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 love everything about the Holidays but I am most looking forward to watching Christmas movies with my husband and furry son!
I love holiday traditions, especially now with a 1 year old. Always love your posts!
Great post as always 🙂 I’m really looking forward to some downtime with family this holiday season 🙂
Love all holiday traditions! My parents are coming to visit us in Colorado this year and can’t wait to start new traditions with our toddler.
Hey! What app did you use to look at products? I am struggling with finding good facial products right now and was just contemplating using BC!
I am in love with Rockin Holidays on Pandora too! I am most looking forward to going ice skating with my husband and 6 year old daughter! It will be our first time and it sounds so fun and festive, I hope to make it a Christmas tradition!
Love time with family and friends over the holidays. My wife and I both work so time as a family with the kids is what we look forward to.
I am looking forward to eggnog and peppermint bark!!
I am looking forward to having the entire family together!
I’m looking forward to spending time with family and eating lots of food. I’m also looking forward to relaxing after spending so much time traveling.
I just discovered minted and I’m in love with the site. I already ordered a gift from there this year.
Time with family, hands down!
I am thankful to be living in San Diego and having the most wonderful boyfriend – I will also be spending my first Christmas in the U.S. with.
Happy holiday season to you and your family.
Looking forward to hosting for the first time in our home we bought a few months ago!
I’m looking forward to spending the holiday with both of my girls and husband!
I am so looking forward to being back home in New York for Christmas for the first time in three years!
I am looking forward to hosting our annual friends holiday party next wknd (w/ White Elephant gift exchange) & my family on Xmas day.
I am looking forward to my daughter’s first Christmas and to my husband coming home from deployment in 2017!
I am looking forward to enjoying a cozy Christmas at home! Last year, we traveled on Christmas Day, which made the day feel sort of rushed and chaotic. I’m looking forward to a peaceful Christmas morning, followed by time spent with family here in town 🙂
I am looking forward to getting together with my family! I love the mulled wine!!
I’m looking forward to spending the first Christmas with my husband as a married couple!
Looking forward to spending this Christmas engaged and then getting married exactly 3 months later!
I am looking forward to uninterrupted family time. As we all get older – I am reminded that it is the most precious thing in life!
experiencing all the fun through my kids eyes!
I’m smiling today because one of my best friends from college came and visited! Although she had to leave, she brought us TONS of fresh persimmons from her family’s orchard!
I’m looking forward to going home and being with my friends and family!
I’m looking forward to warm apple cider on the couch on Christmas morning as my 4 & 1 year old open their gifts 🙂
I’m excited for Christmas Eve with my family!
Your holiday cards are so cute!
My husband and I got married two months ago and while we’ve been together for many years and have previously celebrated together, I’m looking forward to experiencing our first Christmas as a married couple!
Ha I used to sell Beautycounter! Love ALL of their products! I use the cream cleanser every single day, along with several other items! It’s the BEST!
Looking forward to holiday cards!!
I look forward to everyone being a little bit kinder to each other. It’s like there is a special peace in the air. For a little while everyone is a little more patient with each other . Truly a Christmas spirit!
I love to bake, so I’m definitely looking forward to holiday baking!
I am looking forward to driving cross-country with my husband and our two dogs so that we can be with both sets of our parents (and my parents’ new puppy) for Christmas!
I love getting all my friends Christmas cards with their children on them. We’re in our thirties now so the things we look forward to have definitely changed
I’m looking forward to my first married Christmas! 🙂
I’m looking forward to our first Christmas with our new four year old daughter!
I’m looking forward to all the Christmas movies, classic and cheesy/sappy ones alike!
I am so looking forward to relaxing time with my family!
I’m smiling today because it’s Friday, and I get to spend the whole weekend with my almost 1 year old son! My husband and I are taking him to see Santa – should be interesting! 😛
P.S. What app do you use to check the ingredient list on your beauty products??
EWG Skin deep!
We just had a baby Thanksgiving, so we’re so excited to have Christmas with a little one!
I am looking forward to relaxing with friends and family after a busy semester of taking classes and working full time!
I am looking forward my first Christmas with my husband! #newlyweds!
I’m looking forward to wearing my ugly Christmas sweater!!
We had a cookie exchange this week, which I eagerly anticipate every year. And now I get to enjoy delicious cookies (and share a few with my hubby and kids haha).
I am most looking forward to being with family this Christmas and also celebrating the first Christmas in my new house 🙂
I am so thankful to finally finally shine my masters program (!!!!) and some fun new beginnings with my husband 🙂
We’re looking forward to spending our first Christmas with our daughter who is 10 months old!
We recently moved to Texas and I can’t wait to go back home to be with family. We have a one year old so I’m excited for our parents and family members to see him and how much he’s grown !
This is my FAVORITE time of year so I’m looking forward to many things. Christmas cards, music, the smells of Christmas, and lights!!!
I’m looking forward to 2 weeks off work! Yay for working for the school system.