I love being a Cincinnati Girl. It’s home and no matter how far I go or where I am it will always be home. One of the many traditions I really love is that downtown Cincinnati really gets into the Christmas Spirit.

The day after Thanksgiving every year the whole city floods into downtown to watch Fountain Square turn into a giant Christmas Zone. They bring in this ginormous tree and put lights up even; a star at the top of the tree. Macy’s big red star sits atop of the tree all season long.

Bridget, Grant and I have this tradition every year where we meet up downtown to watch them light up the tree. So every year Q102 has music and little shops pop up to allow you to get into the Christmas Spirit.

This year it was a little different. They shut down all the streets around fountain square, set up a stage for live music and then had pop up shops, food trucks and entertainment set up around the square to make it more of a holiday market. It was really fun to watch.

The three of us cuddled around each other and watched the festivities while joining in the count down. Then bam the tree was lit and the fireworks were booming over head. (Side note there is nothing I love more than watching fireworks go off. It makes everything that much better!)

When the fireworks were over the three of us were exhausted. We had been on the move since four in the morning and didn’t really stop. We climbed in the civic and started our journey home towards the suburbs of Cincinnati where we would all make it to my house and go in separate ways to crash in our beds the minute we got home.

The exhaustion of the day was overwhelming but we had a blast. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Okay, I wanna start this post by pointing out I go to two Thanksgiving Dinners on Thanksgiving Day. One is at my parents house; the other is at Grant’s Parents House. I am not a complete fatty despite the amount of food I ate.

Okay to start off this year mom and I picked up the bird on Wednesday afternoon and then we had to clear space in the fridge!

On Thanksgiving morning I woke up to the smell of pumpkin pie baking in the oven. I don’t know about any of you but that is one way to get my butt outta bed before I’m ready! I walked up the stairs to head towards the yummy smell and to my happiness there was a pumpkin pie sitting on a cooling rack 🥰🥰🥰.

Fast forward through the day and it’s time for Grant and I to head out to his family’s Thanksgiving. We might’ve made a pit stop along the way and got an Apple pie from Bridgets house! It’s really great to be able to spend time with your bestie on Thanksgiving.

After spending some time with Bridget’s family it was time to head over to Grants house. We walked in the front door to the smell of turkey in the oven! At his house it was his parents and the his two younger siblings. We all hung out in the dining room and kitchen while everyone was putting the finishing touches on the food.

We enjoyed stuffing, mashed potatoes, spinach casserole, cranberry jello, turkey, and rolls. The food was amazing but the company was even better!

Then after dinner we were all hanging around the table talking as it was about to leave the doorbell rang and Grandma and Grandpa Horton had arrived! They even brought cookies! We stayed a few more minutes to spend time with them and then it was time to face the chilly air and head over to my house.

When we got to my house we walked in with the pie and we’re the star of the show since we had homemade apple pie. My house smelled amazing it was literally mouth watering.

On our table there was stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn bread, mac ‘n cheese and cranberries. It was wonderful. I might’ve been so full I couldn’t even eat dessert. (Which if you smelled Bridget’s homemade apple pie you’d know how hard it was to not eat it on the spot.)

I waddled to the couch and just relaxed until I texted Bridget to go out to Bath and Body works with me! If you wanna read about that adventure it’s back a few posts!

I would like to welcome Sonny the Sonic to the Carson Car Family!! A few weeks ago Grant and I were over at Priya’s house. When it was time to go home Sarah offered to follow me home in the Liberty so Grant could ride with me. Sarah and the Liberty seemed to be fighting which, okay the car can be mean I get it but something wasn’t right…. I hopped into the drivers seat and a pit in my stomach began to form. The Liberty wasn’t okay; the transmission was slipping out on me.

I got in the car on Saturday morning and tried to drive it. I was successful but barely. I made it to the body shop to book an appointment and made it home but that was it for my good old tank. When the appointment time came the car had to be towed over to the shop. A day went by without an update I kept feeling worse and worse about the diagnosis. When I finally got a call about it they said it was the transmission. I had serious doubts about them and waited to have my AAA go through for the extended towing and have my tank sent to my mechanic.

The Liberty was with Al for a few days before he called and broke the news to me. The other shop wasn’t wrong and that this would need to be a major repair. We talked for a bit and he said if I wanted he could help me sell the car. After complete devastation I knew it was time to start shopping.

Thankfully I was able to look at cars and catch some great savings. On Wednesday after working all day mom and I went over to Joseph Chevrolet and met Jason who took us on a test drive on the blue oasis sonic. The car felt right. I really liked it plus it had an automatic start. I’m a big fan of a toasty car on a cold morning! Jason wanted me to sign the paperwork right then and there but I held firm. I wanted Grant to get a chance to see it too before it became Monica’s car.

I went home that night and Dad looked into the car and gave me the its all good on the dad front. The next step was to take Grant. On Friday afternoon as a family (Mom, Dad, Bridget, Grant and I) we headed over to look at the car. Grant looked over the car and really liked it too. After that we sat down with Andrew who was amazing. He walked me through the entire process. We did some tough negotiations and the next thing I knew I had the keys to Sonny! Bridget, Grant and I piled in and headed down the road. Mom and Dad drove home in Dad’s Mazda. Both were very proud of me for doing all of this! It’s been a few days with Sonny and I know that I am pleased to say it is a match made in heaven. If you are a local Cincinnati native looking for a car I would highly recommend Andrew. He was nice and didn’t feel like a cars salesman. He felt like he was actually advocating for me to help me get a price point that worked with my budget while still getting the perfect car.

Can we start off with how exhausted I am right now?!?! Four am didn’t use to feel so tough but maybe? All I know is the alarm went off and I went to smack it but I was up!

