HILARIOUS!

Want a good laugh to distract you from Finals week?

Check out SketchySantas.com

You won't regret it.

This is what I do during the Last Week of Classes.

I go to the library and get christmas books!

A few new ones and a few classic ones from my childhood! (or Dan's)

Here's what's on the agenda this Holiday season -

Christmas City -- Really fun illustrations

Santa Claws -- "Scary Christmas to you all!"

Olive, the Other Reindeer -- A modern classic that I never have actually read.

The Polar Express -- A Christmas Classic in the Mercer home.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree -- Dan's read this every Christmas since he was a little boy.

Little House Christmas Treasury -- The Little House stories are so Festive!

Look What I Made - Part 2

I had this old scarf - I bought it in high-school on clearance at American Eagle.

I liked it, but never EVER wore it. So I saw this idea and fashioned my own ruffle shirt.

I think it's kinda fun!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Just some pictures today --

from our Christmas Decorating

EXTRAVAGANZA!!

Big Christmas Tree

Small Christmas Tree

He Posed like that all on his own...

Voila! My first grown-up Christmas Tree!

this might get me out on the track.

I'm thinking that if I had an awesome goal like, say, training for a half marathon at DISNEYLAND!

I might find the motivation I need to get out and exercise (which is so difficult this time of year!)

check the details out here

beehive bazaar = awesome

a fabulous holiday frock

Am I too old to have a special christmas dress?

If not, this is the one I want. And there's a contest to win it!

via Grosgrain.

This is Fun!

Disney. Christmas. Trivia.

I grew up with Disney Christmas movies, it isn't Christmas without the Santa Clause and some of those good ol' Mickey Mouse cartoons.

Whoever gets the most questions right will get a PRIZE!

[as found in the disney insider newsletter]

Pluto was sold on Christmas Eve to help a poor family in which cartoon short?
A. "The Night Before Christmas"
B. "Santa's Workshop"
C. "Pluto's Christmas Tree"
D. "Mickey's Good Deed"

Disney animators created the first Christmas-related cartoon short in ...
A. 1931
B. 1932
C. 1949
D. 1952

How long did it take Judy the elf to perfect her hot cocoa recipe in "The Santa Clause" trilogy?
A. 250 years
B. 500 years
C. 720 years
D. 1,200 years

Enamored with the spectacle of Christmas, Jack Skellington tries to take over the holiday as ...
A. Santa Clause
B. Santie Claus
C. Sandy Claws
D. Santa Man

Which 1952 classic animated short starred Chip and Dale as the inhabitants of a freshly chopped Christmas tree?
A. "Pluto's Christmas Tree"
B. "Mickey's Workshop"
C. "The Small One"
D. "Goofy's Winter Wonderland"

Donald fought with Chip and Dale over presents in which classic Disney cartoon?
A. "Merry Donald"
B. "Babes in Toyland"
C. "Deck the Donald"
D. "Toy Tinkers"

Look at my Latest Project!

In an effort to be absolutely ready for the Christmas season, I have been working on a few holiday crafts!

Craft #1 Candace & Dan Stockings!

(Extra points for matching the stocking to its owner!)

Felt + Rick Rack = Christmas Cheer!

More Christmas Crafts to Come!

Cotton is Cool?

I really like this song.

I really like Zooey Deschanel.

Who knew Cotton could be Cool?!

It seems like everyone has a blog these days.

(From People.com)

Even Gwyneth Paltrow.

Her blog, Goop, is great. Each week she posts newsletters on a variety of topics -- cool restaurants, fashion trends, good books to read, recipes, advice -- everything!

And she really has good taste.

It might just a great PR ploy, but I really enjoy reading it!

Check it out!

Happy Friday!

From Here

I sense a theme here...

picture from here

Going along with the Christmas and Chocolate posts from earlier this week, I have to tell you all about something great I stumbled upon!

Martha Stewart Dove Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Silky Dark Chocolate with a layer of White Chocolate and Peppermint pieces.

This is why I like the holidays.

UTAH. CHOCOLATE. SHOW.

Cool new chocolates and FREE SAMPLES!!

I'm there!

Friday Nov. 20 & Saturday Nov. 21

South Towne Expo Center

11AM to 9PM

$7.00

Who wants to go with me?!

Look what I made!

JUST KIDDING. Martha Stewart made this.

But I really want to bake some bread! Haven't really done it before.

But maybe this will be my weekend activity.

Any tips or recipes you'd care to share?

We may be rushing things...

I really want it to be Christmas.

We put out the Christmas Candy today at the Counter.

I've already bought our tree. And some decorations.

What can I say? I'm just in the holiday spirit!

Plus, I thought this video was kinda funny - very vintage.

I wish I could ice skate like her!

One more thing, I absolutely LOVE Silk Nog.

Normally, I'm not a huge fan of Soy Milk (or Egg Nog, for that matter)

But WOW! Delicious.

Picked up my first carton of the season tonight at Target!

It's Uncanny!

Dan has a long-lost twin...

It's Wolverine.

Pretty Close, Huh?

Halloween Recap

Mostly Pictures, but I know that's what everyone really wants to see anyway.

(Costume #1 Big Bad Wolf and Lil' Red)

Isn't he handsome?!

(Costume #2 Valiant Police Chief and a Crooked Jewel Thief)

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater's Little House

Dan's Pumpkin with quite the schnoz.

Say Ahhhhh!

I'm a happy girl with a happy pumpkin!

Look what I made!

A couple of weeks ago I was inspired by these on NieNie, and had to make my own!

I'm still having trouble figuring out the perfect spot for them, but I think they look pretty good.

