Where my girls at ?

I love my blog. I love rambling away and sharing my opinions. Most importantly, I love to entertain, which means I love the comments. No joke - comments make my blog world go 'round. I lose pep in my step when I post something and I don't get any feedback. Yes, I am needy. VERY needy!! I am who I am, and I have to feel wanted and loved at all times.
This being said, I have contemplated shutting down my blog. Sad, I know. It breaks my heart to even have such thoughts, but my lil' heart can't take the sadness of peeps not showin' the love. I hate talking to myself and some days (a lot of days lately), I feel like I am in a room full of crickets.
I love hosting giveaways and giving away freebies (whether from fabulous companies or from my very own pocket), but I am not into bribing people to love dot...dot...dot... - that is the total opposite of who I am. Love me for me, or move on. Plain and simple.
So here's my question girls ... what do you wanna see more here on my blog? Are you into the fashion topics, beauty products and reviews, celebrity gossip, or are you simply here for the goodies? I want honest feedback here (I am a big girl and prefer it straight up) ... tell me your likes AND dislikes. I want this to be a fun place for me and for you, and because I am such a comment whore, I need your input!!!! I will hide the comments on this post, so feel free to open up (you can even choose to be anonymous if you wanna).
I am taking a blog break for the rest of the year to enjoy Christmas and New Year's with my family, but I will be back and fresh-faced for 2011!! April Showers already has my deposit for my new blog design, so I will definitely be back!
Thank you so very much for all the time and love and a special thank-you to my regular friends who comment on almost everything I post!! Lots of Love!!!

Holiday Card

Check out the Kardashian family's holiday card this year ... like, whoa! Fancy shmancy ... so glam and gorgeous! Wanna see my fam's pic this year?
Umm, yeah. I didn't do holiday greetings this year. I am not trying to be a Scrooge or anything. The cost of cards certainly wasn't an issue being that Shutterfly is offering bloggers 50 FREE cards when they shout-out Shutterfly on their blogs. Postage could probably cost a little bit, but really nothing major when the cards woulda' been free. I guess I could blame the craziness of the holiday season ... afterall, I have even been struggling keeping my blog posts up (and the decline in comments doesn't help with that motivation either). But really, I keep up with everyone through this lovely technology we have these days. Texting, Facebook, blogs, and emails ... all awesome ways to keep updated throughout the year without having to sum everything up in a holiday card.
Or maybe I am just lazy this year. Ha!
Did you send out cards this year? Did you send them snail mail or email? And how crafty did you get with them??

Boots & Booties

Charlotte Russe was having a great sale when I popped in there on Friday ... all shoes, including boots, were $20!! Say what?!? Oh yeah! I had to snag a couple pairs ...

These over-the-knee hotties were purchased in black, and I love that I can fold them down if I want a little bit of a shorter look.

It took me a little while to warm up to booties this season, but with my love affair with leggings these little cuties are mine. I wore them last night to my company Christmas party.

Aren't we an awesome bunch??
Working at a gym with these fabulous peeps is so much fun!!

All I Want For Christmas ...

Victoria's Secret

Old Navy

Aerie by American Eagle

Juicy Couture

Aerie

Eclipse on DVD

Peace, Love & Juicy Couture

Wake-Up Wednesday !!

Santa Does Email

For those of you with little ones in your life, whether it be your own, or a niece, nephew, cousin, grandchild ... send them an official email from Santa! Portable North Pole is up and running again this year and the program is even better! Customize a message to your kiddo that includes their name and age, pictures and personal tidbits that only Santa would know! Watch your kids eyes light up watching Santa talk to them in his video message! Add some extra holiday magic to their worlds this season! It's free and takes just a few minutes.

Notes to Self

Note Number One ... Never book 3 major events, back to back, on the same day. You are not Wonder Woman and you cannot do it all.

Not only did I host the Housewives Holiday Bazaar at my house (from 8:30am to 4pm), I also had my oldest son's very first Tae Kwon Do testing event (from 4:15pm to 6pm), AND my hubby's work Christmas party (that started at 6:30pm, but we arrived at 7:20pm).

