Bites of My Life

Christmas week is here! I went out with a bang last week with nights full of fun events capped off with the most beautiful wedding. I’m home for the holiday now and can’t wait to get through the work week and slide into Christmas family traditions. Decorating cookies, a viewing of Eloise at Christmastime, church service, breakfast crescents and Christmas salad are on the docket. Merry Christmas everyone!

-Can’t even with this Christmas spread! Low twins outdid themselves with an over-the-top table and seriously fun White Elephant party.
-Number 7 seeing REK! His Christmas show never disappoints!
-So proud of my little cookie Christmas tags. Do you recognize the cookie from my blog logo?!
-Hot cocoa bar at The Slate. I may or may not have gone overboard on the mint chocolate chips, but….
-Alcohol removed wine, have you tried it? If you know me well you know I said goodbye to wine about two years ago. It makes me feel terrible, but I miss the joy of a good glass of wine. I came to know about Starla wines from foodie extraordinaire @chekmarkeats. It’s a Dallas women-owned brand and I loved it. Purchased at Central Market!
-Special sushi lunch with one of my best friends, her mom, and godmother, all who I LOVE!
-Cute pic of us and a reason to show off one of my favorite purchases of the year :)
-The absolute cutest welcome party post-rehearsal dinner where the family turned the space into a Christmas bar serving beer out of Santa boot mugs and peppermint tinis!!
-Last wedding of 2021. It’s been a packed year, but each wedding couldn’t have been more fun.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Another busy pre-Christmas week before heading home for the holiday - I can’t wait! December is flying per usual but only because the days are full of festive festivities. I’m craving a slow down, but I know the time will come.

-Christmas concert with Jordan and Wills.
-Annual Christmas ornament exchange was a success. The theme was food this year and I lucked into this little take-out box that now proudly hangs on my tree.
-Pretty new holiday studs thanks to Made by Maddie!
-This Flower Child menu item leaves their menu tomorrow and I’m so sad. You’ve got to try the Singapore spaghetti squash noodles today!
-Tried the hot new spot Friday. Another lemon drop, please!
-What started as a walk around the hood turned into a pit stop for brunch at one of my favorite spots!
-Ginger cookies were finally made this season and all is right in the world.
-Up early Sunday morning to cheer on our Dallas marathoners.
-Sunday night hibachi turned polaroid photoshoot!

Annie

Bites of My Life

December has really kicked off and started running toward Christmas. So many fun events and parties and dinners on the docket for December. In typical Annie fashion, looking ahead at my calendar I started to get overwhelmed at what the month held. However, I know that it’s a blessing to have a full schedule, especially after last year, and that the memories made and fun times had will outweigh any preconceived stress or worry of not having enough downtime.

I always write the captions for each photo below before I write this opening section. And to my point above this month has already hit the ground running. What a treat to have my Sunday night routine of writing out my bites post and getting to reflect back on the week. Because what a good one it was! And if not for this time, I’d easily have my eyes only turned to what is on tap for this week and forget to say my thanks and prayers for a a great last 7 days.

-I was lucky to get to do a sponsored post with Kodiak Cakes, and boy do I love this brand and these pancakes. More details here.
-Fun evening bopping around the Something Navy pop-up with Jordan and Sarah!
-A Rom Com Holiday! Have you listened to my *perfectly* curated holiday playlist?
-A holiday must if you’re in Dallas is drinks or dinner at Hudson House while they are fully decked!
-ABPA Holiday Home Tour with my festive friend Jordan. Each house was stunning but this one took the cake and the Christmas decor was spot on. You can watch a tour of the house from a few months ago with The Potted Boxwood.
-Friday favorite things party with some of my favorite people! Walked away with some fancy shampoo and conditioner that I used for the first time last night and wow. I took my tried and true lip stain.
-Sweet Green is finally in Dallas. I waited in a line out the door for this Curry Cauliflower Bowl. But worth it!
-First time trying cutie Yo! Lobster in Highland Park Village. After a tour of Christmas lights, Pete and I feasted on oysters, lobster bisque, fish tacos and lobster rolls.
-Started Prolon again yesterday. I was not its #1 fan the first time I did it, mainly because of the price, so I purchased a box on Black Friday to save a few dollars. I’ve been feeling bleh and wanted a jumpstart before I turn into a Christmas cookie.

Annie

Rom Com Holiday Playlist

I oddly (or maybe you can relate) love to listen to movie scores as I walk or drive around town. It instantly transports me to my main character alter ego on the set of my own romantic comedy. Hans Zimmer take me away!

If you’ve never done this, try it! Father of the Bride, You’ve Got Mail, and The Holiday are some of my favorite scores. This leads me to the holidays. Today is December 1st which means full-fledged Christmas music is on until the big day!

I typically always throw together or freshen up an old holiday playlist to listen throughout the season. However this year, I’ve created a rom com holiday playlist inspired by all of my favorite Christmas movies.

Picture this: Sybill is making coffee in the kitchen, Elsie is serving up her homemade eggnog, there is construction paper garland hung from the bookshelves, Graham is acting out Mr. Napkin Head, Meredith and Amy are bickering, Nanny is sneaking holiday fudge… These moments combined would make for the ultimate Christmas scene, but they really are a combination of my favorite holiday movies. Don’t forget Sara and Johnathon, Buddy, Eloise, Kevin, Judy, Betty, Phil and Bob!

My playlist has scores, Christmas classics, and a few non-traditional, but movie scene-inspired songs in its mix. Listen and let it transform you to a cottage in the Cotswolds. Alright, I’m getting cheesy, but this playlist is really good. Like really good IMO. Oh, and please listen in order, none of that shuffling buisness on this one.

Favorite, save, listen, download my Rom Com Holiday playlist here. And let me know if you recognize which songs are from which movie.

You, you, you, you send me!

Annie