on a holiday recap...

Ok. I know that it's been a while but there was really no way I could find time to sit down. Hard to believe huh? Honest. This holiday season was brutal. Not only did I just have no time but I didn't have much to tell you all. I feel like I've spent the entire month of December working. Being inside a mall is tough. I don't mind being busy but the holiday hours are what got me. Any who, I got through it and had a very Merry Christmas with my boys. Let me recap the last few weeks for you to get ya caught up...

Let me start out with telling you that just two days before Christmas Eve I got the 24 hours stomach bug. Boy was I sick. I was bed ridden. Bathroom ridden. On the toilet ridden. Not fun. I was miserable and I don't think I've been that sick in my whole life.

I am just thankful that I was back to my regular self once Christmas Eve came around because we were off for Sebastian's first Christmas surprise.
Toy Story 3 on Ice!

Family shot with Sebastian pointing to something very interesting and not even looking at the camera. Typical.

On our way to our seat.

Cotton candy for the show. I love Sebastian's face after putting a chunk of cotton candy in his mouth.

Sebastian was glued to the whole show.

Mr. Potato Head was my favorite. He was quite a character. His eyes kept falling off throughout the show and all the other characters took turns helping him grab his parts and sticking them back in the right place. It was very entertaining.

Buzz Lightyear had the best enterance onto the ice, coming from the sky with fireworks!

Sebastian's reaction was a mouth wide open and the word "Woooooowww".

It was a great show and would definitely see another one in the future. All three of us had a ball!

For those of you who don't know, we do our best to incorporate some of my Christmas tradition into Sebastian's growing up. And in my family, we celebrate Christmas on the 24th night. It really works out perfect this way. We get to have our little family tradition with opening presents on the eve of Christmas and then in the morning we wake up and head over to the in-laws.

After the ice show we got home and I got right to cooking. I wasn't able to cook my traditional Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage because I just couldn't get to the grocery store early in the week. Thank you stomach virus. Instead I just whipped up some breaded chicken and mashed potato's with asparagus. Pulled it together with what I had in my fridge. My boys were satisfied which is all I want.

I plopped Sebastian in the tub to ruba-dub-dub, meanwhile Bobby set up all the gifts under the tree. I know we are just so sneaky.

Stocking first.

Toy Story bubble bath was a good hit :)

Despicable Me is by far his new favorite movie. We have watched it over a dozen times since Christmas.

Daddy want to make sure his boy has a big boy football and soccer ball to play with.

Bobby and I did an awesome job keeping his grand finalle present for very last and well hidden. That bright and happy face is the first reaction to when he saw this...

Sebastian's first bike with training wheels. Toy Story themed :)

He had to watch Despicable Me on his bike with the helmet on the whole time. It was quite adorable.

When it came time for Mommy and Daddy to open presents Sebastian sat occupied with all his new toys. Bobby was spoiled with some new Fox brand sneakers, a $50 gift card to Summit Racing where he can put towards some new things for his race car, a new blue controller for his PlayStation 3 (now I can play with him :), and a new dressy pea coat for work.  I was spoiled with tons of new Bert's Bee's products. The face cream being my favorite (will give a full review soon). I got a lovely gift card to Amazon so I can buy lots of books! Always a treat. Annnnnnnnnd I got my sewing machine :) :) :) I am beyond excited.

Christmas morning was spent at Bobby's parents house. Opened some more gifts and had some breakfast. Christmas dinner was held at Bobby's Aunt's house down South Philly like every year. Dinner was great. I especially loved the Creamed Asparagus Soup and Twice Baked Potato's. Yumm!

Christmas is always a fun time of year. Although I do feel a hole. My family and friends out in Seattle are missing and it can get a little emotional for me. That gap is hard to fill but I try my best with calling my dad and talking to him as much as i can aso I don't feel so sad. Bobby even hooked up our web cam on Christmas Eve so my dad could see us on the computer. It was all Bobby's idea and I love him for it :) It was a nice surprise for my dad.

