Tis the season: Best. Christmas. GIFs. Ever.

Weelllll, it's Friday again :)

Typically I would be using this time to refresh my makeup and head to happy hour

but Bryan is sick sick sick and I'm just feeling exhausted.

So no crazy Friday outing tonight!

Plus side?

Helloooo Christmas movies!

Like Hocus Pocus on Halloween, you know there are those routine Christmas movies

that you absolutely MUST watch or else it just doesn't feel like Christmas.

Let's start with Jingle All the Way

(currently watching)

Ohhh Ahh-nold.

In all of his glory.

Not sure what part of this movie is my favorite?

Quite possibly Arnold sliding down a slide into a ball pit

trying to squeeze a ball out of a toddler's mouth?

Or how about Ted's reindeer chasing him through the house?

Side note: Did you know the actor who played Ted was actually

murdered by his super crazy wife?? 

Annnddd back to the Holiday Spirit.

Home Alone

Classic. 

Besides Macaulay Culkin (what kind of name is that, really...?)

ultimately being arrested as a twenty-something, screw up,

he is actually a quite crafty 1o year old.

Who seriously knows how to rig something like this ? 

Genius.

Aannddd then there's ELF.

Did Will Ferrell win some kind of an award for this movie?

He should have.

I don't think I can step on an escalator without

thinking of Buddy the ELF, or an elevator.

Bad Santa!
Ok not appropriate to watch over a cup of hot chocolate with

your niece and nephew but Billy Bob Thornton is ridiculously hilarious.

Mostly ridiculous.

And someone get this kid a tissue. For reaaalll.

A Christmas Story, another classic that warms my heart.

Can you believe I hadn't seen this movie until recently??

This kid would have still been legit awesome present-day.

And finally I got the leg lamp post- sorry I was preoccupied watching Bad Santa over the years. Oops!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I have always loved the original, but when the Jim Carrey version came out,

in looovvee! This is one of those movies I have on DVD that I can literally

watch over and over.

Was I the only one who thought Baby Grinch was the cutest thing

ON THE PLANET?
I want one.

And then again, all growed-up. 

Laaasstt but not least! Tim Allen in the Santa Clause :)

Hands down my favorite Christmas movie.

I remember watching this with my Dad like 4 Christmas Eves in a row.

This is one you have to watch once your older, like Mrs. Doubtfire,

so many missed-inappropriate comments.

ie. Johnny, naughty.

Veronica, very nice.

Remember Charlie?

Do yourselves a quick favor and google image him present day.

Ok! Well that was fun!

Happy weekend yall :)

Saw it, Pinned it, Did it: Stair Wall Decorating!

I am beyond excited for my first Saw it, Pinned it, Did it

link up with Miss Stephanie at Beautiful Mess!

Ok. So. I was ORIGINALLY planning to make a holiday monogram wreath
but unbenounced to moi, Bryan made plans for us last night
so I had to pull something together snappy!
(We'll work on the wreath for next Thursday...
especially after I saw our host, Stephanie's, fabulous wreath)

So here is the original pin:

Since we moved in our house, our closed

staircase has been driving me CUH-RAZYYY.

It was so claustrophobic! I saw this pin recently and

immediately decided this would spruce up my staircase walls.

You will need: 

6-8 Assorted Frames

Photos for the Frames

Adhesive Wall Saying 

Hammer

Nails

That's it!

Here is the end result (from top of staircase):

quote:

(from bottom of staircase):

Cute, no?!
I am still not a fan of closed staircases but

this is way better to look at on our hike up to our bedroom.

Successsss! :)

In other news...

tomorrow IS FRIDAY!

Which means I will be holding a marg in my hand by 5:30

because for ONCE in weeks- 

we. are. staying. home.

Hope y'all are plannin on watchin' 

some football tonight! 

I also got talked into making

buffalo chicken dip- quite possibly the worst

thing in the World for you, calorie-wise. Yay!

Anyway, go link up on Thursdays! 

550. Million. Dollars.

For those of who who are not Floridians,

the Florida Lotto is up to $550 MILLION DOLLARS for tonight's drawing. 

