2022 Christmas Tiered Stand

The Christmas decorating at our house is almost all wrapped up and I want to share our tiered stand with you today!  True confession:  I did not decorate this area.  My friend Carol and her team visit our house every year and do the bulk of our decorating.  Our tiered tray sits in our kitchen window and I love glancing over and seeing this space when I'm doing dishes, preparing meals, or just hanging out at the kitchen table.

The kitchen window had the same decorations in it for years.  It was simple - a birdcage, some books, and a picture of our family.  Then I started decorating the tiered stand.  Now it's morphed into the entire window area!  

The stand itself is pretty simply decorated.  Cotton filler acts as snow with ornaments perched on top.  The elf ties in with our Christmas tree we have in the kitchen (I'll show you that in another post).  The Merry Christmas sign is one I printed years ago and framed.  

The left side welcomes a mailbox to deposit those letters to Santa and a sign promising Santa cookies.  

In the last few years, we've added gingerbread items and I love them!

I love this area so much it's going to be hard to take it down after Christmas!  But until then, we are enjoying the Christmas bliss in the window.  

2022 Gift Guide for the Travel Lover

The holidays are here and it's not always easy coming up with gift ideas.  The world is traveling again and the traveler might need to refresh some of their travel items.  Here are a few ideas for you ~

Travel Checklist

It's always quicker to pack when you have a checklist.  Give the Travel Checklist Journal to make preparing for trips so much easier and quicker!  The journal also has lists for Don't Forget, Things I Still Need to Do, and Safety Tips.  All in one handy book!

Travel Journal

Give the travel lover a journal to record all their adventures.  This journal is even refillable if more pages need to be added.  The magnetic closure keeps all your pages safely inside.

Electronic Organizer

Keep all the electronic cables and cords neatly tucked away in this organizer.  It's much easier to make sure you have all the necessary cables and cords packed too when they have a certain spot to go in.

Travel Bottle Set

I personally own this set and love it.  These bottles are filled with my shampoo, lotion, face cream, etc. all the time and it saves so much time when I pack.  I grab the case, throw it in the suitcase and I'm ready to roll.

Packing Cubes

If you haven't used packing cubes, you have no idea what you're missing!  They magically condense your items and allow you to have so much more space in your suitcase.  I don't know what we would do without them!

Travel Steamer

We love our travel steamer and take it with us everywhere we go.  It makes touching up your clothes fast and easy.  

Luggage Straps

Let's face it, so many suitcases look the same as they move around the luggage carousel.  Give the gift of recognition with these luggage straps.  The receipt will thank you every time they see their bag moving around standing out from all the others!

Compression Socks

I know, you may be wondering why you would give someone compression socks.  They made your legs feel so much better on longer flights!  The traveler will appreciate your thoughtfulness in wanting them to feel better during their flight.

Silk Sleeping Sack

I've had one of these for years because I'm super sensitive to laundry detergent.  If the hotel uses something I'm allergic to, my whole trip to a mess because I'm itchy and irritable.  Solution:  sleep in a silk sleeping sack!  Also perfect for the germophobe that gets grossed out sleeping in hotel beds.

Five on Friday - December 2, 2022

It's December!  Boy, that happened fast.  Now the countdown is on to Christmas and every weekend counts.  I'm grateful that you took a minute to stop by today to see the five things I'm sharing so let's get right to it ~

1.  Three Pines

Who else loves the Chief Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny?  The mysteries of Three Pines is coming to television and the first two episodes are available now on Amazon Prime Video.  All the quirky French Canadian locals come to life on screen as Armand Gamache tries to get to the bottom on the murders.  We read the first book of the series for book club a while ago and I've been waiting for the show to start.  Eric and I watched the first two episodes and we're hooked!  

As a side note - a new Inspector Gamache book just came out last week.  It's titled A World of Curiosities and is the eighteenth book in the series. 

2.  Rakuten

Do you use Rakuten when shopping online?  I do and love it!  It's so easy to use and I love it when the  Big Fat Check arrives in my mailbox every quarter.  Using it is so easy - when shopping online, first visit the Rakuten website and log into your account.  Search for the store you are going to shop at and click through to the store.  Then just shop like you normally would.  A percentage of your purchase will accumulate in your account and once a quarter they will mail you a check.  It's so simple!  And who doesn't love free money!  Click HERE to start accumulating your Big Fat Check today.

3.  Christmas Ornament Storage

Okay, by now you might have gotten all the ornaments on your tree, so it's time to start thinking about what you're going to do with them when you take them off.   Plan ahead and grab yourself some of these storage boxes.  I'm horrible at keeping my ornaments safe.  My plan this year is to neatly put them away in the storage boxes instead of throwing them in plastic tubs.  It should save space too!  

4.  e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Core Lip Shine In Happy

I really love so many of e.l.f.'s products.  I have a new favorite - the Hydrating Core Lip Shine.  This time of year my lips always seem to be dry so I'm carrying lip gloss in every pocket of every coat I own.  The price point on this baby is one that if I happen to lose it, I don't feel like I've lost half my paycheck!   It comes in several shades so you are bound to see one you love.  All e.l.f. products are cruelty-free and vegan.  Click HERE to check them out.

