SPLURGES!!!

Okay so I talked about steals&deals in a previous post and although I am always looking for the next bargain sometimes what I really need is a gift to knock someone’s socks off.  As much as I loveeeee recieving suprises/gifts I love giving them MORE.  a whole lot more.  This works out really well for my sister, husband and now my cutie of a niece. So I thought I would share some gifts if money meant nothing and you could chose the gift because it fits the person pefectly rather than fits your price point perfectly {oh in a dream world}.  So if you have been a good little reader and saved up all your pennies to buy a spectactular gift for someone this may do the trick to blow any gift you have ever given out of the water…

::Dunton Hot Spring::  Colorado

 

Take your love of your life for a romantic escape, have a girls weekend with your mom, sister or best friends.  Escape from the world for a few days at this amazing place {that use to be a ghost town!?!}.  It has hot springs, holistic spa, organic resturant, romantic walks, take in the clean air and take in the amazing views.  It is known as the #1 luxury hotel in the U.S. and luxury it is.  And if you have a couple extra pennies laying around this holiday time you can rent out the entire place for you and 41 other guest and make it the best.vacation.ever.

::Totally Wicked Gift!::

Purchase two tickets to a broadway play and make a night or weekend out of it to add more UMPH to the gift!  A night out on the town will do everybody wonders and the play will just be the sprinkles on top of the delicious ice cream city getaway.  A very very popular play right now is Wicked!! Although not cheap to purchase tickets a night out with a loved one is truly priceless. It is a great way to enjoy a night after all the holidays have passed and a great way to enjoy a great day with either your significant other, sister, mom, or best friend!

 

::Working Mom Recipe for Success!::

Tired of working all day and then coming home to cook all night?? Hate to cook in general?? Then this is the gift for YOU!! This gifts lets you put up your feet and relax while someone else cooks for you a 3 course meal and then you get the share the meal with 3 of your bestest friend, or your husband and children, or date night!!! This a great gift for anyone but even more for a working mom! Love to cook, but don’t know how??? If you enjoy to cook and find pleasure out of it and want to learn more they even offer cooking classes and so you could really learn to cook faster and with more expertise–a great gift!!! And if you really have saved your pennies you could have weekly prepared meals sent to their home as a gift!!! {could you even imagine the time it would save you??!!!}

::Corners like it is on rails!!::

The only reason I can get my husband to watch Pretty Woman {besides Julia Roberts} is the hot car Richard Gere gets to drive in.  He would love to own any exotic car and whenever we are on the road is on the lookout for the latest exotic car! HAHA.  So this gift would be great if you have a die hard fan of cars–expensive cars.  Being able to drive around for a day, weekend or if your guy is really lucky an entire week would make his year and perhaps his decade.  Just make sure before you put the red bow on the car outside that you preface with “you only have this car for a day/weekend/week…” because it could end badly if only after he names the car do you tell him you only rented it and did not purchase it for him.  Just a warning! To make it better please video tape his expression when he sees the car in the driveway and he realizes HE GETS TO DRIVE IT?!!!

 

::I love pink but blue boxes are my favorite::

Okay boys listen really closely.  Are you listening?? Okay so here is the deal with women.  If you buy them a blue box from Tiffany’s you really can’t go wrong.  There jewerly is classic and lovely and just so beautiful that anything that comes in this amazing blue box they will squeel with delight.  Of course there are a few exceptions and that would be if your girl does not wear jewerly so take note the next time you see your lady and take a look to see if something is dangling from her ears, arms, neck, or fingers.  If there is any jewerly on her she will love this gift.  No doubt. 

 

::Need a bit of R&R???::

The lost has really been found when you purchase a spafinder gift card.  I am not huge into giving gift cards but this one I love to recieve.  It makes me enjoy “me” time and really relax and unwind from a crazy period.  I do not descriminate against any spa treatments.  Some people have their favorites but I love them all.  Pedicures-yes Massages-yes Facials-yes Manicure-yes All day treatment–oh HECK yes!  You name it and I love it.  So if you have a person in your life that needs to be force or conjouled to relax this would be a great gift to give and the best part is you never have to leave your desk.  BONUS!

