Tag: Lists

In My House

Pantone 2020 Color of the Year: Classic Blue

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Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year is Classic Blue. It is described as “a timeless and enduring blue hue elegant in its simplicity.” I have started gravitating toward blue a bit more than ever before. I recently had my dining room and kitchen painted light blue (more on that later). Here are a few fun favorites.

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1. The pattern of this reversible quilt set makes it a perfect centerpiece of a master bedroom. (Bed Bath & Beyond). 2. These blue pants would really dress up a neutral top.(Loft) 3. Polka dots make this children’s dress so classic and cute. (Primary) 4. This pea coat is the perfect combination of two shades of blue. (Anthropologie) 5. These glasses are so pretty and would make a great gift. (Kate Spade) 6. This accent chair would be a perfect pop of color in an otherwise neutral living room or guest room. (Target)

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In My House

Gifts That Give Back

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In this season of giving, what can be better than a gift that, when purchased, also provides a charitable donation? Here are six gifts that give back. Happy shopping.

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1. Toms are a favorite of mine because they’re cute and comfy, but the company also provides a pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair of shoes purchased. The company does a variety of other charitable work as well. (Toms) 2. These adorable animals are a bit pricey, but every purchase helps battle childhood hunger. Each animal has a name, birthday, and favorite quote. (Cuddle + Kind) 3. These colorful stackable bracelets make a great gift and benefit a variety of great causes. (Pura Vida) 4. Kohl’s Cares stuffed animals each come with a book and purchases benefit the local community. The price point is usually between $5 and $10, making them a great inexpensive gift. (Kohl’s) 5. Each bottle of One Hope wine purchased benefits a different charity. (One Hope Wines) 6. A portion of the purchase of these celebrity-designed spatulas goes to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and No Kid Hungry. I have purchased a few of these. They are sturdy and can withstand high heat. (Williams-Sonoma)

In My House

Six Festive Advent Calendars

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I love advent calendars. When I was little my great-grandmother would give my brother and me the cardboard ones filled with delicious chocolate pieces, always with a festive scene on the front. Now, there are so many candy and non-candy options out there when it comes to advent calendars. These are a great way to celebrate the holiday season every day of the month while also keeping in mind the true meaning of the entire Advent season.

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1. The Rifle Paper Company artwork on this little tree makes it truly special. (Anthropologie) 2. This wooden box features piece of a Nativity scene, perfect for remembering the true meaning of the season. (Meri Meri) 3. I love anything to do with The Nutcracker Suite, including this handsome soldier. (Pier 1) 4. My daughters absolutely loved this Playmobil Advent calendar last year. You can reload the pieces to use again year after year. (Target) 5. This calendar is a miniature mountain with a tiny colorful tree for each day of Advent. (Anthropologie) 6. Why should the humans have all the fun? This Advent calendar has 24 tasty treats for dogs. (Williams-Sonoma)

In My House

Some Fall Favorites

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Fall is in full swing so I thought I would share a few items for this wonderful time of year. We had snow here over night, but I’m holding out hope we’ll continue to see some beautiful fall days ahead. So light a candle, put something yummy in the slow-cooker, load up on Halloween candy, and go ahead and order yourself a pumpkin spice latte.

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1. I have been burning this Golden Chestnut candle as the days have started turning colder and it smells amazing. (Yankee Candle) 2. I love the colors of this $20 felt wreath. (Target) 3. I like sending Halloween cards and the artwork on this is too precious. (Rifle Paper Company) 4. This is a spoiler alert on the hubby’s Buzz Lightyear Halloween costume for this year. He’s such a good dad. (Target) 5. I bought these booties a couple of months ago and am excited to pair them with tights and dresses this fall. (Report, available on Zappos) 6. A cozy plaid scarf is a go-to item all fall and winter. (Gap)

In My House

My 2019 Summer Suitcase

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I am finding it hard to grasp the fact that June is already almost over. With July comes our vacation to Alaska. I’m a little apprehensive about a nearly six-hour flight with a two-year-old and a four-year-old, but I’m really excited to visit the Land of the Midnight Sun for the first time. Weather is supposed to be in the 70s while we are there, which is perfect in my opinion. Here are a few favorites that will be in my suitcase.

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1. I fell in love with these floral pants and ordered them online a few days ago. They haven’t arrived yet, but I’m excited to dress them up or down for work and play. (Loft) 2. I love the poppy color of this dress. (J.Crew) 3. I am a big fan of Babiators for the girls because of their durability and awesome guarantee policy. (Babiators) 4. We are loving all things Toy Story 4 in our house right now after seeing the movie this past weekend. Both of my girls have been sporting this tee regularly. (Target) 5. I am always looking for swimwear that looks cute, but stays in place while I am playing in the pool with my daughters. This tankini set fits the bill and the price is right. (Gap) 6. My office has a no-denim dress code, but I have been living in this skirt on my days off. (J.Crew)

In My House

For the Mom Buying Her Own Stocking Stuffers

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Like a lot of moms out there, I buy a few goodies to stuff my own stocking every Christmas. I don’t want my four-year-old asking why Santa filled everyone’s stocking but Mommy’s, and, quite frankly, I just really love stocking stuffers. They’re small, fun, and don’t require cleaning out an entire closet to find space to store them. So, pretty much, they’re the best kind of gift! Here are my favorites for my own stocking this year.

