On to a New Year

Happy New Year! It's that time a year to start fresh and begin a new chapter in your life. Instead of making new years resolutions that will probably be broken in a few weeks I decided to instead make some goals for myself to accomplish this year. Hopefully I can stick to these goals and make 2012 the best it can be!

First, I would love to fill 2012 with better eating habits, and a healthier overall lifestyle. I did an ok job of that in 2011, but it's definitely something I struggle with and could always improve on. And dating a runner has kind of inspired me to get up off the couch, put down the pizza and start making some better health choices.  

Be braver in my fashion choices and not afraid to shine. I love fashion, but sometimes am too afraid to take risks and wear something that is fashion forward and a little flashy. My friends are laughing right now since they think I always take risks...but I do often  reserve myself.

Experiment with my cooking and making more fun and creative foods, while also improving on my baking.  I got some awesome Christmas gifts... a stockpot and cake decorating tools. (so EXCITED to use both!) They will for sure be very useful for this goal.

I also want to spend more time with the people who I care about and love and make my relationships stronger. Life is short and I want to make the most of it and spend as much time as possible with them. Especially the new relationship that developed in 2011. He is so incredible and kind, and I'm so excited to spend this year with him!

And hopefully in addition to all this I can find time to get away and get some R&R on a beachy vacation!! With a new promotion and lots of work I know 2012 will be a little more stressful.

Wear to go from here... I don't know where to start. Do I hit the kitchen or the gym, maybe the grocery store or the mall. So man options... go thing I have 357 days left!

*Megs

**Also bloggin more and not taking month long hiatis is also a secondary goal!

Stylish Snow Bunny

This year I am finally going on a ski trip! And it’s going to be at Whistler!! I used to ski and snowboard all the time as a kid. But fast forward 10 years, I’m pretty sure I am going to be terrible now. I’m still on the fence about actually going skiing, so we will see how I feel once I am up there. Might just be fun to play around in the snow and see the sights!

But since it’s been so long since I've been in actual snow I no longer have any well fitting and stylish snow clothes. Thus requiring me to go SHOPPING! Here is the ideal outfit I came up with that assures I will be warm and dry on the slopes! And of course includes sequin Ugg boots...I can't go anywhere without a little sparkle!!!

Now feeling more confident… all I need is some rental gear.

(from the left, clockwise)

North Face Women’s  Ginger Delux Jacket $349

North Face Freedom LRBC Insulated Pants $159.00

DAKINE Audrey Visor Beanie $30.00

Collection XIIX Basket Weave Loop Scarf $34.00

UGG® Australia 'Classic Sparkles' Boot $169.95

North Face 'Metropolis' Gloves $60.00

I can already tell this is going to be an expensive vacation!

Wear to go from here… The North Face store, then REI, then Nordstrom

…anything I’m forgetting?

*Megs

Tech-ie Delight

This year there has been an array of tech products coming out that are both fun and very functional. I personally can’t live without my iphone and ipad and am a die-hard apple fan! And come from a tech-ie family! Both my parents and siblings have those products too, so it’s been hard to find some other things that might be nice to get them. Although browsing online I found some awesome stuff for under $200 that will definitely delight the tech-ie in your life on Christmas morning!

1. The iPhone Photo Printer $159.90
2. CLARISONIC® Pink Skincare System $195
3. Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker iPod, iPhone and iPad $199
4. Kindle Fire $199
5. kate spade new york rigid iPhone 4 & 4S cover $40
6. DVF Zip Around Ipad Case $135
7. Tumi Ultra Slim Universal Power Adapter Kit $195
8. NEW Nintendo 3DS Cosmo Black $199
9. MIE2 mobile headset $116.95
10. Tumi Netbook Carry Cover $95

Wear to go from here… hmmm, just need to decide who gets what!!

*Megs

Countdown to Christmas

I can’t believe that it’s the first day of December. Where has this year gone? I swear we were planning summer vacations, bachelorette parties and wedding details just a few weeks ago. Now it’s onto Christmas decorating, baking cookies, attending holiday parties and creating shopping lists.
This is by far my favorite holiday with all the festive decorations that make everything sparkle and shine, and generally seem to put people in a good mood!

I'm so excited to dive into the season and just have fun this year. I have gifting craft days planned, a ski trip to Whistler and hoping to make lots of fun holiday dishes (since the thanksgiving sweet potatoes where a hit! I'm feeling more confident.)

Here is to a great December and holiday season!

Wear to go from here…out to start decorating, cooking and hitting up the stores!

*Megs

Thankful in 2011

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Tomorrow is the big day and I am so excited to totally indulge myself with all the great food to be expected by my family. Unfortunately my Food Challenge didn't go as good as planned. Just got way to busy with weekend trips and busy work days. But my selected dish for tomorrow is sweet potatoes...so it's GO-TIME! Must get to the store quickly today after work and hit the kitchen! Hopefully it's a success...not the un-wanted dish on the table that's left over after dinner.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I wanted to mention 5 things that I am thankful for this year! It's been a pretty great 2011 and I feel there is lots to be thankful for.

1. My family and friends who I am so close too and have got to spend some very special days with them this year that made me so excited and happy to be there for them!
2. A little doggie who was brought home in January and makes up the other half of my "family"!
3. A job that I love with people who make my day more joyful!
4. A nice clean and warm (well most of the time) apartment that makes me excited to be at home!
5. The life experiences I have had this year that have made me stronger and taught me a lot about myself and who I am and what I want to strive to be!  

What are you thankful for?

Wear to go from here... hitting I5 at 3pm to head south for the holiday! WAHOOOOO!!!! 

*Megs 

Back to Basic

I am in dire need of a new basic black dress boot. I have practically worn through mine and they are looking quite shabby these days! I am really interested in a wedge boot since they tend to be slightly more comfortable and are a good style that goes with everything. I’ve been on the hunt for a few weeks now and haven’t found that perfect pair yet! But with payday and an wide open weekend I am on a shopping mission!

But here are some contenders I have found that I want to check out!

Vince Camuto

Pour La Victoire

Report

Not sure if I will want to spurge for the Pour La Victoire… but just in case they are amazing, I’m keeping an open mind. Giving Christmas gifts are over rated right! Hehe!!

Wear to go from here... off the the mall!

*Megs

Holiday Food Challenge #2 - complete!

So I finally got around to my 2nd Holiday Food Challenge this week. And since I have committed to a dairy free November (Hopefully I can stay strong the entire month...cheese is my biggest weakness!!) I thought I would try some recipes that use alternative ingredients to dairy. For my first attempt at being dairyless I tried Creamy Vegan Mashed Potatoes. The secret to the creaminess was Vegenaise which made me super skeptical, but it turned out so good it might be the way I always make them!

I made them at the new boy's (yes there is a new bf!) house and was so focused on talking to him and being so hungry I totally forgot to snap any pictures, but really they looked just like regular old mashed potatoes so you were not missing much.

Here are the ingredients... Recipe link above!

8 -10 potatoes

1/4 cup Vegenaise

1/2-1 1/2 cup plain soy milk

1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 -3 tablespoons italian seasoning

1 -2 teaspoon seasoning salt

1 -2 teaspoon onion powder

1 -2 teaspoon garlic powder

salt & pepper

So if you are not oppose to soy milk and vegenaise you will really enjoy this because it was AMAZING!! And was super easy. After boling the potatoes for 30 minutes the rest literilly took about 10 minutes.

Wear to go from here... onto Holiday Food Challenge #3!
Gotta get going, only have 2 more weeks and so many recipes to try!
*Megs