Christmas morning

This is what I plan on wearing tomorrow when we open our presents from Santa.

Comfy and cozy is what I plan...

Because I want to be able to play with my kiddos 

and just enjoy being with my family.

christmas morning outfit by libbyuglesich featuring a flannel pajamas

And I just wanted to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas card 2013

Our Christmas card for 2013

Photo:: Lulabell Photography

Card:: Minted

From my family to yours we would like to  

wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Twigs and Twirls

Melissa from Twigs and Twirls contacted me and asked me if I'd like to do a review
of her adorable paper straws
and I jumped at the chance to help spruce up my bar for the Christmas season.
I got to choose which designs I'd like
and I ended up with 4 different designs.
I picked the
red and green polka dots
red and green stripes
green and white stripes
and
 red and white stripes.
They're all so cute and they really added something to the bar to make it even more Christmasy.

You can find Twigs and Twirls on Etsy here
and on Facebook here.

I was given these products in exchange for doing a review but all views and opinions are my own.

Elf on a shelf:: Polar Express ride

If you know Zane then you know he is completely 100% obsessed with 

the Polar Express.

He can recite the entire movie 

and does multiple times a day to anyone who will listen.
And wants to watch it every.single.day...
multiple times a day!

So when I was thinking of things to do for the Elf on the Shelf 

this idea popped into my head and I got super excited.
{for both him and myself}

He got the Polar Express train from Pottery Barn Kids for Christmas last year from his GiGi

{it actually comes with the little boy and the bum sitting on top of the train and a bell}

So I went on a hunt...

a hunt to find::
a miniature cookie 

an itty bitty mug

and
a tiny bell with red ribbon.

Because if you have seen the movie or even been on the train ride yourself

they give each person::

a cookie

a steaming hot mug of cocoa

and
each kid a bell with red ribbon

{on the ride each kid gets a bell but in the movie just the main character gets a one}

I also borrowed a Santa from my mom
because what's a trip on the Polar Express 

without meeting Santa?!

I worked hard on trying to get it perfect for him

because I knew if it wasn't perfect that he'd notice since he's so obsessed.

And this is the result of all my efforts::

He was so excited this morning.
Unfortunately the camera was dead so I didn't get any pictures of him seeing it.

We will also be going on the Polar Express train ride on Sunday night on Mt. Hood Railroad

and we always buy the most expensive tickets so we can get the special mug

and best seats for him.
We will be bringing our copy of the Polar Express book
this year since they do a reading
and I want him to be able to follow along this year.

Well this year I also found the most perfect pjs of all time for him to wear on the ride
and for Lilah something coordinating of course::

Polar Express by libbyuglesich on Polyvore
Both are from Hannah Andersson

I really don't think they could be anymore perfect
and when he saw them he flipped out because he was so excited.

He's already told me on more than one occasion that this is going to be the best Christmas ever
and/or
his favorite Christmas of all time...
because he's had so many ;)

Because I know everyone would love to know what I'll be wearing,
I put together my outfit for it.

polar express train ride by libbyuglesich featuring a patagonia vest

Datevitation

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary product for review. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.

You may know of Datevitation.com as the web's first online platform to create a custom love coupon book. 

When they contacted me I was super excited to get a book for my husband as a stocking stuffer.

I thought it'd be perfect since we like to try to go out on at least one date a month 

to keep our romance alive if you know what I mean.

The Datevation library contains over 500 date ideas ranging from a sushi date to having the perfect Thanksgiving. 

They also have over 100 book cover options to suit any occasion.

Unlike the pre-packaged love coupon books on the market, you pick the exact coupons you would like to include and can customize the text to your liking, 

and you can even add your own photos to the books now. 

Once you are done customizing the text in your book, Datevitation will print it out and ship it to you. 

Books normally start at just $25 so it makes for a thoughtful yet economical gift.  

But as a special treat for my followers, you can use the code  

‘LIBBYSLIFE’  

for $10 off your purchase plus free shipping (total value of $13.50)  

That means you can get your loved one a one-of-a-kind gift for Christmas starting at just $15!  The order cut-off date for guaranteed delivery by Christmas is December 13 

so make sure to get your order in before then!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Modcloth party outfit

modcloth by libbyuglesich featuring metal jewelry

I made this outfit from ModCloth clothes and
I would love to wear this for a Christmas and/or New Years party.
It's so festive yet in a subtle way with just the coat being red
and with everything else just being really girly with a hint of gold
and with the red lips it's definitely the perfect party outfit!

Christmas

My Christmas decorations so far this year in my new living room.

christmas tree cutting outfit

We cut our tree down every year the day after Thanksgiving.

It's our tradition that my husband and I started this our first year married.

We haven't missed a year...

we went when I was pregnant and super sick with Zane in 2009

and with Lilah only being a couple weeks old last year.

It's one of my favorite parts of Christmastime.

