This is some sample text.
Learn More
Fashion

December Fashion Favorites

Wait.  Are you comfortable?  Sitting in a cozy spot?  Do you have at least 3 minutes to spare?  (Although 10 would be better.)  Is there a snack nearby?  No?  K.. I’ll wait.  Go ahead.  Get comfy and grab the pretzels (that’s what I’m munching on at the moment).   Things have been busy and my fashion selfies are piling up!  It’s time for a major picture dump of favorite things I’ve been wearing.  SO many cute things you guys!  And a lot of them are on sale!  It’s a Christmas miracle.  Well… not really.. but it’s December so we’re going with it. ;)

{Partnering with Nordstrom on this post!  Affiliate links used.}

{Side Ruffle Skirt/similar Bell Sleeve Sweater/similar Boots/similar Necklace}

First up – I found the cutest skirt to wear this month!  I’m so in love with this side ruffle pencil skirt.  It has such a great fit.. not too clingy and I love the higher waist and length.  It’s just comfortable and FUN.  Perfect for holiday get togethers that aren’t formal, but you still want to dress up a bit for.  I’m excited to wear it to church on Christmas Eve. :)

Cutest side ruffle right?  I loved it so much I bought it in black too!

Part of my Christmas came a little early this year.  I’ve mentioned before that everyone in our family always gets a new pair of shoes for Christmas.  I’ve had the same pair of Uggs that I wear over and over since before Kole was born!  They aren’t looking too hot as you can imagine (Kole is 7 1/2 – he always makes me add the 1/2) :) so it was time for a replacement pair.  Or two replacement pairs.  Even better. ;)  There are so many fun new styles of Ugg boots in Nordstrom this year!  I had a hard time choosing but went with these Dae Sunshine Boots and the Kiandra Boot.  During this time of year I wear my older Uggs every single day.  Most days I put them on in the morning to run my kids to school, then I’ll change into something else for the middle of the day when I’m leaving the house, then I put my Uggs back on in the evening when I’m playing taxi driver.  These new Uggs are so cute that I don’t think I’ll want to change them mid day! I might never buy another pair of shoes again.

That would be a Christmas gift to my husband that isn’t really going to happen.. :)

Aren’t they cute in the back too!  Love them.  (And to my husband, thanks for the fun Christmas gift babe!  I know you don’t know you got me these, but you did and I love them.  You are SO good to me.) ;)  

CUTE UGGS I’M LOVING:

This J Crew Buffalo Plaid Shirt is a newish favorite!  I bought it just a few weeks ago and have already worn it about four times.  I love button up shirts with my tanner bar necklace (an older long time favorite).  So cute!  Jeans are my all time favorite AG raw hem ankle skinny jeans that are still on sale and were re-stocked in all sizes!  So if you missed them the first time they’re back!  Such an amazing steal.  I’m wearing them in every picture in this post.. they are my go-to every day jeans.

I actually just wore this J Crew shirt again tonight to a play and dinner with these two crazies.  Kenny took El to a dance competition so the three of us had a fun date night.  Clearly we need to work on our selfie skills since Kole is cut out and half of the picture is my hand.. ha!

This Metallic Trim Flare Cuff Sweater is another newish favorite.  Just a bit of sparkle around the bell sleeves.  So fun.  Comes in lots of colors.

It’s a great sweater to wear with a scarf!  This plaid scarf has been my favorite so far this season.

Bubble Sleeve Sweater – I love the green but it comes in other colors.  It’s on the shorter side so I wear a tank under it.  The sleeves are my favorite.  These over the knee boots are still marked down!

Flare Sleeve Utility Jacket – you all know I love jackets like this!

Aren’t the sleeves fun?  This looks so cute buttoned up or unbuttoned with a top under it.  I’ve worn it a few times with graphic tees under it too and it’s a really cute combo!

This Cozy Ribbed Pullover is exactly like it looks and sounds – COZY!  It’s the type of sweater you want to throw on every day when it’s cold outside.  It’s warm and so soft.  I have it in the cream color too.  Love this!

Wore this Zigzag sweater a few weeks ago to see Cinderella with friends.  I’ve had this sweater in black for years and it’s such a good fit (Vince Camuto sweaters always are!) so earlier in the Fall when it came back I bought it in the green.  It’s on sale right now!  (You can find Ad’s t-shirt dress here – it’s one of her favorites.  And kids’ Uggs herethis new pair is darling isn’t it!?). :)

A cute striped Madewell tee I love and have worn a few times lately that’s probably not warm enough for most of you. ;)  My Tory Burch bracelet is a favorite and a cute gift idea!

I couldn’t resist picking up this Lush Tunic for only $27!  Dressy and longer and a fun change from the type of tops I usually wear. :)

I love it with these cute ball drop earrings.  They are so cute, light weight and just $14!

Are we doing ok?  I told you you’d need some pretzels!  This post is a marathon, not a sprint.  We must pace ourselves. ;)  CUTEST camo Venice Hoodie and it’s 40% off!  I was giddy when I found this!

Slouchy and comfortable – such a cute fit – I know it will be on heavy repeat!  Want to know my favorite thing about sweatshirts like this?  You can wear them all day..

and then switch your jeans and boots to a favorite pair of jogger pants and Ugg slippers and BAM.. comfort!  In for the night. :)  (My Ugg socks above sold out but these Ugg socks are so cute if you like wearing shorts or nightgowns!)

Speaking of being in for the night.. :)  If I could be a pair of pj’s I would be these Flannel Girlfriend Make and Model PJ’s. Seriously.  They don’t get any cuter or more comfortable!

My husband always teases me about my pajama obsession but commented that he likes these a few nights ago so aside from being crazy comfy, these are also husband approved. ;)  There might be a few people on my Christmas list who are also get these pj’s soon!  Cute for the holidays and also long after.

I’ve also been wearing this cute Merry Kissmas pj top a lot around the house this month.  It comes in a set with shorts, but I don’t love the short shorts – maybe if I had the thighs for them? ;) – so when I buy a set like this I keep the top and give the shorts to Ellie.  She loves PJ Salvage shorts so it’s a win win!  I much prefer my favorite jogger pants. :)

And of course I’ve been living in my Team Santa sweatshirt I picked up in October.  They have one that says Team Rudolph too!  Love it.  I honestly can’t think of much I love more than Christmas pj’s.  They make me so very happy.  Everything about this beloved time of year makes me happy.  My girls are out of school in a week (Kole goes a few days longer) and I can’t wait to get my kids home so we can really start enjoying the season!  I have a lot to get done this week before they’re out (hard to process all that needs to get done right?) but it will all get done.. it always does!

I hope you’re still with me!  I know that post was a long one.  Maybe you added some hot chocolate with your pretzels?  That is sounding really good to me right about now.  I’m off to make some. :)  Come back on Monday for a Christmas home tour!  Or at least part of one!  We’ll see how much of my Christmas decor I can squeeze into one post.  This post was good training so I think you can handle it.

Just bring a snack. :)

POST SOURCES – all things I’m loving this month:






xoxo, Erin
Christmas

Christmas porch, home updates, and an epic tale :)

Christmas Porch
Oh my word.. is it really Friday!?  LIMPING to the finish line around here.  What a week!  December madness has definitely hit.  But the house is decorated and it makes me so happy to come home from a busy day or evening to this Christmas porch.  It just seems to say “welcome home.. come inside and put on your Christmas pj’s and enjoy the tree lights and rest.”

