Our December is kind of a crazy one – I’m traveling three weekends in a row – but that seems to be the way the holiday season goes sometimes, right? I am happy to be kicking the month off at home, however, and the next couple of days are going to be filled with holiday fun with our friends! We have a cookie exchange party on the agenda as well as an ugly sweater party and I’m really looking forward to everything! I still need to whip up some cookies and figure out what side dish I’m going to contribute to Saturday night’s potluck party but hopefully I’ll come up with something soon.
Until then I wanted to share my usual Things I’m Loving Friday post with you guys! Below you will find a short roundup of a few things I’m loving most this week. As always, I encourage you to join in the fun and tell me a little bit about something that’s making you smile right now as well.
Have a great Friday and an even better weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Our First Real Christmas Tree
I know some people have very strong feelings about having a real Christmas tree in their homes but I’ve never really been that person. Ever since Ryan and I began living together, we’ve had a fake Christmas tree and that suited me just fine. Well, this year something came over Ryan and he really, really wanted a real tree. Our fake tree is in my office because my office has a big bay window at the front of the house, making it the perfect place for a tree you can see inside and outside which was great until we had a child and became more aware of the fact that we’d be opening Christmas presents in my office. Not exactly the cozy Christmas morning we envisioned!
Even though we are traveling for Christmas this year, Ryan wanted to get a jump start on a new tradition and we now have a fantastic-smelling real Christmas tree in our living room and I am such a big fan. I was a bit of a Grinch about the idea of a second tree in the beginning (it seemed like a lot of extra effort when we won’t even be in town for Christmas) but I don’t think a day has passed since we put up the tree that I haven’t commented on how much I love having a tree in the room we use the most (outside of the kitchen). It’s so festive and warm and merry. And the smell is unbeatable! While the tree in my office is covered in our memorable memento ornaments, we decorated our family tree with a bit of a color scheme in mind (silver, gold, white and pops of faux-cranberries) and both trees make me so happy!
I had such high hopes for the Madewell jeans I ordered on during last week’s mega-sales. I was so ready to fall completely in love with them after so many rave reviews but I think I got my sizing all wrong because the two pairs I ordered were too big and now I’m bummed because the 25% off sale is over. Womp, womp. On the bright side, I impulsively added a pair of Joe’s high-waisted jeans into my cart during some Nordstrom sale shopping and I LOVE them!! I wanted something with a high waist and a frayed ankle hem and they are fantastic! The fabric is comfortable and movable without feeling restrictive or too jegging-y. If you’re looking for a flattering fit for a body type with hips and a booty, check ‘em out! And just FYI, I think they fit true to size.
- Well Plated’s Healthy Chicken Pot Pie
When I was on a mission to use up all of our Thanksgiving turkey, I used it in place of the chicken in this healthy pot pie recipe and we LOVED it. Talk about a comforting meal! I love the way the recipe still had all of the rich, creamy flavors of traditional pot pie but didn’t feel heavy in my stomach. A winner for sure!
- All By Myself, Alone by Mary Higgins Clark and First Family by David Baldacci
I finished reading two books last week and really enjoyed both of them but with all of the Thanksgiving craziness, I forgot to mention them on the blog! The first book was All By Myself, Alone by Mary Higgins Clark and if you’re looking for a quick read with an intriguing plot, I highly recommend this one. I wouldn’t call it a literary masterpiece but it’s a breezy read and filled with plenty of suspense and interesting characters. The book takes place on the ultimate luxury cruise and includes murder and romance!
The second book I read was First Family by David Baldacci and it was a good one! I’ve been really into political thrillers lately and this book begins with the kidnapping of the first lady’s niece. It includes lots of twists and plot developments that kept me reading late into the night.
- Gift Giving Jump Start
(Disclaimer: This shout out is part of my sponsored partnership with CVS, a brand I’ve been working with for years and regularly use in my personal life as well!)
I feel like I’m in a pretty good place with gift giving for everyone other than my family right now. (I need to get on that one!) We finished shopping for the four tags we pulled off of our church and my gym’s giving trees and I assembled a gift basket for Chase’s beloved Mrs. Lindsey, his Burn Boot Camp childcare BFF whom he’s adored since she began watching him when he was only eight weeks old. Lindsey is so important to me and to Chase and for the past two years I’ve enjoyed putting together some kind of a holiday surprise for her to show her just how much we care. For this year’s goodies, I tried to focus on some of her interests (healthy living and beauty) but still include a Visa gift card and some items to help her pamper herself during this busy time of year.
I ended up getting everything for her gift at CVS, including Essie nail polish, an Invisibobble (the no-crease hair tie I LOVE), a nourishing face mask, mint macaron hand cream, a pine-scented candle and plaid fluffy socks. I also wanted to be sure to include some healthy snacks and since CVS makes it easy to shop for healthy treats (they carry 175+ organic items!), this was an easy order to fill! I included Larabar Bites (the chocolate macaroon flavor is so good and so addicting), Gold Emblem Cranberry Almond Rice Pop Clusters (free from artificial ingredients, preservatives and flavors whole grain like CVS’ entire Gold Emblem Abound line) and a Graze salted caramel snack box packed with 7 grams of protein. And yes, I couldn’t resist throwing some peppermint bark in there for good measure.
