Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year!!!

Last night, the hubs and I went a merrily caroling through a forest of pines! It was splendiforous.



Are there many smells better than a Christmas tree lot? I would say, no.

As it's still November (and this is officially the EARLIEST we have ever gotten our tree), my husband has an intense mustache in honor of Movember. Even though it's for a good cause, I am thrilled it will be gone tomorrow. :) Anyhow, I thought he matched this weird woolly mammoth varietal of tree quite nicely.


I love him.


I'm pretty sure we could have put the tree in our trunk. :)


Back at home, Teeny definitely approved. J made me wait to decorate "until the leaves settle" sheesh, some people!!!



I can't wait to fill our little home with lights and sparkle. Have you purchased/decorated your own tree yet?


Monday, November 29, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Cyber Monday All!

Did you have a warm and cozy Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends? I know I did. Besides shopping on Black Friday, the hubs and I checked out HP7 (which we refer to in our house as Harry Potter and the Very Long Camping Trip, and it was amazing), we ate a lot and spent time with friends and family and most importantly, each other. Of course, there was also a lot of football to be watched.



I am so grateful for the love I have experienced this year, and also for old friends and new.

Did you shop til you dropped last week? It was a little intense in the camera section at Targ (please excuse the horrible camera phone photo)...


I was really kind of disappointed with the deals. It seemed to me unless you were in the market for some new cleaning products or dvds you really didn't have much to save on. Speaking of dvds, however, there was a solid collection of 2 for $12 Hallmark and ABC Family channel original Christmas movies. I'm just saying...


I'm hoping the stores redeem themselves today with Cyber Monday. I'm in the market for a steal on some photo Christmas cards... How about you?


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

My Grams

Last week my grams passed away. She had been ill for quite some time but always seemed to bounce back so it was a bit of a shock. I know she is happier now and back with my grandfather whom she loved dearly. My brother wrote a very honest and touching memorial of her on his blog, which can be read here.


Below is her obituary. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers for my family to find peace as we move forward without the matriarch that we always seemed to gravitate around.


Ann Lenore Plast of Palm Desert, California, formerly of Bloomington, IL, passed away on November 16, 2010 in California. She was born in 1922 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and grew up in Toledo, Ohio. She attended the University of Michigan and was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Delta international women's fraternity. Towards the end of World War II she met her husband at an airbase in Florida and was married in 1948 to Lewis R. Plast, who later became vice president and treasurer of the State Farm Fire Insurance Companies. The couple was married 55 years until Mr. Plast preceded her in death in 2003. Ann was the devoted mother of four children: Deborah Luhrman of Soquel, California; Victoria Hillen of Agoura Hills, California; Jonathon Plast of Brodhead, Wisconsin; and Stephen Plast of Austin, Texas. She doted on her six grandchildren: Nathaniel, Natasha, Alex, Robert, Rachel and Amanda. In addition to her busy family life, Ann volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, president of the PTA and member of the PEO international charitable society. She enjoyed playing tennis and traveling with her husband. Ann and Lew made frequent trips to Europe. They were also enthusiastic about visiting archaeological sites in the Holy Lands, Egypt and Turkey. Following retirement, they spent several winters in Sarasota, Florida and Marina del Rey, California before making their home in Palm Desert, where many happy times were spent celebrating holidays with family and friends. A memorial service will take place on Monday, December 27th at 11am at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.




Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Eyes Have It

If you're like me and you are constantly running all over the place and possibly loosing the battle with your schedule, than your make-up is also probably like me, mostly loved for its helping you look less tired qualities.

Well, friends, I am going to let you in on one of my most favoritest make-up products. You can thank me later.

Drum-roll please.....

Opulash Mascara from MAC.


This is the first mascara that I have used that actually stays on my lashes. I was skeptical of the whole "tube" vs. "paint" mascara phenom (if you don't know what Im talking about, you might want to do some investigative digging) but this stuff is like magic. I have always used MAC mascara but compared to their own other products, this stuff is my hands down fave.

It goes on easy, sticks around, is thickening and lengthening and then washes right off with soap and water. Do I sound like a used car salesman? I guess I'm just a bit jazzed about finding a mascara I actually LIKE and don't just put up with.

Do you have a fav make-up item you just HAVE to let the world know about?


Friday, November 12, 2010

Sing Along if You Know the Words

I'll just let this video speak for itself...



Happy Weekend!


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Happy Veteran's Day!

Thank you for your service and dedication to our country.


There is a great slide show of images of WWII vet's here. Enjoy!


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

All Tied Up

Not that I have any big Christmas parties lined up just yet... But if I did, this would be the perfect dress to set the mood. (PS: Gifts greatly appreciated and freely accepted).

What says HOLIDAY PARTY more than a sweet green cocktail dress with a big fat holiday bow?! It might even beat my red reindeer sweater on the "festive" scale. I may or may not be drooling right now. You'll never know.



Monday, November 8, 2010

We're Ranked!!!

For the first time in school football history, UCF is nationally ranked in the top 25!!!

I like to think it's due to some new additions to the staff this year. :)


GO KNIGHTS!!!


Thursday, November 4, 2010

Oh My Galosh

After 31 days of cool(ish), dry, fall weather it has finally rained here in tropical Florida and for the first time it actually feels wonderfully fallish. Being a California girl, I absolutely live for the rain. That being as it is, its kind of shocking even to myself that I do not own a fabulous pair of wellies. I have always wanted a pair. In fact, I think I may have owned a plain LL Bean pair in high school but I can't remember for sure...

Anyhow, tis the season. So, here, ladies and gentleman, is my fall wellie wish list. Has anyone ever told you that "just because gifts" are the best kind? I'm just saying...

Burberry Rain Boots in Smoked Check - $275


Burberry Rainboots in Nova Painted Hearts - $156


Chooka Polka Dot Wellies in Charcoal - $60


Classic L.L. Bean Wellies in Plaid - $59


Kate Spade Randi Boots - $125



Don't these just make you want to jump in puddles? What's your fav pair?


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Mac Attack

The hubs and I have been in dire need of a new laptop for several years now but I'm pretty sure the time is about up on procrastinating. Between our wedding, moving and grad school our funds have been a bit tide up elsewhere but it is really time to find the cash.

I have been an apple kinda girl since my very first Macintosh Desktop box back in the 90's and I don't see myself switching anytime soon. Luckily, I have made a believer out of Jonathon so we are on the same page. I mean, who doesn't want one of these pretties?


Apple actually has a cool recycling program to help clean up the environment and to help lower the cost of buying a new computer. Check it out here. Unfortunately, when your current laptop is from 2002, missing keys, dies instantaneously when unplugged and has a full memory it turns out even Apple doesn't want it back.

They told me my computer has a value of $0. OK dudes, I get it. I completely need a new laptop, you don't need to rub it in. Now to find some computer money...


Monday, November 1, 2010

Reason #10 to Visit Orlando

In case you get busted for something while visiting our great city, at least you know it will be a stress-free Courthouse experience...