Happy happy NOVEMBER, friends!!
I mean…
This could not be more me.
I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! I am getting my life in order now and will share pics from our festive fun next week after I can think straight. In the meantime, you better believe I’m turning on Mariah and enjoying Christmas music all day today 🙂 .
Whether you’re weird like me and are already in the holiday spirit or you’re still in pumpkin mode, I am so happy you’re here! I hope your first day of November is WONDERFUL!
A fresh new month, a weekend ahead of us and the holiday season approaching…so many things to be excited about right now.
As always, I’m linking up with my friends Andrea and Erika and sharing this week’s FAVORITE THINGS!
I don’t have a Saturday post this week, but I’ll see you here on Monday! xx
Since it’s November, I thought I’d share a big round up of Thanksgiving sweaters should you need something cute and cozy to wear on the big day.
Every sweater below comes in several different color/pattern options and are all priced really, really well.
This cute PLAID SWEATER comes in so many different color options!
FYI: I’m wearing each one of these sweaters with MY BOOTIES and FAVORITE JEANS.
I thought THIS SWEATER was extra adorable!
Hi, name is Shay, and I’m officially ready for Thanksgiving dinner. THIS SWEATER is also oh so cute!
How adorable is this OVER-SIZED PULLOVER?! So cute!
THIS SWEATER comes in so many different colors, but I thought this color in particular said “hand me some pumpkin pie!”.
And A STRIPED SWEATER for the win to wrap things up!
I *hope* I’ve made entertaining seem doable and simple enough. I really just enjoy gathering with people and enjoying lively conversation and fellowship. We invited three couples over on Wednesday night for a little Halloween Happy Hour.
Since this wasn’t a meal, I didn’t have an entrée. I just had some nibbles instead. I made my MAPLE SAUSAGE BALLS, classic pigs in a blanket and little pumpkin trifles (I just made pumpkin cake and layered them with homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce). I also had someone local to me…
…drop off the cutest charcuterie and then Andrew made cocktails. Simple as that!
My sidekick helped me make it all and get ready for our friends to stop by.
Well my OCTOBER BOOK REVIEW was certainly a Fave this week! Did you check it out?! I really, really think you might need to read all four of these books. They’re all very different and VERY good!
I’m still looking for holiday book recs, so if you have any please, please share!
Speaking of the holidays, I’m going to start sprinkling in gift guides when/where I can for those of you who enjoy such things! You know I ask so many people when I compile these guides for their opinions and then I also always look back on what I’ve loved, used and purchased over the year(s) to make sure I’m really recommending things I think you would love. These are a labor of love, so I hope you find them helpful too!
Here are my first three to share should you be ready to shop!
#1: Catan The Board Game, Multicolor
#2: TENZI Dice Party Game – A Fun, Fast Frenzy for The Whole Family – 4 Sets of 10 Colored Dice with Storage Tube – Colors May Vary
#3: Exploding Kittens Card Game – Party Pack for Up to 10 Players – Family-Friendly Party Games – Card Games for Adults, Teens & Kids
#4: Think Fun Zingo 1-2-3 Number Bingo Game for Age 4 and Up – Award winner and Toy of the Year Nominee (7703)
#5: Hasbro Gaming Guesstures Game
#6: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
#7: Don’t Break the Ice Game
#8: Ravensburger World of Disney Eye Found It Board Game for Boys and Girls Ages 4 and Up – A Fun Family Game You’ll Want to Play Again and Again
#9: Farkle
#10: Double Bananagrams Word Game – For Up To 16 Players
#11: Blokus Game [Amazon Exclusive]
#12: Throw Throw Burrito by Exploding Kittens – A Dodgeball Card Game – Family-Friendly Party Games – Card Games for Adults, Teens & Kids
#13: SEQUENCE- Original SEQUENCE Game with Folding Board, Cards and Chips by Jax