At least that’s what I imagine it tells me. :)

I usually clean and decorate our porch with Kole – it’s kind of our thing :) – but he has had activities in the afternoons and I wanted to get it done so I just did it quick by myself one morning.  So earlier this week I picked up the kids from school and pulled into the garage and told Kole I decorated the porch for Christmas.  He went running over to see it and came back and said “no defense mom (which always makes me smile because he says no “defense” instead of no “offense” – it’s so cute I never correct him..) – no defense mom, but the porch looks the same as last year and the year before that.  I mean.. you added a couple of new things, but it’s pretty much the same.  It’s nice, but I like it when you do something different and EPIC.  The porch isn’t EPIC mom.  I’ll help you next year.”  Then he went skipping into the house.  Oh my word.. that kid cracks me up!  So friends.. today I start this post with a very boring, very un-EPIC Christmas porch.  We’ll cross our fingers and hope for better next year. ;)

Christmas Porch (Sunny Side Up)

To be honest, I do use a lot of my Christmas decor the same way every year.  Mostly because well.. I like it the way it is!  It’s familiar and tradition and since it’s only up for a month or so I don’t get tired of it.  Plus I just LOVE these little trees lit up at night so much that the thought of doing something instead of the trees bums me out.  But!  Like Kole noticed.. I did add a couple of minor new additions. :)

Christmas Porch (Sunny Side Up)

Santa hats on both of the trees, a few new presents (which have all of my cookbooks inside of them holding them down – they are getting more use this way than ever before)..

Christmas Porch (Sunny Side Up)

and my favorite new addition – this cute red and gray sled.  I’ve always wanted a sled for the front porch and I’ve found a lot of them on-line, but nothing I liked as much as this.  Plus it’s on sale right now!  Personally I think it’s pretty epic.

But that’s just me. :)

Christmas Porch (Sunny Side Up)

Coastal Craftsman Home (Sunny Side Up)

And random.. when I decorate I don’t like things to be too symmetrical.  That’s why I put two lanterns (and now a sled) on one side of my door and only one lantern on the other.  I don’t know why, but when things are too symmetrical it bothers me.  Little tidbit about me you didn’t care to know but I told you anyway. ;)

Childhood Ornament Tree

We have a lot of Christmas trees throughout the house this year all with different looks.  Several people have asked me what we do with the special ornaments made by my kids.  Sometimes they put them on the tree in our family room, but the past few years the kids have decorated a little tree in our stair landing with all of their homemade ornaments.  The tree I used to have on our stairs bit the dust last year (wouldn’t stand up straight anymore!) so I replaced it with this cute Burlap Base Tree and I love the look of it (plus it’s also on sale)!   This is an all kid tree so I try really hard to not move things around after they put them on.  That can be difficult for me, but I don’t let myself touch it. :)

Craftsman Staircase (Sunny Side Up)

Childhood Ornament Tree

Kole added more decorations to the stairs by pulling out the nutcrackers.  Then he played with that little nativity set on the right for an hour and then laid them all down to go to sleep and made me promise not to move them.  Which is why they are in this picture and laying down.  I can’t wake a sleeping nativity set.

Board and Batten Stair Case

These are the little Christmas touches throughout our home I love the most. :)

picture ornaments

Nordstrom burlap tree

gingerbread houses

I also hung my kids’ little school gingerbread houses next to the fridge and have their Christmas art displayed in our office.  Favorite Christmas decor. :)

wooden Christmas tree

A few more new updates throughout my home from Nordstrom!  This cute wooden tree is the centerpiece on my dining room table this year.  So cute.

Christmas Dining Room

And this throw!  I know.. I have so many throws and love them all.  I can’t help it!  Throws (and pillows!) are a major weakness for me.  But this faux fur throw is heavenly to curl up with and I love it draped over a chair!

Tassel Lamp

I’m so excited to show you my progress in our guest bedroom in the New Year!  Lots of bedroom posts are coming. :)  But I couldn’t wait to show you all these Opal Tassel Lamps!  Aren’t they stunning!?  So funny.. after I got them unwrapped and plugged in I couldn’t stop walking by this room to look at them.  I just love them so much.  My husband was laughing at me… that lamps could make me that happy.. ha!  But they really do.  I love everything about them and because they are so neutral I think they would look good in any space around the house if I ever want to mix things up.

Kate Spade Towels

I got a few new Kate Spade Towels for my girls’ bathroom.  These larger towels above sold out, but the hand towels I ordered in this same color pattern are still in stock.  Nordstrom has a great selection of really nice towels and towels are an easy way to instantly spruce up a bathroom!

Powder bathroom (Sunny Side Up)

Last summer when I shared our powder bathroom decor I got so many questions about where I got the cute striped soap dispenser!

marble counters - powder bathroom (Sunny Side Up)

You can find it here.  Also in the home department at Nordstrom.  Can you tell it’s a happy spot I like to hang out in?  :)

bliss plush throws - nordstrom

I wrapped up my favorite Bliss Plush Throws this week to give out as gifts!  I shared these in my recent Favorite Things post because I think they make a perfect gift!  Another Nordstrom Home department obsession.

Sunny Side Up - favorite throw

Alright friends.. signing off!  I have some cute clothes to share with you over the weekend and then Monday is Christmas Home Tour day!  So I’ll be back soon!  And trust me..

it’s going to be EPIC.

;)

Huge thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!  Your HOME department is a long time favorite. :)

{POST SOURCES}


{OTHER FUN GIFT IDEAS FROM NORDSTROM HOME.. so many of these things are on my wish list!}





xoxo, Erin
Christmas

Eclipse Charger – say good-bye to messy cords!

*In collaboration with Native Union – all thoughts and opinions are my own!  Affiliate links used.

Native Union Eclipse Charger

If you were to ask me what our nightstands look like in our master bedroom right now at this very moment I would show you this picture above.

Native Union Charging Station

But then I would remember we’re all tight friends around here and I can be real. :)  So truth.. the picture above is what the nightstand on my husband’s side of the bed really looks like most days.  And it drives me CRAZY.

Say good-bye to messy cords

Does this mess of cords look familiar to anyone else!?  Please tell me I’m not alone!  We charge our two cell phones and our family iPad on this nightstand each night and the mess of cords has been a frustration for me for a long time now.  I’ve thought of so many solutions (including drilling holes in the back of our dresser and hiding this mess in the drawer!) but just I haven’t done anything about it yet.

Native Union Eclipse

So when Native Union reached out and asked if I’d be interested in trying out their new Eclipse Charger I seriously couldn’t say yes fast enough!  Someone had heard my frustration and found a solution!  I was giddy when this box and three cords came in the mail.

Native Union Charging Station

First of all.. these cables.  I couldn’t have designed something more perfect if I had dreamed about them!  Black and white stripes?  With a cute leather tie that holds it all together in a clean and organized fashion?  YES.  These are the little things in life that just make my day. :)

Eclipse Charging Station

This Eclipse really is so cool you guys.  I had it set up in minutes!  You just plug it in, tap the top twice and it opens up.  You string three cords through it and then tap to close the lid again.  You can pull as much of the cord out as you want to charge your devices.  There is a cool video HERE that shows you how easy it is to set up and use.  You can even mount this on your wall if you wanted to!

Eclipse Charger

Kole loves tapping it and watching it open and close.  We did this for a long time the other day and I kept having to pause taking these photos so he could play with it.  Open/close.. open/close. :)  It also has a light at the bottom that comes on with one tap which is so nice for late at night or early morning.

Native Union Charging Station

And when everyone takes their devices and leaves for the day?  This is what my nightstand looks like.  For real.  The Eclipse looks like simple decor.  And there isn’t a cord in sight!  THIS I can live with. :)

Eclipse Charger Native Union

I loved it so much I tried using it for a few days in my office and now I want another one!  This is another spot in my house that is usually full of cords because the girls and I sometimes charge our phones here after they get home from school.

