Winter Wonderland for Christmas

Hi all! TGIF! In my London recap I mentioned a family Christmas trip to Jackson Hole, WY was in the works. Well that trip is finally here. We leave Monday morning for a winter wonderland. In previous posts about travel I have given pieces of information on what we have planned so I thought I would do a brief one here. Sidenote: I may or may not be stalking Jackson Hole's instagram to see all the pretty snow.

Weather
I think the whole family has been monitoring the weather. Looks like a lot of snow and super cold temperatures. I.Am.So.Excited :)

Where We Are Staying
In a few trips this year, the hubs and I booked an airbnb to stay in, but his parents reserved a townhouse through VRBO. Has anyone used VRBO and airbnb before? I'm curious to see how the two compare. According to the property description, it is within walking distance to downtown Jackson and near the Snow King Ski resort. Sounds super convenient.

What We'll Do
I am truly hoping for a relaxing vacation. There haven't been many opportunities to relax this year. No skiing for anyone which is kind of ironic since Jackson Hole is a ski resort haha A sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge has been arranged. I think this will be beautiful! We're trying to pin down a snowmobiling excursion that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Dog sledding would be fun too. The Ariel Tram may be a good way to get some amazing photos (plus I read there is a must try waffle place at the top). The hubs and I took an ariel tram in Katoomba, Australia and ended up with some good photos. So far I have read a lot of "best restaurant" guides and assume that means we will be doing a lot of eating while there. Hello gym in January!

I'm very excited and ready to get there. As always, follow along on SnapChat (@r8d6g) to see our adventures.

Until next post...xoxo Becca

Life Well Organized

January seems to be a time when people get organized (or attempt to). I guess it has to do with having a "clean slate" and pressing the refresh button on life. There are a ton of solutions to closet organization, kitchen organization, and office supply organization, but how do you keep your activities organized? Because the hubs has a crazy work schedule and sometimes we are like ships passing in the night we have a shared Google calendar which we both add events too. Then there's my work calendar and don't forget special occasions likes birthdays and anniversaries. While having all these calendar synced on my phone is helpful, there are times I just need to get a glimpse of the month ahead. That's where my planner comes in handy! Who knew having a well organized planner would equal adult happiness haha

I am terrible at remembering birthdays and anniversaries, which is one of the many reasons I still use a traditional planner...you know...one you write in ;) Thought I would take a second to tell you my favorite brand (no I am not being paid). I have been using Blue Sky planners since 2010. Before designer looking planners were a thing, Blue Sky already had cute and functional planners. I mean...I am not a girl who wants a boring black planner. Give me some print and color!!! Another thing I like about the Blue Sky planner is their affordability. Sure I'd love to an Erin Condren planner, but at $30+ that seems a bit over the top. I have bought my Blue Sky planner at Target, Office Depot, and ordered online one year. I shared in August (in this post) I had already purchased my 2017 planner and that thing is already filling up.

If you're one to have a planner check them out and see if one of their designs works for you. I have loved mine over the years and I figured someone else may too. With January around the corner I thought I'd give you some help in advance of the new year :)

Tell me how you keep your life organized? What plans do you have for organization in 2017? Until next post...xoxo Becca

Friday Favorites: Mad for Plaid

It is the time of year where plaid is completely acceptable. I've always wanted to throw a plaid party. I am not a fan of ugly sweater parties so a great (read as classy) alternative is plaid! Here are a couple of plaid fashion items I am loving.

Gap

Ann Taylor

Nordstrom

DSW

New York & Company

Are you a plaid fan? Until next post...xoxo Becca

Rainy Weekend Recap

Goodness did it rain this weekend?! So cold and soaking wet. Like a crazy person I ventured out into the rain to Bryan/College Station to visit a great friend who moved there recently. It was totally worth it though! We had brunch at Madden's ummmm delicious! I highly recommend it. Then it was off to shop a local Christmas market and a few other stops before attending an a cappella concert on TAMU's campus. It was so much fun! Two very talented groups of students.

As usual, Sunday was filled with football and the hubs made a yummy chili.

