I have so many things to share with you guys, it’s almost kind of overwhelming. But I’ll do my best.

Going on any type of trip almost always warrants an extra purchase or two. And seeing family over the holidays is usually accompanied by a few gifts. Needless to say, we spent hours strategizing how to most efficiently pack our bags for the return trip home.

But guys, it’s all GOOD stuff. Well worth the extra time it took to cram socks in boots, roll leggings in the tightest balls ever, and hope to god that those suckers still weighed less than 50 pounds.

Some of the amazingly awesome things we received as gifts:

My grandma (ok, she’s not really my grandma but she’s my godmother’s mother) gave us a beautiful silver platter FROM ITALY. I immediately displayed it on our dining room table when we got home, along with all the winter napkins she sewed for our wedding gift.

She also gave us 2 candle holders that are currently accompanying the platter on the dining room table. I love them.

My parents gave me 2 scarves and leather gloves. They gave Tyler gloves and an accesorry organizer. Jointly, they gifted us a few ornaments, a cheese board, coasters and my mom made us yet another wonderful quilt.

 Onto stuff *I* bought.

See’s Candies. My favorite stuff ever that I even recently mentioned in my 2013 Christmas Wish List. I was too spoiled living near See’s locations growing up, so whenever I travel to a spot where there’s actually a See’s store, I make it a point to go and put together my own 1 lb box of favorites. This box included: Milk Bordeaux, Scotch Kiss, Scotch Mallow, Caramel, Milk Butterchew, Milk Pattie, Dark Butterchew, and Peanut Butter Pattie. Oh my yum, I can’t repeat enough how much I adore these chocolates.

Benefit‘s Advent Calendar. TALK ABOUT A WINNING PURCHASE! I mentioned in a previous post about how I stalled too long to buy this before it completely sold out, so Tyler allowed me to buy the 12 days of Essie instead. WELL. Looks like I now have the best of BOTH worlds! I stopped in an Ulta on Dec 1st and saw the advent calendar itself sitting at the end of the Benefit Display. I totally thought it was a fake display, but when I asked an associate, she said it was the last one left and they were going to send it back at the end of the day since it was Dec 1. She mentioned that because this particular box was on display, people had punched many of the days but hadn’t actually taken any of the product and she would offer me a 10% discount because of that. I looked at the price, and it was $68! (In Canada, the EXACT same thing retails for $79) Of course, I snatched it up and only paid $61.50 for it. Bah-BAM.

Essie Nail Polish. Because, ummmm, DUH

Toggle To The Top and A Crewed Interest

I stocked up on warm stuff at Ann Taylor Loft on Black Friday. (See above pic) They were having a 50% off sale, so I snagged 3 sweaters and a wool dress. Then mom bought me a hat. I love slouchy knit hats because a.) they’re cute, b.) they don’t make my head look too ridiculously big, and c.) I can pull them down over my eyes when I catch a few zzz’s on the train.

Can we all just take a second to picture that? Down parka, HUGE cable knit infinity scarf and knitted slouchy hat pulled down over my eyes. Not creepy/awkward at all.

BURGR in Planet Hollywood. After miles of walking up and down the strip- this please is a ground meat mecca. Tyler and I both ordered the Hells Kitchen burger which included a whole roasted jalepeno and it was HOTTTTTT. Like triple XXX hot. Like, my throat is on fire and I’ll murder you if it means the pain will go away type of hot. Thankfully, we both love heat. And we had some insanely good onion rings and a Sam Adams Cherry Wheat to wash it all down.

But seriously, go there if you get the chance.