all that glitters is gold

via stephanie a nguyen

via oh, hello friend

via we heart it

via The Glitter Guide

via Christina Diaz

 

 

via the paris apartment

via pretty worthy

Maybe it's the Ke$ha in me, but I'm loving seeing glitter and gold everywhere I look... especially on nails. I got mine done in OPI's Glitzerland on Christmas Eve... we'll see if they last through my move tomorrow and are salvageable for NYE. Oh-- and see that last glittery crossbody pursebagthing? Well lucky me.... it was a Christmas gift from my brother, and I can't wait to wear it on new year's eve night!

festive little cocktails

In the words of Sandra Lee from Food Network.. it's cocktail time! These festive drinks from Real Simple Magazine definitely put me in a holiday mood. Plus, they are all pretty simple to make, and sound absolutely delicious!

Spiked Sparkling Cider: 

• 4 bottles cold Prosecco (or some other dry sparkling wine)
• 6 cups cold apple juice
• 3/4 cup cinnamon schnapps (such as Goldschlager)

Mix together in a large bowl and enjoy!

 

Pomegranate-Lime Fizz

• 1 liter club soda
• 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
• 1 1/2 cups vodka (12 ounces)
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, plus wedges for garnish
• 1/4 cup triple sec (2 ounces)

Mix together the club soda, pomegranate juice, vodka, lime juice, and triple sec in a large pitcher. Serve over ice, garnished with the lime wedges. 

 

 

Simple Cocktail

• 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) vodka, chilled
• 2 cups (16 ounces) cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
• 2 cups (16 ounces) pomegranate juice, chilled
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  

In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine all the ingredients. (You can cover and refrigerate for up to several hours.) Add ice and ladle into martini glasses or plastic party cups.

 

 

 Winter Sangria

• 3 bottles fruity red wine (such as Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 2 liters black cherry soda
• 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
• 3/4 cup brandy
• 1/2 cup Triple Sec
• 4 pears, cored and thinly sliced
• 2 oranges, thinly sliced
• ice, for serving

In a large bowl, combine the wine, black cherry soda, pomegranate juice, brandy, Triple Sec, pears, and oranges. Serve over ice. 

 

 ENJOY!

so this is the new year...

Although the end of the year doesn't mean much in a biological sense, it's a great time to reflect on how your life has grown and changed in the past year. I, for one, know my life has flipped every which direction. I've learned so many lessons and made tons of mistakes. And I've changed.... for the better. I've grown more confident and less afraid to take risks... sometimes you just have to trust yourself and do the thing that's right for you. And then NOT WORRY. Everything will be okay.

So my goals for 2012 are to continue loving myself... and keep challenging myself to step outside my comfort zone. Lots of times, it can be easier said that done. But it always ends up being worth it.

via smartgirlconsulting.com

So cheers to you, my dear reader! Cheers to new experiences, new friendships, new memories, and new adventures. May your 2012 be full of laughter and fun. Letzzzz do this!

oh, christmas tree

One of my most favorite favorite things in the world is putting up the Christmas tree, and getting to look at it for weeks on end. When I was at my parent's house for Thanksgiving, I left just as the Christmas decorations begun. Here's a sneak peek of the house, though I didn't get a good shot of our big Christmas tree!

That little bugger on the floor is my parents puppy Lacie... she's a 6mo golden retriever/poodle mix, and she's the cutest little out of control thing in the world. But I digress. Here are some pictures of some of the prettiest trees I could find.... hope they get you in the holiday spirit!

via marthastewart.com

via maisondecor8.blogspot.com

via mysteryofmaps on flickr

via indypad.com

via pinterest

via Pinterest

 Merry Christmas Everyone!!

last minute shopping - gift cards!

I swore I would keep this blog separate from what I do at work, but when I come across something super helpful, I can't help but share! (For the record, I'm a consumer researcher/associate producer at a local news station.)

For those of us that still have a few more things to check off our holiday list, gift cards seem to fill the holes pretty well. However, all gift cards are NOT created equal!

Enter scripsmart.com. This site is legit- was recommend by Consumer Reports, and has the low-down on all of your gift card questions. I promise the company is giving me ZERO props for recommending them, and the site is totally free to use. Just go to scripsmart.com, and type in brand/company of the gift card you are considering buying. Let's try j.crew...

Scrip Smart gives J Crew an 80/100... which isn't half bad. Pros: Never expires, no hidden fees, free shipping... Cons: Not replaceable if lost or stolen.

The BEST gift cards according to the website include Whole Foods, Banana Republic, and the Container Store (all got 99/100). Some of the worst include Barneys New York, Loehmann's, and American Apparel, all of which are financially unstable.

The site also shows where you can get certain cards discounted, and the laws that all retailers have to abide by. Good info!!

daily inspiration

"but for now 
we are young
let us lay 
in the sun
and count 
every 
beautiful thing 
we can see"

wonderful winter white

If you can't have a "White Christmas", why not just bring your own? White in the winter makes me feel elegant and cozy at the same time. These photos below, via A Life of Beauty and Grace, show it best.