Tis the Season for Christmas Cards!

Holiday card season is upon us, and oh how I do love a good Christmas card!  My parents always sent Christmas cards out by the dozens, which in turn meant we received a bounty of them ourselves.  I fondly emember stalking the mailbox with my sisters, pouring over the new cards, the shining smiles, the gold embossed into the paper, arranging our new cards and adding them to our artful display in our kitchen.

For many years, my mom handmade all of our Christmas cards, which I appreciate now more than ever as an adult, being able to now fully recognize the amount of time and effort she invested into this favorite tradition.  Nowadays, the templates available online are light years ahead of the options available when we were kids.  Again, I'm turning to good ol' dependable Tiny Prints for our first holiday card as a family of three this year, whose printed cards always turn out polished and classy (also because they frequently offer sweet discount codes!).

Some of my favorites include...

 {Christmas caroling}

{Bold and bright}

 {Simple and sweet}

{Arrows and snowflakes}

Are you a Christmas/holiday card giver?

Blog it Forward

One thing I love about blogging, is that it is never ending. I'm constantly editing and revising my google reader feeds, whether thats counting the years I've been reading old favorites or removing sites that have decided to end their blogging run.

Discovering a new blog is like discovering that delightfully wrapped gift hiding in the nook behind the Christmas tree once you've thought all the presents had been opened. When I happen to stumble upon a new blog that is both lovely, entertaining, and keeps my interest beyond a single post, I add it to my "trying out," folder in google reader. Eventually I usually convert these new finds to favorites, but I give each blog a trial period. I feel it's a polite courtesy, because I know I've definitely had my moments of superb posts and witty writing, but I've also had a handful of not-so-inspiring, sub par posts that I'd love to forget if it weren't for the visual reminders via linkwithin.

Anyway, long story short; below I've listed a few lovely blogs I been enjoying the last few months, in no particular order. This is my attempt to "blog it forward," and hope you might discover an unknown gem for yourself from my list, that may in time become a favorite of yours.

* Hither and Thither

* Just Bella

* Ten June

* Savor Home

* Across the Pond

* Free to Be Lea

* So Good and Tasty

image/wisheskisses

Holiday Beverages

I've just come upon the most amazing recipes for mulled apple cider and rich and creamy hot chocolate, I can't wait to make these recipes and transform my kitchen into a Christmas cafe!

Nothing says *Christmas* to me more than a holiday beverage. Once the red cups pop up at Starbucks and the gingerbread dots the bakery windows, you know Santa is near.

I've never been much of an eggnog fan, and while I can entertain the idea of a hot toddy, it's not my fave. My favorite holiday beverage has to be a soy peppermint latte, with a side of gingerbread cookies.

Mmm... I might just rush out as I type to score myself a piping hot one.

What's your favorite holiday beverage?

image/bloom

The New Girl

My new favorite show this season is...The New Girl.

Have you seen it? It is totally random, and Zooey Deschanel is laugh out loud funny - (really, truly - I've caught myself laughing out loud upon many occasions). Her roommates also have very eccentric personalities that perfectly complement her quirkiness. Basically, if you have any any weird habits, enjoy talking in accents, or obsess about anything (as I - and the main character Jess does) - you'll love it!

image/fox

Faces of the Hunger Games

Have you seen these posters for the Hunger Games movie? I'm sure by now you've heard the hype, but if you happen to be one of the few who has not read this book yet - go now! Seriously, leave your computer this moment. Yes you, I'm serious! Get up, get your butt to a bookstore ASAP! And be sure to carve out a sizable chunk of time and proceed to devour this trilogy. You think I'm kidding...I'm not. You will not be disappointed, TRUST ME!!

I'm getting so excited for the movie, I'm even toying with the idea of rereading book 1 so it's especially fresh in my mind - I just can't believe we have to wait until March! Well, at least there's less than 1 week until my other book-turned-movie series, Twilight: Breaking Dawn.

posters via o captain

Holiday Tea

My new favorite before-bedtime beverage - Candy Cane Green Tea a la Trader Joe's. I just picked this up for the first time this week and I can't get enough! It's the perfect hint of mint and a welcome warm up to our recent blast of chilly weather.

Something about this time of year; the dark skies, crackling leaves, and whipping wind - all it makes me want to do is curl up on a cozy couch, toasty under a thick fleecy blanket, sip some holiday tea, and watch my favorite movies. Sounds way better than work, right?

image/thesmartkitchenblog

My New Fave Show

One of my new faves is a show I recently discovered, The Good Wife. Have you seen it? It's a lawyer show of sorts, but more intriguing than most. There's drama, romance, plenty of unpredictable twists and turns - all in all, it's addicting! I've been watching Season 1 via netflix, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next season to arrive. Anyone else a fan?

