Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Five Little Holiday Things

The whole month of December is always a crazy month, despite it being "the most wonderful time of the year."  This year especially, it seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye and I really haven't enjoyed it to it's fullest potential. With that being said, this past weekend I was really trying to focus on enjoying the fun little things that make up the holidays, like enjoying time with friends and staying indoors all day. I created a little "Five Things" post about what has made me smile all weekend, s here are the pictures of each little detail that's kept me in the holiday mood, I hope they keep you smiling like they've kept me.

{The row of gingerbread houses that have now been transferred to our island}

{Each and every one of our super sentimental ornaments)

{All of the Christmas cards we've received lately}


{My manicure (and pedicure) that I got yesterday in a Christmas-y red}

{The poinsettias that are scattered all over our house, clique, I know, but they radiate Christmas for me}

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

A Peek into my Make-Up Bag

I'm always curious to see what other people have in their make-up bags, so I thought that I should share to others what is in mine.  I'm always spilling my little bag all over my bathroom counter and it is rarely ever clean so last night as I was doing just that, I grabbed my camera and snapped a picture, these are my current favorites as of this moment.  What are your favorite make-up buys?


-Bag: Body Shop cosmetic bag from last year's Christmas, it had Satsuma lotions in it; my favorite scent from them.
-Eight-Color Eyeshadow Palette: From Claire's, this is so convenient so that I don't have to buy each and every bright color I want, I use this most in the summer though.
-Brown Eyeliner: Mary Kay brand, I really never use this, but it comes in handy when you are marking off two specific points to pluck your eyebrows in.
-Sonia Kashuk Brushes: I got this as a birthday present and I've loved it since the second I unwrapped it. Its really easy to put into a bag and take anywhere, and with five brushes, you'll never go wrong.
-Colossal Volume Mascara from Maybelline: This really fans out your lashes and makes them really dark.
-Mary Kay Foundation: I don't use this as foundation, I use this as concealer.  It covers up blemishes really easily and blends into my skin tone nicely. Plus, it doesn't clog pores which is a must for teenagers especially.
-Shimmer-y Gray Eyeshadow: I put it only under the crease in my eyes and it makes my blue eyes pop.
-Old Mascara wand: This comes in really handy when my mascara won't cooperate and clumps together.
-Mini Sephora Eyeshadow: I got this in their birthday package and it came in white which makes your eyes wider and look more awake.
-Smokey Eyeshadow Quad: I've been able to think up numerous looks with these four basic colors, it's now a staple to every day life.
-Lip Polish: This is from Maybelline called Girly Pink, that pretty much describes it. I can easily smooth a coat or two on when I'm running late and it gives me a fun yet polished look instantly, its just slightly pink-er then my natural lip color, so it's not a major pop.
-Three-Shade Blush Palette: I only use the lightest shade or the middle shade of this, but those two are perfect. The lighter shade also works as a bit of a highlighter and the two blend together well to give a perfect color for my skin tone.




Saturday, December 11, 2010

Holiday Gifts for...

Here are a few gifts for the foodie in your life, but I think almost anyone would appreciate any of these gifts.  I've never been super into cooking until recently and now I'm head over heels in love for baking so it seemed appropriate to make a foodie gift guide.  One of my favorite Christmas memories is when i was eight and me and my little brother rushed down stairs to see what Santa had gotten us. I got a Bath and Body Works American Girl gift basket, but my little brother, who was five, got a spice rack and a waffle maker. For the longest time he wanted o be a chef, and my mom is a great cook. i can think of a lot of people that would love one of these presents. Who would you give these to?

