Headed north update: What a weekend! Up and back from Minneapolis in 48 hours makes for one tired Nicole!
Tomorrow night one of my most favorite Christmas movies of all time is on. So my plan is to have the tree lights on and a wine glass in hand for the opening credits of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (AMC, 7 p.m. CST).
Sugar plum fairies update: I’ll admit, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen The Nutcracker ballet. I used to go when I lived in Chicago and I can always remember how I felt when I left the show – overwhelmed with the grace of the ballerinas, but with an acute reminder that I needed to stand up straighter. Tonight’s experience was no different, but with an added bonus – my niece, Mackenzie, as a mouse. Oh goodness, my heart grew about three sizes (Grinch-style) when she hit the stage. I’m so very proud of her!
The cutest baby mouse I've ever seen!
And another highlight of the evening was our little pre-show date night stop at the new Cheese Shop here in Des Moines. We split a bottle of vino and shared a meat and cheese plate with a side of bread. I HIGHLY recommend you head there soon!
The Cheese Shop, 833 42nd Street
This weekend is the annual Johnson Gals Christmas Shopping Trip. Each year we head someplace different to pick up last-minute gifts, or in my case, shop for myself. Last year we hit up Kansas City and had a blast. (Sidenote: If you are going to KC anytime in the future, make a reservation at the Webster House. AH-MAZING!) This year we are due north, headed towards the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone shopping up in that area, so I’m very excited to see what catches my eye while I’m there. I’m sure I’ll come across something that I just have to have.
H&M here I come!
Jolly ol’ St. Nick update: The holiday season is a great time to catch up with friends and I have done just that the past two nights. And funny enough, at the same location – Star Bar. I just love cozying up in the corner of dimly lit bar during the winter months while sipping on a festive cocktail or two to warm up.
With the recent dip in temperature, hitting a cozy bar must be on the minds of everyone lately. When I opened the Des Moines Register the other day I happened to run across an article entitled, “Hot toddies: Drink recipes for a cool season.” I love me some hot toddies and irish coffee.
I have been waiting for tomorrow night ever since I heard the news that my niece, Mackenzie, secured a coveted spot as a mouse in The Nutcracker ballet. So off to Hoyt Sherman we will go to enjoy an enchanted evening of tutus and sugar plum fairies.
In honor of the timeless classic, and because who didn’t dream as a little girl that they’d be a ballerina when they grew up, I have put together some ballet-inspired looks that I wouldn’t mind plie-ing in.
1. BHLDN, Seeing double sash, $40
2. TopShop, Vibrant salmon ballet pumps, $32
3. Charlotte Russe, Flower wreath disk necklace, $8.50
4. Ann Taylor LOFT, Rachel Leigh for LOFT Cares Bow bracelet, $14.88
5. ModCloth, Beading Heart Dress, $49.99
6. ASOS, Ballet Wrap Cardigan, $72.72
7. Nordstrom, Remain tie neck satin blouse, $34.97
Give a little update: Christmas really is one of my favorite holidays, mostly because I get to wrap and give gifts. I have been known to shop year round for the perfect gifts for my loved ones. If I see something while I’m out and about that I think someone will like, I just pick it up and hang on to it until the next gift-giving holiday comes up. Case in point: I’ve been holding onto my mother-in-law’s Christmas gift since August.
Usually by this time of year I am already done with my shopping, but I have added a few more names to the list this time around. I am getting a little something small for my co-workers exchange, but wanted to do it with a twist. I have picked a few of my favorite things to give away in hopes that they like them too.
Co-worker gifts include: Williams-Sonoma dish towels and Le Creuset spatula, Starbucks coffee and travel mug, Home Alone DVD, Joel Gott wine and light-up ornament stopper, La Mie gift card, iTunes gift card, Lottery scratch tickets
Tonight in homes across the world children will leave out their shoes for Saint Nicholas, in hopes that they may be filled with gifts and sugary treats. So in honor of this tradition, I present a few pairs of festive shoes that I would set out to attract St. Nick’s attention. If only I had them in my closet…
J.Crew, Mona satin pumps, $179.99
Kate Spade, Celeste, $195
Payless, Lela Rose Gerlinde Chop-Out Shootie, $39.99
J.Renee, Rosina, $79.95
Juicy Couture, Rosa, $169.99
Gifts, holly and ivy update: The weekends sure do fly by when you are keeping yourself busy. Mine was full of festive fun and a whole lot of running around with my family since Marcus was out of town at deer camp. Yes, there is such a thing.
Here are a few of the many photos I took of one of my favorite seasonal traditions, the Holly & Ivy Tour.
Salisbury House & Gardens
Private home of Sticks owner, Sarah Grant
Terrace Hill
Tomorrow I start the hunt for my co-worker gift exchange items. I’d like to get each person a little something special, so this year I’m thinking of doing a “my favorite things” exchange, a-la Oprah. I will pick seven of my favorite things (gender neutral, of course) in the $10-$15 range for my co-workers to choose from and swap/steal. I have a few ideas already in mind, but still need a couple more.
