Let the Christmas Festivities Begin!

This year we are hosting Christmas at our house.  I feel like I've ran a marathon with getting everything together and its only Tuesday! Tonight we had a much needed break to start off our Christmas.  

The boys and I meet great friends and neighbors for dinner and drinks. Her boys gave Brooks a bulldozer for Christmas (and Jack a train)- how sweet!  Brooks was in his GLORY with his bulldozer and dinner with his best friends :) What a great way to start off our Christmas!  

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas!

I think its safe to say that he won't be letting go of this anytime soon. 

Jack's First Shoes

My youngest son Jack is almost 9 months- and is ALMOST crawling.  For a couple of months, I've been meaning to order him a pair of soft soled shoes.  I guess he doesn't truly need the shoes but he loves to take his socks off and chew on them.  Wet socks + frigid temperatures= cold feet!   I've been really good at recycling all of the clothes from my oldest son Brooks, but shoes are another story.  Plus, I think its only fair for Jack to have his own :)

There are a ton of adorable shoes out there, but I try not to spend a small fortune on clothes and shoes.  My boys seem to quickly out grow or wear out clothes and shoes.  Most of my shopping for the boy is done on Ebay, the clearance from designer websites, TJ Max, or outlet stores.  

For Jack's first shoes, I found these Monogrammed Robeez. If you get to know me you'll quickly find out that I LOVE monograms!  The shoes made from a soft leather and accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association.  Plus, my 2 year old thinks they are pretty cool :) 

Robeez Monogrammed Soft Soles 

Fun Holiday Pants for Men

During the holiday season my husband works A LOT.  To keep things fun and up beat at work he likes to wear fun holiday pants.  With the stresses that the holidays can bring, he likes to wear something that will make people stop and smile.  

Each year I add to his collection- I usually start searching right around Thanksgiving, because believe it or not stores sell out of them pretty quickly!  

My to go stores that I start my search are Vineyard Vines (they always have really fun pants), Tuckernuck, Country Club Prep, and Brooks Brothers.  

This year, I purchased the Clark Fit Holiday Fleece Embroidered Corduroys  from Brooks Brothers.  They were on sale for $64.00, plus they are having an additional 25% off your purchase until 12/23/14.  They are great quality and will hopefully be a hit this year!  

These are the pants that still brings the most laughs....

Even if your man doesn't wear these to work, they would be fun at your next holiday party!

Rubbing Alcohol- The Underutilized Disinfectant

Rubbing Alcohol is my favorite disinfectant in our home.  me, the clean freak and my husband the germaphobe -just kidding, but sometimes I wouldn't put it past him :) 

We use it ALL of the time- its works great on most any surface, is cheap, and chemical free.   It sits right next to my kitchen sink so its always handy.

Being in the middle of cold and flu season I thought I'd share my love for this inexpensive, underutilized home disinfectant.

Home Uses:

Granite Countertops  I find that my granite cleaners don't disinfect.  Great to use especially when working with raw meat, eggs, etc.

Knives After cutting raw meat, give them a little squirt then wash as you normally would.

Cell Phone Because I find my phone in my infants mouth, I try to remember to wipe down my phone daily.

Binky/ Teething Toys  I give them a little squirt before rinsing them VERY well.

Tooth Brushes and Razors  Helps prevent the spread of bacteria. Rinse well before using. 

High Chair Tray

Kitchen Table

Microwave/ Refrigerator Handels

Computer Mouse and Key Pad 

TV Remote 

Door Handels

The list is endless......

2 Minute Fudge!

TGIF!
  This week has been exhausting!  My poor baby is teething, has an ear infection, and has learned to sit up in his crib, but hasn't mastered the laying back down part!  O and Christmas is right around the corner!

If you find yourself exhausted during this time  of year, (or any time of year) this 2 Minute Fudge is for you! I've been making this recipe since I was in college because it was cheap, easy, and doesn't require special kitchen gadgets.  I have always gotten comments on how delicious my "homemade" fudge is.  I just smile and say thanks!   No one needs to know the truth :)

Recipe:

1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 bag of chips (chocolate, peanut butter, butterscotch, etc.)

8x8 Pyrex dish- line with plastic wrap or wax paper.  I spray mine with oil- makes for an easier release.  

*** I double the recipe to make a nice thick fudge.***

In a bowl heat the Sweetened Condensed Milk for 1 minute, stir in your bag of chips until all chips are melted.  You may need to pop the bowl back into the microwave for an additional 30 secs. - 1 minute to fully melt the chips.  

Pour into Pyrex dish and refrigerate!  Once set, turn upside down to release fudge from dish.  I suggest using the plastic wrap to line your Pyrex- it peels off nicely.

Cut into squares, and plate it!


*I like to play around with the flavors.  My favorite is Peanut Butter and Chocolate- layered one on top of the other.  Be sure to refrigerate the first layer before adding the second.  

You can also add chopped nuts, candies, or dried fruit!!  

Enjoy!!

Christmas Mantle

I have always loved Christmas time- time with family and friends, baking, Bing Crosby, lights, and especially decorating!  I never go over board, I never really do with decorating.  Personally, I like to keep things classic and simple.  Decorating for any holiday or special occasion can be overwhelming and pricey, especially if you are just starting out.  I try to add one new thing a year.  This year I have decided to "beef" up my mantel a bit and of course to do it with spending as little as possible :)

My inspiration came from this Pinterest picture.  I loved its simplicity and knew that I could probably make something similar with extra materials I had around the house. 

I asked my husband if he had extra wood and molding I could use for a new project I had in mind.  He LOVES it when I come to him with another project :) He's a good trooper and found me a piece of plywood and molding. With the molding he framed the plywood and I got painting!  I always have semi gloss white paint on hand- I use it for everything!  I love Benjamin Moore "Simply White".  Next was a trip to the basement to see what I could find for the background color.  I have endless amounts of paint samples and decided to go with a bluish gray color instead of using the chalkboard paint.  I suggest choosing a paint to complement your room or a chalkboard paint.  After much debate, I decided not to add font after I hung the wreath (I'm not kidding when I say I like to keep it simple!).  I thought I might be able to use it for other seasons if I kept it plain.  Some of the font options I was debating were "Merry Christmas, O Holy Night, Let it Snow, Peace Love Joy". 


The next thing I needed to do was to add garland.  I'm not a fan of faux garland, unless you buy the expensive kind which again isn't in the budget.  Instead, I took the branches we trimmed from the bottom of the Christmas tree and created my own garland - I am pleased with the results!  If you have a faux tree ask a neighbor, friend, or family member if you could have their tree trimmings to create you own :)  This way you can custom the length to fit your mantel.  Use floral wire to attach the limbs together (picture wire will also work!).  

After adding a few candle sticks and my monogrammed stockings from Pottery Barn, I was satisfied with my result.  

What was your new purchase or holiday project? 

Finished product

Hello! Let me introduce myself....

Hello & Welcome...

   I'm Sarah, a wife and Mom of two amazing boys.  Let me first explain that I decided to start this blog because I wanted to do something for myself.  I think many of you can relate!  I have promised myself that in-between diapers, dishes, play dates, etc. I would sit and share with whomever will read what makes me happy and well..... me.  Come along on this journey of mine and you shall find out what makes me... tick!