Quick Note:

If you are interested in joining a Ornament Exchange, check out: Webbisodes blog!

You have to register..Definitely check it out :)

{Top 2} Cleaning/Organizing Tips & Tricks

{Top 2} Cleaning/Organizing Tips & Tricks

This is one of my favorite things in the world: Cleaning!! I love it! I am a clean freak! I literally drive everyone around me insane..--My poor husbone!

First thing you need to do is get your needed supplies. There are some things that I live by. Things that help me clean up around the house. Here are a couple of things:

The Roomba! It vacuums the whole house in less than an hour! I usually push the bottom before I go to work! I find it nice to come home to a clean house :)

I love the way a clean house smells! Pine-sol does the job!!

I love wiping the counters and the bathrooms with these! Disinfecting is a must to have a clean house..

This is the best candle out there to get rid of that unwanted odor in the house. Usually when I cook, or when the dogs are a little smelly, this does the job!

Another great Febreeze product! This I use to freshen up the furniture & carpet.

Other tips I follow to clean and organize the house are:

• Pick up around the house everyday. A little goes a long way
• Do dishes every morning
• Clean counter tops everyday
• Designate one day for doing laundry/ironing
• Designate one day for mopping

*A helpful trick: I pour a little bit of Pine-sol in the bathroom garbage basket. It give the bathroom a great scent, and it's especially great for when you are having company over!

12 Days of Christmas Challenge - Day 8

Least Favorite Thing About the Holiday's..

STRESS!!!!!!

Oh I love Christmas..I really do! But..there is always a downside.

Stress is a big factor during this holiday season. We are all always trying to find the right gift, trying to make time to go shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking, eating, pleasing both sides of the family, makes it a little difficult to enjoy the holiday season. Sure we can control many aspects of this, but it I think stress is inevitable!

That's why this year I will join:

I am going to try my very best to not overwhelm myself, and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas..

12 Days of Christmas Challenge - Day 6 & 7

Gift Ideas for ME!!

I usually don't make any Christmas lists, but I thought it would be fun to ponder some gifts ideas for myself! Here is what I came up it:

Holiday Crafts/DIY

This year I will be turning on he creative light bulb in my head! I am planing on DIY Christmas gifts!! I'm planning on buying lots of mason jars, and fill them with yummy treats! I am going to be filling a couple with Hot Chocolate mix, Chocolate Chip Cookie mix, and some other treats! I will be handcrafting them with ribbon, bows, and a recipe card! I'm sure it will be a hit :)

Weekend Recap!

Wow! I've never been so relieved for it to be Monday!!

I want to get back into the lingo, and stop the eating! --Literally! Don't get me wrong, it was a nice break! I definitely got lots of rest, and was able to just sit back and do "whatever." Our Thanksgiving dinner was nice! It was quiet & yummy! I spent the day baking Paula Deans Pumpkin Bars! They were delicious! By far my favorite pumpkin recipe ( I will post recipe on Wednesday.) I spent Thanksgiving at my parents house. Husbone had to work, so I was solo for the holiday. I missed him..but knowing how important his job is, and how many people rely on his services, I understood. We have many many more years of holidays to share!

Paula Dean Pumpkin Bars

It was nice to sleep in Friday --I decided no to partake in any early Black Friday Sales

I'm going to be doing most of my shopping online this year. It's just easier, and you can't beat free shipping!! After my morning coffee, husbone arrived from work and we decided to put up the tree! This will be our first Christmas tree!! We bought a nice, fluffy artificial tree from Target last week --On sale!! It was so nice to see the tree up! --Pictures to come soon!!

After assembling the tree we were still in need of some more Christmas decorations, so we headed to our local Home Depot. They had some great sales going on..I was able to score lots of decorations, and we also purchased some Christmas gifts!

Friday night we made it "Date night." I've been eyeing this one restaurant, and decided it would be nice to explore it! I got all dolled up, and headed out to dinner! Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill was delicious! The food was great! The style was unique, and everything was just fabulous! It was such great night!!

