Weekend Recap

Good morning! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend! Here’s a bit of what we’ve been up to over the past week or so.

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Home Projects & Updates

The progress at our new build has felt rather dramatic over the last week or two! On the exterior, they wrapped up the bulk of the porch install, including the front door. With that, they finished the siding, trim, and wood ceiling in that area, as well. Now it all just needs to be painted!

Moving inside, they wrapped up all the drywall and already have the first coat of mud and tape on everything! The ceiling will have beams running from the kitchen, through the dining room, and into the living room. When it spans such a large area, the placement seems odd in a few areas, but unfortunately it was impossible to center it on every little thing in the room. But I think the way we ended up will be good. The wood paneling between the beams, along with the beams, will all be painted white (color to be determined). We love this view when you walk in from the entryway so much!

My office feels so bright now that the drywall is up! And this was on a very gloomy evening!

Another bit of progress – they’ve prepped all the shower areas for tile! We’ll be meeting with the tile team tomorrow to go through niche placements.

Over the weekend while Kurtis was doing a little backyard cleanup, I taped out a section of cabinets where we’re still trying to get the dimensions correct. This is a little nook in our kitchen across from the island. I’m envisioning a full base of cabinets on the bottom with towers on either side that sit directly on the countertop (they’ll go up much higher, I just couldn’t reach without a ladder). We’d then have a library sconce and maybe some art or something like that in the middle. We’re meeting with the cabinet makers on site later this afternoon to walk through a few areas and overall design aesthetic. Our initial bid is over our allowance, so we’re also hoping to get creative to shave a little more off the cost.

Out back, the screened-in porch has progressed, as well. The fireplace will continue up to the ceiling (from the metal bump-out you can see below) and will then have a reclaimed mantel and a TV above that.

I’ve been thrilled to see how the seasons change in our new backyard since there is so much natural vegetation out there. There are so many winter berries that have popped out, and they’re absolutely beautiful!

Back at our house, I swapped out the bedding in our guest bedroom for more Quince finds, as I shared in my 2025 Christmas Design Plans. The space isn’t fully decorated yet, but here’s a quick iPhone snap of how it’s looking so far! I haven’t used navy blue for awhile, and I’m loving how it looks in this space so much!

SOURCES: Bed | Wicker Chandelier | Gingham European Linen Duvet Set | Bamboo Sheets | Gauze Blanket | Velvet Pillow Covers | Linen Lumbar Pillow | Lamp | Similar Nightstand | Wreath | Velvet Ribbon | Palm Wallpaper

Around Town & For Fun

It was such a busy yet fun and festive week last week!

Kurtis and I had a golf cart date night one evening and popped into Ambrosia for dinner. Their bar area is giving all the Ralph Lauren Christmas vibes this year!

Despite this being our fourth Thanksgiving living on 30A, it was our first that we were actually in town to celebrate, as we’ve always traveled to visit family in the past.

Our friends Rachel and Chris hosted a very large group for Thanksgiving this year! They always do such a wonderful job coordinating food and having fun activities for everyone of all ages. I made my mashed potato recipe (20 pounds for this crowd of 27) as well as green bean casserole (Kurtis’ favorite Thanksgiving dish). I wore this Amazon top, jeans and earrings. The temps had dropped so it actually felt like a Thanksgiving day outside! It was such a wonderful afternoon and evening!

Friday night we had our usual friends dinner at Amigos. The sky was absolutely breathtaking when we arrived! After dinner, rather than heading to the green space, we all headed to Alys Beach for their Christmas tree lighting ceremony – something we’ve always missed in the past because we’ve been out of town!

The evening got rather cold (by Florida standards) so I wore this bow sweater, wide-leg jeans and flats to dinner. I then had to add this scarf coat and swapped my shoes out for this cozy pair while en route to Alys. The sweater is so cute but runs rather large. I’m in a large and probably could have sized down to a medium for a less oversized fit.

Our whole community is just so cute for the holidays. Each little town feels like its own little Hallmark set. Alys was absolutely beautiful, despite the cold temps.

The countdown to the tree was fun, but once it was over, we all left because we weren’t used to the cold and wind! Keep in mind it was probably in the mid to high 50’s but it was freezing for all the locals 😉

I worked on Christmas decor a bit more over the weekend and we had our annual The Holiday viewing! I made this Christmas fettuccine recipe, and I liked it so much more than one I had used in the past. The picture isn’t the most appetizing since I didn’t take it until after I’d stirred up the basil and tomatoes and the cheese was starting to cool. But it was so delicious, and the movie is every bit as wonderful each year we watch it. If you look closely in the second photo below, you can see Hawkeye curled up next to my legs and Henley enjoying her fire time.

