A Year in Review

I loved looking back at the first year of our wedded bliss and everything we’ve accomplished this year #weddings 🙂  I hope y’all enjoy it as well!

{January}

We came back from our honeymoon ready to roll as Newlyweds and I made the hubs take wedding pictures in the snow by the talented Jess Nolan!

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{February}

We had fun weekend visit this month from our besties, Aaron and Michelle!

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We’re hoping for more visits from friends (including these two!) in 2017.

{March}

My first blog post ever!

I also shared 27 things I’ve learned in 27 years as well as documented many of my bridal showers.

{April}

We went to Florida for one of my best friend’s weddings – the first of many for the year! I shared all about our wedding reception and my bachelorette party 🙂 I also posted my first Fitting Room Snapshots and y’all seriously loved it! I need to add more of those for 2017!

{May}

We celebrated our second wedding of the year and it was so much fun to dress up!

{June}

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I babysat my nieces for a fun weekend and shared all about it here!  I introduced you to my favorite little pups, celebrated two more weddings and hosted a couple’s shower for my brother and sister-in-law!

{July}

I shared a few outfit posts on the blog for the first time, our fun weekend at the lake (always our favorite!), a little bit of our home and a fun bachelorette night!  This was a busy month for us..

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We hosted a surprise 50th birthday party for my MIL and also celebrated my Brother’s wedding!

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{August}

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We did our annual trip to the MN State Fair in August; I shared some of my fall favorites and also my segway tour around Minneapolis; we celebrated two more weddings; and you guys loved this post on my favorite Lilly Elsa.

{September}

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I shared my favorite fall cookies and my husband’s favorite breakfast.  We celebrated our last wedding of the year and my husband turned the dirty thirty!

{October}

This month I was all about blogging apparently as it produced the most blog posts!   This month, I shared how I tie my favorite blanket scarves; our fun Halloween costumes; one of my favorite cold shoulder dresses; lots of outfit recaps; and a fun weekend with my family.

I shared some fall date night ideas; our trip to Milwaukee to visit my BIL and SIL to be; and a little post about my quirks.

{November}

I shared what I was most thankful for this month; our family pictures; our escape room experience and lots of our favorite recipes.

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{December}

I recapped my favorite books of the year; Celebrated our 1 year anniversary; shared a cute holiday outfit and all about my fun Cookie Exchange party; a weekend trip to Chicago; and our holiday home tour!

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2016 was a year full of ups and downs and I have to say I’m ready to see 2016 in my rear-view mirror!  I’m ready for all the good to come in 2017 and can’t wait to see where the year takes us 🙂

I hope y’all have fun plans tonight to celebrate the New Year and are looking awesome while doing so!  Thank you so much for following along on my little space 🙂  See you next year, followers!

heartKristi

Friday Favorites

It’s crazy that this is my last Friday Favorites post of 2016 and of course, I’m ready to start hammering out some blog posts 🙂 Perfect timing, right?!

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{One}

We celebrated Christmas at my in-laws this year and it was such a fun weekend!  The time just flies by when we’re with any family members so we try to soak it all in!  I didn’t get a chance to recap Christmas yet so thought i’d share some of our pictures 🙂

On Thursday, we frosted cookies!

Friday, we celebrated Christmas with my Dad’s side of the family.

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The hubs enjoyed some bird watching while there!

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Saturday, we celebrated a Packer win and then went to Christmas mass before heading to the Hubs’s Grandparents.

Sunday morning, we opened our Santa gifts.

Then headed to the hub’s Grandma’s for the day!  We did a DIY white elephant gift exchange and I wish I would have taken a picture of all the good stuff!

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Coincidence: we were all gifted cookbooks for Christmas so of course it warranted a picture! I can’t wait to dig into Shay’s!

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How I feel after a busy weekend of driving!

{Two}

Some of our best friends finally got engaged!

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He proposed at Jess’ friendsgiving and the video is a total tear-jerker!  We finally got a chance to celebrate a little bit with them and we gifted them this fun Engagement basket!

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PS- I helped Jeff with the ring and it’s been so hard to keep it from Jess for the last few months! I’m glad he asked finally! 🙂

{Three}

I shared my My Favorite Books of 2016 on the blog and need some recommendations for 2017! So let me know which ones you loved or which ones to avoid!

