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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Christmas ·

On the 3rd Day of Christmas: I went for a carriage ride and spent all my awesome Gap cash!


On the 3rd Day of Christmas, I went for a carriage ride and spent all my awesome Gap cash (plus, I sang a lot of Bing Crosby songs!).
Are you having fun yet?  Sheaffer and I are having a B-L-A-S-T!  We love you girls so much and are so thankful and blessed for your friendships!  We love, love, love sharing our holiday season with YOU!
I’m not only going to talk about carriage rides and Gap cash…we’re giving away something else again today!
I know!
I suddenly feel like Oprah!
But without the billions of dollars.
And my own television network.
And that Academy Award nomination.
I digress.
Let’s go girls…
So…what family tradition are we up to today?  Well an old-fashioned carriage ride, of course!
Every year, the Shull family takes an old fashioned carriage ride and it is always magical!  This is something that probably happens in your community too!  Carriage rides during the Christmas season are just so much fun!!  This was us on Monday night…
We love “our” horses.  My kiddos talk about these horses all year long!  Shannon (who owns this little carriage company) has 10 horses and I swear, my kids can name them all!  This is Buttermilk and Silver.

 Kensington asked if next year, we can just pet the horses the whole time (instead of riding the carriage!).  I think Lovie needs to buy this girl a pony (and keep it at her house, feed it, care for it, pay for it, etc.).

Some traditions are kind of grand (like this one), but it’s an evening we talk about all year long.  I love spending time with my little ones.  If a carriage ride is near you, you should think about it!  There is nothing quite as magical as listening to Christmas music and the klip-klop of horse feet as you look at lights :).
To see us on our carriage ride last year, click here.  To see 2011, click here.  To see 2010, click here.  This is truly a Shull family tradition!
So, what’s Buddy the Elf up to???
And on Day 3, our Elf did a snow angel…out of Kosher salt.  I learned last year that salt is easier to work with (and to clean up) than flour.  Salt is heavier and doesn’t really move during the day (while flour on the other hand, does).  Yes, we had a little salty mess on our counter all day…but my kids LOVED it!  And at night, I just took the vacuum hose and sucked it right up!  Simple and fun!

Hello cuteness!  Aren’t these fun?  We used gingerbread men but you could use whatever cookie cutter you love the most (Christmas trees and snowmen would be fun too!).  This is the perfect recipe to make with your kiddos!  Click here to see!
And today is the day to spend that Gap Cash we all earned in November!  Between now and the 8th, you can redeem your Gap Cash (and according to the emails you ladies have sent me…you have a lot of it!).  Don’t forget to take advantage of this!!

Here are some of my favorite things right now to use my Gap cash on…

Metallic Leopard Pullover, Fair Isle open-front Cardigan, Fair Isle Tunic

I really love all 3 of these sweaters!  They’re all cozy, warm and fun (without being too over-the-top for a basic Wednesday!).  Plus, getting a sweater on sale is really a great bang for your buck!

Striped Waffle Knit Hoodie, Moto Coat, Flannel PJ Pants, Ribbed Sweater Hoodie

And all 3 of these things are different…but I love them all!  I will wear that hoodie all the time, the black moto coat will never go out of style, flannel pajama pants…need I say more, and I love, love, love that red sweater (available in other colors too!).

Tis the season to make sure you use your Gap Cash!

And wait for it…what are we giving away today????

We’re giving away one of Rodan+Fields AMP MD Systems!  And it’s worth $200!  I am just so excited about this!!!

The reviews about this product are phenomenal! 
To learn more about all of Rodan+Fields other products, click here.  I’m using their eye cream right now and it’s just perfect!  They really do have a wonderful skincare line!  
If you order one of these systems through my friend Shea right now, she will also give you sunless tanner, eye cream and lip microdermabrasion for free!  Tis the season to get your skin in shape!  For more info, click here to read Shea’s blog.  She’s going to discuss it today!
One last thing, so many of you loved my organizing totes from yesterday’s post!  If you want to see more (great Christmas gift ideas!!), click here.  There are a lot of really cute monogrammed bags and such you could give this holiday season!

*********************************
Whew!  I need a nap after all of that excitement!

Thanks for hanging out with us today on our 3rd Day of Christmas!

And if you missed it…
On the 1st Day of Christmas: I explained a lot to you and gave away a HUGE gift card!
On the 2nd Day of Christmas: I wrapped presents galore and gave away jewelry! (And the winner of our Stella & Dot contest on that day is Aileen!!  If that’s you, email Sheaffer at pinteresttoldmeto@yahoo.com!)

Merry!  Merry!

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Comments

  9. Anonymous says

    Hi Shay, that picture of you and your family on the carriage ride is absolutely beautiful!I I hope you share your Christmas card with us! Thank you for being a constant reminder of how beautiful this tme of year is and all its blessings!

  22. Kristin says

    Have heard so many great things about these products, would love to try them out. Plus the carriage ride looks so fun!

