The Coziness of Winter

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I know it’s not winter yet, but it quite feels like it here in Tennessee.

We’ve woken up every morning this week to temps in the 20’s and frost on the ground and rooftops. It feels like winter is finally here and every year around this time, I always find myself feeling more grateful for this season than all the other ones. Though it gets dark sooner, I love the feelings of warmth, coziness, and security that this season seems bring my family and I. Every night, we light all the candles, turn all the lamps on, and hunker down with either something warm and yummy on the stove or a show on TV. I look forward to this time of year all year long.

Hope you’re able to find some comfort in it too, friend. TGIF! xoxo.

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Our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

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After missing last year’s gift guide (blaming it on being new parents!), we’re back with our 2020 holiday gift guide!

We had a lot of fun compiling this small gift guide, and combined all of the gift categories this year, instead of separating them into guides for him, her, etc. Hope you’re able to find something for your loved one this year, and happy holidays!!

This classic crewneck sweater from Gap that will look good with pretty much anything. Also loving this rollneck sweater from J.Crew, and this flannel shirt.

Because can you ever go wrong with leather Chelsea boots from Clark’s?

A fun Harry Potter themed (among other choices) jewelry holder, or just a neat dish to set keys, wallet, etc. in.

Because we all know at least one sports fan, how cute is this mug with a hoop? Our kiddos would go crazy over this.

We’ve been spending so much time outdoors this year (neighborhood walks and hikes around our land have been a saving grace), and would love to jot down our thoughts, dreams, and ideas in this hiking journal.

Speaking of journals, how fun would this coffee journal be for the coffee obsessed person in your life? We’re a Starbucks Espresso Blend family, but would love to keep track of all the different kind of blends with this journal.

Last journal, I swear!! This pregnancy journal seems so thoughtful and intentional, though, I had to include it.

We could all use a little more self care in 2020, and these rejuvenating face masks from LAPCOS would do just the trick.

As an adult, there’s almost nothing I love more than a new, fresh set of sheets, and how cozy would these bamboo sheets from LuxClub be?

For the pet lover in your life (or your own pet!), Pawstruck jerky treats would make a pawfect (I couldn’t resist) gift.

Loving these teak wooden spoons from NAYAHOSE.

This book’s title caught my attention immediately and I can’t wait to read it. Couldn’t we all learn a thing or two about how to change our lives? Or better yet, the world?

Speaking of making our lives better. My brother has a weighted blanket and I tried it last year and holy cow. It was life changing. This one from WayFair looks like it would be so perfect for getting warm and cozy this winter.

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I think we drank more coffee this year than ever before (averaging 3 cups a day!), and this coffee from Red Bay Coffee in Oakland sounds absolutely delicious.

We include this ever year. Our favorite wine glass, from Crate & Barrel, inspired by Olivia Pope, of course. There’s one for white wine, too.

The Joy of Gay Sex is a classic and just as relevant as ever. Groundbreaking at the time of its release, it’s informative and educational, and a must have in any book collection.

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A fun new phone case from Casetify. We have a few of these and love them (especially the monogrammed ones!)

President Obama’s new memoir, A Promised Land, that is getting amazing reviews (been looking forward to this one!).

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A gift card to Brooklyn-based Brooklyn Circus, a black-owned menswear store that cites “Spike Lee Brooklyn” as style reference points for the clothes it carries.

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I’m sorry WHAT? Chocolate cupcakes in a jar sound like the actual best invention of all time. I’ll take two please. Or five.

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A Little Life, a gorgeous and heartbreaking book about sexuality, friendship, and trying to carve out a life for yourself.

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A handsome, cozy sweatshirt from J.Crew for him to stay warm in all winter.

Our super talented friend Lauren Liess’ gorgeous design book Habitat is a must-have for any design loving person in your life. Her second book, Down to Earth is just as wonderful.

A face mask from Nam & Ko to keep them extra protected this year (and next). The masks are made by New York fashion workers, so the more that are sold, the more we can all help support local employment.

More sheets! This time from Brooklinen. We just got a pair and are obsessed.

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The best underwear of all time, from Tommy John.

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Also from Tommy John, quite possibly my favorite pants ever to lounge around the house in. I’ve been living in these for the last 8 months (I’m actually wearing them right now).

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A big comfy jacket from Abercrombie for keeping him warm while taking walks this winter.

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Candles have been getting us through the colder and darker days lately, and this holiday one from Homesick looks absolutely delicious.

Happy holidays!!! xoxoxoxo

Making the New House Feel Like Home

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We’ve been spending more and more time at the Holiday House and we are officially obsessed.

Slowly but surely, we’ve been bringing furniture that we’ve purchased (mostly on FaceBook Marketplace) or that we’ve had forever, over to the new house and have been setting it up to make it feel more like home. I spent all of last week painting the living room (which you can see in our latest vlog here) and it’s made SUCH a difference! It feels like an entirely different room. We’re painting all the rooms white since we want this cottage to feel relaxing, serene, and calming. We plan to let the view and the land do the talking, so we want a neutral backdrop to let the mountains and hills shine.

We have plans to redo the flooring, the ceilings, bathrooms, the kitchen, and more, so the setup we have now will just be temporary. It’s fun, though, to bring items over and do what we can now to make it feel more comfortable for now. And to actually have a place to sit. That’s been a big plus.

