What are your plans for the New Year?

I dont know about you,

but I am so ready for a new year....

new house (check)

new projects (there is a whole list of em'!)

new body....

ahem.

Sorry - just kidding :) 

My New Year's Resolution?

(well one of many)

ORGANIZATION

By breaking down cleaning and decluttering into weekly assignments, 

you can bring about whole-house changes

in small, easy to achieve steps. 

Sounds do-able, eh??

Of course, there is our pal Martha

(who always makes stuff like this look Sooo easy) 

I seriously wonder if she really does all of this stuff herself.

Seriously. 

100 Easy Organizers 

you can even peek inside Martha's homes to see it all in action.

Kitchen organization:

those fish baskets - cute idea!

freezer labels - easy and a must

label bulk storage - this is on my to-do list

Am I the only one who drools over her Bedford Kitchen?

Sigh.... 

On to the throne for some ideas:

(I gots me one of these ladders)

magnet backed medicine cabinet - pure genius 

 

over the door storage

so clever that Martha! 

what a cute towel storage using old windows!

She also has some storage/closet/misc ideas:

(of course she does...) 

 

the dark and scary broom closet

there is even a flashlight stored on the door

so you can go get in there. 

 What another cool idea.

Cute lil touch-up paints - 

for when you try to bring in that big ol' piece of furniture without the hubby finding out.... 

only to gash the wall.

(I have no idea where that chunk of drywall came from. I swear...)

A treasure map!

Well...not quite.

But it is a map of your household in case of a catastrophe.

Make a rough sketch of your floor plan

and indicate the shutoff valve, fuse, or power source for everything in your home 

that uses water, gas, or electricity. 

Apply color-coded stickers for each utility.

Thanks Martha. 

Oh. and House Beautiful also has some cool tips too:

New Year's Resolution Tips for Every Room 

My organizational resolutions:

~ A Family Binder

Get an inexpensive three-ring binder, page dividers and page protectors 

to create a family organization binder. 

Include items that can easily get lost around the house

restaurant takeout menus

important phone numbers for the babysitter

doctor and dentist appointment cards

Keep this binder in a convenient place, such as a kitchen drawer. 

(aka the dreaded "JUNK DRAWER"!) 

We already have one of these for all of our appliance manuals.

Makes it really easy to find the paperwork cuz its all in one spot. 

~ An Organized Laundry Room  

I have images of Rie's laundry room

via Home and Harmony 

And then I smack myself upside the head 

and back into reality.

But I still think I can tackle this area in my home

and make it more cutesy.

Cuz come on....

we spend ALOT of time in the laundry room.

Might as well make it purdy, ya know? 

~ Cleaning out Closets! 

this is a must.

kids grow every month.

( I swear they do) 

they outgrow clothes at a rapid rate....

I need to get in there and clean them out!

This means boxing up clothes and giving to 

friends/family, and donation stores.

If you dont hear from me soon, then you know what happened to me.

(

(I am probably somewhere in there...) 

Bring it on Twenty Eleven.

I'm ready for ya! 

Procrastination has its good side.....

....you always have something to do tomorrow. 

Yea...

we have all done it. 

admit it.

{sheepishly raises hand}

This year I am done.

I was done like 2 weeks ago....

D.O.N.E

Uh huh...

thats right...

in yo face! 

Ooops. 

Sorry to rub it in.

But let me tell you, its not entirely a good thing.

Now I dont know what to do with myself.

I find myself wanting to do more..... 

So for all you procrastinators out there

and the do gooders

(yay-thats me this year!)

Here are some quick fixes for "our" problem

:)

#1 - Homeade Gifts

 Cinnamon Honey Butter

I got the recipe from Heather Bullard's blog

who got it from Urban Grace's blog

who got it from her sister's blog! 

I have made this for gifts 3 times so far.

Mothers Day

Christmas last year 

(when I was a procrastinator!) 

Baby Shower 

It is so easy and super yummy.

Not to mention the adorable lil canning jars you use are biteable cute!

 Book of Money

It is the little brother of the Money Tree. 

You know, that tree that we have all been looking for 

since our parents told us that money doesn't grow on it. 

(I personally think they grow at the end of the rainbow 

and the leprechaun that has that dang pot of gold lives in the tree) 

And who doesnt love to get money as a gift?? 

Thanks again for the wonderful idea Martha.

 Soooo...

you dont have an inner Martha? 

 Dont wanna make anything?

Want to sit at your computer in your jammies and click the BUY button?

