{Catching Up}

Morning Peeps! How was your Christmas? Did Santa bring you everything you asked for? I must admit that Santa was extremely generous to me this year and among the several amazing gifts that I received, I got this weekender bag that I've been eying for quite some time now - I'm obsessed with it. In addition to mounds of gifts under our tree, I got to spend some real quality time with my family - I cherish the time that I get to spend with them as we only get to see each other a few times a year. I've mentioned several times before how me and my sister's compete against each other to see who can create the best Christmas wrapping - so click here to see our finished products. My sister Tara won this year with her leopard print paper, gold glitter ribbon, and huge red bows. Do you agree? So now it's on, time for me to brainstorm so I can take back the title!

So now that Christmas is over - New Year's is right around the corner. Raise your hand if you think New Year's Eve is one of the most overrated holidays of the year? Don't get me wrong, I've always wanted to get super dressed up and go to a New Year's Eve ball to dance the night away until the clock strikes twelve and I receive a kiss to remember - but since at this time it's only a dream, I thought I would put together a perfect recipe for spending New Year's Eve at home:

{tinsel drink stirrers, sparklers, Burberry pj's}

{On The Road Again}

Hoooray! In a short while – me, my sister, and my puppy will be piling in the car and heading up north to Ohio for Christmas. I have to be honest – with the weather here in NC (60/70s) it really hasn’t felt like Christmas. But I know the moment we step foot in our parents house with everything fully decorated, trees up, presents surrounding the bottom, cookies in the cupboard, and snow on the ground (fingers crossed) – my Christmas cheer will quickly turn around. I’m so looking forward to just getting there already. While I’m away – my posting will be sporadic – so while I promise not to abandon you, I plan to spend every second I can with my family as the last time we were all together was last Christmas.

For those of you who are also traveling this holiday season – please be safe, k?

{Move On}

While quickly looking on Pinterest this morning, my good friend Gab of Vive ut Vivas posted this pic below and I thought it was perfect due to my last couple days. It all started with a Christmas lunch here with my peeps at work, then late night pizza at the office trying to get a final project out the door, and then let's not even talk about what's in store with going home for the holidays tomorrow. This morning a wave of guilt came over me as I've done so well so far, and I certainly don't want to start backsliding into my old habits - but as quickly as the negative thoughts surfaced, a small voice said {via the pic below}.....move on!

Enjoy your day peeps - in just a few hours my Christmas vacation begins {insert happy dance here!!!!!!!!!!}.

{Something To Look Forward To}

Today is going to be another hectic day, night, and early morning at work - and while I'm not excited about it at all, it just means that I'm a little bit closer to stepping away from my life here in Raleigh and traveling up to Ohio. My sister is flying down here from NYC tomorrow evening, we're going to grab some burgers and fries at Chuck's, and then we're gonna have slumber party before we head on the road Thursday morning. So while today is not going to be fun, I have something fantastic to look forward to - to get me through it.

Don't you just love this pic - it's all about teamwork and love right? LOVE IS.. when he helps you out, with a smile on his face, even though you should have known better..adorable. {via}

{My Christmas Wrapping}

Morning! So this weekend I was able to get everything done on my checklist. I went to the mall with the crazies to pick up last minute gifts {it actually wasn't that bad, and after I scored a front row parking spot - I knew luck was going to be on my side}, and then came home and wrapped every single one them. So today I thought I would show you this year's wrapping {Tara, Kendra, Laura - and the competition begins - lol}

1 - Brown Postal Wrapping Paper {$3.39}  | 2 - Gold Glitter Star Name Tags {$3.00 for 10 tags}  | 3 - Glitter Ribbon {w/ 60% off - $1.05 per 9ft. roll} | 4 - Gold Round Stickers {$5.99 for 500 stickers}

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- Here's the recipe for the Spaghetti Soup I mentioned above - looks interesting, right?
- Lots of great gift ideas here via the girls at Ampersand Design Studio
- Punjammies - pj's made by women in India rescued from forced prostitution seeking to rebuild their lives - I want a pair
- Wipe your mouth....word. I have a handful of peeps I could say this to...don't you?
-
Enjoy your weekend Peeps!

{It's All About The Packaging}

Within this post I was supposed to include a picture of the wrapping I'm doing this Christmas - but based on my post from yesterday (work is mad crazy) I haven't had time to do any wrapping. So until the weekend - I'll leave you with a few creative ideas for your Christmas wrapping this year:

- You know me and stripes - so of course I scoured the net trying to find this exact wrapping, and I found it here, but then ended up going with the packaging that I will show you next week. 

- I love everything about that patent black wrapping paper above with the gold and fuchsia ribbon and charmed brooch - I'm telling you if I got a package that looked like this, I wouldn't want to open it - so vintage-y!

- For you newbies - the bottom pic is my wrapping from last year. Click here to go back to the post.

Glitter ribbon - I need some of that!

{Are You Ready For Christmas?}

Things at work are extremely hectic right now, and while it only happens a couple times a year, I must admit the timing this time around could not be worse. It's Christmastime and we all have shopping to do, cookies to bake, and gifts to wrap {not to mention a body I'm trying to get in shape}. I'm kind of drowning in a to-do list that's a mile long {we all are}, but I know somehow it will all get done. Have I mentioned how much I'm looking forward not only to the weekend, but the long vacation I get to take starting next Wednesday?  In the meantime, while at work, by trying to remain in the holiday spirit, I'll sip non-fat chai tea lattes in those fun little red Starbucks cups, stream Christmas tunes on my Pandora, and try not to think about all that needs to be done.

How close are you to being fully prepared for Christmas?

