Five on Friday - November 30, 2018

Hey there!  Can you believe it's the last day of November?!?  This month (much like the entire year) has seemed to fly by.  With Thanksgiving behind us, I'm moving full force ahead planning and preparing for Christmas.  My friend Carol popped in yesterday and transformed our home into a magical Christmas scene.  It's one of my favorite days of the year when she's been to my house to decorate.  I walk in the door after work and it's like the magic of Christmas arrived!  I'll be sharing all our decorations on the Home Tour link up party being held on December 12.

Now, for the real reason of today's post - Five on Friday!  Here's my five for this week ~

1.  Eric Clapton - Happy Xmas

Every year I like to add a Christmas CD (or twenty) to our collection.  This year it's going to be Eric Clapton's Happy Xmas.  Can you believe that this is his first Christmas CD!  This 14 song collection has a cool groove to it - the perfect kind of music to be playing in the background during a party.  One of the songs, For the Love of Christmas, was written by Clapton myself.  Need it for your collection?  Click HERE to check it out. 

2.  Zollipops - The Clean Teeth Pops

Parents - you no longer have to worry when you hand your kiddo a sucker.  That is, if you're handing them a Zollipop!  These babies actually clean teeth!  Here's the description from Amazon, "Zollipops work naturally with our bodies to help reduce the acidity and balance the pH in our mouths. By reducing acidity, we can help take away the power from those little cavity monsters! Teeth can re-mineralize faster, making them stronger and harder. In fact, many people have shared that after enjoying one of our treats, their teeth feel smooth and clean again."  Wonder how many stockings Santa will be leaving a pack of Zollipops in.  If you need some, click HERE.

3.  Starbuck's Juniper Latte

Did you notice something new on the Starbuck's menu yesterday?  They've add a Juniper Latte to their list of holiday lineup.  Inside the Juniper Latte is Starbucks signature espresso and steamed milk with juniper-flavored syrup.  In case you're wondering what juniper tastes like, it's the evergreen tree or shrub that is used to flavor gin.  To top off the new Juniper Latte is creamy foam and a sprinkle of pine-citrus sugar.  It streams Merry Christmas!

4.  Spa Pack

This time of year, there's always a list of girlfriends or teachers or daycare workers you would like to give a little something to without breaking the bank.  Amazon has the below items in bulk - bath bombs, facial masks and nail files.  You could put one each in a cute bag for just under $3.00 each.  Such a cute gift that doesn't break the bank!

Click HERE to purchase

Click HERE to purchase

Click HERE to purchase

5.  Don't we all have a little bit of Grinch in us?

Have a great weekend!  Eric and I have a fun one in store.  Tonight is my work holiday party and then tomorrow morning bright and early we're headed to Nashville to help my friend Debbie celebrate her birthday.  See you next week!

Linking up with:

The Peaceful Posse

Amanda at Meet At The Barre
Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home
High Five for Friday

The Blended Blog

This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks

Friday Favorites Linky Party - November 30, 2018

Here we are - the last day of November!  Happy Friday!  I'm excited to see all the wonderful links today.  I bet there will be several that I'll want to feature next week!  Enjoy!

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things - Pin

Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

 

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/category/friday%20favorites/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="http://www.simplysweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Friday-Favorites-Button.jpg" border="0" /></a>

You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Thinking Out Loud Thursday - Holiday Shipping Deadlines

Thanks for popping in Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  Don't forget to link up below and share what's on your mind today.

I'm doing a little thinking out loud about the looming shipping deadlines for Christmas. Fortunately, I don't have a ton of packages that have to ship, but the few I do have I would like to arrive before the big day. I also haven't even started my Christmas cards, so that's a mailing deadline I need to think about!

Here's the shipping facts I've gathered together all in one place. I hope they help you with any shipping situations you have going on!

Mailing Stuff by USPS 

The United States Postal Service has issued the below shipping deadlines.

December 8 – First-Class Mail International*
December 8 – Priority Mail International*
December 15 – Priority Mail Express International* 

*For all the International dates, I used Europe as the example.  Other countries vary.  To check other countries, visit USPS.com.

December 14 – USPS Retail Ground
December 20 – First-Class Mail
December 20 – Priority Mail
December 22 – Priority Mail Express

Sending Stuff via Federal Express

For shipping within the U.S.:

December 10 – Last day to ship via FedEx SmartPost

December 17 – Last day to ship via FedEx Home Delivery 

December 17 – Last day to ship via FedEx Ground

December 19 – Last day to ship via FedEx Express Saver
December 20 – Last day to ship via FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day A.M.
December 21 – Last day to ship via FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx First Overnight

Shipping deadlines for packages headed to Puerto Rico and Canada, Mexico, and other international destinations vary. See FedEx's Last Days to Ship site for more information.