Eclipse Charger Native Union

Cords are hidden and out of sight!  Such a happy well functioning little spot now. :)

Native Union Charging Station

The cord on the Eclipse also has a nice leather tie so you can easily wrap up and hide the cord.  You can take the leather ties off and use the small cords in the Eclipse, but I just used our regular charging cables and plan to use the small cords when I travel.

Native Union Charging Station

Time to say good-bye to messy cords once and for all!  I’m in!  I think this Eclipse Charger would make a great holiday gift.  It comes in different colors and styles and is so functional!  It’s something I would have totally bought to give to me from me. :)

Fun Gift Ideas From Native Union:

Bedroom Sources:

I hope your week is off to a great start!  I’m trying to wrap up my decorating this week and keep asking myself how I’m still working on it when I got started so early!?  I’m blaming it on the week of travel for Thanksgiving (travel always throws me off and takes a while to catch up after!) but really I think it’s just because I love the decorating so much I don’t want it to end.  Ha. :)

Eclipse Charger - say goodbye to messy cords!

xoxo, Erin
Fashion

Men’s Clothes – Gift Ideas for Him

*affiliate links used below

Clothes for men

Friends.  We’ve created a monster.  You might remember in October when my husband was a good sport to help me with my first post for Nordstrom sharing his favorite Fall clothes.  Per his usual sarcastic self, he titled himself “the new face of Nordstrom” and made my life slightly difficult as I attempted to take pics of him.

So when Nordstrom sent me an e-mail a few weeks ago asking if we were up for another men’s post I just shook my head and thought.. oh boy.. here we go again.. :)

I e-mailed my husband and this was our back and forth:

Me: “Guess who is the new face of Nordstrom.. ha.  Are you up for another one?  Or should I say.. am I up for another one?”

Him: “Let them know I’m in, and that I’m so dedicated to my art that I’ll go ahead and model their boxer briefs in this post. We can have a picture of me in the kitchen in my underwear taking cookies out of the oven. I think I might need to hurry and get a tattoo to increase my edgy appeal. And I need to shave my legs. Crap! Being the face of Nordstrom is a heavy burden to bare.  Is it too early to buy a loft in New York City? I’m sure they’re going to need me there about once a month for future shoots.”

Yup.  This is the kind of stuff I deal with on a daily basis.  It doesn’t matter what question I ask.. I get responses like this back ALL DAY LONG.  Like a few days ago when I sent him a text and asked “did you remember you’re picking up Addison from band today?”  And he answered “who’s Addison?”

Oh my word.  It’s exhausting.  And the reason I love him.  He’s totally annoying and keeps life interesting all at the same time. :)

So without further sarcasm from our model, (who will most definitely NOT be in the kitchen in his underwear taking cookies out of the oven) here are a few more of our favorites from the men’s departent at Nordstrom.

Mens Gift Ideas

{Him: thermal tee/lace up sneakers (on sale!)Me: similar Rails shirt/jeans/over the knee boots}

My mom snapped this pic of us over Thanksgiving break.  My husband loves these Rail Notch neck thermal t-shirts.  They are lightweight and casual.. fitted but not tight.  He lives in them and right now they are on sale for under $20!  Great every day staples.

Men's clothes - great gift ideas

Here is a better pic of the maroon and blue.  He has most of the colors.

Men's clothes and gift ideas

Apparently “the new face of Nordstrom” doesn’t have to shave.  Even when his wife begs him to.. (sigh)  

men's clothes

fall men's clothes

My nephew smushed my brother’s hat down seconds before this pic and clearly got a real kick out of himself. :)  Kenny’s fleece zip hoodie is another favorite this time of year.  So comfortable and it comes in 4 colors.

Nordstrom men's plaid shirt

{Him: Slim fit check sport shirt/lace up sneakersMe: Ribbed Pullover/Jeans/Boots}

Nordstrom men's clothes

Nordstrom has a great selection of men’s flannel shirts.  We like the men’s flannel shirts that are slim fit and taper a bit at the bottom like this Trucker Check Sport shirt.  Here are a few other recent favorites that may or may not be showing up under the tree..

Nordstrom men's gray sweater

Just home from picking up Addison wearing a favorite crewneck sweater .. looks like he remembered who she was after all. ;)

{Him: Robert Barakett long sleeve polo/Non-iron straight leg cotton pants/sneakers  — Me: bell sleeve ribbed sweater (on sale!)/jeans/boots/sunglasses/similar purse}

I really like Robert Barakett shirts for Kenny for work.  Really nice quality shirts.  They can be pricey, but I watch for sales and right now there are good deals on some of them!  El snapped this pic of us on Friday.  We were touring high schools for her next year.  I can’t even type that without wanting to cry!  My baby is going to be in high school next year.  I really don’t know how that is possible.  Especially since Kenny and I just graduated high school a few years ago ourselves.  Ha. :)

Fall Nordstrom sweater

{Cotton Cashmere Pullover/Sperry Gold Cup Sneakers (his favorites on sale!)}

Mens and boys clothes and gift ideas

{Kenny’s colorblock sweater/shoes — Kole’s sweater (40% off!)/Chino pants/shoes}

A favorite recent picture of my boys in favorite Nordstrom sweaters.  Love them. :)  You can see more of our favorite men’s clothes in this post and find other fun gift ideas from Nordstrom for everyone on your list in this post.

Huge thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post and for great clothes we love and live life in.  Also a huge thanks to my babe and other half for being a good sport in his “new face of Nordstrom” adventures.

I’ve always tried to be a supportive wife so New York City.. here we come.

;)

{POST SOURCES}






xoxo, Erin
Christmas

Mudroom with built-in cabinets decked for Christmas!

Christmas in the mudroom

Sharing some Christmas cheer in my mudroom today!  I shared my little tree a few posts back.  I have quite a few trees in my house this year and I have to say that for some reason this little tree with my new fuzzy tree skirt is my favorite.

affiliate links used

Christmas in the mudroom

You can see more info. on my Container Store gift wrap (and my decorated office!) in this post.

Built in mudroom cabinets and Christmas decor

Here are a few pics I took of the rest of the room!  (You can see how all of our mudroom built-ins are organized in this post.)

Christmas mudroom bench

{Pom pom knitted throw/plaid pillow/stag pillow (on sale!)similar stag pillow/boxwood wreath}

Don’t you love how you can toss a different throw and pillow over a chair/bench/couch and have a totally new look in your room?  I do.  I love this stag pillow!  I found this similar stag pillow that’s also on sale and so cute!  I’d buy it, but after decorating my living room yesterday I’m officially putting myself on a Christmas pillow buying freeze.  I have a problem and admitting it is the first step to recovery.

Black dutch door - mudroom with built in cabinets decked for Christmas!

I bought a few of these cute little boxwood wreaths this year and just switched out the ribbon on them.  I love small wreaths like this to put in little places throughout my home.  They look especially cute on the back of chairs in the kitchen or dining room.

Black dutch door - mudroom decked for Christmas!

I’ve been making my kids keep this room extra clean.  Nothing can be tossed and left on the floor this month!  We walk in and out of this room so many times during the day and it just makes me happy to see everything clean and decorated with the tree lights on.  A bit of calm and peace during hectic, busy days!  Moms don’t ask for much right!?  :)built-in mudroom lockers

I added ribbon to our mudroom baskets again but decided to use the same snowflake ribbon I put on the tree for a fun change.  Because I’m wild and crazy like that.  I just love snowflakes!  They seem to pop up in one way or another in every room in my house this time of year.

Mudroom with built-ins decked for Christmas!

mudroom with built in cabinets and dutch door decked for Christmas!

