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!

Disney Bound + Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

I took the day off of work today to head out for a long weekend staycation near to Disney. I know I just did a 1-night hotel staycation last weekend for my company's holiday party but we're back at it again to celebrate my birthday and a friend's wedding tomorrow. Being a December baby makes the holidays even more hectic around here!

Luckily our Disney passholder wristbands arrived just in time for our trip today.

On Wednesday I met up with Kate for lunch at a modern cafe. We seriously work like a minute away from each other so it was about time we caught up over some lunch.

Rocksbox sent me this beautiful shine necklace as a little gift along with my 4th Rocksbox, which I'll post about the new pieces next week or sometime soon.

Snuggles with Lola every night has definitely been a highlight of my week.

Joining Amanda for a few of my favorites on this Friday.

Favorite Recipe: 

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle by Paige @ Tomatoes for Cucumbers

 

Favorite Funnies:

Favorite Purchases:

Favorite Holiday Giveaway:

Last day to enter Blue Chair Bay Rum's 12 Days of Christmas giveaway. 

Enjoy the weekend!!

The Holidays Have Begun

The craziness that is the holidays is here and another great weekend for the books! I had my work holiday party on Friday night so we booked a hotel and had a little staycation for the night at Universal Studios since driving after several hours of free drinks is never a good idea. 

We had cocktail hour, buffet dinner and then the after party was at Universal's City Walk.

On Saturday morning, we checked out of the hotel and picked up our precious wrinkly bundle from her pet sitters.

Saturday night was a wash and we had planned to attend another holiday party but the couch and snuggles with Lola won.

On Sunday, we were feeling refreshed and decided to venture downtown for lunch and to watch football at a couple dog-friendly bars and restaurants. Lola had a blast meeting lots of people and other dogs and crashed hard when she got home giving me time to do some blogging and the usual Sunday cleaning, laundry etc.

Hope you had a great weekend!!

Joining Biana for Weekending and Leeann for Monday Morning Gossip.  

Weekly Roundup & Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! 

I love when the holidays come around because it's my favorite time of year although December is going to be a busy, busy one and now we have a puppy which makes it that more difficult to juggle. 

My work holiday party is tonight and I have several more upcoming parties and events on the agenda:

- 2nd holiday party for the year with friends

- Staycation and birthday trip to Disney

- Friend's wedding on my actual birthday

-  A friend's housewarming party/3rd holiday party

- Christmas long weekend with the in-laws

-  NYE celebrations with friends

After the 4-day weekend for Thanksgiving, it was really tough going back to work and leaving Lola at home for most of the day. I now know how parents feel leaving their babies/kids/pets behind when they head to work. 

A girl friend of mine was in town visiting so our college clan went out for Japanese hibachi and sushi dinner to catch up. 

Joining Amanda for Friday Favorites.

Favorite Purchase:

Bath & Body Works goodies for myself and Christmas gifts.

Favorite DIY/Craft:

Seriously thinking of creating my own advent holiday calendar.

 

Favorite Sips:

Really good seasonal beer ~ Leinenhugel's Cranberry Ginger Shandy.

Favorite Quote:

I ran across some Marilyn Monroe quotes while reading a documentary of her life at the hairdresser a few weeks ago.

Have a great weekend!

Thanksgiving & Disney Fun

Hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving (for those in the US) and the weekend.  

Thursday: 

Lola went with us on a 2 hour road trip to spend Thanksgiving with my in-laws and extended family.

After Thanksgiving dinner, we went to visit a few friends and introduce everyone to Lola.

Friday:

We headed back home and got some errands and cleaning done. I put up our Christmas tree and started decorating for the holidays. We also watched the UCF game, ordered Chinese food and had an early night since we were pretty tired from all the Thanksgiving traveling and early mornings with Lola.

Saturday:

We headed to Disney with Kate and her hubby. We went to Animal Kingdom first to do the safari ride and walk around the park.

We saw a ton of animals including elephants, hippos, giraffes, rhinos, zebras and more.

We then headed over to Hollywood Studios to do a few rides and check out some Christmas shops.

After Disney, we all headed to my place to cook up some dinner and hang out by the firepit with Lola. Kate and her hubby loved playing with Lola since they also have an English bulldog, Roxy.

Sunday: 

Sunday was a Home Dept and errands kind of day to get some final Christmas decorations. I've already overloaded you with photos so will do a Christmas post when everything is completed.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Joining Biana for Weekending and Leeann for Monday Morning Gossip.