Life lately: Christmas with the Smiths

 We're kinda Christmas procrastinators.  I did a lot of our Christmas shopping the week of Christmas and we didn't go do Christmas-y things until about two weeks before.  We had a lot of fun seeing Jackson's reaction to everything.  Some things he really loved (like the decorations) and other things he wasn't as excited about (like opening presents).

The first Christmas thing we did this year was go to Christmas Village in Ogden.  It was so weird this year because there was absolutely no snow and no ice.  I mean, it's not Christmas Village if you're not slipping around and having to hold your date's hand right?

My favorite thing is watching these two together!  Steve is such a great dad and Jackson has so much fun with him.

I love the clouds on the mountains in this picture!  We went up to my little sister's dance recital and really enjoyed watching her dance.  She did so good!

On Christmas Eve we went to my Aunt's and visited with my cousins and we did the Nativity.  We have done this for years and it gets funner every year as we all get older.
This year my favorite part was making Jackson a sheep.  We finally got him to say "Ahhh!" (his version of Baa) right before we started and then he randomly said it throughout the Nativity (just like a real sheep would have).

I had to take the pen and shoe away from him to try to get him to open his present.  We only got him one big present and everyone else spoiled him.  We thought that would probably happen and I'm glad we just got him the dump truck.

This last picture is a very tame version of the mess our house was in for about a week post-Christmas.  Christmas is so much fun, but I am so glad it is only once a year!  We've finally got everything all put away and are back to normal life.  
I hope everyone else had a great time and has recuperated as well :)

Lace and damask and bling. Oh my!

I got my clothes from Twice.com last week!  My $3.35 order full of gently used wonderful goodness is now happily hanging in my closet (read my shopping how-to here).   It was super fun to get dressed for work today with so many choices.  My only problem was matching an outfit together...You know when you're little and you have so many favorite treats and you think that they should all go great together but they don't?  That's what I was afraid was going to happen getting dressed this morning.   I did end up with a lot going on in my outfit, but I loved it.  With so much going on I am just hoping it didn't look like I let a little kid dress me :) 

My grey sweater shirt is from INC International Concepts via Like Twice ($.56) similar here, peach lace skirt from Down East Basic (gift) similar here, damask tights from JCPenney similar here, shoes are Alfani via Runway Fashion Exchange $8 similar here. Thanks so much for reading!   Would you wear so much texture in one outfit?  Please share any getting dressed guidelines you have in the comments below :)  (My main one is not to wear a loose top with a loose bottom, it just looks sloppy to me.)

How to: Delicious cupcakes from box mix

I really like cake mixes :)  They're easy, and for the most part I think they're pretty yummy.  But did you know you can add different ingredients and make even yummier, more moist cakes, brownies, cupcakes and even cookies from box mixes?

I made cupcakes yesterday and I think I have perfected my cake mix recipe!  These cupcakes were soft, moist and super yummy.

So I used this both on a Betty Crocker yellow cake mix and on a Pillsbury strawberry cake mix.

Here's what you do:

• Swap milk for water.  Whatever amount the box says to use of water, use milk instead.
• Use butter instead of oil, or half butter half oil to equal the same total amount.
• Add 2 Tbsp. Greek Yogurt or sour cream

Bake per box instructions.  Voila!  Delicious cupcakes :)

Thanks for reading!!  Enjoy your treats!

Bold florals + Bold stripes (plus some little sister fashion)

Last night/early this morning my little brother left home for the next two years to serve a mission for our church.  We thought he wasn't going for another two weeks, so it was a really crazy few days for my mom getting him ready to go.  We all got together as a family last night.  It was sad to say goodbye, but we are all very excited for him.  As I'm typing this, he is probably almost to Mexico City.

I wanted to share some pics of what I wore last night and also what my 9 year old sister wore.  She was wearing the cutest outfit and it was so well coordinated.  I'm sharing pics below.  She also took the first few pictures of my outfit.  :)

This skirt is actually from my friend's wedding.  Isn't it cute!  I thought the bold stripes in my shirt needed a bolder floral pattern and I love how it looked with this bright, bold skirt.  My other sister got me this beautiful blazer for Christmas.  It has a stripe print with a chunky white lace overlay.

