Christmas 2015

For Christmas this year, we headed to the East coast!  I left on the 17th and headed to DC for my company holiday party and Jeff met me on out there on Saturday morning.  I was expecting to be freezing, but the weather was in the mid 60's pretty much the whole time we were out there, which was great (even though I was hoping for a white Christmas!).  Get ready for picture overload!

 Jeff and I at the WeddingWire holiday party at the Fillmore in Silver Springs, MD!

 

My work girls!

 

 

On Sunday morning, we took a bus from Union Station in DC to Penn Station in Newark, NJ.  It was both of our first times taking a bus like that, so it was a little tricky.  The fact that we had four bags did not help!  No one at the bus station was very helpful and everyone that we asked for help was very cold.  Jeff ended up finding a phone number on the ticket that he had bought in advance and called it and they gave us directions.  We made it on the bus and 5 hours later ended up in New Jersey!  It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...probably because I slept the entire time.  Jeff slept a little too.  My soon to be father in law picked us up from the station and we headed home!

Jeff's family's house decked out for Christmas!

 

We made it!!!

 

 Our side of the table.  Mike, Allie, Jeff, me, Doug, & Jamie

Mama Jo so excited to see her baby boy!

Me with Lexi, Maggie's dog that I like to pretend is mine :)

 

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I was working from home, so we didn't do a ton during the day.  Monday night we met a bunch of Jeff's childhood friends at a local bar and one of his sisters, Lindsay came to meet us.

On Tuesday, Jeff and I made a trip into the city!  It was a little rainy, but so fun! We saw the tree at Rockefeller Center, walked to Central Park, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and saw all of the amazing stores on 5th avenue decorated for the holidays.

We got drinks and watched the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center!

 So pretty!

 

On Christmas Eve, we had a bit of family over at Jeff's parents.  We ate and had a great time!  One of Jeff's aunt got an adorable ring dish that was supposed to say "Mr. & Mrs." but she accidentally grabbed one that said "Mrs. & Mrs." we laughed a lot about that!

 

Jeff and I in front of the tree

The whole fam on Christmas Eve!

 

On Christmas Day, we wore our matching PJs and opened up our presents! Then we headed to Jeff's grandparent's house and then to his aunts!  I got a little emotional in the morning when I was Facetiming with my family, it is my first time ever being away for Christmas! 

My sisters back home with me in the camera!

 Jeff and his grandma Carol!

 Maggie and I with our matching Lulus

 

 Jeff and I brought some Wilson Creek Almond Champagne, his mom's favorite!

 

The whole family on Christmas morning!

 

We had a great trip, and it was our longest trip yet!  We left at 6 am on Sunday morning and were home around 11:30.  We both slept the entire flight and came home and slept some more.  We woke up and were both SO sick!  I went to work on Monday, but barely made it.  I am finally starting to feel a bit better today, only to UNPACK our suitcases and PACK them back for our flight tomorrow night up to Cayucos to spend NYE with my parents! 

 

XO

Nicci

 

5 on Friday :: MY BIRTHDAY!

Today for 5 on Friday, I decided to do 5 things that I really, really want for my birthday this year! :)

-ONE-

 

Lily Moccasin Slippers

This is the one present that I got to open early :)  Since it has been getting colder, I only have a few pairs of fuzzy socks and my feet have been freeeeeezing when I'm hanging out at home!  Anyone that knows me knows that I rarely wear real shoes when I don't have to, so these have been perfect for keeping my feet warm.  So cozy and cute!

 

-TWO-

 

Lululemon Scuba Hoodie III

I've honestly been wanting this hoodie for years.  Now that it is getting colder, I always need a sweatshirt of some sort getting to and from barre.  And I wouldn't hate wearing this while running errands on the weekend either!

 

-THREE-

 

Forever 21 Plaid Flannel Shirt Dress

 

 

With boots and leggings....need I say more!?

 

-FOUR-

 

JCrew Factory Quilted Puffer Vest

 

This is another thing I have been wanting for a really long time!  Also, something I can wear to work out, to work, or any time.  I have never been a huge vest person, so I am hoping that I actually wear it because I love the way they look on other people!  I think it is a super cute and effortless look.

 

-FIVE-

 

Steve Madden 'Gorgeous' Over the Knee Boots

 

I am so in love with these babies!  I just got a gray pair of Ivanka Trump beige flat over the knee boots and I love them, but the only problem is they are CONSTANTLY falling down my leg. So annoying.  There is nothing that I hate more.  That's why I love these with the tie at the top to keep them up!  And the heel is not too high so they are definitely wearable. 

 

Thanks Jeff, in advance!! :))))

 

XO

Nicci

 

 

 

 

 





Long Thanksgiving Weekend

We took left LA around 4 pm on Wednesday night to head up to Bakersfield for Thanksgiving.  Traffic was brutal.  The drive normally takes us about an hour and a half, but it ended up taking us over 3 hours. 

