All credit to http://theoatmeal.com/
if you can't read it, just click on the picture to enlarge.
Jessica's Christmas Tree
Well Jessica is huge into getting a real christmas tree and has definitely let me know that when we have our own place we are not having any of that fake christmas tree stuff in our place. Well my sister also knows Jessica's passion on christmas trees and called me up to show me a mini tree I could get for her for christmas. That would be perfect except I already got Jessica's presents and went over budget as it was. So I told my big sis that I wasn't able to get it for her because of all that. Well my sis would not have that! So my big sis (Amanda) got the tree for us (*cough* Jessica) and I can't wait for jessica to get home and see it.
This is the tree and stuff that came in the package. I came with a picture frame christmas ornament, pack of 12 ornaments and then a set of mini christmas lights.
This is a picture of what Jess will see when she gets home.
I wish I could of been the one to get this for her.. but I'm glad my sister was awesome enough to do this. I think it will mean more than you would think to Jessica.
*UPDATE*
I tried to catch Jessica when she got home.. but was about 2 second late.. da well..
AN AMAZING DEAL!!!
I LOVE THRIFTING, but since Grant and I are on a budget, we have been trying to not buy anything which includes thrifting. When Simon was in town, he needed some clothes, so this was a good excuse to go as well. We went to two different thrift stores that we like here in Austin, and I would have to say that we found a pretty good haul. I got 3 banana republic shirts, 1 hollister t-shirt, 2 express shirts, an awesome pair of indigo shoes, and an amazing pair of jeans.
The jeans are Brand 7 for all mankind which I knew was a very nice brand, but since they fit great I figured why not branch out and buy my first ever pair of skinny jeans. So I bought these jeans for $6.99.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PKj_9Z7RkdyBikoxyEUsRJmu9egmY3qe2sv12xhsntoRLhkCneq0swXg_XxDbNurovPhg6A-XCsD5H0bTuSn70nIHrwxgBWYGz-TUsiKJV-Nrm2MreLy7yY3RTLEJo7rbxLaHwqz4CM/s400/1001_new_york_dark_l.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PKj_9Z7RkdyBikoxyEUsRJmu9egmY3qe2sv12xhsntoRLhkCneq0swXg_XxDbNurovPhg6A-XCsD5H0bTuSn70nIHrwxgBWYGz-TUsiKJV-Nrm2MreLy7yY3RTLEJo7rbxLaHwqz4CM/s400/1001_new_york_dark_l.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RINnML9H4fQ4rKyhM_WVVHkSOxmP4h_08FdPpDmTuuLc1BmymWu8BadFugbjdPlYYFWrKZAzjCHT18mD8HVEkx_gpYXfG9n62idTSYfGJ3I7Rrg4vl4MjZaEq70pZdmzoBT4Tt0WHVI/s400/7-179080unydrk-bck.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOEJVI-K_QShL6cvRqvEHJmAXbmEZO4ZdKC08l0v1VMDl9fJpt-El9kFkCHDBXyGMEAUydZg3aJWRpTxRoNZzMozImUbzGCRBxBrNZ-kgPMMQkVw8VufNqiU6uoOptE5IFn2rHfO96RI/s400/seven_roxanne_rearpkt.jpg)
After a few days of wearing them, I was wondering how expensive this brand was... come to find out this pair of jeans brand new costs $155.00... I could never pay this much for jeans, but it made me very excited to own such a nice pair of jeans!
http://www.7forallmankind.com/store/productdetails.aspx?productid=1001&colorid=101
http://www.7forallmankind.com/store/productdetails.aspx?productid=1001&colorid=101
Thanksgiving 2009
For Thanksgiving this year, we had a very laid back, fun, and family filled event. It was planned pretty last mintue because none of knew what this week would hold since Tanya's pregnancy was up in the air. So, in the end, we ended up having this awesome celebration with Tanya, Wilson, Mia, Ally, Emily, Shea, Anthony, Simon, Grant, and myself. The men decided that they wanted to eat steak, the females had chicken, and then everyone else brought different kinds of sides, and the rest of the time we played games, ate, talked, and cooed over Emi-chan!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlY9CbBUHUGIkfnIcPdNygLM6t24d6Pfcdp5DPzDm_zevwzC9gXUZYkPqDNy_y1STs6mkvvUH5VR708ayIvBLtgKamifVmZs4sWA0dlhhGdwcmckHtDgLcF8bB0MCsGTOcrRe0ctZX6w/s400/DSC07641.JPG)
We picked up all of the meats on the way to Tanya and Wilson's here is Grant's Steak that they grilled at Shea and Anthony's house.
