{DIY} Waterless Snow Globes

I love Sweet Something Designs.  Michelle has a way with styling, decorating, and crafting!  Some of her room transformations are unbelievable.  I love her DIY post on her latest creations:  Waterless Snow Globes. 

{Images via Sweet Something Designs}

See the step-by-step tutorial HERE!

So cute, easy, and perfect for Christmas!



Operation Christmas Lights

After living in our home for over two years, we are finally biting the bullet.  We're hanging Christmas lights.  

This is not our house ~ but do you recognize it from one of my all-time favorite movies?  {We are teachers living in Orange County...there's no way we could afford a place like this!}  Our house will look much more "quaint", as I like to say.  We're going for the gingerbread house effect.  If it looks decent enough when we're done, I'll be sure to post. = )

We also finally put up these globe string lights out on our patio that I got for my birthday in August ~ can't wait to see what they look like in the dark!

I want to put up all of my other Christmas decor, but it's 85 degrees outside...that's just wrong.

Hope you all are having a lovely Sunday!

Fall Favorites

It's almost time to officially say goodbye to Fall.  My friend Jessi recently posted her Fall Favorites on her blog, Life's a Happy Hour, which inspired me to do the same.  Consider it my last attempt to hang on to all things Fall. 

Here are some of the products I've been loving this Fall:

1.  Striped Chunky Knit Sweater {Forever 21}

2.  Vampire Diaries {CW}

3.  UGG Boots

4.  Rubbish Cabled Slouchy Cardigan {Nordstrom}

5. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

6. Essie - Downtown Brown

7. Scatter Leaves {Crate & Barrel}

8. Grand Chenille Pillow Covers {Pottery Barn}

9. Slatkin & Co. "Leaves" room spray {Bath & Body Works}

10. Slatkin & Co. "Leaves" candle {Bath & Body Works}

11. Kloe Black Wedge Booties {Target}

12. Frenchi Marled Infinity Scarf {Nordstrom}

13. Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberry & Acai Berries {Costco}

14. Enzo Angiolini 'Saylem' Riding Boot {Nordstrom}

15. 'Always' Skinny Jean {GAP}

I hope you all had a wonderful Fall ~ Winter, here we come!

One LAST Pumpkin Recipe...

Sorry if you're completely over pumpkin, but I have to share this one last "Fall" recipe {it has chocolate in it for pete's sake!}.

Pumpkin Chocolate Dessert Cake

Click HERE for the recipe.

I made this cake for Thanksgiving.  It was delicious, but I will say that when I make this next year, I'll make a chocolate frosting or ganache instead. = )

I hope you are savoring your Thanksgiving leftovers today...turkey sandwiches, anyone?

Wishing you a...

{Catch my Party}

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1



{Homemade} Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Don't get me wrong; I LOVE Christmas. I love the decorations, the scents, the songs, the Gingerbread Lattes in those infamous red cups, and the magical feeling about the entire month of December. BUT it bothers me just a little more than slightly when I go to Starbucks and they're already playing Christmas classics over the stereo...in November. What ever happened to Thanksgiving?  It's no wonder Thanksgiving crept up on me so.  Our culture wants to skip it!


As an act of rebellion, I decided to post this delicious-looking homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe from Confections of a Foodie Bride that seems super easy to make {no fancy equipment needed}. 

{Images via Confections of a Foodie Bride}

No offense, Christmas, but I'm just not ready for you yet.  On Friday I'll be ready to deck the halls with the rest of the world. 

For the easy recipe for these Pumpkin Spice Lattes, click HERE!

Wishing you a cozy last weekend before Thanksgiving!

A Modern Thanksgiving Table via HWTM!

 Due to my Breaking Dawn extravaganza last night, I'm feeling sleepy to say the least {the movie was amazing by the way!}.  So, I'll keep this short and sweet.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I'm loving this stylish and modern Thanksgiving Tablescape created by Hostess With the Mostess!

 {HWTM blog}

Visit HWTM to see more!

{Wine Wednesday} Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

Not sure which wine to pair with some of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? 

 

Here's a great article filled with plenty of perfect pairing tips!

Cheers!

{Inspiration} Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Over the weekend I had a, "WHAT?!  Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK?!" kind of moment.   

So I decided to peruse the internet to get a little inspiration for this holiday that is quickly approaching.  Who did I turn to?  Martha, of course!

{Golden Harvest Thanksgiving Table}

{Table Toppers:  In a Nutshell}

{Paper Pilgrims Table - perfect for the kids}

{Quick Place Card - got any of these laying around your front yard?}

 

{Tabletop Collage}

{Glimmer & Shine}

{Mayflower Kids Table}

{Basket-weave Place Cards}

{Glowing Hurricane Glasses}

Blessings on your Thanksgiving planning!

