The holidays have arrived at the IGE household!
I don’t think it really hit me until very recently that Christmas was so close to Thanksgiving this year. I had barely polished off the last slice of leftover turkey before my Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter feeds were blowing up with pictures of people putting up their twinkly lights and holiday decor.
Umm, my tree just went up this Wednesday. So behind the times…!
We do a “collection” tree rather than a themed one, full of meaningful ornaments from events and occasions from years past. Like the Rockette’s ornament my Mom got me when we went to see them a few years ago…
And the Mt Vernon one I picked up on our visit last year.
My little elf was very helpful, telling me where each ornament should go, and I assured him that Santa would put him on the nice list because of it. SANTA?!
Hehe. Anyway, this weekend will be full of taking care of household projects. We’re hosting Christmas Eve this year and, believe it or not, there’s still some boxes and stuff from the move this summer that we have to officially, finally get out of the way. Wish us luck!
Wherever you are, and whatever you do have a wonderful weekend and in the meantime please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click the blue links to be taken to the original source.
Favorite twist: Cheesy Sweet & Sour Pomegranate Thai Chicken Enchiladas. An enchilada recipe with pomegranate seeds is definitely something I could get into. Can’t wait to make these!
Favorite DIY: DIY Orange Clove Pomanders. What an easy, inexpensive, and yummy smelling centerpiece for the holidays.
Favorite treat: Gingerbread Cookie Cups with White Chocolate & Caramel. White chocolate mousse? Sign me up! These look so decadent.
Favorite fashion. I am loooooving this pale pink coat from J Crew. So cozy and girly. (Says this totally un-girly-girl.) ; )
Favorite plate: Roasted Winter Vegetable Salad. There’s those pomegranate seeds again, adding a sweet burst to this ultra healthy salad featuring all my favorite winter veggies.
Favorite place: Beaver Chief Falls, Glacier National Park, Montana. Uh yeah, my wanderlust is officially back in full force. Who knew this view existed outside of the Alps? Amazing!
Favorite sip: Coconut Fizz Cocktail. Total new years eve perfection.
Favorite baby: Custom Baby Subway Art. I am obsessed with this collage – it’d look perfect above Lincoln’s changing table. So cool, right?
Favorite hack: Microwave Potato Chips. Ben and I attempted these DIY potato chips in the microwave last week and they were amazing. Be sure to slice your potatoes at least 1/8″ thin. We seasoned ours with a spritz of EVOO and a dash of the Ultimate Steak Seasoning (<– obsessed with that stuff.)
Favorite find: Perfect Picturewall. So you know Claire’s picture wall going up the stairs on Modern Family? I’m obsessed. Maybe this company could help me achieve a similar look!
Favorite slurp: Chicken Meatball and Orzo Hearty Soup. YES. This soup looks so perfect for the sub-zero temps we’ve been rocking all week.
Favorite funny: 50 Most WTF Animal Pics of the Year. Ummm high-larious, however don’t click if you’re easily offended. (Clearly I’m not!)
Favorite bite: Fried Brussels Sprouts with Smokey Honey Aioli. THESE!!!! Anyone care if I break my no-frying rule for these crispy bites? No? Great. Done!
Favorite decor: Bon Voyage Print. This handmade canvas print is so cool. Would love to have it hanging in my house.
Favorite sweet: No-Bake Candy Cane Sugar Cookie Bites. Peppermint is one of my favorite flavors of the holidays. These babies look dangerously delicious!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Just wanted to say that your Friday Favorites have always been a treat. Now that you post them every few weeks, they are even more of a treat that I look forward to. Thank you for making the time in your busy life as a new mom for keeping these up!
Those fried Brussels sprouts had me drooling all week. We decorate our tree the same way. I couldn’t imagine a tree without my special ornaments.
Oh. my. goodness. Please thank Ben on behalf of ALL of us as that looks like the best beef stew/gravy EVER. I am going to make this Saturday…as the man in my life would pretty much drool over it.
And Lincoln-and that plaid shirt-I mean, I keep thinking he can’t get any cuter…and then the next picture happens! Precious little man.
Honestly. Lincoln is the cutest boy ever! He makes my heart melt! (Those wtf pics are great!)
I LOVE your blog. I always get caught up in all of the delicious recipes that you share. HOWEVER today that gorgeous pink coat that you are sporting is a must have! I checked J Crew and I don’t see it. Can you help?
Here you go! http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/outerwear/woolpufferjackets/PRDOVR~18593/18593.jsp?srcCode=AFFI00001&siteId=3S2TmRlrgJg-AwQnZtf5C1k3c%2Ad%2AiIhuWg
Also, that’s not me – it’s a fashion blogger that I liked the style of! ;)
Love the list this week, Kristin! Montana is one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever been – in and outside of the US, but that photo is breathtaking.
And PS…I’m not sure there’s anything cuter than Lincoln in that orange Bumbo. Seriously – love that.
Your Christmas Tree looks fab, def going to do the oranges with cloves and try the bruseel sprout/honey aoili !!
Ella | http://www.towanderandtoroam.blogspot.com
This post made me smile! I think your baby is soooo cute! Super cute!
Good luck!
Yes, Lincoln is adorable, cuter every time we get to see him!
Lovely tree too!
Have fun IGE!!!!!
May I ask where you got your tree? I am assuming it is fake. We are looking for a taller, more full tree and yours looks hearty!
Here’s the tree we have – it is SO full, I love it!
What a lovely tree and your little one is adorable! Thank you for including my soup this week!
That picture of Lincoln….I can’t even…I would be so smothering that little face with kisses all the time!!
I LOVE collection trees. My mom had one filled with ornaments we made and collected over the years that I loved, but this year she decided to finally have a nicer tree now that all the kids are gone. I hope to have a tree for my children like I had growing up. I also love the santa hat as a tree topper!
Happy Holidays Kristin! BTW the little lake in the Glacier National Park photo is called Lake Lincoln. Thought you’d appreciate that more than anyone :)
Even more reason to visit someday!
Happy holidays to you and your family, Kristin! Your tree is beautiful and Lincoln would make an adorable little Santa’s helper! Thanks for sharing.
I love your tree! Ours is the same way, a collection of ornaments plus a few red and silver to fill in! He is getting so big! Love all the favorites especially the pink jacket!
I look forward to these posts every week! I love them Kristin! That pink coat is amazing and Lincoln is getting so big. Your tree looks gorgeous! Have a wonderful weekend
The pink coat looks so cute and cozy. I would totally get it dirty in like 2 seconds though!
Great list of favorites, but mine is that ADORABLE pic of Lincoln! Oh my, he’s just so cute!!