CURRENTLY LOVING || CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT

even without the snow, the temperatures finally dropped this week in dallas and its feeling a little more like Christmas!
one of my favorite things to do after a long day is snuggle up with my favorite faux fur blanket, a nice warm cup of hot chocolate (or maybe a hot toddy!!!) and favorite holiday movies.. i can watch some of the ones below over and over (and over) and they don't get old! especially the grinch (with jim carry) - real talk it's possible i've already watched it 5 times since the first of december.. or maybe its been 7?! lost count!

what is your favorite holiday movie?!

stockings : one || two
blankets : one || two || three

nespresso machine

musg: one || two || three || four || five

(one and two are one sale!!!)

christmas movies: one || two || three || four || five || six || seven || eight

{MINI + MAMA} CHRISTMAS JAMMIES

late to the game today- but its jammies and its never too late for jammies, right?!
sometimes i feel like jammies and robes are an easy answer to gifting, but the right jammies/robe can be truly delightful:) and matching pjs for Christmas- so.hard.to.resist - especially for minis+mamas on Christmas morning!

tiny mini

one || two || three || four || five

mini
one || two || three

mama

one || two || three || four

tiny mini

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven || eight

mini
one || two || three

mama

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven || eight

ALL WRAPPED UP

my love for pretty wrapping paper and bows/ribbons is something  my mother has passed down to me. it's almost impossible for me to pass up adding a beautiful roll of gift wrap to my stock pile if its on sale, must have, best pattern ever.. any reason really!

once these pretties go on sale after the holidays, i'm on it like a bug to light - i just can't help myself. (#realtalk). 

i've been on the hunt for pretty wrappings this year and while i've hit big at home goods, ikea and the dollar store (to name just a few) i have found some really great wrappings online this year too that i needed to share with you!

anyone else share the love for lovely paper with me?!

ps: if you follow me on instagram, you saw the gold-foil polka-dot tissue paper i used to wrap the 'favorite things' gifts - found at the dollar store ;)

r o w  o n e : one || two || three || four

r o w  t w o: one || two || three

r o w  o n e : one || two || three
r o w  t w o : one || two || three

i k e a  f i n d s :  gift wrap one + two || bows || tags

t a r g e t  f i n d s :  deer wrap || ribbons: one + two + three + four + five

gift wrap : birds || mistletoe || wreaths || woodgrain

CURRENTLY LOVING || FAVORITE THINGS

this year my girlfriends and i did a 'favorite things' gift exchange - and it was a blast!
5 of us participated and we set a $10 budget per gift. so in total we each spent $40ish dolor on 4 gifts and walked away receiving 4 gifts from the other girls!!

here were the favorite things:

colleen gifted {no. 1} - holiday gift towels from anthropologie
confession: i have a weakness for pretty linens, dish towels and napkins - thanks mom for passing that on to me!

callie gifted {no. 2} - lobe wonders and the best top coat nail polish
i cant wait to try the lobe wonders- being able to wear heavy earrings and not have stretched lobes.. genius! 
ps: your going to love this top coat! callie takes hers with her every time she visits the nail salon. less wait time while your pretty nails dry.

caroline gifted {no. 3} - chipotle gift card
we all try to get together for dinner twice a month. it's BYOdinner and we sit around and catch up, encourage and enjoy spending even just a few hours together with no distractions. without fail, caroline will almost always bring chipotle for her dinner - it's greatness she gifted us each a gift card to her favorite place :) 

kristin gifted {no. 4} - bio silk and pan scrapers
if you have not tried bio silk - do so now. i used it in high school and when we're on family vacation i borrow it from my aunt, to easy brushing out tangles from the ocean water.  it smells wonderful and it leaves your hair silky smooth!  
and the little brown square you ask?! it has 4 different corners and each are designed to reach and clean every pan, bowl, inch of your kitchen and cooking tools! 

i gifted {no. 5} - little jar with cinnamon-sugar blend, celebration coffee, frother and tumbler
i mixed a few things together to put together my 'favorite things'. most mornings i make a nespressso coffee with a little steamed/frother milk, topped off with a little cinnamon-sugar bland. 'fancy' coffee as my mimi calls it! so i put together all the things needed to make the 'fancy' coffee.
ps: i bought one 1lbs bag of coffee and snagged 4 extra coffee bags and divided it into four:)

no. 1 || no. 2 (one + two) || no. 3  || no. 4 (one + two) || no. 5 ( one + two + three (similar) + four)

