I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

......and who isn't? I would love to have a beautiful snowy white Christmas but in this case I am talking about the movie White Christmas (a.k.a. my FAVORITE Christmas movie). This movie is filled with entertaining song/dance numbers and lovely fashion....it's an inspirational snack! I don't normally love musicals but I just love the way this one has been done! If you have never seen it (hopefully you have) please rent it immediately! You will not be sorry you saw this classic Christmas film!

Bing Crosby (top hat and all) and Rosemary Clooney singing at a piano...is that classic enough for you?

The Minstrel number is probably one of my favorite parts of this movie!

What's YOUR favorite Christmas movie?

Gingerbread Mug Perches

Check out these simply lovely mug perches found at Not Martha. How much do you want to make a million of these??? What a festive addition to your holiday traditions! These would make amazing garnishes for a Christmas party, and the PERFECT hostess gift for the times when you are the Christmas guest! I need to get into the kitchen and make these immediately!

You can find full instructions and helpful hints here.

Layer Cake Shop Christmas Lovelies!

Layer Cake Shop is FULL of ADORABLE baking compliments! My favorite part of the site to browse is the cake topper section. I can bake simple cupcakes from a box, add colorful frosting, and top with something festive and kitschy ....and I no longer have plain cupcakes...I have CUPCAKES!!! Check out this cuteness!

Oh tinsel tree ! Oh tinsel tree! How lovely are you branches!

(Silver Tree Picks $2.25 for 12)

Mmmmm peppermint cupcakes! top with a mini version of a Christmas classic and instant cute!

(Red Candy Stripe Baking Cups $3.25 for 50)

Layer Cake Shop is filled with all kinds of cute tags for pastry bags and boxes!

(Whipped Cream Bakery Labels 36 for $1.75)

I can just picture these train toppers individually on cupcakes surrounding a mini Christmas tree!

(Train Topper $3.75 1 set)

Now Bake away, bake away, bake away all!!!

(Merry Christmas Plaque .75)

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Dreaming of a white Christmas but don't live in a snowy state?

You can give your loved ones that white Christmas that you have both dreamed of with this clever idea! A girl that I work with came up with this and I think it's just too adorable not to share with you! This works best as a Christmas Eve project, it creates the most magic that way.

All you need to do is decorate your home with paper snowflakes , cotton ball strings, and paper chain ( anyone seen the movie Elf?)and turn down your thermostat to make is extra "snowy". I just love this idea! Imagine being a child awaken to your mother telling you "It's snowing! It's snowing!" when you live in Florida!

Further imagine the excitement you would experience when you get out of bed, put on a sweater, and rush through your house which has been transformed into a winter wonderland!! Magical!

Homemade Thanksgiving Hair-Wear

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I decided to sit down and create some festive hair accessories! This is what I came up with.....

I made leaves out of felt and used thread to create the details.

Buttons found at a thrift store looked fantastic grouped together and attached to a headband.

I attached lots of small feathers to a piece of felt (isn't felt the best?)

and sewed on a button at the bottom to finish it off.

Now go forth and create you own festive Thanksgiving hair-wear!! Have fun and Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello Holidays!

Well well well.....it's that time of year once again. It's almost time to preheat the oven for the turkey, bust out your famous pumpkin recipes, and spend time with family and friends! I have to frequently remind myself to not forget about Thanksgiving every year. Christmas is just the best! I love the gift wrapping, the lights, the musics, and all of the holiday events that allow you to slow down and reconnect with people you haven't seen all year.  This year I am roasting a pre-Thanksgiving Turkey at my house to celebrate before I celebrate with the rest of my extended family on Thanksgiving day. The menu is coming together nicely. This will be the first year I put something like this together but I am excited! I plan to find a few affordable  touches to make the table look fantastic! I would also love to make these turkey pops that I posted about last year! Get out your rolling pins and roasting pans....thanksgiving is almost here!

A Classic Christmas

Today is Christmas Day, and I have been thinking about Christmas's gone by. I've put together a playlist of holiday songs that remind me of christmas of yester-year. So , enjoy family today and make every moment count!

1. Mele Kalikimaka - Bing Crosby

2. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! - Ella Fitzgerald
3. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry and The Pinafores
4. Santa Claus is Comin' To Town - Perry Como
5. Mistletoe and Holly- Frank Sinatra
6. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
8. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree- Brenda Lee
9. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Connie Francis

10. Christmas Time is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Creative Home Made Gift Tags

Follow the Better Homes and Gardens link to see tons of creative gift tags! What a great way to add a personal touch to your gorgeous packages!
Better Homes and Gardens has alot of creative ways to decorate and wrap for the holidays! Check it out!

