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The Ultimate Gift Basket for Dogs this Holiday Season

December 21, 2017

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine.

When it comes to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be easy to forget about our fur babies, especially after you have real babies who consume all your time. Ever since my husband and I first started dating, we always made it a point to get our dog a pet-friendly stocking to open on Christmas morning. Now that we’ve added two kids and more pets to the family, our holiday shopping list has definitely grown. I’ve always loved putting together gift baskets for family, friends, and teachers but I’ve yet to make one for our dogs. You may remember that we added a new rescue to our family in September. A 4-year-old female pitbull named Winnie. We aren’t really sure of her background or how long she has been without a family, so we wanted to make sure this holiday season was a memorable one.

I love perusing the dog treat aisle at Walmart and looking for yummy treats and fun toys to fill my two dogs’ baskets. I’ve had loads of people recommend websites like JugDog.co.uk to me that have got loads of different dog toys, but I find my walk around Walmart so natural to me that I’m just so used to it now. We also have a 9-year-old rescue dog that loves treats and anything he can chew. When picking the actual basket for all the pet goodies, try and choose something that you could use again. These two baskets will get used for toys, blankets, and laundry in the future. Here are my recommendations for creating the ultimate gift basket for dogs!

An Adorable Sweater – No holiday is complete without a festive sweater for the entire family, including dogs. Wrap your sweet pup in warmth this holiday season with some doggie pj’s, a scarf or sweater.

Chew Toys x a Million – Okay not really a million, but most dogs like to chew. If you have recently adopted a pup, being in a new place and environment can be stressful. Chewing can help them release that stress. Walmart has tons of soft chew toys, rope chews, and balls. They are all located conveniently in the dog treat aisle.

Change their dog food – Christmas might be the perfect time to find your dog a more nutritional dog food, or maybe just one that they like the taste of better! Premium dog food like NomNomNow can be the perfect food for your dog to enjoy because you know they’re getting all the nutrients they need. Check out ReviewingThis for more information. Your dog will love the change and could really benefit from it.

Treats, treats, and more treats! If there is one thing that dogs love more than their human, it’s a tasty treat like cbd for dogs. They’re great for rewarding good behavior or just giving out simply because. I chose treats that are all made in the USA so that my dogs are getting real ingredients and not a bunch of fillers. The Milk-Bone Original Dog Snacks, Large, 10lb box will last awhile, and the Milk Bone treats are a substantial size. They’re perfect for dogs of all sizes. I took four bones out and tied them with twine and put in the baskets. The 10lbs Milk-Bone box is always my go-to item for donating to shelters. Pup-Peroni Original Beef Flavor is such a classic treat. We fed these to my dog growing up, and it was one of the only treats she liked. Real beef is the first ingredient, and I’ve never met a dog that doesn’t want these! Canine Carry Outs Bacon Flavor chewy snacks for dogs are made with real bacon and are perfectly sized for taking on the go. They have a chewy texture and can easily be broken in half to maximize the bag. Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Meatballs are a home-style recipe of savory meatballs made with real chicken. These are one of the best quality treats I’ve ever gotten for my dogs.

A Fleece Blanket – Winnie is still crate training, so she is in there when we leave the house and at night. To keep it cozy and warm, we added some blankets and rubber padding underneath. She loves to snuggle up with her stuffed animals and blankets at night, so a new fleece blanket was a must have for her basket. The temps have also been dropping (yay!) so she’ll need some more layers for winter.

Novelty Items – If you live in the city where it snows and ice is sprinkled on the ground, then some dog booties are key! If this is your first holiday with your new pet, don’t forget to treat them to a new dog collar or leash for all the walks they will be taking. Our two dogs already have leashes and collars, so I left them out of the baskets. Any item that you wouldn’t necessarily purchase throughout the year would fall into this category. After all, the holidays are all about giving!

Do you include your pets in holiday gifting? What are some of your favorite items to give them?

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Surviving the Countdown to Christmas

December 20, 2017

Friends! Christmas us in less than 6 days. Can you believe it? By now I’m sure everyone has made 23 trips to the store, ordered everything Amazon Prime offers, and maybe had five meltdowns. If you happen to be living on the edge this week (like myself) and need some last minute things to make your holiday life easier than I’ve got you covered.

