It's a good day when...

It's a good day when...

// I get a surprise letter in the mail from a friend

// My daughter goes into long giggling fits

// My "to do" list gets put on hold for cuddles with my daughter

// I find money in an old coat/purse pocket

// The sun is shining.  Gray days bum me out

//  When you find a parking spot close to the entrance when it's pouring out

//  My daughter falls asleep on me while playing with my hair

//  My husband surprises me with a chocolaty treat

//  I finally get a chance to start that book that I've been wanting to read

//  There are no dishes in the sink, or laundry to do

What do you consider a good day??

15 Ways to beat the winter blues

It's right around this time every year that I start to get really bummed out and miss the summer.  Christmas is over....New Year's is over.  There are no real holidays to celebrate for a while and the sun has been replaced by gray skies. So this year I made a list of a few things to help myself stay positive and happy, and I thought there may just be someone else out there like me that gets bummed out during cold weather, and this might help them too!

//  Go through all of your clothes.  Try them all on and throw out anything that doesn't make you feel amazing.  If you feel good in something, that is a confidence booster;  which leaves you feeling good about yourself.

//  Exercise!  Did you know that exercise helps pump oxygen into the brain, which releases endorphins and naturally gives you energy and boosts those "feel good" feelings?

//  Go snuggle up with an animal.  Nothing is quite as relaxing as snuggling up with your pet that adores you.

//  Listen to uplifting music.  Music REALLY effects your mood, so if you are listening to a bunch of break up/sad songs chances are you aren't going to be a happy camper.  Turn on Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off" and dance around like a crazy person if you have to.

//  REST!  Haven't you been complaining that you would just like to relax and have some "you" time??  I'm pretty sure we all feel that way sometimes!  Take advantage of the frigid temperatures and curl up in a blanket and sleep the day away if you want to!

//  Plan a girl's night out!  Sometimes you need some girl time, and anything beats staying home again, right?

//  Make a list of your goals/things you want.  Whether it just be a travel bucket list, organization plan, or even a shopping list, do it!  It will take your mind of off things.  I'm a big list person.

//  Read a book.  This is the perfect whether to rock sweats all day and curl up on the couch/bed and read that book you've heard so many great things about.  Do it!

//  "Window shop" online for cute winter fashion ideas.  Pinterest is my favorite place to find fashion ideas.  If you couldn't tell by my multiple Pinterest fashion boards... lol  I've got a serious problem!

//  Write a letter to a friend or relative that you haven't talked to in a while.  Or even if you have, send one anyway because who doesn't love to get a letter in the mail.  Snail mail is so underrated.

//  Start one of the things on your "home improvement checklist".  I'm pretty sure we've all got one.  I unfortunately have a list that never stops growing!  Even if it's just redecorating a room, go for it!  Maybe a fresh look is just what you need!

//  Make one of the many things that you've pinned on Pinterest.  I'm so guilty of this one.  I have seen so many things that I've never even tried to create.

//  Bundle up and head outside with your camera.  Even if you aren't the best photographer in the world, take some pictures of the beauty of Winter.  I'm a big sissy about the cold, but I still find myself taking in the beauty of the snow on tree branches, big snowflakes with pretty designs, and scary looking icicles.  Have fun with it!

//  Make some homemade chili or soup!  It's the perfect season for it!  When I'm chilled to the bone the best thing (other than a steaming hot shower) is a hot bowl of chili/soup.  And it's so much better when you make it at home.

//  And if you just can't take the cold anymore, go on a vacation somewhere warm!

What do you do to beat the Winter Blues??

5 {Sarcastic} ways to deal with a migraine

//  Build a fort out of cardboard boxes, crawl inside, and seal up all the holes with tape.  The darkness is your friend

//  Ducktape a pillow around your head....ahhhh the silence!

//  Read a good book.  HAHA just kidding.  You can't open your eyes without intense pain.

//  Buy a hat that is a couple sizes too big on you so you can store an icepack in there.  I may or may not have tried this...

//  Lay in bed with the blankets over your head while drooling into your pillow....because, what else can you do?!

And when all else fails just remember: The Ancient Egyptians used to drill holes into the skull because they believed that it would help to relieve the pressure from the head (they called it trepanning).....   So it could be worse, right?!

