No Rest for the Wicked

Boy oh boy, I'm pooped. 

 Did Christmas falling on a Tuesday throw you off this year?  Because it did over here... majorly so. 

I'm back at work today, and also working on something special...

Announcement: My Etsy shop is OPEN!!!!!!

I've only listed a couple of items because I haven't loaded my photos.  But take a look and let me know if you're interested in a purchase!

I've already made two sales since last Friday :)))))))
Happy Shopping!!

Merry Christmas!

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us
and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!
See you soon :)

Foolish Decisions

Have you read this article yet?
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Charleston woman charged after police find dog tied to bench downtown

"Charleston police arrested her after they say she left her dog tied to a bench on George Street. She was charged with cruelty to animals, according to jail records."

After I saw this yesterday afternoon, I couldn't stop thinking about it and found it hard to form a solid opinion.  I guess I felt torn because I myself made foolish decisions while drinking during my college years.  Granted, I knew that I was nowhere near responsible enough to care for an animal at that point it time, but it still resonated with me that this girl perhaps did not think before acting in this case and did not realize what she was really doing, from a sober perspective.  I am appalled by animal cruelty and can't bare to see them mistreated.  But I'm also curious if this situation escalated as it did partly due to the fact that this dog seemed aggressive and also that she was passed out from underage drinking... I'm not saying she wasn't very wrong.   I have a neighbor that leaves his dog  tied up outside his back porch sometimes, not to be cruel, but to let the dog take in a little sunshine.  With that I recognize this was very early in the morning and not in the dog's best interest.  Like I said, my opinion is up in the air.  She was very wrong but  I'm not sure that I agree to her face being on the front page of Post and Courier online (yesterday) and some of the heated comments.  I would not be suprised if this ruins her life here in Charleston and she will most likely drop out and leave town once all court matters are settled.  All I can say is that this is a news story that really made me think.  Perhaps also in part because I swear I saw this girl and her dog at Juanita's downtown last time we were there!  What do you think???

Well, speaking of foolish decisions...
I went out on a weeknight and I am paying for it!

We just can't seem to walk past Cypress without being sucked in for a martini, or 2.

And on a Tuesday!? 

There is way too much week left for me to have even the slightest alcohol induced headache.

But we had a great time celebrating K's birthday!

Happy Hump Day!

More celebrations tonight...all the way through the New Year!
P.S.
Happy Holidays from us :)

Happy Birthday to my Baby!

To quote Mark Twain:
"I am grateful- gratefuler than ever before- that you were born,
& that your love is mine & our  two lives woven & welded together"
It's you and me babe, together forever!

I love you!

I can't wait to celebrate tonight, with a little bit of this:



Christmas Traditions...

 Happy Holidays from me and my DEER friend :)

So, let's talk about Christmas traditions...

I absolutely love hearing about people's unique Christmas traditions. 

I was very inspired by Stephanie's post regarding her new tradition of paying for the next person in line's meal at some point this year...  what a simple and thoughtful gift to pass on!

At our house there are a couple traditions that are non-negotiables:
Every year my friend Abby and I make the time to get together to bake and decorate cookies.  It's a fun time to catch up, and enjoy a little creative therapy.  This past weekend was our fourth year doing it!

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One of my favorite traditions has to be Christmas Karaoke.  There is no denying that I love Karaoke, and so do my friends.  We make a point to, after all the family festivities are through, head to our Neighborhood Karaoke and carol it out on Christmas night!

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We also have the typical traditions: Decorating the tree while sipping champagne, Holiday Festival of Lights, Candlelight Service, etc...

K's family takes a shot of Rumplemintz together on Christmas Eve! 

Please share any non-traditional traditions with me!  I would love to hear...

Just a few words and then silence.

Ho ho ho!

I am taking my Lexus ladies out for tapas and drinks tonight at Barsa. 

Also, I won tickets on the radio to the Santa Pub Crawl this morning, which doesn't get me anything but the chance to win a larger prize, really.  But ok! My gf Abby will be coming in town to decorate cookies and then we'll head out for some holiday cheers tomorrow night, santa style. 

It's shaping up to be a fun filled weekend, huh?

But, my heart is so heavy.  I've spent too much time the past several hours learning more details on the horrific shooting in Connecticut this morning.  I have no more words for you today.

Give or Take, or both?

Happy Holidays friends! 

This weekend was spent Christmas shopping: running around town,  laughing all the way :) .

I buy a lot of my boxes, ribbons, tape, etc at Dollar Tree and on my trip Saturday I found the inspiration for some Holiday treats.  I typically give out treats to family/friends/neighbors with whom I'm not exchanging gifts but want to give a little something.  In past years I've given Chocolate Dipped Ritz, Pistachio Cookies, etc.. usually in a tin or on a home-made cake stand. 

This year I'm switching it up because I found the cutest popcorn containers:

I'm planning to fancy up some popcorn,dark chocolate and cherry popcorn anyone?, and wrap in these containers for a festive look! 

Also,  I'm looking for a new cookie recipe...does anybody have a must-bake recipe for me??

In other news, I know this is the season of giving but I just had to take a couple things for myself. 

I saw this sweater over on Tieka's blog and absolutely fell in love with it! 

 I bought it and wore it and felt like a little lambchop the entire time.

It is an unbelievable soft and cuddly sweater. 

I also picked up these snake hoops at World Market the other day. 

And golly, isn't that store just a dream?

Ok that's all I've got for you today.  I may upload some photos tonight, I may not.   I've got my Bible Study group coming over for dinner.  I'm making pulled pork sliders and fresh corn casserole!



Cheers and Fears

Wow, this past weekend was a doozy.
Friday night we went up the street to our Mexican spot and cheered to my last day at 26.

Saturday I scoured the streets for a Christmas Party dress to no avail (are stores just not doing them this year??) and then got snazzed up for a night out with K and friends... a fun night that resulted in feeling every bit of a year older the next day. and the next day.. oh and still today.
I have to admit it, I'm so exhausted.  If you recall, this time last year I had recently left my job at LCE and was enjoying every moment of decorating, baking, home-making.  And this year it's been hard because my work commitments and work outs and day to day home-maintenance kind of drains me, leaving such little energy for holiday spirit!
Now, let me make clear the difference in complaining, which this is not, and venting.  I am very blessed to have a wonderful full-time job, and a freelance contract with a charity that I am 100% passionate about.  Let me just say though- right now I feel like I have a lot on my plate.  This morning, in trying to rearrange my schedule to accomodate a family dinner, I realized that I have no ability to rearrange because every night, seemingly every minute, is already accounted for!  As I've said, 'tis the season to be busy...but having to schedule 30 minutes to address Holiday cards??  Maybe I'm trying to do too much... Or maybe, just maybe this is my "Welcome to the real world" moment.  Again, I'm not complaining, just adjusting to a new...normal... a new way of time management and organization.  I am up for the challenge, excited by it even.  But right now I just feel exhausted.  And I don't even have kids yet. Yikes!
I know we all feel this way from time to time. I'm scared to admit that I can't handle everything, and handle it all smoothly and stylishly.  With all of this said, I would not give up one component of my life: work, family, friends, faith, fitness, finances, oh, and fun!  I'm just saying it's alot.  Can I just say sometimes it feels like too much?  Sometimes :)