Our Favorite Christmas Album

My all time favorite Christmas album is TEN years old. Wow. Over the past 10 years, Jason and I have spent Christmas in airports, at our house, my parents, his parents, driving between places, with friends, etc. Some years we've had trees, some years we haven't, yet this album has been the soundtrack of all of our Christmases. In fact, Sufjan might be the only contestant Christmas tradition we've had since we got married.

It's one of the last CDs I purchased, and even though I no longer own a CD player I keep the little box of five CDs that came with with posters and stickers with my Christmas decorations and every year take it out none the less. If nothing else, it serves as a reminder that it's time to turn on the Christmas music :)

It's also Teresa's favorite Christmas album, her favorite song, hands down is "Sister Winter", that's definitely one of my favorites, but I love so many others as well! I feel like it changes depending on my mood.

It's already proving to be a Christmas classic, Rolling Stone includes it on it's all time best Christmas Album list. 

Here's a ranking of all 100 songs from both of Sufjan's Christmas albums (which I don't entirely agree with, but nonetheless appreciate)

Pitchfork's original review says it best, explaining that the orchestration "may be sufficient for the box to sneak into the parents' Christmas music rotation, allowing Stevens to give the greatest gift of all: momentary relief from Mannheim Steamroller."

You can listen to the entire album here. 

Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas Eve! I'm spending the day wrapping gifts and making these cinnamon rolls for tomorrow morning! We will be back next week with a wrap-up of 2015. Peace, love and good tidings to you and yours.

I wish it was snowing here (its raining, of course) so I'm imagining myself in a wintery wonderland like the snowy Seattle of the past in the above photo.

90's holiday nostalgia 

Are you finished wrapping yet? Check out this Japanese speed wrapping technique.

Celebrity holiday cards

A version of Polar Express to be appreciated by anyone who's ever taken a New York subway.

The Obama's holiday playlist

Incase you need it, creative gingerbread men ideas.

Christmasy podcast

Christmas This Year!

The Christmas season has been so fun this year with a toddler. Last year Myles was only one and a half and didn't really grasp much of what was going on. I actually skipped even having a tree because I didn't want to be a referee all month trying to get him not to touch it.

This year everything is new and exciting for him as he discovers the season! He is obsessed with our Christmas tree, pointing out all the ornaments to people who come by and telling everyone at school about how tall it is. He was fascinated that we got it home by strapping it to the top of our car.  We went to Zoo Lights for Rory's birthday and Mylo loved meeting the Reindeer and riding the carrousel with Daddy and Pa. He got to meet Santa, who happened to be our friend Colin all dressed up, and was all smiles and eagerness. It's so sweet to watch.

We are headed over to the snow in Eastern Washington for Christmas and I'm really looking forward to watching him discover sledding!!

I'm also looking forward to taking pictures of all his cousins in their Christmas pajamas! He and Rory will be matching in Hanna Anderson PJ's and the Hillis cousins (above at Thanksgiving, JD, Kenedee, Mylo and Jae) are all coordinated as well. SO fun!

'Tis the Season!

Christmases Past

I just came across this! Our Christmas card photo from 2008- one of the two years in which we actually sent out Christmas cards. So very long ago. I remember wanting to be one of those people who sent out Christmas cards every year, and had holiday traditions, so someday I could say "I've made this fudge every Christmas for the last 50 years!. Well, that hasn't really happened. Since we've been married, we've spent Christmas at our house, Jason's parents and my parents. We spent one Christmas in a Mexican airport. For our first Christmas, we went out to a snow covered Christmas tree farm and chopped down our own tree! This was last year's version of that Instead of being the little old lady deep rooted traditions of fudge or cookies, I'll be the little old lady saying, "Remember that Christmas we spent eating Cinnabon at the airport?" And I think I like that. 

Gift Ideas- Gifts With Stories That Matter

 It's so much fun to give a gift with a story! "The pjs I got you were made by women in India" is way more fun and meaningful than "It took forever for the lady at the mall to find the price on those".

I've highlighted a few of my favorite brands that are empowering women and men all over the world by giving them opportunities and skills to help themselves and their families out of poverty. They all have GREAT stories and and are doing wonderful things. You can read about each brand on their websites to learn more.

Above, are the Julia Flats. and clutch from Uxibal. All of their products are handmade in Guatemala, combining traditional Guatemalan textile and leather with modern styles.  I have the clutch! And a few pairs of Uxibal booties which I wear constantly.  The extra great thing about the Julia collection is that 30% of the proceeds go directly to the 30/30 Project!

UPDATE: Uxibal is having a Cyber Monday sale, up to 40% off! Get over there! 

I know so many families who have varying traditions of getting new PJ's for Christmas morning, Punjammies would be perfect for that! They offer great options for men, women and kids. On top of providing us with cozy lounge wear, Punjammies goal is to provide sustainable jobs for women in India who's alternative options often lead to their being trafficked.

Krochet Kids are made by women in Uganda and Peru. My favorite thing about all Krochet Kids products is that the woman who made it has signed her name on the tag. You can find them on the website, read a bit of their story and you can even write them a note telling them how much you like what they made!

