9 Sweaters Under $100 From Nordstrom
Cross Neck Cold Shoulder Sweater
Astr the label Crewneck Sweater
Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Cardigan
9 Sweaters Under $100 from Nordstrom
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Christmas Gift Guide for Kids + Grandchildren
Shopping for children and grandchildren can be tough! I now have 7 grandchildren under the age of 9 to shop for this holiday season. I recently I enlisted the help of my granddaughter Emilea. Together we sat down and she gave me plenty of ideas to put together a gift guide for children under the age of 7 to help you shop! You can view more gift guides for kids here & here for more inspiration!
A Gift Guide for Kids
Charm Bracelet Advent Calendar
Glamicorn Unicorn Interactive Purse
Holiday Marshmallow Pops Paint Kit
Fall Favorites from Appleseed’s
I took full advantage of the beautiful fall weather on my recent trip back to Chicago. I was able to spend plenty of time outdoors with my family. My daughter and I went shopping, we enjoyed long walks, and my husband and I even took the grandchildren to the park a few times while the weather was so pleasant.
It’s no secret that fall is my favorite season. I love it for many reasons, the crisp and sunny mornings, the changing colors of the leaves, and the slow cooked meals. Plus, my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary in October.
But, it is also my favorite season to dress for. I enjoy breaking out my sweaters, boots and jackets for the changing weather. The key to dressing in the fall is to layer.
Appleseed’s has so many great pieces to wear this season, especially when it comes to layering. I packed this all-time classic cable knit sweater for my trip. The fabric is soft lightweight material (not a heavy wool) which is perfect for layering. For reference, I am 5’3″ and ordered a size small. I ordered the small in lieu of the petite small because I wanted a longer fit and the option to layer. What I like most about this sweater is the faded denim color. The indigo-dyed color offers several ways to wear it. In this look, I’m wearing it with black corduroy pants and this mock-neck turtleneck underneath.I also ordered this turtleneck to wear this season too! Layering sweaters in the fall and even winter months is not only functional but fashionable! Another option would have been to wear a button down like this underneath. The look is classic, comfortable and easy to recreate.
Thank you to Appleseed’s for partnering on this post!
The Perfect Quilted Fall Jacket
I love a versatile jacket for fall and winter, especially while I am traveling. When you travel, it’s important to pack clothing items that are practical. There is no room in my suitcase for impractical clothing. When I am at the airport baggage check, I hold my breath every time my suitcase gets set on the scale. I recently ordered this Appleseed’s diamond quilted jacket which was ideal for my travels back to Illinois in late October and early November. It’s lightweight, yet warm. Plus, the quilting detail gives you a streamlined silhouette. The sleeves are cut loose to allow you the option to layer a heavy sweater or a cotton shirt underneath. And I love the stylish features like the navy corduroy trim on the collar and pockets which give it an equestrian appeal. Not to mention that it is machine washable!
I also ordered this long sleeve houndstooth mock neck shirt as I thought it would match nicely with the jacket. Did you ever wonder how houndstooth got its name? Houndstooth is a checked pattern with a Scottish origin. The uneven lines were inspired by the uneven shape of a hound dog’s teeth. Originally it was created in black and white. However, since that time it has been seen in many other colors. You can look here to see the other colors this Appleseed’s shirt is available in.
On this brisk autumn day, I wore this jacket to go shopping with my daughter Brittany in downtown Geneva. Geneva is a quaint little Illinois town in the western suburbs of Chicago. This historic little downtown area has so much to offer with it’s sweet shops, specialty stores and restaurants. I can spend hours walking up and down third street and main street. With that said, we were in and out of stores all day long. When I shop, I don’t want to wear a heavy coat. I want something that is lightweight and doesn’t weigh my shoulders down. This jacket is a perfect lightweight jacket for those between early fall and late spring weather. I am wearing a size small which fits true to size for me.
Thank you to Appleseed’s for partnering on this post!
Quick and Easy Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe
This tangy, quick and easy chicken salad recipe is certainly a reason to invite friends over for lunch. It is made with sweet dried sweet apricots, crunchy pecans, and a homemade ranch dressing. I like to put it on dark pumpernickel bread to serve as a sandwich. However, it is also nice to place on top of mixed greens. It’s a refreshing alternative to my usual tuna salad for lunch or even a light dinner.
For several years, back in my hometown of St. Charles, Illinois, my girlfriends and I would visit a quaint little bookstore and restaurant for lunch. Everything about this place is special to me. I have many fond memories of sitting around a table laughing, comforting each other and sharing stories while enjoying great food at the Town House Cafe. My daughter and I ate here the day before her wedding with her bridesmaids. And, since then, I have had the pleasure of returning with her two little daughters for lunch. Since it is also a bookstore, you never mind the wait for a table. You have plenty of time to browse the store. Often finding interesting reads, funny greeting cards, or other unique gift items.
I always order their specialty chicken salad with apricots. This is what led me on a mission to re-create their recipe at home. Their chicken salad does not have pecans, but I love the added crunch. In the past, I have always made my chicken salad with grapes and almonds. However, this new version is a delicious alternative.
Quick and Easy Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ½ cup dried apricots sliced
- ½ cup pecans sliced in half
- 1 whole bay leaf
Dressing
- ½ cup mayo
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1-2 tablespoons
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 tsp. of chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped dill
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Directions
To cook the chicken- place chicken breasts in boiling water with the bay leaf until thoroughly cooked (around twenty minutes) or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. Remove the chicken from the pan and let cool. Discard the bay leaf. Once cooled, chop the chicken, which will measure around two cups.
For the dressing: In a medium size bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, onion, fresh dill until well combined.
In another large bowl, mix together the chopped chicken with the pecans, apricots and celery.
Next, add the dressing to the chicken mixture one large spoonful at a time. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Please note that you do not have to use all the dressing. The extra dressing can be used within 5 days on salads.
Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.
This salad will keep around 3-4 days in the refrigerator. This recipe serves four if you are inviting your friends over for lunch.
Read: >> Soup and Cracker Bowl Set- Gift Idea for Grandchildren
Christmas Pajamas for Kids
Red Reindeer// FaLaLa Color// Reindeer Candy Cane // Red Monogramed Nightgown
Pink Christmas Tree // Green Christmas Tree // Red + Blue Monogramed
Matching Holiday Pajamas
The holidays will be here before we know it! While staying with my grandchildren recently, I started thinking ahead to the upcoming Christmas Holidays. My daughter in law recently introduced me to a few cute new pajama brands that I thought would be fun to share some fun Christmas pajamas for kids and grandchildren. In the past I have purchased pajamas as Christmas gifts for my adult children, but never matching ones. In my opinion, pajamas are a gift that is nice to receive. Christmas morning seems to be the one day of the year it’s perfectly acceptable to stay in your pajamas all day long.
Christmas Pajamas for Kids
Hanna Andersson has great quality matching family pajamas for kids and adults alike! They are very soft and wash well too! My favorite are these cute colorful FaLaLa pajamas – they will be restocked in more sizes on 11/12!
These little sleepies brand pajamas are adorable. Sizes are going quickly! I think the pink and green christmas tree print is adorable. Nordstrom also carries the brand. Here are a few more styles + prints
The monogram trend is always so sweet at Christmastime. I love the vintage vibe of this little nightgown and coordinating set. I ordered this little pink & white stripe with the girls names as a gift.