Hello all and happy holidays! Did everyone get what they asked for this year? My favorite gift this year by far was having a few extra days to be home and spend time with my family. Living 500 miles away from almost all of the people you care about can be extremely lonely. I constantly feel like I’m missing out on important memories, especially milestones of my little nieces and nephew. Last year I had about 2.5 days to visit my family in Oklahoma City and the hubs’ family in Tahlequah. It was emotionally and physically exhausting. This year I had TEN days to spend with family! It was definitely the best gift of all. My heart is so full going into the new year of 2018. The only caveat was that my poor husband had to work up until December 26th in Tennessee, but he recently joined us in Oklahoma City and all is finally right in the world. Nothing is more important to me than family, especially for the holidays. I also wanted to share with you a few of my favorite tangible gifts this year.
1. Kendra Scott Olivia Drop Earrings in Emerald Glass
These were a special present from the hubs for Christmas. I’m obsessed with green and fell in love with the deep Emerald green of these earrings the minute I saw them. They are so versatile, from winter, to spring, summer, and fall, and I can’t wait to wear them. They are also super lightweight so you don’t feel them pulling on your ears. My parents also got this beautiful bracelet made of Murano glass for me when they were in Italy – a match made in heaven!
2. Fitbit Flex 2
You know when you are missing out on something but don’t even realize that you’re missing out? That is how I felt before I got the Fitbit. It has been on my wrist for all of 3 days and I’m already obsessed. There are two features that I didn’t know I needed in my life: one is that it is water resistant. From swimming to showering, I never have to take it off if I don’t want to (and I won’t ruin it if I forget!). The other feature is the silent alarm. Every morning, I wake up about 30 minutes to an hour earlier than John. I also happen to like to set my alarm earlier and then snooze about 5 times. I never realized this bothered John until I got the silent alarm on the Fitbit. There were lots of, “Oh good, now I don’t have to listen to your alarm go off 74 times,” comments. One cool setting is that the alarm will keep buzzing every 9 minutes until you get up and walk 50 steps. Pretty cool! It also keeps track of the steps I walk in a day, since I don’t keep my phone in my scrubs pocket. Great for hospital workers!
3. American Giant Leggings
Honestly, I’ve always bought the cheap $5-8 dollar leggings at H&M or Forever 21 but they are thinner and would always end up with a hole in the same spot, over the left knee. I have no idea how I do it to every pair of leggings I own, but I have about 4 pairs of H&M black leggings with a hole in the left knee. The material on those leggings is also much thinner and leaves me cold on winter days. But these American Giant Leggings! Wow, I never thought I could love leggings so much. They are thicker, softer, and very well made. I don’t think I can ever buy cheap leggings again, and honestly, by the time I buy 6 pairs of cheap leggings that all find their way to have a hole in the left knee, I might as well have invested in some nicer leggings.
4. Once Upon A Book Club Box
If you haven’t heard already, I am obsessed with subscription boxes. See my post about these book club subscription boxes. I’m about halfway through the book and I could not love it more. The gifts corresponding to page numbers makes the story come alive. And I was surprised with the quality of the first gift – they seem really well made and expensive!
5. Williams Sonoma Maple Straight Rolling Pin
I have a rolling pin that is long and tapered to both ends but the shape of it does not seem to work for me. I always end up making the dough thinner in the center and thicker on the ends. I needed something straight across and this one is both beautiful and functional!
6. Fite Family Portrait
My sister had the most thoughtful portrait done of John and me. I love it so much and can’t wait to hang it in our house!
7. Physicians Work Bag
My brother in law got John and I these amazing physicians work bags with our names on them it was such a thoughtful gift and they are so pretty!
8. Kendra Scott Earrings
I’m not sure which earrings these are but I love them! There’s definitely a theme here that some of my favorite gifts were jewelry from Kendra Scott. I just love how versatile and timeless her jewelry is. I would have never picked these out myself but I couldn’t love them more!
I loved every gift I received this year for Christmas, but here are just a few of my favorites! What was your favorite gift this year?
The Life of Fite 