Oh, it’s personal.

When planning our wedding, we knew it would be beautiful and fun, but it was also really important to us that it feel personal. One night about 2 weeks before the wedding I was laying in bed mentally running through my mile-long to-do list and had a brilliant idea: we would write personal notes to every single person on their seating card. (When I saw Kyle a few days later I told him my idea and he happily agreed to write for each of the guests on his list. We had almost 200 people! #keeper) It turned out to be the perfect way to ensure we made a personal connection with every guest in lieu of the craziness of the day, it let them know their presence mattered and gave them a special extra favor they could carry home in their pocket and heart. Now, 6 years later we still hear from people how much they appreciated the gesture.

These types of special touches make extravagant or busy parties feel personal. They cozy up spaces that might otherwise feel awkward or stuffy – and help to draw introverts out into the room. Plus, what’s more hygge than personal connection and warmth!?

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When should you decorate for Christmas?

When should you decorate for Christmas? If you’re a purist (like I once was), by all means wait until after Thanksgiving! Down with Christmas creep! But, if you think holiday tunes are acceptable at Halloween, you do you and get to decking. I’m of the persuasion that it’s okay to celebrate as early and as long as you want.


My husband and I grew up in the Christmas tree capital of the world and always had real trees in our homes growing up. Our first two married Christmases we had real trees too (and learned the joys of sawing off extra branches when you have no tools to your name yet. The first year he literally had to use this tiny all-purpose tool on his keychain. It was basically like sawing with a finger! HA.) I loved buying ornaments and making our first holidays together – but between buying, wrapping, baking, hosting, work parties, etc. I remember feeling like I barely had time to actually enjoy the season. So I made a values-based decision and sprung for a fake tree. Now that may sound counterintuitive given our background (and it did take some time to warm up to), but I figured – if I can decorate before Thanksgiving, then the second I return home with a belly full of turkey, I can begin Christmasing. That’s one huge task off my list and that much more time for being present. My next goal is to completely finish shopping before turkey day too.

Just think, how much more meaningful could your Advent season be with a few tweaks? Is there something you can simplify, drop or add? What if you pause to light a candle each day this season, take a deep breath and say a quick prayer? I did this small practice a couple of years ago and really grew to value it. Take time for cozy. Being intentional can help you make time for cozy. It’s one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

Unexpected Whimsy – Part 3

I’ve shared before how I have specific rules around buying serving ware because if I didn’t I would still have all the things in all the colors with exactly zero storage space for it. Now my collection is trimmed down to specific pieces in woodgrain or white… With the exception of accessories where I throw off almost all restraint. 🙌🏻 Picked up these little gold numbers the other day at World Market because they’re so charming and have the cutest phrases on them (how is a copywriter supposed to resist, pray tell!?). Plus, I got them for free by finding the $50 golden llama hidden in the store. (Do you know about this? Happening now through 11/22 check out their website for details. Funnest little treasure hunt you ever did see.) Can’t wait to bust these out over the holidays. Plus, I love the whimsy and warmth they add. I’m sure dinner guests will too! (Not sure what I mean by “unexpected whimsy?” Check out my previous posts here and here!)