MERRY CHRISTMAS & THE CUTEST SNOW GLOBE COOKIES

Happy last Friday before Christmas. How is it 5 more sleeps? Ahh how I love Christmas, but I think even more I just love the entire season! The lead up, the build up, the festive fun and I get so sad when it’s over.

 

But the fat lady hasn't it sung yet lol and by fat lady, I mean ME eating all the Christmas treats, lol! Let’s enjoy these last few days my friends! And this mama is over the moon because I get every single member of my family here on Christmas Day and I am going to relish every second! It’s going to be extra fun with the twins this year and they sure do love wrapping paper, lol!

Our Annual matching Outfits Pic...

So let’s talk about the Snow Globe Cookies! I was so excited to make these and they are cute, but they just didn’t turn out as perfectly or as easily as I had hoped, lol but I’m still going to share the ingredients needed and how to make them. I was going to do a dedicated post on them but I didn't feel they were 'aesthetically perfect' enough so I'll just throw em' here as a Friday Fav.

They were a hit with everyone I gave them to though. 

Here is what you'll need. 

Simply dip the Oreo's in melted white candy melts, transfer to wax paper then place a candy in center and sprinkle with sparkling sugar. Let harden and attach to upside down Reese's miniature with a little frosting, Store in airtight continuer up to 2 weeks. 

And this year, I did a dozen Cookie/Candy trays. I made way more cookies than what I thought I would (9 varieties), but I spread it out by making a few batches every weekend leading up that could be frozen. And I made 6 batches of my Sweepstakes Peanut Butter Fudge.

Love spreading cheer by delivering them.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy remainder of the year, I hope you have a cozy blanket, lots of love and warm drinks. Feel your emotions and do what you need to do. I hope you give to others, that you delight in the Christmas season, that your heart finds peace if you are in pain or not with loved ones and that you find light and hope in celebrating 

the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! 

I keep my Family private for the most part now but here are the Twins...because they're the 

BEST part of my heart.....and oh the JOY they bring so many.

Cheers to you, Cheers to our King and Cheers to facing the New Year with a renewed perspective. May 2025 be soooo much better than 2024. 

 

Love and Hugs to you all.

Have a festive weekend sweet Friends!!

Linking up with Momfessionals and Between Naps on The Porch // Thursday Fashion Files // I Do deClaire // Hello Monday

xoxo

WHAT TO WEAR TO A HOLIDAY PARTY

A go to for me when picking out a Holiday Party outfit is Chciwish! From Christmas teas to family events to Holiday dinners and everything in between Chicwish has it all. 

 You’ll be festive, cute and on trend yet not break the bank. 

 

These outfits came together so easily. I got compliments on them all and I felt confident and festive in them which was exactly what I was going for. 

 Friday I shared with you the trip to Chicago with my mama. I wore two of these Chicwish outfits to the Holiday Teas and they were perfect!

 

This first one is what I wore to a Christmas tea. 

Candy canes anyone? Oh yes with the shimmer mesh skirt adorned with the peppermint cuteness giving it just a hint of sparkle. Add in a giant Bow on this pale pink knit top and you’ve got the perfect Holiday look. 

Loved the candy canes on the tulle so much that I got it in black too. The deep red top gives classy vibes while still being trendy and fun too.

I even added a bow belt and bow on my hair and love what these accessories added. 

Hair Bow HERE //  Tights HERE // Bow Belt HERE

Speaking of accessories, I’m crazy about a beret hat! Especially this Embroidered Wool One  in pink. Parisian flare all day long. Just imagine throwing a pretty cream coat like This one over the ensemble like mine from Chicwish. You’re seeing pattern here with the Bowknot Knit Sweater Top with the slightly flared sleeves because I was adamant about having one in every color, lol. 

 

Let’s add major sparkle but in a subtle way with the Sequin Maxi Skirt and Cardigan with what a I call sparkle bow buttons. 

 
And just think, you can wear any three of the Bowknot Knit Sweater tops with this maxi skirt making for lots of cute holiday options. 

Something I love about Chciwish is they often restock or still have much loved pieces year after year so many of their pieces in my previous posts are still able to be ordered. Items are often offered in multiple colors. And their new arrivals are released often and are always a treat. I love to blog about and style Chicwish. For some great reviews on my beloved Chicwish, check out these posts: HERE, HERE, HERE (my favorites) and HERE.