#14: Ticket To Ride – Play With Alexa
#15: Qwirkle Board Game
#1: Discovery Collection / $150 Value
#2: Quench & Shine Travel Essentials Set
#3: Universal Travel Adapter, Worldwide Travel Power Adapter, International Travel Plug All in One Power Plug Adapter with USB C Port Fast Wall Charging for European, Italy, US, AU & More 170 Countries
#4: travel inspira Luggage Scale, Portable Digital Hanging Baggage Scale for Travel, Suitcase Weight Scale with Rubber Paint, 110 Pounds, Battery Included – Red
#5: BELLSPIN Toiletry Bag Womens Clear Travel Makeup Bags with Hanging Hook, Travel Makeup Organizer Cosmetic Bag for Travel Toiletries and Shower Accessories(Shell Pink)
#6: Lay-n-Go Cosmo Drawstring Makeup Organizer Cosmetic & Toiletry Bag for Travel, Gifts, and Daily Use with a Durable Patented Design, 20 inch, Black
#7: Belt Bag Fanny Pack Crossbody Bags for Women Fashion Waist Packs with Adjustable Strap Gifts for Women Men Teen Girls (Icing Blue)
#8: Nidra Deep Rest Luxury Sleep Mask, Contoured Sleep Mask for Women and Men, Black
#9: MiiR, Flip Traveler, Double-Wall Vacuum Insulated with Leakproof Lid, BPA-Free Stainless Steel Construction, Black, 12 Fluid Ounces
#10: Portable Charger Power Bank 25800mAh, Ultra-High Capacity Fast Phone Charging with Newest Intelligent Controlling IC, 2 USB Ports External Cell Phone Battery Pack for iPhone,Samsung Android,Table etc
#11: ZOPPEN Mulit-purpose Rfid Blocking Passport Holder Travel Wallet (Ver.4) Passport and Vaccine Card Holder ComboTri-fold Document Organizer Travel Essentials
#12: TravelWise Luggage Packing Organization Cubes 5 Pack, Lime, 2 Small, 2 Medium, 1 Large
#13: AMITER Water Bottle with Wide Mouth Straw Lid & Handle Lid (22oz, 32oz, 40oz, 64oz, 128oz), Vacuum 18/8 Insulated Stainless Steel Sport Water Jug Flask Thermos Leakproof BPA Free Travel Mug Jug
#14: Conair Handheld Travel Garment Steamer for Clothes with Dual Voltage for Worldwide Use, ExtremeSteam 1200W, For Home, Office and Travel
#15: Travel Makeup Mirror with 10X Magnifying Mirror, Vanity Mirror with 80LEDs, 3 Color Lighting, Rechargeable 2000mAh Batteries, Portable Ultra Slim Lighted Makeup Mirror, Travel Essential for Women
#16: Bear Butt Hammocks – Camping Hammock for Outdoors, Backpacking & Camping Gear – Double hammock, Portable hammock, 2 Person Hammock for Travel, outdoors – Tree & Hiking Gear – Hammock that Holds 500lbs
#17: Coleman Brazos Cold Weather Sleeping Bag
#18: POPCHOSE Sandfree Beach Blanket, Large Sandproof Beach Mat for 4-7 Adults, Waterproof Pocket Picnic Blanket with 6 Stakes, Outdoor Blanket for Travel, Camping, Hiking
#19: Paravel Foldable Travel Duffle Bag | Lightweight Carry On Bag
#1: TOSY 36 & 360 LED Flying Disc – Extremely Bright, Auto Light Up, 175g Frisbee, for Men/Boys/Teens/Kids Birthday, Camping & Graduation, Father’s Day for Dad/Him/Husband from Daughter/Son/Wife
#2: Durecopow Solar Charger, 20000mAh Portable Outdoor Waterproof Solar Power Bank, Camping External Backup Battery Pack Dual 5V USB Ports Output, 2 Led Light Flashlight with Compass (Orange)
#3: Nostalgia Indoor Electric Stainless Steel S’mores Maker with 4 Compartment Trays for Graham Crackers, Chocolate, Marshmallows and 2 Roasting Forks, Brown
#4: Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa Hammock-Portable,Water Proof& Anti-Air Leaking Design-Ideal Couch for Backyard Lakeside Beach Traveling Camping Picnics & Music Festivals Camping Compression Sacks
#5: Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars Climbing Tower – Active Outdoor Fun for Kids Ages 3 to 8 Years Old, Green/Blue
#6: Rechargeable Laser Tag Set + Innovative LCDs and Sync – Pack of 4 Infrared Guns & Vests – Gifts for Teens and Adults Boys & Girls – Cool Outdoor Group Family Fun Laser Tag Gift for Kids Ages 8+
#7: Little Tikes Jump ‘n Slide Bouncer – Inflatable Jumper Bounce House Plus Heavy Duty Blower With GFCI, Stakes, Repair Patches, And Storage Bag 106.2 Inch x 137.7 Inch x 65.7 Inch Ages 3-8 Years
