FROM LA TO HALLMARK MOVIE
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SNOW FALLING an hour outside of Los Angeles.
Read MoreHOLIDAY TRADITIONS starting with a cup o' cheer
/Originally written Dec 2019. Some things have changed, and some are still a work in progress (I won’t weigh you down with all the personal stuff right now!). BUT SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE! LIKE the best traditions. PLEASE LEAVE FUN IDEAS, especially since we are now in lockdown again… our usual experiences are on hold.
What are your holiday traditions? I’m hoping to share some ideas here and want to add ones you guys suggest, keeping this post up to date. Hayden and I have to stay here due to my situation with his dad, so my amazing parents are joining us in LA for Christmas. I want to make Christmas Eve and Day memorable. Would love ideas of your traditions. Since this post is older, i’m updating links today… bare with me if some things are not working or sold out, I’ll add alternatives asap.
In the meantime, I’m answering a burning Q right now from you all (lol):
WHAT DO YOU PUT IN THAT COFFEE OF YOURS? LOOKS SO DECADENT.
NEW MATCHING BEANIE SET (CAN MATCH WITH YOUR MINI-ME)
I love my coffee in the morning. Love it. If you follow my stories, you’ve seen what looks like a whole concoction. I get asked every time I do a story what it is exactly that I do to make my drink. I often just say “add hot cocoa and steamed milk” but that then garners more questions! It’s so silly and basic, but I’ll spill the beans anyway! (Pun intended). I do change it up a bit at times. When I had to leave my home quickly, many appliances went missing, so… I had to start again. (PLEASE NOTE, ONE CHANGE I MADE IN 2020 is to remove the hot chocolate on a daily basis and switch to steamed Oat milk!), but when I want something decadent for the holidays, keep reading.
Here is current routine:
Half a packet of hot chocolate mix (I get Nestle hot chocoalate with mini marshmallows) in large 12oz cup. Add 10oz of coffee (I do Keurig right now with light breakfast blend pods). Stir. Steam 1% or 2% milk (I am OBSESSED with this milk frother. I tried several and this is the one that makes it the way I prefer- lots of foam). Add the froth on top, stir again. If I’m making it more of a traditional holiday drink, I add a dollop of whip cream and a peppermint spoon. I know, I take this really seriously. Now, here is my order for Starbucks. This is in no way sponsored but you guys have asked what I order if I’m out. Since Starbucks is in so many places (even Thailand and Russia)!! I figured it’d be a good place to share my order. Venti non-fat MISTO with 3 pumps of mocha. If the barista doesn’t understand, tell them this: 3 pumps of mocha at bottom, 2/3 hot coffee, 1/3 steamed nonfat milk with extra foam.
While I’m here, sharing a few ideas for simple DIY holiday fun from my mom:
What my mom did for Hayden this morning making him Santa pancakes! Sooooo super fun. We saw the idea on pinterest (where I’m sure there are very elaborate ones, but I think my mom’s is pretty fab).
GINGERBREAD HOUSE: Michael’s has little pre-built. We made a haunted ginger house at Halloween from a kit and I swore never building one from a kit again. It finally stayed together with a heft glue gun! This year, we got a larger one from World Market (HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS- GOING TODAY TO GET MORE) and two from Michael’s, along with small figurines for Hayden to create a village. We are loving it. World Market also has the fun candy that is different and whimsical looking…our Whoville Village;)
MAKE PAPER SNOWFLAKES for the kids’ rooms. I youtubed how to make a 6 point snowflake. My mom’s version came out better… but we all got to participate. Hayden is a tad young, but Huck is the perfect age, for a reference.
Mom reminded me of a few ways to make the HOUSE SMELL DIVINE.
Bake cinnamon sticks and cloves (order HERE on amazon) on foil on a baking sheet at 275.
Get those pinecones that smell like Christmas at the market and incorporate them in your tree.
Get a water bottle sprayer. Use mostly water, but add a few drops of peppermint oil or cinnamon oil. Spray the pinecones or your wreaths to keep them fresh and fragrent.
Ohhhh…. I’m adding one more idea that I remembered from my instagram community. Lisa Malnory (@lisa_mal805)! I LOVE this candy cane hors d’oeuvre idea! Totally copying you. Add red tomato to buffalo mozzarella and basil. Such a statement!
And here are ideas for experiences:
Take a Ride on the Polar Express: If you are near a location, it’s a very fun way to kick off the holidays. We’ve been using our bell from Santa every day (except with that silly Elf hides it;) See my post below. Ideal ages around 3-7. Huck got to participate in the show for a bit, doing a small scene with the little boy and Santa. That was pretty special. Hayden loved the music and meeting Santa. We sat at the tables, but I hear the real seats are just as fun.
