Party, Party, Party!

I felt like Cinderella. In May, I gave up getting "dressed" for the office in order to live in sweats and yoga pants for a nanny position that is segueing me into the life I've always dreamed of - being a SAHM. But when I received an invitation to my boss' yearly Christmas cocktail party, I knew it was my chance to finally get glammed up after such a long time of losing my identity behind the bulk of too big t-shirts. I'd been on the search for the perfect long-sleeved black shift dress, preferably with lace detailing, and on Friday, I still hadn't found the perfect frock. Instead of giving up and wearing something I already owned, I bought a dress at Kohl's that was just okay. Then, it hit me. Hello... I never shop at department stores, so I should probably just try it this once. JCPenny was the jackpot! I found my perfect dress and was able to return the mediocre one. Getting dressed up in the cocktail dress of my dreams, doing my hair and make-up, and wearing ridiculous shoes that made me want to cry was SO.MUCH.FUN!

dress: R&K from JCPenny

shoes: Mossimo from Target

bag: Dama Handbags, won from TFD giveaway

 face make-up: Dinair Airbrush kit + Bare Minerals 

eyeshadow: e.l.f. Studio palette 

mascara: L'Oreal Million Lashes

lipstick: Jet Setter by Rimmel

My brother caught a picture of me telling the dog to back it up out of my photo sesh. Although I look like a bossy brat, this is the only good picture of my silver and black eyeshadow, so in place of fear that you'll think I'm a yeller, I'll spare myself and imagine you really just wanted to see my make-up.

And just like Cinderella, I had a wonderful time at the party, came home, and got back into my rags. Then I spent the entire glamorous night waking up with my itty bitty who is very, very sick with a cold/cough situation. Pray she gets it out of her system before the holiday!

Polka Dotted

Yesterday, I scrubbed my bathroom until my back hurt so badly that the whole place literally sparkled. After taking a shower, I didn't know what my plans were, but I knew I was going to get out of grungy clothes and my brand new Old Navy (sale!) sweater fit the bill, perfectly. Can't go wrong with some polka dots!

sweater: Old Navy ($10!)

cami: Kohl's

jeans: Old Navy

headband: Target

shoes: via Whitney

lipstick: Jet Setter by Rimmel

I ended up taking Little S. to pick up my friend, Melanie. We went to AC Moore and did some craft shopping, then by the time we got back to my place to hang out, Husband showed up early from work! I was terrified when I heard the door open because he was about an hour early. Needless to say, my evening was cut short, but it was much needed because I was exhausted! I'm looking forward to seeing my friend again, soon! And I can't wait to style this sweater, again. It's so cute!

Children's Museum

When we visited my in-laws for Thanksgiving. Husband, MIL and I took Little S. to the Portsmouth, VA Children's Museum. If you're ever able to go, you really should take your kids there. There are so many hands-on activities (and lots of hand sanitizing stations) for the kiddos and Little S. had an absolute blast!

Watching the trains

Moving freight from a cargo ship to land!

Little S. and her daddy inside of a bubble!

She got to "drive" a real fire truck.

Police motorcycle!

 Firefighter S!

Enormous chair... as if I didn't already feel small.

A little over halfway through the visit, Little S. took a break on daddy's shoulders.

Learning about pulley systems

This was not easy.

Electricity!

Little S. checking her image out on the opposite side of a pin board

I'd never been to one of these hands-on kids' museums before and I was so pleased with all of the things we could play with! Not included in the photos, but also enjoyed were grocery shopping, being a veterinarian, playing doctor and dentist, going to see Christmas lights, learning about air with vacuums, hot air balloons, and rockets, and going through a home and garden to learn about energy and bugs!

Also, this was our first attempt at pigtails. Just an FYI. And we LOVE them!

Happy Holidays!

This is literally my most favorite time of year. I love the decorations and the baking, the hustle and bustle of shopping (although we're not really doing that bit this year), wrapping gifts, lighting up the tree, driving around and looking at other houses, playing traditional (none of that N'Sync stuff over here) Christmas music, and trying to remain in the very thankful state of mind that this holiday is truly meant to be about.

Since starting to go to church again this year, I have become a TRUE Christian. I mean, I've always been a believer, but I'm walking a path I've never experienced before and I'm truly in awe of what Jesus has done and continues to do for me. Below you'll see one of my most beloved possessions: My nativity. My mom gave this to me as a gift last year and it is extremely special. Hand-carved IN Jerusalem from Jerusalem palm wood... so much meaning. And that sweet little baby Jesus is what Christmas and all year means to me.

Of course, I love the glitz and glamour of trees and garland and wreaths, too! So I'll share our Christmas decor with you from the inside to outside. I hope you enjoy! And if you've done a post about your decorations, I'd love if you'd leave a link so I can hop over and see!

You know "I love lamp?" Well, this year our motto is going to have to be, "I love tree." Little S. hugs it to sleep every night. Cutest thing. EVER.

I hope everyone who celebrates is enjoying the holiday season so far. Don't let the stress build up. Enjoy it for what it is. Be thankful. Spend time with your family. And for goodness sake, eat some cookies. Don't forget to bake for Santa, too!

Little S. Meets Santa!

There comes a time in our lives when it's time to meet Santa. Little S. was terrified of "characters" last year, so we thought putting her on the lap of a stranger would have been traumatizing. This year, she's been on the search for Santa since the day after Halloween (kid after my own heart). So as soon as we had the opportunity, a meeting with Santa was on our to-do list. The day came sooner than we thought it would, but Little S. was ecstatic. And oh-so-nervous.

She was awe-struck and shook Santa's hand like it was made of glass.

I've never seen her so shy! Biting nails and looking down... but it was sweet!

She told Santa she was a good girl and really wanted Toodee and Muno (from Yo Gabba Gabba).

When Santa told Little S. to give him a hug and say, "bye-bye", she looked at him like the world was going to end. She hugged him and looked down like she was about to cry that it was all over.

And then... we talked about Santa until...

We haven't stopped.

Have your kids met Santa? Have they seen him this year?

Domesticated

One of my goals in life is to make sure my daughter isn't as OCD about domestic things as I am. I want her to enjoy her life fully and as much as I'm very happy, I have lost a lot of sleep and taken a lot of anxiety medication over a messy house or laundry not being done. That being said, I really enjoy being domesticated (and stuff) during the holidays! And Little S. really took to decorating the tree and baking Christmas treats to send to family members that we won't get to see over the holiday. Little S. wore her apron (even out on our errands!), mixed the brownie batter, and vacuumed with her daddy.

We finally got batteries for Little S.' vacuum cleaner and as soon as she heard daddy running the vacuum, she grabbed her own, ran into our bedroom, and started working right alongside him. (Husband is being awesome and vacuuming the dust off of our ceiling fans... Does anyone else run into that issue?)

While the two look-alikes worked on the cleaning, I baked literally all.day.long. What's the result? Oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate peanut butter fudge brownies, double chocolate brownies, cinnamon clove cookies, oatmeal cookies, regular shortbread and cocoa almond shortbread. All of those are tightly sealed and waiting for next weekend's coconut lemon bars and white chocolate peppermint pretzel rods to be made and then the mail's going out! Now, I just have to keep Husband and Little S. out of the cookie jar(s).

^ Shortbreads - the small slice is a half of the one I gave my neighbor for feedback.

^ Double chocolate brownies

^ Cinnamon clove cookies baking in the oven!

^ I'm going to need to hide these babies so they last before sending!

I hope the recipients of le baked goods enjoy them! And I'll be back tomorrow with Little S.' visit with Santa!