I will share my seven gifts tomorrow, but in the meantime here is my ULTIMATE TOP 10 GIFTS UNDER $15. (Yes, it is possible to give super cute gifts in this price range.)
1. H&M, Mobile phone case, $3.95
2. Forever21, Fair Isle Mittens, $6
3. Anthropologie, Painted Amaryllis spoon rest, $10
4. World Market, Stripe boxed note cards (set of 20), $12.99
5. J.Crew, Archie Grand for J.Crew notebook, $10
6. Kiehl’s, Ultimate strength hand salve, $13
7. Lululemon, Hair ties, $10
8. Target, gilligan by Gilligan & O’Malley ballet slippers, $12.99
9. West Elm, Alphabet mug, $6
10. Kate Spade, Stripe dot back knee high socks, $15
Doing a world of good update: Have I told you lately that I love my job? Well, I do, and the people I work with. I had such a blast at my work holiday party tonight. Nothing like sipping an adult beverage with your 40-hour-a-week friends to kick off a festive holiday weekend. And to top it off, my table won the trivia game and I walked out of there with a free casual day sticker. Booyah!
It's true, when you wear sequins you have more fun!
I have got a few things already on tap for tomorrow. First up, an early morning outing to (hopefully) snag some free gifts from Lite 104.1’s Day of 1,000 Presents giveaway at Jordan Creek Town Center. If I don’t get the $1,000, then I think I would like the passes and ski rentals at Seven Oaks Recreation.
And after that, I am heading with my moms (real and in-law) for the 15th Annual Holly & Ivy Tour. We went last year, and I am just as excited to relive it again. This year the stops are Terrace Hill, Salisbury House, the Chamberlain home at Wesley Acres, and the private home of Sticks owner and Founder, Sarah Grant. The event runs through Sunday, and I highly recommend it!
Hope you have a great weekend!
All things shiny and bright update: I have searched and searched and after much trying on and (over) analyzing, settled on this little gem of a top. I should have known that I wouldn’t find it until the very last stop, and of all places, Kohl’s. Gotta give it up to my girl, J.Lo and her new line. As my sister Morgan put it: “Anything for Selenas.”
Kohl's, Jennifer Lopez sequin croptop, $33.60
I think it’ll pair nicely with my skinny black jeans, a pair of textured nude pumps and a jewel-toned clutch. Can’t wait to run around in it this holiday season!
Tomorrow night is my work holiday party (you know the one that I got the sequin top for), and I can’t wait to officially kick off this spirited season in style. Do you go out and get a new fancy outfit for your holiday party rounds too?
I was in charge of creating the artwork for the holiday party, so I added in a little glitter.
Glisten with glitter update: Nothing new to report on the hunt for a fancy top, but in other news, it looks as though I should just pack a suitcase because we headed back to the manse again tonight. This time for the official T.Hill Christmas tree lighting. I mean, I couldn’t miss that!
I do love large, lit up trees!
Ok, tomorrow I will start the quest for my holiday sparkly shirt. I got a few great tips from a fellow blogger, Kiley from A Sequin Dress at Breakfast, who knows a thing or two about all things glittery and good. Word on the street is that the LOFT or J.Crew might have what I’m looking for…
J.Crew, Glimmer long-sleeve tee, $69.50 on sale
Ann Taylor LOFT, Sequin stripes tee, $44.50
J.Crew, Sequin slouchy tee, $79.99 on sale
And if I had time to make it to the new J.Crew Factory store at the Tanger Outlets in Williamsburg, I would try to snag this beauty.
J.Crew Factory, Starry night cardigan, $78
Wish me luck!
Season’s greetings update: Seriously, can someone please stop the continual onslaught of food?! Since Uncle Ron is in town from California, we are taking every opportunity to spend some quality time with him before he has to leave. And as an added bonus, our friends Dick and Billie were here for a couple of days too. So tonight included eating another dinner at Terrace Hill. This time though it was Sharon’s fabulously amazing Chilean sea bass. I don’t think I’ve ever had fish so good, and it is definitely one of my favorites that she makes.
Kick his ###, sea bass!
With all the fun holiday parties and events we have coming up in the month of December, I am constantly thinking about what I will wear. The first thing that pops into my head when I think about festive style is SPARKLE. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I just adorned my entire house with gold, shiny and glittery baubles…
So my to do list this week consists of finding that perfect glitzy, but not TOO GLITZY top to wear for my first holiday party of the season this Friday. Any and all helpful tips on stores would be greatly appreciated. Here is what I’m thinking:
More like this...
instead of this. YUCK!
O Christmas tree update: The stockings are all hung by the chimney with care and the tree is definitely trimmed – Christmas has arrived for the Branstad’s.
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
And as if we haven’t eaten enough over the last couple of days, tonight we had a lasagna cook-off. Man, am I stuffed! But I managed to save room for Chris’ homemade Bailey’s!
The Haastad's come together for some pasta.
After this long weekend it’s going to be hard to get back into the swing of things, but there are more festive events next weekend to look forward to: the DMU Holiday Party, Holly & Ivy Tour, and a screening of Arthur Christmas with Mackenzie.
My little Christmas helper is all tuckered out!
Tomorrow's To Dos 