Favorite Things for Christmas 2017

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I was single-parenting last week while taking care of my husband, Gus, who had the flu plus taking care of my normal duties with the kids, working (styling), shopping and keeping the house in order. Which is when I tweeted this the other day- “‪I’m a mom so pretty much my whole life is a #sidehustle. #momlife#welcometomyworld. It was a long week and when I started to have a Scrooge-y moment I turned on Pandora to rock some Christmas tunes. As one of my favorites, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” came on I smirked as I stood in the kitchen, staring at a countertop filled with prescriptions, homeopathic remedies, empty orange juice cups and face masks.

But I turned up the music and sang at the top of my lungs and came up with this funny little list of my favorite things this Christmas 2017.

1. Tamiflu and Medical Face Masks: I wish it wasn’t a prescription because that requires a doctor appt plus the time there, a co-pay at said doctor’s office, driving to the pharmacy to wait for it to be filled along with another co-pay but it works so I am thankful for it. Along with the Tamiflu, I am also thankful for these medical face masks. As a mom, these are a must have when someone gets sick in our house. And since I’m a total germaphobe, sometimes I actually wear these to the store when I’m feeling fine and I know there are sickies around me. Try it sometime- people give you a wide berth and you can get through Target in a jiffy with one of these bad boys on your face.

2. Echo Dot and Smart Plugs: Gus bought an Echo Dot and a TP-Link Smart Plug on an amazing Black Friday deal on Amazon. At first, I didn’t think we really needed it but then he plugged it in and Alexa is my new best friend. We hooked the wifi smart plug to our Christmas tree lights. Boom. “Alexa, turn on Christmas Tree Lights.” Pop, pop, pop, they’re on. I have chicken on my hands but want to turn on Pandora Radio. “Alexa, turn on Christmas Radio.” Boom. My tunes are playing while I’m making dinner. The kids love it. She actually answers my questions unlike someone else that lives on my phone that I only find helpful for setting a timer. Oh wait, Alexa does that too.

3. Pandora Internet Radio: For Mother’s Day this last year, Gus bought me the commercial-free plan on Pandora Internet Radio. I totally love having all my radio stations on my phone for the car plus the computer while I work. My favorites: Elevation Radio, Coldplay Radio, All the Way My Savior Leads Me Radio, Workout Plan Radio and my kids favorite, San Holo Radio (they’re into electronic music right now). But at Christmas, all I listen to is Christmas Radio. It plays all the goodies, all the time and of course makes me dream of a white Christmas and that I lived in the 1950s. Plus, it’s hooked into our Alexa app- see #2.

4. Christmas Light Show Projection Points of Light with Remote: We’ve never been too impressed by the new light show Christmas lights we see projected on neighborhood houses. Then my brother-in-law, Alan, purchased this one and it was all the rage at our Thanksgiving get together. We ordered it even before driving home and it does not disappoint. Looking to prepare for next year already? Get this! And again, plug this in with a smart plug and ask your new best friend to turn it on every night.

5. Persimmons and Pomegranates: My heart gets happy when I walk into the grocery store and spy my first persimmons and pomegranates of the season. Costco had apple-sized persimmons this year that I couldn’t get enough of! I wish these fruits were around the whole year, but since they’re not, I love them even more when they show up in the cooler months. Persimmons are the perfect sweet fruit to add to your breakfast. Pomegranate arils are fun to munch on their own or add to salads. Try this recipe to combine the two for a delicious fruit salad.

6. Trader Joe’s Triple Ginger Brew: Another one of my favorite things in the food department is Triple Ginger Brew Soda from Trader Joe’s. If you like ginger ale you’re in for a serious treat. Spicy and refreshing, it even tastes great with vanilla ice cream for a Ginger Float. I turned a couple of the bottles into glittery decorations for our house as well so it’s a two-fer!

7. Diffuser and Eden’s Garden Essential Oils: Whether we are dealing with sickness or mixing it up in the kitchen, we’ve been using this diffuser non-stop this season. With 300 mL capacity, it will last all day to then be refilled and last through the night. To see what I use to prevent illness and help during illness, look for a post on this soon. The same post also has my holiday-ready blends to keep the house smelling delishy-o-so. (Edens Garden has been voted the #1 Non-MLM Essential Oil Company!)

