Years ago when my identical twins were in preschool I remember them coming home from school with a gift for me around Thanksgiving. Their teachers had helped the students turn their handprints into little turkeys, which they dried out and then framed for each of the parents. To me, it was the most thoughtful gift that I could have received (#proudparent). The art of their tiny hands immediately made me feel proud to be their mom and brought me joy, which is something that I try to keep in mind while choosing holiday gifts for everyone on my list.

During this time of year I’m always amazed at how many commitments are in the queue and how little time there is to do it all. I rely on my family’s calendar to make sure everyone (including myself) knows what to do, where to be, and what’s to come.

Have you started your holiday shopping? If you’re like me, you take advantage of some of the crazy sales that started last week with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Of course, it’s no surprise that nearly every sale has been extended (seriously, there is no reason to pay full price these days) and I have a few more things I’d like to grab for people on my list. I find gift guides to be helpful because it’s easy to fall in a rut when it comes to gift giving, especially for picky people like your kids or for specific occasions like holiday parties when you don’t want to go empty handed but want an alternative to a bottle of wine.

I hope that you all have a great Thanksgiving! I’ll be spending today eating leftovers for lunch (they are the best, right?) and am looking forward to a longer than normal weekend with family. Before I hop offline I’m going to snag a couple of items that are on serious Black Friday sale right now.

I wanted to keep it quick since I’m sure you’ve only got a handful of minutes to spare today while preparing for the day’s festivities. If I’m being honest, I struggled with what to say today because I don’t want to come off as self-centered or braggy when listing out what I’m thankful for. The thing is, I couldn’t ignore the urge to reflect on everything that has brought me gratitude this year, and what better time to share it than on Thanksgiving?

How was your weekend? We went to a family matinee and saw Wonder. As expected, I cried the entire time (I wasn’t alone!)…but I can’t recommend this movie enough. Such a great message to spread kindness! After the movie we were out running errands and popped into CB2, one my favorite stores because their storage and home decor is always on point. Of course, my pink-loving daughter beelined to this adorable flamingo and since we’ve been looking for a solution for her growing jewelry collection we gave it a go.

Paper is one of the topics that we rarely discuss on the blog, but it’s actually one of the top problem areas for families. Between the daily mail, magazine subscriptions, and the daily influx of kid’s homework + art projects, the paper pile-up can be quick to get out of control. I mean, just look around your house? I know in my kitchen, paper is the number our number culprit of clutter.

Have you heard of Hygge? The Danish word that translates to “cozy” has been popping up everywhere in design magazines and in the home decor section of nearly every store I go by. I find myself gravitating to this style more often than others as the simplicity and beauty can truly transform the feeling of a space.I love incorporating functional pieces (like furniture and bins) and home staples (like blankets and accessories) that tie into my home’s aesthetic.

How was your week? I made progress in swapping out my makeup and skincare items (though it wasn’t easy) and this weekend I’m taking time to prep for the next month ahead. I have a couple of quick day and overnight trips on my schedule, and I like to keep my packing to a minimum…both in how long I spend preparing and how many items I bring.

There are some categories that are easier to declutter than others. For some people, it’s easy to discard old bills or clothing, while for others the thought of donating stuffed animals or books seems next to impossible. We all have those categories that are difficult to tackle. For me? My skincare and makeup. I know, I know…how can something that I put on my face be so tough to declutter? The sentimental association I have with the products makes it difficult for me to let go.