We also watched Champagne Problems on Netflix after receiving several recommendations and we both really liked it! It’s a good one if you’re looking for a new Christmas movie! These two couldn’t be happier that it’s cozy season.

We also made our first roast of the season. We throw in a 3-5 pound roast, carrots, onion, and potatoes, and then add a dry mix pack of ranch dressing, Italian dressing, and gravy and then about 1/2 cup water. It’s wild how much gravy it produces once all the veggies start steaming. It’s so delicious and a great comfort food for cold days!

Kurtis and I showed up for bocce league on Sunday, but it was raining, and we were the only regulars that chose to attend. So we had a fun Farkle night with Chris, Rachel, the boys, and Rachel’s brother.

We have trips to both Omaha and Salt Lake lined up before Christmas, so it’s going to be a busy end of year!

Recent Buys & Sales

Following are some sales from the weekend that have carried over and are still going strong! Several Cyber Monday deals have been extended as outlined below. You can see my original picks here.

• ABERCROMBIE is offering 25% off select styles. You can shop their sale here.
• AFLORAL is offering 25% off garlands with code GARLAND25. You can shop their site here.
• AMAZON has a bunch of items still on sale in their Today’s Deals section. You can shop their site here.
• AMERICAN EAGLE is offering 40-50% off everything. You can shop their site here.
• ANN TAYLOR has extended their 50% off your purchase and free shipping! You can shop their site here.
• ANNIE SELKE is offering 30% off sitewide (including clearance) with code CYBERSALE. You can shop their site here.
• ANTHROPOLOGIE has a number of new items in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• ARHAUS is offering 20% orders of $5,000+. You can shop their site here.
• BALLARD DESIGNS is offering 30-75% off and free shipping with code BD8N9C7B. You can shop their site here.
• BALLERINA FARM is offering 15% off sitewide and free shipping on most items – which is their only sale of the year. This is where we order our protein powder and flour for my sourdough bread from. You can shop their site here.
• BODEN is offering 10% off new women’s arrivals with code RHDT. You can shop their site here.
• CAMP SNAP CAMERAS is offering 7% off their viral camera with code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET. You can shop their site here.
• CAITLIN WILSON is offering 25% off sitewide with code THANKFUL. You can shop their site here.
• CHICO’S is offering 50% off your highest priced item and 40% off everything else. You can shop their site here.
• COCO & EVE is offering 25% off any purchase, 30% off $60+ and 40% off $100+. You can shop their site here.
• COCOLAB is offering 25% offside wide. We love their dental floss! You can shop their site here.
• COLLEEN ROTHSCHILD is offering 50% off gift sets and 30% off sitewide on everything else. You can shop her sale here.
• CRATE & BARREL is offering up to 50% off and free shipping on orders $55+. And today only they’re offering 40% off top gifts You can shop their site here.
• DEAR KEATON is offering 20% off sitewide, and free shipping on $2500+ orders. I’m thinking of grabbing a few bathroom vanities from there (like this one) because they have such a beautifully curated collection and with the discount they’re more cost-effective than using our builder’s cabinet maker (since countertops are also included)! You can shop their site here.
• DUDLEY STEPHENS is offering 30% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY30. You can shop their site here.
• ETU HOME is offering 25% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY25! You can shop their site here.
• FRANK & EILEEN has a number of new items in their sale section up to 70% off. I also received a mailer with code JINGLE for 15% off your order that any of you are welcome to try! You can shop their site here.
• GAP is offering 50% off everything for Cyber Monday and 60% off really big deals. You can shop their sale here.
• GROVE COLLABORATIVE is offering 25% off a $75+ order with my code SARAHSTEWART (which is better than their Black Friday sale!). You can shop their site here.
• HOTEL LOBBY CANDLE is offering 15% off $100+, 20% off $150+ and 25% off $200+ with code STAYCOZY! You can shop their site here.
• J CREW is offering 50% off your purchase (with limited exclusions) and 30% off cashmere, chinos & suiting, and an extra 60% off sale styles with code CYBER. My favorite oversized cashmere wrap (I won’t travel without it!) makes such a great gift and comes in so many beautiful colors. You can shop their site here.
• J CREW FACTORY is offering 60% off sitewide with no exclusions! Plus get an extra 70% off clearance items with code UNBOX70. PLUS I have an unpublished code, MERRY20, that will give you an extra 20% off your purchase of $100+! You can shop their sale here.
