Since it’s Friday, you know we must keep things consistent around here and dive into your usual Things I’m Loving Friday post where we all chat about the things that make us smile each week. Below you will find a short list of the things I’m currently loving (plus a holiday giveaway!) and I’d love for you to join in the fun in the comments section!
Have a great weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Chase’s Four Month Checkup
On Monday, we headed into Chase’s pediatrician’s office for his four-month checkup. Everything is lookin’ good and I left feeling a million times better about everything from Chase’s small size to his less-than-stellar naps, challenging breastfeeding sessions (he’s so easily distracted!) and the fact that he’s still waking up to feed two times a night.
(He loves pulling my hair whenever I wear it down! Check out that handful!)
It is so incredibly easy to second guess everything about yourself as a parent when you’re a mom and having our doctor tell me Chase is doing great and I am not failing at life was so helpful. Chase also seems to be growing like crazy… Though he is still under 13 pounds, he has more than doubled his birth weight and is in the 78th percentile for his height. (What!?) According to my mother-in-law, Chase’s light weight and long little body are so similar to Ryan as a baby. When he’s awake, Chase doesn’t stop moving and absolutely loves to push off everything and be held standing up at all times. Our pediatrician commented on Chase’s activity level and said he’s clearly a determined little mover. We have a playful little dude on our hands, that’s for sure!
My thoughtful friend Merri brought this advent calendar with her as a special holiday gift for us when she came to visit last month and it’s easily the best advent calendar I’ve ever seen! Each day is filled with a chocolate surprise, but they aren’t your basic small chocolate squares. The treats range from chocolate-covered pretzel bites to chocolate-covered Oreos and sea salt caramels. They’re absolutely delicious. Thanks, Mer!
- Coconut Oil Peppermint Bark
A couple of days ago, I had a serious craving for something sweet and whipped up a batch of peppermint bark in the kitchen using only coconut oil, cocoa powder, peppermint extract and maple syrup and it was AWESOME. I’ll definitely share this one with you guys soon! It was so easy and a perfect festive treat! In the meantime, if you’re hoping to making peppermint bark this weekend check out this tasty throwback recipe: Peppermint Bark.
I don’t know how they do it, but month after month Fabletics somehow debuts new adorable workout apparel that I always seem to love. These black ice capris from their December collection are fantastic! Though I love funky patterns and vibrant colors on my workout capris and leggings, black bottoms will always be my favorite, so I love this take on simple black bottoms. You get a little spice and variety but keep the simple, flattering look of black workout bottoms.
- Candied Pecan Chex Mix
I have been on a Chex mix fix lately! I made another batch of Chex mix this week and it was wonderful! I followed Gimme Some Oven’s recipe for Candied Pecan Chex Mix and could not stop eating it. (I omitted the pretzels simply because we didn’t have any on hand and I also added almonds.) Ryan also gave it rave reviews. So good!
- Of Possible Interest
** Apparently the code I shared on my White Plum Giveaway post earlier this week wasn’t working for the first few hours but it’s back in action! You may use the code PBGIVE25 to receive 25% off everything from White Plum through December 15! And there’s still time to enter my giveaway!
** 14 Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes (Can’t get enough of them lately!)
** Interesting infographic about brands working with bloggers
** The PickFit app is giving away $75 Rent the Runway gift certificates! To be entered to win, post your outfit picture to Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #PickfitRTR!
- Minted Holiday Cards + Giveaway
Our holiday cards arrived on Tuesday this week! I love the way they turned out and can’t wait to send them to our closest friends and family. Like last year, we ordered them through Minted, though this year Minted offered to collaborate with me and extend an awesome giveaway to you guys, too! If you are hoping to order holiday cards and haven’t done so yet, definitely check out Minted! Their designs are absolutely gorgeous and you can order everything from letterpress holiday cards to foil pressed designs (<—we did this last year!), all uniquely created by independent artists.
From the gorgeous fonts, quality paper and beautiful designs, you cannot go wrong with Minted holiday cards. (And they also have awesome gifts! I ordered this foil collage with photos of Chase for Ryan for Christmas… And made him promise not to read this post today!) Now that I’ve professed my love for Minted, I think we should get to that giveaway I mentioned above…
Three PBF readers will win a $100 credit to Minted to use toward their holiday cards!
To enter this giveaway, please click here to enter on Minted.com and leave a comment on this blog post telling me about one thing you are looking forward to this holiday season. We will randomly select three winners on Monday so you can order your cards ASAP!
Good luck!
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Love that vest in the four month check up! You always have the BEST fashion, Julie!
Hope you have a great weekend!
From Minted: I would love cards to give back to my family!
I am looking forward to time with family and especially my little 2.5 year old girl. We have baby number 2 coming in January so I am going to treasure this Christmas with just one little one to focus on and look forward to our fun year to come.
I cannot wait to see my brother who will be in town for 10 days to visit! Our family hasn’t all been together in a long time and it’s going to be amazing!