5.  This cracks me up every time I see it...

Have a wonderful weekend!  I'll be back next week to show you a few of our favorite Christmas decorations!

When Do I Have To Have It Shipped?

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

Now that December is here, I'm thinking 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 are 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 17 - USPS Retail Ground
          December 17 – First-Class Mail
          December 19 – Priority Mail
          December 23 – Priority Mail Express

Sending Stuff via Federal Express

For shipping within the US:

          December 23 - Same Day

          December 22 - 2nd Day Deliver

          December 20 - Express Saver

          December 14 - Fed Ex Ground

Get it there using United Parcel Service

For shipping within the US:

          December 20 - Last day to ship via UPS 3rd Day Air

          December 22 - Last day to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air

          December 22 - Last day to ship via UPS Next Day Air

Good luck getting your packages shipped!  

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Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - November 30, 2022

 

Welcome to another week of the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! We are so glad that you are here.

Here you will find inspiration from dozens of bloggers including recipes, home DIY, gardening, decor, family fun, traveling, fitness, and so much more. A friendly reminder to our guests that as a courtesy to the hosts, we ask that you follow every host on at least one social media channel.

If you are a blogger, be sure to link up below. You may be our next feature!

Before we get this party started, let’s meet the hosts and check out this week’s featured favorites.

MEET THE HOSTS

1. Ahna – HAMMERS N HUGS | FB | IG | PINTEREST
2. Bev – ECLECTIC RED BARN | FB | IG | PINTEREST
3. Emily – LeCULTIVATEUR | FB | IG | PINTEREST
4. Penny – PENNY’S PASSION | FB | IG | PINTEREST
5. Sinea – DUCKS ‘N A ROW | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
6. Tammy – MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
7. Tara – STILETTOS AND SHIPLAP | IG | PINTEREST
8. Denise – THIS IS MY EVERYBODY | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER

TOP VIEWED

Puff Up Breakfast Casserole

VERY POPULAR

Woodland Tree and Chandelier Decorations

My Christmas Bucket List

Editor's Choice

Raspberry Truffle Cocktail

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Please follow all hosts on AT LEAST 1 of their social channels.

Add as many family-friendly posts as you would like to. NO Etsy shops, adult sites, or blog parties please.  Visit others. Caring is sharing. Like, comment, and pin posts.

Party entries appear in REVERSE. This way your entries will be seen no matter when you arrive. Please TWEET our party and invite others to join.

Let’s Party!

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Five on Friday - November 25, 2022

Happy Day-After Thanksgiving!  Hope you had a wonderful day yesterday and was able to reflect on all the things you are thankful for.  We got to spend the day with part of our family and even though we missed seeing some, it was great to be surrounded with the ones we were with.  Now, let's get to my five for this week ~

 
1.  The Fabelmans

Steven Spielberg is working his magic again in the latest movie he directed.  The Fabelmans is playing in theaters now and I can't wait to see it!  Critics are loving it and so are the audiences who have seen it proving Spielberg still has the magic.  Here's the synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes:

Young Sammy Fabelman falls in love with movies after his parents take him to see "The Greatest Show on Earth." Armed with a camera, Sammy starts to make his own films at home, much to the delight of his supportive mother.

2.  Mountain Dew Fruit Quake

Be on the lookout for Mountain Dew's newest flavor - Fruit Quake.  It's a pretty bold move to name the drink after fruit cakes because fruit cakes typically aren't on people's most loved thing list.  But they are giving it a go.  The can of Fruit Quake says "with a blast of artificial fruitcake flavor".  I'm intrigued enough I want to give it a try.  How about you?  Will you be trying this new flavor?

3.  Jade Roller

Looking for a gift for your girlfriends or something to take to a gift exchange party?  Amazon has this jade roller on sale for Black Friday.  I own one of these and they are magnificent!  It immediately relieves the muscle tension in my face when I glide it over my cheeks and forehead.  It reduces facial puffiness and helps your skin look fresh.  It will also shrink your pores and tighten your skin.  Shoot, grab one for yourself too!

4.  Holiday Earrings

Now that Thanksgiving is officially behind us, it's time to start thinking about Christmas!  Deck your ears with a pair of holiday baubles!  Here's some of my favorites from Amazon.  Hint:  these would also be great Secret Santa gifts.

5.  Good luck with your Black Friday shopping!

Good luck with all your Black Friday shopping today.  We have a wedding that we're helping with on Saturday, so my Black Friday shopping will be pretty minimal this year.  My friend from KC is arriving today to also help with the wedding. This wedding is going to be beautiful and I can't wait to get it all set up!  Stop in next week to see the pictures.   

Thinking Out Loud Thursday - November 24, 2022

 

Thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday today.  I'm taking the day off to celebrate Thanksgiving!  When I reflect on the many things I'm thankful for today, please know how thankful I am to each of you for reading and supporting this blog.  I hope you have a fantastic and safe Thanksgiving!  See you tomorrow for Five on Friday.

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