Thursday, January 19, 2017

Favorites for Nights at Home

Hello! It's winter and I care not that the thermometer reads 62 degrees in Georgia right now. I shall carry on as if it's cold and enjoy my winter favorites for an evening at home.

An evening at home is one of my favorite pastimes during this season. It's a time when I can appreciate small and often unnoticed comforts and blessings. The blessing of shelter from the elements. The blessing of comfy clothes and cozy blankets of all colors and styles!   There's time to enjoy those Christmases presents and just be.

This year some of my gifts contributed perfectly for enjoying an evening at home, so I thought I'd make a list of my current favorites and share them with you.  Favorites that range from consumables to lounge wear; even undergarments. We are covering them all! So settle in and join me. ;)

Bathrobes and Joggers and Socks, Oh My!

 Let's start with comfy and cozy.  Why not bring out the bathrobe?? (Though if I put my bathrobe on that means, I'm not doing anything. It quickly induces a sedentary mindset.)


If I'm not quite ready for the bathrobe (and complete vegetation), my joggers and footies come into play. These twinkle toes must be covered and warm. And the more Christmases I have, the more colors and variety of slipper socks line my drawer.

One of my favorite things to do while arrayed around this comfort is watching a movie or reading a book by the fire. Of course there will be no yuletide blaze for us Georgians at present with the warm temps, but for now I'll imagine cozying up by the fire with my favorite blanket.

Let's take full advantage of this season and gather with our loved ones to make sweet memories!

Movies!!!
A few of my favorites...

Three Cheers for Tea!!

However, before I make myself comfortable, my hands should be cradling a favorite mug. So put the kettle on. We're going to have some tea. Yes. Tea. I'm taking a little coffee break but don't fret my fellow coffee lovers, coffee will be back in play soon enough. In the meantime, I'm enjoying one of my Christmas presents - luxury tea by Measures of Grace. You truly savor every sip! Right now I'm drinking "IeIsa" and "borengajulie".

Popcorn!!

Another fun, though potentially dangerous, requirement for a night in are snacks. There must be snacks! That's where this microwavable contraption of convenience from Pampered Chef comes into play.  My popcorn is done in 3 minutes and if I hold the butter and add coconut oil, along with sea salt by Real Salt, health is not sacrificed! (Though I'm an advocate for fresh butter from grassfed cows!)

Pampered Chef

Cute Pajamas!!

So what about the pajamas? Finally I've joined the millions of other women and am a proud owner of a cute pajama set. Right before bed time I reach for my new favorites. They are incredibly comfortable with a breathable fabric designed to keep you cool through the night. Dope...

Soma Options

Books - Let's Read!!

If everyone is occupied I can grab a book and dig in. My goal is to complete more non-fiction books this year (I have lots of unfinished ones!). Here's my list for the next couple of months.


The Hidden Pretty!!

Now I've talked a lot about comfy and cozy because I know it well.  I know all about the sweat pants, fleece pants, and my hubby's favorite - army pt sweats! Oh yeah. (We joke, well I joke, and call it my sexy lingerie. He just rolls his eyes. I think he's amused. Really.) However, I've been trying to step it up a bit. Hence the navy pajama set. Baby steps. But what about the hidden pretties? 

Honestly, I've seriously neglected this area of my wardrobe. Bras, panties and cute pajamas go to the bottom of my fashion priority list. By the time I get to them I'm out of cash.  So my lingerie consists of practicality. Nude colored, t-shirt bras. No lace. No frills. 
I know. This shouldn't be.

There is something to be said about feeling great BEFORE you pick your clothes for the day.  I know that when your undergarments are attractive and flattering to your body shape, your clothes fit better. There are less bumps, lumps and scary creases! Adding function with beauty just makes the day better. Even when no one else knows that you're sporting an attractive, matching lingerie set under your close, YOU know. And you knowing, makes you feel better. 

I know this and yet my lingerie drawer was just sad! That is until, I tried on this beautiful lace bra at Soma.

Necklace pictured is Phoenix by Premier Designs

It was comfortable and pretty! What?! You can have both? The head knowledge went straight to my heart (or wallet). I get why ladies want to line their drawers with these lovelies. One of every color. Though Soma bras tend to be pricey, a decent sale can mean a good bra (or two) AND money in your wallet. 


Luxury Candle!!

