The Memo — December Newsletter
I hope your December has been wonderful! Ours has been busier than ever with all the great things that come with the season — family gatherings, wrapping gifts, Meriwether’s school & ballet events, decorating our home…the list goes on. I’m looking forward to slowing down in the coming weeks to enjoy some baking, crafting and much needed down time. I’m sure you are too!
I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter, filled with all the holiday things! As always, thank you for your friendship and readership xx
Recent Favorites & Finds
Sweatshirt Dress — I just got this dress in the mail yesterday! I’m planning to wear it today to run around town for some holiday errands with some tennis shoes since we’re having such nice weather. Comes in two colors - ecru and a soft sage/moss. The brand recently launched an entire lounge collection and it’s worth a browse. I love all the pajama sets I’ve purchased from them too…always the softest!
Rake Comb — I bought this for my own stocking (haha) and just got it in today! I love the hefty quality and classic style. Perfect for my wet hair when I’m fresh out of the shower and I can’t wait to use it.
Chic Backpack — I was talking to a friend recently about updating my baby bag. I was considering investing in a good quality backpack that I could use both during the early months, but also after. I love this style by Cuyana and shared it with you the other week. Then my friend sent me this equally as stylish version for half the cost! Currently 30% off too with code Bell30 (!!) I think its a must!
Brow Pomade — Finally ordered this volume adding pomade for my brows! It was on my running wishlist and I pulled the trigger while reordering my other favorites. Their new velvet holiday bag comes complimentary with every purchase, so I’m excited to recieve it as well - a gift in itself!
At Home Pieces Post Pregnancy — With lots of time expected to be spent at home over the next several months, I was browsing one of my favorite online shops and discovered the collection from Skin. Their selection consists of neutral wardrobe basics you can wear year-around. I specifically love this robe and button down caftan because they're lightweight, comfortable and perfect for nursing once baby arrives.
Ribbed Cotton Roll Neck Sweater — I snagged two of these cotton sweaters and I’m so happy I did. I got them over the weekend and immediately tried them on! I have their roll neck sweater in a cream color and I wear it during the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons. This time around, I purchased the brown to enjoy now and the white for Spring. It also comes in black, blue and blush. They run true to size, but I went up a size in the brown since I’m expecting. If you’re looking for a pretty classic cable-knit, this one is gorgeous!
Recipes
Holiday Menu For A Stress Free Day — While celebrating the holidays with family and friends, the last thing it should be is stressful. I’m excited to share our stress free brunch menu again this year with a few updates. I laid out all the recipes in the post, so feel free to pull from it & enjoy!
Stovetop Hot Chocolate Recipe — If you've never tried this recipe, you must! There’s both a single serve option, as well as a serving size of six. I find it's easier to make the larger batch and store any leftovers. It refrigerates and reheats easily!
Holiday Sugar Cookies & Decorator Icing Recipe — I’ve been making these delicious homemade sugar cookies every year for as long as I can remember. My mother made it a Christmas tradition for my sister and I. I’m doing the same for Meriwether. She’s always a tremendous help by eating all the sprinkles (!!)
Noteworthy Quote
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie
I shared this quote around Thanksgiving and I’ve read it many times since. Every single sentence is a perfectly executed reminder for appreciating the little things and how a gratuitous perspective can literally change everything.
Easy Angel Ornament Craft
Meriwether and I made these adorable angel ornaments for family members on our Christmas list! After posting a video on Instagram, I got several questions about the specific materials we used, so I thought I’d share. All of these items can be quickly ordered, or found at your local craft store.
Holiday Playlist
I usually create my own playlist for the season, but I’ve been enjoying this relaxing Christmas playlist so much and wanted to share it with you!
Recently on the blog & other notes...
Gift Guide: For The Ones Who Have Everything
What To Wear For The Holidays — I’ve curated a holiday collection that includes both fancy dresses and comfortable sets. I organized into categories, making browsing a bit easier. Keep scrolling for the full collection, and hover on desktop to view pricing.
Ritual Discount Code — these flavor infused multivitamins have been such a refreshing part of my morning over the last few months. Visit the link or enter ‘10AMELIA’ at checkout for 10% off your first three months
Summersalt Discount Code — I recently worked with the brand to share some flattering lounge sets and beyond comfortable pajamas! Use code ‘Amelia10’ for savings towards your purchase.
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