TBB Asks: Holiday Edition + A Giveaway

Hello December!

It's time for one of my favorite posts of the month!

TBB Asks: Holiday Edition 🎄🎅🤶

And make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom of this post for a fun giveaway I'm doing 😉

1. Candy Canes? Yes or No?

I don't mind the original ones from time to time, but all those flavored ones and crazy colors aren't for me.

2. Christmas morning early riser or sleep in?

I have never really been an early riser, but I typically wake up a little earlier on Christmas morning.

3. Did you shop on Black Friday? Yes or No?

Yes and no.

I actually went out Thursday evening for a bit for some Pre Black Friday shopping.

Honestly, I don't do much actual shopping on Black Friday.

I just love being out in all the chaos every year.

4. Christmas Tree up in November? Yes or No?

Absolutely!

Ever since I was pregnant with X we starting putting up our tree early because we weren't sure when he would make his debut.

We loved it so much that we have continued to do it each year since then :)

5. Do you get Holiday ideas from Pinterest? Yes or No?

I get new holiday drink or dessert recipes, but I don't look for decorating ideas when it comes to Christmas.

6. Christmas Glam or Ugly Sweater?

Neither.

I stick with graphic tees or a simple sweater.

7. Stocking Stuffers: Wrapped or Unwrapped?

I prefer them unwrapped, but Mic likes them wrapped.

So it just depends on who is putting items in the stocking if they are wrapped or not :/

8. Traditional or Modern Christmas Songs?

Both!

I love all the Christmas music!!

9. Fruitcake? Yes or No?

I'll pass.

10. Is your Christmas Shopping Finished? Yes or No?

No.

But to be honest, I really only have gift cards left to pick up.

11. Is there Snow in December where you live?

Typically we have snow ❄

12. Classic Show: A Charlie Brown Christmas or Rudolph?

Can I say The Grinch?

Charlie Brown and Rudolph are fine, but I don't feel that either one are must see shows.

Link up your answers at The Blended Blog or share on Instagram or Facebook and use #tbbasks

And don't forget to check out what is to come on Mondays for the month of December on The Blended Blog...

Before you leave, make sure you enter my Favorite Things Giveaway!
I am giving away 5 bags filled with some of my Favorite Things!
From beauty products to Starbucks gift cards and more!
Make sure you enter below :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good Luck Friends!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Giving Thanks | TBB Asks November

1. Have you ever kept a gratitude journal?

No, but I write notes every now and then.

I have started completing my 52 Lists for Happiness...does that count?!?

2. Hosting Thanksgiving at your house?

Nope!

We tried it once right after we got married, but it was a little rough mixing our families together.

Plus, we are still living in the townhouse while we remodel this year.

Maybe next year I will be brave enough to try mixing everyone again ;)

3. Favorite food from the Thanksgiving meal?

You will think I'm crazy, but the crispy skin on the turkey is SOOOOO Good!

Plus the dark meat is good too!

We don't eat turkey throughout the year like the rest of the items, so it is definitely my favorite.

4. What one thing in Nature are you most grateful for?

That I live in a place that I get to see the leaves change colors on the trees.

5. Pumpkin Pie: Yes or No?

Yep, but no whipped cream for me.

6. Traditional Cookbook: Yes or No?

Absolutely!

Please don't serve me some strange or new thing you found.
Keep things simple....and plain ;)

7. Oven Baked or Deep Fried Turkey?

Oven

Actually I don't think that I have ever had a deep fried turkey but I am sure I would like it!

8. Thanksgiving Leftovers: Yes or No?

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are about the only times I will eat leftovers!

9. What is one household product you are most grateful for?

Maybe a vacuum?

Any household item?

100% a flat screen TV!

10. Are you most grateful for home cooked meals or restaurant meals?

Restaurant meals all the way!

No mess, no clean up.

But on holidays I will take a home cooked meal :)

How about you?

Let me know in the comments below what you are grateful for.

And don't forget to head over to The Blended Blog and link up with us today!

Or share your answers on Instagram or Facebook and use #tbbasks

XOXO ~ Vanessa

TBB Asks | October Fall 2.0

October is here!!!!