Saturday I ventured off to Jo Ann Fabrics and bought some more Christmas decorations! I had some coupons, and I was able to save $61!! --Love it!

I think I've become obsessed with this season! All I want to do is decorate!! lol! Luckily the rest of the weekend was spent relaxing, and staying in!!

Ohh and don't forget..Today is Cyber Monday! So take advantage of all those online deals!!

Bring on Monday!!!!

12 Days of Christmas Challenge - Day 5

My Favorite Holiday Movie


The Holiday

There are many Christmas movies that I can list as favorites, but ultimate favorite one is The Holiday! It's a romantic, funny, warm movie. A movie that I can watch over and over again -- Literally!

I'm thinking of popping this movie in my dvd player and finish decorating for Christmas! Hmm..that sounds like a great idea!!

It's Christmas Time!!!!

12 Days of Christmas Challenge - Day 4

Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly Holiday

We all know how stressful the holiday season can be..

That's why I love this topic! Why? Because we all need a little help. We all need suggestions to relieve that unwanted stress. --I'm looking froward to read all of your posts

Here are some of my tips/tricks to keep this holiday a budget friendly one:

• Make a list of family & friends you will be giving gifts too -- It makes it easier to cross names! Organization is key!
• Try to send Christmas cards to a majority of the people on your list. It's a inexpensive, memorable gift! -- Who doesn't like pictures?
• Set a budget for gifts!!! And follow it!
• DIY gifts! This year we will be buying mason jars and filling them with hot cocoa mix, cookie mix, and 16 bean soup mix! We will add a nice ribbon with a recipe tag!
• Buy wrapping paper from Costco/BJS! It comes in bulk and it will last you years to come!
• DIY Christmas decorations! Head to your local Michaels, and shop around for diy decorations, ornaments, ect..
• Take advantage of online sales! Cyber Monday is November 29th and many online retailer will be offering great deals + free shipping!

Lastly, make it fun! We sometimes forget the reason for the season!

Happy Thanksgiving...

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!

I hope you all have a great day! Filled with lots of yummy food & friends! Take the day to say a little prayer, and be thankful for everyone in your lives. Be grateful for everything God has given you, and for the life he has bestowed you with...

Be thankful for the meal you will be eating, and say a little prayer for those who will be alone, missing someone in their table, and overseas!

12 Days of Christmas Challenge - Day 3

Most meaningful gift/Best gift you've received

Chi Wet to Dry Flat Iron

I've been very fortunate to have receive great gifts for Christmas, but the one gift that stood out the most has to be the Chi Wet to Dry Flat Iron! I can honeslty say it's been one of the most used gifts too! Santa left it under the tree 3 years ago, and since then it's never disappointed me! It saves me hair time, and most of all, it leaves my hair looking great!!!

Thank you husbone!!

Recipe Wednesday!

In honor of Thanksgiving week, I am going to be posting one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes! For the past 3 years, I make this one delicious recipe from Paula Dean's cookbook! It's a creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake!

It's an easy recipe to follow, and the end result is soooo yummy!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients

Crust:

1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 stick of melted butter

Filling:

(3) 8 ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature

(1) 15 ounce can pureed pumpkin

3 eggs plus egg yolk

1/4 sour cream

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

For Crust:

In a medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9 inch springform pan.

For Filling:

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar, and the spices. Add flour and vanilla extract. Beat together until well combined. Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let it sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.

*Make sure to add some whip cream and pair with a hot cup of coffee!! Delish!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!

I love Shutterfly!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year.."

Can you believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow? -- Wow! Which means Christmas is right around the corner, and that means Christmas cards! This year will be our first Christmas as a married couple, and I am looking forward to making it a memorable one!

