On the 3rd Day of Christmas: I went for a carriage ride and spent all my awesome Gap cash!

On the 3rd Day of Christmas, I went for a carriage ride and spent all my awesome Gap cash (plus, I sang a lot of Bing Crosby songs!).

Are you having fun yet?  Sheaffer and I are having a B-L-A-S-T!  We love you girls so much and are so thankful and blessed for your friendships!  We love, love, love sharing our holiday season with YOU!

I'm not only going to talk about carriage rides and Gap cash...we're giving away something else again today!

I know!

I suddenly feel like Oprah!

But without the billions of dollars.

And my own television network.

And that Academy Award nomination.

I digress.

Let's go girls...

So...what family tradition are we up to today?  Well an old-fashioned carriage ride, of course!

Every year, the Shull family takes an old fashioned carriage ride and it is always magical!  This is something that probably happens in your community too!  Carriage rides during the Christmas season are just so much fun!!  This was us on Monday night...

We love "our" horses.  My kiddos talk about these horses all year long!  Shannon (who owns this little carriage company) has 10 horses and I swear, my kids can name them all!  This is Buttermilk and Silver.

 Kensington asked if next year, we can just pet the horses the whole time (instead of riding the carriage!).  I think Lovie needs to buy this girl a pony (and keep it at her house, feed it, care for it, pay for it, etc.).

Some traditions are kind of grand (like this one), but it's an evening we talk about all year long.  I love spending time with my little ones.  If a carriage ride is near you, you should think about it!  There is nothing quite as magical as listening to Christmas music and the klip-klop of horse feet as you look at lights :).

To see us on our carriage ride last year, click here.  To see 2011, click here.  To see 2010, click here.  This is truly a Shull family tradition!

So, what's Buddy the Elf up to???

And on Day 3, our Elf did a snow angel...out of Kosher salt.  I learned last year that salt is easier to work with (and to clean up) than flour.  Salt is heavier and doesn't really move during the day (while flour on the other hand, does).  Yes, we had a little salty mess on our counter all day...but my kids LOVED it!  And at night, I just took the vacuum hose and sucked it right up!  Simple and fun!

Hello cuteness!  Aren't these fun?  We used gingerbread men but you could use whatever cookie cutter you love the most (Christmas trees and snowmen would be fun too!).  This is the perfect recipe to make with your kiddos!  Click here to see!

And today is the day to spend that Gap Cash we all earned in November!  Between now and the 8th, you can redeem your Gap Cash (and according to the emails you ladies have sent me...you have a lot of it!).  Don't forget to take advantage of this!!

Here are some of my favorite things right now to use my Gap cash on...

Metallic Leopard Pullover, Fair Isle open-front Cardigan, Fair Isle Tunic

I really love all 3 of these sweaters!  They're all cozy, warm and fun (without being too over-the-top for a basic Wednesday!).  Plus, getting a sweater on sale is really a great bang for your buck!

Striped Waffle Knit Hoodie, Moto Coat, Flannel PJ Pants, Ribbed Sweater Hoodie

And all 3 of these things are different...but I love them all!  I will wear that hoodie all the time, the black moto coat will never go out of style, flannel pajama pants...need I say more, and I love, love, love that red sweater (available in other colors too!).

Tis the season to make sure you use your Gap Cash!

And wait for it...what are we giving away today????

We're giving away one of Rodan+Fields AMP MD Systems!  And it's worth $200!  I am just so excited about this!!!

The reviews about this product are phenomenal! 

To learn more about all of Rodan+Fields other products, click here.  I'm using their eye cream right now and it's just perfect!  They really do have a wonderful skincare line!  

If you order one of these systems through my friend Shea right now, she will also give you sunless tanner, eye cream and lip microdermabrasion for free!  Tis the season to get your skin in shape!  For more info, click here to read Shea's blog.  She's going to discuss it today!

One last thing, so many of you loved my organizing totes from yesterday's post!  If you want to see more (great Christmas gift ideas!!), click here.  There are a lot of really cute monogrammed bags and such you could give this holiday season!

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Whew!  I need a nap after all of that excitement!

Thanks for hanging out with us today on our 3rd Day of Christmas!

And if you missed it...
On the 1st Day of Christmas: I explained a lot to you and gave away a HUGE gift card!
On the 2nd Day of Christmas: I wrapped presents galore and gave away jewelry! (And the winner of our Stella & Dot contest on that day is Aileen!!  If that's you, email Sheaffer at pinteresttoldmeto@yahoo.com!)

Merry!  Merry!

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On the 1st Day of Christmas: I explained a lot to you and gave away a HUGE gift card!