I love the firngerless gloves, as would anyone who, like me,  is perpetually cold and perpetually on her iPhone.

What baby in your life doesn't need an adorable hat with ears?!? There's also a bear one!And an owl!

Every guy can use a good stylish beanie. Thankfully, there are a lot to choose from :)

Also, you can pick up Krochet Kids goods at Whole Foods, which means it makes a great last minute present when you're quickly running in for a bottle of wine on the way to a party.

PS. Krochet Kids entire website is 40% OFF for Cyber Monday! 

Check out Karama Collection for beautiful fair trade goods that have been handpicked for their quality, beauty and ethical practices from artisan collectives all over Africa. 

This beautiful circle bracelet is made of brass in by a group of jewelry makers in a Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa.

The bath towels are a favorite of mine. Made in Ethiopia, out of cotton, but not the traditional terrycloth material we're used to- this means they are super absorbent but won't cause your hair to frizz. They are the PERFECT gift for someone with curly hair! And also beautiful to have hanging in your bathroom. And perfect to pack for the beach-they take up way less room than a regular towel and dry super quickly. I've also been known to wear the ones I have as scarves...can you tell, I really like these towels. I also got to see where they are made while in Addis Ababa a few years back so I can tell you first hand, they are all entirely handmade from dying the yarn to weaving on a giant loom, it's a crazy process to watch! But I can promise you, these are quality towels. 

Most every lady could use a chic backpack.  

The woven serving tray would be a perfect for anyone who loves to host or bake. 

Just a note, NONE of these wonderful brands listed above have compensated me for this post. These are all companies who's missions and products I love and will be buying from this holiday season. 

Santa Pictures - better late than never!

These are late but I had to share! Mylo and his cousins Kenedee and Jae posing for pictures with Santa. Mylo isn't so sure about him but Kenedee is pretty excited! 

Happy Holidays!

We're taking a little break for the rest of December to wrap presents, bake cookies and celebrate Christmas with our families. We hope the rest of your December is merry & bright!

See you in January!

A Gift to Give: Uxibal for the 30/30 Project

If you're looking for a perfect present for your sister or a friend, or perhaps a great clutch for holiday parties, here you go! The 30/30 Project teamed up with the Uxibal, (one of my favorite brands!) to bring you the Julia Clutch. 

So that means, with one beautiful clutch, you're supporting the women in Guatemala who make AND giving to The 30/30 Project, who's mission is to build health care centers in areas of the world with high HIV rates. 

Check it out here, along with other great gifts that support 30/30. 

And don't worry, there's still plenty of time to order before the holidays! 

I'll be giving a few as gifts AND carrying mine with me to a few holiday parties this month since it goes so well with my new favorite gold jumpsuit! The clutch is the perfect size to fit your phone, lip gloss and a small wallet (or a selection of cards and cash from your larger wallet as I do).

Thanks for the photos Mitchell Overton!

What Gets You in the Holiday Spirit?

Where did this Jenny go? I'm not sure! The tree is definitely not up yet this year. Instead, I'm struggling to find inspiration to get one at all. 

It's officially December. My Instagram feed is filled with photo proof that everyone else seems to be fully embracing the season, with decorations, music, shopping, etc. but I'm just not there yet. It doesn't help that I'm down in LA, and while everyone in Seattle got a sprinkle of snow on Saturday, I was shooting a wedding on a sunny 70 degree day.

This usually is my favorite time of the year but somehow this time around, I'm just not feeling it. Last year at this time, I was living on a bus somewhere in the middle of the country and couldn't wait to get home and bake some Christmas cookies. This year, I want to pretend like it's still September.

Soooo.....
How about some a shimmying Hugh Grant to get me in the mood for Christmas?

One of Teresa and my former college roommates sent out this clip from Love Actually, and it definitely helped a little bit! This movie was constantly on around Christmastime at our house in college. Not only does it put me in the holiday spirit, but it reminds me of cozying up with roommates on a Saturday morning (or a Tuesday at 3pm...). At one roommate's wedding, a group of us actually performed our own version of Hugh Grant's dance!

Even though I'm not running out to chop down a tree quite yet, at least it put a smile on my face and made me feel like cuddling up to watch some Christmas movies and maybe start listening to some Christmas music.

Here's the full clip if you're in the mood...

What gets you in the holiday spirit?

Life Lately

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the past month or so. I really enjoyed the Christmas season this year, I got to take a few days off of work, see lots of family and friends, and of course enjoy the holiday for the first time through the eyes of Mylo. 

Jenny's birthday was one of the highlights of the season for me. Jenny and I got our nails and hair done and then we went out to dinner just the four of us (huge thanks to my MIL for babysitting!). I haven't had a night out like that in ages and it felt so glamorous to get all dressed up and do something fancy.