::ANGEL ON BOARD::

I was part of the whole movement of “BABY ON BOARD” sticker on the car.  I don’t see any of those around much but I use to love seeing them on cars when I would drive–it always made me smile.   This sweater always makes me smile as well and if I had a couple extra dollars to spend this holiday season I would definately get this for my little niece because she is an angel in my mind. 

::Antiques are the NEW trend::

I have noticed that the new trend around town is decorating your house with antiques or refurbished furniture.  I think that if you have the style and wit to be able to do this then go for it!! I on the other hand is one of those people who colors within the lines and enjoys following directions and pictures.  I have a hard time throwing different items together and creating something beautiful.  It is something I have been working on but I have always been a little bit envious of those individuals who can create something out of nothing.  If I was furnishing a house I would love to put this lovely couch/day bed in my sitting room.  It is antique Louis XV style and it is just gorgeous and it popped off the screen from the moment I saw it.  SUPER FABULOUS!!

::Just for my husband who loves sheets::

I hear that these sheets and blankets are the softest around and for the price they better be!! My husband is a sheet snob.  He will not mind me saying this because he would say it himself.  He loves sheets and he only likes to sleep on sheets that are 500 thread count or more.  sheet snob right??!! Our entire registry was almost all sheets and blankets–no lie! HAHA! SO if we didn’t just have our registry and get tons of sheets this is something I might have thought of getting him for the holiday season.  The designs and styles of the sheets and blankets are great as well and there is a ton of variety. 

::My own personal splurge:::

If I could splurge on something for myself I would love to get this pretty baby.  For any budding photographers or people who just want to take amazing pictures of flowers, their kids, or major events in their lives might want this as well.  I really have been drooling over this camera for quite some time and although I do not have the money for it doesn’t mean I still can’t dream about owning it one day… {Canon EOS 5d}

 

After the holidays I hope to be able to show all of you what I actually bought individuals for the holiday season {not yet because some of my readers are getting gifts…haha} and although none of these gifts were in our budget this year {sorry everyone!} it is always great to dream about what could be for next year.  No matter if your presents had to be 2 dollars or 200,000 dollars it is the love that is expressed through the gifts and the look on their faces when they unwrap their gift.  Nothing could be better. Truly.  

Happy Holidays!!

xoxoxoxo

New found loves

Yes I love my husband BUT can he make a picture magical? can he make secret snowflake UBER better? Can he make my heart go thump thump {okay the last one is true for my huband..hehe}.  Well these three sites are amazingly wonderful and have changed my life for the better and so I thought I would share them with my blog friends {after all it is the holidays!}.  It is only fair to share the love and give a present to my blog readers <3

So it isn’t a recent love but something that always makes me smile every year around the holidays.  Every year I normally part take in a secret snowflake that uses this snazzy bedazzled FREE online service which takes secret snowflake to the next level.  Everyone meet ELFSTER.  Elfster is this snazzy little elf who makes your life SO much easier if you are setting up a secret snowflake or participating in a secret snowflake.  You are able to ask your secret snowflake anonymous questions, make a wish list so if the person doesn’t know you incredibly well they will after they see your wish list, ask the entire group a question to pass the time away during work {who me? nahhh }, gives you a reminder of when the exchange happens and who else is participating in the exchange, plus it picks everyone’s person so you save a tree cutting up all those pieces of tiny paper and writing everyone’s name on them and picking from a hat, bucket, or bowl.  Inevitably something always goes wrong and we have to have a re-do.  No need with the help with tiny little elfster. Contrary to the name {elfster}you can use this around the holidays or whenever.  The elfster can help all year round!

