Category Archives: Holiday

Light It Up

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Does anyone else love driving through really nice neighborhoods at night? From the street you can get a glimpse inside these big, beautiful houses with the soft, warm glow of lamps inside and bright beautiful lights lighting up dressy landscapes.

I love the way a lamp looks right at dusk and into the evening. The way it makes the room seem cozy and warm is my favorite. Every time I go antiquing I look for lamps for our home. The problem is that they are all way too expensive! I think Home Goods and Amazon have way better deals! I’m on the hunt for some new lighting. We got new sconces for one of our staircases, since some little boys and some very big boys decided to play a little too rough with Nerf guns one night. I’m looking to put a lamp in every room and eliminate more of the overhead lighting. It’s just so cozy! Here are some I’ve got my eye on and some we already own.

These can charge your phone too!
AddLon floor lamp
Oneach lamps are fancy and warm looking.
QiMH lamps are sleek and modern.
This lamp is neutral yet classic.
Pusu are awesome for parties instead of candles with their messy wax.

VerRon makes nice sconces.
Tengiants sconce is sleek.
Ornesign leaves the prettiest lights on the ground. I love to line my sidewalk with them!
Zivasa has a discount right now.
Zivasa discount
Kichler are the identical to the ones we bought.

I’m definitely hoping that I get one or more of these for my birthday and Christmas!

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Hotel Fraye: Nashville

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For my husband’s birthday this year we decided to go on a weekend away in Nashville. We are Hilton Diamond members, so we tend to always look for a Hilton hotel. I found Hotel Fraye. My husband’s one big request was a big pool on a rooftop or at least up high with a fun vibe.

We arrived Friday evening. We were instantly impressed by the decor and ambiance. The room was lovely. I loved the little things the most, like motion sensor lights under the bed, the little pocket reading lights on the bed, the chaise, the decor, and the little hidden fridge. The bathroom was beautiful too.

I loved the mixed textures and sophisticated colors. The lobby and restaurant are classic and bold. I loved the furniture so much that I’m on the lookout for a couch just like the ones there.

The gym was exceptional. My one and only complaint about anything at all with this hotel was that the Peloton bikes didn’t have cages for shoes other than Peloton cycling shoes, and those weren’t available, so if you didn’t pack your own you couldn’t ride (also, if you have cycling shoes with SPD cleats they will NOT work).

The pool was everything my husband hoped it would be. The vibe was sophisticated and upscale, all while being fun and laid back. They had a poolside bar that had yummy drinks and snacks. The frozen grapes are a very nice refreshing treat. We met lots of really interesting people. The cool thing about Hotel Fraye is that it shares the gym and pool with an attached apartment building. This allows visitors to meet people who live right there in Nashville, and get real locals suggestions on what to do and where to go in the city.

Photo credit: Hotel Fraye

I was able to go for a run near the hotel both days without any issues.

Looks like a Golden Globe in one of the attached apartments. You better believe if I had one of those babies I’d be showing it off too!!

Right outside the hotel is Hattie B’s Hot Chicken and Chuy’s. Obviously, Chuy’s is a chain that you can find just about anywhere. Hattie B’s is a Nashville creation. We tried to go there, but the line was just too long. The hotel has a restaurant as well, but I didn’t see anything on the menu that looked good to me.

Super cool lighting in the lobby

We had the best weekend at Hotel Fraye, and are thinking about what future weekend trips we can take sooner than later. If you’re on the lookout for a cool, eclectic hotel in Nashville, I feel confident in recommending Hotel Fraye!

April Fools Day Dinner

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8DB3AF89-3BA1-4157-A96A-F3661FF578D8.pngA23FEA70-C43D-4AE8-B647-99A5C6EE6F58.jpegTomorrow is one of my children’s favorite days of the year. April Fools Day provides so many funny moments and fun activities if you just look for it. Every year, I make a special dinner or dessert. My kids look forward to it, so I can’t let them down. I’m including last year’s menu and the year before if you want to start a tradition like this. The way this works is that they are given a card for each of the three courses. They must pick 3 or 4 items at the beginning of the dinner for each course with no duplicates. They could end up with a fork, a cake pop, and a glass for one course. You just have to make your best guess. I try to save plates and napkins from other holidays and use them on this day.  There are so many silly things you can do! I hope you have a fun day tomorrow no matter how you choose to celebrate it!

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Thankful in Every Season

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I hope this Thanksgiving finds you all feeling grateful and blessed.

I haven’t been as active as I was previously due to a thousand little reasons and a few big ones. During the more difficult seasons of life, I find that I draw inward and even stop writing in my daily planner. Just getting through each day can seem to be a struggle.

As a result of this particularly difficult season that my family has been in over the last few months, I am actually feeling more grateful than usual.

Without going into a ton of detail, my mother fell and broke both her arms, then found out she has the very earliest stage of colon cancer, and one of my children has been struggling with depression and all that goes with it. Even though these are things that are not good, I am thankful for my family who will step up and help out when we need them. I am grateful for doctors who are so intelligent, discerning, and thorough in what they do. I am thankful for true friends who know that sometimes all I need is to know that they are there when I need them. I feel blessed that my husband’s job offers good benefits which make finding help easier. I am most grateful that my God never leaves my side. I can come to Him in every moment and cry out to him in joy and despair. I am loved and cherished by my Savior who died for me. For that, there is nothing for which to be more grateful!

