Wishing all of you who celebrate a very Merry Christmas! As you readers know, setting the table is always one of my favorite aspects of the holiday season. This fall, I had attended a dinner to celebrate Vaughan‘s new tribal collection. While I loved many of the designs, I realized the new Eva, with its deep jewel tones and graphic pattern, would make a marvelous backdrop for a boho holiday table. I yet again enlisted the help of Karen Legan…
*This post is sponsored by SPLENDA. The opinions and information presented here are all ours. One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is bake and decorate Christmas cookies. It’s one thing that really gets me into the holiday spirit. And no matter who you are it’s safe to say a pretty decorated plate of fun Christmas cookie shapes is pretty darn irresistible. A freshly baked Christmas cookie in hand with a freshly brewed cup of coffee…
You know it’s coming. You’ve seen the signs for weeks, maybe even months. You know it’s the end of the road for your relationship. Breaking up at any time of the year is difficult and painful, but it becomes significantly more complicated and awkward during the holiday season. This leaves many people asking themselves, is breaking up during the holidays good or should you do it after? How The Holidays Can Impact A Break-Up Decision If things aren’t going well…
It’s interesting how we have to be intentional about practicing grace and gratitude, but stress, busyness and frustration are second nature. We are pros at reacting to all the things life throws at us, drilling through our never-ending to-do lists, skipping lunch, sacrificing sleep and taking care of ourselves in the pursuit of more. But more of what? And to what end? What would happen if grace and gratitude came first? What if we felt … grace when dealing with…
In the United States, Thanksgiving is approaching. For many people, Thanksgiving is a joyous holiday; for many people, Thanksgiving is a dreaded holiday. One factor that can make it tough is spending time with difficult relatives. Here are some strategies for keeping Thanksgiving dinner — or any holiday gathering, at any time of the year — pleasant: 1. Before you join the group, spend a few minutes thinking about how you want to behave. Don’t just react in the moment;…
If you are tempted by Black Friday deals, think about what you really want and need in your life. More stuff? More debt? More work to pay for it all? More stress and exhaustion? The thrill of your one day deal will wear off much faster than the side effects that go with it. According to http://stayintheblackfriday.com, 133.7 million people shopped on Black Friday weekend in 2014 (that’s 57% of American Adults). They spent $50.9 Billion (to put this in perspective,…
This simple and delicious Pumpkin Spice Bread is the quintessential quick bread to kick off the arrival of fall and take us straight through the holidays. Don’t worry, you don’t have to think about those holidays just yet. But, when you do, this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Bread can easily be doubled or tripled and baked in a mini loaf or muffin pans and can be wrapped up and given as gifts for family, friends, and neighbors. Who doesn’t love…
Adults aren’t the only ones who have to worry about growing festively plump during the holidays. People, including kids, typically gain 1 to 2 pounds over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. You can commit to losing weight after the holidays or, better yet, not gain it in the first place. By committing to healthy holiday eating, your family can avoid the 5 to 10-pound weight gain that most people experience every five years. Obesity Is a Growing Problem for…