I love taking holiday photos with the fam. Every year we get a little better at the layout and poses. All of these photos were taken last Christmas. I think it's gonna be hard to beat last years photoshoot, BUT we have two additional family members this year, so I'm so excited to have everyone home for the holidays.

I always purchase Christmas attire and accessories for the family photos. Here we're wearing Lazy One Country Stripes matching pajamas for the entire family and dog(s).

Of course we got dolled up for a chic Christmas photoshoot. The second is my favorite. Basic poses are boring, so get creative and KNOW YOUR ANGLES. 

Teddy is wearing a Canada Pooch Polar Pom Pom hat. Romi is wearing a Red Valentino skirt. Ilan finally got to wear his wooden bowtie. I'm (b.a.gorgie) is wearing a Nation LTD sleeveless top, Nation LTD dress and Kendall + Kylie boots.

Those unintentional pics are always fun. Make sure you capture every moment. Romi and Teddy are fed up with this photoshoot. I called it a wrap a few minutes later. 

Action shots make the best photos. Think of little things you can do to create movement in your pics. Look at Ilan's face in the first photo. I think he's channeling his inner Jedi!

We had way too much fun (and wine) taking these pics. They may not be "family friendly" photos for the holiday cards, but they're perfect for instagram.

Save your wrapping paper for an after Christmas shot. Throw the paper around, take continuous pics and hope to capture a good photo. Caption it "That's a wrap!"

I'm wearing a Moschino Christmas oversized t-shirt, but you can't see it. I'm also wearing Pook Juicy Jumbos slipper socks. These are the best socks EVER! Pook is my go-to "glamping" inspired clothing and accessories .

Teddy's exhausted from the Christmas festivities and totally over these photo shoots. He slept through this entire shoot! I hope these Christmas photos inspire you to take fun and unique holiday photos.

Repost from last year - The best gift you can give this holiday season is an Oxfam gift. Oxfam is a nonprofit organization that funds projects worldwide in an effort to end injustice of poverty. 

The gifts you purchase for friends, family and colleagues is an actual donation. Oxfam will apply those funds where it is needed and the person you've purchased the gift for will receive a vibrant card. Your gift will bring attention to this worthy cause, put a smile on someones face and benefit those who are less fortunate. 

This innovative, charitable concept is brilliant. I would love to receive a card with a cute, baby chick that says, "I Bought A Dozen Chicks For You". A donation made in my honor is the best present.

Oxfam gifts has an extensive catalog of charitable gifts that you can choose from. There are animal, sustainable, water, women and children, education, making a living and emergency necessities gifts. The gifts range from $18 to a $2500 investment in a small business. 

When you choose your gift you have the option to print your own card (download a PDF), eCard (sent via email) or no card. The picture above shows how the printed card will appear. I like to email the cards. The thoughtful designs are well done, colorful and informative.

The eCard reads, "Hello (insert name). You received an Oxfam gift from (insert name)". As the receiver scrolls through the card the gift is stated and a brief summary about Oxfam Gifts appears. The receiver then has the option to browse other gifts or share the gift they received.

If you receive an Oxfam Gift this holiday season, please share. Most of my friends live in other cities, and yes, you'll be getting an Oxfam Gift this year..

Dior sunglasses, Mayfair Merch I Left My Designer Sweater At Home oversized sweater, Mayfair Merch I Left My Designer Socks At Home socks, Diorcamp boots

Dior sunglasses, L'Academie chain tan oversized button down, L'Academie brown chain boxer short, Hip Chik LOVED jacket, Dior camouflage embroidery saddle bag, Dior white camouflage strap, Diorcamp boots

Dior aviator sunglasses, Boys Lie Catching Feelings crewneck, Dior white camouflage embroidery saddle bag and shoulder strap, Gucci white logo socks, Dior Diorcamp boots

Being that "glamping" has become the preferred vacation during these "unusual times", a box of individual wines is perfect for the occasion. While your mate cracks open a beer by the fire, you can pop a bottle of red, rosé or brut. 

Usual Wines come in individual bottles of 6.3 oz, which is equivalent to 1/4 bottle of wine. It's a large glass of wine in a chic little bottle. Enjoy by the glass or by the bottle.

I realize this modern way of enjoying wine may be beneath some of you wine snobs, but for the free-spirit wine lovers, it's an innovative method and definitely a conversation starter. AND, just because I'm not a wine connoisseur, doesn't mean I don't appreciate flavor. These wines are delicious. 

I prefer the mini version of everything, so it's no surprise that I love Usual Wines. The red, rosé, brut and rosé brut are equally delicious. The brut is my favorite. It has notes of bergamot, elderflower and lemon AND the bubbles are super strong - I love bubbles.

The red tastes like chocolate and cherry. I'm not usually a fan of red wine, but I like this one. I realize this goes against the usual, but I refrigerate the red - Cold red wine tastes better to me. 

The rosé tastes like rhubarb, strawberry and roses. It's refreshing and perfect for summer. I haven't tried the rosé brut, but I imagine it tastes similar, with those super strong Usual Wine bubbles. 

