Wednesday Weekly Wish List 131: Favorites, Ideas and Little Pleasures

In this post: Wednesday Weekly Wish List is the place to find recommendations and ideas, personal favorites and little pleasures that will add a bit of joy to your life.⇒

Welcome to another week of the Wednesday Weekly Wishlist, a place for a little midweek inspiration! We invite you to click the links and explore what’s enchanting us right now. Enjoy!

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

1). The week before Christmas is the most special week of the year. It can also be a stressful time because our to-do list is longer than the hours in the day. Enjoying The Week Before Christmas will help you regain the peace and beauty of the season! And read The Real Christmas Story, it has nothing to do with all the traditional trappings we wrap around Christmas! Instead, it is a look at the raw and true Christmas story.

2. AMAZON PICKS: here are this week’s favorites from Amazon.

3. Holiday Recipe: Make delicious Christmas Crackers out of puff pastry. Preheat your oven to 375°. Unfold a sheet of puff pastry and roll it out to one-eighth inch thick. Beat one egg in a small bowl and brush the surface of the puff pastry with it. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and a little bit of cayenne pepper (optional) over the top of the puff pastry. Cut out shapes using a cookie cutter. I like star shapes for this recipe. Put the puff pastry cutouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Prick the crackers all over with a fork. This keeps the crackers from rising too much. Bake for about 13 minutes, until the crackers are golden brown. Serve.

4. Do you still need a couple of last-minute Christmas gifts? I can help with that. The Very Last Minute Christmas Guide is filled with ideas for him, her, the kids, and even great hostess gift ideas that will arrive before Christmas.

5. Homes And More: You will love the detail in this Virginia home, I love this beautiful Christmas home, this eclectic and interesting home.

6. Winter Capsule Wardrobe: Readers favorite winter coat (I have one too), this lovely tunic sweater, this gorgeous classic cashmere sweater on sale, this wear-everywhere puffer vest, my favorite cashmere cardigan sweater on sale, warm fleece-lined leggings, versatile winter gloves I love, these cozy slippers, and this warm pom pom hat.

7. Fun And Interesting Facts: What one thing can reindeer do besides being able to fly (ha-ha) that helps them guide Santa’s sleigh? Which is colder, the North Pole or the South?

8. Christmas morning can be so busy if you have overnight family or guests. I like to set up a self-serve Christmas Coffee Bar so my family can enjoy their morning drink of choice and a little nosh before breakfast. It keeps them out of my kitchen and merry while I’m cooking. You might also like our Christmas Breakfast Casserole, a make-ahead, delicious, and hearty dish we have every year. I recently asked our son if he would mind if I tweaked the breakfast casserole recipe a bit to add red and green bell peppers, and he requested I make it as usual. I had to smile, and it warmed my heart that there are just some Christmas traditions, even small ones, that should not be changed.

9. This year, we will have our children and young grandchildren with us for an extended visit over Christmas. We like to play a fun game with them called Hide The Quarter, which was passed down from my husband’s side of the family. Our grandchildren love this game, as did our children. This game might come in handy if you have children in your home over the holidays,. It goes like this: One person hides a quarter in a designated area. Some part of the quarter must be visible. Then everyone tries to find the quarter. When a seeker finds the quarter, they sit down. This goes on until everyone is sitting down or gives up. The first one to sit down retrieves the quarter and can hide it. So simple, but fun. And it keeps kids busy.

10. As we celebrate Christmas in our home, I want you to know that you are being thought of! I am so thankful for you and your friendship. May the Author of Christmas fill your heart and home with His warmest blessings!

xo Yvonne 

Answer to #7: Reindeer are the only animals that can see in total darkness. The South Pole is colder than the North Pole.

1. It’s almost time to start thinking about Transitioning to Winter Decor After Christmas. Be sure to check out the post for inspiration and ideas.

