Family Photos: Holiday-filled weekend fun!

Did I mention just how utterly cold it’s been in the good old Midwest so far this winter? Oh, what’s that? I have? Several times? OK, well, I’d say it reached a new low (literally!) this past week and weekend, with temps barreling toward single digits! So, what does that call for? A mini holiday party, of course! This past weekend, we got together with our oldest family friends (remember my mom’s friend Bill and his wife?) for a little holiday fun — and some delicious sweets!

My mom’s been insistent for a few months now that we have a holiday photo of the three of us — and the cats — this year. I honestly don’t remember the last time we had a family photo taken. Well, we just couldn’t say no to her, I guess, because we found ourselves standing in front of our tree. Something tells me Harry didn’t exactly enjoy the experience, and we couldn’t even get Stella to come out. Maybe next year…?

As we chatted and caught up, we busted out this awesome cookie-decorating kit. It came with sugar cookies in the shapes of stars, snowmen and trees, along with red, green and white frosting and sprinkles.

It was all I could do not to dive in and start my own assembly line of cookie decorating.The sprinkles were clearly my favorite part, but I think my mom came away as the true talent of the afternoon…what do you think?

And, how adorable is she? I couldn’t help snapping a few more photos of her in all her decorating glory!

I’m thinking we need to make this a holiday tradition. What about you, friends? What are some of your family traditions around this time of year? Cookie baking? Exchanging presents before Christmas morning? Are you starting any new ones this year? I’d love to hear all about them! xoxo

Holiday Gift Guide 2013 Part #7: Six aww-dorable gifts for your furry friend

This hand-pierced white porcelain dog bowl, so they can eat in style, $36.

A playful plaid leash, so they’ll stand out at the dog park and on walks around the neighborhood, $20-$24.

A Lucky Dog Swag Bag full of fun toys for endless hours of play, $26.

Scratch ‘N Nap for your lazy cat, $16.99.

Catnip Apple Cat Toy, so they’ll have a special treat every day, $8.99.

A classic pet pillow, so they can snuggle your feet every night in bed because that’s where they belong, $36.

Holiday Gift Guide 2013 Part #6: Your friendly co-worker who makes the best coffee every morning, loves chatting about her favorite TV shows and can never turn down homemade cookies


A Bath & Body Works Snow Day candle to fill the office with the smells of the season, 2 for $22. This Lather holiday candle sampler ($20) is cute too.

This teak wood and turquoise bracelet to bring her good luck, $38.

An iTunes gift card, so she can make the perfect playlist for work.

EOS limited edition lip balm (vanilla, pomegranate and sweet mint) to combat the winter cold — and give her a glowing shine, $18. Or, if she’s the crafty type, she might even like to make her own, $40.

This Marimo Moss Ball Light Bulb Aquarium to add a touch of wonder to her desk, $35.

A Direct Trade coffee duo gift set featuring Nicaraguan Direct Trade coffees, which pays farmers a fair premium for their products, $39.95.

Crabtree & Evelyn nail polish to bring a pop of color to her day, 2 for $10.

Behind The Scenes of Downton Abbey because it’s her favorite show and the new season starts next month, $18.49.

A world map automatic folding umbrella for those rainy Monday mornings, $23.

A simple card for her desk, so she’ll smile every time she sits down, $16 for a box of 6.

Holiday Gift Guide 2013 Part #5: Your little cousin who loves dancing to oldies, running through the sprinkler and is always ready with a smile

Our World Jumbo Puzzle ($16.99) and the beautifully illustrated book Maps ($35) to celebrate their adventurous spirit and inner cartographer.

Two sets of Tattly temporary tattoos, like the circus set or the kids mix, $15 each.

Snug As A Bug Hat for keeping warm in the winter while making all those snowmen, $20.

Teddy bear bank for a fun way to save — and learn about — money, $24.

A classic kids game, like pick-sticks ($7.95) or Candy Land ($11.98).

This bashful donkey, so they’ll have a trusty sidekick, $30.

Real sugar maple leaf night light because it’s awesome — just like your little cousin, $27.99.

A bean bag chair for watching Saturday morning cartoons, $49.96.

A dinosaur backpack to give them an extra boost of confidence at school, $43.

Black cat sweater because you’re both cat people, $23.84.

A magnetic wooden toy rocket (complete with a spinning propeller!) for the future astronaut, $20.

A color-changing hat just like in Back To The Future, their favorite movie, $23.63.

And the book to go with it, $25.92.

Fun balloon animals kit, $11.26.

This sky umbrella for keeping them dry on the way to school, $23.09.

Hulk decals for their room, $25.99.

A constellation projecting turtle night light to ward off bad dreams, $34.95.

A set of six animal party balloons, $14.

A bean bag sled for fun snow days, $49.95.

Their favorite Disney character to wake them up every morning, $31.50.

Magnatab writing board to make learning fun, $18.21.

P.S. The Holiday Gift Guide 2013 so far…

(I’ve partnered with TheStore.com on some of today’s picks, though the opinions expressed are my own. TheStore.com is a social shopping community where the product catalog is curated by its members. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)

Holiday Gift Guide 2013 Part #4: Your best friend who loves scary movies and never forgets your birthday

These classic striped pajamas ($19.80) and sleep mask ($28) for Saturday morning marathon lounging sessions.

DIY bath salts kit for unwinding in the evenings, $40.

A KIND Classic Variety Cube of 16 different types of snack bars, including almond, sea salt, dark chocolate and blueberry pecan, $34.95.

This fun gold fortune cookie for all her little treasures, $25.

A beautiful bouquet of Peruvian lilies for her desk (includes 25 stems and 100 colorful blooms), $19.99. This Foodie Garden Grow Kit ($22) is awesome too.

Alfred Hitchcock: The Essential Collection, which features five of the iconic director’s nail-biting thrillers, $32.49.

An infinity bracelet to remind her that you’ll be BFFs forever, $17.50.

An idiom pencil set to make her smile when she’s working, $20.

A heartfelt note because having her as a friend just feels like home, $5.

A pair of knit mittens (those ears!) to match her quirky personality, $12.95.

Be The Change paperweight to keep her honest, $36.

This Color Me Swooooon coloring book (full of your celeb crushes; Channing Tatum, anyone?!?) for silly girly get-togethers, around $16.

A home for your keys, so she never loses hers again, $16.16.

Fun shaped push pins, $12.

Punch bag laundry bag to make the mundane chore a bit more fun, $26.95.

Hawaiian-print bobby pins in honor of her favorite spot, $12.

Windproof storm umbrella for those rainy walks to work, $49.50.

An ombre hair chalk set for a change, $14.

DC Comics USB flash drives for her inner geek, $19.99.

Grass-lined flip flops, $39.99.

Ha, a funny t-shirt, $36.

And a t-shirt to honor her favorite animal, $16.02.

(I’ve partnered with TheStore.com on some of today’s picks. though the opinions expressed are my own. TheStore.com is a social shopping community where the product catalog is curated by its members. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)