Ok, so I very recently participated in an Ornament Blog Sawp.

You might have read about it here.

Basically, I had high hopes Pinterest would come through for me and lead me to the perfect ornament. Well, I guess I could say it did do that. Just the execution was off. So here goes My saw it. Pinned it. Did it.


So here is where it started....

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Carol on Pinterest

Tell me how easy that looks!


So off to Michaels and AC Moore I went. Gather my snow, styrofoam balls, foam paint brush. But I did forget the glue. Oops. So I thought it would be ok to improvise with wood glue. It said dries clear so why not? Well, folks.

{Here, is where I discovered I can not find any of the pictures I put together as I was doing this...womp, womp}

Ok. So fail 1. But I would not give up! I tried again...this time with actual craft glue as it suggests. Dried clear...give it a go and try to glue it. FAIL AGAIN. See how it all crinkled and gathered? Safe to say the cupcake holder was too big or the foam ball was too small. So off to another trip to Michaels and grocery stores to find the perfect fit. Unfortunately, another purchase of cupcake holders yielded the same result. (No picture for these because it was at this point I threw my hands in the air...or the ornament across the room. Either or ;)

But seeing as I still have one of the fails...snapped a quick pick.

That's my fail. Not cut out for that pin. But good luck to anyone who wants to try it. And clearly, it does work properly occasionally.


And I must end this post saying...me and this precious kitty have been together as mommy and fur baby for 3 years today. I picked her up an hour and a half away to bring her home and she has given me so much love.

The 12th day of the 12th month of the (20)12th year.

Aka. 12/12/12

 
Last we, me and you, will ever see. Sad to hear we will not be there in a hundred years. Even though they keep saying it won't happen until January 1, 3001. Um, what happened to January 1, 2101?? Even though it's not technical, still counts in my book. Still use the last two numbers. Just sayin' 

Aka. #121212concert. 

Amazeballs. Humbling. Touching. Wonderful. So many talented, courageous people in one room. And all to help the people of New Jersey and New York. Just pure awesome.

Aka. #Brady121212. 

Obviously love me some Tom Brady. And love that he has the number 12. And that he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for a standout performance on Monday Night Football.

Aka. The 12th. 

Both a glorious day and gloomy day. The 12th of February I was blessed with securing a very fine mate who will become my hubby in 6 months (glorious) 

The 12th of January, the most important person in my life, my best friend, my mother was taken from me and sent to Heaven. My heart has since been filled with a dreadful whole.
But that same year on the 12th....I was given the wonderful news that this little precious baby would be mine the very next day.

So me and the 12th, definitely a love/hate relationship we got going on here. 

And this was my 12/12/12 present from Dunkin Donuts. Yummm!

Hope you had a memorable 12/12/12!!

Christmas Ornament Blog Swap!

I have recently had the opportunity to participate in my first ever blog swap and it was a great experience!

The blog swap, Christmas Ornament Swap, was held by Tutus and Tea Parties and I got paired with Leslie from My Kitchen is Open. She is such a sweet person and I am so glad I got paired with her. If you are ever in need of any recipes, definitely check out her blog. She cooks and bakes up some yummy treats!

And she is also absolutely wonderful because she got me not 1... but 4! ornaments, all under the $5 limit too. She's definitely creative. They are beautiful and hang very nicely on my tree.

Can't wait to add pictures to those two. And even Miss Lily approved!

And As for Leslie's ornament, I made serious attempts to DImyself. Since she is a cooker and a baker, I thought the cupcake ornament I saw on Pinterest was perfect. Looked easy enough for me to attempt.

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Carol on Pinterest

Let's just say, I was not meant to be a cupcake ornament maker. Feel free to stop back Thursday for my Pinterest fail :)

So yes, needless to say I turned to Etsy to help a girl out and found this cute ornament that fitted what I wanted to get her perfectly. How cute is this?!

Definitely go check this shop out...she's got quite the skill with cupcake ornaments! Might even say I am a little jealous...

So there you have it folks. My first blog swap was a success and I can't wait to participate in more!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...!

Everywhere we goooo....in this apartment..! (Done in my best Christmas singing voice)

Time for me to show off my best Christmas decor. Last year I had a new place to decorate and it was so exciting and now again this year I get to find new things. Love me some creative decorating. Forget shoes, I have a serious decoration buying habit.

But in all fairness I do score some pretty great deals. I am still transitioning from old decorations to new ones. So please bear with me if I haven't quite caught up with the domesticated Christmas decorating.

Welcome to our home!

Picked up those cute over sized ornaments at a local farm. They have a huge set up for Christmas and let's just say I could have spent a lottttt of money there had Brian not dragged me out.

Please do come inside!

Check out that cute kitty!
Have some garland strung up the banister and a nice remember of how long until Santa comes...can't wait!!

Double the stockings...Double the fun!

There weren't too many options for our large stockings this year. Last year I was spoiled with my fireplace, but this year it was a challenge. So they ended up on the stand as you come up our stairs into the living room. Cut down from my 5 to 2. And yes, my cat's stocking is larger than ours. Because let's be serious....Santa only comes for her ;)

Our 'First' Tree for Our First Christmas 'Together'!

This year it was a little different decorating the tree. First, I actually had someone helping me! Truly wonderful. And second, because I was trying to make it 'our' tree and not just my tree anymore. I have snowflakes and some Christmas balls. Added the 'K' and 'B' to the tree. Then there is of course, our engagement ornament, a Brian ornament, and a few Lily ornaments. And yes not a one Krista...apparently my name is very hard to find in ornaments ;)

Wall behind the couch

Includes my Mickey Christmas snow globes :)

For Fall I had a nice fall wreath sitting in place of the bow, but I just didn't have a cute Christmas wreath equivalent. So up went the bow. Not in love, but not too bad.

A little TV decoration

Large jar has my grandma and mom's old ornaments. And of course another snow globe :) Added some red, green and gold bells from Michaels to the other candy dish. Got them half off! 

So glad I got to SHOW you my Christmas decor! Stop by From Mrs. to Mama...the cutest momma you will ever see and link up!