Five on Friday

Can you all believe it is December 6th? Time flies. I am happy to back at the blog after a busy couple of weeks! Linking up today with April, Christina, Darci, and Natasha for Five on Friday!

This will be a random one, as usual! Lots and lots of pictures of what we've been up to {Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!} at the bottom of the post!

{one}
Have you all used Minted? We had professional pictures taken last weekend {more on that later} for the first time in years and I used Minted to create our Christmas cards this year. I honestly looked at them as I had read reviews that they will print addresses on envelopes for no additional cost, which is pretty amazing. I fell in love with the many ways to design your cards and they came in just three days! Plus, the cards came in pretty packaging, which is always welcome. I will absolutely use them again!
{two}
I have found a new favorite skincare product this week! I always say if there was one piece of makeup that I would bring if stranded on a deserted island (okay, I don't talk about it all that much, but you get the idea) it would be Bobbi Brown's concealer/corrector to use under the eyes. It just works. Lately I have been feeling like I wanted to try a new eye cream to help combat some dark circles, brighten the eyes and decrease occasional puffiness. I really like the feel of this cream and think I'll stick with it for a while. Kiehl's is great about sampling products, so if you aren't sure and want to try something, just let them know!

via

{three}
Speaking of eyes, I also found two other products this week that I am liking. I went into Sephora to pick up some new primer and ended up buying the two below, as well. Oops. They did come in part of a gift set, so I saved a little there. Anyhow, I am mostly a Bobbi Brown girl, but I have been branching out here and there lately. Gotta mix it up! Both products help keep makeup in place and eyes bright, two bonuses. What products are you loving right now?

 

    Two Faced Shadow Insurance                                    Smashbox Photo Finish Under Eye Primer
{four}
 It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas! I wanted so badly to go to the tree lighting Wednesday in Rockefeller Center, but when I read that tree-watchers would want to begin arriving at noon for the 7 o'clock festivities, I thought again. I am sure it was an awesome sight to see, and I would have loved seeing all of those wonderful performers, but waiting 7 hours among tens of thousands of people just isn't my cup of tea. Maybe next year? We will for sure visit the big tree this weekend in all of its sparkling glory.

{five}
A {few} weeks in pictures! We had a few visitors over the last couple of weeks-including one of my best friends, Kelly, and her hubby and my parents for Thanksgiving week. We had so much fun!

Free Josh Groban concert to celebrate Bloomingdale's holiday window unveiling? Yes, please.

Do you love Trader Joe's seasonal treats? TJ is such a joe-joe's fan and this variety pack is so yummy. The gingerbread one is my personal favorite!

 

Ice skating in Central Park was so fun!

The sun sets around 4:45 here. That seems early to me. Is it like this everywhere?

 Dad in front of the African burial ground in lower Manhattan. As a teacher this is fascinating to me!

We strolled through Chelsea Market

 We explored the High Line

...and did not plan on being color-coordinated!

 The Flatiron Building

 Empire State Building

 We went to see After Midnight with Fantasia on Broadway! Loved it!

 

The night before Thanksgiving we went to see the balloons inflated. This was so cool and I highly recommend it! The weather was terrible unfortunately for the two days before Thanksgiving, but we all muscled through it to check off the things on our to-see list! 

 

Then we went to an amazing Belgian restaurant to thaw out from the cold and enjoy some delicious mussels!

 Thanksgiving Day! So, I was definitely the leader of this pack {ie-I am sure our guests would have been just as happy enjoying the parade from the comfort of our living room!} However, they were all good sports and got up early to stake out a spot. We are so lucky to live a minute away from where the parade was passing by, and I knew I'd regret it if we didn't go. We found an awesome spot behind a family that had been there since 4:30 am! THAT is dedication. We layered up like the Pillsbury Doughboy and waited for the action to begin. I was like a child and could not get over the size of these balloons and floats and the excitement of the parade. We all agreed that it was time well spent!

 

The amount of people involved in carrying one balloon was amazing!

Um, I was completely star struck by all of the people riding on the floats. Why did I not realize this was an extra perk of watching the parade? So neat.

Richard Simmons doing what he does!

Sandra Lee riding the Turkey float

I don't watch Duck Dynasty but the crowd was so excited when they rode by!

Kristin Chenoweth is so cute

loved this big dragon soaring over the crowd

I believe this guy is the biggest balloon yet 

 

Santa!!! I know him!!!



 After the parade, we headed home to once again, thaw out, sip on some hot spiced cider, watched the dog show and enjoy some appetizers while preparing dinner. I kept it so simple with apps and didn't remember to take pictures of the main course. We let Whole Foods help us with the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy due to a small kitchen and being out at the parade, and we made sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, brussel sprout salad, cream of fall soup, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. In other words, way too much food. It was delightful and the company was even better!

Why yes, those are giant hand-painted pictures of our dogs in the background.

 

We are so proud of our Panthers!

 

This week the rest of the decorations came out, and even though we don't have a lot of space, I'm most excited about our snow village! It is our first year using it and I just think it's so sweet. I'll show our other decorations soon!

 

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!