Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and enjoyed spending time with friends and family, drinking too much eggnog and ripping open gifts!

Did you get that Anthro gift card? Skip trip? Corner TV Stand?  Tell me in the comments the BEST gift you gave/received this holiday season!

I've already started planning my Christmas decor for next year-My inspiration is this vintage bulb wreath:

So, the past few years I've done away with the whole "Oohh! My new years resolutions are..." simply because I was cynical. There. I said it. I'm cynical. I refused to be one of those people who made goals and then decided it wasn't something I wanted to stick with and then beat myself up over it for NOT doing so.


This year I've decided I'm making some. 

What are they? I thought you'd NEVER ask. haha! *drumroll* In no particular order:

1. Patience is a virtue......And I don't have any. Every time my Dad says to me, "Patience, Jenny." I glare at him and declare, "I have patience!" Yeah. I guess not so much. I have a problem with wanting things and wanting them right then and there. Mostly because I worry and stress until something comes to fruition. I admire in myself that I realize I'm impatient, but I want to change that habit. I'm not sure how to even begin except for sheer will-power. Any advice from you VERY patient people?

2. Lose these last 20-30 pounds. Most of you know that I've lost 30 pounds this year alone. Great feat, yes, considering I put on 40ish pounds in 6 months back in 2009 (I think it all went to my damn BRA!!!). I'm not exactly satisfied with where my health/body is, but I also haven't been making a conscience effort. I have no room to complain about it because I haven't been sticking to my healthier foods and working out like I know my body NEEDS (not should. NEEDS. I know exactly what it takes to lose this weight, but I've got caught up in life.) This year I'm doing it. 10-15 of those pounds WILL be lost by May 11. Another friend's wedding I'm in is upon me in May. After my best friend's wedding last June I lost so much weight that the bridesmaids dress I wore FELL off me a few months later. That made my freaking LIFE. I want this dress to be the same way....

3. Put away the credit card. I love to shop. There are no doubts about THAT. I love clothes and pretty things. I have THREE credit cards and although they don't have high limits, they're maxed constantly. I spend, I pay down the card, I spend again. That's retarded. I shouldn't have my cards always maxed out. I want them GONE and out mah life. My goal is to pay them off this year. Shouldn't take but a few months, but you don't know how much I love to buy clothes. With this goal I'd like to think of the future children I may one day have- I want to be able to put that money away for THEM...good incentive albeit a "far out there" one.

That's all. What are your resolutions if you've decided to make some this year? :)

I hosted a Tacky Sweater Party Saturday- it was fun, the food was awesome and the sweaters were great. Enjoy the hilarity and craziness that is my family and friends.

(The guy in the too small, Anchor sweater is my Dad. He's pretty much awesome)

Yo. What up.

Man- today started out crazy at work. I don't want to go into specifics, but it wasn't good. I deal with media queries and I've been getting them regarding what happened- so naturally...I'm a busy bee today. Not to mention I was out sick yesterday and the day before so catching up on e-mails and tiny stuff was out of the question until just now (afternoon).

In GOOD news, I WON something! I know, I know. Calm down.

I never win a thing- so I was BEYOND excited when I saw an e-mail alert that someone from Anthropologie said I had won a $50 Anthro gift card for completing one of those surveys that randomly pop up when you visit the site. Can you believe that junk? Awesome!

Yesterday while I was sick I was doing some online store surfing, of course. I found the best deal at J. Crew. It was 30% SALE and FREE Shipping if you spent $150 or more. The Double Cloth Collette Coat has been on my radar for months now- and I honestly didn't have the $298 bucks to shell out for a nice new coat, but I really loved it and knew it'd be worth every penny for years to come.

Needless to say the color I decided on (which they call a TAUPE, but looks pink to me) was on SALE, plus 30% off of that. I needed to add a few more items in my cart to reach the $150 mark for free shipping- essentially i got the other two items for cheaper than the price they were at. BOTH on sale as well, mind you! I did well.

It's been awhile since I discussed my workouts/running/Nutrition on my blog, but I've been bitten by the fitness blogging bug today.

I just wanted to share a few photos I saw on another running blog I follow.

Check out freaking Jennifer Hudson. Damn WOMAN! She looks AWESOME! A size 6, she is (OK..Yoda??)! No matter the size, she just looks amazing. She worked her ass off for that body she has now. Kelly Osbourne is on the right (duh) and she's dropped the extra weight as well- As awesome and healthy as she looks, her body looks disporportioned to her head. Sorry. I'm not usually judgemental. Yes I am. OK, no, no I'm not. I'm JUST SAYIN'!

Either way- great inspirational photos for anyone who struggles to live a healthier lifestyle.

Over the past year I've lost the extra 30 pounds I somehow put on while traveling for my job- I hid it well, but I knew it was lingering around underneath everything. Just glad I have 30 behind me. More to go, but 30 behind me.

Just a quick pick-me-up to anyone who's frustrated with their healthy eating/exercise lately.

Happy Thursday! One more day....One more day!

I'll just admit it now- you won't be hearing much from me this month. I've decided to be 100% truthful on that. As if it wasn't obvious already judging from my lack of posting. December is just that time of the year where I reaaallllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy get preoccupied with, imagine this, my real life! Bahah. Funny, that whole "real life" thing. Like I said in my previous posts, you'll get lots of picture posts (Tacky Sweater, random drunken wine nights, etc.)

Today's post is in regards to Christmas Gift Giving and Receiving. As most of you know my immediate family is small- It's me and the parents and our clan of dogs (3 of 'em)- and having a small little family has always equated to having a big Christmas. I was an only (still am) growing up so my presents came in abundance- that's what I've always been used to. Whatever toy or gadget I put on my list to Santa, I usually got it. When I got older, naturally I got less because the things I wanted started to become more expensive, but I usually still got what I longed for.


I'd be a damn liar if I said getting e-mails with discounts for this and that from every single store ever in existance and reading blogs with people's Christmas loot, didn't make me pissed off.

That being said- I want to know what your Christmas gift giving/receiving is like.

If you have kids, do you set a price limit?
If you're married with no kids, how do you and your significant other give gifts?
If you're not giving gifts this year for one reason or another- what other traditions do you do for Christmas?

I'd love to hear everyone's little blurb about their Holiday tradition when it comes to gift giving and how you determine when enough's enough for your children/family/husband/Mom etc. I promise I won't be (too) pissed at you for telling me you're getting a fabulous trip to - I want to know. If you get $10,000 in cash every year, do tell! The good, the bad, the ugly and the festive!

....and remember the most important thing about the holidays is the time you get to spend with family and friend's. At least for me. Even a spoiled brat like me knows THAT. ;-)