Every one of us will go through hard seasons in life, but I pray that I will always be able to find things that make me realize how truly blessed I am. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!

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This image is the property of the linked blog. Please, visit her blog for this free printable and many more!

https://www.neathousesweethome.com/free-thanksgiving-chalkboard-art-printables/

Best Beach Towels {Dock and Bay}

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It’s sadly been too long since our beach vacation, but I did discover the best beach towels ever before our last visit to my favorite place. They are from a company called Dock and Bay. The towels are ultra light and fast drying. Personally, I cannot stand coming out of the pool to find my towel is still wet from the last time I used it. It doesn’t get me dry or warm like that. I have bought too many towels over the years trying to find just the right ones. Finally, after way too much money and time, I think I’ve found it! They come in several sizes and shapes. They also come in a variety of colors. I love that they are soft to the touch and the colors are vibrant. Each towel comes in a canvas-type carrying case. We monogrammed the cases so we could keep up with whose was whose I also loved, loved, loved how they were packaged!! The plastic is biodegradable and says you could even eat it, but the directions say it doesn’t taste good so you shouldn’t. I just loved everything about these towels and the company. If you’re lucky enough to still have a vacation planned, go check out Dock and Bay Towels.

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Road Trip Snacks {keto/low carb}

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17C4D61A-6C9A-46E9-956F-F9D2EC7E1313On our drive to Hilton Head, I pack snacks for every person. The kids get things like Chex Mix, Fruit by the Foot, chips, Zone bars, peanut butter or cheese crackers, and basically things that are full of carbs. I don’t eat any of those things so I need to figure out what I might want to munch on for the trip. This time around, I packed jars of sugar free pickles, Keto Bars, almonds, and cheese bars. Keto and low carb snacks are much easier to find now, but consideration for how they travel and how your body responds to them must be given. If you’re on a low carb or Keto diet it is still possible to stay in ketosis while on vacation, but it does take a little more planning.1A7AFCE9-E60F-49E4-A949-CFEB3F8324BF.jpeg

Chella D {Hilton Head}

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Everyone in my family loves a good deal. My daughters are very into fashion, but they always want a unique look. Whenever we visit Hilton Head in South Carolina we stop at Chella D. This consignment shop is a favorite and a much anticipated stop for our family. We love the ladies who own and run it. Donna and Carol are pure delights! If I lived in Hilton Head, I know I would be a regular. When a regular customer comes in they all talk and laugh and truly care about what’s going on with one another. Even though we only stop in once or twice a year, we are remembered and appreciated. This shop isn’t just a fun little shop, it’s full of treasures. Think Lilly Pulitzer, Gucci, Kate Spade, Armani, Versace, Jimmy Choo, and much more. We always leave with things we love and things we get for a bargain. If you make a trip to Hilton Head, plan a stop at Chella D. 6CA6B357-1972-4B96-8547-CC96E7766FD9.jpeg

St. Patrick’s Day Fun

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Tomorrow’s holiday provides a theme I thoroughly enjoy- the color GREEN! This has been my favorite color my whole life. When I was tiny, I refused to wear anything that wasn’t green and pink.

I have thought about all the ways to celebrate tomorrow.  Skittles and Rolos are great to provide that gold under the rainbow effect. I bought some chocolate coins from Oriental Trading to put into tiny jars. On my kitchen table, I placed Dove mint chocolates in a glass container.  I have shamrock’s hanging from the chairbacks and small rainbow and shamrock balloons in containers. Most of my St. Patrick’s Day decorations come from the Dollar Tree. I bought potted Shamrocks for decorations from Publix.

Past St. Patrick Day dinners have included green enchiladas with guacamole and Funfetti cookies. Stuffed green peppers, spinach pasta, pesto, chicken Florentine, salads, lettuce wraps are all good ideas for a green-themed dinner.  I like to make a mint or rainbow kind of dessert. Creme de Menthe brownies or rainbow sherbert are good ways to stick with the St. Patrick’s Day theme. If you want to stay with the green-theme, chocolate mint ice cream, pistachio ice cream, green Rice Krispie treats, and any green cookie or cupcake would be perfect.

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St. Patrick’s day trivia, bingo, or Heads-Up would all be fun to play tomorrow night.

Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow!

Happy Pi (3.14) Day!

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I woke the children up to a hand-pie breakfast. They are super easy to make, and always a treat. I simply take a refrigerated pie crust and some strawberry pie filling. I cut the crust into thirds, put a couple of tablespoons of filling in the middle. I then fold it over and pinch the seams. A few little slits at the top finish off the preparation. I pop them in the oven at 350 degrees until they are lightly browned. They are piping hot when they come out of the oven, so they need to sit for a few minutes. I served them with a dollop of whipped cream. It was a sweet way to start Pi day. I also made my husband a Keto Key Lime Pie for his after dinner dessert. I love celebrating these types of things even if they’re just in simple little ways.  I’m planning some fun for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter is just around the corner too!

 

Valentine’s Exchange {free printable}

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This year I decided to go the easiest route of all, and let all the children give the same kind of Valentine card. I went to Amazon and got a 72 count tub of Haribo gummy bears since most everyone likes gummy bears. I chose this free printable from one of my favorite bloggers. We should be able to assemble these very quickly and easily.

 

gummy

photo credit: Haribo

 

We have a little party planned for Valentine’s Day, and I look forward to sharing those details later.

Don’t forget tomorrow is Mardi Gras. Get those beads and King cakes ready!

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photo credit: Southern Living