I have the World's WORST luck so I don't expect to win millions

*BUT*

I have been thinking all day the last 5 minutes about what I would do with that much money.

So I have taken the liberty of spending WHOEVER THE LUCKY WINNER MAY BE's money below.. 

FIRST I would like an island! Yes, an island.

And on that island I would like an exotic, open mansion that has an infinity pool going into the OCEAN.

Speaking of mansions, I would also like a massive cabin in the mountains in North Carolina

and a gorgeous penthouse in New York City with a KILLER VIEW.

Mercedes G Wagon. Yes, I'll take a couple of those, thank you.

Basically... the goal would be to wind up as

spoiled as THESE ladies... who seem to have EVERYTHING

coughADRIENNEcough

Speakkiingggg of Adrienne!

I'll take a sports team too- New Orleans to be exact!
GEAUX SAINTS

I would definitely shower this little peanut with gifts...

I'm thinking Jakey-Baby would love love love 

an equally fabulous house... 

I would also open pet adoption shelters EVERYWHERE.

Some place where they get treated with love and spoiled like they should be

until they find permanent homes.

Nothing breaks my heart more than the dogs that sit in kennels at the pound

because they aren't cute, fluffy puppies. Ugghhhh.

Ok... kind of tired of spending already :/

I'll just take a million if that's at all possible!

Wish me luck!

Year-Round Pumpkin Pie Recipe. YES.

Well HELLO there again!

You thought Thanksgiving was over....? 

If you're like this girl who is still eating turkey sammies for lunch-

not so much.

Per my "anatomy of a Thanksgiving table" post last weekend,

you have probably gathered I don't enjoy much of the food

but I EL-OH-VEE-EE pumpkin pie!

I made this idiot-proof

(don't quote me on that)

double layer pumpkin pie for our "Brew" Thanksgiving potluck. 

This recipe is sooo easy that you can throw it together year round-

that way you don't have to wait until Thanksgiving dinner to devour it :)

You Will Need..

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup plus 1 Tbsp. milk, divided

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

1 HONEY MAID Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin

2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Make It..

BEAT cream cheese, 1 Tbsp. milk and sugar in large bowl with whisk until blended. Stir in half the COOL WHIP. Spread onto bottom of crust.
WHISK remaining milk, pumpkin, dry pudding mixes and spices 2 min. (Mixture will be thick.) Spread over cream cheese layer.
REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Serve topped with remaining COOL WHIP.

I didn't snap a picture of the end product because I was jamming to 
Garth Brooks on Pandora in the kitchen while whippin'
this little baby up and my phone died, but here is a photo via the Kraft site
where I got the recipe:

So. Yesterday was "Cyber Monday."

Did everyone enjoy their one day of non-violent sale shopping??

I get so antsy waiting for this stuff to arrive.

WHICH REMINDS ME- I never received my

stupid bubble bib necklace from The Pokadot Shop.

Ugghhhhh scaammmmm.

I should be receiving my new brown leather

saddle bar stools for the kitchen first...

EXCITED! :)

Weekend Update [Thanksgiving/ FL-FLState Edition]

I would rather enter the Hunger Games than get dressed

in a suit and heels and walk into the office Monday after Thanksgiving.

Today's energizing cocktail consisted of a sugar free red bull AAAAND

a quick chaser of 5 Hour Energy.

Yes, it's that bad.

Unfortunately in the lovely World of SALES,

everyday is 110% so I shall make this post snappy so I can hurry up

and go close some deals! 

After work on Wednesday, I loaded down the car with

my boyfriend, my dog and every pair of brown boots I owned

(3 pairs of heeled boots, my Ariat cowboy boots and the Uggs to be exact)

and we were Ocala bound by 5:30!

I mentioned in my Thanksgiving post that I love

Thanksgiving Eve because it is literally a mini HS reunion.

Don't get me wrong, Ocala is a small town- but with 7 different

high school and an a cray-cray group of friends, downtown Ocala is poppin. 

Thanksgiving day was GORGEOUS in Ocala.

68 degrees and a great day to throw the football around

with my 8 year old nephew...

in between stuffing my face with GBCass and mashed potatoes.

Woof. 