Here are the cutoffs for ordering online:

#2 Ordering Online 

Amazon.com 

 They have something for everyone.

Literally.

When Target was out of those zero-gravity cars

I ordered them from Amazon.com in my jammies.

Free shipping.

But that was 2 weeks ago :)

Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy...etc etc. 

They have a ton of cute stuff 50% off.

Once again, something for everyone. 

FYI - 

The Stig USED to get me a ton of stuff from here

(pre-Mrs Stig) 

every Christmas Eve.

Thats when he did ALL of his shopping.

 Lets just say that sometimes I got hooked up....

sometimes NOT. 

I still love the Gap though.

How bout any of these for under $25? 

For the Mr.: 

 Merino Scarf - $19.99

For the cutie patootie:

 Leopard Toddler Dress - $24.99

For your sister or BFF: 

Fair Isle Scarf - $24.99

For your nephew who didnt get that zero-gravity car:

hahaha.....

 

Boys Plaid Shirt - $19.99 

Bath and Body Works

you know this place has been a life-saver for every man.

 

Twilight Woods....

my new favorite scent. 

 

Another of of my favorites...

Magazine subscriptions.

Order one online for that special someone.

Print out a picture of one of their magazine covers.

Tuck it into a stocking or a card. 

I have done this.

It was a subscription to this magazine:

 All About Beer Magazine 

Swear.

It was the Stig's reading material for a whole year.

He totally digged it.

#3 Store Bought Items

Gift Cards.

Blah...so boring.

But so perfect.

You give a gift. 

They get exactly what they want.

Perfect.

Just do a little extra special on the gift wrapping.

Use their favorite colors, candy or a funny saying.

Thoughtful and easy.

Who doesnt love that?!

I would take a gift card from these places ANYDAY:

~Target
~Anthropologie 

~ Home Depot

(for a large amount please!) 

~ Restoration Hardware

 ~ Costco (Sam's Club, Kirklands, etc..)

~ Williams Sonoma  

 ~Napa Style

~Pier 1 or Cost Plus World Market

 ~Best Buy  

#4 Booze


Seriously.
Booze. Liquor. The good stuff.

Who hasnt said "YAY!" when they have received a bottle of wine?
Mmmmhhhmmm.....Thats what I thought.

Its the perfect grab and go gift.
Grab some booze if you are going to a Christmas Party or get-together.
I always have cute bags laying around
(well, not literally....actually....)
A cute tag with a witty saying.

 
Bam!
A cool gift.
(well, make sure they like to partake before you gift a bottle) 
Here are my favs in case you are coming over:

1. Some good Pinot Noir.
no glasses needed. I have plenty :)

2.  Some bubbly.
I am easy. I like the cheap stuff.
Ballatore works for me. Its $6 a bottle.
We will add some pomegranate seeds or strawberries to it.

3.  Kahlua or Baileys.
It just screams holidays.
Plus, I like to add some to my coffee after I have done
all of the holiday meal dishes.
Bring whip cream though.

4. Whiskey
Cuz who doesnt like a hot toddy?

#5 Time Together

Personal coupons.

Remember those?

I used to give them to to my parents as a kid

cuz I didnt have any $$, but I had lots of cool ideas.

Hmmmm.....

Option 1 - 

"Coupon good for one babysitting night"

give to a family member with a newborn 

or a sibling with lots of kids

(meaning: they dont get out much!)

Option 2 -  

"Coupon good for one evening " 

invite your friends over for a home cooked meal

good times, good laughs, good wine

Sounds like an amazing gift to me!

Option 3 -  

"Coupon good for one movie or game night"

I would like to receive this from my man.

We MAYBE go to 1 or 2 movies a YEAR.

We are a Netflix and Satellite TV family.

Cool - 

but there is something about movie theater popcorn that is just so yummy.....

Game night ends up a really fun time too.

make a bunch of snacks and bust out those games you havnt played in ages...

and watch your kids kick your booty!

Hahaha.... 

Option 4 - 

"Coupon good for a personal day"

I might give this to the Stig this year.

Poor guy has been workin his butt off on two houses.

He has actually WON one of these days before.

I lost a flea market challenge. 

( I will tell you about our game someday) 

This was the prize.....a personal day.

Good for a whole day of everything that that person wants to do.

A whole day.

Yeah, he worked it for all it was worth.

But you wanna know a secret?

It was actually a fun day!

:)

 The best gift that we can give each other is time.

Making memories.

The gift that lasts a lifetime.

'Cause I can honestly say that I dont remember what I got

10 Christmases ago... 

But I definitely remember who it was spent with!

