:: 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!

:: Giveaway - bloom organic airbrush tanning

I have a friend, who has a friend, who owns this organic airbrush tanning business.

It sounds pretty awesome.

Who wouldn't want a summer glow in the middle of winter!

And they come to you?

And my friend is doing a giveaway on her blog here.

Note:  this giveaway is only for those that live in the Inland Empire, CA

Check it out!

There are many opportunities to win!

Here's a little about Renae and her business:

I have been married to my husband Jesse for 7 wonderful years. We have 2 children, a son Braeden who is 5 and a 2 year old daughter Poppy. They couldn't be more opposite and I couldn't be more happy. Our hearts are so full. We have been in ministry for five years learning and growing from Jesus each step of the way. 
I have loved tanning since the early days of high school growing up in Bakersfield. Banana boat...boom box...105 degree weather. Then came tanning beds. Im fair skinned, that's a nice way to put it. The madness had to stop. I found airbrush tanning about two years ago and "organic" was the cherry on top. I actually care about skin now-and yours:) I'm the mom at the pool lathering my little Irish kids in SPF 50 every few hours. You don't have to damage your skin anymore to have a tan. It's a wonderful thing.

Bloom Tanning is a mobile organic airbrush tanning service, serving the Inland Empire, the OC, and Los Angeles and San Diego areas.  For whatever the occasion we want to make you come alive from the inside out. If a beautiful bronze tan is what you need to feel confident with what you already have, we can do that for you. Airbrush tanning is the safest way to achieve that flawless tan while softening your skin, naturally.

Our product is a perfect blend of natural ingredients that will bronze your skin while keeping it moisturized, radiant and hydrated throughout the tanning process. It is formulated with organic oils (high in antioxidants), green tea extract, organic herbs, vitamins and natural colours. The skin-firming formula goes to work while your tan develops. All of our products are hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and alcohol-free. The unique formula is custom blended to give you the most natural tan based on each client's skin or preference.

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*This giveaway will close at midnight on Thursday December 20th PST

*This giveaway is open to INLAND EMPIRE, CA RESIDENTS ONLY!!! {i know you wish you lived here}

* The winner will be chosen using Rafflecopter and will have 48 hours to respond to the winner notification email. After 48 hours another winner will be chosen.

Go to Sweet Dreams are Made of These to enter and to get a discount from this service.

Good luck!

:: Family Happenings - orange orchard

This week has been ca-razy!

I feel like I've been running non-stop since Monday.

This non-stop craziness has also led to a very messy house.

{which I should probably be cleaning right now . . . but I'm not}

I guess that's what happens when life is crazy.

And when Christmas is just a few weeks away.  Ahhhh!

Last Sunday after church, my family made a little trip to a nearby orchard in Riverside.

It was beautiful.

The orange trees were filled and I loved the tall palm trees in the background.

Only in California.

I was going to be doing a photoshoot for a family there the next day, 

so I wanted to familiarize myself with the area.

I also wanted to take Reese's 2 year old pics.

But she obviously wasn't having it  . . . at all.

Ava was enjoying the spotlight though and would twirl and dance and run away from me

with every chance that she had.

I feel so blessed to have these two little ones in my life and another on the way.

It's hard to believe that in three months we'll be a family of five.

So grateful.

:: 12-12-12 at 12:12

What were you doing on 12.12.12 at 12:12?

Here's what we were up to:

:: I was in the middle of refashioning a thrift store dress 

to make it into a flapper dress fit for a pregnant woman for a 1920s party

::  Reese and Tommy were watching Bo on the Go right before her nap time

::  Ava was at preschool and her teacher took a picture for me

:  Franky, the elf, was relaxing in his bubble bath

Since we won't be here for the next 12.12.12 (in 3012), this is a pretty special day.

Happy 12.12.12!

:: 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