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Some wrapping inspiration from Pinterest

 

 

 Source: Pinterest

Happy Christmas!

I have vowed not to stress this Christmas! 
Instead, I am focusing on enjoying time with my girls 
(4 & 6 yrs old), so that I don't regret not soaking it all in at this precious age. They are delicious! ❤

Glass Pendant from Glitter & Bliss

Looking for a unique gift for a special woman in your life? These unique monogrammed pendant necklaces from Glitter & Bliss are beautiful!  I had both of my daughter's names engraved inside. And affordable too!

Halloween Cocktail~Pina Ghoulada

 

A frothy drink is tempting enough, but one served in a red-rimmed glass is particularly enticing to monsters who drink blood. Corn syrup with food coloring tinges the classic pina colada with a devilish sweetness. Dip the rim of each glass into the red mixture, spinning slowly to coat. Turn glasses upright; the red liquid will drip slightly, then set. Pour drinks, and serve. Drinkers' lips may be stained pink -- much like those of a sated vampire.

Ingredients

• FOR THE "BLOOD"

  • 3 tablespoons corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoons red food coloring

• FOR THE DRINK

  • 20 ounces pineapple juice
  • 1 can (15 ounces) cream of coconut
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 10 ounces good-quality rum

Directions

1. Pour the corn syrup in a shallow bowl. Dip a toothpick into the food coloring, and stir a very small amount into the syrup to combine. Hold a glass by the stem, dip rim into the syrup mixture, and turn glass, coating entire rim. Turn the glass upright, allowing mixture to drip down sides. Dip the remaining glasses. Set aside.
2. Whisk together drink ingredients. Place 2 1/2 cups ice in a blender, and add 1 cup drink mixture. Blend until smooth; add more pineapple juice if mixture is too thick. Repeat with remaining ice and mixture. Carefully pour into prepared glasses; serve.

Source:

Martha Stewart

More velvet pumpkins

I know I have featured these velvet pumpkins from plush pumpkins before, but they are so fun this time of year I had to re-post!  =)

So many colors to choose from.. loving the leopard and hot pink!

Flower Girls and Umbrellas!

My daughters were flower girls in a wedding this past weekend and we had so much fun! The weather did not cooperate, however every cloud has a silver lining because the umbrellas used in the photographs were so gorgeous and made the photos unique. I think it turned out to be a blessing that it rained! 
Source: Sara Colket Photography
www.colketphoto.com

(click on photo to view larger)

Our never-ending renovation!

Happy Sunday! We are finally wrapping up our house project and I am hopeful that we will complete our project this week. Things stalled a little over the summer because we were away so much. We are back on track now and ready to wrap things up and move this property! This property was particularly difficult due to the amount of structural, electrical, and plumbing work that needed to be done.. along with the time that needed to be devoted to it and of course, trying to get our contractors to actually show up!! But having said that, we are over the hump and everything left to do should be strictly cosmetic. It may not really look like it from the photos below, but this is real progress!  =)

Countertops are in! New windows are in! Ready to install the new appliances, finally!

Half-wall is down and support beam installed. New windows, ceiling, lighting and paint, done.

Refinishing the walls and woodwork

The bathroom was completely gutted.

Classic white subway tile is always the way to go.

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

My little helper

Bedroom 3

Fall Comfort Food

Yummmmy

Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Tomato Soup & Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Apple Cider

Pumpkin Muffin with Cream Cheese Filling

Tomato, Mozzarella & Pesto Panini

Caramel Apples

Velvet Pumpkins

As I get ready for some Autumn nesting, I am obsessing over these fabulous velvet pumpkins! 
They come in an array of colors and are finished off with a real pumpkin stem. So pretty!

Resource: http://plushpumpkin.com/index.html

Bye Bye Summer

I have dropped the ball big time on blogging this summer because I was simply enjoying life too much! Now the summer has come to an end and I am back in the saddle! I have posted below a few snapshots of our little beach house where I happily reside in July and August. It is my happy place. =)  

I hope you all had a wonderful summer too.. please share!

Our summer abode

Girls bunks (the rug has to go!)

Sunroom opens to deck

Guest bedroom

Swim lessons with the lifeguards every morning

Our family pledge

Where all the fun happens!

I heart mermaids!

Me with my little ones

Daily cocktails are a must!  =)