What She Wore: Christmas Edition

HER

 I always feel like I don't know what to wear and during this time of year I feel like the pressure is on.  Between Christmas and New Years I could lose it.  They are so close together you have to plan for both at the same time.  And if you are like me, I get tired of my clothes every once in a while.  Well this year I made sure to have options!

So what did I decided to wear for Christmas?  

When shopping on Black Friday I found the perfect top at J.Crew. I knew right then and there I was going to wear it for Christmas. Check that off the list!

Here is what I wore. 

  This top was perfect for the day.  J.Crew saves the day once again.

My family and I had a wonderful Christmas. I hope you all did as well. 

Now all I have to worry about is New Years because lets face it, I still am not sure what I'm going to do or wear this year.

What He Wore: Christmas Edition

HIM

Well Christmas is the time of year for cords with embroidered trees, or Santa hats, or even candy canes.  It is that time of year for plaids and bow ties. It is the time of year to go all out on your outfit because it is the holidays.

You can't go wrong with the simple sweater, cords, tie and button down.  And for this year that is what I decided to go with for Christmas.

 Classic green cords for the holiday festive side, followed up with a crisp white button down and plaid tie, topped off with a Polo sweater.

 It all comes together with a Makers and Ginger.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

Christmas Time

 

 

 

 

From Us at BMorePreppy

For the Holiday Hostess

HER

During this time of year people invite friends and family over to celebrate the holidays.  I find myself running around thinking what to get as a hostess gift.  You know a little something nice.  Now sometimes I feel I over think these little gifts, making it so much harder.  But this year I have some good go to items.

1. Popsations Popcorn 

I have just recently blogged about this great find here in Maryland.  I have to say the Chocolate Drizzle is so delicious it will bring you back for more.  

This is an easy go to gift and the best part about it for this time of year is the White Chocolate Peppermint.  

 

You will be well greeted when walking in with one of these gourmet popcorn bags.  You can find my post about this great popcorn here.

2. Mouth Party Caramels 

These are the best caramels.  Absolutely fantastic, melt in your mouth, perfection are just some of the words that come to mind. 

 I had them as my wedding favors and I was receiving phone calls about them and where to find them.  The answer is right here in Baltimore! People will rave about them.

3. Candles

You can't go wrong with a nice smelling candle.

The Volcano candle is one of my favorites.  Paired with a cute set of matches and you are done.

So when invited over to someone's house don't panic about the hostess gift.  Don't over think what to get.  Simple is always best. 

Ribbon Tree Decoration

HOME

Are you looking for a wonderful Christmas craft for your home during these colder nights?  I have found an easy, cute, fun craft that doesn't need many supplies.  This ribbon tree is great for the holidays and looks cute.

What you will need:

Styrofoam Cone

Pins

Ribbons

Scissors

First figure out the length of the ribbon you would like to use for the tree.  I made these on the smaller size.  It would be fun to make a set of three trees with all different lengths.

After you cut your ribbons to the desired length you can start to apply to the cone.

Wrap the ribbon to make a loop and stick the pin through the top and place on the cone.  For the first row, make sure the ribbons match up with the bottom of the cone.

After the first row continue up overlapping the ribbon not to see the pins.

Once completed you will have a ribbon tree!

I added a star to the top of this one and used glue for the top row so there would be no pins showing.  I had so much fun putting this together.  I may make more with the different ribbon lengths.

Enjoy! Have fun crafting. 

Winter Food

Now is the time for the good hot comfort food.  Winter is the best time for the long, slow cooked dinners.  Now being a newlywed we are still figuring out our dinner planning and what not.  But the other Sunday, the snowy one, I planned on trying to make roast for the first time.

A little background.  I don't really cook and my mother doesn't cook.  We rely on my dad and his wonderful cooking.  So I told him I wanted to try and make a roast.  Being my dad, he went to the grocery store and bought me the ingredients.  These are for the first timer.  

What did he get?

1 roast

2 cans of potatoes

1 onion

and a bag of baby carrots

 

What would he normally get?

1 roast

regular potatoes and cut them up to go in

1 onion

and regular carrots to cut up and throw in

Like I said I am new at this.

 So I received directions from him in the creation of our meal.

Put roast in the roaster, fat side up!

Cut up onion and throw into roaster

Open and drain cans of potatoes and put into roaster

Put half of bag of baby carrots

sprinkle salt and paper

and desired seasoning

add water until items are covered.

