Christmas/NY 2012/13

There is SO much that has happened over this Christmas/New Year break. So much that I've been too overwhelmed to put it in writing. And frankly I haven't had the urge to post. Call it a rut, writing block, whatever you will. I'm going to call it living in the moment. I write when I have spare time, usually at work when I need a teeny break (hope the boss man never sees this lol). So I'm not in that routine to take time out at home and write a blog post. When I'm home, I'm home and living in the moment. Enjoying my family and me time. *kudos* to those who post regularly, I wish I did, but I don't. And I am OK with that. :) So here are a few lot of scenes from my vaycay...and a little news at the bottom. Please do expect a post on that soon ;). Sorry in advance for the picture overload.

Our tree; her favorite color; her cheesin'

J&V annual Christmas shindig; the new crew

Christmas Eve at Oma & Poppi's; babies everywhere! :)

Christmas morning

packing & our new stoop (ahhhhh!!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

More to come on that last one, you better believe it!!!

-LL

Christmas Cheer!

'tis the season. Everything gets whip! 

This was my first ornament swap, but I think it was the best ever!! Like I've said before, I’m obsessed with Christmas and everything to do with Christmas! When I found out Erin at Living in Yellow and Jessah atDreaming of Dimples were holding a Christmas ornament swap I didn't have to think twice (go to their blogs to snoop on other ppls ornaments, I sure am).

A few weeks went by and I received an email from Jenn atBeyond the Stoop asking for my address to send me an ornament. I had completely forgot to check the list to see who I was assigned to and who received my name so when I got her email I was ecstatic and thankful she reminded me =P.

I was thrilled when I got the box in the mail, nothing is sweeter than getting snail mail. Check out the awesome ornaments she sent! I love these little guys, especially the little one’s top hat :). Thanks a ton Jenn! They will add some fun cheer to our tree (once we have the time to get one…hint hint hubbs) and I know the girls will love them! For now, they are chillen’ on the garland above the fireplace.

I was assigned to Tricia over at B’more Girly. Just reading her blog I could feel the positive and fun energy she gives off and I knew I wanted to send some fun and girly (of course J) ornaments. Snoop around her blog to get to know her and see what yours truly sent.

Right now she and her husband are going through a tough time, they lost their adorable dog Cayman. So sorry for your loss!

I’ll leave you with a little Christmas Cheer from our casa to yours.

awaiting more Christmas cards to hang...

My latest fave find from Cost Plus World Market (obsessed with that store), festive birdie clips! 

I moved the table for a minuet and our little monkey used it to her advantage....being a great mama I offered her coffee lol. 

-LL

Ornaments...already?!

YES! Why not?!

Ok, I'll tone it down a bit. I'm kind of a Christmas nut. But serious, think about it. Halloween will soon come and go, Thanksgiving is right behind it and then you're hit with that panic to finish your holiday shopping list in a rush. Or is that just me?

Well this year I decided to start early (I may or may not "decide" this every year...this time I'm serious lol). I'm scouting out gifts now and trying to be ahead of the game, not only to beat the rush but to also stretch the gifting budget a bit more.

This brings me to the ornament swap. Did you notice the ornament swap button on my sidebar? I was soo excited when I saw a post by Erin at Living in Yellow about the ornament swap she's doing with Jessah at Dreaming of Dimples. I love swaps, you get to meet new bloggers (just met Jessah and already hooked :), you receive a surprise in the mail and you get to surprise someone else...does it get any better?







Read below and you will see why you need to register this early...let's plan ahead people!

Via Living in Yellow and Dreaming of Dimples: 

Step 1. Sign up. 

Link up your blog below to let us know you want to participate in the swap. Sign ups close at Midnight on October 31st. 

Step 2. Spread the word. 

Everyone loves getting special deliveries in the mail. Especially when it’s a super festive item like an ornament for your holiday tree. So let all of your blog friends know about the swap. The more, the merrier. 

Step 3. Get your match. 

On Thursday, November 1st, we will post the swap matches. You will contact the blogger you’re buying for via their blog, email, twitter, facebook, etc. to get their address. 

Step 4. Shop and Mail. 

On or before November 12th, purchase and mail your ornament. This means your ornament should be en route to its recipient NO LATER THAN the 12th. 

Step 5. Receive & Blog about your ornament! 

This is the fun part! Blog, Instagram, Tweet your Ornament Swapping Adventure. Be sure and use #ornamentswap on Instagram & Twitter so other Swappers can find you! 

Step 6. Link up! 

We will be hosting a Linky Party on December 1st for those of you bloggers that want to link up your posts! (This gives you plenty of time to make sure your ornament arrives & recap your adventures.) 

