How To Have A Stress-Free Week Before Christmas

On my wedding day, I made up my mind to have a good time: whatever happened that day, I was going to have fun, and at the end of the day, I'd be married no matter what other problems popped up (like a thunderstorm 1 hour before my outdoor ceremony was scheduled!). My approach to the holidays is the same: at the end of the day, I don't want to waste energy feeling stressed because I'll have fun, no matter what happens. The point is that we're celebrating that JESUS CAME AS A BABY (it's so crazy, I can't get over it), and that will be exciting even if my Christmas Eve dinner burns and we all have to go to Wendy's. 

I've come up with a 11-item list of how to channel this very zen, very non-flustered attitude as Christmas gets closer. It's inspiring, if I do say so myself. 😉 Especially #3. Skip ahead because that's actually the only pro-life-tip you'll need. 

So. Christmas is 7 days away. Are you READY?!

No? Well, me either. And that's totally fine and we're all not gonna freak out about it. 

Here's how:

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Is It Even Fall If You Don't........

Hello, fall.

There are unraked, crunchy leaves on the sidewalk because Lord knows your neighbors can't keep up with all the dead, falling foliage, and your current body heat is 50% from your mustard-colored, chunky-knit sweater and 50% from the pumpkin-flavored coffee that you overpaid for at a big chain coffee shop.

We welcome you with open, sweater-clad arms and hearts that are full (and/or clogged from eating too many pumpkin spice donuts).

This is not a fall bucket list.

This is a list of things that are obligatory once September hits.

Is it even fall if you don't...

• 1. Document your pumpkin-spice beverage on Instagram.

• 2. Overpay for apples that you picked yourself.

• 3. Spend a significant amount of time sniffing candles labeled "sweater weather" and "give thanks."

• 4. Question how candles ended up with such names since neither of those titles describe particular scents.

• 5. Shamelessly pose holding a pumpkin while strangers pick out their own large, brightly colored gourds.

• 6. Add soup to this week's meal plan anywhere between 1 and 5 times OR order soup from Panera.

• 7. Have a bonfire the minute the weather permits (and here in Philly it's been 80 degrees up til this past week soooooo.......).

• 8. Describe the air as "cool" and "crisp."

• 9. Take a toddler (your own or a borrowed one from a friend) on a hayride.

• 10. Post the stereotypical fall foliage photos in a blog post. 😉   What you're looking at here is Pennsylvania's lame attempt at fall foliage in October (we have all those 80-degree days to thank for everything being green instead of bright red and orange...). 

Make sure to read these sarcasm-free fall-related posts, like the best DIY fire pit and this curry squash soup recipe. 

Actually, I can't promise there isn't sarcasm in those, too. I didn't re-read them before adding the links. 😉

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Currently // August 2017

I'm in love with summer, and I've been soaking up all the summer activities like splash pads (for Aiden), days at the park, watching thunderstorms on the front porch, and BBQs with friends. I'm not ready for all the too-early "back to school" and "fall" crap. Get outta here with your fall outfit posts. Ain't nobody got time. 😉 

Here's a quick overview of what I've been up to recently:

Snacking on: If we're being honest, I SHOULD be snacking on these high-protein/healthy snacks since I'm now 29 weeks pregnant....but right now I have a bag of sour gummy worms open that I'm snacking on. (Back to healthy-ish stuff though, the veggie chips from Aldi are SO GOOD)

Anticipating: more fun summer stuff, like beach days with friends. Yesterday, I went on a "mom & boys" beach trip with 2 friends who also have one son each (3 kids under 3 and we CRUSHED ITTTT, just sayin'.) *Pictured above* I'm looking forward to hosting a backyard movie night this month, along with walks outside, pool days, and anything else that requires supreme amounts of bug spray/sunscreen.

Borrowing: The Rosie Effect, from the library...I'm a slow reader and I'm slowly losing interest even though the book is good. Whatever. Let's move on.

Admiring: digital prints like this one and long hair like this

Purchasing: the aforementioned bag of sour gummy worms. On a different note, I bought tickets to a backyard concert that happened earlier this week and I LOVED getting to sit out in a beach chair, under twinkle lights, listening to good music. It made me want to go to more chill outdoor concerts like that! (Did you see my Instagram stories about it? It was so fun!)

What have you been up to lately? 

I'm joining Anne & Shea for the Currently link-up. 

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Currently // July 2017

Documenting: Summer memories like the one below, where Devin's dad pushed Aiden around on the lawn mower (it was off, no worries). Aiden's obsessed with all things wheeled, and Devin's dad is just the sweetest and most fun granddad who obliges Aiden's request for a ride on everything!

Accomplishing: lots of garden-y things even though I'm the furthest thing from a gardener. I weeded our front beds (so it looks like people actually live here!) and my 2 of my 4 tomato plants on the front porch are doing awesome. Don't ask me about the other 2...

Enjoying: all forms of iced coffee. I'm not sure what it is about being pregnant that makes me want all the coffee...before I was pregnant with Aiden I didn't even like it!

Reading: I started The Vacationers but just wasn't feeling it so now I'm about to start the sequel to The Rosie Project, The Rosie Effect. This is all thanks to our local library. They're the best. Except when I forget to return stuff.

Spending: afternoons by the pool (around Aiden's nap) and mornings all together, since Devin's still home from work with his broken leg!

What have you been up to lately? 

I'm joining Anne & Stephanie for the Currently link-up.

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