Christmas

Experience Holiday Family Fun at Pinecrest

November 25, 2019 by Rachel 34 Comments

This post has been sponsored by Pinecrest. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Now that I’m a mom of three little kids, I’ve found that gift-giving to adults can be difficult, to say the least. We have two sets of grandparents to ‘buy’ for and, quite honestly, none of them need any more ‘stuff.’

But the act of gift-giving is still important. As is creating a magical holiday season for our children. So, as a family of 5, we are creating ways that our children can both have fun this season and make and create gifts that their relatives will enjoy for years to come.

Family-Friendly Events

There are so many opportunities for family fun at Pinecrest this holiday season.

Tomorrow, November 26th marks the beginning of Skate in Central Park and this event is open daily through January 5th, 2020! Bring your own skates, or rent at the rink!

If ice skating isn’t your thing, there are other events to check out. Mingle with Kringle while you’re out shopping, or check out the choreographed light show, Pinecrest Nights of Lights.

Check out the full holiday event schedule here.

Creative Gift-Giving

Gifts made with love are the best types of gifts, am I right? This year we decided to make all of our grandparents’ gifts at Pinecrest.

Color Me Mine

My kids ADORE painting. I, on the other hand, would prefer not to have them ruin my kitchen table. Color Me Mine brings both my desire for cleanliness and my children’s desire to paint together in perfect harmony!

Color Me Mine, a DIY paint-your-own pottery studio. Their options of pieces range from small to extra-large, and they offer over 60 colors.

My children took approximately five hundred minutes picking out their pieces to paint. But, where they lacked in decision making, they made up for in creativity.

I have to include major props to the employees of Pinecrest Color Me Mine. See, I had Mila with me and I was unable to be as hands-on with the big kids as I originally intended. But the employees helped my big littles bring their visions to fruition.

We picked up our finished pieces after the glazing process was complete (within just a few days). My kids are obsessed and they cannot wait to give them away as gifts to their grandparents.

The Candle Studio

Making candles is one of my favorite experiences. My kids have been dying to try their hand at it, so we decided to try The Candle Studio.

The employees at the Candle Studio were incredibly patient with my kids. They explained the steps from picking out their scents, to deciding on a container, and then mixing it all together. It was adorable to see them run back and forth to find scents they liked. It turns out they both like watermelon and bubble gum (shocker).

I sipped on a local craft beer as my kids decided the perfect watermelon to bubble gum ratio for each of their respective candles. Surprisingly, both of their candles smell different, despite both using the same two scents! Mixing is everything, friends!

I, on the other hand, mixed my own candle with a variation of hops and pine scent. Basically, it smells like Christmas beer.

I was surprised at how easy (and fun!) the Candle Studio was with young kids. I fully expected them to have zero interest and for me to be doing all of the work. But that wasn’t the case at all! They loved it. And just ninety-minutes later, we picked up our finished soy candles for the grandparents.

Making Memories Through Experiences

I know that these gifts aren’t extravagant, but they are perfect. Their grandparents will know full-well what kind of effort they put into these handcrafted presents. They will see the joy in the eyes of their grandchildren as they open up these gifts made by teeny hands.

The memories we’ve created will last a lifetime. Long after the soy candle has been burned down and well after the dust has settled on the unicorn tealight holder Remy made (sorry, Mimi — hope you like bright pink unicorn tealight holders! 😛 ).

Make your own memories this holiday season and discover all of the holiday magic at Pinecrest.

Holiday Brunch Lemon Mimosas with Discount Drug Mart

November 14, 2018 by Rachel 21 Comments

This post is sponsored by Discount Drug Mart but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I can’t believe we’re rounding out the last part of 2018. I mean, I look back at all that has happened in this last year and I’m truly amazed at how quickly 2018 flew by. But I’m beyond excited to begin celebrating and reflecting on all that 2018 has brought to our family and friends.

There have been new jobs, new homes, big contracts, and new babies in our family this year — so there is much to celebrate!

To kick off the holiday celebrations, we hosted a pre-Thanksgiving brunch with my Mom and Dad, who just happen to be celebrating the purchase of their new home!

I picked up all of the fixings for amazing brunch cocktails at our local Discount Drug Mart. They offer a wide selection of beer and wine at state minimum pricing, which is great for ease of convenience and my budget!

For this special occasion, I picked up Truly Spiked & Sparkling Water, White Claw Hard Seltzer, Cook’s Brut, and Martini & Rossi Asti — a little bit of something for everyone’s taste! In addition to these items, I picked up what I needed for our brunch menu. Discount Drug Mart really does save you the runaround!

The real showstopper of our brunch was the featured cocktail — what I like to call Mint Lem-mosas.

Here’s what you need to make them:

1 bottle of Martini & Rossi’s Asti
12 ounces of lemonade concentrate, frozen
1/2 cup of vodka
a handful of fresh ground mint leaves
Optional: sugar rim garnish

Mix liquid ingredients in a pitcher. Pour into individual flutes. Add ground mint leaves.

These delectable cocktails will truly make any holiday brunch or dinner party!

