Girlfriend Gift Guide | 10 Under $50

Girlfriends are sometimes both the toughest and easiest to buy for, aren't they?!  While you want to give them something unique and totally "them"... it's often hard to straddle the gap of a cool gift and keep it affordable.  So this holiday season, I plan to pick out one gift to give to all of my gal pals and voila!  Shopping made easy, no?

What are some of YOUR favorite gifts to give (or receive) with your girlfriends???  Check out some of the below gifts for your holiday shopping this year!

1 // Pompom Beanie $15   2 // Candle Set $40
3 // Plush Throw $39
4 // Jewelry Organizer $25
5 // Leopard Ceramic Dish $39
6 // HydroFlask $45
7 // Twig Salad Servers $39
8 // Ball Drop Earrings $14
9 // iPhone Case $20
10 // Kate Spade ID tag $24




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Holiday Traditions | The BEST Time to be a Kid

Happy November Friends!!!!  It's officially holiday season, am I right?  We're already turning up the Charlie Brown Christmas CD and burning festive candles around here!  It's the most wonderful time of the year!
A few years back, I read something that explained how families are bonded together and made stronger through family traditions.  It's so true that traditions link families, give a sense of belonging and identity, and at their root define who we all are.  Ever since then, I've tried to add to our list of traditions and memory-making.  And what a better time than during the holidays when there is so much to do, see, and enjoy!?!

Some of our family's holiday traditions:

• Every year around this time, we take our holiday family photo.  For the past couple of years, this photo has been of just the kids and we usually send it out for our Christmas card.  This year, we coordinated the kids with cozy essentials and holiday looks from Gymboree.  I love how they all coordinate!  We plan for these outfits to be their go-to for our holiday parties, as well.

• We love making yummy hot chocolate and driving around looking at Christmas lights....with the windows down and Christmas music playing!  Longest running tradition for the Jansens!  We then let each kid pick their favorite house and give them some cookies.

• Every year on Christmas Eve, we gift our children new PJs.  This tradition started when I was little...we got to open one gift on Christmas Eve.  We've adapted this to specifically be PJs.  My kids look forward to this each year! Gymboree has such darling PJs and slippers!!

• Elf on the Shelf.  This tradition is fun for the kids...but geez...he gets on my nerves.  This year he isn't making an appearance until much later.  Last year he arrived on December 1!!!!

• We do a family night reading the Christmas story and acting out the nativity with our kids.  This not only makes for special memories, but also reaffirms for our children the meaning and purpose of why we celebrate Christmas. 

• We plan to institute this tradition Blake grew up with once our kids are a bit older:  On Christmas Eve when everyone was asleep, the kids would try to sneak down the hall to get a "peek" at the gifts.  BUT, Blake's dad would have booby trapped the entire hallway so that the kids would inevitably trip one of the obstacles and make a sound, then scamper back to bed before their parents woke up...then repeat.  Think: rattling coffee cans and fishing wire.  Genius!  

Shop Tyler Bree's Look:  cardigan | skirt | cami | tights | boots

Shop Riley's look:  dress | beanie (in first image) | tights | boots

Shop Blakely's Look:  dress | bows | tights | boots

Shop Bennett's Look:  sweater | vest | jeans | socks | boots

This season, whether you're planning your holiday traditions or wanting to start new ones, make sure to check out all that Gymboree has to offer for any and every occasion!  From a fun night in with the family, to seeing the Nutcracker ballet...they have something for each of your littles.  Let me know which outfits you like best and which ones you'd choose for your family's special holiday moments!

So tell me...What are some of YOUR family's favorite holiday traditions???

*Because I love sharing kids style tips and new family traditions, I've partnered with Gymboree on this post. All opinions are my own.

Holiday Birthday Celebration | Christmas Cookies

With all the craziness of the holiday season, Blakely's birthday sometimes seems to get neglected a bit.  This year on her birthday we debarked our Disney cruise in the morning, drove home, and finished the day with a Christmas/Birthday party at my in-law's.  The cookie decorating is a Christmas tradition that the kids look forward to every year.  We all had a great time and I think Blakely felt special on her big day.  She was thrilled to get an electric scooter (which now all the other 3 are putting on their list for Santa)!

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Disney Cruise Video | 2016

Hi Friends!!!!  We are still recovering from being back in the "real world" after a week off for Thanksgiving, followed immediately by our week-long "Merry-Time" Disney cruise!  This was our third Disney Cruise and was the BEST YET!  We made so many great family memories and got to experience lots of new things we hadn't seen/done before when cruising with Disney.  I'll write up an official "review & favorites" post later, but for now, check out our video will all the highlights! (Fair warning: It's a tad lengthy.)




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Holiday Themed Gift Ideas

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!!!  Before we're off for some Turkey-bowl, yummy food and family time...and of course, some parade-watching...I wanted to jump start your holiday cheer today!  (As if it wasn't already going strong.)  I've pulled together quite a few little Christmas-themed items that will make December even MORE holly and jolly!!!