Happy Holidays to all of you and your families....

 And may Santa bring you everything you asked for 

and EVERYTHING you didnt know you wanted..... 

XOX

Lolo 

Dear Santa.....

 

via 

I just want to tell you 

I am sorry for not believing in you the past few years....

(I had my own jolly man - no beard or belly on my jolly guy tho!)

But I am a believer again.

Thank you for remembering my wish list

and bringing me a very special gift that was on my wish list for awhile!

I guess you brought it early because you knew I wouldn't have a tree...

or maybe because you saw the state of our fireplace....

(I wouldnt let anyone climb down that chimney right now!)

 Check out my latest find - and for a steal....

it only set me back 77 one dollar bills!

(I promise I didnt snag them from the kiddos piggy's)

 

 Isn't she gorgeous!

She used to be in a Shabby Chic store....

the previous owner snagged her and her sister at a 50% off sale

(when Rachel Ashwell closed all her shops around 2 years ago) 

She kept one and decided to sell this one.

  

 Look at her shoes - 

they twirl and spin so beautifully...

just like a ballet dancer. 

She is my very own Sugar Plum Fairy! 

I wonder what used to fill her shelves?

Did she live in a bakery?

 Or perhaps a cobbler's shoppe? 

I cant wait to get her to the new house and fill her 

with all sorts of my lovelies!

So Mr Claus....

what's the status update on those OTHER items that have 

been on the wish waiting list for awhile.....?

:)

XOX

Lolo

Christmas Mantel Linkup?

 (my transformed Christmas wreath)

Sorry for the horrible pics

I only had my camera phone handy.

(but I do have Picnik) 

Quick question -  

I just was wondering if any of you knew

if I still have time to link-up

to any mantel parties?!

No?!

Bummer.....

Hahahaha! 

I just knew I have a winner here.

Check it out - 

How many of YOU have a fire going when you take your picture?

(we actually need it for heat right now) 

Yeah....thats what I thought!

No need to look at the ledgestone samples on the hearth 

Or the boxes of electrical material to the right

I am sure you cant see the copper piping thats on the floor 

(which is worth a small fortune right now - holy crap ! Didnt know copper was so expensive.....) 

Or the fact that there is a junk drawer that has formed on the mantel

(i think theres a broken clock, razor blades, screws to who knows what, lotsa drywall and concrete dust, 

oh and some Domino's Pizza coupons on there too) 

Like my pretty candle on the mantel?

It smells yummy.

I light it everytime I go over to the house.

The workers think Im nuts.

(well, I am - but it has nothing to do with candle lighting) 

The wreath was sad on the fireplace wall.

So I moved it.

 (and no, its not snowing in our house - altho it feels like it sometimes!)

 My husband thought this was a riot.

(further proof that I am insane) 

This is the future doorway to our garage.

The door is going to be moved and a new one installed.

And the wall will be closed up of course!!

Like the paint samples on the kitchen/ dining room wall?

( I honestly believe that picking paint colors is THE hardest job on the planet. EVER.)

Which one do you think I chose? 

:) 

XOX

Lolo

  

FYI - 

Wreath is from The Robin and Sparrow

(I will be using it every season!) 

Glittered house numbers are from Shawnee23

Red dove ornament from Michaels $1 bin 

Labor(ers) of Love

Since you all have been wondering what I have been up to lately......

 (besides going crazy - that is the norm....duh)

Meet my favorite construction crew!

 

The Stig installing "my" *bad-ass* front door hardware

(the words *bad ass and kick ass were both used)

Oh and apparently anything that involves WORK on the house is "mine"

Examples: 

#1 - Installing MY new sewer line to the street

(all my dreams have come true now-HAHAHA!)

 

Yes that is Cambo operating a backhoe!

(and to think I thought him getting his Driver's permit next year was a scary thought.....)

#2 - Installing MY new gas/electrical lines to MY new kitchen island

My sweet lil baby girl Rylee is JACKHAMMERING!

I can honestly say that I am a little freaked out by the fact that she LOVED it.

(she will be the cutest orange-vest-wearer ever if she decides to do this for a living!) 

Oh, and Santa delivered my Christmas gift early

(it wouldnt fit under the Christmas tree)

Brown paper packages tied up with string......

THIS is definitely one of my favorite things!

A brand new HVAC unit - complete with Air Conditioning!!

(dont think I wont be turnin' that bad boy on when I am unpacking in the middle of winter - HA!)

This is a gift that keeps on giving....

