Organizing in the New Year

I found an item in Bed Bath and Beyond that changed my life yesterday.  Ok I'm exaggerating, it changed my closet, which makes me happy and brings me a sense of calm, which in turn changes my life.

The item that changed my life. Get one HERE.

It's Real Simple's Scarf/Belt Hanger .  My closet went from being messy and overwhelming to actually having free hangers to work with!  Scarves were taking over my closet!

See the before .... brace yourselves.

And the after, now you can all breathe a sigh of relief.

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All with one little item that with my trusty coupon only cost me $8.  Here's the best part - $8 for two of these lovely organizers!

Run out and get one ladies!  You can hang your belts on there too if you have a belt obsession instead of a scarf one like mine.

Home for the Holidays

This year I hope all of these things were true for you:

My first batch of sugar cookies!

Lots of yummy goodies to fill your belly.  

Lots of good booze to lift your spirits and help you cope with the craziness that is the holidays.

Our very first full size tree.  Santa came!

Beautiful holiday decor to surround you and keep your spirits jolly.

My wonderful husband and I.

And more than any of these things, I hope you were surrounded by loved ones.  Family friends or whomever makes your heart smile.

My longtime friend Erin, and her boy, my godson, Cassius.

Still more fun to come for New Years!  Any fun plans?  Do you go all out or keep it lowkey?

Tis' the Season for Coconut Flakes

I recently gained a new appreciation for Malibu rum while on my honeymoon in Aruba.  Shocking.

I've just learned that they came out with a new Malibu Holiday/Winter Edition that features actual coconut flakes in the rum!  I'm sooooo goddamn excited! 

I love the flavor of coconut in absolutely anything.  However, believe it or not I'm not a huge fan of sweet drinks.   Here are a few solutions I've come up with to this problem when it comes to mixing up some Malibu yummyness for my glass:

Malibu and black cherry seltzer.  Just enough sweet and absolutely delicious!
Malibu and club soda with just a splash of coca-cola. Obviously Malibu and Coke is a staple at most bars, I find the amounts of sugar in Coke to be disturbing so this is my fast fix to this problem.

What will you be mixing up this holiday season?

DIY Holiday Decor

I'm a huuuge fan of Real Simple Magazine.  They sent me a cute DIY project slideshow this morning for holiday decor and I thought I'd share.

The gold gift bow wreath is my favorite, how about you?

Credit here.

 I plan on attempting some DIY garland next.

I found some great DIY projects on Design Sponge.  Check it out!

I made my own Christmas wreath this year and it came out just as nice as the marked up ones you find at places like Pier 1.  I also find some satisfaction in DIY projects.  I'm no Martha Stewart, but I take pride in saving $ and sprucing up my home at the same time.

What easy DIY projects have you done?  Please share!

Credit here.

This year I'm taking my first stab at making glorious Christmas sugar cookies.  I hope they come out looking somewhat recognizable.

Cybertastic!!

Today has been a cybertastic day so far!  Yes I made that word up. 

Photo credit  here

Free shipping and deep discounts is sooo much better than fighting the holiday crowds at the stores!

Photo credit compliments of MSNBC

I'm trying to avoid being brainwashed by all of the Christmas hype that is all over the televisions, radios, and any store you walk into nowadays.  Whenever possible, shop local, and shop with cash so the store owners don't have to pay credit card fees.

I tried to create a holiday list with at least half of the items from ETSY. 

ETSY is a great way to do some local shopping, and support small business.  Most sellers do take credit cards instead of paypal if that is an issue.

This holiday season I plan on keeping my focus on what is important, family, not shopping malls or gifts or last minute stocking stuffers.  I can't deny that a nice thoughtful gift puts a smile on my face, however stay focused on your family and your blessings that come in the form of beautiful people who are part of our lives.

Happy holidays my friends! 

Photo credit here.

Keep calm and carry on and get out of the malls whenever possible!

We're Married!!

I'm sorry to my followers that I've been such a slacker.  I was busy getting married!!  We are officially a family now and I couldn't be happier!

Here is my pre-ceremony shot that I wanted so badly.  What do you think?  I started to cry of course (happy tears).  I was a ball of emotions that day.

Please follow this link to see a small sampling of my wedding photos.  Michael Bloom Photography is amazing!  I would recommend them to any and everyone! He made me look like a goddess in the below photo, I seriously can't even believe it's me!  And such fun wedding party shots.  I'm still waiting on all of the photos, but the sampling alone has me drooling!!

All the wedding stress is over (Thank Christ!) and now I get to settle into the warm fuzzy holidays with my husband.  I'm thinking warm fire, hot cocoa, Christmas music, ridiculous amounts of food!  All with the man I love.

 Mmmmm get in my belly!!

I love to decorate for the holidays!

Friday Funny

Always come back to my ninja love.

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope you all have a lovely fall weekend.