Tag Archives: holiday

Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 19 by Jillian416 • 3 Comments

Hey everyone! Just a really quick post to let you know that I’m going to be taking the remainder of the year off. I have a ton going on to prepare for Christmas and then we have family flying in mid-week. I want to be able to truly enjoy our time together, during the holidays!

With that said – in the New Year, you can expect some changes (good ones) to be happening.

Things like…

A more reliable post schedule
Better Content
Themes
A more cohesive site
Better ease of navigation
A better flow

All of these won’t happen at once, but you’ll definitely notice the changes as the year goes on. I cannot wait for the new year and everything that it will hold.

Please have a wonderful holiday season and be sure to enjoy every possible moment with your family and friends. For me, that’s what it is all about – forget the presents, bring the love and comfort!

Take care!

Love,

Filed Under: Family

Gift Guide: Holiday Party Hosts – Under $30

Posted on December 2 by Jillian416 • 4 Comments

It’s Holiday Gift Guide time!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again! A time when the halls are decked and everyone is celebrating. The warmth of spending time with family and friends is everywhere! Which can only mean one thing… Holiday Parties! Did you know that when you attend those parties, you should be bringing a Host or Hostess gift? It doesn’t need to be anything extravagant, but something to let them know you are thankful for the invite and for them hosting.

However shopping for or coming up with ideas for a host can be difficult. That’s why I am here! I have a list of 8 great gifts that will please just about any host.

Fred Cool Shooters – Shot Glass Mold – How awesome would it be to make your own shot glasses out of ice? This could be a lot of fun if you knew your host liked to try out different mixed shots, or even if they just enjoy doing shots. A totally unique gift, one that your host is unlikely to have.
Technicolor Salt and Pepper Shakers – Everywhere you go, people are likely to already have salt and pepper shakers, but most people ALSO typically just buy the basics, nothing fancy or fun. Enter these babies!! They’re cute, colorful and would look fantastic on just about any counter top.
2015 Paper Source Academic Paint Chip Calendar – Everyone needs a calendar in their home, and lots of people wait until after the holidays to go out and get one. Why not fill that gap? Get them this fun and funky calendar! Every month is a different color, so it’s sure to match any home.
Grow Your Own Bonsai Trees – Okay, this one may require your host to have a bit of a green thumb, but think about how much fun they would have growing and nurturing their own bonsai from scratch.
Betty Glass Teapot – This is a beautiful teapot! It would be lovely for someone to receive this and have it sit on top of their stove. Obviously, you’d want to get this for the host who enjoys tea, but it’s an affordable option that looks like it costs WAY more than it does.
Record Coasters – Yup! Record coasters, which are REALLY made out of vinyl. These would be perfect for the host that has an affinity for records or music, or even someone who just loves to have an eclectic collection of items in their home.
Blockprint Charcoal Napkins – Any kind of cloth napkin would be a great gift for any host, but if you go with this set you’re sure to match the color scheme in your hosts house. Black, white and charcoal, match EVERYTHING!
Bananagrams – If your host is a word lover, then this is THE perfect gift. It’s fun and easy to pull out whenever people are around. You’ll get the chance to see what funny words everyone comes up with.

Every single one of these gifts is under $30. I wanted to create a list that had beautiful, fun and unique gifts but DIDN’T break the bank. Check them all out!! I’m sure you’ll be quite pleased.

And don’t forget! It’s already December 2nd, don’t wait to start making your shopping list and buying your gifts. Do it now before it’s too late and you’re left scrambling to pull something together at the last minute. Shopping is so much MORE fun, when you take the time to savor and not rush!

If you’re looking for some ideas on how to fill your toddler’s stocking this year, check out my post with some great toddler stocking stuffer ideas.

Your turn!

What gifts have you given to hosts, or received as a host, in the past?

I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below!

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Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, this does not change the cost for you, I simply receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for helping to support my family!

