FRIDAY FAVORITES...HELLO CHRISTMAS SEASON

Ahh Friday my sweet friends! I feel like the holiday festiveness has officially started this week! And I just want to hold it in time. I’m trying to savor each and every moment. I hope you are too and I hope your weekend is all things amazing and cozy!

1. Family Fun Day

As you probably know from my stories, the two college boys headed back but I’ll be seeing them again before you know it and have them home for almost a month! This past weekend we had such a fun family day out. A local brewery has this awesome small plate feast. They make all kinds of unusual and delightful dishes and you can grab as many as you want. Plus, it’s the spot that has my beloved reindeer mule cocktail! However, for some odd reason because it’s oh so popular, they are not calling it a reindeer mule they’re now calling it a cranberry mule. Bah humbug brewery, lol. 

Friend Fun Day

Wednesday, I got to enjoy a holiday lunch at a quaint little café boutique that I had mentioned Wednesday on the blog called Birds Gotta Fly! My dear friend Kim and I have known each other almost 20 years and are so much alike that she enjoyed this place as much as I did. I did not get a food picture but our lunch at the café consisted of a yummy spinach poppy seed salad, a turkey pesto Panini and a Cuban latte. We shopped a little too and just had to both get this adorable truck sign. As we both live on the river and in the woods, LOL!

Kim got me the CUTEST slippers!! Sparkly, Cozy Fun! 

BUY Sparkle Slippers HERE

2. Holiday Find

Tiered Cheese Tray

This tiered cheese tray! Some of you may have seen how cute my Turkey cheese ball turned out. This was the first time I had used the tray that my mom got me last Christmas from Amazon. It is so freaking darling, I will be using it all the time!

BUY Tray HERE

3. Week's Attire

This first outfit of the week is getting a big picture because I love it that much!! Even Mr. Nine loved it! It’s the Knock off PULLOVER from Amazon and I got it during lightning deal for $15 and it really is THAT good that I may pay full price for more!! So soft! 

Pullover HERE// Shoes HERE

 Top HERE // Boots HERE // Similar Vest HERE

Hoodie HERE (It's a Fav too!) //

 Sneakers HERE (also a Favorite!)

4. Plaid Dress & Hunter Boots

How festive is this dress? One of my Favorite Dresses ever!! I like styling with a slouchy hat too. And the Hunter's just worked!

 

BUY DRESS HERE

More Inspo

5. MISC. FUN

TBB ASKS

Last TBB ASKS link-up of the year on Monday and of course, the Holiday ones are always fun! 

 

Post from The Week

In case you missed any posts, this week was a goodie…Monday was The Christmas Bedroom Reveal, Tuesday was my recipe from Bacon & Chicken Chowder and Wednesday was the Holiday Look with my gold skirt and chambray.

HERE, HERE and HERE

 LOFT Earrings

These earrings from The Loft! I saw them in the store and was swooning but no sale at the time. So, when these puppies went on 50% off, I scooped them up and love them! That’s the reflection from my chandelier in the top part, lol.

 BUY HERE

The Finished Tray

Oh Target Dollar spot, sometimes you are just so, pardon the pun, “spot on!” It is not every time I go to Target that I find just the right stuff at the Dollar spot, but this week I found two of the sweetest little gems for my Christmas tiered Tray!!. Just look at this little red truck in Santa hat, a dollar each!

TRAY HERE

My your weekend be full of sparkle and cookies!!

Linking up with  Amanda // Friday Favorites  // High 5 For Friday  // Fashion Friday

xoxo

HOLIDAY LOOKS...THE GOLDEN SKIRT & WUW

This Fall, I have loved a good golden hue. A few weeks ago, I told you about the skirt I had ordered from Amazon for family pictures. I was really worried how the skirt with a look, but it is phenomenal. It’s an elastic waist band and not only comes with a black belt but a chiffon sash in the same color. Since I tied the front of this denim shirt, I opted not to even use the sash and I love the way it turned out. Today, our fashion prompt at TBB is holiday looks and I thought since I wore this for our holiday family Christmas card pictures this past weekend that it was the perfect outfit to showcase. A great price that packs a fabulous festive punch!

AND it's What's Up Wednesday too!

 

Can’t wait to get out Christmas cards, which many of you will be receiving. Then, you can see how I coordinated Mr. Nine’s and our 3 boy’s outfits. 

SKIRT HERE // EARRINGS HERE // TOP HERE

Now, time for some What's Up in the Nine neck of the woods

1. WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK: More like what am I baking: Lot's of my Christmas goods, namely cookies...lol...OH AND I realized I have never shared my sweepstakes wining PB Fudge with you. I make 4 batches of it so I will share soon.

CINNAMON TOFFEE OATMEAL COOKIES

RECIPE HERE

 ALMOND THUMBPRINT COOKIES W/ BUTTERSCOTCH FROSTING

RECIPE HERE

WHITE CHOCOLATE DIPPED SNICKERDOODLES

RECIPE HERE

2. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT: Next Tuesday, this guy turns 21. Precious then and my sweetheart as an adult now. He'll always be my baby!!

3. WHAT I’M LOVING: The Festive Spirit all around and the snow we have gotten. And lights, all the lights, we have 16 lit trees and I counted 9 more things with battery lights. 

Love my champagne colored deer head in the dining room.

Battery snowflake lights on the FP wreath.

