Welcome Back!

Welcome back blogger friends : ) How was your Christmas and your New Years Eve? Did you have a great time making new memories with your favorite people, eating, and taking photos? Was Santa good to you? Did you have an awesome first kiss at midnight on Saturday? I was able to enjoy all of the above!

The last two weeks were fun and went by waaaay too quickly! I had a great time visiting with some of my favorites, we got to move into our new place, I received some great gifts, and we even made it through the moving weekend without any major snags [it was supposed to rain AND we weren't really sure the new couch would fit through the new front door--but no issues!].

Yes, I need a nap after the holidays! via

Today I'll be back at work for 4 days in a row....after all of my time off, 4 days seems like an eternity! Let's hope that it doesn't drag by!

I hate to make this short and sweet, but I have to run - I have tons to do to get started on an awesome 2012! I promise to do a better update soon (including a few details about a meet up with a few sweet bloggers, Alison and Cambron, at Blogger Blitz Nashville)!

Here's a sneak peak of our Christmas morning.
[This picture was developed from film (not a memory card)!]

Happy Tuesday!

Favorite Things...

I thought I would take a second to share a little Christmas goodness with you all by talking about my favorite things of Christmas. I got the inspiration from Dayna [her version] and she got HER inspiration from Katelyn [here]. Go check out their posts and share your own!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Egg not please. I could have hot chocolate anytime, but egg nog around the holidays is the best! 

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2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

 I have never, ever heard of Santa not wrapping presents! Please don't tell me that families do that...it takes the fun out of opening the gifts! 

3. Colored lights on the tree/house or white?

It varies. Sometimes our family is in the mood for colored and sometimes they like white better. I love the large bulb lights, so I'll probably have those on the outside of my house someday. As for the tree, I think I like white unless I need color to go with the theme : )

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4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Only if it's hanging over this guy...or my Ryan. Whichever ; ) But really, I would hang it if I found it myself....it's usually pretty overpriced so I don't buy it. 

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5. When do you put your decorations up?

When I was living at home, we always put them up right after thanksgiving. Ryan's family does that too and we'll probably do the same thing next year when we get to decorate.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?

Nothing really jumps out at me here...mostly because I like it all. Turkey is delish and I basically live on baked good during November and December.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Probably the Christmas celebrations at my grandmother's house when I was a kid. Before all of my Dad's brothers and sisters grew apart (and when all of us grandkids were still pretty little), we would all cram into her house and eat and just pile on top of one another just to enjoy the holiday together. Plus, she had the most massive tree ever! I loved that thing and the smell of that cheap, messy tinsel she covered it with : )

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I think I was about 6. I didn't tell anyone at the time, but I realized that "Santa" had the same handwriting as my Mom.Call me Sherlock!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Growing up and up until I left for college, yes. Now, when I celebrate with Ryan, no. We save it all for Christmas morning now. It's SO hard that way!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

I've only ever decorated with a variety of ornaments from over the years. Childhood and collectible ornaments are what I'm accustomed to.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?

If I don't have to drive in it, I love it! If I have to get out and slide around, I hate it.

12. Can you ice skate?

Yup. [But I never said I was good!]

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
My favorite gift is definitely the diamond necklace Ryan gave me last year.
It meant a lot to me and always will. I was SUPER surprised and I know how much it meant to him to give it to me.

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14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you?

The most important things to me are family and giving. I love being around family and making new memories with my favorite people. I also love giving to people who are the closest to me and that need it.

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15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

As I said, I basically live on baked goods...there are few sweet things I can turn down this time of year!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

 My favorite holiday tradition used to be opening a gift on Christmas eve and getting new PJs. Hopefully over the course of the Christmas and next Christmas I can start a few new traditions : )

17. What tops your tree?

Growing up it was always a star or an angel. I imagine when I start decorating a tree it will be something neutral.

18. Which do you prefer--giving or receiving?

 Giving, of course! There's just something about picking the perfect present for someone, or getting someone something that they've had their heart set on.

19. Candy Canes: yuck or yum?

 Yuck. I can handle one or two a year and that's about it.

20. Favorite Christmas show?

 How about favorite movie(s)? Home Alone 1 & 2. I en bought them on DVD. Yup, I said it. I LOVE them!

21. Saddest Christmas song?

 I don't know. I don't like listening to sad Christmas songs. Sort of defeats the purpose, no?

22. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Feliz Navidad! There's a very upbeat part of the song that Ryan's brother and I joke about so I always laugh and enjoy that song the most of all!

Thrifty Tuesday

Hey ladies! I know I can't be the only one who waited until the last minute to organize their holiday wardrobe choices, right? I've thought about outfit options a ton, but I never acted on any of them. Today I realized that with all of the attention I was giving my NYE outfit, I neglected to think about my Christmas Eve mass outfit. I decided today that I definitely don't have the right outfit, so I did a little monitor window shopping at lunch. As usual, I searched for a great dress at a [great price]! Here are the cute dresses I found....they're pretty affordable and great for last minute options!

With the exception of the belted cream dress (#2), all dresses are around or below $50.
Mass Dress by thesweetashleylife (<~~Click to see this set on Polyvore!)

1. Black spot pussybow dress $37
2. pepe Womens Evelyn Cream Tiered Dress $96
3. Green balloon sleeve dress $37
4. Belted A Line Dress By Rare $40
5. vila Womens Bunton Black & Cream Dress $47
6. Red Kaftan Dress $54
7. Brown bow front dress $35
8. Mocha polka dot ruffle dress $57
9. Dark Purple Cut Out Neck Long Sleeve Shift Dress $50
10. BLVD Seasons Change Dress $48

Wouldn't any of these options look great with tights and a cute pair of short black booties or a great pair of boots? I want one of each, please!