Get it there using United Parcel Service

For shipping within the U.S.:

December 20 – Last day to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air
        (delivery on Monday, December 24)
December 21 – Last day to ship via UPS Next Day Air
        (delivery on Monday, December 24)

Now it's your turn -- what you are thinking out loud about today?  Can't wait to read all about it!

An InLinkz Link-up

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - November 28, 2018

Welcome to our party!

Yes, the holidays have finally come!  It is a very special time of year. Before we get started, let's take a look at the posts visited most last week...  

Most Viewed

Gifts For People Who Have Everything - Rain On A Tin Roof

 

Eggnog Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe - Wondermom Wannabe

Very Popular

20 Healthy Appetizers For Thanksgiving - Five Spot Green Living

Editor's Pick

Graham Cracker Nativity Scene - Gluesticks Blog

 Now, let's get this party started!

This week please follow our co-hosts on Twitter …

Ducks ‘n a Row – Twitter

Mom Resource – Twitter

My Life Abundant – Twitter

Engineer Mommy – Twitter

Eclectic Red Barn – Twitter

Penny's Passion - Twitter

Simple Steps For Living Life – Twitter

Simple party guidelines >>

• Please TWEET our party ♥ Use the hashtag #WWBlogHop
• Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like to. No Etsy shops, adult sites or blog parties, please.
• Visit others. Let them know you stopped!
• If you are NEW to Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥ Help us find your posts – tell us what number they are!
• NOTE: party entries appear in REVERSE. i.e. the most recent entry goes to the top! That way all of our guests will have a chance to be seen no matter when they arrive.
• Thanks! ♥

Let the Christmas Season Begin!

As November winds down, I'm turning my attention to December.  This year I'm taking part in two fun holiday events that will add to the merriment of the season and I thought you might be interested in taking part in them too!

The first is this year's Christmas Moments Photo Challenge.  Stephanie over at Wife Mommy Me put together this fun challenge for the fifth year and invited a few friends to join her in the hosting duties.  Join Stephanie, Crystal, Keri, Leslie, Shelly, Whitney and me as we post a photo to Instagram each day using the prompts below as a guide and adding the hashtag #2018ChristmasMoments.  We can't wait to see all the photos!  Hope you join in on the fun by snapping your pic, sharing on Instagram and adding the hashtag.

Next is the Holiday Home Tour.  I love having our home decorated for Christmas and I also love taking a peek into the homes of others to see how they embellish their abodes.  The Holiday Home Tour is an opportunity to see how others deck their halls and share your decorations too.  Maybe this little Holiday Home Tour will be just what you need to get motivated to go all out with your decorations this year!  But however you decorate, we would love for you to share by linking up with us on December 12th.  Can't wait to see everyone's homes all decorated for the holidays!

Okay - I have to get busy.  I don't have a single ornament hung and I need to think about all the photos I'll be snapping for the photo challenge.  Let the fun of the holiday season begin!

Cyber Monday!

Happy Monday!  Between Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, do you have any funds left for Cyber Monday?  Just in case you do, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite finds ~

Loft is offering free shipping AND 50% off your order today with the code CYBER.  I popped in one of their stores this weekend and picked up this coat (in burgundy) and am loving it!  Today it's available at the great price of $89.  Click HERE to check it out.

Available HERE

This must be the year of coats for me because a few weeks ago I snagged this Women's Asymmetrical Down Coat from Land's End.  They, too, are having a 50% off sale today by using the code MONDAY and pin 3264.  If you're looking for a warm coat, let me tell you this baby is WARM!  There are a couple girls at work that have coats similar to this one and as I'm scurrying to get into the building from the parking lot, they seem to be unfazed by the cold temperatures.  I needed one of these magic coats!  This Lands End model did not let me down!  Last Tuesday I actually worked outside for three hours in 30 degree temperatures and it proved it's worth.  If you're looking for a truly warm coat, at a great price that actually looks good too, check this one out HERE.

Over at Amazon, you can pick up a 39" HD television for the great price of $189.  If you have some televisions in your house that aren't the smart models, upgrading at this bargain price won't break the bank!  Click HERE for the deal.

Does someone (or you) have the AncestryDNA kit on their wish list?  Amazon has it on sale for $49 today.  That's $50 off the original price!  Click HERE to get this deal.

