Holidays Archives - Life's Tidbits

28Nov 2016

Holiday Playlist

I’m one of those people who makes a point not to do Christmas decorations, music (holiday playlist) and such until after Thanksgiving. This is in part because of I LOVE Thanksgiving and want to fully focus on one holiday at a time, but also because when Christmas starts right after or {gasp!} before Halloween it just feels like time is going by too quickly. And, as any parent will tell you life seems to pick up speed as soon as you add a little person into the mix. No need to make life go any fast than it already does, right?!

Whether you are waited until after Thanksgiving or were already in the full blown holiday gear a solid holiday music playlist is definitely in order. Here are some of my favorite holiday songs …

Carol of the Bells is by far my favorite holiday song. Not only is the song featured in my favorite ‘holiday movie’, the original Home Alone, but anytime I hear it get that excited holiday cheer feeling in my gut. The hubby and I started a tradition a few years ago where we watch Home Alone every Christmas Eve. I can’t wait for our kids to be old enough to watch it with us!

The Little Snowflake is probably the most random song on the the playlist. In case you are wondering why it made the cut it is because it makes my daughter’s whole face light up anytime is comes on. Her pre-school did a Christmas Show last year and she pretty much memorized the entire song. I’m guessing they did a good amount of practicing for the show. It took us a little while, but eventually my mother-in-law found the song online. Jellybean still remembers parts of the dance they taught her to go along to the song.

So there you have it, our holiday playlist. What songs should I add to our playlist?

25Apr 2016

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

by Nicole ⋅ Leave a Comment

Mother’s day is right around the corner and somehow with the lack of seasons in Bangkok it has crept up on me, just like all the other holidays since our move. I’m looking forward to a low key Mother’s Day with the hubby, Jellybean and the fur baby. If you are looking for a hilarious 1st Mother’s Day check this story out.

As a child I remember heading to the book store early Mother’s Day morning with my father. We would walk around the store, pick out a book, a card and buy some flowers before heading home. It wasn’t until years later I found out my mother preferred my sister and my handmade gifts or really anything other than a book as a gift. Sorry Mom, I promise no book for you this year!

Whether looking for a gift for your mama, mom-in-law or suggestions for yourself here are a few things I love or wouldn’t mind receiving on Mother’s Day. :)

Earring // Because let’s be honest a little bling bling never hurt anyone!

Zella Headband // Super comfy headband and it goes perfectly with live in leggings!

Mama Bear Sweatshirt // This was what Jellybean got me for my second mother’s day.

Personalized Calendar // My go to give for my mom. She loves the personalize pictures and I enjoying picking out my ones favorites from the past year.

Makeup Brush Holder // Classy, decorative and functional.

Massage and/or a Mani & Pedi // Pampering and a little mommy alone time is good for the soul.

Canvas Boat Bag // Us Mama’s are always toting around a bunch of stuff.

What are you go to Mother’s Day gifts?

05Jan 2016

Happy New Year – 2016!

by Nicole ⋅ 3 Comments

Happy 2016, friends!! Hope you all had an amazing start to the year. We kicked off the new year by celebrating Jellybean’s 2nd birthday. Our child has the ‘dreaded’ birthday that coincides with the holiday season, but seriously, I have a two year old what the what?!

Being in Bangkok meant a morning filled with FaceTime calls so Jellybean could be serenaded by family and friends with Happy Birthday and open her birthday presents. She made out like a little bandit this year, no real surprise there. A few of her favorites were the markers, scooter and kitchen.

The kitchen was a holiday and birthday gift. Yes, I know, she should get two separate gifts. The hubs and I decided that while she’s young enough not to understand one big gift from us is more than enough for the month of December.

After FaceTime we headed to the park. On the way Jellybean stopped to break it down in front of the Emporium mall {they have huge speakers playing music}. Nap time was followed by making brownies, playing and the birthday celebration concluded with watching Frozen.

Note: I had to hold onto her arm because she kept jamming her
hand in the brownie mix and smearing it across her face. LOL.

The hubs and I couldn’t bare to leave Jellybean on her birthday so we welcomed the new year with a homemade steak dinner and some Walking Dead. Have you seen Walking Dead? I didn’t think it was for me, I’m not really into the whole zombie or vampire thing, but I’m totally loving it and in full blown binge watching mode.

