very Merry Christmas

Last year I couldn't wait to send out our Christmas cards as it was our first year as a family of three. This year I am just as excited, as it's so fun to see how fast and much she's grown since last year. We've used Tiny Prints for every invitation, card, announcement since Addilyn has been born. Her birth announcement, first birthday invitations, thank you cards, and last year's Christmas cards.   I can't even believe that tiny little baby with those chubby cheeks!

So I didn't even think about using something other than Tiny Prints for our Christmas cards this year. I've always been so pleased with their site, customer service, and other products I've ordered from them.  I've decided next time I make a card I am going to limit myself to one hour to decide.  I can't even tell you how many nap times and evenings I spent looking through all their cards, putting in different pictures and going back and forth between all my saved projects.  They have so many pretty holiday cards that it was hard to decide! 
Here are some of my favorites: abounding joy, elated tidings, and ingrained wishes.  I loved all the gold, foil stamped cards too.  I picked the lush holly card and I love the gold writing, rounded edges and the back of the card.  Maybe my favorite part!  I choose gold envelopes and ordered matching address labels, which will be a huge time saver in addressing my cards.  

I am so happy with our cards!  You still have time to order your Christmas cards and right now you can get 40% off their entire site.  Happy Christmas card ordering! 

A theatre I'd take a nap in . . . . #AMCandCocaColaFreestyle

This is a sponsored post, thanks to AMC Theatres and Coca-Cola Freestyle, but all opinions are my own.  #AMCandCocaColaFreestyle  #ad

I've gotten some neat opportunities as a blogger, but this one may just be my favorite.  This weekend I got to go to AMC Theatres to see a movie and enjoy a drink from the new Coca-Cola Free Standing machine.  I also got to spend time with my just my sister in law, which doesn't happen often.  It was wonderful.  So while this may be a sponsored post, in all honestly I LOVED this theatre and was by far the most comfortable one I've ever been too.   The only downfall?  Dark theatres do not make for good pictures.  

When you walked into the theatre it felt fancier and nicer than others, and when you paid for your ticket you got to pick your seats on a screen.  Plus, if you download the AMC app on your phone, you can buy your ticket and reserve your seat ahead of time.  Isn't that so cool?  And the best part is, the tickets are the same price as any other theatres. That are far less comfortable and crowded.   These seats were so huge, reclined and were so comfy.  I only wish I had brought a blanket.  

Before we got into the theatre we stopped at the Coca-Cola Free standing machine for a drink.  I've seen one of these once before, but have never used it.  They are so cool.  There are a ton of regular drink options that you get to choose from, but then you can add flavors to your drink.  There are a ton of choices!  There were even a good amount of non-soda options, which is awesome since I rarely drink pop.   (If you download the AMC app, you can also check to see which AMC Theatres have the Coca-Cola Free standing machine, or check out the list here.)

 

#AMCandCocaColaFreestyle

I chose the Minute Maid Lemonade, and then added raspberry flavor to it.  When I went back to get my free refill, I added strawberry to it.  It was delicious!  The only downside of bringing this huge drink into the theatre is that I went to the bathroom literally three times during the movie and immediately after.  So next time, I may need a smaller size.  We saw Horrible Bosses 2 and it was hilarious.  Lauren and I laughed a ton, and I'm not normally one of those laugh out loud people, but I did quite a few times.  

Chris and I already have plans to go back in two weeks to see the new Hunger Games movie.  Maybe I'll repay Lauren for babysitting by taking her to a movie again.  Thank you AMC Theatres for the fun day!  We will be back! 

Wednesday randoms

top: c/o sheinside  bracelet: c/o the shopping bag   jeans: old navy   boots: just fab

My sister in law made me this scarf last year and I'm pretty sure it's my favorite scarf I own.  I wish I had it in every color.

I wish my garage door wasn't grossly dirty on the bottom so it was more appealing for pictures.  But the idea of cleaning it off just to take outfit pictures is ridiculous to me.