I got my sleepy booty out of bed to get dressed and do my hair. About 45 minutes later I was functional!

I went upstairs and met up with Mom. Grant was quickly behind and we waited for Bridget to arrive. Once we were all there it was time to hit the road jack!

We got to Kenwood a little before 6; which meant we got a great parking spot. We headed into the mall. Our first stop was Anthropology which happened to have a thirty percent off sale going on this morning; which I couldn’t pass up. Plus it also applied to their clearance so hello extra discounts!

Then we went over to Francescas which was fifty percent off everything. While I didn’t get anything there was a really cute scarf that I might run back for; still debating to be honest. From there Madewell was next with a 30% off everything. I looked at everything but I wanted soft and cozy; whereas, they were more cute instead.

Athleta was next with 20% off and omg I was in soft cozy heaven. I could’ve literally curled up in those hoodies and taken a nap! If anyone reading wants to buy me a Christmas present I want the teal green crew neck sweatshirt in an XL.

I couldn’t go to Kenwood without hitting Lilly Pulitzer and I found the best organizational journal. It has check box spaces and appointment time slots. Lol literally the works! I don’t know what it is about good organization but it makes me the happiest of small children on the planet! I highly recommend it.

Hey, after that we hit Torrid for a nice 50% off the entire store. I tried on a really cute plaid cardigan I might be sporting all season long. (Oh hell, I’ll be honest. I’m gonna be sporting plaid for a good long while!)

Although our arms were falling off and exhaustion was kicking in we couldn’t stop; we had to power through. We proceeded to Bare Minerals. I love when I have to buy make up and I get it for 25% off! Hello backups of backups! I’m officially good for foundation through the year. Thank you Bare Minerals; you made my day!

I couldn’t leave the mall without finding a cozy hoodie. Thank you American Eagle for the 40% off even on the maroon crew neck sweatshirt! I’ll lay around under my cozy blanket and be all warmy.

Okay, at this point my arms were totally getting tired and the exhaustion was slowly replacing the adrenaline. It was time to make an executive decision on how much longer our group can carry on…. Last store I tell myself then food! For my last store I hit up the FCC Cincinnati booth for a lovely 20% off all the swag besides the jerseys which I get. I checked out the hoodies and jackets. (I’m feeling all about the cozy this weekend!) Go FCC!!

Okay by now we’re on the verge of serious exhaustion so time for food then the car! We grabbed a quick lunch at the food court then loaded into the Mazda for our ride home! Nap time here we come. ❤️❤️

Okay last day of prep before getting sworn in so I have to hustle today! I booked an appointment at Spruce for a manicure a while ago in preparation for today and it was time! I got over to the shop a few minutes before my appointment and was able to quickly find a parking space on the street. (I love parking apps that let me use my debit card to park!) I paid the meter then walked up the street into the shop.

I booked the top manicure with a hot stone massage I figured I’d want a little bit of pampering. At first I got lots of lotion and an arm massage, then a hot stone massage, then a sugar scrub. My arms felt baby soft it was time to move onto painting my nails.

I choose to get a French Manicure I wanted elegance and style. (Confession. My nails are really short. I had a botched SNS nail job over the summer so my nails are still a little weak.) My manicurist was amazing and the salon is so much better and healthier on the chemical front than most. I really appreciate that they are trying to be more safe for my body/nails.

After that I walked around a little more. I went in and out of the clothing boutique Kismet where I bought the most beautiful pink suede jacket! Then wandered into 1215; a coffee and wine bar! OMG could it get any better. Who doesn’t love coffee and wine? The atmosphere is great. It’s like the most chic, fun and relaxed atmosphere you could find. I would happily go back and keep sipping coffee there all day long! (For those that might ask I got a Ginger Latte.)

After drinking my latte I headed back to my car and began the trip home.

I have been hearing how great the Holiday Market in downtown Cincinnati is and I decided to check it out.

I got ready and picked out the perfect fly girl fall outfit then rounded up a few friends and headed out. We hit up McDonald’s for some sodas and were on our way.

When we got downtown we were driving around looking for a good spot. I was being a butt and refused to pay $20 for a parking spot. We did find a garage that wasn’t too far and only paid $10 for it!

The three of us walked over to the convention center bought, our tickets and began to explore the great holiday expo! It’s a little overwhelming when you first walk in with vendors everywhere! We decided to go with the tried and true fashion of walking every isle.

They had everything from hand lotion made with real bees wax from bees they actually cared for to ornaments that you can have the names of family members written on them.

I think I loved all the clothing options the most. I liked all the cool Ohio and Cincinnati shirts I saw. I was very tempted to get this Sherpa hoodie with a Miami logo but I decided to get a hoodie from LeiMarie Limited instead. It’s a double hoodie that’s grey and white with black stripes. (I’m currently sitting here in it as I’m working on this post!)

I also got the most amazing hot chocolate and coffee mixes. The hot chocolate was even great iced! (It’s peppermint coco, salted Carmel coco and s’mores coffee.) I was fortunate enough to get to try a decent variety of their flavors; they were seriously thebomb.com.

Plus I’m a big fan of family ornaments that list everyone’s name and the year. I’ve gotten them from the mall for years. This year I was fortunate enough to find the cutest one; it literally screams Monica. It’s a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallow floating on top. One marshmallow per person. It’s absolutely adorable I love it.

The one downside was I’m absolutely exhausted. We walked every inch of the shopping. It was exhausting but exhilarating.

Once my budget was cranky and my feet aching it was time to pack up our finds and head home. I walked back to the safety of my comfy car cushions and just relaxed on my drive home.