weekend.

also, this.

yay! inspiration!

So glad I got my invite to Pinterest :) It made my day! I'm really easy to please, apparently. There are so many inspirational, beautiful things pinned - I could spend all day browsing the website.

I really want a few of these dishes from upintheairsomewhere's Etsy shop:

Goals for today:

• Run errands :(
• Bake some gingerbread men! And, finish/start my cinnamon honey butter. I finally got my jars.
• Work on my mommy's Christmas gift.

decorating!

so in love.

I'm so in love with these Jean Patou fashion prints from hprints.com:

i want, i want.

I love how feminine and delicate this ring is, yet still it makes such a statement.

:: by preciousjd

Forget Me Knot ring - such a cute sentiment!

:: by WhiteFly

Eeeesh. I need to be productive.

dragging on...

I feel like this week is never ending! In truth, though, that may be a good thing...considering I'm still way slacking on my Christmas stuff. Today I must at least attempt my mini gingerbread houses, look for mason jars (why are they seasonal items at Wal-Mart? UGH.), run to the Strip to get my holiday coffee, and I have to decorate our balcony.

You see, our apartment complex is having a contest. There is a grand prize and a first runner up for the two best decorated balconies. I. Am. Going. To. Win. Photos to come.

counting down the days.

I could totally be okay with staying in my cozy apartment all day. Unfortunately, I have to go to work at 2. A vanilla breve latte will make this somewhat easier.

I'm getting more and more excited about my new job. I'm hoping to go shopping for a few pieces I can mix & match, since I'll once again be doing business casual.

If I had lots of moneys, I would want this from anthropologie:

I haven't written out my Christmas cards, yet. Cute little furry puppies keep distracting me...

So, yes. Work at 2 today. Hoping it goes quickly.

mmmmm.

Our Saturday mornings typically consist of Spongebob on TV, Mike playing video games, and me drinking obscene amounts of coffee. Working at a coffee shop does provide some perks, and I now get my coffee for a very low price, which really just fuels my habit.

The owner of the shop recently created this year's holiday blend, which is a simple combination of Sumatran, French Roast, Guatemalan, and Colombian beans. That's fine and dandy, but what's so holiday-ish about that? I'm thinking about picking up a delicious holiday blend like this one, from Prestogeorge Coffee & Tea in the Strip District.

Yesterday was rather boring. I did make my peppermint bark, which turned out quite tasty, but I'll need to make a bit more of it for gifts. Why is it that whenever I make food, especially when I bake, I always end up being nauseous at the end? I can't help it that I eat as I go...

Mike's work Christmas party was last night. The company was wonderful, but the restaurant could have been better. I'm a foodie, and a snobby one at that. A little salt never hurt anyone, and don't serve me my Cabernet Sauvignon warm, either. All in all, though, it was a great time.

I AM GOING TO WRITE OUT MY CHRISTMAS CARDS TODAY.

And we're going to Petco to get pictures with Santa. So excited.

i need more time!

I feel like Christmas is so quickly approaching that I won't have time to finish everything I need to do. And this is coming from someone who works a part-time job, no kids, etc. - my head starts spinning when I think about how really busy people do it all in time for Christmas morning.

I have pretty much all of my shopping to do yet. I'm trying to be especially crafty this year, so today I went to Jo-Ann's I got my supplies to make peppermint bark (in cute little snowflake molds!) and a few other assorted items.

Our apartment smells heavenly at the moment, thanks to the cinnamon ornaments that are baking in my oven. So simple - equal parts of cinnamon and applesauce, roll into 1/3" thickness, cut & bake at a 200 degree oven for about 2 1/2 hours.

I think they will look adorable fastened to packages with some festive ribbon.

yummy yummy yummy

I've found the perfect thing to give to neighbors and friends for Christmas. If I don't eat it all first.

Cinnamon. Honey. Butter.

:: taken from Darby: Fly Through Our Window

Needless to say, I'm VERY EXCITED to both make this and eat it.

oh dear.

I have two great fears with the Christmas tree.

One: The cat masterfully unravels the tinsel, the dogs eat it, and then suddenly death everywhere.

Two: The tree falls over, of course in the direction of the lit candle that sits on the coffee table, and then suddenly death everywhere.

There's a minor third fear that involves creatures that live inside the tree, but I can talk myself down from that one.

christmas tree fun!

Us, in the beginning of our Christmas tree adventure. We were excited.

...And then we found out that Christmas tree stands were sold out. Everywhere. I asked Mike to look pissed off - this as is close as it gets, apparently.

Halfway through. We have an awesome neighbor who came over to entertain us as we decorated.

Finished product :)

dreaming of a white christmas.

I'm looking forward to...

:: decorating our tree, which hasn't even been purchased yet. Mikey tells me that is happening this evening.

:: more snow. I moved north, where's my snow?!

:: enjoying this holiday sangria I made. Well. I had a glass (I had to make sure it was delicious before sharing it). It was stronger than I expected.

:: Mikey's work Christmas party. Mostly for pretending to be fancy, and the food that I'm sure will be delicious.

:: taking the dogs to get their pictures taken with Santa. Giselle is ready, she just needs to find the confidence to take a step in her outfit.