Cleaning your jacket

Happy New Year's Eve!! Hope everyone is doing something great to countdown the New Year! Whether it's dancing the night away at a club or it's relaxing at home and watching the ball drop, enjoy! With it being cold out, you are naturally going to be wearing a coat. If this coat is wool, and you happen to get a little something on it (which is bound to happen in a crowd full of people), don't panic! Here are a few ways to care for your wool coat. My coat will be leather because I just got an A-MAZING leather jacket yesterday, so here are tips for that too!


WOOL
1. Don't wash it! First things first, check the tag. Some wool you are allowed to launder, others not. If you are, just wash it like that. If it says to spot or dry clean, do NOT throw it in the washer! It will come out looking like a coat for a 2 year old. You can try using the dry cleaning kits, such as Dryel.
2. Spot clean. If the entire coat does not need to be cleaned, just spot clean it. Use cold water or stain remover to clean the spot. If the stain is food related, try rubbing the stain with carbonated water.

LEATHER
1. Surface clean. Wipe of any dirt on the surface using a soft cloth.
2. Soap and water. Dampen a soft cloth with some water and a small amount of hand soap. Work into a lather and apply to the leather coat.
3. Wipe off. Wipe the soap off with a slightly damp cloth. Follow with a swipe from a dry cloth.
4. Olive oil. Moisten a piece of cloth with some olive oil. Gently buff the leather with the cloth. You may use a leather conditioner instead.

Moments of 2010

Wow 2010 went by so fast! It seriously feels like it went by in such a blur! A lot of wonderful things happened this year, but I compiled a list of my Top 5 Moments.

1. Visiting California with 3 of my close friends! We saw almost everything and had such a wonderful time, complete with memories and endless photos!

2. Starting my nanny job. I began working for a wonderful family and watch 2 great kids! I love watching Mandie go through all the stages of child development and doing fun outings with Michael.

3. Spending lots of time with family, especially throughout the months of October (my sister came home for a visit), November (Thanksgiving), and December (Christmas!).

4. Concerts. I attended quite a few concerts which were a lot of fun.

5. Visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I had been waiting months to see it, and it was everything I could have hoped for.

The power of a drier sheet

While the lack of humidity makes the weather appear wonderful, it is disastrous for hair during the winter! Alas, the power of a drier sheet!

1. Not only do they rid the static in the drier, but it also works in your hair. Just rub and rid.

2. Electricity is everywhere! You touch someone, and zap! Put a drier sheet in your coat pocket and it will eliminate getting electrocuted.

3. Wipe surfaces of clothing, TV screens and computer monitor to remove static.

4. Place at the bottom of a garbage bin...it helps!

5. Place in smelly shoes overnight.

6. Place in drawers for a fresh scent.

7. Place in your suitcase and gym-bag to eliminate the smell.

8. Dust your blinds.

9. Clean pet hair from the floor or furniture.

10. Loosen caked-on food from a pan. Place a dryer sheet on the bottom of a dirty pan, fill with lukewarm water, and let it sit in the sink overnight. The pan will be easier to clean in the morning.

DIY glitter

Merry Christmas Eve!! Hope everyone is doing something wonderful with family for the holidays! It's been a busy week, but I will not deny you another post, especially when it's Fashion Forward Friday!

I love glitter for the holidays! Nothing says Christmas spirit like some eye catching shimmer. Here are some GREAT ideas for DIY Glitter, just in time for the big day!

1. OPI Burlesque Glitter Nail Polish. I got the purple one called "Show it and Glow it!" and I absolutely love it! My fingers look like a disco ball right now! I also just bought a Burlesque color that isn't as glittery as the ones on the left. It's called "Teasy Does It" which I also really love.

2. Hair Spray. Add a little glitter to our hair spray to add some shine! So easy!

3. Shoes. If you have some old shoes that you want to vamp up, put some rubber cement on the toes and add some sequins or glitter!

4. Nails. Another good nail tip that's a bit cheaper than new nail polish would be craft glitter. Put a coat of clear (or whatever) nail polish on your nails, sprinkle glitter, and put a top coat or 2 over it!

5. Applique. Add some crystal tattoos to your tights for a cool look.




Happy Glittering! And a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!!!

