celebrating 28 + Christmas week!

candlelight service. this year, we went to two

The flea market on Lincoln Rd is too good! We didn't take home any records this time, but planning on getting some soon!

Did someone say, Christmas breaskfast?

I'm calling this my Christmas bake! I wanted to make something special for our first Christmas morning with just us too, and I'm for sure making this every year to come. 

Birthday brunch at The Front Porch Cafe!

 My first time at Rosetta Bakery! Lovely aesthetic & delicious focaccia

from g

my happiest birthday in a long time, thanks to grace & gratitude. its gonna be a great year <3

OH WHAT FUN!

Since I definitely did not order enough Christmas cards this year, here's a virtual card from the Olives, to you!

Merry Christmas!

new saturday traditions

We've been in Miami Beach for almost two months now, crazy! I can say we have definitely settled in nicely and really love our new home. However, I cant say enough how grateful I am. One thing we've done every week if my schedule allowed it, is walk on the beach on Saturday mornings. I will never take this for granted! We are a short walk from the ocean, which is a dream we've had that I did not think would be realized for a very long time. But here we are, walking to these clear blue waters again and again. Sometimes I wonder when I'm going to wake up from this dream. 

for remembering

a merry olives christmas 2018

Its here! Our 5th annual Christmas playlist has arrived, and its a good one. I brought some friend and family recommendations into the mix this year and love how it came out. We have Jessie J for the first time which Julie loves, The Oh Hellos who Michelle recommended, with a few of my favs who came out with Christmas albums this year (YES!) like Ingrid Michaelson and John Legend. I added one song from our Anthro Christmas playlist too! And of course, we have the classics like Nat King Cole, Andy Williams and for the very first time, Lionel Richie! We cant have an olives Christmas playlist without worship and folk music too, giving it a a pretty chill and worshipful vibe overall. Its our longest one yet, full of all the good stuff, and I hope you love it as much as I do and receive the feeling of hope through these songs. 

So many classic "Christmas" tunes have nothing to do with Advent, but my goal with these playlists is always the same, remembering the true joy of the season, Jesus coming and bringing everlasting hope to us all. The first and last songs are always a big deal to me when choosing the order. The first is typically super joyous, while the last encompasses the entire playlist. Here are the lyrics to the last song from our 2018 collection called 

"Baby Son" by the amazing John Mark McMillan:

We thought You'd come with a crown of gold
A string of pearls and a cashmere robe
We thought You’d clinch an iron fist
And rain like fire on the politics

But without a sword, no armored guard
But common born in mother's arms
The government now rests upon
The shoulders of this Baby Son

Have you no room inside your heart
The inn is full, the out is dark
But upon profane shines sacred sun
Not ashamed to be one of us

But without a sword, no armored guard
But common born in mother's arms
The government now rests upon
The shoulders of this Baby Son

Gloria, Allelu
Christ the Lord
We’ve longed for You
Gloria, Allelu
Christ the Lord
We've longed for You
Gloria, Allelu
Christ the Lord
We've longed for You

Enjoy it, blast it, sing your hearts out. Christmas time is here <3

Listen to our past Christmas playlists here: 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014

how lovely are your branches

Our first tree in our new home featuring lots of blurry photos!

My first thought when we got home was,"we don't have much, but we have a tree!"

We care about the important things, obviously ;)

Everyone must've had the same idea the Sunday after Thanksgiving because this was our first time ever waiting in line to pick a tree! 

What felt like very long drive home after three failed attempts to find the right tree! The first three places we went to only had baby Christmas trees, but we may all remember what happened the last time we got one of those :))))) Needless to say, we like tall ones over here. This years requirement, full at the bottom...

^ My man ^

Perfect placement, I think we did good.

That first cup of coffee in the Christmas mug that is just CUTE!

and fun timer cam photos because they're the best!

HAPPY DECEMBER 1ST FAM! THE BEST TIME OF YEAR IS HERE!