8. Aveda Hand Relief and Vanicream Vaniply Ointment: Like I said, I’m a total germaphobe so I’m already an avid hand washer. With all the extra hand washing I’ve been doing with flu in our house plus the super dry weather we are experiencing in SoCal, these have been so helpful. I use the Vanicream Vaniply Ointment during the day when I have a moment to sit or when I’m driving to school pick up. I put it on top of my hands, rub it in and let it do its magic. At night, I love using the Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Cream. It’s nice and creamy and has an amazing smell that is soothing at bedtime. Nic and I have been longtime fans of Aveda products and this one is always in both my house and my purse.

9. Hallmark Christmas Movies: Enough said. My DVR barely has space for all the Hallmark movie goodness.

10. Fleece Throw Blanket: For cozying up at night to watch the next Hallmark Christmas movie, this Sonoro Kate Fleece Throw Blanket has been my constant comfort. Granted our weather has been ridiculous this December with 94 degree days early on, down to 60 a couple weeks later then back up to 80, I’m always cold in the evening. And yes, it produces some amazing static electricity, but its soft, cozy and a favorite in our household.

11. Caslon High Waisted Leggings: I bought these leggings in early November and wish I’d gotten more than one pair. They are the perfect thickness, perfect length (I prefer ankle length in my pants) and the high waist doesn’t slide down my mom belly. You can still get them in Plus sizes on the Nordstrom website or try the Hue brand for something similar in regular sizes.

12. Stitch Fix Necklace: When I wasn’t wearing my leggings, I had a few dress-up occasions this season. This pic is me getting ready for our Stitch Fix holiday party. Every time, I added that extra sparkle and shine that everyone loves during the holidays with this Iver Mini Fringe Collar Necklace I got in my November Fix. It adds so much to any outfit and I never wear it without someone asking about it and receiving multiple compliments. If you’d like to get this necklace or something similar in your Fix, just mention it in the note to your stylist. Want to know more about Stitch Fix? Read more about your partner to personal style here or sign up for your first Fix with my stylist link here.

 

 

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What were your favorite things this season? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

 

Author
cam
Cami (Cam) is the artist/stylist younger sister. Cam keeps it creative. She's got a degree in photography, as well as one in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). She has recorded music, illustrated a book, and creates art with real materials, mostly brush-painted liquid watercolor and gouache, along with illustration markers. Cam lives in southern California with her husband and two kids, where she drives an awesome mini-van, loves to sing, homeschools, and is an art & music teacher at a charter school.

36 thoughts on “Favorite Things for Christmas 2017”

  1. I love Alexa! I don’t have one but several people I know do and they all just rave over it. I did receive some edens garden oils and may or may not have spent 30 minutes just smelling them. So good!

    • Hi Stephanie- You could definitely put Alexa on your Christmas list for next year or maybe your birthday. And yes, don’t you love the EO smells? Have you been on Eden’s Garden website? It’s so cute and they have a great blog you should check out sometime! – Cam

  2. How are the face masks? I have used the ones for outdoors here (when mowing and things are dusty) and they make me feel claustrophobic. I wonder if the medical ones are any better?

    • Hi Terri- the face masks are the disposable kind and they have a wire in the top to form around your nose. They are more breathable than say the more rigid, painter-style mask from Home Depot/Lowes. Those definitely make me claustrophobic. During allergy season I have worn them outside and noticed a difference, as well as when I’m dusting in the house (when it’s dustier than usual). Hope that helps- Cam

    • Hi Jocelyn- With most tech things, I’m not convinced until my husband plugs it in and starts it up for me. We got a sous vide cooker a couple years ago and it took months for me to try it, once I did, I was in love. Same with the Echo Dot. You won’t regret it! – Cam

  4. I am enjoying Alexa this season and LOVE that she plays my favorite music. I went to a party and have become obsessed with Pomegranate Sparkling Water by Polar. So refreshing! Now I’m not saying you need to spike it with anything but…

    • Hi Deanna- Isn’t Alexa the best friend we never knew we needed?! I’ll be on the lookout for that Pomegranate Sparkling Water. Sounds like it will keep my love for poms going throughout the year. Thanks- Cam

  5. Great lists of favorites! I too have similar favorites; similar to Pandora, I love Spotify. Similiar to Eden’s Garden Essential Oils, I love doTERRA Essential Oils.

