Merry Christmas Eve | 2014

Merry Christmas Eve from me to you and yours!! I hope that you are spending your Christmas Eve the same way that I will be—enjoying the true meaning of Christmas. We will be going to Christmas Eve service, eating a delicious meal, skiing/snowboarding, hanging out, watching Christmas movies, playing games, and jumping into our matching pj’s before bed!

Each year when we get to Snowshoe for Christmas we stuff our wooden tree with presents & wrap it with lights and a few ornaments. This year Alex 3D printed white snowflakes to add to our tree. I love how large the snowflakes are. They really pop out in photos & will be something we will use for many years to come. It might not be your traditional tree but we sure do love that it’s easy clean-up and involves no watering!

Can you spot the snowman?

For Christmas Eve I wanted to finally share our 2014 family Christmas card. It was hard deciding on what pictures and memories to put into the card that we could have honestly send out a photo album…but we didn't! This year’s card highlights our family {photo cred: Jack Gillespie}, Alex’s College Graduation, our 16 year old puppy Cricket, and crossing one off my Bucket List: Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge! 

Merry Christmas Eve!

xoxo

Simmer Pot

A few weeks ago as the Holiday's were inching closer and closer I decided it was time to throw together a simmer pot to make my home smell of Holiday goodness. Although there are many recipes I could have used, I decided to make up my own recipe. My own recipe was extremely easy and all I did was gather ingredients from what I already had.  Some common ingredients that are found in simmer pots are cinnamon sticks, apples/ peels, oranges/ rinds, cloves, apple juice, vanilla, anise, and nutmeg.

Instructions: Fill a small pot with water and bring to a boil. Add ingredients, either from your favorite recipe or some of the common simmer pot ingredients {I used apples, oranges, plumbs, and cinnamon}, and continue to boil for a few minutes. Then turn the heat down to simmer. Then enjoy! Be sure to add water as needed, usually every 30 minutes or so. 

Tip: Get into a habit of saving (rather than tossing out) your fruit peels when you know your going to be making a simmer pot.

Plum, Apples, Oranges

Finished product. Next time i'll be sure to add some cinnamon sticks for texture and prettier appearance

xoxo

Hello {HECTIC} December

December, you're the last one so your supposed to be the best one!! I was so excited you finally arrived until my world turned into a blizzard.

Yes, I'll admit this time of year is often hectic with shopping, cooking, traveling, but add about 100 projects on top of that and welcome to my December. The below depicts what I thought the rest of 2014 would look like.. a little up hill and easy, but in reality it is all over the place.

I know that I am not the only person that feels this way during this season and I hope that through the midst of all the chaos you can find time to laugh, relax, and enjoy being with others. Here is some comic relief from the office today... clearly they have had a hectic December too!

#findtheERROR

xoxo

Five on BLACK Friday | In a Snowglobe

Hello Friends! I have been blessed with my Friday starting on Wednesday just like many of you who have Thanksgiving and Friday off from work. Although it was a short work week it seemed like I had a few hiccups before Vacation mode. Monday morning I woke to having car troubles and my car had to go to the shop. Thankfully though, I have wonderful friends who were able to tote me around until my car was fixed--- just in time for me to pack it and head to Snowshoe. I made it safely and it has been snowing ever since I arrived.

A little peek into my week...

ONE: I'll admit I am completely obsessed with Taylor Swift. Did you see her performance of "Blank Space" at the 2014 AMA's? Ahhhmazing-- per usual.

TWO: My drive up to Snowshoe was clear the entire way until the last few miles of the drive--it had begun to snow!! The entrance to our condo buildings was so pretty as I pulled in.  It was beautiful to see my first snow so early in the season even though it was MIDNIGHT when I finally made it! Mom and dad rolled in around 3am and we moved a new refrigerator into the condo. After a long night it was finally bedtime at 4:30 am!

THREE: Have you ever had one of the gourmet cupcakes from Gigi's? I had never tried them before {sorry you cupcake lovers} and my dad brought these decadent cupcakes up to the mountains. I split the Candy bar Crunch cupcake and I was in Butterfingers heaven. I have never been much of a frosting person-- but this frosting was savory and sweet.

FOUR: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! To see what I am thankful for go here. This Thanksgiving I woke up to a beautiful view of snow-covered trees, saw the Turkey Skiing, and had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with my parents. By the end of the day we had gotten a FOOT of fresh powder and more on the way.

FIVE: BLACK FRIDAY {ONLINE} DEALS! Although I am doing no shopping today, I wanted to share my top 5 online deals for Black Friday:
BAUBLEBAR: 15% off two items

GAP: 50% off sitewide | code BLKFRIDAY

JCREW: 30% off select full price items, 40% off sale | code HOLIDAY

KATE SPADE SATURDAY: 30% off everything, free shipping | code DEALME

OLDNAVY: 50% off sitewide

FIVE A: Today I woke up and watched Live! with Kelly and Michael, which was a treat since I usually am at work. They wore these hilarious Christmas sweaters on the first part of the show and now I am looking forward to Tacky Christmas Sweater parties. Jack has been wanting this Knitted Crackling Fireplace sweater and I already have TWO new sweaters in my closet. TACKY CHRISTMAS here we come! 

