Cheers to 2012!

Happy New Year! I hope you have a safe and happy holiday. Cheers to 2012! 

photo via Habitually Chic 

I resolve... (2012)

My New Year's Resolution is plain and simple. 

Do Good original painting by Twamies 

If it were only that easy! I suppose I should make things a little more concrete:

Do something creative every day!

Practice more yoga.

Volunteer.

 Read, write, and experience new things as often as possible. 

Get organized.

I've spent some time in reflecting on my 2011 New Year's Resolutions from last year and  I did decent job of sticking to them. Of course, there's always room for improvement. 

Health/Fitness

I lost 10 pounds by simply eating healthier and making a daily workout a part of my daily routine. 

At the start line at the Dallas Running Club Frigid 5K. 

Teaching

 I received an honor from the Dallas Mavericks and UPS Store Teacher Recognition program.

Thanks, Mr. Cuban! 

Money

In order to become more financially responsible, I started using a budget spreadsheet to track all of my expenditures. Admittedly, it was awfully scary at first but it really shined light on all of the frivolous purchases I had been making. Because of this, I've been able to donate to a few organizations that mean a lot to me including KERA (North Texas Public Media), Baal Dan, Paws in the City, and Topeka Collegiate School. 

Dave Ramsey's money management principles are tough but will pay off in the long run! 

I'm thankful that I posted my resolutions because now I have to hold myself accountable to them. Thanks, readers!

What are your New Year's Resolutions? 

Chambord Champagne Cocktail

Add a generous splash of Chambord to your champagne or sparkling wine for a snazzy New Year's cocktail. I like Mumm Napa Brut Prestige ($20). Add a raspberry to bring out the full flavor in whatever wine you choose! 

Crafty New Year

Garland by Confetti System 

In an effort to do something creative every day in 2012, I've been stocking up on some new supplies. Here are a few goodies I've recently added to my crafting collection. 

Gold Heart Stickers from Knot & Bow on Etsy   /   White Paper Doilies from KazuOnline on Etsy  /   Martha Stewart Essential Colors Glitter Set (I got mine at Michael's)   /   Japanese Washi Tape from PrettyTape 

I also want to get some crepe paper before the new year. Have you discovered any good crafting supplies lately? 

Oh, Christmas Tree

A few of my favorite Christmas trees from the season... 

1. My mom hand stitched the stocking the summer before I was born next to my shiny new tree from Home Goods.

2. The tree at my dad and Karen's always looks magical.

3. A Mitten Tree at my hometown church helps those in need stay warm.

4. A tree made of Karen's mother's heirloom brooches and Christmas lights set on velvet. 

Joy to The World

In lieu of Christmas gifts to each other, my husband and I booked a trip to Europe this coming summer. This will be his first trip there so he is exceptionally excited. We're flying into London but are still figuring out where we'll go from there. Ideas are welcome!

Map and tablescape by Emily Henderson

OPI Best of the Best

True nail polish junkies probably understand why I was bursting with happiness after receiving the OPI Best of the Best mini nail polish collection for Christmas today. The set includes little bitty bottles of Alpine Snow, Bubble Bath, Tickle Me France-y, Strawberry Margarita, Cajun Scrimp, Big Apple Red, I'm Not Really A Waitress, You Don't Know Jacques, Russian Navy, and Lincoln Park After Dark.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

A big thanks to Kayla of Cole Paper Co. for making our card this year.

Animal Bows

These animal bows made by Baku Maeda would delight any youngster receiving a gift from you. Although I'm done with Christmas wrapping for the year, I'm absolutely adding this to my idea bank for kid's birthday packaging in 2012. 

image from Baku Maeda found via Dude Craft 

Sweet Nuts!

I made sugared pecans (or as I prefer, "sweet nuts") last night with leftover pecans I had from making Rolo Pretzel Bites. Ever since the aroma from the seasonal sweet nuts kiosk at my childhood mall first tempted me, it's been incredibly hard to resist eating it by the handful.   