We picked up all of the meats on the way to Tanya and Wilson's here is Grant's Steak that they grilled at Shea and Anthony's house.
Tanya and Wilson provided their home, their beverages, AMAZING cranberry fluff, and Mashed potatoes.
Here you can see Anthony's Steak and Ally ready to go and get some food. Anthony and Shea provided their grill, and two different casseroles.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXehAOhvDtyLwtPwqxKVlGrcj3pDtUX4Yqbeh2KhZFJr82ASCBQWDX1zSNiaWSKyISXEiF56LKRHLNjCPl-7kee9O-zL04XnrsciBnSIwodsq82hfZo0H6TLX3kZm32rSVOvYAFLWam0U/s400/1046843x.jpg)
Grant and I brought the meats, 2 pies, and my favorite wine that we brought to Thanksgiving this year. It is a 2008 Saracco Moscato D'Asti Wine.
Here you can see Tanya drinking now that she is allowed... woot the baby is out.
Ally and me just chilling... She ate some of my food, but more than anything wanted to see what was going on.
Mia and ally wanted to join the fun! they love being involved with whatever is going on.
Finally me holding Emi-chan, I was trying to not hog her so much, but I could just watch her for hours, even when she is not really doing anything.
Simon sporting his new shirt from the thrift store holding Emi-chan.
Things that I think are great!
There are a lot of different things that I like, but lately with Christmas coming closer and closer, I just keep seeing beautiful Christmas type decorations! Here are some of the things that if I had money, time, and a place to arrange them would love to do! It is funny how I have a very modern taste in furniture and art, but tend to like more traditional type decorations for Christmas. I am a sucker for Silver and Red so sorry about the repetition.
Here you can see some beautiful vases being used for ornaments. Now I tend to not use gold very much,but it is the idea that I like not their actual ornaments.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXheJZ93W44SW8ciG_EnDPZYiwidM0eYmdWPVWvHV3cvBlBhRWZye_rAy0RZ4dUwIqieI4FxnMhb8uhB1PDWHv94cbAqrq23rR2NxfFoYYVP10gOLroEGJAubtrHSDj5a963r6sp-AqY/s400/img58m.jpg)
Here is my all time favorite wreath that I have found so far! They are selling it at Pottery Barn for about $85.00 which I know is expensive which is why I don't have one, but I think it is AMAZING!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZHBji5roCm40r-edvJ_ry-ZqhF8Etif-8jeEulsJkmelNigig1v8zkTt_ntt7KMUWogTaeQX8RhtWBqNoJ8DqiGm6VMTammlkma-Q4aEVlMShjm24Wl2OYLVmjx2UB7-EG7Zaxb4DcA/s400/hurricane-arrangement-l.jpg)
I don't know if I would do this quite they way they do, but I thought it was a fun way of displaying some fruit rather than using a fruit bowl.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtrdcVWCxJiYmmj4zhVG_SPxJc8IwPiqpLuWRcFs45ldn23hB3NQjHpXihSX3zESeXpItIf0RiVM820JPbOm_1X64eF37j9wO03ok5VwoKSa3BIvUHfCjVqPCpPLQOZm6z45UUVvJoCs/s400/double-chocolate-chews-l.jpg)
This was to me a GREAT Idea! I love making chocolate chip cookies, so I thought it would be a fun gift to give people pre-homemade cookie dough that is frozen and then they can cut and bake just like store bought cookies only 20xs better!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYPqJYZgYUOqjYCcbcVAAQLZ5bCQX5gmqYnxiEJfJj9hPLwQZgXyfPaTBeJUaNeeql0mVZnCt91PBDlsYN6DIhK8I6qFTM28C4l-x95q9LapSFWxD905orVa2qB3gf-1QFuer8LCq7n0/s400/christmas-lanterns-l.jpg)
