Black Friday: For What You Were Planning Already

Black Friday/Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday all run up on my birthday this year, so I stocked up on long-eyed for essentials, but also treated myself a bit too. I mainly was at J.Crew because I've been shopping there for 20 years - I know the fit, the style and with only one J.Crew in my area now, I need to be a bit more watchful with what I purchase. Plus, 50% off regular prices and 60% off sale was such a good deal.

Outside my local JCrew the morning of the Pre-Black Friday event. I LOVE the outfit on the mannequin
(leopard and camel and fun details, oh my!), but had to pass on it, unfortunately. Next time! 

Thanksgiving for Three (But Make it Blue and White)

This year, we decided to keep Thanksgiving simple and keep it just to the three of us. I have a week off from school, which means travel is feasible; however, my sibling-in-laws are coming over for Christmas and we are going up to the mountains then for some skiing, so a simple Thanksgiving was the best option. Come Christmas, I will be doing more après-skiing, as I still struggle with the mental block that comes with learning to ski as an adult. 

Moreover, traveling to Singapore and the Philippines over Fall Break this past October, while amazing, definitely took a lot out of me, so I was looking forward to relaxing on the couch and binge-watching "The Crown" and "The Mandalorian," the latter of which was pushed upon me by my 7th graders. I just caught up on all three episodes and I am enjoying it! What was hard was figuring out where the story placed in the larger Star Wars timeline, but I got it figured out (it falls after "The Empire Strikes Back," if I remember correctly. 

As for Black Friday shopping - I do more of that online since my birthday is next month and I take advantage of the sales so they are the treats to myself, as well as Christmas shopping for family (along with knitting many hats). 

Nevertheless, I could not pass up an opportunity to set the dining table. This was taken while the light in my house was still good so the food is not yet done (see my IG stories for that). 

Ginger Jar/Pitcher: HomeGoods * Drinks Glasses: Kate Spade Madison Square Double Old-Fashioned
(from our wedding, discontinued) * Runner/Napkin Rings: Target * Faux Floral: Michaels * Placemats: RL Home via HomeGoods * Napkins: Kate Spade via HomeGoods

I threw this together with the leftover ginger jars that I was not using for the holiday decor; I put the "Christmas edition" into the office for the afternoon, and set the table as you see it. 

Welcome to Cables and Crewnecks!

Hello there!

My name is Maria, and welcome to Cables & Crewnecks, my little corner of the internet.

If you have come across this blog in the past, welcome back!

A little bit about me: I was born and raised in New York City, and currently live in the suburbs of Denver, having moved here in 2016. I am happily married to my husband of 10 years, Mel and have a 3 year old son named Julian. We had the opportunity custom-build our home, and one of my favorite things is working to get a Williams-Sonoma/Pottery Barn look on a DIY budget.

By day, I am a 7th grade Social Studies teacher; while that offers me plenty of creative opportunities to make history applicable and realistic for my middle schoolers, I use blogging as a way to exercise creativity outside of school (I love making interactive graphic organizers, but also seasonal floral arrangements for my ginger jars).

This is not my first blog, but rather a reiteration of blogs I have done in the past; I used to have a blog about knitting (also called "Cables and Crewnecks") and while that is a major part of my life, I also have other interests such as style, home decor and travel, to name a few. This is a space for me to put all those interests in one place and talk with you, which I am definitely looking forward to.