After Christmas Deals

I hit up the after Christmas sales on Wednesday despite the hideous weather and was pleasantly surprised to see how few people were out.  I didn't go shopping until the early afternoon and usually the aisles have been picked through but I think the rain kept a lot of people away. 

I picked up a swag for our mantel 60% off at Michaels...

Pier 1 had some amazing finds like this table runner at 50% off...

Mom gave us a Coton Colors ECU ornament that I wanted to display year round so I found a stand for it.

I love these tree candles but I've never purchased one because I knew I wouldn't burn it.  This one has an LED light and I love it!  R's mom gave me the frame in my stocking and I haven't found a photo for it yet.

I also picked up a box of Christmas cards, ribbon, and wrapping supplies.  Pier one had a great nutcracker that I picked up on a whim for my kitchen (I've bought a nutcracker every year for the past 3 years so I have a budding collection).  I got an early start on my Christmas shopping for next year too by picking up a few gifts for my coworkers.  I plan to visit a few stores today after work too so my fingers are crossed that there will still be some nice things available.  After Christmas sales can be really sad especially with all the "build up" to the holidays.  However when I open my box of Christmas decorations after Thanksgiving every year I love to see the new purchases...its like my very first present to myself!

Christmas Day 2012

R and I had a fantastic Christmas!  Christmas eve was all ours so we had to travel to both families on Christmas Day.  We drove down to my moms Christmas morning for brunch and opened presents from Santa while waiting for family to get there...

 Stainless steel trashcans for our kitchen and bathroom with lids so Baby can't get into the trash anymore.  Santa was checking our wedding registry!  This is a functional "gag" gift, my mom is disgusted that the dog gets into the trash when we are away - not every day but every single time my mom is over we come back to dryer lint, cans, bottles, etc all over the floor. We also received an awesome bamboo chopping block and a steam mop from our registry.

 I can't honestly remember every gift R received.  I lost track trying to keep up with my own - our families were really generous to us.

 Pandora charms for my bracelet, I got two new charms and a spacer.

 Santa left me money for a new phone and I'm clearly excited about it.  R and I have been discussing switching service providers and signing up for a family plan.

 R loving the new dart board for his "man" space.

In the early afternoon we traveled to my future inlaws home to spend time with them for the holiday.  I didn't get many pictures at R's mom's house but here is her yummy treat display.  Her house was decorated beautifully but I wasn't comfortable putting pictures of the family up without their permission.  We took a lot of photos of R's nephew but none of ourselves when we were there. 

 Happy puppy on Christmas Day.

I won't list everything I received but I loved it all.  I picked a few standouts for blog purposes.  R gave me a new wallet and a pair of the softest most comfortable house slippers.  My mom gave me money for a phone, a few registry items, pandora charms, and a lenox porcelain santa ornament (I LOVE Lenox!).  R's parents gave me a pair of plum Coach gloves and a John Hardy bracelet.  I also wanted to mention the Shine On cosmetic compact from Bare Minerals that my "secret" santa (R's sister) gave me...I used it today and the colors are perfect - it will be a great travel item.  The set included a waterproof pencil eyeliner in dark plum, it's so easy to use and the results look almost identical to liquid liner.

On the 3rd Day of Christmas...

We went to the museum today!

R planned a fun filled day with a lot of "us" time.  It was the very best Christmas present!  He went out early and brought me a skinny peppermint mocha.

We went to PieBird in downtown Raleigh for lunch.  We each had a slice of savory pie and dessert (which we rarely ever get).  I love pie!

This is the remnant of a slice of honey and sea salt pie.  It's nickname is "crack" pie and rightfully so.  We bought a whole one to carry to R's grandmother's Christmas celebration tomorrow.  It is a basic chess pie with a homemade crust but the addition of a warm honey drizzle and sprinkled flaked sea salt is what makes it addictive.  Piebird serves their dessert pie with a large scoop of freshly made vanilla bean ice cream.  R  decided he would eat his with a fork.

