Living a Norman Life Christmas Playlists

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”- Buddy the Elf. Today’s post is all about the music- Christmas music. I have put together a few playlists via Amazon Music for your holiday listening enjoyment. If you don’t have Amazon music, never fear! I’ve listed all of my tunes for each playlist down below so you can create your own on your listening platform. I hope you enjoy!

Continue reading “Living a Norman Life Christmas Playlists”

Currently Loving- December 2019

Hi, friends! Long time no see. I took a little break from blogging, and I’m happy to return today. I tend to take breaks periodically. I admit that this time around it has had a lot to do with the time of year and the stress of my teaching job. It’s all caused a lull in creativity for the blog, and for that I apologize. I’m hoping 2020 brings more clarity and creativity for this space and just for life in general. But for now let’s recap the last month of 2019. Grab your coffee or tea or wine and let’s get started.

Continue reading “Currently Loving- December 2019”

Currently Loving- November 2019

Happy, happy December! Though I thoroughly enjoyed November, I’m so happy to do all things Christmas. It really does feel like the most wonderful time of the year. I think a lot of that is because it’s so visually pleasing and the music is so good. 🙂 I know that music comment won’t go over well with a few of you (ahem, Paul), but I don’t care. I am who I am. November was particularly busy and fun. If you’re new around here my monthly wrap-ups are about things I’ve done and products I’ve enjoyed. It’s basically a monthly account of what life has been like for me. It started off pretty great and ended great, too. Let’s get started.

Continue reading “Currently Loving- November 2019”

Currently Loving- December 2018

December. Why does it feel like that was a lifetime ago? It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, as they say, and I think the days just go by so quickly. It was definitely a hustle and bustle December for me, but it was lovely. Here are a few of the things I loved.

Continue reading “Currently Loving- December 2018”

Currently Loving- December 2017

CURRENTLY LOVING- DECEMBER 2017

Better late than never, right? I know we’ve gotten through half of January now, but I came across a few things that I just couldn’t not share with you.

Before we get into all that, I hope y’all had a great holiday season. I enjoyed a much needed break and spent some quality time with family and with myself. 🙂 I know so many people lost loved ones and dealt with family members in the hospital, but I still hope there were a few moments of wonder and joy that you were able to find during the holidays.

Oh, Christmas Tree

My Christmas tree was my favorite thing about my Christmas decor. It was so twinkly and magical.  It went through a few phases (One and Two), and I miss it. I can’t wait until November to put it back up and see what kind of inspiration strikes me then.

Winter Skin Savers

This winter has brought some very cold temperatures. I know we have a winter every year, but this winter seems a little extra cold to me. I’m not complaining. Winter is my favorite season and cold weather is delightful to me, but my skin doesn’t love the cold temps with the heat on inside all the time. Thankfully I’ve got a great skin care regimen that helps keep my skin moisturized. I shared them in a post here. And if you want any of these products, you can shop them here.

Christmas Break

I have always loved Christmas Break. It comes at a much needed time when children’s excitement is at an all-time high. And I’m a bit of a procrastinator, so I’m always grateful for the time to finish my shopping during the week instead of on crazy, busy weekends. But I also manage to spend a lot of time doing this…

Hallmark movies are on loop, I get to sleep in a bit, and then there’s lots of time spent with family and friends. I know most teachers would agree with me that Christmas Break is one of the great perks of the job.

And with the Break Comes the TV

It’s no surprise that I’ve found another show to watch. If you’ve been around for a while, you know that I love movies and television. I love to be entertained, and I almost always have a favorite show or movie on in the background. I recently discovered The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon. Y’all….it’s one of the funniest shows I’ve watched in a really long time. Rachel Brosnahan is brilliant and deserved the Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice awards for her portrayal of Midge Maisel. Trust me, you’ll laugh out loud and want to watch it all over again. (I did!) 

I also rediscovered Sex and the City again. It was on E! for a mini marathon one night. I started watching it and kept going all the way through to the end (finished on Amazon).  Sometimes it’s nice to “revisit old friends”. I love when I go back to old shows and watch them through more grown up eyes.