Castello Cheeses – Charcuterie boards are one of my specialties. I love making them for girls nights, family gatherings, and of course Holiday parties. Not only are they a crowd-pleaser and easy to prepare, but appetizers and shared plates are becoming the new normal. Instead of making a huge meal and side dishes for company, small plates are definitely the norm. It’s fun to pair cheeses with wines, fruits, and different meats. Castello Traditional Danish Blue Cheese is my new favorite by far and even my three year old loved it.

PAM Cooking Spray – We use PAM just about every day in our household, but for some reason, I can never, ever remember to buy it at the grocery store. I literally just stocked up because I know it’ll be the most important cooking tool this weekend. The new PAM Spray Pumps let you control how much you use so that you can reduce added fat and calories. I love their olive oil option and use it to cook eggs, vegetables, and meat. Be sure to download the ibotta app where you can earn cash back on your purchase of PAM Spray Pump. #winning

Wellness: CORE Natural Pet Food – As busy as we will be cooking meals, wrapping presents, and putting out fires, we cannot forget about our furbabies. Wellness: CORE Natural Pet Food can help your dog live their best life with 100% grain-free, protein-rich meals with freeze-dried raw bites, 100% meat, and no fillers. My two dogs are both obsessed with this and I feel good knowing they are getting the nourishment they need during this hectic time of year.

WHIMZEES Daily Dental Chews – Speaking of my two dogs, they don’t nearly get dental checkups as often as they should. Thank goodness for daily dental chews from WHIMZEES. With only six primary, all natural ingredients, these chews freshen breath, promotes gum health, and cleans teeth.

Cracker Barrel Table Decor – Now we all know that Cracker Barrel has the best breakfast but did you know they also have super cute table decor as well. These Snowflake Hors D’oerve picks are the perfect addition to your table setting and charcuterie board. They’re also half off (yay!) so you can stock up for next year too. You can also save 30% site-wide with code SHOP30. Do yourself a favor and get the adorable Christmas milk bottles to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Central Holiday Decorations – No December is complete without plenty of Christmas decor in every room. Well, at least in my house anyway! Christmas Central is hands down the best place to shop for artificial trees (in any color you can imagine), lights, yard art, and so much more. They are my one-stop shop for all your holiday needs. Can we talk about this cat pillow? Be right back, buying about 20.

What are you looking forward to most this holiday season?

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DIY Mandarin, Cranberry & Cinnamon Garland

December 19, 2017

This post has been sponsored by Cuties via Collectively.

Now that we are in the thick of December I am really trying to slow down and enjoy this magical month. School lets out this coming week, and the kids are only young for so long, so I want to enjoy this age with them, as tough as it might be! I have wanted to do some fun holiday crafts with them, and this past weekend, we did our first together. I had always seen beautiful garlands made with dried fruit but they always seemed overwhelming (or so I thought). After I researched how to properly dehydrate my fruit, then the fun set in.

Since Henry and Evelyn love Cuties, I decided to use those for my garland. They fit perfectly in their little hands and are easy to peel (less work for us Moms!) The kids loved picking out the best cranberries for me to use while snacking on Cuties, of course. There are a lot of ways to enlist the kids in this project, especially if they’re older. Remember, making messes and being together is what they’ll remember when they’re older!

You’ll Need:

Jute, Bakers Twine or Thread

Threading Needle

1 bag of Cranberries

1 bag of Cuties

1 bag of Cinnamon Sticks

Christmas Tree clippings (optional)

Step 1: Have the kids remove all stickers from the Cuties preheat oven to 175 degrees.

Step 2: Start slicing Cuties. You can get 4-5 slices per mandarin depending on how thick you cut the slices. They do shrink as they dry, so keep that in mind.

Step 3: Arrange the cut slices on a baking sheet or wire baking rack and place in oven for 3 hours, flipping halfway through. After the 3 hours is up, leave them in the oven until cool. I kept mine in overnight to make sure all the moisture got out.

Step 4: After Cuties have completely dehydrated, gather some scissors, jute or bakers twine, and a threading needle. You’ll need to use bakers twine if you choose to add the cranberries. The jute is too thick and won’t fit through the cranberry. Be sure to string through the top of the Cutie, not the center, so that it will hang correctly.

Step 5: Choose your pattern and then get threading! I alternated my tree clippings on every other mandarin and ended up going with 3 cranberries in between the Cuties since they shrink up a bit when dried.

