I'm sure I made the "good" list this year

I made a full year without buying a truck load of makeup! So I definitely slipped up with a couple of glosses and the Alice in Wonderland palette earlier in the year but compared to years past this has been a minimal beauty product buying year. I missed Sephora friends and family and passed up the 20% entire order promotion. But when I received my $20 gift card a week ago I definitely wanted to use it and I knew just the items that could stuff my stocking! Two Faced Shadow Insurance. I've been using this for over a year and I was almost out. This is really just a replacement but I love it so much.

Nars Orgasm Blush and Laguna Bronzer Duo. I've wanted this for a long time so it's my splurge. I test the blush every time I go to Sephora. Since I plan on traveling quite a bit between my apartment and moms house I wanted some multipurpose products to cut down on the size of my makeup bag. At least thats my excuse.

I purchased these dryer balls from Bed Bath and Beyond a week ago. I haven't used them yet but I hope they work. Apparently they can replace fabric softener and cut down on drying time. Yes it sounds too good to be true but they weren't expensive so I'm willing to experiment. If anything good comes out of it, I'll report back.

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas cards are addressed, stamped, and sealed. Speaking of seals, my sorority sends out Christmas seals every year and I LOVE the 2010 version. They hold a contest during the year for girls to send in their design ideas and one is selected by a committee, so one of my talented sisters created it!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

My 2010 Christmas Card

This is the card I made with the Shutterfly promotion I posted about a week ago. The offer is good for 50 free 5x7 flat or folded cards and in the end is worth quite a bit. There is another promotion on 5x7 cards so using them together I ended up saving $114. I paid tax and shipping which was less than $10.

I don't have my Christmas decorations up yet because I haven't finished moving. I chose to take a photo of Lilly cuddled in a blanket and, even though it's cropped out, the chair is sitting by the fireplace. I took several shots to get her to look at me, probably the most painstaking part of this process. Then I uploaded the photo to my shutterfly account, chose a photo card template I liked, added her photo with a message and I was finished! I purchased cards last year and I was super pleased with the quality and this year is no different. I received my cards within 5 business days (and 5 days before the scheduled delivery day, woot!). They are really beautiful, I highly recommend the matte option - it makes the card look so professional!

Polar Express Christmas Card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Military Bowl

I know this isn't ground breaking news but I was excited to hear it. On November 29th there was an announcement that ECU would be going to the Military Bowl. On Sunday our opponent was annouced ... Maryland! A friend of mine wants to go and I'm seriously considering it since Washington DC isn't that far away and I haven't been to a bowl game yet. It will probably depend on my work schedule honestly but I'll have to make a decision soon.

"Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates." Mark Twain

Day 12 of the 12 days of Christmas

Woot! I'm so proud of myself for sticking this through! I'd like to do more blog challenges - it really helps to break out of a posting rut. Today's topic is:

2010 Holiday Decorations

Unfortunately I don't have mine up yet but never fear I WILL have decorations this year. My mom tried to talk me out of it because I'm moving so close to the holiday and the earliest I can get them up will be about 2 weeks before Christmas. There will be a LOT of unpacking but I'm a pro by now and the two extra bins of decorations won't be too much of a strain. I will share a new purchase with you. I usually only buy decorations on the after holiday sale but when I found this little guy at Pier One I didn't want to wait.

I have a small foyer table that this little guy will look great on. Before now I didn't have a Santa to display so I love his fancy gold suit that will match my other decorations. I'm hoping to hit up the after Christmas sale this year to find another set of bronze deer and some new gold sprigs for my tree.

Day 11 of the 12 days of Christmas

New Years Resolutions I don't make them so this was as easy assignment. I do have goals though -

1. Take graduate classes this year

2. Sit for my board certification in renal nutrition (I may not be able to as soon as I'd like)

3. Find a church close to my new apartment and attend regularly

Day 10 of the 12 days of Christmas

Favorite Christmas Songs

I LOVE Christmas music. There is always something fun about listening to that first one that comes on the radio right around Thanksgiving. Alright so here are a few of my favorites:

1. Happy Christmas - John Lennon

2. The Christmas Song - The Ravonettes

3. Little Drummer Boy - The Almost

4. Oh Come all Ye Faithful - Weezer

5. Baby it's cold outside - Jessica Simpson

6. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues

This is really just a sampling...I love ALL the traditional stuff as well. My mom plays A Dixie Christmas which is a 2 CD set that has all the best well known country singers and all the traditional carols. I'm embarrassed to admit that my favorite Christmas album was actually a freebie from American Eagle several years ago - if you spent a certain amount the CD was free. It features some great artists like Ray Charles and Billie Holiday. I also love the bonus Christmas songs featured at the end of the Love Actually sound track.