The coating is a simple mixture of sugar, cinnamon, egg white, and I add a touch of really good vanilla, such as Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla. Coat the pecans in the mixture and bake in the oven for an hour at 250 degrees. Refer to Oprah (because who else would know better?) for official baking directions. 

The ever-inspiring Camille Styles recently featured this sweet favor cone DIY which would be the perfect if you are gifting your sweet nuts!

A Trio of Fantastic Water Bottles

If staying hydrated in December means drinking Gingerbread Lattes and Poinsettia Champagne Cocktails, then I'm in good shape. Like many people, water takes a back seat in this season of delicious concoctions. 

It probably wouldn't be so hard if I had a new fabulously designed reusable water bottle, now would it? 

Tap is Terrific   /   Bobble Water Bottle    /   Pil Bredahal Water Jug 

A good water bottle would make a perfect stocking stuffer (filled with candy, of course). Stay thirsty my friends! 

Related:

Waterbottle Design Infographic 

That's a Wrap!

There's still a week left until Christmas and I'm happy to report that not only are we finished with our Christmas shopping, but I have also finished wrapping all of our presents! 

I used Kraft Paper, polka dot wrapping paper, brown lunch bags, and plain white bags. The bows are either red grosgrain ribbon or a combination of red, white, and neon green tulle. I made the gift tags on white card stock and some are clipped to packages with glittered clothespins made by Paradise Papers that I picked up at The Dallas Flea. A few packages include a dye cut first initial of the recipient. Gift cards are attached to Reindeer Noses made by Stamped Paper Co.

Ruby Red Slippers for Sale!

Being a native Kansan, I'm naturally a fan of The Wizard of Oz. I also love shoes.

The combination of these two facts got me all excited about the auction of of an original pair of Dorothy Gale's ruby red slippers, as worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic.  

Somewhere over the rainbow, they would be mine, if they weren't expected to sell between $2 and $3 million.

I was going to share some current ruby red shoes favorites, like the Mona glitter pumps in Metallic Cherry from J. Crew, but I then thought about the red shoes I actually own, and I'm definitely more of a casual red shoe wearer. It takes a special girl to rock the red high heels, like Kellie Pickler, maybe you? 

Here are a few pairs of red kicks that I either currently have or have had in the past. 

Keds Champion   /   TOMS Classic Canvas Slip-On    /   Chuck Taylor All Star

What's your favorite pair of red shoes?

Related:
Ruby Red Slippers Bookmark

Bow Pins

One of my resolutions for next year is to learn how to write a really good DIY post because I have many projects I'd like to share with you! In the meantime, I'll start with something super easy for the holiday season.

Bow Pins! I'm in the long process of growing out my bangs, so I have to keep them pinned back as they grow through the awkward stage. Inspired by the ban.do hair bow, I thought it would be quite festive to put a mini-gift bow on the end of a bobby pin for some holiday flair. 

Since the sticker on the back of the bow has an adhesive circle, I just stuck the bobby pin between the sticker and the back of the gift bow and pressed down to keep it in place. While they may not last forever this way, it's at least fun for the holidays.

Which color is your favorite?

Holiday Dress Up

This little neutral and black color blocked bow dress could work for just about any event this holiday season. The best thing about it? It's from Target. 

Weekend Highlights

It doesn't get much better than a festive holiday weekend in December! 

My friends Jill of Stamped Paper Co. and Racheal hosted the Pretty Indies Holiday Market on Sunday. I was particularly fond of the Reindeer Noses that Jill put together and  couldn't help but buy a few based on the packaging alone. It made me smile when I spotted the Santa Hat Brownies because I totally knew they were inspired Pinterest. I made some Reindeer Food (aka Puppy Chow) and made a few bucks selling it by the bagful.

Fun times were had (as always) at Matt and Kathleen's Christmas Character White Elephant Party. I gave a Booty Pop and walked away with an Ad Hoc Fried Chicken Kit. I also walked around all night in a furry hat and bathrobe. Yep.