Step 6: After you’ve threaded the garland, tie a few knots in the ends to secure the fruit and make a loop on each end to hang.

My favorite part of this project was definitely the satisfaction knowing I finally completed a craft I had wanted to do for a long time. I also loved including the kids and adding this to our memory bank. Cuties remind me of warmth and sunshine, so when I look at the finished garland, I think of all the bright and good things in the world. Be sure to follow along with Cuties #100daysofsunshine campaign so you can see all the happiness and love being spread around. Do you have any fun holiday projects you love to do with your kids?

Preparing for Guests this Holiday Season

December 14, 2017

This month we will be having two rounds of out of town guests. Our in-laws and then my sister and brother in law and their two children. We have been busy getting the house prepped and ready, which can be hard with two small children running around, winter break from school and holiday parties. In an effort to streamline the process, I’ve narrowed down my top 5 must-do things in order to get company ready.

1. Not all guests love what you do. This comes down to the little things like laundry detergent scents, candles you love to burn, and flavored coffee creamer. Above all else, you want guests to feel comfortable when they stay and the last thing you want is for them to have a reaction to something. Wash guest sheets, towels, and blankets in a dye and fragrance-free detergent and keep some Benadryl or Claritin handy, just in case!

2. Bathe and clean pets. If guests are coming from a home where they don’t own pets into a household that has three, including two large dogs, then you want to try and eliminate pet odor as much as possible. This includes their beds, eating areas, and any other spots in the house that they tend to favor (like a favorite chair or rug). Pay extra attention to these spots, especially if company will be near them! For those large items that can’t be washed, my go-to is PureAyre All-Natural Plant Based Pet Odor Eliminator. You can also spray PureAyre on dog towels/beds prior to throwing in the wash! It is the only odor eliminator strong enough to tackle the worst animal odors like cat urine, yet safe enough to spray directly on people and pets. PureAyre cleans the air while permanently getting rid of the source of odors so the smell doesn’t return. This has been a literal Godsend for me in my house. Even though I love animals and we have quite a few, I don’t like the smell of pets. I use PureAyre on pillows, rugs, carpet, furniture, and as an air freshener. It has a light mint fragrance upon spraying but it doesn’t linger in the air long. It keeps my house smelling fresh without being too overpowering. Eco-friendly odor eliminators can be tough to come by, but this is an all-natural combination of plant-derived enzymes without the use of chemicals, bacteria or alcohol.

3. Vacuum, Scrub, and Dust. This might be a no-brainer, but it’s probably the most important. No one wants to visit a house that is dirty. Think about if you checked into a hotel and there was dust or grime throughout the room, you’d want to switch asap. Have this mindset when hosting guests. If it’s easier and less stressful, consider having a cleaning service to come in and do a deep cleaning of baseboards, ceiling fans, and blinds. It’ll save your sanity, trust me. But if stress comes to be an issue preventing you to enjoy, you might want to check this reviews for Synchronicity CBD have shown that the hemp oil they provide is just chock full of cannabinoid goodness.

4. Don’t forget about the closet! Make space in the spare closet and dresser in the guest room so they aren’t living out of a suitcase. Try and think about your guest bedroom as a little bed and breakfast. If guests are staying in a room without a closet think about investing in a portable garment rack. They sell for under $40 and will add the perfect touch to the space where friends or family will be staying.

5. Most importantly, you want your guests feeling as comfortable as possible and not like they have to ask you for every little thing. Leave plenty of fresh towels, toiletries, bottles of water, fruit and snacks in their room. When we made over our guest bedroom last year, I put a lot of thought into small touches that would go a long way. Have magazines and books on nightstands, the wifi password and remotes in an easy to locate spot, extra blankets and pillows, and a little basket of travel sizes toiletries. You don’t have to go crazy, but mini shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes, and toothpaste are a welcomed touch in case anyone leaves theirs at home.

Purchase your own PureAyre Odor Eliminator on Amazon here and your place will be smelling fresh for the holidays!

Are you welcoming guests this holiday season? What is your favorite way to prepare?

