Oh Christmas Tree!

Before I got all lazy and hung out in sweatpants Sunday and Monday, I mustered up the energy late Friday afternoon to pick out the perfect Christmas tree and spent the day Saturday decorating it.

J was busy brewing beer in our kitchen on Saturday so decorating the tree was all mine. Part of me wishes we did it together because isn't that what you're supposed to do? Isn't that a cutesy couple thing? I saved a few ornaments for J to hang on the tree later that day but was informed that decorating the tree isn't his thing. Hmm. Ok. Well having total control of where each light, garland, and ornament goes is totally my thing so I'd say that's a win-win over here!

We've agreed that down the line me and the kiddos will decorate the tree while J provides snacks, beverages, and holiday music. Pretty solid deal if you ask me. Especially since we're talking years before I have to give up control of the tree. 

So anyways, what's your method to tree decorating? Mine always goes like this:

1. Lights. We've been using white lights since we moved in together. But one of these days, I'd love to find the old school, big bulb multi-color lights.

2. Garland. Do you use garland? Or ribbon? My mom and Nona both use ribbon. I found this garland at Target our first Christmas together and still love it. Its so simple.

3. Ornaments. Do you go with a theme? We don't normally. Although this year I found these red snowflakes for $2 at Walmart and loved them! So I skipped many of our filler ball ornaments this year and used the snowflakes instead.

4. Topper. Well, this year that went on first for some reason. But typically, it's last. And we're pretty un-traditional here using a bow. My Nona has always used a bow and since I'm a little creeped out by the fake angels (total personal thing here, no intentions of offending anyone), a bow works perfectly for us.

I had picked up a couple matching, sparkly bows our first Christmas together and would use one on the tree and one on a plain wreath. This year, we totally fell in love with the buffalo check bow near the cash register so we snagged one. Which ended up working out perfectly because in the new home, 2 outdoor wreaths are needed. And tip - buy the plain wreaths and decorate them yourselves! So much cheaper. So the 2 sparkly bows are hanging outside this year. 

Here's a recap of last year's tree and decorations. This year's decorations to come! I'm still hunting down the perfect red wreath for our mantel....any suggestions on where to look?? Michaels and Walmart were no help.

Happy Wednesday!

If you celebrate Christmas, do you have any tree decorating traditions?

According to Talkative*TLC's fb page, many of you are team Angel topper!

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Christmas Gifts 2012

Christmas is a big thing in our families. Big thing. Yes, we're getting older and it shouldn't be about the gifts, but there is something so satisfying about finding someone you care for the perfect gift. And seeing their reaction when they open it. I don't even know what to say, I feel so spoiled. Our families give damn good gifts, and boy did I hit the jackpot this year. Not one return. Everything was beyond perfect.

Here are some of the gifts I received this Christmas. I have no words other than thank you! thank you! thank you!

Patagonia Los Lobos Vest     Clarasonic Mia (in lavender!!)     West Elm Cozy Throw
Soda Stream (!!)     West Elm owl mugs     North Face ski jacket
Michael Kors crossbody bag     Lululemon gift card

Christmas Fun

It's hard to believe Christmas has come and gone. So sad. But man did we have fun. Holiday parties with friends and family are the best. 

Here are a few (ok, a lot of) pictures from Christmas parties we attended:

Great friends from home recently bought a house in my hometown. Uh, jealous! There are some amazing old homes filled with character and charm in my. Like, built in the 1800's old. So, so neat. Billy & Amelia found themselves an amazing home. You may remember this lovely couple from here, actually. Oh, and Amelia said we could do a home tour so you may just luck out and get yourself a glimpse! 

How gorgeous is this tree?!

The gifts, the great group of friends/guests

 And the gifts we all won in the yankee swap!

Well, I have to give credit to Amelia. She mentioned limbo and I thought, no way am I doing that! But, um well, how can you not participate in the limbo?! It was hilarious. Sadly, we're getting old though. I had to stretch between rounds, my back was killing me. (PS - yes, that is exposed brick in their kitchen. Told you, amazing home...)

Congrats to the last standing man & woman! And congrats Traci on your limbo win!

Not only is it fun to celebrate with our friends....family parties can be fun too! Especially when you marry into this family. And they throw a crazy Christmas Eve party  every year!

And this photo is so reminiscent of our wedding photos. I love these guys, but it takes a lot of effort to get them to behave during photos. 

Great minds think alike!

Handed the camera to J, this is the best shot he got of us ladies in our "ugly Christmas sweaters"

And the men. Yes, that is my father-in-law front and center.

Father & father-in-law (terribly blurry photo, I know....sorry!)

The men voted on the women's sweaters, the women voted on the men....here are our winners! With a J photo-bomb...

I didn't have great luck finding an ugly Christmas sweater so I figured I'd make one. Sweatshirt was on the steep side at $2.99. And thank goodness for my sister's handiwork. We found all of these awesome iron-ons on Christmas Eve and she crafted this beauty while I was with my in-laws. 

And who J gets his personality from....Joey loves photobombing too

Oh yes, bedazzled back-side too.

Well, we had a great holiday over here and we hope you did too!

Next up, New Year's Eve. Have any great plans?!

Christmas at the Cordeiros

Well, Christmas spirit is in the air over here! We decided to go with minimal decorations this year. Keep it simple was this year's theme. Including the tree. This may be our smallest tree to date, but you know what? I absolutely love it. I was even able to go with a theme thanks to the many extra ornaments we had! Silver/white it is. Well, except for my traditional bow topper. 

My Nona has always topped her tree with a Christmas bow and I just love it. Maybe if I found a star or angel I love I'll change it up. But for now, I'll stick with my glittery, sparkly bow.

Oh - and not one of those gifts is for J or I. We stuck to stockings this year.....family & friends, you're in for a real treat!

J & I actually celebrated our own Christmas last night. We start the holiday shuffle today, various family parties, meeting up with friends, back and forth over the next few days. After putting our stockings on the floor with the gifts to snag a photo, I apparently stopped paying attention to Tucker's....notice in the first photo below - Tucker's stocking is gone, and wow is he rocking a guilty face. Not until I uploaded these photos did I notice his stocking in the background! What a sneak!

How did we know he stole it? Found him attempting to chew his new toy through the stocking on his bed. Busted! And not happy about it.

Like my Christmas spirit shirt? J was gracious enough to snag it for me in the girls section of Walmart. It's fabulous on a small child, on me though, it's a bit too much.

We hope those of you who celebrate Christmas enjoy your time with family and friends. And hopefully you were nice this year!

Merry Christmas!