                        

You still have time to hop on the advent calendar train if you haven't picked one up for the kiddo yet.  The Lego City Advent Calendar is available HERE and is sure to be big hit!

          

Good luck finding deals that put a smile on your face today!  My mom and I shopping over the weekend and I still need to do an inventory, but I think I'm pretty close to actually being done.  That definitely puts a smile on my face!  

Friday Favorites - November 23, 2018

Happy Black Friday!  Did you get any great deals today?  Hope you are enjoying your day and the link we have for you today! 

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things - Pin

Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

Lauren at All About That Mommy Life - Pin | Inst

Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

|

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/category/friday%20favorites/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="http://www.simplysweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Friday-Favorites-Button.jpg" border="0" /></a>

You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - November 21, 2018

Welcome to our party!

Is it my imagination or did the holidays arrive EARLY this season? Yes, of course they did. Since when is Thanksgiving on November 22? I could have used another week, how about you? LOL! No worries, though. This way we all get an extra week of the holidays to enjoy! I especially look forward to the posts you share at this time of year. You go all-out decorating your homes, preparing special meals and making everything "just-so!" We can hardly wait to see what you have for us this week. Now, since this is Thanksgiving week we know you will be busy but please do visit a few posts before you go. Our party is open through Saturday so try to come back and visit us again? ♥ Before we start our party, let's take a look at what you visited most last week...

Most Viewed

Everything You Need To Create A Farmhouse Christmas - Centsible Chateau

 

The Only Pecan Pie That Matters - The Sparrow's Home

 

Very Popular

One Hour Dinner Rolls - Our Table For Seven

   

Editor's Pick

How To Hack A Cake Mix Like Your Favorite Baker - Oh! Mrs. Tucker

  Now, let's get this party started!

First, this week please follow us on Facebook ...

Ducks ‘n a Row – Facebook

Mom Resource – Facebook

My Life Abundant – Facebook

Engineer Mommy – Facebook

Eclectic Red Barn– Facebook

LeCultivateur – Facebook

Penny’s Passion – Facebook

Simple Steps For Living Life– Facebook

Simple party guidelines:

Please TWEET our party. ♥ Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like to. No Etsy shops, adult sites or blog parties, please. Visit others. Let them know you’ve been there! If you are NEW, let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥ Help us find your posts – tell us what number they are? NOTE: party entries appear in REVERSE. i.e. the most recent entry goes to the top! That way all of our guests will have a chance to be seen no matter when they arrive. Thanks! ♥

Five on Friday - November 16, 2018

Happy Friday!  Glad you popped in to see my five for today!  So with no further ado, here it is ~

1.  Thawing Out Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Are you hosting Thanksgiving at your house?  I had for years, but this year I'll be enjoying the day at our son and daughter-in-laws.  It's their first holiday in their new home and they are exciting to be entertaining family.  Every year I wondered how big of turkey I should get?  How long will it take to thaw?  Just how long will it need to cook?  If you're in the same boat, here's a handy chart that answers all your turkey questions.  By the way, if your turkey is 20-24 pounds, get that bird in the fridge!

2.  Instant Family

Have you seen the previews for this movie?  I think it looks hiralious!  It is definitely on my list of movies to see.  Here's the synopsis from Fandango ~

When Pete and Ellie decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child, but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15-year-old girl, they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hope of becoming a family.                              

3.  Ebates
With the holidays just around the corner, many of you may be starting to think about shopping.  Please tell me you are an Ebates member!  If not, what are you waiting on?  It's literally free money!  If you join now by clicking HERE, you'll get $10 after your first $25 purchase.  It's so simply to start earning money.  When you are shopping online (even Amazon!), visit the Ebates website first and look for the the store you will be shopping.  Click through to that store and shop as you normally would.  Make a purchase and get a percentage back from Ebates.  It's that simple!  Every quarter you'll get your big fat check.  If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message and I'll try to answer it.

4.  Puddles by Naturalizer

We got snow yesterday.  It was beautiful to look at, but a real pain to walk in.  I'm putting these boots on my wish list to wear then the weather is wet outside.  Aren't they adorable!?!  If I had these, I might even wish for a snow (or rain) day every now and then just so I could wear them!  Click on the link and search for Puddles to check them.  Use code NATGO15 to get 15% off.  What a deal!!

Save 15% Off Sitewide with the Code NATGO15 at Checkout.

5.  Getting ready for Thanksgiving...

Have a great weekend!  My friend Linda is coming into town to help me celebrate my birthday.  We are checking out a new restaurant in St. Louis and visiting another one that is a favorite of mine.  On Sunday we are also going to a cooking class.  Fun times ahead!  Pop back in on Monday to hear all about it.

