Just Ten: Amazon

Hey guys! Long time, no talk. :/

 

I thought I'd try out a new series today called Just Ten where I'll feature 10 items that I'm currently loving from a specific shop. I have a hard time being concise and often get overwhelmed with all.the.options. So this forces me to narrow my focus and only pick my absolute favorites.

 

Today I'm featuring everyone's favorite place to shop online: Amazon!

 

**Affiliate links are used in this post. Thank you for the continued support!**

 

///

 

ONE

 

Large Acrylic Mixing & Serving Bowls

 

I bought these specifically for Lily's 8th birthday party, as serving bowls for chips and popcorn. I like the clean, acrylic look, and the size is perfect. They're also sturdy and dishwasher-safe.

 

TWO

 

Striped Color Block T-Shirt

 

I can't wait to wear this tee if it ever warms up. But seriously...is it ever going to warm up? It's just a cute, casual tee, and the length is good. It also comes in several different colors. Fits TTS.

 

THREE

 

Bangle Bracelet

 

This bracelet is so good. I wear it alone and layered. Simple and classic. I have the rose gold version, but it also comes in yellow gold and silver.

 

FOUR

 

Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer

 

Curiosity got the best of me, and I had to see what all the fuss was about with this dryer. And now I get it. If you're terrible at styling your hair (like moi) or if you just want a straight, smooth look with some volume, try this dryer. It's a little bigger and heavier than I envisioned, but that hasn't been reason for me to not use it every.single.day.

 

FIVE

 

Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel Shampoo & Spray

 

I am 100% terrified of lice. I've read that lice are deterred by a minty smell, and that's why this shampoo and ones with similar ingredients work. I use this on my girls and use the spray post-bath to help detangle. I like that with this particular brand the scent is not too overwhelming.

 

SIX

 

Leather Wristlet Purse

 

This is such a cute little clutch, and it looks much more expensive than it is. I use mine inside my purse to help keep it organized. The inside has different compartments and zippers to keep things separated. I like the pink, but it also comes in five other color options.

 

SEVEN

 

Stainless Steel Tumbler

 

I use this tumbler every day to help me drink more water. It keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot, and it fits nicely in your car's cup holder. It comes in a few size options and a lot of color options. I have the 20 oz. in rose gold.

 

EIGHT

 

Pimple Patch

 

I don't know how these work, but they do. Apply on top of a blemish at bedtime (make sure your skin is clean and dry), and peel it off in the morning. Your pimple will be noticeably smaller!

 

NINE

 

Daily To-Do Planner Notepad

 

I have a large, monthly calendar that hangs over my desk, but this one is perfect to see your day at a glance. I also like that you can tear it off and throw each day away when you're finished. It has honestly helped me stay more organized.

 

TEN

 

Retractable Erasable Gel Pens

 

I have a hard time scratching something out if I make a mistake. It makes me want to just start all over! These pens solve that problem because they are truly erasable. But be careful: if you have kids, they'll steal them!

 

///

 

I hope y'all enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed putting it together! Now, let me know your Amazon favorites!

 

 

 



Peppermint Bark Brownie Cookies

'Tis the season for baking, right? I've been scanning Pinterest and Instagram for everyone's favorite Christmas cookies and stumbled upon this recipe, shared by Liz Adams of Hello Adams Family. And oh my were they good! They're a cookie and a brownie (a brookie? A crownie?) with a hint of peppermint, making them perfectly festive. Plus, they're super easy to make. We'll be adding these to our annual cookie swap. Hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

 

 

Peppermint Bark Brownie Cookies

 

4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 3.9 oz. instant chocolate fudge pudding mix (dry, unprepared)

1/4 cup white flour

1 3.5 oz. Ghirardelli peppermint bark bar

3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Optional: 1/3 cup white chocolate chips, crushed peppermint (I'll definitely add the white chocolate chips next time and think crushed peppermint sprinkled on top would be pretty.)

 

Directions:

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

 

In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until completely smooth. **Must be at room temperature. Set out for about 1 hour prior.**

 

Beat in the large egg and vanilla.

 

Beat in the pudding mix and flour.

 

Beat in the fudge brownie mix. Warning: it's thick and takes a bit to fully mix, but don't worry! Keep on mixing.

 

Coarsely chop the peppermint bark. Stir in bark and chocolate chips.

 

Scoop out cookies using a cookie scoop and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

 

Bake for 12-16 minutes (13 minutes was our happy spot).

 

Press a few pieces of reserved peppermint bark onto the top of the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven.

 

Let cool and serve. Enjoy!

 

///

 

 

 

Christmas Home Tour 2018

Our home at Christmas! Pulling out all the decorations is a long process, but it's always worth it in the end. Hope you enjoy!

 

///

 

How happy is our front door? I picked up the buffalo check mat for our fall front door, knowing it would look darling at Christmas too. And the colorful mat from Target makes me smile every time I see it.

 

I got these wreaths several years ago at Target and still love them. I added the buffalo check ribbons this year. I found them at Target. Might get someone to make me some bigger buffalo check bows next year.

We're getting our front doors stained ASAP, don't worry! :/

The mantle in our living room turned out so pretty, I think. The garland is from Target this year, and I added some battery-operated white lights. The stockings I found at West Elm about 4 years ago. I used Command hooks to attach them to the mantle.



I didn't too much to our bookshelves but added some bottlebrush trees (from Target) and some little white ceramic houses (from the Target Dollar Spot). I used the houses for our fall décor too. So happy to keep them out.



I found the little wood houses below at Target this year.

I used more ceramic houses and bottlebrush trees on this table that sits behind our couch.
 

Rob and I got a lot of Annieglass for our wedding, and I always pull it out during the holidays. I love the way it looks with some green garland and red, wooden beads.
 

The fun Christmas pillow was a new purchase this year. Found it at Target.
 

 

The sweet little manger scene below is from Target.



I added the garland below this year. It's from Target, and the twinkle lights interspersed are from Pier 1.
 

Sweet little hand towels from TJ Maxx.

Always my favorite thing to pull out each year. My mom's Christmas china.

Couldn't resist this vintage-esque tree I found at Target last year. And look who made an appearance? Our elf, Holly!

  
 I added these star lights last Christmas and ended up keeping them up year round. You can never have enough white lights at Christmas!

All of the ornaments seen below are from Hobby Lobby. I like the addition of faux pears and the buffalo check stars are fun.
 

This book basket gets pulled out at the start of fall, and it holds Halloween books early on and Christmas books during the Christmas season. The girls know they can find their Christmas books here. I added some ribbon this year.

The plaid bucket below is from the Target Dollar Spot, and it holds the girls' Christmas craft supplies. Stickers, ribbon, glitter, etc. We keep it out for easy access. The fake snowballs were a Target Dollar Spot find and were such a hit!

 

An easy, simple way to decorate and to add color is to add colorful ornaments and/or lights to a simple vase. I do this all over the house!

Normally I'm kind of OCD about the placement of ornaments. This year I completely let that go and let the girls put nearly every ornament on the tree, wherever their little hearts pleased. And I adore it...even more than if they were "perfectly" placed.

This basket holds our normal rotation of books. But the Christmas throw is a fun addition.

The mantle in our keeping room.
 

Our dining room. Christmas china and a simple centerpiece.

The guest bath gets a mini makeover too.
 

These twinkle lights are beautiful. I picked them up at Pier 1.

I added faux sprigs of greenery and berries to the picture frames that always sit in the guest bath.

///

Hope you enjoyed the tour inside our home! Let me know if you want anything sourced. Merry Christmas!