This and yap 🤍 Don’t forget to create holiday magic for yourself too! I can’t tell you how nice it was to do some gingerbread decorating without having to follow a three year old’s vision (or fight the sugar battle)! It’s fun to do it with kids, too, but sometimes you just need coffee, baked goods, and little bit of kid-free catch up time with your mom friends! Thank you for hosting @blueskyehouse!!
I wrote down a list of things I wanted to do for fun in 2024. I crossed off exactly zero of them (having a baby will do that to ya) and my only hope of accomplishing one would be to host a cookie exchange! I wanted to SO bad but I was also feeling exhausted after a long year (losing a dog, having a baby, running a business, etc.) and I didn’t know if I had hosting a party in me. I sent out the invitations and told myself I’d figure it out. There was no going back! It was SO FUN though and I will be doing this again. I feel like so much of the holidays as a mom is spent making the magic for kids. It’s Santa meet and greets, Christmas shopping, holiday pageants…. And then seeing Santa again (and again and again). THIS party was for us! 🥂
🎧 Five 5-Star Audiobooks I Listened to This Year ✨
Audiobooks have been my secret weapon for fitting reading into a busy life. Whether I’m folding laundry, driving to preschool drop-off, or squeezing in a solo walk, I can dive into a story at the touch of a button—and @Audible makes it so easy. Eligible new subscribers can sign up for a one month free trial of #Audible Premium Plus anytime! #AudiblePartner #amazoninfluencer @amazoninfluencerprogram
This year, I listened to some incredible audiobooks, but these five stood out as absolute favorites:
📚 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith: A beautifully written coming-of-age classic. I didn’t want it to end and could absolutely see myself re-listening in a few years.
📚 None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell: A psychological thriller with unreliable narrators that kept me guessing the whole way through.
📚 Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter: Part mystery, part family drama—flawed characters, a gripping storyline, and a chef’s kiss ending.
📚 All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker: A masterpiece of storytelling that starts as a serial killer mystery and evolves into something much bigger.
📚 Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors: A stunning exploration of sisterhood, grief, and imperfect people. The ending left me in tears (happy ones!).
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Holding on for dear life this December ❤️ I have had SO MANY conversations this week with my friends near and far and we are *all* struggling. I have to say, just knowing it’s not just me feeling the pressure of “end of year-holiday magic- cold/flu/stomach bug season-darkest days of the year,” has made it a little easier to handle. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too 😮💨 (Telling myself this because I could use the reminder too!)
If I hadn’t already mailed our Christmas cards*, I would be ordering a reprint because this first photo is IT. ⭐️💂🏻♀️
*Actually only half because for some reason, I didn’t order enough? Our list must have grown over the past year or I just underestimated how many people were on it! I had to order more so the second half will be going out later whoops!!
Very pretty, love this color. I'm glad you're doing a bright color post, just because it's winter doesn't mean everyone should wear boring dark colors!
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com
Love love the Tory Burch bag!!
Love the bag!
I have to be honest I loved emerald, it was a great color of the year in my opinion. But…I'm not so in love with the purple, I like the Tory bag…of course but this fuchsia-y color has never appealed to me.
purple is my absolute favorite color! I saw this on Kelly & Michael this morning and was thrilled!
Love it! I really like the shade that the shirt and bracelet are.
I think this is my favourite yet! LOVE all your picks.
I just saw the new color of the year today and I didn't quite know what to make of it…purple is a hard color, but I love those hunters and the statement necklace! I feel like i may be incorporating this color more with accessories though this year…
daughterofasonofasailor.blogspot.com
I've never been a huge purple fan, but purple accessories are something that I can get into! love that tory burch bag!
xox
chloe
http://popcosmo.com
I love that Tory Burch bag and Hunter boots! I always had purple classes growing up, and decided to get a tortoise printed pair this time. As much as I love them, I kind of miss the purple!
<3 Katherine
http://scallopedandbows.blogspot.ca
I have to say I'm not the biggest fan of the color purple, but I am loving all of these purple picks!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/
pretty picks! this color is growing on me…and i love the sneakers you picked! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
I'm a fan!
Love this color! Those Hunter boots are so cute!
Abby
Thepreppycoxswain.blogspot.com
I love this color, it is so rich yet versatile!
Ashley | History in High Heels
All of your picks make purple look so do-able, good post!
xo
Tara
shoesillneverhave.blogspot.com
Woo hoo! So glad they chose purple. It's my favorite color! Hopefully that means more purple items in stores this year.
I am possibly so buying those purple glasses. They are just too good to pass up!
I love, love, LOVE purple. A great pop of color with neutrals. This purple would look really good with orange and green. I usually wear a more indigo-purple, but I think I could get used to Radiant Orchid!
Christmas is coming, the latest bag here, good price quality, introduced to everyone
http://www.ebagstore.com/
I am loving that JCrew top and those Kate Spade Earrings, they're so cute! I've always really liked purple so I'm glad it's having it's moment, or well year
Mana
Fashion and Happy Things
I love this color! It's soft yet still draws attention. Perfect!
Constance || Prep Northwest
Does anyone know how to make the photo collages like she does?
I'd love to know how you make those picture collages! What program do you use? 🙂