Also, make sure to follow me over on my Facebook page and Twitter, where I'll be sharing all sorts of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and steals I come across.  If you're like me, this is a great opportunity to snag some gifts and catch up a bit (I'm totally a slacker when it comes to planning ahead gift-wise).  I wish all of you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Gobble, Gobble!!!

Holiday Family Traditions

Traditions link families, give a sense of belonging and identity, and at their root define who we all are.  I'm always interested to hear other families' traditions because there are so many wonderful ones we can add to our family.  My hope is that going into the holiday season, maybe some of us can be inspired to adopt new traditions that unite and bond our families in wonderful memories.  Here are a few of my favorites...some my family has done for generations, others Blake and I started with our little family.  Let me know if we have any similar!

*** The below post is from the archives, but I thought it's a great reminder this time of year! ***

Thanksgiving Traditions:

• This year we're starting a new Thanksgiving tradition of a Thankful Tree.  I plan to cut out a big brown tree and paste it on poster board...then cut out a lot of little, multi-colored leaves on which we'll write things we're thankful for.  We'll probably start this as an FHE, but then throughout the month, everyone can continue adding things (leaves) they're thankful for.  What a great reminder of all our blessings!  (I got the idea from here.)

via

• We normally have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner...turkey, dressing, salad, rolls, veggies, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, etc.  But one thing I especially love about my family gatherings (on my dad's side) is playing music.  All of my family is very musically talented, so naturally, everyone brings their instruments and the get together ends with lot of singing, picking, and carrying on.  Hopefully this tradition continues even with my dad being gone...he loved playing the guitar.

• In years past, my daughters and I have facilitated a diaper drive combined with a bake sale fundraiser.  This little act of service, however minimally impactful it may be, teaches my children about helping others and using our talents, energy and resources for good.  Last fall we didn't do the diaper drive, however writing this here will make sure it happens this year...I need to get on it!  This type of service can be applied to anything, not just diapers...get creative. *This year's diaper drive going on NOW!

• Um....Black Friday sales, anyone???  Yep.  And Cyber Monday for sho'!

Christmas Traditions:

• We love making yummy hot chocolate and driving around looking at Christmas lights....with the windows down and Christmas music playing!  Longest running tradition for the Jansens!

• Every year on Christmas Eve, we gift our children new PJs.  This tradition started when I was little...we got to open one gift on Christmas Eve.  We've adapted this to specifically be PJs.  My kids look forward to this each year!  I usually find some good deals...need to get looking!

• Elf on the Shelf.  This tradition is fun for the kids...but geez...he gets on my nerves.  This year he isn't making an appearance until much later.  Last year he arrived on December 1!!!!

• We do a family night reading the Christmas story and acting out the nativity with our kids.  This not only makes for special memories, but also reaffirms for our children the meaning and purpose of why we celebrate Christmas. 

• We plan to institute this tradition Blake grew up with once our kids are a bit older:  On Christmas Eve when everyone was asleep, the kids would try to sneak down the hall to get a "peek" at the gifts.  BUT, Blake's dad would have booby trapped the entire hallway so that the kids would inevitably trip one of the obstacles and make a sound, then scamper back to bed before their parents woke up...then repeat.  Think: rattling coffee cans and fishing wire.  Genius!  Blake has such fond memories of this tradition!

I could probably go on, but I'll cut it off there.  I love traditions.  I see now that they're even more special as a parent.  Let's kick this holiday season into high gear!!!!!  Happy Tradition-Making!

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Halloween 2016

Is it too soon to break out my Charlie Brown Christmas CD?  Nah!!!!

You know what?  Although we had a great Halloween, including all the festivities leading up to it, I'm so glad it's over!  I don't know what it was about this year, but man, it did a number on us!  We had Red Ribbon Week (which we got through by the skin of our teeth) and then our church's Trunk-or-Treat, and capped it off last night with pumpkin carving and Trick-or-Treating around the neighborhood.  Whew.

Our kids had a blast though and totally owned their individual outfits.  Maybe next year we'll get back to doing a family theme for costumes, but these totally worked!  We had Hermoine, a doctor/surgeon, Rey, and Kylo Ren! It was a mini-milestone kind of night, as we actually sat outside and passed out candy.  This was mainly due to the fact that our kids were okay to just walk around the block and then be done with trick-or-treating.  It was a first for us and we kinda liked it!  We will see what next year brings.

And on that note of next year...I'll have a middle-schooler.  I have some mixed feelings about the appropriate ages for trick-or-treating.  So tell me...

What age should kids stop trick-or-treating???

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4th of July Sales Roundup

There are some really great Independence Day Sales this weekend!  I've rounded up some of my favorites for your 4th of July shopping pleasure.  Hope all you have a fabulous holiday weekend!!!!  

