{Happy Birthday}

1. Golden Oats, 2. Pretty Monarch Butterfly 003, 3. captain lou's, 4. {my pooch}, 5. NO. 34, 6. My first day of vacation!, 7. Reminder Of A Honeymoon, 8. Barbados Palm, 9. Bingo Number 34

So it’s my birthday and New Year’s eve all in the same day!! I love, love, love my birthday!! I really can’t think of a more special day to me!! Everyday I am soooo happy to have another day above ground and my birthday always makes me stop and think of where I come and where I have yet to go!! I know a lot of people make resolutions but I am not typically one of those people! But I do like to take a moment to reflect on the fact that I am one year older and thus there is one less year to accomplish my goals!! I am a very goal oriented kind of girl!! Lately..I have really been thinking about me and who I am …the thing is .. is that people always seem to say that girl is so cute, creative, talented, confident. And I think to myself {me} really…I mean deep down inside..I often feel like a real mess .. …but then I think the one thing I really do is OWN who I am…I really like being me.flaws and all… and I think that owning who you are..allows you to not dwell {too much} on the things that are negatives..but to rather own them and then work to change them!!! So Yes..I do have a lot of confidence as a person and it is merely because I really do OWN being me!! Good and Bad….



But now for things that I want to really own and thus change!!
For some time I have not been happy about my level of fitness…now, I am not overweight by the ratings thing at the doctors office..but I just don’t feel proud of myself in this area and it is time for me to own it and take care of it!! SO I will!! That is certainly one thing about me ..when I get determined at something …I GET determined!! Life is long and I just really feel that I need to take a good hard look at how in shape I am and make improvements!! It can be done!! Don’t get me wrong.. I run or do the elliptical practically every day..but my mind has just not been that into it and my eating …. WELL that’s a whole other topic!! But I sort of think that eating and fitness go hand in hand!! So if I want to be more fit..than I have to clean up my eating a bit more!! Especially during the weekends!! So for this year… I am going to get my butt in gear and be the person I know I can be…once again!!
A little less pizza and beer and a little more edamame and wine…oh ok Jamie.. not wine..how about hot tea!! Or just wine every other day..instead of everyday ..HeeHee!!


reddtree
Well hopefully for those of you who do celebrate the new year with resolution ..you do so going into it really owning who you are and knowing that whoever you are…YOU ARE GREAT!! You just might need a few adjustments!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
Abraham Lincoln

{aaahhhh...}

Just breathe....

The holidays are over, now it's time to relax and focus on the upcoming New Year!!

Here's a little inspiration...

image courtesy of flickr

And a little simpledaisy to match....one.... Harlow Necklace
two... Celeste Necklace
three... Alexis Necklace
four... Fiona Earrings

"Always maintain a kind of summer even in the middle of winter" Henry David Thoreau

{food coma}

1. Pouring Liquid Grapes, 2. Christmas Snowflake Cookies, 3. Deconstructed Green Bean Casserole, 4. Homemade Hamburger Buns, 5. Alcoholic Coffee, 6. Turtle Cheesecake, 7. peppermint fluff martini, 8. Tortelinni 01, 9. Wasabi mashed potatoes
What a wonderful Christmas!! I really indulged in some super yummy foods..but isn't that what you do around the holidays??? Now it's time to get back on track!!! No more naughty foods!!! Hope your holiday was Merry & Bright!!

Food for thought....
Don't ask for an easier life, ask to be a stonger person.

{Merry Christmas}

image courtesy of flickr
Hope your Christmas is Merry & Bright~

{Christmas Cocktails}

I was at Target yesterday trying my best to stay focused on finishing up Christmas shopping...when I headed down the cocktail aisle!! I found some super yummy Peppermint Martini mix..I already tried some and it was delicous!! I also found the cutest bottle of Cabernet!! If you don't know already..I totally chose my wine based on how much I like the label!!

