4th Day of Christmas

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season
Tip 1- If shopping for yourself and a big sale is coming up (black Friday etc) go before the sale (if you have free time??) and try on the things you like. That way, when you go to the store the day of the sale you can grab what you want in the size that works and go. No waiting in huge lines for a dressing room. Tip 2 - Make a list. I am list crazy. Some of my lists say to make a list for something else. That way I know what I got for each person and who is missing. That way I focus on one item instead of wander the store buying lots of random stuff. Tip 3- Set your budget (to correspond to the list) well before you shop. Helps keep you under check.  Tip 4- For close friends gift small ornaments or have a get together to celebrate each other. Tip 5 - Sign up for email lists for restaurants or stores that you know you will go to. They will send "thank yous" for signing up. New York and Company sends you a 20% off your purchase coupon. Chili's will send you a free app or free dessert coupon. Score! I have an old email address I use for this so if I do get junk mail from it later its not clogging up my main email address.

The 3rd day of Christmas

Day 3 - Meaningful/Memorable Gift(s)

So I have had amazing gifts through the years from my family in friends. I truly love giving gifts which is a gift in itself. But hands down, my most meaningful/memorable gift was when I was 8 (3rd grade) and FINALLY got what I always wanted......

A west highland white terrier we named Mattie. I was in love..... sadly she left us in 2005. She will be forever missed..... : (

2nd day of Christmas

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks  Here's my black Friday shopping trick...
Do not go.... Unless there is a specific item that you need that you know is a great deal. General browsing is not suggested. If you are anything like me, You are already a bargain shopper, cut coupons, join email lists for coupons and have kept your eye out for deals the last few months. I have already finished half my shopping this year : )
My general shopping theories would include...  1. I never pay full price unless it is already a really great deal or a must have (i.e the camel fall boots I got this year. I did do lots of comparison shopping though) 2.Go to the mall alone (at least I do) I usually have a mission and the mall mapped out to where I need to go. Im not into lollygagging or just randomly letting your life slip away as you walk through a mall. I also hate when someone comes with you who doesn't want to go into the store you want. They usually hover the entire time and comment on your selections. Oh and if you want to go into the dressing room.....ugh... lol at least that is my experience. (I do however shop with my BFF as she is the same way) 3. If you are wasting your life away at the mall do not walk slow with a triple wide stroller and your entire extended family. I may run you down. lol
4. Give people a list when possible. Its not a strict request but most of the time the gift giver (who I love to be) likes knowing what you want or wants to avoid buying you something you already have or wont use. 

Katy Perry - Firework

So is it just me or is the "firework" part of this video a little creepy.... How many kids are going to say wow this is cool, lets reenact this..... and then they blow off their arm..... Hmmm. Not appropriate.

12 days of Christmas

So I saw this on my SIL Kathryns blog which you can find HERE and thought I would try it out.

Day 1 is Christmas/Holiday traditions

Christmas is my favorite time of year (other than HBF (Hottie Beach Fest) and My Birthday (day of terror lol) I love getting a fresh tree and decorating it. I also love decorating the house with garlands, wreaths, candles, and most of all the tablescape. From bowls of berries, greenery, tall candles and ornaments hung from the Chandelier, I love creating the table for the holidays.

Every year I host a dinner party for my closest friends to celebrate the friendships of that year. It is called Hottie Holidays. Its usually a combination of a cocktail hour, and heavy apps or a full blown dinner. I love making my famous champagne punch and getting all dolled up. Festive attire is always required. lol.

Growing up my family and I went to church on Christmas Eve. We always wore our best holiday outfits and took a family photo by the fireplace together, a tradition we try to continue. Now with spouses, step sisters/brothers and bf/gfs it makes for a tight fit with is aways fun. Christmas morning we had a huge breakfast after opening up all the presents (in order of age). Breakfast usually was polish sausage, sara lee coffee cake (yummmo) and scrambled eggs. Then we spent the morning modeling our new clothes (or maybe that was just me) and checking out all our new stuff. Now that we are older and married everyone has to be in 100 places at once which takes a little of a balancing act but we make it work. 

Makover madness

Its makeover madness at the Morgan household lately. 1/2 decorated for Christmas (the first half that is acceptable before thanksgiving) with the 2nd 1/2 coming next weekend (tree, garlands etc)

I'm putting my design skills to good work and working on updating our office. In the excitement of everything I forgot to take a good "before" photo so I just took a good "busy prepping for painting/moving crap around the room" photo.

Check back for the final design!

Change is coming.....

Just a few teasers on some much needed change..... Enjoy!