We attended a baby shower for my husband's boss and his beautiful wife who are expecting in February. Kellyn of K Bakes made an unbelievable dessert table. I've ooh-ed and ahh-ed over pictures of her dessert tables but this was the first time I had seen one in real life. Everything not only looks fabulous, but tastes amazing. This particular dessert table featured cakeballs, Dirt Cake, German Chocolate Cake, Lemon Truffles, Caramel Popcorn, Chocolate Dipped Oranges, and Chocolate Chip Cookies... Umm, yum. 

I hope you had a great weekend! 

Own a Color!

The average computer and smartphone can display more than 16 million colors. That's a lot of colors! For a small donation through UNICEF's Own a Color initiative, you can own your own color and help a child in need. 

The name I entered in a Crayola color naming contest never made the cut, so this is my chance to not only name the color, but to own it as well! 

The color that is currently trending is very similar to Tangerine Tango, the 2012 Pantone Color of the Year.

What color would you pick and what would you name it?  

Ugly Christmas Sweater Fashion Statement

In recent years, Ugly Christmas Sweater parties have been all the rage. Is the popularity of the quinntessential tacky sweater actually making it less ironic, and en vogue?

If I had to pick out a cheesy sweater that I actually think is kind of cute, this penguin sweater from Topshop would be it! Since I'm a teacher, I get an automatic fashion pass on ugly sweaters, right?

Happy Cotton Candy Day!

Black and White Stripe Cotton Candy Stand DIY by Martha Stewart   /    Gold Cotton Candy via Pinterest   /    Cotton Candy on Rock Candy Sticks by Martha Stewart 

Ryan Reynolds + Elyse Taylor editorial photo

Cotton Candy is such a special treat that I can only enjoy eat in teeny tiny amounts. If ever I go to a carnival or the circus, you can guarantee I'll get some, and if I had this cotton candy machine at home, it would sure be dangerously sweet. 

Amy Winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures

There's no denying that the world lost an incredible talent with the passing of British soul diva Amy Winehouse last summer. 

Thanks to Spotify, I've been listening to her posthumous album, "Amy Winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures" on repeat today. I plan on buying a few tracks from the album that was released today, including my favorite song, a remake of the 60s song "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?"

There are also songs Winehouse recorded with Nas and Tony Bennett. Need I say more? 

If you're in the music mood, check out my Christmas decorating playlist.

The Twelve Days of Holiday Gift Guides on Modern Eve

It was an absolute pleasure to put together a holiday gift guide for Katie of Modern Eve. Be sure to check out my full post and more gift guides from Dallas blogger gals in her  the 12 Days of Holiday Gift Guides feature. 

Thanks for including me, Katie! 

Weekend Highlights + Sweet Links

Design/wrapping paper by Bella Foster

Here are a few highlights from the cold and rainy weekend:

- Enjoying coffee and Pumpkin Spiced Donuts with girlfriends before hitting up The Dallas Flea
- Supporting Baal Dan at their annual fundraiser dinner
- Receiving a nice gift card to Kate Spade from Fashion Night Out 
- Reading Steve Jobs biography and baking an Apple Crisp for an "Apple"-themed book club
- Dining at two new-to-me Mexican food spots - Mr. Masero and Diggs Taco Shop

Here are some links to get your week started off on a sweet note:

Designer Versions of the Ugly Christmas Sweater 

The 100 Most Popular Baby Names of 2011 - Allison is holding strong at #53

5 Simply Beautiful DIY Holiday Decorations via Apartment Therapy

How beautiful is this chocolate that Oh Joy! is snacking on?

Childhood flashback: Did anyone else have this Fisher Price Seasame Street Apartment Building?

Love Tote

I heart these With All My Heart tote bags. Unfortunately, you can't wait to put one on your Christmas list because there are only a few left in stock! Hurry over to ModCloth to order one now.