I was thinking you could fill a whole wine bar with naughty {or not so naughty} labeled wines...here are a few I found that might be fun to add to your wine bar...
one...Passion Has Red Lips
two...Jealous Bitch
three... pro mis Q us
four...Menage a Trois

Some I have tried and others I have yet to try...but it's always fun buying your wine based on the great label!!! So...grab a bottle of wine and have yourself a wonderful Christmas Eve~

{crafting with kids}

I love the holidays!!! I really think it's the perfect time to get super festive and break out some crafts to do with kids! I had my nephew over and some friends with their daughter and we made holiday ornaments!! It was super simple and super fun!! Oh and I had a Hot Cocoa bar... complete with every topping imaginable!! And I put it on a table that was just his height so that he would add toppings with reckless abandon!! Oh to be a kid again!!
YUM....
I think he had a blast!!

{tis the season}

To be jolly!!! Or really, to get a little glammed up...

Now if you can't tell...I really love ruffles, especially in clothing! I think all of these pieces would be just perfect for any holiday celebration!! And as always they are super reasonably priced!!!
one...Charlotte Russe
two...Charlotte Russe
three...Forever 21
four...Forever 21

So go on out there and enjoy the fabulous holiday season!!

Oh and if you're curious...I would definately opt for clear crystal jewelry to really glam it up!! I wish I had some simpledaisy to show you...but {in a good turn of events} I don't have many pieces left!! I recently had a jewelry show at my friend Sherry's and nearly sold out of every crystal piece I had!!! I made some great contacts and will soon have simpledaisy in a local shop!! Stay tuned as a I tell you all about her shop!! I am sooo excited!!!

Have a super day~

{have a holly jolly christmas}

Last Saturday I had a dinner party for my closest friends and it was fabulous!! Usually I have a big Christmas party but this year I wanted something a little more quaint...I am very thankful to have such wonderful and supportive people in my life and I wanted to take the time to show them how much they mean to me!! Since I am a reasonble{not cheap..ok someone once told me that it sounds better to say reasonable than cheap} person ..... I thought it might be nice to show you how you can really gussy your house up for the holiday and not spend a lot of $$$$$.

one...I made everyone {all the girls that is} a cute pair of simpledaisy earrings and I wrapped each package in white tissue paper, ribbon and added a candy cane....cute and reasonable.
two...I used the dishes I already and added red chargers underneath from.....The Dollar Store!! Then I went to the craft store and bought white bandanas for $1 each and used these as my napkins and just added ribbon and cute crystal style pick from the hobby store!!
three...just some cute candy canes....I love candy canes, they are festive and reasonably priced!
four...the drinks were Pomegranate Bellinis {or at least that's what I call them} cheap champagne and pomegranate juice served in pretty glasses with pink sugar on the rim. I serve these every year because I really love them!!

This is how the dining room looked during the day......
and

This is how it looked in the evening...fuzzy I know but you get the idea!!

Thanks girls...you all really are the BEST!! I couldn't ask for a nicer group of girls to spend my time with!! You rock....Oh and one more thing.....I have the BEST husband in the world...ok well in my opinion at least!!
As the evening progressed...I felt compelled to play a little Def Leppard and so I am doing my best air guitar and out of the corner of my eye I see my husband walk in with a guitar...and I said "where did you get that" not realizing it was for me!! Yippeeee.....Now all I have to do is LEARN to play guitar~~ Yes...I am in my PJ's..we all decided to change into something more comfortable!! Thanks sprinkles....you're the best!!!

"A true friend thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked" Bernard Meltzer

{a hostess/host gift}

In the midst of the season I am sure you will be invited to more than one Christmas party.....and I found the perfect gift for the host and the hostess!!!
I know I get tired of always bringing a bottle of wine to every party I am invited to....so why not bring a bulldog bottle opener {for him} and a six-pack of yummy orange blossom beer {for her}??? Super simple, super cute and definately different!!!!

one..... buffalo bills brewery
two.....pottery barn

Have a GREAT day~~~~

{welcome december}

It's hard to believe that it's december 1st today....but it is!!! Grab a cocktail or a steaming cup of hot cocoa and enjoy all the season has to offer!! It is such a wonderful time of the year....one....candy cane martini via flickr

two....peppermint hot cocoa via flickr

Oh and don't forget about free shipping on your simpledaisy purchase!!!

~~~~~~~~HAPPY HOLIDAYS~~~~~~~~~