Friday I actually had quite a bit of work to do

but I did manage to grab lunch with my parents and be on

the road *TALLY BOUND* by 5 to see my bestfriend and 

watch my Gators play on Saturday!

We ate dinner at Bella Bella then started to hop around

to a few local bars. I'm not a huge fan of Tallahassee but

I LOVE their bar crowd- all super laid back and casual. 

SATURDAY WAS GAME DAY!

We tailgated for a few hours and then headed to a bar next

to the stadium to watch the game. 

We cheered. We cried. We talked trash.

Bottom line. Gators won :)
Which is directly related to fact that I have no voice this morning.
[Insert obnoxious Gator chomp HERE]

Sunday was spent recuperating and drivingggggg.

I HATE DRIVING.

Especially after a holiday!

Did everyone just turn into a raging Jeff Gordon all of a sudden??

I'm a huge fan of the car who gets RIGHT ON MY BUMPER

and flashes their lights to move over.

Are you kidding me.

You are getting brake checked, my friend.

Anyway, may you all have a lovely Monday
and I will be re-living my Thanksgiving dinner experience at lunch time
since I brought left overs. Weeeeeeeeeee!

THANKFUL but cranberries are gross.

Holy fat pants.
Andddddddddd Thanksgiving is over.
I DO love Thanksgiving- the whole fam damily, football, a mini HS reunion
at all of the bars Thanksgiving eve but.....

I have to admit, I'm just not a huge fan of 80% of the food that's on the table.

Is that a little ridiculous? 

Here we have a holiday which is geared towards being thankful and there

I am at the end of the table passing almost every dish that comes my way.
Sweet potato casserole?? Thanks but nooooo thanks!

Kind of  terrible, right?? 

Side note: I do have so much to be thankful for.
I have been truly blessed with the most amazing family,
a loving boyfriend, supportive friends and an awesome work place.
What more could a girl ask for?

Anyway, hope yall had a fab Thanksgiving weekend because
we are BACK TO WORK tomorroooowww!
Also, back to working OUT. 
I'm wearing sweat pants and here comes Faith Hill's butt
on the Sunday Night Football intro... 

Really, girlfriend? How many kids do you have again?

You. Look. Amazing. 

Stop it.

See you tomorrow! :)

Southern "Tailgate" Bridal Shower

When I said "Bridal shower recap post coming shortly,"

you didn't think I meant this soon did you ?

Well, surprise!

I was hoping to have more pictures of Mandy's

bridal shower this past weekend from her sister's wonderful

camera- BUT- all you get for now are Instagrammed-iPhone photos.

So sorry :/

I was contemplating asking Santy-Clause for a nice, new professional camera

buuuuuuutttt that quickly worked its way to the bottom among

other wants :)

First, let me set the scene a little.
When we first started planning her shower, we were having a hard
time on setting a theme/color scheme. 
Her wedding colors are navy and lime green and just an FYI:
it usually isn't standard to use the same color scheme as the wedding for the shower.
Lime green and navy is just very "Mandy," so we wanted to have a fitting shower
but minus, well.... the navy and lime.
So Mandy and her fiance Thomas both went to Florida and
loovveee them some Gator football.
We decided to go with a classy "southern style" Gator-themed shower.
Yard games, orange, navy, burlap and details!

Here is the adorrrrable table setup.
Mandy's little sister managed to round up some old pics of the bride-
some of which were with me from cheerleading in middle school that were HORRIFIC
and Katy did such a good job on the banner bunting! 
Very "cute tailgate-ish!" 
We had the most amazing pulled pork sandwiches, orzo pasta, brown sugar bacon
and a few other delish side dishes... and of course dessert!
Dark chocolate and french vanilla buttercream cupcakes, cake pops and Key Lime piieee!

For drinks we spiced things up a tad with a sangria... IN LOVE...
we served a white and a red with fruit options and some sweet teas. Given.

I'll post some more pics of the details when I get them from her sister, 
but I wanted to share these asap :)

Here's a shot with Mandy and her bridesmaids!
Me, Keelen (Thomas's sister), Alex (Mandy's sister), Mandy *BRIDE, YAY!*
Caitlin (Mandy's sister), Katy, Jennifer and Amanda.

