[showshopthepostwidget id="2115299"] I love getting dressed up for Thanksgiving lunch but I don't like feeling uncomfortable on the one day of the year that calories don't count and you can literally eat yourself into a food coma and no one will judge.So let's talk about being comfy without looking frumpy.Leggings and a tunic will be your friend. You can spruce it up by adding a faux fur vest and a statement necklace. Stay away from anything high wasted or restricting around your middle section. Basically anything that feels fussy is a no no.A poncho is also an awesome idea for Thanksgiving. Here are a few I'm loving right now.[showshopthepostwidget id="2115319"]You don't have to sacrifice comfort for looking put together in your Thanksgiving outfit. If all else fails, just wear what you want and pack a pair of jammies to change into after lunch! Oh, and don't forget comfy house shoes! [showshopthepostwidget id="2115495"] Have a great day, friends!!
Family Pictures + Celebrating the Hardest Seasons
I'm literally waffling back and forth between swooning and drooling over the beautiful family pictures that my dear friend Megan Wallach took for us.I went in a totally different direction than I had planned with styling this shoot. I had originally thought casual, plaid, and festive. That's been my go-to in the past. But after the year we've had, I decided to go more fancy and sparkly.We have struggled through this year so we wanted a celebration of our lives being beautiful even when they're messy.In the past year, Matt has spent over two months combined hospitalized. He has had major health scares that left us wondering if he was going to make it. We have had two cars totaled. Both times the girls were in the car. The first time, I was hit head on by a reckless driver and we were run off the road into a telephone pole. My right thumb was broken so I was in a cast for two months. Some of you know that Matt is a State Farm Agent so he also had two employees leave right after he got out of the hospital.I'll spare you the other details of all that's gone on but let's just say it's been the greatest adventure in finding joy in the midst of pain and peace in the midst of chaos.We have seen that God's sovereignty is perfect and He is always pursuing us with His goodness even when we can't see it.We aren't sad to see this year go but we are so grateful to have a fresh start in 2017! 
Thanks for reading, friends!All of our outfit details are here:[showshopthepostwidget id="2106944"]
Thoughtful Gift Ideas
Have you read the book about the love languages? Well, Matt and I joke that I have the most expensive love language....GIFTS!Sorry, babe!But not only do I love getting gifts. I also love giving them, too!If you're tired of settling for giving gift cards and hug coupons, then you're in the right place. A little bit of planning ahead and you can feel so good about the gifts you give this Christmas.Here are a few tips for making your gift giving a little more special.
Personalize it.
One of my favorite gifts I've ever given were these personalized family recipe printables. I did a little digging into my mom's recipe box and found my grandmother's most famous recipe, sent the text to Printable Wisdom, and they sent me back the most beautiful printable!! Watching my mom's face as she opened it up and realized what it was, is hands down one of my favorite memories!
My friend Heather makes the most beautiful handmade signs and they would be perfect for a newly established family. Even if you don't really know someone's style, these are neutral enough to be a hit for anyone!
Strings Attached Gifts
Ok what I mean by "strings attached"? I mean give a gift that's a lead into a bigger gift. For instance: plan to give your man an awesome new toiletry bag and inside a note that says "Pack up and come away with me!" Plan a weekend getaway and just let this be the front gift. Still practical but a little more fun than just saying "Hey, wanna go out of town?" If you know a couple that's newly married, give them a cute little basket for storage and inside include a gift card to their favorite restaurant and a movie.
Pay Attention
Sometimes the best gift ideas are staring us right in the face. A few years ago, I had apparently mentioned a few times how much I loved the red Hunter rain boots. I already owned a pair of black ones so I would have never bought a pair for myself and since we were on such a tight budget that year, I didn't ask for any gifts. But Matt got them for me as a surprise and I just boo hoo'd when I opened them! It was so fun! Even if most of the people in your life aren't giving you great lists, they are probably dropping awesome hints all the time about what they might like! I keep a notes section open in my phone so when I get an idea for someone, I write it down so I won't forget it.
The absolute best tip for giving great gifts is not waiting til the last minute to buy! Make a list of who you'll need to buy for this year and start really thinking about what they might like. The most memorable gifts are the ones that have had thought put into them! So plan ahead and ENJOY the process of buying things that will light up the faces of the ones you love.
Reese and Rowen's Room
I'm so excited to finally be able to share Reese and Rowen's room with you today! This room has been a labor of love but I've enjoyed every second of it.Up to this point, the girls have had their own rooms but we were feeling that they might actually enjoy rooming together. Their little friendship has grown so much in the past few months and now seeing them in the same room giggling and chatting it up at night as they go to sleep just gives me ALL the momma feels.Combining their rooms also allowed us to turn the other bedroom into a big playroom for them. More on that playroom to come soon!! 
The inspiration for the girl's room started with this dreamy floral watercolor wallpaper. I had originally wanted to do the whole wall but since the price tag of this paper was pretty steep, we decided to do a half wall instead. This worked perfectly with this board and batten half wall that my Dad helped me install.One of my favorite parts of the room are these amazing rose gold curtain panels. They are super functional because they are black out but they also have a little sparkle on them. You know how I feel about sparkles!Speaking of sparkle, this chandelier was a total last minute decision but I LOVE how it looks! The way it casts light through the crystals is so dreamy.The girl's beds have this amazing antique feel about them but I actually found them for a great price at Target. The comforters are twin size and they fit PERFECTLY. They have a seam that runs in the middle and on each side of the mattress so it's the perfect way to train the girls to make their beds.I've got a detailed list of sources for everything in the girl's room but if you have questions about anything I missed, please let me know!Thank you so much for taking a look at this sweet room!All these photos were taken by my amazing friend Megan Wallach![showshopthepostwidget id="2085067"]
Friday Favorites
Hi!
Happy Friday to you! This week has been CRAY-ZEE around here thanks to getting carpet installed in our upstairs + assembling all the new things for the girl's new room. I'm almost done and I can't wait to show it to you!
I have a little compilation of things I wanted to share with you for today's Friday favorites...
Blanket Scarves
Yall. I can't get enough of blanket scarves. Plaids, buffalo check, stripes, I love them ALL. What I'm really loving about blanket scarves is the versatility of how you can wear them. I'll do a little tutorial coming up about all the ways I tie mine. I've really enjoyed wrapping the scarf around my shoulders to achieve a poncho feel. If you want to shop a few of my favorites, here they are!!
Halo Top Ice Cream
Oh. My. Word. You guys this stuff is amazing. All the hype surrounding it is TRUE. I don't know what any of us did to deserve a delicious ice cream that you can consumer without any of the guilt. Call it favor. Call it unmerited mercy. Whatever it is, it's hashtag BLESSED. I've only tried mint and chocolate because the selfish people that shop at my local Kroger, snatch up all the other fun flavors. But I will keep looking til I can find more. Cuz I need more.
Chip and Jo
How much do I love these two? Let me count the ways. I've only read a teensy bit of this beauty since I got it yesterday and it is so perfect. We needed something to tide us over til November when the new season starts, and this is just perfect for that! Get your copy here.
The Best Mascara Ever
I know everybody claims to have the "best mascara ever" but I have been around the block trying ALL the mascaras and when it comes to helping my stubby blonde lashes look lengthy and full, this stuff does the trick. The name is weird but it's worth it. You can try it here.
We are looking forward to a cooler weekend just in time for apple picking with the fam. I apologize in advance for the oversharing that is to come. Hope you have an awesome Friday!
Love,
Laura