13 December Glimmers

1. Collecting Ornaments for my Swiftie Tree

I don’t know how to do anything casually and what turned into “an ornament or two” quickly evolved into… well… this. But, I love it — adding to something all mine and the thrill of a good second hand deal — and am so excited to continue collecting next year.

Pinboard | Tree (similar) | Acrylic Album Holder

2. Improving My Ice Skating Skills

One of my favorite days of the season has become an annual tradition. Eliza has her Santa visit, followed by lunch and shopping, and topped off with ice skating and treats. Sometimes a movie 😉 Last year was the first time I got on ice skates in decades (I think I had only ice skated once before that). I had swore I would never be on skates as an adult, but when Eliza wanted to experience it last year, I stepped up and did it. This year, I was actually excited to get out there, Dave joined us, and I actually skated. Like, without holding onto the side. I’m hoping I get another chance at it before the season is over but I had so much fun. Like so much fun.

Wool Coat | Sweater | Jeans | Gloves | Earrings (similar) | Sunglasses

3. Dressing in Color

For maybe my whole life, black has been my go-to color. I still love a black moment but this is the first year I’ve ever dressed in COLOR. And right before the holidays, it feels festive, has me excited to get dressed, and I just feel more vibrant. Along with the color, this is the first year I can remember liking clothes. Real clothes. And having fun getting dressed. IYKYK.

Sweater | Jeans | Sneakers (kids; women’s) | Earrings (similar) | Cross Ring | Diamond Band Ring

Jeans | Ankle Boots | Red Coat | Suede Shopper Tote | Cherries Purse Charm | Cross Ring | Diamond Band Ring | Bow Ring | Lipstick

Blue Puffer Vest | Striped Crew Neck Sweater | Jeans | Sneakers

Jeans | Boots (SIMILAR) | Coat | Sweater | Chunky Link Bracelet

Sweater | Sequin Skirt | Boots

Coat | Chain Crossbody Bag | Red Dress | Braided Belt | Suede Boots | Fleece Tights | Earrings | Necklace | Cross Ring | Green Crystal Bracelet | Chunky Link Bracelet

4. These Cozy Christmas Reads

I am LOVING my cozy season reads this year. Here’s what I’ve read and what’s still on my TBR. While I’m not finished with the one I’m currently reading, it’s a third in the series — but can be read as a standalone — and I gave the other two books 5 stars. This one I feel will be no different. I look forward to diving in whenever I get a chance.

• Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
• My Merry Mistake by Courtney Walsh
• Yule Be Mine by Piper Rayne
• 12 Days of Mistletoe by Jen Atkinson
• A Match Made at Christmas by Courtney Walsh

Several of the above are available via Kindle Unlimited!

5. Spinning My Top Holiday Records On Repeat

I also have been thrilled with the holiday records I’ve collected. There’s something about the ritual of spinning a classic record that evokes a new level of nostalgia that digital music just can’t give. I have quite a Christmas collection but here are my top faves.

Pre-Lit Flocked Christmas Tree | Rope Christmas Tree Collar | Album Storage Shelving Unit | Turntable | Speakers

• Norah Jones, I Dream of Christmas
• A Charlie Brown Christmas, Vince Guaraldi Trio
• Sabrina Carpenter, Fruitcake
• Christmas, Michael Bublé
• Christmas Number Ones, Various Artists
• We Need Christmas, Maddie & Tae
• A Wonderful Christmas, Various Artists
• When I Think of Christmas, Amy Grant & Vince Gill
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Johnny Marks
• The Best of Christmas, Pentatonix
• Christmas, Alabama
• My Gift, Carrie Underwood
• Once Upon a Christmas, Kenny & Dolly
• Miracles, Kenny G
• A Very Kacey Christmas, Kacey Musgraves
• Elf, Various Artists
• Snow Waltz, Lindsey Stirling
• Warmer in the Winter, Lindsey Stirling

You can see them all spinning in a recent video I posted to Instagram HERE!

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A post shared by Kelley Nan Lopez (@kelleynan)

6. Baking Banana Bread for Friends & Family

I love banana bread, but I have been on a serious kick over the past few months and have been baking it every time I see bananas starting to brown. I’ve loved gifting it to friends and family and my fam can’t get enough. Maybe banana bread is my version of Taylor’s sourdough 😉 I can’t believe I’ve never posted my recipe, so you can expect to see that soon! The latest batch just came out of the oven and I just got it wrapped for some girlfriends.

7. Setting Christmas Ambiance

Every evening when I start to settle down, I turn on a record in my bedroom and find a cozy Christmas ambiance that I play via YouTube. Search “cozy Christmas ambiance” for a TON of options. Many last upwards of 12 hours!

8. Service Activities with Eliza

Along with some community service projects — like fulfilling a few current needs for one of our local nonprofits — Eliza and I have also had fun creating and surprising a few special folks this year.