Lastly this wonderful Christmas Bobby and I were blessed by our guardian angels with a extremely generous gift towards a honeymoon. I am honored to have such amazing people in my life and can not express how grateful I am.

♥A.

on some foodtography...

Yes, this will be my lunch tomorrow. I usually pack lunch for work but have been on a dry spell for the past couple weeks. Actually mainly due to the fact that we haven't been food shopping. I mean reeeealll food shopping. Not the get in and get out food shopping that I've been doing the last two weeks. Being rushed while I'm food shopping is a big "no no". Any who, I love this simple stuffed pita. It's easy to make the night before or even just to throw it together in the morning. I have whole wheat mini pitas shown with amazing red pepper hummus spread inside. Then just stuffed with spring lettuce, mushrooms, onion, cucumbers and grilled herbed tofu. Of course there is a vast variety of things you could stuff these amazing pitas with so try it all and be creative.

Excuse me but I feel the need to whip up one more of these for a late night snack...save me.

♥A.

on some wedding inspiration...

Such a lovely bird cage!

Followed by such a cute bird nest with engraved eggs for the top of the cake.

Loving the hanging jars with lit candles dangling from inside the tent. I bet that would look magical in the evening.

The ulitmate photobooth! And vintage typewritter for writing notes to the newlyweds.

Talk about a unique felt bridal bouquet. Amazing!

This sweets display inspires me the most. Pure beauty. The two lamps are my favorite.

♥A.

on some things I am loving...

I am loving...

(via anthology)

This whimsical entry way.

(via weheartit)

Dear Paris, I will see you some day.

Glam baby, glam. Love Emma's style. Cutieee.

(via ohsovictoria)

Speech.Less. Best staircase ever. Beautiful.

(via ohjoyeats)

Yummm. Soft serve green tea with green tea cake on the bottem. Double yumm!

(via notmartha)

Tiny gingerbread houses that perch on the side of a hot cup of chocolate! Really! Is there anything more creative than this. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

♥A.

on what I want...

I want to wake up in the morning and have a steaming cup coffee without it getting cold. I want every inch of my body to feel at ease. I want to lay in bed next to him for what feels like an eternity. I want to have a place that I call home. I want my music to be loud and quite at the same time. I want to watch the sunrise and sunset all in the same day without looking at the clock. I want to look into a fawns eyes and see what it has seen. I want to be engulfed by water and not need to breathe. I want him to be anything he wants to be. 

I want to have a book store and read for the rest of my life. I want to create things that no one has seen. I want not to feel the hate anymore. I want to stand in the rain except not get wet. I want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I want to be in two places at once. I want to never feel compelled. I want to be a hero. I want to be able to live inside a novel. I want to have a fireplace lit year round. I want to treasure every moment with a click of my camera. I want the stars to shine for him. I want my heart to beat fast for love and never for fear. I want my culture to grow beyond my years. I want to be forever remembered as someone great.

I want to never fall in line and become another victim of comformity. I want to speak my mind and move mountains with my words. I want to dance and not care who watches. I want to believe in people. I want to have all the time in the world. I want to not become my parents. I want to grow old and wise. I want my body to become a piece of art and share my story. I want to be me.
♥A.

on a listy list of random goodness...

Yes, this is my listy list. Not much of a post but come on! I'm boring at the moment. Nothing is happening. I feel like work is all I do whether it is at home or actually at work...I wish I drank wine. 

Like my new picture up in the top there. Up to the left. Uh huh, right there. That's me getting a kiss from a certian someone who is the cutest most loveable boy ever. Makes my heart melt. I snapped the picture too soon because he reached up to put his little hands on my cheeks for the ulimate kiss. I will treasure these moments. Sooner or later he'll be like Ewwwww mom, take those plugs out of your ears. So embarressing. Your like..old.

Speaking of plugs, take a look at my new size 0 plugs. They are my new gems. 