After lunch we went to the Museum of Natural Science, I've been dying to see the Titanic exhibit.  Upon entering we received our "boarding passes".  I was Mrs Brown, a 59 year old first class passenger who attended a funeral in England and was on my way home to America.  R was a 21 year old third class Norwegian passenger who wanted a new job opportunity in Chicago.  At the end of the exhibit you find out if your assigned passenger survived or died when the ship sank.

We were both survivors!
No pictures were allowed inside of the exhibit so R and I took one in an adjacent exhibit.

It was our first time in the new research facility as well.  I loved the globe "theater" and I thought the weather exhibit was really clever.

Oh I wish I were in middle school again...I bet field trips here are a hundred times more fun with the new facility addition.  There are a ton of classrooms where you can do "experiments" and learn from the researchers...my 12 year old self died a little inside.

We went to the Museum of History next so I could tour the "Gone with the Wind" exhibit.  Oh My Goodness - actual dresses from the movie were displayed.  I couldn't take photos there either but I wanted to!  The movie posters, the autographs, the costume sketches!  We had just enough time to tour the other exhibits and take a photo with the beautiful tree by the main staircase.

R and I took a photo with this tree last year at his sister's wedding reception so it was fun to revisit this year.

I wanted to share a photo of my new earrings.  I've worn them a few times this week with different outfits.  I zoomed in on one of the pictures from today so I hope you can see the detail on them.

I wasn't trying to get creepy close to my eye but I failed miserably.  These little tree earrings are so pretty - I'm wondering how I can get away with them year round.  The star at the top is pink and the little beads in the center of the tree are pink and red.  I've gotten so many compliments on them!  I purchased them from a vendor back in November at a Christmas show in Greenville and I wish I could remember the name of her shop because everyone who has seen them wants a pair.

On the agenda tonight - R and I are watching one of his favorite movies:

I didn't like this movie the first few times I watched it but over the last couple of years it has grown on me.

On the 4th Day of Christmas...

Today it occurred to me that I should have reversed the order of the twelve days of Christmas ... or am I right to count down to the holiday?

It's becoming a habit now to do 2 posts at a time.  I was off work early so I enjoyed a Disney version of a holiday classic movie:

 I've never seen this movie!  I love the classic black and white "A Christmas Carole" that comes on Christmas Day (on almost every station).  I still can't believe Jim Carrey voiced Scrooge and all the "ghosts" - it was so good I think I want to own it.

Yesterday was a long work day for R so we caught a late dinner at Flipside Coffee Mill

This is a great little bar with really good food.  I had a chicken and brie wrap and we split an appetizer of portobello mushrooms fries.  They have live music on the weekends and the service was great!

I snapped a photo of a new addition to our Christmas decorations.  I purchased this in November from a Christmas show in Greenville.  It's a kissing ball!

I wanted to hang it on the light fixture above our dining room table in our old home.  I wasn't sure where to put it in our new place so for now it's on a hook above our kitchen sink.  It's pretty in the room but next year I will probably move it somewhere else.  The fabric in the back ground is a swag curtain for our kitchen window - I don't love it but I haven't found anything else that I like more. After the wedding when I'm officially in "nesting" mode I will probably want to revamp the window dressings.

On the 5th Day of Christmas...

A few pictures of our 2012 holiday decorations.  I'll be honest - we didn't put a lot of time and effort into our decorations because we were trying to unpack after our move.  I'm happy with how they turned out but I wish we had more time to enjoy them.  I need to figure out in the future how to display our Christmas cards because our mantle looks really cluttered.  

 Our stockings - I love the monogrammed pins.

 Our tree really isn't leaning as badly as it looks in this photo!  I chose to put icicles on it this year instead of the gold ball ornaments that I've used for the past couple of years and it really sparkles.  Some of the ornaments have been altered from how we originally decorated it, Lilly has knocked several off and I had to move them out of her reach.

 Our wrapping paper - ha!  All of it was purchased from my nephew's school fundraiser.  Thanks to my niece and nephew I'm good on wrapping paper, tissue, tags and bows for a while.  I think they bring home the catalog twice every school year selling wrapping paper and magazines.  I have so many subscriptions that I can't even keep up with the reading.

 

 My "cookies for santa" plate!  I've had this for many years and now I've decided to display it.

 I also wanted to share a few of my favorite Christmas craft ideas.  I'm saving these ideas for next Christmas.

