Links & Loves – #12

Apparently the holidays are in full swing? We did a pizza picnic and Christmas movie tonight (it’s unofficially become a Sunday night holiday tradition) and nearly every house in our neighborhood has put out Christmas decorations.

I still haven’t wrapped a single present and it was a balmy 70 degrees outside today. Feels very ‘on brand’ for 2020. I can’t figure out if it’s December or March.

Regardless, we’re less than two weeks from Christmas.

1. I spent time this weekend googling Breakfast Casserole recipes for Christmas morning. While I am still on the hunt for my ‘go to’ breakfast bake (feel free to share your favorites in the comments), I do have a favorite Grits Casserole (originally found and made by Kiwi) and French Toast Bake (passed along from my best friend Jessica at one of my wedding showers). Both are crowd pleasers.
2. In addition to searching for breakfast casseroles, I went on a hunt for Champagne coupes (these + these). I’m not typically a cocktail girl, but I’ve seen a friends share a few different holiday-inspired drinks and now I have new glasses and bar tools sitting in my online Crate & Barrel cart. On my radar: Cranberry Gin Fizz, Bourbon Apple Cider and Spiced Sangria
3. I managed to squeeze in a face mask during movie night and used my mask wand. Feels like a luxury, and a two-pack is less than $5. It might be in my head, but I feel like I waste less product when I use it and can manage the ‘apply an even, thin layer’. It would be a perfect stocking stuffer.
4. Did you know Taylor Swift released a new album this week? Today is her 31st birthday and she gifted us with another album in 2020. I have listened off and on all weekend and my favorite song keeps switching. Theories are swirling that there is a third album on the way. I don’t know whether to be thrilled or annoyed that my hopes might be raised unnecessarily. I’ll busy myself with listening to this current album while we make holiday treats this week.
5. After our Chinese Lantern Festival was canceled this year, our town shifted things and placed some of the lanterns arounds downtown for everyone to enjoy. We took the babies to explore on Saturday and they loved it. Courtney’s To-Go Gingerbread House Tea Party is another great example of inspired holiday celebrating during these ‘unprecedented times’.

I have high hopes to share some traditions and figure out how to hold a virtual cookie (recipe) swap over on IG this week. I also really need to figure out how to get some presents wrapped. Fingers crossed I can make both happen. Don’t forget to share your favorite breakfast casserole recipes if you have them!

xo,

KNW

PS: If you identify as a child of the 90’s, no doubt your Saturday mornings and/or weekday afternoons (hooray, syndication) likely included some time with “Saved by the Bell”. In honor of the reboot, now airing on NBC’s Peacock streaming platform, there have been a handful of pieces written across pop culture and entertainment outlets in recent weeks. This aicle focuses on probably SBTB’s most well-known episode – and an epic scene yours truly once partially reenacted on a stage, in front of people.

(An aside: I’d highly recommend giving in to the rabbit hole temptation and watching the original pilot episode – linked in the piece – via YouTube. It’s just incredible how that episode took us down a path eventually ending with “Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas”) – KPW