Merry Christmas!

After a grueling year and even worse past few weeks, I am finally on my way home to Little Rock today!  I plan on sleeping, eating, visiting with family and friends, sleeping...and did I say sleeping?  Ha, I have a bit of catching up to do.  But I want to thank you all for your encouragement and praise for starting up my blogging once again.  I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! 

I am taking a break during Christmas week, but will be back the 30th to catch you up on my times back home.  Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all, and I wish each one of you a blessed time spent with your loved ones.

On a Mission...

Calvin Klein Lux Boiled Wool Wrap

As if things aren't crazy enough this week, I decided that this was the perfect time for me to take advantage of the Christmas sales and buy a new winter coat.  So in between floor speeches, I spotted the perfect coat at the perfect price online at Bloomingdales...and of course as I was checking out, it sold out.  But I'm on a mission, and am now checking off the stores in the NY/NJ area in hopes that one will have this in a size 8 and send it my way!  Pretty please Santa, make this work!

If you're in the DC area, NBC Washington is partnering with Georgetown University Hospital for their annual coat drive.  I'll be dropping off a few size 12s there tomorrow, but they are taking coats until December 21st.  There is a gold box in the Main Lobby where you can drop the coats off, and they will clean them and give them to those in need this cold winter.  Another great way to give back this holiday season!

Christmastime at the White House!

Still trying to recover from my all-nighter at work and then my girls weekend.  I think I honestly only got about 14 hours of sleep in four days.  Ouch.  Although I feel like I've been run over by a 18-wheeler, I wouldn't have traded my weekend for all the sleep a girl could need--it was that much fun!

Sadly, the only pics I took were from our White House tour very early on Friday morning.  It was cold and it was early, but we all look surprising great in the photos!  If you ever get a chance to see the White House at Christmastime, do it!  It was my first time to see all the Christmas decorations, and it was just gorgeous.  A special thank you to Senator Pryor's CoS & staffers for squeezing us in at the last minute!  The rest of the weekend was a lot of touring museums, eating, drinking, and the best of all, catching up with my girls and belly laughing with each other.

A few more photos of the White House:



Stunning Christmas trees everywhere!



Had to get one of our favorite Arkansan!



Bo and Sunny greeting us.



I was obsessed with this beautiful nativity scene...



And of this urn outside.



State dining room...I think Abe approves.

 



Last group shot, right outside the White House.

This week is another insane one at work, but I fly home first thing Friday morning for my Christmas break!  So ready to get home, and if you don't hear from me until then, I apologize in advance.  Just have to survive the week as best as I can.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

December is my most favorite month of the year.  Probably helps that all the best things come in December--Christmas, my birthday, New Years Eve, flying home to see the family and friends, and even a bit of snow now and then.  I already have a laundry list of things to-do this month, but wanted to add a few things to take in and pass along the spirit of this most amazing month. 

Some I have already checked off, but here this is my to-do list for the end of the year!
1.  Decorate for Christmas (check)
2.  Sip hot toddies with friends--maybe try out this new recipe
3.  Wrapping presents (and finishing shopping for them)
4.  Look at holiday lights.  In Washington, the include the White House Christmas Tree and Capitol Christmas Tree
5.  Birthday dinner at one of my favorite restaurants!
6.  Baking Christmas treats for the office
7.  A night watching Love Actually and sipping hot chocolate (check, and will do again)
8.  Christmas night at the movies--I think this year we will be seeing this
9.  Volunteer--give money, give time, give love (check, check and check some more)
10.  Ring in the New Year with Trombone Shorty!

What are your favorite things to do this time of year?  It's such a busy time for everyone, but I think it's important in the hustle and bustle of the season to remember to try to encompass the Christmas spirit throughout.  It's contagious!

Boxwood Wreath

24" Boxwood Wreath

I'm pretty much all set Christmas decor-wise, but there are still a few things on my wish list year after year that will make my collection complete.  At the top this year, a boxwood wreath (or actually, three boxwood wreaths).  Add some beautiful ribbon, and it will be a simple, green addition to my windows.  Perfection, right?

Early Christmas Present!

Cuisinart Classic Stainless Cookware 14-piece set

I really do not have anything on my Christmas wishlist this year.  Honestly, there isn't really too much that I want or need.  The one thing that was really hoping for was a new set of pots and pans, and Santa (eh, or mom) delivered early this year.  This set is on sale at Sam's Club, so when I was away for Thanksgiving I picked up my set to take back home with me.  Much easier thank shipping it back home from Arkansas after Christmas.  Thanks mom--it is perfect!  Now, who's hungry?

Weekend Wrap-Up

Yes, it is a bit early for Christmas decorations.  Typically, I put mine up a few days after Thanksgiving, but I unexpectedly had the time this weekend and since this was pretty much the only chance to put up my trees until mid-December, I dove right in.  Whew, tree decorating is long, hard work, but I couldn't be happier with the additions I've made this year.  I'd still like to work on some garland for my "mantle" and one more wreath, but they will have to wait.  Busy, busy, busy girl the next few weeks.  The holidays can't get here fast enough!  This time of year just makes me so happy, so I don't really mind getting a two week head-start this year.

My Santa Tree!

My Razorback Tree! Go Hogs!