2. AMAZON PICKS: here are this week’s favorites from Amazon.

3. THIS WEEK ON THE BLOG I shared these FREE Printable Christmas Gift Tags and this lovely Silver Tablescape for New Year’s Dinner. For those thinking ahead or just working on non-seasonal decorating, I shared The 6 Defining Style Elements I Use In Every Room and how I Revived an Antique Chandelier.

4. CURRENT DECOR CRUSHES UNDER $50:

• These wintry white resin bird figurines – set of 2
• These charming watercolor deer woodland pillow covers.
• This metallic silver manzanita centerpiece tree.

5. CURRENT DECOR CRUSHES UNDER $100:

• This found wood cutting board with handle.
• This terrific tree bark candle.
• This chunky cable knit melange pillow cover.
• This faux cream lunaria wreath.

6. CURRENT DECOR CRUSHES UNDER $200:

• This gorgeous faux fur snow leopard throw blanket.
• These skiers organic sheet set.
• These beautiful framed canvas woodland wall art – set of 3.

7. Every year at this time of year, I share a very personal story about What I’ve Learned as My Aging Parents’ Caregiver. They have both since passed, but the tips and ideas are still 100% relevant.

8. FASHION PICKS: I’m all about classic attainable luxury which means I love soft fabrics that are super comfy, last forever, and fit well. So what do I sleep in? This soft and drapey cami I have in multiples and wear every night with these cozy shorts. (I prefer a heavy blanket and light clothing.) And these slippers I’ve been wearing for years.

9. WHAT’S INSPIRING ME AROUND THE WEB: This house tour is just amazing! Be sure to scroll through all the pics. They call it ‘Mediterranean revival’ but I’d call it modern French-inspired. Either way it’s just gorgeous!

10. UP NEXT: Cozy winter decor ideas…

1.) ON THE BLOG: check out this post where I share my favorites for building a neutral winter capsule wardrobe, and then take a look at this recipe for beef stew. Not only is it delicious, but it smells amazing while it’s in the oven!

2.) INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY #4: today kicks off the last holiday giveaway over on my Instagram account. This week I’m giving one lucky winner a $100 gift card to Pottery Barn! All the entry information is available in my stories. (Once you are on my profile page, just tap my round picture in the upper left corner to see my stories.) Good luck to everyone!

3.) EASY LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS RECIPES: don’t forget about these Delmonico Potatoes. It’s one of my family’s favorite sides, and it comes out perfect every time. This super easy Jiffy Corn Casserole is delicious, and these sugared cranberries are absolutely beautiful…and if you need a quick appetizer, this Old English cheese dip is a crowd-pleaser.

3.) FAVORITE QUOTE: “Fall in love with taking care of yourself. Fall in love with the path of deep healing. Fall in love with becoming the best version of yourself but with patience, with compassion, and respect to your own journey.” ~S. McNutt

4.) HOLIDAY HOME TOURS: tour this home that’s a very special gathering space for a North Vancouver family, visit this 1880’s cottage in New Orleans that’s overflowing with Yuletide charm, and take a look at the loveliest Gardenhouse I’ve ever seen. 

5.) LOVELY INSPIRATION: this very pretty Christmas dining room with touches of blue, why Christmas Eve is the real gift of the holiday season, and if you are missing a loved one who has passed away, just keep your eye out for a cardinal. 

6.) Take a look at this short video and see the most amazing tree decorated for Christmas. I’ve never seen anything like it!

8.) LOOKING AHEAD TO JANUARY: Winter decor accessory ideas. It’s nice to add one or two new things to freshen things up after all the holiday decor comes down! I love this natural rattan vase, this handsome silver picture frame, this lovely small brass table lamp, this generous and cozy furry lumbar pillow cover (comes in 10 color), these little bunches of faux white berries, and this rustic round wall mirror.

9.) I’m taking next week completely off, so I won’t be here for the Wish List. I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone, from the bottom of my heart, a very blessed and peaceful Christmas. XO