+ + + + added bonus: 

i found these super snugly and inexpensive blankets at ikea and couldn't resist not getting each of the girls one! then i did a little searching on pinterest and found these adorable (and free) printable tag fit for the occasion! then i gave them the option to have their blankets personalized by yours truly from our little monogram shop :)

{MINI + MAMA} SUGAR COOKIES, SUGAR

{mini + mama} series it back!
so many holiday #giftguides took up the blog space the last two weeks.. but things are back on track now! did you catch the Gift Guide for the Minis?! so many great finds..if i do say so my self!

today's mini and mama is all about getting festive for the holidays and of course you can't forget the cookies for santa or even your neighbor- spread the love and joy this season!
we were at my moms this weekend putting up Christmas lights outside then the neighbor kiddos cam by with as tin full of homemade cookies!! confession: i ate all the sugar cookies with yummy icing right away - clearly they were my favorite:)
so of course i'm including cookie cutters and a few cookies recipes in todays post.

do you have a favorite cookie recipe?! please share!!

my sister and i are getting together today to bake some for family and friends.. and maybe eat a few as we bake;)
and there will be some Christmas tunes playing in the background.. like one of my favorites.. sugar cookies by the country king himself george strait!

mini

boy: beanie || shirt || pants || shoes
girl: sweater || dress || tights || shoes

mama

vest || flats || beanie || sweater || jeans || scarf || flask mittens ** || bag

**um, can we please talk about these mittens?! flask mittens non the less- amen! every mamas, game day, playdate survival gear;) jk -- but seriously!!

no.1 ||  no. 2 ||  no. 3 ||  no. 4 || **no. 5 ||  no. 6

** no.5 is a family friend who bakes and creates the most wonderful cookies for any occasion! we had baylor cookies at my sisters wedding, Christmas cookies at the holiday bazaar - you name it! are you hosting an elsa or spiderman themed party?! 'let them eat cookies' should be your go-to!!  

cookies recipes

sugar cookies || icing ||  ginger bread || chocolate crinkles || eggnog cookies || snickerdoodles || cookie bars || reindeer peanut butter cookies || candybar pretzel bites || peppermint bark

CURRENTLY LOVING || CHRISTMAS GARLAND

i am loving all things garland this year!
we put a $3 target find -very merry- over the  kitchen window. i got some darling tiny jingle bell garland on the sale table at anthropologie a few years ago, its on the tree this year!! there are so many cute options out there... i'm putting the finishing touches on this scripture advent calendar (garland style of course) and there are so many cute options on etsy... this christmas tree garland with gold glitter stars... adorable!  oh and this gold glitter deer garland- how cute would this be for the bar?!

do you love garland, glitter, tinsel and pretty ribbons and paper as much as i do?! ugh, i think its a problem!
i did find some of the most wonderful wrapping paper at home goods this year (by the way, homegoods is my total weakness.. my sister and i have been known to make a weekly trek there...!)

i would love to know where you go to find all things gift wrap!!

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven

eight || nine || ten || eleven || twelve || thirteen || fourteen

THANKFUL

{source}

today we are reminded to count our blessings and to share what we are thankful. 

i am going to take a personal challenge throughout the rest of the year and write down each day something i am thankful for - hopefully you will join me!

wishing you and your family a blessed holiday - no matter how your celebrate!

x o x o

ps: you have to check out this beautiful (and free!!) thanksgiving printable from creative index.

SURPRISE... 30 !!

last friday afternoon i walked into the most wonderful surprise celebration... my sister and momma had been super sneaky and planned for my favorite people to all come together to celebrate the big 

3-0 that is creeping up on me! 

what i thought was just going to be happy hour with my sister to toast to her thanksgiving vacation, turned out to be the more pleasant surprise! walking into a room full of so much love was overwhelming, but in a good way of course. my family, closest of friends were all there to celebrate and toast with margaritas- my favorite!

thanks to everyone that could make it and to my sister and momma for hosting and putting together such a perfect surprise- yall are the best!!

ps: these metallic balloons are the best! 

pps: oh, and turning 3-0 looks a little better when you have the best hair stylist in town!!
thanks lindsey for doing great things to make my hairs look oh-so good:)