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{Four}

I am recapping 2016 tomorrow on the blog so make sure you check in!  Some of my favorite posts (and yours too!) were my Fall Fashion IdeasThis is my confessions… and our wedding recap!

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{Five}

The Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale has been in full swing and I shared over on the Happily Ever Griedls Facebook page a few things I have that are on major sale!

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I have this in the olive color and my SIL and I got one for Christmas… it’s the perfect sweater and for under $30 – it’s a great deal!

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If you’re interested in more, head on over to the Happily Ever Griedls FB page and scope them out!  Let me know if you like those posts… and I’d be happy to feature more about fashion and great deals on the blog!

{Six}

All of you!  It amazes me every day that I have such sweet people who read and follow my blog! I’m hoping I can bring you some fun things for 2017 (if there’s anything you want to see, feel free to leave it in the comments below!) and share more of our lives with you!

Stop back in tomorrow for a look back at 2016 in the lives of the Griedls!

heartKristi

My Favorite Books of 2016

I’m so glad I remembered my love for reading in 2016- I used to read all the time but life got busy and reading was pushed on the back burner.  But little by little, I started to read more before bed and all of a sudden I was reading any little chance I got!  I thought it would be fun to look back at some of my favorite books I’ve read this year.. I’m always looking for new recommendations and if you are too, then read on down! 🙂

{One}

This was such a fun light read!  It’s a story about a southern socialite (already sold on it??), Minty’s move to New York and how she tries to find her way in the new world without the  help of her wealthy parents.  It was just a fun book – I loved the contrast between life in New York and in the South along with the story of love and heartbreak.  If you’re looking for a good easy read that you don’t have to think too much about, this is for you!

{Two}

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I am a big fan of Emily Griffin!  Her books are just easy to read and this was just like that.  This is the sequel of the book, Something Borrowed and follows the life of party girl Darcy Rhone while, gasp, pregnant with twins!  She moves to London with her friend, Ethan and tries to figure out her new life.  I loved this book and while it’s a total chick flick type book, I found myself wanting to read more!  I wish there was a third book!

{Three- Five}

These were my favorite books of the year, hands down!! And not just because they are Christmas themed 🙂 I fell in love with the Quinn family and after finishing the first book, NEEDED to pick up the second book immediately and the same with the third!  The story follows the Quinn Family and all the different dynamics while taking place on Nantucket.  If you’re looking for a good read this winter, do yourself a favor and read these immediately!

{Six}

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This was my first book by Elin Hilderbrand and after reading it, I’m convinced I need to read all of her books (see above; favorite books!).  This book follows two families on Nantucket and it’s just good!  Can I say that any more?! 😉  It was fun and after reading it, I decided I need to plan a trip to Nantucket.. anyone with me on that one?!

{Seven}

Between Sisters by [Hannah, Kristin]Another author I love is Kristin Hannah – I first found her when I read Firefly Lane.. if you haven’t read that one, you need to!  When I picked up Between Sisters, I didn’t know what to expect but it was such a great read!  It’s about two sisters who are complete opposites and follows their lives through love, heartaches, sicknesses, etc.  It’s a tear jerker (I cry in every book so that could be debatable) but if you have a sibling, you definitely need to read it!

{Eight}

I wasn’t kidding when I said I loved this author 🙂 This book was so interesting to me.  It’s about a Mama who falls into a coma and her husband (Dr. Liam) needs to keep his family together.  The truth comes out about Mikaela’s past – that she was married to a world famous actor, Julian True and her husband will do anything to get Mikaela back.. even bring her ex-husband to her bedside. This book had so many turns and Oh My’s that it kept my interest throughout it.  If you’re looking for another easy read that will keep your interest, pick this one up!

{Nine}

I picked up this book after it as recommended by my BFF  Reese Witherspoon (seriously, LOVE her!).  This kept my interest for sure!  I didn’t know what was going to happen next and who was to blame, or what the secret was until the very end!  If you’re looking for a creepy book, read this!  It’s about a set of girls who go to a remote cabin for a bachelorette party.. someone ends up dead and they need to figure out who the killer is.  It wasn’t my favorite book of the year but it was good!  It was the only suspenseful book I read all year!

