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...

Friday Favorites: Christmas Crafts

Three weeks ago my sister-in-laws and I went to Hobby Lobby to get materials to make a wreath for my apartment. There were so many Christmas crafting materials there I got excited for the holiday season. Of course the apartment is too small the really decorate for Christmas, but a nice winter/Christmas wreath on the front door would be nice. I have had my eye on this one basically since Pinterest began!

Source

Until next post...xoxo Becca

Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 35

Growing up I remember my mom baking for the neighbors; cranberry bread and GORP (type of trail mix) are the two items I remember most. p.s. I tried this one year...our neighbors didn't seem as excited as I remember neighbors being when I was young. Talk about disappointment! Anyway, she'd box them up with cute ribbon and gift tags. Family Christmas traditions have always intrigued me because everyone does it different. The hubs' family has an oversized coloring book they've colored in every Christmas Eve for the last 30 years (pictures below). I think it has seen better days, but dang what a fun memory to have and to look back on. This year is the last page of the book, who knows what we'll do next year...

First year, 1984

2014

What are your Christmas time traditions? Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Decorate gingerbread houses? What about wearing matching pajamas? One day the hubs and I will start traditions for our own family, here are some that piqued my interest (thank you Pinterest).

Wrapping Christmas books and reading one each night before bed. Source 1, Source 2

I really liked some of the ideas shared here. My favorite are The Annual Snowflake Cut Out Competition and The Dollar Tree Ten Minute Giving Spree. 

I hope you enjoy time with family and friends! I'm taking the rest of the year off from blogging, but will be back in 2016! Thank you for reading this year, your comments mean the world to me. I love when people tell me they've been following along and I never even knew it! Until next post...xoxo Becca

Bites of the Big Apple - New York Trip Part 2

Read Part 1 here. 

Late night and early mornings, that's what we experienced in NYC. It was worth it to see so much of the city. We grabbed a traditional bagel at a store next to the hotel and off we went.

We all agreed we wanted to visit the 9-11 Museum and it was recommended we purchase tickets ahead of time to avoid lines and tickets selling out for the day we wanted to go. To avoid the crowds on the subway we decided on a 10am ticket. Bagel in hand we may our way there. Before I go any further, this was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Being a freshman in high school in 2001 doesn't lend itself to acknowledging the magnitude of the event. As an adult I understand the impact it had from a community level all the way up to a global level.

The day started with a 15 minute video developed exclusively for the museum featuring key political members; George W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice, Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki etc. Their recount of the day's events was indescribable, you just need to hear it for yourself. The first part of the museum reminded me a lot of an art exhibit; soaring ceilings, dark wood floors, void of sound. Kuddos to the developers of the museum, they did a fantastic job. The second part of the museum takes you through the timeline of the day, the artifacts, and the voices of loved ones lost and those left behind. Photography was not allowed in most of the museum, but here are a few of the photos captured.

“No day shall erase you from the memory of time” - Virgil

It was a very heavy experience and we left the museum in silence. Not much was said amongst the group other than how emotional the visit had been.

To lighten the mood we headed to Chelsea Market to get lunch. There are many options to choose from, but we went with Chelsea Creamline because there wasn't a wait. I had the Griddled PB&J plus banana sandwich and it was deliciously sweet and filling. Dessert was from Doughnuttery and Bar Suzette Creperie.

After lunch we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the Radio City Rockettes. On the way, the hubs bought a hotdog from a street vendor. A New York must right?

We finished up our evening with dinner and drinks with family friends.

I hope you've enjoyed "traveling" with me. Day 3 will be posted on Monday and then it's back to Favorite Pin Friday on Christmas day. Until next post...xoxo Becca

A Room with a View - New York Trip Part 1

We are back from a whirlwind trip to New York City! Boy am I exhausted. We accomplished so much while there. With only two and a half days in the city I'd say we hit a lot of the high points, but definitely need to go back. I'm having to break this up into a couple of posts because otherwise it would be too long. Here's day 1.

When we landed at LaGuardia the hubs had arranged for a limo to pick us up. What a fun surprise! Once we checked into the hotel we made our way to the 32nd floor and had a great view of the Empire State Building.

 

 

Then we hit the ground running. Some of our plans fell through thanks to private events, but we made do. Had dinner at Sardi's and sat near Neil Patrick Harris. 1st celebrity sighting! :) The food was really good, but my favorite was the appetizer we ordered; Parma Prosciutto with Melon, Parmesan, Pine Nuts and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. YUM! 

Then we made our way to Rockefeller Center to see the tree and skating rink. Across the street is Saks where we saw a beautiful light show and all their window displays (Vanity Fair images 17-24). Truly magical! The best part was that I had no idea the tree was right behind me while I was filming the light show so when I turned around I felt like a little kid on Christmas. It was so beautiful and exactly as I had pictured it. We waited in line and had professional photos taken. Not all of them turned out good, but we bought the digital versions anyway. It was the cheapest route to go for the few we did want. 

Light show at Saks

Then I turned around and saw this! Almost cried!

The hubs bought me the red coat I've always wanted!

