Christmas Card Reveal 2014 + Our weekend in photos

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!!! With the holidays so close, I know there's so much going on!! We did lots of family time this weekend with lots of Christmas festivities. Now that Gus is 3...he gets everything so the holidays are so much more fun!!! Here is a summary of our weekend in photos...

Gus and I were NOT planning on getting in on this Santa photo but the kids were very unexpectedly thrilled about meeting him and we just HAD to ;). They are both terrified of all life size characters so this was huge for us! 

Thank you Target for your wonderful Gingerbread house kits....It was $9.99 and a total hit!! They both LOVED decorating it!! Well, more Gus than Olivia. All Olivia wanted was to eat the candy! haha . Guessing we starting a new tradition this year of Gingerbread house making!!!! 

I also revealed our Christmas card  Friday on Instagram, which I was really excited about!! This is the first year that Gus and I get in the picture. And let me just tell you i was sooooo happy with the way they turned out this year. So that being said I am linking up with Brettni and some other fabulous ladies for a Christmas Card Link-Up! Thank you so much for hosting girls!!! 

I absolutely love sending these out to our family and friends and i love receiving them just as much!! I have family and friends all over the U.S. that I don't really get to see very often so seeing everyone's photos in the mail is soooo fun!!! 

xoxo

Elda 

Timeless and Classic || This and That for Kids Christmas Collection

Happy Tuesday!! 
I have shared This and That for Kids before on here but I couldn't help share a couple pieces of their Christmas Collection this year, that I am so in love with!!

It's no secret I have loved dressing Gus and Olivia in smocked clothes since they were babies! It just such a classic style that I love love love!! This and That for kids has a great selection of smocked and applique Christmas outfits for little ones right now...I literally want them all! 

When shopping for toddlers the thing I look for the most is quality and budget friendly because although they will look so adorable in their Holiday outfits, kids are messy and it is very likely those adorable outfits will not stay intact. Been there, done that. These guys are so affordable for the quality of the clothes! Wash wear is minimal. The fabrics are top notch and designs are incredible! 

This year in their Christmas collection they included bow ties for the boys that match the little girl's dresses! Seriously, so perfect for siblings!!! And so perfect for us since my husband said no more to smocked clothes for Gus...that was a sad day for me. But I love I can still match them with their new bow ties!!

If you haven't purchased holiday outfits for your little ones yet or you have upcoming holiday parties, you're in luck because This and That for kids is generously offering all of my lovely readers 25% off any purchase of $50 or more with the coupon code below. 

COUPON CODE: ELDA25

Happy Shopping!!

xoxo

Elda 



**This code is valid for the next 30 days**
**Photo Credit: Natalie Atick Photography **

Gus turns Three + Thanksgiving

The craziness of the holidays had definatley hit us!

Gus turned three last Saturday. I can't believe he's three. This last year he has changed so much. His language has developed incredibly! He went from saying a few words to expressing himself in almost complete sentences. He is such a sweet boy with such a kind heart. And although he is 95th percentile for height and weight, his baby cheeks are still hanging in there and this momma isn't complaining! His cheeks are the softest cheeks in the world. 

My parents flew in town for the weekend and it was soo nice to have them in town! My mom had been planning on being here---she hasnt missed a single birthday party for either one of my children and my dad, well, he was a little sneaky this time! heheh! My mom flew in Friday night and my dad flew in early Saturday morning and surprised us! totally caught everyone off guard! but it was such a nice surprise and Gus felt so special he was able to have both sets of his grandparents with him on his birthday! 

We had a birthday party for him on Saturday. Cars themed of course, at a children's gym similar to Gymboree and let me tell you he had a blast. Every child that joined us had a blast. From the second they stepped onto that gym floor to the second they stepped off of it, each and every child had a huge smile on their face, regardless of their age. The point being---it was worth every penny!! 

This birthday was special. He actually understood that it was his birthday and enjoyed it all. He knew that everyone was there to celebrate him and it was so fun seeing his reactions to everything!!! 

So my parents left and then the kids got sick....so fantastic right before Thanksgiving right?! well it wasn't anything major...ha yeah right. I wish! Gus had a double ear infection and Olivia a mild case of bronchitis...and they are still recovering but doing so much better!!! 