Merry Swiftmas Hoodie (similar)

9. Discovering New Small Shops

I am such a sucker for customized trinkets and pretties for the things I love (music, books, Taylor Swift, my family, etc.) especially around the holidays. I was so excited to have the below ornament created with one of my favorite authors and the books of hers I love. The maker gives ways to personalize these ornaments and will do a full custom order. I love the idea of making an ornament with all your books for the year, too!

Custom Book Ornament Shop

I’m also obsessed with THIS mini vinyl cabinet with custom vinyl covers. I may have ordered a little something for Dave for Christmas 😉

10. Scratching My Creativity Itch

I kind of alluded to this in the home tour, but this year, I’ve had a reinvigorated craving for creativity. I’ve been fulfilling this little nudge in lots of ways, but making — from gift embellishments to teacher gift baskets to fun food — has been so satisfying. By the way, if you haven’t seen my tutorial, you can catch my tutorial on how to make curly ribbon with wrapping paper scraps in THIS video.

Brown Kraft Paper | Plaid Paper — Hobby Lobby

Pouch (similar) | Patches (similar)

Monogram Mug

11. Falling in Love with a New Jean Style

Stovepipe jeans are officially a new favorite. They have a wider straight leg and I’ve been wearing them in multiple colors.

Cable Knit Cardigan | Jeans | Sunglasses | Bow Necklace

12. This Festive Self Mani

Nothing fancy, and certainly not professional, but I’ve been digging THIS red polish and in my latest touch up, I added some gold glitter polish to the ends for a Christmas-y touch.

Diamond Band Ring

• Essie Forever Yummy
• Essie Summit of Style

12. Living in My Eras Onesie

I will own it with zero shame — my Taylor Swift onesie is one of the best, most comfortable things I’ve ever bought for myself. I wear it nonstop at my house and am so happy I took the chance on it during her holiday merch drop.

13. Spending a Morning Capturing Magic

I always appreciate our home more during the holidays when I make the time to observe and capture it before the sun comes up, when the twinkles are on full display. Just me, my camera, my audiobook, and peace. Here are a few snaps from this morning.

Christmas: Pre-lit Flocked Christmas Tree | Christmas Tree Collar | Hanging Bells | Jingle Bell Strand

Home: Wool/Jute Rug | Dining Table (similar) | Dining Chairs (similar) | Sideboard (similar) | Cement Lamps | Chandelier (similar)

Christmas: Pre-lit Flocked Christmas Tree | Christmas Tree Collar | Hanging Bells | Jingle Bell Strand

Home: Wool/Jute Rug | Dining Table (similar) | Dining Chairs (similar) | Sideboard (similar) | Cement Lamps | Chandelier (similar)

Christmas: Wide Gold Ribbon | Large Gold Ornaments | Red Berry Sprigs (similar) | Frosted Gold Berry Sprigs (similar) | Greenish Blueberry Sprigs | Christmas Tree Collar | Gold Pearl Spray Clip (similar) | Kraft Wrapping Paper

Home: Leather Armchair | Area Rug | Brass Party Bucket

Christmas: Wide Gold Ribbon | Large Gold Ornaments | Red Berry Sprigs (similar) | Frosted Gold Berry Sprigs (similar) | Greenish Blueberry Sprigs | Christmas Tree Collar | Gold Pearl Spray Clip (similar) | Kraft Wrapping Paper

Home: Leather Armchair | Area Rug | Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches |Brass Party Bucket | Sofa | Plaid Throw Blanket

More Snapshots of December…

My glimmers have been glimmering all over with some of the things we’ve been up to. Here’s some snapshots from my phone of the past month…

Coat | Leggings | Ankle Boots | Socks | Sunglasses

Cable Knit Cardigan | Jeans | Bow Necklace

Wool Coat | Sweater | Jeans | Earrings (similar) | Sunglasses | Sneakers (girl’s; women’s)

Coat | Quarter Zip Sweatshirt | Leggings | Brooks Running Shoes

Sherpa Fleece Sweatshirt | Joggers | Brooks Running Shoes

Left: Zip Sweatshirt | Leggings | Ankle Boots | Socks | Wool Coat

Pajamas

Christmas: Faux Cedar Sprigs (similar) | Red Berry Sprigs (similar) | Frosted Gold Berry Sprigs (similar) | Gold Berry Sprigs (similar) | Greenish Blueberry Sprigs | Standard Classic Bells (similar) | Christmas Stockings | Stocking Hangers

Home:  Faux Magnolia Stems | White Stoneware Vase  | Brass Party Bucket

Coat | Chain Crossbody Bag | Red Dress | Braided Belt | Suede Boots | Fleece Tights | Earrings | Necklace | Cross Ring | Green Crystal Bracelet | Chunky Link Bracelet

Blue Puffer Vest | Striped Crew Neck Sweater | Jeans | Sneakers | Sunglasses

Pajamas | Slippers

I hope you all can reflect upon and relish in your own glimmers this week — from the big things to the little things. Sending love to you and yours this holiday season and into the new year.

xoxo