Music madness; number six

Last week was Arcade Fire's "Headlights look like Diamonds". This week isn't necessarily an "indie" song, but its definitely a good one. "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers.








p.s. Don't forget to sign up for my New Year's Blog Hop!! Let's get as many followers as we can!! :)

A new year blog hop

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I absolutely love New Years! & I thought it would be fun to kick off the new year with a fresh new list of bloggy friends. So, I've decided to do a New Years Blog Hop. Yayy... fun! Hehe.

There really aren't any rules for this blog hop, its just all in fun. It's open from today (12/26/10) until next Monday (01/03/11). You don't have to put the button on your blog, but its certainly appreciated. It's always nice to spread the word so we can get as many people as possible to link up. & Blogs of all times are welcome... crafty to fictional, new to old.

So lets go link up and find some new friends to start the new blogging year off right!

Merry christmas eve, everyone!

Merry Christmas!

There's no Freakin' Friday this week... but I'll definitely be back next week! But for now, here are the other friday blog hops...

Wednesday inspirations; holiday dresses

One of my favorite things about the holidays is that everyone dresses up! And I absolutely love holiday dresses. Unfortunately, I've never been to a fancy Christmas party to wear one of these dresses (my parties typically consist of jeans or khakis and a sweater or other nice top)... But one day, I will!

The Manhattan Moonbeam Dress from Poetrie

Put Some Bling On It Dress from Poetrie

Kimchi Blue Gosling Dress at Urban Outfitters

Silence & Noise Golden Ring Dress at Urban Outfitters

New Years Tweed Dress at Anthropologie

Ruffled Strapless Mini Dress by Haute Hippie at Net-A-Porter.com

Cinched Sweetheart Dress from Forever 21

Strapless Prom Dress with Glitter from Windsor

Ruby Sequin Dress from Cache

Wrapping paper bows 101

When I was wrapping Christmas presents the other day, I decided I wanted to figure out how to do wrapping paper bows to fancy things up a little bit. Here was the easiest one I could find, and I wanted to share it with you.

 

1. You will need 4 strips of wrapping paper (I forgot to photograph one. Do as I type, not as I photograph. Hehe.) that are 8" x .75" and then 1 strip of wrapping paper that is 4" x .75". The strips do not have to be cut perfectly straight, I would just make sure that there are no jagged edges.

2. Now you will need to take all of your strips (even the short one) and create loops and secure with a piece of clear tape. You can either do these with the decoration facing out or in, it doesn't matter. Depends on the color bow you would like!

3. Now, take two of your longer loops and put one inside the other, so they're making a cross shape. I used scotch tape to connect them, but its much easier to use a stapler. But you'll need to flatten your loops and somehow adhere them to each other. Then, do this to your other two larger loops. Now, you'll have two cross shapes.

4. Now, you'll place your two cross shapes on top of each other to make a star shape, and then you put your small loop on the very top (whichever direction you think looks best). If you're using a stapler, slide the top of your stapler inside the small loop and staple through all the layers, that way you're hiding the staple and the small loop is still round. Since I used tape, I just flattened the small loop as well.

5. Use a piece of tape to attach your bow to your gift!

The hardest thing to do, ever. enough said.

I know, I know. I completely missed two of the weekly posts that I normally do. How come that doesn't surprise me? I should have done those... Its just one of those times when life starts to catch up with you! Music Madness Monday will be back next week, for sure. I had something really awesome planned for Sunday Inspirations, so I'll post something similar sometime this week. Keep an eye out!!

I did probably the hardest thing ever last night. I bought my boyfriend's parents (a.k.a. future in-laws!... maybe) their Christmas gifts.

Initially, I had intended to get them a gift certificate to a local restaurant called Stella Blue. They're definitely one of the best, if not THE best, restaurant in our area. I haven't eaten there (If you don't count the brownie that was given to me. I recommended it to a couple guests at the hotel, and they loved it so much that they brought it back to me. It was amazing), but I know it's my mom's favorite place to eat on special occasions.

His parent's are very family-oriented. And that's a good thing, considering there are 4 kids, with my boyfriend being the oldest. So, I thought the gift certificate would be a good idea so they could have an evening to themselves. But, I kinda-sorta spent too much money on everyone else, and I still have a bill that needs paid. Ugh. So, I had to figure something out. Maybe I should find out when their anniversary is...

