Animals in Lights!

Lovely Jellyfish Float in the Indoor Aquarium

We had a great time at Bellevue Botanical Garden's "Garden d'Lights" over the weekend.  I want to share some of the animals light displays this morning.  They were phenomenal!

An adorable Farmer Bunny with all his carrot crops.

I'm always a sucker for mushrooms.  Do you think I could raise a crop of these in the backyard?

 Mr. Sea Turtle was hiding behind the bushes.  I practically had to do a head-stand to get this shot, and he's still obscured!

Soaring butterflies and flowers.

This one is so impressive!  Someone burned some seriouos calories figuring out how to represent a parrot in lights.  He was perched up high in a tree too, so you really had to look to find him.

...and ending with Nessie!  The Loch Ness Monster was lurking in a little river at the side of the path!  Too cute, love her little tongue.  

-xo

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Christmas Gift Wish List

We're all hunting around for a few last minute gifts this time of year.  I love browsing at ModCloth.com.  So many pretty little things!  Here are some pretty and cute gift ideas for the girly-girl on your list!

1.  Adorable Shitake Mushroom tap lights
2.  Gorgeous striped Black and White Sweater
3.  Frilly Red Gloves
4.  Fantastic Air Mail Purse -- I'm drooling over this!
6.  Betty Crocker red polka dot Bow Skirt
7.  Vintage Red Pumps - for swing dancing!
8.  Adorable ceramic bunny Salt and Pepper Shakers

These are adorable!  Love them all!

-xo

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Deals 'n Steals for 12/15/12

Here are a few Rite Aid Deal's 'n Steals for today.  Two deals are based on Clearance prices, so be sure the item is on Clearance at your store.  The third is an SCR deal.  You have to submit this online a the Rite Aid website for rebate check.  Here we go:

Deal #1
Pentel Gel Pen (set of 2) - $3.99 shelf price
If you have Gold discount these are $3.19
Receive Monthly +UP of $3.00 (limit 3)

Deal #2
Sally Hanson Salon Effects (these are the press-on nail designs that come in the little box)
Full Price $9.79
Clearanced at 75% off = $2.44
Bricks Coupon Here
Final Price = Better than Free!  (Be sure to have another item in your order to absorb the overage.)

Deal #3
Pretty Woman Magnetix Nail Polish
Full Price $7.99
Clearance Price $1.99
SCR for $6 When you Buy 3 (Limit 2 Rebates)
FREE!

Happy Shopping!  :)

-xo

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D&G Love

With New Year's Eve coming, there are so many pretty party dresses out there.  I actually gasped out loud when I saw this Dolce & Gabbana dress.  It is absolutely gorgeous, feminine and just POPS with magic!  

When it comes to designers, Dolce & Gabbana is one of my consistant favorites.  It started in Paris, of course, where all true love blossoms.

We were strolling through the Latin Quarter and a girl passed.  A scent lingered in the air.  What is it?  What IS it???

Later in the Metro, another girl passes and sits nearby.  That same scent!  What it is it!?  

Wherever we went in Paris, the same scent!  It was like every girl in the city conspired together to wear this lovely perfume.

It's spices, juniper berries, bergamot, pink pepper, cardamom, birch leaf, iris root, wood and musk.  It's intriguing and sexy.  It's autumn in Paris. 

I came home to Seattle and sniffed every scent I could find.  Every one.  Nothing was exactly right.  Months passed and I couldn't find it.  

Then one day, there was a commercial on tv for the "new" Dolce and Gabanna scents.  Straight from Paris.  I made a beeline for Macy's to check them out.  

They were numbered:  

1 Le Bateleur / The Seducer

3 L’Imperatrice / The Star

6 L’Amoureux / The Charmer

10 La Roue de la Fortune / The Players

18 La Lune / The Dreamer

I started with 1 and sniffed my way down the line.  1... no... 3... no... 6... 6!!!  OMG it's number 6!!!!!!!