 

Need some inspiration and amazingly beautiful photos in your life? Imgfave is the answer.  Sometimes when I am having a hard day or need a bit of inspiration I just click on these photos and lifts my spirits and gives me energy.  At times I use these pictures in my blog and one of them is my desktop background so that I can truly escape. I seriously can never get enough of these pictures and one day when I am brave and have a better camera I am hoping I can pay it forward and put some inspirational pictures up on the site for others to view.   You do not have to register to view the pictures but if you are slightly braver then me I say go for it!   This again is a FREE site and really has helped me find happiness in a work day. I just typed in the website and this beauty popped up and so I thought I would share… 

picture found on imgfave

A more recent find is through my dear sister *k* I always see fun pictures she has with quotes on them and in different colors and although I know I will never be as cool as my younger sister I do aspire for some of her coolness to rub off on me.  I saw that is was called picnik and so I googled and VOILA’ the lost had been found!! I used this for the first time yesterday and I may turn into an addict.  I was wondering how the individuals on imgfave was able to be so creative with their pictures and I think I might have found the answer!! It once again is FREE and you upload pictures and then you can add borders to the pictures, text with fun writing on the pictures, different color font, different types of photos such as sepia, black and white, infared, and about 100 other types. It is life changing if you have a blog but it is so simple to use and learn I was able to jazz up my picture from yesterday’s post  in about 5 seconds {and that includes registering time as well!}. It is truly inspiring and although there are  better ways to edit and jazz up photos for professional photographers this will do it for your average blogger/creator/photo loving person.

photo edited by picnik

 

Happy Holidays!!

xoxoxoxo

I AM A WIFE.

It have been over 6 months and still these 4 words take my breath away. I have a husband.  I am part of a new family {officially}.  The surprises can come out of nowhere such as when I am telling a story and say my niece did xyz rather than awkwardly saying my boyfriend’s niece.  I have a niece. I have a sister in law, mother in law, and father in law.  My dreams are not consumed of the hope of being part of the family but rather what my future holds with my new formed family. 

A recent example of still finding surprises that I am a wife is making our ornament this year.  I was thinking about what type of ornament I should buy/make this year. The tradition started when we were just dating and I would buy a ornament for both of us to put on our tree.  Last year one of my staff members gave me the greatest gift ever-a homemade engagement ornament for our tree.  priceless.  As I was putting up our ornaments this year and put up our engagment ornament it took my breath away… ”OMG we got married this year of course our ornament will be about our marriage!”. HAHA!  Like I said still shocking at times to me that I am a wifey.   I am very excited to have our first holiday season as husband and wife and soak in all the joy, love and surprises that comes with being newlyweds.         

  our engagement ornament

 

our wedding ornament (the back is my married name)

notice something in a bulb near our wedding ornament?–ME and my iphone! lol

 

 

Happy Holidays to all the newlyweds!!

xoxoxoxo

Deals & Steals!

So we have been able to slim down our christmas shopping list but unfortunately we {and by we I mean me} fell into the trap of secret snowflakes/grab bags/white elephants this year.  They are all so fun that it is very difficult not to want to participate in these awesome party events.  But now I am staring at buying for about 6 these festivis events and trying to figure out what to buy people for 5 dollars, 10 dollars, and even 20 dollars.  My brain hurts just thinking about what to buy and I haven’t even stepped into a store yet.  So if you are knee deep into shopping for these trinkets for people perhaps some of my online hunting will help you out to find that perfect, personable yet within budget gift you have been searching for the secret someone. 

Here is what I have found…

 

{10 dollar bargain}

{20 dollar bargain}

{20 dollar bargain}

 

{10 dollar bargain}

{20 dollar bargain}

{15 dollar bargain}

 

{2 dollar bargain}

 

{10 dollar bargain}

{20 dollar grill brush bargain}

{10 dollar bargain}

{20 dollar bargain}

{5 dollar bargain}

{7 dollar bargain}

{15 dollar bargain}

{10 dollar bargain}

 

{15 dollar bargain}

{15 dollar bargain}

{10 dollar bargain}

{10 dollar bargain}

 

Now that I have done some searching and seem some items that are easily in my price range it doesn’t seem as daunting as orginially thought at the beginning of this post.  Thank you blog for the help! Happy Hunting!! :)