I’m not really good at setting or following through with goals/resolutions, but nevertheless I’m giving it a whirl this year …

Practice Patience (It is said patience is a virtue. I never quite understood it until having a toddler!)
Take a cooking class or two
Continue working out regularly
Read more books
Improve my photography skills
Explore more of Bangkok, and Thailand in general

I would love to hear your resolutions/goals/aspirations are for this year, if you have any! :)

Cheers & here’s to a fabulous 2016!!

16Nov 2015

Gift Ideas for a 1 Year Old

by Nicole ⋅ 2 Comments

Jellybean’s 2nd birthday is fast approaching, not to mention the holidays, and the brainstorming of gift ideas has officially begun. When it comes to buying presents I often feel like I don’t have enough options OR I’m totally at a loss as to what to buy. Trying to decide on the perfect second birthday gift has actually made me think a lot about the things Jellybean has really loved over the past year. Some of them we bought for her, others were gifts and a few we just enjoyed using at a friend’s house.

So if you, like me, sometimes draw a blank here are some of my favorite gift for a toddle who’s 1 to 2 years old …

Corn Popper // I will admit this toy can be a tad bit annoying. The constant popping noise might be annoying to us ‘adults’, however the kiddos love it!
Magnetic Drawing Board // Perfect for a toddler who loves to color or one who’s just starting to build those motor skills. Jellybean found this gift particularly entertaining when we were on vacation and on those morning’s when I’m running late and she has to sit in the bathroom while I shower.
Radio Flyer Scoot-About Bike // I wish we had known about this bike earlier. It’s great for scooting around the apartment and outside the little toddler bike posse is pretty darn adorable.
Little People // Perfect for learning to play pretend or you know just chuck the different farm animals around. Haha. Oh the life of a toddler!
Take-Along Shape Sorter // Great learning toy for colors, shapes and fine motor skills. Also the perfect size to fit in the diaper or carry-on bag when traveling.
My First Chair // This is probably in the top 5 favorite things Jellybean loves, and I’m a huge fan as well. She loves to sit in her chair for snacks, tv, playing with a toy and often sets up all her ‘babies’ for tea or story time.
MegaBlocks // Great for building, stacking, counting and identifying colors.
Laugh & Learn Tea Set // Love the songs on the tea pot and it’s pretty adorable when Jellybean asks if I would like some “mor’ tea”.
Chat & Count Cell Phone // This toy is great when you are on the go. It fits in a purse or pocket. It’s my go to toy for trips to the store, doctors and trips, especially, on the airplane!
Jumbo Triangular Crayons // My daughter is not gentle with her toys and these crayons have held up really well over the months. While Jellybean didn’t love coloring at 12 months, by the time she was 18 months it was one of her favorite post-nap activities.

So there you have it, our favorite gift ideas for a 1-2 year old. And, seriously with all the toy choices out there toddlerhood is pretty darn fun on a birthday or holiday!

What are you favorite gifts for toddlers?

08Jan 2014

Most Popular Posts of 2013

by Nicole ⋅ Leave a Comment

As 2014 kicks into high gear I thought it would be interesting to see what posts were most popular in 2013. I was a bit surprised by the top 5, however maybe I shouldn’t be. No two post were from the same category. which I was pretty happy about. I think it helps “prove” sharing different types of tidbits is working out well for the blog!

Without further ado, here are the 5 most popular posts of 2013 …

Number 1 – {Recipe} Cracked Sugar Cookies

These cookies really are A-MAZING!

Number 2 – DIY Wedding Envelopes with Calligraphy

This post is read consistently each week. It was a pretty easy DIY wedding project and saved us a good chunk of money as well!

Number 3 – French Dresser – Inspiration / Mood Board

The first purchase we made for the nursery was the dresser (and nightstand). Everything else we selected was based on the shabby chic / french inspired dresser.

Number 4 – One Year in a Flash – Birthday Party

The party was decked out with all sorts of details and DIY projects. As co-owner of Baker’s Bliss Kia made all her own cupcakes for the party!

Number 5 – {Pregnancy Tidbits} The 5th Month

I really enjoyed blogging about my pregnancy. It’s fun to go back and read how each month went! Some tidbit I remember so clearly and others I had kind of forgotten about. I’m glad to have the pregnancy log to help me reminisce.