I’m really looking forward to a couple of low key days ahead with my two favorite boys and furry BFF! (Well, as low key as possible with Tinytron in the mix.)
In keeping with Friday tradition around here, it’s time for your weekly Things I’m Loving Friday post featuring a short roundup of some of the things that are making me smile right now. As always, I’d love for you to join in on the fun and share a little bit about something you are loving in the comments section of this post.
There is also an awesome giveaway from Minted at the bottom of this post, so definitely check it out, especially if you’re in the market for holiday cards or beautiful prints this holiday season.
Have a great weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- R.W. Knudsen Cider & Spice Apple Cider
You guys know by now that I have a serious obsession with Ina Garten’s mulled wine recipe. I’ve made it no less than four times since October and tweak it a tiny bit each time. For Wednesday night’s White Elephant gift exchange, I made it again and am convinced one key component to the mulled wine is selecting a wonderful apple cider to combine with your favorite red wine.
This R.W. Knudsen Cider & Spice apple cider caught my eye at Whole Foods before Friendsgiving and I’ve bought it for every batch of mulled wine since because it’s so fabulous. It seems more spiced and flavorful than other ciders and I love that the ingredient list is nice and simple. It’s also wonderful on it own and since we usually have a little leftover, I love heating up a mug of the cider as an afternoon pick-me-up on chilly days as well.
One of my girlfriends recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and everyone in my small group wanted to bring home cooked meals to Anna and her family to make the first few weeks a little easier. My friend Danielle coordinated meal deliveries for Anna using the website Meal Train and it made everything SO easy! We were all able to select a day and the Meal Train site said what time Anna prefers to receive meal deliveries, her dietary preferences, address, etc. We were also able to share what meal we were planning to make for Anna’s family to help avoid any repeats or similar meals back-to-back. I highly recommend this handy little site for anyone trying to coordinate meal deliveries for someone!
I was just talking about this cleanser with my girlfriends last weekend when my friend Leah said she is struggling to find a cream cleanser that doesn’t leave a film on her face. I was exactly the same way (don’t even get me started on my hatred for Cetaphil) until I discovered Beautycounter Nourishing Cream Cleanser. I bought it a while back after I downloaded an app on my phone that gave my previous cleanser horrific ratings for its ingredient list. I’ve been more cognizant of the beauty products I use thanks to pregnancy and nursing and have tried to keep up with buying safer products as my older products run out. This cream cleanser was a hit from the beginning and after cycling through a myriad of more natural face cleansers, it is the one I feel does the best job at keeping my skin clear while also moisturizing my face and giving it a clean feel after every wash. A small amount goes a long way and I love the way the coconut oil and aloe help hydrate my dry winter skin.
- Rockin’ Holidays Pandora Station
I think I mention this Pandora station around the holidays every year, but it deserves another shout out just in case you’re on the lookout for an upbeat holiday music station to help you get in the holiday spirit!
I’ve been on such a peppermint kick this week. Every day I’ve had either peppermint coffee, peppermint tea or peppermint hot cocoa. I don’t see this trend ending before Christmas and I’m definitely embracing the festive flavor! An afternoon mug of peppermint tea makes cranking out a couple of hours of work during Chase’s naptime feel a little more cozy and fun, especially when I light a balsam candle on my desk, too. I can’t resist all the Christmasy things!
- Minted Holiday Cards + Giveaway (THREE Winners!)
Is it just me or do you guys really look forward to checking the mail this time of year? I looove receiving holiday cards from friends and family and sent our holiday cards out earlier this week!
Like the past few years, we ordered our holiday cards from Minted who offered to collaborate with me this year and extend an awesome giveaway to you guys, too! If you haven’t ordered holiday cards yet, you have to check out Minted! Their designs are stunning and they have everything from thick letterpress cards to foil-pressed cards and more. The holiday card designs are created by independent artists and I had the hardest time choosing a favorite from so many gorgeous designs!
If holiday cards aren’t on your radar, Minted also has awesome holiday gifts including beautiful photo gifts like this foil collage I made of photos of Chase for Ryan for Christmas last year! And I actually ordered a couple of holiday prints from Minted (this one in green and this one) to hang in our bathroom as well this year and love them!
Now here’s the good news!!!
Three PBF readers will win a $100 credit to Minted to use toward anything on the site!
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. The giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday and we will contact the winners on Monday so you can order your cards and gifts ASAP!
Good luck!!
Note: Due to promotional laws, this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents.
- Friday Flashbacks
Gluten-Free Double Chocolate No Bake Icebox Cake (Change this one up and add crushed candy canes for a festive holiday dessert!)
20 Minute Total Body Workout (A total body workout that you can do in only 20 minutes! Add another round for a 30-minute sweat fest.)
Question of the Day
- What is one thing that is making you smile today?
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Disclaimer: Though I was provided holiday cards from Minted this year, this post and corresponding giveaway are not sponsored. Affiliate links are included in this post and do not affect purchase price. Thank you so much for your support!
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I’m looking forward to all the amazing food and snacks shared with family!
I am looking forward to this being our first Christmas together as a family of three!
I’m looking forward to seeing my boys believe in all the Christmas magic
Spending time with friends and family!!
I’m looking forward to watching my little guy, who will be 14 months at Christmas, open gifts for the first time on Christmas morning!
