Merry Christmas....

May you and your family, friends and loved ones have a very Merry Christmas. May it be filled with laughter, love, comfort, peace and warm memories! Be loving and thankful for those persons in your life & being able to celebrate another wonderful holiday.

Let's also take time to pray for those who have lost loved ones during the course of this year or in years past, and that their minds be filled with great memories and healing. And in a world where people can often times like you one moment and dislike you the next, be an example and allow the light {Christ} that resides in you to be seen. Be kind with your words as well as your actions and most of all love one another.

Merry Christmas!

{photo courtesy of Target}

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

with only a few days until Christmas, people {including myself} are still perusing the malls to finish off our shopping! The stores and crowded, as well as the parking lots but you still get a warm fuzzy feeling when you think about the reason for this season...the Earth's greatest gift..Jesus Christ. It's amazing that he gave such a wonderful gift to us all, his life, his sacrifice, his forgiveness and most importantly, his Love.

Enjoy your day and many many more!

If it's Magic...

This is a clip of my friend & talented musician/singer/songwriter Terrence Cunningham singing Stevie Wonder’s “If it’s Magic”. listen to 0:28-2:59. He's an amazing talent!! Yay for Terrence, keep up the excellent work & people, please add him on your "must listen to artist" list!

If it’s magic…
Then why can’t it be everlasting
Like the sun that always shines
Like the poets in this rhyme
Like the galaxies in time

If it’s pleasing…
Then why can’t it be never leaving
Like the day that never fails
Like the seashores there are shells
Like the time that always tells

It holds the key to every heart
Throughout the universe
It fills you up without a bite
And quenches every thirst

So…
If it’s special
Then with it why aren’t we as careful
As making sure we dress in style
Posing pictures with a smile
Keeping danger from a child

It holds the key to every heart
Throughout the universe
It fills you up without a bite
And quenches every thirst

So…
If it’s magic..
Why can’t we make it everlasting
Like the lifetime of the sun
It will leave no heart undone
For there’s enough for everyone

Slippers my Dear...

Do you think that if I put these shoes on and prance around I may somehow become a beautiful ballerina? Well if not, I'm sure they would be stylish and comfy on my feet!

{photo via Daily Candy}

My Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Version...

Last night I had every intention of making the Chocolate Peppermint Wafers which was my plan A however it became a very long evening and making cookies from scratch just wasn't suiting my fancy. Sooooooo I went with my plan B, which was to purchase some Milano cookies, dip them in melted chocolate and sprinkle them with crushed peppermint & then package them up.

Thank goodness for a plan B and hopefully they will bring a little cheer to my co-workers day!

Chocolate Peppermint Wafers...

I'm going to make a batch of these cookies tonight and give them as gifts to my co-workers tomorrow during our Christmas exchange! I hope they turn out delicious! Of course I'm going to have to package them up really nice and hope that they serve as good gifts. Tis the season to be giving & to be kind.

{photo courtesy of Real Simple}

Snow and Graham...

Snow & Graham makes pretty paper EVERYTHING {cards, calendars, wrapping paper etc.} and they have a small blog to go along with it! Things like this make me happy!

{photos courtesy of Snow & Graham}

VW Glam Princess...

I ♥ smell goods so I'm excited to take a whiff of the latest Vera Wang perfume, Glam Princess. It sounds yummy {Top notes of crushed red berries, juicy guava and sparkling pear, heart notes of orange blossom and vanilla orchid, base notes of warm ambrette, sugary marshmallow and soft cashmere wood} and I hope it smells divine! It's scheduled to be released this month just in time for Christmas..yippee!

The Joy of the Lord...

is my strength {do not sorrow}. -Nehemiah 8:10

Yesterday my Pastor preached on the subject of Joy and it reminded me of something that I read the other day:

worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big, powerful or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. stress says that the things we're involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control. bottom line: trust God!

{book: crazy love, overwhelmed by a relentless God, francis chan}

{photo courtesy of Real Simple}

Happy Birthday Bows and Bags...

One of my very good friends birthday was earlier this month & her wonderful cousin decided to throw her a surprise birthday dinner with some of the women in her family and some of her close girlfriends. I was asked to make some favor bags in honor of the celebration!

After some brainstorming, her cousin and I decided to create "Relax More, Stress Less Pamper Bags", to include, teas, a relaxing cd, devotion books, love & kindness quote cards, chocolate covered pretzels & a candle. I love using brown handle bags when making favor or party bags because you can utilize any color scheme that you like. In order to "jazz" up the bags, I decided to use navy blue, fuchsia and green and then hand tied a ribbon and a paper heart {words read: Relax More, Stress Less Pamper Kit}. The girls loved the bags and the birthday girl was happy, surprised and overall overcome with delight!

I'm glad that the bags turned out well but even more estactic that my friend's night was memorable for her and that she had a wonderful time.

Yes, please Dress please...

Dear gift giver,

I would like said dress in a nice box, wrapped with a big pretty bow, please of course.

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

gift recipient

Party Piñatas...

I really want to host a small yet fun filled holiday party this year. What's better than getting all dressed up, eating well, spending time with your gal pals & recaping over the year? If I do manage to have one before the year's close, I think that these dazzling, festive & pretty pinatas would be in order!

{photo courtesy of Urban Outfitters}

My Green Nugget of a Gem...

I will proudly be the first to say that I have def. been converted to a guacamole LOVER! It was in part due to my sister's {hi sister C.D.H.} constant talk of it and prompting me to climb aboard this lovely green gem train! Now, I make it every chance I get and have incorporated it in a number of food dishes.

The most splendid most wonderful thing is now that they actually have a book about various ways to prepare it!! {and the crowd shimmers with glee}. Guac Off MUST be added to my ever growing collection of food books!

Merry Christmas to me perhaps? hint hint wink wink sister/friend

The great thing is that not only does it taste good, but it's good for you!

{photo via Oh Happy Day}

Make Merry the Kate Spade Way...

I wonder how many of these 20 Ways to Make Merry I can do this month. My ultimate goal will be to do all 20 but we'll see how it goes. Perhaps if I space them out during the course of the month, I can have all 20 under my belt! The cool thing aside from the 20 Ways, is when you roll over the graphics, you get a lovely little surprise!

{photo courtesy of Kate Spade}

Happy December...

We've finally approached the last month of 2009...Welcome December! All in all its been a wonderful 11 months and prayerfully this month will be no exception.
As people pull out the lively Christmas decorations, crank up the Christmas tunes, and heat up the hot chocolate, perhaps it'll put everyone in the mood for being kinder, more loving and in cheerful joyous spirits. It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year!

{photo courtesy of Martha Stewart}