Traditions

I love how each family has traditions of their very own. It is so great that on Christmas each family does basically the same thing, but in a different manor. Everyone (that celebrates Christmas) wakes up early, grabs their stocking, and rips open the presents. But, not every family does it in that order or in the same way. 

For my family, we wake up when we wake up (there aren't any kids waking up at 6) which is usually around 8. We then grab a cup of tea and our stocking and open them up. In our stockings are individually wrapped little presents that we take turns going around opening (the stocking is by far my favorite part). After stockings, we eat breakfast. When I was a kid, we waited for my grandparents to get to my house before opening presents. Because we became accustomed to waiting for them, it's normal for us to take showers and eat breakfast before opening presents. So, usually after showering and getting dressed, we open our presents. My sister and I usually go around and find whose present is who's and makes little stacks in front of the person it belongs to. We then go around in circles and open the presents one by one. It always really bothered me in Home Alone 2 and in other movies when the kids see their presents and rip them all open, not even watching what each other gets. Those movies make it seem like Christmas is all about gifts, and not appreciating the thought that went into them. After presents, we start cooking for our Christmas dinner. My grandmother is in a nursing home, so we always go visit her and give her her presents around noon. We then come home, eat dinner around 4 or 5, and I sometimes go visit my dad and other grandma in the evening. That's my Christmas!

I have a really busy Christmas day, but it is wonderful in every way! Merry Christmas to everyone!

Reindeer food

Being a kid on Christmas time is the best ever. I remember being so excited for Santa coming and would track him on the phone and on the news. The little boy I nanny for is 6 years old and he just got a Christmas elf. Basically, you buy the elf and it reports back to Santa each night; each morning, you look for the elf because he changes his hiding spot (parents move the elf to another hiding spot in the house). The kids can tell the elf what they want for Christmas, but to not mess with the Christmas magic the elf can not talk to the kids, but can talk to the parents. It is so cute, and he is adamant that he sees the elf move its arm!

One of the many fun things that kids can do for Christmas is make reindeer food and sprinkle it on the lawn. It's fun and easy to make, so spread some Christmas cheer with your kids and/or kids you nanny for.

You will need:
Raw oatmeal
Glitter or colored crystals
Sugar
Plastic lunch baggies
Ribbon
Paper or cardstock

1. Pour about 1/4 cup of oatmeal in a baggie.
2. Add 1/8 cup granulated sugar
3. Add glitter
4. Attach a ribbon to the front of the baggie a message.

*It doesn't really matter how much oatmeal, sugar and glitter you use. Just have fun with it!
*Glitter can harm birds and other wildlife, so using colored sugar crystals is a great alternative!

Messages you can use:
"On Christmas Eve, sprinkle this wonderful Reindeer food on your lawn.
The shiny glitter will sparkle in the moonlight and the smell of oats will guide Rudolph to your home."

"Make a wish and close your eyes tight,
then sprinkle on your lawn at night.
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,
this food will guide them to your home.
For your gift to the reindeer and Rudolph, your wish may be real, your dreams may come true."

"Be sure to take this magic food and sprinkle on the lawn,
On Christmas, Santa's reindeer travel miles before the dawn.
The smell of oats and glitter path will guide them on their way,
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn on Christmas day!"

Tips on tipping

Not sure how generous to be for the holiday season when it comes to tipping? Here is a quick guide to how much you should spend on normal services. This is the holiday season, so tip as much as you can! If you can't give money, maybe give a gift. Courtesy of The Today Show.

Waiters - Give what's in your heart. If you go somewhere regularly, tip a little more or tip the same all year round. I always tip 20% year round, so I like to do a little more for the holidays.

Postal workers - They are not allowed to accept cash, but they can accept a give if it doesn't exceed $20. Give them something less than $20 or a bottle of booze.

Hair stylist/barber - Be generous and tip on the price of the cut. 100% tip for the holiday season. Yes, this means that if your cut is $30, you tip $30. This is the same for dog groomers.

Nanny - Live in nanny's should get a months pay tip, au pairs should get a weeks pay, and babysitters should be tipped a little more for the night.

Garbage men - $20 or bottle of booze. If they are taking away illegal things all year for you, tip them.

