It is such a versatile rug!

Holiday Gift Guide | Quirky Gifts and Stocking Stuffers

It is hard to believe Christmas is just a few weeks away.  I personally like to start Christmas shopping the beginning of November.  That way by the time Christmas rolls around I am prepared and not stressing out over last minute gifts.  Each week I will be sharing some sort of a gift guide. Today I am focusing on smaller gifts and most of these are under $50.  Many of these would make great stocking stuffers too.

First of all I have to recommend the Swell water bottle.  I use mine everyday.  I actually gave my mom one for her birthday and bought a small sized one for Sterling's lunch box.  They really do keep your drinks ice cold.  It is such a great gift idea.  I have the medium size but I occasionally wish I had the large.

FOR THE HOSTESS WHO LOVES TO ENTERTAIN

I am totally obsessed with the Gold Break the Ice Cooler Bag. 

I also love the confetti shot glasses, perfect for any occasion.

Gold Cheese Knives | Kate Spade Cooler Bag |  Confetti Shot Glasses

Candlestick Holders | Party Toothpicks | Wine Bag | Gold Champs Glasses

FOR THE GAME LOVER

I love the vintage look and packaging of the dominos and checkers game.  My parents have several of the older games like that at their condo and Sterling loves to play them.   I love the idea of the  Dinner Distractions Trivia,  it would be so fun for a dinner party.

Texas Hold Em Poker | Compendium Games | Dinner Distractions Trivia

Dominos | Backgammon

Table Tennis | Light up Tetris | Chinese Checkers



FOR THE COCKTAIL LOVER

I love the idea of the whiskey rocks for a stocking stuffer for the men in your life.  I am tempted to get the insulated wine glass just to use on our boat.

Craft Beer Tasting Shot glasses | Animal Head Bottle Opener | Bathtub Wine Holder | Insulated wine glass | Beer Hammer | Christmas Whiskey Rocks | Star Whiskey Rocks | Cheers Stirs

OTHER FAVORITES

My mom and I love all things Annie Taintor .  Her sayings always make me laugh.  I am totally ordering my mom this calendar.  I know she will think it is so funny.  I started following Humans of New York on instagram and it is so powerful.  It shares different life stories from people in NYC.  It would be such a beautiful coffee table book to own.

Calendar | Humans of New York Coffee Table Book | Zebra Dish
Candy Collection | Coffee Mug | Initial Jewelry Dish

HOLIDAY FUN

and finally some fun Holiday Decorations.  I just ordered the confetti balloons for Frances Moon's second Birthday!  I love LED lights to put on my indoor plants for the holidays.

Star Ornament | Bird Ornament | LED Lights | Confetti Balloons

Party Blowers | Glitter Antler Headbands | Star Garland

All these fabulous gifts are from Nordstrom and there are so many more fabulous ones.  Don't forget it is free shipping on any and everything!

Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.