(8) Make your own ornaments

This year I have been pretty crafty and wanted to incorporate my hobbies into our tree. I used some of my fabric scraps, traced it around a paper cup and cut out circles. then I did the same with the batting but used the smaller end of the cup. I then sewed them together (right sides out), with the batting in the middle and cut ends with pinking shears. You could sew in a looped ribbon to make a hook or sew a button in the middle and wrap ribbon around it and create a garland (As shown above). In this months edition of Blueprint magazine they give another direction on how to make fabric ornaments (Shown below), for details click HERE.

(7) Top it off

Want to top your gifts with fabulous (Hand made) bows this year? I learned this ribbon trick at The Container Store. I have used it for all occasions and it looks so cute with pretty much any ribbon, I think wire ribbon works best.

Here we go:

1. You will need 3 yards of ribbon (I measure from my mouth to my fingers with my arm stretched out) and 3 inches of wire.

2. Using a small notepad, CD case, or book wrap ribbon around to make one big ribbon circle.

3. Remove ribbon and hold in middle.
4. Using scissors you will clip the corners on both sides of ribbon, You don't want to cut too deep or the cuts will show when finished.

5. Switch clipped corners to middle, and secure tightly with wire.

6. Create bow by pulling one loop towards you and one loop away from you. Then use left over wire to hook ribbon to box! I hope these directions aren't too confusing! Good luck!

(6) Ready, set, go

If asked, would you know how to properly set a table? Actually I would, thanks to this years young women/ young men etiquette dinner. Well if you have some issues deciding which side the knife goes on and which way it faces, this ones' for you. Marked in red is your everyday setting, marked in blue is for formal entertaining.

Update

I have been feeling very crafty lately and wanting to make a new project everyday, so... I made a pointy kitty and a kitty tunnel (Meatloaf loves it as you can see).

Dave and I went with the young men and women to the LA temple to see the Christmas lights and we ended up being so disappointed because they weren't turning the lights on until the next day! So here is the one palm tree we did see lit up.

And of course Thanksgiving. Cathy Booth makes one mean turkey! We ate, watched a little football, played games and just hung out. It was so fun. Cathy really is a good cook and it was so good to see everyone!

(5) Soft sugar cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup margarine
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Cream the margarine and add the sugar gradually. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition.
2. Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt gradually to the creamed mixture, stirring in by hand. Cover and chill dough overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and cut into your favorite shapes. Place cookies onto the prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 6 to 8 minutes or until cookie has a golden appearance.

(4) Get going on those holiday cards

As always my favorite paper store has such cute Christmas cards this year! See these and lot's more HERE

If you're looking for unique, vintage or really original cards like this one click HERE

I think this card is so cute and different. Photo cards are personal and fun to receive. Find this one and more HERE

(3) Gift wrap wonderland

Anyone looking for amazingly cute wrapping paper? Well I have just the place. The Container Store They call it their "Gift wrap wonderland" and I definitely agree! I was just there the other day and was given a ribbon making demonstration (They also give Wrapping demonstrations). Go to the website (Or local store) and see what you can find for creating this years perfect packages! Here are a few of my favorites.

(2) Spice up that living room

At a local mall here there is a fabulous little boutique called Lola Rouge. Last Christmas I went in and saw the most sassy and amazing Christmas tree.... It was bright RED! The entire tree and decorations were red! It was so cute and different from the norm! So, if you feel like your living room needs a little spice this year check out THIS website!

(1) Here we go

Here we go. 25 days of Christmas ideas, gifts, hints, traditions, decorating tips, where and how to's etc. I hope some of these ideas or items will be new to you and help you out this holiday season!

"Sock it to 'em"
In this months edition of Blueprint magazine (which is by far my favorite home magazine) they came up with this darling idea and I am going to pass it on to you. Instead of stuffing a stocking that you only see once a year for Christmas, stuff a pair of long socks they can wear under their boots on a really cold, snowy day! How cute are these socks? Find them at Free People.

