Happy New Year's Eve

I'd like to wish everyone a safe and happy new years eve!!! I'll be celebrating in Raleigh tonight with friends. Every year Raleigh does an Acorn drop (similar to the big ball drop in New York except on a smaller North Carolina scale) and thousands flock to Raleigh to stand in the freezing cold for the count down. We will not be among them. Instead we will pregame with wine cocktails in a warm apartment and head to a bar for midnight festivities! No matter how you spend your holiday - keep warm and keep safe!

oxox - April and Lilly

10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Happy New Year!

Christmastime is coming to a close...

And I'm not ready. The Christmas music has stopped and the holiday specials on tv are over. I have not taken down my tree but I will probably get to that sometime this weekend. For the time being I am enjoying the last of my Christmas Eve wine in my new snowman goblet that was given to me by a coworker.

All good things come to an end. Can't wait for 2011.

Happy New Year!!!

Cleaning products I love...

This is an updated cleaning post, I did one a while back but I'm constantly trying new things so these are my new favorites. These suggestions are only my opinion. Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom cleaner - I love this for my shower and sink. Spray it on and let it sit for about 15 minutes, then a little light scrubbing with a sponge and all the gross stuff is gone! I use this about once a week.

SwifferVac. I love this because it attracts pet hair (and mine) and can vacuum up cat litter. I use this about every other day.

Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel. This is something new I'm trying, the little blue disk cleans your toilet for about 2 months. Fine by me!

Microfiber Sponges. I buy mine at the dollar store and these can be washed and reused. I use one for dusting surfaces with Pledge and I use another specifically for counter tops.

Clorox Greenworks Multipurpose cleaner. I've blogged about this before, I'm still loving this for basic cleaning in the kitchen.

Extended Arm Sponge. OMG I love this, I bought one at Walmart and it is the best thing for wiping down a bathroom and shower walls. It reduces the amount of bending that you have to do to get that deep down clean.

Method Best in Glass. Love the mint scent. Love the Method line of products. This is an awesome glass product with zero ammonia. (I love windex but the chemicals aren't good for you!)

This Method microfiber wipe works great with the Best in Glass...ZERO streaks! It's about $4 but it can be washed and reused so you waste less paper towels!

I've been buying the Palmolive Eco dishwashing detergent. It doesn't leave the weird smell in your cups like some other products on the market. The detergent is suppose to break down naturally in the environment - I can't confirm that but I enjoy using it!

When all else fails, this is what I use. Mix it with water and wash bath mats, pour down clogged drains, and soak litter boxes. It's the very best thing for killing mold period among the million other uses for it. I have a special shirt that I wear when I play with clorox, I suggest you do the same.

Not a cleaning product but clutter looks so much better when sorted in canvas bins.

After Christmas Shopping

Like most of the east coast, my family has been snowed in since early Sunday morning. Our first White Christmas (that just missed Christmas by a few hours) since I was a little girl. My county had a solid foot of snow! So excited that it is finally starting to melt. Mom and I spent the whole day yesterday baking, playing cards, and watching movies. The novelty of snow wears off quickly in the Carolinas and I was happy when we could finally get out and do a little after Christmas shopping today. My loot: From Pier One this metal sleigh and reindeer tealight holder. I bought this as a centerpiece and I might weave some garland or poinsetta branches underneath it.

These were given to me, crystal Santa taper candle holders. I think I will use these with gold candles.

From Hallmark a snowy forest ornament, the camera didn't pick it up but there is a doe in the background. This scene is very similar to the one engraved on my dad's tombstone so I thought it would look beautiful on the tree in his memory.

Pickle ornament from Pier One. My friend told me her family hides the pickle in the tree every year and I noticed this is one ornament that they always sell out of so I picked one up for myself.

Tartan Plaid wrapping paper and gift tags from Hallmark.

I bought a few ornaments and mini diffusers from Pier One to use as gifts next year. I chose the ornaments with specific coworkers in mind but at least I can package them together for a quick gift. I LOVE the gingerbread diffuser so I might keep a couple for myself.

Modeling my new snowflake earrings from Kohls. I wanted something festive to wear that could possibly be used all winter long.

I really wasn't as excited this year about after Christmas shopping. I really don't need anything. In a month or so boots, thick socks, and scarves will go on clearance and I might purchase a few things then. I am in the market for a new raincoat but honestly nothing I'd go out and stand in line for. I think I might pick a few more things that can be used for gifts next year as I find them.

Merry Christmas Ya'll

" Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests'."

I hope everyone has a great Christmas surrounded by family and friends. I hope Santa was good to you, but remember Mary wrapped the very first Christmas present!

oxox April and Lilly

Holiday Candy - 5 Layer Bars

Yumm freakin' O!!! This is a Paula Deen Recipe and is so delicious:

1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 cup butterscotch morsels 1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

All of the above ingredients can be layered into a jar and given as a gift

1/2 cup melted butter

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350* F.

Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining ingredients of mix over crumb mixture. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the layers. Bake for 30 minutes and allow to cool. Cut into bars.

Holiday Candy - Pecan Bark

Spray PAM into a baking dish and pour in chopped pecans.
Add 2 teaspoons of coarse salt.
Toast in the oven at 350* for about 10 minutes.

In a tube pan lined with parchment paper alternate white chocolate and bittersweet chocolate squares in a checkerboard pattern. Melt in the oven for about 5-10 minutes. Swirl a knife or wooden skewer in the chocolate to make a pattern with the white and dark chocolate. Top with toasted pecans and cool in the fridge for about an hour. Break into pieces and Enjoy!