My New Friend

Thanks to my mom, grandma and grandpa pitching in, I finally got a camera!!!! YAY! So no more bad lighting in my photos (although I still love my iPhone and plan on using it too).  Oh yea, and we found a new place to live, only one more week of couch surfing...I'm a very happy girl. =)

Merry Christmas to all...

These next few days will be busy for me: working two jobs by day and family, hot chocolate, and Christmas movies by night.  I am wishing every one of you a great weekend and a Merry Christmas!

photo via Ruche blog

Balboa Boat Parade

Yesterday my husband and I had our only day off work together in the past two weeks until Christmas Day, so we celebrated by getting quite a few craft beers at Crow Bar and then walking to the Balboa Boat Parade on its last night.  We accidentally started the tradition of going two years ago when we happened to be there on opening night walking around looking at the Christmas lights.  Since we are temporarily in Orange County, we decided it was a must!

Mrs.&Mr. E

This is our first Christmas picture as a married couple!! Tis the weekend for holiday parties and cheer so have fun and Happy Friday!

{Pin}spired

A little holiday pinterest inspiration. Only 11 more days, Cheers!

All images via Pinterest. Click here to view the rest of my holiday board!

Christmas Snowball Cookies

Last night was my dad's birthday and I wanted to bake some treats (and I'm not any good at making cakes yet) so I combined his birthday with the holiday season and made snowball cookies. They were delicious and a huge hit with everyone!

Here are the ingredients:
(makes about 4 dozen cookies)

1 1/2 cups of butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp. salt
3 cups roughly toasted almonds

Mix butter and sugar on low. Then add 2 eggs and vanilla extract on low.  Sift the salt with the flour and slowly add to mixture on low.  (To chop the almonds, I used a food processor). Lastly add the chopped almonds and mix well, then cover in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for an hour.

Preheat oven to 350.  Remove dough from the fridge and roll about a tablespoon of dough into a ball. Bake from 18-22 min (depends on how your oven cooks).  Remove, let cool for 5 minutes and roll in powdered sugar.

Then eat and ENJOY! 

Mason Jar Snow Scene {DIY}

I have mentioned before that Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores.  Even if I don't love their clothes in a certain season, I always get inspired by their home section and their decor.  They had a salt shaker snow scene that I had on my Anthropologie Wishlist seen here. After seeing them in the store, I decided to make my own for myself and as gifts for a fraction of the price.

Materials needed:

Mason jar or empty sauce jar

epoxy glue

figurines/Christmas decor

white sparkling sugar 

glitter

Nail polish OPI "Cuckoo for this Color"

Here is one I gifted to my sister in law with an
Anthro g/c on the bottom tied with yarn.
(Again, sorry about the lighting-iPhone)

It was so easy to make and I love the way they looked in person. Try one!