{Ten}

Don’t worry, just my other BFF, Mindy 🙂 I had to read this book because A) I love her B) I love the Mindy Project C) I enjoyed her other book.  This one wasn’t my favorite, which was odd for me because did you know, I love her? 🙂  I loved learning more about her but I really loved all of her other stories in her first book.  I did like she mentioned things she would and wouldn’t do that Mindy Lahiri does (from the Mindy Project in case you aren’t familiar) and I loved getting to know more about her – but it took a little bit to get into it and I need a book that makes me not want to put it down!

{Currently Reading}

I got this book for Christmas and was so excited to dive in!  I’m about halfway through and I can’t say I’m in love!  I don’t know if it’s the way it’s written or what but I just can’t get into it! I totally love them and their show but not in love with their book.  I’ll let you know how I feel after I’ve finished reading it.  Have any of you read it?! What were your thoughts?

Books I want to read in 2017:

All the Elin Hilderbrand books 🙂

I have these two on my nightstand ready to read!  Have any of you read these?! Which of her books are your favorites?

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I know this is probably making some of you cringe but I totally want to read this:

I’m not a huge RHONJ but I’m interested to see what life was like for her in jail and for her kids.  Have any of you read this? Recommend?

I also want to read this one:

I was never a fan of Emily on the Bachelor or Bachelorette… and the fact that she didn’t end up with either guys is kind of annoying BUT maybe this book would make me like her?? I’d love to hear the ins and outs of life on the TV shows too 🙂

What other books should be on my list for 2017?

heartKristi

Holiday Outfits in the snow!

I am totally failing at this whole blogging thing this week… I mean, I haven’t posted since Monday and it’s my favorite week of the year!  I wish I could say that I was busy doing fun Christmas things but I was busy packing and baking… Oh yeah, and cleaning!  #adultingsucks

While packing for Christmas Eve this year (that’s when we get all dressed up for church. Christmas is more of a casual day) I couldn’t help but turn to J.Crew for our holiday outfits!  I fell in love with my husband’s shirt when I saw it in the store (it just screams holiday to me!) and knew that it’d look great with this sweater for Christmas Eve (and any time, because let’s be real, he looks great.. just saying! ;)).

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As usual… when I have some kind of idea for fashion, he obliges.. well I say, as usual but let’s be real, he usually says no and pitches a little bit of a fit but this time, he was all in! 🙂 AKA he didn’t have to completely pack for himself this way!

_mg_8500My dress is sold out but this one is fun and off the shoulder (under $60); I also love this one and this one!  Plus, if you order by 12:00 pm today, you can get it delivered to you by Christmas!

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Please ignore the fact that my skin literally blends in with the snow… I’d like to say I’m the fairest of them all.. but let’s be real, I need a tan!

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Gosh, I love him and a good holiday picture ❤

J.Crew is currently offering 40% off with GIFTNOW so if you’re looking for a few last minute gifts or holiday outfits, head there now- such great deals that they aren’t always offering.

And one more because I just love these outfits and any pictures that my husband smiles in 🙂 In case you didn’t know.. its a bit of a struggle with him getting a good picture.. hello goofy faces! So it’s nice to have a few he smiles in 🙂

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If you’d like to see the outtakes… this blog post would be WAY too long! ha!

Any way, I’m clearly rambling so i’ll put you out of your misery and move on.. we’re off to our first Christmas of the year with lots of games, presents and some family time.

Try to soak up the last few days of Christmas. Merry Christmas Eve Eve! ❤

 heartKristi

Easy Christmas Treats!

It’s the week of Christmas.. which is just crazy to me!  It’s such a bittersweet time.. I’m so excited for Christmas (of course) but so sad it’s almost over!  The holiday season is just magical to me and I hate when it’s time to go back to reality!

While everyone is doing final touches on gifts or treats – I thought I’d share a few of my favorite easy and quick treats!  These are perfect for little gifts wrapped up or to bring to holiday parties!

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The first one up.. is seriously so quick! I mean, it takes longer to take the wrappers off the candies than it does to actually make the treat!

Rolo & Hug Pretzels!