That wraps up the mudroom Christmas tour! I’m trying to tie up loose ends in other rooms throughout my house and get them finished but I have to admit that I’m in a bit of a slump!  I felt like I was so productive before Thanksgiving but that break made me just want to stay in pj’s and eat all day.  Anyone else feeling like that?  Not a good mindset going into one of the busiest months of the year.  I need to snap out of it!

Maybe if I buy another Christmas pillow..

black dutch door - outside of mudroom

Ha ha.. just kidding!

Kind of.  But not really. :)

{MUDROOM SOURCES}




xoxo, Erin
Family

Thanksgiving and Cyber Sales

Hello friends!  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving break!  It went by so quickly didn’t it!?  We had such a fun trip to Utah to visit family.

My girls ran their first Turkey Trot with their dad!  I’ve been dealing with knee issues and have to have surgery in January (boo) so I was bummed I couldn’t join them.  But I went along for moral support/cheerleading anyway.  Bright and early! If we look half asleep in this picture it’s because we were. :)

Their cute cousin and my brother-in-law joined them.

Proud of my girls!  It was such a fun way to kick off the holiday.

(affiliate links used below)

Then back to moms to cook the turkey!  My mom and brother do most of the cooking and I make a great assistant.  In my flare sleeve sweater that’s a total fire hazard around the stove.  Ha.  My family knows I’m good to peel a few potatoes and then find other fun jobs.. set the table, play with the kids, tidy up the living room.  Anything but cook.  Some things never change. :)

The weather was beautiful so the kids spent a lot of time in my parent’s yard and treehouse.  (You can see more treehouse details in this post.)

And what did I do for four straight days other than avoid kitchen duty?

{Hanna Split neck top/Tanner Necklace}

I held my new niece!  Meet Quincy.  Isn’t she a doll!?  I couldn’t be more in love.

{Varsity Stripe Tee/Camo Jeans}

K – I promise I won’t bore you all with baby pictures.  After this post. ;)  But I seriously couldn’t get enough of this sweet girl!  She is absolutely perfect.

And btw.. my favorite cardigan is not only incredibly comfortable, but also doubles to make the coziest baby blanket. ;)  Is she not the most precious thing!?

My mom snapped this last picture of us.  We both fell asleep in the chair one evening.  I couldn’t put her down!  There is just something about a new baby and I miss this stage with my kids so much.  Quincy and I totally bonded and when I said good-bye I got such a huge lump in my throat and couldn’t help tearing up.  Sometimes not living close to my family is hard.  My brother wanted to know why I never cry when I say good-bye to him.  Ha. ;)

Back in the swing of things now that we’re home and I’m so excited it’s almost December!  I can finally listen to Christmas music without getting any grief!  (I’ve been playing it since mid October.) :)  I have lots of fun decorating to share with you all.  Isn’t getting the house ready for the holidays the best!?  I’m almost finished with my Christmas shopping and am so excited about the great sales going on right now!  I linked some of the fun things on sale for Cyber Monday below.  Stuff that I love and already have or am buying today.  These are my favorite stores that I’ve been stopping by tonight!  On my couch and in my pj’s with the TV on and a bowl of popcorn next to me.  Best way to shop. :)

{Favorite frames on sale/Vintage wood oval tray on sale}

CYBER MONDAY DEALS

ANTHROPOLOGIE – I love this store and things rarely go on sale.  YEA for 20% off of everything!

NORDSTROM – Extra 20% off of things that were already on sale!  Crazy low prices.  I linked my favs (yea new Ugg slippers at a great price!) and a few things I got for my kids too!

For the kids:

My favorites:

GAP – 50% off of everything!  Ahh!  Use code CYBER.  Couldn’t resist getting a couple of new sweaters at that great price!

BANANA REPUBLIC – Also 50% of of everything!  I haven’t had time to check BR but will definitely be doing that the second I get a free minute today!  Love BR.

WEST ELM – Up to 70% off and free shipping!   I buy so many fun things for my home from West Elm!  I linked my favorites below!

POTTERY BARN – Also up to 70% off!

I picked up this pillow, and these cute plates I’ve had my eye on.  You can see my other PB favorites in this post.  I already own half of their Christmas decor.  Ha. ;)

AMAZON – I’ve got a list of things I’m looking for to finish up my gifts on Amazon.  So many great deals!  Headphones, a few toys for the kids, I need a new toaster because mine is dying.. random fun stuff. :)

GOOD sales.  Happy on-line shopping friends!  I’m excited to finish up with my gifts and get things wrapped and under the tree so that I can enjoy the next month with my crew.  Best time of the year. :)

xoxo, Erin
Favorite Things

2017 Favorite Things!

Friends!  It’s time for my annual round-up of favorite things!  One of my favorite posts to write every year!  Before we kick things off I’m so excited to announce the winner of the Container Store gift card!  I have to say.. reading about the things you are all excited for this holiday season was just.. special.  I don’t know how else to describe it!  So much love and warmth in all of your responses.  So much to be grateful for and love for family and all we celebrate this time of year.  I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to respond to each of you, but I read and loved every single thing you said.  There are a lot of good people in the world and my readers are at the top of the list.  If you’re in the mood to just feel good.. go read the comments on this post.  They definitely made me feel good!  So.  Winner of the gift card!  Drum roll please..

Noreen who said “Everything about the Christmas season is wonderful and magical. From hanging the first decoration to the piles of wrapping paper on the floor when all the gifts are open! There is not one thing I can say that excites me, it all does from beginning to end! There is really something special about the whole holiday season.” 🎄 

Congrats Noreen!  I couldn’t agree more. :)  I’ll be e-mailing you soon to get your address!

(affiliate links used below)

{Luggage/Adidas sneakers/California Love Sweatshirt/Black jogger pants/similar Rebecca Minkoff purses here and here}

On to the favorites!  I always write this beloved post from my mom’s house because we always spend Thanksgiving in Utah with family.  I’m more relaxed here than I’ve been in months!  One cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie down, 23 recorded and waiting. ;)  Nothing like coming to moms!  My mom snapped this pic of me when we pulled in and it’s full of favorite things so it’s perfect to kick off this post!  I’ve absolutely loved this luggage set this year!  So cute, nice and roomy and I love the way it’s organized.  I’m wearing my favorite California Love hoodie in Utah.. that way I have a bit of both of my homes with me. ;)  And these joggers are long time favorites – SO comfy.

Starting with all things I love for the HOME!  When I shared the Christmas tree in my master bedroom a lot of e-mails came in with questions about items you can see in this pic.  All room pics and sources are coming in the new year, but because they are all favorites of mine below are links to our bedding (love this comforter!), my favorite sheets (just ordered a new set – so soft!), the rug (which shed like crazy for months and then finally stopped!), and below are links to similar chairs (high and lower price points) since my exact chairs are sold out.


Some of my favorites this year were on last year’s list because well.. they are things I still really LOVE.  Like these memory foam bathroom rugs.  Funny thing I’ve noticed about me with rugs.  When I find one I love, I keep duplicating it in my house.  Ha.  These crazy soft memory foam rugs are in my powder bathroom..

and in Kole’s bathroom.

Of course these black and white striped rugs are long time favorites.  I have two of them on my front porch, three of them in my kitchen..

and one in my upstairs laundry room.  I get questions about washing these rugs.  I have washed my kitchen rugs (laid them out to dry) and they did wash nicely except they shrunk a bit!  They still look fine, but heads up about the shrinking if you are going to wash them.

I can’t have a favorites post and not include our beloved family room rug – PB’s Chunky Wool and Jute.  I know.. snore for all of my regular readers I’ve talked about this rug so much, but it’s crazy you guys.  I get e-mails about this rug every single day!  This rug and my paint colors are my most asked about things.  So for newer readers, I wrote a post with info. about this rug here.