Cool eh? That's what I thought future Sebastian, son of mine :)

It's finally here my friends. Thank god my neighbors at work are yes, the F.Y.E guys. Which surely I will be the first one to receive my Eclipse movie :) And no, not because I threatened them...

Blog Love baby! My first e-course from A Beautiful Mess. The biggest blog inspiration ever! I found this lovie on one of my all time most favorite blogs that I follow EVERYDAY. This is a course with 12 sessions of blogging goodness. Elise shares different things that will help you become a better blogger like; Find your online voice, free promotions and networking for bloggers, and even photography for bloggers! I am very thrilled for her to feature this because learning more about how I can network and become more involved has been a goal of mine for a while. Best part is that I can follow at my own pace. You recieve the full course upon purchase and get to just enjoy it on your own time. Perfect for my schedule, let me tell ya ;) If you want more info or want to join then go here.

Did you see Glee lastnight. Oh. my. god.

Loved it! The grand finale with them singing Florance + the Machine- Dog days are over I about died and went to heaven. I'm serious. I loved it that much. Oh and I also really really want to be Brittanys friend. Thanks.

Lastly a note...

Dear The Vampire Academy Series,

Please stop taking up so much of my time. It is very irritating. I should be able to put you down when my son of all people comes up to me and shoves his juice cup into my face asking to gethimmorejuice! You are making me become a bad parent who doesn't hydrate my child.

Oh and presenting me with awesome fight scenes that have me actually up on my feet as I read them pretending I am one of the good guys killing the bad. That is not normal. So please stop owning my life!

Ps...Tanya Mastikash, this is mostly all your fault :-p

♥A.

on a wish list...

1. Singer Confidance Sewing Machine- with 70 stitch patterns!

2. Wildflower Tights from Anthropologie.

3. Pewter colored Dakota style Ugg outdoor slippers.

4. Wireless remote for my gem (my camera).

What's on your wishlist this year?

♥A.

on some things I am loving...

(via weheartit)

Currently I am trying my best to stay positive and surround myself with happy thoughts.

Here are somethings that make me light up inside...

I smile in the mirror (and no not because I like to stare at myself) whenever I see how long my hair is getting and not only that but how perfect it's growing for the style that I will be sporting at my wedding!

My new spiral glass plug. I really love them :)

Made these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (found here). Sebastian was my little helper stirring the batter up for me! He was up on the tall bar stool and thinking he was hot stuff being allowed up so high. He thought it was the funniest thing when he flick the spoon at me covering my shirt with pumpkin... I got him back with some on the tip of his nose :-p

Made about 2 dozen. That should about do it, yep, my jeans are gonna be hard to zip up by the end of the week. Save me!

(via here)

This Christmas garland is amazing and just looking at it I hear jinglebells.

This ring is gorgious along with most all the rings featured at this etsy shop, brilliance found. Darling, just darling!

(via designmom)

This whimsical victoria mini cottage is everything I dream for right now. It would be my little hideaway from the world. Just my kindle, a blanket and hot cup of tea.

This growning boy always manages to make my heart swell with happiness :)

♥A

on who I am (at the moment)...

...giddy about pre-ordering Eclipse today. Special Edition DVD. Yes, I am cool. It comes out December 4th.

...attempting to not be completely overwhelmed by the thought of Black Friday being a week away. Four am. On my feet. Making latte after latte for psycho bargain shoppers. Not to forget I'll be hearing Christmas music on repeat. Stress, stress and more stress. Also just today I got an order of 10, yes I said 10! gift baskets being picked up on Tuesday. There goes my weekend.

...depressed that all this pumpkin is making my belly go a bit plump. Thank god I haven't ordered my wedding dress. Nightmare! I just like to think that I have a rough five months to whip myself back into shape. Yes, that makes me feel better.

...working hard at fighting negativity in every aspect of my life. I feel at times it's harder because I don't have enough positive people in my everyday life. Trying to not let things get to me as easily as they have in the past. Which in retrospect will make me a better mother, daughter, wife and friend.