Anthropologie Dining Room Measuring Spoons
Crate&Barrel Star Cookie Cutters
Anthropologie Elephant Shakers
Amazon Just Cupcakes
Crate&Barrel Red Mixing Bowl
Sephora Ginger Bread Girl Body Wash
Anthropologie Tea-and-Crumpets Apron
Bella Cupcake Couture Cupcake Wrappers
Crate&Barrel Hot Chocolate Blender

Christmas Songs Playin'

I adore Christmas music and start listening to it in October most of the time. Christmas songs and snow are what get me excited for the Holiday times, and since we haven't actually had any snow, I've been hanging on to the joyful songs from my Christmas playlist for dear life. I'm listening to Christmases When You Were Mine by Taylor Swift at the moment and whenever I hear one of these songs, it instantly brightens my day.  My favorites are Christmas Must Be Something More also by Taylor Swift, Jingle Bells sung by Basshunter, and Winter Wonderland sung by Kate Havnevik.  Here is my Christmas playlist as of this moment, what are your favorites?

Santa Baby- Marilyn Monroe
Winter Wonderland- Jewel
Winter- Sixteen Cities
Winter Wonderland- Kate Havnevik
White Christmas- Taylor Swift
We Need a Little Christmas- Glee Cast
The Little Drummer Boy- Jessica Simpson
Silent Night- Taylor Swift
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town- Mariah Carey
Merry Christmas Darling- Glee Cast
Little Drummer Boy- Low
Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow- Michael Buble
Last Christmas- Taylor Swift
Joy to The World- Faith Hill
Jingle Bells- Basshunter
Jingle Bell Rock- Jessica Simpson
Christmas Must be Something More- Taylor Swift
Last Christmas- Glee Cast
Baby It's Cold Outside- Barenaked Ladies
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas- Tori Amos
I'll be Home for Christmas- Aimee Mann

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Christmas Wish List

A new gift guide is way way way over due and as I was looking around for some presents to put into a new one, I kept adding more and more onto my list of wishes. The most recent hints I've been giving out are for a Danny Roberts print and a perfume sampler from Sephora. I love gifting presents to people, especially when you find the perfect present that you know they are going to love.  The hardest part of the holidays are keeping the presents under the tree and not gifting them to friends right away, but this just focuses on what I want.  Lately I've had some very persistent friends and I've really had to think about what I wanted for the upcoming holidays, so it seemed right to put my list into a post.  Here is my list for Santa, whats on yours?

Kate Spade Wall Calendar

Ulta Remington Pearl Straightener
Sephora Perfume Sampler
Penguin Wreck This Journal
Danny Roberts Print
Archie Grand Notebooks

P.S. Sorry I don't have any links to the items, the program refused to cooperate


Saturday, December 4, 2010

Cookie Dilemma

Now that it's finally December, all things Christmas have come out.  Our tree is decorated and lit at all hours and little details of Christmas are strewn about our house.  Just yesterday a friend of my mom's came over with a poinsettia that is placed differently each time I see it from my mom's excitement. One of my favorite parts of this time of year is all the food. To say I have a sweet tooth is a major understatement and I love all the different holiday flavors that come out for just this time of year. Peppermint and chocolate are two of my all-time favorite combinations when it comes to desserts and now they seem to be everywhere which is such a treat for me. I'm going to a holiday cookie exchange with a friend in a few weeks and I've been looking for the perfect recipe for this party.  I've found quite a few possibilities and now I'm realizing that narrowing it down to just one idea is going to be the hardest part.  Here a few contestants that may make it into the party. Which do you think would be yummiest?


Cinnamon-Sugar Roll Cookies
{Cinnamon-Sugar Roll Cookies}
All pictures from Better Homes & Gardens website


Espresso Shots
{Espresso Shots}


Brown Sugar Shortbreads on cookie sheet
{Brown Sugar Shortbread}

Triple-Decker Decadence
{Triple-Decker Decadence}

Mini Raspberry and White Chocolate Whoopie Pies
{Raspberry and White Chocolate Whoopie Pies}

Chocolate-Peppermint Meringue Kisses
{Chocolate-Peppermint Meringue Kisses}


Red Velvet Whoopie Pies w/Peppermint Filling
{Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Filling}