the eve of NYE: time to recap the year

Every year I try and reminisce about all the great things that have happened. This year is no different. I have SO MANY things to be thankful for. To list a few:

my life {in general}: I've learned that every day is not promised and that cherishing every minute you have and enjoying it should always be your main focus.
"Get busy living, or get busy dying" - Shawshank Redemption circa '94

my family: I was extremely fortunate to have the choice to put my career aside and be a full-time mom. It was scary, but at the end of the day being a GREAT mom & spending time with my kids versus being a GREAT career woman & spending all my time at work meant the most to me.

my friends & extended family: They continue to amaze me by always being there for me. Even despite me moving far away they all still keep in touch and visit. I definitely feel the love.

our new home: Four short months ago we grew up & purchased our first home. It really feels like our home. Even though we practically just threw out the last of our moving boxes.

my blog: I started writing for fun. To give myself an outlet to feel like I was still doing more than cleaning, cooking and trying to be a GREAT SAHM. It may not be the most popular blog, but it's still fun and I've built up an audience of amazing people. {BIG THANKS}

And now...my picture recap. It's so fun to look back at the year and literally see where I've been & what I've done.

I hope you all have had a joyous holiday season. Let's make 2013 just as good. I know it can be!

Ring in the New Year with style

There are only 2 more days until NYE! As I say about most everything these days: I cannot believe how fast it has come.
This year I am celebrating at home with a bottle of wine and or champagne, but that is NO REASON why I cannot dress up. Call it a pity party for 1, or me just being extra glamorous. You be the judge. Or not.  ;)

My favorite NYE looks:

 

trendy / preppy / sexy / flirty / sophisticated / fun

iPhone love.

It was bittersweet to say goodbye to my first iphone and welcome my new iphone 5. After two days of transferring files & tears...I activated my new one. I haven't looked back. Now I am left with the dilemma of finding a new case. With so many to choose from I am not sure I can make a decision. Which is your fave?

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7/ 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15

Doomsday cookies {melted snowmen}

BREAKING NEWS!
HEARD ISLAND, SOUTH POLE: Melted snowmen have been reported. Could this be a sign of the end of the world? Good news is Australia has made it to doomsday (12/21 according to the Mayan Calendar), which could very well mean the rest of the world is safe.

Happy holidays & hooray for another false "end of the world" prediction.

{no snowmen were injured in the making of this post. all information is fictional}

Santa's nice list

Dear Santa,
There are only a few more days until Christmas and I've been extra nice this year. I am SO nice that I am willing to help you stuff my stocking. Here is my "nice list". ;)

- madewell little tokyo scarf {via}

- ihome mini speaker {via}

- lush bath bombs {via}

- marc jacobs rollerball trio {via}

- express spun rayon leggings {via}

Conneticut Love.

I'm not sure I can even put into words how heavy my heart is for the families who have lost loved ones in today's horrific school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. Even worse, the majority of those that were stolen from their families were children. Children that were so innocent like my very own. Children who's only wish was to possibly catch Santa on Christmas morning stuffing their stockings, to watch Charlie Brown's Christmas with their moms and dads, to go see the snow, to make a gingerbread house or to have someone kiss them goodnight. It truly sickens me that anyone could be so depraved that they would ruin families at what is suppose to be the most wonderful time of year...Not that this would be any better ANY time of year.

All my love and prayers are with those on the East Coast. May you find some kind of peace and joy, and to all others...be sure to give your kids one extra hug or tuck them in extra tightly tonight because we are never promised tomorrow.

Home for Christmas

This year decorating was extra fun & exciting because it is our first Christmas in our new home.
The fire was lit, Christmas tunes filled the air, ornaments were placed on the tree, stockings were hung by the chimney with care....it really felt & looked magical when we were finished. I honestly love this time of year and wish I could have a tree up year round. Would that be wrong or just a really big fire hazard??

My color theme this year is blues, greens, silver and sparkles.

 

{the tree and some of my favorite ornaments}

 

 

{my fireplace}

 

{my DIY Christmas chandelier}

 

 

{all iphone pics}

 

 

 

 

It's beginning to look a lot like

Christmas!

Stay tuned...

manicure Monday: polka dots

My inspiration was to have festive silver polka dot nails. I don't think I'm Pinterest ready yet, but I'm getting closer to perfect painting. ;)

Fab Find Friday: Rachel Bilson style

I love Rachel Bilson. Today I am channeling her fashion savviness. I love the leather shorts and blazer combo, but added a bit more holiday sparkle and wore a sequin tank instead of the one she wore. I can't wait to wear this to the holiday mixer I am attending. :)

Happy fab Friday!

leather shorts {via}

blazer {via}

heels {via}

holiday in a cup

I discovered the perfect combination: a snickerdoodle milkshake. It's a little bit of cinnamon, a little bit of sugar and a lot of deliciousness.