Uncle Sam will be giving me a Christmas present again next April 15th.

(in the form of a $1500 rebate!) 

And with that 

I will leave you with a photo that cracks me up......

......DORKS

(but I love them!)

And they were installing MY new plumbing lines!

XOX

Lolo 

All tied up!

Just had to tell you a quick laugh......

We are getting everything ready for the mayhem cooking session 

that will ensue early tomorrow morning.

The Stig was looking for the twine to tie up the turkey birds.

He said :

"I bet its upstairs with all your decorating crap".

Ooopsie. 

I guess he knows me pretty well - 

Ha!

I better get another roll so I can finish 

wrapping up those Christmas gifts!!

And speaking of twine.....

Check out Meridian Road's post about her cute twine project!

Twine + watered down glue = JOY 

 Too cute!

(and easy-peasy) 

I like easy peasy...... 

 I better go run and buy some extra rolls of twine so the kiddos and I can do this.

Wouldn't want to make these with turkey-greased twine!

XOX

Lolo 

Frog Ball Casserole Recipe

This is not really a Frog Ball Casserole recipe....

Hahahaha.......tricked ya! 

Were you around for my Frog Ball post? 

If not, then let me give you a quick update.

We accidentally grew brussel sprouts.

(Who grows them on purpose anyways?!)

I have 2 things I can make with them.

This is one recipe.

And its a keeper....

Its a repeat-offender.

(that means that I get requests to make it. yep. really....me.)

I now present to you - 

the only other recipe I have for Brussel Sprouts

(I will give you the Frog Ball recipe another day!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brussel Sprout & Cauliflower Au Gratin

Ingredients:

  
1 1/2 lbs brussel sprouts (cleaned, trimmed and quartered lengthwise)

1 1/2 lbs cauliflower florets (cleaned)

2 3/4 cups heavy cream (I use whipping)

1/2 cup shallots (finely diced)

2 cloves garlice (minced) 

1 tbspn fresh sage (chopped)

salt & pepper to taste  

1 1/2 tbspn olive oil

1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs

1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

fresh parsley

3 cups grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

COOK brussel sprouts in large pot of boiling salted water for 2 minutes

ADD cauliflower and cook additional 3 minutes more (sprouts and cauliflower)

DRAIN veggies and add to a large bowl of ice water

DRAIN after 30 seconds, and set veggies aside

COMBINE heavy cream, shallots, garlic and sage in saucepan.

BRING to a boil

REDUCE heat and simmer approx 10 minutes

ADD salt & pepper to taste

REMOVE from heat to cool

HEAT oil in a small pan and add breadcrumbs

STIR for 2 minutes until lightly browned

ADD pine nuts and parsley 

REMOVE from heat to cool

BUTTER a 13x9 baking dish

LAYER 1/2 veggies (sprouts and cauliflower) then 1 1/2 cups parmesan

REPEAT layers

POUR cream mixture over the top 

BAKE @ 375 degrees for 40 minutes, covered with foil

After 40 minutes, uncover and ADD breadcrumb mixture

BAKE additional 15 minutes until breadcrumbs brown

Serves approx 12 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Oh, and just a lil heads up.

Make sure everyone is out of your house in 6-ish hours.

(preferably AFTER they have done the dishes)

Trust me.

You don't wanna be around for the aftermath when the "bombs" hit....

Sorry for the bluntness.

I had to put it out there.

We are friends afterall.

Just be "thankful" that I warned you!!

Wishing all of you the warmest and fulfilling Thanksgiving holiday

spent with your families and those dearest to you......

XOX

Lolo

**ps - Are any of you Black Fridayers campin out in front of your favorite stores??!

Its forecasted to be 24 degrees here that night!!

Just shut it all you northerners and east coasters.....

24 degrees is Antarctica to us Cali girls!

(I have a space heater under my desk as I type!) 

"Special Delivery"

via 

(ps - they spray painted the pine boughs white! I might be able to talk the Stig into

doing this when they paint the ceilings in the new house!) 

Hi there!

Is everyone ready for Christmas yet?!

Not me.....

At this point I am just hoping to be able to get a tree up 

in the new house before Christmas!

Im beginning to doubt that is gonna happen.

I might be able to put up a Charlie Brown Tree though! 

Its been a zoo over here, let me tell you.....

backhoes, and sawcutting and drilling, oh my! 

I have been dreaming of this:

 

countryliving.com 

and literally dreaming of sleeping in here:

countryliving.com

But..... 

since I wont be decorating this year

(can I get a "boo-hoo" from the peanut gallery?!)