We always go to the same tree farm near our house.

christmas tree cutting by libbyuglesich featuring old navy t shirts

I always like to wear something with a little Christmas spirit.
And I am super obsessed with my polka dot jeans so I will definitely be wearing those.
And it has been freezing here the past couple weeks so a hat, gloves + boots are completely necessary.
Oh and I must always have a peppermint mocha when we go get the tree.
I am so excited that Christmas is officially starting on Friday!
It is by far my most favorite time of year.

Lilah's Birthday Party - Decorations

We had a princess themed birthday party for Lilah as you may have noticed

from my preview pictures if you follow my Instagram 

or my Twitter or even my Facebook page.

I will share her party details over the next week or so.

There are so many pictures that it'd be the longest post in the entire world if I did it all in one post.

I will put all the details of where things are from at the bottom.

 

 

 

Birth stats:: Paper Ramma
Birthday invitation:: Shutterfly
Princess balloon:: Dollar Tree
Princess crown:: Little Blue Olive
High chair banner:: Birthday Express
Cupcake flags:: Dollar Tree
Garland:: Graphique Bazaar
Princess plates + cups:: Toys R Us
Princess confetti:: Party City
Pearl necklace:: Charming Charlie
Mini princess balloon:: Dollar Tree
Smash cupcake:: Bliss Cupcakes
Princess pinata:: Toys R Us

Boys gift bag::

Funny glasses:: Target

Bubbles:: Dollar Tree

Silly String:: Dollar Tree

{the boys got a cookie too, it's just not pictured}

Girls gift bag::

Crown:: Target

Maraca:: Dollar Tree

Bubbles:: Dollar Tree

Cookie:: Cookies by Design

Gift tags:: Welcome to my Store

Here is a sneak peek of the cake eating::

thanksgiving dinner traditions

my family is extremely traditional when it comes to our Thanksgiving dinner

we like our turkey roasted with the stuffing inside the bird

{we all feel it gives it way more flavor that way}
but we always make so much that we have to do a separate dish of it also
my mom loves cranberries so we always have those
I like to have rolls so we've started making some for dinner in the last few years
you have to have mashed potatoes and gravy at Thanksgiving
it is a definite must
of course we always have green bean casserole
I want to make pumpkin or butternut squash soup and tartlets for appetizers this year
and you have to have pumpkin pie and whipped cream for dessert!

thanksgiving

I thought I'd share with you what I will be wearing to enjoy our turkey day this year.

I cannot wait because it is definitely my favorite Holiday!

I am just thankful that we get to have yummy food on this family day. 

turkey eating by libbyuglesich featuring flat high boots

I will be eating a ton of food this day so I knew I'd need something comfy
and something that can compensate for all the yummy food.
I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving with your families and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry

I have come to say sorry for the lack of posting but we moved on Sunday and we have no internet until next week so until then. It will be a little quiet around here. My house is a disaster and I also have a very sick baby on top of it. We had to make a trip to the ER on Tuesday night for Lilah. Plus we had her first birthday party on Saturday so we've been a bit busy and I've had no time to sit down and write or create anything fun to post. I'll be back as soon as I can get a moment to sit down and get a post written. Thanks for understanding!

Disney on Ice

We attended Disney on Ice Rockin' Ever After last night in Portland. 

The show was so much fun!

They started out with Mickey + Minnie and some of the other characters.

Zane + Lilah both thought that this part was awesome.

Lilah was just freaking out and trying to jump out of our arms to get to the characters

and Zane was mesmerized by them because those two are his favorite.

They also had The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Brave + Beauty and the Beast do short versions of 

each of their stories. 

Zane liked Beauty and the Beast the best

and I think Lilah's favorite was Tangled because she seemed to be the most attentive during that story.

My favorite was Brave of course. 

I love that movie, 

the story is just so powerful to me.

You can create your own destiny if you just try. 

The skaters were absolutely amazing 

and so talented!

The show will be in Portland all weekend

and there are 3 shows on Saturday + 2 on Sunday. 

You can go to Disney on Ice to find ticketing information

and learn all about the show. 

It really is a can't miss show! 

So if you're not busy all weekend I would recommend going to one of the shows.

We received the tickets as compensation for this blog post but all opinions and views are my own.

four favorites

favorites by libbyuglesich featuring coconuts boots

kate spade purse :: dsw boots :: modcloth scarf :: ss peonies print

Apple picking adventures

We went apple picking this last weekend like I said

and we had the best time!

My friend Lauren came with us so of course she had to take some pictures

which I would never object to...

since she's amazing

and you can never have to many family photos. 

Lilah of course had to wear her apple sweater to go apple picking.

It was simply a must.

She's got the cheesiest smile on the block

and I can't get enough of it.

Zane picked this perfect apple

and I had to get a picture of myself holding it my hands 

Of course Zane wouldn't look at the camera...

he was having to much fun picking apples.