Dog walkers - 1 week pay

Last minute gifts

In a bind, or just simply forgot about a certain friend for the holidays? It's okay, everybody does it and you still have a few days left! Here are a few ideas for quick last minute gifts that will be greatly appreciated. You won't even have to feel bad about forgetting about them, because these gifts are great!


Wine Label. A nice bottle of wine is a great go-to gift for the holidays. Turn up your creativity this year and personalize the wine with a decorative wine label. Try a label with red and green and write a holiday greeting. 

Monogram Wall Art. Creative a decorative and personalized monogram to give as a handcrafted Christmas present. Paint a wood letter a neutral color and decorate with button, ribbons, and other embellishments. You can either keep it styled for year round, or can add Christmas colors and elements to make it for the holidays. If this is for a family, use the last initial.

Personalized Tin. If you baked a bunch of cookies for the holidays, or any other tasty treat, here is the perfect idea! Grab a plain tin and adorn with festive paper, ribbon and a framed message. Attach decorative wrapping paper to the lid using spray mount, double-sided tape, or glue. Write or print out a note inside of the frame.

Other great gift ideas: candles, soap (with the colored chunks), flowers, book ends, door stoppers, and picture frames with a memorable picture inside. Think outside the box!!

Holiday party wear

Wanting to look hot for that holiday party you are going to?? This season is glimming with glamour!! There are so many fun things you can do to spice up your outfit for that perfect occasion. Here's a few ideas for some parties you may be attending.

Cocktail party - Wear a little black dress with fun! Try one with feathers to spice it up, or just dress up one you own with a little bling of accessories. Sparkly heels or a great necklace work wonders.

House party - Here, you want to be casual, but want to stand out. Sweater dress with over sized sequins, a cute fedora hat, leggings and heels or boots.

Dinner party - Here, you want to look a little more polished and refined. Try a black tight turtleneck with a bright red skirt. Add some black tights and booties or heels.

Work party - You want something that transitions from day to evening well. Try trousers and a faux fur vest. Add sparkle with a sparkly hat and/or clutch.

New Years Eve party - your one time that you can wear sequins and shine! Add a little bling on the shoes and add some chandelier earrings. Keep the accessories in the same color scheme, such as silver or gold.

Sweet silverbells

I really don't tire of the Christmas music. In all honesty, I don't listen to it a lot, so I pace myself for the season. I think that's the way to go! Here is a list of my Top 10 Favorite Christmas songs. Merry Christmas!

1. Oh Holy Night (I absolutely love this song, sung by anyone)
2. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
3. Last Christmas
4. Carol of the Bells
5. Baby It's Cold Outside (Elf anyone??)
6. Silent Night
7. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (you know you love it too!)
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. Angels We Have Heard on High
10. We Need a Little Christmas

Refrigerator cookies

I make a few different types of cookies each Christmas. One of the many cookies I make we call "Refrigerator cookies." I don't know why we call them that, my mom has just always referred to them as that. Mainly, they need to be refrigerated over night so the dough sits well, so that's probably where she gets it from. Anywho, enough of my rambling, here is the recipe. 

You will need: 

2 eggs

1 cup Crisco

½ cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar packed

2 ¾ cup flour

½ t baking soda

1 t salt

2-3 t cinnamon (red food coloring) OR 1 ½ t vanilla (green food coloring). Add with eggs

1. Mix eggs, Crisco, sugar, and brown sugar together thoroughly.

2. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together and stir into mixture.

3. Mix with hands.

4. Wrap in wax paper. 2 ½” diameter

5. Chill until still. Several hours.

6. Cut into 1/8” thick

7. Place a little bit apart on ungreased sheet.

8. Bake at 400° for 6-8 minutes. Makes 6 dozen cookies.

9. Feel free to get creative with food coloring and flavoring extracts! We usually do the 2 above and also use peppermint extract (1 1/2 t) with the red food coloring.

10. Enjoy!

Oh Christmas tree...

One of my favorite things about Christmas is.... decorating the TREE!

At home, my mom is very anal about our Christmas tree. She perfectly strands the lights up and down the branches, twisting them back and forth. We buy a fresh Christmas tree every year, about 9-10 feet. It's a lot of work to decorate it, but is worth it, because our tree always looks beautiful. I'm not allowed to help her put the lights on it because it has to be perfect, which doesn't really bother me, I'd rather not have sap all over my arms. I am allowed to help put the ornaments on the tree! We have a lot of ornaments that are grouped together, such as all the characters of The Wizard of Oz. It is a lot of fun to place the ornaments in the perfect spot. And we have A LOT of ornaments, my mom sort of collects them. After the ornaments, we twist tie cinnamon sticks and place pine cones on the branches. The final touch are the candy canes!

