I am really looking forward to this weekend because I’m heading out of town for a girls’ weekend with two of my closest friends while Ryan, Chase and his dad enjoy a guys’ weekend here in North Carolina. This is only the third time I’ve left Chase overnight since he was born but now that I’m no longer nursing (and Chase is drinking milk rather than refusing my breastmilk from a bottle) the logistics seem a lot easier. I’m also hoping to use my travel time to get some work done and type up the first Chase-related update in over four months. Stay tuned for that post (hopefully) on Monday!
In the meantime, I hope you guys are ready for my weekly Things I’m Loving Friday blog post! Below is a short roundup of the things that are making me smile this week and I hope you’ll join in the fun and tell me about one thing you are loving right now in the comments section of this post.
Have a great weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Christmas Jammies & Chase’s Infatuation with Our Christmas Tree
My mom arrived in town for Thanksgiving with two of the cutest pairs of Christmas pajamas for Chase. In the past, I told Ryan about a ridiculous ranking I had in my head of the “cutest babies” and it was previously 1. Baby wrapped in a towel after a bath 2. Naked baby 3. Baby in a diaper. Well, I think a baby/toddler in Christmas pajamas has officially dethroned “baby in a diaper” and claimed my number three spot. There’s something so warm and fuzzy about Chase in his cozy winter jammies.
In keeping with the Chase + Christmas theme of this stream of consciousness, I am also absolutely loving his infatuation with our Christmas tree. He calls all of traditional circular ornaments “balls” and loves pointing out our animal ornaments and making animal noises. (Snorting at the pig ornaments is his favorite – and yes, we have multiple because Sadie’s favorite toys are her pig toys and she has an overwhelming presence on our Christmas three.) As if I didn’t love being Chase’s mom enough already, he’s bringing a new element of magic into my favorite time of year and it’s just so fun!
- Mrs. Meyer’s Iowa Pine Cleaning Soaps
I used to be obsessed with everything cinnamon around Christmastime and while I still love cinnamon everything, I think I can officially say that pine/balsam is my favorite holiday scent for everything from candles to soaps. (Anthropologie balsam candles are everything.) Mrs. Meyer’s Iowa Pine dish soap and hand soap claimed a spot on our kitchen counter earlier this week and washing dishes with this soap is slightly more enjoyable than usual.
- Magazine Clippings from Grammy
Before my mom went back to Florida earlier this week, she left the sweetest surprise for Chase. During her stay we had such a fun time flipping through magazines and laughing as Chase would go back to the advertisements featuring dogs and cars again and again to pant at the dogs (“woof” is temporarily on hold) and say “vroom” at the cars and trucks. After my mom left, I found an assortment of magazine clippings on our kitchen counter with a note to Chase from Grammy and realized she tore out all of his favorite ads. It was the sweetest surprise and reminded me, yet again, that the little things are the big things in life. I love you, Mama!
- Fresh Hair
I haven’t had a hair cut or color since July and Tuesday’s appointment with Kristyn was much needed! The beauty of balayage is that I can let it grow out without my roots looking horrendous since it’s definitely a more natural-looking way to lighten your hair but there was no denying that my hair was stringy and in desperate need of a trim. I feel like a new woman!
When my parents came to visit for Thanksgiving, my dad brought his knife sharpener along to sharpen all of our knives for the first time ever since we received our wonderful knife block from Ryan’s grandma as a wedding gift six years ago. We were clearly overdue!
I didn’t realize just how dull all of our knives were until my dad sharpened them for us but oh my gosh they are like brand new! Slicing and dicing just got a whole lot easier around here! My dad used his Chef’s Choice sharpener, which he bought off Amazon after doing a lot of research and it clearly paid off. That thing is amazing!
- Clean Juice Smoothie Obsession
Ryan and I love popping into Clean Juice regularly for everything from smoothies and acai bowls to cashew milk lattes and chai zucchini muffins. Well, Chase has clearly hopped on our Clean Juice-loving bandwagon and when we walk into the shop, he now starts saying “blease, blease” (his version of “please”) until he has a smoothie straw in his mouth. At least it’s a healthy obsession, right!? (Also, I had someone request a roundup of some of Chase’s favorite smoothie combinations that we make for him at home and buy for him at Clean Juice, so stay tuned for that post soon.) Hooray for smoothies!
