I’ve had this desire to MAKE, do, create as well and I’ve had fun trying new recipes and homemade versions of cleaners via pinterest. I’m acually giddy to do laundry now and the dishes too. Something about knowing I made the detergent and it smells SOOOO good, it just makes me happy. Also? I spent about $8 for six months worth of laundry soap and dishwashing detergent.

We also tried a new chocolate chip cookie recipe. It makes one million cookies, but I’m told they’re delicious.

This is a winner as well and now in our “favorite” rotation. Pork tenderloin … mmmm.

I have plans to make this in January with friends and then eat it directly after.

And Christmas morning is going to look delicious this year. (I’ll be eating my usual eggs. Yay diabetes!)

But I still love baking and making so I won’t stop. What have you been taking from your Pin boards and making a reality lately??

Free Compliments: I might just hang this on my mirror or randomly tape it on a box of cereal in the grocery store, to a telephone pole at a busy corner or in a public restroom. My fav is “Terrific Tattoo”.

Pretty sure it’s time for my daughter (less than a month from being seven!) to journal. Fill in the blanks is a great way to get started.

Great for long trips in the car, an afternoon that needs an activity or a waiting room: Fabric I Spy Book.

Flavored Tequilla: a great stocking stuffer, hostess gift or reason to throw a cheese party. Yes.

Need something new in your hair? A little indie maybe? Hair sticks.

I am always losing my earbuds. Not anymore.

Another way to use your toilet paper rolls – make these New Years Eve Surprises.

Babies to buy for? These are adorable felt booties.

Birthday Crowns: LOVE THESE.

Pinwheel wreath: I know just the girl to make this with.

For now read me everywhere else:

After a fun weekend away with girlfriends I wrote Sex me up! A coupon book. for Curvy Girl Guide. I have so many disclaimers to put on this article but instead I’m shutting my mouth and avoiding eye contact. In the mean time, please pay attention to your marriage under the covers. You deserve it.

Then I shared 5 Holiday Drinks to bring on the cheer at Curvy Girl Guide as well. That photo-shoot was a blast. And no, I didn’t drink them all … but you should!

On Turnstone this week I crossed our perpetual moving with moving an office and gave some tips on keeping the business running while all of that cardboard is flying.

Which led to Settling In, a little “feng shui” for your home away from home. (The office, as a hint.)

This weekend we’ll be snowboarding on fake snow because Michigan has stopped believing in a White Christmas. It was mid-50′s yesterday and where I am not about to complain about the weather (because I might literally be the only Michigander who isn’t) I must say … Touche!

In reference to “getting sick” as I said at the beginning of this post – my blood sugar levels have been giving me a run for my money lately. I’ll dive into that one more soon – it’s a round-a-bout story that involves some very vulnerable conversation from me.

So I’ll leave you with this: I love ya! Who’s done Christmas shopping? What’s in your stocking? and What’s the one thing on your list that you hope to see on the 25th?

(Embedded video, click through to see.)

I was in love with the drummer/dread-wearing department of this boy-band. Chris maybe? I don’t know. N’Sync was a defining musical genre for my tweens. I started drinking coffee and shopping for trendy jewelry. I drew and painted and wrote in journals and when it was all too much for me, I turned on N’Sync and danced in my bedroom til dinner time.

Some times a girl just needs a boy band.

Here’s mine, on our tree:

I found September Houses Flickr stream with some LOVELY embroidered ornaments. I love this one.

A crocheted carriage here. (as a pack of 12?? But still the price is good.)

Adorable rocking horses with sleeping babes here.

A sleeping babe in angels wings here.

Hallmark’s line of Baby Ornaments here – has a vintage-ish looking carriage as part of their collection. Kinda fun!

Where are you guys finding great ornaments this year? I went to Etsy but mostly found hand painted spheres as a whole in the genre of “ornaments”. Not really what I was looking for … bahumbug.

These articles are advice heavy – so now it’s your turn … what advice would you add to either one? Or, if you’re feeling particularily chatty – throw some advice on the Holidays my way.

Holidays as in … getting through them on a budget, on a diet, with kids, with out of town family, with your own family … ha!

And go!

We’ve all seen the mini Zen gardens or small Bonsai trees on someone’s desk before, possibly even a water feature or rock garden. Not only are these great stress relievers and oftentimes hobbies; they’re meant to personalize the space but to also bring in other dimensions or textures to your workspace.

This week I show you how to add texture to your workspace – it’s easy, frugal and I bet you already have everything you need in a cupboard at home. Click here to read more over at Turnstone.

This is the time of year when it seems that working around your work schedule is a full time job but are you making time to celebrate with your coworkers too?

Here’s a few great ideas for your office party (committee optional).

First, let’s discuss.

What do you want out of your Office party this season? As the wife of someone who has employees it’s important for us to give back to the people who give us so much. Their time and talent are gifts to us but without them, we don’t have an office to throw a party. It’s also a great time to regroup as a company, realign strategies and allies for another great year ahead.

Click here to read more

On Curvy Girl Guide I show you how to make a delicious roast chicken and DIY a pressure cooker all at once as well as dish on the Real Estate Market and gab about how much I love to move as well as buy and sell houses.

We’re still recovering from our fun week in Boulder, Co. One morning we even let our daughter sleep in after going to bed at 5:30 the previous evening. Girlfriend slept for 14 hours straight and woke up smiling for the first time in days.

I shared an easy and frugal Advent Calendar on a friends blog. She is kind of awesome and will save you money.

I’m sure I’ve already told you about this – but on CurvyGirlGuide I shared my Breast Reduction story.

Work from home but need to expand? I wrote some tips for when to move locations, offices or for growth on Turnstone.

I also share a few inside tips on what it means to work from a coffee shop. Respect the earbuds.

Ever have those moments when you’re trying to explain the simplest of tasks to someone and you’d rather just be able to show them? How about how to make a PDF? You’re welcome. I also cover how to attach that file (or any file) in an email. If you send emails and need to send documents … you must know this.

Lastly – yay! I was featured on Chickabug with my Mini Pinata’s. So fun.

BREAK! I’ll see you back here tomorrow.

Christmas is coming!! Now is a great time to start to think about your homemade gifts, gathering the items you might need if you don’t already have them on hand. For this fun tutorial you’ll need … Click over to read more!