Goodbye 2011!

Happy New Year's Eve!  We are celebrating with a movie, dinner, and 

the festivities over at Crystal Mountain.  Should be a great start to 2012!

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Merry Christmas!

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Enjoy the holidays with family & friends!

Friday's Fancies - White Out

Tonight I get to hang out with my BFF, Laura!  I can't wait!!!  Time for a little Christmas celebration for the two of us!  Too bad I don't have this outfit to wear!  I've slowly become obsessed with faux fur vests.  I definitely would like to add one to my closet!  Check out the other white out creations at {long distance loving}!

outfit

Christmas Eve is tomorrow!  I am so excited!!!

Christmas nails

Last night I got my Christmas mani/pedi. I relaxed, drank a holiday cocktail, and caught up on my gossip magazines.

I picked "Design...De Better!" from the OPI Muppets Collection. I love it! The perfect sparkle for the holidays!

The birth of Jesus

My mom sent me this video today.  It's really cute!

If Jesus were born in times of Google, Facebook and Twitter

Is making a financial decision like snacking?

Way back in September I read a guest post by Words of Williams on Fiscally Chic.  Kelsey and Eric were talking about making financial decisions and some questions to ask yourself when deciding.  While these are great questions regarding financial decisions, I immediately thought they would also be great to ask yourself before you have a snack, that extra cookie, another helping of dinner, etc.

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1.  Is this a need or a want? (Be honest!)  For me, most of the time snacking is a want.


2.  What is the opportunity cost (what am I losing out on) if I spend this money now?  Perhaps fitting comfortably in your jeans on Friday night?


3.  Have I made a purchase like this in the past and neglected to use that item as much as I thought I would?  Oh yes...many times I have thought "why did I just have that huge helping?"


4.  How will I feel after making this purchase?  Will I feel guilty?  Over full?

5.  How long have I been considering the purchase? (If it is a want, you can still buy the item. But, we know that it’s better to have walkaway power and buy the item out of a rational mind rather than an emotional one.)  If I've done the "drink a glass of water" and I'm still starving then it's ok to have a small snack.  


I need to take my own advice and remind myself of these questions...especially with the holidays and all of the delicious goodness that comes with them!  And, I need to try my hardest to work out not only for my health, but also for peace of mind and as a stress reliever.

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Cookie time!

Yesterday Wilma and I went up to my sister's and made cut-out cookies with them!  We had such a great time.

Lauren did a great job frosting by herself.

She also loved to add sprinkles!

Annie did a great job of quality control!

Yup, that's a little frosting dripping my Lauren's chin...a sign of successful cookie decorating!

Geoff made us his famous panini sandwiches for dinner!

Wilma even participated in cookie decorating!

I'm linking  up with a {little} dash of ash for her Instagram link party today!

Friday's Fancies - Sparkle & Shine

{av}'s theme this week is Sparkle & Shine and there is no better time of the year for that!  When I was shopping with my mom a few weeks ago, I feel in love with all of the sequins in the stores right now.  It's so fun and glamorous! 

outfit

I'm leaving Jon in CA and I'm heading back to Chicago.  Come on snow!

Newport Beach

After days of looking around at places to rent, we signed on a place in Newport Beach last night!!!  We couldn't be more excited!  We are 5 houses from the beach (Jon estimates 40 yards).  I can't wait for nightly walks on the beach.  And, we suspect Wilma will love it!

Sunday we took a walk on the Newport Pier (below) and saw a sea lion swimming around...how cool is that?

Source: google.com via Martha on Pinterest

We have so much to be thankful for and feel so lucky to have found a decently priced place near the ocean.  We really are blessed.  The moving company has been called and things should be in motion for January!

Happy Birthday Geoff!

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law, Geoff!!! 

Friday's Fancies - Holiday Party

How about this for a classic holiday party look?  Some red, a touch of lace, and some sparkle.

outfit

We don't really have any holiday parties this year that we are able to attend.  In a way I'm relieved because of everything going on, but I'm also sort of sad.  It's always fun to dress up and celebrate the season!  Off to CA!

Our little Charlie Brown

Jon and I decided not to get a Christmas tree this year.  Not because we don't want to be in the spirit, but with being gone 2 1/2 weeks in December, it just didn't seem to make sense.  

Monday night I came home from Junior League to find this tree in our living room!  Jon surprised me and picked one up and put lights on it while I was gone.  It's perfect.

Trading JJ for In-N-Out

Big news here in the our household.

My days with Jimmy John's (JJ) are limited.

In-N-Out Burger will be taking its place.

Why?  

Because we are moving to California!!!  

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Things have been in the works for quite a few months, but there was still so much up in air so I didn't want to say anything until now.  I've been working remotely from home since October for my new position (this is why I was in CA for a week in November) and Jon will start his job next Monday, the 12th.  We are so thankful the timing pretty much coincided for both of our jobs.  The big move will happen in mid January and we are planning to take a week and drive out to CA.  We will be moving to Orange County...not sure of exactly where just yet.  Jon and I will be out there this weekend looking for a place.  We are so excited!  It will definitely be a change and it will be difficult being away from family, but it's a great opportunity for us.  We love Chicago and will miss it dearly, but it's time for something new!

Weekend Recap!

We had quite a fun family filled weekend!  My parents floated into town about lunch time on Friday.  We went to Filter for some lunch and my dad was lucky enough to have a raspberry smoothie.  :)  Jon and I love Filter...such a great place in our neighborhood.

Friday evening was Annie's 1st birthday party.  My sister had it at the Highland Park rec center and it worked perfectly!  We had Lou Malnati's pizza and another banana cake!

Annie's bib was so cute with the banana on it!  She demolished her smash cake!

Saturday morning Jon and my dad went to Jon's favorite soccer bar in the city, The Globe, to watch Tottenham vs. Bolton.  While they were gone, my mom and I were sure online Christmas shoppers!

My sister came down late morning and us ladies headed downtown for some shopping and afternoon tea at The Drake.  We enjoyed our time together so much...especially the ridiculously comfy Don Draper chairs at The Drake.

Saturday evening my parents, Jon, and I did absolutely nothing besides hang out and watch football.  Wilma loved having so many different people to curl up with.  After church on Sunday we headed downtown to the Christkindlmart and to check out the Christmas window displays at Macy's.

Friday's Fancies - Fashionably inspi(red)

Happy Friday!  Yesterday was World AIDS Day so {av} picked red as today's theme.  The outfit I made today would definitely be something you could find in my closet.  Just ask Jon about black turtlenecks.  He's not a fan, but I'll save that story for another time.

1.  Sweater  2. Buckle coat  3. Skirt  4. Tights  5. Bootie  6. Feather earrings

Happy Friday!  Have a great weekend!

Birthday Buddies!

Happy Birthday to my niece, Annie, and my dad!  

Annie turns 1 today.  It's been so much fun to watch Annie grow over the last year.  From being a teeny tiny one, to rolling over, to crawling, to becoming Wilma's best friend.  She is so much fun and very adventurous these days.  She has the cutest little front teeth.

Dad has a few years on Annie, but he's happy to share his birthday with her.  

Happy Birthday!  Can't wait to celebrate with you guys this weekend!