Are you ready for this????  Sheaffer and I have been like Santa's little elves over the last 6 months planning the 12 Days of Christmas!  We want it to be fun!  We want it to be spectacular!  We want to share our Christmas excitement with all of YOU!  We will have giveaways, recipes, holiday ideas, traditions, and of course help you with your shopping.  It's going to be FABULOUS!  This is us celebrating the holidays with YOU!

Let me explain what I'll be doing...

First, I will be giving you a recipe a day for the 12 Days of Christmas.  They'll be simple, festive, and fun recipes to make with your family, take to parties, help with your entertaining, or just to enjoy by the fire.  Simple and festive are the keys!  We will not be slaving away in the kitchen this holiday season!  We will be making quick and fun treats while enjoy Bing Crosby on Pandora and cocoa with marshmallows.  Repeat after me, I will not slave away in the kitchen this Christmas.

Second, the Shull family is FULL of Christmas traditions!  We do something "Christmasy" every night.  I will be sharing my Christmas traditions, ideas and creative ways to enjoy this season with your family (and once again, they're simple and often free...perfect for busy families!).

Third, our Elf on the Shelf is out and about, I will be posting pictures every morning on Instagram of what Buddy (our Elf) is up to.  I'll also be showing you on here too.  Need Elf ideas?  This mama has you covered!  Watch our Elf move about here or on Instagram @mixandmatchmama #whereourelfistoday 

Fourth, I am the entertaining queen!  I love hosting parties and having friends in my home.  But I never make it complicated!  Whether you're just having a few friends over, your entire family or a huge party...I'm going to share daily tips, tricks and advice for pulling off a holiday party without the stress.  Don't stress people...tis the season to be merry, right?

And finally, every day, I will share with you great deals, good finds, gift giving ideas and such.  It's that time of year when we're all shopping, so I'll be sharing with you my shopping ideas, style finds and more!

But don't worry...Fifty Two Shades of Shay and my Instagram pics of the week will still be incorporated...there is just too much fun ahead!

Plus, every day over on Sheaffer's blog, she will be sharing her 12 Days of Christmas joy too!  Make sure you check all 3 of our blogs every day (this one, Sheaffer's and my food blog!).  So much fun!

Let's get started!!

First things first...

...are you flipping out?  Are you screaming?  Yes!  We're giving away one $500 Nordstrom gift card for our 1st day!  (I hear the Hallelujah Chorus being sung right now...).  That's how excited we are about spending the Christmas season with you...we're giving away $500 to our favorite store!  (And...you don't have to have Face Book to enter to win...we made it easy so that everyone can participate!)

OK...calm down (if you can).  Deep breaths.  We have so much more fun ahead...

Every day, I'll be giving you ideas for your Elf on the Shelf...

Our elf is named Buddy and he made his annual debut on Friday morning!  This year, we decided to do a donut breakfast with Buddy's arrival and give the kids two of their Christmas presents.  My kids can get overwhelmed with their gifts on Christmas morning, so giving them two in advance gives them extra time to enjoy those two (plus, they think it's really neat that "Buddy" brought them gifts!).  All you need is a strand of colorful lights, some donuts, your Elf on the Shelf book and a letter from Santa explaining your Elf's arrival.  Simple and fun!

Over the weekend, we decided to take in the activities around our town.  We live about 45 minutes from my parents but both of our towns host really fun Christmas activities and lights during the holidays.  Make it a tradition to visit your city's Christmas festivities and lights each year!  Here we are...

The weekend after Thanksgiving, our little town square hosts such a magical Christmas celebration!  This year, they even borrowed some of Santa's reindeer!

Carousel rides, sledding, ice skating, a petting zoo, face painting, train rides...just too much to do!

My kiddos' favorite thing to do was the sledding!

They look forward to this every year!

My cuties :)

Shull family tradition...always participate in your community's Christmas activities!

And since we're giving away a $500 gift card to Nordstrom...I thought I would remind you of my favorite Nordstrom gifting ideas.  $500 people!  This is HUGE!!!  

This is the perfect time to pick up quick gifts and stocking stuffers!  

Click here to see all of the fun stuffers under $25!

And I know I keep repeating this...but seriously, grab each lady in your life a different pattern of the same set of pajamas!  Click here for the flannel sets and here for the fleece bottoms.

And you know how much I love scarves as gifts!  The perfect gift for every age, every size, every kind of girl you know...

Blue & Navy Scarf (in 3 other colors!), Colorful Infinity Scarf (in 2 other colors), Floral Infinity Scarf (in 2 other colors)  Solid Infinity Scarf (in 13 colors!), Stripe Infinity Scarf (in 3 other colors)

Scarves are perfect for babysitters, teachers, sisters, friends, moms, daughters...every girl on your Christmas list! 

