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I love rounding up some of my favorite things every year around Christmas time. I discover new things throughout the year that I just can't wait to share with you. They range from home decor down to beauty picks. This year, I found sooo many things I just love! This roundup also doubles as a great Christmas gift guide. I own and have tried everything on this list. So, if it made the list, it's a five star review from me :) 

Magnetic Eyelashes. 
I started wearing magnetic eyelashes a couple of years ago, just off and on. Mainly for special occasions. I then realized how much of a time saver they were, and started to wear them daily. I loved one brand for awhile until they 'improved' their design. I stopped buying them since they didn't fit my eyes anymore. I have tried some random brands from Amazon that I hated. Then I found one brand that I have loved for over a year and half now. These lashes are from Silly George. Weird name, but great lashes! I've tried all three of the kinds they have to offer. I love the "originals", but the "dailies" are good for every day use. The "drama" ones were a little much for me. They offer a couple of eyelash things on their site, but the ones I love are the dual strip magnetic lashes. You can find them on their website, and sometimes on Amazon.

AirMoji by MojiLife
I shared this little device with you all a few months ago. I love this thing. I don't buy candles any more or air freshener. This thing pumps so much yummy good smelling stuff into the air, and the scents to pick from are amazing. They have their Christmas fragrances out right now...and let me tell you. Have you ever stepped into a Home Depot or Michaels, or whatever store, that have thousands of cinnamon pine cones in bags. And you think to yourself, I need that in my house. Then you grab one measly bag, bring it home, and your house doesn't smell anything like the store? Well, I got you covered....without spending gobs of money on thousands of pine cones :) The Cinnamon Cheer is what you need ... it's what I have, and my whole house smells like I'm living on a cinnamon pine cone (in a good way). They also have Holly Berry, I'll Be Home (my next fave! It's like Christmas morning), and Christmas Tree. Besides all their other scents, this little device is the best thing since.. well, candles and hot wax. Actually, it's way better than those since it has no hot wax or flame, and is cordless and programmable. Plus, the scents last for weeks. I just put an I'll Be Home in my car that I have had open for about 4 weeks, and my car smells oh so good. I can go on and on about these things...you can see my full on review at this link >here<. Or visit here to buy or learn more.

Recessed light chandeliers 
This product from Worth Home has saved me a ton of money from converting my recessed lighting into hanging pendants. They offer a great selection of pendants that just screw into your existing recessed lights...just like a light bulb, but with a big long cord to something beautiful! I have one in my bathroom and one in my dining room. I'm wishing I had more recessed lights, so I could change them all out! They are available online through Amazon and I have seen some on Home Depot's website. 

Josie Maran Whipped Argon Oil

I don't know how to describe this lotion, besides it feels like butter going on your skin and then melting away leaving an amazing scent and softness. Like, this stuff is legit. It's amazing and I could bathe in a whole tub of it. They offer multiple scents. This is one of those things you get for that person that is hard to shop for. You can find the selection here.

Dyson Vacuum, Ball Animal 2
Now, this has been a sanity saver in my house. Seriously. I had a Bissel vacuum for years and thought it was good. But it started to suck...well, not suck. You get my drift :) I upgraded to this Dyson ball vacuum last year after seeing how amazing it was at my mom's house with her german shephard. This thing is legit you guys! The first time I used it, I was so disgusted by the amount of crap in my rugs and carpet. I was emptying out the thing every room. I didn't realize how much stuff my old vacuum didn't pick up! Plus, if you are an animal lover ...this is for you! It gets that hair out of everything. I can actually wear black socks and not have hair all over the bottom of them :) ha! (you totally understand this if you have a crazy shedding animal). This comes with lots and lots of attachments too so you can use it virtually anywhere. I love the attachment that helps me dust my high up shelves and ledges. I can seriously go on and on about this! Check it out for yourself here :)

Wool Dryer Balls
Sounds normal and boring, but I didn't know what I was missing until I found these. I randomly saw someone post about how much time these wool dryer balls save when drying their clothes. Then I looked them up and checked out more reviews. I swear, am I the only person who had never heard about these things?! They cut drying time, they replace chemical laden dryer sheets, they help reduce wrinkles and static. Our dryer is a bit old and takes it's time drying things. These balls have helped so much in speeding that up! They are extra large and come in a pack of six. I throw all six in my wash every time. You can get them here. 