There are tons of recipes on Pinterest for these so if you need more of a tutorial, just click on a few there 🙂

Ingredients:

  • Pretzels (holiday or regular)
  • Chocolate candies – Rolos, Hugs, Kisses, etc.
  • M&Ms (holiday or regular!)

Recipe:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and line baking sheets with aluminum foil or parchment paper, whichever you have on hand!

Next, line up the sheet with pretzels (I used holiday wreaths but you can use regular pretzels too) and place Rolos and Hugs on top of pretzel.

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Put in the oven for 4 minutes – until slightly melted.  Once you pull these out of the oven, place an M&M on top and put in a cool place to set. Because it was -15 in Minnesota today (not even kidding – or counting the wind chill), I placed these outside for just a few minutes!

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These are easy peasy and so festive 🙂 You could switch out the color of the M&Ms too for any holiday!

Christmas White Trash was next on my agenda to make!

I used Alton Brown’s recipe and it was just as easy as the pretzels!

Ingredients:

  • 3 1cups Cheerios toasted oat cereal
  • 3 cups Rice Chex
  • 3 cups Corn Chex
  • 16 ounces M&M’s plain chocolate candy
  • 2 1cups salted mixed nuts
  • 2 cups small pretzels
  • 2 (11 ounce) packages white chocolate chips (Ghirardelli brand preferred)

Recipe:

Compile all the ingredients (minus the white chocolate chips) into a big bowl.  Next, melt down the white chocolate on a double boiler and pour white chocolate in large bowl over all ingredients.  Mix until all pieces are coated.

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 Lastly, put all on a large baking sheet and let cool.  Once cooled,  you can break it apart and serve!

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Ta-Da!

I was done with both treats within a half hour which is perfect – so you can start other baking projects or finish your Christmas wrapping!

Do you have any quick and easy treats that are your go-tos for the holidays?  I still have a bit of baking to do before we head out to Oshkosh this week BUT am happy to cross a few things off my list 🙂

Happy Christmas week!

heartKristi

Friday Favorites!

I can’t believe it’s Friday AND that next Friday is Christmas weekend!  I seriously have no clue where the last two months have gone?!  If anybody knows, please tell me!! It’s also the day my brother and his wife leave for New Zealand on their honeymoon and I have to say.. I’m jealous! This time last year, we were headed on our honeymoon… oh the days!!

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Which brings me to my first favorite of the week…

One

Our wedding was one year ago this past Monday and I still can’t believe it!  If you want to read more about our wedding (and see our video) just click this little button right here!

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We even ate that top tier on Monday 🙂 You can check it out on my insta!

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These pretty little things are on my counter now – reminding me of our anniversary 🙂

And a throwback to our honeymoon…

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And because I’m totally craving warm weather and sunny days!

Two

I shared all about my Cookie Exchange yesterday and let me tell you.. it was so much fun! Just having the girls over for some games was a blast.. and the cookies and wine definitely helped too!

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Three

I went to the Bachman’s Holiday House with Jess last night and that house is so cute no matter the season!  I did a little sneak peek on Snapchat (ballwekl) but for those of you who didn’t see that, I thought I’d share a few pictures below.

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Seriously swooning….!

I plan to show more of the home next week on the blog so if that’s your thing, keep your eye out 🙂

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Four

The hubs and I went to Bentleyville in Duluth this past Saturday for our anniversary and boy, was it cold!! It’s right along the lake so that made it even colder – it was so busy and seriously mobs of people so the lights weren’t very enjoyable…. I mean, I could see one side basically and was shivering and numb the whole time!  Apparently I could have used a few more drinks beforehand to keep my blood flowing!

We did have a few beers before the lights at Bent Paddle Brewery.  I’m not a beer drinker at all but did try their mint chocolate infused beer… yeah, still not a beer drinker after that one! My hubs reaped the benefits of that one 🙂

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After the show… ready to get back to the car and start to feel my thighs again!

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So many pretty lights!

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freezing our butts off!!

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See what I mean about the mobs of people… ugh seriously?!

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It was a fun thing to try but don’t think we’ll be going back any time soon!

Five

I went to Chicago a few weekends ago with a girlfriend to try to find a little bit of Christmas.. and it was such a fun weekend!  It was awesome to try the Christkindlmarket and also see all the fun shops on Michigan Ave lit up!

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If you haven’t been during the Christmas season, I definitely recommend it!