Linking up with:

The Peaceful Posse

Amanda at Meet At The Barre
Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home
High Five for Friday

The Blended Blog

This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks

Friday Favorites Linky Party - November 16, 2018

Hello friends!  Welcome to Friday Favorites Linky Party where you are guaranteed to find a recipe, project or activity that you'll be glad you read about.  Feel free to link up your post and share.  Enjoy! 

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things - Pin

Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

Lauren at All About That Mommy Life - Pin | Inst

Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

|

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/category/friday%20favorites/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="http://www.simplysweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Friday-Favorites-Button.jpg" border="0" /></a>

You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Thinking Out Loud Thursday - November 15 2018

Hey guys - happy Thursday!  Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  I'm going to share what I'm thinking out loud about today and hopefully you will link up and share what's on your mind today as well.

As I type this on Wednesday night, St. Louis is sitting on pins and needles waiting for the predicted snow and sleet to begin.  They are calling for 3-5 inches overnight and another couple inches in the morning.  This makes the thought of driving during rush hour more than I even wanted to deal with.  Hence, Thursday will be a vacation day for me!!  I'm looking forward to viewing the beauty of the snow from inside my house while checking a few chores off my list.

With all the chatter about snow and ice, I'm thinking out loud about a few items we might want to add to our winter kit to make days fulled with snow and ice a bit more bearable!

The first item I'm thinking very serious about adding to my car this winter is this windshield cover.  When at work, my car sits outside.  My windshield is exposed to any precipitation that falls during the day and I hate spending time trying to get the ice off when I get off work.  This baby would eliminate that!

All your outside hoses should be disconnected to prevent freezing of the outside faucets.  Another precaution to take in keeping your outside faucets from freezing are these outdoor faucet covers.  They are easy to install and protect your outside water faucets, pipe, spigot, and hose bibs from freezing.  If these things freeze, you run the risk of the pipes bursting and nobody wants that to happen!

Do you feel cold air coming in around your outlets?  A few years ago I added these socket sealers to the outlets on our outside walls and we could quickly tell a difference.  These little things are so reasonably priced that it doesn't take long to recover the cost with the savings on the utility bill!

Make sure your ceiling fan is rotating clockwise when looking up at it.  Heat rises, so if your ceiling fan is turning the correct direction it will push down the warm air and force it to recirculate.

Since it seems winter is here to stay for a while.  What are some of your winter weather tricks?  

Now it's your turn.  What are you thinking out loud about?  Link up and share!

An InLinkz Link-up

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - November 14, 2018

Welcome to our party! Well, Veteran's Day is behind us and, of all things, Thanksgiving is just days away. Time to get out those amazing recipes and wonderful decorating ideas to get ready for family holiday celebrations! GREAT NEWS! Last week our party was HIGHLY viewed. Our views just skyrocketed! No doubt, blog hops are traffic generators. So, let's all pitch in and do 2 special things to keep the momentum going... 1] Visit several posts this week before you leave. Comment, pin, share! 2] Tweet our party. Get the news out for us all. We hosts tweet it every week! Last week's most visited posts are this week's features ...

Most Viewed

Home Tour Featuring Le Cultivateur - Poofing The Pillows

Very Popular

15 Unique Piggy Bank Ideas - Piggy Bank Principles

7 Mistakes I Made While Trying To Pay Off Debt - Parenting With A Dash of Authenticity

Hot Chocolate On A Stick - Candy's Farmhouse Pantry

 

Editor's Pick

How To Make A Pumpkin Roll Of Your Holiday Dreams - Oh! Mrs. Tucker

  Now, let's get this party started!

First, if you have not already, please follow our hosts this week on Instagram:

Ducks ‘n a Row – Instagram

Mom Resource – Instagram

My Life Abundant – Instagram

Engineer Mommy – Instagram

Penny’s Passion– Instagram

Eclectic Red Barn – Instagram

LeCultivateur - Instagram

Simple Steps For Living Life – Instagram

Please TWEET our party ♥ Use the hashtag #WWBlogHop

Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like to. No Etsy shops, adult sites or blog parties, please.

Visit others. Let them know you stopped!

If you are NEW to Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥ Help us find your posts – tell us what number they are!

NOTE: party entries appear in REVERSE. i.e. the most recent entry goes to the top! That way all of our guests will have a chance to be seen no matter when they arrive.

Thanks! ♥

An InLinkz Link-up