I sniffed 10 and 18 just to make sure, but came right back to 6.  Then I ran to find Erik and tell him I found it.  I FOUND IT!!!  I found Paris in a bottle!!!!!!!  :)

It was Dolce & Gabbana Anthology:   L’Amoureux 6.  

I found it online at Amazon for a great price and never looked back.  

When I returned to Paris last year, I began to notice their print ads on buildings and buses.  I love everything about them!  This design is reminiscent of my wedding gown, but it's silhouette in black.  I adore it!

I love the light, airy feel of this dress.  It compliments and contrasts the more structured looks in this line.

And lastly, a stylish pantsuit.  I don't know about that see-through top, but the tailored pants are lovely.  Very 60s and mod in feel.

I absolutely LOVE this ad campaign.  It's like fashion eye candy.  I can't stop eating it up.

-xo

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Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Our little Christmas Jungle Cruise on Lake Union had one more event -- an Ugly Sweater Contest!  The best part of the contest was everyone explaining the trials and tribulations they went through to get their sweaters. (Above, Erik shows off his screen-printed Walmart "ugly sweater" t-shirt.)

When these were taken, it was dark outside with just one small light in the boat.  I had a hard time getting the camera to focus.  I promise the photographer was not drunk.  Hehe.  

We awarded two winners!  (Good thing we had two prizes!)  The award for "Bravest Contestant with Craziest Story for Sweater Procurement" goes to ALEX!!!

Alex found some lady on Craigslist who was selling old sweaters.  He actually went over to her house and dug through her basement to find this winner!  It's a retelling of the Nativity.  Oooooh! 

Apparently, this lady had a basement of ugly sweaters, and most them had tags that read, "Made Exclusively for the Home Shopping Network."  No wonder we couldn't find them for sale anywhere!!!  They're all from Home Shopping Network! 

Our second award was for "Most Creative Display of Festivity" and it went to JASON!!!

When he couldn't find an ugly sweater for sale, HE MADE ONE!!

This gorgeous wool number is from the Goodwill.  The appliqued Santa was procured separately, as were the festive jingle bells.  Both were later fastened to the front of the sweater.  (Not only is he creative, he's crafty!)  

Everyone really went all out to try to participate.  It was so fun hearing all of their stories and tales of woe.  Who knew procuring Ugly Sweaters would cause so many battle scars?

It was a great ending to our fun little Christmas Cruise.  I think everyone had a great time.  I know I did!  I can't remember the last time I laughed so much.  

Merry Christmas!

-xo

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White Elephant

Alex and his Popcorn Maker

Yesterday, I told you about the holiday cruise we all took on our little Jungle Cruise boat.  It wasn't just a fun cruise, seeing the pretty sites with friends.  Oh no-no-no!  We also had THE MOST FUN White Elephant gift exchange!

Miss Lisa and her fancy new hat

We didn't have any rules.  No set dollar amount.  No suggestions.  Just "bring a white elephant gift".

Jason sporting his new mustache collection

It was ridiculously fun and funny.  Some presents were cool, some were funny, some were useful, and some were just plain strange.

Erik and Bessie

If you're heading off to your own White Elephant exchange, the Starbucks gift pack was the most popular item at ours.  It was stolen twice, and almost a third time.

The best part was the laughs!  We laughed and laughed.  (Especially because everyone kept stealing from Kenda!  She probably opened six different gifts because hers kept being stolen!)  White Elephant is too much fun!

-xo

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Christmas with Friends

This year, our group of friends decided to take an Electric Boat Company Christmas Cruise.  The Electric Boats are super fun!  They're like little Jungle Cruise boats, minus the track.  We got to roam freely around Lake Union in Seattle and take in the sites.

Erik hosted an Electric Company boat cruise for my birthday in September, and everybody had such a great time that we all decided to come back in December to see the Christmas lights on the lake.

