Christmas Traditions

I love this time of year.  Really, though, who doesn't? There is something about the abundance of lights, yard decor - both classy and just plain over the top, gift giving & receiving, and plenty of baking that makes this time of year especially magic to me.

This will most likely be my last Christmas not married (and no, this is NOT an announcement... yet), and it's making me think a lot about traditions I want to start with my future family.

You know what I'm talking about, those things that you absolutely have to do or you end up with that PHD.

Not the degree, silly!  Post Holiday Depression. 

Do you have any great traditions?

• For me, every year I absolutely must go to the Festival of Lights, and of course, the annual light parade to welcome in the season. 

• I better open some new jammies on Christmas eve, and get a kick out of my siblings acting out the nativity story while my dad reads directly from the bible.

• I have to drink some of my mom's homemade cocoa, and eat orange rolls on Christmas morning. 

• I need to receive an ornament to add to the tree, and a chocolate orange must be found in my stocking. 

• I need to enjoy my grandma's beautiful Christmas tree, and sing carols around her piano.

• And heaven forbid we forget to make gingerbread houses.  Of course those are an absolute must!

• I really enjoy thinking of traditions I want to keep for my future children. I imagine them having an attachment to our traditions just like I do with the traditions my parents have started for our family.

What types of traditions are you planning to enjoy with your own family this year?  Or how about traditions you are planning on starting in the future?

12 days and counting!  

Try not to forget the whole reason for the season, and remember that Christmas is it's own tradition, celebrating the greatest gift any of us have ever received.

Happy Holidays! 

I Think I'm Baby Hungry

Hi There Everyone!  I hope you are all having a great week! We are almost to the weekend and I can't wait!  Every week that passes is one week closer to Christmas cookies and gift giving.  Hooray!

On an entirely different note, lately I've had babies on the brain.  I know, I'm totally jumping the gun.  I'm not even married yet, and kids are probably another 3 to 5 years down the road. But alas, I am a planner, so it is typical of me to have every last detail of my life for the next 10 years planned out.  I've been thinking about what their nursery will look like, what books I will read them, and what tunes they'll listen to as they fall asleep.

So today, I would like to share two obsessions off of my baby swag wishlist.  Yippee!

1st on my list? Any and all products related to Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are.

Especially These Two Found via Daleigh Designs on Etsy:

 

...and this mobile I found at A Continual Lullaby.  Isn't Etsy Great?

 I'm also obessed with the Rockabye Baby Lullaby Renditions of No Doubt, Smashing Pumpkins, & U2.  I listen to them on YouTube all the time. So soothing!

DUBSTEP Christmas! Say What!?

Dubstep is honestly probably my favorite style of music. Ever, ever. 

How cool is this?

Lucky vs. Blessed

Lately I've been thinking a lot about blessings.  

Often times, I think to myself "Oh, she's so lucky" or "I wish I could travel, they're so lucky to be so carefree."  But then I realize, they are not lucky, they are blessed.  Just changing my mental vocabulary has helped me to see life in an entirely different way.  As I am telling myself that others are being blessed rather than have "luck", my thought process changes and the bitterness or jealousy melts away.

I think it's something about remembering that we all have our challenges, and that I need to allow God to bless others however he pleases.  It also is a constant reminder to me that I am also extremely blessed.

I really have so much to be grateful for this year:

That being said, whether you believe in God or not, I think we can all try a little harder to remember the things that we are given, especially this time of year.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Holiday Shopping for Men

Has anyone else started their Christmas Shopping yet? 

It seems like as soon as October hits (yes, October), my brain is in Christmas shopping mode.  In fact, I think I've practically got all my shopping done for Trevor already.  It's a good feeling, but I'm still always scouting for any great products he could possibly want.

I know often times it can be difficult to shop for your man.  I find myself being frustrated because I never know how to surprise him.  He always knows everything I'm getting him, and even if I try to smoothly come up with ideas, it usually goes like this:

Becs: "Hey babe, don't you have a phone upgrade coming up?  Are you gonna get the iPhone 5?"