Filed Under: All About Me, Reviews

Celebrate the Holidays – NOT the Food

Posted on November 25 by Jillian416 • 15 Comments

I was going to start this post by saying that the holidays are on their way, but let’s be real, they’re here. Thanksgiving is 3 days away, and Christmas is 30 or so days away – they’re definitely here!

This is a time of the year where people tend to let their bad habits come back into play and claim that they’ll start anew after the first of the year. I was typically one of those people, but I’m not this year. Nope! No way, no how! I thought since I’ve shared my journey with you, I’d take some time to explain how I plan on staying focused on my health this year.

I would say, nearly every year since I can remember has been spent telling myself that it’s okay to OVER indulge and gain a little weight, because the first of the year is right around the corner, and what better time to restart the weightloss journey than January one? Am I right?

This year, I decided to do something a little differently, technically A LOT differently for me. I plan on treating this time of the year the same way I do every other part of the year, when it comes to food. I’m not going to eat like it’s my last meal, or like I’ll never have the food again – I’m going to enjoy what I want, but in moderation.

Easier said than done, right?

Usually I would agree, but something is different for me, this time around. The other day, while celebrating early Thanksgiving with my family, I didn’t feel the normal pull of 2nd and 3rd helpings. And, I was even asked if I wanted more squash/potatoes/cranberry sauce/turkey, but I said no to all of it. I was full, I knew it, and my belly knew it. Instead, I spent the precious time with my family all together, laughing and not focusing on the food on the table or going in my mouth.

I imagine the experience was similar to how a naturally thin person would eat. I knew there was food in front of me, I knew I wanted to eat some of it, but I wasn’t concerned about the amount I’d eat. It was an amazing feeling!!

I can’t really pinpoint exactly what has caused this change in mindset, but what I can share are the many different things I am doing to better myself, and have a healthier relationship with food.

So far, in the last couple months I’ve…

Read a couple different self-help books
Started drinking Shakeology daily – I truly believe that this is a huge part of why my cravings are manageable.
Stopped hating on myself constantly – I used to be so mean to myself, now, about 80% (I’m working on the other 20) of the time, I am kind and loving and am more accepting of my flaws.
Started working out regularly – Any workout will really get you feeling better, but doing it regularly will change your entire mind.
Actually listening to the complements that my husband gives me – Probably seems like an easy one, but it was actually pretty difficult. I just never saw what he did, I shut that part of me up and now listen to Seamus.
Stopped worrying about whether I’ll ever have another Big Mac, slice of pizza, chicken fingers, etc., again – I tell myself that there will be another opportunity for these foods, but I have to really want them (except for the pizza, that I will splurge on, or make at home).

See… I’ve made a lot of changes! But, let me make one thing very clear, I am not 100% perfect with any of these areas. I still struggle with food, but since admitting and becoming more aware of my triggers, my bingeing and bad relationship with food has gotten much much better.

So yeah, I’m excited about this holiday season because it means lots of time with family, who I only see a few times a year. The food? Well, that’s just an added bonus!!

Curious to know more about my poor relationship with food? You can read all about my struggles with Binge Eating Disorder by clicking here.

Your turn!

Have you made any changes in regards to your eating or relationship with food? Or are you waiting until the new year to get started?

What’s your tried and true trick to help stave off the cravings?

Please share in the comments below!

Looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to get your news? Check-out theSkimm and sign-up for your daily email box delivery of the world’s news, plus if you share your birthday, you get it listed at the bottom of the newsletter on your day. It’s like celebrating with thousands of people!!!!

I’m linking up with Fitness Cheerleader and Running Rachel – YOU should join me at the #MotivateMeMonday link-up!

Filed Under: All About Me, Family, Food & Recipes

My 2014 Intentions

Posted on January 2 by Jillian416 • 2 Comments

I’m sharing my 2014 Intentions.