October is one of my favorite months of the year!

(December is still #1 for obvious reasons)

Today we are asking you about your Fall Favorites!

So grab the image below and post your answers on your blog (don't forget to link up with us!).

No blog? No problem!

Share this image on Instagram or Facebook with your answers and use #tbbasks

1. Favorite Fall Color?

This is tough!

Probably a mixture of red and orange.

Mic and I got married in the Fall (October 7th to be exact) and I had those colors in my wedding :)

2. Apple Cider: Hot or Cold?

Strange, but I am not a big fan of apple cider.

But I am a big fan of apple cider beers ;)

Actually I think I like every thing apple except cider - apples, apple donuts, pies, etc.

3. Caramel Apple: Yes or No?

I would take a bite of one, but that is a bit too much sweetness for me.

I do like the caramel apple pops!

I mentioned my wedding being in the Fall above...well the favor at each place setting was a caramel or candied apple :)

(You can see them in the bridal table picture in #1)

4. Pumpkin Doughnut or Apple Cider Doughnut?

Apple all the way!

There is an apple orchard right up the road from our house and they make the absolute best apple donuts!

5. Long or Short Cardigan?

Long because I can easily wear them with skinny jeans.

I grabbed this one during the NSale and I can't wait to wear it soon!

6. Favorite Football or Fall Party Food?

Living in Ohio you tend to tailgate in the cold,

so I would have to say a good bowl of chili with a mound of cheese on top!

Bonus points if it is Skyline Chili (Cincinnati Style) :)

7. Orange or White Pumpkins?

Orange all the way!

And super smooth, pretty much perfect pumpkins.

None of the bumps and such or odd colors.

They gross me out!

8. Hayride or Bonfire?

100% Bonfire!!!

I love the smell!

For years I have looked for perfume/body spray that smells like burnt firewood, but I can't find anything.

There was one back when I was in high school, but I can't remember the name or find anything like it :(

The best part of a bonfire is going to bed afterwards with your clothes and hair smelling like all of that goodness!

It's the only time I can stomach the smell of outside.

9. Favorite Fall Baked Good?

Apple Hill Donuts!

Close second....Mix and Match Mama's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins!

10. Most Anticipated Fall Activity?

Oktoberfest followed closely by Trick-or-Treat!

We have a blast with our friends every year in Minster, Ohio!

And who couldn't like Trick-or-Treat/Halloween?

It's the one time of year you get to dress up as something your not!

Now I want to hear your answers!

Comment below or link up your post at TBB!

And don't forget to join us at The Blended Blog every Monday!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

TBB Asks | Cozy

It's the beginning of the month and that means it is time for TBB Asks!

Today is all about being cozy :)

1. Slippers: Yes or No?

Yep!

I actually asked for these for Christmas and I absolutely love them!

2. What is your favorite blanket?

Not sure I have one.

3. Thin or Thick Pillow?

Thick while I am watching TV in bed, and then I switch to a thin one.

But most the time I sleep right on the bed, no pillow because I am a stomach sleeper.

4. Favorite warm beverage?

Hot chocolate made with water, not milk.

And I am a brand snob too...I only like Swiss Miss :/

5. Robe: Yes or No?

Yes & No.

 I do have a Barefoot dreams cardigan style robe (no longer available) I throw on every now and then.

This one is super similar.

6. Favorite Comfort Snack Foods?

Honestly I have no idea.

Maybe some plain chips and french onion dip?

And keepin' things real here...no need to put the chips or dip in a bowl for me.

The bag and dip container are just fine.

And there is no clean up!

While looking for a picture of chips and dip I came across this and had to share the cheesiness!

7. Movies or TV Series Binge?

I guess I would say TV.

Honestly, I don't like sitting for that long watching the same thing.

Binge watching in general is not my thing.

8. Actual PJ's or Leggings?

Neither.

I like sweat pants or yoga pants on colder nights.

These are currently my favorites (and actually PJ pants, but I wear them more as joggers).

9. Do you cozy up on the couch or a chair?

Couch...we don't have any chairs in our living/family room currently.

