This or That Tuesday!

Wrap Around Deck OR Screened In Porch
This is easy-peasy. I would much rather have a wrap around deck. I love love love love huge front porches. We paid a lot extra to have a different elevation built on out house to have as much of a front porch as we could. I am a font porch girl. There is just something about a rocker, a cup of coffee, the sunlight and a good book that cannot be matched.

Big Luxurious Bathtub OR Walk-in Closet
Another easy one for me, Walk-in closet. I don't take baths, there is just something about laying in my own dirty water that I cannot get past {yes, I am a germaphobe}. Plus, what girl doesn't want a walk in closet?! Hello space for my shopping addiction!

Kitchen with an Island OR Kitchen with a Breakfast Bar
Kitchen with an island! I have a large kitchen now with a breakfast bar that we don't use as an eating space and the one thing that I always wish that I had is AN ISLAND!!!!

Big Front Yard OR Big Back Yard
Big back yard! My son is a ball of energy and he needs all the space to run around and cause trouble that he can get! Plus we have a doggie =)

Bountiful Garden OR Nearby Grocery Store
Nearby grocery store, I don't garden. Enough said.

Totally new look!

I just gave the whole blog a facelift! What do you reading and bloggy friends think?

I wanted something "cleaner" more simple but pretty.

Must Have Monday Link-Up {#2}

Welcome to the 2nd week of Must Have Monday! Sorry for not posting until now but the holiday weekend has my life backed up. I promise I am getting back on track though!

Here are my must haves for the week:

 Pretty, pretty! I love the color mint and I have the perfect sweater to wear this with. I think I will need to order this very soon. It is on my Xmas list!

I am a lover of leopard. These would look great on me at work!

Leopard scarf, please! Adds some fashion to this outfit that would be otherwise boring, loving it.

How cool are these? I wish that I knew how to do these at home.

I must find this dress. This was an advertisement for the scarf but the dress is what caught my eye and I need it.

So without further ado.....

What are your must haves this monday?

Ten Favorite Things: Holiday Edition

1. CHRISTMAS TREES- They smell like heaven, they have an amazing way of getting you in the mood for the holidays, and they create the perfect ambient light! This is last year:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. SNOW- If you know me you know that I LOVE SNOW! I always have. I think that if it must be cold then there should be snow. This probably isnt helped by the fact that I went to Penn State which is in a valley between mountains and it snows all the time there. I got used to having snow on the ground pretty much all winter so when I came back to Ohio the lack of snow was quite a let down. Here is the snow that we have had so far this year:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. TWINKLE LIGHTS- I love seeing all the lights that people put up on their houses. This year I am climbing up on the roof and putting icicle lights up even though Justin hates lights (he is just cheap and thinks the electric bill will be crazy) because I want to! I have them out and waiting! I also love being able to see people's christmas trees glowing through their windows.
4. CHRISTMAS MOVIES- Christmas Vacation..... Shitter's full! Need I say more?
5. SHOPPING- I love shopping, it is an addiction. I love that christmas and the holidays give me an excuse to shop my socks off. I feel happy when I buy things {yes, I know that sounds wrong but it is true!}.
   
6. FOOD- My husband is italian so the holidays are synonymous with food. Yes, please!
7. FAMILY- Not much better in this world than family!
   
8. TIME OFF SCHOOL/WORK- This is one of the first years in a long time that I am not in school but it looks like that might be changing soon, post master's here I come {insert insanity here}.
9. WINTER CANDLES- I love winter scents like balsam, cinnamon, cookies, etc. They are so calming and relaxing.
10. SLIPPERS, WARM CLOTHES AND A MOVIE!- Again my perfect idea of relaxation!

{Sunday Social} These are a few of my favorite things!

It's that time of the week again, Sunday Social!

1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? I am not a huge fan of ice cream normally but when I was pregnant I think I ate it most days in my 2nd and 3rd trimester. My 2 flavors of choice were Homemade brand Cookies and Cream and UDF Cotton Candy Flavor. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
   
   
   
   
2. What is your favorite smell? Very appropriate to this time of year I love the smell of fresh evergreen/balsam. There is nothing like the smell of christmas tree. I like to buy candles, soap, air fresheners, etc all in this scent. I can't get enough of it!
   
3. What is your favorite TV commercial? I rarely watch commercials anymore because I have had DVR for probably a decade but lately my life is like this commercial:
4. What is your favorite day of the week? Saturday! I get to spend the whole day with my son and husband and we can do whatever we want. We get to sleep in (till about 9 when my little guy gets up), we get to just enjoy every moment of the day with him. Also no dread of knowing that the next day is monday (although I don't mind work days but DH does).
5. What is your favorite article of clothing? My american eagle super super stretch skinny jeggings. They are the most comfortable jeans in the whole world, I wear them all the time. Normally the first thing that I do when I get home is change into sweatpants but these are so comfortable that I keep them on and dont even need to change!
   

Share the Love- December

My friend Sarah over at Life as Always participated in a fun link up today and I decided that I should join her! So today since it is DECEMBER {crazy, right?!} 1st I am going to share what I am looking forward to this month!

CHRISTMAS CARDS- I love getting christmas cards in the mail! No, not the plain cards you buy at the store but the cute ones that people have printed with their family photos on them. I love to display them in the house to remind us how lucky we are to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends. It is such a blessing to have so many people who care about us and I love the reminder that comes around the holidays! Plus, who doesn't love all those cute kids, pets and faces hanging in the house?! Here is what our Christmas card looked like last year:

(front)

(back)

GIVING- I love giving gifts to others. I love thinking of and picking out the perfect gift for someone and then wrapping it up to give to them. I get such joy out of giving, I truly enjoy giving more than receiving! This year I have some things planned that I am really excited to give!

HOLIDAY PARTIES- My new practice has a really awesome holiday party planned that I am super excited for! I also am hoping that my girlfriends and I can plan something again this year that can include our little ones. I think it is fun to have the holidays to get together and have a reason to celebrate.

CHRISTMAS THROUGH A CHILD'S EYES- Foster should really "get" it this year. Last year he LOVED opening his presents and play with them (he was 17 months old at xmas last year) but he didn't understand christmas enough to have anticipation for it. He didn't "know it was coming". This year we get to talk to him about Santa, start Elf on the Shelf, Set cookies out for the big man, all the little things that make Christmas so fun for littles!

FAMILY- The holidays = family and I love that! Justin's grandmother has christmas at her house and it is the definition of a family holiday. Food, food, presents, family, more food, laughter, food, love, more food, and did I mention italian food?

Today I linked up with Natasha at Serenity You