So the number 1 thing on my holiday to-do-list is: Christmas cards! Like it's such a special time for us, I want our cards to be fabulous! So when I heard Shutterfly's promotion for 50 free holiday cards for bloggers, I squealed with excitement! They are a reputable company, and I've always ordered prints from them. So who better to have make our Christmas cards? I decided to browse around the site, and I've already picked out some contenders..

I just keep thinking about how beautiful our cards will look this year!! I pretty much leaning towards one card. That's as much as I can say!! I want it to be a surprise to all our family & friends :)

Thank you Shutterly for such a great promotion!

I will post our Christmas cards as soon as they are mailed! So stay tuned..

**To enter their promotion, head over to their site and fill out the submission form. Also make sure to check out their site for: Christmas cards, Christmas invitations, and holiday cards.

12 Days of Christmas Challenge - Day 2

Shopping Tips/Tricks

This year I will be doing most of my shopping online! Most stores like Amazon and Overstock will be throwing some great deals out, and will be offering free shipping! -- You can't beat that!

I love the fact that I can sit at home in pajamas shopping away! I will also be checking out QVC where they also have some great items, priced just right! You can also take part of Black Friday! Which should be considered a sport! If you don't feel like making those massive lines, some stores will be holding online sales starting 12 am!! Can you tell I love online shopping? lol

Also, try to check for store coupons! Stores like Old Navy and other stores, tend to put out great coupons that can save you some $

My shopping tips/tricks are pretty simple. I suggest doing research, and check out online shopping!! We have the big online shopping day --Cyber Monday right around the corner! November 29th !!

I can't wait to read everyone elses trips/tricks!! Yay!

{Top 2} Things on Your Christmas Wish List..

Top 2 Things on your Christmas Wish List

Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch!

I've been eyeing this watch for a bit, and every time I see it I fall more in love with it!! Such a unique color! Love this over sized watch!

Jessica Simpson Katoy Platform Pump

I need a black pair of suede pumps in my closet! Preferably a size 6 1/2! I would definitely be able to wear these pumps with jeans, tights, leggings, dresses...EVERYTHING!

I love love love!

Weekend Recap!

Can someone say 3 day work week?? Wohoo!

This week will be a short one! -- Thank you Thanksgiving! Can't wait :)

This past weekend was a non busy, no fuss type of weekend. Saturday I went to get a mani/pedi! I went for a nice dark Essie color. Not sure the name of the polish, but it's just lovely! Afterwards I met husbone at home, and we bbq and watched a couple movies --Perfect afternoon! Around 7 o'clock, our tummies were craving some sweet! So we went to our local Coldstones and satisfied our sweet tooth!! This was a perfect way to end out night..

Sunday we headed to a toy Story themed party! The birthday girl was celebrating her 2nd birthday! --So cute! We saw family & friends, so it was nice to hang out, and catch up with everyone..

From there we went to our local Starbucks for a afternoon treat, and headed home to spend the rest of our night at home..

Looking forward for this short work week, and lots of eating :)

12 Days of Christmas Challenge - Day 1

Over at Analyze this, she started this fun Christmas Challenge! Check it out & Join!

Day 1 - Christmas/Holiday Traditions

This will be our first holiday season as a married couple! --So excited to start our very own traditions this year! Our plans/traditions for this Christmas season are:

• The day after Thanksgiving, we will be setting up our Christmas tree! --We just bought our tree at Target last night. We will spend the day decorating, hanging ornaments, and switching all the Fall decorations!! wohoo! Of course all this wouldn't be possible without Christmas music!!!!!

• Christmas Eve/Noche Buena - we will spend it with husbones side of the family. We will be roasting a pig, and having a delicious meal!! It's usually a great night, filled with family & friends! We look forward for this night every year!! The food is that good!!

• Christmas Day - We will wake up very early..and open up our presents! It will be our first Christmas morning in our house. Unfortunately it will have to be quick because husbone is on duty Christmas Day. But no worries! I will be spending the rest of the day at my parents house, opening gifts there, and eating left overs! Making catch a movie? Who knows!