{Blogger's Block}

So if you're a blogger reading this you'll understand {and maybe you will understand even if you aren't a blogger} but this morning after writing over 500 posts to date, I'm coming up with a big. fat. blank. I think I'm having a case of blogger's-block?  I thought to myself - it's Christmas! Talk about Christmas! Nope. Nothing. It's holiday party time, talk about what to wear! Nada. This is the season of eating - post something delicious to make! Did that yesterday. So today - please forgive me as my brain won't allow me to think of anything brilliant to post about. If you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth {what movie did that come from? lol} - stand up and speak out. How can I get out of this writer's block?

Tomorrow I promise {at least I hope to promise} to shake this blogger's block and be back to normal. Until then - I'll be scouring for inspiration. Enjoy your day peeps!

{What Cookies Are You Baking This Holiday?}

I can't believe that next week I'll be traveling home for Christmas - time is definitely flying by. There are several things that I still need to get done, but one thing I'm planning on doing is making some Christmas cookies to take home. Below are 5 of my absolute favorite Christmas cookies - and I'm planning to make the Peanut Butter Nutella ones for the first time {I'll let you know how they turn out}!

Recipes: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- The holiday issue of Rue Magazine is out - complete with a tour of Bri's LA loft.

- If I had space in my apartment to put up a big Christmas tree - I would purchase these vintage ornaments or these...

- I found my 2012 calendar {and my artist for a new venture I'll share with you soon}

- Word - I adore this...

- If you still are looking for that perfect gift to give, and haven't found it in my gift guides down below, click here and visit Ampersand's Design Studio for more phenom ideas...

- Skinny meatball and spaghetti soup - I'm making this, this weekend! Yum...

Enjoy your weekend Peeps!

{Holiday Gift Guide: Men}

So what have you thought about this week's Holiday Gift Guides? Were they helpful? Did you find anything that you wanted to buy - or... keep for yourself? As today is the last gift guide, and I didn't want to leave out the men, I thought I would personally pick a few items for the gents in our lives. We're at a little over 2 weeks before Christmas, so...chop chop!

1 Cashmere Scarf | 2 Cashmere-lined Leather Gloves | 3 Plaid Button Down | 4 Leather Toiletry Bag | 5 Shaving Set | 6 iPhone Lens Dial

{Holiday Gift Guide: Foodie Picks}

1 Williams-Sonoma Famous Hot Chocolate | 2 Le Creuset Cookware (I would love one of these) |  3 Port Wine Salted Caramel Sauce | 4 Vintage Tin Cake Pan | 5 Jonathon Adler Whale Butter Dish |  6 Silicone Rolling Pin (prevents your dough from sticking) | 7 Sugar Bowl (super cute, right?)

{Holiday Gift Guide: Gadgets}

Today's guide is full of hand-picked items for those of you (like me) that love your gadgets. I purchased number 1 below on Sunday and am already so in love with it - I highly recommend that you invest in this gadget. Number 4 is on my Christmas list - and I have a feeling that Santa will be granting that wish. I'm looking forward to making some homemade (figure friendly) ice cream. What gadgets are you currently loving these days?

1 Clarisonic Cleaning System | 2 Nikon 1 Camera | 3 Toothpaste wringer (don't you love this?) | 4 Homemade ice cream maker | 5 Ceylon Pitcher | 6 Steamer (I need a new one of these) | 7 iPhone old school adapter

{2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Stylish Girl}

Today kicks off a week full of my holiday gift guides. Similar to last year, I've rounded up some of my favorite gifts to give and receive, all at a variety of price points. Here's the first installment, all of which are personally selected for the stylish and girly girls out there. 

1 Cashmere sweater | 2 Gadget gloves | 3 My favorite - Chanel Mademoiselle Perfume | 4 Madewell polka dot undies | 5 Sephora perfume sampler and a voucher to receive 1 full size bottle of your choice | 6 Freakin fantastic booties | 7 Top shop neck scarf | 8 Gold and blush earrings | 9 Knit and fur hat

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- My very talented photographer friend is giving away a free session - click here to enter and please be sure to spread the word!

- Fried Egg with Avocado, Tzatiki & Feta - doesn't this look amazing?

- Anthology is usually a print magazine but they switched things up and came out with a special digital winter issue. It is choc full of really good ideas and projects. Check out the Winter issue right here. If you would like to subscribe (makes a great gift - hint hint!) go here.

- Furbish is having their Holler-Day Open House tomorrow at 10am. Click here for a 15% off coupon code.

- My new mirror mantra - word.

- I'm not much of a baker (I can bake, don't get me wrong) I just don't eat much sugar (mostly because once I start, I can't stop) but I will be making these for the holiday. Peanut butter + Nutella - you can't go wrong.

- Finally, have you heard of the Clarisonic cleaning systems? Neither had I, until my good friend Ros showed it to me during one of our shopping trips. After hearing her sales pitch and reading all of the ooo and ahhh reviews, I will be purchasing one this weekend. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page to read all of the reviews - I'll bet you'll be getting one soon as well!

Enjoy your weekend Peeps!

{It's More Than Just Receiving}

While my family wasn't wealthy, I realize that I was very lucky when I was growing up. I had a stable family life with parents who supported me and my sisters, financially and emotionally. There was food on the table {and we always ate together}, we never wanted for anything, we had lots of toys, nice clothes, we were encouraged to do well in school because "the key to an education is to train the will and the mind to do the right thing at the right time" {my mother recited this to us all the time}, and we were taught that it was important to be involved and give back to the community -  poverty was not a part of our lives or the lives of anyone we knew. But the truth is, most people aren't nearly that fortunate. As we go into this holiday season, I thought that it was important to talk about how we can give back to those who are less fortunate. Below are a few simple ways to how we can make a stranger smile and know that someone out there cares...