It is the 2nd full week of December and I’m quietly freaking out. All the praise hands that we are THISSS close to being done with 2020. And that is something I sure am not mad about. Today I bring you Monday Musings – Vol 15! 15 weeks of my ramblings and some of y’all are STILL here. Bless your hearts. Getting back into regular posting has been cathartic honestly. Writing does that for me. The Christmas season is great for my mood too! Because I like SINGING LOUD FOR ALL TO HEAR…name that movie 😉

What I’m completing…

Christmas shopping! I absolutely hate waiting until the very last minute. Kyle and I are kind of ‘skipping’ gifts for each other this year {$20 max} but then I realized his wallet is awful. So I’m getting him a small wallet. He carries like 912 hunting documents in his current one, so he just needs something to hold his license, debit & credit card and maybe some cash. Eyeing this one, this one and this one. If I went with anything fancier, he’d be pissed LOL. I’ve also finished shopping for my sister Janae – I drew her name this year. The sisters are all going in together on my parents, so they’re done too. We went with a Ring Doorbell system & they know it so I’m safe posting here 🙂 Also slowly knocking out the kids {Palmer is done!}, stocking stuffers, in-laws and a few friends too. *Side note: I have a mom/MIL gift guide done and I PROMISE I’ll have 4 more done by the end of the week. I use to be on top of those but they’re a LOT of work.

What I’m starting to think of…

How I want the basement to look. The framing is officially complete. Electrical is next but we won’t be starting that until January. Let our bank account cool off for a hot minute. Now that I can see the shape a bit better, I’ve been saving the crap out of inspo. While the basics will be the same as our main floor: SW Tricorn Black 3 panel doors, Emtek doorknobs in brass, trim in SW Pure White and the same carpet where we’ll have carpet, we’re leaning towards a more moody/masculine vibe. For the guest bedroom I have an African Safari-meets-Boho look in mind. The bar area is going to have slightly lower ceilings so the idea of doing the cabinets in Tricorn Black is very likely, with pendants similar to this style or this look. Our kitchen as Atlas Homewares pulls/knobs so I’d like to stick with them but go brighter with French Gold instead of Champagne. In our living space, I want some kind of ‘extra’ on the tv wall like black vertical shiplap or gridwork. The photos below give you a good sense of our direction!

What I’m prepping for…

Spending a few days with MY ENTIRE FREAKING FAMILY. All 13 of us. We all ordered our matching pj sets in red and no, we will never be too old for that kind of tradition. Haley & Adam are hosting in their new house and it’s going to be SO FUN. I’m starting to practice a few cocktail and dessert ideas so stand by on those recipes! We were all together for a very short 24 period in mid-October but before that it was May 2019. Needless to say, a few days with everyone is much needed. It’ll be loud, but it’ll be wonderful!

Random Ramblings…

• I read the book Hillbilly Elegy 3 years (10/10 recommend) and found out last week that it was made into a movie for Netflix. Cassidy & Josh watched it this weekend and said it was really. Kyle will never read the actual book so I’m excited to watch it together so he can see why I liked it so much!
• Starbucks brought back their Irish Cream Cold Brew. And I’m now content by way of coffee. It’s that good. Trust me!
• I’m a PJS ALL DAY kind of gal. Hence me being super excited to match the girls. Well one of my favorite brands – Room Service PJs – has some ‘public’ appropriate lounge sets out now and I think y’all need one…

• Trader Joe’s has some amazing poinsettias right now. The mini ones are only $2.99 and the XL ones are $9.99. I grabbed 2 last week for our kitchen but I plan to get a few to take to Haley’s as well!
• Tarte is doing a 4 for $45 sale and it’s the perfect time to stock up on some stocking stuffers! A lot of the items are full-sized, it’s a great option to grab 4 high value items. My 4 picks will be dropped into Haley, Cassidy, Janae & my mama’s stockings for Christmas!

· xox, Kristin ·