Weekend Celebrations

Good morning all!

It was an eventful weekend with some pampering and lots of celebrating with friends.

Kicking Off The Holidays

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, I've started getting into the Christmas spirit with some gift shopping, several upcoming holiday parties with friends, and planning our Winter Wonderland company holiday party for about 200 people.

Long Weekend Part 1: Work Holiday Party Plus Some

Such an epic long weekend for my company holiday party and ringing in my 32nd birthday with friends. My husband was traveling for work so Kate stepped in as my date for my work party at a Universal Studios resort on Thursday night. Luckily they gave us Friday off because lots of wine was had! The night consisted of dinner, wine, karaoke, dancing, wine, casino table games with funny money and more wine.

On Friday morning I went to brunch with some coworkers at Hash House a Go Go which was amazing and much needed! I've been dying to try out their brunch menu. The portion sizes are out of control so I had leftovers for days.

On Saturday night I went out with my friends from college visiting from near and far which we'd been planning for months. We met up at a sushi restaurant downtown and then rang in my birthday at 12 o'clock at a bar downtown before calling it a night like the old fogies we are. ha!

Sunday brunching for my birthday happened which I'll cover tomorrow since this post has gotten long enough. Luckily I took this morning off of work to use up the remainder of my PTO and slowly wean back into the work week after all the celebrations over the weekend.

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Let The Holidays Begin

Another warm and sunny weekend in Florida. We thought a cold front would be coming through but no such luck. The weekend was pretty relaxing and I only ventured out on Saturday to Kate's annual holiday party which was a blast. She really did it up with great food and drinks plus a photo booth and white elephant gift exchange which is always entertaining. So here's Saturday in photos...

The host and hostess.

I scored a pack of Cards Against Humanity from the white elephant gift exchange.

Festive Roxy

Lots of fun was had and I'm ready to take on more holiday parties ahead.

How was your weekend?

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Bring on the Holidays + $325 Nordstrom Giveaway

Who's excited for the short work week? I definitely am for one and very thankful we have Friday off since I used to have to go right back to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving. This past weekend was the official start of the holidays around here.

On Friday night K and I went out for dinner and some wine at Cooper's Hawk Winery to celebrate his new job. K's been interviewing for 6 months to get into this new field and he finally landed his dream job so celebrations were in order.

On Saturday we went shopping for some Christmas decorations to get prepared for the holidays although I'm waiting until after Thanksgiving to start decorating the house.

On Saturday night we went to the first holiday party of the year hosted by some friends. They like to host the party early since everyone is usually busy traveling and doing things with family as you get closer to Christmas. It was a blast catching up with the girls and of course my girl Kate.

Sunday was all about relaxing and getting stuff done around the house - laundry, food prepping, blogging and quality time with Lola.

I made this crockpot Mongolian Beef recipe that Meg recommended last week for Sunday night dinner and it came out fantastic.

Don't forget to enter our $325 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway hosted by Pamela from Sequins and Sea Breezes. The giveaway ends on Friday, November 27th and the winner will be announced on Monday, November 30th. 

Hosted By:

Sequins & Sea Breezes

The Gorgeous Co-hosts:

Cheshire Kat Blog | B Loved Boston | Champagne & Suitcases | Going The Distance | Love & Bellinis

Green Fashionista | Kids & Cabernet | Pink & Fabulous | From Here To Eternity | Martinis & Bikinis

Pink Persistence | Miss in the Midwest | A Memory of Us | The Sequin Notebook | Birdie to Be

MakeupHER | Christina Lea Loves | The Wandering Weekenders | Medicine & Manicures | Meet @ The Barre

$325 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway

 

Christmas Time Weekending

We meet again here on a Monday but luckily it's a short work week. I had a fairly low-key weekend which was much needed. On Friday, we did a Secret Santa gift exchange at work and I was gifted some puppy treats, a dog photo frame tree ornament and a gift card for Alex and Ani.   

    
We spent Friday night at home with Lola and she loved her new puppy teething rings.

On Saturday, I relaxed with Lola all day while nursing a migraine. I made these beef bites from Trader Joe's which are a really good snack or appetizer to take to a party. 

On Saturday night we went to a friend's holiday housewarming party and had a great night out with friends.

On Sunday, I got to sleep in which felt great. Later in the day we took Lola on a little road trip to visit friends and their baby girl who is exactly the same age as Lola (born a day apart). 

I'm looking forward to spending Christmas this week with family and friends.

How was your weekend?

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

The Holidays Have Begun

The craziness that is the holidays is here and another great weekend for the books! I had my work holiday party on Friday night so we booked a hotel and had a little staycation for the night at Universal Studios since driving after several hours of free drinks is never a good idea. 

We had cocktail hour, buffet dinner and then the after party was at Universal's City Walk.

On Saturday morning, we checked out of the hotel and picked up our precious wrinkly bundle from her pet sitters.

Saturday night was a wash and we had planned to attend another holiday party but the couch and snuggles with Lola won.

On Sunday, we were feeling refreshed and decided to venture downtown for lunch and to watch football at a couple dog-friendly bars and restaurants. Lola had a blast meeting lots of people and other dogs and crashed hard when she got home giving me time to do some blogging and the usual Sunday cleaning, laundry etc.

Hope you had a great weekend!!

Joining Biana for Weekending and Leeann for Monday Morning Gossip.