(Kicked off the weekend with a little Christmas shopping with little miss…)

Last week was filled with some major threenager moments from our little miss. I’ve discovered that she definitely has her own opinions about what she wants to wear (she could wear pajamas all day if it was possible) + has no problem telling anyone how she feels about pretty much anything. It was a trying week, one filled with lots of parenting challenges…. and one where we needed to start the day over, several times throughout the day. And while I can’t say anything changed over the weekend (I mean, would I really have a toddler if it did…), there were so many tender moments that made all the challenges worth it…. from a Saturday morning family hike, to an afternoon of baking cookies with the family, and looking at Christmas lights…. it was a gentle reminder that without challenges, the sweet moments might not feel as sweet….

So, as we head into the week ahead, I do so with the reminder that despite how challenging the week may get, there is likely something sweeter, and so rewarding, at the other side. Have a wonderful week friends!! xx

(All black and a festive pop of color for a casual Friday…. booties, poncho, scarf)

(I always love Anthropologie during the holiday season….)

(Saturday morning hike with the fam in Crystal Cove…. my jacket (size up), hat, tank, leggings)

(Babette’s is always a weekend breakfast favorite….)

(A little Christmas cookie baking, with our family sugar cookie recipe, on Saturday afternoon…..)

(Post church donuts + sips with little miss…. my coat (restocked), top, Harper’s Vest, Harper’s Tee)
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Working on a clean/real ingredient chocolate peppermint cookie recipe for this Wednesday’s Wellness post…. crossing my fingers it turns out!

If you’re looking for some great stocking stuffer ideas (for yourself) or a secret Santa gift for your co-worker, check out this Stocking Stuffer shop. I particularly like this gold coin necklace, classy luggage tags, beautiful zip card case (I use a card case on a daily basis), and this cute pineapple bottle opener. I also love this beautiful winter white scarf… great textures.

We’re in the home stretch with our house remodel (well, for the living/kitchen area) and we finished up some furniture shopping this past weekend (from the comforts of our couch). We’re sticking with our rug that we had in our little condo, and then bought this sectional couch, these sitting chairs (love the gold finishings, bought on black Friday), this media console, and these bar stools. We’ll bring in our brass finished side table that we bought a while ago (from our condo). For lighting, I have this chandelier for over the dining room table, these pendant lights over the kitchen island, and this chandelier for the living area (all of which we purchased on Black Friday special). I bought this vintage kilim rug during Black Friday for the kitchen. We’re still on the hunt for a great coffee table….. taking suggestions! Excited to see how it all falls into place…..

I’m looking for a new pair of running shoes and I have my eye on this blush option, this multicolored pair, and this white + blush pair.

Anthro had 30% off of cozy items this past weekend and I snagged these chenille leggings…. but also bought these leggings/pullover combo to see which option fit better. I also love this cozy lounge sweater (cutest little ruffle details on the sleeve).

A few items that I’m currently loving, and have my eye on, include this beautiful winter white eyelash dress, this amazing fluffy coat (on major sale, but still a splurge), and this chenille sweater coat.