Anthropologie // Extra 30% Off all Sale Items // CODE: EVENBETTER

Banana Republic // Extra 50% off sale

J. Crew // 40% off summer styles + 40% -60% off sale // CODE: COOLSTYLES

Kate Spade // Up to 50% off plus + extra 30% off all sale // CODE: SUNSHINE

LOFT // 50% Off Everything + Free Shipping // CODE: JULY4TH

Modcloth // Extra 20% off Sale Items // CODE: MORE4U

Old Navy // 25% Off Online Purchase // CODE: ENJOY

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Birthday Wish List | 2016

It's almost that time of year again...halfway across the year from Christmas.  JULY.  My birthday month!

While I have a short list of things I'll ask for my birthday (mostly from my husband), here's my actual  full wish-list (like a shooting for the stars wish list) I'm sharing with you today.  I usually keep a "secret" Pinterest board with things I'm either saving up for or have on my wish-list...I also keep an Amazon wish list.  If you also do something similar, it's good to let those sit for a while to make sure you do actually want to pull the trigger on them, rather than just an impulse buy.  Does anyone else do this?  Writing it out makes me feel reeeeaaaaaaalllly materialistic.  But hey, birthdays only come once a year, right?

So without further ado...My 2016 Birthday Wishlist!

^^^ Aren't these just fabulous!?!  You probably have seen them on Instagram with all their witty posts.  Make sure to check out Letterfolk! ^^^

^^^ Loving this bar necklace from Handstamped Gold ^^^

^^^ I have some knock-off Birks I got from Target last year that I really liked...but quality doesn't last that long with those.  AND, I'm needing some better support.  So Birkenstocks it is. ^^^

^^^ If you follow my Instagram account, I often mention how great I am about killing plants.  BUT, I've turned over a new leaf. (pun intended)  I've managed to keep a succulent, a fiddle leaf fig, and a plumeria alive for over a month, so I'm thinking I might have the hang of it...maybe. Pressing my luck, I'm wanting to get a snake plant for the house too! ^^^

^^^ Too many times lately, I've wished I had a waterproof camera, namely a Go Pro.  We've been in the water LOTS this summer so far, and I hate to risk my own camera or phone to get the good shots...plus video! ^^^

^^^ And again on the outdoor activities, this HydroFlask I've had my eye on for a while.  I've heard they're the bomb dot com on keeping drink COLD for the longest time! ^^^

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Memorial Day 2016 | Sales Round Up

This upcoming weekend will be some of the biggest sales of the year (especially excited about Nordstrom's...eeeek!)....so I've rounded up a few that caught my eye and thought I'd share with my lovely readers!  Keep an eye on my Facebook page for some specific steals and deals I find...what a great time to snag a few summer essentials like wedges, flowy dresses, and beachwear!  Happy Shopping friends!

BANANA REPUBLIC // Extra 40% Off

CODE(S): BRTAKE40

DATES: Now – 5/30

LOFT // Extra 60% Off Summer Faves + All Sale Styles

DATES: Now – 5/31

J.CREW // 30% Off Purchase

DATES: Now – 5/31

CODE: WEEKEND

MODCLOTH // Up to 40% Off

DATES: 5/23 – 5/30

NORDSTROM // Up to 40% Off

DATES: 5/26 – 6/7

OLD NAVY // Extra 50% Off Select Styles

DATES: Now – 5/30

SOLE SOCIETY // 50% Off Select Styles on SoleSociety.com

DATES: 5/26 – 5/30

URBAN OUTFITTERS // Long Weekend Sale – 25% Off Shorts + 25% Off Graphic Tees

DATES: 5/25 – 5/30

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Easter FUN | 2016

WHAT a whirlwind last weekend was!!!  Not only did we come back from camping hitting the ground running, but we had two Easter celebrations...one at my in-law's and one at my aunt's lakehouse.  Both were lots of fun and I especially enjoyed the family time.

The past few weeks have been the most busy I've had in quite a while, so all my plans to do Christ-centered activities during Holy Week leading up to Easter unfortunately did not come to fruition.  But...after feeling like a big mom-fail, I thought why can't we do all that stuff the week AFTER Easter...or any time during the year.  Which we totally can, and hopefully will.  After all, I've still got the rolls in the fridge to make Resurrection Rolls.

How did YOUR family celebrate the Easter Holiday?

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Holiday Outfit Style // Tulle Skirt

It's holiday-wear time!  Yesterday we had family photos, tonight is Blake's work party, and tomorrow is a friend Christmas party...so holiday outfits are front and center and definitely on my mind right now!  This outfit was yesterday's family picture outfit, but I love the look for parties too.  Tulle skirts can be worn all sorts of ways, but my favorite way to wear it is dressed up for a festive affair.  Something about a frilly skirt exudes femininity and style.  I feel every woman can rock a tulle skirt and so they should! ;)  Black and cream are the safest and most versatile options, but some of the pastels are super fun too!

(Check out some options below...)

TOP // Banana Republic, SKIRT // Shabby Apple, // SHOES // Target, NECKLACE // c/o Avon

Shop Tulle Skirts:

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