Thanksgiving Dinner Table Ideas

How do you decorate your table for Thanksgiving?  

We typically have so much food that there is never enough room for any centerpieces or other decoration.  Maybe one of these years we will do a buffet so there can be more room on the table for something pretty.  

Here are some beautiful Thanksgiving tablescapes that caught my eye this year.

Love the idea of using pumpkins, fresh fruit or vegetables in the design.

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

Rooms for Rent

Homey Oh My

Building Blocks

Mommy Monday - Baby Essentials - Month One

Those first few weeks home with baby were extremely overwhelming and confusing.  They were a complete trial and error period, as is almost everyday, but here are ten items that helped us make it through those stressful days and helped us keep some of our sanity.

1. Munchkin Nursery Projector Sound System  - So far we have only used this as a white noise machine. Mairead does not stay asleep very long unless there is white noise on.  We have tried a few different ones and this one was the only one that worked for us. 

2. Boppy Nursing Pillow - I love my boppy.  It really supports my back so I don't need to bend down when nursing.  Also, in months 2 and 3, we used it to prop her up, which she loves.

3. Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets - Love these blankets, these were our closest attempts at swaddling, but we loved them as an extra layer over the Halo swaddles and perfect to use a car seat blanket.  They are nice and light so you  can throw them in the diaper bag.

4. Ubbi Diaper Pail - Looks great in the room, keeps the smell contained, and uses regular garbage bags instead of having to pay for special ones.

5. Best Chairs Inc Kersey Swivel Glider Recliner - My husband and my mom can tell you how indecisive I was about purchasing this, but this was the best decision ever.  We chose a different fabric than the one above, and it looks amazing in the nursery.  Also, this chair glides, swivels and reclines.  We have each spent quite a few nights in this chair already and it is super comfortable.  Love it!

6. Halo Sleepsack Swaddle - Swaddling is difficult, especially when every nurse in the hospital showed us a different way to do it "best."  These swaddles are so much easier, just put her inside, zip and use the velcro to wrap baby up and keep them in there.  And my favorite part is that they zip down instead up, making those middle of the night diaper changes much easier!

7. Fisher Price Rock 'n Glide Soother - God Send! She loves the rocking motion of the seat off the base, it helps calm her down and fall asleep.  Only thing that would work for a while.

8. So That's What They're For - Breastfeeding Bible, it has lots of great advice and answered so many of my breastfeeding questions in the first few weeks.

9. Graco Pack 'n Play - This pack 'n play helped us get through those first early days.  I would put baby in the Newborn Napper next to us in the living room after she fell asleep or in the bathroom while I showered.  The mobile kept her pretty occupied for a while. 

10. The Baby Book - My go-to every time I had a simple silly question or couldn't remember how many wet diapers she was supposed to have in a day.



What items did you find as a necessity in those first few weeks? 

Weekend Adventure - Rockland Bakery

The plan for this weekend was to do host a Weekend Brunch and test out a few recipes for Mairead's Christening next week; however, that never seemed to happen.  We did though make it to Rockland Bakery for the first time.  

What an awesome place.  The amazing smell of fresh baked bread hits you before you even get out of the car.  When you walk in you grab a brown paper bag and a pair of gloves and enter the actual bakery.  You can grab bagels right off of the conveyor belts and all of their breads, rolls, muffins, croissants are on rolling racks just waiting for you.

After you fill up your bag, you then head to the storefront where you can select among tons of danish, pastries, cakes, pies, cookies, etc. and hand over your bag to checkout.  And the prices are very, very reasonable.

If you haven't been there before, you really need to check it out.

Rockland Bakery

94 Demarest Mill Road

Nanuet, NY10954

www.rocklandbakery.com/

Friday Link Love

Pinterest

Friday Link Love

Learn a new language on the go with Duolingo App - Working on my Spanish still

Obsessed with To Do Lists - 20 Awesome Printables - 
My Favorite #19 The Over Achiever

Cozi App - Family Organization just got easier

Pregnant Chicken's Back To Work Pumping Essentials

Love Rifle Paper Co, check out this beautiful Rifle Paper Inspired Baby Shower

Family Photo Inspiration

I am very excited to send out Christmas cards this year with the newest addition to our little family.  I have been scouring Pinterest looking for some inspiration on what I want the perfect Christmas Card Family Photo to look like.

Here are some of my favorites:

(Add a baby to this first one, LOL)

Pinterest

The Little Umbrella

Pink Pistachio

Brooke Kelly Photography

Brandi Elizabeth Photography

And, these are the most adorable baby photos ever!!!

Red Lotus Photography

Clearly Perceived Photography

Precious Moments Photography

Honeymoon Ideas

In one month, Joel and I are going on our Honeymoon.  Right now it is the light at the end of the tunnel, for what is the longest month of the year for us at work.

Paris

We will be spending six days in Paris, France, then six days in Marbella, Spain, and then one long overnight layover in London, England.  So, the question is what should we do???  We have never been to any of these places and want it to be a trip we will never forget!

Marbella

If you have any ideas or feedback please share!!!! Please, please, please!

London

CharitySub

The holiday season is a time for giving.  While we are working on finding the perfect gifts for our friends and family, why not also think about those that are really in need.   

CharitySub is a monthly subscription for donating to charity.  Each month they choose an important cause and choose three organizations that support the cause.  They send you an email explaining the cause and what the three organizations focus on.  Then you get to choose to which of the organizations you will donate your monthly contribution.

It is a small subscription fee of just $5 a month, thats only $60 a year to make a difference.

November's cause was Down Syndrome, and some past causes were HIV, Domestic Abuse and Oklahoma Tornado Aid.

Check out their website to find out more information and to sign up.

CharitySub