Soiree sweater update: I have the best co-workers ever. They make going to work every day a treat. I can always count on them to come up with some crazy, yet amazingly awesome, ideas – like wearing ugly sweaters to our work holiday party.

I look forward to tomorrow’s events every year, and if you live around Des Moines I highly recommend both: the Holly & Ivy tour and Ballet Des Moines’ The Nutcracker at Hoyt Sherman.

The Holly & Ivy tour is the perfect way to explore some of the most beautiful homes in Des Moines, and what is even better is that they are all decked out for the holidays.

My niece, Mackenzie, takes the stage again this year for The Nutcracker ballet tomorrow night, and I can’t wait! She was an adorable mouse last year and has moved up the ranks to a toy solider this year.

Hope you all have a very festive weekend too!