Christmas Checklist… First task: Pictures with Santa at the Summit!

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Photo by Amanda Moses

Did everyone get enough Turkey and trimmings to get them through the next month??  I hope so!!  I know I did and I’m officially in Christmas mode.  After dinner, I ended up doing a little Black Friday shopping at The Summit.  I posted all the deals on Instagram Stories. Hours and store deals are found in the last two blog posts (here and here) in case you are interested in reading them.  Briefly, Gap has a monster sale and so did Belk.  I scored bigtime!

Anywho, as of today, I am prepping for Christmas.  We will be undergoing a kitchen remodel in the coming weeks (more to come on that), but should be ready for Christmas and I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!  So excited.  First item on my to-do list:  Christmas cards. Plan is to get photos taken, printed and mailed by next week.

This year, I plan to use pics from our visit to the North Pole at The Summit.  If you haven’t been there before, it is this SUPER cute space in Saks Plaza (the area by Saks Fifth Avenue, Loft, JCrew, etc).  Beginning today, Friday, November 25 through December 24, you (and/or your kids) can have your picture taken with Santa!! He’s going to be hanging out at the North Pole for the next month.  Don’t worry, the elves are taking care of toy orders. 😉

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The North Pole at the Summit is this amazing place with things to do and eat for the kids and also for you!  When you walk in, displays from Sugar Boo, Leaf and Petal (including a Christmas Tree Farm), Birmingham Candy and others line the sides of the space.

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Photos by Jennifer Hagler

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The North Pole experience and visiting with Santa are free of charge, while professional photos by are available for purchase Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check out this adorable photo by Amanda Moses of my boys with Santa at the North Pole!

Appointments to have pictures taken with Santa are available by clicking HERE.

*Walk-ins are welcome as well. 

When you click on the link, you will be taken to this page:

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Click on the “BOOK AN APPOINTMENT” button, and that will lead you here:

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There, you have the option to book an appointment to take a photo with Santa or with Ruffy Claus!  Fill in all the necessary info and voila!  You’re all set!

The Santa Photo with Amanda Moses Photography Fee includes: sitting fee, 1-4×6 print, and 1- digital file (with rights to print). Additional digital files can be purchased on-site. Professional Photography only available Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12-6 PM.
10 minutes $15.

If you are interested in booking, Santa Hours are:
Monday: 12-6 PM
Tuesday: 12-4 PM
Wednesday: 12-6 PM
Thursday: 12-6 PM
Friday: 12-6 PM { Professional photography available + appointments }*
Saturday: 12-6 PM { Professional photography available + appointments }*
Sunday: 12-6 PM { Professional photography available + appointments }*

My friend Heather of My Life Well Loved also had photos taken of her adorable son with Santa, so be sure to check out her post as well for additional Christmas Card inspiration!

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Photos by Amanda Moses

Let me know if you make it to the North Pole in the coming weeks!  I plan to go again and this time, plan to do some shopping.  I did walk away with some Birmingham candy before leaving because well, it was simply irresistible.  After all, I must add some fat to my body so I don’t freeze this winter.  Bears, squirrels, and other animals do it…so…I should too, right?!  LOL.  Sigh, I know, the answer is no.  But, life is short, so eat the candy, take your picture with Santa, and simply…be merry!!

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PS – If you’re a bit nutzo like me and need ANOTHER checklist in your life, check out this one I made for Christmas.  You’re welcome. 😉

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PDF version to print here: christmas-checklist

 

Until next time!  Stay ‘Chic’!

 

Black Friday Online Deals – 2016

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get-discountsYesterday, I told you about the deals you’ll find where I’ll be shopping:  The Summit in Birmingham, AL!  Today, I’m sharing with you all the online deals should you decide to not leave your casita. 🙂

Before you shop, make sure to sign up for eBates and get some money back on your purchases!  I’ve made $350 back in rebates this year alone!  Here is my referral link if you decide to sign up: EBATES.

Happy Shopping and Happy Thanksgiving!!

AMAZON:  Take 30% off on nearly all clothing, shoes, handbags, and jewelry that ships directly from Amazon! Ends 11/25. 

ANN TAYLOR: Take 50% off on your entire purchase! Code: CELEBRATE. Ends 11/27.

BAUBLEBAR: 30% off  Code: HOLIDAY30

BANANA REPUBLIC: 50% off one item, 40% off the rest of your purchase.
Codes: BFFIFTY and BRFORTY

BARNEYS: 40% off

BCBG:  50% off sitewide, no code required! 20% off on all purchases of $150+, in addition to the 50% off savings! Code RMN20150. Ends 11/27.

BODEN: 30% off on all purchases! Spend $49+ to get free shipping, too. Code 3Y8N. Ends 11/28.

