New Year's Resolution

It's that time of year again where everyone makes their New Year's Resolution of weight loss, kindness, and quitting those bad habits!

GUILTY blogger alert- I AM going to be one of those people. Let's break down my New Year's Resolutions.

1. Get healthy:

I don't want to just lose weight, I want to have a healthier life style. 

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger right.

{picture via Back On Pointe}

2. Be a better Aunt:

As I talked about (HERE) I am an Aunt to the 3 most adorable kids IN THE WORLD (alright I might be biased, sue me). Living 10 hours away from them makes it incredibly hard to stay in count and I take full advantage of the time I have with them when I am home, but I need to try harder when I'm not. It kills me that I can't have a super close relationship with them so I vow to do more skype dates, packages sent to them, and phone calls this year. 

For your viewing pleasure. The worlds cutest kids. 

{picture via family photo}

3. Drive:

Not drive in the car related way, but I want to have more drive. I want to give finding a job in my field my full attention, working harder at my current job, and when I start school later this year I want to give it my all. 

{picture via Pinterest}

4. I want to live a little bit:

This is oddly something I've struggled with since moving to Kentucky. I think I've fallen into the routine of working, applying to jobs, and cleaning this house that I haven't left time for fun. I just came off one of the best summers of my life living in Detroit. Josh and I were busy every weekend this summer and I want to get back to that. I don't care that it is winter I need a hobby or I'm going to go nuts.

This is in Kentucky somewhere! I want to find it!

{picture via Cumberland Falls}

5. Blogging more + Quality:

I have invested my time into this blog and have been rewarded in various ways because of that. It is time to give back a little more quality. I want to share more of my own ideas with year. Do more DIY projects, join more linkups, and just start having a little more fun with my blog. I am going to scout out someone to really make my blog look pretty soon. I attempted to make a button one day and failed (guys I'm not tech savvy, HELP!) 

6. Complain Less:

This is my final, but more important resolution for this year. I know it is cliche! Let's be serious for a second we won't live forever so why be miserable all the time. I am an avid complainer and will never lie about that fact. It is time to really stop and think before I let the negativity come out all the time. This one is also for my boyfriends sake (I'm sure he will appreciate this one!)

{picture via Pinterest}

I know this is a pretty heavy list. I don't care though, because these are changes I need to make for myself. 

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

"Confessions of a Blogger"

I was going to take the rest of this week off of blogging, but when Tammy Jo tagged me to fill out the "Confessions of a Blogger" I didn't want to wait to spill my bloggy guts!

"Confessions of a Blogger"

1. When did you first start blogging and why?

I started blogging back in July of this year after reading a few bloggers that I found via Pinterest. I really just wanted a creative outlet and thought why not? Maybe someone will be interested in the same things as me. 

2. Have you had any past online presence?

I mean I was cool back in the day and had an Xanga (Throwback!), but other then that I am a newbie!

3. When did you become serious about your blog?
Pretty much immediately. If anything I have chilled out since then. I just blog whatever these days rather then have a plan for my entire week.

4. What was your first blog post?
It was called Blogger?and basically just introduced myself to the blogging world.

5. What have been your biggest challenges blogging?
Feeling guilty when I either don't write for awhile or when I don't have anything interesting to write about. 

6. What is the most rewarding thing about blogging?

Meeting new people. I have been blessed with meeting so many people through blogging. I feel like more of an interesting person just knowing some of the bloggers that I do. Reading their bloggers everyday keeps me so motivated.

7. What is the most discouraging thing about blogging?
How hard it is to spread the word of your blog. I would like to think I don't care if people read my blog, but I love those who always check my blog not just stop by one time.

8. What is your lasting inspiration or motivation?
Other bloggers. So many times a day I read blogs and it triggers some sort of idea for my own blog.

9. What is your blogging dirty little secret?
I planned my entire Christmas Week like 3 months ahead of time, because I was so excited!

10. What is your current goal as a blogger?

Well since I have been slowly becoming an inconsistent blogger I want to start regularly blogging. I am also going to work on the look of my blog. (anyone want to make me a button? haha)

11. Have you learned or become passionate about anything through blogging that caught you by surprise? 

I wouldn't say passionate, but I noticed that a lot of things on my Christmas list this year are things I found through other blogs. 

I am going to spread the love and whoever wishes to do this tag can participate! Just tag me back so I can check out your answers! Thanks ladies, have fun with it!

Last Minute

I am generally a last minute person this time a year. I won't toot my own horn because I was out shopping yesterday for a few people myself, but I am good at being last minute (so I'm allowed!)

If you aren't good at being last minute this time of year I will share two pretty quick things to wipe up. First a hair style that is tacky, festive, and quick and second a gift for your best friend. (Fingers crossed my best friend doesn't read my blog today!)

