Good morning, everyone! Happy Monday 😊 I hope the first week of December has been cozy and full of holiday spirit. I’ve survived the first week of Vlogmas! Editing videos each day is as tiring as I remembered, 😂But it’s still been so much fun! I hope you all check out the seven videos I posted last week! After this recap post, I will hurry up and get today’s vlog edited and uploaded. I had such a fun week, and it’s officially Christmas mode at my house! 
As soon as December hit, winter hit. Each morning, it’s been in the high 20’s and the fog from the river makes the backyard so magical! I’ve been obsessed with the morning views. 💜 
I know many of my days have already been documented on Vlogmas, but sometimes it’s nice to have a place to look back on for meal ideas, links, and more details without having to watch all the videos again.
If you’re wondering what is in my hand, Kyle’s sister sent us Chicago deep dish pizzas! 😯
For lunches lately, I’ve been on a tuna salad kick with romaine and garlic dressing. I always end my lunch with an apple and peanut butter. 😋
I’m officially on day eight of my one cup of coffee a day. It’s been a big transition for me, but yesterday was the best day so far regarding how tired I feel. I used to always have coffee around 2 pm when I hit a wall. Now, I’ve had a chai tea bag with the Califa almond milk holiday egg nog. It’s so warm and cozy, and it makes for a perfect coffee substitute! I did order some new decaf coffee k-cup pods that should be here any day now! I will write up a blog post in January on how I feel after the cutback. Right now, I’m feeling less anxious but a bit foggier in the brain. 
We did a delicious stir-fry night to go with our t.v. shows! We have been watching A Teacher, The Undoing, and Flight Attendant! 
On Wednesday night, I made the yummiest tostadas! I was so hungry after my four-mile walk! 😊 I’m trying to stay active as I can during December instead of being a hermit.
I need to dedicate a blog post to this one! I cooked up ground chicken, chopped cabbage with Siete taco seasoning, and added it to a corn tortilla with refried beans and Tessemae’s habanero ranch. WOW, was it good and I’ll be making it again!
I dedicated Thursday to repotting some of my plants! It was pretty crazy how some of them survived so long in the pots they were in. You’ll have to check out my vlogmas video to see my plant that is 4 1/2 years old (we call him BIG GREEN) who lived in his OG pot for his entire life. I honestly bought him thinking he would die on my porch during the winter, but he just kept coming back each year. I finally repotted him, and I was so shocked by what his roots did!
For dinner, I tried Whole Food’s cauliflower gnocchi and OH EM GEE! I think they’re better than Trader Joe’s! You can find them in the pasta section. 
I also made some banana oat muffins with the extra ripened bananas I had.
Here’s what’s in them:
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl:
-3 large ripe bananas
-liquid stevia (about 3 drops or more)
-honey (1/4 cup)
-2 eggs
-2 1/2 cups of oats
-1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/2 tablespoon baking powder
You can watch me make these in the vlogmas video as well!
Bake at 375 in a nonstick pan for 20 minutes!
These muffins are perfect for in the mornings, on the go, or after a workout! 😋 
I did a 5-mile walk on Friday morning with my neighbor! It was so chilly out, but we walked fast enough to keep warm. 
I headed to my mom and dad’s later that day because my mom and I wanted to explore the York Christmas market. While I was editing vlogmas, my mom made me a chair tea with cloves, nutmeg, chai tea packet, and almond milk! So delicious!
Downtown York, SC reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie! We got tea at The Pour Farmer’s coffee cart, and it was delicious! I can’t wait to go back and try actual coffee. But how cute is this cart?
For dinner, I made my favorite zucchini pizzas! 😋 
We ended up watching a movie on Friday night, and I headed upstairs to go to bed before nine! The thing about not having coffee in the afternoon is that I’m ready to get some sleep early! 
Cozy Christmas decor ♥️ 
I was up bright and early on Saturday morning! I made sure my vlogmas was edited and posted before heading to do a workout with Emily and Caitlin! You’ll have to watch the vlogmas video of our workout! It was so fun, but I definitely struggled. 😆That’s what you get when you take a month off. 
We headed to downtown Belmont for coffee and brunch after the workout. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to visit! This was my wake-up call that I need to make a list of surrounding towns in Charlotte and go visit + blog about them! How fun would that series be?