Feeling Thankful...{a belated Veteran's Day weekend post}

I'm feeling quite thankful this Veteran's Day weekend.  Here is a list of a few of the things I'm thankful for {in no particular order}:

1.  Sleeping in on Friday morning

2.  Getting all of my grocery shopping done by 10 a.m. on Saturday

3.  Cold, "Fall" {for California} weather

4.  Wearing my Enzos all weekend:

5.  Sipping on a hot chai tea latte while catching up with friends at a local Starbucks {and getting a good seat ~ the big leather sofa}

6.  Making a yummy Pinterest-inspired paleo breakfast:

7.  ...Also completing a Pinterest-inspired home project {post coming soon!}

8.  Curling up on our chaise lounge with the Cardinals blanket that I made for my boyfriend eight years ago {he's now my husband = )}

9.  Finding the perfect gift for my Mother-in-law at Nordstrom, and treating myself to quite a few things at Forever 21

10.  Enjoying the scent of my favorite fall candle just about 24/7:

 {Seriously - behind my favorite Anthropologie candle, it's the best scent.  Ever.  Available at Bath & Body Works}

I hope you all had an awesome long weekend ~ and took some time to count your blessings as well!

Last Minute Memorial Day Treat!

If you're in the need of a quick last-minute Memorial Day treat, try these!

 Dip strawberries in white chocolate and then in fine blue sprinkles.  THAT'S IT!  Does it get any easier than that?

{Image via all-recipes.com}

Whether you're staying in, going to the beach, or to a family bbq...enjoy the long weekend!



Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

It's Teacher Appreciation Week at the school where I teach!

This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is hitting me a little harder than usual.  About a month ago I accepted a new job for next school year, working as the Admissions Event Coordinator for a great high school in Orange County!  I am so excited about this new phase of my life, but also sad to leave this one behind.  {More about that later -- I don't have time to get sappy!}

Anywho, I found the following adorable Teacher Appreciation gift ideas over at Sheek Shindigs.

Trust me when I say that any teacher would love any one of these!

{definitely my favorite}

{images via Sheek Shindigs}

When all else fails, a simple hand-made card will do the trick.  This one got the waterworks flowing for me this morning:

To Mrs. K, the Best Teacher in the Universe!

Thank you for all the hard work you do to make us students happy.  You are so nice and you believe in me.  You are honestly the best teacher I have ever had.  I hate that this amazing year has to end so soon, but all good things have to end.  Thank you for teaching and have fun at your new job.

You rule!

KIDS ARE THE BEST.

A Mother's Day Favorite ~ El Adobe De Capistrano!

Happy belated Mother's Day to all of you Mommies out there!  You are loved, appreciated, and admired!

It's my husband's family tradition to celebrate Mother's Day at El Adobe De Capistrano.  They have an amazing brunch and such a neat atmosphere.  I wanted to make sure all of you Southern California natives knew about this awesome restaurant!

This adobe {now restaurant} was built in 1797!

This is where special events are held at the El Adobe.  There is plenty of seating inside and outside of the restaurant!

Bar/Lounge area

Right across the street...Mission San Juan Capistrano! {and Starbucks}

This would make such a fun date (hint, hint MR. K!):  Hop on the train and get off at San Juan Capistrano.  Browse the streets and neat shops.  Take a tour of the Mission ($9 for Adults, $5 for children 4-11 years, FREE for children under 3).  End your day with a yummy meal and refreshing margarita at El Adobe.  Take a Starbucks latte to go for the train ride home.  Sounds like one fun day to me!

El Adobe has a great lunch and happy hour, too.  Check it out!

I hope you all had a great MOTHER'S DAY!

A Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother's Day is less than a week away! We all know that Mom would be grateful for any gift that her children give.  But here are some ideas for a gift she is sure to love!

FOR THE MOM WHO...

...is a fan of DIY projects:

{tutorial via Tatertots & Jello}

...loves a classy mailed envelope:

{custom address stamps from The Paper Source}

...loves to get creative in the kitchen:

{buy at Amazon}

...takes time to relax:

{my all-time favorite scent, Capri Blue, from Anthropologie}

...is on the go:

{sequin & straw tote from GAP}

...loves nature:

{live orchids from Pottery Barn}

...loves photos of "the kids:"

{Loopy 4x6 frame from Crate & Barrel}

...likes to unwind {without the calories}:

{Bethenny Frankel's Skinnygirl Margarita}

...has a sweet tooth:

{Linzer Heart Cookies via Martha Stewart}

...is chic and down for a good cause:

{Bumboo bracelets from 31 Bits}

and

{oh-so-comfy-cute Toms wedges}

Keep Calm and Hop On!

{Printable available at A Mama's Two Cents Worth via Tatertots & Jello}

Just a cute little reminder for another stressful week!

Count Down to Greek Easter!

My big fat Greek family is celebrating Easter Greek style this year.  I'm so excited for this delicious meal!  It will also be the perfect send-off for my Grandma who is returning to Greece in early May.

Here are some of the yummy dishes I'm looking forward to:

Happy Holy Week!