Link A Day

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years!  We are hanging out and keeping it low key tonight.  Which I am pretty happy about.  Nick has been working non-stop this week so a relaxing night sounds like perfection!  Have a happy and safe New Years!


If you have been reading my blog at all you know I love Elsie from A Beautiful Mess.  Like I might be a little blog stalkery with her! HAHA!  No it isn't that bad but she is a daily read.  Her blog is inspiring!  Another fun fact about me is that I really love oatmeal.  So this post from a while back is perfect.

This sweatshirt is a little piece of delightful!  The color and the design are wonderful!  However, if a sweet little fox is not your cup of tea- how about this one?

I think I need these cookies right now.  It has been one of those weeks peeps!  Bar cookies reming me of my grandma.  She used to make a huge pan and then cut them up and store them in an old ice cream bucket.  She rocked!!

This wake up mix over on Sometimes Sweet is pretty great!  It is a perfect for waking up but really what time if day is it not good for?  Good Morning, indeed!!

Is it too early to start thinking about Valentine's gifts?  Cause I want this and how!

This calendar would be such a neat thing for the coming year!  It is functional and decorative.  Most unlike the free ones from the bank.

I need some inspiration for some hair styles and this list is spot on!  They are spot on for holidays but look simple enough that I can actually do them any day of the year.  

Fill In the Blank

1.   New Years is     like a whole new start.  I love the idea of getting a do-over every year   .

2.   One of my New Year's resolutions will be   to actually do my hair 4 out of the 7 days every week.  Yeah I am aiming for a lower number on this one because I know myself all too well.  My high tinkerbell bun will inevitably rear its messy head.  Any suggestions of hairstyles is much appreciated      .

3.  A New Year's resolution I've made in the past was to   lose weight.  Mine are always about losing weight!  Well not this year!  I already started that so it doesn't count as a new years resolution.  Maybe with the head start I will actually keep it up    .

4. The most time consuming resolution I ever made was    losing weight and it usually only lasted til Valentines Day.    .

5.  This year I will be spending New Year's Eve    at home with the hubs and the babes.  Chinese food and good company are all that we have on the agenda  .

6.  If I could wish one thing for my new year it would be    to have another happy and wonderful year!  There are a lot of things that I want but really the only things I need are a happy family and good health  .

7.  2012 is going to be    even better than last year!!  I am excited to see what is in store  .

linking and image taken from here

Lola had a birthday shout hooray!

Okay so this post is wicked late.  My baby girl Lola turned three a couple of weeks ago and I can't just let it go by without saying anything.  She is so so awesome!  She is a spitfire already.  You know that song whatever Lola wants Lola gets?  Yeah that is pretty accurate.  She is kind and funny.  She is already dealing with something that no one should have to deal with and she handles it beautifully.  As a matter of fact I think that she has the personality she does so that she can handle it.  She loves her big brother so much and it makes me so happy!  She is a free spirit- hence the picture from fall because that is the most recent picture of her with clothes on.  Girl hates being restricted!  She is a perfect fit for my little family and we love her so much!  So happy super belated birthday little one!    

Super Late but rad Sunday Song

Okay so I have been a super lame blogger but spending time with the kids and Nick is what I want to be doing.  So here is Sunday Song on tuesday.  I figured that I should share a song that isn't a Christmas song.  Here it is: 

It's OK

I am trying a new link up today!  YAY!  It is the it's ok with Neely and Amber.   

