Cuddly Teddies

I love these vintage inspired Mohair teddy bears by Ellifolks.

20% Off In My Shoppe

This week only, I am discounting all merchandise in my etsy shoppe! December 27th - Jan 2nd, all items are 20% off! It is the perfect time to pick up that piece you have been wanting to wear in the new year. Check it out!

Happy Holidays!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Just Gotta Do it

I am almost done with my shopping this year. I do have a couple of last minute items to pick up. I have tried very hard to avoid the malls this year and to this point, I have not set foot in one. However...today, for one item, I have no choice.

With my spend less- enjoy more attitude this past year, it literally has been about 12 months since I have been in a mall. I don't even know what stores are still in business in the mall. There was a time when the kids were small and still in a stroller that we would venture to the mall for an ice cream cone in the winter to pass the day. But as the kids have gotten older and busier...we have not had much need to waste precious time and money there.

With a reluctant heart, I must venture into the enemy territory. I will go with my blinders on. I will go for what I need and nothing more. To this point I am coming in below my holiday budget. I am so proud of myself and I do not want to blow it on this one step into the mall. I am planning my entrance and my exit strategy so as to alleviate any temptation to spend unnecessarily.

I will let you know how I do. Wish me luck.

Focus!

Trying hard to focus on the things I really need to do today.

Our family is hosting my husband's side of the family tomorrow for an early Christmas. Besides my boys swim meet today, I need to prep for the dinner and set up our dining room table in our livingroom. With a small home, the few rooms we have serve many purposes at the holidays.

What to do...what to do...? Focus!

Sugar Scrub

Homemade Sugar Scrub!
Why spend alot of money on sugar scrub when you can make your own? It is very simple and only takes a few minutes. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift.

White Cane Glimmer Sugar Scrub

1 C. Granulated Sugar
1 C. vegetable oil
Oil from 1 vitamin E capsule
1 or 2 drops of lavender or orange essential oil
1 16 oz. glass container with lid
Ribbon, optional

Combine all of the ingredients in a med. Bowl until well blended. Using a spatula, transfer mix into the container and secure lid. Tie a pretty holiday ribbon around the neck of the jar.

* Contents will settle: mix well before using. Scoop a teaspoon or two of the scrub on your hands and gently massage in circular motions onto your skin. Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes, the scrub will tighten your skin. Thoroughly rinse off the sugar scrub. Scrub can be stored at room temperature covered tightly.

Festive Drink

Peppermint Drop
(makes 1 drink)

Peppermint Schnapps
Crushed peppermint candies
¼ C. half and half
3 T. chocolate flavored liqueur
2 T. crème de cacao
1 ½ t. peppermint schnapps

1. Pour a small amount of peppermint schnapps in a saucer. Place crushed candy in another saucer. Dip rim of glass into schnapps and then into candy, coating edges. Let stand to dry.

2. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add half and half, chocolate flavored liqueur, crème de cacao, and 1 ½ t. peppermint schnapps. Shake mixture vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds. Strain mix into prepared martini glass.

Think Warm

It is getting COLD here in the Chi Town suburbs again. It has me thinking warm thoughts. This beautiful black and white hand knit cowel from crazyjaneknits's shop look indulgent.

I would have warm toasty feel with these snuggly knit slippers from eykelila's shop

What a fun and practical was to stay warm! A great conpromise between a mitten and a glove! Find these at kittenmitten's shop.

Stay warm!

Someone Special

The passing of a very dear Friend is very hard for anyone. Andy Rose was one very special dear Friend. His passing will leave a very profound void in my families lives. He was my children's swim coach and a mentor for the past 5 years. My husband and I have always thought of a coach as someone who helps us to instill life lessons, values and ethics in our children's lives. It takes a village...

We will all miss him dearly...Rest in peace Andy.

Cause Key Chains

Great DIY. gift idea for the kids to make...or for yourself! How cool are these key chains made out of all those "good cause" wristbands! All supplies can be found at your local craft store. Perfect for a scout or religious class. (It must me the Daisy Leader in me coming out again :)

To make:

Slide a key ring onto the rubber bracelet and then pull the bracelet all the way to one side.

Pinch the bracelet close to the key ring and pound a decorative grommet through with a hammer covered with a dish towel.

That's All Folks!

Hard Core Cleaning

Ha! I love this picture I found on flicker. (Wish I could remember who posted it)

This is sooooo the case today though. My "boys" bathroom has been "gross" for too long. We are hosting Christmas for my husband's side of the family in a little over a week and I panicked when I went in the "boy" bathroom. Sooooo gross! I used every toxic cleaner known to man, but it is finally clean! I may have to go out side in the sub-zero weather and shovel, just to clean out my lungs after that! I just have to spruce it up a bit now before the big day. Just thought I would share. :)

Cheap and Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas for Your Home

It's the holiday, and we all want our homes to be decked out with holiday spirit. However, we want to save our bank accounts as well.

Here are some great ideas that anyone can use to decorate your home for the holiday season and still be able to buy gifts for under the tree.

Create a Theme. Have a theme for your holiday decorating. This keeps you from blowing your budget on impulse purchases. It will also keep your decor tied together for a more elegant, and streamlined look. The theme can be anything from a color to a decorating ideas as a woodland theme.

Use what you Have. The holidays are about making memories. Use mementos from past memorable holidays as anchors for your newer decorations. Our family nestles the first doll each member of the family received as a baby in our Christmas tree. You could also hang Grandma's cookie cutters on the tree or even baby booties. Whatever brings back memories as you decorate with your family./

Focus Your Decor. Since most of us do not have enough decorations to decorate every corner of our homes, so concentrate your holiday decor on the focal areas of the room. Focal areas can bee the fireplace, entryway, or the tops of cabinetry. Keeping the decor in one area of the room will also save you the trouble of un-decorating the whole house after the holidays.

Light up the Night. Adding lights to your holiday decorating will add warmth and fantasy. Use inexpensive light strands to dress up windows and doorways, as well as the tree. Use candles to add sparkle to the room.

Dress the Tree. Instead of investing in expensive designer ornaments, create your own elegant look this year. Fold decorative paper into fans, and tie them on the tree with ribbons. We did this when we were first married because we did not have many ornaments. The tree was beautiful.

Wall Art, Holiday Style. If you are throwing a party and don't have much in the way of Holiday decor, wrap pictures on your walls with wrapping paper like a present and add a large bow...re-hang the "present". This is a great way to add instant holiday impact!

Quick Tips:

* Use wire edged ribbon to add bows all around the house. Choose gold or silver and you can reuse the ribbon through the New Year.

* Add Epsom Salt to glass containers to resemble snow. Tuck in pillar candles for a winter wonderland effect.

* Make inexpensive holiday wreaths by cutting a base from cardboard, and use a glue gun to completely cover the base with wrapped candies.

* Create holiday glassware by using glass paint from the craft store on clear glass. Stamp or stencil on your favorite holiday motif.

* Make paper trees our of a square of pretty paper, preferably use a paper that is a little stiff. Roll the paper into a cone, and glue the edge with a hot glue gun. Add some gold glitter or swirls of paint to dress them up. They will be beautiful on your mantle or as a centerpiece with greens.

No matter what your holiday budget this year, you can make your home a warm, welcoming place for your family and friends. So, pour the hot cocoa, stoke up the fire and start dreaming of sugar plums!