This new shirt from sheinside is my favorite item I've gotten from them for sure.  It's super comfy and I can wear it with leggings and lots of my scarves.

Addilyn wore her first pair of "real" jeans yesterday and I could barely handle how cute her little booty and legs look.  The excitement of dressing her has not worn off one bit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this season of Dancing with the Stars and am sad it's over, but am really excited the Bachelor will be on soon.  I loved Chris, but am worried I won't like him as much now that he's on the show.  And now that I typed worried, I feel dumb.  Like I'm really worried about a reality tv show and his quest to find love.

This cute bracelet is from the online boutique the shopping bag.  I love it! I really should wear jewelry more because it makes me feel prettier.

You can use code forlaurenandlauren to get 25% off any purchase.  I love this baseball sleeve dress and this houndstooth cape!   Follow along on their social media sites for their cute products and deals!      

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Advent Calendar

I was a day late to start but I got our advent calendar finished!  I realize Addilyn is really too young to appreciate and get excited about these things, so it's more for me but I'm still excited about it.  I've struggled the last few weeks with many days where Addi and I have no plans and I'm excited to have something "to do" each day.  Even if it's a short errand or making something at home, it will make those days at home a little more fun. 

I followed this tutorial online.  They have a free printable for the numbers, so I printed and cut them out.  I used modge podge to glue them to the lids that I found at Hobby Lobby.  They came in packs of eight. My Hobby Lobby only had four packs, hence the missing number one.  Good thing I wasn't even ready until the 2nd anyway.  I bought a roll of magnetic tape and just cut squares and stuck them to the bottom of the lids and they held up fine.  The tins were $4 for a pack, and the magnetic roll was $3, so the whole project was $15.    

There is a link to advent activities, but a lot of them were impractical for a one year old, so I made up my own.  There of course are multiple baking things, which really I'll end up doing myself but figure we'll both enjoy eating them.  I made sure to put bigger things like visit Santa or go sledding on weekend dates so Chris can do them with us.  

The tutorial says to put them on a magnetic frame, but we just have ours on our fridge.  Addilyn can take them on and off, and there's a good chance they'll be all over our house but oh well.  The activity cards are just taped in so I can change them and make new ones for next year.  And once Addilyn is old enough to understand opening one a day to get a piece of candy, you can bet I'll be putting some chocolate in the tins.  

 I am loving this time of the year and hope this month doesn't go by too fast!

Freshly Picked round two

moccasins: stone suede c/o freshly picked

I am so excited for this post and giveaway!  Last April I shared about Addilyn's first pair of moccasins and am lucky to get to share about them again.  Addi has a lot of pair of shoes, but she still wears her Freshly Picked moccasins at least half of the time.  I was thrilled to be able to get another pair as her pink ones are starting to get a little tight.  

These shoes are perfect.  They are soft and comfortable, but sturdy enough for her to wear outside. They are easy and fast for me to put on her, which is a huge win.  Plus they stay on her feet.  While she's running, jumping, or sitting in her car seat.  

I'm pretty cheap, and these shoes are on the expensive end in my book, but they are really great quality.  Addilyn is still wearing the ones I got in April and will probably be able to wear them for another few months until they are too tight.  So at least ten months of wear! (Given she hasn't been growing at lightning speed, but still!) 

They have a little wear on the bottoms, but still look great.  I think because they are stretchy they give you some room, which means a lot of extra wear.  If I added up the other shoes I've bought for her, that she barely wears for many other reasons, it would definitely add up to more than these moccasins.  

I went up one size for our new pair, and they have a little room in them, but she can still wear them comfortably, and will hopefully fit her for a long time!  I love the grey color because I think she can wear them with everything.  

And now for the best part for you.  One lucky reader can win one free pair of moccasins! Thank you for entering . . . . 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(If you have won a pair of Freshly Picked Moccasins in the last 60 days, please do not enter, as you are not eligible to win again! Thanks!)