Tag Archives: holidays

Maui in November.

image
(Keanae)

For Thanksgiving, my family takes off to Hawaii each year to spend the holidays in an un-traditional way.  It’s a nice time to rest up and re-charge the batteries before we head into winter time.  Each year we try to see friends and family on the islands and also spend as much time as possible outdoors.  So far this week, with Amanda visiting from Oahu, we’ve spent lots of time in the ocean.  Amanda, Darrin, and I also spent a day cruising the road to Hana.  We didn’t go the entire way but we made some great stops.

image
Twin Falls.

image
Hawaii sunsets are the best.

image
Amanda and I were reunited after a year apart!

image
We made sure to do lots of ocean swimming.

image
Amanda in her tube.  We bought inter tubes and swam out to get rolled over by the waves.  It was hilarious!  Probably because the waves were very small 🙂

image

image
We decked ourselves out in Flash Tats.

image
Went on tons of long walks.

image

image
My attempt at tree pose for the first time all week.

image

The ocean blues, it doesn’t get any better.  I’m still on the island for the rest of the week with my family but I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving week.  It’s a time to be thankful for all the blessings in your life and to remind yourself to not take anything or anyone for granted.  Pay it forward this week at random times and be kind.  It’s not everyday we stop and really focus on things we are thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our Ho Ho Ho’s!

IMG_6311

Well 2012 is coming to an end and we wanted to make a short “thank you, we love you, please don’t ever leave us” video for the holidays.  We will be taking a break next week as we hope you do as well 😀

Anyway, we really do appreciate you guys so enjoy some time with your family and friends over the holidays.  See you all soon!

Capital CitiesOh yeah, we also convinced the amazing band Capital Cities to be a part of a holiday photo with us after they did a performance yesterday!  They are really amazing and you should check them out when they come to a city near you 🙂

Come On, Get Ornament Happy

IMG_5523I do love Christmas time.  It’s a wonderful holiday and I love seeing all of the lights that decorate homes and businesses.  There’s something special about the holidays (besides all of the madness).  This year, I wanted to customize my parents tree since I don’t have room for a tree at my own place.  These are extremely easy and you can really customize these for your own holiday needs.  However, I can’t lie.  This idea really came to me while standing in a store staring at some seriously hideous and ridiculously expensive ornaments.  Have you ever thought to yourself, I could do that for way cheaper and do a much better job?!  Well, you probably can.

IMG_5521(This idea originated with the idea of making snow globe ornaments.  All you need are some clear ornaments and some sparkles.)

IMG_5525(Sparkly snow ornaments!  Hand model: my mom)

IMG_5539(Ta da!)

IMG_5529(Then I thought, what other S#!@ can I put in these ornaments?!  Coffee beans!)

IMG_5537(For a coffee lover like me!)

IMG_5531(Sprinkles, for the avid baker)

IMG_5534(I put a few different kinds of sprinkles in there but you could really pick any kind you’d like)

While my mom and I were working on these we thought of other good ingredients for ornament makings.  Advil, for the everyday drinker.  Dog food, for the pet owners with a death wish on their Christmas tree.  Matches, for the over zealous pyro.  Well you get the idea.  You can get crafty and have fun with it.  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so stop resisting it and just embrace it already!

Fake It ‘Til You Make It

It’s that time of year when people invite themselves over and intrude upon your private space because it is the holidays and they want to spend time with you. Sigh. Alright, we’ll play nice and try to accommodate the best we can. We gathered some tips on how to spruce up your apartment in a pinch and give the false impression that you live in a civilized manner all year round.

1. First Impressions.

Gerard Butler

(Make your boyfriend, friend, or roommate greet your guest at the door dressed as your personal butler. This is important in fooling your guest into thinking you are living a highly refined life. Actually one better, get Gerard Butler to dress as a butler and answer the door for you, whatever you do after that pretty much won’t matter.)

2. Tidy Up.

(Don’t have time for a deep clean? Don’t worry, there is an easy solution. Shove your scattered clothes, shoes, and spare tutu into your closet as quickly as you can. Then take your shoe rack and move it in front of your closet door in case your guest decides to get snoopy)

3. Mood Lighting.

(Class up the joint by placing a candle in a tiny little mason jar. But don’t stop there, tie some twine around the top so that you disguise the fact that you just stuck a candle in a jar)

4. Refreshments

(Someone told me that they once went to a super fancy dance club and there was champagne in the bathroom! Well, I drank all of mine the other night so I placed some extra beer and wine I had around the toilet instead which should do the trick! Whatever you do, make sure you keep a wine and bottle opener within reach so that your guest can pop their bottles easily)

Well, there you have it, 4 easy and totally doable steps that transform your apartment into a chic lounge that could trick any of your imposing friends into thinking you are classy.