Put the lid on and put into the oven at 300 for about 2 1/2 hours.  Let sit for 15 minutes and slice and serve.

Now my dad usually makes the gravy to go with it, but I cheated with the brown beef gravy.  I will get the hang of it one day.

I think I nailed it for my first attempt at making roast.  And it was a hit!

Now, I don't want you to think I can't make dinner or anything.  I promise I can, but for first time things I get nervous about how they are going to turn out.  And no matter what I do, I always think my dad's tastes better.

Do you have a go to hot dinner to make during the winter? 

Gift Wrapping

HER

It is that time of year when wrapping presents is a must.  I love to wrap and like I have said before I love paper products, so wrapping paper is a weakness for me.  I love to buy cute wrapping paper.  Is that a bad thing?

I usually keep my wrapping basic.  Wrapped, bow, and tag.  That is all I really do.  Take a look at some of my favorite paper for this year.

I am a big fan of brown kraft paper.  I love that you can use it for anything and make it your own.  You can write messages on the gift itself or add fun bows when using the basic brown kraft paper.  Just let the creativity flow!

Plaid! Perfection tied with twine.

 

This is my first gift wrapped.  So exciting!!  I can't wait to have them all together to give out.

Just love this time of year!

Watsons

PLACES

If you are looking for a place in Maryland to get some Christmas supplies head over to Watsons on York Road.  They have a little bit of everything.  From blow up, light up yard displays to the classic front door wreath.  

During this time of year, my family and I go to Watsons to check out the ornaments and take a look at their Christmas items.  I love to look at their greens and walk through their Christmas Wonderland.  They have Alpacas to greet you as you walk in!  I did get some cute Christmas ornaments while I was there. 

   

It is so nice to take the little walk through this Christmas Wonderland because this is how my day started today.

 

Really more snow!  I don't know if I can take this.  I am so far from a cold winter weather person it is not even funny. 

 Come on summer! Hurry up!

or

I need to move!

 

Popsations Gourmet Popcorn

During the summer seasons my family and I go to the beach.  Now, when I think of the beach, I think of fudge and caramel popcorn.  I am sure many people do as well.  I don't know about your family, but caramel popcorn is a big hit with my family.  

Well what to do when it isn't the summer time?  Well.... exciting news!  There is a great (and I mean great!) popcorn place right here in our backyard.

Popsations Gourmet Popcorn is made right here in Maryland, Timonium to be exact!  I love local! 

But don't worry if you are not local to Maryland, you can order from their website.  Click here for the link.  With a variety of sizes, tins/bags, there is something for everyone.  

The flavors are wonderful, just delicious.

Flavor Choices:

Classic Caramel

 Great classic flavor.  Great for any caramel popcorn lover.

Crabby Caramel

A Maryland treat for sure!

Dark Chocolate Caramel

 Oh My Gosh! So good!  It is the perfect mix of salty and caramel. Delicious.

White Chocolate Peppermint

Great for the holidays (hostess gift) the amount of peppermint was perfect.

White Chocolate Caramel

They also make:

Classic Cheddar

White Cheddar

and a Classic Mix (Classic caramel and Classic Cheddar together) 

The flavors I have tried are the ones pictured and I can honestly say they are all great.  It is hard decision to only pick one.  If I were asked which one was my favorite it most defiantly would be the Dark Chocolate.  It was so good!  I could have eaten the whole bag myself.

 How can you go wrong with popcorn that is tied with a cute red and white bow! 

 

 How Cute!  That way if you are in a store you can't miss it.  So if you are in Maryland and your mouth is now watering, check out these places to buy by following this link to their in store location list.  And remember, don't worry if you aren't here in MD.  They Ship!  Just check their website and order.

Wist List

HER
 Now that Thanksgiving is over, we can move on to Christmas.  I love this time of year!  The lights, gifts, family, and friends all make this time of year something special.  Even though I hate the cold, this time of year is something I look forward to.  I just love to see the looks on people's faces when they open gifts.  The happiness is everywhere.

I figured I would share some of the items on my wish list.

1. Tory Burch Thea Tote

2. Some more of Alex and Ani Charm Bracelets

3. Tassel Bracelets

4.  Haute Blow Dry Bar Gift Card

5.  Monogrammed paper cocktail napkins

There are a few other items I have my eye on, but to be honest, I really like running around trying to find the best gifts for other people in my family.  I have already checked some of the harder people off my list! 

But they will have to wait and see!

I usually have a list of everyone I need to buy for and a list of ideas.  I can't wait to see what else I find for people during this time of year.