10. Hoodie, T-Shirt or Sweater?

All of the above!

It just depends on the moment of the day or where I am at :)

I did just pick up this one for $10 this weekend!

Now I need the temps to drop so I can wear it!

Mondays can be hard to blog or share on social media in general.

So, TBB is here to help you out!

Check out the prompts below for each of the Mondays in September below.

And make sure you head to The Blended Blog to link up your Cozy post today!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Let's Party! + A Giveaway

Hey, Hey Guys!

Linking up with The Blended Blog today for their monthly Ask Series.
Make sure you head to TBB for a super special announcement today!!!! ;)
And then come back here and let me know what you think!

1. Favorite birthday party as a child?

Hands down that has to be the surprise party my parents threw for me when I was in 4th grade!

We went out to dinner and then returned home and they walked me into our back room to open my present.

I opened the door and there was about 15-20 of my girl friends in there yelling surprise!
Even my "boyfriend" was there! lol!

It was the best!

And then they all spent the night!

We did "makeovers", danced, watched movies, and just had a great time.

2. Do you like to entertain? Yes or No?

Absolutely!
I can't wait for our home remodel to be finished so I can start hosting parties again!

3. What kind of parties are your favorite?

I love a good theme!

So whatever the theme is, I like to dress the part, make all the corresponding food and drink, and decorate accordingly :)
Mic and I have even made specialty cocktails that go along with the event we are hosting.

4. Big or small parties?

I think I would have to say BIG!
We have friends in many different circles, so I love bringing all of them together in one place.

5. Favorite thing to do at parties?

If it were completely up to me I would dance the entire time! lol!
But that isn't really the type of parties people have anymore, I would say...Laugh!

And make sure everyone else is having a good time!

6. Party food favorites?

This probably sounds silly, but I love veggie pizza!

For some reason I only seem to get it or make it for parties, so that has to be my favorite.

7. Favorite flavor of birthday cake?

I am a simpleton....Plain chocolate with white butter cream frosting.
I shy away from all the fancy flavors, fillings, etc.

8. Balloons? Yes or No?

I can take em' or leave em'.

9. Best party song?

There are so many!

But the first that comes to mind is...

10. Do you like to dance? Yes or No?

Look at #5 ;)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to dance!!!!

That is one of my requirements for my birthday celebration this year!

Do you like to dance?
Host parties?
What is your favorite party food?
I would love to hear from you!!

Oh, before you go I have a giveaway for you!

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Can she do it?! 
Find out in Elena’s latest adventure – ELENA OF AVALOR: REALM OF THE JAQUINS! 
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TBB Asks | July

1. Will you go on a summer vacation this year?

Unfortunately, no.

But I did just go to the beach for a long weekend with friends :)

2. Do nothing but relax or a pack it all in vacation?

I am a little bit of both.

I like to chill all day at the beach or pool, and then head out to dinner and fun in the evening :)

3. What month do you like to vacation?

We have always gone late September/early October because kids are back in school by then, so things aren't as crowded.

Plus they are cheaper.

Now that X is in "real" school I am not sure what we are going to do :/

4. Cruise YES or NO?

I have never been on a cruise other than a dinner cruise.

They seem interesting, but I like to be more stationary so I am not sure I will ever go on one.

5. Favorite vacation tradition?

Beeping the car horn through the tunnels in West Virginia,

and stopping at Hamburger Joe's as soon as we arrive in Myrtle Beach.

6. Most memorable vacation?

I don't know if I can say one vacation is more memorable than another.

There are moments from all of them over the years that stand out.

From trips to Myrtle Beach as a kid, 

to my first vacation with Mic,

our honeymoon,

to X's first time at the beach,

our first family trip with friends,

to our vacation to Disney World :)

7. Pack light or Pack it all?

Definitely pack it all!

I always over pack!

8. Hotel, Condo or House?

Any of the above as long as I have a good view!

9. Favorite thing(s) to eat on vacation?

Food isn't my big concern....but I must have Sweet Tea when I am in the south!

10. Warm or cold destinations?

Hands down warm weather destinations!

Linking up with The Blended Blog :)