We laughed, we sipped, and we celebrated the beginning of what is certain to be a delightful holiday season — one filled with laughs, smiles, friends, and family.

I’ll admit it — we had been slacking on hosting much of anything since we started having babies. There was always something keeping us from hosting, but if these last few hard years have taught us anything, it’s that time waits for no one, so celebrate every day now.

For great deals on all the mentioned items at Discount Drug Mart, click HERE to find a store location near you!

#holidayparty #entertaining #entertainingathome #hardseltzer #champagnecocktail #DiscountDrugMart

It’s Okay To Feel Overwhelmed at Christmas

December 22, 2017 by Rachel 12 Comments

Oh, Christmas! The most wonderful time of the year! I’ve said it before — I absolutely love the way my children light up at the mere mention of Santa. All of the magic that I see through their eyes translates into the happiest of feelings for me.

But there’s a side to Christmas that is less talked about. And that’s the overwhelming feeling of all of it.

I’m not one to easily shy away from hustle and bustle. Friends regularly tell me that they cannot believe how packed my schedule is and how many fun little outings I regularly take my children on.

But Christmas can be daunting in a different way…

There are parties. There are events. There is shopping. But I think the underlying issue is that there are so many things I have to be “on” for. See, as much as I am a people person, I also much prefer the laid back nights. Even if those laid back nights still include going out with my family; just not going out with my family to a big event — where we’re expected to be there for hours at a time and my conversation ‘game face’ has to be on.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m great at conversation! Fantastic, mostly! But I thrive on conversations that are lacking in substance but full of laughs. Where it gets tricky? Small talk. Lots of small talk with people I see infrequently. It gives me anxiety.

Oh — and germs. Why, why, why, why, DEAR GOD WHY, does flu season fall right in the middle of the holidays!?! It feels like a cruel joke.

So, like many people, my emotions and moods are a constant roller coaster during the holidays; the neverending highs and lows of the joy of wonder, mixed with the simple exhaustion of the season.

And you know what? That’s okay.

It’s okay to decline plans or parties because it isn’t healthy for you and/or your family.

It’s okay to bundle up on the couch and watch Christmas movies instead of hitting up that ugly Christmas sweater party.

It’s okay to not always be jolly and happy.

Heck! It’s okay to be flat out exhausted by all of it!

Give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling. Don’t be even harder on yourself — especially this time of year.

Remember: The holidays are about finding joy with your family — you do not owe anyone else anything!

PS. Things are going to be quiet for me for the next few days, but I’ll regularly be updating my Instagram stories — so make sure you’re following me on Instagram!

Holiday Gift Guide // The Uncommon, But Awesome

December 15, 2017 by Rachel 9 Comments

We are less than 10 days away from Christmas Eve! If you’re like me, you still have a bit of holiday shopping left to do. Specifically I struggle with stocking stuffer ideas for everyone. Oh – and what to get The Most Difficult Person In The World To Shop For (aka, my husband).

But thanks to the folks over at UncommonGoods.com, my work is nearly done! Not only do they make sustainability part of their goal and mission, but their products are unlike anything I’ve been able to find elsewhere.

Between their handmade items and a collection of geeky kitchen finds, I’m in love. Wanna learn to brew your own beer? There’s a kit for that.

Wanna get your baby an avocado or kale teether? You can find it at UncommonGoods.

Someone you know have a taste for hot sauce? Get them a make-your-own-hot sauce kit!

Have zero clue what to get your significant other? Just take advantage of Sunny, UncommonGoods virtual expert gift finder! How cool is that??

I love their collections of Gifts for Kids and Personalized Gifts (hellooooo, grandparent gifts!). And if you order now you’ll still have time for Christmas delivery! So hurry!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post in credit to UncommonGoods.com, but, as always, all opinions herein are my own.

a Thanksgiving SURPRISE!

November 23, 2017 by Rachel 26 Comments

I’ve been keeping a HUGE secret. Like, bigger than big. And it explains everything, friends. I promise. And what better day to share it than Thanksgiving, right?!

That’s right — Remy Bea will be a middle child as of June 2018!

I know, I know. After Remy Bea was born in January 2016, I swore off anymore babies. She was such a horrible baby (for a full 12 months), that I fully intended to not have anymore children. As soon as we outgrew baby gear and clothes, I passed it on to someone else.

But something happened a few months ago. I told Chad I didn’t think we were done. He didn’t disagree, but he also thought I was a tad bit crazy.

So we tried. And here we are, 11 weeks pregnant. Because that’s how it works for us, I guess.

And now my complete exhaustion and inability to write more than a tweet should make a bit of sense. Because this first trimester has been kinda kicking my butt.

Not in the same way my pregnancy with Remy Bea did, but enough to where I am actually falling asleep during dinner and/or not eating dinner because I feel so nauseated.

Regardless, we’re thrilled to finish our family with JUST ONE MORE baby.

That’s right — I had a real fear that the ultrasound was going to show two babies (my mother is a fraternal twin AND I’m 33 AND you’re more likely to have multiples after the more babies you have…). But there was only one, thank the LORD. And it’s heartbeat was strong, steady, and healthy!