- thredUP Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Jan, the winner of Wednesday’s thredUP giveaway! Jan was emailed first thing this morning. Thank you so much to all who entered!
- Friday Flashbacks
Reindeer Cupcakes (Almost too cute to eat! Almost.)
Hot Holidays Workout (I can never resist a workout with a themed graphic this time of year!)
Question of the Day
- What is one thing you are loving this week?
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Kids in Christmas pjs tops my list this week as well. You’re so right, it’s so magical to share this time of year with children. Mitch likes to deliver ornaments to us and tell us all about them.
I make those cupcakes every year! My kids love them! We even make albino ones for my son that dislikes chocolate.
Chase is so adorable!! Have a fun weekend 🙂 thanks for sharing
Completely agree, children in christmas jammies is definitely one of the cutest things! And I love your hair color, you also need to share your curling technique secrets!
Chase is adorable in his Christmas jammies : ) How fun that he is LOVING the holiday season. I’m also totally in love with everything “evergreen” scented this year. I have been stocking up on pine needle and balsam fir essential oils and swooning over the scent 🙂 Have a fun trip this weekend!
When my fiance brought his dad’s stone to sharpen the knives in my kitchen months ago it was the best gift. Slicing tomatoes became so much easier as I didnt mush them in the process.
I was honestly SHOCKED at what a difference it made! I felt like we had a brand new set of knives. So awesome!
Awww Chase is so cute!!!! A girls weekend sounds fabulous – hope you have a wonderful time!!!
I am loving Amazon hahaha. I did all my Christmas shopping online for the girls on Cyber Monday and it’s already been delivered! Call me crazy, but I’ve ALWAYS shopped in stores prior to this year!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Amazon Prime saves me almost every day!
Babies in Christmas pajamas are the best!! My sister did a “Lily’s Countdown to Christmas” when she was a newborn and had her in a Christmas outfit or pjs everyday of December for a cute photo. It was too cute to handle. I LOVE how handsome Chase looks in that sweater in the smoothie picture–so cute!
This week I’m loving my Christmas decorations and how cozy it is to come home to them after a long day!
SO adorable!!!
We are obsessed with jammies from Hanna Andersson, but save purchases for special occasions since they are pretty pricey! (However, on Black Friday they were on sale for $24, which was a huge deal!) Last year we bought Jack’s Christmas pjs from Hanna, and we did the same this year too. They are just so soft, stretchy, comfy and adorable! Chase looks precious in his!
My dog loves pig toys too! I recently brought her home a monkey decked out in Christmas gear and when I gave it to her she just stared at me… like “What is this? Do you even know me?” I told her I wouldn’t let it happen again!
Julie your hair looks beautiful! And Chase is to adorable in his Christmas PJs! Have a fabulous girls weekend!
What hair stylist do you go to? Love your hair and color! Also, that picture of Chase drinking the smoothie is adorable. Clean Juice should use it for their marketing 🙂
Chase is such a little nugget! Those PJ’s are adorable.
I may have to break down and get that knife sharpener because my little handheld one just doesn’t do the trick longer term anymore. Thank your dad for doing the research so I don’t have to! 😉
Oh those Christmas jammies!
What a sweet surprise from your mom!
Christmas jammies are the BEST!!!! I just can’t even handle them every day! They just slay me <3 And we love our Wusthoff knives too! (spelling?) Hope you have a great weekend!
That picture of Chase with the smoothie – those eyes, those little lips – seriously adorable.
Either pic of Chase and the Christmas Tree would make a cute Christmas card.
Your hair looks great!
I got excited for a minute, congrats other Jan!
I can’t wait to see a high school friend this weekend & do some shopping at one of the local holiday markets. Have a great weekend!
Christmas Jammies!! Love.
We are loving our little felt Christmas Tree that my toddler can re-arrange felt ornaments endlessly, and my 9 month old can put the ornaments in his mouth safely (everything goes in the mouth when you’re 9 months old ;)).
