Last Look at 2013

So many things have happened in 2013. We moved into a new house, we had our first baby and celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary! I can't believe that this year is already over but I'm looking forward to what the new year has to bring.

Hope you have a happy and safe New Year.

...And a Happy New Year

dress: Tahari, boots: Ann Taylor, clutch: DIY, 

Hope you are having a great Christmas week. I hate that Christmas lasts only one day and have every intention of stretching it out. Of course, with New Year looming just on the horizon, we tend to take stock of out life and make plans for the next one. 

Well, this year has been amazing and most challenging of my life. With many changes taking place, I'm not the same person that I was a year ago. I've grown and experienced some amazing things - motherhood and another change of address being some of the most obvious ones. But there were also things that humbled me as an individual and brought a lot of joy to my heart.
I'm looking forward to what the new year brings and hope you enjoy the life that God gives you today.

See you in 2014 gang!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

 

If there is anything I've learned is that life is just too short not to enjoy it. God send us His Son and we celebrate this day with cheer and lots of commotion but how many stop and remember His name?

With the abundance of food, family gatherings, pretty lights and awesome presents, don't forget to give God the glory that belongs to Him. 

Be thankful.

Spend time with your family.

Be gracious.

Focus on important things. 

Be kind.

Don't worry about the trivial.

Be loving.

Have fun. 

Enjoy the awesome season that celebrates God's love.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

All That Sparkles + Inspiration Monday Link Up

blouse: Forever21, sequin top: INC, cords: Loft, booties: Old Navy, bag: Kate Spade

Around this time of year I see many blogs featuring glam holiday outfits, fancy dresses and gorgeous frocks. I love taking in all the beauty and planning my own party outfits. Unfortunately, I'm not invited to any of the super fancy ones. The ones I'm invited to can't even be called parties because all it is people hanging out and eating cookies. Well, I still want to glam-it- up a little. And why not? 

Sequins are my go-to this season because they can dress up any outfit, instantly making you party-ready. No matter if you are going to a fancy holiday soiree or just hanging at your in-laws. Now excuse me as I reach for one too many cookies and drink too much eggnog.
Be inspired add a little (or a lot) of sparkles to your holiday wear.

A Day Off

pants, sweatshirt: Loft, vest, shirt: Land's End, booties: Old Navy

Being a round-the-clock mom is tough. It's like having three jobs: in the daytime - tending to the baby, in the after hours - cleaning up and then there are the all-nighters. It really never stops. You never stop listening for his cries, never stop worrying about his well-being, and you never stop being a mom. 

Having to do this day in and day out can really takes a toll on anyone. That's why when I noticed myself getting aggravated and impatient with my son, I asked my hubby for a day off. A day to not worry, not think, not fret or listen. A day all to myself. And being the sweet and kind guy he is, he took care of our boy while I did whatever my heart desired. 

It was nice. 

I missed my baby and held him a little extra that night while he fell asleep in my arms. It's sweet that after a day off you want to come back to your day job and still love it. Because really, it's the most rewarding job in the whole world - raising a human being.  

Links I Love {Volume 1} + Inspiration Monday

Great marriage tips. Ladies (and gents) take notes!


The real NYC has nothing to do with the romantic movies and sitcoms.


If you are married, does this work?


More marriage advice. (I'm on a roll today)


Be grateful because really you have so much.


Amazing. Sad. Chilling. Exciting. Shocking. Best photos of 2013


Dear Moms, get a cup of tea and read this. I promise you will feel much better.


All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth a pair of these.


On of these reminds of back home. This time of year nostalgia is taking over (don't mind me)


I can't believe I'm going to miss this in my own home town.


This place has over twelve thousand rugs and we still can't pick one.


What I'm up to now


This is just too much cuteness in one picture. Attempting to make those leg warmers!


Need a laugh? Check this out! LOL


Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Cranberry Almond Cookies {Recipe}

To be completely honest with you, cookies are not my forte. I think they take a lot more work than a cake, for example, because they have to be attended to individually. Every year, I leave baking the Christmas cookies to my mom and sister. This year with so many things being different in my life (the new house and baby), I wanted try baking some cookies. Why not? It turns out it's easier than I thought. And what's better than sharing delicious baked goodies with some friends over cup of tea? Christmas Cookie Exchange Party idea was born. I send out some invites, baked a few different kinds of cookies and the girls night was a success. Since then, I had couple requests for this recipe and only now have gotten a chance to post it. Here it is. Nice and simple for ya gals! 

(The recipe is adopted from here with a few of my changes)

Ingredients:  

½ cup unsalted butter, room temp. 

½ cup  sugar 

1 tsp. vanilla extract

pinch of nutmeg 

big pinch fine sea salt

1 large egg

1¼ cup flour 

½ cup dried cranberries 

½  cup sliced almonds

Process: 

Beat butter and sugar until light and creamy, ~2 minutes

Beat in the egg and vanilla.  

Finally chop the cranberries with a very sharp knife (they will stick to it)

Combine flour and salt (omit salt if you don't want any saltiness in your cookies). Toss a tablespoon or so in with the fruit and nuts and toss around. 

Gradually add the rest of the mixture to the wet mixture.  Fold in the cranberries, and almonds. Turn mixture out onto a sheet of foil and form into a log.  

Twist ends together and put into freezer for an hour, or in refrigerator for 3 hours. You can leave the dough over night and finish baking the next day

Preheat oven to 350° F.  Line baking sheets w/ parchment, cut the dough into ¼" slices (mine were a little thick) and place at least an inch and a half or so apart on the lined sheets.  

Bake for ~12 minutes, or until they just start to turn golden around the edges depending on your oven.

Enjoy! 

More Red

turtleneck: Land's End, blazer: Banana Republic, jeans: H&M, booties: Ann Taylor, bag: thrifted

Since I already have an outfit with a red skirt, it only makes sense to have an outfit featuring red pants. I think.

First let me let out my frustration with H&M! The sizes in that place are getting smaller by the day (or my behind is expanding by the minute). Let's talk how sizes affect our moods. I know that I'm usually size 4-6 in bottoms but when I tried on size 8(!) the other day, I couldn't even get my one leg into it. I decided to go up a size and although I was able to (barely) fit into the pants, I walked out of the store feeling fat. I know, I'm not a skinny girl but I am a no size 10 either. So what up with that H&M?

In other news, Christmas shopping is so much fun this year, as I am making thoughtful and valuable gifts. Mostly, I'm done and ready to get wrapping. It's my favorite part, but my ribbons always get tangled up and I loose the scissors. Go figure. Hope you are getting ready for the holiday season and having fun with it!

It's a Holiday Season

dress: Target, coat: DKNY, booties: Guess

Black is definitely my go-to color, for any occasion. It's elegant, it's formal and it's slimming (something we ladies appreciate). Even though it's a great color to have, how many LBD can one have? That's why for the holiday party season I'm looking for fun yet classy dresses that I can still keep wearing the rest of the year. This dress was a great clearance find and although it doesn't have the body-hugging shape, it's still a nice version of LBD. The relaxed fit and the colorblock sleeves make this dress my favorite (for now) and I'm looking for more ways to style it. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!