SO on to the things I am totally OK with this week

It's OK

that I have eaten every holiday treat in sight

that I have continued to buy every said holiday treat in sight

when Lola ends up in only a diaper all day long.  She is only three for another 358 days after all.  Not too mention that the girl would have to have the clothes duct taped to her to keep them on. 

that Lola is still not potty trained.  She has no desire and I am not up for the fight.  Maybe after the new year?

to cry when I think about Lola being 3 and Nicco being 4.  They are getting so big and I feel like maybe that is a little messed up.

that I was crazy excited when Nick decided not to work a double last night.  I should have been more prudent and told him to not come home on my account but I was all HALLELUJAH instead!!

that my poor children wandered around the house for probably a good hour yesterday before my sorry ass got out of bed.  Sometimes it is really nice to be living with the grand parents!

to wake up thinking about Hector's Mexican Food and go to bed thinking about Hector's Mexican Food.  Oh shredded beef taco how you haunt my dreams!

to be so excited about what the kids got Nick for Christmas that I have had to change the subject to something more interesting repeatedly to save myself from telling him what they are.  I am not a secret keeper.

to cry along side my kids because the stress of Christmas is getting to them!  They are so so ready for Christmas day.

      

Kissing Ball for Christmas

I feel like it needs to be a Christmas week this whole week all up on the blog.  Maybe it has something to do with being the week before Christmas?  Yeah I am not sure either!  I had to share a craft I made.  This is my first official hand-made Christmas decoration.  I have it hanging from a hook in the middle of the living room. 

It is a kissing ball!  Basically just another version of mistle toe.  I added bells so when you kiss you knock them and they announce a bit of happiness!  My sweet little niece taught me how to make them.  So easy!  If anyone is interested in a tutorial I can whip one up.  It is pretty simple.

Sunday Songs

Why mess with a great thing?  Again with the Bing Crosby!

Fill In The Blank

1.   My most favorite "little thing" is     the few minutes between getting in bed and falling asleep.  It is the only time that I really get to have Nick completely to myself and the giggles and conversation are awesome   .

2.   I give anything to   have my own home!       .

3.  I can't believe    that Lola turned 3 yesterday!  I can't stop thinking about bringing that little girl home from the hospital.  She is so grown up already!    .

4. The one thing I'd like to achieve today is    getting some Christmas shopping done!  I have high hopes and low expectations. Haha!    .

5.  The last thing I want to do today is    go to freaking work.  Ugh!  It just sounds awful  .

6.  If I were writing my own blank today, it would say:   The best gift I ever gave was..... and my answer would probably be concert tickets to my sweet love.  The man loves good music and a good show   .

7.  My favorite candle scent is    lilac!  A good lilac candle will bring a smile to my face every time  .

linking and image taken from here

Here comes Santa Claus!

We went and saw the big man on Saturday.  And by big man I mean Santa Claus.  Can I get a what what?!  I have always thought that sitting in a huge Ace line waiting to see Santa with two tiny children sounded awful and so I never have.  But this year they had Santa at Nick's union party.  So I figured what the hey?  Best part was that we got there late so there was no line!  Bonus!!  They both handled it beautifully.  No tantrums on Santa's lap for us. I wonder if missing out on pictures of the wee babes crying on Santa's lap was a mistake though.  That is a classic Christmas image!  

  I had to include this first picture of Lola because it is so cute!  She freaking ran up to Santa and said "Santa!  I love you!!".  There was none of that stranger danger crap at all.  She was beyond thrilled to see him.

After the huge hug she became awfully timid.  She told Santa that she wanted a Barbie and when he asked her if she wanted anything to go with it she told him she wanted Christmas.  Get it guy?!  She wants a Barbie and Christmas to be here already!!

Nicco was way more shy than Lola.  He told him his name- that he wanted a plane- took the bag of treats and hopped down without looking back.  The best part with Nicco was the clowns.  I wish I had gotten a picture.  He was scared shiz-less of them!  I had to drag him over to the clown and then hold him while the guy made him his penguin balloon animal.  And the face painting?  Forget about it!  He absolutely refused to do that.  We learned something new about Nicco that day.  To be totally honest I get the clown thing.  Clowns are creepy.  The whole painted on smile with a real grimace underneath thing is a tad on the creeper side.  Anyone else afraid of clowns?  How about awesome screaming pictures with Santa? 