PJ has been working SO hard and it’s so fun for me to see him so excited about this project. He, more than any of us, gets restored at the land. When he’s there, he says he instantly feels calmer, less stressed. I love to see him work and for the gears in his head to turn while he figures out what he wants to do next. What a treat for me that I get a front row seat to his genius.

He just got back from crawling under the Holiday House’s foundation (!) and inspecting the crawl space, so we’re going to relax and watch The Undoing on HBO (have you seen it?) and have a glass of wine and relax.

Have a good night, friends xo.

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Happy Thanksgiving

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Wherever you are and however you’re celebrating, whether it’s with family in person or via Zoom this year, we’re wishing you a happy Thanksgiving. May we all try as hard as we can, even if it doesn’t feel like we have anything to be grateful for this year, to give thanks for today.

We’re loading up and heading to my brother’s for a small family gathering (only us and 3 others), with no extended family this year. We’re in charge of bringing mashed potatoes and PJ’s famous stuffing, which is always the highlight of the meal every year (it’s soooooo good). We’ve been working nonstop on the new cottage and social media collaborations, sometimes not getting to bed until midnight, so we’re looking forward to spending today relaxing and eating and enjoying the down time with the kids and a little family.

Sending love and virtual hugs to you and your loved ones! Happy Thanksgiving!!! xoxoxo

(photo from last year’s Thanksgiving)

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Our Favorites From Etsy's Cyber Sale

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The holidays are officially here, and we’re partnering with our friends at Etsy and ShopStyle to help celebrate and spread a little cheer.

We’ve used Etsy for years (remember when we used to sell our apparel on their site before moving it to PJandThomas.com?) and have always loved the idea of supporting local, hardworking artisans and creatives. Etsy has so many wonderful, one of a kind items that it’s easy to get lost for hours browsing the site and finding the perfect gift for your loved one (or let’s be honest, for you, too ;).

So, in order to save you a little time this year, we’ve chosen 30 of our favorites from their Cyber Sale that is happening right now (!) and are sharing them below! We had so much fun compiling this list and we chose a little bit for everyone: women, men, kids, couples, and items for the home. We also chose from a variety of artisans, including Black-owned and women-owned Etsy shops. If you’re looking for a unique, personalized gift (because most of these items, as with so many gifts on Etsy, you can personalize to fit you!) to make someone smile this year, hopefully the items below will inspire you!

Without further ado, here are our favorites from Etsy’s Cyber Sale:

1. Beanie| 2. Scarf | 3. Sweater | 4. Jewelry Holder | 5. Men’s Care Kit | 6. Wallet | 7. Bracelet | 8. Beard Kit | 9. Pressed Flowers | 10. Plant Holders | 11. Wooden Spoon | 12. Cutting Board | 13. Paint Brush Holder | 14. Wrapping Paper | 15. Succulent | 16. One Line Drawing | 17. Jumpsuit | 18. Masks | 19. Bookworm Painting | 20. Wooden Name Blocks | 21. Leather Desk Mat | 22. Pet Picture Mug | 23. Gourmet Spices | 24. Candle | 25. Leather Shave Kit | 26. Blanket | 27. Family Watercolor | 28. House Watercolor | 29. Necklace | 30. Glass Straws

Be sure to check out the rest of the items in Etsy’s Cyber Sale for even more wonderful gift ideas this year. Happy shopping, and happy holidays, friends!!! xoxo

We’re Moving!

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Well, kind of.

You can see all the details (and even a small, quick tour of the house!) in our newest YouTube video. We are so beyond excited for this new chapter and what it will mean for our family. The best part, and the main reason we bought the new house, is that it’s connected to our land, so we finally have a place to stay out there (after 2 years of driving there and driving back home every time).

Sharing some photos of the views from the new house below :).

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It just feels right out there, and the kids love it. There’s room to run around and get out all their energy that they seemingly never run out of haha. CANT WAIT to share more!!! xoxo

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See You Next Year, Fall

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Sharing some photos of life lately surrounded by the beautiful fall colors that are sadly diminishing before my eyes as I write this. I’m thinking by next week they’ll all be gone and we’ll be left with the brown, dark, and somewhat sad colors of winter.

I’m eating up every bit of these fall colors while they last, though!!!

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That’s all! Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends! xoxo

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“Is Santa Claus Real?”

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It finally happened. The question that every kid inevitably asks came last night (albeit a lot sooner than I thought it would). I overheard this exchange in the backseat on the way home from the land:

Older brother: Is Santa real?

Little brother: No, Santa is not real.

Older brother: Does Santa wear a costume? But he has a beard. His beard is real, right?

Little brother: No! I said he NOT real because he’s not!

Older brother: Yes he is real. Remember when we just see him at that place? He’s at the North Pole. Wait, the North Pole is a long time to get there, right?

**5 minutes goes by with multiple conversations in between**

Older brother: But is Santa real or no?

Little brother: No! I said he is not real!

From the mouths of babes. Their endless conversations are always a source of joy and humor and wonderment for me. I’ve said it before, but I’m going to miss these ages when they get older. Granted, these funny conversations are peppered in between a whole lot of hard and frustrating moments, but the ages they are now are sooooo fun. I love seeing the world through their eyes.

Is Santa Claus real? Well, he is for now :).

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