I can’t wait to take our 3.5 month old baby to pick out her first Christmas tree! Those minted cards would be just perfect, they are beautiful!
These (and so many more) cards are so cute! I’m looking forward to spending time with my extended family in Alabama this Christmas! Growing up, this is where it always was, since almost all of our extended family lives there, We haven’t had Christmas in Bama in years and i can’t wait to spend quality time with those i love most!
I’m looking forward to spending Christmas with my fiancé and having him meet my grandparents.
I am looking forward to my Hanukkah party on Sunday!
I am looking forward to watching my kids open their gifts on Christmas morning!!
looking forward to family and food traditions 🙂
I’m looking forward to spending quality time with my family!
Chase is too cute! Are he and Sadie BFFs now? Minted has a great selection of custom photo art! We just took a big international trip, and I’m hoping to pick a few good pictures out to frame on the wall.
I’m excited for all of our friends and family to meet our new little girl!
I’m looking forward to relaxing and reading a good (non-school related) book!
I am looking forward to getting our tree. Hate the mess, but LOVE the smell
I’m excited for relaxing and spending great time with my family.
I am looking forward to spending time with my family, as I have only seen them one other time this year.
I am looking forward to spending time with my newborn niece!!!
My best friend is home from Chicago…number one thing I’m loving this Friday! 🙂 ALWAYS peppermint bark! You’d love my raw mint nanaimo bars!!!
I am loving watching my son “get” Christmas for the first time 🙂
I am looking forward to a great holiday season spent with family and friends!
Visiting my family in Ohio!
After a crazy busy 2015, I am looking forward to spending 2 weeks with my family, away from work. Next week cannot come fast enough. 🙂
I am looking forward to spending time with my new niece! She was born in September. It’s the first child of our family so it’s definitely exciting!
I can’t wait to spend this Christmas as the first one as my husband’s wife! It’s also the first time both families will be all together at once, so I’m super stoked.
My sister will be home for Christmas – we haven’t seen her since July – so I’m excited to see her. My pregnant bump is getting bigger and she hasn’t seen it yet !
Looking forward to spending this Christmas with my family and the last one with my maiden name! I am getting married next summer 🙂
I am looking forward to my family coming to visit for christmas! They live in NY and I live in FL so we don’t see each other as often as we’d like!
I am looking forward to celebrating with family! We are expecting and will be announcing the gender on Christmas day — can’t wait!
I am looking forward to spending time with my family and friends!
I am really looking forward to traveling back home with my husband and two puppies to spend Christmas with my family 🙂
This holiday season, I’m looking forward to family time and time off work! I can’t overstate how happy these two things will make me.
Your little guy is so cute! I still can’t believe how everything you describe is EXACTLY like mine! Merry Christmas to your family!
Lots of family and relaxations! And Christmas movies!
I am looking forward to spending this holiday season with my new baby girl! She’s 5 months old and so much fun, it makes everything that much more special.
One thing I’m looking forward to this holiday season is spending time with family.
I am looking forward to driving cross-country with my husband and our two dogs to spend Christmas with my parents and in-laws who will meet our puppy for the first time!
Chase is so adorable! Sounds like he will keep you busy! One thing I am looking forward to is my family coming to visit me in Georgia!
I can’t wait to spend time with my family and do all things Christams!
I’m most looking forward to my kids reaction on Christmas morning! We don’t go overboard by any means but just the way they’ve reacted to the Christmas tree, lights ect. I can’t wait!
I am most excited to spend Christmas with my fiances family. This is my first year splitting holidays and I cannot wait to be a part of their traditions.
My favorite advent calendar ever was from David’s Tea. It had 24 days of different teas and I loved them all! Sadly, they were sold out by the time I went to get one this year, but at least I can just drink their tea all year long 🙂
I got this one- and already made a mental note to buy it next year! It’s so fun!
I love Christmas Eve – we go to church, then go thru the drive thru at Cook Out for milkshakes, then drive around looking at lights 🙂
I am looking forward to my parents, sister, and brother-in-law coming to Orlando to visit!
Hi Julie! My son is about a month older than Chase. I bought one of those big old teething necklaces to wear when I nurse him @ home and he loves to play with all the beads.. It seems to keep him focused on eating! Xo
Im looking forward to family time! I’m in college and I’m excited for the end of the season and going to see my parents!
I am excited to watch my two year old son open his presents and just enjoy all things Christmas! Driving around and looking at lights, putting milk and cookies out for Santa and the magical look he will have on his face when he wakes up on Christmas and sees that Santa has paid him a visit!
I’m looking forward to spending time with my family – and the food. I love that advent calendar too – so cute!
I’m looking forward to sending time with family, going to Christmas Eve service and watcing holiday movies!
Making memories with my boys and enjoying the magic of the season! I love how everyone becomes more peaceful and loving!
I’m looking forward to a relaxing holiday with my family.
I’m looking forward to cuddling up on the couch with my hubs and 2 little boys to watch Christmas movies, drink hot cocoa and down sugar cookies! The best!