Ugly Sweater Party

In honor of the festive season, I like to institute craft and baking nights in the lead up to Christmas. Tonight's activity combines both into one handy project.

Sparkly camera filter?

My mom bought us this 'Ugly Sweater Cookie' kit during the marathon eight hour black Friday trip we spent chasing after my aunt and cousin. Who doesn't love decorating cookies?! If only to eat them...

Tools

Naked sweaters

We ran out of powdered sugar (and brown sugar and most sugars) the first evening so we had to go back the next night to decorate but this meant our palettes were nice and cool.

Mmm, blood frosting

A worthy palette 

Art in motion

Most proud of my Christmas tree pattern

Bloody hell

Chevron

I'd say these are spectacular examples of ugly sweaters in edible form, which has to be the best form. We got the kit at Sears, but I definitely saw it at a few other places. 

Ta-da!

The March Blues

Winter lasts at least six months of the year in New England. Sometimes it seems like it never actually ends but just goes into hiding only to reappear as soon as your hopes are high. As spring approaches, the worst is the constant tease of warmer weather; we get a foot of a snow and then it’s 50 degrees the next day, then it’s freezing rain and back to the high 40s and sunny. You keep getting your hopes up, only to have them dashed on the cold hard ground and no one knows what to wear (Rain boots? Winter boots? Rain slicker? Down jacket? Both?)

You know the spring is coming but by early March when the snow is still falling regularly, it gets pretty depressing. And the March Blues have definitely taken up full time residence around these parts. Short of relocating, all I can do is keep the blues at bay by any means necessary.

Make cookies

Or cake. Or anything tasty. We recently discovered the wonderment that is “The Great British Bake Off” and have now begun our own baking competition that consists of our own good sense against our own lacking skills. But every so often something comes out beautifully – or at least very tasty - and one just feels so accomplished. Baking aside, coming home after a shitty day and cooking a beautiful meal often salvages the day. Or just go out and let someone else cook for you.

Okay, so I bought it not made it.

Schedule a dream vacation (or at least create an inspiration board about it)

When things aren't going well, it’s important to remember things will change eventually. Even better is to start making exciting plans to look forward to. Pick a weekend to meet up with friends or schedule a mini trip away. Better yet, plan a big summer adventure that you can research and dream about straight through the spring rains. Comparing beaches and resort menus is the best use of your lunch break - besides eating cookies.

Bermuda, Horseshoe Bay

Escape mentally

A good book transports you to another time and place and let’s you be someone different for a few hours. A well-crafted movie or show can do the same with striking images and soaring music. It seems simple enough to turn on the tv or pick up a book, but to truly immerse yourself - put down the smartphone, stop reading the mail, and finish the chores first - into a piece can relax your mind and give you a bit of peace. Pretending you are somewhere - or someone - else for an evening might just distract you from the dreary reality outside your door.

You know you always wanted to be a wizard, admit it

March will come and go and spring will arrive. In the meantime you might as well enjoy yourself, mother nature be damned!

3 Things

The end of the Christmas cookies...

My favorite pup in his holiday blanket

A gift to get me ready for this Sunday! 

Happy New Year. May it be all that your heart desires.

Christmas Time is Here...

1. What is your favorite thing about Christmas ?

The music! I love the constant festive soundtrack that reminds me of so many nice memories. I also really like cookies.

2. What is your favorite make up look for festive the season?

For special occasions, I tend to just apply more and more eye make up. Black-brown eyeliner and lots of mascara typically does the trick. Or just some berry lip color and throw on something sparkly and call it festive!

3. Real tree or fake tree?

Real tree at my parent's house always, but a mini fake one in the condo. There is only so much space, so a fake tree is better than no tree!

4. Giving presents or receiving presents?

I love to give presents. I pride myself on being very good at it too, so I can hardly wait to have people open their presents. I end up giving the wife hers in installments, so I can spread out the fun.

5. Do you open presents Christmas morning or eve / evening?

We've always done family-wide Secret Santa on Christmas eve and family presents Christmas morning. On Christmas morning, music has to be playing and everyone have their tea at hand before presents start.

6. Handmade Christmas cards or bought?

I am terrible at sending Christmas cards regularly but I have both bought and made them. I love making things, but I'm not always happy with my own results, so I err on the side of the professionals.

7. What is your favorite Christmas film?

Home Alone II: Lost in New York and A Muppets Christmas Carol. I watch them at least once every year.

8. What's your favorite Christmas food?

Cookies, cakes, sweets, etc. It's like I want to have diabetes.

9. What's your favorite Christmas song?

I don't  think I could ever pick really, but "Carol of the Bells" always embodies feelings of wonder and joy.

10. What's your favorite Christmas memory?

I'm not sure I could pick one -  I had a very idyllic childhood! One year, I did teach our Italian greyhound Mario to open presents and he would only really do it with me. I would tear a strip of paper open and offer it to him, and he would grab it in his mouth and pull it off until the gift was opened. It was incredibly adorable and funny. Mario is blind now, so no more gift opening, but he will surely still get some gifts!

Tag borrowed from Milkbubbletea