Beautiful Bump: New Year's Eve Option 2

So sorry for the suspense! This was my second option for New Year's Eve. I am at 23 weeks and still fitting into a lot of my regular clothes. Be mindful of the clothing design, and you can make many of your regular clothes work well into the later weeks of your pregnancy! I find that sheath dresses, empire waist dresses, and flowing tunics are still flattering.

Dress: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Bracelet: Chloe and Isabel

I adore this wrap bracelet from Chloe and Isabel! It can be worn as a layered necklace, bracelet, belt, or headband. Sparkly and versatile, what's not to love?

Beautiful Bump: New Year's Eve Options

Hubs and I are still undecided about our New Year's Plans, so I put together two different options. Option 1 is a more casual look for an informal get-together. Option 2 is an all-out "Hot Mama" moment. Check back tomorrow to see the second choice!

Blazer: Mona B from The Geisha House
Top: Target
Leggings: Destination Maternity
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini
Necklace: Fossil
Bracelet: Charming Charlie

Beautiful Bump: Ugly Sweater

One of my favorite Christmas events is the Ugly Sweater Party. I've done Ugly Sweater parties with friends, family, and coworkers, and it is always a laugh! Who says you can't look cute in an ugly sweater?

Sweater Vest: Forever 21
Scarf: Gift from Spain
Sweater Dress: ASOS Maternity
Leggings: Destination Maternity
Boots: Breckell's
Accessories: Chloe and Isabel

 Crystal Fan Statement Stud Earrings. The emerald color is perfect for Christmastime!

Modern Deco Stretch Bracelet. This is my go-to bracelet for everyday wear.

Beautiful Bump: Holiday Office Party

Chic and easy outfit for your holiday office party.

 

Blazer: Kohl's

Top: Express

Leggings: Destination Maternity

Shoes: Audrey Brooke

Accessories: Chloe and Isabel

My feet are disappearing! I love these sparkly shoes by Audrey Brooke from DSW SO MUCH that I felt they deserved a close-up!

Beautiful Bump: Holiday Baby Bump

Over the next few days, I'll be showing you a few of my favorite holiday outfits to dress my baby bump. The first is a casual outfit, perfect for our annual cookie swap party. The best part of this outfit? Only the jeans are maternity! Since I'm in the beginning of my second trimester, I find that a large number of my "regular" tops still fit me comfortably. We'll see how long that lasts!

Sweater: Old Navy

Collared Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Destination Maternity

Boot Socks: Old Navy

Boots: DSW

Accessories: Chloe and Isabel

Here is a close up of two of my favorite accessories for the holiday season. Everyone should sparkle at this time of year, and this bracelet and necklace are just the trick to add a little "bling" to every outfit.

 Multi-strand Signature Torsade Necklace by Chloe and Isabel. This picture doesn't do this dazzler justice!












Crystal Brulee Stretch Bracelet I wear this beauty all the time!

How To Make a Princess Tutu

My niece is in love with all things princess. What little girl isn't? For Christmas this year, I decided to make her a princess skirt of her very own. I can't wait to see her open this gift! It is so easy, even the most basic crafters can create this skirt with ease! Follow the step by step instructions below:

Supplies:

• 5 ten yard spools of tulle in various colors (number of spools will vary depending on size of child and length of skirt)
• 1 yard of ribbon
• Scissors
• Cutting board or ruler 

I used spools of tulle to save time, but you can also use tulle sold by the yard. I have found that 6" wide strips work best.



Directions:

• PRE-WARNING!!!! If you are using glitter tulle, the glitter will get EVERYWHERE! Be sure to do this project in an area that can be swept up easily!
• Using the yard of ribbon, measure the waist of the child. Leave about 6-8 inches of excess ribbon at each end so the skirt can be tied when finished. Mark your starting and ending point with a marker or a knot.
•  Cut the tulle into 36" long strips (length can be adjusted depending on the height of the child or desired length of the skirt). 
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•  Next, take a single strip of tulle and fold in in half.
  
• Loop the folded edge under the cut ribbon, and begin the pull the tail through the loop until a firm knot has been made around the ribbon. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Repeat this step until the measured length of the ribbon has been filled with tulle. Additional pieces of tulle may be overlapped to increase the fullness of the skirt.
• When desired length and fullness have been reached, the skirt will look like this.
  
  
  
• To wear skirt, simply wrap around the waist and tie at the ends. This no-sew method is wonderful because additional lengths of tulle can be added as the child grows!
  
  
  
  
  
  I hope your little princess enjoys this easy dress-up tutu!

Cherishing Our Travels

When I travel, I like to pick up a Christmas ornament to add to our tree. This year's collection includes beautiful painted ceramics from Florence, Italy, a music note from Nashville, Tennessee, and of course, a Mickey Hat from Disney World. We even received a Moravian Star as a wedding favor from a wedding we attended in Bethlehem, PA, also known as Christmas City, USA! I like to mark the year on the ornament boxes so I can recall all our travels year after year.

O Christmas Tree!

The Christmas season is a great time to reflect on all the fun you've had this year. Every year since we've been married, my husband and I make a list of our favorite memories from the past 12 months. Trips we've taken, inside jokes, and fun times with friends and family always make it on our list. I then put our favorite memories on a Christmas ornament.  Looking back year after year, we can remember all the joys that have filled our lives, both big and small. This year I used a wooden ornament from AC Moore, painted it in high gloss, and added our memories with metallic Sharpies. The silver writing is difficult to see in this photo, but it really shines on the tree!

