Happy Friday, friends! And happy MID-December!!
It’s been awhile, so let’s do another high, low, buffalo this week!
High: So many festive highlights this past week! Caroline wrapped up an incredible Nutcracker season last weekend, and it meant the world to her (and us) that so many friends and family came to watch her dance. I swear that girl sparkles on stage! We also celebrated Marcellino & Tyson’s 10th anniversary (more on that below), Matt came as my +1 to Carolina Charm’s annual holiday dinner, and last night I got to peek inside some truly stunning homes with a few girlfriends on the neighborhood holiday home tour!
Low: My Shutterfly account was hacked, and the hacker somehow managed to purchase thousands of dollars worth of coffee mugs and sweatshirts with my card on file to his HOME address. (Who knew it was even possible to spend that much at Shutterfly? Maybe he’s opening a shop with all his new merch?) Unfortunately, Shutterfly wasn’t much help in reversing the charges, so I had to go through my bank to close my credit card and open a new one. This week has been a blur spending hours on the phone with Shutterfly and updating my payment info everywhere—it’s been such a headache!
Buffalo: April’s trash can gift from our Favorite Things Party has unexpectedly become a reader favorite item this week—and I can’t stop giggling about it! Who knew this gorgeous Motion Sensor Trash Can would steal the show? It’s proof that even the most practical items can be the biggest hits. I love that so many of you love the fancy trash can!
Stocking Stuffers & Gift Guides
Looking for a gift or stocking stuffer? ALL my gift guides are OUT! I hope you find the perfect gift!
- Stocking Stuffers for Tweens
- Stocking Stuffers for Men and Women
- Gift Ideas for Tween Boys
- Gift Ideas for Tween Girls
- Favorite Things Party Gift Ideas
- Gift Ideas for Your Mom or Mother In Law
- Gift Ideas for Men
- Gift Ideas for Coworkers (Teammates, Staff, Boss & More)
- Gift Ideas for Grandparents Who Have Everything
Things I Shared This Week
In case you missed it…
- All the party details and gift links from my Favorite Things Gift Exchange! I also made a fun Favorite Things Party REEL so you can see the gifts in action!
- The Best Cinnamon Bread Recipe for gifting to friends, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, Christmas party hosts—or just keeping for yourself. Plus, it’s amazing with a cup of coffee on Christmas morning.
- A round-up of Stocking Stuffers for Tweens — a mix of fun, unique, and useful fillers!
- A round-up of Stocking Stuffers for Men and Women! The women gift guide is basically comprised of all my favorite things!
- A reminder that these creamy coconut White Christmas Margaritas are what tropical Christmas dreams are made of–festive, delicious, and basically a white snowy Christmas in a glass.
December Promo Codes
- Minted: Use code CAROLINAHOLIDAY2024 for 20% off + free shipping! We’ve been using Minted for our holiday cards for over a decade. The free recipient addressing is always such a timesaver!
- Avaline: Use code DECEMBER15 for 15% off sitewide!
- ShopMy: The affiliate platform I love for linking products. If you’re a creator looking for an affiliate platform, I have a referral link that can help get you in the program!
- Cozy Earth: Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 40% off! The pajamas, sheets, and joggers are some of my favorite luxury gift recommendations!
- Nuuly: Get $30 off your first month’s subscription. I have had so much fun renting all my holiday party outfits this year! I also scooped up this cute knit skort + cardigan set this month and have been wearing it a lot! If I had sized up in the skort, I probably would buy this outfit this month!
Top 5 Reader Favorite Items This Week
Five items y’all have been loving this week — most of which came from the Favorite Things Party!
- The Motion Sensor Trash Can gift from our Favorite Things Party!!!!
- Another Fave Things Party gift — the On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray by Patrick Starr, and I can confirm it’s amazing. I used it over the weekend for Matt’s holiday party, and it really works wonders and is perfect for events. It’s like hairspray for your face — keeps makeup in place all day (or night!). It gives a matte finish, tightens pores, and is totally waterproof.