Hey, if you can't laugh about it then what can you do, right?!

My New Year's Resolution: Get Organized!

I know everyone is going on and on about their New Year's resolutions right now, but I'm going to have to hop on the train this time too.  I'm not going to lie to myself and say that I'm going to exercise every day because I know it won't happen.  And I'm not going to say that I'm staying away from junk food because I LOVE chocolate chip cookies.  I can't stop, I won't stop!  BUT  I really would like to get my house a little more organized.  I've seen so many genius ideas on Pinterest that I am definitely going to have to give a try.

Here are some of my favorites:

For my Bedroom:

Scarves  |  Jewelry organization

Closets:

Labeled baskets  |  Wrapping paper storage  |  Sheet sets in the pillow cases

Family Stuff:

For important information  |  Baby boxes

For my art studio:

Ribbon Organizer  |  Paint Storage

What do you think of these ideas?  Have you tried any of them, or do you have a better solution?

ABC's of Christmas (part two)

(If you missed the first half of the list, click here to catch up!)

N is for...Naughty or Nice.
Which list do you think you are on this year??  I would like to think that I made the nice list

O is for...Open Fire.
As in: "chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."   If I'm outdoors in the winter than I love nothing more than a big bonfire and a hot cocoa in my hand.

P is for...Poinsettia.
I think they are so beautiful!  Around her when everything gets covered in snow and the trees have no leaves, it's great to be able to have something bright to cheer up the gray days.  Although, not a good idea to have one around if you have pets!  They are poisonous!

Q is for...Quilt.
My grandma-in-law (is that a thing??) made us a Christmas quilt on our very first Christmas together.  It is absolutely gorgeous!  I make sure to bring it out every year but I never end up using it because I don't want it to be ruined

R is for...Reindeer.
I mean, you have to have the reindeer!  And if you have reindeer then you have to have....

S is for...Santa!
 I mean, duh! haha!  I was a little worried that Paige would pull off his beard when we put her on his lap but she didn't. She's so curious and misses nothing so I knew she would notice the fake beard.  She stared at it but didn't do anything.

T is for...Tree.
 One of my favorite things to do when I'm getting ready for Christmas is set up the tree.  We've always had a fake tree...I don't think I would even know what to do with a real one! lol

U is for...Unwrapping presents.
 I LOVE buying gifts for people.  A little too much if you ask my husband. haha!  Nothing is better than picking out the perfect gift for someone and seeing their face light up with joy.

V is for...Visiting.
 Even tho I mentioned earlier that it is exhausting to travel around and see everyone on Christmas, I also think that is part of what makes the holiday special.  There are some family members that I only get to see on holidays!  So that is why we are still going to make our rounds on Christmas Eve....and I also told everyone they are more than welcome to stop for dessert at our place on Christmas Day.

W is for...Wrapping presents.
 My father in law is like a wrapping ninja!  His presents always look so nicely wrapped.  When I try.....well, it can get ugly! lol

X is for...X-ray vision.
Oh come on, you know you wish you had it too!!  I am not good with surprises. I NEED to know what's in there.  It's definitely fun to try and guess but I get kind of anxious waiting. haha

Y is for...Yule log.
I have always heard that if you burn a "yule log" it brings good luck in the new year, but for the first time this year someone told me it can also be a type of cake!  Has anyone else heard of this??

Z is for...Zzzzz's.
  After all the holiday fun and visiting is over, nothing is better than crawling up for a good night sleep. lol!

ABC's of Christmas (part one)

A is for...Angels.
Growing up, we always had an angel on top of our Christmas tree.  My mom used to say that they are in memory of all of the people in heaven that can't make it to celebrate with us anymore, and to remind us that they are still with us.

B is for...Baking cookies.
Christmas cookies are a big deal around here. haha!  My Aunt makes hundreds, if not thousands, every year.  She sells trays of them and every thing.  I love the ladylocks/ladyfingers.  Yummm

C is for...Christmas Carols.
I've never actually seen or heard people going around town singing but we definitely sing and dance to them in my house.  I've always loved Christmas music.