 Have fun shopping around! 

Train Garden Tradition

EVENTS/PLACES

The trains are up and running at The Shops at Kenilworth Mall.  Every year a team of men put together an amazingly detailed train garden that draws a crowd during the holidays.  These men start before Thanksgiving in order to get everything together in time for the little ones to enjoy while visiting Santa.

I believe this is one of the best times at Kenilworth.  Having the trains and Santa at the mall just make that Italian Gardens pizza taste even better!  

This time of year is so magical for the little ones.  I remember my times at Kenilworth and looking at the trains.  All their hard work and details really do pay off because of the joy it brings to the people.

If you have never been to see these trains you have to stop into the mall.  Every year they add new and exciting things to the garden.  You never know what you are going to see!

You can look at the trains a couple times because you will see something new each time.

From one end to another you will enjoy the trains.  There are interactive buttons for the little ones to push making trains moves or helicopters fly.

The details are perfect.  These men truly pay attention.  Each figure is placed in a certain spot bringing together the whole garden.  They want everyone to have a great experience.

  

Just love the little downtown area with the stadiums and the row houses.  How cute! 

If you have little ones it is a perfect outing.  Trains and pizza, you can't go wrong.  Then, you can go up stairs and visit with Santa.

Have fun planning your holiday activities or taking part in the traditions.

 

Black Friday Shopping

EVENTS

I will consider this post an event because lets face it, Black Friday can be quite an event.  From the parking lot to lines in the store, you never really know how the day will pan out.  

Every year my mom and her long time friend go to the mall the day after Thanksgiving.  As long as I can remember my dad would drop them off and wait for their call to come pick them up after the long fun-filled day of shopping.  I started to join them as I got older and started to like shopping more (I think it was mainly because I could last the day of shopping).  I have been joining them for some time now.

Let me say it is an experience and I love it.  I love being out in all the crowds and I am a professional people watcher. (Black Friday is a good day for people watching)  This shopping trip is a tradition I will keep.

This year we started our day around 10:30 at the Towson Town Center.  I planned on stopping in my favorite stores, J.Crew, Madewell, and Nordstrom.  I found something in each store. 

Surprising I know!  I just can't leave things behind in these stores.

Now I didn't go overboard or anything and to be honest there wasn't to much stuff I wanted to buy.  I am a terrible shopper when places are busy and packed.  (That might have had something to do with it)  But I did find a favorite, must have at Madewell.

 How great is that sweater?  I had to break it in already.

 Nordstrom is one of my favorite places in the mall to wander around.  Bags, shoes, clothes it has everything including one of my weakness- jewelry.

 Now it wasn't all about us.  We did do a little Christmas shopping for others.  They will have to wait and be surprised.

We ended up leaving the mall around 5:00! We all had a wonderful time and I can't wait until next year to do it all again.

Happy Thanksgiving

EVENTS

From us at BMorePreppy

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

EVENTS

Thanksgiving eve is one of the biggest celebrations of the year.  It is a night to go out and see all your friends that live out of town.  It is so exciting to see who is home!  During our years in college, Thanksgiving eve was big, I mean BIG.  We would all be home for the holiday and we would all go out the night before Thanksgiving.  Now the best part of this night is that you never know who you are going to see.  It is so exciting!  It is like high school reunion/parties all together in one.

So this year I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Eve. 
Have Fun!

Where did you go to school?

Where did you go to school?  In Maryland it is not where you went to college that we are asking about, it is where you went to high school that matters.  Here in Maryland we care to know about where you went to high school in order to find common people that we will know and to get to know you.  Certain high schools have reputations that reflect them and people will compare people according to their high school.

Now I am not really sure why this is, I think it is to really compare you to others (sad I know).  It has always been that way and people not from here don't understand why we care about high school so much.  I hate to say it, but going to certain high schools means different things.  You can tell a lot about a person from where they went to school.

 

  

The basic choices in MD are private, catholic, and public.  Now we are all friends with each other and have grown up together.  Baltimore is a small place.  We have friends that are in private, catholic, and public and we all hang out together, but people still ask where did you go to school.  People tend to believe that certain schools hold better reputations, which in some ways is true. 
Now just the other weekend I was out with some friends (we all didn't go to the same high school) and someone came up to me and we were talking for a little.  Soon we got to the normal Maryland conversation.  "Where did you go to school?" they asked.  I replied and from then on the conversation changed.  They didn't care for my high school.  I decided to ask where they went and after finding out the answer I then understood.  The conversation was not the same from that point on.
Now why do we do this?  Why are we putting people in categories due to their high school?  That I don't know.  Like I said, I have friends from all schools and we all get a long just fine.  But for some reason, every once and a while you will meet people who either love you for where to when to school or really dislike you for where you graduated from. 
 Oh Baltimore, you are confusing sometimes. 