GIFT GUIDE || FOR HER

let's here it for the girls!
your mama, your best friend, your sister.. and maybe even a little treat for yourself. i've tried to include a little something for all the ladies on your shopping list this year.
from little budgets, to bigger budgets... there's still a theme throughout: neutrals and long lasting (past the holiday season)! gifts that keep on giving and remind the receiver of the gift giver long after the holiday cheer has faded.
for example, a favorite scented candle, a 2015 planner, something sparkly that you get to look at everyday, but my favorite item is for sure the journaling bible!

candles: one | two | three || mug || nespresso pods & machine || journaling bible || pen

lingerie bags || earrings || necklace || socks: one | two || boots
slippers || pj set || phonecase || cologne || bath&body set || tassel  || tote
nail polish || bobby pins || rings || earrings  || tray || planner || mousepad || pen || notes

GIFT GUIDE || FOR HIM

another day, another gift guide!
this time, with the men in mind... brothers, boyfriends, husbands oh my!

finding the right gift for sp is most defiantly not the easiest. last year he was great in the fact that he had a few specifics on his 'wish list'. which were: a horse blanket and a cinch buckle. but this year, he not living on the ranch anymore and i'm thinking i'll have to get a little more creative. still my go-to will be anything that supports his love for hunting!

so this year my gift guide for him has country and city sp in mind :)

whats on your man's wish list this Christmas?!

stationary || glasses || ice molds

range finder || broadheads || flask || shaker || shaker kit

tumbler || boots || watch: one | two || shoe care kit

cooler || shirt: one | two | three || hoodie || slippers

GIFT GUIDE || FOR MINIS

you guys.. how fun is it to to gift fun things to the minis in your life?!
i feel like everyone around us is sharing a 'first Christmas' with their little ones this year!!
the little {mama + mini} series has been a hit on the blog, so i figured a #giftguide for the minis would be fitting!

the clothing items listed are more because i couldn't handle myself- good gosh there is some seriously yummy stuff out there right now .... for both boys and girls!
the wooden toys are because they were the kinds of gifts we got when we were little.. mostly we still have them.. in the guest room at mama lanes house just patiently waiting for grand-babies! no worries, its not happening any time just yet- but i love that the toys my sister and i had will be the ones our kids play with one of these days!
(real talk: wooden toys over platic toys any day).

merry Christmas to all you first time mommies- hope you have the most wonderful time making new memories with your little families!

elephant || lion || zebra || moose

jesus story book bible || guess how much i love you || olivia helps with Christmas || baby's Chrismtas

doll pram || walker wagon || wheely bug || balance bike

tee pee || tassel booties || gray crown || headbands || skirted onesie || heart onesie || oh baby onesie

tall baby booties || push-along duck || pull puppy

stripe layette set || footsie coverall || fleece coverall || bambie hoodie || minnetonka booties
star teething toy || flower teething toy
activity gym || lamb mobile || lamp pull toy

wooden tool kit || caterpillar pull-along || alligator pull-along

catch up on the 2014 holiday gift guide here: 

stocking stuffers

a holiday guest

the hostess

GIFT GUIDE || THE HOSTESS

its day three of my 2014 holiday gift guide!!
if you missed day one (stocking stuffers) or day two (holiday guests) be sure to catch up, wouldn't want you to miss any of the holiday goodness!

today is one of my favorites of the #giftguide series... like i mentioned yesterday, giving gifts is my favorite thing.. and showing up to a holiday party with a personalized gift, a gift that you sought out with the hostess in mind is the best!

any of these holiday goodies will make any hostess smile!!

wine stopper: M || pine cone one & two || jingle bell || stag 

cocktail shaker || bottle bag || mr&mrs glasses || wine coaster

moose cheese pick holder || chalk table signs || wine opener || stag ice bucket

cheese knife set || stag bottle opener || snowflake coasters

glitter coasters || monogrammed glasses || monogrammed cuttingboard

GIFT GUIDE || HOLIDAY GUEST

two things i absolutely love:
1- the holidays !!!
2- giving a thoughtful gift

its that time of the year again... all of your favorite blogs are filled with the most wonderful gift guides, ideas and holiday inspiration!
my little holiday #giftguide series started yesterday with #stockingstufferes, if you want to catch up!!
i love a good gift guide. and i love giving gifts. so a little extra thought went into this post for you sweet readers today. because if your hosting guests over the holidays - you don't want to show up empty handed or if your hosting a guest, your going to want them to feel at home and welcome.... the gift ideas listed below will do just that!

pick your favorite items and place them all in a pretty basket and you will be the most welcome house guest ever!
or place a few of your favorite items in your guest room for your guest to enjoy and your will be the the most thoughtful hostess there ever was!

