Hung by the Fire with Care

Today I finished up my holiday shopping, with the exception of the remaining stocking stuffers I need. I have fond memories of waking up, running to my stocking and immediately sifting through all the small goodies. It remains as one of my favorite things about the holiday, and I can only hope this year's is filled to the brim and lives up to my anticipation. Here are some of my favorite things from my "stockings past".

(image via flickr)

*bright colored nail polishes
*lottery scratch offs (preferably winners)
*candy flavored Chapstick
*magazine subscriptions
*new additions to my (now old) charm bracelet
*Sanrio gum packs, pencils, and erasers
*my favorite candy (laffy taffy, sour gummies, and almond joy)

P.S Most of these I'd take for this year too. Some things never change.

Cup of Good Cheer

I've been meaning to pick up some rum to spike my holiday eggnog, but these cocktails ( found all around the web) have me second guessing whether that's the best way to go. Festive in both name and presentation, they're great options for your imminent Christmas gathering. And if you aren't planning on putting your hostess hat on this time around, sip on one during a leisurely night-in with the flannel pajamas you got last year under the tree. You know the ones.

*Candy Cane Cooler*

*Italian Eggnog Martini*

*Apple Snowball*

*Peppermint Patty*

(see links for recipe and source)

A Very Fashionable Holiday

As the holidays approach, my mailbox is becoming more and more inundated with catalogs filled with gift ideas and new fall shipments. Urban Outfitters has put together some quirky and playful images to get us in the seasonal spirit. From pumpkin harvesting to Christmas light decorating and everything in between (dim sum feast included), the models are ready for what looks like a Southern California holiday. It was the lack of snow and their bare legs and shoulders that tipped me off.

(all images via Urban Outfitters)

Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas with your loved ones. I'm a little bummed that it's over. It came and went way too fast.

image via flickr

We had a quiet Christmas at home just watching movies and avoiding all that traditional holiday cooking. Our Thanksgiving turkey was enough for us. We headed out for some Chinese food, very much like A Christmas Story, and I think we've just started a new holiday tradition. Well, at least when we aren't able to fly back home. Apparently, a lot of people had the same thing in mind. I've never seen a restaurant so packed.

Oh Christmas, I'll miss you!

Holiday Details

The days until Christmas are ticking down, and it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of to-do lists and shopping trips. So, remember to take in all the excitement of this time of year, even if it's just the small things.

festive lights

image by wolfsavard


hot apple cider
image by elana's pantry


baking...
image by tidymom


...and all the licking that comes with it.
image by Shopping Diva

Have a wonderful weekend, especially all you new followers. :)

*If you haven't had the chance, be sure to watch my first video blog here.