Hooded Bear Coat / Blackwatch Plaid Flannel Skirt / Newer Shearling-Lined Boots in Toddler and Girls’ Sizes (These are great for toddlers, too!) / Knit Tights
My favorite Chicago Cub. 😉
(Took this photo this morning on our way to pre-school drop-off. I can’t tell you how much I wish Emma were in it so that I could use it for our Christmas card. Might try to recreate! 😂)
Think you missed out on great weekend sales while you were relaxing with family and friends? Think again! 😆 Here are my still-on-sale favorites from my most-loved retailers:
Ceramic Houses / Plaid Stocking / Red Stocking / Tartan Stocking / Holly Ball / Plaid Dog Bed / Porch Pine Tree / Gingerbread Doormat / Red Velvet Throw Pillow / Plaid Throw Pillow / Sherpa Christmas Tree Pillow / Wreath / Nest Candle / Green Pine Candle / Decorative Vase / Ceramic Christmas Trees / Knit Throw Blanket / Snowman Mug
As I’m getting in the holiday spirit this year, I’m trying my best to curb stress and anxiety and actually enjoy Christmas. Last year Covid forced me to slow down during the holidays, and I think it was our best Christmas yet. One thing I’m doing differently is trying to get ahead on as many holiday things as possible. And this year was the first time that we set out our Christmas decor early. Chicago got some snow a couple of weekends ago, and Mitch and I decided to pull out the holiday stuff since it sounded like a fun activity for a snowy day. I have to say I love how cozy and warm our home becomes once everything is up, which is nice considering how early it gets dark outside now. We also decorated the girls’ rooms for the holidays. If you missed that post, see how it turned out here. Decorating was such a blast—It’s so special seeing the magic through their eyes. Anyways there are some great holiday decorations this year, and I rounded up a few of my favorites. So if you’re looking for a couple things to help your home feel merry, I hope this helps.
Super Soft Throw Blanket / Long Sleeve Pajama Set / Hydrate + Glow Face Mask / Wood Wick Vanilla + Bergamot Candle / Claw Hair Clips / Vanilla Lip Mask / Slippers / Quarter-Zip Sweater / Cashmere Socks / Monogrammed Cashmere Eye Mask / Mug / Match Cloche / Fleece Robe
Taking a self-care night every now and then is so important, especially during the holidays when life can get hectic. That being said, having a cozy night in is something I’ll be trying to do more of in the coming weeks. One where you put on your pajamas and slippers, make a cup of tea, light a candle, and read a book on your kindle. I’ve gathered all the cozy and soft things for a perfect relaxing night at home, or if you’re a homebody, this might sound like an average weeknight, haha. Either way, I hope this post helps give you some inspiration to find the perfect gift.
It’s Black Friday! Here are some of my favorite finds:
J.Crew Black Watch Plaid Flannel Dress (Runs a little big!) / Boots / Girls’ Tartan Flannel Dresses / Newer Crewcuts Boots / Little Makes Big Bows / Mitch’s Barbour Shirt + J.Crew Sweater
Hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving with loved ones!
Personalized Jewelry Case / Monogrammed AirPods Case / Olaplex No.3 / Bow Earrings / Hydrating Lip Balm / Glass Jar Candle / Hand Cream / Scrunchies / Beanie / Black Ceramic Candle / Kindle / Leather Notepad / Noise Cancelling Headphones / Corduroy Baseball Cap / Leather Wallet / Leather Gloves / Green Water Bottle / AirTags
Stockings can quickly become a magnet for all sorts of random and impractical items. I think we’ve all done the last-minute drugstore sweep looking for stocking stuffers that will inevitably end up in a junk drawer a few months later. My new philosophy when it comes to filling stockings is quality over quantity. Especially with all the presents already under the tree, I think a couple of small, thoughtful gifts is way more exciting than a sock full of knick-knacks. So on that note, here are a few things that feel a little more heartfelt, personal, and practical. I hope this helps give you some inspiration!
Veja. It’s a sustainable French sneaker brand that caught my attention this past fall when shopping for my five-year-old daughter’s back-to-school shoes. We were just looking for gold sneakers and ordered Vejas simply because they looked the nicest. And then they arrived, and Emma and I adored them. (So much so that I ordered my youngest a pair, too!) Fast forward a few weeks later, and my two (very hip) cousins came to visit from New York City—and both walked in the door wearing Vejas. So I obviously took a deep dive and decided to test out a couple of adult styles: the Campo and the V-10. You know: For the sake of this blog. 😉
(Before we go any further, this is SUCH a great deal on the Campo in new condition. Love the white sneaker with the black “V.”)
With holiday travel approaching, I know that picking the right travel outfit can be a challenge. I’ve been struggling with anxiety around flying. MAN. While I’ve always been a nervous flyer, it’s gotten pretty bad this year. I’m not afraid of flying—I just get anxious about everything surrounding travel—packing, potentially forgetting important things, getting to the airport, missing my flight, etc. Even if you’re driving, that can come with its own set of obstacles, like getting everyone packed and on the road in time.