Glittery Christmas ornaments via TheGirlKyle and shared on facebook by a good friend.  I'd love to make some red ones, especially since I'll probably make a new bow topper for next year.  I found some beautiful plaid ribbon.

Wedding Invitation Ornament via From Glitter to Gumdrops

I can't wait to make this ornament using our wedding invitation! I'm using twine as an accent for our wedding so I'll probably use twine instead of ribbon on the top of the ornament.  I have an idea for how I want it to look, I just hope it turns out that way. 

On the 6th day of Christmas...

Another double post day.  I had committed to 12 days of blogging but I felt the hiatus to recognize the victims and families of Sandy Hook was obviously more important. My heart goes out to the families of those children and staff members that lost their lives.  I don't usually touch on world events or political matters in my blog in an attempt to keep it lighthearted.  God knows my heart and he has heard my prayers.

I shared the lyrics from my favorite Christmas song "O Holy Night" in that post and thought I would share other holiday favorites to keep with my 12 days of Christmas theme...

First off the Michael Buble Holiday station on Pandora is amazing!

10. The Christmas Song, Weezer

9. The 12 days of Christmas, Straight No Chaser

8. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Mariah Carey

7. Silent Night, Weezer

6. Christmas Song, Dave Matthews Band

5. Carol of the Bells, Mannheim Steamroller

4. Baby, It's Cold Outside, Zooey Deschanel

3. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jack Johnson

2. I'll be home for Christmas, She & Him

1. Oh Holy Night, Andy Williams

I wanted to share a picture of my sweet Lilly cat with her Christmas collar, I shared a photo of Baby wearing hers.  They are so precious together, I wish I could get them to pose in the same photo, impossible!

On the 7th day of Christmas...

There are a hundredandone blogs that feature thoughts on the December Popsugar Must Have Box so you can add mine to the list :-)

So many people seem disappointed with this months box but I'm completely satisfied, I assumed it would be "winter" inspired.  I love that several of the items can be shared with R, it helps me justify the cost of the subscription.  This was my first box and I think I will stick it out for at least three months before deciding whether or not I will continue to purchase them.  Some of the boxes from the past few months have been really amazing.  My box included:

 Bodum Bistro Mugs and Tea Forte 10 pack sampler,.  These glass mugs are beautiful and functional.  They can hold cold drinks without perspiration and hot drinks without burning your hands.  I haven't tried this brand before tonight and the White Ambrosia is really amazing.  They use whole leaf tea so each bag can make two cups of tea with no flavor loss.  I can't wait to try them all, especially Black Currant and Ginger Lemongrass.

 A Rent the Runway gift card and a GoSwype wipe.  I don't know how I feel about renting a dress, maybe for new years eve or my bachelorette party?  I'll have to make a decision soon!  I like the wipe, you can use it for up to two weeks to safely clean the gunk and germs off of your electronics.  I'll definitely use this on my ipod and phone.

 Jaboneria Marianella Soap Antioxidant Moisturizing Face and Body Milk Bar.  I like the scent and I'm not a soap snob so I'll use it.  The Pinch Provisions MiniEmergency Kit is a neat idea.  I would have never purchased it on my own but I think I'll use it for travel and it might make an appearance in my bridal suite.

 Bogdon's All Natural Peppermint Poles.  Freaking Yum!  These will be amazing in hot cocoa or as an afterwork snack.  I love chocolate and mint so this is probably my favorite item.

If you are interested in purchasing a Popsugar Must have box use the code REFER5 for $5 off.

I also wanted to share a gift I received at work today:

 I think it's precious!  There is space at the top for 3 tea lights.  I don't have any tea lights to put in it yet but this little addition will be placed on the counter in the kitchen.  So remember when I mentioned that my mom and I went to the Christmas Market this past weekend....well apparently I won not one but two of the door prizes!  They gave out 5 tickets for every vendor that we purchased an from and bonus tickets for wearing something festive.  I was able to use my tickets to enter a raffle for donated prizes.  There were about 20 prizes up for grabs but I spread my tickets across 3 of them to increase my chances of winning.

