Welcome to our weekly “walk and talk,” where we bring our weekly walks to you. Our walks are a time to catch up on family life, share online shopping hits and misses, exchange recipes, discuss our newest Netflix binge — all the stuff that friends share with each other. And now we’re sharing with you!
Don’t miss any of the good stuff! Click here for previous editions of our “Walk and Talk.”
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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
CHRISTA : It’s finally here!!!! Set your alarm and your DVR! Yellowstone (Season 5) is back on Sunday, November 13, at 8/7c, and oh, how we have missed you, Dutton family! If you can’t remember where they left off, here’s a quick recap of season 4.
MEGAN : God Forbid on Hulu will blow your mind. This is the story of Jerry Jr. and Becki Falwell and the sex scandal that brought down a dynasty. I listened to a pod cast, In God We Lust (on Wondery) that tells this tale in much more detail. I would say if you like the Hulu movie, listen to the podcast. You can’t make this stuff up.
A HEAD START ON THE HOLIDAYS
Friends, we hope you are following along and checking off your to do list like a pro! We’ve shared tips for your holiday cards, decorations, gift wrap, making reservations and menu planning. At this rate, you’ll be coasting through December with wine in one hand and a frosted sugar cookie in the other!
THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: THINGS YOU CAN DO AHEAD OF TIME
CHRISTA : This week, you’re getting some “little details” out of the way so you don’t have to worry about them in December.
1. Add all the dates for shows, travel, parties, and house/tree decorating to your calendar. Make sure the whole family knows the plan. Print a blank calendar and make a copy for everyone after you fill in the details — or start a shared family Google calendar.
2. Order everything that’s being delivered — flowers and food gifts can be ordered now and scheduled for holiday delivery. (If your favorites can’t be scheduled just yet, then add a calendar reminder to do this closer to Christmas.)
3. If you do a DIY Advent Calendar, purchase everything you need to fill it.
CREATE A BASKET OF TREATS FOR YOUR DELIVERIES
And here’s a fun idea that you can put together now — create a basket to leave by your front door for delivery folks. If you’re like us, you’re getting a lot more deliveries this time of the year and the drivers are working extra hard to bring you all your holiday goodies on time. (And if you’re extra busy, the food delivery folks are also visiting you more often, too!) Include an assortment of drinks and individual snacks (bars, chips, fruit, grab and go stuff) and leave it out the week before Christmas, the month of December, whatever works for you. Water and chips always seem to be the most popular snacks!
Here’s some inspiration on Pinterest — use a basket, cooler, rolling cart, or plastic tub. You could also put your basket on a small table by your front door — makes it easier to grab and go. We’ve linked a basket sign for you to download/print. (Pro tip: put the sign in a plastic page protector to keep it looking nice all month long.)
Don’t forget to share a picture of your basket with us on Instagram (@styleamongfriends).
TURKEY CARVING TIPS
We are all intimidated by carving the turkey. Here is a 6 minute video from Culinary Institute of America on how to carve your bird.
HOLIDAY SALE ALERT at Minted! It’s a great time to purchase your holiday cards! Semi-Annual Free Foil Event: 20% off all foil-pressed designs; 15% off all other holiday cards $100+ Code: SHINE22, ends Mon 11/14
SAVE VS. SPLURGE
CHRISTA : It’s the goldilocks of sparkly shoes today! A Save vs. Splurge vs. Splurgiest! This sparkly save vs. splurge is just in time for your holiday festivities. The save pair from Amazon is available in ten colors! For something I may not wear very often, the $49.99 price tag is just right! Save from Amazon; Splurge from Sam Edelman; Splurgiest from Badgley Mischka.
For a complete look, pair the pink shoes with these black pants (or Megan’s coated denim, below) and this cashmere sweater. Finally, add in your favorite sparkly jewelry — J.Crew has a great selection to add-to-cart with that sweater!
MEGAN : My fall fav coated denim is pricey, however I found an amazing pair for $32! If you want to try the coated denim trend but don’t want to make a huge investment, these are your friend.
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
MEGAN : I’ve been listening to some new podcasts. Second Life by Who What Wear editor Hillary Kerr is a great weekly listen. And, Celebrity Memoir Book Club, for those of us who love that genre, is a must. For my Harry Potter fans, this week they featured Draco Malfoy’s memoir. Add them to your pod library!
WHAT WE’RE READING
MEGAN : My family/TV room is disassembled still, I’ve been reading a lot more. This week I read Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak. I absolutely loved Daisy Jones and the Six, one of my favorite books, so I had high hopes for Carrie Soto. Unfortunately it just didn’t pack the same punch. Maybe it was too much tennis for me? I’m not mad I read it, just not passing it on to a friend. Hidden Pictures was a surprise win, a thriller that I’m sure will be coming to a streaming service near you, soon.
READER REQUEST
FROM A STYLISH READER NICOLE : Any thoughts for the over 60 year olds who have everything and don’t need another shirt, sweater, or scarf? It’s always my struggle.
CHRISTA : Here are a few ideas that have been successful in our family:
- The Our Place Always Pan is a great gift — and they now make a smaller size too. If your recipient has arthritis, though, this might be a little too heavy. Pro tip: It’s on sale now, too!
- My mom keeps a candy dish by her entryway. A few years ago I gave her one of these “Happy Everything” mini bowls for her candy stash. They’re super cute because you can add seasonal attachments to it — just pick your base and pick a few attachments. It’s the gift that keeps on giving all year because you can send more attachments throughout the seasons/holidays. My mom loves it — and gets lots of compliments from her neighbors, too.