Happy Shopping!!

xoxoxoxo

Snow Thoughts

okay so snow is complicated.  well yes why and how it snows is complicated but I am talking more about wanting snow to occur or to stay away.  I love staying in and watching the snow but I hate going out and scraping out my car from the mounds of snow and ruining a perfectly good outfit.  I love making a snowman and snow angels with my husband in the still of the night but I hate when snow gets in my shoes and make my socks wet and my body stays cold for the rest of the day.  I love when I have snow days and I am able to bake or lay around and watch a marathon of dvds with my hot cocoa but I hate when I think I might have a snow day and wake up to find that it either never snowed and I had my hopes up or not enough to make it a snow day just enough snow to be annoying.  I love when snow is the excuse for making a fire in the middle of the day and cuddling under a blanket with the christmas tree on but I hate when I have awesome plans and they are ruined because of inclimate weather and no fire will help me wanting to escape. I love hot drinks and love them even more when they snow but I hate losing out the cool slushies in the warmer days.  I love Vermont in the winter and watching my husband and friend snowboard while I enjoy the lodge but I hate having to get all bundled up and feeling sweaty yet cold all at the same time. Snow reminds me of my engagement weekend and I oh so love that about snow. I love watching my little niece expression when she touched her mr. potatoe head snowman but I hate that I can’t swing on a hammock and read a book. I love summer dresses and hate bulky sweaters or jackets.  I love that I am close to family now that the holidays are here and with that comes the New England snow but I hate that we were suppose to be in California and snow reminds us of the dreams that were dashed. 

Be very thankful that I am not the one who needs to make the decision whether we have snow or not because I wouldn’t be able to make the decision and we would end up in limbo every winter season. HAHA!  It is a topic that I am oh just so torn about and on any given day and in any given moment I could feel completely different about the thought of getting snow. So Mother Earth I would have to say you have one of the tougher jobs around town in deciding on who gets pounded with snow and who gets let off the hook with just a mild shower of rain. I say to you goodluck. 

 

So what do I feel about snow at this exact moment? I am hoping that the snow comes in full force  tonight so I can have at least a delay of work tomorrow to snuggle and enjoy my coffee over some Regis & Kelly.Yet, I want all the snow to be over by the weekend so we can do our weekend holiday traveling.  Yup, still indecisive when it comes to snow.

Happy Winter!!!

xoxoxoxo

When we do more entertaining…

we are buying this.

 

It is on the pricer side and we don’t have much room to store this entire endeavor but truly would be the first thing on my list when I purchase a house.  Forget the washer and dryer.  All we need is one of these and we would be blissfully happy until the cows came home.  We played with a bunch of co-workers this weekend and I literally could not put down the drum sticks down (Iwas the drummer…who knew?!). I was addicted and I want to play MORE!  I dream about the color notes…I live for the color notes! HAHA! We played songs over and over until we were able to play them entirely through (we got booed off the stage a couple times…flo’ rida is hard to sing people! HAHA!).  It was one of those games you could play with adults, children, a mixture and could really get a party really going.  One minute we are twidling our thumbs trying to figure out what we want to do next and then BAM we are rocking out like true rockstars!  My husband and I both looked at each other and said WE NEED TO GET ONE OF THESE simultaneously.  

So if you have friends or family that do a lot of entertaining this should be first on their wish list because it truly is awesomeness in a box. 

Speaking of box I need to give a shout out to my band C.S.B. and I can’t wait for our next band practice (yup, we are going on a tour soon!) 

Happy Playing!!!

xoxoxoxo

Happy Friday!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday night that is filled with a bit of relaxing, a bit of delicious food and a whole lot of fun!!! We have a great weekend planned and it will be a whirlwind of traveling so for tonight we are going to have a little date night and relaxation to kick off the weekend!! Now if I can only get through this last meeting at work…

Happy Friday!!

xoxoxo

If I had a mantel…

I would make this beauty….

