Show and Tell: Want, Need, Wear, Read

It's been a few months since I linked up  with Andrea from MomFessionals who hosts a link up where we show and tell you something. This month the topic is Want, Need, Wear, Read. I am using this as sort of a Christmas list and gift guide.

This one is a little tough for me, because I don't really know what I want or need this holiday season. We literally just got the furniture into our basement renovation this weekend, through the window after a failed attempt to get it down the stairs, so I feel like so much is focused on finishing this level of house. Now it's time to take a break and have a little fun with this post.

Want

Candle Lanterns

I love led candles and they have come a long way in the last ten years. So many of them look so real. When I was coming up with ideas for the family room design elements, Running Daddy and I decided we would do a greige paint with soft blue accents. There is currently a lot of blue/grey in our house, but I don't care because it is such a Good color combination. I thought some silver accents would add some fun to the room, so I am currently looking for some very tall candle lanterns to add to the floor area around the fireplace. I would like to add some similar black lanterns to the living room fireplace area.

Here are some options I like:

Lantern//Lantern 2//Black Lanterns

***Contains affiliate links

I also want some new blankets for the family room. We are such a blanket family. While the ones we had from before the renovation are sill fine, I think a new one would Better pull the look together. Here are a few that I like and both happen to be on sale:


Chevron Plush Throw (sale alert)                                   Barefoot Dreams Heathered Throw (sale alert)

***Contains affiliate links

Need

I think I need a new robe. I pretty much only wear a robe when I get out of the shower, but mine is several years old and it might be time for a new one. I have a summer robe that is cute and still in Good condition. Here is one that I like that might be Better for the cooler months.

Robe

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Wear

This is going to be a mix of things that I am currently wearing and then a few things that I have seen lately that I really love.  

Casual looks can be a little tricky this time of year but here are a few things that I am wearing on repeat on the weekends.

I wore this to a party a few weeks ago when I knew we were going to be outside for a bit. This faux fur vest is just the Best as it provides warms but it is also so fun. This total look is all on sale right now if you want to add it to your Santa list or wear for a holiday event!

Jeans                                       Similar Vest                          Boots 

***Contains affiliate links

I also just bought these cords in boysenberry and a similar pair by cAbi in the same color as below. I think they are going to be a Good alternative to jeans on the weekend. These are also on an amazing sale.

Kut from the Kloth cords

***Contains affiliate links

This skirt may end up on my Christmas list as it is so fantastic and I think it could even be a Good business look.

Faux Leather Skirt

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Read

If you are looking for a Good read, or have a friend that could really use some encouragement during this holiday season, go ahead and pre-order If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey. While the book will not be out until the end of January, you can pre-order right now, right here. I am so happy to be part of the launch team and this book is so Good. While I read it over a month ago, there are parts that are still resonating with me.

Ok, now it's your turn! Tell me in the comments what you are going to Want, Need, Wear and Read this holiday season.

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Friday Favorites: Thanksgiving Wines

I am sure you are all aware that Thanksgiving is next week. Who else is excited? Because of the array of spices in the traditional Thanksgiving meal, the wine pairing can be tricky. Today as I link up with Erika, Narci and Andrea for Friday Favorites, I am going to give you five Good ideas for Thanksgiving wine. I think it is safe to say, we are all thankful for wine.

1) Cava

What could be Better than greeting your guests at the door with a little bit of bubbles? Cavas are a sparkling wine from Spain that are typically at a really Good price point. One of the Best Cavas that I have had is Dibon Brut Reserve. 

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Sausage and Pepper Pasta

I made this pasta last weekend in preparation for our school's big cross country meet. It's so Good but mostly it is easy and a whole meal in a bowl. This is a dish that I can also pull together in about 25 minutes or less on a weeknight. What could be Better than that? I posted this photo to Instagram and there were a lot of requests for the recipe, so here you go!

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Workin' It Wednesday--Planning for the Holidays--Thanksgiving Game Plan

Today I am linking up with Shay & Erika for their Workin' It series. November's topic is "Planning for the Holidays." For this month when we say holidays...I am going to focus more on Thanksgiving but I will also add in some of my shopping tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. So this is how I am trying to get my Thanksgiving act together.

Food

We don't host Thanksgiving but since I am gluten free, I typically make the dressing and a dessert. I find that you really need to plan ahead to make sure you have the Best ingredients this time of year. I have already stocked up on chicken stock because it you wait until the week before Thanksgiving they run out and all that is left in the store is  beef stock...and well, that won't work. I also have learned to only use Pamela's gluten free cornbread mix as the base for my cornbread, sausage and chestnut dressing. I have tried others and it is just not as Good. I also now take a shortcut and buy the peeled and roasted chestnuts available at Trader Joe's. Honestly, this dressing is so Good, you would never know it was gluten free and the answer to your question is....yes you can use regular cornbread too.

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Friday Favorites: Dress Shirts from Mill No. 8, Good Lasagna, Better Bedding, Red Cups and Joy

What a week where went from Halloween to the early start of the holiday season. Today I am here to link up with Erika, Narci and Andrea for Friday Favorites. Here's what I am finding Joy in this week.

1) Custom Dress Shirts by Mill No. 8

Earlier in the week I reviewed a new menswear company called Mill No. 8 that provides custom made men's dress shirts. Mill No. 8 offers 100% Egyptian cotton dress shirts with hand selected mother of pearl buttons, completely customized to your style and measurements. Their website provides step by step instructions for measuring to ensure the perfect fit and then you can choose your collar, cut and cuffs and your shirt will arrive in 2-3 weeks. 

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