Welcome to the Walk and Talk! Each week, we chat about our favorite shows and books, recent shopping finds (including Amazon gems), and all the fun stuff friends love to share. We’re excited to share it with you! #friendssharethegoodstuff
Let’s Walk and Talk about Holiday Parties!
The holiday season is a perfect time to gather with friends and family. One fun way is a themed gift exchange, and here are some ideas to get your planning started:
- There’s the classic White Elephant, where guests bring quirky, budget-friendly gifts that everyone can “steal” from each other—guaranteeing lots of laughs. Pro tip: Be clear in your invite on the budget, and whether it’s an actual gift or a funny/silly “white elephant” so everyone is on the same page!
- Organize a Cookie Exchange, where each person bakes a batch of their favorite holiday treats to trade, giving everyone a delicious variety to enjoy. And, of course, store-bought are also acceptable!
- For a more personalized approach, consider a “Favorite Things” party. Each guest brings their favorite item to share with the group. Or try a theme, like “your favorite beauty product.” Our blog post has all the how-to’s.
- For a clever twist on an ornament exchange, try exchanging something else, like a bottle of wine for the holidays, a candle, a kitchen gadget, fun socks, or a favorite winter accessory.
- Create final exam care packages–we can get you started here with our blog post filled with tips and checklists!
- Or just skip the gifts and host a special holiday-edition book club or a movie night with a Christmas classic.
No matter the format, these gatherings are a heartwarming way to share, laugh, and connect during the festive season. Consider this is your sign that this is the year to do it! Pick a date and send the invitations (made easy with Paperless Post). It’ll be so much fun to start a new tradition with your friends! Better yet, host with a friend, and make plans together on your next walk and talk!
In today’s Walk and Talk, we’re sharing…
- Two great shows are back!
- The winter layering piece you need
- What Megan wore to book club
- Do you send Christmas cards?
- To get lit or not to get lit, that is the question
- A hostess gift she’ll love
- Do you have leftovers?
- Yes, we have favorite pens!
Don’t miss any of the good stuff we’re sharing. Check out last week’s Walk and Talk:
What’s On the Blog
What are you wearing this holiday season? We’ve got a plan for you and guess what? You probably won’t have to buy a thing. Check out our post about making holiday outfits by shopping your closet.
Favorite Things parties are a great excuse to get the girls together for a fun evening. We have all the tips, checklists and links you need to easily host your own party any time of year party. For our summer favorite things, we chose a “beauty” theme. Check out the blog post to get your planning started!
Click here for all our party planning posts.
What We’re Watching
MEGAN : The second half of season four of The Outer Banks is out. The last five episodes wrap up the Pogue’s quest for the blue crown. Spoiler alert: there is some MAJOR drama in the last episode. I love this series, it’s kind of a modern day Scooby Do for teens and adults. Season five has been approved, but will be the last season in the series.
CHRISTA : How could my husband choose now to travel—just as the second half of Yellowstone season 5 finally premieres? It’s been a struggle not to watch without him…would it be grounds for divorce if I did? 😉 They say it’s the final season, but online speculation hints that maybe, just maybe, a season 6 could be in store.
What We’re Wearing
CHRISTA : If you don’t have a longer vest yet, then I recommend you grab this one. Ladies, it’s from Amazon—can you believe it? It’s an amazing find at just $50! It works with your favorite denim look, and it also works for your daily walks. Comes in 7 colors and fits TTS. Grab one as a gift for your walking buddy!
Shop Christa’s Look
MEGAN : What I wore to book club, fall edition. I picked up this shirt (sorry it’s not linkable!) at the Sezane pop up in Georgetown and I’ve been DYING to wear it. I did find a few similar (and much more economical) on Amazon. Of course, wearing my pink Caddis readers to enhance my cool nerd vibe.
Shop Megan’s Look
You can shop the outfits we’re wearing each week HERE on the blog.
What We’re Shopping For
MEGAN : To get lit or not to get lit, that is the question about garland. I left myself a calendar alert to order new garland this fall — mine was in pretty bad shape last year. After reading hundreds of reviews I finally ordered this. I went unlit (I have battery fairy lights that I’ll string on them), Norfolk Pine. I love the way it drapes on both the banister and the mantle. Here are the contenders that I narrowed my search down to. Pro tip: I also ordered these to attach the garland to the stairs. Buh-bye zip ties.
CHRISTA : It’s time to start thinking about your holiday cards. We’re big fans of Minted for our cards, grad announcements, art prints and gift ideas. Looking through the Minted site is also great way to get some outfit inspo and posing ideas for your own family photo. No time to think of Christmas cards? Try a New Years’ card instead! Pro tip: Subscribe to Minted because they will run specials on holiday cards throughout the upcoming months.
What’s New (and under $100) from Nordstrom
CHRISTA : Only $22, this cheese board from Nordstrom would be a perfect hostess gift or gift for the friend who loves to entertain! (Or a gift for yourself if you’re the hostess!) You could pair it with the $10 Cheese Board Deck to give her endless inspiration for her next get together!
MEGAN : If, like me, you’ve given up the “real” tree for a Home Deport variety then you need a pine candle too. Nest makes great candles and incense sticks, and this birchwood pine is the perfect “Christmas-y” scent. Stock up, these also make GREAT hostess gifts during the holiday season. Much more thoughtful than stopping at the gas station to pick up a bottle of White Zin on the way to the soiree.
What’s in Our Amazon Order History
CHRISTA : Time to restock! Yes, we do have favorite pens at Style Among Friends (and we think you do, too!). These Sharpie gel pens are my current favorites–they write smooth, don’t bleed or smear, and they’re just the preferred pen I reach for in my desk drawer.
MEGAN : Yes, Chef! In preparation for cooking season, I ordered these chef approved containers to hold prepped ingredients and to store leftovers. I’ve already put chili in the freezer for Thanksgiving weekend. Although they are dishwasher friendly (top rack), I love that if something gets nasty in them I can just throw it away.
What’s Happening “Behind the Scenes” (Our Camera Rolls)
MEGAN : I was in Manassas this week and hit my ALL TIME FAVORITE pizza place. Tony’s NY Pizza. IYKYK. A family favorite for over 30 years.
CHRISTA : Have you ever been to the Lucketts Holiday House? It’s a Christmas wonderland, with every room beautifully decorated for the season—and everything you see is for sale! My daughter and I have our tickets again, and she’s especially excited for the pink-themed room she loves. Last year, I picked up a giant jingle bell for our dining table. I can’t wait to see what new treasures we’ll find this time! Pro tip: It’s open from November 7th through December 15th this year, but you’ll need to grab tickets online.
What’s Trending This Week
You guys are getting cozy for winter. Last weeks trending items were the fuzzy fur blanket (under $50) it makes the best gift for ANYONE on your list, Martha Stewart’s short sleeve puffer that is an update to the vest and the Old Navy velvet peplum top.
Friends Share the Good Stuff
Have something you can’t live without? Did you find a great deal? Well, do tell! Comment below with your ideas/suggestions and we’ll pass it along…because friends share the good stuff! Thanks for being here today and following along with us!
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