It’s Day TWO of mine and Sheaffer’s Five Days of Fabulous!
Insert me doing this here…
I’m so excited!!
Yesterday, we gave away a pair of Uggs to you and then four more pairs for you to gift to your friends and family. One winner, five pairs of Uggs!
And today, we have something really special…wait for it…wait for it…are you ready?
Day TWO…
…you and SEVEN of your friends and family will each get to design a Savannah or St. Anne tote from Barrington Bags. They can be leather, they can be patterned, they can be striped…they can be any type each lady wants.
Eeeeeeeeeks!
You could gift one to your coworkers, your cousins, your neighbors…to anyone you want! In order to win, enter the Rafflecopter below! The winner will be announced tomorrow when we give away even more prizes!!
#someoneholdme
#imjusttooexcited
And…if you haven’t checked out Barrington Bags, now is the time! They make excellent gifts (and you should probably get one for yourself too!). And right now, Barrington has given us a promo code for 10% off your purchase between now and Friday!
Promo code is MAMASAVE10!
I love my St. Anne tote :). Remember back when I showed you guys this pic…
…all of my fall favorites. Well, my tote was one of them!
2: OPI Every Month is Oktoberfest
6: Puffer Vest
8: Booties
Enter the Rafflecopter below to enter to win these
And don’t forget, the promo code is MAMASAVE10.
Okay, so…each year, we kick off the Christmas season the weekend after Thanksgiving by visiting both our town square and my parents’. This is one of our very favorite traditions and we look forward to it all year long…and this year…it rained!
Noooooooo!
It rained and rained and was downright cold. (Insert our family’s ugly cry here.) But…because the Christmas spirit will not be stolen from us, we attempted to see both squares on Friday and Saturday…because come rain or shine, the Shull/Lowe family loves to keep up with tradition!
On Friday afternoon, we dove to my parents’ house, picked them up and then headed to their square. The bonus to the yucky weather is that it wasn’t crowded. It’s typically very crowded. That being said, every single person who was there that day was either crammed into Starbucks or the Apple Store ;). We bundled up, we brought our umbrellas and we made the most of it!
Crammed in Starbucks with the entire city of Southlake :).
My babies and me waiting for our drinks…hot cocoa and coffee is always a part of our Christmas traditions!
We took our drinks to my happy place…Williams-Sonoma. Hello tins of peppermint chocolate goodness.
Nothing can stop this girl from smiling!
A selfie with my sweetie :).
And…I had a lot of questions about this scarf when I posted the top pic on Instagram over the weekend. You can find it here in three different colors.
Another bonus to yucky weather…you can walk right into the restaurants this time of year and get a table. Mexican food warmed us up! (Ashby loves her Papa Jay!)
This is mom and me trying to take a pic with a five year old boy.
After dinner, we pulled back up in front of my parents’ house and dropped them off. Isn’t it pretty?!?!
The next morning, my kids spent several hours building their “skyscraper” out of boxes.
They were so pleased with their masterpiece. (Those are icicles hanging off the end.)
#soproud
After a cozy morning, my parents drove up around 1:30 so we could all attempt our town square. Now, our town square really goes all out with a huge festival the weekend after Thanksgiving…but thanks to two days of non-stop rain and the temp in the 30s…I would say that only about 20% of the vendors were there when we showed up. We persevered and had fun any way!
My big, middle and little :).
They usually have a hill of snow for sledding…but, it had been taken down the day before and only some snow remained. My kids had a snowball fight.
The snow hadn’t melted because it was COLD!
We warmed up with coffee and pie at The Pantry after our time in the snow.
True story…way back when I was in middle school, my family and I started making the 45 minute drive from our home in Irving up to McKinney to shop the square and eat specifically at The Pantry. Going to McKinney was always a big deal because we loved their square. We continued this tradition through high school, college and even after Andrew and I were married, I took him and his parents there. Well, after our first year of marriage when Andrew and I moved back from Detroit, he told me he thought McKinney would be the perfect place for us to put down roots, plant our business and start a family. I was like, but all I know about McKinney is their square and The Pantry and he was like…well, we like that, I bet we’ll like all of it. So…10 years ago, we moved to McKinney where I literally only knew of the square and The Pantry and now, it’s home. Even after living in Irving, TX my entire life, no place has ever felt more like home than McKinney…and as you can see, we still eat at The Pantry…a lot :).
Pie girls squared.
And pssssst, this scarf can be found here :).
Shull five in front of Mom and Popcorn. We love McKinney!
I was trying to take a selfie with him…and he surprised me ;).