Note Number Two ... NEVER start a 4-day anti-bloat diet in the middle of a crazy busy week! You will need to eat all the comfort foods you can get your hands on to keep yourself from going insane.

Uh-huh. Day 3 of said diet was on Friday. That schedule is noted above.

Note Number Three ... Never EVER dry shave your legs! I don't care if you haven't shaved in a few weeks and some random person at the gym will see your stubble.

This is not a good enough reason to endure burning and itching legs for the next 3 days. Also note the holiday pedicure you missed out on because of the extreme razor burn. Sure, the toes look cute, but no leg massage??? Lesson learned.

Note Number Four ... Just because you washed away your stress at the end of the day with a hot shower and a martini, doesn't mean your hubby has gotten off your emotional roller coaster!

He will be very pissy, and rightly so. Apologize, tell him he is the Greatest Man Ever!! for putting up with such a looney-toon, and promise to never schedule such a crazy week again. Throw in a little extra sumpin' - sumpin' in the bedroom and all will be forgiven.

I can't even tell y'all how happy I am that this last week is over and done with. The bazaar was fun, the diet wasn't worth it, and hubby and I are friends again.

Even with all the stress, the weekend was still full of great times. My 6 1/2 year-old son broke his first board, received a trophy and was awarded a new belt in his Tae Kwon Do class. He has only been doing this for about a month, and we are so proud of him. I got to hang out with my mom-in-law and sis-in-law on Saturday. We shopped and got pedicures, went to a holiday bazaar, and they made me laugh through my crabbiness. Our Oregon Ducks won the Civil War game and are heading to the National Championship Game ... we celebrated with the whole fam by going out to dinner. And Sunday was a family day with me and my 3 boys. Lunch and shopping downtown always puts this girl in a good mood! Then we took the kiddos to see Polar Express at OMSI (OmniMax Theater).

I am definitely looking forward to being less busy this week. Happy Monday!!

'Tis the season to be busy ....

I am hosting this at my house this coming Friday. Crazy girl, right? A friend of mine and I decided to put this together about a month ago and are hoping it will be a fun success. We have so many friends who have their own businesses or crafty hobby, so why not try to earn some extra $$ this holiday season? If we get a good turn out (over 300 people have been invited), we will make this a public event next year (not at my house, of course)!! Wish me luck (and sanity) as I run around this week preparing and finishing up on my projects.
xoxo

Paid To Shop !!

It's Cyber Monday ... the online shopping day of the year!! If you are planning on purchasing, be sure you are getting cash back every time you check out!!
Say what?!?
Yes! Get paid (cash in your pocket!!) to shop online through Ebates!! Never heard of it? {Really?} Sign up for free ... it's easy and takes all of 2.5 minutes ... click on the store you wanna shop at and Ebates takes you to the site while opening up a tracking ticket. Shop as you normally would, checkout, and voila! Ebates then tallies up a percentage of your total and sends you a Big Fat Check in the mail. It is really that simple.
Over 1000 stores ... 400 of them offering DOUBLE cash back for Cyber Monday ... and FREE shipping on most purchases! Plus, when you refer your friends and family, you get bonus cash. Refer 5 people before the end of the year and get $50 added into your check. The more you refer, the bigger the bonus (like an iPad, $1500 shopping spree, or a $4500 vacation)!!
Notice all my colorful Ebates links here??? Click on one to sign-up, and we will both get bonuses after you make your first purchase.
Happy Shopping!!
♥

Much Thanks !!