{iphone pic}

 

To create:

2 scoops ice cream

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup ice

1 tbs vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon powder

1 tbs honey

1 fresh baked snickerdoodle

 

mix, blend, pour, enjoy.

 

i've been all tangled up

...in planning my daughter's 4th birthday. It was this past Sunday {if you didn't already see my post} and I think I have finally recovered. Thanks to one of my favorite websites {Pinterest} and good 'ol Martha Stewart, I was able to get crafty and make a lot of my own decorations and put a few special touches into her special day. It was a total success...as long as you don't factor in the power going out for over 4 hours. Yes, during the party. I guess we could play it off as we were giving the party a realistic feel since I doubt Rapunzel had any electricity in her tower. ;)

{from top to bottom, left to right}

striped tags for silverware, "let's get tangled" framed sign, Rapunzel punch, Tangled cupcake towers, my mini me, Flynn Rider wanted poster, jello boats, flower balls & flags chandelier 

my favorite Audrey

I usually don't post too many "mommy" related things, but today is a very special day. It is my daughter's fourth birthday.
When she first came into the world it was no surprise how much I loved her. Any mom would be able to tell you that much. However, the love and relationship that has developed is something even better. If you can believe that. This parenting love stuff is some serious business! Having a daughter is like being able to watch my childhood play itself out all over again. Watching her act out dramas with her dolls, sing made up songs, play dress up, take ballet classes and have a great love for cheerleading. It is all too familiar. Out of the many reasons why I love her so much, the one thing that stands out the most is her personality. One minute she will have her hands on her hips, face turned away and eyes rolled telling me "oh my gawsh", while the next minute she is gazing up at me with her big brown eyes telling me how she loves my outfit and wants to have a "girl's day". She is the perfect combination of sassy, girly & adorableness.

To my favorite little peanut Audrey London Iman: my mini me, singing & dancing partner, girl's day lover, song composer and the best daughter a mother could ever ask for: I love you and wish you a million more of the BEST birthdays.

it's here: Target & Neiman Collab.

The day I've we've all been waiting for is here! Go check out your local Target store or shop the website.

Fab Find: Sequin Blazer

It's the start of a great weekend! My husband will be back home from work today {he's been gone for 2 days}, Target's collaboration with Neiman Marcus hits stores on Saturday morning {AHHH!} and it's my favorite 3-year-old-named-Audrey's birthday on Sunday.

Here's my fab find:

Navy Sequin Blazer. I MUST have this for the holidays. I'm going to pair it with leather bottoms and a nude shirt.
p.s. it's on sale here

Organize ME with OrganizeHer

I hope I'm not the only one out there, but there is always a spot in my home where the mail piles up. I can't stand it. Just when I feel like I've sorted through it all and purged the junk...more appears.

I decided to get organized and found this amazing line by Organizeher.

1) they are in the perfect color {grey}
2) they happen to be in my favorite pattern {quatrefoil}.

It couldn't be more perfect.

Now lets just hope I can manage my mail and get organized! 😉

{iphone pic}

casetagram: an instagram iphone case

Looking for a great holiday gift this season? Look no further. You can use your instagram photos and make your very own custom iphone case. How do you do it? Well like most everything these days: there's an app for that: Casetagram. Even better news is that you can get a great deal via GILT City and purchase a custom iphone 4 case {$21} or iphone 5 case with screen protector {$35}. Both deals also include free shipping! Offer ends Monday December 3rd.

This is going to make a great stocking stuffer for someone special in my family. ;)

happy ho ho holidays!

a few notable examples {via}

 

Cyber Monday Giveaway!

I've posted a few pics of Caitlin Wilson pillows on my blog. Let's face it...I am obsessed with her adorable pillows. They are the perfect amount of preppy, glamour, girliness and sophistication. LOVE.

If you would like to get your hands on one of her amazing pillows check out the deliciously organized blog and follow the instructions to score your very own! The contest ends on 12.02.02!

You can also get a quick fix by going directly to Caitlin Wilson's website. 

Here's my pillow wish list:

Good luck and happy Cyber Monday!

'tis the season to be crafty

My latest project:
1 part glitter
1 part sticky dots
1 round ornament
= ONE adorable & sparkly polka dot ornament.

Happy holidays!