And then there was Thanksgiving!!! We ate and ate and ate! My sister in law hosted at her house! It was so much fun and everything turned out beautiful!! 

 How was your Thanksgiving?!?! 

Hoping it was just as great as ours!!! 

xoxo

Elda 

Holiday Gift Guide || The Guys

Today, I am bringing you some gift ideas for all the gentlemen in your life...husband, boyfriend, brother, dad, uncles, cousins, grandfathers. I really love thinking of gifts to give each family member. Something they would enjoy but I think the guys are always the toughest for me to shop for. Most of the time, I ask Gus to tag along and help me pick things out. 

Can we just talk about how adorable that toggle coat is? I think that may be too preppy for my husband but it is to die for. I think he would soooo handsome in it, anyways ;) 

xoxo

Elda 

These are a few of my Favorite Things || Link-up

Since I am right in the middle of my Holiday Gift Guide Series, I decided there really wouldn't be a better time to link-up with some lovely ladies and share a few things that I am totally loving lately and have my eye on for Christmas!! (hint hint, wink wink)  

A Few of my favorite things by eldalarrazabal featuring iphone cases

UGG Australia 'Andi' Slipper, $94 / TOMS lace up boots / Yosi Samra ballet flat / Kate Spade stud earrings, $40 / Kate Spade belt / Kate Spade iphone case / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics cream eyeshadow / Kate Spade perfume fragrance


Do you see a trend? Gold, Glitter and Leopard?! 

What's on your Christmas List?

Thanks Ladies for hosting this fun link-up!! Keep checking back because I will be back later this week to finish up the Holiday Gift Guides ;) 

Balance.

I had another Holiday Gift Guide post scheduled for today but I think sharing what has been on my mind lately is more important. The Gift Guide series can wait ;) 

Balance is something I have been struggling with lately. How do you balance motherhood, keeping up with house work, the kids, the blog, the husband, school projects (mind you my son is 2) and now the Holidays quickly approaching?? ohhh i almost forgot...AND Olivia's latest trend...the temper tantrums otherwise known as kicking, screaming on the top of her lungs in public and throwing herself on the floor. The beauty of having a strong willed toddler. 

The past couple weeks feel like have been jam packed with events and happenings and the fact that our washer failed on me, right before all the hustle and bustle started didn't help one bit. I am still catching up with laundry. not fun. at. all. 

Life has gotten so much busier with Gus being in school 5 days a week, although it's just half days. It feels like we go go go ALL the time. And from now until the end of the year, it isn't getting any better. I have no idea when I am going to fit in all the holiday shopping. I suppose Amazon Prime will help. 

Gus turns three next week and I can hardly believe it. I really want time to just slow down so I have a chance to balance everything out. And even though I am home, I feel like I am not necessarily spending as much time with the little ones as I should. Social Media may have something to do with that. mom fail. and the feeling of guilt begins. 

Are my standards too high? Am I totally crazy? because sometimes I feel like I am. The other night after bathing the kids, I started putting Olivia's Pajamas on Gus without even realizing it. 

Okay I'm done rambling. Thanks for listening ;) 

Holiday Gift Guide || Little Boys

1//2//3//4//5//6//7//8

1. Lightning McQueen Remote Control Car -- Right now Gus is going through a huge cars phase. So to say the least he would freak over this remote control car.

2. Melissa and Doug Big Rid Building Set -- A truck you can build and take apart? A little boys dream. plus it's wooden and Melissa and Doug so that means the quality is fab.

3. Melissa and Doug Vehicle Stamp Set  -- Little boys love moving things. we are loving anything thaat has wheels lately. This is such a fun set to have laying around for impromptu crafting. The price is very reasonable for gift giving.

4. Mac Die Cast Carrier set -- Gus has been eyeing this. We saw it at Toys R Us the other day so I just had to add it to the list.

5. Lego Bricks and more Bricks Box -- Legos are a great way to build creativity and allow a little boy's imagination to let loose. legos always come in handy, especially ones that come in a case, easy to put away.

