Good morning

I have been a bad bad blogger and I'm sorry! With all the new things going on over here I barely have time to check my email let alone blog about it.

But - the good news is, I'm making time! This week is the start of something new and I couldn't be more excited about it. The anticipation and lead up to this coming weekend has been killing me and it's finally here. So, with sparkly gold nails, a cute dress and a 4 hour car ride...I'm saying wahoo! to new adventure.

Source: sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net via Carrie on Pinterest

Expect me back tomorrow with some killer cookie and cupcake recipes. It's the holidays and I have many things to share :)

holiday love

This is my favorite time of year. I love every bit of what comes along with the holidays, the shopping, the baking, the time spent with friends and family...I love it all. My tree is up, my fireplace is burning and there are presents under my tree. All that is missing is a bit of cocoa with home made marshmallows!
Some other things I'm loving this holiday season...

Source: 02eb09c.netsolhost.com via Beccy on Pinterest

Gorgeous table! I love the colors so much. Cool and cozy. Perfect.

Source: currystrumpet.blogspot.com via Marine on Pinterest

Really pretty. I have a thing of Christmas balls on my mantel, I'll be adding some battery operated lights into it today!

Source: elisabethheier.blogspot.dk via Laura on Pinterest

Beautiful wrapping. I usually go a bit more colorful, but this is still pretty awesome. Sometimes simple and gorgeous is perfect.

Source: luvinthemommyhood.com via Shellie on Pinterest

It's a little girl, candyland Christmas! I love this, even with a pink Christmas tree!!

Source: flickr.com via Janelle on Pinterest

Gorgeous simple decorated cupcakes. I love simple and pretty they are.

Source: stylemepretty.com via arepok on Pinterest

Ok, not Christmas but so perfect.

Source: mindbodygreen.com via Nancy on Pinterest

So true.

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I love this!

city sidewalks...

On Saturday morning, I got up bright and early to head into the city. My older sister, Jenn, is a pre-k teacher and takes her class of 4 year olds to see the tree and Santa. My mom, cousin Dean and I joined in on the trip to share in some of the merriment!

make it better...

Post break up with Mike, things are different. I've been trying my hardest to stay busy and try not to focus on the fact that I'm lonely and that becoming single during the holidays sucks. I know that I made the decision to break up, and that I wanted this, but it's still really hard.

Source: google.com via Sally on Pinterest

I have been talking to a new guy a tiny bit, and I like him, but I'm not really sure I'm ready to jump into anything. I know that I need time to "mourn" the loss of my relationship with Mike and not just try to fill the void that was left.

Source: matchbookmag.tumblr.com via The Power on Pinterest

So, my real goal here is to focus on me. Focus on the holiday season. Focus on how lucky I am to have the other people in my life.

Oh, pinterest.

Yay for Pinterest Wednesdays throughout the holiday season. These are the best.

Source: reformedsororitygirl.tumblr.com via Paige on Pinterest

I plan on living a lot this holiday season. With bright red lips and nails!

Source: katherinemariephotography.com via Alisha on Pinterest

One of my favorite things to do throughout the Christmas season is to spread random acts of kindness. In my family we all call it "passing the cheer"

Source: weekendattire.tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest

These puppies! Oh my.

Source: ghost-12.blogspot.com via Kellie on Pinterest

Such a cute centerpiece idea.

Source: pin4fun3287.blogspot.com via Anne on Pinterest

Seriously can't wait to do this with every fridge I come into contact with!!

Source: plainchicken.com via Pam on Pinterest

Yum-o

Source: toostinkincute.blogspot.com via Charlinda on Pinterest

Perfect for a Christmas cake!!

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So cute.

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I'll take this please.

Source: chef-in-training.com via Carrah on Pinterest

Loving new appetizer ideas!



Happy Wednesday!!

holiday kickoff

Thanksgiving weekend is probably my favorite weekend of the entire year. Wednesday we make pie. Thursday we eat! Friday and Saturday we shop and then Sunday we get our Christmas trees! This year it definitely didn't disappoint. We had the best time!

First, we feast! Look how big my (11 year old!!!!) niece has gotten!!

Then we shopped. We spent about 10 hours (starting at 11pm Thursday night) at the Palisades mall. We had a few too many trips to Starbucks, and a lot of laughs. I seriously love black friday shopping!!

Then we shopped some more. Saturday morning 6am at Woodbury Commons!

Then we celebrated. It was time to cut down Christmas trees! Hopefully I'll get mine up today or tomorrow and I'll have pictures to share. 

I hope your weekend was full of wonderful times with friends and family. I'm still recovering from mine! Last night it took all of my effort to stay up until 8pm! I was soo ready for bed at 6!

gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving. Today's the one day of the year that we are all supposed to reflect on the things in our lives that we're grateful for. This year more than any other, I know that I'm a very lucky girl. I'm surrounded by amazing friends and family and we've been through a lot this year.

Kicking cancers ass. And magically recovering from a traumatic brain injury.

The best family on the planet.

The best friends on the planet who are there no matter what happens.

oh, how pinteresting.

It's one of the best Wednesdays of the year, it's pie day and it's pinterest day. How could that be bad? There were way too many pins that I loved this week, so without further ado, and without too much wordiness, here are some of my favorites...

Source: mstapioca.wordpress.com via Steph on Pinterest

If you were looking for ideas, this is exactly what I'd like for Christmas.

Source: mossandmarsh.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Or this house. You could buy this for me...So gorgeous.

Source: havealittlefaithinme.tumblr.com via Kathi on Pinterest

Adorable DIY ornaments.

Source: behappy.me via Tara on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Stunning table setting.

Source: livlifetoo.blogspot.com via Lawanda on Pinterest

Yum!

Source: mowielicious.com via Ann on Pinterest

These look delicious, I'll be adding them to the cookie list for this year!

Source: etsy.com via Beatriz on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Rachael on Pinterest

There is a good chance that I need this shirt in my life.

Source: etsy.com via Erin on Pinterest

This is too cute. Maybe a onesie for Branson?!

Happy Wednesday friends!

And Happy Thanksgiving if you aren't around tomorrow.

bad. bad. bad.

I've been a bad blogger for the past few weeks. Life has been busy and it has been a little rough to blog about anything when my heart hasn't been there. In short, Mike and I broke up. It just wasn't right and I'm working through it and trying to figure out where to go from here.

In an effort to have a weekend to unwind, I made the trek up to Boston for my friend Anne's 29th birthday celebration. Her birthday is kind of a big deal in our circle of friends, and is celebrated with a party bus every year. We do different themes every year. We've done 80's, animal print, neon, white trash (horribly offensive but hilarious) and this year was "so bad it's good". Going out of her 20's with a bang, this bus will be hard to beat!