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?
***
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 playing in the snow!
Your Christmas cards are adorable. I’ve used Minted the past 3 years for mine, love the products!
I’m looking forward to my niece’s second Christmas! She is so much more active this year!
I am looking forward to sending friends and family Christmas card/Save The Dates!! Getting married in May and the holiday season is getting my fiancé and I very excited!!
I’m most looking forward to our last Christmas morning as a family of three. Baby No. 2 is coming early 2017!
I always look forward to my dad’s homemade out of this world cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning!!1
I always look forward to comfortable holiday pajamas!
I always look forward to hot chocolate by the tree, while listening to Christmas music!
Apple cider is one of my favorite hot drink year round since I don’t drink coffee and rarely drink tea.
I’m finished finals so that’s making me smile today. I didn’t realize how stressed out I was until they were all done.
I’m looking forward to spending Christmas with my two babies (almost two year old daughter and ten week old son!) I think my daughter will enjoy Christmas more this year, can’t wait to see her reaction Christmas morning!
Can’t wait to watch Home Alone 🙂
I’m looking forward to time off work and some quality time with my family!
Looking forward to having my brother home for the first time in two years. And Christmas cookies of course!
Sounds like you have a fun weekend ahead! We’re already up at our place in Breckenridge and are looking forward to a full weekend of skiing on fresh snow. 🙂
We just got our Christmas cards from Minted and LOVE them. (Granted, we also got out Wedding invites and Save the Dates from them this year, so we knew they’d be great.) You’re picture turned out adorably. Thanks for sharing!
Have a great weekend!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
We love Minted cards too! This holiday I’m looking forward to introducing Jackson to the magic of Christmas! At just 7 months old I’m sure he is going to love all of the new toys he’ll be getting!
I am looking forward to traveling home to see all of my family and friends! And a little time off work 🙂
Love minted! I am so looking forward to seeing my family. I live in California so don’t get a chance to make it to Tennessee where they all are very often, can’t wait!
I’m looking forward to all the food!!!
I am looking forward to this being my first Christmas with my new husband! Also my favorite part of Christmas is the Christmas Eve dinner with my family.
looking forward to seeing out-of-state family and friends and wedding planning!!
very excited to spend the holiday with my family.. the last one for just my husband and I before we become mommy and daddy in april 🙂
I am looking forward to spending time with friends and family. The holidays are about showing how much others mean to us!
I’m looking forward to my first Christmas with my husband as a married couple! Hoping to start a new tradition this year. 🙂
I love all things Christmas, and normally I would say that I’m most looking forward to our annual Ugly Sweater Party. However this year I’m getting married 4 days after Christmas, so that’s a little more exciting. 😀
I LOVE the R,W. Knudsen cider! It’s sooo good even on its own.
I’m smiling today because it’s finally Friday and I get to go to Haute Barre tomorrow!
I also wanted to say that while I don’t comment very much, I love your blog and check it pretty much every day. Thanks for giving me a fun break from work! 🙂
I’m looking forward to making cookies with my dad and sister this Sunday! Also hoping to make it up to NYC for some holiday fun.
I’m really looking forward to spending time with all of my wonderful family! And celebrating my daughter’s first christmas/first birthday 🙂
I’m looking forward to spending time with family. All of our family lives out of state…making this time of year extra special!
I am looking forward to the cookies! I love baking them and of course eating them 🙂
Sadly I won’t be able to go home for the holidays, so I’m NOT looking forward to that. BUT I AM looking forward to my baby coming! I’ve never wanted a Christmas baby, but now it doesn’t sound so bad!!
I’m looking forward to spending time with family & friends from out of town!
I’m looking forward to holiday parties 🙂
I am looking forward to Christmas morning with my kids!
I’m looking forward to celebrating our baby girl’s first Christmas!
We’re taking our Christmas pictures this weekend so it would be perfect timing and I’d love to order our cards from minted!
I also love checking the mailbox. It’s fun to see my almost 3 year old identify her friends and family who send us photo cards when she opens the envelopes! I’m looking forward to the first snow!
This holiday season will be my daughter’s first. She is 6 months old. For that reason, I’m looking forward to celebrating the birth of Christ with her, my husband and my son, who is 2.5 yo.
I’m looking forward to our baby boy’s arrival! We are due in early January but found out today baby is likely coming sooner – maybe a Christmas baby!
I’m most looking forward to family time!
I’m looking forward to spending our first Christmas in our new home this year!
I’m also a huge fan of receiving Christmas cards! I’m also looking forward to all the great foods that are saved for the holidays.
I’m most looking forward to my husband having a week off work so we can spend some quality time together!
My husband and I just bought our first house! I am most looking forward to establishing new traditions as a home-owning couple and the first Christmas in our new cozy home.
I’m going to say TWO things:
1.) I’m really, really looking forward to spending time with my grandfather, who turns 97 in a week! He’s still living at home alone and his mind is still sharp as a tack, but at that age, you never know how long you have left. I want to hear more stories about his life.
2.) I’m taking my 5.5 year old niece to the Nutcracker (with my mom and two sisters) — I can’t wait to relive the magic through her eyes.
I’m looking forward to seeing all of my extended family!
i’m looking forward to eating christmas cookies with people i don’t get to see as often as I’d like!
Happy Friday! I’m making truffles with my girlfriends tomorrow, so I have holiday sweets on the mind as well. You know, my friends and I do an informal meal train using a Google doc — clearly we need to access that site. Thanks for the tip. Also, I have the same cider from Whole Foods and haven’t tried it yet. I’ll need to get on that! Have an awesome weekend! 🙂
I am SO excited to have our four grandchildren here for Christmas! Our 3 daughters are fabulous, but those grands are something so special … I never completely understood until we had our first grandson… then totally SWOON for me!! I’m betting your Mom and MIL willl agree with this feeling!!
I’m looking forward (as with any holiday) to the food! lol
I’m looking forward to spending time with family and traveling