A close-up when it was brand new.

I have it in my dining room too I love it so much. :)

And just for fun here is a pic I found from last December when the new rug came in and we moved the older same rug to our dining room.  (Btw.. this is the natural and the largest size.)

We moved our furniture into the kitchen and when we went to move it back it was occupied.  Ha. :)  And yes.. my kitchen was a mess.  It typically is this time of year because there is so much going on!

Favorite rugs:

My fiddle leaf fig is a long time favorite.  Still. :)

And baskets!  I was thinking the other day how much I LOVE baskets.  For decorating and organizing.  I have them in every room and closet in my house!

Below are my favorite baskets I have throughout my home!  You’ve seen a lot of them.. some will be popping up in posts next year. :)


Love these cutting boards!  Kitchen staples.  And this marble and copper beauty is on my Christmas list this year.  Because Santa knows I don’t have enough cutting boards in my life.  Ha.  And these snowflake marble and copper coasters would make a darling gift!

I first discovered these Bliss throws during the Nordstrom Ann. sale and just can’t say enough about them!  Perfect to me because they are fuzzy and warm, but not too hot.  They are just the right length and come in so many fun colors.

Plus they look so pretty draped over a chair or a couch corner!  My #1 gift to give this year. :)

Artificial Frosted Christmas Tree

My second favorite throw (that also makes a perfect gift) is this one I’ve shared before.  Love those poms!  I have the pink and the Ivory.  Of course you can’t go wrong with Pottery Barn throws (I have more of them than I want to admit) and they are all on major sale!  Woot woot!

Favorite Throws:

Of course any and all PB Christmas decor has to be on my favorites list.  I shared exactly what I have and love in this post!

I’m so in love with this Alpaca Faux Fur tree skirt I got this year and it’s on sale!

Goes without saying I love PB Christmas pillows too.  I just bought these pom pillows in red and love them!  I have to store my PB Christmas pillows in a few separate places because if my husband sees how many I have all together I’m in trouble. ;)

Some of my favorite PB Christmas decor:


Ok.  Let’s talk purses!  My all time favorite purses are Rebecca Minkoff handbags!  I just couldn’t love her style more.  So many RM handbags were just marked down and always sell so quickly (my purse above was marked down and sold out before I could even share the news!).  Here are some of my favorites that are on sale and a few new handbags that just came in that I adore!


My second favorite style and brand of handbags is Tory Burch.  You just can’t go wrong with Tory!  This Tory bracelet has also been a favorite jewelry staple.  I love it in the pink too!  My favorite Parker Leather Tote is on sale (yea!) and so are a few other styles I love.  Any of these bags below would make a great gift.. (are you reading Kenny?) :)

With my girls yesterday.  I’m wearing a favorite top I’ve had for two years and still love wearing!  It’s this Hanna split neck top.  Love it!  And love these over the knee boots.

This cute J Crew sweater that has been on repeat for me is another favorite that’s on sale.

And it’s hard to see how cute this scalloped sweater is but it has been one of my favorites this Fall!  Comes in lots of colors.  Below are other favorite sweaters,cardigans and a favorite blouse!


Kenny snapped this last night of me and Ad.  My coat is a favorite and while it’s sold out, this coat is so similar – a longer version that is so cute and on sale!  It would be perfect for chilly weather!  I’d buy it for me except I only get to wear my short coat a few times per year.  I also found a darling version for girls that I want for Ad.  She’s still young enough to think it’s cool to twin with her mom.  Her sister.. not so much anymore.. ;)

Let’s talk PJ’s!  LOVE LOVE LOVE a good pair of pajamas.  Definitely high on my favorite things list.

I’ve mentioned this before on the blog – I have two favorite brands of pj’s that I just don’t think you can go wrong with.  Make and Model AND PJ Salvage.

Both brands are the softest coziest pj’s!  I’ve linked favorites below!



I’m more of a jeans and boots or sneakers type of girl, but if I do have to get dressed up, these shoes and this dress were hands down my favorites this year.  Both on sale!

I also started wearing tall black over the knee boots for the first time this year (I always thought I was too short and had too big of thighs for them!).  I was wrong.. they work for short people and bigger thighs and actually help both of those situations appear better. ;)  Plus they help the whole “it’s winter and I’m white and not in the mood to shave my legs” situation.  I’m a fan!  This exact pair sold out but here are two other pairs that are similar and on sale..

Adidas sneakers!  Favorites this year for sure.  I got to my mom’s house and she was so excited to show me that she bought my pink pair and loved them so much that she then bought them in mint and a similar pair in grey!  Love all of these shoes so much!

On a side note.. isn’t her back porch cute!?  Pillows and rugs from Target and this table is still one of her favorite things.

Let’s talk skin care.  I have two must haves for healthy skin.  A good sunscreen is one of them and this Elta MD sunscreen is my all time favorite.  I gave it out for gifts a few years ago and wear it daily.  I think of it like make-up!  It’s tinted and helps even out your skin and goes on so smoothly.  I love it!

Second favorite thing (that I forgot to photograph) is my Mia Clarisonic!  I swear by this and use it every night.  It scrubs your skin so clean.  I’m getting one for my girls so that I can teach them good skin care early on!

Bobbi Brown make-up is my all time favorite make-up and I’ve linked to my every day favorite make-up below!  (I love BB brushes too!)


Two new favorites this year.  Flowerbomb perfume (oh my word.. love the smell so much!) and Baublebar earrings.  This tassel fringe pair is my all time favorite I have in three colors!

Hydro Flasks.  These are the first set we had.. now we all have new styles/colors.  We use these every single day and love them.  They keep your water so cold!  I gave them as gifts a couple of years ago and still hear how much everyone I gave one to loves them!

I have a few recent favorite scarves I’m loving and a few favorite necklaces that would all make great gifts (how cute are these fun state necklaces!? Love them!)..


And here are a few things I have and a few more that are in my cart that are marked down BIG time this weekend!


Alright friends!  Those are my tried and true favorite things from 2017!  I know a lot of them are repeats I’ve already shared, but they are just the things I really use and love!

I’m incredibly grateful for all of you this year.  For all of your kindness and support.  It truly means the world to me that you make stopping by my blog part of your routine or down time. (I know how precious down time can be!) You all top my favorites list each year and bring the sunny to Sunny Side Up. :)  Wishing you all the best Thanksgiving!  I hope you are able to spend it relaxing with loved ones and eating lots of good food.  My make and model joggers will be on major repeat for the next few days. ;)

xoxo, Erin
Home Decor

Fake it, don’t bake it: stress free holiday hosting!

Hello friends!  I’ve got quite a treat for you all today!  Literally.. ha. :)  Anyone starting to feel some holiday stress creeping in?  With Thanksgiving this week and Christmas right around the corner it’s easy to start feeling overwhelmed with all there is to do.  Today I’m joining five other bloggers to share one simple way that you can eliminate some stress this holiday season!  Each of us have taken a store-bought food item and dressed it up to look beautiful and homemade.  Yes.. this little blog hop is right up my alley.  I’m the queen of store-bought meals and wear that crown proudly as you all know well. ;)  The truth is.. we can’t do it all!   If cooking isn’t your thing we’ve got you covered!  You can still pull off a beautiful meal with no work or stress involved.

