:: Christmas - christmas dresses

So I didn't make the girls' Christmas dresses this year.

Surprise. Surprise.

I just don't know where the time has gone!

So I found some cute dresses from the gap that I was able to get for $11 each,

well, using a 40% off coupon and some Old Navy bucks I had burning a hole in my pocket

and I think they were on sale when I ordered them too.

They aren't too fancy.

But I think they're adorable.

 Timeless and classic.

That's what I like.

Perfect for my two little girls.

They can be found here and here.

Where did you find yours?

:: Christmas Tradition - the christmas express

I'd been wanting to start this ever since I found it on Pinterest a few years back.

Then my sister did it last year and I knew that the next Christmas it would be on the to-do list.

We had the girls get ready for bedtime,

but little did they know that we had blankets, bags of popcorn, hot chocolate 

and their daddy and baby brother in the car awaiting them.

As they were getting under their covers they found this golden ticket.

Ava was so excited!

 (Reese didn't really know what was going on - - she just gets excited when Ava does)

I punched their tickets and we were off!

We drove to a neighborhood that syncs their lights to songs on their own radio station.

It was awesome!

Then we drove through the neighborhoods nearby us.

Ava loved it and couldn't believe that we let her stay up until almost 10 (oops).

Reese was out as soon as she had finished her hot chocolate - - maybe she'll enjoy this tradition a little more next year.

Print out the ticket here.

:: Cyber Monday - christmas card deals

Already December?! 

I can't believe it. 

Well, it's time to get those Christmas cards out soon and

since it is Cyber Monday, I found a great deal on some good, quality cards.

I LOVE cardstore!

{And I'm not even getting paid to say this.}

I've used them in the past and have been very pleased with them.

Well, today, all of their flat cards today are $0.50!

{normally they're around $1.79 - - I don't pay that much.  Enter code: CCP3122}

And they'll give you free shipping if you buy more than $30 worth of cards.

Awesome deal!

And since I can never decided which one to get,

I usually buy 2-3 different designs.

Call me crazy.

I am.

:: Christmas - stickygram-ament

We had an extra stickygram that was laying around from when we announced the birth of

our little one to our family members.

So, I decided to make an ornament out of it.

Pretty easy to make if you can find those darn clear, glass bulbs.

Luckily, I found the last box from our nearest Target (Michaels was even out of them!)

Supplies:

- stickygram (magnet from your instagram photos)

- clear, glass bulb

- fake snow or sugar might do

 - funnel the fake snow into the bulb

- roll up your stickygram and put into the ornament

{although, you need to try to reshape it when in the bulb;  I just used a pen

and tried flattening it a little}

If I wasn't taking pictures, this project would've taken me less than 5 minutes.

So easy.

Can't wait for this little one to come!

:: Party Details - ugly sweater party

I haven't put on a party in such a long time and I knew a couples "Ugly Sweater Party"

would be perfect.

We had a hot chocolate bar with yummy treats,

some Christmas Trivia, opened white elephant gifts, 

gave a prize for the ugliest sweater,

and played Christmas Reverse Charades (which was a hit).

It was so nice to be able to create once again and to do what I love

 to do . . . put on a party!

I feel like my life has been so busy and stressful lately

so it was nice to have some fun with some good friends.

I usually like to try to design my own invites, but I was pressed for time

so I found this cute one off of etsy.

I bought these mugs from ikea for $1 each

and followed this tutorial here from DesignMom.

And here was my little helper who just had to put the jingle bells on the mug

so it could look "cute".

It was so much fun, that I plan on doing this yearly!

invitation:  YvoneBDesigns from etsy

mugs: ikea

servingware: Old Town Imports

:: Christmas - teacher gift

This is what we made for Ava's preschool teacher today.

{I really need to invest in a circle paper cutter.}

Her little friends also received fingernail polish.

The boys received something not as girly and didn't involve mistletoes.

What girl wouldn't like this gift!

Thanks to Ruffled Sunshine for the free printable!

:: Christmas - 12 Days of Christmas printable

I'm thinking we might do the 12 Days of Christmas for a family this year,

and I found some perfect FREE printables from Paper Coterie.

So cute.

Now, time to find a family.

:: Past Christmas Projects

Can't believe December is already here!

Here are a few Christmas projects/goodies/traditions that we've done in the past.

scrabble ornament

christmas book tradition

photography: how to get that christmas tree glow

yummy gingerbread cookies

:: Family Happenings - christmas tree shopping

We went to a Christmas Tree Farm near our house yesterday
and finally got our tree.
We usually just use our fake tree, but this year we decided to buy one.
The girls loved it!
Loved running around and looking for a tree.
We finally found a beautiful one and can't wait to decorate it.

:: Christmas - wooden state ornaments

These ornaments would be perfect as a Christmas gift

 or for part of the packaging outside of the Christmas gift.  

Love them.

I bought a few today for each state we've lived in and the year.

They're only $5 (and then you pay shipping).

I think they're going fast, so hurry and buy yours here off of GroopDealz!

Check out Morgan Hill Designs here.