My girl and me.
Another bonus to bad weather…we walked right into the petting zoo.
These two.
I love my dad.
The Grinch was there, so we stopped for pics!
I have a feeling that I might be sitting in Santa’s lap this year too…Ashby was not interested in sitting there by herself.
A lot is going on here…but a few things to note: do you see Ashby singing into her fake microphone (a.k.a. her hand)? They play music along the square and these three started dancing to a Christmas song…well, Ashby has watched enough Home Alone this season that she was singing like he does right after he gets out of the shower and he’s singing The Drifter’s White Christmas. Smith is dancing and Kensington is singing her little heart out. Love these three.
It was cold, it was wet, but it was fun!
Another Christmas tradition in the books!
Our recipe of the day today…
You can package this up and give it away as a gift…or you can make a big batch and enjoy it one night with White Christmas and your family. Either way, make a big batch because this stuff goes fast!
So, let’s recap our Five Days of Fabulous:
Day 2: Barrington bags for you and 7 friends and my Gingersnap Toffee Christmas Crunch
Enter to win today’s prizes below. Good luck friends!
In order to win, you must enter the Rafflecopter below!
There are several ways to enter each day, and if you don’t have any forms of social media, you can still get points for following both blogs by e-mail! The winner for today’s prize will be announced tomorrow morning when we give away our next prize. And we promise you the giveaways are going to just get even bigger and better as the week goes on!
This contest is open to US residents only.
Winners have 48 hours to claim their prizes. If a prize is not claimed, another winner will be chosen.
And the winner of yesterday’s prize is…
SARAH FORREST!
Congratulations Sarah!! I emailed you this morning! You have 48 hours to email me back and claim your prize of 5 pairs of Ugg boots!!!
Jessica says
Love all their stuff! That Savannah bag in leopard is dreamy!!!!
Katrina Goodman says
This may be crazy, but earlier in November my husband I went to Texas Motor Speedeay for the Sprint Cup (his 30th bday present.. He felt he needed to experience NASCAR one time..?) And I tried to convince him to drive up to McKinney so I could see your cute square!! (We are from Houston). He wasn't interested! Haha! I should have just hopped into the driver's seat and did it anyway!!
kelly says
You captures such wonderful memories for your family, but my fave is the selfie of you and Andrew! So cute! !
Erika Slaughter says
I'm so glad you guys persevered!!! Slaughters were in comfy clothes wrapped up in blankets staying warm. :). And 8 Barrington Bags??!!! What?!!
Elizabeth says
What a fun tradition! There are times where I wish I didn't live in the city (Houston) to have experiences like these…maybe next year we just make the drive! 😉
Lisa Petrusha says
I love your holiday blogs!! They really get me in the spirit of the season!! Thank you for sharing your traditions with all of us!!
Lisa Selan says
Merry Christmas! I love saying that! Always enjoy reading and love the reminder that I need to stop at Williams-Sonoma:-) But, most excited to make some Gingersnap Toffee Crunch this weekend when my daughter is home from USC. Happy Tuesday!
Narci says
I am so impressed that y'all made it to both squares with the weather being so yuck! Looks like y'all had an amazing time!! And, Ashby singing into her microphone! So cute!!!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! This is SO FUN! And it's only DAY 2!!!!!!! WoooooooooHooooooooooooo!!!!!
Linsley Schneider says
Your parents' house looks so festive! I love all the lights this time of year!
julie grothe says
We lived in McKinney for five years and The Pantry was my favorite place to eat! Loved their chocolate pie!!
Sara P says
Looks like a fun weekend!. Would love to win Barrington Bags!
Carrie says
The leopard bag is calling my name!
Melissa says
So fun!!! You should seriously be contacted by the McKinney Chamber of Commerce to do an ad…you make me want to love there so badly! All of the pictures were darling : )
Kelcie_Hansberry says
Where is your red hat from?!
Not A Mom says
Love all of the pictures! You need to print the one of you and andrew kissing you off and frame that baby, it is so cute!!
Linds @ Not A Mom
~Kristen says
Love the Hudson Bay bag!
Dan Clifton says
When I followed on e-mail, the instagram activated too. Can't get it ti un-do, so sorry. Don't know why it happened, I wasn't trying to be dishonest. thank you. cliftonsangels@gmail.com
Denise Swain says
When you talk about McKinney and I see your pictures, it make me want to move there!❤️
J, C and B says
8!!! Id feel like Santa bring able to gift these this year!!
Alana H says
Wahh.. I'm Canadian.
