My favorite thing about December is the fact that as soon as I turn my calendar to the last page of the year, I’m filled with motivation to live the way I really should be living all year long–savoring traditions, making the effort to show people how much I care about them, and spending more intentional quiet time with God. There are only 25 days to squeeze in everything I look forward to about Christmas, so there’s not a day to waste! Does anyone else feel that way? As I start to think about what I want 2015, and my first year of marriage, to look like, I’m praying for the grace to “honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.” Did I mention one of my favorite traditions is watching “A Christmas Carol” with my family on Christmas Eve? :)

Wear: Like I mentioned on Instagram yesterday, the only time red is my favorite color is when it comes to lipstick or Christmas decorations, and as a result, my favorite red lipstick (Sephora’s The Red 04) is permanently on my bathroom counter this month. I love this festive, monochromatic look! (Photo via The Everygirl)

Eat: These peppermint cream puffs might literally be the cutest Christmas dessert I’ve ever seen! I have never made anything like a cream puff before, but I think these may be worth giving it a shot. (Photo via Best Friends for Frosting)

Live: This living room has two of my favorite features: 1. It’s primarily neutral, making it the perfect blank canvas for styling differently every season, and 2. The decor is classic and traditional, but far from boring. How fun are the wreaths on the windows? (Photo via Better Homes and Gardens)

Decorate: Especially in an apartment, I’m not ready to invest in any big decor that I have no space to store for 11 months out of the year. The solution? A big red bow wherever appropriate. :) (Photo source unknown)

Celebrate: My family makes a huge breakfast on Christmas morning right after opening presents, and it is one of the best parts of the day. This bar cart-turned-coffee station is as cute as can be, and rolled into the dining room, it would lend itself perfectly to a hearty morning meal where everyone stays at the table long after the plates have been cleared. (Photo by Buff Strickland via Camille Styles)

Shop: My sisters and I are crazy about Essie nail polishes, so we often coordinate which colors we buy so that we can all share when we’re together. The problem with the winter 2014 collection, though, is that I want to add every single one of these to my collection! (P.S. It also comes in a mini four-pack, perfect for a stocking stuffer!)

Your turn! What are you wearing, eating, decorating with, celebrating, or shopping for this month?