Post by LIVE with Kelly and Michael.

Thanks to Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha!

xoxo

Thanksgiving 2014

"I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.  For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge"

1 Corinthians 1:4-5

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS!!
I hope that you are enjoying spending time with family & friends, watching the 87th Macy's Day Parade or a little football, eating turkey and all the fixing's and MAKING SURE to leave some room for dessert-- the most important part!

There are so many things thanks I am thankful for--- I am SUPER thankful for my family {and dogs}, friends, health, shelter, food, faith, and everything else I have been given. Today has consisted so far of the parade {Alex was on the Kool Aid Man Balloon}, yummy food, and incredible skiing weather {it has been snowing all day--- 12 inches in the past 24 hrs!}.

Tonight i'll be at the condo with a nice fire and enjoy not being in the midst of the hustle and bustle! Please be safe if you are going out for "Black Friday" sales.

xoxo

Vacation | Thanksgiving 2014

It's that time again for first tracks, powders stashes, and downhill fun---- TODAY Nov 26th is OPENING DAY at Snowshoe Ski Resort in West Virginia. LUCKY me I am heading up after work to Snowshoe for a Thanksgiving Celebration with my mom, dad, and Cricket! Current weather forecast is 32°F with 16 inches of snow for the season already-- and looking for more tonight! I am super happy that the eastern part of the state is getting fresh powder & cannot wait to hit the slopes.

Snowshoe 2013 Christmas

This year will be a little different Thanksgiving for my family. Alex is visiting friends up in Hoboken/ NYC- which is where we have done Thanksgiving for the past 5 years. Our normal Thanksgiving those years involved watching Alex in the Macy's Parade carrying a balloon {last year was BUZZ LIGHTYEAR, not sure yet which balloon he is on this year}.

View from Hoboken of NYC 2013

Blowing Up the Balloons 2013

Although the plans are different, I am going to enjoy the vacation time skiing/ snowboarding, spending time with my parents, eating Thanksgiving food + leftovers, and relaxing. There is not much shopping within a hour from Snowshoe so there will not be any Black Friday shopping during my Thanksgiving vacation. Time to hit the road now...

Safe Travels to all !

xoxo

2014 Favorite Things| My List

These are a few of my favorite things 2014 Christmas List:

one| I absolutely love all GOLD everything and these Pavé Round Stud Earrings would be the perfect addition to any outfit + they are timeless. I could see wearing them while running errands or dressing them up for a night out on the town.

two| I have been needing some new boots, but I am not willing to splurge myself for these beauts. Hoping that Santa sees my list this year. nod.nod.wink.wink.

three| Now that the cold weather has come to stay I am craving some new flannel pj's. I love the penguin & snowflake print of this Bedhead pair. 

four| Monogram. Need I say more. The two letter monogram has been pretty popular this season and I have been looking at this necklace for a few weeks. A huge plus is that is is less than $40!

five| I cannot live without my morning coffee. I got a friend this to-go cup earlier this year and now am wanting one for myself.

six| Who can go wrong with new nail polish in their stocking. I am always in need of a new pink or red shade {my go-to colors}.

seven| I love being organized & having cute stationary. This journal would be perfect for me to keep my daily work notes or to do lists in.

eight| I would really love to add this new coat to my closet this year. I love that it has a hood and is longer than my other Barbour I have had my Barbour red quilted jacket for a super long time. I have been very pleased with the quality despite the price tag. I would definitely recommend to anyone.

nine| This year more than anything I want to take a fun trip somewhere. Jack and I have both been saying this for a while and there are so many places that we want to visit that {fingers crossed} we can pick one and jet set!

Thanks to April, Elise, Katie, Zelle 

xoxo

OCC | The Power of a Simple Gift

The Holiday's are about giving a better way to start off this Holiday season than with giving through Operation Christmas Child. As a child/ young adult, I remember gathering up toiletries, toys ,and other small gifts from around the house or the drugstore in preparation for my OCC box. The thought that some of those items were everyday "non-fun" gift in my eyes really put into perspective how blessed I was in my life. I always enjoyed seeing how many different items I could fit inside and I was so proud of what I put together in the end and enjoyed "sending" it off at the OCC drop-off. Even though I never would know who the end recipient would be, it brought so much joy to my holiday giving to someone, somewhere who was less fortunate. 



When I saw this link-up on Jenni's blog {Frankly, My Dear} with her friend Hayley  I knew that I needed to make a special Saturday post and share! I cannot wait to gather all kinds of items together for this year's box.

About Operation Christmas Child
OCC is an event sponsored by Samaritan's Purse and supports and blesses children all around the world and aims to teach them about God, lead him or her to faith, inspire pastors, and plant new churches. By packing a shoe box (or small plastic box) full of goodies for either a boy or girl, they are able to provide so many children around the world with gifts- things they need and want. You can read more about the mission and history here.

Although I am starting the link-up a day late... it's not too late for you to join in too! Please check out all of the details on this document. Also Hayley from A Beautiful Exchange is hosting a series for bloggers and non-bloggers.

Everyone please join in & pack a shoebox. I promise that it will not only bring joy to a child, but that you will also have joy in your life through the gift of giving

xoxo