I am reminded each and every day of all the amazing blessings in my life. My incredible hubby who has my heart, my two healthy and happy boys, family, friends, and all the necessities needed for a safe and comfortable life. I am never in any want or need and I am loved.
I am thankful for my readers and for the friends I have made through this blog. Your comments mean so much in this bloggy world of mine ... they put smiles on my face and excites me to write the next post. So thank you for taking time out of your busy days to say hi. Thank you for the love and care, and thank you for making this blog a fun outlet for me.
Wishing you all a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!!
♥ ♥ ♥

Recipe Swap ... Pretzel Salad

Whoops! I totally forgot to post this yesterday! So very sorry! Better late than never, right??
This dessert is the absolute perfect salty-sweet combo and is a hit at any holiday or event!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

FIRST LAYER
2 cups coarsely crushed pretzels
3/4 cup melted butter

SECOND LAYER
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese
1 cup sugar
{I like to double this layer for extra cream cheese goodness!}

THIRD LAYER
1 lg pkg (6 ounces) strawberry flavored Jello
2 cups boiling pineapple juice
1 (10oz) package FROZEN strawberries

TOPPING
1 tub of Cool Whip

Preheat oven to 400°. Put first layer in a 9x13 -inch pan. Bake 8 minutes. Remove and cool completely.
Second Layer - Beat sugar into cheese until fluffy. Spread over cooled pretzels.
Third Layer - Mix Jello and boiling pineapple juice until dissolved. Add frozen strawberries and set aside 10 minutes. Pour over cheese mixture. Chill thoroughly until Jello sets.

Top with Cool Whip before serving.

YUM!!

Dare I ?

Fast Food. Its easy and convenient and quick. Perfect for a momma on the go with 2 crazy-hungry boys who require a lot to eat! Obviously it is not the healthiest food. I can't bust out a full meal in under 3 minutes at home (or I would!!!), so what exactly are we eating when we pull outta the drive-thru?
I have debated reading this book, Fast Food Nation, because fast food is a big part of my family's diet. Now when I say 'big part', I mean we eat out a few times throughout the week. It is what it is ... save your judging for another day.
I, myself, constantly struggle with a stomach bloating issue that my doc can't seem to figure out, and I know that my food choices play a major role in this. I have ignored the chicken nugget video. My boys love their nuggets and would be two of those kids who didn't care how the nugget was formed, just as long as they had the dipping sauces available.
I have heard that once you read this book about the dark side of the fast food world, you will never eat at another burger or taco joint again. Do I really wanna know what Taco Bell is serving behind the counter? Is ignorance really bliss in this yummy little addiction of ours?
What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Do you eat fast food? Are there other resources that help you make food decisions for you and your family?

Monday ... Monday

I am feeling so much better than I was on Friday, so Monday is making me smile this week (that and the fact that antibiotics R.O.C.K.)!! Also, it is a three day work week, which doesn't mean a whole lot for me being I only work on Mondays, BUT my hubby will be home for a long holiday weekend. Hip hip hooray!! I always love it when my man is home.
And let's all be excited for THANKSGIVING this week!! Yum-oh-yum! What an awesome way to kick off the holiday season!! Woot! Am I annoying anyone yet with all this positive Monday energy??
Did anyone snag the Nordstrom Rack Groupon Deal that ran all weekend? Y'all know I did ... $50 credit for $25?? Heck ya! I'll take 2!! I had my hubby sign up to get one since one per person was the limit. Double woot!!
Tomorrow I will be posting one of my favorite holiday recipes ... Pretzel Salad. It is the perfect salty-sweet side dish that I prefer to eat for dessert. What's your fave recipe? Dig through your cookbooks and come back to play along in my recipe swap! I would love to learn some new dishes that you all love, so grab my button to post on your blog and spread the word!! I will be sure to visit each and every blog that posts a holiday recipe, so let me know you are playing along!!




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Happy Monday!!
xoxo

Nastiness

I have slept 29 of the last 36 hours. I have a lovely throat infection that is being treated with antibiotics. My fevers have spiked to 103.4 and I have been one hot mess the last couple days. I am hoping to be done with this in a few days so my life can continue on its merry little way.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Style & Comfort ... Can I get a woop-woop !?!

