The Queen’s Chronicles

·
Less than three weeks left before Christmas friends and only two weekends remaining to tie everything neatly together and top it with a bow.  So far we have decorated the house (mostly!), marked off quite a few gifts on the list and attended two Christmas parties!  Finding time to program in my baking is going to be a little tougher this year but it definitely is one of my favorite parts about the season so it will be completed!  This week I was totally slacking with pictures but here are the few I snapped!  

If you haven’t been participating in Stephanie’s Instagram challenge it isn’t too late to join the fun!

We finally had a week full of cool weather and I loved pulling lots of layers together.  This look popped up from last year on my Timehop so I modified slightly and added some stripes under my plaid.  Love the way it turned out!  This may actually be a contender for a Christmas day outfit depending on the weather.  
On Tuesday Katy and I hosted Spiel the Beans and shared our favorite holiday movies!  Thanks to everyone who linked up…definitely found some new suggestions I had not heard of before and remembered some old favorites.  
I shared a look at this green dress on Wednesday but on Thursday I snapped this picture for Instagram for a slightly different look.  It was perfect for our work holiday party.  

Friday was a mad rush after work for a much needed pedicure.  This OPI polish is my very favorite red this time of year and I am pretty sure it’s going on about 10 years as tops.

For the most part our house is ready for Christmas.  The lights are on the exterior and all the trees are up and there are actually wrapped presents! Since we don’t have a big family gathering at our house I did try to keep it somewhat simple this year.  Hopefully I’ll be back here sharing some pictures on Tuesday!  
Our cards are pretty much all mailed and received so I shared our family pictures and card design. I’m super happy with how these turned out and cannot wait to have all the pictures back from our session. I also shared my tips for a successful photo session.  My goal is to choose my favorites from our shoots in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 and have canvases printed for our entryway over the holidays.  I don’t know why I have such a hard time deciding!  
Saturday afternoon Keith & I headed to Fort Worth where we were attending his company Christmas party.  It was really nice to have a free night away and I settled on this dress.  I loved the black velvet and the cutouts have a bit of a lace accent.  I already had these shoes from several years back which are also velvet so it worked out nicely.  
Elevator selfie with my guy!  Since Keith works 90 miles away it is not often I am able to see him with his coworkers.  It was a fun little party complete with dinner, dancing and casino night.  We really partied it up this weekend with a local party Friday and the company party Saturday. We were so proud of ourselves for being responsible drinkers and not being hungover!  Does this mean we are officially adults now?

Oh, and the desserts received an A+.  Keith could not believe I came back with a plateful but, hey, when it’s free you have to try them all right?

The first breakfast place I chose had a line around the corner so when all else fails you head to a dive Mexican restaurant.  Esparanza’s was actually in strip center but it has been around for a long while and evidently the owners are related to the owner’s of Joe T Garcias.  I was not sad with my bacon and egg scramble and I will never pass on chips and hot sauce no matter the time of day.  
We also splurged both on our way to Fort Worth and back home by stopping in West, Texas for kolaches.  I mean when there is a location with amazing kolaches on both sides of the highway it just seems like a no brainer.  On the way up we stoped at Czech Stop and on the way home we stopped at Slovaceks.  Both times I made the same choice….I’m a sucker for a cream cheese kolache!   
I was happy to pick up this girl from my in-laws after her weekend away. She proudly announced she is finished with her Christmas shopping for her friends and family!  I just love her sweet hear and how intentional she is with choosing gifts for everyone.  
The links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on the link(s) and purchase an item (at no additional cost to you), I may earn a small commission.  Thank you for helping to support me and The Queen in Between blog
Click the image for all my faves!  
Let’s Get Social