I think lanterns are always fun, and always look nice. I recently put two lanterns into my sister's room for the make over, and she could easily add some pine leaves like shown above, put them outside on her stairs, and they would look great especially when lit up.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAh08p0VABpg8jIBIuj-o4-1Fm7KTVVrjiFC8SwErQjNVGaGhMsex_Wt8ptDd6bTIgxI8qyDRKKZSV7yYp4qYs62HlecLYuoSGnKxIkzi4YYTyhyphenhyphen3sEMmtaIw1l83k5oscfmMvm9uGE58/s400/card-gift-tag-l.jpg)
I always like home made wrapping paper, but if you do not have a lot of time then it doesn't always save money. They look nice, but a lot of work.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1JHwugONBIZed9j_o2vRNz1u3c-wbO5M0fC4KOiPKhM_24TPgNE0hyxGEfgIA_5WX7PfiznHCEX6ASE5u0wXpMuGU9ty8ZH6ZjYvmT9LNyFo1PAlLpaOc_9tN45_9oLwzU0s4Qp4Dlo/s400/burlap-gifts-l.jpg)
Here again you can see burlap used to wrap gifts which I guess could be recycling if you just have burlap laying around,but it still looks classy I think.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__x7CySp08FP31qeizU2QcUJGpOxqQX42_G_vmzGgV-W_84Z0O78FjfqBA63-J6GP0ewYvIqePQMDFaUCtDPPJYAfoUgpFLU0B0ZhXINN80espEZsnYT2KI4dM6eIKuhjMQcOGBGwO90/s400/03111177_zi.jpg)
A kind of Random picture compared to the rest,but I have been looking everywhere for a watch I like, and I still won't get this one for a LONG time, if even at all, but these are very nice and they have them in LOTS of colors for only $65.00 at Dillards.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmF-BMNoIkvgQro-6GB-fmiOz55b99gcI4ANr4atlNFy8D3GfdVDff5rBvto6BIo4xdskc-H-x6gyC0DteyXXYxwkriI5HbL7x-ugdrt7IzRHIlCLQHLsg_xNG_mgs1N-3BPdCFBwYic/s400/banister-l.jpg)
Most of the things in this room I don't like at all, but I love the three wreaths on the front door, and I really like the garland going up the banister.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uoxAoz_jKKt8uJd_ySYs0ii4ng7sMBKo1yFEoBmMUlXcGBesb7B1BJ-UvUlbH1p_8-Oc8wG_8E0XPg4ti47X01l7HIAQqGgOc1X1sTNmHYM7XaLplDKWNUpcZC3F3z60z5meEe2P7YE/s400/ss_SIP888946.jpg)
Again in this picture, the furniture I find is very horrible, BUT I like all of the windows which probably makes the room so cold you never want to be in there, but anyway, I love the wreaths on all of the windows!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JpXK-tBYQvsk3N3LZ_ScSBOcIMLR34L-v7AotQe7lds6XCG2gn-efo1oZD8L-VJ8Rq9z5ODmMfdAKwp0hws3IPxCPqQ1gYIqi1lASqqmvuXIuUqBh_AfX37ELOD3hY9xEL6gFHdNBaI/s400/front-columns-l.jpg)
This is the outside view of the room above, and again, I like the three wreaths on the door. I
normally like the garland around the entry way,but in this picture it is not my favorite way.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cnsA38bxxo-4cvpfTuwHLQNFHfgbv_k4d6falzfazyiKxWO_0YROqRbNZNrPOr_XVKCpXNphfWc0EFJReGZW334hnRafopr0tmD6T9mQMJKB2ZpV2Ksl0i9nwSHIkQUNLntwxd30wic/s400/stacked-evergreen-wreaths-l.jpg)
I would never want this on my house, but I thought it was a nice natural take on Christmas decorating, and since there are no Christmas lights it is more energy efficient I guess.