Here is a quick look at our ornament from 2012. To create this, I simply used a ceramic Christmas ball and Sharpie markers. After writing all my memories, I baked the ceramic ornament at 375 degrees for 20 minutes to set the marker. Viola! Memories to enjoy for years to come!

What kind of Christmas decorating traditions do you have in your family?

Elf on the Shelf Welcome Letter

Can you believe December is here? For many families, that means the Elf on the Shelf will soon be arriving in their homes! I love the idea of the Elf on the Shelf, and think it is a great tradition for children year after year. It just adds a little more Christmas Magic to the home!  Since I don't have any little ones of my own (yet!), I sent this Elf to my niece and nephew, via the North Pole. I included this fun poem from Santa Claus, written by yours truly (Auntie Claus), to welcome their new Elf. I can't wait to see all the mischief this little Elf causes!

If you would like to download the Welcome Letter, please visit here!

Thoughtful Thursday: 25 Day Holiday Challenge

The holiday season is upon us! Make this year one of the best ever by participating in our 25 Day Holiday Challenge. Here are some great ways to spread joy during the holiday season. Most require only a little time and effort (for some, you don't even have to get off your couch!), but each way is guaranteed to spread joy, both to yourself and others. What are you waiting for? December 1st is just around the corner! How many items can you check off this list?

1.     Clean out your closet: If you haven't worn it since last winter, it's time for it to go! Donate your used clothes to your local thrift shop, Salvation Army, or clothing collection site. 

2.     Buy coffee for the person in line behind you: A simple and easy way to brighten someone's day!

3.     Donate to your local food pantry: According to national studies, 1 in 6 people in America face hunger every day. Help feed the hungry this holiday season. 

4.     Pick up a few extra chores: Give your significant other, parent, sibling, or roommate  the night off: Make dinner, fold the laundry, empty the dishwasher...whatever chores will lighten the load.

5.     Read!: Visit www.wegivebooks.org. Just by reading a children's book online, you can help donate much needed books to children in schools across the country.

6.     Pick Up the Phone: Call a relative or friend you haven’t talked to in a while.

7.     The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer: Is singing loud for all to hear! Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood with a group of friends. The more the merrier!

8.     Love Your Mother Earth: Visit www.recyclebank.com to learn how you can help improve your recycling habits. When we love our Mother Earth, everyone wins!

9.     Be a Secret Santa at work: Leave a surprise for a coworker - a favorite candy bar and a kind note are a great way to start!

10. School Days: Go to www.donorschoose.org and take a look at all the amazing projects in which students across the country can participate - but only if they have the resources. This innovative crowd-sourcing website provides funding to teachers and students in need, so all students have access to the materials the need to succeed. Find out more information here.

11. Quiz Time: Play quiz games on www.freerice.com For every question answered, 10 grains of rice are donated to people in need!

12. Support Our Troops: Send a thank you card or care package to a member of the US military. There are so many organizations out there, and possibly even one in your community! To get started, you can visit here.

13. Blessings in Disguise: Make an anonymous payment on a family’s Christmas layaway. Walmart, Kmart, and Toys R Us all have this option.

14. Soup's On!: Volunteer at your local soup kitchen. There is plenty of need this time of year!

15. Playful Pets: If you have a pet, check with your local hospital or nursing home about your pet becoming a therapy animal. http://www.petpartners.org/PPTherapyAnimalProgram

16. Through Rain Or Snow: Have a hot cup of cocoa or coffee ready for your mail carrier or local delivery person. Their job is as hectic as Santa’s in December! If you’re not home when the mail arrives, leave a treat in your mailbox for them.

17. Give to yourself: Put your cell phone/laptop/tablet away for the day, and channel all that free time and energy into a project you have been putting off for a while.

18. Baby, It's Cold Outside: Get a group of friends together and have a blanket making party for Project Linus. This organization provides security blankets to children who are ill, traumatized, or in need. Check out their mission and how to get involved here: www.projectlinus.org. You don’t have to be a quilter to make a great blanket. Instructions for making a two-piece tie blanket here: No-Sew Tie Blanket Tutorial

19. Rock Out: Have a special performing talent? Are you a musician, dancer, amateur magician? Volunteer for a session at your local children’s hospital or senior center to bring a smile to someone’s day!

20. Give Life: If you are able, donate blood today!

21. Toy Land: If you have children, have them sort through their toys, and donate any items they no longer play with to your favorite local charity organization. If you don’t have children, donate a new toy to Toys for Tots. Find a collection site here!

22. Holiday Spirits: Host a holiday happy hour or family night out to benefit your favorite charity. Many bars and restaurants are happy to give you a discounted drink price or meal rate, with the remaining profits being donated to your favorite cause.

23. The Most Important Meal of the Day: Bring breakfast to your office coworkers. Nothing better to put you on track to a great day!

24.  Family Time: Set aside a special time to be with those who matter most to you. The most important thing you can give is your time and attention!

25.  Reflect: Pray. Meditate. Do whatever brings you peace. Realize that some things are bigger than you. Give thanks for all you have, and all you have given over the past few weeks!

Have you checked off any items from this list? I'd love to hear how you are planning on sharing and giving this holiday season! Share on Instagram @freshandfreckled #25daysofjoy...We may even post some of our favorites to the blog!

Sale Sale Sale!

One of my little side projects is creating teaching resources on the fabulous website Teachers Pay Teachers. Get ready teaching friends - TPT is throwing a HUGE sale for Cyber Monday, and you don't want to miss it! It's a great time to stock up on teaching resources for the whole year. Be sure to check it out!

While you're there, don't forget to pick up a copy of one of my most popular products, Winter "I Have Who Has" Clothing and Color Match Game...for FREE!!!