Auburn Basketball

Over the Christmas break I went to a basketball game in Auburn.  We got general admission tickets, so we got there really early and got floor seats. It was a great view, and we were even on TV! 🙂 Auburn’s doing really well right now. If you’re a fan, you should watch on TV or even go to a game! It’s pretty inexpensive and is always a great time. 

Reading

Breaks from school always allow time for reading. I finished a great book, Behind Closed Doors, over the holiday and wrote a little review about it here. It was exciting, scary, and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this one.

Snow Day

This was such a great day! I love snow and cold weather. And when we get it in Alabama, I’m the happiest girl. I think I’d do just fine in Chicago or NYC. The pups didn’t love it so much, though. And neither did Paul. But I sure did!

Have a great week, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

 

 

Gift Guide Roundup

GIFT GUIDE ROUNDUP

We’re so close to Christmas! And if you’re like me you’ve got a few last minute gifts to pick up. I wanted to remind you of my gift guides that I’ve created.  Here’s a quick roundup of all 5 of them for some inspiration.

Beauty Lover

Holiday Gift Guide 2017- Beauty Lover

Cozy Gifts

Holiday Gift Guide 2017- Cozy Gifts

My Personal Wishlist

Holiday Gift Guide 2017- My Personal Wishlist

Gifts For Him

Holiday Gift Guide 2017- Gifts for Him

Hostess Gifts

Holiday Gift Guide 2017- Hostess Gifts

Happy Shopping and Merry Christmas!

XO,

Elizabeth

Favorite Christmas Movies

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES

There’s something about this time of year that makes me just want to watch ALL the movies. Yes, there’s quite a few Hallmark Christmas movies, but I do manage to fit in some of my all time favorites. Here’s my list.

The Family Stone

No surprise here if you’ve read my blog for a while or if you follow me on Instagram. This is my all-time favorite movie. Not just my favorite Christmas movie. It’s just so perfectly disfunctional and awkward, yet it’s endearing and full of love. And can we talk about that house? It’s perfection. Serious goals.

Elf

Another one I’ve shared before. Elf is an absolute delight to watch. Will Ferrell is genius in this movie, and I laugh out loud at him every time I watch it. I can quote it and often do in my head when something happens that reminds me of it. At school this year, someone came to tell on someone else because they had been called a Cotton-headed ninny muggins. Bahahaha! It took all I had in me not to laugh and tell them to go get in the child’s face and say, “You sit on a throne of lies.” 🙂 🙂 🙂

White Christmas

What a classic. I am so happy it’s on Netflix this year! Thank you, Netflix. I discovered this movie not too many years ago and couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to see it. I can’t get enough of it now. I just love to watch it, and the ending make my heart so happy. It’s definitely one I’ll be watching year after year. I love the music and the dancing. Bing Crosby is magical to watch and to listen to. He’s one of the greats. Paul told me this year that he’s never watched this movie. I think it’s time to change that!

The Holiday

Okay, I just went back to an old post about my favorite movies, and this one is on it too. I clearly have a thing for Christmas movies. I watched this one on Amazon just the other day. In college I watched it on a loop. The writing, the music, the acting, the setting (those houses-always the houses in a Nancy Meyers film…swoon). And Jack Black has his best role ever as Miles. I just love that scene where he asks her out for New Years and he gives the tiniest fist pump to himself. And don’t you just get chills when they open the doors for Arthur (the older gentleman), and all those people are cheering for him. I cry every time. Watch this one please!

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Just pure silliness. But in the best possible way. Straight out of the gate it’s nonsense, but it’s the funniest nonsense. It’s no wonder it’s a cult classic that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Jim Carrey was amazing in this one. I used to not care for it, but once I sat down and actually watched it, I realized it’s quite wonderful. And any Gossip Girl fans out there? Cindy Lou Who is Jenny! I remember having this soundtrack as a kid and loving it. I might need to buy this one.

A few others that I like to watch are Love Actually, Four Christmases, Deck the Halls, and Home Alone (1 and 2).

What are your favorite Christmas movies to watch every year?

Merry Christmas,

Elizabeth

Christmas Home Tour 2017- Round 2

CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR 2017-ROUND 2

So, I thought I was all finished with my Christmas decorating, but I was in Sam’s with my mom a while ago, and I just happened to walk by this ribbon. I didn’t even say anything, just grabbed it and put it in the cart.

