Category: Holidays

Holiday 2019 Family Pictures

Ahhh, family pictures….Seriously, I am the first to admit they are kind of a dreaded task.  And I know Dusko hates doing them especially since my “job” is taking pictures ALL the time!!  lol.  So I tend to delay them until it’s really time because we all know we need a Christmas Card picture, ammiright?!?!?  We took a different approach this time and they were honestly really fun!  For starters, my cousin is our photographer.  So the kids love her and think she is funny.  This is super helpful to have someone that can get them to smile and giggle.  But it was legit freezing the day we took pics so we did hurry but also sang some of the kids favorite songs and truthfully just didn’t put pressure on them and I feel like they turned out great!  I mean, Emme’s expressions in a lot of these pics are simply priceless and quite honestly I would prefer that.  When we look back someday it will remind us more of our kids cute little personalities:).

Another thing I want to chat about it Family Picture Outfits.  I feel like often I hear people chatting about how hard it is.  DON’T OVERTHINK IT!  Pick one print or top and just base everything else around it.  If I’m being honest, I tend to pick my outfit first and go from there.  Just pull a color from that outfit and add to the rest of the group.  Imagine a pod of mannequins at a store.  They tend to coordinate, they are obviously going to the same party and or photoshoot!  I was happy to admit that the only outfit we bought was Emme’s Super cute jumpsuit!  Which we had bought prior to the Family Picture Outfit Selection.

 

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

XOXO,

The Tadic Family

All images are Emma Jo Vitallo Photography.

Something for EVERYONE Gift Guide

I am naming this the EVERYONE Gift Guide because these gifts seriously could be for almost everyone!  Your neighbor, boss, teacher, mailman, hairstylist, etc.  Sometimes these people really leave an imprint on us yet they seem so hard to shop for!  I mean, I would take any/all of this in a second!

Small Cheese Board

Another Awesome Cheese Board

Nice Olive Oil & Vinegar Set

Cooking Spice Gift Box

Turkish Dish Towels & a cozy coffee mug

Customizable Candle or My favorite Candle

Handlettered quote in a frame

Blanket

Wooden Spoon Set

Cookie Making Kit

Movie Night Kit

Amazon Gift Cards!

Local Themed Baskets

Hand Soap & Lotion Set

As always, HAPPY Shopping!  Don’t forget to add two to the cart.  You know you need a new wooden spoon set too:).

XOXO,

Lissa

***All links are Affiliate Links which means I may make a small percentage off the purchase of these items.***

Toddler Gift Guide

Hey guys!  These gift guides have been SO fun to put together.  It’s basically like I’m shopping!!!  I am super passionate about this toddler gift guide since I have two toddlers.  But just like the other gift guides, all of you were super helpful with your ideas so thank you so much!!!  I would say almost all of this gift guide is gender neutral. I think babies, frozen toys, etc you are likely already buying so I tried to compile a list a little outside of the box.

Experiences

Annual Family Museum or Zoo Pass

Gymboree or Little Gym Classes

Swim Lessons for the year

Highlights Magazine Subscription

Furniture

Personalized with Family name wooden growth chart

Toddler Couch, its not just a couch though, the kids can build forts, etc!!!  its so cool.  I want one:)

Personalized Comfy Chair to watch TV

Easel

Personalized wooden name puzzles

Orbeez or Generic Water Beads

Hexbug & track

Cardboard Bricks

Picasso or Magnatiles-Picasso is like 60% cheaper for the same amount of tiles

Play Kitchen

Scooters, these specifically were suggested a few times!

balance bike

Teepee or other fun tent!  We had this camper for 4 years!!!

Wagons!!!  A camoflouge one!! and a classic-ish

Market Cart

Bounce House for those LONG winter months.  Will fit in your basement

Grocery Store

Grocery Store Accessories

Farm toys/animals

Baby with Baby Carrier

Power Wheels

Amazon Dot-my kids are obsessed with Alexa!

I hope your kiddos have a FABULOUS Christmas!!!

 

XOXO,

Lissa

***All links are Affiliate Links which means I may make a small percentage off the purchase of these items.***

Men’s Gift Guide

Ahhh, I’m dying!  You guys are seriously the best!!!  After simply asking what you have bought that special man in your lives, almost half of this gift guide came with the help of all of you!!!!!  I even had someone respond, “Isn’t the birth of his children enough?!?!”  I won’t mention names here but this made me LOL!  So here we are, TONS of different gifts for you!  I linked everything I could for your shopping convenience.

All The Things

Blackstone Griddle Grill

Grill Accessories

Playstation 

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Amazon Fire Stick

Amazon Fire TV Cube(its new )

Shinola Watch-Linked my favorite

Guitar-Didnt link any because I have NO clue!!!

AirPods

Lawncare stuff-trimmer, lawnmower, etc.  Think of things he would be excited about even though its snowing!