Another Salt Lake Adventure

You will remember my last story about trying to travel up to Salt Lake for my class? Well, I had another adventure this week! (this one was a bit more positive).

I left early for class, and decided to make a pit stop at IKEA!!

I found this fantastic bed frame, it was 75% off and I couldn't resist! I bought it - completely unawares that I might have a difficult time transporting it home in the good ol' cruiser.

After about 20 minutes of trying to jam it in the back seat (it seemed like it would work when I was trying it), I stuck the frame in the trunk and jimmy-rigged it closed.

I couldn't possibly leave my car (and new bed frame) unattended in downtown Salt Lake, so I very carefully got back on the freeway and drove back to Provo.

That's the story and here's the photo of our very nice, new bed frame - I'd say it completes the room very nicely.

The End.

'looking for something sweet to snack on?!'

image from here

Monday, we started selling Cupcake Chic Cupcakes at the Candy Counter

(try saying that 5 times fast!)

They are so cute! I've really had a lot of fun promoting them -- it's always fun to have something new!

They are really tasty, too. I think my favorite so far is the Coconut!

Three Months -- Three Days Ago.

We didn't really do anything to celebrate -- Being together again was enough of a celebration!

But wow, we are so happy together and I can't wait to celebrate more anniversaries!

(or in this case month-iversaries)

Shopping for a Cute Nephew?

Apparently you can get them at Best Buy -- That's where we picked up Alastor -- The cutest little nephew in the world!

Saturday Nite is Date Nite

Dan got back safely from Pennsylvania!

To celebrate being back together again, we went out on a hot date

(mostly we were just hungry and didn't feel like cooking)

We randomly chose Gandolfo's on Center Street in Provo.

What a Place!

It actually felt like we were in New York City. The food was great.

Dan got the Citi Field Panini and I got the New York Yankee. Delicious!

the brewstah stowah

(Picture from Here)

One of My Favorite Places on Cape Cod is the Brewster Store.

(or the Brewstah Stowah, as locals call it)

Some of my earliest memories of going to New England took place at this old general store.

Loading up paper bags with penny candy, putting a dime in the "dime-olodian" and listening to the music play, walking on the old creaky floors and looking at all the random merchandise.

If you happen to be visiting the Cape anytime soon, this is a Must-See! It totally captures the quintessential New England spirit.

This place is magical.

(Elise, Sam and Candace in front of the Brewster Store, June 2009)

It Won't Be Long (Yeah!)

...Till Dan comes home!!

After two long weeks of training in Pennsylvania, Special Investigator Workman will be back home in Provo!

I'm going to pick him up at the airport tomorrow afternoon.

Who can tell that I'm excited?

one of my favorites with some of her favorites

Jenny is the Friday Favorite!

WooHoo! Jenny is officialy my favorite person today!

I NEARLY died yesterday.

On Wednesday nights I have a class at the BYU Salt Lake Center.

Yesterday was the first time I drove up by myself (usually I have a handsome husband escort).

So I pulled onto i-15 and tried to adjust my rear-view mirror.

Tried is the key word.

Instead of tilting it to facilitate better rear-view-vision, I pulled the entire mirror off.

So I ended up driving up to SLC without the familiar "eyes in the back of my head" in the middle of rush-hour.

Good Thing I'm such a good driver!

(Just kidding, I'm pretty lucky!)

Can I Dress like Her, Please?

I recently discovered Glee on Fox and absolutely LOVE Emma's wardrobe. I love the clunky necklaces and delicate sweaters. Now the question is where to get these cute clothes from!

via glee's facebook

Dan has his wardrobe idol, and now I have mine!

possibly one of the coolest web sites.

Look on further than Target.com's Red Hot Shop. Each month they show off "chic, unique and sometimes off-beat". So COOL! Check it out!

My personal favorite - the Singing in the Rain shower curtain, which is sadly, sold out.

this is why i love fall.

It's kinda sad that pumpkin is only in season for two months a year. Oh well, I guess I will make the most of it.

By starting with this delectable looking recipe from my favorite Real Simple.

Hello, I'm Special Investigator Workman...

Dan starts his job with USIS tomorrow!

Training for 2 weeks here in Utah.

Then off to Pennsylvania for 2 more weeks of training.

P.S. We are really enjoying Mad Men. We've tried to model Dan's wardrobe after theirs!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Ok so it's a little late, but I did have a really good 21st Birthday Celebration.

Dan woke me up with quite a few presents that he picked out himself.

My brother Ethan had spent the week with us so he was also there for the festivities, and he gave me a really pretty pink shirt!

Dan's parents gave me a one year subscription to NetFlicks! A year of great entertainment?! Who could ask for anything more! Dan and I already have watched a couple of movies and are on Disk 3 of the first season of Mad Men.

My mom sent me a new LeSportsac (A tradition) but this time it was a wallet instead of a purse! Something I've been looking for for a long time. I've gotten one of these great handbags for nearly every major holiday for about 5 years. I have quite a vast collection and sometime I will devote an entire blog post to my love of LeSportsacs.

Then we went to the Provo Farmers Market in the morning and then in the afternoon Evan (Dan's Best Best Friend) came over. Dan and Evan made me a great cake with homemade cream cheese frosting. Then, CJ, Meghan, little Baby, and we all had a little celebration. It was a pretty great birthday and I'm happy to finally be 21.

Setting Up Shop

One of the best things about getting married is having a place of your own. I love our little apartment - Especially my red kitchen!

The (Nearly) Finished Living Room.

This is what it looked like before we organized. We Are Pretty Lucky.

FiestaWare!

Me in the Red Kitchen