Yay for the Holidays!

If you know me...you know I love the holidays!

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year and I go all out on decorations, music, baked goodies and anything that sparkles or has glitter.

If it were my preference, I would have already set up the Christmas trees. But, I will respect Joey’s wishes to not set up the trees until after Thanksgiving. Bah Humbug!
Side note: Because I live in the city in an apartment – I don’t have a real Christmas Tree. I know this is like the Cardinal sin of Christmas. I assure you, once I no longer live in a downtown apartment, I will have a giant, fragrant, 100% real Christmas Tree.

I am also 88% done with my Christmas shopping. It is my goal to have all Christmas shopping completed and paid for by Thanksgiving. This doesn’t include fun last minute stocking stuffers, but on a whole, it’s how I role.

And to top of my love of Christmas, I talked Joey, Curt and Celeste into watching Home Alone and The Santa Clause last weekend. It was great! (I have a pretty big Christmas movie collection that is awesome, as well.)

However, I am very guilty of falling into the “I will buy it because it is Christmas themed,” trap.

A few of my favorites:

Red holiday cups at Starbucks - I typically don’t get hot drinks, but I will just to get the cup!

Holiday M&M’s – I don’t eat them at all until Halloween and Christmas because I like to fill glass containers with them.

Holiday ice cream - Eddy’s always comes out with fun holiday flavors like apple pie and pumpkin cinnamon.

Holiday scents - Bath and Body and Yankee are notorious for winning me over with their holiday fragrance lines. I can't help myself.

Needless to say – I am so excited about my trip home to Columbus so I can go to Hobby Lobby and throw myself into Christmas overload while Joey is at my house watching football...and I will be listening to Christmas music all the way to the store!

IU Here We Come- Joey and Ale’s Football Filled Weekend of Fun!

It has been almost two years since I have been in Bloomington and for Joey…more like two in a half years. But this weekend we are heading to IU for the IU vs. WI football game and we’re pumped.

Top 5 things to do in Bloomington:

1. Tailgate and go to the game in our newly renovated Memorial Stadium. Go Hoosiers!


2. Go to Nick’s for a round of Sink the Biz and a bucket of the best spicy fries in the world.


3. Check out Kilroy’s - Joey and I might steal a shot glass for old time sake – we used to be the Bonnie and Clyde of glass wear.


4. Take a drive through campus – so beautiful, I wish I was still in college.


5. Stop in TIS or Steve and Barry’s for some updated Hoosier gear.
   

I love IU and miss it so much! It will be great to be back.

To top that off - On Sunday, we are going to the Colts vs. the Texans game in the new Lucas Oil Stadium. Go Colts!

Needless to say, it is going to be an overdose of football but it’s going to be great!

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. White

In October, Joey and I made our way to Greenwood Indiana for the wedding of Steve and Lauren – one of Joey’s closet friends from IU. Joey was in the wedding and I had a seat at the “other half” table.

However, my favorite part of the entire wedding was the ceremony. Typically – I think people dismiss the ceremony and think only about the open bar awaiting them at the reception.

Although this is rude, it seems to be common – not to say I haven’t been to a few really boring ceremonies but you are invited to witness the marriage – and people should focus on that…

This ceremony was completely different. It was one of the most personal ceremonies I have attended. Everything from the music – piano versions of a few contemporary songs to an acoustic song written for Steve and Lauren, to the sermon and introduction to the couple to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder…this wedding had the couple’s personal touch.

Also – much to Joey’s surprise and my unintentional hand placement – I caught the bouquet. I literally jut put my hand up and there is was. Lauren has a good aim.

Congrats again to Mr. and Mrs. White. Thank you for inviting us to be a part of your special day!

I stole this pic from Lauren's facebook but it was so beautiful I had to post it.