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Snow Day Essentials We Love

December 11, 2017

This past weekend in Georgia, we finally got a long overdue winter wonderland. It hadn’t snowed like this in nearly four years. For it to snow just weeks before Christmas was like a fairy tale and we need to get our best troy bilt snow blowers ready. Everyone was so excited and we couldn’t wait to make the most of our 3 snow days. This was the first time Evelyn had ever seen snow and Henry was only 19 months old when he first experienced snow so it was equally as exciting. Living in the South this is what holiday dreams are made of and I couldn’t wait to capture some sweet images.

The kids’ clothes from Alex & Alexa had come just days prior and I couldn’t wait to get them in their outfits. Alex & Alexa sells designer clothing, shoes, toys, and accessories for kids and has been around for 10 years. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a selection anywhere else online which is why they are my go-to for unique and stylish pieces. Dressing my kids in clothing you don’t find at your local mall has always been important to me, and is originally why this blog was founded. Alex & Alexa carry over 200 international brands like Stella McCartney Kids, Bobo Chooses, Chloe, and Burberry. You can see more of the kids’ summer looks in a piece I wrote for them earlier this year on their blog. If you live in an area that gets snow quite often, then check out their vast assortment of winter gear. I’ve linked Henry and Evelyn’s outfits at the end of the post 🙂

clothing c/o AlexandAlexa.com: Henry’s Hat // Sweatshirt (similar) // Boots | Evelyn’s Dress // Stockings // Scarf // Boots

If you live in the South, did you get any snow?

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Family Travel Guide: Biltmore Estate

December 8, 2017

The weekend before Thanksgiving my family and I headed up to Asheville, North Carolina to stay at the beautiful Biltmore Estate. I hadn’t been since I was around seven years old and I was so excited to see everything again and experience the property with my husband and children. The weather could not have been better for our stay, especially since there is so much to do. Not only is November a great month to visit but it’s also when Biltmore House starts their Candlelight Christmas Evenings (it runs from November 3 – January 6) and the entire property is decorated for Christmas. They really go all out with the festive decor and it is simply magical, like stepping into a secret world hidden from all the hustle and bustle of big cities.

Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, where we stayed, was absolutely perfect. The staff was super sweet and friendly, always greeting us with a smile and asking how they could help. They brought a roll away bed in for the kids to share while my husband and I shared a king bed. I loved having a fridge in the room for snacks, milk, and juice since kids always seem to be dehydrated at 10 pm. Just off the main lobby on the first floor is the cutest little cafe that has breakfast sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and lattes. It’s great for grabbing snacks and drinks on the go, and there is also a microwave for use for guests. My almost 3-year-old child refuses to drink milk cold so having a microwave to use was a life saver. The Village Hotel is located just steps away from Antler Hill Village & Winery, a large outdoor area filled with shopping, dining, and endless activities. My absolute favorite part of the Village is the night-time illumination amongst the trees surrounding a huge campfire. S’mores are available to purchase at The Creamery, which has ice cream, pastries, cupcakes, and coffee. Roasting s’mores was the highlight of the kids’ stay and a great way to end an evening. One of the things I loved most about our stay was that everything you needed was all on the property. We never had to leave the grounds until it was time to go home.

On Friday we toured Biltmore House, and it was just as beautiful as I remember. On Biltmore Estate you’re free to drive your car or take the complimentary shuttles that run every 15 minutes. Included in your stay at Village Hotel are tickets to Biltmore House if you purchase the package which I highly recommend doing! You don’t need reservations and can visit anytime on your chosen day, which is so convenient when traveling with small children since schedules (and moods) can quickly change. Biltmore is the largest privately owned house in the United States and sits on 8,000 acres of rolling fields, forest, waterfalls, gardens, and so much more. The history of Biltmore is incredibly fascinating and if you have the time, adding the audio tour is a must. Being able to hear the history and story behind each room definitely enhances the experience since there are no written descriptions on the tour. There are also several private tour options like a rooftop tour and behind the scenes wine tour. I recommend setting aside almost a full day to experience this sprawling estate and beautiful grounds if your kids are older and don’t need afternoon naps or if coming without children. There are several cafes and markets inside Biltmore Grounds and Gardens to have lunch at (even an ice cream parlor!) My husband and I are already talking about what we want to do next time when it’s just us.