Disney On Ice: Again, if there is one near you, it’s worth going. Really spectacular show and talent. See my latest post on instagram here;)
Ok- your turn. Leave a comment with your ideas! I WANNA KNOW AND ADD to this post (giving you credit, of course)….!!
xoxo
AAJ
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BEANIE saves the (bad hair) day
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Hi y’all.
It’s cold here for Southern California standards. I don’t feel well (clearly these photos were taken a couple of days ago). Hayden isn’t 100%. He’s staying home from school today just to be safe. I mean, this kid gets vitamins and eats so well. But it is just the nature of pre-school, I guess. And his friends have all been battling cold and flu season.
So, home from school, we’re trying to get in the holiday spirit over here. Doing a few things that make Hayden happy, like having hot chocolate with snowman marshmallows this morning, oatmeal and bananas. He is obsessed with marshmallows, so my mom sent these and he lives for them.
And I’m doing finishing touches my gift guide. Hoping it’ll be up by the end of the week. In the meantime, I do LOVE this scarf/beanie set I’m wearing in these shots. For under $40, it’s such as sweet gift. Comes packaged beautifully. The hat is soft… just a great buy. Also comes in black and white for your non-pink friends! I have many!! Beanies are just genius remedies for bad hair days! Or tired mama days.
And I was searching for a comfy, white sweater. I found a few, but really do like this one I’m wearing here. Got a medium for the oversized effect. For $39, it’s perfect and comes in several colors.
And I just found pink (I AM a pink person!) rain boots that I might splurge on for myself. It’s suppose to rain a lot the next few weeks. These Hunter boots are pretty amazing.
And one Black Friday sale going on that I’m eyeing: Gap is 50% off of everything if you have a gap card, 40% off for the rest of us. Off of everything! EEP! Here is my current cart:
I have to share this: Hayden woke up verrrrry early this morning immediately asking how Santa was going to find him. I said, well, he knows where you live. He said, “But we don’t have a fireplace. He won’t be able to come down the chimney.” It’s true, our new space doesn’t have a fireplace. I assured him I would get up in the middle of the night and let him in.
That seemed to suffice for a bit. Then he said, “I have a great idea. Just amazon a fireplace, mommy! They will deliver it. And can you have them bring a tree, too!” AHHHH. If only… Ha. Actually, Alexa, can you do….;)
Hope y’all are having a HEALTHY pre-thanksgiving day.
xoxo
AAJ
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SWEATERS UNDER $50 AND EASY ENTERTAINING PREP with CHEESE BOARDS
/SO, TELL ME… have all y’all picked out what you’re wearing to the living room this Thanksgiving? lol. Y'all… Holiday fun is here! Tonight we’re going on a train ride to meet Santa. Hayden is beside himself. I’m determined to make this a memorable holiday for him. I’m slightly confused if I should put away the pumpkins yet, but I’m holding out and letting thanksgiving have it’s moment! I’m still loving the fall color scheme, but I’m writing this from Starbucks this morning and it’s like PSL who? It’s all Xmas! (For those of you that might be wondering, PSL is pumpkin spiced latte. lol). There’s still time for quick holiday prep. Especially online with 2 day shipping;)
I recently asked what topics you wanted to see on the blog on my social. I was pleasantly surprised to read you missed the “fashion/clothing” posts. I did, too! So, I’m back sharing some of my favorite finds! All the sweaters in today’s post are UNDER $50 and free shipping (main reason I love Nordstrom). The sweater I’m wearing in these shots is my top Thanksgiving pick for lunch/dinner. I love the style, love the colors and love the price! It’s fully stocked in sizes today, but as you know, these items so fast.
I’m having a few friends over before we head to the Polar Express ride tonight. Gonna try to step up the hors d’oeuvre and charcuterie boards. I did a practice one yesterday for a few people over for a photo shoot. By the time we took theses shots, it was a bit picked over. There’s definitely an art form to maintaining the classic cheese board look and keeping it full and neat. This 3-tiered ladder board elevates the whole concept, though. I really just threw together stuff I had in the fridge and pantry. I love the rustic, yet clean feel. Are you guys good at making these fancy boards? Tag me in your posts so I can get some inspiration. In the meantime, I added some pinterest type tips below. Hopefully, my next hosting post will be more enticing. But, my point is that these boards make it work regardless of what you have on hand or your how artistic you are!
Best part is it collapses for easy storage. I got it at PicnicTime.com. I’m warning you…you’ll want quite a few things for yourself and for gifts. Especially because they are giving 20% off and free shipping. Use code JONES20 if you need to, but I think they offer this often:)
Here’s some inspo courtesy of DamnDelicious.com:
XOXO
AAJ
SNOW FALLING an hour outside of Los Angeles.