HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To say 2011 flew by is the understatement of the year.  It seems like only yesterday we were huddled around our tv's at some godforsaken hour to watch Prince William marry Kate, we heard about the death of Osama Bin Laden, and Kim Kardashian fell in love, got married, and divorced.  I got a new boss (and made it through the year without going completely BONKERS), moved into my first place without a roommate, reconnected with old friends, and made some great memories with new ones.  All in all it was a pretty good year.

I'm not usually a resolutions making type of girl, but I've officially declared 2012 "THE YEAR OF THE COUPON"!!!  My goal is to attempt to be more frugal when it comes to my spending habits.  That means outside of the essentials (food, toiletries, booze) I will not buy anything unless it's on sale, from an outlet, or I can use a coupon or gift card.  Wish me luck!  Additionally, I'd like to start posting at the very least once a week...ideally 3 times a week.  Hopefully things at work will ease up and allow me to keep this resolution.

I'll be spending my New Year's with Miss Liss, Ange, and her husband Seaman Nick down in D.C.  Hilarity is guaranteed to ensue.  So I'd like to wish you all a very happy new year and all the best in 2012!  See you next year...

The Morning After

I hope you all had a delightful Christmas with your families.  I spent Christmas Eve with my family out on the "farm."  We call my cousin's house the farm because she lives, literally, in the middle of nowhere in northwest NJ.  You know you're heading into farmville when you see tractor crossing signs and there are so many stars in the sky it looks like you're standing in a planetarium. 

Because our family is so large (my mom has 3 sisters and a brother, and everyone is your cousin or aunt or uncle when you're Filipino) we decided to do a secret Santa for everyone over 21.  Of course my aunts and uncle felt the need to break the rules and give all the neices & nephews gifts as well...trust me, I'm not complaining.  My secret Santa was a family friend of ours and she made me the cutest gift basket of goodies.

Christmas morning I met my family for brunch at our favorite deli in my hometown, and we exchanged Hanukkah presents.  My loving brother gave me nothing, as per usual.  I got him this ice tray...it's Han Solo frozen in carbonite from Empire Strikes Back, for those not familiar with Star Wars.

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My dad and stepmother got me a generous gift card to Lord & Taylor and this AMAZEBALLS decorative plate from C Wonder.

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My father is the most impossible man to shop for, so I got him & my stepmom a gift certifcate to their favorite restaurant.

I stopped at Lindz's grandparents house for Christmas cocktails & hors d'oeuvres after brunch, and finally back home for some rest and reading (I HAVE to finish Girl with the Dragon Tattoo before Tuesday when I'm supposed to go see the movie).  All in all it was a great Chrismukkah 2011.

How did your holidays go?

MERRY CHRISMUKKAH

Wishing you and your families a happy and healthy holiday season

All I Want for Chrismukkah

Tis the season to be greedy...I mean giving, yeah, giving!  C'mon, I can't be the only one that's been working on a wish list and not so secretly dropping hints to my loved ones.  Since the economy has been in the pooper, my family is doing "Secret Santa" this year for everyone over the age of 21.  BUT I would still love to find one (or more) of these under the X-mas Tree/Hanukkah bush:

1. Chanel eyelash curler- completely extravagent, but totally necessary

2. Pottery Barn bulldog cocktail shaker- how cute is this little guy?  Cute enough to be SOLD OUT everywhere, even online.

3. White duvet cover and matching shams- I'm still on the quest for the "perfect" white duvet and shams for my bedroom

4. David Yurman turquoise cuff- does this really need an explanation???

 

 5. Monogrammed lounge chair towel-can't wait for summers by the pool with this handy-dandy accessory

 6. Gucci:The Making Of book- because after all these years I'm still obsessed with this Italian brand icon

7. Assouline Chanel 3-book Set (Special Edition)- why not a $750 coffee table book!