What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

You got big plans? Maybe going to a party, a dance, watching "New Year's Rockin' Eve"? (Do they still call it that?) Whatever you will be doing I'm sure you will have a great time.

What am I doing?

I'm having a baby!!!

Yay! I get to be in the hospital pushing out a kid that I'm sure is way bigger than I'd like. I think he's grown at least 2 lbs in the last week based on my tummy size.

I am excited to see him and cuddle him and get to know him.

I'll be back on here after I'm home from the hospital to show off my beautiful boy and fill you in on all the gory details. I'm sure you can't wait!

Dish of the Week

Here are some yummy ideas for your New Year's Celebration.

 I'm only here to help. I don't want to be the only one who feels huge on New Year's Eve.

 So, eat up!

Brownie Cookies with Peanut Butter Frosting



Chocolate Chip Cookie and Caramel-Peanut Butter Bars

Salted Caramel Pecan Bars

Sea Salt Caramel Brownies

Yes, I am craving chocolate. Is it that obvious?

Merry Christmas!

May you have a Christ-centered Christmas and enjoy this holiday season with your family and friends.



Photo from here

Baby Pics

They are so popular now. I almost feel like if I don't do some amazing pictures of my newborn then I'll miss a major milestone. There are some that are lovely and some that are just weird. I need to make sure I'm on that lovely side.

Here are some that I like....

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This is my sister :)

Actually Love

Love Actually

One of my favorite Christmas movies. Just wish a couple parts were removed.



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Last Minute Gift Ideas

Make your own leather tassel key chain, you'll feel very New York chic.



Fortune-Telling Book of Names

This book will make you very popular. People love to talk about their names.

 Jane Austen: The Complete Novels

All the books together and so pretty. I love mine!

Lego Architecture: Falling Water 

Perfect for men or women. If they love Frank Lloyd Wright. And who doesn't?

Pop Phone, The Retro Handset

Cause you know you miss this.

A gift card to Anthropologie

Couldn't get much better than that!

 

Pretty Christmas

A home tour with The Decorologist

Photo from here



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Oh My Stars!

I've been crafting again. I need things like this that I can do from my sofa. My baby is getting big and I am getting bigger. So I really have no energy to do much. And I'm okay with that.

I'll be super busy soon enough.

Not sure what I'm going to do with these yet.

Maybe a gift for someone who loves book page covered objects?

(And that's my husband's hand holding up my project. He should clean his nails :)

2012 Color of the Year

Tangerine Tango

Photos from here

I absolutely LOVE this color!

I feel like I'm so ahead of this trend. I've been using this color in my home for the last few years.

 Not sure how I feel about everyone else using it too, but last year's color wasn't overly used so I hope I'm safe. Especially in Idaho where the trends take a little longer to catch on. 

Advent

I always find the best advent calendars after December has already started.
Maybe I'll be early for next year!
I love how simple and beautiful this one is.
I need to find the right type of tree to cut a branch from.

Photo and instructions from here

Baby Story

No, not mine. Yet. But one that is so sweet and daring. You really should read it!

It's long but soooo good. And cute, cute baby pics.

You can read it here.

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Oh Yeah!

Good advice for a Monday.

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Make It Pop!

I love how all these white rooms have just enough color to make the rooms "Pop"!
Here's wishing you a snowy and white December...


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Cloth Diapers

I've decided to use cloth diapers for this little baby kicking the heck out of my insides. Not because I'm ultra "green" but because I'm tired of buying box after box of diapers I'm just throwing away. And they are so darn cute! Did you know they even have cashmere diaper covers? My baby would appreciate his bum covered in cashmere.

GroVia Diapers

I'm registered at the cutest baby store, Buns In The Oven. Their store is full of all the cutest and fanciest baby things you could ever imagine and a lot you would never imagine but suddenly can't live without.

Back To Reality

Back to life, back to reality.

Photo from here

Just wish this was my reality. 

Dish of the Week

Chocolate Bark

Have you had chocolate bark before? It is the easiest candy to make. Ever! And so delicious. And fast. You can make many variations and I don't think you could go wrong. Well, maybe if you mixed cherry with mint, don't do that combo.

My favorite is the S'mores Bark. Mmmmm!

This one is S'mores Bark, made with dark chocolate, graham cracker chunks and marshmallows.

This one is white chocolate and mini M&M's.

All you do is melt a bag or 2 of chocolate chips (any type) and add different candies or other yummies. I also like to layer the different chocolates. Like milk chocolate on the bottom and mint on the top. Make some this holiday season and everyone will think you're amazing. Which you are!
(Sorry for the pictures. I have never claimed to be a photographer:)

I thought I should include a professional picture so it looks prettier and more appetizing.
Go here for their recipe.

Give A Hoot!

I spent my weekend working on these cute little owl ornaments. I can't get enough of them. Every time I finish one I make everyone look at it and admire it's cuteness. I'm not sure how many more I'll make but I've got a pile of felt and some time on my hands.

Woo Hoo (Hoo)!!!

Go here for instructions and a pattern to make your own.

Stuff I Like (Want)

Here are a few items I've been admiring. I didn't plan it, but all except the bag are from Anthropologie. I just love that store too much! But I think I could make some of these instead of buy them.
Which is my goal this Christmas; to make more than buy.

Photo from here
Everything you need for a little sewing project is in this jar. And how easy would this be to make?
 So easy!

Candlestick from here
This color is wonderful! I've painted other vases and jars with matte white but now I need to use brighter colors.

From Anthropologie (discontinued)
I absolutely adore this pillow. The sweater! The deer! The fabric! LOVE!!!
Photo and instructions here

I'm making some super cute bags for friends this year. If you are one of my BFF's, act surprised.

Vase from here
This vase has the perfect colors for my living room. It's like it's screaming my name.
 Or creepily whispering it.

Contemporary Cross-Stitch

Aren't these just gorgeous?!

 I want to make them all. Right now.

And give them as Christmas gifts.

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Gifted

Ooooo! I love this magazine! So much prettiness in one place. You can find amazing gift ideas for anyone on your list. And towards the end are printable gift tags that make my heart happy.

I love Christmas and all the gift giving ideas all over the blogosphere.



Here are some of my favorites....

Calligraphy Stamp pg. 17

Animal Jewelry and Key Rack pg. 54

Wooden Octagon Puzzle-for the kids pg. 64

Embroidered Animal Onesies-for my baby pg. 76-77


Beautiful Calendars starting on pg. 106

And these wonderful downloadable gift tags starting on pg. 130