 

Which Holiday look is your favorite?

Happy Festive week my Loves! 

Linking up with Between Naps on the Porch // Thursday Fashion Files // I Do deClaire // Momfessionals // Hello Monday

xoxo 

 

CHICAGO AT CHRISTMASTIME

There is nothing like the city of Chicago during the Christmas season! Definitely a FAVORITE for this Friday! Although I love small town Christmases, the Windy City always has our hearts. Back in July my mom saw a great Christmas in July special going on that involved the beautiful Drake hotel tea at the Palm Court. So, this has been in the works for months, but of course it would have to fall on the coldest day of the year so far, we are talking windchills in the single digits. But that did not deter us. We may have had to cut our evening short and miss a couple of the things on the itinerary I had planned, but we had an absolute blast so I’m sharing some highlights. Even if you just have one night in Chicago, you can do so many fun Christmas things. The possibilities are endless. All the holiday tees and lights made me dream of bringing the twin granddaughters here someday which we will definitely do when they get older.

 I didn’t get pictures of everything, especially the things outside, because quite honestly, my hands were too cold, even in my mittens to do so, lol. But I will share my favorites with you. I will also link to some of the festivities in case you want to plan them yourself.

We took the train in this time because now our South Shore line is faster, it takes the same amount of time to take the train in as it does to drive, two hours for us so at least we didn’t have to worry about driving in the city or parking.

 

 Our first stop fresh off the train was the London House hotel, which had a Holiday Tea in their Bridges lobby. 

The dessert tier here was so cute and we had lovely views overlooking the river. Savory Scones too.

Of course, I forgot my phone charger so a trip to the Apple Store was warranted and then we were able to check into our lovely suite. The Drake hotel is known to be haunted, and I think my mom felt a presence once, lol. BUT we LOVED having two bathrooms!

 

Next step was a little shopping, but I have to say I’m so sad at the state of malls. We wanted to go in and out of the outside shops, but it was just too darn cold, so we opted for Water Tower place and it’s another mall that is falling by the wayside just like all the others even the Macy’s store there has gone. But the Lego store is still there so had to snap a pic some of Chicago’s coolest buildings made out of Legos.

Now it gets really exciting, I got us tickets to Frosty's Bar (the original Christmas pop-up) on the northwest side of the city. It was so charming, the looks on everyone’s faces when they walked in and saw the lights was part of the fun. 

Plus, the cocktails were delicious. I even had to get some pictures on a pole to send back to Mr. Nine, ha ha ha.

 How cute is mom in the big chair!

Had a yummy shot with Sprinkles too.

So many great photo ops!

Then we went to Macy’s on State Street to check out the tree in the Walnut Room. You may remember we ate there once before in This Post. 

We were hoping the window displays would be spectacular, but unfortunately, they weren’t that great.

We walked up the road to the Daley Plaza for the Chriskindlmarkt. That’s the German market that comes to Chicago every year. Mr. Nine and I used to go every Thanksgiving weekend, but it had been a while. Mom had never been there, and it was so delightful to go on this night, even though it was freezing because it wasn’t as busy as it normally is on the weekends. Keep that in mind if you go to places like this as the weekends are crazy!.

I did my research on the best food there. I had followed an Influencer who had eaten everything there and gave her best booth options and she wasn’t wrong, number eight for Bob's Belgian, hot chocolate and number 16 for the Raclettte...hot cheese shaved and melted onto chewy baguettes! So good. 

Unfortunately, here is where we ended our night despite having your reservations for more Christmas cocktails, ha ha, but it was just too darn cold. You would think since we were leaving the market as it was closing there would be a ton of taxis around and for some reason, GPS was not jiving with where the Uber was to pick so we did not even get the Uber until the sixth attempt. Usually we walk everywhere in Chicago, but it was just too darn cold even bundled up to do it on this night. NO worries he hotel beds were warm and cozy!

I was so excited for coffee the next morning because we were going to Ralph's Coffee on Michigan, it is the coffee shop located in front of the Ralph Lauren store, and it did not disappoint! 

Delicious and precious and preppy! 

AND THIS RED COATis such a winner from Old Navy. 