- The most fun and festive Nutcracker Dress I wore to all of Caroline’s Nutcracker performances! It’s a long-sleeve, tiered mini dress with a glittery Nutcracker print, and the quality is amazing—lightweight, comfortable, and perfect for the holidays. And it’s under $40 (some colors are even cheaper)!
- Earlybird Full Spectrum CBD Gummies: The flavor trio (strawberry, watermelon, and lemon) is delicious, and each gummy delivers a perfect balance of relaxation without feeling overwhelmed. They’re a great pick for stress relief, winding down, and great sleep!! A great stocking stuffer too!
- The Weighted Vest from my Wish List to Santa! I’m asking for the 8 lb vest and I can’t wait to use it for outdoor walks and indoor walks on my walking pad! Weighted vests have so many amazing benefits, from boosting calorie burn to improving endurance and building strength. It’s the perfect way to take my workouts to the next level! Highly recommend reading this article on the benefits!
Alright, let’s get down to the 5…
1. Marcellino & Tyson 10th Anniversary Party
Matt’s law firm, Marcellino & Tyson, just hit 10 YEARS in business! I can’t believe how far they’ve come—it feels like we were just celebrating their 5th anniversary, and so much has happened since then. I’m beyond proud of Matt. He’s worked so hard to grow the firm while making it a place where people truly love to work. His entire team—partners, associates, and support staff—are some of the best in the business, and I’m so thankful for all they do. Cheers to 10 incredible years and many more to come!
Last weekend, we celebrated with a combined anniversary/holiday party, and it was hands-down my favorite firm party yet! The theme was Casino Night, and we had an absolute blast playing craps, blackjack (my personal favorite), and roulette. At the end of the night, we cashed in our chips for raffle tickets, and there were tons of great prizes up for grabs. I ended up winning an ice cream maker—which the kids are very excited about! Such a fun and unforgettable way to celebrate 10 amazing years!
2. Rosemary Paloma
The Rosemary Paloma I made last weekend was SO good! It’s a refreshing blend of tequila, grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and homemade rosemary simple syrup, topped off with a splash of Topo Chico for some extra fizz. The rosemary adds a cozy, festive twist to this classic cocktail—perfect for holiday gatherings or a weekend treat!
- 2 oz tequila
- 2 oz grapefruit juice
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- .75 rosemary simple syrup
- splash of Topo Chico (optional)
To make the rosemary simple syrup, bring 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a boil. Remove from heat and add a sprig of rosemary. Let cool completely then store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
3. Our Holiday Card
This weekend, I’m hoping to finish stuffing, sealing, stamping, and mailing out our holiday cards! My desk has been completely taken over by Christmas card prep, and I can’t wait to check this project off the list and reclaim my workspace.
If you haven’t ordered your holiday cards yet, I’ve got a Minted promo code for you! Use code CAROLINAHOLIDAY2024 for 20% off + free shipping! We’ve been using Minted for our holiday cards for over a decade. The free recipient addressing is always such a timesaver!
4. Dear Busy Spouse…
With the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to re-share one of my favorite articles written by a Charlotte marriage counselor: Dear Busy Spouse…Sincerely Your Marriage Counselor,. I re-read this every year and it’s such a thoughtful reminder to pause, re-evaluate what’s truly important, and make time for your spouse amid the holiday chaos. If you find yourself caught up in the busyness this season, it’s definitely worth the read!
5. Wrapping Paper Reminder
This is your reminder to scoop up your Christmas wrapping paper now, especially if your tradition is a special Santa paper or if you wrap each family member’s gifts in a different paper. I always find really pretty paper at Home Goods, but grabbed most of this year’s paper from Target since I’ve been spending so much time there lately. It always surprises me how slim the wrapping paper selection gets as Christmas gets closer!
