Airbnb

Oh man, I do not know where we will be going on our next trip, but I do know that we will definitely be at an Airbnb. These places are incredible. Airbnb is like a vacation rental site where you go to rent people's homes, but waay nicer. This has super chic places that look nice instead of mildly creepy but less expensive than a hotel. One of the best things I love about this is that home owners pick who stays at their place. It's a bit like you are auditioning to be a tourist, which is super nice considering that everyone else staying there had to go through the same test.

To sign up, just go to Airbnb and start up an account. I have heard that it is best to put as much information on your profile as possible since this is what home owners look at. Yes, homeowners can turn you down. Next, shop the site. Type in where you want to go, how many people, and if you know the dates, add that in too.

Design Love Fest is currently doing a 12 Day Giveaway and one of them is for a $1000 credit at Airbnb. A winner will be chosen on Christmas Eve, so be sure to get in on this one soon! Or don't and let me win, I'm good with that too. I have already completed everything needed to win this. Here are some of the places I would love to go with that $1000!

NYC Brownstone Loft that sleeps two and is a walk away from some of my favorite places in the city!

Le Marais Romantic destination in Paris, a walk away from everything iconic and loved.

Roomy Upper East Side place in NYC. Yes, I would like to go to there, please.

Delores Park one bedroom place in one of the prettiest trendy areas of San Fransisco!

Safari Style in Yellowstone. Hands down my favorite one of any list and the place I want to go next. This is where my winnings would be in a heartbeat.

Emily Henderson recently did a massive project for Airbnb in Hollywood. Click here to see what she did!

Tom's Shoes Sale!

Be sure to get on the Tom's Shoes 20% sale the ends today! Tom's is offering 20% off every product with the promo code LOVEYOU2.  Here are a few of my current favorites. Pictures are all linked to shoes.

This Week in Pins

I have gone a bit crazy this week with Pinterest pinning and was reminded why Pinterest is so wonderful. This is the place where I catalog all recipes, workouts, DIY projects, and anything else that will be tried in the future. 

Since we are having a Christmas party next week and I am trying to find new workouts to prep for the new year, pinning has been excessive. From all of the pins of this week, here are my top five in any category of anything.

This is a great tutorial on how to get into a full Compass arm pose. I have gotten to the intermediate option so far. woot woot!

The caption for this one is, "flatten your belly, slim your thighs, and firm your butt." My response is yes, yes, and yes.

Ever though about becoming a personal trainer? Nicole from Pumps & Iron tells us all about her experience.

This was the setting of a book I recently read. It is an actual location in north England with the moors to one side and the ocean to another. One day I will stand on one of these cliffs and feel just like I am king of the world.

This will be happening to the lamps in our living room, for sure!

Still deciding if the prettiness and yummyness of this drink outweigh the risk of spills on our winter whites. Any thoughts?

Thank you, Emily Henderson for giving me most the menu for our party. Right now we are looking at having the best baked brie dish ever (to be posted later), macaroons, sandwiches in this style, spinach dip made by our good friend, cheese platter (too much cheese?), and some others that are yet to be decided... Oh, and egg nog, of course.

There we are, my favorite pins of this week. If you are not yet following me on Pinterest, do. We will be pinning buddies and go on many a pinning adventure together!

Christmas Events at Disney World

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Christmas is one of my favorite times to go to Disney World, and with so many Christmas events, I am not alone. Disney brings in Christmas with more events that most can imagine, some well known, and some pretty secretive.

It looks like the hubs and my families' will be all going to Disney World next week to check out all the holiday events. We have not been to Disney since Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and I cannot wait to go! Hopefully, we will be able to take advantage of our time there and do everything on this list. The one that I am most excited about is the Very Merry Christmas Party since I have not been there for over 5-years and the hubs has never gone.

Side note: Check out the link attached to this picture. I was ridiculously amazed by the incredible Disney pictures seen here! All but two of these were taken by him, can you guess which ones were not?

1. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

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This is one of the most well known Christmas events at Disney World and the only one on this list that costs any money other than a theme park ticket. This Christmas party takes place during certain nights in November and December at Magic Kingdom. The night includes limited crowds since it is after park hours and require special tickets. It is also has it's own holiday parade, fireworks, castle display, Christmas show, free hot chocolate and cookies, snow on Main Street, and, of course, a holiday themed dance party.

If you are wanting to go to this, I would highly recommend getting tickets in advance, they can sell out quick and prices are higher at the door. Be prepared, tickets for this start at about $60 and the only reduction in price is for those with an annual pass to Disney World. This may not be a yearly option for most families, but it sure is fun every once in a while.

2. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights 

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This Christmas event was started almost 20 years ago in 1995. The Osborne family began this Christmas spectacle at their home in Arkansas. Now, it is a yearly tradition at Disney's Hollywood Studios complete with lights coordinated to music, snow, and a ton of hidden Mickey's. A fun game to play while there is to see who can spot the most hidden Mickey's in the lights. I won last year- woop woop!

3. Jingle Cruise

During the holidays the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland and Disney World is transformed to the Jingle Cruise filled with lots of holiday puns. This special ride will be departing from now until December 31st during the usual park hours and during Mickey's Very-Merry Christmas Party.

We were able to go on the Jingle Cruise while in Disneyland a few weeks ago. It was super fun and I cannot wait to compare the Disneyland version to the Disney World one!

4. Holidays Around the World

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One of my favorite parts of EPCOT is their Holidays Around the World. Each country in the World Showcase gives you a little taste of celebrations you can traditionally find there. Last year i was able to learn where my Grandmother's yearly tradition of hiding a green pickle ornament in the Christmas tree came from. Turns out, it is a Dutch tradition common among Dutch-American immigrants.

EPCOT's Holidays Around the World also has a candlelight processional, special holiday fireworks, Santa Claus in America, and R&B Christmas music four times a day until December 29th.

If you are into baked treats, be sure to check out the gingerbread treats for sale in The Land. Mrs. Claus is also baking up some sweets at her bake shop found in America at the World's Showcase.

5. Downtown Disney

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The parks are not the only way to Celebrate the holidays at Disney World, both Downtown Disney and the Disney World Resorts do their own Christmas events. A great, and free, option while visiting the parks is to check out Downtown Disney. There are some nice options for dinner and during Christmas it will have carolers, a picture area with Santa, dance parties, and some other great holiday themed entertainment from around the world.

6. Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade

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Do not think that the only park to not get in the holiday spirit is Animal Kingdom. During the months of November and December Animal Kingdom will be running a holiday parade with there usual themes including stilted puppets, animal costumes, live music, and holiday themed safari cars.

This event takes place daily at 3:45 PM in Africa and around Discovery Island.

7. The Disney Resorts

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One of my favorite parts about visiting Disney World around the holidays is being able to check out all of the holiday decor at the Disney Resorts. Guests not staying at the resorts are allowed and even encouraged to visit the Disney Resorts that are decked for the holidays. Although every resort does something festive, there are a couple of places that stand out beyond the rest.

Some of my favorites include The Grand Floridian where you can see and go into a life sized gingerbread house. This is not to be missed, especially since it is the 15th year of the gingerbread house being in The Grand Floridian. The Boardwalk hotel has yuletide snack stand and the Yacht and Beach Club displays an edible carousel. The Contemporary Resort also gets in on the action with a huge gingerbread Christmas tree- all of which will be going on through the holiday season.