I don’t know if anyone is like me, but every year I make resolutions (you can read last year’s here), and nearly every year I fail to follow-through. It’s pretty depressing, and I have absolutely no one to blame but myself. I want 2014 to be different, beyond all else, I’d love for this to be the year that I stop making excuses.

So in an effort to stick to this overarching goal, my theme for the year is (just like Nike), Just Do It!

Without further ado, my 2014 Intentions:

Grow My Blog – Baby Doodah is slowly but surely growing in readership, but I need to put more time into the behind the scenes organization. This includes, completing my editorial calendar, getting a notebook (or a great app) to keep with me always to keep track of ideas that pop into my head at a moments notice.

I want to continue writing consistently, since July I’ve been writing about 5 to 7 posts a week, and I really want to keep up with that. I feel so great when I sit down and dedicate time to writing a post, it inspires me to write more. What better way to keep blogging, then to dedicate myself to writing AT LEAST 30 minutes a day? Nothing! So that’s what I’ll do.

Stop being obsessed with the numbers! Right now, I’m so concerned with how many views my blog gets each day, that I am checking my stats constantly. I recently read a tip that you should check your stats once a month, and take that time to, instead write great posts. I’d like to adopt this philosophy.

Work on my focus and time management, in regards to my blog. Right now, every time I sit down to write, I think of everything else I need to do, and it overwhelms me. If I’ve sat down to write, I start flipping through email, or reading one of the many bookmarked sites I have, and the last thing I work on is the blog post. I’d like to have dedicated time to do emails, write, and read things I’ve bookmarked – if I stick to these dedicated times, I believe I’ll gain some serious focus.

I am also considering a few new blog series, but for now, they’re still in development, so I can’t share anything more about them. 😉

Take My Health Seriously – I need to stop futzing around with my health. I’m extremely overweight, probably in the morbidly obese category, and that needs to stop. I want more children, and I am just not at a weight that I am comfortable with. I put myself, and the future child in so much danger being so high in weight. Honestly, there is no better motivation, than losing weight so that I can be around a long, long time for my children. I am going to be taking part in the Genetix Program (more to come on this in future posts), and I’m hoping it will help assist in the motivation to get healthy, once and for all! I need to wrangle in my eating and start breaking a sweat in the gym.

Focus on ME – I am a person who is always concerned with what others think of me, and I struggle when I feel like someone doesn’t like me or is thinking negatively about me. I need to stop, what is most important is what I think of me. There are times when people’s opinions are important, but other times I worry unnecessarily. I need to work on changing this, but I’m not quite sure how, research is needed. Of my intentions for the year, this will likely be the most difficult.

Those are my 2014 Intentions, I’m keeping it to three so that I can truly focus on them, and accomplish great things.

Your turn!

What are your 2014 Intentions? Let’s keep each other accountable!

Filed Under: All About Me

Blogging Survey – Holiday Edition

Posted on December 24 by Jillian416 • 0 Comments

I’m headed on back to the old school blogging world and taking a holiday edition, blogging survey.

I found this fun little survey on a favorite blog of mine, Mommy Run Fast, stop on over and view her version.

Who remembers these? They were really popular back about 4 years ago when I made my first foray into the blogging world (which didn’t last long). I loved doing them then, and I love them just as much now, so here we go!

1 Holy Night or 8 Crazy Ones? (Do you Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, both?)

We celebrate Christmas in my house, but I have to be honest, I’m not a religious person. Our reasons for celebrating this holiday aren’t for the birth of Christ, or even for the gifts, I celebrate Christmas so that I can be close to family. One of my sisters lives several thousand miles away, because of jobs and other fun life things, we typically only see her (and her family) on or around the holidays. That is reason enough for me to celebrate ANY day!

Peppermint or Chocolate?

Hmm… This is a toughy! I like both and would eat both, but if I had to choose, I’d probably go with the chocolate. You can only eat so much peppermint. OOOh! Great idea! Add some peppermint to your chocolate (I know, I’m the first person to think of this). Wham, Bam, Thank you ma’am! 😉

Sing us into the Holiday Season, what is your favorite Carol this time of year?

