Oh hello 2013!

 Happy 2013!!!!

After a whirlwind of a holiday season and a glorious week and a half off of work I'm back in the real world.

My holidays and New Year were absolutely wonderful! Full of my favorite people, amazing food, fun gift giving, hiding out from snow storms, and some serious quality time just hanging out. I hope everyone was as fortunate and happy this past holiday season!

This New Years was the first one in a couple of years where we didn't have tickets to a big party downtown and instead made plans for us to split time between different friends' parties. Though, in typical Michelle fashion, my plans did not come to pass (womp)

Instead we decided at the last minute to see a friend play in the AMAZING Animal Hospital Ensemble down at Boston's First Night (check them out yo) and then went to a party nearby and I couldn't have been happier. A little too much champagne was nagging me the following day but nothing a little shepherd's pie at the nearest Irish pub couldn't fix (mashed potatoes are the cure of all evil)

I'm admittedly very bad at New Years resolutions (both making and keeping them) but after reading the resolutions of my favorite bloggers I felt inspired to come up with two goals for 2013:

1. Be positive.
2. Say yes.

I have a bad habit of fearing that the worst will happen wayyyyy too often (I should get an award for my all star worrying abilities) and what better time to break bad habits than New Years? And I think starting to say yes to things (even those that scare me) will help me with this goal. I like to think that I'm a yes person but sometimes I think being a perpetual planner can get in my own way so I want to say yes to more impromptu things and I'm hoping this will lead me to incredible experiences I could never just plan.

So here's to a Happy New Year to all! I hope your holiday season was everything you wanted it to be and that your off to a great start in 2013!

Just a little peek at the past week and a half of vacation:
1. Bonfire outside of CBC 2. My love affair with All Star Pizza Bar continues.
3. Snow's not my favorite but this was perfect snow ball packing material. 4. My new boots from Santa came just in time!

Holiday Goodies For Him

1. Bonfire Log 2. Backup iPhone Battery 3. Leather Magic Wallet 4. Urban Renewal Leather Keychain
5. SmartWool Liner Gloves 6. Mustache iPhone 4/4S Case 7. Photojojo Lens Set 8. Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad 9. Silk Bow Tie in Pindot 10. Deciduous Dock

All my favorite things for all my favorite guys in my life.

And all under $100! Happy shopping!

Holiday Lovelies For Her

1. Llama iPhone Case 2. Essie - Plumberry 3. Anthozoa Bangle 4. Touchscreen Gloves
5. Elephant Bottle Stopper 6. Tech Hearmuffs 7. Classic Pocket Datebook 8. Capri Blue Etched Jar Candle
9. Personalized Initial Necklace 10. Dotted Leather Pouch  

This year I tried to organize and be early with my Christmas shopping. I started December 1st and have been hitting the mall and online shopping ever since.

In typical "I have undiagnosed OCD" fashion I tried to organize with two lists this year: per person & per my favorite things and then matched the two up.

My lists generally cover lots of people from 'For Her', 'For Him', 'Kids', to 'Coworkers' (and sometimes mayyy be inspired by things that I would love to have). So I thought I'd share some of my lists this year to help mid-December shoppers!

Today I have my list of favorite gifts "For Her" that I love to give to family and friends. The bonus is that all these cuties are under $100 because this girl's on a budget frands!

Wait...Next Week's Thanksgiving??

My fancy, snow free garage! I think I'm in love...
And he plows the driveway - win!

Last week I let my fear of snow get the best of me during the Nor'easter which may or may not have ended with me purchasing two winter coats, new gloves, and splurging on a garage spot for my car this winter.

What's up fear induced spending!

Now that it's forecasted to be up to 67^o today I feel rather silly butttt I'm pretty sure I'll be pleased to pieces when I don't have to dig my car out every morning in January. (muahaha all you suckers with shovels, you may have saved money but I'm not crying over my snow covered car)

Also, you may have already heard the rumors but apparently Thanksgiving is next week...what??

I feel so underprepared for the holidays this year and I'm mildly stressed about their arrival. I need to get into the Thanksgiving spirit people! And what better way than perusing the Food Network website for inspiration? Maybe I'll try and impress my mom this year and bake a dessert!

Here are the recipes that seem to have the perfect ratio of not too intimidating/look amazingly delicious:

Paula's Pumpkin Cheesecake



Paula's Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping
(sans Pecans - those things are my nut allergy's worst nightmare!)



Barefoot Contessa's French Apple Tart