P.S. If you're a Sex & the City fan, Carrie's "Big," (Chris Noth) plays Juliana Margulies' husband.

image/cbs

Friday Night Lights

In an effort to save money and make a conscious decision to watch less TV, my fiance and I recently cancelled our comcast subscription. No more cable, no more DVR, but it hasn't been all that bad, honestly. Instead, we bought a Roku, a small device that enables streaming from netflix, hulu, and the like. This is how, during our commitment to watch less TV, my fiance and I discovered Friday Night Lights.

The first episode is good, then the second, third, fourth...and while I haven't been a fan from the beginning, we quickly joined the Friday Night Lights cult. This show is truly addicting, I tell you! I mean, who couldn't love Eric and Tammy Taylor? Matt Saracen, Jason Street, and Tim Riggins (insert girlish swoon here), if boys had looked like that at my high school!

Truth be told, we've emotionally invested in this show, you'd think we'd been to Dillon, Texas! So despite our ploy to watch less TV, I think we've ended up investing more time following this series via roku. I guess our plan backfired, huh? All in all, I'd say it was worth it because it's now one of my all time favorite shows. You'd be surprised how many conversations we still have about the Taylor's, Buddy Garrity, and the panther gang.

Texas Forever.

image 1/tvgorge

image 2/insidesocal

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

I just discovered some uber-delicious peanut butter. I discovered Flying Squirrel via one of my new fave food blogs, Kath Eats Real Food. I bought the flavors Sneaky Cinnamon (peanut butter with cinnamon, and raisins) and Spazzy Squirrel (peanut butter with nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut, chocolate chunks), and have been chowing down on peanut butter slathered goodness ever since...

The peanut butter itself is pretty cheap ($4 a jar) and if you buy a few, it helps justify the hefty shipping fee ($10). But trust me, I am far from disappointed, these little jars of peanutty, cinnamony goodness have revitalized my morning breakfast routines!

image/flyingsquirrel

Feel Good Movie

Fever Pitch is one of my favorite feel good movies. It's one of those movies I've seen a dozen times, yet can still watch it over and over again. Even after my umteenth viewing, I still find myself laughing out loud at parts - what can I say, I love Jimmy Fallon! I have a handful of these kinds of go-to movies, but Fever Pitch is definitely one that can uplift a downer mood.

What's your go-to movie?

Wishes

Inspired by Lindsay's wish list over at La Belle Vie, I created my own...

I wish I had the ocean as my backyard.

I wish I could travel endlessly with the constraints of time and money.

I wish I could eat fresh croissants and savory pastries from here everyday.

I wish I could sing reasonably well.

I wish Lost never ended.

I wish I had Blake Lively's wardrobe.

I wish credit cards paid themselves.

I wish my sisters lived closer to me.

I wish that everyone could understand the joys of being a teacher.

What do you wish for?

idea via labellevie

image/pheartache

The Hills Are Alive!

Can you believe it's the 45th anniversary of the Sound of Music? The Today Show hosted the Von Trapp Children and Fräulein Maria last week to celebrate the anniversary of this magical movie. I always loved this movie, and I actually have a personal connection to the film.

Five years ago, I backpacked around Europe for a month with two of my girlfriends. One of our many stops among our travels was Salzburg, Austria, where this historic film was made! We decided since we loved the movie so much, we just had to take the Sound of Music tour, which is a 4-hour long excursion all over (highly recommended). You and your guide drive through those very hills from the song (listening and singing along to the soundtrack all the way - mind you!). We stopped at many iconic destinations from the movie; including the VonTrapp house by the lake, the church where Maria and Capt. Von Trapp were married, and many more...including the gazebo.

In case you don't remember, the gazebo was home to the famous song by Liesel and Rolf "I Am Sixteen, Going on Seventeen," (my favorite from the movie). Well when we arrived at this famous site, and encountered a crowd. Puzzled, we crept closer, and discovered the character Liesel from the movie was there filming the 40th reunion slot!!! It was such a random coincidence that she was there. We were thrilled!! The best part was, the 20 or so of us joined hands, and actually got to sing this wonderful song along with Liesel. It was a magical moment I'll never forget. Here's a picture of us and Liesel!

And the clip of the entire cast singing together!