...ridiculously obsessed with Glee and Vampire Diaries. I developed a split personality when these shows are on my flat screen TV. No one is allowed to talk to me let alone breathe heavy. I will fall into a comma if I miss a show. Don't judge.

...finding out who is truly genuine in my life now that I am planning my wedding. Ones that are contributing in my aid are ones that I would not have expected and ones who aren't around so much are the ones I thought would be. It's funny how things show when situations arise.

...missing my family a lot, but that's not unusual. Holidays always bring homesickness.

...thrilled that Toy Story 3 on ice is coming to town at the end of December. Sebastian will be mighty surprised December 24th....that's all I got to say ;) Shhhhhh. Don't tell him!

...really wishing I worked at a craft store so I could reek the benefits of their employee discount. I am there at least once a week.

...hoping to see HP7 soon. I mean some of us do have responsibilities and no time :) Basically saying, those of you who have seen it..I hate you.

♥A.

on some weekend finds...

The weekend went by quick but I do feel like we got alot accomplished. Did wash, visited the new little baby girl Lilly & visited the family, folded clothes, put clothes away (yes, most times this step doesn't happen. Instead the folded clothes sit in the laundry basket. Sigh), bought fifteen bags of groceries, put groceries away, and cooked some dinner. OH and cleaned around the apartment here and there. Not bad I say. I know we did good when I can sit down on the couch and not feel my eyelids are getting heavier and heavier with every minute passing. That is success in my book!

I wanted to share with you some new finds from the food store.

First find Snyder's York Peppermint Pretzel Sandwiches. If you don't like york peppermints then of course this is not for you but both Bobby and I kill for yorks and the pretzel combo is to die for. Great for a sweet tooth.

Secondly Kraft Philadelphia PUMPKIN SPICE creamcheese! I about keeled over when I saw this on the shelf earlier today. It is fabulous. Just think of it, instead of making regular plain everyday creamcheese frosting for pumpkin bars buy this stuff and make pumpkin spice flavored creamcheese frosting. Too much pumpkin you say, I think NOT!

Lastly, a pear. Yes, this is a new find for me. I will say that the grocery store that is down the street displayed these pears so beautifully that I just had to buy a few. Now, if you know me you also know I am not a huge pear fan or a fan of any fruit for that matter. I just don't care for the taste and texture of fruits but I am working on it. Today I had half of that there pear and did in fact enjoy it :) I recommend a pear to you my friend.

Also a few words on this lovie...

Burt's Bees to me is an amazing product. I love most everything they have out on the counter. This however is one of my favorites. It is a little expensive but so worth it especially if you have dry, cracked hands like I do. With my hands constantly running under water at work and with the cold weather my hands can crack and even bleed. It is on the oily side and very thick so you don't need much to layer your hands. It doesn't soak into your skin so quick and leaves your hands feeling hydrated for a long while. The scent of almond is delightful as well. Two thumbs up for this baby!

Our sweet elderly neighbors next door gave us this small t.v for Sebastian to have in his room. Bobby set it up on his dresser with our old dvd player (and yes it is safe and secure on the dresser we made sure of that, what do you take us for? Bad parents?). It was love at first sight for Sebastian and is actually in his room watching a movie at this very moment.

Finally since I didn't feel like slaving forever in the kitchen cooking a five course meal I strickly made up some breaded chicken for the boys with some greenbean casserole. I just had to share this new casserole recipe with you since it is by far the best I've ever made. I don't know about you but I like my casserole to be thick and saucey.

This recipe [here] is what I followed and turned out like this! Creamey mushroomcheeseygreenbeangoodness! Thank you Paula Deen.

Any new finds you got going on?

♥A.



on a new face...

Meet Mackenzie Foy. Also known as Renesmee, half-vampire-human child of Edward and Bella in the Breaking Dawn that will be out November 2011. Not soon enough! I think they did good with this new face.

Cool huh?!

♥A.