In true December fashion, this month has been packed with all the festive fun and celebrations. Of course, I've been wearing all the velvet and sequined pieces because tis' the season!
We kicked off you-pick strawberry season at Amber Brooke Farms, and they had the cutest holiday photo opps all around the farm. The following weekend, we took Lil' Miss to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus before walking trails of Christmas tree lights around the lake.
We also had a date night while Lil' Miss had her Christmas party at gymnastics. We went to dinner, and then to a Christmas pop-up bar called Miracle on Orange where they had the cutest décor and most delish festive drinks. We enjoyed the Hot Buttered Rum (which was perfect on a chilly evening) and the Christmas Cricket. YUM!
To add to the festive fun, we celebrated Emily's birthday at the Oh What Fun event in Lake Nona which included bites, drinks, a Christmas tree trail, live music, snow flurries (my kind of snow - the look and feel without the cold) and the cutest pop up bar called Fa La La La.
It's the most BUSIEST time of the year! Even without proper grammar, I'm sure you all sang that first sentence in your head. Our halls are officially decked, Lil' Miss was excited for the return of her Elf on the Shelf Sprinkles (and of course her North Pole Breakfast), we baked our 1st batch of Christmas cookies, went to the town's Christmas tree lighting and took in the merriment at Universal Studios.
We also attempted to build our annual gingerbread house, and failed miserably. They usually are no where near Pinterest worthy, but they are always standing... until this year's effort. I do NOT recommend the pink glitter chateau from Target. Stick to their classic houses if you want the icing to dry, and the house to actually stand.
On a much happier note - I was SO excited to find these festive nails available. They were of course sold out in stores, but yay for free shipping with my Red debit card. Sometimes it's the little things.
I was nervous about their durability, as the last set of press on nails I tried kept popping off. But these have been staying put, and I've already gotten so many compliments. Run don't walk!
We indulged in the food trucks before the Christmas tree lighting last Thursday, and I had the BEST Amish pretzel ever. Lil' Miss keeps asking me if I'm still thinking about the pretzel, and my answer is YES!
They had live performances, fireworks, lots of activities, live reindeer and some "snow" flurries. We grabbed ice cream at our favorite local scoop shop, and decided on a flight of their festive flavors. Each one was delish.
Saturday morning brought the return of Sprinkles!
All hail to the mommas (and dads too!) who managed to pull off the North Pole Breakfast and return of their elves on December 1st which fell on a weekday this year. This non-early riser family waited until Saturday - ha! Sprinkles made her triumphant return complete with homemade waffles (made with the cutest gingerbread mini waffle iron), powdered donuts and fruit shaped like a candy cane. Lil' Miss shrieked when she saw her elf and advent tree were back, and enjoyed a morning sugar rush.
We spent Saturday at a local farm for the launch of their you-pick-strawberries season, which I'll recap next week. (stay tuned!) Then on Sunday, we headed to Universal for their holiday fun which included Grinch meet and greets, a Macy's style Christmas parade and a Mannheim Steamroller concert.
A stop at Hogwarts Castle is always a must as well as the magical rides and a potty break in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Each time we go, Lil' Miss insists on wearing herHarry Potter tee which is only $9.
And of course a performance by the Frog Choir singing Hogwarts Christmas favorites. Too cute!
We also enjoyed festive bites and drinks. This mulled wine was DELISH! H also ordered a turkey panini on cranberry bread with brie cheese and a spiced iced eggnog. All were amazing!
Two of my favorite things - live music and rollercoasters. We truly are loving our annual passes to Universal. And now that we have had annual passes to Disney, SeaWorld and Universal I can say with the utmost confidence that we all agree that Universal has been our favorite.
Their Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas in both parks top the charts for me. I also love their water park Volcano Bay above the others, they have the best rollercoasters and events throughout the year with live music. Although, I did get to see Boyz II Men at Epcot which I'll never forget.
Excuse me November, but may I ask where you went SO fast?! Lil' Miss had three birthday parties to go to, we went to a local free beer festival (admission and samples were all free - yes please!), enjoyed Thanksgiving with friends and celebrated one of our best over a fun dinner in Winter Park. Lots to be thankful for.
This past weekend, we celebrated a friend's birthday over wine and dinner. I broke back out this OTS dress, and paired it with some ankle booties. We started at The Wine Room where you select your own pours before heading down the street for dinner. I sampled my favorite Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and tried a new Italian roséboth which were delish!
Another hurricane blew through Central Florida last Wednesday into Thursday, and we were extremely fortunate to not lose power this time. We also had minimal yard debris to clean up. A cozy rainy day without loss of power was good for the soul.
On Friday, the sun was shining again so I took Lil' Miss out for a girls day. We went to our favorite breakfast spot for lunch, she tested perfume and eyeshadow while I had a wax at the Benefit Brow Bar at Ulta and we finished off at Target where she picked out a new toy with the remainder of her birthday money from family.
Over the weekend, she had a birthday party for her pre-school bestie. The invitation specified that they'd be getting makeovers and to drop the kiddos off and come back later for cake. So, H and I were able to enjoy a nice day date while Lil' Miss had fun.
We grabbed brunch at a local brewery, and I had the most delish breakfast bowl ever. I took this velvet one shoulder top out for a spin which will be on major repeat for allllll the upcoming holiday fun. Aside from sparkles, what is more festive than velvet?
We bid farewell to October with a date night at a new-to-us restaurant where I found the best Aperol Spritz I've had here in the States. Nothing, and I mean nothing has compared to enjoying one in Italy. I've found some tasty ones here back at home, but finally found a spot that makes them almost as good as in Italy. I was almost transported right back to the Navigli Canal in Milan. Almost...
As promised, I rocked the new faux leather shorts, and they were so insanely comfy for all the food and walking around. Highly recommend!
Lil' Miss kicked off her Halloween fun with Book Character Day and a trunk-or-treat at school. Then, that evening she had a Halloween Party at gymnastics. After just those 2 events, she had cupcake and marker stains on her costume and 2 tears in the front. I spot treated the stains, and was able to get the costume to carry her to 1 more party at her friend's house and for the grand finale of trick-or-treating. Those costumes weren't made for rambunctious kindergarteners with a jam packed social schedule. Ha!
H and I broke out our cave people costumes that we've had since 2012. His has even gone international, as he wore it on the beach in Punta Cana when we were there for a friend's wedding over Halloween in 2015. Love love love getting more than 1 use out of a Halloween costume. And we even won a trophy at a friend's party over the weekend for best couple's costume. "The Flintstones" will be back in the coming years I'm sure of it.
I also tried out Andrea's beer cheese dip for all the festive fun over the weekend, and it was DELISH! Do not sleep on this recipe for all the fall fun in November - perfect for by the fire, pre-dinner, an app for a party, Thanksgiving etc... YUM!
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