  46. Michele says

    I love the carriage ride tradition. It's not quite the same in the warm Florida weather though. 🙁

  47. Michele says

    I love the carriage ride tradition. It's not quite the same in the warm Florida weather though. 🙁

  48. Laura Fuller says

    We love to take a carriage ride at the Billy Graham library in Charlotte, NC every year!

  60. klmoore23 says

    Lovely ideas! Would love to win the roller-can never start to early with the anti-aging! Have a great day. 🙂

  65. Jack's Mom says

    I've been hearing a lot about Rodan Fields, but only from consultants. I'd be interested in someone's opinion who uses the product, but doesn't sell it….

  70. Niki Edwards says

    I'm going to try the Rodan + Fields eye cream. I've been wanting to try it for a long time. Would absolutely love to win the prize. Thanks for reminding us about the Gap cash. I almost forgot.

  74. Jillian Collura says

    I just went on my first ever carriage ride this past October in Palm Springs. That sounds like a great family Christmas tradition. I totally forgot about my GAP Cash!

  91. Suzie says

    I hope I am lucky to win one of these giveaways. I think Kensington would look super cute in the English riding gear on her horse that Lovie bought her. 🙂

  96. SA says

    You are such a fun mom! I love reading about all the creative things you do!! Thanks for the giveaway:)
    Brianne Hunter

  103. Yvonne says

    Feeling slightly obsessed with entering your amazing giveaways lol! But my day is not started right without doing my quiet time and checking your blog! 🙂

  106. llotusphuong says

    The R&F system is on my Christmas list! The elf ideas are so playful, thanks for sharing!

  108. Sarah E @ theteacherswife.com says

    The carriage ride is a fantastic idea!! You can't get much more festive than that! 🙂

  109. jagard says

    I tried the Rodan and Fields line a few weeks back. I received a little sample pack from a friend- LOVED it! Great stuff!

  111. Mary Conner says

    The carriage ride looks like a great tradition. Will have to check out to see if my city has somewhere we can do this.

  116. Desaree Martin says

    Love all of your giveaways and recipes! I want to start a Carriage Ride Christmas Tradition!

  118. Marion says

    We loved shaped rice crispy shapes too. I normally add food coloring to make them green or red. If my kids are going to sticky and messy why not add color too 🙂

  124. Anonymous says

    Who doesn't want beautiful, youthful skin?! Love your blog everyday, but these giveaways are amazing!! Thanks for making the 12 days of Christmas even more fun. 🙂

    Kathy Lang
    katsam02@yahoo.com

  127. Morgan Weller says

    I'm not typically into the recipes because I'm not good at them but I think I'll be trying the rice crispe treats!!

  130. sdweltzin says

    I look forward to reading your food and family blogs each morning. Thank you for sharing all your great ideas!

  131. sdweltzin says

    I look forward to reading your food and family blogs each morning. Thank you for sharing all your great ideas!

  132. Megan G. says

    Love your annual carriage ride tradition. I also love your elf on the shelf ideas. So cute!!

  136. Chelsea Dickerson says

    The carriage ride looks like so much fun! Wish we had one here…guess I'll just have to look harder for some fun things! 🙂

  139. Farryn says

    I love your Christmas traditions. Cannot wait to have little ones myself and make our own family traditions! Great post!

  147. Teacupdogz says

    I've never tried Rodan & Fields before, but it looks like a great product.

    That's a great picture of your family. You can line up the pictures from every year and watch your family change and grow.

  156. Anonymous says

    Thanks for explaining elf on a shelf… I never understood the concept!
    lindsay.w.webb.rj4hATstatefarm.com

  171. sammy says

    Love the tunic from the Gap…I'll have to go and check that out! Thank you for such great posts!

  173. Elizabeth Stiles says

    Love the carriage ride pictures! We visited McKinney two weekends ago for a friend's wedding and it was the cutest little town! Stayed at the Grand Hotel and loved it! Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas!

  174. Elizabeth Stiles says

    Love the carriage ride pictures! We visited McKinney two weekends ago for a friend's wedding and it was the cutest little town! Stayed at the Grand Hotel and loved it! Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas!

  175. mcoop1125 says

    Love your carriage picture! We did that with our kids a couple of years ago. What an awesome tradition! It may be time to do it again!
    Michelle

  178. Anja Eastman says

    LOVE this post and am loving seeing you every day this week! You've definitely gotten me into the Christmas spirit!

  179. Candice Kelley says

    Love your Christmas traditions! I looked at your family on the carriage throughout the years and your kids are growing up so fast! Thanks again for the giveaways!

  186. Rachel Caruso says

    That is so cute that your kids think they are 'they're" horses. sounds like a great family tradition!

  198. Jennie says

    I am loving The Gap this season. I have 4 of the super soft tee and I wear them any chance I get! Thanks for the recommendation!

  200. Whitney says

    LOVING the giveaways! Your posts put me right in the Christmas spirit – just what I need! 🙂

  201. nene P says

    even thought the boys are grown they still remember their traditions and have started their own

  209. Stephanie Jennings says

    I am stealing both the elf/ salt idea and the Rice Krispies treat! Have a great day!!

  216. Julia says

    I love all your Christmas enthusiasm! It's my destresser during finals week, and what a fun giveaway!

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