TWO DAYS!!!!

Can you believe??? Two days until Christmas!! To get even more in the spirit, I really wanted to spend this past weekend do "Christmasy things".  So, I did some more holiday shopping and baking!  My evening last night was filled with cookie decorating and watching Elf.  To top it off, PR and I exchanged gifts!! He went above and beyond per usual AND his family spoiled me with presents, too- I've already had the best Christmas and it hasn't even technically started!

As I mentioned before, I am so excited to head back to my parents house to see family and friends.  My family always hosts a huge Christmas Eve party and it's always a blast- LOTS of fun, signature Christmas Cocktails, and games galore.  I'm looking so forward to tomorrow night!  This truly is the best time of the year, so wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays!

LOVE decorating cookies!

My little decorating set-up! It's not Christmas until I've watched Elf

THANK YOU PR for this amazing food processor!! Last night I made peanut and almond butter!! Next, I want to make hummus

Also received this bad boy- The Pioneer Woman Cooks. The recipes in this book look to-die-for.  Thinking I might try to make the mac and cheese first

I created the signature cocktail last year- The Mistletoe!

Me and the boys at the Christmas Eve party last year!

@salspals33 at his finest! (those are marshmallows in his mouth) The games we play are actually very fun- especially after a few mistletoe's! 

Did you watch the I Am Britney Jean documentary last night on E!?  I missed it but ya'll know I plan to wacth it the minute I have time. I've been obsessed with B Spears for as long as I can remember, so seeing her performance in Vegas is on the top of my bucket list

Hello Cinderella

IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!!! I truly cannot believe how fast time has flown.  It feels like just yesterday that I was visiting family in New York for Thanksgiving, and now I'm heading home to Orlando soon for the holiday.  I haven't been back to Orlando in a year...yup that's correct - one year! The other day my brother sent me a picture of my dad decked out in his Giants gear watching the game, and I didn't even recognize my parent's living room - new furniture, etc. so I am so excited to return home to see them and see how much has changed. I'm also looking forward to seeing my best friend who recently got engaged! I've been friends with her since we were three and I haven't seen her in so long! I love the holidays for so many reasons, one being that it's truly the best time to reconnect with family and friends! 

One other thing I'm looking forward to is PR visiting.  He's been to my parents house before but only for a short weekend. So, this time around we're doing it big - Magic game, Disney, MGM, Islands of Adventure, Margaritaville and so much more! Every year MGM does this huge, crazy lights display throughout the park and it's seriously so amazing.  They hire this family from out of state who obviously specializes in Christmas lights and decorations.  They even sync it up to music.  I've only been once, about 4 years ago, so I'm so excited to go back. 

Cinderella's Castle at night...my future house?!

 

Part of the MGM Lights- CAN'T WAIT!!

For The Guys

Ever notice how most guys are extremely hard to buy for??  I needed to buy presents for my dad, my brother, and my boyfriend and each one was harder to buy for than the next.  I asked my brother what he wanted for Christmas and he literally told me socks. SOCKS?????  That's the most boring gift ever, that's a stocking stuffer gift.  What's my dad say?  I don't need anything - I've got everything I need right here (points at the family).  Okay, true dad BUT I still want to buy you presents. 

I think the main problem with all three of them is that if they really want something they'll just go out and buy it.  Case in point- PR recently buying three pairs of sneakers....really??? You couldn't wait until Christmas or share that idea with someone else who is desperate to buy you a good present??  And the same is true for my brother and dad.  So, this year I had to really think outside the box.

I love buying presents for other people, and I am beyond excited for everyone to open their gifts.  My ultimate goal is for them to be excited about it.  Ladies, if you're struggling to buy the guy in your life the perfect gift, hopefully my gift guide will help with any last minute ideas!

For the Tech Guy

The Jambox- if your guy likes listening to music at all this is the gift for him, trust me!

Beats by Dre- again,the perfect gift for a guy who likes music, travels, etc. I know multiple guys who have these and love them

The Apple TV seems like the greatest invention to me:

it plays digital content from the iTunes Store, Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Flickr, iCloud, MLB.tv, Mac OS X or Windows (and SO MUCH MORE) computer running iTunes on an enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen television.