#8: WoneNice Camping Hammock – Portable Lightweight Double Nylon Hammock, Best Parachute Hammock with 2 x Hanging Straps for Backpacking, Camping, Travel, Beach, Yard and Garden
#9: Coleman RoadTrip 225 Portable Tabletop Propane Grill, Gas Grill with 2 Adjustable Burners, Instastart Ignition, & 11,000 BTUs of Power for Camping, Tailgating, Grilling & More
#10: Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump
#11: Amazon Basics Dome Camping Tent With Rainfly and Carry Bag, 4/8 Person
#12: Lifetime Portable Basketball System
#13: GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker
#14: Sport Squad Endzone Challenge – 2-in-1 Football Toss and Flying Disc Toss – Backyard and Lawn Game for Indoor and Outdoor Use – Practice your Throwing Skills with this Football Target Carnival Game
#15: TRX ALL-IN-ONE Suspension Training: Bodyweight Resistance System | Full Body Workouts for Home, Travel, and Outdoors | Build Muscle, Burn Fat, Improve Cardio | Free Workouts Included
I have had so many of you reach out to me and let me know that you’re loving the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast and guess what? So am I!!
You know I LOVE listening to podcasts on health and wellness and as much as I adore technical and meaty ones like The Drive with Dr. Peter Attia, I think these shorter, more bite-sized episodes are really good too.
The Zoe episodes are really straight-forward, easy to comprehend, big picture topics broken down into layman’s terms so that you really understand the content. If you’re also on your own health and wellness journey this year and trying to learn more, I highly recommend this podcast. They cover a multitude of topics, so it’s easy to scroll through and find episodes that are right for you.
And finally…
We had a really BIG giveaway in October and today, I’m announcing the winner…
Congratulations NATASHA KRAHN!
I emailed you this morning! Please email me back ASAP to claim your prize!
Friends, I am off to enjoy my November weekend. I will see you back here on Monday! Have the best, best weekend! xx
Bev says
Thank you for your labor of love with those gift guides. That’s a lot of work but very helpful!!! Happy November, Shay! 💞
Elspeth says
Have the best weekend!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Polly Pover says
You have said before that you are good at not letting world affairs or politics get in the way of your happy. Any advice or strategies?
Mix and Match Mama says
Maybe I’m sticking my head in the sand, but I’m happy, so it must be working out okay. I am very, very selective on what I listen to/read. I get 99% of my news from DFW sports radio. They hit highlights in a very light/”dude” kind of way that keeps me in the know without weighing me down.
Polly Pover says
Being able to be aware, and not “weighted down” is such a gift! Thanks!!
Sheaffer says
That charcuterie board is GORGEOUS!
Erika Slaughter says
My only regret on Friday morning was not sticking a couple sausage balls in my pocket for breakfast! 😂😂😂
Faith says
Sounds like a fun week! Since we are semi empty nesters and our usual Thursday night dinner crew couldn’t do dinner, my husband and I went to a new to us pizza place and THEN WE BOUGHT OUR CHRISTMAS TREE!!! 🎄🎄 We needed a new one and I wanted to get it before they sell out. Due to a busy November and Thanksgiving being late, I think I am going to go ahead and put it up. It’s going to be almost 80 degrees today but so what, right??
Ashley D says
Happy Christmas decorating!! My husband and I are putting away the Fall, and starting our Christmas decorating this weekend. He is such a great sport (even went shopping for holiday stuff with me at Hobby Lobby last weekend). 🙂
I am also excited to start reading some holiday books! I picked up these two books at the library this last week that look good!
-The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
-The Holiday Mix-Up by Ginny Baird
I’ll be looking forward to seeing what others are reading too! Have a great weekend!