Your hair looks fabulous!! And Chase sure is cute near the tree. Have fun this weekend! 🙂
Oh my goodness! Chase’s Christmas pajamas are adorable. Can’t handle it. I’m on the hunt for some cute ones for my little guy.
I would love to read a post about how you transitioned out of breastfeeding for Chase! Those pajamas are so cute. Can’t get enough of them!
I am smiling because we just found out that our sweet baby is going to be a BOY!!! 14 weeks along today. I am so excited!
I totally agree with you on babies in Christmas PJ’s, They’re absolutely adorable.
My dad sharpens our knives for us too and it makes such a big difference. I don’t notice when they get dull, but after they’ve been sharpened I can definitely tell a difference.
Your mama is so sweet! My grandmother did the same thing for me with magazine clippings from the time I was a kid until she passed. When I was in college, she would mail me letters, and still tuck funny pictures or articles from her magazines inside. When I wrote her back, I would do the same for her. For years, we passed clippings back and forth of those weird Fresh Step kitty litter ads where the cats were standing with their legs crossed, and then call each other and crack up laughing about it. Great memories. Grandmothers are simply the best!!
First HOUR free at CLT airport!!
Sooo that’s totally what I thought but the ticket holder said 30 min yesterday!
I love the hair! I always feel SO much better after a much needed cut!
Steep 18 Cold Brew Coffee! They sell it at Sam’s Club in packs of 3 and it’s amazing. I’ve been drinking it twice a day.
Please share your hair care secrets! Products and all! It’s beautiful!!
You’re brave having your ornaments on your tree! I think we may go without this year, my son gets EVERYTHING!
Oh Julie those 2 pictures of Chase in his Christmas pj’s are the sweetest. Makes me wish mine were young again in their cute little pj’s. It would be so cute to use one of those pictures either as one of the photos in your Christmas card or as your Christmas card. How cute would that be? Too stinkin cute if you ask me. I like the one where you can see his bare feet on the floor. Have a great weekend!
LOVE your hair! I’m going to have to try that… this week I’m loving warm oatmeal for breakfast. So warm and cozy. Enjoy your weekend!
Is that an engagement ring Christmas ornament? I’ve been looking for one and would love to know where you got that one if you know!
yes!! it was a gift from my parents so i’m really not sure! i’ve seen similar ornaments sold at kiosks in many malls though!!
Julie, Chase is ADORABLE. He looks so big! Also, love your hair…and that sweater! Where’d did you get it from? So cute!
Yes, please tell us where that sweater is from! It’s so cute! And so is your hair!
Great post as always, and I too love the little Christmas PJs!! I’m a bit Christmas obsessed, so I wouldn’t mind seeing pics of your tree or decorated areas of your house! Hope you’re having a great weekend with your pals – we’re decorating our tree today! Woo hoo!
Goodness those cupcakes are SO STINKING CUTE. I’m also loving jammies, and I’m a bit infatuated with our tree as well. Ha!
I’m loving decorating for Christmas around our house! Everything just seems so festive and cozy!
That picture of Chase drinking the juice might just be the cutest ever!
Oh Julie, those 2 pics of Chasse at the Christmas tree were just perfect!! I may or may not have welled up a little reading about your mom leaving Chase the magazine pics and a special note…it’s things like that, that grandparents/parents/aunts and uncles do that make the most special memories for kids. He may be too young now to grasp how cool that was of his grandma or remember it, I’m sure your mom will continue to do these kinds of things throughout his life (and maybe even his siblings lives if that’s in the cards) that he will remember. What a great mom you have 🙂
I’m with you on LOVING baby in Christmas jammies. I’m pretty much loving everything Christmas right now, but a recent favorite has been a Christmas countdown reminder I just picked up from Michael’s. It has 2 numbered wooden blocks in it that are removable. My 2 year-old is just learning her numbers, so every morning we take reindeer off the mantle, remove the blocks, and replace them with the correct number for the day. It’s so fun and a great learning tool.
I’m right there w/ you on babies in Xmas jammies. <3 That was so sweet of your mom to leave those magazine clippings & a note… reading about it brought tears to my eyes. Grandmas are the BEST!