WILW

Happy Hump Day!

I was up at 5 since hubby had an early morning training.

It's only 8:30 and it feels like 11:30!

For real though. 

LOL

I love have this "healing soup" that I keep making, 

since someone is usually not feeling well.  

-homemade chicken stock

-mushrooms

-extra virgin olive oil

-rosemary

-thyme

-tumeric

-ginger

-carrots

-celery

It's so good! 

You could strain it out and simply drink the broth or eat all of the goodness!

How adorable is this new coffee anchor cozie from Three Sheep Shack?

I need it on a venti matcha latte stat!

love love love

Brooke and I love our green juice! {some still on my lip!}

And our robe time.

I love me a good flash sale!! 

Shop today!

I'm loving that the new Summer Keep launches Tuesday for all of you!

I'm loving Veronica's Treasure Tuesdays. 

She lifts me up; I think you would enjoy her too.

What are you loving Wednesday?

Bibdanas: Baby Boy Fashion

I know most people disagree and think little girls have the best fashion, but holy smokes, little boy clothing and accessories make my heart skip!! I think partly it's because I had sisters growing up and never really had itty bitty baby boys in my life, but either way, I am all about the cuteness that is for little baby boys!!

I also live for bibs with my little man because he is constantly spitting up and/or drooling. I have been on the hunt for some of the super cute Bibdanas I have seen many babies sporting, I just didn't know where to purchase.  I hopped on Etsy and found this wonderful shop, Finding My Sunshine.  Christina was so great to work with and is a work at home mama, which I just love supporting.  I wasn't really picky about the fabrics, I just told her to pick some cute boy colors to use!



I love them!!  She includes care instructions and a sweet note.



Mr B loves them too.  He's about 18 pounds and in 6-9 month clothing and these fit just fine.  I love that they are reversible and I can put them either way, pending on his outfit.



This is my favorite picture of him, just look how stinking adorable he is!!

I think these Bibdanas are the perfect way to add a little something extra to a boy outfit, but also save me from changing his outfit if he does drool or spit up. I can just change out the bib.  Win win!  She has tons of fabrics to choose from for burp cloths, dresses, and teething rings too. Be sure to check out her shop--it'd make a super cute gift for any mama to be!

Jewelry Giveaway!!!

Happy Wednesday ladies!!
Today I have a special treat for you.

My little blog brings me so much joy;

I cannot express how much it  means to have loyal readers,

random commenters with good advice,

and a place where I can just be me.

I want to thank you...

I recently purchased a few items from Etsy.

I found Jill's Jewels and am so happy that I did!!

Check out her Etsy site here

I found a few adorable bracelets for my step-mom's birthday...

she loves them!

They're so pretty in person.

(The two on the left:

Crystal Sideways Cross Bracelet with Purple Crystals

Leather Wrap Bracelet with Amber Colored Beads - Chan Luu Fall Style

she just got the one on the right before I gave her mine)

In lieu of the holiday season,

Jill offered one lucky reader to choose a bracelet of her choice

{Up to a $20 value!!}

If you still need to do some shopping, you need to check her shop out! 

{She does do custom orders as well, they just take a bit of time!!}

Here are just a few of the gorgeous bracelets she has.

Photos are from her Etsy shop.

 Pretties

 Talk about a perfect stocking stuffer!

 A secret Santa gift:

 Or maybe just a little treat for yourself, 'tis the season!!

 Look at these colors!

 So to re-cap, the shop owner Jill was so sweet

 to offer one of my lovely readers pick

 whatever bracelet they would like to have up to $20.00 in her shop!!

Rules:

Simple.
Please be a current reader of my blog.

Visit Jill's Etsy shop here

Leave a comment below telling which bracelet you like best.

Giveaway will run from today December 5th-Sunday December 9th.

I'll announce the winner Monday December 10th.

Good luck and happy holidays!

My Cookie Party!!

4th Annual Cookie Party 

It all started with a love of baking. My friends and I share a common joy of being in the kitchen. Okay, most of us, and a few who are still learning the ropes. {Look how far you've come K!}  It's always a hectic time of year, but if you can't take some time and enjoy it with people who really matter to you, then what is the point?  My good friend Ann lives 2 1/2 hours away, so the weather has always caused an issue with whether or not she can make it. This year, not only did she & her two kids make it, they were able to spend the night with us too!  Joey kept them busy roasting marshmallows in the fire place, playing Playstation 3, and hide-and-go seek in the closets!  

This year I was really able to put some more time & thought into the party because I'm home.  

Some of what I planned included:
Snacks:
Cheeseburger Soup

Olives/cheese tray

Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

Sun Chips

Pretzels

Portobella Dip (Ann's)

Mimosas & wine

Sparkling water

My Dining Room Decor

 Christmas Dishes from Kohl's

Fun Sparkles/Shine from Target

 Festival of Trees Scentsy

&

I love holiday dishes, but they're kind of silly.

You can't see the pretty decor once the food goes on!

My Party Table:

Tins for guests to take cookies home ($1 store)

Name cards for cookies/who made them

Jar & slips of paper to vote on 'best cookie'

Parting/thank you gifts for guests

Just a simple manegtic list pad, candy cane & silver jingle bell.

Thanks for coming!

Some table shots:

 Tip:
I pulled the chairs away from the table, which allowed people to sit/snack

and yet let others help themselves to nibbly bits & cookies!

Fancy ribbon & recipe paper to match--Stacey!

We've come a long, long way, haven't we ladies?!

 2008-

Everyone made their cookies here.

Worked out fairly well, there weren't too many of us.

The next year, it was a bit too much baking for one kitchen.

Everyone baking caused a bit of a back up in the oven.

 This time, everyone brought their cookies baked, EXCEPT

for my step-mom who made the dough at home.
We roll it, 

cut it out,

bake, 

& frost together.

{This is why I still call it a party} and not just an exchange.

Grace, Alison, Tricia, moi, Aunt Phyllis & Kristin

 And just a few snapshots of yesterday:

Remember when we made these aprons awhile back?

All inspired by Kristin's!

Aunt Phyllis, Kristin, Maria{MIL!} and moi

Holly's a bit-too-small-party dress

{last year it was too big!}

Lauren, Aaron, Jax, Ann

Girl talk!

Stacey, Lauren, Kristin

 Busy bakers!!

I don't have the final "group shot" on my camera, but when I get it, I'll be sure to post it.

It was such a fun time with lots of great cookies!

The 4 winners LOVED their coffee cozies from Etsy: Pink Gasoline

and K won 1st place with a $10 Starbucks gift card.

I think there were about 15 of us total.
It pretty much doubled in size this year!

I made those 7 Layer or Magic Bars.

I had full intention of making gingerbread truffles,

however Sadie decided to jump onto the table and lick the gingerbread as it cooled.

Hence, no balls.
Maybe next year!

Cookies:

• Mexican Wedding Cakes
• Egg-nog filled Snickerdoodle 
• Several different meringues
• 5 Spice Gingersnap
• Meatball
• Nickolinis
• Molasses Crinkles
• Cardamom Butter Sqaures
• Peanut Butter Blossoms
• Sour Cream Sugar Cookie cut-outs

If you'd like any recipe, let me know. 

They were delicious!
Did you attend any cookie exchanges this season?