  Toms are such a fun way to give gifts!  Pick out a fun color for each girl on your list!  Plus, with Nordstrom's great free shipping and free return policy, if the shoe doesn't fit...she can take it back without any hassle whatsoever!

Leopard, Red, Camo, Zebra, Pink Paisely, Dark Green

Click here to see all of the Toms.

Click here to see our recipe of the day!  Today, I whipped up the cookie recipe you'll be using all season long!  It's simple and oh so versatile!  From start to finish, it only takes about 15 minutes to prepare and bake these little cookies.  Plus, they are so simple to mix and match!  You can actually use the same method all season but prepare a dozen or so different varieties.  Fun!!

It's just the 1st Day of Christmas and we're already giving away a $500 Nordstrom gift card?  Are you flipping out over the fun?  We sure are!

Merry Christmas!

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On the 2nd Day of Christmas: I wrapped presents galore and gave away jewelry!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas, I showed you how to be...super organized when wrapping gifts! (It helps if you sing it as you read it...) :)

Today's 52 Shades of Shay is not about how to wrap gorgeous Christmas gifts (because that's just not me!) but how to stay organized when you're doing all of this wrapping all season long!

I can't stand sitting down to wrap gifts only to have to get back up a dozen times because I forgot something, don't have something or ran out of something.  A few years ago, I decided to organize all of my wrapping materials into one big bag and it has saved me so much time and effort!  I keep this big wrapping bag in my hall closet and every time I need to wrap a gift, I just pull it out and go!  It's always stocked, organized and efficient!  Year around, this bag keeps me and my gift giving very organized!

All you need is a big bag (mine came from Thirty One...and yes, I had it monogrammed!) with the right materials inside...

1. You need a big bag that will hold all of your materials.

2. This is a bird's-eye view into my bag...boxes, bags and tissue paper all lined up inside.

3. I keep my ribbon inside.

4. I keep colorful shirt boxes inside.

5. I have sheets of labels in there too.

6. Plus, I have a wide variety of tissue paper in there.

7. And I have a zippered pouch inside that holds tape, a sharpie and scissors (also from Thirty One!)

I even stick my wrapping paper rolls inside and they stand up just fine!

During the holidays, all I do is pull my bag out and take it to where I want to wrap (usually in front of a Christmas movie!), wrap up my gifts and then return it to the closet.  Everything stays so neat and organized!

Being organized during the Christmas season is half the battle...start with your wrapping essentials!

And if you like my Thirty One totes, you should check them out!  They make some really, really, really cute things!  Great gift ideas!!  Click here.

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You want to know what our Elf is up to today????

Our Elf is putting a puzzle together!  Throughout the day, you can add a piece here and there so that your kids think he's secretly assembling it.

Today, I'm talking about giving the gift of sparkle...on the wrist that is!

If you pay close attention, I almost always, always, always have a gold and sparkly bracelet of some sort on my wrist.  Just a tiny bit of sparkle can make a boring old tee and jeans come together.  But I NEVER pay a lot for these pieces!  I'm a busy mom who cooks and washes her hands all day long...I can't spend a lot on bracelets!  Here are some of my favorite bracelets to give this season (and perhaps, I've bought one or two for myself to wear as well...).  Just a little sparkle can be the perfect gift!

I am pretty obsessed with this Cushion Cut Bracelet that comes in 6 fun colors! I have been wearing mine every day that's my hand in the middle also wearing the Cone Cuff Bracelet)!  These would make perfect Christmas gifts for the ladies in your life!  Every girl likes a little sparkle on her wrist!

Just look...

...a little sparkle makes everything pop!

Big Glass Bracelet,  Duo Glitz Cone Cuff Bracelet (in 4 colors), Opal Bracelet (in a fun blue/green color too!), Pave Bracelet, Ivory Garland Bracelet,  Mini Disco Cone Cuff

These are some of my favorite pieces!  Mix and match them with your favorite bracelets and bangles...wear them solo with just your watch...whatever you do, they will instantly elevate your look.  And they will also make your gift recipient VERY happy!

And wait for it...the most exciting news about these bracelets...

Did you read that correctly?  The entire site is 20% off today only!!  

Today is the day to buy some sparkle for the girls in your life!  Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings...everything is 20% off today only!  Click here!  Sale ends TODAY!

I mean, seriously girls, look how fun these bracelets are!  And they're 20% off!  (Along with everything else in store!)

Click here to shop the jewelry!

is extra fun because it can be either a dessert or a great make ahead breakfast on Christmas morning (or any chilly morning!).  All you need is a hot cup of coffee and a good Christmas movie...