For the first time in my life, I ordered a DECAF almond milk cappuccino! It was surprisingly delicious and did the trick! Sometimes I get coffee because I like the taste, not really for the caffeine. The Mugshot coffee shop was so stinkin’ cute. It was located next to the railroad tracks, and the downtown was so festive. I cannot wait to go back. I ended up bringing home their gluten-free & vegan poppy seed and chocolate zucchini bread, and HOLY MOLY, it was the most delicious bread we’ve ever had. I want to go back and buy them all. 😭
We went to Nellie’s for lunch! This is the restaurant owned by the Jonas Brothers! It was named after their grandmother, and Belmont is where she grew up.
The place was so cute inside, and the food was absolutely mouthwatering! I had their seasonal salad with grilled chicken and a honey mustard dressing. They also have a full gluten-free menu available, which is so nice! 
Later in the afternoon, after running a few errands with Kyle, I made a batch of the cutest gingerbread men! I made them on Vlogmas and answered a few Q&A questions, so check that out! 
Kyle and I went on a little date night on Saturday. We had dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants, Spice! After dinner, we took a drive in the neighborhood, looking at Christmas lights. The houses are decorated big here! I know I keep saying it, but to watch that video to see the homes all decorated! It’ll get you in the holiday spirit for sure!
Coat | shoes | sweater | hat
I ordered the spice bowl for dinner. It had chicken, rice, jalapeños, edamame, onions, egg, onion, and a chili sauce. 
I ended my night with a fluffy bubble bath. The Honest brand lavender bubble bath is amazing! The bubbles practically go up to my ceiling! The lavender scent also helps relax the mind. I was in bed by 8:30 that night! I’ve been watching up at 4:30 am, so that’s why I’ve been falling asleep so early + the lack of coffee. 
I was up for another 5-mile walk with my neighbor on Sunday morning.
When I got back, I had a Dandelion Dark Roast decaf tea for my coffee replacement. The mocha mint is my favorite! I had someone recommend this tea on a Youtube video, and I bought the sample pack. So far, I like it! It’s the teeccino brand! If you read the reviews on Amazon, you’ll see how others love it too!
I spent all afternoon after my walk editing the vlogmas video. It was a long one! Late afternoon, Kyle and I started decorating the outside of the house.
We still have our ribbon for the poles to put up and the icicles, but it’s starting to look festive! 🎄
I hope you all have an amazing week! If you want to keep up with me more throughout the week, make sure you’re subscribed to my Youtube channel for daily vlogs this month!
Questions for you!
- I talked about this in a video, but do you have a hard time keeping up with social media trends?
- Have you decorated for the holidays yet?
- Would you like to see a small town series on the blog?
1. I only want to say not really because all of the influencers I follow share the exact same things 🙈
Yes!! I stress decorated before my wedding so I had stuff up even before Thanksgiving which I have NEVER done and will probably never do again lol
Yes to the small town series!!!
Definitely what im trying to avoid!
Hahaha stress decorated!!! i love that 😆
Your posts always cheer me up! Looks like you had fun! And yes – social media trends move so fast, sometimes I can’t keep up, especially since I’m trying to take a break from it! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I feel ya, girl!
Hi Taralynn!
Your home looks so beautiful with Christmas decorations! We also decorated our home last night 🙂
I would love to see a small town series on the blog because I love discovering small towns, there is something super charming about small towns and the local people 🙂
I already commented your last Vlogmas regarding social media trends but will add few words here as well. I feel so tired of these new social media appearing every now and then… I feel like we are expected to constantly adapt to all this trends and I don’t want to. For example, I don’t have Tik Tok and I don’t watch reels because I don’t see the point and I don’t feel like this is for me. As you know, I also have a blog with my boyfriend and we dedicate a lot of time to write our articles, edit pictures etc, but at the end where we always get more engagement is Instagram because I feel like people don’t like to read.. They just prefer to scroll and give likes and that’s a little bit sad. And this is the reason why I love your blog, because you’ve always been you during all these years and you haven’t change just because the society wants us to. You put all your heart into this blog and I do the same with mine. I do it because I love to do it, even If I don’t get anything in exchange. So thank you for that and I hope you won’t give up on blogging because you are one of very few person that I follow and appreciate.
Kisses!
Hi, Milena!