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I shared some of our Christmas Decorations around our house last week and its always so much fun to see all the different decorations people have!

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I still need to share our kitchen and entry way before the season is over!

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Last but not least.. the hubs and I got a new waffle maker during Black Friday and decided to make some waffle pizza’s with it the other night!  It was such a fun (and quick) dinner!

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I’ll share more details about that next week 🙂

One more for today… I’ve teamed up with a fun set of bloggers to bring a giveaway to you for a $200 Old Navy Gift Card! Just click the link below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Whew… that was a lot of favorites over the past few weeks!  Hope everyone has an awesome Friday and gets all the rest of their shopping done #wishfulthinking I just have 2 more things to pick up and I’m completely done!  I just love this time of year!

heartKristi

Cookie Exchange!

So many of you have asked about the details from my Cookie Exchange party and I’m finally sharing! PSA: This post is literally FILLED with pictures, so beware 🙂

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I sent out these cute invites in early November in hopes everyone could come!

I had a cute little “boxing” station with lots of Christmasy containers for the girls to take the cookies home in!  I also (always) provide favors for parties so the girls took home a cute little throw and those cute mugs on the counter!

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I served appetizers, wine and hot cocoa (thankfully a few of the girls brought some too!).

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And a few pictures of the cookies 🙂

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My favorite Frostbite Cookies – in one of our wedding gifts! ❤

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Yummy Spritz cookies.. how good do these look?! And it looks like the ones you get at a store!

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The Snowman Pretzels were the big winner this night 🙂

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Missing: Lalo, Sugar and Gingerbread cookies!

And after visiting a bit, we headed upstairs to the photo-booth and games!

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Did I mention, this post is filled with pictures?!

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Love these girls!

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We played Christmas Family Feud  which was pretty funny!  Then we headed downstairs for the “cookie testing” and voting part!  There was a tie initially between the Gingerbread cookies and Snowman Pretzels but the Snowmen ended up winning!

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After she opened her winning gift, we played Reverse Christmas Charades!  This was a pretty funny game 🙂 Easy, by all means but funny!

I usually am not a fan of charades.. I can’t act!! But with reverse charades, it makes it so much easier when you’re acting it out with a group of people versus just yourself!

Then we had a little more fun with the photo-booth!

Gosh these girls are fun!

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All in all = the party was a success!  I wish I would have taken more pictures of all the decor and how I set it up but maybe next time I’ll remember!

It was such a great time having a girls night and the games/cookies definitely helped! Oh yeah.. and the wine #givemeallthewine  I can’t wait for the next party!

The hubs was gone during the party (girls only!) but showed up for a quick picture after the girls left!

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Have any of  you hosted a cookie exchange?  Anything I totally missed and need to add next year?  I’m always looking for things to add to my parties!

It’s almost the weekend and I can’t believe how close we are to the last weekend before Christmas!!  Such a bittersweet feeling – I can’t wait for Christmas but I also never want it to end! Any of y’all with me on that one?!

heartKristi

Stranded.. Christmas movies!

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Today I’m linking up with Shay and Erika to share three Christmas movies I’d take along with me on our stranded island!

This was hard for me because #iloveallchristmasmovies.  I mean, seriously, only 3?!  I’d pick the whole two months of Hallmark movies if I could 🙂 I could watch those on repeat day after day!

Since I can’t do that… the three Christmas movies I’d take along would have to be…

One

Holiday in Handcuffs

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This movie is beyond cheesy but I look forward to watching it so much every year!  It’s just a cute and light-hearted movie which I love!

Two

Hallmark’s Christmas Magic

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This movie is just so.. wonderful!  It’s happy, sad and gives you all the emotions.  It really makes you think about your life and how everyday is a gift – not to be taken granted!

Three

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Of course this is on my list.. I need some laughter on this island 🙂

And I know it says three BUT I have to also bring along Home Alone!

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This movie never gets old no matter how often I see it!

Honestly, you name the Christmas movie and I’d love to bring it along.. I could name about 50 others I’d NEED to bring too 🙂

What Christmas movies would you bring if you could only bring 3 to a deserted island?!

In case you missed it, I shared a little bit about our wedding on Monday since it was our first year anniversary!

heartKristi