Laci Murray says
I agree with the above comments. You make me want to visit McKinney, TX!! So cute. Merry Christmas!!!
Jane says
I just love all your smiley faces! my won face, and those of my closest friends, will be especially smiley if we win those gorgeous Barrington bags ?
Leigh (Balancing By Faith) says
I love that you didn't let the rain stopped you – I am sure you have times with your kids not happy, but they seem so very happy and I am sure you and your hubby have poured this into them!!
Chrisandra says
It's cold and raining here today too. It makes me wish it was snow! Such fun traditions though, even in the rain.
On a different note, I know that international giveaways are more complicated… but hoping next year us Canadians could be included? Your giveaways are so fun it's a bummer not to be able to enter.
Whitney Woolley says
What a fun Christmas tradition! Your kids are going to have wonderful childhood memories!
Laura says
Hehe 'pie girls squared' so cute!
Kjlb37 says
The move to McKinney was a great call on Andrew's part:) If we would ever move to Texas ( extremely unlikely but you never know) McKinney is where I want to be. Such a fun weekend even with the rain and cold. Love the pics of the kids, your parents home and Andrew's surprise kiss! So cute:)
Krista Wilkinson says
I love following your blog, you have the sweetest family and the best traditions! I read it every morning and it's always a great way to start the day 🙂
Mary Keith says
Love the bags! And love that pic of your and Andrew!
Angela Ensslen says
It's nice to see someone as excited about Christmas as I am 🙂
I look forward to reading your blog everyday, it's a great way to start my day!
V @ X-tremely V says
What fun you all had despite the weather! Love that the kids are being themselves and dancing and singing along to the music 🙂
KRISTIN TATE says
Your face when he gave you surprise sugar!!! So sweet!
Jenny says
That picture of you and Ashby is absolutely adorable! Love it!
Janet says
So many cute pictures! I would love McKinney.
michele says
Beautiful photos..gives me Holiday Spirit
Little Bits of Joy Blog says
McKinney looks ADORABLE!!! Seriously, like out of a storybook or something. It makes me want to visit! 🙂 I'm glad you guys had fun despite the weather… you could easily live here in Oregon then. We learn to work around the rain and have fun despite of it. 🙂
Johnsons says
Love the prize option, but love your family pics even more…so stinkin cute!!!
Sarah Yoder says
Love reading about all your Christmas traditions!! I love how you make the most out of celebrating the holidays!! Your kids will have such great memories! Also love the bags…they look so cute!
The Nelson Happenings says
I love the photo of your parents home all light up for Christmas 🙂 It's beautiful !
Angie says
So fun! We went to the McKinney square on Friday and no one was there which like you said made dining and shopping very easy?
Marianiel Yu says
Love all the giveaways! so much fun!!!
Donna Houser says
I'm absolutely in love with Barrington bags and McKinney! We ate at The Pantry a few weeks ago and it was amazing!
Kelli Coker says
Love the bags! Is this how I enter the contest??
Faith Orlando says
Love all the photos of your beautiful family!
Kristi Ballweg says
Would love one of these for my honeymoon with my new initials after next weekend!! And of course for Christmas gifts for my sister, Mama and a few girlfriends getting married soon! 🙂
Spencer Cox says
McKinney reminds me of Gilmore Girls!! 🙂 I love it! Also, I didn't want to tag the ladies I'd give those to…cause they'd make great Christmas presents! You could even fill them with all of their favorite things!
Rachel Brown says
Love your red hat, where is it from? 🙂
Tanya says
Love your Christmas traditions! Your square looks so fun!
Barrington Bags!!!!!!!!! I can only imagine!
Ralinn bsirious says
Love all of your posts. It's fun to see how much in you all have. Love this giveaway.
Nathalia Washington says
Hi Shay! I would love to know the coat and bag you have on in the picture when you went to your parents little town square please. Thank you for the awesome give aways! I hope I win at least one day ; )
Amber says
What fun traditions!! I had a question about the giveaway. I'm trying to enter by following you by email but it says to go to the right hand corner of the blog to follow but I don't see where i can follow you… Am I missing something? �� Thanks!
Megan says
Love the story about the pantry and Yall moving to McKinney!! You picked well!!!
Amber says
Never mind I found it! Just needed to be on my iPad lol
Danielle Rigg says
Can you give a tutorial on how you tie your scarves, they look so cute and perfect. Thanks. Merry Christmas!
Aubrey says
Love your Christmas traditions! The English say there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. With your wellies, hats, coats, and scarves, you guys are SET!