Happy New Year!

As I reflect upon this past year,

I am filled with immense thankfulness

for good health and abundant happiness.

I am proud that we got through some difficult times unscathed.

I am also filled with hope and excitement

for all the potentially wonderful things to come in 2012!

(Here's lookin' at you, kid...)

And I hope all these things for you, too...

Here's an e-toast to my wonderful friends & family,

and to the beautiful lives we are so blessed to lead!

Happy New Year's Eve!

 ~images via coco+kelley & truly~

Jetsetting

And.... we are off to California!

Rose Bowl!

Babymoon!

Sun for the soul!

NYE festivities!

(If someone could find me some N/A champagne that does not resemble sparkling sugary grape juice by tomorrow evening, I would be forever indebted.)

Yes, please.
And thank you.

~images via this is glamorous & la dolce vita~

Window treatments

Here are a couple of DIY window treatments on my "honey do" list.

Definitely loving something cheerful like this for the kitchen:

{HERE}

And considering a fun stripe, either in the baby's room or the sunroom:

(this one's "no sew!")

{HERE}

Way cuter (and cheaper) than some of the store-bought ones!

And speaking of no-sew techniques, check out this tutorial for DIY curtains
made from bed sheets and ribbon!

{HERE}

Wow!

~images via Woman's Day, The Yellow Cape Cod & Welcome to Heardmont~

Marilyn Monroe

Daydreaming about how fun it would be to see Michelle Williams

in the new Marilyn Monroe movie right about now.

Wouldn't it be also be fun to sneak in mini bottles of champagne when we go?

I'm just sayin'.

Who's with me?

~Image via truly @tumblr~

Style watch

Prepare yourself for a barrage of random looks.
(I currently feel schizophrenic in my love for fashion.  What can you do?)

First and foremost,
I am so in love with this coat.

The detailing is so feminine and chic!

This sweet little gem from Madewell also has me swooning...

Hello, pop of color perfection.

How adorable, yet slightly edgy, is this cropped jacket?!

And who doesn't love chic, cozy layers?!

I adore the pairing of this red skirt + funky blouse + gold jewelry!

And, this black skirt + funky blouse.

Maybe I just need a funky blouse?
(P.S. I just said blouse 3 times.)

And maybe a pair of leather leggings...too much?

Who says winter needs to be drab?

~Images via ModCloth, Madewell, pinterest & this time tomorrow~

Time

Oh, hobbies.  How I've missed you!!

Even though some serious studying and NP boards are looming on the horizon,

I must say that I am LOVING

finally having the time to relax, to really enjoy being me...

(sigh)

So grateful.

Hope the Holiday was good to you and yours!

~image via pinterest & yellow brick road~

Merry Christmas, darlings!

And Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus!

Hoping to make these for the family this morning before church...

Pumpkin Pecan Waffles

with Maple Cranberry Butter (and Syrup!)

Hope your day is FANTASTIC!

~Image via me oh my~

'Twas the night before Christmas...

Hope this finds you surrounded by loved ones,

good food and good cheer!

No doubt I am fireside
with a homemade (virgin) Tom & Jerry as you read.

I simply leave you with an appropriate melody...

...and a simple heartfelt thought this Christmas Eve...

Hope you've been "nice" this year,
so that "the man with the bag" brings you something extra sweet!

~Image via pinterest~

Wrap, wrap, wrap...all day long...

It's almost go-time!
Wrapping up all my goodies to pack for the road trip to my hometown tonight!
(Where there is already a blanket of snow on the ground!)

Inspired by this song...

...and these gorgeous DIY gift wrapping ideas...

Matchbook Magazine tips {HERE}.

Happy (last-minute) Holidays!

~images via pinterest, design*sponge, 1.bp, flickr, & matchbook magazine~

Winter wonderland

???
Not so much in Milly-walk-ay.
(It is actually more March-like here today, if you can believe it.)
I'm still waiting for some fluffy white stuff that actually sticks to the ground!

Perhaps it will come just in time for a white Christmas?

Fingers crossed!

(Note:  I only like snow through January 1st.  Then it can go far, far away,
as everyone knows that late February/early March snow is the absolute worst.)

But alas, the 5-day forecast calls for sunshine/clouds in the high 30's.
A girl can only dream!

~Image via tumblr~

Christmas cards

I love a good Christmas card display,
and this one's no exception!
I especially dig the wreath encompassing your own creation.
{via me oh my}

Speaking of my own creations, here's a peak at our cards this year!
Note:  I created these during my thesis week.
Mostly because I wanted to get our new address out to peeps ASAP.

Admittedly not my most creative work, but I was pleased with the final outcome!

Here were the runners up...

And what we went with...
With new address/home announcements on paint samples!
(Get it?)

Lots to celebrate this year!

I am truly thankful as can be.

~Images via shutterfly, created by b~

Greek Layer Dip

Need a quick and easy party recipe?

(Read:  Did your husband inform you the night before his office work party that he needed you to make something for him to bring?)

Try this:  Greek Layer Dip + Pita Chips

Easy, healthy, pretty.

What you need:
Hummus

Family size (or 2 regular size).

I like the Sabra brand...super flavorful, or you can make your own.

{HERE}

Cucumber, seeded

Red pepper

Kalamata olives

Feta cheese

Fresh dill

Grab a big serving tray.

Spread the hummus approximately 1/2-1" thick.

Chop up your veg and sprinkle over the top.

(Save the dill for last.)

(Note:  You "may" have a few leftover ingredients to make yourself a small portion.)

Marvel at the festive red and green holiday colors

and pat yourself on the back.

Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Serve with pita chips.

I usually like to make my own pita chips...

Cut pitas into triangles,

top with olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of cayenne

and bake at 375 degrees until crisp.

YUM.

Otherwise, store brands, like Stacy's, are easy and delish!

Enjoy!

P.S.  In hindsight, I'm thinking "Crack Dip" (a ranch-cheesy-bacon concoction)

may have been a bigger hit among a group of mostly 50-something Wisconsinites.

{HERE}
Or maybe I'm just secretly hoping for leftovers.

Regardless, I will keep you posted on the co-worker reviews!

~photos by b~

Merry "Mix"-mas!

This year, as you will see, I have mostly been in an oldies mood.

Jazzy & bluesy, if you will.

With a bit of contemporary mixed in.

And my husband's consistently been rockin' "Frank Sinatra Holiday" on Pandora.

LOVE.

(Note: It took MUCH restraint not to tack on "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays"

by N'SYNC.  God, I love that song...)

Most of these songs make me want to tap my feet and sing along.

(Uplifting numbers make cookie-baking and gift-wrapping so much more fun!)

Some are sexy.
And make me want to waltz around the living room with the huzz.

And then there's the few that make me want to cry...

as I sit alone in a big empty house, waiting for the huzz to return from work,

with only the Christmas lights on,

missing loved ones who have passed on, and who made the holidays oh so special

in years past.

Regardless of the sentiment, I love  this mix.

It will probably make its way into some of your gift bags.

So, I hope you love it, too!

~Image via a+b~