Here's a look at our Christmas tree to the left!

Christmas centerpieces

Looking to deck your halls? How about starting with your dining room table with a beautiful centerpiece! I found a few great ideas that would add a little sparkle to your home for the holidays.

This centerpieces is a glass vase filled with cranberries and topped with white roses. Gorgeous!

With this centerpiece, you take a floral foam, carve it into the shape of a tree, and insert carnations into it.  There's a little more to it than that, so visit Martha to complete the project with more steps.

This centerpiece is so easy and looks great! Just take a glass cake platter with lid, or a garden cloche (a bell-shaped glass cover that functions as a miniature greenhouse for outdoor plants...can be purchased at  garden supply store). Fill it with an assortment of ornaments inside, and set out. I want to try this one!

Drink this, not that

Did you know that your favorite holiday beverages may average around 700 calories?? What used to just be a mid-day pick me up has turned the other foot and has become a plump me up! This segment was on the Today Show and is called "Drink This, Not That." Here are some of the examples on the show.

NOT THAT: A venti Starbucks peppermint white chocolate with whole milk with whipped cream has 700 calories! It contains 27g of fat and 95g sugar! Holy goodness! That's the equivalent of a Christmas dinner!

DRINK THIS: Instead, get the Starbucks cafe mocha with skim milk, which only contains 220 calories.

NOT THAT: Dunkin' Donuts gingerbread latte (large) contains 440 calories. That is 12g of fat and 68g sugar. That's the equivalent of 4 1/2 holiday donuts with frosting and sugar!

DRINK THIS: Instead, get the Dunkin' Donuts gingerbread coffee (medium), which only contains 170 calories.

NOT THAT: Panera Bread peppermint hot chocolate (14.5 oz) contains 610 calories, which has 17g fat and 83g sugars. That's the equivalent of 2 slices of pumpkin pie!

DRINK THIS: Instead, get the Panera hot chocolate (10oz), no whip at 270 calories.

NOT THAT: McDonald's large frappe caramel contains 680 calories, which includes 29g of fat and 88g of sugar. That's the equivalent of 31 caramel chocolate candies!

DRINK THIS: Instead, get McDonald's non-fat caramel cappuccino (medium) at 190 calories.

NOT THAT: Starbucks eggnog latte with whole milk (venti) contains 630 calories, which has 30g fat and 64g sugars. That's the equivalent of 16 candy canes!

DRINK THIS: Instead, get Starbucks skinny cinnamon dolce latte (grande) at 130 calories.

Blue Christmas

Have yourself a blue little Christmas. Not blue as in sad, but as in the color! There are so many styles you can decorate your home for the holiday season, and sticking to one color looks so great! I love the look of blue accented with white and silver, it looks so chic. Here are some great things to get if you are deciding to have a blue Christmas!

When decorating your tree, stick to just white and/or blue lights. I definitely want to try this blue themed tree once I have a house of my very own! Stick to blue and white hued ornaments and even frost the tree to add a snowy effect!

How gorgeous is this Christmas wreath, done in shades of blue? I think it is so adorable and well made! Find this beauty on Etsy for only $35!!

Every dining room table (or coffee table) needs a beautiful centerpiece. Why not continue your blue Christmas onto it? A good idea would be to either collect or buy pine cones and spray them white (either with frost or spray paint). Add blue and silver ornament balls for a classy touch. You can also try a simpler centerpiece by placing blue hued ornaments in a glass bowl and draping pearls through it. I can't wait to try these too!

Christmas aprons

'Tis the season for baking!! As you know, I love baking recently. I'm probably going to be baking a couple more types of cookies this weekend AND 2 different kinds of fudge! I can't wait! Here are a few cute holiday aprons to help you make those cookies (and maybe fudge) with style!

I love this hostess apron. It is so simple and cute! Find it on amazon.

This apron is cute too! Find this one at Target.

Who doesn't love an apron with a sweetheart neckline? So cute! Find this one on Etsy.