Trev: "Yeah, probably.  Why? Are you thinking of getting me a new case for Christmas?"

FAIL

I'm incredibly obvious.  That being said, I wanted to share are a few sites I've stumbled across to help with the tedious task of man-shopping.

This Christmas you'll get to do a lot more of this:

... and a lot less of this:

Here are the three sites that have been the most helpful to me this year while shopping for Trev.

WhiskeyMilitia.com

For the skate/snowboarding, music loving, school attending, trendy man in your life.  This website consistently has the best deals on some great brands like Skull Candy, Dakine, Quiksilver, and many more.  I love this site and constantly monitor it.  They have a regular SUPER deal that changes every 10-30 minutes, and also a "private stash" for members only.  I would highly suggest becoming a member for extra awesome daily deals. 

WorldOfWatches.com

Trev is a watch junkie.  He loves watches, specifically expensive watches. I decided to get one for him for Christmas, but knew it would be a little more pricey.  Then a coworker told me about World Of Watches, and I found the exact watch I wanted to get him for half the price.  

Becca - 1 | Invicta Watch - 0

eBay.com

eBay, eBay, eBay.  I actually have had some bad experiences with them as a seller, but as a buyer, I'm completely smitten.  I like to check on their Daily Deals.  You can find them here.  They have regular Daily Deal section (which are usually the best value), and also sections for Tech, Fashion, & Home.  I bought all the gifts for my family on eBay's Daily Deals last year.  LOVE. THEM. 

What sites will you be using this year?  We women need to band together!

How to be a Bargain Babe

I was a bargain rock star this weekend, you guys.

**Please forgive my low-quality iPhone photo... but I'm wearing items from my most recent F21 haul (more on that later)**

You probably all have had at least one experience like this in your lifetime.  You get your paycheck, and you allow yourself $100 to treat yourself to the fancy pair of jeans you have had your eye on at Express.  So, you go to the store, and they are having a BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 OFF SALE!

Say what?!?!

  

Naturally, you have to get two pairs of pants.  Then, your boyfriend whips out a coupon for $30 off a $100 purchase.  BUT, you have a $100 budget.  So then, you naturally have to buy two scarves, because the coupon ALSO says you get $50 off of $150 which equals $100 and you are truly feeling great. 

(Insert Trevor smirking at my lack of self control here.)

So - you walk out of there like you own the place, along with two pairs of jeans and two scarves - all for the great price of 130 buckaroos. 

**The scarves were a little more than you thought and then you have to add in tax.  
   Because, hello, your coupon doesn't work on the government.

You go girl!

Ahhh, Italia

I know I was just barely raving about how much I love Christmas & how great this time of year is, but I've got to tell you, this season also makes me feel a bit restless.

The weather is beginning to get a little chilly, the sky a little gloomy, and I find myself wanting to travel to somewhere I can wear my bathing suit.  Either that or somewhere I can enjoy good food and good company.

When I was 15, my parents took me and my 13 year old brother on the trip of a lifetime.  We spent a week and a half in Paris and Rome. To say that it was a dream is an understatement.

We visited the Eiffel Tower, La Louvre to see the Mona Lisa (she's smaller than you'd think), and Notre Dame.  In Italy we visited the Trevi Fountain, St. Peters Basilica, The Vatican City, and drove past the Colesseum atop a double decker bus.

Even though those dreamy places were amazing and prestigious, my favorite part of the trip was Siena.  This place is the most beautiful I've ever visited.  It's your typical Italian thought, with cobblestone streets & restaurants with their seating outside for people watching.  Google it. It's history will not disappoint.

My parents are great travelers and found a picture perfect restaurant for us, tucked back in the middle of the ancient buildings.  There was a canopy out behind, and we enjoyed ravioli, veal, duck, and many more classic Italian dishes.  The food was amazing, and I was in heaven soaking in the Italian air and eating with some of my favorite people.

I'm sighing just thinking about these places. Can you tell I'm homesick for it?