Poncho // Blanket // Shirt // Shoes // Candle // Hat, Scarf, or Sweatshirt 

I'm not usually one to come up with gift guides to overwhelm you with throughout the holiday season (and I will do my best not to again this year), but when there's something beautifully curated and reasonably priced that manages to give back in some way, I always want to get on board. This is one of those things.

The TOMS for Target collection launched over the weekend and is chock full of beautiful scarves, sweaters, shirts, shoes, and more--and every piece sold gives a blanket, shoes, or food to someone in need. Like the usual TOMS "one-for-one" model, every item in the limited-time collection will bring a gift to someone in need. That poncho is going to keep someone else warm. The shirt you buy for your brother will feed someone for a week.

Rob and I often skip gift-giving among ourselves for holidays like Christmas (or our anniversary and definitely Valentine's Day) in an attempt to save money and not end up with a bunch of things we don't need, but when you have an opportunity to get something nice for someone you love and simultaneously do something good for someone you don't even know, it just helps make the world a better place. And isn't that what the holidays are about? Joy. Simplicity. Giving back.

TOMS for Target: One-for-One. For All. Starting November 16th, for every Target+TOMS limited edition gift you buy, we're (Target) giving shoes, a blanket, or meals to those in need. #TOMSforTarget

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.

When it gets cold outside and the holidays are near, I love throwing some aromatics into a pot to make our whole apartment smell like heaven. You can make up your own or change the measurements however you like, but this is how I make mine:

Ingredients:

• One or two clementine peels (you can use oranges if you have them)
• A couple slices of lemon
• One or two cinnamon sticks
• A palm-full of whole cloves
• Several cups of water (or more, depending on the pot you use) 

Instructions:

1. Put all fruit and spices in a pot and add water. Turn stove to medium.
2. Get it to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer. Leave as long as you like, refilling water as it evaporates. (I usually just have it going when I'm anywhere near the kitchen.) Don't forget about it!

Happy Monday! Rob and I are back from a great weekend away--we stopped at my parents' house Thursday night before heading to Farmville to visit two of my favorite college professors at Longwood on Friday. My brother met us for dinner and spent the night in town so we could hang out together on Saturday for a little Hampden-Sydney tailgating before the game. Then we headed back to Charlotte on Saturday night so we could wake up in our own bed on Sunday and have an entire day to unwind at home.

I thought I'd share some photos from my phone with you today, since it's been a while since I did that. Here's what life looks like lately, according to Instagram:

1. Sunday hikes in North Carolina. This was yesterday at Lake Wylie.
2. Rob and I on the field at this weekend's football game. My first time back as a wife!
3. Grainger Hall, where I took all of my English classes at Longwood University.
4. Post-grocery shopping last Monday afternoon (in my favorite boots). I had to go to the dentist later that evening for some work and thought that the flowers might cheer me up. They kind of did.
5. My new favorite verse/mantra: "Be anxious for nothing." Easier said than done sometimes.
6. What most Friday mornings look like these days--we've been traveling so much!
7. My best friend Emma and her sweet boyfriend Bryan came to visit a few weeks ago and we had the best time.
8. Autumn in Charlotte comes later than in other places I've lived, but I'll take it.
9. The view from an Asheville parking garage.

What has life in your world looked like recently? I want to know.

Life Lately According to Instagram is a once(ish)-monthly feature in which I showcase my favorite Instagram shots. You can collow along with me in real time if you'd like--I'm @mflynnpete.