Leggings ... oh how I am loving thee!! And forget skinny jeans ... with the jeggings variety, I can rock the look and not have to sacrifice the comfort! The prices are awesome (from Wet Seal to Target, Forever 21 to Walmart), you can score some great deals as low as $5 a pair!! I am loving them with boots this year, especially with my new Hunters. Dress 'em up or down, or even wear them to bed!! Love, love, LOVE!!!

♥ ♥ ♥

Winners x3 !!

A HUGE THANK YOU to the awesome peeps at The Shirt Jerk for giving away not just one, but three!! tees to the fabulous friends of dot...dot...dot...!! Please keep The Shirt Jerk in mind this holiday gift-giving season!!
And the winners are ...

PeaceLoveApplesauce

~Haley~

luckyfinds

CONGRATS!! Please email me your choice of tee, size and shipping address, so I can forward it on to The Shirt Jerk.

More giveaways to come ... keep on coming back!!

Oh Na Na

Rihanna ft. Drake ... What's My Name



Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!

What's Up Wednesday ?!?

My shopping blog has finally been updated!! Take a peek if you wanna.

~

And don't forget to enter my current giveaway for your chance to win one of 3 tees from The Shirt Jerk!!

Steal of a Deal !!

Last week, I blogged about rain boots ... cuz y'all know it rains here in Oregon. I browsed online at several brands, and one happened to stand out more than others, but they are spendy. Too spendy, in my opinion, for rubber shoes. Walking through Nordstrom a couple days after my boot research, I noticed the cute little display of Hunter boots in the kids department. Hmmm ... remember how I purchased my first pair of Uggs? Could it be the same situation?
I had the sales associate grab me a pair in size 6, which is usually equivalent to a women's size 8 (this is still very puzzling to me, but whatever).
She assured me that this is true with the Hunters as well, because she wears a women's size 7 and just bought herself the boots in a kid's size 5.
So check this out ... Hunters will cost you $125 for their 'Original Tall' boot in the women's department. Hunter boots in the kid's department are $75. If you wear a size 8 or under, you can snag these boots in the kid's department, saving yourself $50!!

There are a couple differences in the 2 size categories. First off, the boot shaft height in the women's sizes (according to the size chart) is 38 cm. The kid's height is 31.5 cm. A bit of a difference, but not enough for me to wanna pay an extra $50 for. The only other difference I have found is that the back of the kid's boots have 2 light gray patches that reflect headlights (for safety). They do not affect the style or overall look of the boots, so again - not worth $50 to worry about.
The height of the boot is actually very comfortable and doesn't hit me too high ... I am 5 foot 6. I haven't actually tried on the women's boot, but I did measure the height with a tape measure, and I actually prefer the shorter version.

Of course, I had to snag the zebra fleece liners. You save a little here too ... in the kid's department, the Welly Socks cost $20 instead of $30. The cable cuff socks are $35 vs. $40. I adore the cable cuffs, but they weren't being offered in the kid's department at the time I had purchased (I now see they are online). I couldn't purchase the women's Welly Socks due to the height difference in the boots, so I opted to go with a leg warmer! These ones were a part of the Half-Yearly Sale, DKNY for $14. Not too shabby!

For picture purposes, I wore rolled up capris to show off the boots better, but these are going to be awesome to wear over skinny jeans and leggings! They are actually really comfortable for a rubber shoe, too! They are pretty soft and aren't too stiff to walk in. We have been having beautiful (sunny) fall weather here in the Pacific Northwest so far and I haven't been able to wear them out and about yet, but be assured you will see them in future Fashion Friday posts!

*Side Note*

Normally, I would think long and hard about spending $75 for a pair of shoes. It definitely helped that I had a $50 gift card to use towards my purchase ($25 for Hunters - oh yeah!!), but if you want to save even more on your purchase, buy them online through Ebates!! You can earn anywhere from 4 to 10 percent CASH BACK on your purchase!! If you aren't already signed up for this money-earning site that PAYS you to shop, then please do so and use me as your reference ( aprilbaker23@yahoo.com ). I will post more about this fabulous site in a couple weeks, but if you must shop now, get signed up and start earning your cash!!