The Guy Who Likes to Look Nice

The Trunk Club- Hand selected clothing for men, done online, shipped to their house=genius

Cuff Links are never a bad way to go- and personalized ones are so great!

A shoe shine kit is great for the guy who likes shoes and cares about keeping them nice.  This kit is even so great for traveling

Yes, these are Uggs and guys can be scared of Uggs. HOWEVER- I gave these to my dad last year for Christmas and he wears them around the house pretty much every day. AND since they're Uggs they are still in great shape!

For the Athletic/Sports Guy

If your guy is into sports there's a good chance he already owns his favorite sports teams jersey.  My bro has this Manning jersey and PR has one for every sport.  If he doesn't I would recommend getting him one. I even proudly wear my Cruz jersey every Sunday.

LOVE this Nike Tom Tom watch.  Is your guy into fitness and does he like sleek looking watches? Clearly this is the gift for him

Thanks to my bro for introducing me to these (your welcome PR for the new gift).  These technically should fall under the "Guy who likes to look nice" category because these socks are Nike dress socks- not meant to be used as gym socks.  Comfort and style in one!

Activity gifts are my favorite!! Memories last so much longer than socks and shoe polish- so why not take the guy in your life to dinner and a game?  Currently in season- football, basketball, and hockey!

Have an outdoorsy guy on your hands?  This cute survivor kit comes with a handy water bottle stuffed with a whistle, compass, poncho, first-aid kit, flashlight, and other essentials.  Let's hope bug spray is also included!

Weekend Recap

How was everyone's weekend?!?  Mine went by waaayyyy to fast per usual; however, it was extremely productive which I love!

Friday was a fun day.  My company had a holiday lunch (catered by Panera) and meeting.  The lunch was obvi amazing - lots of assorted sandwiches and big salads.  They even had cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes. After lunch we had our monthly company meeting.  After the normal updates, it was time for the holiday portion to begin.  Our company is made up of about 65 employees, divided amongst about 8 different teams. Every Christmas meeting, the execs put together a slideshow for the employees.  This years slideshow theme- the Winter Olympics.  Each team was given a sport, and then a slide is created for each employee.  The slide consists of a picture of a real person from that sport, with the employees head superimposed on it.  My teams sport was the biathlon- you ski for about 15 miles and shoot at things.  Our creative department creates the slides, so the pictures looked extremely accurate. Then, each manager said really nice things about each person on their team.  It was actually a really nice presentation.  After the meeting ended we were free to leave to get ready for our company holiday party that night.  Our holiday party was at Daniel O'Connells Irish pub in Old Town Alexandria (the owner of the company is from Ireland...)  Open bar, great food, and fun co-workers and dates= a fun night overall!

Saturday was a pretty chill and relaxing day.  I FINALLY did some baking.  I made Sally's Baking Addiction's Chocolate Turtle Cookies and red velvet bars- but instead of red food coloring I used green and renamed them Grinch Velvet bars. Very clever right?!

The Grinch Velvet Bars before going into the oven

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

 Later that evening, to kick off PR's big birthday celebration, we went to Founding Farmers for dinner.  If you haven't been there yet, I would definitely recommend going.  It's so delicious. I would also HIGHLY recommend making a reservation because this place is always packed.  We arrived a little early for our reservation, so we just hung out in the packed lobby.  Because they were a bit behind on reservations, a waiter walked around and passed out pieces of cornbread and their signature popcorn (flavor of the day was ranch). This was such a treat for me because I've always wondered what their popcorn tasted like but always felt silly ordering it because well, it's popcorn.  It was so amazingly delicious.  For dinner, we ordered the fried green tomatoes followed by PR's order of chicken and waffles with a side of mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and my order of the vegan hamburger.  I know, I know, a vegan hamburger?!? holy amazingly delicious!!! The "patty" was made out of 11 different kinds of fresh veggies and nuts and they added the most delicious sauce that tasted just like Z Burger's sauce.  It paired nicely with the side of arugula.  I will definitely go back there again!

