Things that make me HAPPY!

My first blog award! A big thank you to Jenna at Daily Loves and Laughs! She is a fellow Hokie and one of my Sigma Kappa sisters!
I was looking forward to her usual Monday post all morning and when it showed up in my Reader, of course I was even more excited! I suggest you follow her :)

So now I get to list 10 things that make me happy! perfect for this holiday season!

1. Christmas decorations. all of them!
2. blogging! it has saved me from a lot of boredom in my transition into my new job
3. Clairebear - my crazy sister whom i couldn't live without
4. 5501. best 6 roomies i could ever ask for :) (yes, there are 6 of us. plus sienna)
5. sienna - she makes me happy when skies are gray :) how could you not love her?
   
   
6. *Nsync Holiday CD - MERRY CHRISTMAS, and HAPPPY HOLIDAYSSSSSS!
7. my coworkers - seriously, they are awesome...so many young, fun people!!
8. My friends - i love them! **sidenote - esp running into friends i haven't seen in forever. Here is a picture from this past weekend, ran into some of my sigma kappa sisters at Clarendon Grill!
   
   
9. holiday baking! i have yet to make some delicious treats, that's what this week is for!
   
10. online shopping! being in the store with all the crazies, drives me crazy!! I like shopping in my pjs :)

I am going to pass this award onto one of my "home friends" whose happiness spreads like wildfire, Holland! she has been glowing this past year, just had a BEAUTIFUL baby and recently got engaged to the love of her life! I seriously couldn't be happier for her! Find her here: http://happilyeveryaftermyway.blogspot.com/

I have to pass this along to Erin at Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself and Lindsay at An Ode to Getting Real, too :) They are both friends from home in MD, they are both too funny...and maybe this award will make them post more (hint hint, ladies!!)

Ornament of the day - Dec 11

totally adorable, and totally DIY!

cookie cutters (new or used) and some pretty cardstock or scrapbook paper! add a ribbon and its done! so precious!

(gotta give credit to Martha Stewart, she is fantastic)

To-do list this Holiday Season

back to the roots of this blog: to-do lists. things i start, but never finish! hoorayyy!

This Holiday Season I plan to:

• make parisian macarons
• make candy canes dipped in chocolate and wrap them beautifully
• make a gingerbread house (yay for next weds!!!!!)
• buy christmas presents for:

1. mom, dad, claire (some done)
   
2. tom
3. close friends
4. sienna - done! (haha i would)

• decorate Hanukkah sugar cookies for my fabulous Jewish roomie, Dana! (step 1 done - cookie cutters already bought!)
  
• give my spare change to those little salvation army pots (already done this a few times!)
• clean out my closets - a lot of homeless people need warm clothes. who cares if they are from three years ago. a little goes a long way.
• make my cute little flower headbands, clips, necklaces for my girl cousins because they are fabulous!

oh and so much more! these are just things that are easily attainable with two weeks left!!

happy holidays my lovelies :)

Ornament of the day - Dec 10

with a simple plain ball ornament, a paint brush, some black paint, spray glue, and different types of glitter ...you can have yourself a little masterpiece!

it's so pretty!

Ornament of the day - Dec 9

a new twist on christmas ornaments!

a bunch of beautiful parisian macaroons on a chocolate tree! how delicious!



i am inspired. i think i am going to try making these pastel colored beauties this week :) what a perfect holiday gift! especially with some super cute wrapping !!

found here

A gift guide for the boys

another gift guide! this time it's for the guys! i guess i am feeling a bit generous this holiday season....

unfortunately, some of these items are a bit pricey, but there are SO many cheaper alternatives out there :) I was thinking a few nice gifts for dad or bf when i created this post....

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1. For the Grill Master - Mr. Bar-B-Q Platinum Prestige Tools 20-pc. Set - $49.99 at Target
   
2. For the traveler - knomo LONDON Leather Passport Case - $45.00 at Nordstrom
   
3. For the Business Man or the Preppy guy - John W. Nordstrom Argyle Cashmere Socks - $39.50 at Nordstrom
   
4. BOSS Orange Leather Belt - $55 at Nordstrom
   
5. For the Sporty guy - LACOSTE cologne - $38, $50, $65 at Sephora
   
6. Sterling Silver with Wood Square Cuff Links - $125 at Brooks Brothers
   
7. For the traveling Business Man - Millenium Leather Tie Case With Hanger - $77.95 at shoebuy.com
   
8. Snapper Square Link Cuffs - $165 at Brooks Brothers
   
9. For the Grill Master - Reversible 14"x20" Meat Holding Wedge/Trench Board - $49.99 at Target.
   

merry christmas to our dad's, bf's, brothers, and friends :)

Holiday gift guide for your gal pals

Oh Hello Gorgeous!!

Here is a gift guide for your girlfriends that is sure to please! there are gifts in all price ranges - for the stylish sista :)
ps - as you can see, i got a little carried away. everything is just so gorgeous!!!

1. GS Lillian Floral Cuff - $68 at piperlime.com
   
2. Long Multi-Color Bauble Necklace - $34.50 at Ann Taylor Loft
   
3. Cut off Rosette Gloves - $6.80 at Forever 21 - so adorable!
   
4. Satin Rosebud Pins - $3.80 at Forever 21
   
5. Decorative Pearl Strands - $14.80 at Forever 21
   
6. GS Lillian 24" Single Strand Multi Color Bead Necklace - $72 at piperlime.com
   
7. Organza Pearls - $10.80 at Forever 21
   
8. Painted Peacock Feather Bangle - $5.80 at Forever 21
   
9. Holiday Flats - $15.80 at Forever 21 (weird gift, but so cute if you know their style and size!!)
   
10. Rhinestone Headband - $14.50 at Ann Taylor Loft
    
11. GS Lillian Medium Cuff - $68 at piperlime.com
12. Strawberry Cheesecake necklace - $48 at anthropologie

ooooh all these pretties are just so tempting! i'll have a hard time deciding what to get for the girls!

Ornament of the day - Dec 8

Today's ornament isn't DIY, or crafty in any way!

it's just SUPER special to me! It's my favorite ornament on my parents tree: Humpty Dumpty. Yes, I'm serious!

the one above is exactly like mine at home - you pull a string and his arms and legs move like he is dancing. its awesome!
the reason i like him so much is because my pop-pop and grandma gave me a humpty dumpty pillow pal when i was a baby, and it was THE BEST PRESENT EVER. i carried him with me everywhere, and his arms and legs had to be re-sewn like ten times. i still love him to this day :)

the two below are other cutie pies!




how can you not love these little guys? :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Birthday to one of my bestest friends (and sisters!) in the world :) I hope you have the best day ever, you deserve it!



wow, i can't imagine how long it would take to make one of those, but it certainly does take my baking/color/food die obsession a bit further!

ps - she should pay me for constantly plugging her blog, but she does the same for me :)

Ornament of the day - Dec 7

Hi holiday friends!

my ornament today is super fun :) here you go!


it's just so simple, delicate, and cute! (clearly, it's from martha stewart. again)

totally DIY, i'd probably add teeny little green or red crystal beads instead of the hang-y pearls :) add a cute ribbon, and that's it! you could do different color pearls too - so many options with this one ornament!

happy holidays, ho-ho-ho!