6. Lightning McQueen Fleece-- Love that this can be personalized. There is something about giving a gift that is personalized. To me it shows the person receiving the gift that you went that much further. You gave it more thought and more planning. Although all you really did is paid the extra $7 to have it personalized ;)

7. Melissa and Doug Workbench --  Gus loves tools. He always wants to help big Gus with house projects. My parents are getting Gus this work bench and what I love most about this is that it comes with acctual wooden nails and tools that he will be able to screw.

8. Mega Blocks Thomas the Train Starter Set -- Thomas is also a huge hit with toddlers. Gus is loves his wooden trains but a lego set, i think he would love.

Holiday Gift Guide || Little Girls

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1. Rain boots --- umm how sweet are these?! I love how girly these rainboots are! And what toddler doesnt love rain boots?! im pretty sure none. 

2. Melissa and doug party cake    -- I love the Melissa and Doug wooden food sets! They have fruit and veggie sets, cookie sets, pizza sets but this party cake is so adorable!! Olivia is starting to get into the pretend stage and this cake would perfectly with the play kitchen my parents are getting her for Christmas! 

My favorite part about these is that they are wooden so they last three times as long as the plastic play food!    

3. Minnie Mouse remote control car---Olivia is always trying to play with Gus' cars so this is perfect for her to have. it's a girly remote control car! 

4. Melissa and Doug Princess Stamp Set -- Again, I love Melissa and Doug! Most little girls LOVE princesses and this stamp set is so adorable, good quality and such a fun craft set to have on hand. And the price is pretty reasonable for any little ones in your family!  

5. Kidkraft Praire Tea Set -- I have been looking for a tea set for Olivia that is not ceramic and that she can acctually play with. And i think I found the perfect one. This is a wooden playset and the colors are sooooo girly! this is so fabulous! 

6. Sofia the First Suitcase   -- Mini Suitcases, I have learned, come in pretty handy for packing toddler's overnight essentials. And a Sofia the first suitcase, I'm pretty sure O would just flip over. 

7. Doll Cradle -- I love the wooden baby cradle! And I love that the colors match with other "real" furniture. Olivia loves playing babies these days!! 

8. Kidkraft Play Kitchen -- A play kitchen is what every little girl needs. My sister and I played with ours quite frequently when we were younger. My parents are getting Olivia a little kitchen similar to this one and I just can't wait to see her face when she sees it Christmas morning!! 

9.  Doll High Chair -- If you get the cradle the doll needs the highchair ....that's just how it goes. This one resembles the real one we have for Olivia so it would be so fun to have a mini version of this for her doll!! 

Hope this helps you early shoppers!! Stay tuned for the boy version of this Holiday Gift Guide tomorrow!! 

  

King of Christmas + A Giveaway

Christmas 2010

 I was looking back at photos and this was the first Christmas Gus and I spent together. He came and spent it with my family in Atlanta and it snowed!!! It was the first year it had snowed on Christmas in Atlanta since the 1800's!!! talk about crazy! It was such a good one though! 

It seems like Christmas comes earlier every year. I really feel bad for Thanksgiving! But who doesn't love Christmas!! It really is the best time of the year! So much goes on but I think one of my favorite parts is decorating and making our home "feel" like Christmas! 

 King of Christmas  is a Christmas online store that I have recently discovered with some fabulous Christmas decor, prelit and unlit artificial Christmas trees at amazing prices. I love the variety of products they have in stock! 

If you haven't checked them out I would certainly do so!! 

They are having a great giveaway which you can find here . The first place prize is a 7 foot artificial Christmas Tree ( a $249 value)  and the second place prize is $100 gift certificate to their store. Those are two pretty fantastic prizes if you ask me!! 

Check back later this week as I am going to start my Holiday Gift Guides, complete with links, for those of you that are early shoppers!!! 

Happy Monday!! 





**This was a sponsored post by King of Christmas. I have been compensated for this blog post.**

Halloween Re-cap + Daylight Savings Hangover

Our Halloween was so much fun this year and very exhausting for this little lady, as hauling around two toddlers in costume is not the easiest thing in the world. I also, tend to want to everything for the holidays and overwhelm myself. I love to be festive and make goodies for family, friends and even my husbands office co-workers. 

