Slice of Life.

Slice of Life.

Life has been fast and slow lately. Winter feels endlessly long, but I feel like there are enough things going on in our world to keep us occupied (and exhausted!) by the end of the day. Is anyone with me? It's like that saying, "The days are long, but the years are short" - I am really starting to feel the impact of those words! So true in this season of my/our life. These are the things happening in our corner of the world lately:

1. I started a blogging course.

And I LOVE IT A LOT.

I am so, so excited about this one. I just started taking the A Beautiful Mess course called Blog Life, and I am a little bit addicted to it. I took one of their courses two and a half years ago when I started this blog (what - it's been that long?!) and it really helped kickstart my ideas. I am ready for more with the blog, and I have been throwing around a few ideas about how to grow it. If you are in a similar place, and you're interested in growing your online business or blog, taking this course is an awesome place to start. Be ready to do quite an alarming amount of soul searching, some semi-time consuming imagining and some creative mining in that brain of yours. But I can personally tell it's going to be worth it! I am feeling those creative juices flowing and it is really fun :)

2. We started feeding Everett solids.

Omigoodness. WHAT A CHANGE. This has probably been the biggest shift in my personal world lately, because feeding my sweet 6-month-old son real food has most definitely impacted his sleep schedule. Which has impacted my sleep schedule. Can I get a hallelujah amen? People - this child is sleeping more than EVER before. Some of you have been mentioning to me for months that I should start feeding him real food, but I wasn't ready to take that step. We started him on solids a few weeks ago, beginning with banana, avocado and sweet potato. It has been quite an experimental process so far, since I've been making everything that he eats, but I love trying to figure out the best things to feed him. It's been a super big learning curve for both of us, but he LOVES eating and I really really love that his sleeping has improved so much - so we are going the distance on this one. I'll share more about our experiences in the baby food department in the coming weeks.

3. I'm drinking a grandmotherly beverage.

This might seem really dorky. But my favorite hot beverage this year has been the most home-made drink in the world: hot water with lemon and honey. Not a fancy latte. Not a holistic tea. HOT WATER. Squeeze in some lemon. Stir in some honey. Bam. It warms me to my toes and it has gone hand-in-hand with my blog course. Give mama a little "me time" and this is what she will be drinking. The times are wild over here.

4. Still saturating ourselves with some good old fashioned family time.

(While we use store products and don't purchase them.)

This picture just makes me laugh. Last weekend Stevie and I were browsing through a very female-ish store, where he was attempting to pick something out because he had a store credit (it's a long story, but yes, it was HIS store credit. To One Magnolia Lane. Hahahaa.) We were joined by Stevie's bro, and we found this darn cool iPhone Selfie Pole, which we used to take this picture. Of course, after two takes, we were good. Selfie taken. Stevie bought some honey instead.

It's cold outside. Go make yourself a grandmotherly beverage, you won't be sorry :)

The 10th Day: Holiday Gift Guide 2014 for Her

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Her

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Her by oykristen // 1. Kate Spade New York Women's Metro Watch // 2. Knitted & Knotted Regan Cardigan // 3. Orla Kiely Umbrella // 4. Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick // 5. Anthropologie Magic Carpet Yoga Mat // 6. Anthropologie First Frost Jewelry Box // 7. David Lebovitz My Paris Kitchen // 8. Keani Jewelry MerRing // 9. Origins Ginger Essence Rollerball // 10. Merimekko Coin Purse // 11. A Beautiful Mess 2015 Planner // 

Holiday Gift Guide 2014 for Her.

Another gift guide! And this is the best kind, because its for all the "hers" in your life - your best friend, your sister, your mom (ahem, and maybe a little something for you? You've been awfully good this year.) 

1. Kate Spade New York Women's Metro Watch

Every watch she makes is magic. But this one is a fun twist on the typical Kate Spade watch, and I love it! 

2. Knitted & Knotted Regan Cardigan

There is nothing cozier, and this one looks especially dainty.

3. Orla Kiely Umbrella

Because rainy days should all be this much fun.

4. Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick

This lipstick is such a surprise. Amazing pigments and it stays put. No smudges, so you can do all the smooching you want! 

5. Anthropologie Magic Carpet Yoga Mat

A splurge for the bendiest gal you know. This swanky mat will make you want to stretch!

6. Anthropologie First Frost Jewelry Box

How gorgeous is this box? I love it because it's the kind of thing you would never buy yourself but totally use and display!

7. David Lebovitz My Paris Kitchen

OMG. This book's recipes are so scrumptious I could cry. I can't wait to snag my own copy!

8. Keani Jewelry MerRing

If you don't know Keani, you should. Her Hawaiian jewels are unusual masterpieces, the kind of beautiful pieces that no one else has. 

9. Origins Ginger Essence Rollerball

Smells so unique and is formulated with really excellent (no chemicals!) ingredients. 

10. Merimekko Coin Purse

This makes me want to carry coins in an age of plastic.

11. A Beautiful Mess 2015 Planner

Why have these sisters thought of everything. This day book makes me want to make plans.

I know. I could go on and on adding to this list, because it's full of all things I like! But I truly think that all these items would make gorgeous, memorable gifts for all the special women in your life. Now get shopping, friends! And happy 10th day of Christmas!