It's all about the bubbles for me and I'm not a brut connoisseur, but I will say the bubble factor will not disappoint you (like those faux-fizzy wines masquerading as champagne and prosecco). 

Usual Wines have no additives, making them slightly healthier than the average wine and easier to digest. The sustainable production method is not only giving us a "cleaner" wine, but is also good for the environment. LOVE that!

Back to the chic individually sized bottles. This is genius. Not that any of us are having get togethers in 2020, but when we finally get back to socializing, having individual bottles is chic. You can also serve the wine with a straw, but be careful with the brut, cause the bubbles might overflow (it's happened to me more than once).  

Usual Wines come in boxes of 6 small bottles. You can purchase 6, 12, 18 or 24 packs of each or mix and match. The mix-it-up method is a nice feature. There is also a membership program that's easy to navigate, changeable and can be cancelled after two shipments. Of course, I have a membership!

During these unusual times, camping is the safest, social distancing vacation. My go-to glamping outpost is Getaway House DC in Shenandoah, VA. I camped here a few times last year, but had to stop traveling due to 2020 restrictions (and paranoia). A few months ago, I decided to get out of the city and go back to getaway-glamping. I'm obsessed all over again!

The camping outpost in Shenandoah is a 20 acre plot of land with small cabins scattered about. The cabin (Getaway House) is a thoughtfully designed, cozy space, with all the essentials for a relaxing weekend in the woods. 

The small area surrounding the cabin is perfect. There's a picnic table, Muskoka chairs and a firepit with a grill grate. There's a container containing wood and a few startup logs located by the firepit and basic provisions inside the cabin for purchase. 

I've camped at Getaway House in Shenandoah seven times and have stayed in cabins located all over the map. I've stayed in Philip, Hank, Juanita, Carroll, Thelma and Lionel. The Thelma is my absolute favorite. This is the first time I've stayed in this style of cabin and although we only require one bed, now I prefer the double bed cabin. 

It feels like this cabin is larger than the one bed style and it's nice to have a space to keep your belongings out of the way - We put our stuff on the top bunk. If you've stayed at a Getaway House, you know space is limited and these tiny cabins can get crowded.

When you book your cabin (one or two beds), you can request a cabin style or a specific cabin. Although Getaway House doesn't promise you'll get a particular cabin, they will make a note in your booking and do their best to accommodate you.

The location of the Thelma cabin is perfect. It's on the outer edge of the outpost and has a larger area around the cabin. I highly recommend you take a look at the Getaway House map and try to snag a cabin in this area of the outpost.

While you should put your phone, tablet and computer away, I can't help myself. Here I am trying desperately to get service. The reception isn't great, so it does kinda force you to enjoy camping sans electronics. 

I highly recommend packing board games. My favorites are Bears vs Babies, Exploding Kittens, Throw Throw Burrito and Oh Fruck! 

Every camping trip is a little different. Sometimes we explore the outpost, other times we play games all day and I always change up the food and beverage menu. This trip was focused on relaxing, sitting by the fire and taking naps. 

Of course, I had to snap a few camping inspired pics of the cabin, Teddy and I before messing it up. Here I'm wearing a Moschino Couture! Care Label-Print t-shirt and Pook socks. Pook is one of my favorite brands to shop camping-inspired clothing and accessories. My tote is the Gucci Florentia Lorto Di Giove tote. 

My husband, Teddy and I camp at Getaway House at least once a month. It's good to get a change of scenery once in a while, do something different, put down your electronics (discipline required) and simply getaway from everyday life. 

For more info on Getaway House DC, please see my previous posts in the Lifestyle section of b.a.gorgie.com.

Mayfair Merch Now is Now hat, Fendi sunglasses with sequin motif, Mayfair Merch Now is Now white crew sweatshirt, Joah Brown fitted sweat shorts, Balenciaga all over logo Triple S sneakers

Fendi sunglasses with sequin motif, MM6 Maison Margeila label print cotton hoodie, Joah Brown fitted sweat shorts, Balenciaga Ville XXS top handle bag, Balenciaga all over logo Triple S sneakers

Sephora Collection Facial Cooling Globes are a must have. Feeling a little puffy after a night of wine or had too much salt lately - You need these facial cooling globes to reduce puffiness and refresh your complexion.

For best results, keep the cooling facial globes in the fridge, so they're nice and cold. The cooling sensation from the globes reduces the appearance of puffiness AND feels amazing. DO NOT put them in the freezer. 

The globes are small and easy to roll around the contours of your face and neck. You can use these globes with a light eye cream, facial serum and neck cream.

The small globes come in a compact box that fits in your tote for on-the-go facials. No fridge, no problem - Just place the globes in super cold water for 10 minutes. As you glide the globes around your face they will become less cool and that's when you know you've done enough. 

I like to start with my under eyes and glide the globes upwards. Then my face (always upwards) and for my forehead, I start between my eyebrows and glide the globes up and out in an arch shape motion. I also place the globes on the inner eye lids for about five seconds and then glide outwards to reduce my puffy eyelids.

These little cooling facial globes have landed a permanent spot in my beauty routine. Sephora Collection facial cooling globes retail for $25. I'm gonna buy these globes for all the ladies in my life..