Oh almost forgot the banisters are lit too.

4.WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO: Installed a security system and it is loud!

5. WHAT I’M DREADING: Nada

6. WHAT I’M WORKING ON: Gathering addresses for Christmas Cards, Baking, WRAPPING Presents, Growing my INSTAGRAM. Man it's exhausting but oh so addicting.

7. WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT: Going to visit the Birthday boy at college and celebrate. AND pretty much excited everyday for Christmas.

8. WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING: All the shows like Manifest, Chicago's, Notre Dame football (12-0 baby) and we're binging "The 100"

This Book On Order

BUY HERE

9. WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Christmas Tunes of course and still the A Star is Born soundtrack. My 2 favorite Christmas songs are Baby It's Cold Outside and 

10. WHAT I’M WEARING: Red and sweaters.

11. WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND: If Mr. Nine will oblige me, going to see some Christmas lights. Wrapping, yeah, lots of wrapping.

12. WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH: CHRISTMAS! and a son's 21st!

13. WHAT ELSE IS NEW: Going to a local Boutique and cafe' called Birds Gotta Fly for Lunch today. 

HEAD OVER TO The BLENDED Blog to Link up your fashion Posts and Check out our Lovely Prompt Leader and SUPER sweet Vanessa from XTREMELYV!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Linking Up With Oh Hey Girl  // Visible Monday // Style Me Wednesday // THT  //Fashion Moda// Thoughts for Thursday  // Fashion Friday // Lizzie in Lace // Shoe and Tell // Trend Spin // Fab Favorites //A Labour of Life // Confident Twosday //I will wear what I like // Jersey Girl Texan Heart// Fancy Friday  // Fashion Frenzy // Straight A Style // Metamorphosis Monday // Shay and Mel

xoxo

BACON AND CHICKEN CHOWDER

Yum! Just the thought of bacon and chicken in chowder form cooking slowly all day in the crock-pot just warms me up inside. Any slow cooker soup or chowder has my heart these chilly days and boy is this one ever a keeper! I mean, just look at that scrumptious bacon topping the creamy goodness! 

Yeah, you're going to want to make this! 

What You'll Need

Bacon and Chicken Chowder

INGREDIENTS 

2 chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 small onion, chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic

4 Yukon gold potatoes cut into cubes

1/2 cup baby carrots, diced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

4-5 cups chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon oregano 

1-pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 8oz package light cream cheese, cut into chunks

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 Tablespoons cornstarch  

Shredded Cheese, any kind

DIRECTIONS 

Add the chicken, onion, garlic, potatoes, carrots, salt, pepper, broth, oregano and half the bacon to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 7 hours. Add the cream cheese to the slow cooker. Mix the cornstarch with the heavy cream and add it to the slow cooker. Cook on high for another 30 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with more bacon some Shredded Cheese for topping

HAPPY TASTY TUESDAY!

Linking up with Tasty Tuesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Full Plate Thursday // Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Thursday Favorite things Blog Hop //Best Of The Weekend// Handmade Hangout // Grace At Home // Two Cup Tuesday // The SITS Girls // Create, Make, Take // Dishing It & Digging It // Feathered Nest Friday  // Pretty Pintastic Party // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop  // Best Friday Features //  Meal Plan Monday #140 // Delicious Dishes Recipe Party  // Clever Chicks Blog Hop // Cooking & Crafting with J&J // Sweet Inspiration Link-Party

xoxo

CHRISTMAS BEDROOM REVEAL

On my Wishlist has always been to decorate a Christmas bedroom and after finding the perfect plaid quilt set to blend well with the paint color in one of our spare bedrooms, I decided to go for it. let’s get to the cozy and festive bedroom I just love. 

All Buying details a the end of post.

Everything revolved around the bedding and knowing I wanted some white faux fur pillows and a flocked tree in a bucket, lol. After that, the rest of it really came together with lots of fun Reds and Whites. This Quilt set is another amazing find at our local Meijer (grocery superstore).


 

This bedroom suit is from the old house as we opted to keep all our bedroom suits for now but oh how I want new ones in much lighter woods. Funny thing is, everyone says how much they love the guest bedroom furniture, lol (We have 2 sets of this particular set).

You may remember the snowflakes on my front porch rocking chairs if you follow me on, They were 2.97 apiece at Wal-Mart and I have not only hung them on the rockers but hung them in windows and now on the walls in here too, Just love them! The Believe sign is from the dollar spot at Target. 

Flocked Tree from Home Goods

Grey Chunky Knit Blanket HERE // White Pom Pom Blanket HERE // Gray Tray HERE // Faux Fur Pillow Covers Set HERE // Milk For Santa Similar Bottle HERE // Similar Believe Pillow HERE // Red Mail For Santa Box HERE // Similar Quilt Set HERE // Similar Baby It's Cold Outside sign HERE // Similar White Feather Trees HERE // Red Pillow Sham Set HERE

Pajama Set HERE and HERE
Wait til you see what the Top Says

Make sure you head over to The Blended Blog  where I am heading up the Wishlist Prompt...but it's more than just material gifts...

I Wish You the sweetest start to Your Cyber Monday and Christmas Kick-Off week!

LINKING-UP with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop // Cooking & Crafting with J&J // Friday Favorites Link Party // Clever Chicks Blog Hop // Share Your Style Link Party // 

xoxo