Source

Then we went to Top of the Rock and saw amazing views of the city at night, made our way back to Times Square which honestly looked like daylight at midnight, visited the M&M store and the Hershey's store, had a slice of a New York pizza, and called it a night.

Top of the Rock

View from bed

That's day 1, check back Friday for the next part. Until next post...xoxo Becca

Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 34

As you're reading this the hubs and I are in NYC. I've pre-written this post so you'd have something to read while I was away. Today I'm talking cookie exchange! Does anyone have a cookie exchange party to attend this season? I've never participated in one, but they sound so fun! You bake one type of cookie and come away with a bunch of others + recipes. Here are some of the cookies I think would be the talk of the town.

This counts as a cookie right? It's technically cookie dough and candy and is brought to you by The Pioneer Woman. Make a lot, these never last long. Ree shows you variations, but my favorite is peanut butter cookie with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

What screams Christmas? Peppermint! These Peppermint Patty Sandwich Cookies from Giada De Laurentiis sound delicious. 

This is my go to recipe for the holidays. It was one of the first pins I ever made when Pinterest was first starting out. Everyone raves about these cookies and it starts with a cake mix so it's quick and easy. Find step by step instructions (with pictures) here.

Happy baking! Until next post...xoxo Becca 

Check back Monday for pictures from our trip. 

Christmas Cards

Last week while I was buying wrapping paper and gift bags for Christmas presents I also bought Christmas cards. As I picked out a card I thought, do people still send cards in the mail? Growing up we would receive cards from December 1 to January 1 (all those procrastinators heehee).

The past two years I sent out cards for free through Paperless Post (see them below). Some of their cards require you to pay a minimal fee per card sent, but I make sure to select cards that will be free. Then your card makes it family and friends' inbox right on time!

2013                                                                                          2014

For our first Christmas as a married couple we had our wedding photographer take our photo and I printed them at Walgreens. Came out cute, but took a lot of work. 2011 and 2012 I mailed traditional cards without photos. Maybe when the hubs and I have kids I'll be more interested in doing photos every year, but until then I think I'll keep sending a few cards by mail and then e-cards to everyone else.

2010 (Lexi was only 8 months old!)

What do you do for Christmas cards? Share your traditions below!

Even though I'll be out of town Friday I've pre-written something for you. Want to see what I'm up to in NYC? Follow me on Snapchat @r8d6g Until next post...xoxo Becca

Gift Guide (Under $35) and Thanksgiving Recap

What an awesome holiday weekend! Get ready for picture overload.

Tablescape courtesy of my sister-in-law

TOP: Express | JEANS: Express (old) similar, similar | BOOTS: Kohls (old) similar, similar

Lexi loves her grandpa

Congrats, you're featured on the blog when you hijack my camera and load it with silly selfies

Now to the gift guide, here are a few things I ran across online and they're all under $35. Hope something gives you the idea you've been needing. Happy shopping!

Layered Necklace | Stay Fancy Wine Glass | Texas Ceramic Dish | BP Scarf
Luggage Tag | Monogram Key Chain | Notepad | Holiday Workout Tea Towel

Until next post...xoxo Becca

Favorite Pin Friday | Volume 32

Who made it through Thanksgiving successfully? Who needs stretchy pants?

Guess what, it's Black Friday. I do not, repeat, do not shop Black Friday. All those crazy people...oh no no no not something I ever want to experience.

Back to our regularly scheduled program...

As I've mentioned before, I work at a university and supervise student assistants. I always try to come up with something cute to give them for holidays. Luckily I only have three so I'm able to do fun stuff frequently. If I had a staff of 15-20 it would be more difficult (read as expensive). They'd probably get cookies and punch one day in the office lol Here are two Pins I ran across this week I thought were cute.

Touchet Soiree | Printables

Tried & True | Printables

Until next post...xoxo Becca

I'm In A New York State of Mind

Remember last week when I shared My Travel Bucket List? I was so excited to strikethrough New Orleans and now....now I get to visit New York City at Christmas time!!!! This is a lifelong dream!

The hubs and I are going with another couple. Everyone has been but me, so of course I'm busy researching all the touristy things plus the "like a local" places to go. I'm most excited to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, the storefronts because I've heard they are beautiful and creatively designed, Times Square, eat at Serendipity (yes because of the movie), and see the Rockettes (the hubs already purchased tickets). Of course there are a million more things to see, but those are my top must-do. If we have time I would like to see the Statue of Liberty and take a tour of Ellis Island. My ancestors came through Ellis Island from Scotland.

Source

This also means shopping!!! Must have warm (and cute) clothes. First things first are warm boots. Came across these 'Lesley' waterproof suede wedge knee-high boots from UGG. The reviews say warm and comfy which means I'm sold :) I have a warm peacoat, but this wool blend moto jacket from Express is such a fun casual look. Not sure how warm it is, but I will keep watching the website for reviews. I've also been dying to have a red peacoat, add to my scarf collection, and wear cute hats and beanies. Goodness the hubs is going to kill me when I start purchasing all this stuff.

If you've been to NYC, what do you suggest doing/seeing? Oh and list some good places to eat. If you haven't been, what's on your list of things to do/see there?

Until next post...xoxo Becca