 

We got there in time to eat dinner with my mom, dad, and pie.  My mom deep friend raviolis...SO GOOD!  We then headed over to a friend from high school's house and met up with a bunch of my best friends.  I love getting to see them all at the same time!  Pie came with us and although there was a little drama before we left the house, she ended up having fun.  Her first time being 21 for the night before Thanksgiving. :)

 

 

On Thursday Mike, Stevi & Tate came over for brunch.  My mom made Eggs Benedict, my favorite.  Again, SO GOOD!  We then headed to my Uncle Joey's, which is where we go every year for our Thanksgiving dinner.

 

I was so tired on Thursday night (I'm not used to staying out late!) so with the turkey, I barely made it home awake!  It was fun and I got to meet my cousin's sweet baby girl Emery for the first time! :)

 

Friday we helped my mom put up Christmas lights and went to lunch at Benji's.  Mike, Stevi & Tate came over later for dinner and to take our Christmas card pictures.  Tatum was so perfect and so much fun to be around.  She is so funny and loves playing with Jeff which is probably the cutest thing ever.

 

 

 

 

We headed home Saturday afternoon and relaxed Saturday night.  Sunday morning I got up and cleaned and unpacked everything, then Sid and I went to pick out our Christmas tree!  I got all of the decorations up too!  I have to say, I completely forgot how amazing real trees are.  I just love the smell so much, and you can get a huge whiff as soon as you walk into the house!  

 

 

 

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, although I have to say I LOVE CHRISTMAS and am so happy that Jeff finally let me decorate! :) 

 

XO

Nicci

 

Weekend Recap

Yay for Monday! I'm looking forward to a short 3 day week and heading up to Bakersfield to spend time with my family for Thanksgiving.  We had a great weekend and got a few big items checked off my to do list. 

 

Friday we had Thanksgiving potluck in my office!  I didn't take a picture of my plate, but let's just say I cheated a little.  My party potatoes turned out great and were a bit hit! :)  They were super easy to make also.  I'm excited to have them again on Thursday... !

 

Saturday morning we woke up and both went to work out.  I headed to barre at 9:45 and Jeff headed to his morning HIT class that he has been going to on Saturday mornings at Equinox.  Then I picked up nekter for us.  We have been obsessed with the Tropical Acai bowls there for years now and now I have to get a Health Nut with almond butter every time. SO GOOD.  We headed to Irvine to look at cars for him since his lease is up in January.  It's something that I have really been wanting to get taken care of since the holidays get so hectic with us traveling.  Well, 6 hours later, he came out with a new whip!  He ended up getting a black Camry sport.  I think it's pretty nice and he really likes it!  We got a great deal on it thanks to his aunt working at the Toyota corporate in NYC!  We drove back home and picked up pizza and beer to celebrate :)

 

 

On Sunday I slept in until 10:45!  I woke up just in time to catch some of the Cowboys game with Jeff. He is so superstitious that he barely watched the game because he said that they were doing better when he was on a different channel.  Weirdo.  But at least they won (finally)!

 

I got a ton of stuff done around the house and we are planning on packing tomorrow night and hopefully heading up to Bako Wednesday night- depending on whether the grape vine is open!  I hope it is!   If not, we will have to battle even more traffic by driving on Thanksgiving day.

 

Have a great week!

 

5 on Friday -- Thanksgiving Edition

It's the last Friday before Thanksgiving! Although I am a bit partial to Christmas (it's an argument every year as to when it is okay to put up the tree), I want to savor Thanksgiving this year & family time, especially since Jeff and I will be spending Christmas in New Jersey with his family!  Here's my 5 things on Thanksgiving :)

 

-ONE-

Thankful Placemats

 

Target does it again with the most adorable Thankful placemats by Threshold.  They are currently 20% off too- which makes them only $3.99 each!  Love these.

-TWO-

 Always a good reminder. :)

 

-THREE-

Party Potatoes!

I'm not a HUGE fan of Thanksgiving food, but this is my FAVORITE!! My mom makes it every year and I found a really similar recipe (linked above).  I'm making it for my office Thanksgiving potluck tomorrow and will most likely have a plate full of potatoes. :)  The only difference between my recipe and the one I liked is that I use cream of chicken soup in lieu of the cream of mushroom.  Needless to say, tomorrow is going to be a pretty big cheat day for me.

 

-FOUR-

I use this centerpiece for every holiday!  For Easter, I fill it with plastic eggs, Christmas with pine cones, etc.  I love this filling that I found at HomeGoods (of course).  I've had it in for a while now, since it works well for Halloween too!  Although I'm excited to change it out for my Christmas cones, I love the fall look for now!

 

-FIVE-

I can't bring up Thanksgiving without at least mentioning Black Friday!  I'm not much of a black Friday shopper myself- not one of those traditions or things that I enjoy around the holidays.  HOWEVER, I really want a nice camera.  My mom has a Canon Rebel and this is the one I have been eyeing.  I'm not sure if I need one this nice, or should just get a $150-$200 one. I find myself using my phone all the time and it's great, mostly because I always have it.  But I want to start taking pictures on a good camera.  I know that Amazon will most likely have some great Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales going on.  That way I won't have to actual deal with the people.  I've never done it before and I'm not quite sure that I want to!

 

Have a great Thanksgiving!!! #thankful