The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs

My new favorite holiday CD!The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs is an album with a lovely soothing blend of female singer-songwriters, crooning s all into the holiday spirit of relaxation. Although there are a few quite upbeat tracks, Fiona Apple and KT Tunstall spin updated versions of "Frosty The Snowman" and "Sleigh Ride" that are sure to get ANYONE into the Christmas spirit!
This CD would make a great last minute stocking stuffer!


Sarah Barielles and Ingrid Michaelson performing "Winter Song" ( so beautiful! )


1. Winter Song- Sarah Barielles and Ingrid Michaelson
2. The Heartache Can't Wait-Brandi Carlile
3. All My Bells Are Ringing- Lenka
4. Sleigh Ride- KT Tunstall
5. Silver Bells- Alice Smith
6. Frosty The Snowman- Fiona Apple
7. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Holly Conlan
8. Maybe Next Year ( x-mas song ) - Meiko
9. White Christmas- Katy Perry
10. Mistletoe- Colbie Calliat
11. Silent Night- Priscilla Ahn
12. Winter Wonderland- Katie Havnevik
13. The Christmas Song- Catherine Feeny
14. Auld Lang Syne ( artist medley )

Candy Cane Martini

Try this super easy cocktail recipe for your holiday party this year!

ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz. vodka (your choice)
- 1 teaspoon peppermint schnapps

Directions:
Shake all ingredients together with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into a martini glass rimmed with crushed candy cane OR garnish with a miniature candy cane!

Peacock Inspired Holiday by Hostess with the Mostess

The Hostess With The Mostess is Jennifer Sbranti, party planner to the stars! I love her blog and read it religiously!(hostessblog.com) She has created this wonderful peacock styled holiday get-together. I love the way she uses common Christmas items and affordable ornaments in an unexpected and innovative fashion. She is my inspiration and obsession!....Here's to getting you hooked too!

Cookie Dough Gift Bundles

This Christmas you could..send out Christmas cards that everyone just throws away, or buy a rediculously overpriced pre-packaged gift basket, or the ever popular ...bake cookies. I love the idea of baking someone their favorite type of cookie and give it as a gift around the holidays (it's personal , and it doesn't break the bank) but I have noticed that if I recieve cookies ( or other baked goods) from too many people, they tend to get stale before I can eat them all. NEW IDEA! This year give them cookie dough! Whip up your grandmother's famous chocolate chip cookie recipe and package the cookie dough log in parchment paper with a strip of scrapbooking paper wrapped around the center, and secure ends with ribbon. All you do from this point is include cooking instructions and Voila! Now your loved ones can bienge on their favorites whenever they choose!

It's Black Friday once Again

Black Friday is upon us once again, so I hope everyone went out this morning before the sun even bothered to come up and waited in line for hours just to get that perfect gift for someone special (or yourself) for just the right price. Today can be the scariest day of the year if you are persuing a "hot item" like a TV or computer....be prepared to FIGHT for it. A few years back, I actually saw someone get tazed because a fight errupted in Walmart over an Xbox that had been marked down by $100.00. Many people now go out on the hunt simply because of tradition, even if you aren't looking for one of those previously described "hot items" , you can still score some cheap DVDs and some awesome people watching!So if you are up to it, head out to the stores, scoop up some good deals, and maybe even start a new tradition!

Gobble Pops

>
I found these super cute cake pops on Bakerella.blogspot.com! They are surprisingly easy to make and are perfect for Thanksgiving!You will need a few items from the candy store to add the on the turkey's face and feathers.You will need chocolate covered espresso beans for the head, color coated candies (orange) for the beak, and heart shaped sprinkles for the wattle , you will also need pretzel sticks for the legs.Just follow the instructions on bakerella.blospot.com and celebrate your Thanksgiving with your very own Gobble pops!

Pumpkin Spice Lattes Make me Happy! ( And Now I Can Make Them At Home! )

The secret to the glorious flavor of a pumpkin spice latte is the syrup, and pumpkin spice syrup is quite easy to make. Just make simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar (I used 1 cup each) simmered on the stovetop, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved). Add in pumpkin pie spices (I used 2 Tspn. ground cinnamon and 1/2 tbsp. each ground cloves, ginger, and nutmeg) and simmer for five minutes. Strain the spices and grit out of the liquid by pouring it through a few layers of cheesecloth, then add a tablespoon of pure vanilla extract.

Store the cooled syrup in a glass bottle or jar, away from direct sunlight, or in the fridge.

To make a latte, combine 2 shots of espresso with about 2 Tbsp. spice syrup, then add steamed milk. For extra decadence, top with whipped cream, sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on top, and pop in a cinnamon stick. Voila!