    • Hi Anitra- My husband loves Spotify and I definitely have some doTERRA EOs in my collection. Do you have Breathe? It’s a favorite this time of year in our house. – Cam

  6. I wish someone got me the Echo Dot this year. I need Alexa in my life. I love giving techie gifts but my recipients often have a hard time adapting. 😉

    • Hi Kesha- Maybe you can gift yourself the Echo Dot or put it on your birthday list. It has been a lot of fun using! – Cam

  7. Such lovely gifts! You will have to let us know how the Eco Dot performs. I have been interested in one! 🙂

    • Hi Heidi- It definitely is impressing more than the few things I wrote about. My mom got my kids their own so they can listen to music in their rooms. The kids ask it jokes and they love asking the weather for the day. So far, we are fans! – Cam

  9. Funny or not, if they were your faves, then they were your faves. Haha. Keep singing at the top of your lungs and enjoying life! A stranger in a parking lot last week told my family that we all looked like we belonged in a Christmas movie, a Hallmark Channel movie. Because of that, that part of your list gave me a personal smile.

    • Nice! Where you all bundled up and Christmas-y looking? Being in SoCal, I love what most of the Hallmark actors are wearing- cozy sweaters, cute snow boots, great coats while I’m wearing flip-flops! – Cam

  10. I don’t have a tv so I had never seen Hallmark Christmas movies, but this year I discovered them on youtube and I was addicted.

  11. I always hear so much about the Hallmark movies but I don’t have cable (and haven’t had it in over 10 years) so I don’t know what I’m missing 🙂

    • Hi Dee- you’re definitely saving yourself money (by not having cable) and time (by not having cable). A win-win for you! If you ever do want to check out some Hallmark movies, another reader (Laura Belle) said she watches them on YouTube since she doesn’t have a TV. – Cam

  12. It is so true everything else we do is a side hustle! I love that with everything going on, you turned the music louder and sang along. I sometimes do that when the kids are arguing in the back seat!

    • Ha, Melina! Yes- I’ve used that tactic with my kids. They have to keep their lips zipped until we get home and I turn up the music. Glad I’m not the only one- Cam

    • Yes, Angie! While I wasn’t feeling well this week I watched at least 8 (yes, I recorded them all) with my blanket and tea. Enjoy your marathon! – Cam

  14. This is a fun round-up. My daughter and I are hooked on Hallmark Christmas movies and this year it was all about Netflix and “The Christmas Prince”, lol.

    • Christy, I made my husband watch “The Christmas Prince” with me. 🙂 Doesn’t happen often since he thinks they’re total cheese but it was my choice and it was cute enough. Here’s waiting until next year! – Cam

    • Thanks, Bola! Love me my Hallmark movies. And since I recorded a ton, I’ll be able to enjoy Christmas for months to come! 🙂 – Cam

  16. Thanks for the hand lotion suggestions. I’m always looking for more to try. I always have extremely dry hands and it’s hard to keep them happy. I do like Neutrogena Hand Cream, though!

    • Hi Kristen- Yes, sometimes I find mixing it up or adding a new lotion/ointment into the mix helps in the winter months. – Cam

  17. Haha yes yes yes! to the echo dot. Alexa is a huge hit in our kitchen. Have you tried the sarcastic fortune cookie app? My five year old loves it. “Alexa, open a fortune cookie.”
    “You stink.”
    Thanks Alexa.

  18. I’m hearing great things about the Echo and Alexa! Think I’ll have to start researching to see if it is something good for our household.

    • Hi Lisa- We are definitely happy with our Echo Dot purchases, especially since we love to have music on in the house a lot! It’s great- Cam

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