Merry Christmas

Random Life Lately

Blogging has been a little spotty for me recently as I've had very little to say. I have been busy studying for some Google business certifications that are useful for my job and starting a small business on the side, which I will share more details when it's finally launched.

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

xo Emily

Company Holiday Luncheon

I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas yesterday or however you celebrate the holidays. Last week our company took us out for a surprise holiday lunch at one the best Italian restaurants nearby.

I work for a small company so there was only 22 of us and we got seated on the upstairs balcony overlooking the lake. I had never eaten at this restaurants before so I was excited try some of their dishes and everything we had from the appetizers to the entrees and the dessert were scrumptious. I can't wait to go back again with K or friends.

We shared some Bruschetta, I chose Veal Marsala as my entree and then finished with a Berries & Cream dessert.

 

There was a gift waiting for us at each table setting and when we all opened our gifts at the same time I was blown away by the beautiful Citizen watch they gave us which had an engraving on the back.



 So sweet and thoughtful....and definitely unexpected!

It's great working for a company where you feel appreciated and where you are treated like family not just a bunch of coworkers running a rat race.

More fun weekend and holiday happenings coming soon!

Merry Christmas!

Some of our holiday decor this year

Enjoy and be safe!

'Tis The Season Home Decor

Most of my holiday decorations are on the traditional side with lots of red, green and gold tones. This year I went against the grain and added some beach/coastal themed decor to my collection.

 Have you walked into Home Goods lately? At least the location in Florida is beached out so it's hard not to leave without some sparkly holiday goodies.

Titles are clickable

Coastal Holiday Wreath

I did find this gorgeous wreath at Kohl's and knew it was going home with me but I have some other holiday decor faves to share that aren't of the beach variety.

 

Reindeer Stocking Holder

"Be Merry" Gold Rim Stemless Wine Glass Set

Naughty & Nice Holiday Napkins

"Keep Calm & Drink Wine" Apron

Naughty/Nice Reversible Serving Board

Poinsettia Throw Pillow

Yankee Candle Frosted Cinnamon

Martha Stewart Gold Reindeer Collection

My Christmas tree is up and mostly all of my new and old decorations are set out but I have to admit I've been procrastinating with hanging the 100+ ornaments on our tree. The goal is to get it done before my family arrives for Christmas. LOL

How's your holiday decorating coming along?

Five on Friday

Not only is it Friday but it's the last full work week for the year so that's pretty exciting! I'm also relieved my husband is finally returning home tonight after being gone for two weeks for his new job. It's been slightly stressful holding down the fort 100% solo. Other than that, I have some fun things to share from this week.

ONE:

Monday can actually be classified as a fave (for the first time ever) because I took the morning off to relax after all the birthday and holiday party celebrations over the weekend (here and here). I got into work after lunch to find the sweetest birthday card and Kohl's gift card from my team. 

My company also gifted every employee with a new Apple TVs for the holidays. Who knew a Monday could be that good? Just need to figure out how to work the thing.

TWO:

My birthday on Sunday was such a treat with the girls and I love all the goodies I raked in including a Rocksbox membership, Alex & Ani bangles, a 'happy birthday' stemless wine glass and this amazing Marc Jacobs Decadence perfume that K gave me.

THREE:

Some pretty holiday/NYE party dresses I stumbled about while browsing LuLu's website.

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FOUR:
I've been enjoying my Christmas tree at night all lit up along with all the small decorations throughout the house and our outdoor lights. I'm excited for Christmas next week to say the least.

FIVE:
I'm thankful and loving all the Christmas cards I've received from blogger friends near and far. Thank you ladies! xoxo

Bonus Fave:

If you love testing and reviewing free products, I recommend signing up for Influenster. They send out free boxes of goodies depending on your interests and profile and I've gotten some great things to test such as makeup, cosmetics, protein bars and other nutrition products.

Joining Amanda for her Friday Favorites linkup. 

Long Weekend Part 1: Work Holiday Party Plus Some

Such an epic long weekend for my company holiday party and ringing in my 32nd birthday with friends. My husband was traveling for work so Kate stepped in as my date for my work party at a Universal Studios resort on Thursday night. Luckily they gave us Friday off because lots of wine was had! The night consisted of dinner, wine, karaoke, dancing, wine, casino table games with funny money and more wine.

On Friday morning I went to brunch with some coworkers at Hash House a Go Go which was amazing and much needed! I've been dying to try out their brunch menu. The portion sizes are out of control so I had leftovers for days.

On Saturday night I went out with my friends from college visiting from near and far which we'd been planning for months. We met up at a sushi restaurant downtown and then rang in my birthday at 12 o'clock at a bar downtown before calling it a night like the old fogies we are. ha!

Sunday brunching for my birthday happened which I'll cover tomorrow since this post has gotten long enough. Luckily I took this morning off of work to use up the remainder of my PTO and slowly wean back into the work week after all the celebrations over the weekend.

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Birthday & Holiday Gifts for Her

Tonight is the start of a long weekend for me with my work holiday party this evening and the day off tomorrow. It also happens to be my birthday on Sunday so there will be lots of celebrating going on which means I'll be MIA until next week.

I put together this wishlist/gift guide a few weeks ago but didn't get around to posting it. This year I want to keep it simple and wish for a spa day for Christmas, specifically a facial and massage. It's been a hectic year and I feel some pampering is in order to refresh for 2016 but I do have my eye on this Marc Jacobs Decadence perfume and this Kate Spade Champagne at Midnight watch for my birthday. Everything on the list I think would be perfect gifts for the ladies in your life whether it may be your sister, girl friend or mom. Ulta and Sephora have some amazing gift sets this year so I'm planning to purchase a few different ones for Christmas gifts.

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What's on your holiday wish or gift list? 

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.