Happy Monday, friends and hellooo Christmas week! My weekend was jam-packed full of food, fun, and festivities and it was great to spend some quality time with my friends and family. That’s the best thing about the holidays, isn’t it? Lots of activities means a long post so let’s jump right into the recap!
On Friday, we headed to Jessica’s house (Ryan’s sister) for their neighborhood dirty Santa party complete with yummy apps, desserts, and tacky sweaters. Too bad I left my awesome tacky vest/turtleneck combo at my Raleigh apartment so I wasn’t prepared but at least Ryan & I kept our outfits in the Christmas color wheel. By the way, how stinkin’ cute is Ryan’s dad’s sweater?
My parents came up Saturday and we exchanged presents, had some good sushi at Cowfish (best sushi in Charlotte, in my opinion), and did a little shopping (but failed to take photos, boo). Both of our fams hung out together and made our way through the craziness that is Southpark Mall. Let’s just say I won’t be heading there anytime soon until Christmas is done and over with. All the crowds, lines, and crazy drivers are exactly why I prefer to shop online.
Saturday evening continued with the annual Secret Santa Christmas party with my girls. We usually go out to a restaurant, but this year we had it at Logan’s place because she has a great living room with a super tall tree and a cozy fireplace… the perfect setting, right? We had a delicious meal, had our first cookie exchange, and then came the best part… presents!!! Just kidding, the best part was us playing Evil Apples and getting super competitive during Catch Phrase but the gifts were definitely fun. Kate Spade made a lot of appearances and my friend Lindsay got me a must-have item for any style blogger, the oh-so-fabulous Kendra Scott Rayne necklace– in the limited-edition holiday rose gold. Obsessed!! We stayed up til 1 am chatting about life and wedding plans and nothing is better than nights like these with my best friends.
Ashton – Lindsay – Me
Rachael – Logan – Katie
I’m well stocked on cookies for the next two weeks!
Sunday was spent at Jessica’s with Ryan’s family- we had a nice breakfast and had our gift exchange complete with lots of lounging and football. Ryan’s dad has been loaning me his Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens for several months and it was time to give it back (which we wrapped up to be funny). I told Ryan that if I didn’t get it for Christmas then I was just going to buy it for myself (can’t blog without it y’all!). Well, you could say I was super excited when I opened up the same brand new lens complete with lots of fun accessories for my camera!! We finished the night with some Chinese food and a viewing of Home Alone (hands down my favorite Christmas movie- I can quote every line).
Don’t you love my steak saw? Definitely the funniest gift we got!
Because the McAllisters running through the airport never gets old!
Ps. If you’re getting a Christmas mani and are looking for that perfect holiday red, look no further than “In my Santa Suit” by OPI. It has a hint of shimmer and make me feel oh-so-festive!
Such a fun weekend! That sushi… yummmm. I love that nail color but I really still can't get over your ring!!! Gorgeous! Happy Christmas week!
Oh girl what a fun weekend – will you tell Katie that we miss her in the blogging world!! I am loving you Christmas nails – so pretty but it could also be your stunning ring!! xo, Biana BlovedBoston
love that mani!! what a fun weekend with families and friends!!!
Such a fun weekend! Loving your mani and Ryan's dad's sweater made me LOL!!
Everything about this makes me SO SO happy!! What a lovely family and friend AND CHRISTMAS filled weekend!! If your people are looking for a cheaper alternative dupe for that polish Wet n Wild Megalast Taking the Red-Eye is verrrrrrrrrrry similar! Obsessed with your ring, bee tee dubs.
You and your friends look like so much fun! What a fun party! 🙂 And a great weekend! Love your nails!!
That sushi looks delicious! It sounds like you had a fun filled weekend. Love the tacky Christmas sweaters-Cute! I am getting a mani this week and was already searching for a good color, so perfect timing. I will now get that color. Also, your ring is gorgeous!!
Great pictures! That sushi looks amazing! Have a great week
Sarah
http://coffeeandglitter14.blogspot.com/
What a great weekend. That sushi looks amazing, and your new necklace is gorgeous. 🙂 Love that last photo with your ring and Christmas mani!
In My Santa Suit is on my nails right now and is my favorite Christmas color too!
Game night + secret santa + cookie swap = perfect night!
happy christmas week! looks like yall had fun at the gift exchange and I AM DYING over ryan's dad's sweater.
Your ring. Still just so gorgeous, of course. And it looks like you had a wonderful weekend! I definitely would love to get a f/1.8 lens for my Nikon… going to probably buy one for myself after Christmas!
xo Southern Style
Fantastic ring! And yes, Cowfish is definitely one of the best sushi places. I love their Tropical Storm roll. So good!
Oh how fun! This post is full of so many happy things! Loving your mani (and your ring of course)! Merry early Christmas!!
Caitlin C
Looks like a great weekend. And I agree the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens is a must have lens. I use it for everything. Your nails always look so nice and I've been meaning to ask if you have any recommendations for a base coat/top coat. Mine always look good for about a day and then they start to chip. I love that OPI color and I have a similar OPI shade I'm planning on wearing for all of our Christmas gatherings. Hope you have a nice holiday!