 I'm so excited!  I don't usually win!  The bottle was a crafty item from a local vendor, the bottom is cut out and a tea light holder is placed within the bottle.  It's basically a hanging tealight holder.  I plan to hang this in our porch.  I only had about two tickets in this raffle because it was one of the more unique prizes.  The other one is the prize I had almost all my tickets invested in....a bottle of Pink Zebra Sprinkles! These soy beads go into your tart warmer and smell the whole house, honestly I've used Yankee Candle and Scentsy and these are the best in my opinion.  The bottle I won was Pumpkin Bread flavored.  I LOVE pumpkin and I thought it was ironic that I went shopping with my mom and won a fragrance called pumpkin bread when she has called me "her little pumpkin bread" my whole life.  Yep...of all the pet names in the world, that is the one my mom gave me.

Oh wow, about 2.5 seconds after I sprinkled these beads in the warmer my entire first floor smelled like pie.  My mom purchased the Farm House Cider scent at the market for my Christmas stocking.   If I think pie smells good I can't imagine how amazing cider is going to smell in my house.

On the 8th day of Christmas...

I made some delicious spice muffins (er, you might consider it a cupcake) this past weekend for a quick morning treat before we start our work days.  I used:

1 box spice mix
1 can pure pumpkin
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips (white chocolate would be tasty too)
1 cup dried cranberries (I wanted dried cherries but couldn't find them)

Mix the spice cake with a can of pumpkin and stir in cranberries and chocolate chips.  Fill your cupcake tin with the batter and bake at 350* for about 20 min.  This will vary from oven to oven so I'd use the "toothpick" method to make sure they are done.  The pumpkin makes them very dense.  They probably won't win any type of beauty contest but they are delicious!

I wanted to share a few of our new ornaments this year.  I have already raved about our engagement ornament from Coton Colors and our snowman personalized ornament that are both new.  We have three more additions to our collection.

 This glass lighthouse came home with us back in March when we were at Ocracoke for a friend's wedding on the weekend of St Patrick's Day.

 You can't see it well but "Outer Banks NC" is written in white on the outside of this glass ornament that contains sand and small shells.  We bought this one when we vacationed at Nags Head this summer with R's family.   I love it but I wish it stood out more on the tree.  It's a heavy ornament too so we have to hang it on the shorter branches at the top of the tree.

I found this jewel at TJ Maxx on one of my recent shopping trips and purchased it as a gift for R.  I think it might be his favorite on the tree.

On the 9th day of Christmas...

I received my package of goodies from Sephora last night.  A week or so ago I received a $15 dollar gift card through my email and decided to take the opportunity to order the Naked 2 palette.  I realized that I'm a year or two (or three) behind the craze but I've been using my MAC palettes to get some use out of them.

The packaging for the UD palette is MUCH more durable than MAC, I think it will be a great thing to travel with.  I had a difficult time choosing between this one and the Smoked version - I think eventually I'll try to get that one too.  I also purchased a Laura Mercier lip gloss in Baby Doll so I could make the $50 minimum for free shipping.

There is a good chance I'm wearing this one on my wedding day...its beautiful!

Today R and I went to Target so I could pick up a couple of prescriptions.  We purchased the ingredients to make the pan sugar cookies that I saw featured on The Jacksons blog several weeks ago.  Black bean lasagna and sugar cookie bars were on the menu tonight and it was amazing!  Here is her recipe or you can check out the link above for her post.

Cookie bars:

1.5 cups of sugar

1 cup of butter, softened

8 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1 egg

1 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2.5 cups flour

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

3.5 cups powdered sugar

2 tsp vanilla

splash of milk

Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar.  Add egg and flavorings and blend.  Mix dry ingredients in a seperate bowl and add to the butter mixture.  Grease a pan with cooking spray.  Spread the dough into the pan.  Bake at 350* for 20 minutes.  Cook until golden and let cool.  Spread frosting on cookies and decorate with sprinkles.  I purchased a jar of fancy sparkling sugar from TJ Maxx during my last shopping trip and I'm trying to think of all the baked goods that will be even more amazing when topped with pink and red sparkles.

Tonight we finished wrapping our holiday gifts and now we have a very pretty stash underneath our tree!