Friday Five

After a somewhat unintentional two and a half month hiatus, I'm back! So much has happened since my last post, including moving into an amazing new apartment! Now that I'm for the most part settled into my new place and the holiday season is winding down I hope to be a more diligent blogger. This week's Friday Five is devoted to some of my highlights from this Christmas season!

1. Cookie Baking Marathon

At the beginning of December I took a weekend road trip to visit one of my best friends. We spent all day Saturday baking Christmas cookies with her mom and sister. It was so much fun and we made at least 10 different kinds of treats- including sugar cookies, jelly cookies, peanut butter blossoms, iced ginger snaps, chewy lemon drop cookies, peanut butter balls, and Oreo truffles. I especially loved learning how to make the Oreo truffles- I have made a couple batches on my own since our cookie baking exravaganza!

2. Vineyard Vines Christmas Pajama Pants

My family has never really done the special Christmas pajamas traditions, and I have admired families who do and thought it looked so fun. So this year I decided to treat myself to a pair of Christmasy flannel pajama pants at the Vineyard Vines outlet to wear on Christmas Eve. I like the snowflake print because they are festive for Christmas but I can still wear them throughout the winter.

3. My Christmas Tree: 2014 Edition

I had so much fun decorating my cute little Christmas tree in my new apartment. The second picture shows a few of my favorite ornaments. The Clemson paw print ball and the panda are new to my collection this year. I cross-stitched the candy cane when I was in 6th grade and I still enjoy looking at it each year.

4. Starbucks Gingerbread Latte

Gingerbread lattes from Starbucks are one of my favorite things about the holiday season, and this year was no exception. In fact, I think I had more than usual this year because Starbucks was doing these promotional cards where you got a sticker each time you purchased a holiday beverage, and once you got five stickers you could redeem your card for a free grande espresso beverage. This was in addition to earning stars when using your Starbucks card to pay. I especially enjoyed the gingerbread latte that I enjoyed at home in another pair of Vineyard Vines pajama pants, while enjoying the Christmas tree lights and watching a Christmas movie!

5. Manger Scene Canvas

One of my dearest friends gave me this beautiful manger scene canvas for Christmas and I will always treasure it because it came from a special friend who is like a second mom to me, and it portrays the true meaning of Christmas.

Hope y'all had a Merry Christmas!

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;...For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end." -Isaiah 9:2,6-7a

-Liz

xoxo