WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY HOLIDAYS IN FULL SWING

Hi Loves! I missed last month, so I’m super excited to join Shay and Schaefer today for what’s up Wednesday! It’s going to be a great Wednesday because I’m having a festive lunch with a dear friend of mine!

1. WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS MONTH: instead of inundating you with lots of food Photos, I’ll just link to some of the treats I’m making for my cookie trays that I’ve shared in the past. I made my monster cookies (I put red and green M&M's in at Christmastime) last weekend to freeze for the cookie trays and realized I've never shared that recipe so including it here:

Monster Cookies

*1 cup brown sugar

*1 cup white sugar 

*1/2 unsalted butter, softened

*3 eggs

*1 tsp vanilla

*1 tbsp Karo Syrup

*1 1/2 cup peanut butter 

*2 tsp’s baking soda

*1/2 tsp salt

*4 1/2 quick oats

*1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

*1 cup M&M’s 

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and sugars in a large bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla, then peanut butter and syrup until well blended. Beat in baking soda salt. Stir in oatmeal until Well blended. Add in chocolate chips, and M&Ms. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes and then transfer to wire rack or parchment paper.  

 And making my Sweepstakes Peanut Butter Fudge, Thumbelina Cookies, Just Right Chocolate Chip Cookies, along with tons of others and one thing We will have on Christmas day is Party Sliders

 

2. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT: a recent trip with my gal pals to Chicago for a fun overnight. We had cocktails and dinner at two of the most amazing restaurants in Chicago, a wonderful brunch the next morning before the most fun, art experience at Spin Art Nation. If you’re interested in trying this, you can use code THEBLONDESQUAD for 20% off.

3. WHAT I'M LOVING: All Things CHRISTMAS! And most importantly ANYTIME we can see the granddaughters! Yesterday, they turned 2 months old!

4. WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO: Oh, you know, hanging out with the most beautiful girls in the world and celebrating our first Thanksgiving with them.! Gearing up for all things holidays. 

Uncle and Auntie got to meet them for the first time. Can't wait for the other set tho meet them...Christmas!

5. WHAT I’M DREADING: 

The holidays being over, January holiday dismantle, and Indiana gray skies make me sad. So, I’ll keep busy by organizing!

 

6. WHAT I’M WORKING ON: Trips on the books. Buying Gifts and Wrapping.

Where I wrap! In the upstairs glam space. It's not as neat right now, wrapping paper and boxes everywhere, lol.

AND GIFT GUIDES GLORE. Bringing you some great ideas if you need the inspiration! I’ve been sharing several on the blog, but here is anther good one! Oprah's Favorite things are always the best and you can get them all on Amazon now. The Bubble Bath is so pretty and smells so good. But first, bought These Glasses for Mr. Nine and I and a couple more for a Party. Such great deals at Personalization Mall and only $10.

Jacket // Candle // Bath Salts // Bubble Bath // Lip and Cheek Tint Stick // Knife Set // Sock Set // Beauty Bag Duo // Tote

7. WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT: Having all the kids home, and being able to celebrate the holidays together, the first Christmas for the twins! I’m so excited about hosting a brunch, attending some parties, and hopefully some more holiday lunches with friends. 

 

8. WHAT I’M WATCHING & READING:

Watching

Virgin River Part II Starts tomorrow night. 

For All Mankind 

And

Lessons in Chemistry was so good. 

And ALL The Holiday Baking Shows 

 

Reading (Wanting  to Read Bright Lights, Big Christmas)

9. WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Traditional AND Modern Christmas songs!

 

10. WHAT I’M WEARING: Heidi Kagan Wraps!! The One Size wrap can be worn as a poncho topper, shawl, vest and you can belt it too! Fur trim and ruffle trims in lots of colors. Stylish and versatile and whoohoo use Holiday20 for 20% off! Which Look is your Fav?

Wrap HERE // Bodysuit HERE // Belt HERE // Leggings HERE // Heels HERE

Wrap HERE // Shirt HERE // Jeans HERE // Pearls HERE // Heels HERE

Wrap HERE // Bodysuit HERE // Belt HERE // Leggings HERE // CUTE Shoes HERE

AND RED & WHITE CHECK RUG HERE

11. WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND: Hopefully something festive, lol. I definitely looking forward to a celebrating a boy who has a birthday on the 4th, happens to be the daddy of the twins!

 

12. WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

All the Christmas festivities, parties, get togethers, hot cocoa days, curled on the couch, I’m here for all of it!

 

13. FAVORITE TARGET FIND: I’m going to do something different for this one. Since I’ve been sharing lots of Amazon, with a gift guides, I’ve got the most fun Target find. This BITE ME Mug just cracks me up and would be great gift at only $5!

Tell me what you're up too this Holiday season! 

Love ya!

LINKING-UP with Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files // 

Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Mix and Match Mama

// Sheaffer Told Me To

xoxo

FRIDAY FAVORITES TWINS SHOWER TOP 5

Happy Friday friends! Well, the twin girls shower was a huge success! Those kids and girlies were loved on so much. Everything ended up coming together perfectly. After we decorated for eight hours on Friday, my mom asked me if it was everything I had hoped for and yes, I was happy to make my vision come true to make it magical for them. Above pic when I was EXHAUSTED after decorating all day. I’m going to be hopping on a ferry to an island soon, so for now, just sharing some of my favorite decor/things. I’ll have more details and shower pics for you next week.

 1. The Balloons

What event would not be made more special than with balloons! As you’ve seen before, we have the best local balloon artist, and she, too, made my vision, come to life with her balloon backdrop, and adorable, personalized balloon columns!

2. The Flowers

Seriously friends, the flowers! The centerpieces were incredible! I found the clear vases with rattan overlays on clearance at Michael’s, so they made 13 incredible centerpieces for us, as well as putting two wildflowers in each of the little bud vases for takeaways. Love, love love. I gave everyone that helped a Centerpiece. I brought a couple home and took more photos, lol!

Name Banners HERE

3. Donut Wall

Could you just die over this donut wall! My neighbor had it at her daughter’s graduation open house, and I found out it was rentable by a friend of hers who so kindly shared it with me! A local bakery they all did donuts, but I totally overestimated and we're seeing donuts in our dreams.

4. Cookies

How precious are the personalized cookies! This was the mamas dream brought to life by a dear friend of hers, who runs Sugared Roots Bakery.

5. The Outfits

I saved one of the clothing outfits I got the girls as some of their shower gifts! My fav! Are these not the cutest outfits? Distressed jeans right down to a whole I. The knees, cozy UGG booties and the 0 to 6 mo hand-knitted sweaters from an incredible friend on Etsy, will grow with them this winter and are darling!

Sweaters HERE // Baby Distressed Jeans HERE // Uggs HERE // Headbands HERE

Love to you all and Enjoy the 

August 

weekend!

Linking up with  Friday Favorites  // Metamorphosis Monday // Sundays on Silverado

xoxo