Not ready for the work week to begin, but so goes the life of an adult. Until next post...xoxo Becca

Friday Favorites: 10 Things I Love About December

Every month I say this "Can it already be ___?" haha But seriously, it's December? When did that happen? Today I want to share all the things I love about December so lets get started :)

1. Christmas music and Christmas performances: There is something so jolly about Christmas music! For the second year in a row, both my sister-in-laws are performing in Celebration, a musical production put on by Houston's First Baptist Church. If you are in the Houston area consider purchasing tickets, it's memorable!
2. Christmas lights and decor: Growing up my dad would drive around town to see all the Christmas lights. One house near us had a themed cat every year. It stood probably 20 feet high and had a tail that went up and down. It's hard to describe, but it's a good childhood memory. Being in such a small apartment there is no room for a Christmas tree so this year it's icicle lights on the porch and a wreath. We went a little overboard at my office, but had a great time creating beautiful garland and window displays.
3. Fuzzy slippers: In Houston we rarely get freezing weather this time of year, but December usually brings cooler temperatures which means I can wear all the warm pajamas and fuzzy slippers I want!
4. Family photos: This isn't something I did growing up or now with my in-laws, but one day I hope to have a family of my own and get family photos taken each year. What I enjoy now is seeing everyone sharing their photos on facebook and instagram.
5. Hot chocolate: I don't drink coffee so if you see me at Starbucks it's probably to get a hot chocolate. It's one of my favorite cold weather drinks.
6. Smell: The smell of December? haha All the winter smells from gingerbread, to sugar cookies, to spiced candles.
7. Reflection: As the year comes to an end it's a good time to reflect on where you've been and how you've grown. Knowing that a new year is a chance to continue where you want to go. (I'll share some thoughts about 2017 in another post.)
8. Fires: Ahhhh a warm fire, complete with s'mores (Which I believe may be my favorite dessert)
9. Parties: The holiday parties are amazing! Good food, good drink, good fun, great people! It's a dream of mine to host fabulous Christmas and/or New Year parties one day.
10.  Joy: Despite the stress of the holiday season I feel people are more joyful this time of year. They're more kind to one another, generous, and overall a positive reflection of mankind.

Well this post gave me all the feels :) My inner smile is beaming. What are your favorite things about December? Share in the comments below. Until next post...xoxo Becca

Weekend Recap: Thanksgiving

It's no fun being sick during the holidays. One of the reasons posts have been sporadic. However, my skin appreciated the absence of makeup while I was sick. Since the hubs had to work Thanksgiving day (shout out to all the men and women who worked the holiday and to their families who also sacrificed), the family postponed Thanksgiving until Friday. It was a relaxing day with tons of yummy foods. In addition to the traditional Thanksgiving dishes, my sister-in-law made Cranberry-Cream Cheese Crescent Bites that were delicious. I also tried a new dessert recipe, Apple Pie Cake. So good (if you like apple pie)! This dessert is the best of both worlds; apple pie and cake! Best served warm with ice cream (this Texas girl says Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla DUH).

It is finally starting to feel like fall around here. Currently simmering away as I write this post is a recipe I found on Pinterest. I printed the recipe in 2014, but never made it. Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe (one-pot meal). Before publishing this post I will come back and update you on how it turned out. I love a good stew, soup, or chowder when the weather cools down. Not much of a chili person, but every now and then I enjoy some. I am hoping this recipe is warm and "good for the soul."

It is hard to believe the semester is almost over. Two weeks and the students will be gone for the winter break. Always makes me sad to live in a college town when the students are away.

Until next post...xoxo Becca

Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe update: Delicious! Why did I wait so long to try it? If you decide to give it a try, use 6 cups of chicken broth. The recipe makes a lot, be prepared to feed an army or eat a lot of leftovers ;)

Gifting Woes

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach I wanted to share my thoughts on gifting and all the stuff we accumulate. Take it from someone who went from a 2,000 sq ft house full of stuff to a less than 800 sq ft apartment which contains less than a quarter of what said house did. If I haven't learned anything else from this experience, I now know the importance stuff lacks. If I can't eat it, wear it (let's be honest I still love clothes), or travel to it, then I don't have a desire for it.

The holidays make people crazy with trying to find the "perfect" gift for everyone. Each of whom probably has everything they could possibly need. We spend endless amounts of time and money trying to please each other with stuff. This year I am thankful to say the family is going on a Christmas trip together rather than buying gifts. I can't tell you how stress free I feel knowing I don't have to hunt down the perfect gift(s) and not blow my budget.

This is the advice I offer you as we move into the holiday season. Spend time with the ones you love rather than aiming to please them with material goods. Take a trip, or if that's not in the budget, volunteer together. Maybe as a family you adopt a family in need and spend the money providing for others. If you must buy gifts, why not gift experiences like cooking classes, a painting party (you know...the ones that are BYOB lol), or if there are kids involved a trip to the zoo, the aquarium, or the movies. We all know movies are expensive! If a city near you offers a museum pass or membership that could be a good option for families.

If you choose to participate in the craziness that is Black Friday, may the odds be ever in your favor. Until next post...xoxo Becca

One more pieces of advise, spend wisely and within your means...