Consider This

Image One Source: wherethesidewalkbegins.blog Image Two Source: loveyourquotes.tumblir.com Image Three Source: helloagaingitls.com Image Four Source: shannoneileenblog.typepad.com Image Five Source: weheartit.com Image Six Source: maryruffle.tumblir.com Image Seven Source: weheartit.com 

Countdown to 2012 is upon us. I like to amp up for the year ahead with setting goals for the following year. I usually break it down into 2 lists which are kept on my iphone, one personal and one work related. Anything that comes to mind I jot down and throughout the year I occasionally check in and see what I have accomplished. I made a collage with these pins to get inspired. What are your goals for 2012?

   

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Hittin the Slopes

Source Ski Lift Image: projectwedding.com

I can not be more excited about a trip to Silver Star this week. Besides a full week off work I also get to indulge in everything this beautiful mountain has to offer for 4 full days. I think we can all admit the best part about hitting the slopes is the apres! Nothing beats a cold beer after a day of riding. As I sit amongst the window overlooking the snow covered cabins watching snowflakes fall from the sky, I could not be more relaxed. Everything seems to get a lil quieter when the snow falls. Over the next few days I plan to over indulge in baileys and coffee, fresh cold beers, hot tubbing, painting nails, ice skating, trekking around the village in my new sorels, and of course strapping into my boots and breathing in some fresh B.C mountain air. I hope you all find the time to relax and indulge in something that you love before the new year commences,  after all 2012 is quickly upon us.

   

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Merry Christmas

Source: Unknown Artist found on Pinterest 

I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas spent with the ones you love! May you carry on the holiday spirit through the following year and continue to embrace others with the biggest gift of all, yourself. Spreading the holiday love from my family to yours ... Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night. 

   

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Holiday Cocktails

Source: Photo via themeadowbrookblog.blogspot.com 

Tis the Season to be tipsy. Now is the time to indulge in yummy drinks and sweet treats. Heres a few ideas to change it up from the regular rum and eggnog. Can't believe we are down to the final 4 nights before Christmas morning. Boy did it ever come fast this year! Oh and Santa if you are listening... there is no Christmas like a Christmas with snow... so get on that will ya! 

Ingredients:

1 oz Vanilla Vodka

1 oz Hazelnut liqueur

1/2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps

2 oz Ginger Beer

Cinnamon stick

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake over ice. Pour over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with Cinnamon stick.

Ingredients:

2 1-2 oz Eggnog

1 oz Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka

¾ oz Amaretto

Directions:

Combine ingredients in shaker and shake over ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Dust with freshly grated nutmeg or cinnamon.

 Ingredients:

2 oz Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka

1 oz White crème de cacao

2 oz White chocolate liqueur

1 oz Cream

½ Teaspoon of coconut flakes

1 White chocolate wafer stick

Directions:

Add the vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, crème de cacao and cream into a shaker and shake over ice. Strain martini into a martini glass and add half a teaspoon of coconut flakes. Stir martini gently with white chocolate wafer stick to create a blizzard!

   

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Vanilla Snowmen Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting

I spotted these adorable snowmen cupcakes on Skinnytaste and knew I had to make them. Perfect timing for a potluck for an Ugly Christmas Sweater party on Saturday night. I do admit it was very time consuming to decorate all 24 of them but doing something different and fun with cupcakes was well worth it. I used red sprinkles and marshallows for the toque, Reese's Pieces for the eyes, both Candy Corn and Jelly Bellies for the nose and Chocolate Chips for the mouth. These are a great idea for the kids to have fun with, and not only are they super cute but yummy too. I also have to mention that the vanilla icing recipe on this website was nothing short of perfect. It had the right thickness so the candies would stick and I would definitely use it again for anything else that calls for a sweet vanilla frosting.

