I Simply Resolve

Resolution - A firm decision to do or not to do something.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a New Year, a day when many people make a firm decision to drink more water, lose 10 lbs, go for a new job, pay off debt, and spend more time with friends and family. But for anyone who has ever made a 'resolution' like the ones above, we all know come March, if not sooner, that little thing called life gets in the way. Next thing we know, it's 4p and you realize that you haven't even taken a sip out of that water bottle, it's July and there is no way you are squeezing into that two piece you bought in January, and before you know it it has been two months since you called your best friend or your Mom.

Life happens. So this year I am keeping my resolution short and sweet. I am making it something only I can control. I am not going to let anyone mess up this decision, deadlines are not going to make me miss it, and chocolate cake will not be my down fall, for in 2012:

I told you; short and simple and easily attainable AND sustainable.

Happy New Year Everyone!

The $100 Dilemma

First of all, happy day after Christmas. I am going to go out on a branch here and say this past Christmas was my favorite! Baby E was at the perfect age and loved every single one of her gifts, I got to see everyone who is near and dear to my heart, I ate more food than I should have, and best of all, it snowed on Christmas day!! I hope everyone reading this had a wonderful weekend and got everything they hoped for this holiday season. Now on to my dilemma.

For Christmas I received a $100 dollar bill. Yahoo! One hundred dollars to spend on me, myself, and I. Sounds pretty easy right? Wrong! You know when I first opened it, I thought groceries, or maybe a Sam's Club card L.A.M.E. I know!! But then I thought, no, I am going to spend this money on something for me, all me. But what? I am toying with a few ideas, but none really stand out as a must have.

Here are things I am toying with:

1) A new pair of Dansko's (kind of lame),
2) Paint and a new light for the kitchen (but is that really for ME?),
3) A new camera lens (but do I really need another lens),
4) Shades for E's room (wait, that's not for me),
5) Christmas decorations that are probably on Clearance (and who exactly would that be for?)
6) A Sam's Club Membership (errr, read above),
7) A new purse (Amy, you already have 1,548 purses, 1,546 of them you never use),
8) A grill insert for the Jeep (not something I can really use, it will just look super cool to that one person, other than me who will notice),
9) New framed prints for the living room (for living room which is not ME)
10) Oil Change and gas for the car (okay, this is getting ridiculous).

As you can see this seemingly thoughtful gift is wreaking havoc in my brain. Why is it so hard for me to spend $100 on myself? Don't get me wrong, I am sure I will have no problem spending this money, two minutes inTarget and I assure you, the $100 and probably a little more will be spent - BUT will it all be spent on ME.

I am going to throw it out there: What would you spend if you have $100 to spend on YOURSELF??

We have a winner!

Congratulations Paula Clark

you are the winner of a

$5 Starbucks Gift Card!!!

Hugs & Shrugs - Holiday Edition

HUGS:
1) Hair tinsel; a wispy strand of tis the season strategically placed in my hair which makes me feel all Holla-day without having to wear an ugly sweater, 2) I was debating putting this one as a shrug, but if you think about it... it's a hug a really, super, great big HUG; Husbands who hands you cash and say 'go get what you want'; it is a sure way to avoid the disappointed look on your face when you open a gallon of windshield washer fluid... or ice creepers... or snow shoes... or a bar of soap... you get the hint, 3) Holiday shopping commercials and there are some super funny ones this year, like Wal-Mart's  "Ringadingding ringadingding Ring ME UP!!!!" gets me every time, oh and what about Best Buy's commercial where the women are out doing Santa - bwahaha!

SHRUGS:
1) People who wait to the last minute to do all their shopping and then complain because they can't find the time or the gifts people want, ummm HELLLO Christmas comes on the same day every year, every single year, so there is no reason to act all surprised when someone tells you Christmas Eve is tomorrow, 2) Strands of lights that choose to stop working after you have them up on the tree, really what happened in those last 8 minutes that made you stop working? 3) The possibility of NOT having a white Christmas, devastating to say the least.

Happy Holidays!

Oh and don't forget to leave me your comment on this post for a chance to win a $5 Starbucks gift card!

The Search for the Best PML

Peppermint Mocha - the delectable combination of refreshing peppermint with smooth chocolate mixed with a shot or two of espresso and you have one flavor combination that could persuade me to do about anything. Usually, the only place (by place I mean a chain coffee shop in with a drive thru) that offers a Peppermint Mocha Latte (PML) is Starbucks. But this year, it seems like everyone and their brother is offering a PML. So what is a die hard PML lover to do? Try them all!

For the last four weeks I have been on a personal voyage to find out who makes the best PML. I have sampled PML's from the following institutes:  Tim Horton's, McDonald's, D&D, and Starbucks. I have singed taste buds, consumed extra and unnecessary calories, and with all the extra caffeine I have produced some of my most productive afternoon working hours, all in the name of PML.

So Amy, what did you find out. Well, I found out that two were a waste of coffee beans, calories, and a paper cup. Dunkin and Timmy let me down... hard! I couldn't even finish one of them ay' it was that bad. Mickey D on the other hand surprised me, in a good way. The latte was scrumptious, the flavor and texture were good and the price, well you can't beat it.

But I have to say the best of the best, the foam on the top of my latte goes to Starbucks. I don't know what they put in it, but you can't beat this PML with a candy cane!! I love this drink so much, I am going to give one lucky reader a $5 Starbucks Gift Card so you can buy one for yourself and let me know if it is not the best PML you have ever tasted. To enter all you have to do is leave a comment telling me what your beverage of choice is this time of year. The lucky winner will be randomly drawn on December 20th. Good Luck!

Bake, Cook, Eat & Repeat

I love to bake, cook, and eat! Here are a few recipes I must try before the end of the year... You know, before the New Year when I will falsely promise myself to drink a gallon of water, eat 17 vegetables, 6 fruits, and walk three miles a day. Yeeeeah, I have 24 more days to bake, cook, and devour things like THIS:

Kevin & Amanda's Frosted Candy Bar Stuffed Cookie Cups

Photo taken from their web-site.

Picky-Palate's Oreo and Peanut Butter Brownie Cakes

Photo taken from her website

Eighteen25's White Chocolate Popcorn

(I made this last year, it was addicting! So consider yourself warned)

Photo taken from their website.

Eighteen25's - Sugarplums

(super easy to make and a big hit with the kiddos!)

Photo taken from website

Swamp Hallow Designs Sweet Salty Cashew Brittle

Photo taken from website.

Enjoy!! Happy Wednesday