{What my Thanksgiving weekend looked like: watching Selling Sunset and decorating my Christmas tree! Follow me on Instagram @miss_alk}
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Ramblings:
- Selling Sunset: Who else has been watching Season 4?! I'm not a big reality TV show person but this show is my big exception. Definitely my trashy TV guilty pleasure. Season 4 seems to be getting mixed reviews, but I have enjoyed it!! Is the show super fake and over-the-top? Absolutely. But that's what makes a guilty pleasure a guilty pleasure! I love seeing the fashion of all of the ladies, and of course the amazing real estate. I know that people have a lot of strong opinions about Christine this season... my personal thought is she is behaving as an actress who fakes a lot of the crazy behavior solely for TV and ratings! Not to defend her behavior, but I don't take much of it seriously if that makes sense.
- Shopping small and local: I have really been trying to make an effort this year to buy more friend and family member gifts from local vendors or small businesses online. I've been a longtime fan of Etsy for gifts, but this year it has been fun to hit up some holiday markets / craft fairs in Virginia Beach as well. And shopping local is also helping me to learn more about my new community! If you haven't finished your shopping yet, try shopping local for at least a couple people on your list. I haven't been the best about it in the past, but I'm glad I am getting better this year.
- Junior League New Member Project: Yesterday was Giving Tuesday, and of course there are so many amazing charities and non-profits nationwide who could use financial assistance. (So many that it's almost overwhelming!) I did want to share about something that I am giving to this holiday season, in case you might be looking for other great initiatives to donate to. I joined the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach in August after moving to VB, and my New Member Class is doing a gift card drive this holiday season for Seton Youth Shelters. The gift cards to various retailers and restaurants will help provide meals and needed supplies to the youth receiving services and help from the shelter. JLNVB has made this gift card wishlist on Amazon, so it's super easy to donate/order these gift cards! Again- don't feel any pressure to contribute, but I did just want to share here if you feel lead. 😊
Weekend recaps:
- Last weekend: Thanksgiving weekend! I spent Thanksgiving Day going to visit my aunt and uncle in North Carolina. I had to work at a radio station event on the morning of Black Friday, and then I went out Black Friday shopping at one of the local malls that afternoon with my friend Amanda. On Saturday, I went out to an outdoor market with local vendors for Small Business Saturday with my coworker Stephanie! And on Sunday, I went to church and then spent the afternoon at a volunteer event for a local food bank with the Junior League.
- This weekend: I am hosting my first Christmas party in Virginia Beach on Friday! I'm extra excited since 2020 didn't bring any holiday parties. On Saturday, my co-host Cash and I have a really fun holiday work event that I can't wait for! And on Sunday, I think I might be joining a girlfriend for another outdoor holiday market type event.
Purchases:
- I did not go very crazy for myself on Black Friday / Cyber Weekend this year. I mainly bought gifts for friends and family over this weekend. One item that I bought for myself was some more of this favorite hair product from Drybar.
- I have been wanting a new looser fitting white button-down shirt, and I was able to get this one from 50% off online.
- I am planning to upgrade my phone next month, so I ordered one of these cases for the new phone in a Cyber Monday sale.
Wishlist:
- My aunt ordered this gorgeous bathrobe and sent me the link for it- I can't believe it's under $30!! If I didn't already have a ton of bathrobes, I'd order this one too.
- Do you remember the hot pink dress I wore in this blog post? There's finally a very similar version of the dress available again!
- This button-down shirt just screams Christmas.
- I'm a huge fan of Barrington Gifts for tote bags, but I recently discovered these adorable and customizable luggage tags that they also sell!
Currently reading: Can't is Not An Option by Nikki Haley - I haven't had much reading time this month so I'm still working on this one, but finally almost done!
Recipe of the week: Pumpkin pancakes from Martha Stewart - I can be kind of picky about which pumpkin items I like, but these pumpkin pancakes might just be my favorite pumpkin item ever!! I made them last year when my former roommate and I did an untraditional Thanksgiving brunch meal, and I've been making them again lately here in Virginia Beach. I add in chocolate chips and serve them with whipped cream.
Song of the week: Moth to a Flame by Swedish House Mafia ft. The Weeknd - This new song took a little while to grow on me, but I'm very into it this week! It makes me want to dance when I hear it.
Favorite blog posts of the week:
- Heather Bien - It's been so fun to watch Heather and her husband's progress in renovating their new river cottage here in Virginia. They just installed the most beautiful wallpaper in their guest room
- The Style Scribe - Merritt shared some adorable outtakes from her Christmas card photos with her dog.
- Girl Meets Bow - So fun to read about the first Thanksgiving that Gentry and her husband hosted in their new home.
On the blog this week:
God Bless,
xoxo Annaliese
Thank you as always for the shout out friend :) love hearing about your JL experience- my membership in the league has been one of the best things I’ve done!
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