The Friday Five

Hi, friends! I’m SO happy to be back here chatting with you today! I took a few weeks off from our little Friday hang-outs, but I’m back today with some updates and fun things to share! This season has proven to be busier than normal with the kids home everyday and Ted working from home, too. We’ve just been rolling with it and now we’re rolling right into the holidays! Here is this week’s The Friday Five.

What I’ve missed most about this series is having a place to just chat with you! There isn’t really a theme or topic, like most of my blog posts, so it feels freeing to just talk about whatever is on my mind or going on over here. Plus being able to catch you up on anything that you may have missed on the blog.

To catch up on all the posts in the Friday Five series, click here.

I hope December is off to a great start for you! Now let’s jump into it!

THE FRIDAY FIVE

ONE // A PERFECTLY COZY PONCHO

poncho // black coated jeans // boots // hat // purse

I found this throw-on-and-go leopard poncho with a turtleneck a couple weeks ago and forgot to share! It’s under $17 and is so cute and cozy! The print is darling, the fit is roomy and its very, very soft. I’m in the size S/M and just have a black tee underneath. You could wear anything [short or long sleeve] under it.

These black coated jeggings are also SO good! $19.99 and fit like a glove! They are high-waisted, skinny style and I’m wearing a size 6. So versatile and a nice combo legging / pair of jeans. 

*Just a heads-up, the reviews online aren’t in favor of the poncho because of apparent shedding, but I haven’t experienced it. And even if I do, it’s not the end of the world!

Would you be interested in me sharing some holiday / winter looks here on the blog soon? I have quite a few I can round up! 

TWO // THE CUTEST GRAPHIC TEE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

I picked up this “merry” t-shirt last year and just love it’s simplicity. I actually shared 6 ways to style this graphic tee, but thought I would share a few here today in case you’re looking for easy, casual ways to “dress up” this holiday season. I know one look over here will be this merry tee and a pair of joggers!

Just saw that it comes in a red version with white writing and it’s now in my cart! Love a soft and festive t-shirt!

merry t-shirt // striped cardigan [similar here and here] // jeans // leopard loafers

plaid shirt [similar] // merry tee // black jeans // white sneakers

sequin blazer // merry tee // jeans // leopard pumps [similar here and here]

See the rest of the looks here!

THREE // THE HALLS ARE [ALMOST] DECKED

Almost is the key word!

Are you all done decorating yet?!

This week on the blog I shared our Christmas Dining Room and our Simple Christmas Mantel. I’m happy to have the dining room ready since I’m hosting my parents and sister this year and the mantel is what we look at while we watch TV [I despise having a tv over the mantel, but what are you gonna do?! 😉]

I’ve got the Living Room and Family Room trees half decorated [and yes, I finally added 800 new lights to the LR tree since the original lights weren’t working!] and I started adding a few Christmas touches to our bookcase. The boys and I are going to knock out the rest of the ornaments today after school to finally be able to enjoy the fully decorated trees over the weekend!

Stay tuned…I’ll be sharing more of our Christmas home next Thursday!

FOUR// HOLIDAY LOOKS FROM H&M

Did you catch my H&M Holiday Try-on Haul on Monday! I shared my looks here on the blog and videos of me trying each piece on over on Instagram stories. I did save the outfit videos to a highlight circle on my Instagram profile so be sure to pop over and check them out! All of my fit and sizing info is included in the post and in the videos.

They truly have some of the best clothing items at phenomenal pricing. Even though the site isn’t 30% off anymore, you can absolutely still find gorgeous pieces under $20-25. 

I was most in love with the beige sequin blouse and the black sweater with rhinestone sleeves!

 FIVE // TRADER JOE’S HOLIDAY FAVORITES

Trader Joes is one of my all-time favorite places to shop for unique and delicious grocery items. Their seasonal Fall items are so yummy that I wrote a whole post on my Fall faves, but their specialty holiday items are some of the best around, too! We love their Cocoa batons, Candy Cane Joe joes and a new discovery this year was the Candy Cane Chocolate Covered Almonds.

Let me tell you…we polished the container off in 2 days. The boys loved them too!

One of my friends delivered a chocolate liqueur truffle advent calendar from Trader Joes with a sweet note attached with a ribbon. It made my day and has made my days ever since! Such a cute idea! They usually go fast, so it’s best to try to catch them in stock early.

Aldi also has some great holiday items too! Their unique advent calendars have been known to sell out in minutes! Like their wine and beer ones. I think I’ll try to get a TJ or Aldi holiday favorites post up in the next week or so! So many goodies to share 😉

To catch up on all the posts in the Friday Five series, click here.

And to view my Gift Guides of the season, head here!

Have the best weekend, friends! I’ll be back tomorrow with the Weekend Wants.