Feliz Navidad!

Happy Holidays from Mexico!! I hope everyone had a wonderful, fun filled Christmas...
See you all in 2012!!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

May all your Christmas wishes come true....

First American Christmas

Since this is my nephew's first Christmas in the United States, I thought a Santa visit was in order. Tonight I am throwing a little party for my sister, some of my friends, some of her friends, and of course all the kids. The big surprise, Santa will be stopping by for all the kids...and the adults will be sitting back and enjoying these....
ho ho ho

The Calm Before the Storm...

Today my sister and her family are coming to STL. They are staying with us for the week....I am down to the final hours to clean, stock my fridge, finish shopping, wrap, get our holiday outfits all lined up, bake, oh and pack for 5 people for Mexico. I would love to have everything done by the time I pick up my sister from the airport so I can relax and enjoy this week...

And I'm off

Scenes From the Weekend

I love a weekend that puts you in the holiday spirit, we had that kind of weekend. Friday night we had Dinner with Santa, and lots of arts and crafts...Bright and early Saturday morning, we headed downtown for Breakfast with Santa. There was face painting...
Gingerbread house making...
And of course a visit with the guest of honor himself...
Sunday, tea with the ballerinas from the Nutcracker, then onto the show....
Home just in time to get the house ready....


For Christmas with all my girls...
less than 1 week to go!!

Girl Friday

We have another fun filled weekend ahead of us. I have my last tennis match of the year this morning, I have not lost a match yet so fingers crossed. After I hopefully win, I can officially relax at our annual Christmas tennis luncheon...
We will be getting our fill of Santa this weekend, but that is what December is all about. Tonight it is dinner with santa...
Then Saturday morning breakfast with Santa, one of my favorite events at our club...
Saturday afternoon the girls are off to an art camp so I can get some presents wrapped...

then Saturday night one of my oldest friends is having a birthday/Christmas party...Sunday I am getting together with 2 friends and we are taking our girls to a holiday tea where we will meet the ballerinas that star in the Nutcracker...
Then onto the performance. Growing up my mom would take my sisters and I to see the Nutcracker. I love getting dressed up and heading downtown, there is so much excitement and energy in the air. This is something I do every year with Libby and I absolutely love it..
I will be back just in time to get ready for my Christmas with the girls...
I can't wait for the gift exchange! yeah!!

Have a beautiful weekend

Christmas with the Girls

Every year I get together with my girlfriends for our Christmas dinner and gift exchange. This Sunday I will be hosting the event at my house. Everyone brings a dish to share and a $30 gift for an exchange. I always find it so hard to shop for this party. First, we don't draw names so I have to find something that anyone of the 14 girls would like. Second, I love to find the gift that you really want, but for some reason would never buy for yourself...

Juicy tubes from Lancome, who wouldn't love 6 brand new tubes of lip gloss...

Chanel bath soap. Run don't walk to Nordstrom because once this soap is gone, it is gone until next December. The smell is unbelievable and you will not have to wear any perfume. It is that good and that strong. Another bonus, your bathroom will also smell amazing just from having the soap in your shower...

Lancome eye kit. I love this kit, it comes with mascara, lash base, eyeliner, and of course eye make up remover to take it all off. Everything you need for the perfect "going out lashes"...

From JCrew I found these so cute and so swanky iphone cases, I am really loving the glitter...
and from the gap, a little clutch with a little pizzaz...

and the winter hat that will get you noticed...
and last but not least, and not because I want a pair, but the lululemon running gloves...see, you might have to look a little harder, but you can find great things for under $30.

ho ho ho

Christmas and Cookies

One of the girls on my tennis team is having a Christmas party tomorrow night...it is also a cookie exchange...
I have a possible idea from Natalie, but if you are ever in a Christmas cookie slump, go here!

Vacation Day

I am forcing myself to stay home today and get some thing done around my house. First up, I will actually enjoy a cup of coffee instead of gluping down my starbucks as I am racing through Target...
put some finishing touches on my decorating...address my Christmas cards...
wrap my presents that absolutely need to go in the mail this week...
dig out my bikini...

start packing for our Christmas in Mexico...

and enjoy the holiday season...

13 days to go!!

Girl Friday

Another fun filled weekend ahead of us. The festivities begin tonight with a Christmas party.....
Saturday, after a hopefully not too rough morning, a Christmas shopping date with the hubs and then onto a dinner date ...
Sunday morning my son's grade is hosting "Breakfast with Santa" at his school. Somehow I ended up chairing this event, which has kept me extremely busy this week, but it will be a really fun morning for all the kids. Lots of games, crafts, yummy food and of course a special visitor...
Sunday afternoon, a holiday piano concert with my kids each playing 2 songs...
Sunday night off to see lights. The park down the street from us turns into a "winter wonderland" from Thanksgiving until the new year. The thousands and thousands of lights are a beautiful sight and you get to take a horse and carriage through the park.Have a beautiful weekend!!

Cookie Monster

Last Sunday I took a holiday cooking class with Libby and we had such a good time. She got busy right away making individual pizzas....

then we moved on to the most delicious, melt in your mouth cookies...

time for sharing but you have been warned, don't think these are low fat!

Decorator's Cookies

1 c. sugar

1 stick of butter, room temp

1/4 c butter flavored crisco (see what I mean)

1 egg

3 T milk

1 t vanilla

1 t almond extract

3 c flour

1 1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

Mix everything in a blender. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Roll out on a floured surface and cut out Christmas shapes. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 4-6 min

Frosting

1/2 c butter

1/2 c butter flavored crisco (here it is again)

1 t vanilla

3 T milk

4 c powdered sugar

Mix well, spoon into smaller bowls and add food coloring

Enjoy your extra workout tomorrow;)

Making A List

With Christmas fast approaching I came up with a wish list for our secret santa draw I do with my siblings and with the hub's siblings. Louboutins are always at the top of my list, but honestly my sister is not giving me a $600.00 pair of shoes. I have a list that is a little more realistic and a lot more budget friendly.

Toms shoes. I am obsessed with these shoes. I have the glitter flats and I love them!! I realize the flats are an acquired taste and not for everyone, it seems people either love or hate them. Well the new wedges for this season are so hot, I don't know which one I love the most...

the sparkle wedge.....
the cheetah wedge....
the corduroy wedge.. the best part for every pair you buy, Toms gives a pair to a needy child!
I fell in love with Longchamp my first trip to Paris. I was memorized with how stylish every single Parisian woman was and how they all carried the same bag. Well years later I own a couple bags myself but have added the carry on luggage to my list. We are spending Christmas in Mexico this year so this gift would be perfect....


Jewels are always a great gift, I love costume jewelry almost as much as the real deal. I have found a few necklaces from JCrew that I love....
I would most definitely layer these babies...


or maybe a Kate Spade tassel necklace...Art is also a good gift. I have found a local artist who specializes in home portraits, you send her a photo of your home...and she will create an ink and pen illustration of your home. I actually want all 3 of the homes I have owned at one time or another...

It isn't Christmas without a little Lulu. Ahead of the Curve jacket by Lululemon...
Christmas is coming, what's on your list?