A years worth of haircuts at his favorite place

Snow Boots

Another Snow Boot Option

Fleece-Dusko has been wearing his for 2 years.  Still in great condition!

Winter hat

Trimmer/grooming kit

Toiletrie Bag

Luxury Down Vest

Car cleaning supplies

Mens Skincare

Apple Watch

Long underwear

 

All The Sentimental Things

Keychain with wedding date or kids bdays engraved!  I linked masculine ones:)

Another Option-Leather

Make a deck of 52 reasons why you love him!

 

All The Vacations!!!

We love to do trips for gifts, making memories is always a good idea!

Baseball Game Tickets/Trip to Spring Training

All Expense Paid Trip to Disney

All inclusive to Mexico

Really the options are endless

I hope this has helped you, and at the very least gotten you to think outside the box or given you an idea or specific gift for the special man in your life!  Christmas is my favorite time of the year!!  As much as I love to receive gifts, giving them is even more fun!!!!

XOXO,
Lissa

 

***All links are affiliate links so I may earn a small percentage if you click and make a purchase***

Fall Decor with @Properletter

Fall, is it just hype?!?!  I don’t remember loving fall when I was younger. Not as much as I do now anyways. For some reason the older I get the more I appreciate it. I think there’s just something amazing about those crisp fall Midwest mornings. Especially the first few. Even after an entirely too short & super hot summer.

Fall also brings me back to when I was a kid. I LOVED going back to school!  From shopping for school supplies (at Venture: aging myself here), shopping for new school clothes, to just that exciting feeling of a new year.

I also never really cared all that much for mums. Until we moved into our new house(in October) that we built and my mother in law brought us a mum for our front porch.  Mums have since had a new meaning to me.

The reason I think #midwestisbest is that we have 4 seasons, some seem longer than others but you appreciate the good days A whole lot more.

It’s officially Fall Y’all!!!  I was gifted this adorable It’s Fall Y’all doormat and The Tadic’s pumpkin from @properletter Guess what?!?! I’ve got a 20% off code(fall items only) for you to enjoy some fall decor from Proper Letter too!!!  Aislinn hand letters everything herself!  How special is that?!?!

USE CODE:  TWEE19

Shop everything else HERE, including my leopard booties!

XOXO,

Lissa

***The doormat and personalized pumpkin were gifted from Proper Letter but all opinions are my own***

Target Memorial Day Weekend Try On Haul

Happy Tuesday!  Emme and I did an impromptu Target Try On Haul this morning.  Mainly because it’s raining and we had an hour to kill before Max finished school!  I love shopping for Red, White, & Blue outfits for Memorial Day Weekend because you can use these outfits for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day!  It makes the most sense to buy it all now and who doesn’t love being a little patriotic?!?  For reference, I’m in a Medium in everything shown except for the chambray jumpsuit.  I’m wearing a Large.

Shop all of the items HERE

Cheers to a fun, safe, and possibly no rain Weekend!

XOXO,

Lissa

You can shop this whole look HERE

***All links are Affiliate Links which means I may make a small percentage off the purchase of these items.***

Valentine’s Dinner with Fresh Thyme

Dusko and I love to go out for dinner. Although date nights are few and far between these days we enjoy trying new restaurants!  However, for Valentine’s Day even before having kids we actually preferred to stay in and cook together!    We have just always felt that restaurants get so busy and it’s nice to enjoy the evening at home.  So when I got to tour the new Fresh Thyme grocery store that opened in Geneva, I knew I was on the hunt for what we could have for Valentine’s Dinner!  Truthfully, there are SO many options. From their self serve salad bar, fresh made bread(which you can slice there on your own: so fun btw), the meat & fish selection, smoothie bar, the entire center of the store is produce(basically a produce museum 🍎), so many pasta options (even chickpea), their amazing wine and beer selection(don’t worry, they have my favorite Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc), and fresh flowers!!!

 

But, I stopped in my tracks because they have Fresh Made Sushi EVERYDAY!  We LOVE sushi and don’t have it very often. Also, guess what?!?  It’s half off on Thursday’s and Valentine’s Day happens to be on a Thursday. So I was dying to try it and how cool that I could tell all of you to go grab some!  Btw, it did not disappoint ❤️.

I grabbed some fresh tulips for my table, because they were only $3.99, eek!!!  Best deal in town gentlemen!

And of course a bottle of red sangria because, well duh!  It’s the holiday of hearts, red, and pink 💕💕💕💕.  Speaking of hearts, I snagged a heart shaped CHEESECAKE, Dusko died and went to heaven. It’s his favorite dessert, and I was happy it was heart shaped!  And in case you forgot to buy a gift?!?  Fresh Thyme also sells cards, so many fun skincare products, water bottles, and even some hats and or accessories.