So Friday started out great! We headed to drop Gus off at pre-school and Olivia and I stayed for all of the Halloween festivities. They always put on a Costume parade with the little ones all dressed up in their costumes and then they have their class parties. 

They had such a blast and I am so blessed I was able to enjoy Gus and his classmates. I do feel fortunate I have the opportunity to be present for all of Gus and Olivia's milestones. 

After the class party we came home the kidds napped and then we headed out to meet some mommy friends and their little ones for a Halloween event, one of our local malls was hosting. Gus made crafts, they trick or treated a bit and got goody bags. 

We came home and met Gus and jumped in the car for another Halloween party some other friends of ours invited us to and trick or treating. 

Let's just say Saturday we did a whole lot of nothing. We were completely worn out from all the sugar rushes, trick or treating and the late night. 

Can we please talk about how it's Wednesday and we are still hungover from Daylight Savings on Sunday?! ummm my little ones have been getting up at the crack of dawn since Sunday AM and we are all discombobulated. There's been a lot of early mornings, no napping, temper tantrums...i think you get the point. Hoping we all get adjusted very soon. I don't remember the time change being this difficult last year. Has the time change been difficult on your little ones?

{Halloween Pajama Party}

Happy Monday!! Hope you had a great weekend! We did! It was busy but it was a good one! The kids FINALLY decided what they were going to be Halloween so we picked up their costumes! We took Olivia to the Disney store and walked straight to Sofia. no questions asked. no second thoughts. thats what she wanted. (oh and btw-- all the costumes are 40% off at the Disney store just in case, you want to stock up on princess costumes for Christmas gifts. I totally would if I were you ;)). 

Gus, on the other hand, didnt react to anything at the Disney Store so we made our way over to Toys R us and he jumped at Thomas! Totally a surprise! We had been looking at costumes online for quite some time now and he had been sticking to Lightning McQueen. But hey, toddlers are unpredictable! You never know what and how they will react to. 

Today kicks off the week of Halloween and I am joining some other fabulous mommy bloggers for a virtual pajama party for our little ones!! eeekkk, yay!! We had so much fun snapping these yesterday!! We looove parties! woohoo!! And there's no better way to have a party when other blogger are all over the country!! 

Well here we go...are you ready?!?! 

As you can tell Gus was such in a great mood for picture taking! This is on the rare side...he normally isnt a fan of having his pictures taken ;) 

Thank you to all of these lovely ladies for hosting this pajama party! This was so much fun! Can't wait for the next one!!

Friday Faves & A Quick Hello

Just stopping by for a quick hello since I have totally abandoned the blog this week! I have had both kids sick this week and of course they passed the love to me. When does that ever NOT happen? I guess its just part of motherhood. In other words, this hasn't been the easiest of weeks! 

{one}Gus has been doing great with potty training...He hasn't had an accident at school since early last week so that deserved a special surprise. I had grabbed a few Thomas trains awhile back, since he's completley obsessed and saved them for when we saw him improving in the potty training department. His face just lit up when we gave it to him last night! So sweet! 

{two} I have listed a couple more items on the The Lilac Lemon and next week hopefully we will be back in full swing over here with some fabulous last minute Halloween ideas! Also, If you're on Instagram come find me! I post a lot more over there than I do on the blog just because its more accessible and much quicker with the kiddos! 

{three} November has creeped on me...Gus turns 3 on the 22nd of next month and eeekkkk that means I have to whip something quick for his birthday. We thought about taking him to Disney World BUT this year will be the first year that he actually has little friends to invite that aren't just family friends, since he's in school! So a party it is! 

Now as for the theme...I think we are stilll between Thomas and Cars. He keeps changing his mind. Like any toddler. 

{four} I was browsing Target and found these fabulous hand towels in their Winter Holiday collection for such a steal at $8.99...They are a neutral too, so they can be used all year!! More bang for your buck! 

{five} Last weekend I helped put all the decor together for my father-in-laws birthday party! It was so last minute but everything turned our pretty perfect, if you ask me! ;)

These 3D Moss Numbers are now available in the shop!! You can find the listing here 

Cheers to the Weekend!!!