COACH: 30% off    Code: THANKS2016

EXPRESS: 50%  No code needed.

JCREW: 40% off      Code: HOLIDAY

JCREW FACTORY: Extra 50% off sitewide (no code required) plus take an extra 20% off on all purchases of $100+ with code WHOAGIFTS. Ends 11/27.

KATE SPADE: Up to 75% off! No code required–but you must click here to access the secret sale. Ends 11/26.

LOFT: 40% off    Code: THANKS.  Also, 50% off on entire purchase with code BERRYGOOD. 50% offer limited time only.

MADEWELL: 25% off on their entire purchase. All orders also ship completely free, no minimum purchase required.  Code THATSALE. Ends 11/27.

OLD NAVY: Up to 50% off

TARGET: Click here for Black Friday deals.

URBAN OUTFITTERS: Buy one, get one 50% off on all apparel. No code required. Ends 11/25.

Until next time!  Stay ‘Chic’!

Printable Black Friday Shopping List and Insider Deals at The Summit

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All photos in this post by the amazingly talented Jennifer Hagler

Everyone who knows me, knows that I love to shop.  Once upon a time, before I had kids, shopping was my favorite past time.  I would shop ALL the time.  In store shopping.  Not online shopping.  All kinds of stores too!!  I’m a firm equal-opportunity shopper, after all. 😉 I have always been a savvy shopper, though, and always got a thrill out of finding amazing deals.  So, I never actually spent a TON of money.  Is TON relatively?? Probably.  LOL.  BUT, it really was never a lot.  After all, I was a poor college/graduate student/postdoc for nearly 3/4 of my life.  Sigh.

Anyway!  It should therefore come as no surprise that Black Friday is one of my favorite days to shop.  This year, I plan to hit up the stores at The Summit.  It so happens that we will be in the area on Thursday and Friday, so The Summit is going to be my target location to shop.  If you are in the area or had planned to shop there anyway, make sure to use the list below to strategize your shopping schedule.

Thanksgiving Day
Bath & Body Works        6pm – 12am
Belk                                    Open at 4pm
Carmike Cinemas          Opens at 11am
Flemings                           11am – 8pm
Gap                                     Open at 6pm
Macaroni Grill                 12pm – 8pm
New York & Co.              6pm – 12am
Season’s 52                     11am – 9pm
Toys R Us                          Open at 5pm

Black Friday*
Anthropologie                8am
Belk                                    6am
Bed, Bath, & Beyond     6am – 11pm
Charming Charlie          6am
Guy Mayer                        8am – 8pm
Pier 1                                  8am – 10pm
Talbots                              7am
Urban Outfitters            7am
Victoria’s Secret            6am
Williams-Sonoma        8am
Lizard Thicket                6am

*Stores not on this list will follow regular center hours, 9am-9pm.

Remember, Belk opens at 4pm on Thanksgiving day.  If you know you definitely can’t make it on Friday, perhaps you’ll stop on Thursday and walk off some of those calories from your Thanksgiving meal while shopping!  Belk is debuting their Free People November Collection and other holiday collections for those upcoming holiday parties.  On Black Friday Belk Summit Free People will have a Gift with Purchase when you spend $250 or more. While supplies last, so don’t miss out!

If you shop on Thursday, mention this post/email to receive your Gift with Purchase when spending $250 or more!

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I was at The Summit last week and found these adorable shoes at Gus Mayer.  They are perfect for holiday parties where you know you will be standing around for long periods of time, OR where you know you will be getting your dance on!

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They were super reasonably priced too, so make sure to look for them on Friday when you stop by the store (note that Gus Mayer will not be open on Thursday).

If you are shopping on Friday only, make sure to also check out the $3000 gift card giveaway details on The Summit’s Gift Card giveaway info page, linked here.  You will have an opportunity to win some moola for that much needed shopping! YAAAAS!

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One of the things I love to do when Black Friday shopping is to have a checklist of items I want to make sure to buy.  Holiday presents, clothes/shoes/makeup for holiday parties, end-of-the-year gifts for teachers and colleagues, etc.  You can find some amazing deals and so if you go with a list, shopping will be easy and hopefully help you save some time in the weeks leading up to December holidays!  Here’s one I created for you to print and take with you:

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PDF version here: black-friday

I will be sharing my finds on Instagram, Instagram Stories, and Facebook so make sure to follow along there!  Also, make sure to comment below if you find any amazing deals.  I’m certain other readers would love to hear about what goodies they too can find while shopping.

Finally, I hope that everyone has an amazing and food/fun filled Thanksgiving!  Be safe, be healthy, and above all, be loving!

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Until next time!  Stay ‘Chic’!