Next up in the Gift Guides is the teens! As our kids get older, doesn't it seem like their gifts get more expensive and harder to shop for since trends seem to be changing at lightning speeds these days. I never thought I would be that mom waiting for the newest release of a gaming system but here I am, staying up until 1am hitting refresh as fast as I can hoping I can checkout as fast as I can. I guess that beats camping out in line outside in the freezing cold so I shouldn't complain. 

I consulted with some actual teen boys and girls to get some feedback on the gifts ideas I chose to make sure they were gifts actual teens would want to own. 

 I'm kicking off my 2020 Gift Guides with what to get her. Whether it's your sister, wife, best friend or yourself...no judgement. I mean we all deserve to treat ourself after this year. Normally, I have some cute clothes, a fun handbag but this year I'm keeping it to essentials. The things that would make being stuck at home a little bit more enjoyable. 

FYI: A little public service announcement and I don't mean to add any anxiety but I noticed a lot of stores said to order by the beginning of December for guaranteed Christmas delivery. No pressure....it's fine, we're all fine! 

Wine Purifier: Selective Sulfit Capture technology combines with an adjustable wine aerator in this innovative purifier, designed to give your wine it's most robust taste. I love wine but some gives me an instant headache and I hear this can help. 

Always pan:  Cult- favorite best selling Always Pan. This do it all wonder is designed to replace 8 traditional pieces of cookware. Plus, it looks pretty good too. 

Sorel boots: Sneaker boots. I have these in black and I love them. I hate wearing a big clunky boot all the time and this is a good alternative to the days you're not tredging through the snow. 

Face mask: My girlfriend got me this for my birthday and I was saving it for a special day. Holy cow, this is a good mask for a little at home facial treatment. You may want to not let anyone see you while you're doing it.

iphone case: personalized iphone case, so many cute color and print options 

PURA Diffuser: I love candles but I'm always afraid I'm going to forget to blow them out. No worries with this smart home diffuser. Yep, a smart diffuser you can control from your phone. They even have the famous Anthropologie volcano scent as an option which I have and I also chose a nest Christmas fragrance as well. The packaging is really pretty too! 

Stacking rings: I'm finding I'm wearing simple jewelry these days and I love this little stacking ring set in mixed metals. 

Sherpa jacket: Sherpa is all the rage this season and it has every right to be. It's super warm and cozy! I love this one because if the hood! 

Monogrammed scarf: always a great gift idea is a monogrammed scarf. Lots of color and pattern options available and they have the prettiest wrapping, so you don't even have to worry about wrapping it. This makes a great gift for a coworker. 

Bronzer: This bronzer is pricier but it's huge! I'd imagine it would last forever. It's a cult favorite. Kiss those pale skin days goodbye! 

Kopi Mug & warmer: For the person who reheats their coffee 27 times a day and their phone is always dead. Not naming any names. 

Slippers: Slippers are the new shoes! Also supporting a black owned business. 

Necklace: This little delicate pave horn necklace comes in an adorable box. It's a great layering piece as well. 

Leggings:The top fashion item of 2020! My leggings/workout pants got put to the test these last couple months and Lululemon always comes through on their durability. They've held up the best out of all the other brands I have. These are super flattering as well. 

Stay tuned for more gift guides to come! 

 Just like that, it's November and it's dark at 4PM and everyone is putting up Christmas trees and poor Thanksgiving is being left in the dust. To be honest, I am anxious to decorate as well. I'm not sure if it's that we're looking forward to things that make us happier or that we're just trying to get on with this year but I'm here for all the decorating and trying to make the holidays at home as memorable as possible in 2020. We may not be celebrating with large family or friend gatherings but we can still create a beautiful setting for the ones we love. 

When it comes to decorating for Thanksgiving, I like to mix in pieces that can be used year round and coordinate with my holiday decor. I like to use different textures and materials and go with more of a neutral color scheme that also coordinates with my holiday decor. There's no need to spend a lot of money. Gather some branches from your yard and fill a large vase like this beautiful black one and use it as the centerpiece of your table for some drama. Add different height candle sticks down the table that can be used on your mantle afterwards for Christmas. Those little white sugar pumpkins you bought for Halloween also work great for little accents on the table. Get the kids involved and collect things on a walk, big leaves that you can use as place cards with each persons name written on them is another cute idea. 

Here are some ideas to create a simple yet beautiful table setting for your loved ones at Thanksgiving. Home items are flying off the shelves before they even hit the shelves, so you may want to get a head start even though Thanksgiving is still a couple weeks away. 

It will take just one bite of this apple pie to make you realize you might not want to share this with anyone else. I’m soooo excited to share this recipe with you as it is a family favorite of ours. I think of my Nanny who was one of the best baker’s every time I make it. It’s not your traditional apple pie recipe, more like an apple crisp pie but it’s oh so good! The crumb topping may be my favorite, actually it is. So if you unsure of what to do with all those apples you have laying around from your recent apple picking adventure, this is the recipe to make. 

Rinse and pat dry

Mix in the sugar and flour. I ran out of regular flour and used almond flour and I actually liked it just as much. 

Place apples into the pie crust and add squares of butter and cinnamon on top. The pie will seem really high but don't worry, it won't be this big after you bake it. 

When making the crumbs, you want to have the right consistency. I leave the butter out for a couple hours and then mix by hand. If they seem too wet, add a little more flour. 

Pile them onto your apple pie and sprinkle with cinnamon. 

Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees

It's best served warm with vanilla ice cream! Enjoy! 

Apple Pie Recipe:

Serves: 6-8 

Ingredients: 

Pie crust (you can make homemade but I find it easier to buy the pre-made ones)

8 Macintosh apples (I use whatever I have on hand and will mix them sometimes) 

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups flour (you can substitute almond flour)

2 sticks butter

cinnamon/salt

Directions: 

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Peel apples and slice into smaller pieces. Soak in water, drain and pat dry. 

Place in large bowl and add 3/4 cups sugar, 1/2 cup flour and mix together. Place apples in pie shell and add squares of butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon and a pinch of salt. 

Crumb Topping: 

Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cups sugar and 8 tbsp butter and mix with your hands until crumbs form. Add to the top of apples and sprinkle with cimnamon. You can add cut out pie crust leaves to make it more decorative. Bake on cookie sheet for 1 hour. Best served warm with vanilla ice cream! 

Enjoy!