{all pictures via personal photos}

I took to Pinterest a couple months back pinning everything Christmas when I came across a way to make my sock bun a reindeer, ha! 

Step 1: 

Supplies

Bobby Pins

Googly Eyes

Red Pom Poms

Glue

Brown Pipe Cleaners

Step 2: 

Glue the eyes and red pom poms to bobby pins and make those brown pipe cleaners antlers

Step 3:

Do your sock bun

and

Add the different pieces right too the bun.

Alright now that you did your hair your running around getting those gifts you forgot about...
I already got my best friend presents, but was feeling guilty that I didn't get her anything special. My mom was also on the hunt for something special for her best friend. 

Que Best Friend Mugs:

Basically this gift is good for you if you and your best friend lives in different states. I live in Kentucky and my best friend lives in Pennsylvania. My mom lives in Pennsylvania and her best friend lives in Maryland

Step 1:

Supplies

2 mugs 

A black and a red marker

An oven? (I don't know how detailed this has to be, ha!)

Step 2: 

Cut out your state and your best friends state

My mom and I used this PA cut out twice since my best friend and her both live in PA.

But we also needed a KY and MD!

Step 3:

We put Best on the inside of one mug and friend on the inside of the other. 

Trace the states onto the mugs. 

If you can free hand I recommend it, because the time made this one run. 

Draw a hear of the county you live in!

Step 4:

You want to connect the hearts of each state.

We added little loops to make it look a little nicer. 

Step 5:

We decided on this quote for the back...

"Best Friends forever Never Apart Maybe in distance but Never at heart"

Step 6:

I didn't take any pictures of this BUT it is VERY important. 

You are going to want to place your mugs into the oven THEN turn it to 425. Do NOT preheat the oven or they will crack. 

Leave them in their for about 30 minutes then turn the over off. Do NOT take them out right away. Let the over cool down completely then take them out or they will crack!

Have a Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Home Sweet Home

The holiday has officially begun for me. I am home sweet home in the good old state of Pennsylvania. 

I am not making a promise of much blogging this week, because Christmas is about family (and I plan to be spending as much time as possible with mine!) I did want to leave you with a peak of how we left our home in Kentucky. I convinced Josh that even though I wouldn't be there for the holiday I wanted it to be decorated for the entire month of December. 

{all pictures via personal photos}

These gifts clearly made the haul to PA with us though. 

Honestly I didn't think it was weird to have a wreath on our couch until we had guests, ha!

Snagged these adorable Santa hat covers from the Dollar Store.

Made this entire centerpiece for only $6! I am a women on a budget!

My mom used to tie bows on all the handles in the kitchen when I was growing up, thought I would carry on the tradition.

If you remember I stole the garland around the arch idea straight from Pinterest!

We opened up stockings before we left.

(sorry the picture is so dark!)

Josh liked all his gifts I hope!

I had a little extra garland and A LOT of extra lights so I decided to go that route for our mantle!

And our stockings! I found the glitter letters are Wal-Mart and fell in love.

I have loved seeing all the decorated houses on in the blogging world, so I hope you enjoyed a tour of our home. You might see me around this week, but if not Happy Holidays and have a Very Merry Christmas!

Ugly Sweater Party/ Boy Behind the Blog

Last night Josh and I hosted an Ugly Sweater Party at our house. I know having it in the middle of the week is kind of odd, but we leave this Saturday to head home so we didn't have much of an option. Everyone was a good sport about it and had tons of fun anyway!

Ready to see some Ugly Sweaters?

Well guess what I took zero pictures.

BAD BLOGGER ALERT!

I know I know give me crap! 

I will try to some it up a little. 

-We are now out of alcohol

-Boyfriends carried girlfriends out the door

-We played games and laughed (A LOT)

-We did a white elephant gift exchange. 

-There were heated debates about Aerie vs Victoria Secret 

-And our house looks like I didn't spend all day yesterday cleaning anymore (and I love it!)

I will leave you with the one and only picture I took...

Josh put a fire on the TV and it was a party hit! 

We couldn't stop laughing about it. 

We just didn't want to light the real fire so close to our Christmas tree/presents!

I normally would never have two topics in one post, but what the heck let's get wild today, ha!

I mustache Josh a few questions (ha, get it?) 

Linked up with these lovely ladies today!

{All answered by Josh and directly recorded. Sadly word for word.}

1. What is your favorite cereal?

Who likes cereal, it's just something that's there to eat for Breakfast.

2. Pancakes or waffles?

Waffles, they have little syrup little containing cups...what more could you want.

3. What is your favorite holiday tradition

Eating. (I can vouch for this one. We love holiday cooking!) 