The bachelorette party destination is still up in the air...
Charleston?? Charlotte? Key West? New Orleans??
We're planning on the first week in Feb so wherever these shenanigans are taking place,
we need to get crackin so we can start ordering penis straws and 
other appropriate accessories. 

I still can't believe we're 24 years old and Mandy is getting married.
I honestly feel like riding 4 wheelers out at her Dad's farm, sneaking out of my house,
getting in trouble in Miss Johnson's English class, or going to our first Gator game tailgaite-
wasn't all THAT LONG AGO...
PSA: It totally was. 

Anywayyyyyy, not trying to drag on with a tear fest but I'm SO 

happy for this girl and can't wait to stand by her side on her wedding day.

Congrats Mandy Lu! Love you times a million, girlfriend! :)

Est. 1999

Short and Sweet-ish

Nothing like that Sunday night feeling after

a weekend of activities and you jusssssst sat

down after dinner to relax watch some football.

Am I right or am I right??

I'm going to make this as short as possible 

because I'm ready to bundle up with my man and

the rest of my Sea Dog blueberry beer.

Side note! To the central Florida craft

beer distributors- why have you stopped 

stocking our little shelves with this fabulous product ?

Is it because you're on to my secret that I drink all of the products ?

Fair enough.

I spent Friday night in Ocala at my parents' house-

finishing up my crafts for Mandy's shower on Saturday,

watching my niece and nephew, catching up with my mama and....

...drinking wine clearly.

Saturday morning was Mandy's Gator-themed bridal shower at Katy's lake house.

Cutest invites, LIKE EVER, yes? 

[SHOWER POST COMING SHORTLY!]

That night Bry, his parents and I went on the casino

cruise ship that left out of Cocoa- HOLLAAAAAAA!

That doesn't mean I won.

I'm actually terrible at gambling-

especially black jack because I'm waayyy too impulsive

and may or may not have a problem saying hit when I mean stay.

Eh :/ Oops. 

Today Bryan's mom and I started Christmas shopping..

EEEEEEE! :):):)

..while him and his Dad went fishin.

I snagged quite a few gifts as well as started a mental list

of what to put on my list to Santa (ie. Bryan. ie. Mom and Daddaaayy.

ie. Brother and sister in law?? ie. Anyone who reads this.)

Including but not limited to:

Classic southern dessert cookbook by Southern Living

New leather "saddle" bar stools for kitchen

Paris blue armoire mirror

Okay I realize now I could probably do this for quite a while.

Anywhooooo- currently on Blue Paw #2 and ready for some SNF with the

owner of those ridiculously hairy 'ol legs in the following photo:

Hope your Sunday evening is equally full of 65 degree weather, 

blueberry beer deliciousness and footballllll!

What I'm Loving- Cookie Swap Parties! EEE!

in my most obnoxious Regina's-mom-voice

Happy hump day to my FAVORITE GIRLFRIENDSSSS!

Time to link up for another WILW with __ 

annddd this week it is safe to say I'm obsessing over loving

holiday party decor, more specifically cookie exchange party ideas.

My girlfriends and I did one last year and I am

on the Pinterest-hunt for ideas for this years'.

I *love* the idea of cutesy little boxes

for guests to take their treats home in. 

Whooooo doesn't *love* them some printables??!

I like these chevron printables that guests can cast

their cookie votes on- best tasting, most unique, most creative.

Cute, cute, cute!

HOLY DELICIOUS, right??

I think I will be adding these little babies

to my To Bake list for the swap.

White chocolate covered candy cane Oreos. *Love*

Also *loving* these cookie cutter favors

with a "thank you" and the host's favorite

cookie recipe attached.

Haven't decided if this would be cute for a party

favor or for co-workers!

You'd be a fool if you didn't *love*

this hot chocolate bar idea! Set up a little

area with hot cocoa, some marshmellows,

some sweet little stirrers and if you're feeling 

super cray you could even spike the hot chocolate.

Fiiiiinally, I do *love* a good holiday beverage!

What the heck is any holiday party with a cute cocktail?

Go link up and enjoy this faaaabulous Wednesday!