A Very Merry Christmas- Part 2 [pic heavy post]

Eek it's almost the new year and I'm still finishing up Christmas! Our Christmas celebrations took place over a few days, so I've split it up. You can view Part 1 here.

Sunday: We followed up one birthday party with another! We barely had time to get home, shower, and change before hitting the road and boarding the train for NYC. We had a cooler full of beers with us- which always helps with a long ride!- and met up with C's former coworker/friend right outside Penn Station. She is an excellent planner- 2 years ago she planned a cruise to the Bahamas for her and all her friends for her bday, and it went off without a hitch! this year she got a party bus/tour which took us to Chelsea Market and Brooklyn to see all the Christmas lights in this one neighborhood. We were able to get out and walk around the area. It was awesome! (The 4-ish bottles of champagne we went through on the bus probably helped!)

Please ignore those heads... they got in my way!

Afterwards, we headed to Public for a fancy shmancy dinner. This place has won multiple awards, including a Michelin star (told you it was fancy!). We had a private room and separate prix-fixe menu. The food was delicious, but true to most fancy places, I was still hungry after! Why do they serve such tiny portions?! I'll never understand.

My 2nd course: Mangalista ham, Garrotxa cheese, marinated olives, caper berries, and crostini

C's 2nd course: grilled scallops and plaintain crisps

My dish: grilled lamb sirloin and cherry tabboulleh

pan-seared Tasmanian sea trout, chick peas,edamame and fennel

C's dessert: key lime tart

The Birthday Girl (in orange) and her girls!

Monday (Christmas Eve): We woke up bright and early to finally decorate our Christmas tree, which had been standing all naked for two weeks! I love decorating the tree, and remembering where all our ornaments came from. One of the things we collect from everywhere we go is ornaments... each has a special memory attached to it. We followed up by wrapping some more presents... fun times. My back hurt so much from hunching over on the floor... I'm getting old!

We got ready and got prepared to meet C's parents at church by 4... except the lot was empty! Of course we were at the wrong one. We called C's dad who informed of us of the right one, and made it right when the choir started. Afterwards, we had dinner at his parents' house which his aunt and uncle. We feasted on sausage and peppers and potatoes. It was all super yummy.

Tuesday (Christmas Day): Yay! Finally Christmas! I had told my mom that I would do Thanksgiving with her, and Christmas (both days) with C's family. I wished her a Merry one, had some coffee, and got ready to open presents! My most favorite present I had actually received on Friday. It was a watch from Sara Designs in NYC. I had passed the stand in Union Square market eyeing these watches for the last two years, and C got me one this year! I ADORE it!!

showcasing our Christmas tree!

us with our tree and presents!

C testing out with his new touch screen gloves

The present he really wanted but forgot about! Marley portable speaker

C's new USB portable turntable from his parents!

Source: guitarcenter.com via Dani on Pinterest

my new Sara Designs NYC watch- it's all one piece!

Me and my Christmas loot!

At C's parents' house

I also got Florence and the Machine CD's, the Stila Eye Pencil Collection in Smoked, a new calendar/agenda/planner, and a Victoria's Secret pj set... I love all of it! C got a Marley portable speaker he really wanted, a video game, touch screen gloves, and a portable battery for his phone since it's always dying! Oh, and crayons, but I couldn't find a coloring book before Christmas, so that's coming, along with a replacement present since someone else got him the card game I had for him.

After we opened our presents to each other, we headed to his parent's to open more presents there. I love Santa! I helped C's parents by getting him the Numark Portable USB Turntable. He has a crate full of records, but a busted record player. This not only plays vinyl, but also converts vinyl and tapes into MP3's. He LOVES it! I got lots of clothes, and we got a rice cooker and a new indoor grill!

After hitting up his parent's house, we went to his aunt's for Christmas dinner. They do it up big- 21 people! The food wasn't that great this year, but the company was and the wine helped ;) His aunt was super sick, so she stayed upstairs until dinnertime, but all the female relatives pitched in to get all the food prepared.

Traces of shrimp cocktail, and an awesome Phillies shirt! Oh, and choice beer!

C and his momma!

C's 6 yr old cousin grabbed the camera- looks like she has potential! I think this was her bracelet

The extra long 3-piece table, which extends from the dining room way into the living room!
They also stuck to all plastic plates/cutlery this year to save time with clean-up, but the cutlery kept breaking...womp.

We have a Family Secret Santa every year...

Here I am showing off my Secret Santa present from his aunt- a new hot pink cable knit J Crew sweater!

presents and family!

The little photographer opening her gifts

C's cousin rocking his new Phillies track jacket!

What was your favorite present or memory from the holiday season?

The Happiness Report #15

I am sick today friends. I thought it was the 24 hour stomach bug, which C had yesterday, but maybe not. I think it is due to bad Burger King. Ew. Here are a few things that are making me feel a little bit better:

Source: kalynskitchen.com via sassy little on Pinterest

- fuzzy socks

- fuzzy blankets (yes, multiple)

- Campbell's Chicken and Rice soup

- new clothes

- mindless, feel good movies on TV

- naps

- the healing quality of Coca-Cola

- yummy smelling candles

- hoodies

- tummy rubs

What's making you smile today?

Also, I am considering making this a weekly link-up. It would be the same as now, just a list of little things that make you happy each week. What do you think?