           

There's Gasworks Park (above) and Captain Jason.  ;)  Last time, we all took turns captaining the vessel, but this time, Jason took the helm for the duration.

We scheduled our cruise from 4 - 6 pm so we could see a little of the lake during the day, and a little of the lake at night.  

It was so fun cruising past all the house boats, decorated for the holidays.

Private boats, and rentals alike are decorated for the season.  Our electric boat had all of the plastic windows zipped closed tight for the winter, creating a dreamy quality to all the photos.

Kenda and Jason pose during the cruise.  It was about 40 degrees out, but we were all comfortable in the heated boat with sweaters and blankets for everyone.

The Seattle skyline... always a beautiful way to end a fun evening with friends.

-xo

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Care Bear Stare

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” ― Elbert Hubbard

This is my oldest friend, Crystal, and me.  I'm the one on the left in the candy-striper dress.  She's the little blonde on the right in the prairie dress.  I remember we were so excited about this Care Bear Party!  We coordinated our pink dresses in advance so we would match.

Crystal and I have been friends for almost as long as I can remember.  Her family moved away when we were little, but came back to visit every few years.  So we saw each other pretty regularly growing up.

She is the kind of friend you can go years and years without seeing, then pick up right where you left off like no time has passed at all.

...and guess what?!  She's in town right now!!!!  :)  So, we got together today to go shopping.  We started out at the outlet mall, but it was ridiculously busy, so we decided to go pawn shopping instead.  Crystal taught me how to pawn shop and get the best deals, and I. AM. ADDICTED!  So many pretty rings and deals to be made!

After shopping, we ended the afternoon with lunch at Nick's Jr.  They have the BEST Gyros!  Erik loves to get their heart-stopping GCBC (Grilled Cheese Bacon Cheeseburger).  It's a Bacon Cheeseburger with two grilled cheese sandwiches instead of buns.  Heart attack on a plate!!

It was so great to see her!!  Can't wait till the next time.

-xo

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Visiting the Christmas Gingerbread Village

Can you see Jasmine and Aladdin?

One of our Christmas Traditions is making a trip to visit the Gingerbread Village in the downtown Seattle Sheraton.  This year is their 20th Anniversary!  We're huge Disney fans, so we were pretty excited to find out the theme was Fairy Tales this year, and they would be featuring a slew of our favorite characters.

How fantastic are the little details?  I love all the flowers, mushrooms, the pearls on his jacket, the chain on his watch... all of it!

Alice teeters at the edge of the rabbit hole.  I love the floating cards and things falling down the rabbit hole behind her.

Ahhh Beauty and the Beast!!  :)  Belle will always be my favorite.   She was the first princess I ever identified with; a book worm and a brunette!

Princess Ariel and King Triton in their undersea gardens.  Using Rice Krispie Treats as coral -- too cool!

I love these gorgeous lit up crystals and all the vibrant little details.  So much color!  Check out the little crabs and starfish!  So cute!

...and we ended our tour with an All Time Baddie -- Ursula and her nasty little minions looks all menacing in the dark caves under Triton's Garden.

The Gingerbread Village is really amazing.  The details and artistry are absolutely fantastic.  If you're in the area, make time this Christmas to visit the Sheraton and take it all in.  There's nothing quite like it!

-xo

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Orla Kiely by Method

Have you tried the Orla Kiely by Method cleaning products?  I think I'm in love!!  I adore her bold patterns, and honestly, these items came home with us because they are pretty.

As a bonus, they smell fantastic and actually clean really well too!   I have the yummy Vanilla Chai hand soap, and the Pear Ginger all purpose cleaner.  I've used the Pear Ginger cleaner on EVERYTHING and it works great!  Even on our stove!  I used to scrub the stove with harsh smelling cleaners like Greased Lightning to get it completely clean, so this is so much nicer!

If you haven't checked them out -- do!  They work well and smell great!  Plus they're just cool.  ;)  100% recommended.

