#REGIFTED Party!

How many of our have been regifted to? 

Chances are, you don't really know that answer to that question unless the gifter let the secret slip! 

While this concept might seem a bit taboo, I actually think it can be a smart practice. I personally think we all have a little too much "stuff" that we don't use enough; I know I've recently received gifts that will probably collect a little dust on a shelf!

As a fun way to detox from the holidays, try hosting an easy #REGIFTED party with your friends this weekend! 

The concept is simple:

Everyone brings a holiday gift that they are not going to use! Your group can choose to either exchange just by swapping OR with a white elephant style gift exchange! 

It's also a fun chance to detox with friends. Try and make some healthier recipes and skip the alcohol to get yourselves back on track for the new year! 

The Rules:

1. Make sure your gift was not given to you by one of the party attendees...it's q quick way to ruin the fun! 

2. Make sure the gift is something someone would actually want to receive.

3. Give the gift new life by rewrapping it! 

What gift would you bring to a #regifted party? Let me know if you try this idea! 

Today's Pickins:

1. 12 Foods for a Winter Detox

2. How to Regift Like a Boss

Merry Christmas!

My BIG News!!

I've been waiting a little bit to share this news but....

I got my DREAM job!! 

I am going to be working in social media for an awesome national television network that just happens to be based out of my area! That should be a huge hint as to just who I am the newest employee of! 

With a degree in Agricultural Economics, I would've never thought I would have a chance to work in social media! I am just so humbled and blessed to have this great opportunity! Seriously, y'all. This road has been a bumpy one full of man tears and even potential plans to move to Texas. YUUP. 

Not to mention, I am off from now until my mid-January start date. A little PTO never hurt anyone...

So, I ask this of you, bloggers! I know quite a few of you work in social media/ digital marketing  and I would love any and all advice you are willing to give! Pleaseeeee!

Have a blessed Christmas Eve, everyone! 

Today's Pickins:

1.  Entry Level Resume Tips!

2.  Is your house on fire, Clark!?

3.  Check out my favorite Christmas Cocktails! 

Last Minute Shopping Guide

This weekend seems very popular for Christmas parties and with so many on our schedules, we are bound to forget a gift or two! Instead of finding yourself panicked at your local big box store or turning to another wine bottle as a gift, use this guide to make it seem like you knew what you were doing all along!

Last Minute Gifts 

I truly believe giving someone a seemingly thoughtful gift is one of the most important parts of gift giving. Hopefully this guide makes that last minute shopping a little easier for you!

Have you ever had to buy a gift at the last minute? What did you purchase? 

Today's Pickins:

1.  At least use these cute labels when giving a bottle of wine! (It's photo 5!)

2.  DIY Box Clutch

3. Guide to the amount of ribbon needed for each size bow

Christmas Table Settings

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend with their families! I know recent events made spending time with mine even more treasured.

With Christmas a week from tomorrow, we're pretty much out of the planning phase and fully in the doing phase of the season! 

One of my favorite parts of having Christmas at our home is finding a new way to dress up the dining room table with holiday cheer. In the spirit of fining out gold leafed chargers, greenery, and red and gold candlesticks, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite Christmas table settings this year!

I just love this last one! I think it would be fun in a Bachelorette pad, especially.

What piece make up your family's Christmas table setting?

Today's Pickins: 

1. Tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY! Even better, our favorite boba shop opens back up tomorrow, too! 

2.  88 snacks under 100 calories

3. Levo League: 10 interview prep tips 

Guest Blogger: Christmas and New Year's Traditions

Hey there!  I'm Ella from Champagne & Cardigans.  Cotton is not only a fabulous blogger friend of mine, she is also my sorority sister!  I have known Cotton for almost four years now and I can truly say she is just as wonderful as she seems :)

We are trading blogs for the day and I couldn't be more excited about it!  Pop on by Champagne & Cardigans to check out some of her amazing Holiday Cocktail recipes. 

Today I am going to write about some of my favorite Christmas and New Years Traditions... ya know the ones that make you feel super warm-fuzzy and cozy inside.

A Christmas Letter

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Not the kind you mail to your entire address book either...

Each year my mom writes my two brothers and I a letter.  She has one for each of our Christmas-es but hasn't let us read any of them yet.

I have a feeling she will be giving me mine next year, at my first Christmas as a married woman.

Regardless, I think this is a wonderful keepsake and way to remember each year spent with someone.  I am starting this tradition for DP this year... I may not keep them for quiet as long of a time as she has but I definitely want to wait a few years to let him read them.  What a way to remember how time goes by!

Chicken Scratch

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Chicken Scratch is a game played with dominos...  You can find directions here.  This is one of those simple, slow games you can play for hours, take a break and come back to it the next day.  My family loves to relax and play Chicken Scratch after any holiday meal.  Especially good when accompanied with a warm mug of coffee or full wine glass.

