Holy Cow, it's 2010

Can you believe the New Year is right around the corner?

2010.

Think about that.  We are a decade into the 2000's.  Saying "the 2000's" still sounds weird to me. 

All that being said, I think it is going to be the best year yet.  I don't know why, I just have an inkling.

(I also love the word inkling).  

A big part of my excitement is of course - I get to marry Mr. C this year.

Time to get out the calendars ladies and gentlemen and get serious, we've got a lot of wedding planning to do:)

XOXO - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Searching for my lost shaker of salt.

Last night, as the sub-zero winds whipped outside our cozy little house, Mr. C and I sat by the fire (aka on the floor due to the lack of furniture) planning our honeymoon.  It was heavenly.

Then!

I woke up in the middle of the night in a panic thinking -

"I need an entirely new honeymoon wardrobe filled with brimmed hats and dresses I couldn't get away with in the states ASAP."

For once, this Resort Wear time of year in stores is actually applying to me. Today, I shall spend the day perusing the internet and creating my dream honeymoon wardrobe (heavy on the dream)...

...All while the temperatures outside try to crawl up above "the minute you walk outside you want to cry" degrees.

Lilly

 Milly & Tibi

Tory & Kate

I also NEED this hat:

OK, I'm on beauty overload.  I need to put down the computer...

Twas the day before Christmas...

T'was the day before Christmas 

and all through the Burbs...

My nails were chipping 

and I was quite perturbed.

The presents were wrapped

and the car tightly packed

I had thirty minutes to spare

Before the family starting giving me flack

I ventured out 

amongst the last minute shoppers

To fix my poor nails 

so I did not look like a pauper

The technician sat me down and gave me a wink

She knew my nails were completely on the brink.

When, what did my wondering eyes should appear?

A nail polish that doesn't chip, fade or smear?

As I floated away 

after this life changing event

I dashed to my computer 

and to Google I went.

OPI Axxium? What in heavens name?

This little polish has just changed the game!

One week later there's not a chip in sight!

Happy New Year SuperBurbians

and to all a good night!

(please forgive the bad poetry - I have ants in my pants for the weekend!)

Christmas is over?

How did that happen?

I think Mr. C and I did more driving in the last week then we did in the last 6 months combined.  We paid almost every New England state a visit once or twice during our Christmas Tour.  We got back last night and we could barely move.  We were actually sore from our adventures.

Of course it was all worth it and everything was just perfect.  Now we are enjoying a few days of downtime before we head to the Berkshires for another round of fun.

This time the Blanket is coming with me.  I need its strength.

I am currently searching to find fashionable blanket-ish garments to wear this weekend.  Any tips? Think Cameron Diaz in "The Holiday" when she was in England.  I love how she did cottage chic.

Here are a few I've found:

Send some ideas my way - because I know you aren't really working this week :)  Be honest, you are looking for something to do while you sit in your office...

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve!

This is a holiday my siblings and I created as children (we have a tendency to drag out holidays as long as possible).

This Christmas Eve, Eve is quite special but I cannot reveal why because my mom might be reading (that is only if she can get on the internet by herself)...

Don't ask questions around Christmas mom! (how's that for a taste of your own medicine!)

The next couple days will be beyond hectic (in the best possible way) so I'm not sure if I will get to post often. But it doesn't mean I don't love you :)

Have a very Merry Christmas from our home to yours...

Tag your it.

Sometimes I fixate on things.

Ok all the time.

Remember the cake stands?

Exactly.

I went through the same thing with Holiday platters - but didn't blog about it due to sheer embarrassment.

Well I need to confess.

I went to Target today (that never ends well)

And bought 5 things of Christmas gift tags.  Which wouldn't be bad, but a few of the packages contained over 50 tags.  I have nowhere near 50 gifts to tag...

But I loved every minute of buying them :)

(and yes...it's called "Can O'Tags." How could I resist?)

How Delightful...

