THANKFUL

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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

CURRENTLY LOVING

a day late on the post about my currently loving and its not a #workday to #weekend theme, but it still has some of my favorite finds of the week!

these delicate little bracelets are always on my arm. i wear two and they are the perfect touch of 'girly' everyday accessory.
i am excited to change out my summer to winter closet this weekend. yes, my closet is so very tiny, that i have to keep the 'off season' packed up in my unused suitcases and then swap it out for the current season when the temperatures change. its a little 'chritmas morning feeling' when i unpack the bags, cuz there are somethings that i forget i even had! i am most excited about the vests i have packed away- but i  might just have to add this one in navy to my collection!!
as for my nails these days, im hooked to my new gelish addiction! my friend gave me the 'must haves' to do it at home on your own, and i love everything about it. and oddly enough, when i do a gelish manicure at home, it lasts way longer then when i get one at the salon.

one more thing on my favorite list this week.. this gorgeous 'blanket scarf' accessory jane has in her november collection. stunning.
the one below is from ae - not as darling, but its not back-ordered, if you just have to have one right now:) ...me, i'm added the one accessory jane has to my wish list!

bracelets || vest || hat || boots || scarf || gelish || camera

{MINI + MAMA} RAIN DAY

its a rainy election day in dallas... if you have not voted yet and have to take the kiddos with you today, why not all put on your rain-boots and make for a 'puddle-adventure'!
sometimes it blows my mind that most of texas comes to a standstill (literally- it took me almost three times as long to get to work today) when it rains. maybe since rain is a rarity here most days of the year?! in germany, it rains so much in the fall and spring that you can't hibernate for half the year. so mamas bundle up their minis and off they go, about their days - mostly by foot since everything is 'walk-able' in the little towns.
gosh i miss walking everywhere. especially on the weekends.. the the coffee shop, the bakery and then on to lunch. maybe one day i'll live in a small 'walk-able' town again!

until then, here's to making the most of the rainy days wherever you are :)

mini

boy: hat || shirt || sweater || boots || jeans

girl: hat || tights || tote || dress || boots

mama

earrings || sweater || leggings || boots

jacket || watch || bracelet || backpack