it's december 1st!

I am SO excited it is December 1st! It seems like it was taking forever to get here. First thing on our list, we will be writing Santa our letters today and depositing them at Macy's Santa Mail drop. Brody saw this last week and insists that we take his letter there, our mailbox is not good enough. Fine with me, any Christmas spirit outing is on my list. Can't wait!

*sidenote: I just realized I am going to have to do a switcheroo and put a blank letter in the Macy's drop so I can keep his real one for me. I want to hold on to it for when he is older!

Black Friday

Found this website online and it tells you all of the Black Friday Deals! I love it because I can zip through it seeing if there is anything specific that I am looking for. Looks like they are updating it daily! A must have for Christmas shopping this year.

oh martha!

I just received my December issue of Martha Stewart Living and everything inside was sooooo pretty. I love the holidays!! Here are some of my favs from this issue:

Japanese decorative tape instead of using ribbon on your packages. I love it! Go to happytape.com.

Personalize your guests table setting by monogramming cookies with their initials using a clean crafts-store rubber stamp (shortbread cookies are best). This would be perfect for any type of party favors as well! Imagine all the different types of stamps you can use.

This issue had the best ideas for wrapping gifts. I was drooling. Here are some I found online. I wish I could have showed you all the ones in the magazine. So pretty.

I swear, the October and December issues are always my very favorite! It's like a present in itself.

trim the trees

I know we haven't hit Thanksgiving yet, but all I can think about is decorating for Christmas. I can't wait!!!! I had to peek over at Anthropogie because I LOVE their ornaments. Here are some of my favorites!

christmas list

I just got finished making Brody & Piper's Wish Lists for Christmas. What a great way to share what your kids want with family! We went to the store last night and walked the aisles to pick out some of their favorite things. The store's registry guns were not working, so I made a list myself with brand names and toy names and then made the Wish List online. It's so easy! I think the best part is that we put a variety of toys and price points on there and it takes the stress off of your family to find that perfect toy. They still get to pick or at least have suggestions if they want to go off the list!

Christmas in August?

The economy sucks, our finances are down, so you know what? I'm starting my Christmas shopping now for the kids. Expenses add up last minute come November and December so starting this month I am buying 1 to 2 gifts a month  (oh and I might have a baby the week of Christmas). I better hide them good though, because some of them are from Santa!!