TGIF, friends! Last night I went with a group of girlfriends to see The Nutcracker at the Bass Hall. I love how you can see that ballet a dozen times and it still never gets old. Our friend, Sarah, was a professional ballerina so we were probably the most annoying friends fielding her questions left and right. ha! With Christmas less than 2 weeks away, I wanted to share a sweater that works for Christmas Day! This French Connection sweater has balloon sleeves with a jacquard stripe, so you get a fun take on the timeless camel sweater. I’m wearing a size S and I would also make note you should dry clean or hand wash this sweater! The fit is really what makes it so special and so I wouldn’t want to alter that in any way.

In the spirit of old Friday Frills posts, I thought I’d chat about 5 random things on my mind! Feel free to let me know what is buzzing about your brain this Friday in the comments!

1. I’m going to be taking some time off around Christmas through the New Year. I know that’s not necessarily news or even worthy of an announcement, but I wanted to share the reason why as I think it can resonate with so many others! I was watching Insta Stories and I can’t even remember who said this, but someone was saying they were taking time off during the holidays. They were talking about how we always feel guilty when we do that, but it’s so silly because it is the holidays! She has kids and she finally told herself, “Where my eyes are focused at Christmas is where my children’s eyes will be focused. If I’m worried about answering e-mails, they will think that is what you stress about over the holidays.” I’m totally butchering how she worded it {I can’t even remember who said it!} but the way she worded it was so powerful, and I decided to intentionally take a few days in my calendar and give myself that challenge. I’m not sure what your schedule is like or what your job looks like this time of year, but if you can, cut back somewhere. Even if you don’t have kids, I feel that her message is powerful. Where we focus our eyes, others do as well, and we need to focus on family, rest, and intentional celebration on what truly matters. My friend Diana and I were talking about just turning our phones off on Christmas Day. And while it feels odd to not text friends “Merry Christmas” we do plenty of celebrating and well-wishing all month! Do you do that?! How do you make sure you are intentional this time of year?
2. I’m getting a MUCH needed haircut next week. If you’re like me, you ignore it {because it’s hard enough to find time to get highlights} and then see a photo and think, “THOSE ARE MY ENDS?!” I just sent my hairdresser a gif saying “It is time.” So now I will spend the next 7 days lamenting over, “Just a trim? Get another blunt cut? I liked my blunt cut, but I didn’t feel like myself. Will I feel like myself if I try it again? I am starting to part my hair differently so maybe I could chop 3 inches?” I’ll do this for 7 days and then probably just get a trim…You know. The drama in life.
3. I made the easiest crockpot chicken and carrots meal yesterday and Maxi actually devoured it. It had honey and balsamic vinegar and I loved that it took me 5 minutes to prep. I’m thinking about doing a post in January on my 5 go-to meals that I make on a really busy day when I don’t have time to really cook. Would y’all like that? I mean they aren’t necessarily super healthy meals- but they work for our family!
4. When do you take your tree down? I’m always a January 1st kind of girl. This year since I didn’t do a flocked tree and I’m not always cleaning up faux snow, I’m not really dying to get it down come January 1. I’m actually getting sad thinking about putting it away- which sounds ridiculous. So when is your tree date?! ha. When MUST it go away?
5. Next week on the blog, I’ll be covering how you can prep for the New Year! From organization to devotionals and goal-setting, I’m working on a post that maps it all out. In the spirit of that post, I wanted to poll you all- as I don’t want to miss something. Are there any tasks you can’t skimp on as you start the New Year? Do you organize something random or like to cross off a big yearly task?

Have a fabulous weekend! I’m itching to watch The Holiday tonight! What’s your favorite Christmas movie?