-xo 1 comments

Snow at Pacific Place

One of our Christmas traditions is to visit Pacific Place for the SNOW!  Pacific Place is a new-ish, 3-story mall in downtown Seattle.  During the Christmas season, they host a nightly, indoor music and snow show.

Before the snow, there's a live performance.  Typically, it's a school group, like this choir.  We've also seen school jazz bands perform, and one year there was a Trapeze Act visiting from Teatro Zinzanni!  Cool.

If you head up to the 3rd Floor, Pike Place Chowder has a little walk-up window where you can order to go, sit at their counter, or at tables nearby.  Erik got in line to order while I snagged a table near the railing, so we could sit and eat dinner in the falling snow.

Pike Place Chowder does great fish.  We shared an order of Salmon 'n Chips and Fish 'n Chips.  Crispy and good!  They make their own, super thick tartar sauce too.  Mmmm!  Erik always gets a bowl of clam chowder, and I get a bowl of mac 'n cheese.

I'm kind of a Mac 'n Cheese connoisseur. I can't get enough of the gooey golden stuff.  Pike Place Chowder does it perfectly.  The noodles are done just right and stirred with a mix of cheeses, with more, shredded cheese melting on top. Delicious!!!

We were settled in and enjoying dinner just as the snow started.  Everyone rushes to the railings to see it fall into the atrium below!  It's indoor magic.  :)  Love it!

Near the end, Santa comes down to greet the crowd and hand out candy canes.  What could be more fun?  :)

-xo

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Success!!

Well, it's not all yellow as I'd first planned, but I love the way this last bracelet for little sis, Lisa, came together.  The colors remind me of my vintage Pyrex collection, which makes me happy.  So it's definitely a Happiness bracelet, and worthy of Miss Lisa.  I hope she loves it!

-xo

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Risky Business

Kenda's Romantic Red

I'm fairly confident that none of my close friends read this blog... yet.  :)  At least I hope they don't because I'm going to totally ruin a surprise in mere seconds!  I can't help it.  I want to share.  :)

I've been getting into jewelry making lately!  Yay!  So fun!  Erik's mom, Kim, and I did a whole bunch of bead shopping on Thanksgiving, so I have a TON of pretty beads to play with.

This coming Sunday, we're planning the First Annual Holiday Boat Cruise with our friends.  There are 10 of us that like to get together regularly.  For Christmas, we're doing a boat cruise on Lake Union.  Super psyched!

It's going to be way fun.  We're having an Ugly Sweater Contest, a White Elephant Exchange, Food, Booze, Party Lights... what's not to like?  

Anyway, I wanted to make gifts for my best girls.  These are the friends who have always been super-involved.  Helped out with our wedding, and are basically just great to spend time with.  So I wanted to make them something.

I just started playing with beads, so I decided it was best to start small:  Bracelets!

I love the way they turned out!  Each bracelet is specific to each girl and significant in some way.

Jen's Lucky Green

Green is for Jen.  It's her favorite color.  It's lucky.  I'm lucky she's my friend.  She's fun and crazy.  She'll do anything once.

(Far Right)  Allie's Playful Blue

Romantic Red is for Kenda.  She and Jason (who is like a brother to us) are currently planning their wedding.  Kenda loves reds and romance, so this one is for her!

Playful Blue is for Allie.  Allie's a big Disney fan.  You can find her and her husband visiting the parks dozens of times a year (and we don't even live in California!!!).

I still need to make one more.  I want it to be Sunshine Yellow for Lisa (my little sister-in-law).  Lisa's adorable.  Happy, shiny and friendly to everyone.  

I realized last night that I have ZERO yellow beads.  ZERO.  How did this happen!?  Not sure what I'll end up doing for her... but the goal is Sunshine to represent her sunny disposition.

Now, let's just hope none of my girls are surfing this blog and all will be well.  ;)

-xo

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