I went to Wal-Mart last night on the lookout for an amazing gift that they could share together. Needless to say, I walked around the store for about a half hour feeling like an idiot because I had no clue.

You know that seasonal food aisle they have in the grocery section? That's when I saw it... The perfect gift, ...for his Dad. I definitely didn't think his mother would be nearly as appreciative.

His gift is similar to this one, except I don't recall it
coming with the brush. I thought this would be perfect because,
not only is he an avid beer drinker (not an alcoholic by any
means... just to throw that in there, lol) but he also enjoys
cooking.

So, then I was on an mission to find his mother a gift. My boyfriend wasn't much help, but he did mentione that his mother liked candles, but then again...what woman doesn't. So down the candle aisle I went!

Okay, so I couldn't find the set that I purchased
anywhere! Not even on walmart.com or pauladeen.com.
This is one of her full-sized candles. I bought a
trio of smaller candles, in three different scents.
I believe it was Fried Apple Pie, Creme Brulee, and
Strawberry Shortcake. And then the best part is that
it has her recipes on the back of the box.

How did I do? I think I did okay for my first Christmas with them. And although my boyfriend wasn't much help, he said I did alright... Let's hope they like them!

It's freakin' friday; number five

First, and foremost, I apologize for my absenteeism this week. I actually have some posts that I need to get typed and up posted for you all! But it was finals week, and I had exams to study for... so that kind of monopolized my time. Unfortunately, that also means I haven't gotten an opportunity to read through the 1000's of subscription posts to do The Weekender. I'm not sure if it will be up Saturday morning, or not. If I don't get it done, I will do like I did this week: Combine two weeks and present you with 10 features instead of 5. Now don't forget to link up!

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This week's featured blog is A Little Bit of Everything. Just as the name implies, this blog is a little bit of everything, especially some yummy looking recipes! Head on over, and I bet you can find some inspiring recipes for the holidays this year! & Don't forget to let her know that you're coming from Eccentric Delirium's blog hop!

1. You must follow my blog in order to join the blog hop. It's like going to someone's house and eating their food, but you're not even friends with them! So please, follow me via GFC, when putting your link in the blog hop.
2. Provide the link to your main blog site. One of these days, I'll do a blog hop for more specific sorts of posts, but this one is a general blog hop for meeting new people around the blogging community.
3. You must put my blog hop button somewhere on your blog. If you're new to this, most people people put theirs in a specific post, but you can put it somewhere else if that's where you keep your blog hop buttons. It just has to be somewhere.
4. And if I feature a blog, please follow that blog as well. Its kind of like a giveaway by joining, and then reward is being featured. So this last one is not required, but its definitely greatly appreciated.

Tip tuesday; number sixteen

I stumbled upon white concealer at the drugstore the other day. This makes an awesome facial highlighter. The best places to apply it are your temples, right under the end of your eyebrow, and the inner corners of your eyes (especially).

Music madness; number five

Last week, I introduced "I am not a Robot!", by Marina and the Diamonds, to you. So this week, I would like to give you "Headlights Look Like Diamonds", by Arcade Fire. They are such a good band, and they have a ton of songs that I just love. This is only one. I've included the youtube video, but there really isn't a video (its just the album cover the entire time). I would recommend letting it play while you read all of your other blog subscriptions. Enjoy!

Sunday inspirations; number four

We were very warm last week in our Flannel, but I really think that we need to continue to be warm! That is why I chose to be inspired by Fleece this week.

Victorian Sweater in Black Fleece by Moe Donnelly at Us Trendy

Turn and Burn Boatneck Pullover from Volcom at Pacsun

All the Buster Cardigan at ModCloth

Winter Legging at American Apparel

Organic Fleece Ivory Dress at Us Trendy

Side Zipper Fleece Jacket at Forever 21

Clifton Coat from BB Dakota at Lulu's

Polka Dot Slippers from Forever 21

Gypsy Tipsy Fringe Tote at Fashion Bug

My personal favorite fleece:

I know, I'm a sell-out.... But its so warm!!