....and shhhhh...here's a secret...you don't have to use Egg Nog if you don't like.  Click here for the recipe (and there's an alternative to Egg Nog if that's not your thing!).  

This Egg Nog Monkey Bread will knock the fuzzy socks off your family!

I know you're already flipping out over our $500 Nordstrom gift card giveaway...but you know what?  We have another giveaway today too!  This time, it's a great Stella & Dot giveaway!

That's right!  Two giveaways at one time!  You still have time to enter our Nordstrom $500 Gift Card giveaway by clicking here but you also can simultaneously enter to win this fun giveaway from Stella & Dot!

We're having so much fun sharing our Christmas cheer with you!  Don't forget to read Sheaffer's blog here!  

Day 2 has been a blast!  If you missed what we did yesterday...

On the 1st Day of Christmas: I explained a lot to you and gave away a HUGE gift card!

See you tomorrow!

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On the 5th Day of Christmas: I told how to have, your very own Jammy Cocoa Christmas!

It's the 5th Day of Christmas and we're talking about one of my favorite Christmas traditions...Jammy Cocoa Christmas (catchy slogan courtesy of my dad).  Years and years ago, we created Jammy Cocoa Christmas and it has officially become a family tradition. 

But before we get to that, we have some winners to announce...drum roll please...

The winner of the $200 Rodan+Fields Prize Package is....
Kelli Hagadorn 

And the winner of the $500 gift card to Nordstrom is...
April Cowan Barclay

CONGRATULATIONS Kelli and April!
You ladies e-mail Sheaffer at pinteresttoldmeto@yahoo.com and we will get your prizes to you!

I bet they're going to have a good day today!

Now on to our tradition...

This tradition could be yours too!  It's fun, it's simple, it's festive and it really puts you in the holiday spirit!

Simple, right?  The key really is the pajamas!  In fact, the people at Starbucks now look forward to our annual tradition (apparently, we're the only family that comes into their store wearing Christmas pjs and house shoes).  Don't just look at lights this year, look at lights the Jammy Cocoa Christmas way!  I promise, you'll make it a tradition at your house too!

Some of my favorite Jammy Cocoa Christmas moments!  Look at sweet Kensington at her first JCC...she was 10 weeks old :).  And thanks to that January baby of mine, Smith was 11 months old for his first year.  I love this sweet tradition!

Speaking of traditions...want to know what my Elf is up to?

That silly elf of ours is coloring a picture...of an elf!  As the day progressed, I secretly colored the picture from time to time and the kids thought Buddy was coloring all day :).  (They won't believe this stuff very long...I better enjoy it now!)

Since today was HUGE for our Nordstrom Gift Card winner (April Cowan Barclay), I thought I would share some of my favorite Nordstrom finds.  I know, I know, what could there be left for me to point out at Nordstrom?  People...there is so much!  And, you still have time to receive your gifts before Christmas!  Hurry now!

First, I'm kind of obsessed with these fun slippers!  And I'm really obsessed with the fact that they're 40% off!

I really love the pink ones the most!  Click here to see them.

Does your kid have a Boo yet?  Oh my word!  My friend Ashley's daughter has about 4,236 of them and let me just tell you, every picture she posts of her sweet girl holding it, I melt.

And I keep telling you about the Clarisonic Mia...it's such a great gift for men, women and teens!  I have given it several times as Christmas gifts (and of course, I have one for myself!).  This Clarisonic package is such a good value!  This is a great gift!

Hello cuteness!  I keep telling you to buy the ladies in your life pjs...but what about these adorable robes?  Look how cute they are?!?!  I love the leopard, I love the Scotty dogs, I love the owls...I love them all!  This is the kind of gift that your recipient will have forever!  Find them here.

I just love, love, love these totes!!  Not only are they really practical and durable, they're playful and fun.  This is the perfect work bag or travel companion.  I'm not quite sure which is my favorite! Your recipient will flip over their new animal print bag!  

Click here for the first bag, click here for the second bag, click here for the third bag.

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And...you want something extra yummy (and simple) to make this Christmas...

Holy fabulousness!  These little cupcakes are just divine!  I have four different toppings for you to chose from...come check them out and pick your favorite!  Click here to see the recipe (it's easy!).

Yummy!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!  12 Days of Christmas continues today over on Sheaffer's blog and then again here on Monday!  Stay inside and watch one of my favorite movies this weekend...

Merry Friday!

On the 1st Day of Christmas: I explained a lot to you and gave away a HUGE gift card!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas: I wrapped presents galore and gave away jewelry! 

On the 3rd Day of Christmas: I went for a carriage ride and spent all of my awesome Gap cash!

On the 4th Day of Christmas: I talked to you about...so many fun and festive things!