You gotta see this

This is pretty amazing! See the most expensive and cheapest homes in southern California. Click HERE.

A first

Last Saturday I went to a bridal shower for my girlfriend Alicia who is getting married Valentines of next year. This was my first non LDS shower and it was very different then the ones I am used to. Everyone had huge wine glasses in hand, dressed super fancy and the favors were bottles of wine. So now Dave and I have our first bottle of wine sitting on the counter waiting to be re-gifted. It was so fun. I had most fun when the shower was over and my girlfriends and I sat around and talked. Everyone went crazy over Noah and I made out winning not 1 but 2 gifts. I got her the Nordstrom cookbook and made her this apron. I actually bought her the "Essential Mormon" cookbook but decided the Nordstrom one might be a little more her style! Hopefully it will help her in becoming a very domestic wife! I have been blessed with such good friends here and plenty of them. I am so grateful for the many friendships I have made here in California!

Yes... it's up already

Everyone keeps commenting that my Christmas tree is up already. I only put it up because our cat asked me to because he loves it so much. And as you can see he is totally enjoying it. When he was a kitten he would climb it, but now that he's old and fat he just sits under it. I also have it up already because we are going out of town for 3 weeks this year and thought I might put the tree up early so we can enjoy a little Christmas in our own home before we take off! So there.

In need of some great mascara?

Miss Heidi introduced me to Mac cosmetics newest mascara Plush Lash last weekend and I love it. Find it HERE or get it at your local Nordstrom or Mac store... you'll love it too.

Chunka chunk

Check out Noah's big belly and chunky thighs! I just love his fat little body!

Cowboy and Cowgirl

Dave and I went riding horses on his birthday! I felt worked over by the time we were done and my little bum was sore for a couple days. Dave says horse riding is in his roots. We had a blast. I rode Sienna and Dave rode Missy, 2 horses with serious sass.

Happy Birthday Dave

Happy birthday to my main man! He is the big three (30) oh today! I really wish I could get you this sweet truck but maybe you can look forward to surprises like this when law school is done and over! I hope you have such a wonderful birthday!

We need your vote

Meet Sara. My most darling and talented girlfriend. She is such a great photographer and I'm not even sure she understands her own talent! She entered a contest at Millie Holloman to win a video nano ipod for Mia (In the photo) and we need your votes! So.... everybody vote!

Click HERE to vote!

Look what I dug up

Sweetest mullet ever.

Nice crimp job huh?

Yes.... I cut them myself.

1984, how rad was my outfit?

Gotta love the denim from head to toe!

Thank you David

I'll be baking up a storm now that I have one of these to serve my cakes on! Thanks Babe.

Happy Birthday Britt

Happy birthday to my best girl Britt! We have had some seriously good times together! Just to mention a few.... remember Bryn and how we used to drive through the Chevron and never stop, but he was so happy to see us waving? Remember that time at chili's when you stayed in the car and I ran in and somebody hit my car? Remember when I ate it in your hallway because I tripped over the hamper? Well thats just a couple, but you have always been such a good friend to me and I love you for it! I hope you have a great birthday!

Ready for the holidays

I LOVE Christmas. Let me repeat. I LOVE Christmas! I love the smell of home baked goods, the look of a big snow storm coming on, the crackling of a warm fire in the living room, and the sparkling Christmas lights. I love perfectly wrapped gifts with beautiful ribbon on top, I love gift giving, I love christmas parties, I love the food. I mean what is there not to love about this Holiday? Well in preparation for myself and my readers I am going to do 25 days of Christmas on my blog begining November 23rd. Each day will be filled with exciting Christmas ideas, gift giving ideas, hints, traditions, decorating tips, where and how to's, recipes etc. I hope this will help in bringing each of you the Holiday spirit and maybe even inspire you to try something new. I am going to host a giveaway sometime between these dates so keep checking back for your chance to win a fabulous Holiday prize!