Spending the holidays with my family of FIVE, especially looking forward to watching my 2.5 year old son bond with my newborn twins!
I’m looking forward to christmas w a 3 year old who finally gets Santa! !
Time with family. Always will be the #1 thing I look forward to. I wish it didn’t take the holidays for all of us to get together, but I am thankful that we do!
Moving into new home a week before Christmas and making it “home” for the Holidays- and many to come.
I’m so excited about our first Christmas with our son…and how much fun he’ll have with the paper and boxes!
I am most looking forward to being done with finals, relaxing back at my childhood home, and spending as much time as possible with my boyfriend and friends home for the holidays 🙂
My mum lives in California and I live in Pennsylvania, so I’m counting down the days until she arrives for the Holiday! My son is almost 2 years old and I can’t wait to see them together!
Looking forward to watching my 1-year old daughter interact with her aunts, uncle, and grandparents – so precious ?
I am looking forward to being back home for the first time in 8 months and being able to be around my family and plan my wedding! 🙂
I’m looking forward to our first Christmas in the new house!
I am really looking forward to my first Christmas with my little boy. The holidays are so much more fun with little ones around!
I’m looking forward to a day off this Christmas to spend time with my hubby. We’ve both been working crazy hours this holiday season. Thanks for a great giveaway!
Hey lady!!! I’m a fan of peppermint herbal tea also!! In loving the Lauren Daigle holiday album and as a treat Starbucks holiday spice flat white with almond milk 🙂 love he Friday favorites!!
I am looking forward to going home for the holidays to see family!
Hosting my parents for Christmas at mine and my husband’s new home for the first time 🙂
I always get excited to make lots of holiday cookies!
I’m looking forward to spending the holidays with my new little family! It will be our baby girl’s first Christmas! ❤️
I can’t wait to watch the little ones open presents and to see family that I haven’t seen in awhile!
I’m enjoying the little things right now…dinner w friends, lunch w family, seeing the lights, etc.
Also, I recently bought a couple of beauty brand items and have to tell you how I LOVE the cleansing balm. It removes my eye makeup with nothing remaining and so gently. Just something to add to your list!
I am looking forward to some quality time with my children.
I am looking forward to seeing family and watching my son play with all of his cousins.
I’m looking forward to being around the Christmas tree with my family! Having the dogs run around and playing with my niece. This year is extra special as my Fiance and I are moving after Christmas, 8 hours away and I will miss my family very much!
I am looking forward to a holiday season of firsts. My first white Christmas (I grew up in Florida and just moved across the country and VERY North), as a newlywed, on my honeymoon! SO magical!
I’m looking forward to Christmas with my fiance and creating our own family traditions with him!
I have been searching for a quality skincare routine since I moved to the dry {dry} state of UT and NOTHING has worked! Now that I’m pregnant I am having even more issues! I will definitely give that cream cleanser a whirl!
Hey Laura! First off, congratulations!
I would love you help you with your dry skin issues. I am a huge supporter of safer beauty and a consultant with Beautycounter. In addition to the cream cleanser I would suggest our nourhsing day cream and face oil collection. Let me know if I can help you! I am passionate about getting safer products in the hands of everyone! Feel free to check out my website http://www.beautycounter.com/heatherwarner
I am looking forward to all the Christmas baked goods, holiday drinks, Christmas morning, etc!
I look forward to baking with my mom and celebrating with family!
I am looking forward to Christmas with a 3-year old! She is more and more fun each year.
It’s our baby boy’s first Christmas! =) So much to look forward too!
I am really looking forward to spending Christmas with my whole family!
I am looking forward to purchasing my first home with my husband and renovating my kitchen (channeling my inner Joanna Gaines!).
I am looking forward to meeting the newest member of our family! Baby Elle. This will be my last Christmas before I get married, so I will also be looking forward to sending my maiden name off with a bang 🙂
I’m looking forward to cold snuggly weather and lots of hot chocolate!
Looking forward to taking my baby girl home from NICU!
Looking forward to holiday baking!!
Every year on Christmas my mom and I do a puzzle together. Last years was 1,000 pieces and was certainly an accomplishment! Looking forward to this year’s puzzle 🙂
I am looking forward to sending time with friends and family, plus a full two weeks off of work! 🙂
I am looking forward to my baby boy’s first Christmas! He will be 9 months old 3 days before Christmas!
Really excited about the first Christmas with a baby and in our new house!
I’m looking forward to some time off work and enjoying time with my friends and family.
You should try the tea “candy cane lane” it’s my favorite peppermint tea!
I’m looking forward to going back home to FL from NC to see my friends and family during my school winter break!
I’ve been wanting to try the Beauty Counter cleanser but have been waiting until my “cheap” cleanser runs out. I’ve heard great reviews so I’m anxiously waiting to purchase it. 🙂
Hi! I see that you have questions about Beautycounter. I am a consultant and I would love to help you. I am obsssed with the products and love seeing the blogging world embrace them. Cheers!
heatherfleming001atgmail.com
Yay, Beautycounter! Love the products so much I became a consultant! You should try the exfoliating wash and day cream! Let me know if you have questions about the products, I would love to help you! Cheers!
Now that our daughter is 3yo she understands the idea of Christmas. We brought out her little elf, Charley, from Elf on the Shelf. We’ve had so much fun with her.