- This wireless weather center was a big hit with my dad one year (despite having weather on his phone).
- My friend Tammy shared this — Storyworth is a way to capture memories and stories from your parents. They email a question once a week and at the end of the year it’s all compiled into a book.
- A house portrait is always a thoughtful gift. Search Etsy for “house portrait” for lots of ideas and styles (watercolors, drawings, paintings, etc.).
MEGAN :
- Apple iWatch has many Health features that can benefit all of us. Did you know that if you fall while wearing your Apple iWatch it will call 911? Here is an article about some of the benefits.
- Paperwhite Kindel because you can increase the font size when you can’t find your glasses.
- Any type of monthly subscription, especially food! I’m looking at this Bacon of the Month Club…
- Wine of the month club – it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Click HERE for a few more ideas.
Need help finding just the right gift for that hard to shop for someone on your list? Let us help! Drop us a note and we’ll get right on it!
RANDOM STUFF WE LIKE
CHRISTA : These Kitsch travel pouches would be a great stocking stuffer! They hold enough products for about five days, they don’t leak and they fit easily in your toiletry bag.
FRIENDS SHARE THE GOOD STUFF
Have a favorite holiday tradition or recipe? Did you find the PERFECT gift? Is something you love on major sale right now? Well, do tell! Share with us and we’ll pass it along…because friends share the good stuff!
MEGAN’S KITCHEN UPDATE
Does it feel like the endless home project to you too? I’m looking at paint colors now, that’s progress, right??
SOMETHING JUST FOR FUN
CHRISTA : This holiday tree stopped me mid-scroll — 12′ tall, 1,400 lights, over 900 glass blown ornaments! And I may have literally gasped when I saw the price tag!
#OOTD — WHAT WE’RE WEARING
CHRISTA : An easy jeans + black top outfit is something anyone can do. And these WHBM jeans are a great alternative to the usual blue denim if you’re looking for something a little different — might just be my new favorite pair of jeans! Worn here with a black blouse from LOFT and a black version of my favorite clear sandals by SCHUTZ. I’ve also worn this same outfit on a cooler day swapping the blouse for this balloon sleeve sweater and the sandals for booties.
SALE ALERT – grab the sweater for under $30! Available in eight colors — pick one up for the holiday season or a perfect gift they’ll love! The site says to size up, but I did not need to.
AND, HERE’S WHERE WE WALKED
A peek along our walk…why does it feel like fall was so short? And just like that, the trees are bare, the temps cooled off…and conversations turn to talk of holiday gifts and Christmas trees!
Today’s walk was sponsored by democracy. It was a little walk and talk and vote kinda day! (And can we all agree — Megan needs to always wear that light blue color! 😍)
CHRISTA’S WALK AND TALK LINKS
- Yellowstone (Season 5) – set your DVR! Yay!!!!!
- Start a shared family Google calendar for all your holiday plans
- Create a basket of treats for all your delivery people. Here’s some inspiration on Pinterest — use a basket, cooler, rolling cart, or plastic tub.
- Holiday shoes — Save from Amazon; Splurge from Sam Edelman; Splurgiest from Badgley Mischka.
- Kitsch travel pouches — great stocking stuffer
- This holiday tree stopped me mid-scroll!
- #ootd — WHBM jeans, LOFT blouse OR this black sweater (on sale), black/clear sandals by SCHUTZ.
MEGAN’S WALK AND TALK LINKS
- God Forbid on Hulu, In God We Lust (on Wondery)
- coated denim, amazing pair for $32
- Carrie Soto Is Back, Hidden Pictures, Daisy Jones and the Six
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE BLOG
Let Style Among Friends be your Holiday HQ! Check out our gift guides every Tuesday — if you miss one, they’re all linked under the shop menu in “Holiday Shopping.” Pro tip: bookmark this because we’ll be adding more guides each week.
Our holiday checklists and tips will keep coming through November. If you need to catch up, we’ve shared tips for your holiday cards, decorations, gift wrap, making reservations and menu planning.
Walking is always so much better when you go with a friend! We hope you’ll share our blog with your walking bestie. And let us know in the comments what you’re watching, wearing, eating, planning or shopping for.
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If you’d like to follow along with us for more style, decor, recipes and walks, you can find us @styleamongfriends on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. And you can shop our Instagram here.
Love the idea to leave a basket for the delivery folks! These are hard working guys and gals and would so appreciate the kindness.
And love your haircut (pic of you in the back top)! Looks great Christa!
Enjoy your weekends!
Awww, thanks! Megan and I were channeling so much Naomi Watts last week, and I decided her short hair was super cute, so I gave it a try!
Sharing my paint color picking advice based on experiences, both good and bad. First decide if you want warm or cool tones. And just like that half the choices vanish.
Second, if selecting multiple colors, stick to the same sample strip (the strip with 4-5 colors from light to dark), or select only the “goes with” suggestions on the paint manufacturer’s website.
You’ll still have lots of possibilities, but let the professionals do some of the early filtering.
Thanks for the great tips! Sticking to varying shades on the same paint strip is definitely a great way to coordinate your look! Thanks!!
I am totally checking out Storyworth!
Thanks!
Happy binge watching Yellowstone!
Ps: I bought the coated jeans per Megans tip off and the ribbed sweater Christa mentioned just this week by chance!
Great! Send us a pic of your new #ootd!