• The day after Christmas -- We are off to the mountains!! Every year we go and spend New Years! So I am looking forward for some cold weather, and maybe some snow :)

It's Friday!! Which means the weekend is here, and a 3 day week next week!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend :)

{Christmas} Card Ideas

Decisions Decision..

With Thanksgiving passing by, we have Christmas right around the corner! Every year since I can remember, I would send out Christmas cards. Usually unique ones, fun ones..

This holiday season is a special one..It's our first holiday as husband & wife! So our cards need to be extra special! We will also be using one or two of our wedding photos! It's going to be so hard to pick just a couple!

I recently came across this site: tinyprints.com. They have a huge selection of Christmas cards that can be personalized. I decided to browse around and found a couple that caught my attention. Now I need to make a decision!! Time is ticking and I would like to get them mailed by mid December..

Which one do you like?

Treat yourself and..

Someone else too!

Starbucks is in the jolly spirit and our celebrating Christmas with a great offer!

Buy one of their delicious holiday drinks, and get another holiday drink for FREE!

You can't beat this offer! So go ahead and grab your hubby, friend, work colleague and go to your nearest Starbucks from 2 - 5 pm! This offer is going on till the 21st of November! So enjoy :)

I can't begin to tell you how this made my day!

It just helps me look forward for the end of the work week, and the start of Thanksgiving home stretch! Then it's into full gear Christmas decorating!!!

I'm hoping this enthusiasm helps me get my booty moving to organization!!!

Recipe Wednesday!

This week I decided to venture off to a new favorite cooking blog: My kitchen Cafe!

It's a great site for lots of unique & delicious recipes! So you should definitely add it to your favorite's!

I found this one recipe, and I can't wait to make it this week..

Shrimp Enchiladas

• 1/2 cup sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup onion, minced
• 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 3 cups Monterey Jack cheese, divided (you can use half pepper-jack cheese for great results)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 8 (9-inch) flour tortillas

Directions:

Saute red pepper, onion and green pepper in 1/4 cup butter until crisp-tender. Add oregano, salt, garlic powder, pepper, cayenne pepper, cream and flour; blend well. Continue cooking for 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add 1 1/2 cups cheese; stir until melted. Add sour cream, stir to blend. Set aside.

In another skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Saute shrimp and 1/2 cup onion until shrimp are pink. Remove shrimp and chop; return to butter and onion. Add chopped tomatoes and 1/2 of the cheese sauce. Spoon 1/3 cup shrimp mixture into each tortilla. Sprinkle cheese on top of shrimp mixture. Roll up tightly. Arrange seam side down in a 9X13-inch glass baking dish. Spoon remaining cheese sauce over tortillas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

Breaking News!!

Prince William and Kate Middleton are ENGAGED to be married!

He proposed to Kate with his late mother's ring!! How beautiful is that?

His mother's legacy carries on..

I can't wait to see their royal wedding take place!! Eek!

I want this..

Closet!!

This would be my dream closet!

Not only my dream closet, but a clear indication of my career accomplishments!

What better way to spell success!

Fashion Library {Jessica Simpson}

It's no secret that I have a huge celebrity crush on Jessica Simpson!

Ever since her show Newlyweds where she starred with Nick Lachey (Her ex husband)

I was/am still obsessed with that show! I loved how it documented their newly married lives..sigh

Anyhow, besides her show, I love the way that she has created a name in fashion! How she busted out into the fashion world with her beautiful shoes, handbags, accessories, clothing, ect!

love love love...

So here are just a few of my favorite styles! I just love her simplicity and her classic looks! So looking forward of recreating some of these style...

Three different styles with the same boots & handbag!

Prints & Boots!! Oh, and a oversized handbag!

Leather jacket, white tank top, black handbag! Very chic..

Plaid oversized scarf, leggings, knee high boots

Simple everyday look!


My favorite look of all! Definitely going to be my travel look this holiday season!