This New Years, I am all about the sparkle.  I don’t know what it is, especially since I have never been really a sparkle girl.  I was inspired by “Waves of Sparkle” by Trophies. This time around I created two different outfits, both with the same accessories.

Outfit #1:

Top: Forever 21: Dripped Sequin Knit Top

Skirt: Forever 21: Belted Sateen Skirt

Outfit #2:

Top: Forever 21: Sateen Chiffon Pleated Top

Skirt: Forever 21: Sateen Tiered Skirt

Accessories:

Clutch: Forever 21: Embellished Satin Clutch

Hose: Forever 21: Ribbed Tread Tights

Shoes: Forever 21: Patent Croco Fusion Pump

Can you see a common theme this time around?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday of all times; however, I decided to work again.  Maybe I will be lucky and get to go home early!  Any ways, I hope everyone is enjoying wonderful and memorable times with family and close friends!!!

P.S. I might not post until after the New Year.  All of my siblings will be in town and I want to spend as much time with them as possible!!!

Ever year the wives or girlfriends of my husband’s co-workers will bake dessert to give out at his work.  This year I baked two types of cookies.  They were white chocolate chip and butterscotch cookies and peanut butter round up cookies.  Each type of cookie I have made through the year and they love them, so I decided to make them this year.  It was relatively easy.

Here is what the process looks like:

And the end product:

Recipes:

White Chocolate Chip & Butterscotch Cookies

Same Recipe I used on February 20, 2009, except that I used one cup of white chocolate chips & one cup of butterscotch chips.

Peanut Butter Round Up Cookies (makes 6 dozen)

1cup soften stick butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 or 1.5 cups natural peanut butter ( I used about 1.25 cups of creamy peanut butter)
2 cups sifted flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup pecans (I didn’t put these in, obviously)
1 cup chocolate chips

Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and peanut; beat well. Sift together flour, baking soda & salt in a separate bowl. Add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats, chips and pecans. Shape dough into 1 inch balls (I couldn’t do this, so I dropped about a tablespoon of dough onto the cookie sheet). Place on greased or parchment lined cookie sheet. Press tines of for to make a criss cross on each cookie. (I did not do the last step either)

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 8-10 mins ( I baked 10 mins in our gas stove).

Hope you Enjoy!

My father in law is one of the hardest people to shop for.  He either has it all or gets it.  I think a few years ago, the hubby bought his dad a series of DVDs, which are yet to be open.  Therefore, we generally get him some food related item.  This year he is going to be blessed with salsa & chips night.  The basket includes five different types of salsa, a bag of chips and salsa bowls, that the local Mexican restaurant usually have.  Hopefully, he will enjoy!

Please excuse the background.  I was taking the picture while I was wrapping gifts!

Another gift basket that I created this Christmas was for a co-worker of mine and her boyfriend.  He is a teacher, but unemployed at the current moment and she is thinking about going back to school come January.  I made this basket to wish them good tiding for the holiday season and with the coming school year.

Contains:

1 back of notebook paper

2 spiral notebooks, one subject

post its

1 pack of 3X5  index cards

1 pack of 5×7 index cards (I think this was the size)

lip gloss

$5 Target gift card

box of crayons

2 small notebooks to take notes

Well this really isn’t a craft; however, a great family idea.  As I get older, which I am not old now, I realize that I do not like getting gifts that aren’t useful or practical.  I created this basket for my hubby’s best friend’s family.  It will allow them to be able to spend a family night together.  Their children are young almost three and a year and half, so we tried to get things they would be able to do.

In the basket:

2 pads of paper with crayons in a little notebook (bought via Etsy)

“Up” the movie

2 decks of playing cards

Play Doh kit

Barrel of Monkeys

My friends and I went out for dinner and drinks to catch up.  We try to get together every few weeks.  It is a time where we can reflect on our frustrations and joys at work, personally, and anything that we might need to get some advice about.  This last time we went to a downtown restaurant called, “the Pit.”  It is a barbecue restaurant with a downtown feel.  It was wonderful!    We will definitely go again!

Shirt: Target

Vest: Tulle

Jeans: Guess via Ross

Shoes: Blowfish via DSW

Just not to get married.   Today, we went to church for the morning service and then having my parents over for lunch.  It is yucky outside, wish it was nicer.  Would love to go out and take a walk.  I’ve been looking at taking a pilates or yoga class in my area.  It is really expensive!  I never realized for five sessions, it could be over $100, which I guess, is still a good price.  I don’t know.  I will definitely keep looking!

Sweater: Old Navy
Dress: Target
Tights: Target
Shoes: Blowfish via DSW

P.S. Sorry for the mess under the table.  That is where we keep all our shoes when we come in.

Christmas is only a few weeks away and I can’t wait.  It is by far one of my favorite holidays!  Here are a few favorites I found on Etsy to get you in the Christmas/Winter Holiday spirit!

Christmas trees are what I think of as the international symbol of Christmas.  Almost every house has one, whether real or fake, green, white or pink, and no matter what it is decorated like.  These are from All Things White Shop. You would be able to put a Christmas tree on your Christmas tree.

It is never the holidays without cards.  Every year I look forward to receiving tons of Christmas card, with or without pictures.  I definitely enjoy see the update picture of everyone’s family.  This holiday card is from Cristin Rae’s shop and this card describes the holidays like no other card does.

With eating all of the holiday goodies, you will always need a napkin to be near by.  This green napkin just reminds me of the Christmas season without being too Christmasie.  It can be found at Elizabeth Bentz’s shop.

Last, but definitely not least, are my favorite felt trees.  If you don’t have room for a Christmas tree of any sort, this would be perfect for you.  You could put it as a table decoration or at your entry way.  It could go any where!!!  Find these trees and other neat holiday decorations at Rak Designs.

Can’t wait to share my small amount of Christmas decorations!

I have been trying to lose a little bit of weight, not really because I need to, but more or less I want my clothes to fit a little better.  To celebrate that I lost five pounds, I bought this dress from Mod Cloth.  The hubby did the final pick.

When I tried it on, it fits perfectly, except the boobs/chest/bust area.  I am trying to figure out what I am going to do about whether I am going to 1) return it,  2) take it to the tailor’s or 3) ignore it.  We will see.

What do you think?