Alex and Ani bracelets
I received my first Alex and Ani bracelet a few years ago from my in-laws. It as something I didn't know I wanted. I wasn't a bracelet person back then, but my jewelry usage is cyclical. Since then, I wear bracelets almost every day and my Alex and Ani bracelets are always in the mix! They have such a great selection for all occasions. You can see them all here.

Blowfish Bilocate Boot
I'm throwing  a little fashion your way. I saw my sister-in-law wearing these boots last Christmas and fell in love. I had to get a pair for myself. They are by far my fave pairs of boots...and that's saying a lot since I own like 50 pairs :) I'm tall, just under six foot, and this heel isn't too big that I feel uncomfortable like a giant. They are comfortable and are super cute with most outfits! You can get them here. 

Turkish Towels
If you have been following me and reading my blog for awhile, it's no secret I love blankets and that  I love turkish towels. I totally use them as light weight blankets. They are great for style, great for summer, great for towels. And they come in some pretty great colors and patterns. About a third of my 'blankets' are turkish towels. They are a great, inexpensive way to add layers to your home. You can see a huge selection of them here.

Leather Moroccan Floor Pouf
This leather pouf has been one of my favorite finds this year. I love the character it has brought into my house. Plus! It's a perfect place to put up my feet, sit on for additional seating, or rest against. It has survived my dog and children the past months. It is beautifully crafted and handmade. The color and stitching are outstanding. I know there are a lot of leather poufs out there, but this is one I can vouch for! You can find it here.

Ruffle Skirt Bedspread
I have always loved the look of long bedspreads that touch the ground. They tend to be super expensive, so when I found this one, I snatched it up real quick! Now to look at the price, I freak out a little bit. I paid more than double and thought it was a good deal! Now it's like they are giving them away. I just love how it transformed my bed. It too has held up quite well over the past year between my husband, kids, and dog. It is due for a dry clean though. That's the only downside. But, if you keep care of it, you don't have to do that very often! You can get one for yourself here.

Hope you found some inspiration in this list! I feel like nothing on here is way overpriced. If I was a girl, and I am, and I didn't own any of these, but I do, then I would be so happy with getting them all for Christmas :) Heck! I wouldn't mind getting them all again even though I own all of them! ha! :) What's your favorite thing or gift idea to give during the holidays for those who are a little hard to shop for? Share below!

As always, these are my reviews from the products I received. Not all products are the same. Do your own due diligence before purchasing. If you purchase a product recommended by me, and it doesn't meet your expectations, please contact the place your purchased it from and not me :) Happy shopping!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

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I still feel like I'm dreaming, and that when I wake up it's going to be July :) That being said, I really have had my Christmas decor up for almost a month now. I know! I'm crazy. I thought it would get me into the spirit....ha! Didn't work so well. I'm barely feeling it; the snow outside helps a little. My decor has been up for awhile, so it's probably about time I shared it with you! I'll be sharing my front living room and entryway decor today. Look for my main living room and bedroom Christmas tours coming in the next few days! 

I decided to try something a little new this year with my entry way. I usually put my garland along the risers on the stairs. I love it there, but wanted to change it up and give it a more traditional look. I got this garland from Michaels a few years ago along with the cute little wreaths.

 This bench in our entryway is actually more functional than anything. I do love to decorate it though. I added pops of red with the garland and pillows to mesh with the red in the front room. I left my cathedral window frames up here from my fall decor. I just love how they fit the space. 

 This is still one of my favorite views in my house for some reason. I'll love it even more when I change out that carpet! Maybe that'll happen in 2020 :) 

 As for my front room, I went way past what I did last year with neutrals and added a ton of reds. My goal was to have board and batten up in here by this tour, but alas, that didn't happen. Once again, I added pops of red with the garland and the pillows. 

(Side Table: Target      White Slipcover Couch/Bed: Ikea      Rug: Rugs USA    Storage Bench: Target     Jute Pillows: Target      Farmhouse ladder: Tutorial       Wood sunburst mirror: Tutorial      Red Buffalo Check Covers: Amazon  )

 And lots of red with this huge sign from Kirklands. I found this sign, and I totally decorated the room around it. I had envisioned red in this room, and this was the perfect sign to make it work. 