My official due date is June 16, 2018.

I’m not certain if we will find out the gender this time around. Part of me is dying to know, but I also realize that at this point we have one boy and one girl so this one will be the tie-breaker… and I kinda want it to be the ‘last surprise,’ of surprising events.

And now… we breathe. We breathe with the comfort that our secret is out! And, of course, we celebrate with eating a glorious Thanksgiving feast!

Oh, and I promise now that the secret is out, I’ll update a bit more! ♥ ♥

Much love to Shop Pink Blush for my amazing black lace maternity dress!

Many thanks to Alex Lucas – Photographer & Graphic Designer from the Cleveland, Ohio area, for coordinating this amazing pregnancy announcement shoot (and for dealing with my two crazy little monsters). Follow her over on Instagram at @ohtheraven and go check out her full portfolio here.

Special offer for my followers!

Mini Family or Lifestyle Shoot in the Cleveland, Ohio Area (Nov 27 – Jan 5th) or the Greenville, South Carolina Area (February 5th – May 11th) only $140.

Whats included? 30 minute shoot, minimum of 20 photos delivered, photos delivered within 5 days. Just send Alex an email at alex@ohtheraven.com with ItsAHero in the subject line.

Photography credit: Alex Lucas

Maternity Dress credit: ShopPinkBlush

Kids Biggest, Middlest, Littlest shirts: Treehouse Apparel, Etsy

Kids Christmas Outfits: Cat + Jack, Target

Christmas List Announcement: FairyTaleWeddingPro, Etsy

Holiday Gift Guide // For Her

November 14, 2017 by Rachel 26 Comments

I can’t believe it’s nearly here! You know what I’m talking about — the most wonderful time of the year! Ya know, Christmas hasn’t always been my favorite holiday (I’m more of a Thanksgiving gal), but having kids has changed me in that way. I absolutely love Christmas because they love it so much.

And I have to say, because of them, I’ve gotten much better at gift-giving! And even though this holiday is all about the kids, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite items — FOR HER!

The Instant Pot.

My husband bought me an Instant Pot, which is an electric pressure cooker and slow cooker, two Christmases ago. It was an effort to make me more comfortable at cooking — and doing so quickly since we’re such a busy family.

And I absolutely LOVE it. Some of my favorite recipes are made in the Instant Pot and I’ve discovered even more through the huge IP community online.

Book of the Month Subscription.

I discovered Book of the Month last year and I haven’t turned back. I’ve had this continuous goal, year after year, to read more. But things come up; I never make it to the library; and I definitely haven’t seen the inside of a bookstore in years. BOTM makes it easy. You sign up as a member by entering your shipping information and choosing your favorite genres. The membership costs are $14.99 a month for one hardcover book, and you can add on additional books for $9.99 each.

The best part is that BOTM uses ‘judges’ who suggest books to you based on your preferences. The books I’ve received were items I probably would have passed over at the store, but I have enjoyed them so much!

You can give the gift of a subscription on their website.

Day Designer Planner.

It’s no secret that I absolutely LOVE my Day Designer daily planner — I talk about it all of the time! And what a better gift right before the New Year, right?!

The full 2018 line is out now and available in full-size and mini! I always get the full size (because my purse is basically a diaper bag these days), but the mini is the perfect size for smaller bags!

I wish I could have one in every design and style for 2018!

Essential Oil Diffuser.

We use essential oils in a multitude of ways, but my personal favorite is diffusing them. Different oils work in different ways, but we use them in the kids rooms and in our bedroom. For the kids we diffuse ‘sniffle stopper’ blends or, our personal favorite ‘calm the child‘ blend, whenever they need it. Which, let’s face it, is every night.

This diffuser also acts as a night light in several different shades (Ari’s favorite is the ‘white blue,’ which is his way of saying ‘light blue.’). But this particular diffuser is super inexpensive and works amazing! Perfect for the Mama or Wife in your life (Hello, relaxation!).

A Netflix Gift Card.

Netflix is LIFE! I mean it. Between zoning out in front of the TV for an hour after the kids go to bed, to playing the Magic School Bus for the kids for just 30 minutes of peace and quiet(ish), Netflix is seriously a sanity saver.

You don’t need to buy a subscription for the lady in your life, just buy her a Netflix gift card! You’re basically buying her sanity. Remember that.

A Meal Subscription Box.

When all else fails, make dinnertime easy for her. I’ve tried quite a few of the meal subscription boxes and I have to say that I’ve loved them all!

It takes the guesswork out of meals. The ingredients are all right there, the directions are clear, and they literally bring it to your doorstep. Sign. me. UP. There are so many different options to choose from — Blue Apron, Plated, Home Chef, Hello Fresh, Sun Basket, and more. All of them offer something that she can’t afford to lose — time!

More than anything, if she’s anything like me, she’ll appreciate some time to herself, some peace and quiet, and a nice meal with a glass of wine. Honestly. But if you want to go above and beyond, try one of these — for sure!

What item would you like to receive this holiday season?!