Christmas Decor Link A Day

Super special Link A Day!  All on Christmas stuff.  Ornaments, wreaths and what have you.

These ice skate ornaments look easy to make and so fun! 

How ingenius and lovely are these cards?  Super easy way to get the kids involved!

I have started to love pom-poms as I have gotten older.  As a kid I was less than impressed!  So as an adult I think that this wreath is a delight! 

Another wreath!  It looks so easy and so fun!

Holiday nails!! Too be perfectly honest they look a bit advanced for me but nonetheless I can appreciate them and wish for a steadier hand.  Maybe I will ask santa! 

I want sequins all up in my ornaments this year!!  And now I know how to get it done.

This hairstyle is swoon worthy and I think lives up to its title as "perfect holiday hair"

My tree will be brimming this year with all the wonderful ornament tutorials that are out in the inter-web (or galactic network as I like to call it!).  This one is right up my alley!

Rice Krispie peppermint roll up?  Umm yeah!  Ask me how my weight loss is going!  NO go ahead and ask.........

I don't even live on the beach and I adore these seashell ornaments!

How great would it be to add one of these music box ornaments to your tree every year?

This is the perfect little gift!  Popcorn is my family's favorite snack.  I might have to put one together for a family gift to Nicholas and the kiddos!

These little reindeer would be great to make with kids and here is a penguin one too!

I am going to end on lucky 13! 

Sunday Songs

Why not stick with a theme?  I love this man!

Fill in the Blank Friday

1.   Love is     amazing!  It is what happiness and frustration feel like!     .

2.   Being in love feels like   the best feeling in the world!  For me it is calm and content and exciting and passionate all at the same time      .

3.  My favorite quote about love is    "Love; it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you!  It will set you free to be more like the man you were meant to be!         -Mumford & Sons    .

4. The most important thing in a relationship is    laughter and trust. (Lauren did two and I am following suit!)  Laughter goes a long way.  Being able to laugh can get you through things that otherwise might be major issues in your life.  And to truly open yourself up and laugh and be vulnerable you need to trust your partner completely   .

5.  A "deal breaker" for me in a relationship is    someone who won't be honest.  Oh and someone with no sense of humor  .

6.  The way I show love in my relationships is    doing the little things just as Lauren said.  The day to day things that show I care about him every single day!  Grand gestures are good and all but they don't fill your tank the way that saving hot water so your husband doesn't have to have a cold shower does   .

7.  I love    Nicholas Charles Hemingway!!!  My twin flame  .

linking and image taken from here

Link A Day

OH HAAAIII!!  I have been a bit M.I.A the last few days.  Soo sorry!  Here is my link list that I should have posted last week.

I totally want to do this!  I just may have to find some shoes just so I can!

How delightful is this Etsy shop and this card in particular!

Need stocking stuffer ideas?  Yeah this is a list of one hundred!  100!!

I haven't ever done any embroidery work but I am getting inpsired!  Now to decide between this and this pattern.  Maybe both for that price!?

An easy and totally rad tutorial for custom push pins.  Not too mention super useful!

I want this in my stocking!  My family loves acorns thanks to Totoro! 

I am going to end with two recipes.  One healthier and delicious and one not so healthy but also super delicious! 

Sunday Songs

Maybe I should just do all Bing Crosby Christmas songs!  I love his voice!

Fill In The Blank

1.   The holiday season is    the most wonderful time of the year!!  I love the lights and sounds and snow.  I love the excitement on the kids faces!  It is a good time to help others and think outside of yourself.  Although that is something I need to focus a bit more on the whole year long!   .

2.   Snow makes me   smile!  As long as I am not driving in it or sitting worried about some one else driving in it      .

3.  The best comfort food to eat when it's cold out is    mac and cheese!  Home made of course.  OH mac and cheese I am longing for you now!    .