Laci says
Happy November 1st!!
Dana P says
Every single one of those sweaters is adorable!! And another great family game is Skyjo in case you’re not familiar with it. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Sandra Roberts says
While I am not ready for Christmas just yet, I did order the packing cubes from your list for my daughter and son in law. They travel to Europe often and I know they will use them. Thanks!!
MelanieL says
Yay for the traveler gift guide, it’s so good, I already own several things from it!!! Cutest sweaters too! Happy Christmas weekend to you!!
Kerry says
Can you share who you got the charcuterie board from near you? Wondering if they do other holidays. Very cute
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m sure she does! You can contact her on IG at @amazinggrazetexas 🙂
Kim Carberry says
I am going to start on the Christmas movies today. hehehe
Those sweaters are fab, perfect for this time of year and well done with the nibbles, the board looks amazing!
Kierstyn Hellinger says
Do you have a no shoes in the house policy? I really want to, but hosting makes it hard to stick to and then I just feel worried about all the shoes in my house. Just me? Hahah! Could you also consider a post on past Christmas studies/devotions? I am newer to doing a Christmas specific study and there are so many out there!
Mix and Match Mama says
Not when I’m entertaining. I always just let it go and enjoy the night without worrying about the shoes. And yes! Let me jot that idea down as well 🙂 .
Clarie says
I have to say… I thought you were gorgeous with super blonde hair, but something about your darker, more natural hair is making you glow even MORE! Absolutely radiant!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwww! Well goodness, THANK YOU!
Heather Green says
I always reference back on your gift guides throughout the year so thank you for the labor of love! Cheers to a fun holiday season for your beautiful family.
Alyssa Norman says
Oh my gosh as much as I love fall and every fun activity in October I’m always a “little” relieved when Halloween ( the actual day itself)is over and done. Plus there’s So much to still look forward to! I LOVE the idea of a holiday happy hour instead of a full blown dinner party. It feels a lot more manageable ( and also just plain fun)! I’m definitely going to steal the idea and coordinate one this holiday season. Happy Holiday Season! ❤️
Jill says
It will be fun to see all the Shull holiday decor, inside and out!
Melissa says
Thank you for sharing the gift guides already! I would love to get ahead on my Christmas shopping. The weather where I live is still 80 degrees but hoping I can wear some of those sweaters soon!
Holly C. says
Thank you for sharing the gift ideas…. happy decorating!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I’m looking up the Zoe podcast!! Sometimes it takes me a really long time to listen to a longer episode, so I definitely need shorter ones to sprinkle in! And love the idea of your Halloween cocktail party–so, so fun!! I’m putting my Christmas tree up tonight ahh!!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Mix and Match Mama says
I think you’ll really, really like it!
Marianne says
I’m reading Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah. After reading The Women, I was thrilled to find a Christmas book by the same author!
Heather says
Happy November 1! Can’t see where you guys are jetting off to now. Writing this as Hallmark movies are on and my tree is going up. Just couldn’t be happier🎄🎄
Cris says
Your gift guides gave me an idea: Sometime soon when you’re putting up a gift guide or two, it would be fun for you to ask each reader to comment with one really great gift suggestion. Or maybe you could host a virtual “favorite things party” with a relatively small budget, and we could all comment with what we’re “bringing” to the party! I’ll bet there’d be loads of great ideas!
Mix and Match Mama says
I ALWAYS love it when you guys contribute!!!
Lisa D says
I forgot about Halloween this year because I am currently in a topical place wearing my vacation clothing! But it will be winter when I get back home ❄
Mix and Match Mama says
Awww! I hope you are having the best time!
Jess says
Do you have the Zoe app? Curious about it! I’ve recently started listening to the podcast so informative! I too like Peter but feel like is almost too much info I get lost. Zoe definitely is easier for me to grasp. Thank you for sprinkling health and wellness into your blog..so important!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t have the app, I have just been listening to the podcasts. Zoe is great because it’s bite-sized and so much more palatable to me (the untrained ear).
Haley Carter says
I don’t know if you are going more brunette than blonde on purpose, but it looks SO good on you and makes your eyes pop!! Just had to let you know!
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s very sweet. Thank you!