Fifteen Goals For 2015

I cant believe 2014 has come to an end but it was a fabulous year for me with lots of travel, weddings, and fun with family and friends. I did a complete 2014 year review last week you can read here. I'm excited about the unknown and already planned adventures that 2015 has in store for me and I have some goals that I want to achieve in the new year.

#1: Paint master bedroom

#2: Get back on a regular gym schedule

#3: Cook healthy meals for lunch and dinner during the week and no carbs at dinner. Cheat meals allowed on the weekends.

#4: Experiment with a gluten free diet

#5: Do a photography class

Photo credit

#6: Cut back on alcohol

#7: Get more sleep during the week

#8: Visit Napa Valley while I'm out in California for work

Photo Credit

#9: Take Lola to a 6-week puppy training program

#10: Plant new flowers in garden and give lawn/shrubs a good manicure

#11: Book and plan trip to Barbados in October 2015

Photo Credit

#12: Get a new Macbook computer

#13: Declutter garage and get the roof fixed (the torrential thunder storms and semi-hurriances in Florida have caused major water damage)

#14: House shopping for a new construction home

#15:  Save 10-15% of my paycheck to put away in savings and put toward 2015 trips and new computer.

Sunday Brunch: Pineapple Mimosas

I'm a huge fan of brunch on Sundays and mimosas are often a staple. The thing is, I'm not a fan of orange juice so I started experimenting with other juices and pineapple juice has become one of my favorites. Top it off with a strawberry or blueberries and you're all set with a delicious and refreshing brunch beverage!

I fill each glass half way with champagne and the remainder with juice of your choice and then garnish with your favorite fruits.

Enjoy!

Tuesday's Recipe Swap will resume next week. I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas break and the holiday season!!

Christmas Weekend

What a fun-filled yet relaxing (at times) Christmas break away from work and spent with those that mean the most - family and friends. I feel refreshed to start this new week and I'm already looking forward to celebrating NYE this week.

I apologize in advance for overloading you with Lola photos.

On Christmas Eve, we drove 2 hours west to spend Christmas night with my in-laws and extended family. We did a white elephant gift exchange and K & I ended up with Busch Gardens park tickets to use in 2015. Pretty sweet!!

We also decided to open gifts the night before Christmas this year. Lola got a new bed and I got lots of gift cards, camera accessories, some Alex & Ani bangles, a pearl necklace from my Mother In Law and some other goodies.  

On Christmas day, we had a huge lunch with family and then went over to spend the night with some friends so Lola could meet and play with their Basset Hound, Snuff for the night. We drank lots of wine and played some cards.

On Friday, we headed back home and got our house ready for a Christmas party with friends. We played Cards Against Humanity which was hilarious and had some Eggnog and finger foods.

Saturday was a relaxing days at home. We went for dinner and drinks at Chili's and relaxed the rest of the night at home.

On Sunday, we did some shopping and then went for lunch with friends to watch football with Lola at a dog-friendly restaurant. Later in the evening we drove an hour to meet one of my best friends from Trinidad to have dinner with her family and 3 kids.

 
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas weekend!

Joining the lovely Biana for her weekending linkup.

Holiday Home Decor

I love decorating for Christmas and purchasing a few new items each year to add to my collection. Some of my favorites from this year is our new wreath, star tree topper and stocking holders. I posted my Christmas decorations here a few weeks ago. I've also started collecting tree ornaments as souvenirs from our travel ventures. I found most of my decor at Home Depot, Khol's, and Amazon.

Where do you shop for Christmas home decor and ornaments?

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas holiday and I'll catch you next week!

Merry Christmas to You

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season!

I'm out of town visiting my in-laws and extended family for a couple days so I will be away from the blog world. I hope you are able to surround yourself with love this Christmas and appreciate all the things you have as you reflect on the past year! I, for one, am very thankful for so many things especially my loving parents, husband & family, fantastic and always entertaining friends, and of course my cute baby girl, Lola.

Puppy Shopping Checklist

I'm sure this shopping checklist is a no-brainer for the veteran dog owners but, before Lola, I hadn't owned a dog in many, many years and was honestly worried I would forget something important before the night of her arrival. I spoke with several friends and got some great advice for my initial shopping list.

Aside from the initial essentials, there's a few other specifics you may need depending on the breed or age of your new pup.

Puppy/Dog Toys: 

Chew/Rubber toys

Fetch balls

Rawhide

Cleaning Supplies:

Puppy shampoo
Puppy cleansing wipes

Nail clippers

Pick-up bags

Pooper Scooper

Training Supplies:
Pee pads
Training treats
Crate that comes with a divider

Puppy Walking: 

Small collar
Harness (for certain breeds)
Retractable leash

Funny story is I bought a harness (pictured above) that was small enough for a cat or very tiny puppy so had to return it for something bigger/thicker for a baby English bulldog.



I also bought her a cute Christmas collar that's adjustable for when she gets bigger each year.