Christmas this year was really fun. We got to celebrate with Patrick's side of the family over the weekend and then spent Christmas Eve and Day lounging at my parent's house (I didn't get out of my new PJ's all day on Xmas!), eating great food, and partaking in our annual traditions. Oh and I tried to stuff Rory in a stocking. :)

Since Christmas I feel like Mylo has grown up so much! He is now sitting on his own (for a few seconds at least!) and rolling over from front to back. He's a happy boy, I love this age. 

And then there is this gif that my phone made which is cracking me up, BFF's:

The Most Delicious Rum Cake

What is Christmas without rum cake?! My sister made the delicious cake above (yes, she did just have a baby 10 days ago, she's making me look bad!) over the weekend. Here is the best recipe from my uncle's friend Mary Kay, soooo delish.

Bob and Mary Kay’s Rum Cake

½ cup Pecans (chopped)
1 package Butter Golden Cake (Duncan Hines)
1 package (3- ¾ oz.) Vanilla Pudding (Instant Mix)
½ cup Dark Rum
½ cup Water
½ cup Crisco Oil
4 Eggs

Preheat Oven to 325°

Grease and flour a Bundt cake pan. Crumble pecans in bottom of pan. Place cake and pudding mixes in a mixing bowl. Add rum, water, oil and eggs. Mix for 2 minutes only with an electric mixer. Place mixture in the Bundt pan and bake at 325° for 50-60 minutes. Pour on Hot Rum Glaze (recipe below) and let cool for 30 minutes (still in Bundt pan).

Let cool for 30 minutes. Turn onto plate.

Hot Rum Glaze
1 cup Sugar
1 stick of Butter
¾ cup of Rum
¼ cup Water

Put all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 3 minutes.

HOME! ( and Christmas Music)

I am home! 

I no longer sleep in a bunk bumping across the country at 60mph. I'm thrilled to be back in my wonderful Tempur-Pedic with Jason and two cats who have decided that sleeping on top of me is the only way to insure I won't ever leave them again. 

Despite being home, the tour isn't quite over. We have three Seattle shows to go. I sort of feel like I'm in limbo between tour and home which has helped me to put off all of the things that I REALLY should be doing- unpacking, laundry, opening mail, Christmas shopping, paying bills, etc. 

BUT, I'm really starting to get in the Christmas spirit. Hopefully we'll be able to get a tree in the next few days. For now, it's Christmas music and maybe an eggnog latte. 

PS. If you need some holiday cheer, check out my Christmas mixes from last year: 

Carols of Christmas Present

Classic Christmas

80's & 90's Christmas

Kitschy Christmas

Monday Motivation

Okay, this isn't really motivational but it's adorable. :)

Elf quote print available from Etsy.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

CHRISTMAS! Yippee! We went and cut down our Christmas tree last weekend with my parents and sister. We picked a delightful little spot outside of Issaquah called Trinity Tree Farm that had an adorable gift shop, hot drinks and sweets, and two fireplaces outside.  I think we have a new tradition on the horizon. Also, can we please take note of how gorgeous my NINE month pregnant sister is! Geezz!

The Carols of Christmas Present

Here's my last Christmas playlist for you. These are my new favorites. 

Sufjan Steven's Songs for Christmas became an instant classic in our house when it came out a few years back and this year he released Silver & Gold which has a bit of a different, techno vibe. If you're in the market for new Christmas music, I highly recommend Sufjan, also A Very She & Him Christmas and the compilation Holidays Rule. You'll find songs from all of these below. Enjoy! 

Image: Jason & tree in front of our cute little house.

Christmas in Ireland

Two years ago we spent Christmas in Ireland. As I've mentioned, Patrick and I spent the 2010-2011 school year living in Dublin while he studied for his MBA. While we would have loved to have gone home,  ultimately we decided that flights were too expensive and we'd rather spend our limited funds on traveling within Europe after the program. But....we ended up having one of the most memorable and magical Christmas' I could have imagined! 

One of Patrick's best friends in the program, Christopher, invited us to join his family in County Sligo for the holiday at their 250 year old "farm home" in the country. That week before Christmas brought a very unusual foot or two of snow to Ireland and the country was a winter wonderland. We had a "picture postcard" experience on the farm, joining in all the Irish traditions and loving every minute of our white Christmas. We were so blessed to be embraced by a wonderful family. The photos tell the story better than words I think, thanks for indulging my walk down memory  lane. 

Christopher's family home in Co. Sligo, Ireland

A Christmas Eve stroll on the frozen pond and through the woods

Christopher and his mother and brothers

View from the living room on Christmas morning

Church we attended on Christmas day, this church has no power or heat and it was about 25 degrees. Quite and experience with everyone all bundled up in the pews!

After church we took a walk on the beach with my favorite dog, Tiffin! One of the older guys even decided to take a dip in the sea, brrrr.

Having some a "picnic" at the beach. I love this photo

Christopher and Patrick

Christopher's parents opening gifts - everyone wears a funny hat while opening!

Christmas dinner in their huge old dining room with a blazing fire. We all did "crackers" and wore our crowns.

Santa Letters

Did you write letters to Santa as a child?

Here's a letter I left for Santa one Christmas Eve...