The Nail Files and Friday's Letters

Linking up for the last time this year with The Nail Files and Friday's Letters!

I got a new nail polish for Christmas, and I love it! I was looking for a great dark blue and I think I've found it!

Here is how the color looks when you have a great camera...

Source: kelliegonzo.com via Marjie on Pinterest

Here is what it looks on an iPhone camera...

Why do my fingers look so wrinkly? Ew.

O.P.I. "Road House Blues"

China Glaze "Dorothy Who?" glitter polish on tips

I added the bit of sparkle for New Years. Hope it stays!

Dear Day After Christmas, thank you fro arriving swiftly! You are a much needed break and great way to kick off my real break! Dear 2012, You were a whirlwind year. You brought some great things, but mostly not so great. I am happy to see you go! Dear 2013- I am so ready for you! Hoping you are more fabulous than the last! Dear C, thank you for all your support and love! Can't wait to share in many more adventures with you! Dear readers, thank you for following me and all your sweet comments! Though I don't say it as often as I should, it means so much to me. I hope to be a much better blogger in the new year!

A Very Merry Christmas- Part 1

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! I know I did, though I'm a little happy it's over... the holidays are exhausting! I feel like I haven't stopped going since last Thursday! Let's recap, shall we?

Thursday: We had our holiday party at work. Or rather, holiday potluck luncheon (murrr). This is the biggest event I get to plan all year, however, we kept it pretty simple this year. Everyone made a little something (I provided some buffalo chicken sliders which were delish if I do say so myself, which I do!). I had my iPod so we hooked up some computer speakers for some music, and the Big Boss raffled off some awesome gifts (Kindle Fire, anyone?) which unfortunately I didn't win. But I think everyone had a great time!

Centerpieces, with real cranberries

The room, all decorated. Notice the snowflakes hanging from the ceiling!

Thursday night I met up with my 3 favorite co-workers... well, kind of coworkers. 2 of them don't work with me anymore, which is why we plan a get-together! And because we missed celebrating my bday together, the girls got me a $100 Ulta gift card! I can't wait to use it! We ordered pizza and finally watched Magic Mike! I was totally disappointed though. The stripping scenes were hot, but the storyline was terrible... they should have just stuck to stripping instead of trying to make an actual story out of it. Oh well, at least now I can say I saw it!

Friday: The office was SUPER busy, which was odd... I was hoping for an easy day. But the hustling did make the day got by super fast, which was great. C met me afterwards and we headed into the city to meet with my former coworker/friend and her fiance for a fabulous Indian dinner at Dhaba in Curry Hill. The place is tiny, but the food is excellent. When they say spicy, they mean it! I had the chicken vindaloo and normally I'm ok, but it was almost too hot to handle! We had a great time catching up before they head to India to get married next weekend! We also picked up my Christmas present... but I'll share that later!

Saturday: Saturday was our friend B's birthday. It was awesome! We go to sushi every year right across the street from his (and his wife)'s apartment. We pregamed there, then headed over. His wife was a little sneak and got us all matching shirt to wear to surprise him... and he was VERY surprised when we all took off our coats for the big reveal!

custom post-Apocalypse shirts

SAKE to me!

Group shot! 

Homemade bass cake, made by wifey... delish!

Afterwards, we headed back to their place where his wife had some delicious bass cake for us. Then C got an early Christmas present... Cards Against Humanity!! I was a little upset, because I got him that too! It's tagline is that it's "a party game for horrible people" and it really is. We had a blast playing- it's seriously my new favorite game! (If you want to know more about it, click on the link- it has examples of the horribleness).

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon! 

Day of Silence

Happy Friday! Nail Files and Letters

Happy Friday friends!
I have sooo much to share, but no time! The Christmas season is in full swing, and as such the calendar fills up quickly, but I'm having a blast and will fill you in soon! For today, I'm linking up with Tara because I finally got my nails did! The color is O.P.I.'s "Lincoln Park After Dark." I can see now why it's a best seller- it's my new favorite!

Got my free Starbucks birthday drink!
And that is definitely a new way to spell my name, but I guess I am a bit "yell"-y?!

Today I am also linking up with Ashley for my first Friday's Letters!

Dear Friends near and far, old and new, bloggy and IRL- thank you for all the awesome birthday wishes! You guys are da bomb.com and really know how to make a gal feel special and loved. I gots the warm n fuzzies! Dear C- I love you! Thank you for being you and making me smile everyday. And major thank you for all the wonderful presents! (And I am NOT a peek-a-saurus!) Dear Matisyahu- it makes me sad that you are now a sell out, with your skinny jeans and clean cut face. And your new "reggae pop" sounds sucks. Though I had fun at your concert, I won't be buying any more of your music. Harumph! Dear Eagles- you suck too! what the what was that last night? Dear Tony Luke's- I can't imagine a Philly sporting event without you. You have the most freakin delicious cheesesteaks wit whizz. Yumm-o. Thanks for warming mah tummy last night! Dear people who cancelled at the Sands Casino- thank you thank you thank you for cancelling, so that my very-late-to-make-a-reservation ass has a place to sleep tomorrow night! Dear NJ Bloggers Jamie, Kenya, and Ms Networking- it was so great to finally meet you all! I had a great time at the Shannon Rose and can't wait to do it again soon! [If you haven't checked out these lovely ladies' blogs, you really should!! They're great!]

Have a super weekend!