- Friday Flashbacks
Holiday Pretzels (A recipe that’s so simple it may not even deserve to be called a recipe. With only three ingredients, it’s a salty and sweet treat that’s sure to spread joy to loved ones around you this holiday season! Wrap them up in festive tins or gift bags for the perfect edible gift.)
Bodyweight Tabata Workout (No equipment needed for this intense tabata workout!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing you are loving this week?
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Disclosure: I’m proud to be working with CVS Pharmacy to help spread the word about #BetterHealthMadeEasy and how to #FindYourHealthy. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.
I will warn you…the second tree is like a gateway drug. Soon you’re going to feel like you want a tree in every room 😉 We’ve loved having a real tree in our living room, but our kitchen is where we also spend a lot of time, and we finally caved one year and got a fake (it’s white!) tree for our turquoise and white kitchen. We’re crazy about it. The kids love it so much that we often leave it up after Christmas and switch out the decorations – New Year’s Eve tree, Valentine’s Day tree, Mardi Gras tree, Easter tree… Our kiddos each have a small (fake) tree in their room as well, and if I could figure out a space for one in the master bedroom, I’d be all over that. Happy first day of December!
Jill(Quote)
I could TOTALLY see this happening. The other day I drove by a house in our neighborhood that had a tree in an upstairs bedroom and I felt a pang of jealousy…
Julie(Quote)
I also had a tiny tree in my room growing up (covered solely in Garfield ornaments — haha!), so I can see that happening with Chase, too!
Julie(Quote)
Aren’t real trees the best?! I was so happy we were able to fit on into our one bedroom apartment. The scent of pine is amazing when you first put it up. Makes decorating that much more fun and festive!
Julie, I absolutely love that you give a gift to Mrs. Lindsey. It is such a kind way to say thank you over the holidays since you are at BBC so much to get in a workout. Giving gifts to people like that in our lives is just as important as giving them t our family in my opinion.
Maureen(Quote)
Totally agree — the smell is the BEST. And thank you, Maureen! I also need to figure out gifts for his two preschool teachers but wanted to talk to some of my friends who teach to see what is overdone and what sort of gifts they always loved first! I loooove gift-giving this time of year! <3
Julie(Quote)
Definitely on Ryan’s side here! I live in a 350 sq ft studio in Manhattan and you’d better believe I still have an 8 ft tall real Christmas tree in my apt. It brings me so much joy, I don’t mind having to rearrange my furniture and give up a little floor space for a month.
Kristen(Quote)
That pot pie recipe looks great! Im hoping to put up my decorations and our tree this weekend–so excited!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot(Quote)
Madewell jeans run big! I bet if you take them back to the store for an exchange they’ll honor your sale price? I have had good customer service there (when I have had jeans get holes they immediately replace them, no receipt needed).
Noelle(Quote)
That’s a great tip! Thank you! I love it when companies have great customer service. I was just going to send them back since they include the free return shipping label but maybe it’s worth a trip to the store… I just wish the closest Madewell wasn’t 45 min from me!
Julie(Quote)
Call with your order number on hand and they will honor the sale price. Then you can ship your return back.
Trace(Quote)
Sorry your Madewell jeans didn’t work out! But, if you exchange them for a different size I bet they would honor the sale price! Their customer service is usually pretty good. 🙂
caitlin(Quote)
I love the smell of real trees! We don’t have one this year (I’m convinced they’re filled with bugs for some reason and our house has already been infested with lady bugs this fall…ughhhh) but maybe next year?
My mother-in-law has 6 trees!
And I love the gift idea! And so thoughtful 🙂
Erinn(Quote)
wow! Busy December for you! It will be for me too— lots of traveling AND it’s my birthday month, so I have that celebration too! I always order the wrong sizes online too– jeans are TOUGH. Every style and brand fit differently!
Carrie this fit chick(Quote)
I love that you got a real Christmas tree! It really makes such a difference 🙂 And I’m definitely going to check out both of those books! I’m on a Christmas kick right now!
Alexis deZayas(Quote)
I have always had a real tree since growing up, and luckily my husband has alway been on board. The smell and fresh look just can’t be beat. We too got ours set up this week so we can enjoy it before our holiday travels. And love all those small gift ideas from CVS, those Larabar Bites are some of my favorite!
Patricia @Sweet and Strong(Quote)
If you call Madewell to exchange them they will honor the sale price! I love the high waisted skinnies and am wearing the pair I got during the sale right now!
Jen(Quote)
Thank you!!! I’ll definitely call! I was really hoping they would be as flattering as everyone swears and was so disappointed when they were too big. Thank you!
Julie(Quote)
I saw your insta story this week with the healthy chicken pot pie and went right away to look up the recipe! Have plans on making it this weekend 🙂 I emailed her to see if I could use chicken from a rotisserie to make life a little easier and she said absolutely!