An All Girls Wine Night

I seriously doubt I need to elaborate a lot on why this is beneficial, fun, necessary etc...  The Holidays are great time for people to use some vacation days, get together and pop a few bottles.  I love the idea of a wine swap - every one brings a bottle and goes home with a different one (either in hand or consumed!).   I can't wait to catch up over some champagne with my best friend this month.

Christmas Movies, Christmas Movies, Christmas Movies

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Corny or not, a good (or not so good) Christmas movie always makes it feel like the holidays.  I love a good mix of sentimental, funny and classic movies.  Definitely filling up the DVR with some ABC Family Originals this year :) 

New Years Day Jigsaw Puzzle

Nothing makes me feel more like a kid again than doing a Jigsaw Puzzle on New Year's Day.  My family has never made big plans on New Year's Day so my brothers, cousins and I usually spent the day working on a Jigsaw Puzzle.  So relaxing and a fun way to spend time together. 

I hope y'all enjoyed some of my family holiday traditions and have a wonderfully exciting and beautiful holiday season!

Guest Blogger: Top 5 Stocking Stuffers

Hi Everyone! My name is Kelly Boudreau from Hello Boudreau and I’m so excited to guest blogging here at Cotton's Pickens about my Top 5 Stocking Stuffers today! My roommate and I are on the hunt for cute stockings to hang from our entertainment center in the living room which got me thinking about stocking stuffers.
The original Christmas stocking story was supposedly about a poor man who had three daughters who couldn't afford to give his daughters a wedding. Saint Nicholas was in their town that night and wanted to give their family a gift but knew the father wouldn't accept his charity. He came by their house in the middle of the night, went down the chimney and saw three stockings. The three daughters had hung their wet stockings over the mantelpiece for drying and went to bed. The next morning when they woke up, each daughter found a bag of gold coins in their stockings. Hence - stocking stuffers.
Here's my list of Top 5 Stocking Stuffers this year:

1. Stella & Dot Joy Candle - This soy wax candle smells of fruity notes such as fresh limes and mandarins complimented by hints of peppery basil and aromatic white thyme.
2. Leather Hunter's Flask - This hunter's flask is made of stainless-steel and textured leather with two shot cups. This stocking stuffer is for both the rugged and refined.
3. Peace-Out Cuff Links - These cuff links scream V for Victory.
4. Kate Spade Colorful Lipstick Crayons - Pucker up! These colorful lipstick crayons are perfect for any holiday party.
5. Personalized Ink Stamp - The perfect gift for newly weds who are enjoying their new home together.

I love seeing what people come up with to fit inside Christmas stockings. What was the best stocking stuffer you ever received?

Thanks Meredith for letting me stop by and share my Top 5 Stocking Stuffer list! Feel free to check out Hello Boudreau and say hi, follow on Instagram or Facebook!
Genuinely,
Kelly

Christmas Favorites Playlist

To get into the holiday spirit, I have been listing to Christmas music since Black Friday! It brings so much extra joy to my life, so, I wanted to create a playlist of some one of my favorite versions for you all! 

Here are the YouTube links to each song:

"Home for Christmas" - NSYNC

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" - MariahCarey

"Blue Christmas" - Elvis Presley

 “The FirstNoel” – Josh Groban and Faith Hill

"Christmas Song" - Dave Matthews Band

"Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – Zooey Deschanel

 "You’rea Mean One, Mr. Grinch" -  GrinchMovie Soundtrack

“O, Holy Night” - Glee Cast

"The Chanukah Song" - Adam Sandler 

Which holiday song puts you in the spirit?

Today's Pickins:

1. Santa Tulle Wreath Tutorial

2. 50+ Stocking Stuffers for Men

3. Gift Guide for the Girl the has Everything

Check Out my Guest Post at HELLO BOUDREAU!

Today I am guest posting over at Hello Boudreau!

For those of you that haven't been over to Kelly's blog, drop everything and do it now! This fellow Gator grad has amazing design taste and always post the most perfect finds on her instagram--they ALWAYS tempt me!

So, without further adieu, here is my guest post! Check it out and let me know what you think. 

Thanks for reading,

Oh, How Pinteresting!

Excited to link up again this week! I mean, really, who doesn't love Pinterest!?

Loving this Sigma Kappa print! 

This mirror idea would be fun in a bedroom, especially when you are in need of a pop of color! 

This Florida girl loves cabin homes and exposed wood beams! 

This TSwift outfit would be a presh Holiday party idea! Love the little but of bling in the top. 

I just really want this to happen one day...

That's what I'm tryin to do, Jen.

Let the herringbone obsession continue!  Now to add more to my wardrobe...

I adore the contrast of dark walls and light flooring in this room.

This is the perfect idea, along with the Kate Spade "Mrs." necklace! 

A tinsel wreath would be perfect in any bachelorette pad! 

Alright, kittens! I've linked up and you should, too! I look forward to seeing everyone's pins today!