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 all the Christmas movies on tv (Elf) and listening to Christmas music and decorating my house. Really I love all things Christmas!
What don’t I look forward to?!? Everything!!
Looking forward to time spent with loved ones and lots of snow!
This season I am looking forward to 1) attending my first holiday office party, and 2) tasting lots of entries to the baking contest at aforementioned holiday office party!
One thing that made me smile was learning that a student that I teach was accepted to one of her top-choice colleges!
I’m looking forward to spending time with family and baking cookies with my nephews!
What app did you use to check the ingredients of your cleaner?
I can’t wait to finally have a chance to decorate for the holidays! XO
I’m looking forward to my baby’s first Christmas! His holiday jammies are making me smile today:)
I’m excited to be off from school!
I am looking forward to the entire season with my oldest. He is 3 and celebrating the holidays with him is so exciting!!!
Looking forward to taking a week off from work and spending time with the husband and pup!
I’m excited for a short break from work!
I’m looking forward to staying home this Christmas! We always travel home for Christmas but this year we decided to keep it local 🙂 Hopefully it will be relaxing!
Spending time with my family!
christmas carol next weekend!
I cant wait to spend time with my family in Palm Springs and relax!!!
Spending time with family and watching them open presents
Why do you hate Ceraphil so much??
Looking forward to my 5 month old baby boy’s first Christmas.
I’m looking forward to celebrating Christmas for the first time with my 10 month-old twins!
I’m a middle school teacher so I’m looking forward Tim winter break to spend time with my family and recharge!
I’m looking forward to time with family I don’t see enough!
It’s my daughter’s first Christmas so I’m looking forward to soaking in the holiday magic with her 🙂
I cannot wait to see all my family members!
I’m looking forward to Christmas day with my in-laws! It’s always a hoot!
This Christmas I am looking forward to my mom’s first visit to Alaska since my husband and I moved up here last spring!
I’m looking forward to Christmas lights! I love hunting for best Xmas lights around my neighborhood. 🙂
I love peppermint tea! It’s so Christmassy and is such a nice pick-me-up during the dull afternoons.
– Charmaine
http://charmainenyw.com
I’m looking forward to waking up Christmas morning and cuddling my little guy on his first Christmas morning.
I’m looking forward to Christmas baking with my girlfriends!
I’m looking forward to 7 Fishes on Christmas Eve, baking no less than 10 kinds of Christmas cookies and our annual picture in our Christmas PJs!
Lots of time with friends and family!
My first holiday being engaged!!
Having the first Christmas tree with my husband!
I’m excited about spending this Christmas with my family and my fiancé’s family all together. I ‘love this time of year!!
I am looking forward to time off work! This time of year is crazy and a break is always welcome!
I’m looking forward to having my new fiance by my side! And escaping Chiberia…I mean, Chicago…for a couple of warmer weeks!
Christmas with my family for the first time in four years!
I am looking forward to going home and seeing family since my fiancé and I moved cross country this past spring, from Maryland to California!
I am looking forward to seeing family and friends!
I’m looking forward to my daughter’s first Christmas and a getaway to Asheville with our best friends.
Looking forward to making new traditions with my new fiancé! So much to be thankful for this year 🙂
Now that my sis has moved about 6 hours away (driving), I’m just happy to see her over the holidays!
Looking forward to my 2 oldest boys being home from college!
I was just thinking I hope Minted does gift cards bc I was wanting to get one for my friend for christmas that is decorating a nursery! i would love one to find some art for my house that we just moved into! the walls are so bare right now! I use Minted for all my invitations, cards, and announcements!
Lots and lots of family time and snuggling up on the couch together!
I’m looking forward to seeing my 3-year old niece enjoy all the traditions of the holiday. She’s really into it this year!
Looking forward to cookies
Looking forward to announcing that there will be one more at Christmas’ to come!
I’m looking forward to spending time with my family