I will be giving a lil extra lovin' to all of my 

wrapped gifts that I am giving!

(mostly homeade this year - I told ya I am being good!) 

Here are a few ideas that I thought I would pass on to ya 

for "special deliveries" this holiday season....

Silhoutte Packaging

Isnt it the sweetest?! 

I would cherish a gift received wrapped in this!

 

Ruffled Sheet Music Garland 

Love this! Feminine and masculine at the same time :) 

Im pretty sure the men in our lives wouldnt mind

receiving a gift wrapped in music garland.

(and you could re-use it to hang on the tree, or your mantle!) 

Bakers Twine 

 A staple in my household.

I use this twine for all sortsa packages, baking gifts 

(you can also tie one on your finger to  help you remember "something" - haha)

 

Canning Jar Soap Dispenser 

How cool would these be to give as a gift?

You can fill them with holiday candy - its a 2-fer-1 gift!

(I love giving "gift wrapping" that is purposeful and reuseable) 

Burlap Holiday Bags

Um hello.....burlap bags.

Need I say more?! 

 

Linen Ribbon 

Oh how I have coveted this ribbon. 

Everytime I add it to my "cart" they say it is out of stock....

They finally got more in - Yay!

 Joyeux Noel Tags

I adore all of Shannon's tags and decorations!

They are so purdy and well made.  

marthastewart.com 

This is usually what the tree skirt holds at my house - 

I love kraft paper and snippets of greenery.

Clean, simple and rustic. 

Vintage Blue Colander

A cute idea for a vintagey cook, huh?

Throw in some recipe cards, a couple spatulas or a pan, 

something home-ade by you

 (like yummy spaghetti sauce)

Bon Appetit! 

 Document Gift Wrap

Love love love this wrapping paper!

maybe someone can give me a gift this year wrapped in it

so I can reuse it to line my kitchen cabinets!

(hinthint) 

Retro and Eiffel Tower Envelopes

A handwritten special note for that extra special someone....
Letters to santa that you can hang on the tree....  
Christmas cards sent in the mail to loved ones.... 

Also available in air mail too!

Air Mail Envelopes
 

  

 French Tart Tins

 These are so cute! 

I would love to wrap earrings or a small bracelet

in them with some pretty vintage shredded paper and cellophane..... 

jute webbing

Another wrapping staple in my house.

I use this bad boy ribbon for EVERYTHING.

I "make" a garland for our tree

(by "make" meaning I cut about 10 feet off the roll and wrap the tree) 

wrap gift packages,

cut pieces of it and stamp names onto it for "gift tags" 

I have even cut it in half and put it in my daughters hair as "ribbon"

Seriously!

 Metallic Leaves

So soft...

So pretty....

They are captured winter snow-leaves - gorgeous

Glitter some kraft paper and glue a few of these on.

A princess winter wonderland. 

 Coffee Cup Sleeve

Oh coffee.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....

#1: mug + shredded vintage music paper + a Starbuck Gift Card

#2: mug + See's candies peppermint candies

#3: mug + fill her up with vintage buttons

#4:  mug + coffee beans + twig pencils (Anthro)

#5: mug + package of cocoa + mini marshmallows + candy cane

#6: teacup + tea bags + vintage spoon 

#7: um coffee...duh! 

 

 

Chalkboard Trays 

No need for a gift tag!

Line it with fake grass, 

throw in some gardening tools, seed packets, cool gardening markers 

I would LOVE to get this from someone :)  

 Linen Card Holder

Fresh outta gift ideas?

Get someone that perfect gift card, 

but put it in one of these sweet holders.

They can use it as a credit card holder after the holidays..... 

Suzanne Kasler Gift Tags 

Have you seen her line at Ballard?

Oh em gee....

I want it all. 

Burlap Chalkcloth stocking 

I got these last year. LOVED them.

I used them as place settings for our christmas brunch that we had

for our couples group.

( I got them in natural,green and red burlap, black and red ticking, and a sweet red toile print)

We did an Italian brunch so I wrote everyone's names on the stockings

and stuffed these cutie-patooties with:

nuts

dried fruit

amaretti (cookies)

chocolate truffles

and limoncello

(homeade over 3 months my me and the Stig!) 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope that you have been inspired!

Remember to put thought into wrapping your gift....

If you put thought into buying the gift 

you might as well make the wrapping

extra special too!

I hope all of your "special deliveries" are merry and bright

this Christmas!!

XOX

Lolo