 I flanked the jolly red sign with a diy Christmas tree calendar (tutorial here) and the reindeer name sign I bought from Michaels this year. I needed something to go in the middle, and I thought these cute white houses went perfectly -also a Michael's find. 

 Christmas countdown: Tutorial

One of my favorite traditions is having my kids help decorate this tree at the beginning of the season. I only moved about 2 balls because they fell off, besides that, the ornaments were placed by them! They were taught young to step back, take a look, and then place :) I love watching them decorate this tree; we throw on some loud Christmas music and go to town. 

 I always love full room views, so here are couple more that give a good idea of what this room looks like. 

 Adding red into my decor during the Christmas time is just the best. I love that I have neutral decor throughout the year...it totally helps make the red pop so much more! 

I'm toying around with the idea of changing this room up a bit and rearranging the furniture. It's been this way for a few years and I wonder if it's about time :) What do you think? Maybe just switch walls. Couch where the fireplace is and visa-versa? We shall see! 

If you missed my tour on my Christmas dining room decor, you can find it here:

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

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It's getting so close! Christmas is less than a month away. It seems surreal...doesn't it? Well, now that the official countdown of 25 days is about to be upon us, I'm sharing how I made this year's Christmas countdown calendar. Yes...I say "this year's" because for some reason, I make a different countdown every year. I really don't know why. I have about 6 so far in my house...most of which are still in boxes. I do take out my faves and have them out every year. This one is for sure going to be one of them!

 This year, I decided to make a pretty simple countdown made from stuff you can easily get from the craft store. I got this board from Hobby Lobby for about $11. It's pretty good size, 24" by 18". You can find it in their wood cutout aisle. They have lots of different signs like this just ready to go! Saves you time from not having to make it on your own :) Bonus!

 I didn't like the darker color of the shiplap inset, so I used some white latex paint and dried brush over it.

 Using my Silhouette, I then cut out the numbers 1-25 in a size I thought would work. I did this on scrap paper as to not waste my precious vinyl :) I only had scrap pieces of vinyl left so I needed every piece I could get! I cut these out at a little over 1". I then placed them on the sign. I played around with spacing and where I wanted each number to go until I got it perfect. I then took a picture to remember :)

If you are using just normal latex paint on a sign you built yourself, you can easily place painters tape right down the middle to the two edges to create a tree or triangle. This wood from the sign is so so soft that when I placed the tape right on it, and peeled it off, it took half the paint with it.... so, I had to figure that out. I ended up using a cereal box, and cutting out the shape I needed.

 I then cut out a 1" strip of scrap paper to use as my spacer. I cut out all the numbers on black vinyl. Using the red numbers again, I figured out where the best placement was for them. The red spacer was used along the bottom groove of each "row". This helped with placing the numbers in the middle of each little shiplap section.

 This is how it ended up looking with all the numbers down.

 I then got tiny nails and hammered them into the groove above each number. To make this work easier, I placed the sign on top of a 2x4 cut at about 20". I then moved the 2x4 down each row, and hammered in the nail. If you do the project, you'll see why this makes such a difference.

 I found these little wreaths at Hobby Lobby also. I think they are supposed to be used as napkins rings... I don't really know. But, they worked perfectly for this!

 I then added a star at the top to finish off the tree. This star is a cutout from Michaels and painted red.

 You can either start the countdown at the top, or use it to count the actual days.

 I love the size of this and how easy it is for my kids to use. Plus, it came in under $15 to make the thing and less than an hour. Not too bad! I'm excited to start using it come December 1st!

As for my other favorites...I still have my favorite advent calendar clock that we use yearly that tells you things to do each day. Here's the tutorial on how to make it:

Here's another favorite Christmas Advent Countdown. This is fun because you just flip over the days and there's stuff to do on the other side. Tutorial here:

My kids look forward to doing these every year... new ones and old ones! Soon, we will have one for every room in our house, haha :) That might start to get a little much. What's your favorite way to countdown to Christmas?

Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving!

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