 

Puppy Healthcare:

Dental supplies

First-aid kit

Flea & tick treatment

Vitamins & medications

The venison formula pictured above was also a lifesaver to make meatballs and hide her meds/pills inside. She loved them!!

Enjoy your new bundle of love!

Holiday Card Linkup

I was so happy to be paired up with the lovely Emelia from Dream Big & Buy The Shoes. I had never visited her blog before so I was immediately introduced to a new blogger friend. We both agreed neither of us are exactly the crafty type but she spoiled me with two cute Christmas cards as well as a Starbucks gift card.

Loved Emelia's sweet message in her holiday card and she really went the extra mile by including a gift card. Thanks lady!

Starbucks Frapuccinos here I come!!

And a bonus card came in the mail from the girls at The Sequin Notebook.

Thank you again Emelia for the lovely cards and gift card and also a thanks to B & M from the Sequin Notebook for hosting the Holiday Card Swap.

Happy Holidays lovelies!

Slow Cooker Spiced Brisket

A coworker of mine shared her Spiced Brisket recipe with me and I changed it up to my liking. At first it seems like a lot of liquid to use but the brisket soaks it up nicely to create a juicy amazing taste and the leftovers are even better. 

Ingredients:

4 pounds beef brisket
1 large onion, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp mined garlic
1 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp cayenne
2 cups beef stock
1 cup ketchup
1 cup chili sauce
1 cup brown sugar

What To Do:
Pour 1 tbsp of olive in slow cooker and grease the bottom nicely before placing the brisket flat at the bottom of the crock pot.

Saute onions with remainder of olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute for 3 minutes more. Stir in the dry spices (paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic and onion powders, black pepper) and cook for 2 minutes. Set aside. Pour mixture on top of the brisket and spread evenly.

In a large bowl, whisk together the beef stock, ketchup, chili sauce and brown sugar. Pour over onion/spice mixture in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours (or 5-6 hours on high).

The consistency may look watery throughout cooking but the brisket really soaks up the juices and will help to keep it from drying up throughout cooking for that long period of time. Let cool for a couple hours before serving so the juices can set in even more.

We LOVED this recipe and briskets are great for leftovers because the flavor will soak up even more overnight.

Enjoy!

** We will be taking a break from the Recipe Swap next Tuesday 12/30 due to the holidays **

1. Follow Kate and myself via GFC and Bloglovin. 

2. Link up your favorite recipes or food-related posts.

3. Grab our Recipe Swap button and link back to our blogs.

Christmas Time Weekending

We meet again here on a Monday but luckily it's a short work week. I had a fairly low-key weekend which was much needed. On Friday, we did a Secret Santa gift exchange at work and I was gifted some puppy treats, a dog photo frame tree ornament and a gift card for Alex and Ani.   

    
We spent Friday night at home with Lola and she loved her new puppy teething rings.

On Saturday, I relaxed with Lola all day while nursing a migraine. I made these beef bites from Trader Joe's which are a really good snack or appetizer to take to a party. 

On Saturday night we went to a friend's holiday housewarming party and had a great night out with friends.

On Sunday, I got to sleep in which felt great. Later in the day we took Lola on a little road trip to visit friends and their baby girl who is exactly the same age as Lola (born a day apart). 

I'm looking forward to spending Christmas this week with family and friends.

How was your weekend?

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Friday's Favorites: Christmas is Near

Happy Friday! 

I'm so relieved this is the last full week of work before the holidays begin. I usually travel to visit my family and friends every other Christmas (and this would be the year) but I have to head there for two weddings next year so another plane ticket is just not doable. 

I'm totally okay having a quiet Christmas at home to spend time with Lola while she's a puppy and also have Christmas dinner with K's family. My baby girl is growing every week and I don't want to miss it.

I had a late birthday dinner last night with the ladies. It was fun catching up over some tapas and wine. My girl friend who is also pregnant and due next week made it out. She amazes me!

Between my husband, girl friends and coworkers I was spoiled with so many lovely gifts. I got 3 new Alex and Ani bracelets to add to my collection. The puppy paw is from Kate which was on my wishlist and I love it!

The Tinkerbell bangle was from our trip to Disney over the weekend and K got me the starfish one for my birthday since he knows I have a weird love for starfish.

I also got these Hello Kitty pajamas from Japan in Epcot last weekend.

Yes, I'm 31. I like comfy and warm (maybe not bright pink) pajamas. I was trying to get them in navy blue but they didn't have my size and K was getting impatient. Ta da! I have the ugliest cutest PJ's ever. They are warm and I like them (behind closed doors).

 OK, so no more birthday talk until next December. Joining Amanda for Friday Favorites.

Favorite Recipe:
Heather @ My Little HEA's Peppermint Mocha Mudslide

Favorite Funnies:

Favorite New Blogger:
Sarah Emily from Coffee & Glitter is such as sweetheart and also from Florida. I must say she has a pretty awesome middle name too. She has the cutest fur babies and who doesn't love coffee and glitter?

Favorite Siting: 

Random messages in the sky. Hello Jesus!

Have a great weekend!