December Erin Condren Planner Layouts

December Erin Condren Planner Layouts

This month was the first month I've actually had to begin decorating my Erin Condren Horizontal planner. And I went kinda ham - and really enjoyed decorating my planner every week!

December Week 1 

December Week 2

December Week 3

December Week 4

Most of the things I used to decorate my planner were from the Dollar section at target! I did however find one Christmas Set from Rorys Sweet Addictions on Etsy that was really cute and I did use a lot of it.
I hauled a massive amount of washi/deco tape from the dollar store and couldn't stay away from the puffy stickers even though I tried REALLY hard. Either way - I'm really happy with how most of these turned out.

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Grandma's Recipe: M&M Cookies

Grandma's Recipe: M&M Cookies

This is the recipe for just basic M&M cookies that you can whip up super quick. The recipe I was given literally just says 'M&M cookies' the baking time and the ingredients - no instructions. So I'll give you some!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups M&M's

Preheat the oven to 350 F and combine the shortening, brown sugar, sugar, and vanilla extract into a mixing bowl. Beat until creamy. Add eggs and beat again.

In a measuring cup measure out your flour, baking soda, and salt. Add slowly to the mixture until it's all added and mix until 'dough-like' (do not over-mix it!). Measure out your M&M's and dump them into your dough. Using a baking spatula fold the m&m's into your dough. On a greased cookie sheet place your dough in whatever size cookies you wanna make (I usually make about teaspoon sized cookies). 

Pop 'em in the oven for about 10 minutes, you want them to be a yummy golden color.

Viola! You've got delicious M&M cookies!

(PS This is the original recipe I got sent...)

Happy Holidaze!

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Where I've Been...

Where I've Been...

Hey everyone! Thought I'd take a second to give you a little bit of a life update seeing as my blog posts have become slightly more erratic this month.

So in reality I've actually been at work and juggling my regular home life and whatnot, the holidays makes balancing everything super hard. Some has to give, right? It ended up being this little space for the past few weeks. This didn't happen on accident though, either. Let me explain...

I'm not just working one full time job anymore, I've got two. And its sucking away all my time from my hobbies and my blog. Thankfully the second job is something that I can do from home - but it still means that I go home, eat, and then start working again AFTER I've already worked a full 9-5 day. If you saw last week's planner layout that I posted on Instagram you would understand - and this week is only worse!

I honestly want to apologize for the lackluster posts that I've been writing and the lack of content. Hopefully just past the holidays I will get a better grasp on my time and I'll be back on the saddle!

Thanks for stickin' in there with me guys. I truly appreciate it.

Work Holiday Party Do's & Don'ts!

Work Holiday Party Do's & Don'ts!

DO go to your office party! (it's a delight to see your coworkers in a more relaxed setting)

DON'T party until the early morning.

DO have a cocktail, or two. (limit yourself) And have a big glass of water between drinks.

DON'T get so drunk that you are water cooler talk the next day.

DO mingle with your coworkers - and introduce yourself to others in different departments! A handshake can do wonders.

DON'T spend the whole night on your phone, put it away!

DO dress appropriately and check the dress code before arriving.

DON'T show up to the party in your club clothes (ladies AND gentlemen).

DO keep conversations light and happy and show interest in others.

DON'T spend all night talking about business, gossiping, or on inappropriate topics. (ex: politics and religion)

DO be sure and see if spouses/significant others are invited.

DON'T bring a guest if it's not allowed.

DO appoint a DD or call a cab if you plan on drinking.
DON'T drink and drive.

Happy Holidaze!

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Organizing for the Holidays

Organizing for the Holidays

Getting yourself organized for the Holidays can be, well, excruciating. And I always feel like I'm waiting until the last minute to wrap gifts (literally on Christmas Eve some years). But this year, everyone will be bought and paid before this week is even over! I even have all the gifts I've already bought wrapped! I did a few things to make this Christmas go over a LOT smoother!

» Make a list - and check it twice!

I probably write like 5 Christmas lists at LEAST before my list gets finalized. Usually only a few names get rotated in and out during this process, but come shopping day I have a finalized list and can make a finalized budget. (that I will probably blow anyway, but hey! I tried.)

» Make a Budget for each person!

Once you've got a finalized list - make a budget for each individual person! I usually cap friends at $20, close friends at $30-$40. I average ~$50 per family member although I have a tendency to splurge on my Gram (hello, $100 Estee Lauder purchase). My fiance has a ridiculous budget, I don't know why. I usually put around $100 into his budget because I will win the present buying competition. My dog gets a budget too, a little $10 that I spend on squeaky toys to only be used at Grandma's' house.

» Shop early!

Shopping on Black Friday or Cyber Monday + the beginning of December gets you some great deals and some time to think! The last few days before Christmas are ridiculous - so I'm avoiding the malls/stores at all costs by getting done as early as possible.

» Wrap & Ship ASAP

USPS has this wonderful thing called 'if it fits, it ships' flat rate boxes that are affordable and you can shove as much crap in there as it can hold. Wrap your gifts ASAP (or throw them in bags with tissue paper, I don't judge) and get them shipped out. The sooner the better because the post is going to be slammed with all the holiday boxes.

Happy Holidaze!

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Stocking Stuffers 2015

STUFF THOSE STOCKINGS

(with awesome stuff)

Finding little things to stuff a stocking with that won't break your bank is disgustingly hard, So here are some simple ideas to toss in someone's stocking!

1. A Cute Makeup Bag - because Target, F21, H&M, and almost everywhere sells makeup bags. Cute pencil cases count too!

2. Small Notebook - who doesn't need one of these? Something small and cute that they can pop in their bag is definitely something that you can pop in their stocking.

3. Candles - I found a holiday kit that has THREE small candles that are perfect for the person who loves to burn the midnight oil. (and loves to make their house smell good)

4. Adult Coloring Book - why not? The designs inside are super pretty and apparently coloring is a good stress reliever. Make them go get their own colored pencils though.

5. Portable phone charger - Trust me on this one, they will LOVE you if you pop this in their stocking. No more having to carry that charger around or just letting their phone die, these small portable chargers are a life-saver! (and cheap!)

6. Nail polishes - Because what girl doesn't want more nail polish? + Holiday sets are in and are usually pretty affordable.

7. Fuzzy socks - because fuzzy socks. They are literally a little fuzzy blankie specifically made for your feet. What could be better?

Stalk me?

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