Avery Bleu: 2007

Fa La La La La La La La La

Merry Christmas Eve! I cooked pretty much all day and am now finishing up some last minute wrapping. I'm sleepy and ready for Santa! :)

I just braved the crowded grocery store in the snow and am now back safely at home to organize my ingredients for tomorrow night's dinner. I'm keeping it semi-simple and am making appetizers for the fam. This way, we aren't too full for our yummy Christmas breakfast the following day and then my mom doesn't have to prepare a whole big dinner two nights in a row. Also, I often like apps more than regular meals - you get to try many different things. I can't wait to eat! :)

Change of Pace

I know, I know, its hardly swimsuit weather where any of us are (unless you're my lucky friend Shelby who is going to South Africa in 2 days, or you are privileged enough to go on a fabulous tropical vacay during holidays)....but, J. Crew always has suits online and I came across the cutest one ever! I am totally buying it. Not that I should even be entertaining the thought of putting on a swimsuit any time soon - gym & a tan are a must. I swear I probably buy about 10 different J. Crew pieces each summer. I like to mix and match tops and bottoms and rarely do I ever buy any of them full price. Hopefully this darling one will go on sale before its gone.

Wrap Star

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As most people who know me are aware, I love wrapping gifts. I love the paper, the ribbons, everything! (Well, everything but a gift bag - b.o.r.i.n.g!) It's all about the presentation. It's so much better to get a beautifully wrapped present, than a one packaged with little effort, regardless what's inside. I also curse those who throw away perfectly good ribbons and bows after they open something. I'm always the first to ask, "are you going to use that?" if I see a chance some might be discarded. It's so simple (not to mention economical) to reuse items that have been gifted upon you. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy browsing for and buying lovely paper and and ribbon - I just use the old and the new! Unexpected wrapping is a favorite of mine. Pretty boxes in non-traditional colors and patterns are sure to stand out among the red, green and gold under the Christmas tree. The ideas below are surely more chic than boring 'ol brown paper packages tied up with string....

monogram

"Christmas is the season when you buy this year's gifts with next year's money. "

-Anonymous

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Season's Eatings

How cute are these festive cupcakes from Sprinkles? Such a cute idea for a Christmas party, hostess gift or just a sweet treat for someone you love (or yourself :) ). The ones shown can be purchased for $38 from Sprinkles, but I think they would be fairly easy to re-create if you didn't want to spend the dough (no pun intended). Well, at least the outsides...I don't think I'd be able to master the yummy Sprinkles batter on my own. However, they do sell six flavors of their cupcake mix. One canister is $14 and makes a dozen cupcakes.

Celebratory Coifs

With all of the holiday parties and New Years Eve upon us, its always nice to have a fun and fancy hairdo to accompany your fabulous outfit. Also, as I am sort of a professional bridesmaid, I am constantly on a quest for the perfect wedding hair. Below are some of my favorites for any festivity.

Mandy Moore

Eva Mendes

Carrie Underwood

Emmy Rossum

Tree Trimmings

I spent part of last Saturday playing around with the settings on my camera and taking pictures of my pretty Christmas tree and ornaments. Here are a few that turned out fairly well, considering they're unedited.

After taking all the pics, I got the idea to incorporate them into my Christmas cards. Different and easier than what I usually do (though I always make my cards).