Happy New Year!

I officially love this idea. I am a sucker for any "party in a box" but this one is especially cute. I love the mini bottles of Martinelli's.

 

I also really love this idea - New Years Eve Around the World. Marta has a really cute idea for New Years Eve in New York, which I LOVE.

What are you doing to ring in the new year?

Christmas Projects Galore!

I stumbled across allsorts (which is one of my new favorite blogs). Think I looked through the entire archives. I was so amazed. This is what I want to be like. I love her style and ideas. 

  

 Take a look at her AMAZING work room. This would be a dream come true.

 All pictures from allsorts

From there I discovered this free e-zine. Filled with even more great holiday ideas. I really was so impressed with the projects! They are all incredibly detailed, yet look pretty easy to do. Check it out - you won't be disappointed. 

So we were at Toys R Us

Because you can't have a Christmas season without going there. And I saw these beauties. I love the Wizard of Oz and I love Barbies. I think the vintage charm is incredible. But I can't really justify spending $40 on a doll that's always going to be in (such a cute) box.

All I can say is YUM!

So Dan's mom put me in charge of planning Christmas Dinner this year. I plan the menu. We shop together and then we make it together. I think it will be fun! I've started doing some research on what kind of food to have. You would not believe the time I am having. It is nearly impossible to find Christmas foods that are not some form of cookies or eggnog. And while I love both of those, I'm kind of at a loss for what kind of real food to have.  I will keep thinking and researching but in the meantime, here is one dessert possibility I found that looks so delectable I had to share it with all of you! 

Brownie Covered Oreos. Yep. They look amazing.

Grosgrain FABULOUS!!

Have you been to Grosgrain lately? Oh my goodness. I am so inspired. This month is Knit Embellishment month. Every day a sweater gets a makeover. Most of these started out as big, stretched out, frumpy sweaters. A lot of them are inspired by Anthropologie or Emma Pillsbury's wardrobe on Glee.  I'm going to the thrift store tonight. She has full tutorials on all these sweaters and more. Wow. 

All Images from Grosgrain. 

I'm loving this video

Before and After

Look at that curly mess!

I've been talking about doing this for a really long time and I finally did it. I got a hair cut. It was unmanageable. It was so long that I donated 14 inches to Locks of Love. The best part? Since I was donating the cut was f-r-e-e. Sweet.

Much shorter and manageable! I look really happy. Because I am.

A busy busy weekend

I seriously think December is the busiest month of the year. Here are just a few of the things going on this weekend:

Also this weekend: Double Date with the Joneses, Roommate Christmas Dinner, Haircut (more on that later), Volunteering with the Red Cross, etc...Wish me luck.

No Blog November is Officially Over!

I didn't plan to not post in November, I've just been busy I guess. But, I've decided to try and post every day in December. There is so much Christmas-y goodness that I probably will have too much to post about! I feel like December is the quickest month - there's so much to do and not enough time. So here's a free printable advent calendar for all of you loyal readers so you can have a few things that you make sure you do to get you in the holiday spirit! Some of the things on this particular countdown are geared specifically towards kids, but you can definitely write whatever you want.  Print it off, hang it up and count down the days! 

 

 Here are some advent ideas from Party Accessories (another new-to-me blog) 

1-Set up Christmas Tree
2-Sip cider
3-Hang stockings
4-Ward Christmas Party
5-Make a swag with real Christmas Tree branches
6-See city lights festival
7-Make felt-ball garland
8-Ride the Christmas train in the mall with kiddos
9-Roast marshmallows by the fire with friends
10-Watch 'The Santa Claus'
11-Take Christmas photos
12-Visit the Temple Christmas display
13-Make orange/clove pomanders
14-Eggnog time
15-Head to the library with kids to pick out Christmas books
16-Make Christmas cookies/gifts for neighbors
17-Host White Elephant Christmas party
18-Romantic candlelit dinner with husband under the Christmas tree
19-Sip hot cocoa
20-Eat a chocolate orange (the ones you whack on the table)
21-Finish holiday shopping
22-Watch a holiday movie as a family
23-Make sugar cookies
24-Read Jesus' birth in the Bible and Book of Mormon
25- a MERRY CHRISTMAS! with a full breakfast, Christmas music, and gifts

 

Also, there is an awesome Christmas music playlist on this blog. Retro goodness. Open up a new tab and listen to your heart's content! 

Anywho - Did you know that today is the first day of Hanukkah? It is. I found these delightful ideas on MarthaStewart.com, of course. 

Donuts-

 Latkes

and, my personal favorite:

 

Marshmallow Dreidels.  

WOW. This was a long post. ENJOY!!