That is it. 

It's pretty simple. 

Sign up & send. 

Now, I know people may have a few more questions about the details, so here are some additional things you should know. 

1. You should spend between $4-$14 on your ornament. 

2. Ornaments should be new, as no one wants any “gently used” tree decorations. 

3. The ornament you purchase should be something fun, quirky, or beautiful that you’d like to receive and that you will be proud of when it is associated with you and your blog. 

4. You can purchase ornaments from anywhere. Like these handmades from Etsy or unique ornaments from Pier One or Target.

5. You will not be sending and receiving to the same person. Technically you aren't "swapping", more like a daisy chain of ornaments will be flying through the skies via the postal service. You will send to one person and receive from someone else. This way you get to know at least two people! 

6. Be sure to package your ornament in bubble wrap to ensure it arrives safely. Getting a broken ornament is no fun at all. 

7. Please do not sign up unless you are 100% sure you can fulfill the swap requirements, we would hate for someone to sign up and not participate.

Giveaway: I almost forgot! If you post the ornament swap button on the sidebar of your blog (visit Jessah's blog for the code), you'll be entered to win this cute, zebra ornament from Pier One.

Now go join! 

-LL

Christmas/New Years Photo Recap {Part 2}

Ok I know, we're in 2012!! I'm lagging! Here is the last bit from our 2011 Holidays:

playing with the camera :)



Christmas morning smiles



cheese!





Lovin' her new dino!



trouble makers



they adore each other




Lucky and her Cousin Tati



happy new year!!



Christmas Photo Recap {part1}

Lots of Train rides in the mall happened this Christmas season....lots!

singing carols Christmas eve

breaking in the new dinning area at the grand parents house :)

happy Grandparents

Our lovely Vayda slept in her undies...not web appropriate lol. My little paper doll :)

big girl bike for Christmas!

More to come. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Tuesday Treats {2}

My Tuesday is off to a great start, no traffic, got to work with spare time to stop for some sbux and finally got to use my free drink voucher *bonus*! Nothing tastes more delicious than a free venti gingerbread latte(if it's free you might as well break down and get the venti lol).

This Tuesday I want to share with you a little trick my mom taught me. This is a fresh and simple way to make your home smell like the holidays and doubles as a warm tea. You may already know about this, so if you do, bear with me.

All you need is a few oranges, whole cloves, a few sticks of cinnamon and water. Push each clove into the orange, you can make a design  with the cloves (like the picture below) or just poke away. Place the oranges in a pot, add water (a little more than half of the pot), toss in the cinnamon sticks, turn your burner on medium and let it simmer. Simple as that! It will smell like the holidays in no time. If you want to add a hint of color, throw in some cranberries. To drink the concoction just strain and serve.

Side note: my dad used to walk around the house with the pot so all of the rooms had the Christmas smell, you can find me doing this when Vic isn't around to make fun of me haha.

Have a treat and want to share? Comment or email me!

Oh Christmas Tree!

We found our tree!

LOVE it and love the smell even more!

Forgot to take a picture of it dressed up, but there are plenty of those to come...I'm sure ;].

nativity at the tree lot, so sweet!

Papa and Lucky, yeah they strolled the lot too ;)

she did laps to find our tree!

my little hams :]



The tree is ready to go!
hmmm Christmas card?! ;)



Vayda is Papa's big helper...



action shot...our reason for the towel haha



My morning was hectic, as usual. It's a daily battle with Vayda in the morning to get her up and out of bed. Starting tomorrow I'm going to start some kind of reward system to get her going...rather than threats haha (any suggestions?). After finally getting both girls ready and out of the door I do my routine goodbye with Vayda at Nana Tula's house. It goes a little like this:

As I'm leaving...
Vayda: But wait! You forgot something!
*she starts to pretend to hand me a bunch of stuff*
Vayda: this and this and this
Nana Tula: Whoa that's a lot of stuff!
Me: Oh man, this is heavy! Ok I have to go, love you!
Vayda: Wait! I need to give you a kiss on the cheek but I have to think about it first...
*She pretends to think, then licks my cheek!*

Haha she thinks that's hilarious!! Oh how I love that spirit of hers! Not only did my daily goodbye routine with Vayda make my morning a little smoother, but Vic asked me if I wanted to get our Christmas tree tonight! Uhhhhh YES! haha. Ok, I'm a little obsessed with Christmas, but I'm not the only one, I have Vayda hooked too! I've been giddy all day, I can't wait to break out all of the decorations! Here a picture from last year, look at how much Vay has grown since then!

Vayda, tree hunting 2010

Anyway, can't wait for tonight! Tomorrow is the first, are you ready?!

linking up: