Holiday Movie Themed Hostess Gift

From Thanksgiving until Christmas, everyone loves watching holiday movies! I know it's a favorite pasttime of the season in my house, and from all the blogs I read, I know it's true for many other families, too. That's why I think popcorn and a movie make the perfect hostess gift!

You could do movie passes and a gourmet popcorn tin, or...you could be a little more thrity and creative to personalize the gift.

I picked up a few holiday movies at Big Lots for just $5 each....in other stores, you can usually find holiday DVDs anywhere from $5-$15.

Then, with a recipe from a friend, I made white chocolate popcorn.

It couldn't be easier: nuke two bags of natural microwave popcorn, melt one bag of white chocolate chips. Put the popcorn in a bowl, then pour the white chocolate over the popcorn, stirring it in until all the popcorn is covered. Next, place the popcorn on some parchment paper to harden for about 30 minutes. It's so tastey - and also very good when sprinkled with cinnamon.  When sealed tightly, the popcorn will last for days.

I put the popcorn in a festive tin, wrapped it up with the movies and took it to a party this weekend to provide some holiday entertainment to a hostess who went well out of her way to entertain me this Christmas.

Wine and candles make great hostesses gifts - both are usually my go-to. Still, it's always fun to change things up, and give a gift that stands out among the usual standards.

What do you give as hostess gifts during Christmas?

Feet Defeat No More - Tall Boots for Wide Calves

At long, long last I have purchased some tall boots and jeggings. It's as if I've finally arrived on the fashion scene......for 2008.

It is not, Fashionistas, for a lack of trying that I haven't been among the riding boots set, it's just....I have really big calves. I'd have been willing to risk the slowing or even stopping of blood flow from lower-leg to foot in the name of stylish trends, but even finding a boot that would pull or zip over my legs has taken years. YE-ARS!

I've finally found a pair, and I'll tell any other supra-ankle enlarged shoe angler who is interested where if you'll hop on over to DC Ladies where I am blogging today about my boot battles...

Happy Friday!

Cowboy Day Dreams at Marriott Ranch

Years ago, during a very (psst...VERY) dry date drought, I read about Marriott Ranch in Southern Living. 

photo credit - Marriott Ranch

If only, I would day dream, I could get a date, then make him love me enough to go all catalog cowboy together over picnics and horse back rides at this bed and breakfast outside Washington, why we might just live happily ever after, I thought.  Like Ronnie + Nancy...only without Marine One.

photo credit - Marriott Ranch

So I got a date. Then we went to the Ranch.

Picnicing in a Pasture, April 2008

The next year we went back, and got married there.

Naturally, I have a soft spot for  Marriott Ranch and the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia where, at its foot, the ranch stretches for acres and acres.  About an hour outside Washington, the area has provided me a quick Southern escape since I've lived here, and it reminds me a lot of East Tennessee, especially in the Fall.

photo credit - Marriott Ranch

I'm blogging today at DC Ladies about the Ranch, and you can read more about it here...

14 Carrots

 Is this not the CUTEST Easter centerpiece you've ever seen???

I found it on Hostess with the Mostest, one of my favorite entertaining blogs, in an egg-cellent {couldn't help self!} feature on Easter party decor. So clever, so afforadable!!!  Makes me want to host an Easter party or a bunny-themed baby shower!

Persnickety Pages!

Today is big deal. Momentous, really, as far as the blog world goes - and not because it's my one year blogging birthday (more on that later this week!).

Today is special because I've known a little secret for a long, long time, and today the embargo is lifted on the news.  The old reporter in me still loves breaking a story and this story is big...

Persnickity Pages & More - a new, super-cute, super-creative, super-custom blog design site is being launched today!

If you wonder why I'm so excited, it's because my blog - this new look you've been seeing for a while - is one of PP's first works. Lucky me!

I got in on the action before business started to boom for my blog buddy Shannon...

If a Vol Fan endorses a Gator Fan, you know it's legit

who you likely know from The Webbisodes.

Typing and inserting pictures is about the extent of my savy when it comes to blogging so I needed professional help! Shannon was very gracious to give it. I love the fancy title font she gave me and how she fancied up my header, but most of all I love how much larger my pictures now appear, and how much wider she made my text box from the Blogger standard.

Shannon is SO easy to work with, and so quick to change any edit I have. Besides...with a daughter as cute and well-dressed as this...

how could you not trust her style?

BUT WAIT - there is MORE! You'll also find custom stationery design, and other pretty papers on her new site, too! {It's time to start thinking about Christmas presents...and I think stationery makes a great gift!}

Shannon is a former teacher who is now a stay-at-home mom, but a quick peak at her blog reveals she still has plenty of creativity and energy to give, and I know she'll be successfully channeling all her genious into adding some whimsy to the world. I love supporting women who give the energy and have the nerve to start a business, so I hope you will pop on over to Persnickity Pages right now and give Shannon your support!

Why I Only Wear Cashmere

Disclaimer: This post will touch on B.O. (as in body odor). If you can't sweat it, don't read on....

Once I hit my mid-twenties, each new year has brought a real milestone. At 25, I essentially said good-bye forever to my metabolism. At 28, I could no longer sleep in my make-up and wake looking as if I'd just had a facial. Then, sometime after turning 31, no matter what kind of deoderant I'd use, by the end of the day, I smelled like a 15 year old boy.

Until, last Christmas, my mother stuck this fancy, magic deo in my stocking.

I don't kow what it so special about it - except that you have to go a department store to buy it - but it works. While it is more expensive than the sprays or roll-ons you can buy at the Target, Cashmere Mist lasts FOREVER. This year, I've only used 3 sticks. So, when you do the math, at $20 a purchase, it's really about the same as, maybe even cheaper than, buying a drugstore brand once a month. And really, can you put on a price on not grossing out your friends with your stench?

In addition to keeping me smelling like a lady, this deo is also great bait for getting Mr. W to go to his least favorite place in all the land: The Mall.

FADE IN:
DRIVING THROUGH THE BURBS ON A SATURDAY

ME:

Hey, can we pop over to the mall really quick?

Mr. W:

Why? You don't need anything new. You said you weren't going to buy any new clothes for a while. I  hate the mall.

ME:

I'm out of my deoderant...

CAR CUTS ACROSS 3 THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND TURNS ON 2 WHEELS INTO THE FIRST PARKING SPACE BY THE MACY'S ENTRANCE.

FADE OUT

......and scene.