Stitch Fix #3 Review - December 2014 (Christmas Edition!)

It's the most wonderful time of the ...month! My next Stitch Fix has arrived and it's like Christmas has come a few weeks early. If you have not heard of Stitch Fix yet, follow this link for more information: Stitch Fix

I always enjoy the moment when I first open the box and read the letter from my stylist. I've had the same stylist each time now and I'm always very pleased with what she has chosen for me.

I asked for some outerwear this time since it is approaching winter. This navy pea coat was nice, but more like a blazer. I need something that I can use in the freezing temperatures. 

The verdict: Ho Ho No :(

I was a bit underwhelmed when I took this out of the box. The pattern is pretty, but I wasn't sure about the (lack of) color on this sleeveless blouse. When I tried it on, I discovered that it is actually quite flattering and covers those problem areas caused by too many Christmas cookies.

The verdict: Joy to the world, this shirt is great!

I wasn't sure how to hang up these black knit pants so that you can see what they look like. They are a cross between skinny jeans and leggings and heaven. I wasn't sure about them when I read that I would be receiving them, but I'm so glad that my stylist put them in this month's Fix. They are so comfortable and look really good :)

The verdict: Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle these pants rock!

I love the design and fabric of this shirt. It looks boxy, but hangs well when worn. Since I was not going to keep all five items (for that 25% off discount), I could not justify paying for this shirt.

The verdict: I'll have a blue Christmas without you...(not really though)

This button-up blouse has a great design and is very light, but it was just a smidge too small and I wasn't going to get all five items so...

The verdict: I won't be rockin' around the Christmas tree in this one.

Merry Christmas and a Stylish New Year!

Use my referral link to get your own Stitch Fix box of joy: My Stitch Fix Referral Link

(I do not get paid for these posts)

Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending - An Advent Devotion

"Lo! He comes with clouds descending, once for ev'ry sinner slain; Thousand thousand saints attending swell the triumph of His train: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Christ the Lord returns to reign." (verse 1)

Advent is a time, not only to celebrate the coming of Christ as a baby in a manger, but to glory in His coming as our triumphant Savior. At this time in history, the people of God had been waiting for generations and generations for the Savior that God had promised. We read the countless promises in these verses:

Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 'The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior."

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Those early believers thought that this Savior would be someone to lead them in a kind of holy war against those who oppressed them. Though they did not receive an earthly king that would raise up an army to defeat the godless leaders, what they got was so much more powerful and lasting. Christ has claimed the victory and no one has dominion over Him and His people.

This hymn is not a gentle lullaby of a loving mother to her dear child. This is the heavenly host proclaiming the victorious gift of an everlasting Father. This is the battle cry sung by every sinful man to the defeated foe.

"Yea, amen, let all adore Thee, high on Thine eternal throne; Savior, take the pow'r and glory, claim the kingdom as Thine own. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and Thou alone!" (verse 4)

"Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending" 

Text by Charles Wesley

Listen to this hymn

(I don't own this video)

Christmas Cookies - Peanut Butter Blossoms with Hershey's Kisses

Every year growing up, we would make these cookies for Christmas. There is nothing particularly Christmasy about them except for the tradition tied to them by my family. Now that I am living states away from my family, I carry on the tradition at my own house but it's different. The recipe is the same and the process of putting the ingredients together, rolling the dough in sugar, and pressing the chocolate kisses into them are all the same. What's different is not having my mom there leading my brother and I through the recipe, or using those bright plastic bowls for rolling the cookie balls in sugar, or popping chocolate kisses in our mouths.

I've also noticed that ever since I started to make these on my own, they don't taste the same as I remember. Perhaps my ingredients are slightly different, but perhaps it is simply my missing those precious family times. 

Please enjoy this recipe with your family, but more importantly, enjoy your family this Christmas season.

Ingredients:

1 3\4 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1\2 tsp salt

1\2 cup white sugar

1\2 cup brown sugar

1\2 cup shortening

1\2 cup peanut butter

1 egg

2 tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla

48 Kisses

Cream the sugars, shortening, and peanut butter in your mixer. Add the rest of the ingredients (except the kisses) to the mixer and mix until dough forms.

Shape dough into small balls and roll in sugar.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Remove from oven and immediately top with a kiss.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!