 

{sigh}

Just another reason to add to the list of eagerness to own a house. Twig and Thistle once again has found a way to make home decor so fun, easy, and beautiful.  If you haven’t stopped by their blog it is a real winner especially if you are the crafty type.  Perhaps I will just make this and hang it on our back wall so our house smells like cinnamon and pine cones all season long.  ohhh how I love the holidays!

If you do have a mantel and think this is just as pretty as I do here are the instructions/supplies to make it happen!

What You’ll Need:
Pine Cones
Ribbon
Screw Hooks
Hole Punch
Scissors

Instructions:
1. Begin by measuring your mantel or space that you’d like to hang your garland and cut your ribbon. Remember to leave extra for hanging. Once you’ve determined the length, space your pine cones out as you like on a flat surface. The pine cones I used were fairly large so I kept about 4 inches between each one. On the back of the ribbon discreetly mark where each pine cone will go, then punch a hole with a small craft punch. I used an 1/8″ round circle punch like this one.

2. Once you know how many pine cones you’ll need, screw in one screw hook into the top of each pine cone. This takes a little practice and you may need a little elbow grease but once you get the hang of it it goes pretty quickly.

3. Poke each hook through the hole you’ve made in the ribbon and hang! Easy as pie and something that will last for seasons to come!

Get Crafting!!!

xoxoxoxo

Britney + My Aunt = ?

                                  

What does my lovely and oh so fab aunt have in common with Britney Spears?

My aunt has the same birthday as her!! HAHAHA!!

 {she would just lovvveee this}

So Happy Birthday Brit Brit & Happy Birthday Aunt M.

Happy Birthday to the person who stepped in as my big sister and showed me how to put make-up on, gave me my first make-up, how to drive a car beween a telephone pole, how to pull off leggings and a t-shirt before it was cool in 2009, how to flirt with a guy, how to ask a guy out, how to do my hair and have the latest and greatest hair do’, how to fix my terrible haircut when I tried to be Meg Ryan.  She was the one who was the cool adult in my life and the only one who treated me like I was adult {even if I really wasn’t}.  Seeing how excited she was when she jumped over a doggie fence to tell me she was engaged and give me every.single.detail. She shared all of her wedding planning excitement with me, made me feel so special being a junior bridesmaid in her wedding, gazing at her wedding album and knowing that someday I wanted this life, sharing in her woes of trying to have children and then the excitement when she found out she was expecting {3 times!}.   I could name a million adjectives to express what my aunt means to me but they would do no justice.  She showed me how to be the bestest big sister in the world {you can thank her k}.  Years have passed and life has gone on by but she listened and stood up for me with family drama, answered the phone when I screamed…I AM ENGAGED!!, listened to all engagement details{over and over of course}, helped with wedding plans, cut circles, tied ribbons and shared in the most magical day of my life. I know she will be by myside for the next big day in my life and all the little moments along the way…xoxoxo   

Happy Birthday!!!!

 

World AIDs Day

21st Annual World AIDs Day is today and although thankfully I do not know someone affected by AIDs {at least to my knowledge}, but I still feel a need to remember and reflect…

Remember the individuals who put their heart and soul into making a panel for the AIDs Memorial Quilt…

Remember the people who have been affected in any shape or way…

Remember all the individuals who are waiting for a cure…

Remember the families who has had to live beyond the life of a loved one…

Remember the individuals who have given their lives to find a cure…

Remember the individuals who still have hope…

Remember the individuals who have died because of AIDs…

Panels on display at the University of Massachusetts Lowell

We had the opportunity to see 6 panels today and although it isn’t the entire display {which would take 33 days to view} it was still very moving.  We had an opening ceremony this afternoon and the room was filled with sadness, reflection, healing, and above all hope and love.  The guest speaker, Jose Sostre, who has been living with AIDs since 1992 spoke from the heart and told his story. He said it so elequently that although individual’s living with AIDs are living longer than before we still need to be in search for the cure. 

It made me think of all the work that still needs to be done for humanity…