turning over a new leaf

I just wanted to update y'all that I have moved into another chapter of my life and you can now find my new blog here!! I hope you will continue to follow and read. Thanks!

New Year!

First things first, 

Second, I hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday! I know that Mark and I sure did. It was great spending time together and just focusing on us. 

Now to the point of this post. It's obviously New Years Day and of course, it just wouldn't be right if I didn't tell you my New year's resolutions so here it is. It's a small list, but I gotta start somewhere. 

- get and stay organized 

- do a better job of keeping in contact with friends

- read more

- sticking to the financial budget I have laid out for Mark and I 

- to lose all the weight that I gained back

- to blog more (and by more, I mean at least 3 times a week)

That should do for now. I have great hopes for this year and I hope you do too. 

Christmas is coming...

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!! I know Mark and I did!!

Christmas will be here in 30 short days. Can you believe it??!!?? I have actually started my holiday planning a lot earlier than I ever have which makes me so excited. Mark and I put the trees (yes, plural) and decor up on Thanksgiving eve and then we decorated the trees while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade (it's a tradition that we have started). I also finished addressing all of my Christmas cards this evening and they will be going out in the mail tomorrow!! Hallelujah!!!

So, since I got a jump start on everything else, I want to get a start on planning out the spread of food that I will be making when my sister, her husband and their two kids come over on Christmas Eve. I know of a couple of things I will be making this year since they were a hit last year, and were requested again, but I'm struggling with some new stuff. I normally just have appetizers or finger foods since it's a real casual get together. I have a food board on Pinterest full of goodies but I don't know how to narrow it down.

Here is where you come in...what would you want to eat if I were cooking for you or which recipes would you choose (it's okay to base your vote off of the pictures).

Oreo Pudding Poke Cake

 

Caramel Cheesecake Apple Dip

 

Baked Mushrooms

 

Crock-pot Mac & Cheese

 

Cheesy Spinach and Bacon Nacho Dip

 

Or do you recommend anything else??

FREE at Walgreens...

Right now at Walgreens, you can get FREE Address Labels + FREE Shipping (your shipping will come off after you enter CC info) with the code ADDFREE. This isn't supposed to go live until Nov. 26 so if you can't get it now, you can get it then, but it worked for me.

You can also get a FREE 8x10 print with the code FREE2THANK. Here is what I made and ordered (Mark signed up for an account too). I selected a Walgreens near me and I can go there to pick it up so you won't be charged for shipping. This is only good until Nov. 24.

Head over to Walgreens Photo, sign in or register, upload your photo and order. It's just that easy!! I can't wait to see how my address labels and photos will turn out.

Treat

Have you heard about Treat? No, well, you are in luck. You get to know more about the company AND get a free card!!

Treat is Shutterfly's new greeting card brand that makes it easy for people to create and send one-of-a-kind greeting cards. Treat is perfect for sending holiday, birthday, congratulations, and thank you cards. they have something for every occasion. They make it fun and easy and totally personal.

I have ordered from both Shutterfly and Tiny Prints and I have always fallen in love with what I have ordered. They have great customer service and their products are great!! I love this new line, too. Check out some of my favorites!!

 

 

 



Since the holidays are quickly approaching, your holiday checklist just got shorter. Create and send a totally personalized greeting card from Treat for FREE. Whether saying thanks for Thanksgiving, wishing a best friend a holiday birthday, or simply sharing the holiday cheer with a just because card, Treat lets you create a one-of-a-kind card that is sure to impress.

All you have to do to get in on this deal is go to Treat, create your card and at checkout just enter the code below:

TREATBLOGR

This offer is only good for TODAY (Nov. 19) and TOMORROW (Nov. 20)

So what are you waiting for...check it out for yourself!!

This post is sponsored by Treat. My opinions are 100% my own.

random

Random Thoughts:

I'm still compiling all of my summer activities for you, in case you were wondering. Maybe by the time I am done with it, it will be really cold and it will take me back to the fun in the sun I had this summer.

I also fell off the weight loss band wagon. I am back in full force at work and it's been crazy. I have been so lazy when I come home at 8:30-9pm. that I don't want to do anything, even cook. We have been eating out like crazy and I have gained some (not all) pounds but I know that once I turn this apartment back into something wonderful, I will be back at losing the weight.

Which brings me to my next random thought - my apartment. It's in shambles. Complete and udder embarrassing shambles. Let me paint a picture - there was a foot and a half path from the front door to the living room that you could walk in between all the STUFF that I had laying everywhere. That STUFF was from summer camp, junk mail, shopping, my mom's house (that's another story for another time and place), Mark's Grandma's house, work, conferences, etc. Since Mark is working AND going to school full time AND I am working at work and at home MORE than full time, barely anything is able to get done. I became soooooo overwhelmed with it all that I didn't even know where to start...until this weekend. I've been a cleaning maniac today. It feels good. It felt good. And I'm sure I will be sore tomorrow.

Mark is graciously taking 3 bags and 3 boxes full of stuff  to Goodwill tomorrow AND we are getting a storage unit so we can properly use our closet space for the RIGHT reasons. Like hanging coats in and all that jazz. I didn't really know how cheap storage spaces were and if i did research before TODAY then I would have totally had one a long time ago. I can't wait to store the holiday decorations and the new appliances that Mark brought from his Grandma's house and the GIANT workout bench that I have concealed in my dining area AND everything else that we DON'T need right now.

One of my goals this year was to become more organized. Does it matter that we are approaching month eleven and I am just now taking the steps? Heck no...at least I'm doing something about it!

It's not too early

The holidays are fast approaching and it's that time again to think about Christmas cards!

Snail mail is one of my favorite things to send and receive and this year Shutterfly has yet again outdone themselves on the options you have for Christmas Cards.

I love the whole collection but here are some of my favorites

 

 

There is most definitely something for everyone (even your fur babies) so I encourage you to head over to Shutterfly and check out their special offers.

If you are into social media, check out Shutterfly's Social Channels:

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Pinterest

• Instagram: Shutterfly

• Google +

• Blog

 

*This is a sponsored post and I will be compensated for promoting products of Shutterfly.