I have been seeing several tutorials on how to add ribbon to your Christmas tree, and y’all, it’s gorgeous! I knew I wanted to add some, but I wasn’t sure what ribbon I wanted. Then I saw that ribbon and knew it was the one to add.

Now, I may have overdone it a little, but everytime I look at it, it looks like a big present all wrapped up, and I swear the glow is even brighter. I love it even more than before. I even added a few more twinkle lights. I couldn’t help myself. 🙂

Thanks for touring my home for a second time! If you missed the first round, you can check it out here.

Now, come on over and we’ll have coffee or wine. And I’ll probably make you watch The Family Stone while you’re here. 🙂

Merry Christmas, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

 

Christmas Home Tour 2017

CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR 2017

Merry Christmas, y’all! I am so excited to share my home with you while it’s all decorated for Christmas. I told you in my post about changes that I was  doing something different with my Christmas decor. It’s a little trendy, a little farmhouse-y, and a lot black and white.

I painted the buffalo check ornaments myself. Spray painting Christmas ornaments was no easy task! I finally just hoped for the best because of how much they were rolling around. From far away they look okay, but up close…well, just don’t look up close.

I attempted to make cotton ball ornaments and was going to add brown pieces to it to give it the look of the wreath that gave me the inspiration.

But they turned out looking like snowballs, and I actually think I like them better. I took down my rustic, turquoise sconces to put up some (basically antique) sconces from my grandparents’ house. They may be dated and ugly to some, but I kind of love them and they look festive with some garland I pulled off of another decoration that I didn’t use.

This little decoration was a gift, and I love how it worked perfectly with my color scheme this Christmas.  She may be tall and skinny, but our living space is so small that she fits perfectly in our little corner. Okay, enough talking. I hope you enjoy a peek at my holiday decorations. If you have any questions about their sources, just leave a comment. 🙂 

Painted this fun thing last year with BrynCo Boutique

I painted this door hanger with Stacey Edwards, but it went so well with my Christmas decor that I stuck it under the tree.

Merry Christmas, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

Holiday Gift Guide 2017: Gifts For Him

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2017: GIFTS FOR HIM

Men…aren’t they the hardest ones to buy for? 

If they’re anything like my husband or dad or brother, there’s nothing they want (nothing that costs under a lot of money anyway), and chances are, they’ve already bought everything they need throughout the year. Well, I came up with a few things that some of the men in my life might like. Maybe it’ll be helpful for some of the guys in your life too.

  1. Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Vest– Overall it’s not too cold here in Alabama, so a vest is a great piece to have for the cooler months. These vests look super soft and very chic. **But I found a great deal on Columbia ones at Academy today! Here’s the link.
  2. Adidas Ultimate 365 Regular Fit Pants– Great navy color, lightweight fabric, washes well. Paul has several Adidas pants and shorts and loves them.
  3. Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray– Paul has been wearing this for a few years now and still likes it. We got him the large bottle last year, and he still has so much left. A little goes a long way, y’all. But it smells delicious.
  4. Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens– I’ll be honest, I am the one that really wants this camera. Paul isn’t much of a tech guy or a picture taker, but I know there are a lot of guys that are. I’ve heard so many great reviews on this camera, and it’s at the top of my high-dollar Christmas wish list. Bonus: It is on sale right now!
  5. FootJoy Mens Club Casuals Buckle Loafers– Paul has been through a pair of these already, but his didn’t have the buckle. They look very nice and hold up well. I just love the buckle detail, and they look pretty sharp in black too.
  6. FootJoy Pro/SL Mens Golf Shoe– These navy, orange, and white golf shoes lean a little in the Auburn fan direction, but they looked pretty awesome to me. There are other color combos in this shoe if this isn’t your man’s style.
  7. Columbia Men’s Fast Trek Scarf– I said earlier it doesn’t get very cold here in Alabama, but sometimes it does. Especially during those early morning hunting excursions. This scarf would be a great and very warm addition to the hunting wardrobe.
  8. Brookstone Bed Fan with Wireless Remote– Anyone else sleep next to a hot box every night? This fan has been on Paul’s list for quite some time now. It’s not a bad price and might really be a game changer for a better night’s sleep. I’ll report back if Santa brings this to our house. 🙂

Happy shopping, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth