Friday, December 28, 2012

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas 2012
As Christmas day comes to a close, I wanted to wish y'all a Merry Christmas!  As many of ya'll can attest to, the holiday season sweeps in like a cold front (similar to that seen in Texas today!) and is gone before we have time to sit back, relax, and savor the moment.  Year after year, I awake on December 26th to a more somber realization that life picks up right where everyone left off before Thanksgiving and without even so much as a brief pause to stop, take a breath and regroup from the hustle & bustle of the holidays.  Thankfully, for me, my birthday happens to be on the 29th, and as someone who believes wholeheartedly in starting each and every day like it's my birthday, I jump at the opportunity to  celebrate the month of December, every single one of the 31 days calls for a celebration.  So this got me to thinking recently, and the truth is, I've always wondered why we wait till December, the final month of the year, to spend time with loved ones, gather together for dinner and holiday parties, tell those who are near and dear to us how much they mean to us, and spread goodwill & cheer to strangers and friends alike?  My hope for you, my readers, is that as we come to the end of the 2012 holiday season you find a way to carry on the holiday spirit year round, spreading love & cheer throughout the 2013 year! 

I also wanted to share this thought provoking and inspiring Op-Ed article in the New York Times today, and I would definitely take a few minutes to read it if you have some free time or are traveling over the next few days!
Lemony Snicket Quote, Miracle Quote

Friday, December 21, 2012

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

HOLIDAY COCKTAILS.

Holiday Cocktail RecipesHoliday Cocktail Recipes
Hope ya'll had a wonderful weekend and start to this fabulous week, which just so happens to be the week before Christmas.  If ya'll are in a crunch and need the perfect holiday cocktail for your next soiree these two are sure to be a hit! Do ya'll have any other delicious holiday cocktail recipes? Would love to try those out too, so make sure to share in the comments below! 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: FOR THE FOODIE

Gift Guide for the Foodie, Gifts from the Chef, Holiday Gift Guide
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While I admit I am certainly not an expert when it comes to the kitchen, I did come across some pretty awesome finds in the past month or two that I just had to share with ya'll in case you were on the lookout for the perfect foodie on your list.  If ya'll haven't tried Mast Brothers Chocolate, it is like a party in your mouth, yes, that good, and highly recommend it.  My personal favorite is the Sea Salt, but I know all of the chocolate bars are phenomenal! Happy gifting!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: FOR THE HOME

Holiday Gift Guide for the Home, Holiday Gift Guide 2012
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Only 13 days until Christmas, that means it's officially time to freak out & scream!  Of course only joking about the freak out & scream, because if you're like many (including myself), you are just getting started on that Christmas gift list.  Thankfully, there is still plenty of time to get some fabulous things for those on your list!  I have two final Gift Guides for 2012 that I'll be posting later this week and then you're on your own! Happy Gifting!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOO RADLEY!

Puppy Love, Birthdays, Boo Radley
Excuse me for a minute while I unleash my inner dog lady, but I couldn't let this day pass without wishing the cutest Bichon Frise in town (of course I'm a little biased!), Boo Radley, a very happy birthday.  Whew, and what a year it has been with her.  Those of ya'll who know me are very well aware of the many health problems Boo Radley has had from day one.  I mean what puppy has to have open heart surgery at eight months?  I can promise you, not many.  Looking back on her heart surgery seems like a walk in the park compared to her past year here in NYC with me.  I'll spare ya'll the details of her health woes the last 12 months, and just say Boo Radley truly is a little miracle dog with more life and personality than I could possibly have imagined.  I often say & truly believe that dogs teach you, for the first time in your life, to think about the well being of someone other than yourself, and that has been such an important lesson for me personally to learn.  Fellow dog owners, wouldn't ya'll agree? Hope ya'll are having a wonderful Tuesday!

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS...

YOU. Or this version of Mariah Carey's holiday classic "All I Want For Christmas Is You" on repeat. forever.  If that does not put you in the holiday spirit, I don't know what will, wouldn't ya'll agree? Absolutely one of my favorite songs. ever. Hope ya'll are having a fabulous start to the week! 

Friday, December 7, 2012

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: STOCKING STUFFERS

Holiday Gift Guide Stocking Stuffers 2012
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Just in time for the weekend, because I know some of ya'll will be out & about doing some holiday shopping, I've got the perfect stocking stuffer ideas for anyone on your list!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: GEEK CHIC

Holiday Gift Guide 2012, Tech Gift Guide
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A few of my of the moment favorites for the gadget guru on your list this year.  Do any of ya'll remember the original Polaroid cameras (ok, not dating myself here ya'll, it wasn't too long ago!), but seriously I loved my original Polaroid and can not wait to try out this new and improved 2012 version.  Do any of ya'll have the Polaroid Instant Digital Camera? If so, would love to know what you think of it! Another fabulous find is this Switch Hooks storage plate.  For those of us who live in tiny places, every little inch of space counts,  and it would be perfect for the switch plate by my front door. Any other favorite geek chic must-haves I missed? Be sure to let me know in the comments below and have a fabulous Friday!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: FOR HER

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Can ya'll believe Christmas is less than three weeks away? This time of year just flies right by doesn't it? So while some of these items on my ladies list might not be for all of ya'll, they are certainly items I'd enjoy. Happy Wednesday!

Monday, December 3, 2012

HELLO, DECEMBER.

Holidays, Christmas, Favorite Time of Year
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And the countdown is on... the final and *my personal favorite month of the year* is upon us-hello fabulous month of December, I know you'll be good to me & all of ya'll too! The final month of the year never fails to bring the very best to each and every one of its' 31 days.  It certainly doesn't want to close out the year on a bad note, and I completely agree with that philosophy. I hope your Monday and first few days of December are off to a fabulous start!