Last but not least is the candle. What is that about, huh??  It's called the "wearable candle" made by Objects with Purpose  You can sit around and let the aroma entice your senses or you can use it as a body butter or massage oil. I'm not making this up. And before you get all, like wowza Chrissy, cool down. This happened to be my favorite scent. I bought a few different scents to gift at Christmas and this one almost ended up in a friend's gift. Almost. That could have been awkward. 

Well, that is quite enough for today! What are your go to favorites for a night in? What are your favorite movies? What are you reading right now? What's your favorite bra?? I know. This is a lot. But I hope you have a few extra moments here and there to enjoy the season of being at home more and share your thoughts!

Feel beautiful lovelies because you are beautiful! Put on some pretty lace and see if you don't start singing "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story!

Chrissy


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Monday, January 2, 2017

Plaid Top & Impromptu Getaways

Hello, and how was the closing of 2016 for you and yours? No matter how tightly I clung to the moments, they slipped by quickly and some how it's already 2017. My consolation is found in knowing they did not slip by unnoticed. We rang in the new year with downtime, fun time and time with friends. We even seized a night free from our kiddos as an opportunity to getaway. After all, we've only had our gift card stored away since last Christmas. Shame on us!

At 3 o'clock that afternoon I found myself nervously calling the Ritz-Carlton. What if there is a better time to go? A better deal? I squelch my indecision and wait for an attendant to become available. 

Yes, they had rooms available that evening. Yes they had a bed and breakfast package. Yes our names were added. No going back. No cancelling. 

At 5 o'clock, I was throwing clothing and toiletries into an overnight bag. At 6 o'clock my husband and I divided to conquer farming out the boys in two different directions.

Now it's 7 o'clock and we're finally on the road to Atlanta. We hit traffic twice but we've already settled into conversation. No work talk allowed. Minimal kid talk. 80's, 90's and today play and we laugh. Not at anything in particular, but we're together and there's a lightness in the spontaneous, out of the ordinary adventure. 

Finally, after 8 o'clock, we pull into the circular drive and hand our aging mini-van keys to the valet (also part of the package). 

"Take good care of the old girl. She's a classic." Wink. Wink. Shouldn't we have guffawed obnoxiously right there? I won't lie.  I felt a little out of place in these surroundings.

We made it and couldn't wait to check in and head over to the hotel restaurant, The Atlanta Grill.  My husband orders a steak and I order the chicken. When will I learn??? Although my chicken was good, his steak was unbelievable.  Unless you partake not in beef, why ever would you order chicken in a steak house restaurant??

The elevators were highly amusing. It took us 5 minutes and one elevator change to figure out that you had to swipe your room key over an inconspicuous pad, before the elevator would go up. And the gentlemen who got on with only a bathrobe and dripping wet hair, taught me new measures in self-control. If he remained a minute longer, my suppressed giggles would have turned to tears for how hard I was clamping my shut. Especially, considering the amused looks I spotted in the walled mirrors from fellow passengers. 

Honestly, those little moments are my favorites. Suffice it to say this was one of our best adventures yet.  Maybe we just don't get out enough. 

Regrettably, I have no outfit photos for Friday night.  However, we did knock around the city the next morning so I ended up with a few shots for the blog. ;) I can't help myself. Documenting outfits and mini-adventures heightens the experiences for me. Am I alone in this? 





With the idea of walking around the city I packed skinnies and shoes I could walk in. Good decision. I was comfortable and warm enough.  This plaid top is one of my favorites and I must give the Pureple fashion app credit for the idea to pair it with the olive green vest. The purple cross body was chosen, due to its size and I just love the purple right now.

Outfit details:

Plaid Top: the Limited
Vest: Marissa Jill's Boutique
Jacket: Michael Kors
Purse: My 31 
Jeans: Judy Blue, Marissa Jill's Boutique


Friday's Outfit board...
Top: OLD, Jacket: Michael Kors, Skirt: LulaRoe Cassie, Shoes: WHBM (clearance find), Bracelet: Premier Desings


***Quick Recap...In our booth at dinner...***


Breakfast Buffet, included with package.



Stealing a few moments to read...


Perusing the gift shop items while hubby goes for the car...


Well, that's all for today my reader friends. I hope you're dreams are big for 2017 and if you have a gift card sitting around USE IT! :) Our final bill after handing over our gift card was $1.08! What a fun night.

Chrissy

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