Delightful Blogs just accepted me as one of their own! What a nice early Christmas present!

If you haven't checked out their site, you definitely should. As they say - they are cutting through the blog smog. 

I am truly honored.  How delightful :)

Snow in the Super Burbs

Well, it looks like we won't be going anywhere today.  And I couldn't be happier.

Blanket here I come.

 

Baby it's freaking freezing outside

Today's high was like 2. 

Ok, maybe a little higher but not by much. 

We are also getting a snow storm tomorrow night. 

I might sound like I am complaining, but I secretly love it.  This weekend will be full of fires in the fireplace, wine and Christmas movies. Aka: my winter heaven.

Tonight, both sets of parents are coming over because we are extremely loved little children.   So I am enjoying a glass of wine and making apps before the troops arrive (otherwise known as my very loud father).

With all of this - I am going to let you in on a little winter secret.  This is how New Englanders get through what seems like never-ending freezing seasons.  I might get in trouble for this, but SuperBurbians I formally introduce....

THE BLANKET

(http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1400029&navAction=jump&navCount=2)

 

Buy it now, thank me later. You might stay on the couch from January to March.  Don't laugh, it's happened before.

Stay warm my friends...

Holiday Gift Guide 2009 - Part V: For All

As I mentioned before, I have been very touched this year with the amount of people in serious need around the holiday season.  Luckily, there are so many ways to give back this time of year.  We can all bake a little less or not send holiday cards (this is what I'm doing, and you all know how hard that is for a stationery lover) to save a few extra dollars in order to give to those truly in need. 

There are so many places to give, here are a few that are making an impact on me this season:

Toys for Tots
http://www.toysfortots.org/

Crossroads RI
http://www.crossroadsri.org

Rhode Island Food Bank
http://www.rifoodbank.org/matriarch/default.asp

Local Giving Trees
http://www.hasbro.com/corporate/community-relations/giving-tree.cfm

Rhode Island SPCA: Giving Tree (for our 4-legged friends)
http://www.petwork.com/news/rhode-island-spca-the-giving-tree-donation-drive

People impacting other people is what Christmas is all about...

 "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" - Clarence, It's a Wonderful Life

 

Holiday Gift Guide 2009 - Part IV: For Me ;)

Just in case Mr. C is reading....

(OK, I know this isn't happening this year - but please, this little guy is beyond precious)

Holiday Gift Guide 2009 - Part III: For Him

Why are guys so hard to shop for? Seriously, it's just ridiculous. I beg you, if you have any ideas - please send them my way.  I live with a man that literally never wants anything (very different from the woman in his life:)

Krups®-Heineken® BeerTender®
surlatable.com

 BBQ Skillet & Basket Set

brookstone.com

Putt Up or Shut Up Rug

flor.com

College Ties

vineyardvines.com

Holiday Gift Guide 2009 - Part II: For Her

There are just SO many awesome gifts out there for the "her" in your life.  Here is a just a little sampling...

Index Cutting Boards
MoMAstore.com

Luxe Cocktail Bracelet

jcrew.com

 Trish McEvoy Candle Collection

www.trishmcevoy.com

Nantucket Knot Weekender

loulousdecor.com

Classic Kate Coasters

www.katespade.com

Mail Holder

macbethcollection.com

 Drizzle Flats

nomadfootwear.com

Bento Box

http://www.plasticashop.com/

What's on your list??

Holiday Gift Guide 2009 - Part I: The Hostess

I am taking a new approach to the Holidays this year.  I love giving gifts, but it has become so apparent that there are so many people around us on a daily basis that really are in need.  I am trying to focus on them a little more this year.

That being said, there are still gifts that must be given. And really, it's doesn't quite feel like the Holidays without some sort of a gift guide :) So here it goes...

Part I: The Host/Hostess

www.Drinkmetags.com 

www.potterybarn.com

 barefootcontessa.com

 

www.anthropologie.com

www.mariposa.com

www.crateandbarrel.com

www.mud-pie.com

More to come...

