~ Holidays in Pictures ~

Wow, what an incredible Christmas this year was! Time with family and friends, great food (way too much food actually!) and incredible celebrations wrapped up just yesterday with the last and final Christmas celebration.  Tomorrow we start celebrating the New Year with laid back family time at our house and an annual family reunion on New Year's Day at a second cousin's home just about 20 minutes away. 

I hope that you all have had wonderful holiday celebrations of your own!  I will leave you with a few pics from some celebrating at our home.

This is a classic Jessy (me!:) laugh - and the reason I know I need to replace all my mercury with white fillings :)

My precious 22 month old baby girl, Gabrielle....I could kiss her all day long!

  With my gorgeous husband on Christmas Eve (the first family/friends Christmas gathering at our home this year).  

My Christmas eve attire: Michael Kors red rhinestone embelished sweater / Gold sparkle scarf via TJ Maxx / Gap Long and Lean 1969 Flare Jeans (not pictured)/ Invicta square Angel diamond stainless steel chronograph watch (Buy it here now at 86% off!!)

Gabby with her sweet little Ballerina outfit on (a gift from Grandma Jeannie - my mother-in-law :)

Our breakfast room window seat with holly berry wreath - love watching the first snow fall from this spot!

 Front porch and walk as the first snow of the Christmas season began to fall.

 Our hearth room decorated for Christmas :)

 My "Jesus is the Gift" lantern - I got the idea from posts I saw on Pinterest. Used what I already had on hand to come up with my own holiday version. 

Working on my "canvas wall" going up the stairwell. I took these pics with my phone in low lighting so they aren't great, but I will update when I have more of the canvas prints hung and can take the shots with my SLR camera. I wanted to include the railing in the Christmas post - wrapped in greenery, holly, lights and ribbon :)

 Our mischievous Elf on a Shelf, Snow Flake, found his way all around the new house this year. He liked the window seat spot, as well ;)

My "O Holy Night" burlap canvas - LOVE this. I think I just may have to leave it up year round. Perfect match to my decor and the message is wonderful of course! 

 My little girl enjoying her first snow fall!

Christmas present to myself - I updated my bedding with a set I had been watching for months. I figured since I still wanted it after so long and now could get 20% off I should just go for it. So glad that I did.....love it :) (Find it at Bed, Bath and Beyond)

XO

Jessy 

Cyber Monday and Traveling update!

Hi! 

I am updating from the road as we travel back from our annual Thanksgiving migration down south to spend time with the family in Tampa, FL. It was a wonderful time as always. While it was only about 25 degrees and snowing in Cincinnati we were hanging out on the beach or playing at Busch Gardens in 70 degree weather in Florida. It was a good time to be there weather wise! 

So since I was taking a 14 hour road trip to see the family comfort was the most important factor in these outfits. Our trip was really broken up since we actually stopped at 3 different places for a day or two here and there before reaching our final destination. It also required that I be able to take off layers and slip on different shoes, etc. as the temps warmed up. 

 Express Zelda Barely Bootcut Jeans (here) / Mossimo wedges from Target (old) / Cowl neck oversized Cashmere sweater via TJ Maxx / Emma Fox Cambridge Satchel  (similar here and MK version here) 

 "Shiva" tunic in Charcoal via Athleta (now on SALE here!) / Express classic black leggings / Vest via Target (old) / Sweater Infinity Scarf via Victoria's Secret (free with sweater purchase) / Hunter Tall Classic rainboots in black (website here) 

Mossimo pullover sweater via Target (Cyber Monday Sale!) / A.N.A. skinny Jeans via JC Penney (old) / Madden Girl boots (old) / Infinity Scarf via Target (old)

*Not pictured above is this perfect light weight (but so warm!) tunic length parka from North Face that I brought along - here. *Offered for 2 day free shipping on TNF website now for Cyber Monday. (pic from web)
"Osito Parka"

We will be home in the next few hours and while the temps keep dropping the closer to home we get I am still warmed at the thought of seeing our house, our neighborhood, our dog, our friends, etc. It always feels amazing to arrive back home :)  The best part about coming home from this trip every year is that as soon as we arrive it's time to go get our tree and start decorating for Christmas - my very favorite time of year. 

I hope that you all had wonderful Thanksgiving with your families and ate way too much (but oh so good!) food - I know that I sure did!

Before I go I would like to share some of my favorite Cyber Monday deals that I am enjoying from my laptop on the road - Enjoy!

Athleta: "CYBER20" - Extra 20% off all sale items and 20% off all winter (LOVE this top!)

Express: 40% off EVERYTHING + Free Shipping (BEST leggings ever!)

J.Crew: "MONDAY" - 30% off Online AND In stores + Free Shipping (Love this tee!)

Grandin Road ( I LOVE this catalog for really unique quality gifts :): "CYBER2013" - 25% site wide + Free Shipping (Just ordered one of these for starters!)

XO

Jessy