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1. These enamel pins by Rifle Paper Co. are perfect for a stocking. I’m actually also giving them as gifts to my daughters’ preschool teachers this year. (Anthropologie) 2. This cute little box holds a small tube of my favorite moisturizer and a purse-size lip gloss. (Clinique) 3. This drinking glass features a schnauzer that looks so much like my own Norman. I would use this on my dresser as a jewelry catch-all. It comes in other dog breeds as well. (Anthropologie) 4. Wear Your Music offers jewelry made from guitar strings of all kinds of musicians ranging from James Taylor to Jason Mraz. I would of course choose a bracelet made from James Hetfield’s guitar strings. (Wear Your Music) 5. This is one of my favorite hand creams to get through the dry winter months. Vanilla marshmallow is one of the best fragrances. (The Body Shop) 6. I love the bow detail on these gloves and gray is always a favorite for me. They also come in black and pink. (Kate Spade)

In My House

A Few Favorites

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I don’t do much shopping, but I like to share some of my favorite things. There’s no theme this time, but here are six of my favorite recent purchases. This is a little more fun than posting my grocery list.

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1. This might be the last year I get to select my youngest daughter’s Halloween costume without her feedback. So an adorable, fluffy snow owl it is! (Target) 2. Just try to challenge me to a game of Golden Girls Trivial Pursuit. Always Fits is my new favorite web site for fun, quirky gifts. (Always Fits) 3. This black bomber jacket has been my favorite item to transition into the chillier months. (Gap) 4. I started purchasing some products from The Honest Company because my youngest daughter has extremely sensitive skin. I selected this mascara on a whim as an add-on product with my last shipment. The primer adds length and the mascara has a great consistency. It stays put all day, but comes off easily with a cosmetic wipe. (The Honest Company) 5. I actually haven’t purchased this super cute rug yet, but I have been eyeing it. I love October! (Pier 1) 6. After years of aggressively ripping a brush through my super thick wet hair I heard about Wet Brush and decided to give it a try. I love this brush! (Wet Brush)

In My House

For All of Your Unicorn Shopping Needs

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We are gearing up for an extra special, unicorn-themed fourth birthday next month and unicorns are pretty much the topic of conversation at our house these days. I apologize in advance to those of you who are tired of the unicorn craze because I’ll admit I’m loving it just about as much as my daughters do. Here are a few favorites.

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1. This cupcake set is perfect for a birthday or just to jazz up a rainy Sunday afternoon. (Williams-Sonoma) 2. My girl will be sporting this unicorn balloon animal tank to her fourth birthday party. (Cat & Jack for Target) 3. Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s sequel to Uni the Unicorn is full of colorful illustrations and tells an uplifting tale. (Available on Amazon.com, but try your local independent bookstore first. We love Mitzi’s Books in Rapid City, South Dakota.) 4. This unicorn pattern makes these great insulated lunch bags extra special. I love that the inside can be easily washed with soap and water or a Clorox wipe. (Pottery Barn) 5. Unicorn boots to add pizzaz to the rainy days we have been having lately. (H&M) 6. I haven’t ordered this unicorn tank (yes, for grown women) yet, but I’m seriously considering. (ModCloth)

 

In My House

10 Recent Pregnancy Thoughts: 36 Weeks

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This is one last pregnancy update before the little gal arrives. Hopefully in a few short weeks I’ll be posting some pictures here of a healthy, happy girl and her proud big sis.

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10. The hip pain has subsided a bit thanks to a prenatal massage and fabulous pedicure last weekend. Now to power through three more weeks!

9: I am relieved we got good news at our follow-up ultrasound this past week. And the girl has the chubbiest of cheeks. Thank you, ice cream from Silver Lining Creamery, of which I cannot get enough.

8. Is it too early to box up and donate these maternity clothes? I’m so. tired. of. them.

7. Often when getting up from the couch or out of bed I feel like a turtle that got flipped onto its back and can’t move.

6. I continue to want cereal constantly.

5. When something falls on the floor I have a lengthy internal debate over if it is worth retrieving.

4. People keep saying “it’ll start going really fast now.” I’m still waiting for it to “start going really fast.”

3. Nesting update: I will overzealously organize any stack of papers, magazines, etc. I encounter. If I come over to your house and go through your mail or clean out a closet, don’t be offended.

2. I’m way past the joking stage of pregnancy (is there one?) so don’t expect any April Fool’s Day labor jokes out of me. If I call and say I’m in labor, I’m in labor.

1: As annoying as it is to have everyone looking at my gigantic belly all the time, at least I’m not like April the Giraffe being monitored by a 24/7 live video feed where people can watch to see if I’m in labor yet. So there’s that.

In My House

10 Recent Pregnancy Thoughts: 34 Weeks

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Not too much longer now. I’m running out of steam and I am ready to meet this little gal. I continue to obsess over my excitement at seeing my older daughter meet her sister. Here are a few other thoughts running through my brain.

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10. I usually fall fast asleep by 9 p.m. but then awake in the middle of the night for an hour or so. How do I fill this hour? By reading headlines on The Onion and trying to keep from waking my family with my giggling.

9: I think I probably looked really awesome when I was dusting my living room and jamming out to Tool at eight months preggo.

8. My hip pain has now turned into full leg pain.

7. I need more ice cream.

6. I am looking forward to enjoying a nice, cool glass of pinot grigio and I’m not afraid to admit it.

5. You don’t have to comment on my belly. I know it’s there. You know it’s there. Let’s talk about the weather.

4. I watch the gummies in my last bottle of prenatal vitamins dwindle like sand in an hour-glass and it gives me hope.

3. Lemon lime Gatorade is my new favorite thing. I like to pour it in a Riedel glass to really let it breathe.

2. This time around I’m not going to be shy about limiting visitors to the house right after the baby is born. So please don’t take offense with my honesty, said visitors. And if you visit, please bring food or pinot grigio (see #6).

1: It makes me giggle when people ask if I have the nursery ready. It has been ready since Thanksgiving. That’s just who I am.