Sing Off....

Are you watching this? It's amazing. The talent is out of control.  As someone that can't sing worth a lick, but wishes more than anything that I could -  I have sooo much respect for people with this amount of skill.

These guys were my favorite - doesn't this just give you chills?!

Glass of wine, we have a date tonight at 8/7c :)

Beautiful.

Sometimes it's fun to dream mid-day.

Success.

Well ladies and gentlemen - the party was a complete success. Everything went off without a hitch, but more importantly I realized I am surrounded by such wonderful people in my life. How I got so lucky I'll never know, but I'll never take it for granted.

On top of an excellent party, we collected a GREAT donation for Toys for Tots. It was such a great way to pull everyone together for a great cause.

Till next year!

Christmas Time is Here...

I just love this.

A Big First

Well SuperBurbians - today is a big first for me.

It's right up there with my first day of school and first real job. 

My friends, today I am taking my first true steps in entertaining and hosting my very first Holiday Party.

As in, the kind that are in the Burbs with actual food and actual thought put into the evening (although I am sure some debauchery will still happen).  This party is my gateway to adulthood. 

To give you a sneak preview into the evening - here are a few planning highlights:

The Invite:

The Outfit:

The Decor:

(Just a taste - more to come later!)

But best of all - the guest list is fantastic.  Cannot wait to see everyone!


Happy Holidays to All! 


XOXO, A

Slow Cooker Sundays

Today is a perfect day for a little Mulled Apple Cider.  We had our first snow last night and there is a nice fire in the fireplace - cue the Christmas carols and we've got a movie scene.  I've had a busy day getting everything ready for our very first Holiday party and Mr. C had to work all day, so I think we will be adding a little rum to ours;)

Here is what is currently mulling in our crockpot:

2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp whole cloves
1 tsp allspice
2 qt apple cider
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 sliced orange

Place cinnamon, cloves and allspice in a double thickness of cheesecloth: bring up corners of cloth and tie with a string to form a bag. Place cider and brown sugar in a slow cooker: stir until sugar dissolves.

Add spice bag. Place orange slices on top. Cover and cook on low for 2-5 hours. Remove spice bag before serving.

She has an app for that.

Oh Mrs. Spade - you never ceases to amaze me.  Please look at this adorable application she created and download it immediately.

I also just added this to my Christmas list:

 

I just love everything Kate touches.

Countdown

(Please note: This post is also due to the tree lighting ceremony)

I've almost made it to the end of the internet looking for an advent calendar idea, and I just came across this:

If you had the right space in your house/apartment this would be so cute! Think about all the fun surprises you could put in there ;)

Just purchased

I am so excited about them for some reason. Of course they are from Etsy.  Check out PaperEclectiques.

I blame my impulse purchase on the fact I am watching the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center, and Shakira just rocked "Santa Baby." I cannot be held accountable.

Oh Christmas, you get me every time.

Tights, hose and leggings - oh my.

Tis the season for party dresses - and freezing cold New England temperatures you feel in your bones.  What's a girl to do?

Most of us turn to tights, leggings and pantyhose.

Ask a woman about pantyhose, and you will open up a door of emotion.  War stories of years past, money spent and misery experienced.  Yet, some smart woman just made millions making them even tighter - aka Spanx- so it's obvious we still need them. With all of this, how does the American woman really feel about this subject?

It's love/hate for sure.

For the record, the First Lady thinks pantyhose are a no-go:
 "I stopped wearing panty hose a long time ago," Obama said, "because it was painful and they'd always rip. And I'm 5'11'' so I'm tall, nothing fits...Put 'em on, rip 'em..it's inconvenient."

That's all well and good but more importantly - what are the fashion rules?

For this I turned to Stacy and Clinton - they actually have some great tips.

I need feedback on this one - I know you are out there and I need solid opinions. How do we feel about non-black pantyhose? I'm having a fashion emergency.