See how cute!?  She's got this beautiful white tee with clear, iridescent sequin sleeves and a pocket, a super cute polka dot layered skirt, white leggings with lace on the bottom, and then sparkly shoes that match the shirt.  She put this together by herself!

Thanks so much for reading!!

Linking up with:  Because Shanna Said So, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Whitney Nic James, Trend Spin Linkup.

Take a Trip Thursday: Packing tips and Hawaii Pics

Napali Coast Kauai

You know how some people have the most gorgeous, coordinated, well put together outfits when they travel?  I am not one of those people.  At all.  I have made a lot of packing blunders in the past.  I'm still not the perfect packer, but I thought I could share what I have learned so far. :)

1.  Plan ahead:  Waiting until the last minute results in grabbing many miscellaneous items that may or may not go well together.  I have learned this the hard way.  Also it is hard to pack the right amount when you are in a hurry.
2.  Plan multiple outfits with your pieces:  As you decide what pieces you want to take lay them all out and start putting together potential outfits.  You want clothes that you feel comfortable in and that work well together.  I am very bad at grabbing a bunch of my favorites and then finding out on the trip that I only can make a few outfits and that some pieces don't match with anything :(
3.  Dress for your activities:  Take your itinerary and decide, based on what you are doing each day, what you should plan on wearing.  You don't have to plan everything out to a T, but if you are going to be doing a ton of hiking (like we did in HI), you will want multiple outfits that work for that activity and less outfits for other activities.  

We brought old shoes for hiking.  Thank goodness!

Our trip consisted mainly of hiking with a side of driving and beaching :)

Waimea Canyon

4.  Bring at least one "fancy" outfit:  It is nice on vacation to go out to a nice dinner or do some shopping at least once.  It isn't as much fun when you feel like the frumpy tourist.
5.  Don't under or over pack:  I have decided that slightly over packing is better than under packing.  I tend to under pack, but I am getting better :)  Once again look at your activities and then how many days you will be gone.  Plan maybe one extra just in case outfit, but not three. :)

You can't tell from the picture but there is a nice swimming hole right here...

see we're actually standing up in this pic.

We hiked, waded, and kayaked to get to the swimming hole.

Maliuhi Road

Poipu Beach 

I bet you want to go to Kauai now ;)  It was a fun trip!

Thanks so much for reading!!  Comment if I should do a post about traveling cheaply.  Also if you have any packing tips I would love to hear them!

linking up with: BeYoutiful Link Party

Summer Style: Pink Striped Maxi Dress

hair how to

Dress: Connection 18 (TJ Maxx) ($15) / Denim Shirt: Forever 21 ($10 secondhand) / Shoes: Dollhouse ($14) (Ross) / Watch: Betsey Johnson (TJ Maxx) ($35) / Rosebud Earrings: Rue 21 ($5 in a set) / Hairstyle how to: here

Outfit total: less than $80

I got to go Birthday shopping with my mother in law this week.  We weren't able to go earlier because she was on vacation.  We found this dress and my watch at TJ Maxx.

I absolutely love this dress!  I love the color of pink it is and it is sooo comfy.  Striped maxi dresses are so gorgeous for summer.  They are so easy but look amazing!  Adding to the outfit with a kimono, blazer, or chambray top gives it a little something extra :)

I found as many similar items on Amazon as I could.  If you live near a TJ Maxx and want the watch, check to see if they have them.  They were only $35 in store and they are around $100 on Amazon.

**These are affiliate links, so if you choose to buy something from them, I will receive a small commission from Amazon, this will not affect the price you pay**

Thanks so much for reading!!  Comment below with your favorite summer clothes :)

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Also linked with the Pleated Poppy link, the Penniless Socialite link, the trend spin link up with the Fashion Canvas and Walking in Memphis in High Heels, and the Real Arnolds link up.