If you’re popping over from KariAnne’s fun blog Thislewood Farms hello and welcome!  I’m so happy to have you here!  (Isn’t KariAnne a doll!?  Love her!)  We have a good time here at Sunny Side Up too so I hope you’ll stick around. :)

Reeses Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Before we get started, I have a confession to make.  I’m not into pies.  (GASP!)  I know.. my husband thinks it’s an absolute crime and that I should be tried and sentenced.  But I just don’t love them.  At all.  Now cheesecake!  That’s a different story.  Because of my undying love for cheesecake today I’m sharing a fun way to dress up a store bought cheesecake and not only make it beyond delicious, but also make it look like you spent hours putting it together instead of minutes!  All you need is the cheesecake – right out of the freezer section of the grocery store, mini Reese’s Peanut Butter cups (lots of them!), nuts – already chopped or you can chop them quick yourself, and fudge.

Is your mouth watering already?  Mine too.  :)

Take the cheesecake out of the box and put it on a plate.  Because you just slaved over it for hours, remember?  Then chop a few handfuls of mini Reese’s Peanut Butter cups into halves and thirds.  Chop up some peanuts if they aren’t already chopped.  (I just used the bottom corner of a cup to chop them quick!)

Then heat up the fudge in the microwave.  I like to heat mine in a measuring cup like this so it’s easy to pour on after.

Reeses Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Pour on the fudge letting it drip all down the sides – the messier the better! ;)  Then add your Reece’s to the top middle of the cheesecake and sprinkle the chopped nuts around them.  DONE.  Takes about 10 minutes and this dessert is a total crowd pleaser!  Plus it looks like you spent a lot of time in the kitchen.  When everyone praises you and asks for the recipe simply smile and thank them and tell them it’s a well kept family secret.

I won’t tell a soul. ;)

Thanksgiving tablescape

Now for a quick and easy Thanksgiving tablescape to go along with your store bought dessert!  Because for me THIS is the fun part. :)

Remember all of the pumpkins I had on my Halloween Porch?  Kole washed them all so nicely for me. ;)

And all of the pumpkins I had sprinkled throughout my family room this Fall?

I had a lot of them. :)

Pumpkin Thanksgiving table

With Christmas decor taking over most of my house the pumpkins needed a new home!

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Tablescape

I put my faux Fall branches underneath, added pumpkins on top and then candles here and there.  So pretty!  So festive for Thanksgiving!

So done in 15 minutes. :)

Thanksgiving Pumpkin tablescape with recess peanut butter cheesecake

I laughed when I went to decorate this table and pulled out my gold silverware only to remember that I was going to buy the rest of the set and never got around to it last year (story about my airhead moment decorating this table last year here).  Ha ha.. they are on my Christmas list so that I won’t run into this little problem again!  ;)

Candlelight Thanksgiving tablescape

Candlelit Thanksgiving table

The candles add such a nice touch during the day but look even more beautiful at night!

Thanksgiving table

Thanksgiving table

So warm and inviting.

Thanksgiving tablescape

Enough to distract your guests from whatever you are serving that you haven’t have slaved over in the kitchen all day. ;)

Fall pumpkin tablescape

I hope my easy dessert and tablescape gave you a few ideas of how to ease some stress this holiday season!  Really.. we can’t do it all so keep things simple and stick to what you enjoy and do best.

Thanksgiving tablescape

I’m so thankful this year.  For my family.. for my health.. for all of you sweet friends!

Reeses Peanutbutter Cheesecake

And for anything that takes the baking out of meal prep. :)

Thanks again for stopping by today!  If you missed the new Frosted tree I decorated in my bedroom this weekend you can see it HERE (such a fun color change for me!).  There are also lots of fun gift ideas for everyone in the family HERE and you can see my office decorated for the holidays and still enter the Container Store giveaway HERE.  Yea!  Fun things going on.  I’ll announce the gift card winner in my next post. :)

{POST SOURCES}  *affiliate links used


Next stop on the tour is a real treat!  My amazingly talented friend Kelley at Kelly Nan is sharing her secret to simple mashed potatoes!  Plus she is the queen of beautiful tablescapes (and will no doubt have ALL of her silverware.. ha.). ;)  After you visit her blog make sure to stop by the rest of the amazing blogs on this tour!  Lots of talent and fun ways to simplify your holiday meals. :)  Happy Thanksgiving prep everyone!

Kelley Nan

The Lettered Cottage

Driven by Decor

ZDesign at Home 

Thistlewood Farms  

xoxo, Erin
Christmas

Frosted Christmas Tree – 12 Bloggers with Balsam Hill

Frosted Frasier fir Christmas tree

Friends!  I’m so excited to show you my new Frosted Christmas tree today!  I’m joining Balsam Hill’s 12 Bloggers of Christmas and sharing my new tree along with a peek of my master bedroom.  I know.  I’ve been promising master bedroom pics for a while now and I’m so sorry that post hasn’t happened yet!  (My head is hung in deep shame in case you can’t see it..)  I actually tried to get that post up last week before I shared this tree, but after four hours of working on it and realizing I’d only made a small dent I knew it would have to wait until after the holidays.  So it’s coming in the New Year!  Right now you’re saying to yourself whatever Erin.. sure it is.  And at this point I don’t believe me either.  Ha.  But it is!  I think.  We’ll see. ;)  In the meantime, here are some of the windows in my master bedroom!  Windows just perfect for a frosted Christmas tree. :)

Balsam Hill Artificial Christmas Tree

This is Balsam Hill’s Frosted Frasier Fir 9′ with clear lights and oh my word.  To say I’m in love would be an understatement!  I’ve had my eye on this tree for years.  It’s so beautiful and I love the frosted look!  It’s my attempt to bring a touch of winter to San Diego.  Never mind the sunshine blaring through the windows.  I can close the blinds, turn on the fireplace, turn on the Christmas music, turn on the tree lights (maybe turn on the air conditioning to balance out the fireplace) and BAM.. I just turned on winter. :)

Balsam Hill Artificial Christmas Tree

Now you know I’m all about RED during the holidays, but my bedroom color scheme is softer so I thought it would be fun to mix it up in just this one room and try something different.  I was thinking frosty glam!  Or something cool like that. :)

Balsam Hill white ornaments

I used lots of Balsam’s essential medium white glossy and essential medium small glossy ornaments.  They are such nice quality and I love their simplicity.  Plus check out the boxes they came in!  Perfect to store them in all year long.  The boxes were a happy little organizing surprise.  I get excited about things like that!  But you all knew that didn’t you. :)

Silver, Pink and White Frosted Tree

I placed some of the medium sized white ornaments close together in pairs.

Because I’m wild and crazy like that.

Balsam Hill Frosted Artificial Christmas Tree

Balsam Hill Mercury Ornaments

Then I went equally crazy with Balsam Hill’s French Country Ornament Sets.  I’ve always LOVED this style of ornaments.  They are so beautiful.  I used the Etched, Crackle and Foil ornaments on this tree.  Next year I’d love to add some of the Ombre to the mix!

Artificial Frosted Tree Balsam Hill

I also sprinkled in this beautiful Antiqued Snowflake Ornament Set.  I love how the snowflakes are so different and unique.

Artificial frosted pink, silver and white Christmas tree

Then I used this stunning antiqued snowflake tree topper for the top.  I love the way it shines!

Artificial Frosted Christmas Tree

I added a little quilt batting to complete my frosty glam look and a few pink ornaments from the craft store.  A new favorite soft pink throw over my chair also adds a pretty touch.  (Throw source in this post with gift ideas for the whole family.)  

Balsam Hill Artificial Christmas Tree

To complete the look I used Balsam’s Mongolian Faux Fur Hexagon Tree Skirt.  It’s so fuzzy and soft and blended right in with my rug.  I love that there is plenty of room for presents under the tree too!  Hopefully Kenny and Kole won’t mind if some of their gifts have pink bows.  Ha.  I’m seriously wanting to bring the Christmas morning party to our bedroom I’m so in love with this tree!  And the best part?

