Midweek Ramblings (on a Thursday!)

 

{Loved going to a holiday event at the Pinner House bed and breakfast this weekend! Follow me on Instagram @miss_alk}

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Ramblings:

• Creative family restaurant: I talked about this story on-air yesterday morning, and it gave me quite the laugh! There is a long-running family restaurant in Wisconsin that is making the news for having an unfortunate name for 2021: the Omicron Family Restaurant. The way that the restaurant owners have handled the current news in stride is just great, and they have also launched a hilarious marketing initiative! 
• Christmas prep update: How are you doing with your Christmas shopping and preparations? I am happy to share that I am just about done my Christmas shopping! I still would like to find some stocking stuffers for my parents, but other then that I'm done. The one thing that I have gotten a little behind on is my Christmas cards! I'd gotten about halfway down my list of people to send them to, and then got busy the past few days and haven't finished the rest. Hopefully I can knock that out sometime tomorrow or Friday afternoon. Once gift shopping and card mailing is done, I always feel like I can really enjoy the rest of the season!!

Weekend recaps:

• Last weekend: A fun and holiday-filled weekend! On Friday night, I hosted my first party in Virginia Beach! It was a mix of fellow Junior League new members, and some of the other new friends I've made. We did a Favorite Things gift swap which was so fun- I took some video and keep meaning to make a TikTok about it! On Saturday, I went to a BodyPump class, and went to get my new iPhone 13 activated at the ATT store. That night, my co-host Cash and I got to host the television broadcast for the annual Virginia Beach Holiday Parade at the Beach at the Oceanfront! It was so fun to have the opportunity to do this for work. Afterwards, I got to see some beautiful Christmas light displays in the nearby cities of Norfolk and Chesapeake. On Sunday, my friend Bea and I went to an outdoor holiday market pop-up at a bed and breakfast called The Pinner House in Suffolk. 
• This weekend: Excited for Friday night to start with more Christmas fun at the Christmas Town annual event at Busch Gardens amusement park in Williamsburg!! Saturday I'm supposed to have a work event, and it's also supposed to be in the 70s (!!) so I'm hoping to hit the beach at some point. On Sunday, I'll be meeting my friend Caroline for lunch, and I can't wait to see her!

Purchases:

• Just more Christmas gift purchases this week- nothing new for me! That's typical I think for early December though.

Wishlist:

• I own way too many winter coats and most certainly don't need another, but the color of this wool parka is darling! 
• The cutest and brightest pink leopard print dress to brighten the colder months.
• I am obsessed with these polka dot pumps- how cute!
• This would be such sexy and sparkly dress for fun New Years Eve plans!
• I think this is one of the cutest fair isle sweaters I've ever seen, how perfect for Christmas.

Currently reading: I just went to the library a couple days ago and finally picked up some new books- but I haven't had a chance to start one yet!

Recipe of the week: White Chocolate Cheesecake Pie from Pillsbury - I had an extra premade piecrust in my fridge after Thanksgiving, so I decided to try this recipe for the Christmas party that I had. It was decently good! Not my favorite pie I've ever made, but not bad either. And it's super easy to make / no-bake minus pre-baking the piecrust. 

Song of the week: Shuffle by Laci Kaye Booth - Laci was one of the awesome new country artists that I got to meet and interview in Nashville for work last month. I am loving her new single Shuffle! It pays a fun homage to some country song titles of years passed. 

Favorite blog posts of the week:

• Wear Bows and Smile - Rhiana's round-up of holiday party dresses and looks is probably my favorite that I've seen so far this season!
• Carolina Charm -  Christina's blog post about her Favorite Things Gift Swap from last year is what inspired me to host this type of a party this year!! She did it again as well, and as always it was so fun to read about the items she and her friends put in their swap.
• Amy Littleson - Amy is newly engaged, and I loved reading her recap of the amazing proposal!

On the blog this week:

• Casual Holiday Outfit + Christmas Plans This Year!
• Inspiring Woman Interview: Meet Gentry from Girl Meets Bow

     God Bless,

     xoxo Annaliese