Monday, December 27, 2010

{Happy Holidays}

To me the saddest day of the year is the day after Christmas. After all the build-up and excitement, the shopping and the parties, and the spending time with love ones, all for the best {in my opinion} day of the year - it's a little sad once it's all over. I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas - I sure did...if you haven't heard yet ~ Santa brought me an iPad!!!!!! I am so in love with it ~ I have to keep remembering to spend time with the family I only get to see a couple times a year and stop downloading apps, lol! It really is a genius piece of technology - it's amazing all of the things it can do. Thank you Santa!

In addition to being at home for the holidays, I haven't been feeling to well. I have a "stomach thingy" that no doctor has been able to figure out until this past Thursday when I spent all day in the ER. I went first thing Thursday morning - and then went back late that evening. All I can say is THANK GOD I was home, and THANK GOD for my mom. I don't know what I would have done without her, it proves that no matter how old you are, and how grown you think you are, you still need your mama. I have another appointment tomorrow at 9am, that will determine what the next steps will be after that. I have New Year's plans, planned to leave Ohio on Wednesday, and am scheduled to go back to work on January 3rd - but we'll see after tomorrow. Until then - keep me in your thoughts and prayers...{sorry to be so vague}

For the next week, I will be popping in and out here on Flourish - and will not be posting full time again until January. Thank you all for your kind words, comments and emails of support and shared enthusiasm during 2010.  I'm so looking forward to meeting back here in January, but in the meantime have a fantastic time and enjoy the festivities of the season.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Computer Issues...

I'm having computer issues so unfortunately I will it have a post today. Have a fab day and I'll try again tomorrow...(gotta love it)

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

{On The Road Again...}

Again ~ as you are reading this, me and Addy have crammed ourselves into my car {not quite sure how I got everything in, but I did} and are driving up to Ohio for Christmas. I'm super excited to finally get there because finally we will all be together - the last time we were all together was last Christmas. Once I get there, I'm sure my mom will be putting me to work ~ baking cookies, wrapping presents, and getting the house prepared for our annual Christmas Eve party. After that {per the usual}, I plan to sit back with a glass of wine, kick my feet up, and just enjoy being at home.
On the road again - christmas
If you're traveling to spend the holidays with loved ones...take your time and be safe! 
Final Signature

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

{Happy Early Friday To Me!!!}

Let it snow
Today is my last day at work until after the New Year – and I couldn’t be more excited!!!  {insert happy dance here} Oh yea - it's my last day ~ oh yea - it's my last day!!! I definitely am ready for a break, and really excited to go home! My post today is a little short only because I have a ton to do in order to get ready to pack up and leave…so until tomorrow, have a fantastical day!
Final Signature

Monday, December 20, 2010

{Christmas Wrapping: Brown Paper Packages...}

As you know ~ me and my sisters always compete to see who will have the best Christmas wrapping under the tree. I've been planning what my wrapping would look like for several weeks now and this weekend I got all of my wrapping done and I have to say that I love it! This year I wanted to go with  the brown craft packaging paper but wanted to add a modern twist to it. Below I have provided the step by step process and I must say that it was super cheap...super easy {and when I say easy I mean you don't have to have a single artistic bone in your body to pull this one off}, and really fun. Eat your heart out Martha...
Christmas Wrapping 15
supplies
Christmas Wrapping 2
Christmas Wrapping 3
Christmas Wrapping 4
Christmas Wrapping 5
Christmas Wrapping 6
Christmas Wrapping 7
Christmas Wrapping 8
Christmas Wrapping 9
Christmas Wrapping 10
Christmas Wrapping 11
Christmas Wrapping 12
Christmas Wrapping 13
Christmas Wrapping Finished Product
Christmas Wrapping 15
Christmas Wrapping 16
So.....what do you think? Easy right?
Final Signature

Friday, December 17, 2010

Thursday, December 16, 2010

{Christmas Gift Tag Download}

Amy over at Eat, Drink, Chic created these lovely hand-drawn gift tags that you can download on her site for free. It's easy - download the PDF, print on colored or textured paper of your choice, cut them out, punch a hole, grab some fabric ribbon, and attach them to your packages. Viola!
May your holidays...
Click here to download ~ Merry Merry!
Final Signature

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

{Hot! Hot! - No. 2 Hot Chocolate Recipe}

Now you know that I am a HUGE fan of Max Brenner hot chocolate - it really is the best hot chocolate in all the world. BUT, a sad sad occurrence happened on Sunday...I emptied my can...it's all gone....like - I don't have anymore....gone. So I decided to find a recipe that could hold me over until my lovely sister brings me some more from NYC. I found this one over at Sweet Paul and I will have to admit that it was very tasty, and while not as good as my fave...it's a close 2nd.
HHot chocolate
Give it a try...
Makes 1 glass

1 1/4 cup full fat milk
2 ounces good quality dark chocolate
1 teaspoon sugar, or more to taste
Whipped cream to serve

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
Melt the chocolate in the milk.
Add the sugar and whisk until dissolved.
Serve with whipped cream.

Photo by Colin Cooke
Final Signature

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

{Every Time A Bell Rings An Angel Gets Their Wings}

Every Time A Bell Rings An Angel Gets Their Wings - one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies It's A Wonderful Life. I discovered these little angel wings over the weekend and immediately fell in love with them. I found them over at Love, Loans, and Linen and can't wait until they restock so that I can purchase a few pair. So purty....
angel wings
Other lovely finds from their shop...
Love Loans and Linen
Final Signature

Monday, December 13, 2010

{Tacky Christmas Sweater Party}

So I didn't win the iPad, and I didn't win best sweater...boooo - but I still had a great time at the party. For all of you who read my making of my Making A Tacky Christmas Sweater post last week...here is the final product! My original plan was to make a cape out of the fabric - but after some more thought I decided to go all out and do a vest. {I'm laughing right now remembering the lady at Joann Fabrics and the look she gave me when I asked for a yard and a half of this fabric - priceless, lol!} It took me several tries and lots of pinning and re-pinning to get the full Santa driving a tractor perfectly placed - and once it was finally in place I started to construct the vest all by gluing {no sewing was involved} and finishing it off with a little {ok a lot} of tinsel. What do you think? Award winning? You would have voted for me right? LOL!!!
Tacky Christmas Sweater
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As promised, I have included lots of pictures from the party below. One of my favorite things was laughing at people as they arrived to the party. After all of the talk in the office, and all of the secrets surrounding what people were going to wear - it was hilarious to see everyone's tacky garb. Enjoy the pics!
Meet The Partners
Tacky Christmas Sweater Party 2
Tacky Christmas Sweater 17
Partners in crime
Tacky Christmas Sweater Party 1
Tacky Christmas Sweater 10
Tacky Christmas Sweater 11
Meet The Sweater Winners
Tacky Christmas Sweater 3
Tacky Christmas Sweater 7
Meet Some Tacky Peeps
Tacky Christmas Sweater 4
Tacky Christmas Sweater 5
Tacky Christmas Sweater 6
Tacky Christmas Sweater 9
Tacky Christmas Sweater 8
Tacky Christmas Sweater 12
Tacky Christmas Sweater 13
Tacky Christmas Sweater 18
Tacky Christmas Sweater 14
Tacky Christmas Sweater 15
Tacky Christmas Sweater 16
Tacky Christmas Sweater 19
Peace out homies - hope you enjoyed the pics.
Final Signature