 On Sunday, after finishing what felt like 1,000 errands, I headed over to PR's family's house for another bday celebration.  This time we were celebrating PR and his dad (his birthday was about two days ago).  The birthday boy got to select the menu for the evening- filet mignon, mashed potatoes, asparagus, salad, and homemade 7 layer caramel cake.  His mom is an amazing cook/baker, so everything was delicious.  Mr. PR even got his own personal cake, too- vanilla cake with a raspberry jelly filling and butter cream frosting, holy decadent! 'Tis the season for cake ya'll!

Two Generations! Two Cakes!

Girls Gift Guide...Or Mine?!

Still haven't bought your mom, sister, girlfriend, girl crush, grandma, or girl your stalking a gift?? Don't feel blindsided - I got your back!  If I could make putting together gift guides my job I totally would.  This post was extremely fun for me.  I could fantasy shop ALL DAY (this simply means I pick items that I would buy in  heart beat should I have an endless bank account).

Below is a guide categorized by the everyday girl - the athletic chic, the beauty queen, the stylista, the bag hoarder, and so on.  So, if you're like me you're a little bit of each...meaning choose one item from each category and you're good to go :)

The Athletic Chic

Do these not have Missoni for Nike written all over them?! I'm Obsessed! These would step up my shoe game to a whole new level

Tried this on in the store- SO cute and extremely comfortable

kind of love how funky these are!

The Beauty Queen

LOVE LOVE all of Bobbi Brown products...pay a little more and it goes a long way trust me!

SO important to have great make up brushes! These too go a long way

If you read fashion magazine at all, then you've heard of the Mason Pearson brush.  Never owned one, but kinda dying to

This Essie nail polish set is so great! I love a good variety

This scent is absolute HEAVEN.  I want Miss Dior to be my signature scent...so don't steal it please :)

Recently smelled this Viktor and Rolf perfume in a magazine and it too smelled like heaven

 The Stocking Stuffers/Gifts for Your Girls that are Friends

CANNOT go wrong with a candle, especially one this pretty

A Miniemergency Kit?!?! Genius!! All of those great items fits in the cute little pouch.

The Foodie

Google Eataly immediately. If you ever visit NYC you have stop there! Or if you don't have time, pick up this amazing gift basket from Eataly.

HUGE fan of all Kitchenaid products. So when I recently started craving making my own peanut butter and hummus, I found this great product to use!

For health reasons, I started becoming a vegan the past couple of weeks and am loving fresh juices and smoothies.  This Vitamix is the KING of blenders

The Fashionista

Can go wrong with a little sheer. Zara always does it to perfection.

Also can't go wrong with a nice puff vest like this one from J.Crew. AND it comes it so many color options!

I like these booties and I cannot lie

Kind of loving over the knee boots this season

Hot Pink and with a bow?!? Well done Kate Spade

My mom recently bought these and I'm beyond obsessed! LOVE tortoise and love the frames

On my wish list! Head over heels for these sunnies..so good they've appeared on multiple posts

I'm noticing a pattern here...This Tory Burch handbag made another list because it's SNAKESKIN WITH A TASSEL

Also another item I would like to steal from my mom. This Michele watch is a wardrobe staple and great for transitioning from day to night

Lucite is one of my fav matierals! This J.Crew blinged out cuff is major

HELLO STATEMENT NECKLACE!

The Homebody

LOVE LOVE this whole line from Target. Will go great with my bar cart!

Another matching glass

This is one of those fantasy items - This Hermes Blanket is just beyond beautiful.  One day I will own this blanket...there i said it!

 Gifts for Your Girlfriend's Mom/Hostess Gift

There are some people who don't like receiving flowers; however, you can't go wrong with a beautiful floral arrangement. There are more parties around the holidays, so it's great to be able to display beautiful floral arrangements

A personalized Christmas platter...what's better?! And it's great to be able to say to your guest, "Oh So and So got me this platter!"

A personalized cheese tray is also a great hostess gift.  One of the best appetizers ever is a beautiful cheese and cracker display, so this is ideal!