Plaid Scarf is only $10 and with the Cute Socks, it was extra festive! LOVE this coat too!

Next the toured the Peninsula Hotel to see their beautiful Christmas decorations.

Time to get dressed for our second tea right within our hotel at the Palm Court. It was beautifully decorated! And how exciting that we got there just in time for the Christmas carolers and then the harpest! 

I must say I liked the savory tier of this tea better. Mom and I were contrasting the two teas and there were good things and things that could’ve been approved upon for both. But overall, wonderful experiences!

Delicious Crantini's!

Our last stop after the tea before our 4:05 train was the Mart, formally known as the Merchandise Mart, the biggest building in Chicago. On the seventh floor, they had an amazing vendor market Called One of a Kind with everything from art to food to fashion with so many unique options it wasn’t just some flea market, It was craftsman from all over the country in Canada selling their beautiful pieces.
The photo with the lights on the building is when Mr. Nine and I saw the light show there five years ago (Post Here), unfortunately this did not start until the night after mom and I were there or we would have gone to see it. It’s spectacular!

Missed on our itinerary were Pinkmas, Hubbard Inn, JoJo's Shake Bar and Santa Baby but we'll hit em' next year.

Fun little Holiday getaway 

with my mama! 

Have a festive weekend my dears!

Linking up with Momfessionals and Between Naps on The Porch // Thursday Fashion Files // I Do deClaire // Hello Monday

xoxo

PS: Mom and I got compliments on how festive we always looked, people told us it made them happy....it makes me happy too friends!

THE NINE'S CHRISTMAS DECOR

3 New Christmas trees. Yep, you heard that right! We've got a classy flocked addition to the dining room, a hot cocoa entry slim tall cutie and the gingerbread adorableness in the basement. That one, BTW, is moving upstairs next year. It was a last minute experiment that I ended up loving. I watched a video that really hit home about Christmas trees the other day. A major home decor influencer had an ugly tinsel, 2 branch tree and said "How come when I photograph my beautiful Christmas trees, they look like this?" I was like, YAASS! My trees are so much more beautiful in person than they photograph. And I how I wish you could all come for a visit. I have many classy things but with the granddaughters, I'm going moving to lots of cute stuff...and next year..a Grinch tree may appear! 

Here we go...

The HOT COCOA CUTENESS

Safe to say...LOVE IT! Remember when I did a Hot Cocoa Tiered Tray? Well, that was the inspiration for it, along with the Marshmallow picks from Hobby Lobby and the Hot Cocoa Bar Sign From Etsy. Smaller hot cocoa wood signs HERE and HERE. The Fabric Marshmallow Snowman ornaments are my favorite.

And get the 7ft FlockedTree HERE. Ribbon HERE. Some Hot Cocoa Ornaments HERE and HERE

The Dining Room

The dining room got a much bigger tree for the corner, it's the My Texas House Flocked tree from Walmart and I love it. I simply added lots of Champagne Ribbon, ornaments and just a touch of red. The Big Snowflake is on sale for $5. And the Faux Fur Tree Skirt with poms for $18.

Love the New peppermint Runner

The Main Tree

Added some bigger balls, lol and lots more picks.

Sweet Stella 

Wreath I made in Entry

With this $12 Blank Flocked Wreath. It's a good one.

The TWINS Tree

2 of every ornament. Custom Name Garland HERE. 

Message them, they are great to work with.

 And New additions to the Candy Christmas Corner

The Christmas Bedroom 

I love it. A magical place to lay your head!

The Gingerbread Tree

Isn't it darling? Covered a teal bench with a cream knit blanket, added some cute pillows and it's a neat little corner. 

Peppermint Throw Pillows HERE. 

Similar Gingerbread HERE

The Big Snowflake Gingerbread are my favorite. 

Copper/red/white Balls HERE, Peppermint Swirls HERE & HERE.

More links on my LTK

There's lots I didn't show you. but after two weeks of setting it all up, I was too tired to photograph and blog about it all, lol. But here are some of the Christmas decor posts of the past.

2020 Decor HERE

2021Decor HERE

2022 Decor HERE

2023 Decor HERE

Happy Festive week my Babes! 

Linking up with Between Naps on the Porch // Thursday Fashion Files // I Do deClaire // Momfessionals // Hello Monday

xoxo