Word Up Wednesday

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Helloooo December :)

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Oh so true.  Here's to not procrastinating in December (and 2011)

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Ooh I am just so excited for the holidays!!

Song Of The Week: Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24

Oh Holy Night can you believe it is already time to begin listening to holiday music?  I can't lie, I cheated and began listening to 103.5 on Tuesday of last week off and on.  However, it's holiday music always from here on out until the new year.  While I have many favorite holiday songs, I thought best to start the 2010 Holiday with Christmas/ Sarajevo 12/24 (Instrumental). 

This song is powerful and full of emotion.  It is also one of the Christmas songs that I think men really enjoy rocking out to and can have a jam session in their car to, without looking too silly.  I also am fascinated by the light coordination to this song in the video above.  I remember watching it years ago and being amazed and I just watched it again and was impressed. 

'Tis the season and I couldn't be more excited!  Stay tuned for great gift ideas, holiday treats and all things festive!

Desperately Seeking Sully ~ Thanksgiving Grub

We have officially entered my favorite food season of the year, Thanksgiving and Christmas - oh me oh my! 

I love pumpkin, Turkey, cinnamon, stuffing (even though "technically" I really like dressing), wine, cranberry jelly (yes straight out of the can), bread and more wine.  It is all just scrump-diddly-uptious! 

My favorite kind of potatoes (besides french fries) is Classic Potato Gratin .  I am really excited that I get enjoy some on Thursday.  It has been a long time!

I despise lumpy mashed potatoes and am really picky when it comes to mashers.  I am pretty sure that this Potato Masher  from Williams Sonoma would aid in the creation of perfect mashers for Turkey Day.

I have been responsible for the turkey portion of our meal for the past 7 Thanksgivings, but this year I passed the torch.  I will say for those of you in charge of your own turkey should most definitely try brining the bird.  Crate & Barrel makes it really easy with this handy dandy Turkey Brine and Brining Bag  all in one.  Just boil up the mix, place in the enclosed bag, toss in the turkey and voila!  Instant goodness. 

I love stuffed mushrooms and often times cannot partake in enjoying them since they are filled with crab most times.  However I am pretty sure I can enjoy this Tuscan Stuffed Mushroom Mix.  The mix is full of tasty spices and makes stuffing mushrooms so easy (it also makes those allergic to shellfish really happy). 

I warned you that I am a lover of pumpkin, and this Perfect Endings Pumpkin Cheesecake is sure to please any and all who love pumpkin.  Not only is is lovely to look at, but the flavor I imagine is equally amazing.  Pumpkin Cheesecake is also a nice way to mix it up from the traditional pumpkin pie. 

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This Thanksgiving I will be dividing my time between two separate parties.  For the first party I will be enjoying wine (most likely a few bottles of this or this) and apps.  My contribution will be Mac and Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash. I am taking a chance, as I have never made it before...but it looks just so pretty and festive and I am sure will be equally delectable. 

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For my second Thanksgiving celebration of the day I will be sitting down for dinner and responsible for dessert.  Apple pie and pumpkin mousse will already be present, so I opted to try and recreate one of my favorite desserts from Westside Tavern the Sticky Toffee Cake.  This recipe does not look easy to make, but if it turns out even 80% as good as the original I am alright with that. 

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods?  What are you responsible for?  Any recipes you would like to share? 

Happy Eating!

Song Of The Week: Raise Your Glass

P!nk's Raise Your Glass (Explicit Version) seems very fitting for song of the week.  I along with many of you I imagine will be raising your glass to celebrate friends, family, the holidays and everything you are thankful for.  I love the energy of this song and I am all for raising my glass whenever possible. 

In addition to raising a glass to all that I am thankful for, I will also be raising a glass to Jackie and her new addition to the family Delaney.  She is absolutely precious and I am overjoyed for the R family. 

I am also raising a glass to Michelle and her recent engagement to Mr. Zito!  Her ring is absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't be happier for the two of them! 

Cheers!

Forever Frugal Friday ~ Thanksgiving Style

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, I realized I still haven't figured out what I am planning to wear to my two Thanksgiving gatherings.  I came across the two outfits below and think they are both contenders...

This first look I am heavily leaning towards.  I love the casualness of it, but also the instant glamour with the addition of the Sequin Crop Jacket.  You can pick up your own Skinny Knit Pants which are sure to allow some stretch so you can enjoy all the food goodness.  A slouchy white shirt I already own in my closet and some different heels, and I am good to go.




But then I wonder if I shouldn't head down a fancier route with this Lamé Contrast Dress instead.  I love the look with the booties and would perhaps toughen it up a bit with the addition of this Ribbed Collar Leatherette Jacket.  The dress still allows room for your food baby but conceals it well and allows you to look very dazzling.

Which outfit gets your vote?  Or do neither work and you have a better thought of what I should wear?!  Thanks ladies!

HP7: Part One

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Call me a geek if you like, but this 30 year old is really excited for the latest Harry Potter film that comes out tomorrow!

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows

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I first began the series in my Young Adult Literature course at WSU and was amazed by the imagination of J.K. Rowling.  The books are very well written and although geared towards young adults and children very enjoyable for people of all ages.  I cried at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) and was so excited to dive into Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) to see how it would all end.  When I finished the book I felt satisfied and yet also sad that there would no longer be any adventures of Harry Potter to read. 

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The producers of the movies did an outstanding job casting for the books.  The characters are everything and more than I could have imagined myself and to watch them grow from these little cuties to adults.  They did it with grace and also without taking a page from the Lindsay Lohan book and ending up in rehab and quite an accomplishment if you ask me.  

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We meet the darling Mr. H Potter living under the stairs and little do we know how important this little fellow will soon become.

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We learned what "muggles" are. 

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We learned that Dumbledore was a pretty incredible wizard who ran the hell out of Hogwarts.

We learned that anyone possessing this mark on their arm was a "Death Eater" and could not be trusted.

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We learned that "He Who Must Not Be Named" is actually named Voldermort and is evil as they come (and also can shake it just like Shakira).

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And of course, that even if you can't see or be with the ones you love, they are always a part of you no matter what. 

If you haven't read these books, please give them a shot.  I think you will find them highly entertaining and you will soon be attached Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore and Snape in no time. 

In case you also have been in a cave these past few months and missed the preview for Part I, for your viewing pleasure you can see it below (I still get goosebumps).  My tickets are good to go for tomorrow, and I absolutely cannot wait!

Groupon Love - American Apparel

If you love American Apparel as much as I do, then you would be silly not to purchase today's Groupon.  Valid at any American Apparel location in the US.  You can bet that I will be purchasing these, this in Hunter Green and perhaps a few of these headbands.  $25 for $50 worth of goods has never looked better!