Happy Baking and Happy Fashion Forward Friday! Enjoy your weekends!

Christmas movies

I seriously had my Fa la la on last night! I baked the cookies from the recipe I gave you yesterday for Peanut Butter Kisses while listening to the Glee Christmas album. If it sounds like it was fun, it was. I really have enjoyed baking recently. With a little help from Martha and the holidays, I just turn into Suzie Homemaker. I love it!

Each Christmas it's pretty much a given that cable TV shows Christmas themed movies over and over again. Although they show new ones, there are those classics that you just go back to each year. Sometimes, you even watch the same movie several times, in fear that you won't get enough of it before the holiday season is over. I get that way with a couple movies, but here are my Top 10 Christmas Movies.

1. Elf. I watch it every year a minimum of 5 times. I absolutely love it! I've already caught this one on TV twice this year. I own it, so I plan on watching it a couple more times. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"


2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I watch this one at least 3 times each year. My favorite character might be Aunt Bethany, she is so funny! I love when she says the pledge of allegiance during grace!


3. A Christmas Story. This one is just a classic!

4. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. I've already caught this one on TV this year! I used to watch this movie at least once a week when I was in middle school. I can pretty much quote the entire movie, it's sad. "You was here, and you was smooching with my brother!"

5. Love Actually. This movie isn't really about Christmas, it is just set at Christmas time. Therefore, I feel it appropriate to watch every Christmas, duh.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The original cartoon, not the Jim Carrey version (I've never seen that version because I just really don't like him as an actor, sorry). This is a classic and a must watch each year!

7. The Polar Express. Not necessarily a must watch every year, but I put it on the list because it is just an amazing and remarkably done movie.

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas. Yet another classic that holds the spirit of Christmas.

9. The Santa Clause. I used to love this movie when I was a kid. It's such a great movie.

10. It's a Wonderful Life. Okay, I'm going to admit something, I've never seen this movie. It's on everyone's top Christmas list, so this is my year to watch it. I WILL watch it this year!

Peanut butter kisses

Every Christmas time, my mouth waters at the wonderfulness that is cookies. I love how every family seems to have their own take on Christmas and how every family claims that they make the best cookies in the world. In most cases, this is true...because not every family makes the same cookies in the same way. Even when following the same recipe, it's amazing how the same exact cookie recipe can taste different due to the different cook that prepared it. Every Christmas, my family and I make a very common cookie, Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies. I'm sure there are tons of recipes for this cookie, but ours is the best! Here is the recipe that we follow each year.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter flavored Crisco

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

¼ cup milk

2 tsp vanilla

3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Granulated sugar for rolling

72-90 milk chocolate Hershey's kisses unwrapped (the white chocolate striped ones are good too!)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375. 

2. Combine Crisco, peanut butter, brown sugar and sugar in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla.

3. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Mix into creamed mixture at low speed until just blended. (Dough will be stiff.)

4. Form dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

5. Bake 8 minutes. Press milk chocolate kiss into center of each cookie. Return to oven. Bake 3 minutes. (The tip of the kiss will be a little brown).

6. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet. Remove to cooling rack.

7. Makes 6-7 ½ dozen cookies

8. Enjoy!!!

Christmas lights!

One of my favorite things about Christmas are the lights! I absolutely love going to look at houses with amazing lights. There is a neighborhood that I go to every year in which all of the houses set their lights to music. It is incredible! After I go to that neighborhood, I go to the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, Florida which has a wonderful display of lights as well. It's a yearly tradition. Here is a video of a house that has a lot of hits on YouTube, it is very cool. The music is actually my ringtone right now, Wizards in Winter by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (I jam out every time my phone rings!).

Weekend update

First and foremost, I would like to apologize for not posting this weekend. I had a very busy weekend and have a valid excuse for yesterday! ALL day Sunday I was at a radio station event in Tampa (97X Next Big Thing) where there were concerts all day of a bunch of awesome bands. I was so excited to finally see one of my favorite bands, Switchfoot (I don't know how I've never seen them before, they've been my favorite for years)! It was a great day with amazing weather! The only thing I regret is bringing my digital camera with me...I can't believe I forgot it, I bring it everywhere. Thank God for cell phone cameras!