I think so, too ♥️
Thank you so much for sharing that. And you have a beautiful blog! I always feel like i’m traveling right there with you!
Keep being yourself!
This recap reallyyyy has me missing living in Charlotte (and that’s saying something because I really miss it daily haha)- next time you’re in Belmont go the the String Bean! It is so so good!!
You bet I will!!
I love how you decorated your staircase railing! Where did you get the garland?
Hi 😊 Walmart! Only $8
Wow, thank you! Love your blog 😘
♥️
Hey Taralynn,
I am really glad that you decided to go for Vlogmas this year. I am sure it is a ton of effort. I absolutely love watching and you are doing an awesome job! Even though it must be even more difficult to create interesting content in these times, you are nailing it!!
I have so much respect for you for not jumping on every trend for the money. I absolutely love the diary-style blog and I don’t read any other blogs other than yours!
Have a great second week of vlogmas!!!
All the best,
Nadine
Hi, Nadine!
Thank you so much!!!! ♥️ That means a lot!
I’ve been caffeine free for a year and a half and I can’t believe the quality of life change! I’d say around two or three months everything really clicked. Now I know how sensitive I am to it! Defintkry try dandy blend too, it’s a Ana amazing substitute and froths likes a dreamy latte. That and fun decaf flavors
I love hearing that! I’ll look out for that because you had me at dreamy latte!!
By the time I catch up with social media trends, they’re long gone and I’m behind. Oh well.
I would love love love the small towns of Charlotte series. I’m still pretty new to the area and your blog has been a great guide. (Pretty much the reason I picked here to move to, I fell in love with the area through your posts.)
Hi, Dana!
I so relate to that.
Awww well I hope you’re lovin’ the Charlotte area so far! xo
Hi Taralynn, great recap and also I’m loving your vlogs! Your Christmas decorations are stunning. I’ve been training for the Tongariro mountain crossing the last few weeks and now its finally done and I’ve ticked it off my bucket list I’m slowly getting into the Christmas spirit, we went and picked our tree on Sunday and have started decorating our house. Trying to keep up with the social media trends is hard work you just get use to one trend then another comes along, I have started to ignore them and just roll with my own stuff. a small town blog series would be amazing, would you do the small towns around your area? have a great week and merry Christmas 🎄 🎄
Hi, Harriet!
That is so amazing & congrats! I bet you feel so proud.
I love that you just roll with your own stuff too.
yes, a small town around my area is exactly what I plan to do!
Hi Taralynn, I absolutely love watching your videos and reading your blog, have been for years. I don’t find the same level of joy in the new and trending. You have inspired me to live healthier, and therefore happier. Thank you for your energy and authenticity you share with others.
Thank you so much for that! ♥️
Made my first trip to Belmont a few weekends ago! What a festive “Hallmarkish” little town! So, yes, to all the small towns on your blog!
Hi, Angela!
Seriously what I said too! I can’t wait to go back and explore more of it.
I think a small town feature would be a BLAST to do!
Enjoyed your weekly recap and I am having so much fun watching Vlogmas this year! I made your tostada recipe for dinner and it was so good we had it 2 nights in a row! I would love to see a small town series, I live in Winston Salem so not too far from the Charlotte area, so it’s fun learning about new areas in the state to visit 🙂
yummy!!!!! Those tostadas are my new fave!
I still need to explore WS!
I also switched to one cup of coffee a day because of pregnancy! I love these coffee substitute ideas!:)
They work like a charm!!
YES- SMALL TOWN SERIES!
Thank you for all the effort you’ve put into Vlogmas- it is so fun to watch and some days I need a little festive push or a little exercise push and it helps, it really does.
Thank you for working so hard to spread your holiday joy 🙂
Thank you!!!
Looks like so much fun!! I love your decorations, they’re beautiful. I really should try to cut back on my coffee intake too. Plus, I feel like mine is so much worse because I love the sugary drinks from Starbucks around the holidays.
Make Life Marvelous
Yes! those are always hard to avoid but so worth it since they only come one month a. year! 😊
Do you have a recipe for the zucchini pizzas I want to make some this week and want to make sure I do it correctly
It’s an older recipe but a good one! https://simplytaralynn.com/2013/02/27/zucchini-pizzas-anyone-only-40-50-calories/