Will be a perfect addition to our plans to put up our Christmas tree Saturday night!
Kerrie(Quote)
Real Christmas trees are the best! Before I got married my old roommate was allergic to pine so we always had a fake. Now I’m back on the real tree train. Since we live in a townhouse my husband and I lug it up our neighbors steps to their deck and pass it to each other over the other neighbors’ decks…it’s pretty comical and usually ends with some cursing and pants ripping lol.
Have a great weekend!
Steph(Quote)
I wish I wasn’t allergic to real Christmas trees!
Kelsie(Quote)
Holiday pretzels. Sooo good! Where did you find the adorable red and white striped bowl at?
Happy Holidays!!
Kimberly(Quote)
I did some Black Friday online shopping for clothes too and I already had to return one thing because it was really ugly in real like and super huge. In all the online shopping I’ve ever done this is only the second thing that I’ve had to return though, so I guess I’m doing pretty well.
I totally agree, real trees smell so amazing!
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona(Quote)
I LOVE real trees! My family tradition was always to drive out to a Christmas tree farm & cut our tree down. Totally Griswold style, even though I didn’t see that movie until I was way older. I’ve been luckily too that most of the people in my life have been supportive of my need for a real tree too–my college roommate & I threw a real tree in the trunk of her Dodge neon one year for our apartment & my husband & I have been getting one for a few years too. We now use our fake tree as a ‘themed’ tree for the basement, with garland & ornaments from our favorite college basketball team!
Shannon(Quote)
We always had a real tree in my house when I was a kid and I was so anti-fake tree growing up, but now that I’m an adult and would be the one who’d have to deal with the purchasing of the tree, watering the tree, cleaning up the needles from the tree, getting rid of the tree, etc. I am QUITE happy with a fake one, haha. I do miss the smell, though!
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions(Quote)
I made well plated’s chicken pot pie last night after seeing it on your instagram. It was such a big hit! Thank you for sharing it!!
Brianna(Quote)
I love having two trees! Also, we did the pretzel bites and took them to work for my staff last year. They were a hit! I plan on doing the same thing again this year!
Brittany(Quote)
I agree with the other commenter who said that once you get two trees….the sky’s the limit! I had two trees growing up every year in my house (one for the living room and one for the family room downstairs.) I loved it, and when I moved out, I still came home and put up my parents’ tree(s) every year. In my own home, I have had one tree and up to 3 trees, depending on time/energy! I definitely love how much cheer it brings to a house. And that smell is amazing!
Love seeing your tree with the decor – you really can’t go wrong! And it’s nice to have a tree to look at in the place you spend the most time! This weekend I’m putting a super skinny and tall tree in our office. We spend so much time in here! (I’m in our office right now!)
Happy Friday, Julie. 3 weekends of travel is a lot! But I’m betting it will be a very fun December! Love the sound of your upcoming parties. Have fun!
Kim from MN(Quote)
I really wanted to love Madewell jeans but the proportions don’t fit me well. The Jcrew jeans with their perfect pockets nonsense (that I totally bought into) fit me better. BUT! each wash/rinse fits differently; boo on that. They are excellent with returns and exchanges though.
Trace(Quote)
Sounds like you have an exciting December ahead!! I have never had a real Christmas tree, but I love them! They are so beautiful and smell so good! I love making holiday pretzels! They are so easy, so cute, and everyone loves them! I think I might make a bunch and put them in goody bags to give out as additional Christmas gifts! Have a great weekend!! Xoxo
Kayla(Quote)
I have never had a real tree, but I did put up my little fake Christmas tree! This week, I’m loving that I get to see a friend of mine this week and spend some time with my boyfriend.
Katie(Quote)
I’m so jealous of your 2 trees! Since my husband is the grinch himself (he’s a Christmas Eve baby – I guess I can’t blame him too much) he draws the line at one tee. Luckily it’s always been a real tree!
Lately I’m loving these white chocolate and peppermint pretzel thins by Snack Factory that I got from Costco! I’m also loving my new Nike Pro capris! For some reason I LOVE Nike Pros and can’t seem to love another Capri as much as I love them! Lastly I’m loving wearing leggings since the weather is starting to cool down! They’re easy to dress up and comfortable enough to lay around in!
Brittney(Quote)
We needed a new tree last year and figured a real $70 tree was cheaper than splurging on an expensive artificial one, and oh my gosh – we couldn’t believe how much we loved it!! You’ll never look back. 🙂 Excited to follow your travels this month!
Erica @ Whimsical September(Quote)
What color nail polish is that? I love it! Hope you enjoy your December! 🙂
Erin(Quote)
Those deconstructive crave packets look good — love that photo of you looking like you’re flying! We’ve never had a real tree… I’m too scared bugs or something will come out.
Nicole @ Bento Momentos(Quote)
We got our first real tree this year too! I grew up with real trees but Brian grew up with fake. He took a bit of convincing, but after our wonderful experience chopping down the tree and setting it up he loves it!! 🙂
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen(Quote)