New Years Eve Looks Include Jewels From My Orange County Jewelry Collection

With New Years Eve coming up it got me to thinking about what I was going to wear. Go figure! New Years Eve is always a fun holiday to celebrate. What's not to love? Champagne, glitter and a fresh new start, I can't think of anything I love more. I always tell myself that it isn't necessary to buy a new outfit every year but when the time comes I always do. Who doesn't? I want to look my best when bringing in 2013. Who else is with me!

I decided on a simple LBD (little black dress) because I can add glitzy accessories. I'm not sure if I will add textured tights or not but I think I decided high heeled boots, a leather moto jacket and I will top it off with diamond earrings that I am completely obsessed with. They are just one of many from my orange county jewelry collection. What is everyone else wearing? I can't wait!

Easy Bake Fish

My parent live on a lake in MN. We go fishing a lot and we all really enjoy eating fresh water fish, any kind. After being home for the holidays I was sent back home with lots of fish but instead of deep frying them, I wanted a healthier alternative. I found a recipe for baked fish but I added some of my own touches.

Things You Will Need:

Olive Oil
Bread Crumbs
Fresh Lemon
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Salt/Pepper

• Preheat your oven to 450 degrees
• Line a 9 by 13 inch glass pan with foil, make sure to have extra so you can cover fish
• Drizzle oil onto foil and roll fish in it
• Coat each peice of fish with bread crumbs. 
• Season the fish to your liking and squeeze fresh lemon on top (this will help reduce the fishy smell as well as make it taste great!) 
• Cook about 30 minutes, depending on how thick your fillets are

Check That Off the Christmas To Do List

I, like many of you, are working on buying all those gifts for loved ones. It seems every year I wait till the last minute to buy gifts, well not this year! I have all the ducks in a row and have already purchased all of my gifts (just need to get them wrapped). I can officially say this is the first time that has ever happened! I would like to thank Black Friday and Cyber Monday for giving me the opportunity for being done holiday shopping before December 1.

So you may be wondering what are all these wonderful gifts I bought?
1. Phillips Sonicare Electric toothbrush for my Mom

 2. Hunting "stuff" for my Dad (including tri-tronics upland training collar for his hunting dog) (my Mom and I went in on it together)

3. Armani Colonge for my boyfriend 

4. 2012 Baseball Cards for my nephew

5. Poinsettia for my Grandma (yes, a poinsettia she loves them)

Have you gotten all your holiday shopping done? Share in the comments your finds!

Super Easy Christmas Cookies

There is something about Christmas that puts a big smile on my face and I think it has something to do with sugar cookies. Who doesn't love them? I know I do but I don't always love how time consuming they can be. That is why I tried these cookies out over the weekend and to my surprise they actually worked! Who knew? 

See also Dr. Seuss Cookies here. 

This is how simple they are:

Ingredients: 

1 17.5 oz bag of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix

liquid or gel food coloring 

Sprinkles

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Decide what colors you want to make and how many you would like to make (this example is only two but you can make as many as you would like) Depending on the number of colors you are making split the dough evenly and add food coloring. Roll different colors together into a big ball. Then roll it out on the ocunter until you have a cylinder about 12 inches long. Cut out sections to make cookies and then roll into sprinkles. Bake 10-11 min. Makes about 3 dozen cookies. 

DIY Christmas Bulbs

While shopping in Hobby Lobby I couldn't help but keep walking past the clear Christmas bulbs. I was literally brainstorming ideas about what I could do with those and how I could make them unique. I was frantically pacing around for about two hours chicking out Pinterest and then it hit me...

I have these old (really old) Little Golden Books at home and I thought hmmm. I could rip pieces of those up add some Modge Podge and wallah handmade, unique Christmas ornaments. Right? Well to my luck my big idea actually worked out as planned in my head (which never usually turns out how I imagine)

Supplies:
Old Christmas books, or scrapbook paper of your choice
Bulbs/ornaments of your choice (I love the big bulbs best and they are easier to work with)
Modge Podge
ribbon
peanut butter cap (to set your bulb on while creating)
glitter (if desired)

Step 1: Rip up paper. Try to do this freely it looks better when you don't try to get specific images

Step 2: Paint Modge Podge on back of paper. I discovered it works better to get it very "doused" (is that a word) that way it sticks better

Step 3: Place/smooth into position. If your peices are too big they look wrinkly or can even rip. Make sure they aren't too big so this doesn't happen to you because man oh man it's frustrating

Step 4: Add another layer of Modge Podge over top to give extra coverage. I like to add more Modge Podge than necessary. I think it looks nice (gives a nice finish) and just meshes the pieces together better. 

Step 5: Attach a pretty ribbon and hang to let dry!