4. Finish the sentence: All I want for Christmas is...

My two front teeth and shoulder shrug. (and he really is insisting I write world peace. I don't think that is amusing though)

5. What was your best moment of 2013?

Landing a jump right out of college. (He really did have one heck of a year. Graduating, getting his dream job, moving in with his lovely girlfriend, and getting a house)

New Year's Eve: What To Wear Wednesday (WtWW)

What to Wear Wednesday, ha! Maybe this could be a thing (that I start and forget about 90% of the time!) 

I normally wear PJ's until midnight or something SUPER warm, because  the last couple years I spent New Year's Eve at Josh's cabin. This year Josh's family will be visiting our home in Kentucky(SOO excited!) so we won't really be dressing fancy.

A girl can still drool over pretty New Year's Eve dresses though, right?

This caught my eye at AE for only $23!

{picture via AE}

Anyone ever heard of Windsor{all pictures via}?

They have dresses on dresses. 

Check them out for literally any occasion.

If you want a little color for New Years.

BAM! $33

$45! Not bad. I don't normally do the insanely short thing, 

but if ya got the body rock it. 

$37! And look at that necklace.

Dresses like this make me sad I normally wear my PJs

Then there is the always reliable for a headache and a good find...Forever 21.

{all pictures via Forever 21}

I LOVE how this is styled. I give the black tights/heels two thumbs up.

$33

Not sure I'm into the fur look, but this dress is stunning!

$38

Since I will be doing the partying from the comfort of my home I thought I would still try to be somewhat cute and got a sheer cream button up that has gold polka dots on it. I WILL have pictures of me in it after the Holiday! 

Have a great day everyone! I would love to hear what you plan on wearing for New Year's Eve!

Would anyone be interested if I did a New Year's Eve outfit link up on New Year's Eve?

This post was linked-up!

Experimenting with Appetizers

Guys-I suck at cooking. I try and that's all that matters. I have put in a major effort since Josh and I moved in together to be a better cooker or at least cook more (same thing right?) I look at blogs like Holly's (The Hobbit Kitchen) and think, "if only I could cook like her!"

Even though I can't cook I thought I would link up with Ashley from Let's Get Bananas! I thought maybe I could learn a thing or two from these girls!

I made this roast a few weeks ago.

It tasted better then it looks.
But generally Josh is the master chef in our house.

With my Ugly Sweater Party coming up this Wednesday I thought maybe I will make some appetizers. I have yet to try making an appetizer!

Look how amazing these appetizers look and simple too...

Bacon/Guacamole

{picture via RW}

Mini Tacos

{picture via Start Recipes}

Cucumber Feta Roll

{picture via Healthy Snacks}

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

{picture via Shrinking Kitchen}

But I'm going to be honest with you...I will probably end up cutting up some cheese and grabbing some chips (sorry guests!)

What are your favorite appetizers to make? Did you struggle when you first started cooking?

Also today I am linking up with A Girl and Her Sparkles on a previous Christmas Post I did during Christmas week. Go Check her out though (She is awesome!)

Lazy Blogging

{picture via Dashburst}

Did you ever wake up and want to blog, but you were just too lazy. Instead of just skipping the day today for lack of anything fun to write about I figured I would share my laziness of being creative and post something fun to look at, at least. 

I swear the rest of the week will be filled with a last minute ugly sweater party, my houses Christmas decorations, and WtWW (what to wear Wednesday) I'm trying something new and will be talking about New Year's Eve. 

So with that have a lazy day bloggers! You deserve one every now and then!

Five On Friday: The Faces of Josh

By the time you are reading this, my boyfriend is likely to have killed me for posting what I'm about to post, BUT Joshua has the worlds best facial expressions so it's a risk I'm willing to take. The world needs to see them and I'm your girl. 

Josh is probably the goofiest person I've ever met, he sings (making up words if he doesn't no them), dances ALL THE TIME (even if our windows are open), and his facial expressions take the cake. 

1. The Excited- 

This face is given when a car, food, or electronic are involved!

Electronic.

Car.

Food.

Electronic.

2. The Sleepy- 

This is my favorite face! Josh wakes up like the HULK until he gets his coffee so his sleepy face is a mix of anger and pure exhaustion.

This one might have an update where I take it off, because he will hate me. 

3. The Silly aka The tongue-

This face is strictly meant for photo taking. The minute we get in front of a camera his face is distorted into the goofiest face he can make, which is normally tongue out. 

Tongue 1.

Tongue 2.

Tongue 3.

Tongue 4.

4. The I look goooood-

What Josh thinks he is lookin' finnnne that day. 

5. The Beer-

This is the face that is beyond the smile or the excited. It is his beer face. The kid is like a kid in a candy store excited. 

What does your boyfriend do that makes you laugh?