4. Winter is the best time for    everything!  I love winter!  IT is my all time favorite season.     .

5.  I can hardly wait for    checking out the lights downtown at Temple Square.  And all the other advents we are doing!  Oh YAY!!  .

6.  When it comes to holiday gifts I prefer to    give them for sure!  I love seeing someones face when I have been able to figure out the perfect gift .

7.  If I were to rate my excitement about the holiday season on a scale from 1-10, I would say I am at about      a million and a half.  Does that count?  The kids are singing Santa Claus is coming to town and they understand that we give gifts because the wise men brought gifts to the Baby Jesus.  Best of both worlds! .

linking and image taken here

SO.....

this is a post I have been avoiding for like 6 months.  Back in June I put up my 27 before 28 list.  Number 16 is lose 50 pounds.  At the time I thought that this would be so so easy.  It was pretty much only 1 lb per week.  Well fast forward til today and I have lost 4 ounces.  That means that now I have to lose at least 2 lbs per week.  Not as easy as 1 pound per week but still so very do-able.  As long as there is no more procrastinating!  Or I will have to lose 4 lbs per week then 8 lbs per week etc.  Not my cup of tea.  I am sort of thinking that I am crazy for starting at the beginning of December but no better time than the present, eh?    

I am not totally positive how I am going to start losing weight yet.  This week I am going to focus on portion control and getting all the water in that I am suppose to drink.  I am also going to try a work out that was in this months Women's Health for exercise.  It is an interval training type workout that is only supposed to take 20 minutes.  Perfect for the holidays!!!  I am also open for any healthy suggestions and tips!   

One last thing!  How should I blog it?  Would anyone even be interested in updates?  Weekly healthy recipes?  Pictures weekly?  Pounds lost per week?  Let me know what you all think.  I need all the help and support I can get.

Here is a current picture of myself for your viewing pleasure!

I am excited to start on my journey to a healthier weight! YAY!!

Link A Day

This print is truly truly true!

This tutorial is perfect for the holiday parties coming up!  I should start practicing.

Ask my wonderful husband and he will tell you I am a Pride and Pregudice freak.  I love to watch the BBC almost 6 hour version of the movie and I adore the book.  So this print is right up my alley.  Truth be known he loves it too!  He has even suggested that we watch it before.  OH mega swoon!!

Unicorns make me smile.  Ones like this one make me giggle out loud!

How about this necklace to make a sweet Christmas wish?!  Oh how I love it!

OMG I need to make these for the kids!  My heart skipped a beat when I first saw them!

How great would these be to make as gifts?!  I think everyone I know will be getting one this year.

Sunday Songs

I think for the next four or five Sunday Songs I will share some of my favorite Christmas songs.  This one is my all time favorite!  Can it get any better than Bing Crosby?

Fill In The Blank

1.   Waking up at the break of dawn to go shopping is my idea of     a living hell!  I went last night/this morning for the first time and will never go again!  I didn't buy a single thing because I was so stressed out   .

2.   If I were to go shopping today I would be on the hunt for   some real fabulous shoes or boots.  The kids are pretty much done for Christmas.  Which makes me so happy!  Way less stress for sure      .

3.  The best thing I ate yesterday was    laffy taffy pie!  So great and I had necer tried it before.  I also loved the smoked turkey that my fabulous sister and her great husband provided for our feast.  They also happened to provide the laffy taffy pie!    .

4. Something I've been learning lately is    patience.  That has never been my strong point.  I am more of a get pissed quick and often.  GUess what peeps?  That doesn't work!   .

5.  I cannot start my day without    sweet cuddles and kisses in my bed from my kiddos.  OH they warm my heart! .

6.  My nighttime attire consists of    not much. As long as it is tight fitting I can wear it.  I feel like loose clothing wraps around me and constricts.  That is no good for some one with a slight touch of claustrophobia and rolls during the night  .

7.  I am looking forward to    starting our advents with the kids!  We do an activity everyday with the kids during the month of December.  YAY!!  .

linking and image taken from here