Balsam Hill Frosted Fraser Fir Christmas Tree

This frosted Christmas tree looks AMAZING at night!  Oh I so wish I could have you all over to see it in person!  My pictures don’t do it justice.  All of those beautiful lights give off such a warm glow.

balsam hill snowflake ornaments

Balsam Hill Frosted Faser Fir

balsam hill frosted tree

Christmas perfection.

Christmas Trees (Sunny Side Up)

I always get lots of questions about this tree in our family room and it’s also from Balsam Hill.  This is their Silverado Slim Tree.  Just like my Frosted Christmas tree it’s also 9 feet with clear lights.  The Balsam trees are full of beautiful lights and are amazing quality.  Plus you can’t beat their trees for easy set up!   I’m a fan.

Balsam Hill Artificial Tree

I have a feeling I’m going to be spending a lot more time in my bedroom this next month!  In fact I’m thinking it might become my new office for December.

Because I could stare at this pretty tree all day long.

And because I’m wild and crazy like that.

:)

Lost of Christmas tree inspiration is coming your way with the other 11 bloggers joining Balsam Hill’s 12 Bloggers of Christmas!  What a party.  They will be sharing throughout November and I’ll add links as their posts go up each day so make sure to check back to see them all!  Balsam Hill is also running a daily giveaway that you can enter if you’d like to HERE.  Huge thank you to Balsam Hill for partnering with me on this fun post!

French Country Cottage

Z Design at Home

Rooms for Rent

Nest of Posies

Pink Peppermint Designs

Tidbits

Burst of Beautiful

11 Magnolia Lane

Love Grows Wild

Christinas Adventures

Inspired by Charm

 Balsam Hill 12 bloggers of Christmas

Happy Christmas tree decorating friends!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. :)

xoxo, Erin
Christmas

Holiday Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

How is the holiday shopping going friends?  Have you started?  Are you done?  Haven’t even started to kind of think about going there?  Ha. :)  I hope my Gift Giving Printables have been helpful!  (You can snag them here if you haven’t already.)  I’m not there yet, but I’m still hoping to have my Christmas shopping mostly done before December hits.  So far I’ve bought most of my gifts on-line and that has made things so easy!  What did we do before there was on-line shopping!?  On my list of things I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving. ;)

Today I’m partnering with Nordstrom to share holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list!  I have spent a lot of time rounding up my best, favorite items for the whole family!  One thing everyone in my family gets each year for Christmas (and they always have!) is a new pair of shoes.  Because #1 – I’m a shoe lover. :)  And #2 – because my kids are usually due for a new pair this time of year.  Their feet grow so quickly!  I’ve rounded up my favorite shoes (a lot of them are on sale right now.. YEA!) along with other fun favorites I have and love.  I’m also sharing a few things I’ve already bought this year to give to others.

So if you’re on my Christmas list, stop reading NOW. 

I mean it.. I love you but stop reading and go away.  :)  

Ok friends.. let’s do this!  I divided my favorites into gifts for the women in your life, the men, and some fun ideas for the kids.  I hope my round-up of holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list gives you a few ideas this year!

*affiliate links used

Gift Ideas for Her

Favorite shoes for women that would make great gifts..

So many of my favorite things.. 

Best Gift Ideas for the Men in Your Life!

Favorite shoes that would make great gifts for the men in your life.. 

Other favorite gift ideas for men.. 

Gift Ideas for Girls

Favorite shoes that would make great gifts for the girls.. 

Other favorite gift ideas for girls.. (younger and older!)   

Best Gift Ideas for Boys!

Our favorite shoes for boys..

Other favorite gift ideas for boys..  

Huge thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!  And for carrying such an amazing selection of gifts for the whole family.  You are making my holiday shopping SO easy this year.  Bless you.

:)

xoxo, Erin
Home Decor

Office Christmas Decor with Container Store Gift Wrap (and a giveaway!)

**Giveaway at the end of the post is now closed.  

Friends!  Today’s post is making me slightly giddy. :)  I’ve partnered with The Container Store to share some fun ways I’m using their gift wrap in my home this holidays season!  Yes.. you heard that right.  I’m partnering with The Container Store!  Ahhhh!  (Angels are singing in the background in case you didn’t catch that..)  You all know how I feel about The Container Store (my home away from home!) so this is definitely a pinch me moment for me and my little blog.  That isn’t so little anymore but still feels that way to me. :)  You know their saying “Contain Yourself!”  That’s how I always feel when I walk in their store!  I try to contain my excitement and honestly can’t!  That place is too much fun.  I’ve been buying their gift wrap for years so I’m thrilled to share their new Christmas collections with you all today!  They are darling!

(affiliate links used)

Snowflake Christmas TreeDo you remember my cute little mudroom tree that was new last year?  I was so excited to decorate it again this year!  This mudroom leads to our garage and car so we are in and out of this room 20 times a day.  This little tree makes us all so happy when we are rushing around it. :)  (And no.. we don’t use the dutch door much this time of year (two doors in this room!) so it works to have the tree in the corner.)
Container Store Gift Wrap Supplies

I LOVE red, black, tan and white colors for Christmas so I used paper and ribbon from their Signature Collection and their Alpine Collection.  I love the way they tie in so well with my tree decorations!  Now friends.. I am NOT a skilled gift wrapper.  (Ask my sister who is so good at gift wrapping.. she teases me about my gifts every year!)  I can’t tie big pretty bows and I don’t like to spend a lot of time decorating gifts that will ultimately be torn apart.  That’s why I love these collections so much!  Everything color coordinates and looks so cute together.  Even if you’re not a fancy gift wrapper it looks like you are!  They make it look like you spent a lot of time putting together the perfect gift when really it was done for you.  I’ll take it. :)

Container Store Gift Wrap

One things I’ve always loved are The Container Store’s gift tie-ons.  Such a fun and easy way to dress up a gift and then they can be used as Christmas tree ornaments so it’s like a little mini gift on top of your gift. :)

Container Store Gift Wrap

I always use their chalk labels too!

Christmas Gift Wrap

Christmas Office Decor

This year The Container Store gift wrap was so cute that I decided to use some to decorate my office for the holidays too!  I’m so excited to show you.. come in come in! :)

Christmas Office Decor

Aren’t things looking all sorts of festive in here!?  Ellie walked in a few days ago (she didn’t know I had decorated the office that morning) and suddenly yelled to me in the kitchen “Mom!  I love this room!  It’s making me so happy and excited!”

Mission accomplished. :)

Chalkboard Office Decor

I put some Christmas books in our baskets on the wall so that I can easily snag one to sit down and read with Kole after school.  Even my girls still love hearing their favorite childhood Christmas stories!

Christmas Office Decor

Then I used some cute gift tags from the same gift wrap collections I mentioned earlier to make this fun display on our chalkboard!  You could make something similar for a fun advent calendar to count down the days before Christmas.

Christmas Tag Advent Calendar

I’m thinking we’ll use it to write down all of the fun activities we want to do during December (make our annual pretzel hugs, visit Christmas card lane, deliver an anonymous gift to a neighbor, etc.)  and then we can pull off a tag once we’ve done that activity and try to fit everything in!

Office Christmas DecorAt the top of my chalkboard I added a cute wreath and these ice skate tie-ons.  Love them!

Office Dutch Door

Office Christmas Decor with Container Store Gift Wrap

More fun Christmas decor on my shelf.  :)

Office Christmas Decor

I love this fun red polka dot gift wrap so I used it to cover my mini chalkboard and add a fun pop of red.

