Midweek Ramblings.

 

{One of my favorite Charlottesville views at Reynard-Florence Winery this weekend! Follow me on Instagram @miss_alk}

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Southern Belle in Training!

Ramblings:

• Late for Christmas: Normally I am a super early Christmas decorator. Some years I get my tree up on November 1st! (I don't start listening to Christmas music that early, I just love the decor.) I also love ordering my Christmas cards early as well. This year though I've been feeling kind of "meh" about getting into the holiday season. I feel like for some people 2020 has made them want to get into it earlier than normal, and for me the opposite for some reason?! I don't know. It's been a weird few weeks. But my roommate and I decided to decorate the tree Thanksgiving afternoon after we eat, so hopefully that'll put me more in the spirit! I am excited to see the tree all lit up and pretty in the living room
• Untraditional Thanksgiving: Speaking of Thanksgiving... it's a super untraditional one for me this year. My roommate and I are both staying here (she's from out-of-state also) and keeping things low-key. Since it's not a traditional year, we opted to do not a traditional meal! The menu we have planned has elements and inspiration from a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but with it's own unique twists. I'm happy to do a blog post about it if y'all are interested!

Weekend recaps:

• Last weekend: The weather was gorgeous on Friday afternoon, so after work I headed up to Reynard-Florence, one of my favorite smaller boutique local wineries. I spent the afternoon with a glass of wine in the sunshine, reading a book. Such a perfect afternoon! Saturday was a very active day (outdoor Jazzercise class, trail walk, and tennis that night), and unfortunately my car also got hit on Saturday while it was parked! Fortunately I'm not at fault and it'll be fixed soon (and it's still driveable right now). On Sunday I visited my friends at Lilly Pulitzer River Road in Richmond for a fun holiday try-on!
• This weekend: As I shared on the blog earlier this week, I am not traveling for either holiday this year due to the pandemic. So far this weekend all I have planned is a lot of online shopping, taking my co-host Marc's family Christmas card photos, and getting a hair trim and blow-out. 

Purchases:

• Just some random Amazon buys this week! These bracelets have been on my Amazon Wishlist *forever* so I finally got them. 
• I couldn't resist a pair of under $20 leggings in a fun, bright hue. We will see how good they are!
• I had a COVID-safe door opener key chain this spring but I lost it! I have been wanting to get another one and this one is under $10.

Wishlist:

• The cutest metallic sports bra (which also comes with matching leggings if you like) - also part of Early Black Friday sales!
• This gorgeous winter parka is marked down to a great price this week. 
• LOFT absolutely killed it with the skirts they had in their holiday collection last year. I'm not as crazy about a lot of this year's skirts.... but I do love this fun tweed one!
• Krista from Covering the Bases shared this festive tunic on her Instagram Stories this week and I love it.
• I hear so many good things about this brand for splurge-worthy pajamas- might finally treat myself to some soon. 

Currently reading: Actually nothing currently- I just picked up my next round of library books yesterday, so I'll be getting into something new tonight or tomorrow probably. (Our local library is still closed to visitors but they do curbside book pick-up!)

Recipe of the week: Chicken Noodle Soup from Cook's Country - Nothing beats homemade chicken noodle soup, the stuff from the can just doesn't compare. This recipe is pretty simple and a tasty take on a classic. 

Song of the week: What's Your Country Song by Thomas Rhett - I'm a big Thomas Rhett fan, he's definitely in the list of my top favorite country singers. But this new song of his is so great that it might just take the title of my favorite Thomas Rhett song!! It's so fun and catchy and happy- it reminds me of better days that aren't 2020. 

Favorite blog posts of the week:

• Brighton the Day - Brighton did an awesome and informative post comparing the T3 curling iron and wand attachments for hair curling- I own both of these and agreed with most of her pros and cons on them both.
• Thrifty Pineapple - Angela did a full review of most Physician's Formula drugstore beauty items which I loved reading as I haven't tried a lot of their products.

On the blog this week:

• 2020 Gift Guides: FOR HIM
• 2020 Gift Guides: BOOKS FOR HER
• How to Enjoy the Holidays When You're Alone

     God Bless,

     xoxo Annaliese