bowl || decanter || candle || fresh lavender

constellation tray || towels
essential oil || calming bath || basket || candle || laundress baby & holiday

GIFT GUIDE || STOCKING STUFFERS

its happening sooner than you think....exchanging of gifts, holidays, wrapping and unwrapping of new favorite things and more importantly: the spreading of holiday cheer!!
to kick off my 2014 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE on the blog, i am starting with a few #stockingstuffers that will make most any girl in your life smile... sister, momma, aunt, friend!

oh, and a little background on why the fresh apples and oranges made the list.. 
in germany 'st nikolaus' comes on the eve of december 6th. tradition is for all the little ones to clean and set out their boots in front of the door.. we had to start setting ours outside of the front door, because my sister was a little concerned that a big, strange, bearded man, was going to come to our bedroom door..:) so you set out your boots and the next morning you wake up to your boots full of goodies! (like we do with stockings here on Christmas morning). but at the bottom of your boots you were to always find fresh apples, oranges or even yummy chocolates if you were lucky!
we have kept the tradition in our family and on Christmas morning you are going to find a few fresh fruits in the bottom of your stockings!!

giftcards nordstrom & anthropologie || earrings || soma || anything monogrammed!!

makeup || hairties || ring holder || ring || necklace

passport holder & bag tag || travel mug || mug || clutch

WEEKEND (a festive one!)

yall, its just about time to think of digging out the Christmas decorations and 'decking the halls'! and Christmas music... i can hardly wait!
(may or may not have already listened to a few Christmas tunes this week, while catching up on monogram orders!!! :)
normally i stock up on decorations after the season is over and the sales are too good to pass up, but if i were to add a few goodies to the stash, these would be my picks:

wreath || antler wreath || glitter flags || 'rejoice' || garland || tea towels one / two / three
anthropologie ornaments: one / two / three / four || pine-cone ornaments

sleigh bell garland || snowball garland || tassel garland
gold & stripe tissue paper || washi tape || door mat

CURRENTLY LOVING

winter swooped in full force yesterday into dallas. crazy winds, temps dropped like 40 degrees. madness i tell ya!
you've been reading my last few posts, so you know i love layers.. and layering with a scarf is like layering your necklaces in the winter if you ask me. not that you should wear more than one scarf, but you should layer your scarf over your outfit and keep it on all day for color:) the blanket scarf accessory jane has in her november collection is still on my radar!

i'm a big coffee drinker, but too much caffeine in the afternoons keeps me buzzin' too late at night. so to still sip on warm liquids, i overdose on teas during the fall and winter months. yogi teas are so yummy - and you can buy them on amazon, that was easy.

and since everyone likes to turn on the heater, the air is dry, so my lips and hands and cuticles dry out super fast.. so i like to keep plenty of moisturizing lotion and lip balm options in my purse - and at my desk i keep a little bottle of cuticle oil, and i apply it every morning when i get to my desk while my emails load.

what are some of your fall/winter essentials?!

hat || hat || boots || booties || weekender || phone case
blanket scarf one (similar) & two || positive energy // perfect energy || travel mug

lotion || baby lips one & two || cuticle oil

{MINI + MAMA}

you would think gap is sponsoring this post - alas, they are not. but still their toddler and baby section is all kinds of wonderful these days, i cant help but choose items for the {mini + mama} series each week.
what got this weeks post started was of course this 'deer print dress' - can it please come in my size?!

hope you and your mini's are staying warm with this cold front blew in last night - i guess winter is here? time to swap out the closets and layer up - the more layers the better!!

mini

boy: sweater || shirt || shoes || jeans

girl: dress || hat || mittens || boots || tights

mama
vest || sweater (similar | similar) || top || sneakers || leggings || tote

WEEKEND

snuggling up on the weekend is the best. not having plans for a few hours sounds all kinds of wonderful and relaxing right about now.
winter whites and accents of gold are speaking to me i would say this seasons, but its more like always and every season!
i would be barefoot all year long, every day but cold toes lead to the chills which leads to a cold.. so i like to keep my tootsies warm and these slippers are looking yummy!!
and if you dont have a fire place, or only have a faux fireplace like me, still can't hurt to make it look cozy with firewood in cute baskets ;)

here's to a season full of snuggles and warm and cozies!!

star lamp || faux deer skull || wool throw || robe

candles || candle holders || mugs || pillow || cable knit throw

baskets || birch logs || chevron blanket || slippers