Friends Party

Watching Friends reruns was a favorite college past-time for my college girlfriends and I. We lived in a sorority amid 95 other girls, and would find ourselves curling up in one of our rooms on lazy days to watch our favorite episodes of this hilarious show.

To spice up an otherwise ordinary November weekend, my friend Erin hosted 5 of us for a Friends sleepover! Erin's husband is a pilot in the air force, and they recently relocated to a house just off of the air force base, about an hour outside of Seattle. It was the perfect opportunity to have some quality girl time, as well as see her new digs.

We made mac 'n cheese, drank cider and white wine, and watched our favorite episodes. Some of our faves included - Pivot, The Lightning Round, Football Thanksgiving, Ross's Tanning Fiasco, The Apothecary Table, and The Leather Pants. Good times!

My New Fave

My new favorite nail polish color - Pamplona Purple. Isn't this a fun color? I'm currently sporting this shade on my toes right now. Perfect for football season...

image/googleimages

Wizards of Wonder

I literally cannot communicate how excited I am about Universal Studios latest theme park - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I may be 27, but I'm still a fool for theme parks, the thought of Disneyland makes me giddy, and now my expectations have been exceeded! Even before I became a teacher, I was an avid Harry Potter reader + follower. It's amazing to me how Universal was able to recreate J.K. Rowling's imaginative world! I literally cannot wait to visit the theme park in Orlando.

Here's a first glimpse inside the walls with some of Harry Potter's cast members. It looks AMAZING!


image/universal
video via labellevie

LOST: The End

It's finally here - the end of LOST. It's too surreal, I'm having a hard time believing it's all coming to an end. A group of 8-10 friends and I have been getting together once a week for the past 5 years to watch and discuss the show. We've affectionately referred to this gathering as "Our Little LOST group." It's been a tradition we've settled into, looked forward to, and will surely miss when it's over.

The 2-1/2 hour finale debuts tomorrow night at 9:00 PM. So many questions we hope to God are answered! Debriefing is sure to follow...

Any other LOSTie bloggers out there? How are you feeling about this end of an era?

image/eonline

Potato Perfection

My weakness...potatoes. I know, weird right? Blame it on my Irish heritage I guess. I absolutely love potatoes. Mashes, smashed, au gratin, roasted, toasted, baked, twice-baked, french fried, I love them all. Seriously. I think I'm the only person in the world who truly loves ALL forms of potatoes.

But the other night, I tried a new recipe which was a type of potatoes I'd never had before. Roasted Potatoes with Feta Cheese (& Rosemary). Super delish, and pretty easy. While I made these as my entree, they'd probably fit into a menu better as a super side. Enjoy!

image/raising foodies

Eat, Pray, Love

I seriously cannot wait for this movie. LOVED the book, and I love the way this preview is looking... Doesn't it make you want to get up and just GO somewhere!

Now, here's the big question: If you went on a journey for a year...where would you go? I need some time to ponder my own query, but I'll post my answer tomorrow!

Tea Time

These days, I find myself a tea enthusiast. When I bought my house in October, I went on a bit of a tea binge, stocking my cupboard full of a plethora of tea varieties, not really so much for the flavors themselves, but just to have the satisfaction of living in a house with filled shelves.

Perhaps my fave tea is Market Spice - it's a local Seattle tea, spicy-orangy-cinnamon goodness in every sip! But lately I've been dabbling with Celestial Seasons Bengal Spice and Mandarin Orange Spice. Anyone else see a pattern here? Can you tell I like spicy tea? Of course I try and balance these out with Bigelow's Green Tea with Pomegranate and Yogi's Honey Lemon for those scratchy throat kind of days.

But now...after all that purchasing, alas I'm kind of bored with my tea shelf. Don't get me wrong, I won't deny my Seattle roots because I'm first and foremost a coffee-in-the-morning kind of girl, but I usually retire in the evenings with tea and a good book (wow that comment just aged me 20 years...).

Are any of you out there tea drinkers as well? What's your fave?

image/greenlight

To the Nines

Sorry...more posting about our fab hotel - The Nines in downtown Portland. I just didn't feel I communicated the sheer shishi-ness of this glamor goddess hotel in words - so I google searched some pictures. I admit, I have a new appreciation for wallpaper after spending a night here, the silvery wallpaper amidst Tiffany blue furniture was quite the eye candy. Hopefully my constant swooning is an indicator that I will return soon...

P.S. Isn't the rooftop deck awesome??

images/concierge