Does anyone else get anxiety this week? I always feel unprepared. Like someone is going to drop by and we won’t have a gift for them, or that we didn’t do enough for the wonderful people in our lives. And I worry that we won’t live up to the magic that Grey has in his head. But I can’t (really) control any of that. So what we’re focusing on instead is staying present with each other, soaking in every moment this week, and celebrating all of our blessings. We have so much to be grateful for. Thank you for being here today. We know you have a lot to do and we are so thankful you came to scroll with us! We promise not to disappoint – here are the most magnificent finds of the week:

Make It.

We are longtime Blake Shelton fans (scroll down for a snap from our favorite Blake concert!) and when Jon found out he has a new vodka company, we were excited to support him! PS – how cute are he and Gwen together?! This would be the perfect Christmas cocktail (it’s simple, and delicious!):

Recipe:

• 2 parts Vodka
• 2.5 parts cranberry juice ( we used a diet cran-raspberry combo)
• top with ginger ale (we’re replacing this with ginger beer next time!)
• and a squeeze of lime

Read It.

If you have someone in your life who has lost a loved one, The 13th Gift is such a beautiful gesture. Right after my Dad died, little packages started showing up at our door. Small surprises (including this book) that brought me great joy in a time of deep sadness. As it turns out, it was my Dad’s longtime friend, Cindy, and the love she showed me when I was really struggling will never be forgotten. The 13th Gift tells the story of a family dealing with the loss of their father, random acts of kindness from friends and neighbors, and how they started to find joy again. It is a wonderful reminder of the real miracles of Christmas ??.

Watch It.

I kept seeing the hype about The Queen’s Gambit, and yet, a show about a chess prodigy didn’t feel binge-worthy for a gal who knows nothing about the game. But one night I put it on after dinner and about 3 minutes in, we were hooked. Anya Taylor-Joy is so phenomenally talented as an actor and I know you will be sucked in just like we were. Don’t get stuck on the chess like I did. There is so much more at play. Only 7 episodes in this Limited Series and wow do they pack it all in!

Listen to it.

I have heard Oprah’s thoughts on intention before, but this podcast really resonated as we spend the week with family, and look ahead to the New Year. Each speaker she includes has their own unique message about the concept of intention, and it makes for a powerful 20-minute listen.

Feel It.

On that note, if you need a little extra love to get through this week, we’ve got you covered. It can be a stressful and emotional whirlwind as we celebrate away from loved ones, or feel the loss of family and friends a little deeper. I’m with you, and giving you a warm squeeze. Hit the arrow button to find one that speaks to you.

Try It.

How to tell if your bottle of wine has gone bad.

Monkey Noodles! If you need a last minute stocking stuffer, these are quick-ship and so much fun. They can stretch up to 8 feet and are great for kids who need a fidget toy, stress relief, or a calming activity.

Do you have psychological capital? Here are 3 Things Emotionally Resilient People Have In Common.

If you have a little in your life, this teacher is such a great follow on TikTok. I especially loved his perspective on Santa. We call our house a “truth telling house” and whenever Grey asks questions, we want him to know he can trust us to give truthful (albeit age-appropriate) responses. Santa is a tricky one because you don’t want to take away the magic, but the way he phrases it felt right for us!

One of my favorite interviews back in my hosting days was talking with Kris Jenner ?. Love her or hate her, she is a force to be reckoned with. Here’s a peek at how Mama Kardashian decked the (very grand!) halls for the holidays.

Have you read anything by John Gottman? I am fascinated by how he looks at marriage (and his 85% success rate in determining if a union will stand the test of time). Scroll down on this one for his take on the 4 Horsemen and how to avoid them.

When you see the image showing these pants you’re going to say, Kaylea, absolutely not. BUT. Don’t look at the picture! These stretchy pants are the most flattering, comfortable, affordable leggings you will own. I trusted the reviews and they didn’t steer me astray. Your bottom may not look like the model there ?, but it gets a great, firming lift – really!

I loved this quote from this piece about aging: “Be grateful. Because right now is the youngest you’re ever going to be again”.

I need to get on board with washing produce right when we get home from the store, then storing it in easy to see/ use containers. What a way to make healthy snack choices that much easier! PS – I watched her insta stories on this process and the grime coming off the fruit was ?.

Break out the mandolin. This potato side will wow for Christmas dinner.

New word of the week: Eudaemonia - defined as - human flourishing.  I hope that for you today, this week, and all the days ahead ??. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you. You are a bright light in our lives and we can't wait to see you shine in the New Year. A big squeeze to you and yours ?