It’s basically a one stop shop and I’m so excited to know I can do all of my shopping at one place. No more going to two stores to complete my list of organic vs. better deals.  Here are a few pics of our Early Valentine’s Dinner!!!!

Now stop reading this and get to Fresh Thyme!  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Happy Valentine’s Day!

XOXO,

Lissa

Btw: How cute is this reusable tote bag you can snag too?!?

***This blog post was sponsored by Fresh Thyme, all opinions are my own***

Jetsetter Gift Guide

If there is anything I love more than family and food, it’s TRAVEL!!!  And you can do that with family, and eat a lot while on vacation.  haha.  This Gift Guide is compiled of some of my very favorite travel items!!  If you haven’t bought yourself any luggage cubes, you might as well just get clicking!!  They are a travel life changer.  TRUST me.

Luggage

Universal Plug

Luggage Tag

Noise Cancelling Headphones

Travel Size Dry Shampoo

Packing Cubes

Passport Holder

Travel Set-Can be monogrammed too!

Rosewater Mist

Makeup Wipes

Safe Travels Friends!!!

XOXO,

Lissa

***All links are Affiliate Links which means I may make a small percentage off the purchase of these items.***

Toddler Gift Guide

I think we can all agree that toddlers are probably the easiest to shop for!  But, I love shopping for them so I had to do a gift guide especially for the 1-3 year olds in my life and yours!  Most of these are gender neutral, and quite a few my kids already have and are absolute favorites!!!  Especially these Cabbage Patch Animals!!!  Emme seriously walks around with these all day long.

Babies

Blocks

Coffee Pot

Tractor

Magna-Tiles

Rug

 

Princess Doll Set

Kindle Fire

Baking Set

Elf on the Shelf

Happy Weekend Friends!!!

XOXO,

Lissa

***All links are Affiliate Links which means I may make a small percentage off the purchase of these items.***

Black Friday, All the Deals!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!  I hope you are all as stuffed as me and had the best day with your families :).

So, this post is a little delayed…mostly because I actually HATE Black Friday!!!  I know, I know, it’s so weird.  I love to shop so why oh why would I hate the BIGGEST shopping day of the year?  Honestly, I had to work Black Friday for WAY to long.  It is basically horrible, people become vicious angry shoppers who just want a deal and do not want to wait in any type of line.  Do you know that I actually had to work overnight for approximately 17 hours a couple years in a row???  Remember that if you are out shopping tonight, tomorrow, this holiday season, or really any day ever.  Retail employees are likely underpaid, understaffed, missing out on time with their families, just trying to push product for you to buy!  Oh, and they probably haven’t eaten in hours, simply running on caffeine!  Ok, rant over…now to the good stuff!!!  Here are all the best deals if you ask me!!!

Amazon:  Where do I begin?!?!?

American Eagle:  40% off and free shipping

Anthropologie:  30% off everything!

Athleta: 20% off your entire purchase!!

Beautycounter:  15% off entire purchase, free ship for $50+

Dicks Sporting Goods:  25% off and doorbusters

Dyson Vacuums:  Which happens to have my FAVORITE vacuum on major sale!!!

Express:  50% off entire store and free ship

F21:  Trust me, just click here!!  They have sweaters starting at $8!!!  And hats/gloves for $3!!!

Francescas:  Buy one, get one 70% off!

Gymboree:  50-75% off!!!

H&M:  25% off the entire store and free ship

Hello Fashion:  30% off everything!!!

Jane:  If you have never seen this site, so many good deals always!!!  Especially today!

Janie & Jack:  30% off entire store!

J. Crew Factory:  Up to 80% off!!! code:  add2cart

Loft:  50% off your purchase, free ship!

Madewell:  25% off the entire site, code: dealwithit

Nordstrom:  Up to 60% off

Nordstrom Rack:  Tons of DEALS!!  and 30% off clearance

Old Navy:  50% off the entire store!!!

Rally House:  up to 80% off clearance!

Shein:  I felt like I read this wrong, lol!  but 70% off everything is happening RIGHT NOW!

Spanx:  20% off entire site!!!

Soma:  30% off entire store and free ship

TARGET!!!  I mean, doorbusters galore!!!

Troposphere:  20% off entire site!  Use code:  LOVELISSA

Ulta:  So many beauty deals, gift sets, etc!

Urban Outfitters:  Buy one, get one 50% off!  Free shipping over $50

Warby Parker:  Just a great gift!!!

Williams Sonoma:  20% off and free ship

Most of the links above are affiliate links, so If you click on them and make a purchase, I will earn a small percentage of it.  Yippee!  Thanks in advance for reading my blog, following along, and clicking these links!  I appreciate all of you!!!

As usual, Happy Shopping!!!

XOXO,

Lissa

P.S.  I obviously didn’t cover all the sales!  lol.  If there is anything that can’t be missed, drop it in the comments!  Thanks Loves!