    

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Hot Cocoa Bar

Nothing beats a night in with the girls! This week I hosted our girls annual Secret Santa. We cooked dins in, and lingered around the table over a few bottles of wine and appies. Before opening gifts we indulged in the Hot Cocoa bar for dessert. My bf as clever as he is recommended using the coffee maker to make the hot cocoa. I used water instead of milk and added hot chocolate powder to the pot. Once water heats up and filters through, stir and serve immediately. Easy as a flick of a switch and once ready we had many delights to choose from to fill our cup of cheer. See the ones I used listed below.

Baileys

Kahlua

Shaved Chocolate

Vanilla, Chocolate, Cappuccino Pirouettes

Marshallows

Cinnamon Sticks

Oreo Chocolate Sticks

Chocolate Covered Peanuts

White Chocolate Dipped Candy Canes with Sprinkles

Whipping Cream

Officially 10 days left till Christmas and nothing melts my heart more then time spent with the ones we love. Hope you all have a fun filled festive weekend doing whatever it is that makes you smile. XO, B

PS The mugs in the pics were purchased at POSHSHOP in Whiterock. Given one as a gift I had to have 3 more to complete a set. They also just launched their new website online so please check out the link above to get more info. A great place to pick up hostess gifts or anything left on the Christmas gift list this Holiday Season, happy shopping!

      

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Baked Chicken Parmesan

Yum yum yum is all I have to say about Baked Chicken Parmesan. I would have never thought to prepare chicken with bread crumbs, parmesan, pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese but mix the four together and you get something delicious. I used this recipe with garlic bread and caesar salad from the Skinnytaste website which is my new go to. If you have not seen my post on homemade garlic bread yet, make sure to check it out here. Great lil meal and nice to change it up abit. Bon appetit!

    

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This n That: Currently Makin Me Smile

{Sparkly leaves for the tree}

The weeks leading up until Christmas break keep getting better and better. Only one present left to buy for Dad and all the others are wrapped and placed under the tree. Last night we checked out the VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights and sipped hot cocoa. This week I look forward to my girls Christmas secret santa dinner and an ugly Christmas sweater party, now I patiently await a snow storm! Oh Christmas and all your festivities, I sure love you!

{Christmas nails for a Christmas party}

{Pretty presents under the tree}

{Nothing more satisfying then late night pizza}

{My second time wearing my Elizabeth and James snake skin pumps}

   

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A Merry Little Playlist

Source: Playlist Image via hiphipgingin.com

I came across this adorable playlist on Pinterest and felt the need to post it. Always looking for good holiday tunes while decorating the tree or baking cookies, this one will do the trick. Oh and how must I forget ... especially over holiday cocktails with friends and fam! Happy Friday loves may all your weekends be Merry and full of Christmas cheer falalalala-lala-la-la.

   

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Garlic Bread

I share with you a secret gem. The MacCormac's to die for Garlic Bread. I was lucky enough to be introduced to this delicious family recipe at a good family friends birthday bash in the Summer in OK Falls. Once it hit the lips I knew I would need to acquire the recipe stat. I have since made it several times and it never seems to prevail, everyone loves it! Once I got the OK from Wendy to put it on my blog she wanted me to contribute the family recipe to her Mom who made the recipe up. Kuddos to Gramma Olga for such an awesome recipe. I plan on using this every time there is a need for bread at the table, thanks so much for sharing with us!

MacCormac's Garlic Bread Recipe

Loaf of French Bread

1/2 cup Mayo

1/2 cup Fresh Shredded Parmesan Cheese

1/2 cup Butter

2 tbsp Chopped Fresh Basil

1-2 Cloves Minced Garlic

Mix ingredients together, spread on loaf and toast in the oven until crispy.