Henry, who is almost 5.5 years old, is the perfect age to get a headset and listen to the guided tour given by Cedric, the Vanderbilt’s dog. He uses terminology that is relatable to kids like “This dining table is as long as a school bus!” Evelyn’s main concerns were that the swimming pool had no water and why she couldn’t eat the massive gingerbread house in the kitchen. For the most part, she did an excellent job staying with us and behaving. I highly recommend scheduling the tour around nap times so that everyone can experience Biltmore House properly. Set aside at least 2-3 hours minimum if you’re interested in the full house tour and exploring the grounds afterward. The kids loved running through the gardens and on the front lawn. It also wore them out before we headed back to Antler Village for lunch at Cedric’s Tavern and then naptime.

On the second floor of the Village Hotel is the Village Social which serves estate-grown greens, berries, eggs, beef, and lamb, and has partnerships with farmers in Western North Carolina for locally-sourced trout, cheese, beef, and pork for their numerous restaurants. Village Social opens at 7 am which is a Godsend for those traveling with young kids. I don’t know what it is about a vacation that makes my children wake up earlier than usual. Within the Village are plenty of kid-friendly activities. There is a fantastic enclosed playground with swings, a slide, seesaws, and a sandbox. There is a pavilion for enjoying ice cream or lunch outdoors, and a Farmyard where guests can visit goats, chickens, roosters and baby cows. Henry and Evelyn absolutely loved this part of the Village and I have to admit, holding baby chicks may have been the highlight of my month 🙂 One key thing worth noting is that not just anyone has access to Antler Hill Village or the Village Hotel, you have to be a guest staying on property, have purchased a house ticket or visiting one of the restaurants. I actually liked that aspect because it meant no overcrowding!

Another incredible activity we got to experience was a carriage ride at the DeerPark Trail Barn where we got to enjoy unbelievable views of the grounds and view Biltmore House from afar. There was an abundance of deer and we learned so much on this intimate wagonette ride pulled by two of the most beautiful (and well cared for) horses that I have ever seen. The ride only lasted about 30 minutes so it’s very manageable with two children. There is a stopping point halfway through where you can get off the carriage and take pictures and pet the horses as well.

During our visit, I noticed how Biltmore Estate attracted all kinds of people and age groups. I saw families with babies, toddlers and school-aged children, travelers with dogs, college students and couples having a weekend away to themselves. You could literally spend a week here and not run out of things to do. As much as we loved visiting with the kids, my husband and I are itching to return so we can experience the numerous adult-friendly activities such as Segway tours, Land Rover expeditions, fly fishing, stand up paddle boarding and so much more. A huge Thank You to Biltmore Estate for hosting us! We cannot wait to return!

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Baked Brie with Apple Butter and Puréed Cranberries

December 7, 2017

In today’s installment of “Things Chanel can make in under 30 minutes” is one of my all-time favorite appetizers. Baked Brie has always been my go-to because I can buy all of the pre-made ingredients and there’s no cooking required on my part. It needs very minimal cleanup, can feed a crowd, and is quite inexpensive (usually under $25). Pairing brie with fruit jams or fruit butter is so delicious and a fantastic combination. Harry & David now has a line of delightful gourmet jams, butters, and bread spreads. I’ve been spreading the Sweet Potato Butter on Henry and Evelyn’s waffles in the morning, and they love them (that’s my version of healthy parenting). The butters also have a great shelf life so stock up on several flavors so you can enjoy year round.

Ingredients:
Your choice of Harry & David Butter – I used their Apple Butter for this recipe
one rind of brie cheese
one tube of crescent rolls
one bag of fresh cranberries (optional)
Crackers, apples, French or Italian bread, assorted meats … the possibility is endless. You can serve just about anything with Brie.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a baking sheet and roll out the crescent dough.
3. Using a spoon, spread the apple butter onto the entire crescent and place the unwrapped brie in the center. Fold over the dough, so the brie is completely wrapped with dough.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is deep golden-brown.
5. While the brie is baking, place cranberries in blender with 1/2 cup of water and purée. Place in dish and serve alongside brie.
6. Once brie is finished, plate with crackers, bread, and fresh fruit. Serve immediately.

I’ll be hosting a secret Santa gift exchange with my girlfriends next week, and I’ll be changing the recipe up and using the Harry & David Pumpkin Butter and pecans. I’m excited to team up with Harry & David again to bring you another amazing giveaway. Two winners will get their choice of 4 preserves/butters and $40 gift card! All you have to do is comment on this blog post with which flavors you would choose and Like Harry & David on Facebook.

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