Holiday Card Promo from Tiny Prints

Three reasons to order your Christmas cards from Tiny Prints now:


1. Free Shipping. code: FREESHIP12

2. 20% off your ENTIRE order. code: 20NOVSW {good until Sunday}

3. $10 off your order. code: DOD1123 {good Friday only}


You can use all THREE codes in one transaction! I saved $46.05. Score.

black friday black listed

It's one of my favorite post-holiday days of the year: Black Friday, but I am so sad because I will not be participating in all the craziness because crazy holiday shoppers and two rambunctious kids does not equal a good time. {Thank goodness for online shopping}

Black Friday is a term first used sometime prior to 1961 in America to describe the surplus of pedestrians and traffic in Philadelphia. Today, many people reference Black Friday as the day when retailers turn a profit and go from negative sales/profit {red} to positive sales/profit {black}.

Let's move on to the most important concept of today now that I've given you a little brain power with some historical facts: today kick starts the Christmas shopping season.

Here is the 1st round of my holiday Christmas list {in no particular order}:

1. iPad with retina display {via}

 

 

2. Canon Rebel T4i {via}

 



 

3. iphone 5 case {via}

4. mossimo viveca blingy heel {via}

 

5. crystal circle necklace {via}

 

6. white blazer {via}

7. fringe booties {via}

8. ankle strap shoes {via}

 

 9. Clarisonic Aria Lancome set {via}



10. Glitter Polish {via}

 

 

 

selfishly thankful

Usually on Thanksgiving I take the time to be thankful for family, friends, health, etc., but what fun is it to list what I am ALWAYS thankful for? None. I am thankful for those things more than one day a year. So today I am rebelling and listing all the selfish/frivolous things I can be thankful for. Thanks for making my life even better! Ohhh yes...and my blog {along with its readers}! I'm almost @ 1,000 views and so thankful for people actually caring enough to read my jibber jabber. :)

{social media for keeping me connected & sometimes unproductive}

{sugar lip balm for keeping my lips soft and sugary}

{Bb thickening spray for making my hair look fab}

{apple products...no need to explain}

 

{Virgin America, if you don't know, you NEED to know} 

 

 

pillow talk

Pillow Talk. Noun.  Intimate conversation between two lovers usually while in bed.
**Probably one of my favorite pre-bedtime rituals. I always find that my husband and I have the best talks right before we fall asleep.

okay...seriously...What I really would like to share is not that kind of pillow talk, but the actual conversation about pillows. I am so pleased with the wonderful gift from one of my best friends. She really knows me and picked the perfect present: B&W damask throw pillows.

Now all I need are some coordinating pillows to go with it and replace the green ones... and I need your help! Should I go with the grey ikat OR the navy ribbon lined pillows?!

{iphone pic}

{pic via here & here}

  

dinner party success

A great big "thank you" to all my amazing friends for driving 60+ minutes to celebrate the holidays and our new home. I woke up this morning and all I could think about {besides my white couch avoiding any stains: YEAH!} was how much fun it was to host this party. I don't think I could have planned a better outcome. It really brought to light the true feeling of the holidays: being surrounded with love, delicious food, tasty cocktails and lots of laughter.

I am compiling a list of some of the recipes like Oreo bon bons, Nicole's Mac & Cheese and jalapeno scalloped potatoes to name a few. Stay tuned so you can try to recreate these amazing dishes and wow your friends and fam.

Cheers to the beginning of a holiday week. Something we can all be thankful for!

Today's disclaimer: I do not have a lot of pictures to share, but I believe a good hostess devotes all the time with her guests and not taking pictures {even though I wish I had more}. Here's the only pic I have taken by my VIP...you know who you are. ;)

{iphone pic}

apple cider sangria

I found a great cocktail recipe that will be perfect for my Thanksgiving dinner: apple cider sangria. It reminds me a lot of the apple cider juice I use to drink as a child , but with a little bit of a kick: vino! It tastes like a crisp juicy apple with a bit of sweetness. It's the perfect mixer.

{iphone pic}

 

Apple Cider Sangria Recipe:



1 bottle of pino grigio
3 cups apple cider
1 cup ginger ale (or martinelli's apple cider for an apple-ier taste)
3 honey crisp apples sliced
3 pears sliced

Combine all ingredients, mix and refrigerate for {at least} 1 hour...drink up!

questions or comments?

GREAT NEWS!

For those of you who have been trying and unable to post comments to my blog...the problem has been fixed.

Feel free to comment and let me know what you love, don't love or would love to see more of!

                                                                                     Liz

 

 

 

leopard & stripes: the perfect combo

What day is it: date day! It's been so long that I am extra appreciative to have the alone time with my fave husband. Yes, he is my ONLY husband, but still my favorite none the less. ;)

I'm obsessing over the eclectic mix of leopard print and stripes. The only question now is: boots or flats?!

scarf: Express; striped tank: F21; coated leggings: Levi's; boots: Vince Camuto; flats: Target

{iphone pic}