I have three, and every time they come on the radio, a huge smile spreads across my face. My #1, all time favorite is Happy Christmas by John Lennon, there’s nothing better, in my opinion. Second would be The Bear Naked Ladies, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Third is Jewel’s version of Joy to the World – Each one of these makes my heart and ~~beautiful~~ singing voice happy.

Tell us about a Favorite Family or Personal Holiday Tradition.

Oh my goodness, this could be a blog post all on its own, but since it isn’t, I’ll keep it short. I think my favorite memories from growing up were waking up Christmas morning, with all of my siblings, and running into the living to see all the presents. Since there were four of us, and 2 parents, there were always a load of presents. It was fun to look at the pile and try to identify which ones were yours, but you weren’t allowed to move them or look underneath, that was cheating! Still to this day, I will NOT look through a pile of presents on Christmas, until it’s my turn in the cycle. 🙂

C’mon you remember your favorite (Christmas, Hanukkah) gift, tell us all about it:

Wow. I really don’t think I do remember a favorite, I do have a most memorable. Cabbage Patch Dolls were huge, and I had asked for one for Christmas. My Uncle, who was awesome, got me one, but I was SO disappointed because he had gotten me a boy doll and not a girl. I threw a tantrum of the biggest proportions (I still remember and I was very young), and my mom made me go sit in my grandma’s kitchen while everyone else opened their gifts. I was forced to apologize, and did so begrudgingly, but I was still so sad, I had wanted a girl. I did eventually, fall in love with that little boy doll, Lance. And now, as a mom of a boy, I realize how silly I was to only want a girl, boys are AWESOME!

That magical moment? (Your favorite scene from a Holiday movie…it’s okay if you have 2)

Okay, first, who has seen Santa Claus: The Movie? No, not the one with Tim the Toolman Taylor, but the one starring Dudley Moore and John Lithgow. Well, that’s my all time favorite Christmas movie! It was on all the time when I was growing up, and my sister and I loved it. It’s never ever on any more, and I couldn’t tell you why. If you can get your hands on a copy, I highly recommend you watch it. But my favorite scene in that movie, is when the little homeless boy is given something to eat by the rich girl. It’s the weirdest thing, but I love the way he sits down and eats and the sounds it makes. I can’t even explain it, but it has always been my favorite part of that movie.

Kissing under the mistletoe? Who do you hope is standing underneath (We know it’s normally your spouse, if it did not have to be, who would you choose?)

No real hopes, because I know who will be there, my sweet boy, Emmett and my husband. Back in high school, I used to hope for just one kiss under the mistletoe, never happened, though. Bummer! HAHA

Swans a swimming, lords a leaping, golden rings; which gift of the 12 days of Christmas would you like most?

5 Gold Rings – I love rings!

Play Secret Santa, what inappropriate gift would you love to give this year?

None. I can’t think of a single one, I like giving thoughtful gifts that mean something to me to give, and to the recipient, to receive.

Martha Stewart or the Grinch? What is your decorating style? (Pictures would be awesome!)

I guess I would err more on the side of Martha Stewart, but I’m still not THAT classy. In years past, I haven’t decorated at all, but I was drawn to do so this year, and went all out. I really want Emmett’s memories of Christmas to be warm and fuzzy, like most of mine are.

What is ONE WORD that defines the holiday season for you? (Examples: Believe/Wonder/Bah Humbug?)

Warmth – the moment I begin thinking of the holidays of my youth, my heart gets warm and it spreads throughout my entire body. I truly love the holidays!

If Santa could assure its delivery, what’s the first thing on your holiday wish LIST?

I’d love to have more time to complete everything I need to do on a daily basis, but since that isn’t a possibility, I’ll take better time management. 🙂

That was REALLY long, and if you stuck around this far, I appreciate it.