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Fabric Gift Wrap

Sources: First Image via flickr.com Second Image via bhg.com Third Image via images.search.yahoo.com Fourth Image via  southernliving.com Fifth Image via thecraftingchicks.com Sixth Image via thehaystackneedleonline.com 

All the creative photos above are snagged from Pinterest and yes looking at the creativity used to wrap each individual present I am devastated that I did not follow through with my every intention of buying fun holiday fabric this year. Not only is fabric earth friendly but I love the idea that it can be reused for the following years to come. Now that I think of it, I'm sure I will be able to snag a deal on some fun festive seasonal fabric after the Christmas season has wound down. After all that is the best time to stock up on anything needed for the following year. Even though it maybe your last priority on your to do list you will thank yourself when time to bring out the Christmas decor next year! What fun ideas do you use when it comes to gift wrap? Loving all these ideas... burlap, brown bagging it, newspaper wrap, festive fabric, and individual stamped name tags...agh so cute!

   

  

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Guys Gifts Under $25

Ladies ladies ladies...you ask yourself what to get your Man this year for something small under the tree? So here are a few ideas I thought would help make your gift giving easier. Whether it be your bf, bff, husband, or brother I am sure he would love to receive one of the items posted above and if not you can never go wrong with his favourite case of beer. Happy Holiday shopping!

1. Outside Magazine One year Subscription $24
2. Granville Island Beer The Mingler $22.25
3. Havaianas Mens Sandals $24
4. Victorinox Classic Knife $16
5. Renfrew 100 Pack Assorted Hockey Tape $12.99
6. Burton Buffer Sock $21.95
7. American Apparel Fine Jersey Stripe T Shirt $21
8. Callaway HX Hot Plus Golf Balls $24.99
9. Nike Dura Feel Good Glove $22.99
10. Under Armour Tech Long Sleeve T-Shirt $19.99
11. Saxx 24/7 Boxer Briefs Mens $24.99
12. Petzi Tikkina 2 Headlamp $18.50
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Girly Gifts Under $25

Its the first weekend of December and you know what that means...time to get your shop on and get some gifts crossed off the list! I have compiled a list of girly gifts under $25 with one exception to the moustache flask which was so cute I could not resist. All at a reasonable price point these are all great gifts to give and receive, if anyone is listening.. I love number 11;) Happy Friday and most of all Merry December may each and every one of you pass on an act of kindness while embracing the Holiday Season this month.

1. MAC Lady Danger Lipstick $17.50
2. Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean Lotion $11
3. Pretty Cupcake Kit 23.95
4. Kenneth Jay Lane Hematite Pearl Post Earrings $20
5. Ripple Martini Glass $6
6. Madewell Cable Over the Knee Socks $18.50
7. Talula Bralette $22
8. Forever 21 French Terry PJ Pant $17.50
9. Cheap Monday Fay Belt $20
10. Bumble and Bumble Pin Kit $15
11. Sephora by OPI Glimmer Mini Nail Colour Set $22
12. H&M Set Scarf and Hat $19.95
13. Moustache Shaped Flask $18
14. H&M Top $14.95
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Sexy in Shimmer & Sequins

Besides Summer December is one of my favourite times of the year, I can hardly believe it is already December 1st! There is a special spark in the air and everyone is noticeably happier and full of holiday cheer. Weekdays are busy greeting those you encounter with happy holiday spirit and weekends are filled with endless parties with co workers, friends and family. It is undeniable that this is the time of year to pull out the pieces of your wardrobe that shimmer and sparkle. Inspired by all the glitz here's to dressing up and looking pretty over the holidays.

1. H&M Sequin Black Dress $60
2. Urban Oufitters PJ by Peter Jensen Sequin Sweater $110
3. Zara Sequinned Dress $159
4. Zara Metallic Sweater $70
5. Zara Sequinned Clutch Bag $100
6. Urban Outfitters Chan Luu Disco Skirt $228
7. Halston Heritage Jenny Fold Clutch $195
8. Club Monaco Giselle Top 170
9. Badgley Mischka Humbie Glitter Pumps $200
10. Forever 21 Sequinned Covered Mini Skirt $21.80
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