If you love winter and skiing, this may be a long one without at least one trip to the slopes. I missed my trip to Lake Louise last winter with a shoulder injury and now wish I had gone just to hang out. It will be at least 2022 before we make it back to my beloved Canadian Rockies.
But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy skier chic this holiday season.
Beaufort, NC (pronounced Bo Fort) and please don't confuse it with Beaufort, SC (Bu Furt) is heaven on earth and we've been going there my entire life. A lot has changed there over the years, but the quaint historical area of the town is hard to duplicate. Whenever we go there I always stop in at Beaufort Linen Company to pick up a few gifts. The small business has great service, gift wrapping and quick mail delivery. We should all strive to support these small businesses and this is a good one. The website changes often and it duplicates most of what is in the store (unlike a lot of websites). Here are some of my favorites and stock up on stocking stuffers and gifts for just about anyone on your list.
You can shop the site here.
These napkins, well, they speak for themselves.....
Cutest ornament ever!
Love these cute stud earrings that come in several colors:
Love these seersucker tartan napkins, placemats and cocktail napkins. Or you can order all three.
Love these cocktail napkins:
Love this cute rag rug to use just about anywhere.
Love this throw and it also comes in blue:
If you're like me, online is the only way to go this season. While I'll miss finding that really unique gift that I had never thought to give in the store, it's the only safe way to go right now.
So what's a girl to do but shop online.......
The Farm House Tack is offering 20 percent off site wide, use code Holiday20 at checkout. Love this Ogilvy Memory Foam Pad which you can customize in the colors of your choice.
The Tack Room in Camden, SC is offering 20 percent off store wide (with some exceptions - Ariat, Tailored Sportsman, etc). Use Tack20 at checkout.
Farmvet is offering 15 percent off most orders. Use code BlackFriday15.
Try these Back on Track wraps. This is Alfie's favorite. I use them at horse shows and when he's had a hard workout. Nothing beats them.
If you don't have one of these Tiger's Tongue Grooming Brush buy one for yourself and to give. This is the BEST grooming tool ever.
Chagrin Saddlery is also offering up to 20 percent off on many items with specific brand exclusions. Love this Equifit Half Pad. They are also including a really cool special gift with some orders.
Dover Saddlery is offering 20 percent off many items. Your horse will love this Rambo Deluxe Fleece this winter. This is great for shipping to shows or use it for layering under a blanket for a very cold day.
Mary's Tack and Feed is offering special deals on certain items like 50 percent off my favorite Ariat Sunshirts.
And Jodsonline is offering 20 percent off site wide, with some exclusions. They offer a great selection of higher end riding clothes for the hunter jumper set. Use Save20 at checkout.
Love this sweater!
We won't be putting on the cocktail clothes this holiday season but that doesn't mean you can't look festive. I still plan to "dress" for the holidays.......
Here are a few holiday outfit ideas:
I plan to wear this silk J Crew animal blouse with black velvet pants and a Tory Burch cardigan:
Add a pair of black velvet or even black wool pants:
Or add this buffalo checked top instead, also from J Crew:
Who doesn't love tartan at Christmas? An easy way to dress festive is to add a pair of tartan trousers, all from J Crew:
Or if you prefer straight and not cropped try these, also from J Crew:
If you prefer a dress, then this one might do nicely, if you don't need something really warm. You can pre order here.
If you want to go even a bit more casual, just add a festive sweater like this one from Vineyard Vines:
Or this fair isle from Sundance which comes in three colors:
Or this cardigan zip up sweater, also from Sundance:
A family tradition starting after Thanksgiving is to watch a slew of Christmas movies, ending with my favorite White Christmas. We do this every year. It's a great way to celebrate the holiday and good movies never get old no matter how many times you've seen them.
We usually start with Miracle on 34th Street (1947) because the center of the story is Macy's Department Store, since the Macy's Parade is a Thanksgiving "must." A young Natalie Wood leads the cast.
Holiday Inn (1942) is probably my second favorite holiday movie and it features the same set that you'll see in White Christmas 12 years later. It features Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby and the dancing is about as good as it gets. Here's a bit of movie trivia for you:
The firecracker dance sequence was added to the movie as a patriotic number, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, which took place during filming. The dance number required three days of rehearsal and took two days to film. Fred Astaire did 38 takes of the number before he was satisfied with it. The crew members had to wear goggles during filming, because the sand from the firecrackers flew into their faces. Also, animation was added to make the firecracker "blasts" more dramatic. Later, Astaire's shoes for the dance were auctioned off for $116,000 worth of war bonds.
Christmas Vacation (1989) is one of the newest movies on our list. This one never gets old. Uncle Eddie, Clark Griswold, and the yuppies next door (a young Julia Dreyfus long before Seinfeld made her famous) make a great cast.
The only new film on the list is The Family Stone (2005). Sarah Jessica Parker leads an all-star cast. I'm not sure why this one is on the list, but I just like this movie.
I am adding two new movies to our list for 2020, two films that I have never seen before:
Holiday Affair (1949)
Just before Christmas, department store clerk Steve Mason meets big spending customer Connie Ennis, really a commercial spy. He unmasks her but lets her go, which gets him fired. They end up on a date, which doesn't sit well with Connie's steady suitor, Carl, but delights her son Timmy, who doesn't want Carl for a step-dad. Standard (if sweet) romantic complications follow.
The Bishop's Wife (1947)
Here are some gift ideas for your horsey friends. I use this term loosely as these are gifts for the riders and non-riders alike.
I cannot say enough great things about these Essex shirts. These are divine. The cotton feels like silk, the contrast is silk and these are tailored like no other shirt I have seen in a long time. I have three of these and wear them with jeans, and they'll look great with a Boy o Boy Bridleworks belt.
Just about anyone who likes horses or Hermes will love this shawl. It is great quality and priced well and it will look great just about anywhere.
Love these pillows for the house.
Isn't this the cutest casserole dish ever?
Love this vintage Halcyon Days box.
Anyone who loves horses will love this decadent leather horse footstool. Santa? See it here.
Love this tapestry wastebasket. They make an umbrella holder too. See it here.
Love this letter holder. It's perfect for your desk or for a small console in back hall where the mail arrives. See it here.
Love this Gucciesque throw. See it here.