I like to pick my travel outfit in advance, so it’s one less thing I have to worry about. Plus, I know I’ll be comfortable and feel good in what I’m wearing for the day. I put together 3 of my go-to outfits for a long flight or day of travel so you can find some inspiration for what to wear while traveling this year.
How cute is my mom’s travel outfit?! Here’s what she’s wearing: Talbots Vest / J.Crew Jeans / Vineyard Vines Fair Isle Sweater / Similar Boots / Paravel Suitcase / Newer Luggage Tag
I have a lot on my mind today. 😉
Espresso Machine / Espresso Tamper and Distributor / Smart Thermometer / Speaker / Airpods / Arccos Golf Caddie Smart Sensors / Theragun Mini / Monogrammed Duffle Bag / French Press / Waffle Robe / Leather Wallet / Ugg Slippers / Dyson Airwrap /Candle and Diffuser Set / Hydrangea Flowers in a Vase
This week, I’m continuing on the gift guide train with a few gift ideas for your parents or in-laws. I love my in-laws and feel very grateful for them. We’re actually doing Thanksgiving at their place this year and heading to visit them the day after Christmas for a week. Over the years, I’ve learned the key to gifts is finding a balance between fun and practical. So when I shop for their presents, I always keep an eye out for something with a personal touch. Whether that’s something to do with one of their hobbies or something I remember them mentioning. If you’re feeling stuck on what to get your parents or your in-laws this year, I hope these ideas give you a little inspiration and help you find that perfect gift.
Coffee Mug / Baseball Hat / Makeup Bag / Notebook / Door Mat / Tea Towel / Needlepoint Keychain / Pajama Pants / Pajama Shirt / Socks / Wine Bottle Holder / Enamel Mug
I’m no stranger to a dachshund doormat, pair of socks, or even a mug. Dachshund-themed decor and clothes just spark joy for me. You’ll see Seasonal Noodle themed decor, like a dachshund skeleton on our front steps for Halloween or Stoodle (stoop Noodle) on the other days of the year. It’s a norm over here, and I love it.
I am so excited to spend Thanksgiving with our family this year! When it comes to picking out what to wear, I always go for basic pieces in neutral colors and accessorize with festive earrings, scarves, or bags for a pop of color. Since I know every family’s Thanksgiving can look a little different, I put together three outfits so you can find some inspiration no matter what the dress code is at your family’s Thanksgiving dinner.
Gap Home Striped Comforter / Pink Christmas Tree / Pink Reindeer / Fairy Lights / Holly Jolly Pillow / Festive Snow Globe / “MERRY” Decorative Blocks / Dachshund Sheets / Other Room Details
I always say this, but Emma’s room is my favorite room in our house. I think it’s because it’s the first I decorated, as I wanted our little 2.5-year-old to feel as “at home” as possible amidst so many changes. (New house and a new baby on the same day! 🙈) The room brings back so many happy and exciting memories, and I often slip in there to reflect. It’s cute that I’m publishing this today, too, because the girls are currently sleeping in Lucy’s room together, and Mitch and I are sleeping in Emma’s room while our own bedroom is being painted!
Faux Mums via Etsy / Faux Mums via Walmart / Buffalo Check Pumpkins / Topiary Dachshund / Three-Ball Topiaries / The Best Artificial Pumpkins: One, Two, Three and Four (The ones you see here are NOT them!) / Newer Lanterns / Newer Camel Cardigan here, here and here / Ugg Slippers / Madewell Roadtripper Skinny Jeans (The BEST.) / Striped Tee
These are always my favorite posts to write. :)
Dyson Outsize Cordless Vacuum (Clip-in battery! Note that this one has a larger dirt canister than our V11 Torque, pictured above.) / Other Room Details
For the first time ever, we set out our Christmas decor early. I blame the snow we got in Chicago this past weekend. We were stuck inside for most of it, and when Mitch suggested pulling out the holiday stuff, it sounded like a fun, cozy activity. So we did it, and I have to say that it’s lovely. Christmas is such a short season; might as well enjoy it for as long as we can! (Plus, we’re doing Thanksgiving at my in-laws, so no need to keep the fall decor out any longer.)
Solar System Science Kit / Crayola Ultimate Light Board Drawing Table / Fidget Toys Set / Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad / Crayola Model Magic Clay / Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter / Bracelet Making Kit / Textured Stretchy Strings Fidget Toy / Olaf Follow-Me Friend / Crayola Arctic Color Chemistry Kit / Pink Bike with Training Wheels / Walkie Talkies / Squishy Toy Set
I’m trying to get ahead on getting gifts for the girls. Since we’ll be traveling to New Orleans to spend Christmas with my family this year, everything needs to be shipped to my brother’s place. We learned the hard way a couple of years ago that the Larkins cannot fly with gifts. Huge disaster, haha! Kids’ toys can get expensive, and they start to add up pretty quickly, so I gathered our favorite affordable toys we either own and love or have heard great things about to give you a little inspiration for the kids in your family.
Good morning! Man. I’m so excited about this weekend. We have friends coming over tonight, and Emma has field hockey on Saturday—and that’s it. I’m really looking forward to unwinding, taking it easy, and playing with the girls. I even cleaned the house so I could wake up tomorrow with a sense of inner peace. 😜
I’m feeling chatty today. So in other news…