D is for...Decorations.
Go big or go home! haha!  Just kidding!  But I do love seeing everyone's beautiful decorations, lights, wreathes, etc.

E is for...Eggnog.
Apparently eggnog is a big deal at some people's houses.  Honestly, I've never been a huge fan of it....It kind of grosses me out!

F is for...Family.
That's what the holiday is always about!  We used to travel to everyone's houses on Christmas Day but this year we are doing it differently.  We are doing our visiting on Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day is going to be spent at home with our little family.  I can't tell you how excited I am about this.  I want to actually be able to enjoy Christmas as a family rather than rushing around everywhere.

G is for...Gingerbread houses.
No matter how sloppy they are, they are still really fun to make.

H is for...Holiday movies.
If you saw my post yesterday, then you already know that holiday movies are a big deal to me.  I will try to watch as many as possible every single year.

I is for...Icicle Lights
Every year on Christmas Eve we drive around town at night and look at all of the lights (while listening to Christmas music, of course).  I feel kind of Grinch-y this year because we never got around to hanging our lights...boo!

J is for...Jack Frost.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose....  it's even part of a song!  I think it would be hard for me to get in the spirit of Christmas if it wasn't chilly outside.  It's usually REALLY cold at this time of year but this has been a strange weather year for us.

K is for...Keepsake Ornaments.
Since Paige was born I've been wanting to create different ornaments for the tree every year.  I think it will be fun every year to see all of the different ones and take a trip down memory lane.  Who knows, maybe I will even get to pass them down to her one day!

L is for...Laughter.
Christmas has always been one of those days of the year where it's okay to forget about everything going on and just be happy.  That's one of the many great things about this holiday.  I love getting together with family and letting lose, having fun, and just laughing all day.

M is for...Mistletoe.
This is another one of my favorite things.  Maybe it's the romantic in me but I love it!

I will be posting part two tomorrow, so be sure to stop back!!

90 Stocking stuffer ideas for him

I'm pretty sure men are the hardest people to take care of on your holiday shopping list.  Don't you think??  Whether it's your dad, husband, brother, etc.  It can be difficult figuring out something to get them.  

I brainstormed a little bit, and came up with 90 different stocking stuffer ideas!  It took me quite a while to come up with this list, and I tried to include various hobbies/types of things in my list.  Let me know what you think!

• canned nuts
• gift card
• golf balls/tees
• guitar picks
• drum sticks
• guitar strings
• ear buds
• drill bits
• leveler/sanding block
• beef jerky
• candy
• deck of cards
• tie
• socks
• underwear
• pocket knife
• armour all wipes
• car air freshener
• car ice scraper
• tire gauge
• mini flashlight
• grill brush
• bbq/hot sauce
• tape measure
• stud finder
• duct tape
• power strip
• flash drive
• memory card
• batteries
• video game
• movie tickets
• DVDs
• gloves
• scarf
• wallet
• money clip
• belt
• belt buckle
• cufflinks
• pocketwatch
• bandanas
• undershirts
• shoelaces
• cologne
• shaving creme
• razors
• chapstick
• comb
• body wash
• loofah
• shampoo
• deodorant
• fishing lures/tackle
• ammo
• animal calls
• hand/boot warmers
• compass
• weight lifting gloves
• waterbottle
• mini first aid kit
• icepack
• hand sanitizer
• book
• book light
• coffee mug
• travel mug
• keychain
• key covers
• desk supplies
• lighter
• cigars
• bottle opener
• shot glass
• mini bottles of booze
• koozies
• ornament for tree
• mini photo book
• lottery tickets
• lint roller
• bungee cords
• sports cards
• collector coins
• novelty ice trays
• mini lego kits
• back scratcher
• hot chocolate packets
• "open when" letters
• massage oil
• personal coupons

What do you think of this list?  What are some other ideas that you have for a man's stocking?

Winter Bucket List

Is it too soon to start talking about Christmas?!? haha!  I always say that I will take one holiday at a time, and Thanksgiving was yesterday soooo.....I'm saying it's okay.  In my family we've always had special traidtions around Christmas time, and I would love to continue those with my daughter.  And start some new traditions as well.  

What are some of the things that you do every year around this time?