• JULIA AMORY is offering 30% off most items sitewide. You can shop her site here.
• LANDS’ END is offering up to 55% off sitewide plus an extra 80% off clearance with code FROZEN. You can shop their site here.
• LINDSAY LETTERS is offering 30% off all art! You can shop her site here.
• LOFT is offering 50% off your entire purchase and an extra 20% off at checkout plus free shipping (no minimum). You can shop their sale here.
• LULULEMON has a bunch of sale finds. You can shop their site here.
• MADEWELL is hosting their Cyber Monday Event with 40% off your purchase with code LETSGO. You can shop their site here.
• MARK & GRAHAM is offering up to 70% off select styles, an extra 30% off select sale, and free shipping on your order with code MERRY. You can shop their site here.
• MARSHALLS is offering free shipping on orders of $89+ with code SHIP89. You can shop their site here.
• MCGEE & CO. is offering up to 50% off sitewide, 50% off holiday items, and an extra 30% off clearance styles. You can shop their site here.
• MERIT is offering 20-44% off select items plus a free full-size blush balm with every order. You can shop their site here.
• NORDSTROM is offering up to 60% off Cyber Monday markdowns as well as up to 40% off during their Designer Clearance Sale. They have the viral sweatpant jeans on markdown (I believe one of the first times ever). My sister-in-law had them and I was blown away by how much they really look like jeans! They have other sale styles available here too. You can shop their site here.
• OLAPLEX is offering 30% off sitewide, plus get a free No. 3 Hair Perfector with an $85+ purchase with code CYBER! You can shop their site here.
• OLD NAVY is offering 50-60% off everything, including new arrivals! You can shop their sale here.
• PHILOSOPHY is offering up to 50% off sitewide. You can shop their site here.
• POTTERY BARN is offering up to 70% off furniture, outdoor, bedding, plus Cyber Monday deals and free shipping on 1000s of items. You can shop their sale here.
• REJUVENATION is offering up to 60% off and free shipping sitewide with code FREESHIP. You can shop their site here.
• RHONE has 50% off Cyber Monday exclusives, as well as 25% off every or 30% off $300+. You can shop their site here.
• RUGGABLE is offering up to 40% off during their Cyber Monday sale. You can shop their site here.
• SALT & STONE is offering 20% off everything during their only sale of the year! I have really been loving their clean deodorant! You can shop their site here.
• SAMPLIZE is offering 20% off their peel-and-stick paint samples with code PEELTHEDAY. You can shop their site here.
• SERENA & LILY is hosting their Sale of the Year with best pricing and free shipping. You can shop their sale here.
• SPANX is offering an extra 40% off select sale styles. You can shop their site here.
• SPARTINA 449 is offering 30% off sitewide or 40% off $250+, and some Cyber Monday deals marked 50% off. You can shop their site here.
• TARGET has a number of home deals like up to 70% off area rugs, up to 50% off lighting and wall decor, up to 40% off indoor furniture, and more. You can shop their site here.
• TARTE COSMETICS is offering up to 80% off and free shipping with code CYBER. So many great items that would make excellent stocking stuffers! You can shop their site here.
• TJ MAXX is offering free shipping on orders $89+ with code SHIP89! You can shop their site here.
• TORY BURCH is offering up to 60% off for their Cyber Monday sale. You can shop their site here.
• TUCKERNUCK is offering 25% off nearly everything sitewide and 30% off $1,000+ with code SHOWTIME! You can shop their site here.
• U BEAUTY is offering 20% off sitewide with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET20. You can shop their site here.
• VINEYARD VINES is offering up to 50% off everything and free shipping. You can shop their site here.
• VISUAL COMFORT is offering 20% off sitewide and free shipping in one of their few sales each year! You can shop their site here.
• WALMART has tons of Cyber Monday deals sitewide. You can shop their site here.
• WAYFAIR is offering up to 80% off during their Cyber Monday Sale. You can shop their sale here.
• WEEZIE is offering 15% off your purchase with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET15. You can shop their site here.
• WEST ELM is offering up to 70% off during their Cyber Monday sale, plus an extra 20% off select clearance for a limited time. You can shop their site here.
• WILLIAMS SONOMA is offering up to 55% off Black Friday deals and an extra 20% off clearance. You can shop their site here.

I hope you all have a great week!

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