My Shows

HER

I have had favorite television shows since my Wednesday nights were booked with Dawson's Creek.  People knew not to call me until the show was over.  I remember when the last episode aired and when it was over, I didn't believe it.  Something that I would go out of my way and watch every week ending.  What was I supposed to do on Wednesday nights?  It was the end, but I lived.

Now, as I grow older I have new shows I love to sit down to watch and with things like On Demand and recording we can watch when we want.

The following are the shows I am currently watching this season.

 

1.  My new favorite show is American Horror Story.  I started this show late in the first season.  I will be honest I was kind of scared to watch alone.  (Weird for me because I love scary movies and shows, but alone? I don't know)

 I truly fell in love with this show.  Last season was crazy and this season just leaves me with more and more questions.  I watch every Wednesday on time!  I put on my comfy clothes and get ready to watch at 10 P.M. every Wednesday.  I am addicted and having to wait 2 weeks until the next episode is a little upsetting.  So many questions that are left unanswered, they leave me hanging on every week.

2.  2 Broke Girls is another show I tune into on Monday Nights.  I started watching this show because a good friend of mine and I would love to own a cupcake shop.  I stuck to watching it because it has some good laughs and that's just what I need on a Monday night.

3.  How I Met Your Mother is a long time on and off show for me.  I have watched reruns and new episodes and still enjoy it.  I think this show is a good mindless show to watch.  Plus it is another Monday night laugh.  

4. Housewives of Beverly Hills is a must for me.  I have really enjoyed most of the Housewives, but this is a show I will usually catch up on when I have time.  Plus, Bravo replays them and they are On Demand.  I just live for the drama these girls start.

So with the weather getting colder I believe it is nice to settle in for the night, get comfy, and watch a good show.

What are some of your favorite past or present?

 

Christmas Shopping

HOME

With Christmas right around the corner I feel the pressure of getting ready for the holidays.  I have already started my Christmas list (more to come on that) and I have already started my Christmas shopping.  So far I have something for my mom, mother-in-law, and a good friend of mine.  I think that is a pretty good start.  

All the Christmas items in every store have distracted me.  Target is the worst for me.  I mean Target is hard enough for me to walk through without buying something I don't really need, but now with the Christmas stuff, forget it.  Just the other day I was buying wrapping paper, tags, lights, and a fox with a hat and a scarf!  What is going on?  I have to get through Thanksgiving first!

But how cute are these things?

 Can't wait to put this little fox out for the holidays!

These Can-O-Tags are great during this busy time of year.  I get them every year because they are so practical.  

Saved the best for last.  I am in love with these lantern lights.  They are so cute!

I had to have these and I can't wait to put them up.  I guess you could say I am in the holiday mood.

All of these items where picked up at Target.  Holiday decorations are so fun to look at and in my case purchase. 

Do you have some favorite holiday items?  Are you excited for the holidays?

Elf the Musical

EVENTS

I can't believe it! Elf is coming to Baltimore!  I was listening to the radio and heard something about elf and with the holiday spirit right around the corner I had to check out what they were talking about.  Elf the Musical is coming to the Lyric Opera House right here in downtown Baltimore.  

 

 

Show times are as follows:  

November 22, 2013- 7:30 PM

November 23, 2013- 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

and
November 24, 2013- 1:00 PM & 6:30 PM

If you are interested in seeing this show here is the website with the information. Lyric

I will try and go see Elf the Musical, but this weekend is so busy for me.  I will have to see what I can do.  I think it would be so much fun!

 

 

Ginger Jars

HOME

If you know me, you know that I love containers, boxes, and jars, really anything that is storage. I have posted about canisters before, but I figured I would share another item I love, Ginger Jars. 

These cute jars are perfect for any room.  With their classic colors, my favorite being the blue and white, you can enjoy them anywhere in the house.  

These jars were originally made to do what they are called.  People used them to hold spices and salts.  Now we use them as decoration for the home.  These jars can also be turned into lamps.  

My favorite one I own is my Maryland jar.  

My mom gave this jar to me and I just love the sophisticated look it has when paired with my green couch in my living room.  How can you go wrong with blue, white, and green?