Decorated Office with Container Store Gift Wrap

My sweet baby snowman pops up all over my house every holiday season as most of you know. :)  I so wish I could just have one or two days with Kole that small again!  I would hold him and smell him all day long.  Moms with babies.. I know you are in the thick of it and most likely so exhausted all the time like I always was when my three were little.. but try to see past it and know how quick of a stage it really is!  Hold them and love them and smell them and enjoy them as much as you possibly can every single day!  — K- where did that rant come from!?  Sorry.. baby pictures of my kids do that to me.  Ha!  Back to my office decor after a minor detour. ;)  

Decorating with Wrapping Paper

Office Christmas Decor

Holiday Office Decor

Wrapping paper is such an easy, inexpensive way to decorate!  I love the color pops and whimsy the cute Santa and Dinosaur gift wrap bring into my office.  They are especially fun for a kids’ space.  Try switching out pictures in clip boards and frames on your wall with wrapping paper for a fun holiday look that’s easy to switch back when Christmas is over!

Christmas Office Decor

Built in office cupboards

Moving on to the other side of the room!  I should have warned you about the picture overload at the beginning of this post but I figure you all just know that will be the case with my posts by now. ;)

Christmas office decor

Merry Christmas wooden blocks over my computer and El added the Santa screen saver. :)

Container Store gift wrap

And more gifts!  This room turns into our gift wrapping station during the holidays so you can always find lots of gifts and tape and scissors and wrapping paper in here!  It’s usually not this tidy. ;)

Container Store Gift Wrap

I used more gift wrap from the Signature and Alpine collections to wrap these presents in my office.  So cute!

Container Store Wrapping Paper

Isn’t this paper fun!?  And I know Kole will play with this cute little dinosaur tie-on more than he’ll play with what I have wrapped inside the box!  I’m keeping the owl for our tree. :)

Displaying kids Christmas artwork

I used the space on this wall by the door to hang up past Christmas pictures my kids have drawn.  Their artwork makes me so happy!  Best decor around. :)  I always get asked how I hang things to my walls like this and my secret is painter’s tape!  I use blue painter’s tape to stick so many things to my walls!  It peels right off and doesn’t leave a mark or hurt your paint.

Container Store Christmas office decor

So that’s it!  A little Christmas in my office.  I hope you enjoyed the tour. :)  You can find office sources in this post.

Gift Wrapping Station

You can also check out this older post to see how I organize my gift wrap with baskets and tags from The Container Store!  This little station makes wrapping gifts a breeze.

Container Store gift wrap

Huge thank you to The Container Store for sponsoring this post!  And for coming up with such darling gift wrap that makes wrapping holiday presents so much easier!  And a lot more fun.
:)

NOW!  I have some fun news for all of you!  The Container Store has given me a gift card to give to one of my readers for $150!  YEA!!!  My mind is racing with all the fun you can have with $150 in The Container Store this holiday season!  To enter make sure you are subscribed to my blog (subscribe at the bottom of this post if you haven’t already) and then leave your name and a comment on this post telling me one thing you are excited for this holiday season!  Good luck sweet friends!  

{POST SOURCES}  Click the links below or you can find everything HERE.






xoxo, Erin
Fashion

Tapered Collection – new favorite tees!

*This post was sponsored by Tapered Collection but you wouldn’t be reading it if I didn’t truly love their products. All opinions are my own! :)


Happy Friday friends!  We’ve had a busy week!  Lots going on with the kids outside of the house.. lots of decorating going on whenever I can steal a minute inside of the house. :)  I LOVE decorating for Christmas but you know what I don’t love?  Fanning out the tree branches.  It’s the only part of the whole Christmas decorating process I don’t enjoy.  And I can’t complain about it to my husband because then I get grief about “then why in the world are you putting up so many trees!?”  Ha ha.. we do have quite a few this year. :)  I can’t help it.  I love them!  So I will continue to climb on ladders and fan branches until my fingers are about to fall off. {sigh}  Oh well.  Small price to pay. ;)

Tapered Tees
But before we get into all things Christmas decor, today I’m sharing something else I’m loving with you!  Friends.  I’ve found the perfect tee!  And you know how I feel about tees.  I’m so excited about these!  The founder of Tapered Collection reached out to me a while back to see if I wanted to partner on a post about her tees.  I did some research and read all about them and to be honest, they sounded too good to be true!  I told her to send me some to try out and I figured I’d wear one or two and just see if they met the hype.  Um.. let’s just say that they exceeded my expectations so much that I’ve hardly taken them off this month!

Ok.. let me tell you about these tees and what makes them so special.  First of all.. I love the material.  They are thick and soft and comfortable and high quality and they DON’T shrink in the wash.  At all!  You can wash them, dry them, they wash beautifully.  They are also longer than some tees which I love (it drives me crazy when tees are so short I feel like I can’t bend down!).  But the best part is that these tees are made for real women and are so flattering.  They have some give in the midsection!  If you’ve had kids or don’t love your waist line you will definitely appreciate these tees. :)  This tee is the Long Sleeve Henley and I absolutely love the fun neckline!

So cute with my camos!  You can see how this tee is fitted at the top, drapes in a flattering way with some give around the mid section, and then is fitted at the bottom.  I so wish I would have discovered these after having my three kids.  This is the perfect tee to wear for months after having babies!  And years after that if necessary. ;)  (Btw.. they fit true to size and I’m wearing an xs)

I wore this Henley Tee last week to meet a super hot guy for lunch.  Don’t tell my husband. ;)  Seriously though, we have had the hardest time prioritizing a date night because our weekends have been so busy so we’ve been trying to meet one afternoon during each week for lunch.  Just one quick hour of uninterrupted conversation that doesn’t include any scheduling, the not so hot math score, friend drama, the upcoming science project or who’s taking who to what birthday party.  It’s an hour of conversation about us and our interests over pizza and I look forward to it every week!

The Short Sleeved Tapered Tees are perfect for layering!  I’ve been wearing mine under all of my cardigans..

and jackets.

Another fun detail on all of the Tapered Tees is this wide, fitted band at the bottom.  Just gives your outfit a little something extra. :)

I wore the white Long Sleeve Henley to Ad’s last play performance under my green military jacket.  She was the cutest little lioness I’ve ever seen!  So proud of her.

We all are. :)  And now we are officially taking a break from theatre productions until after the holidays!  This mom needs a break from at least one child’s activites!

Ok.. I saved my most favorite tee for last!  It’s the Three Quarter Tee and I am seriously going to LIVE in these.  Love that the white is opaque, not sheer!  I never like white tops that are see through and I’ve found that most are.

Like the short sleeve tee it’s perfect for layering.

I even dressed the black Three Quarter Tee up a bit for church one Sunday. :)

Then I washed it and wore it again a few days later.

And then washed it and wore it again a few days after that. Ha. :)

But the best part about this tee?  When I come home at the end of the day and trade in my skirt or jeans for sweats, it works with them too.  Now that my friends.. is what we call a wardrobe staple. :)  Nothing like a good tee!

These tees cost a bit more than your regular tee, but they aren’t like your regular tee!  They are such nice quality and with the way they fit and wash and all the ways you can dress them up or down they are worth it!  Especially if you live in tees like I do.  This weekend Tapered Collection is having their Friends and Family Sale and you can get 20% off of your purchase!  Click on MY LINK HERE to get the discount (or any of my links in this post and add FALLFRIEND at checkout).  Yea!  Awesome tees on sale for everyone!  (Yes mom.. I’m buying you some too.)  :)

And what do you know.. my favorite Three Quarter tee is perfect for fanning out tree branches!  Even if I’m not.  Addison took these pics and got me laughing so hard I almost fell off my ladder!

If any of you need me this weekend you know where I’ll be!

And what I’ll be wearing.

:)

xoxo, Erin

Shop my instagram

View All Posts