The amazing line up!! I was very excited to see Switchfoot, Paper Tongues, Cage the Elephant, and the Black Keys. To my surprise, My Chemical Romance was my favorite performance! They put on an amazing show!

Janna and I waiting to watch some of our favorite bands

Switchfoot's lead singer. We were so close to him!

Warm up in style!

Happy Fashion Forward Friday! Better late than never, right?

A couple weeks ago I talked about coats. If you missed it, click here! There, I talked about the guidelines in what to look for in a coat. This week, I going to discuss the perfect coat for your body type. Being cold doesn't mean that you have to throw on a sweatshirt! Find the coat that works the best for your body type and look hot during the winter!

1. If you're busty. I know the feeling, and it's definitely a challenge when looking for the perfect coat. First of all, if it doesn't button or if it does button and looks like it's going to pop...it's not the coat for you. If you're busty, go for coats that have a fitted, sleek line. And keep it short so that the focus isn't on your bust, but on your smokin' legs. Also, don't buy anything double breasted, as the double buttons add width. Make sure the shoulders aren't too big as a tailored top flatters best. This coat pictured is by Tulle and can be found at lulus.com for $74.

2. If you're petite. Petite is described as being 5'4" and under. You don't necessarily have to be super thin to fit into this category. For this body shape, look for coats that are tailored above the knee so that you appear taller. Cool shrunken toppers are your winter staple. Also, choose patterns and details that lend style but don't overwhelm your short frame. This coat pictured is by Decree and can be found at JCPenney for $90.

3. If you're plus size. A-line all the way! This will skim your curves and make you look beautiful. Clean lines and minimal details are the key to a sexy silhouette. This adorable coat can be found at Torrid for $128.

4. If you're pear shaped. This means that you have wider hips than shoulders. If this is your body, stick to coats that have a belted option as this will make your waist look tiny. Accenting your waist is your main priority, so look for belts or coats that are tapered in the middle. *I have more of an athletic build, as I don't really have many curves in the waist and hip area. I find this style of coat to be complimentary to my figure, even though I'm not technically pear shaped. This coat is by Mac&Jac and can be found on amazon.com for $119.

Fa La La La La La La La La

I am very strict when it comes to my Christmas music. I will NOT listen to it before Thanksgiving as a rule to myself. Well, now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we can officially welcome the Christmas music! There are some great Christmas albums that artists have released this year. Head over to iTunes and check out the new albums and albums that are on sale for $7.99! Here's a list of the top 10 downloaded songs on iTunes right now.

1. All I Want For Christmas is You - Mariah Carey

2. O Holy Night - Glee Cast (my all time favorite Christmas song!)

3. Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

4. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Glee Cast

5. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms

6. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee

7. Last Christmas - Glee Cast (love this song too!)

8. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

9. Christmas Canon - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

10. The Christmas Song - Nat "King" Cole

Albums to think about getting are: The Glee Christmas Soundtrack, The OC Mix 3 - Chrismukkah, Ella Fitzgerald Christmas album, and the Elf Soundtrack. I will probably be downloaded a few of these. I already have The OC one and it's great!

The best Christmas smells

Nothing says Christmas like the smell of Christmas! There are so many smells that just warms my heart and reminds me of the wonder of Christmas. Here are my Top 5.

1. Peppermint. Peppermint mochas, peppermint hand soap, it's a great taste and smell! I recently purchased hand soap from Bath & Body Works in Twisted Peppermint and love it!

2. Evergreen. Each year, my family purchases a real tree. Artificial just doesn't do it for us. We get a 9-10 foot tree and decorate it to the T! If you want the smell of Christmas tree, but have an artificial tree, there are some great candle smells out there! Try Christmas Tree from Yankee Candle.

3. Sugar cookies. Real cookies or candles, it doesn't matter. The smell of cookies is just amazing.

4. Cinnamon. I purchase a cinnamon broom stick every year to envelope the fragrance throughout the house. It goes with every scent and is just a nice smell to be welcomed with.

5. Gingerbread. Who doesn't love building a gingerbread house? It is so much fun! If you don't feel like baking the gingerbread (which should be a crime), you can get a kit. You can also partake in the taste by eating gingerbread candies or ginger snaps, and can get the smell by lovely candles!

Today is my Dad's birthday! Happy Birthday Papa Bear!