OUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Our 2016 outlook is a positive one.  Here are a few things that Leah and I would like to see happen for us this year. Can you believe it is already 2016?? I remember NYE 1999 like it was yesterday. Time flies when you are having fun... and kids :)

LEAH:

1. Take better care of myself - find my own doctor and get all of my annual checkups! I haven't been to any since Max has been born two years ago... yikes! 

2. Have special one-on-one time with each of my kids. It's hard to do age-appropriate activities and games when they are together being that they're five and two. Ari (5) and I will start building an intricate tower and BOOM, Max (2) comes along and smashes it to pieces. They can concentrate better when there's no sharing or fighting etc. I would love to focus on just them, make them feel special, and appreciate all of their eccentricities and qualities I love about them. 

3. Go on more date nights with my husband- not even with friends, just the two of us. It could be dressing up and going out to the hot new restaurant in town, or it could even be at home if it means putting up our computers and phones and not working after the kids are asleep. 

4. Work out - ugh.

5. Read more. This vacation when the shop has been closed, I've read two books and counting. I forgot how much I love to read! Every spare time I have that I'm not with the kids or doing housework, I'm working on Etsy orders and new designs. I will try to prioritize some relaxation time which will include just curling up with a good book and reading for a bit. 

JENNI:

1. Take better care of myself - this is at the VERY top of my list as well.  The biggest part of this is going to bed before midnight! yikes! I have so many little things "wrong" with me right now, that I need to go get checked out, but I just keep putting it off. I think a few checkups would result in a better quality of life ;).

2. Be a better planner - we don't have a very typical work schedule. My husband or I. So, I usually just map out my plans day by day. I would love to start looking at my week as a whole, and plan our family meals ( to eat at home more and help save money), plan fun activities to do with or for my kids instead of just lugging them to Target with me all of the time. I feel like when I wake up "behind", my kids pay the price and get less quality time with their mommy. Not good!!

3. Do something active at least once a week (to start out) - I am hoping the going to bed early thing will help this become a reality. I am tired all. of. the. time. We just recently moved into a new house that has a great park right in my backyard with a walking trail. I would love to just get out there a couple of times a week and get my heart rate up and clear my head.

4. Read A book - Yep, just ONE. Gah Jenni. Get with the grown up program.

5. Remodel our home - It is going to take patience, and I lack that. However, I really want to pay attention to detail, and make every little corner of this house be a well thought out one. 

LOLLI-POP, FIZZ & CLINK | NYE DRINK FOR KIDS

There is nothing fancy about this drink, but it sure was fun for my 4 year old to make. Any chance for that girl to get her hands on a lollipop... sheesh!

 What you need:

- Lime (for "salting", but really sprinkling the rim)

- Sprinkles

- Sparkling juice of your choice

- Lollipop of your choice

- A fun drink stirrer or straw

CHAMPAGNE SLUSHIE + DIY DRINK STIRRERS

What is NYE without a cocktail? A slushy to get sloshed perhaps? And what is a cocktail without a fab little drink stirrer? Don't worry! We have you covered. These take no time to whip up, just a little planning ahead. 

You will need: paper straws, ribbon, washi (optional), tissue paper and scissors. I fell majorly in love with the Christmas gift wrap from Sugar Paper for Target, so that is what I used! :)

   Now for the drank recipe!

(fills 4 champagne flutes)

- 1 package of strawberries. I used fresh, but you could definitely use frozen if you are pressed for time.

- 1 quarter lime

- sugar ( I used coconut sugar)

- CHAMPAGNE!!

Simply puree the strawberries with half of the champagne bottle. Pour into ice trays and freeze! Then, blend them again after they are frozen with the remaining champagne. Add a squeeze of lemon and about a teaspoon of sugar to taste. Pour and enjoy!!

Drink responsibly friends!

NEW YEAR'S EVE LOOKS| ALL UNDER $100

Who is going out on NYE? Raise your hand if you wish you were...(I am totally raising my hand right now). There is something so fun, comfortable and sweet about staying in and sipping mocktails with your kiddos in your pjs while garnished in all of the tacky New Year's $1 bin items. However, it has been quite a while (basically since our baby boy was born, which was 7 months ago) since my husband and I have been out on an actual date. You can imagine how much I am fantasizing about the one night where wearing sequins head to toe is acceptable. Here are a few looks that I would definitely feel comfortable wearing out. Somewhat sexy, but something that my "mom bod" would feel comfortable in.

ASOS

 This beauty of a playsuit would look stunning with a sleek black (or navy) blazer. I think it would class up a piece that is on the short side and shows a little more cleavage than normal. ;)

NORDSTROM

TARGET

I have been DYING for an ostrich feather skirt, or even a fringe skirt (loving this one), and this one seems to fit the bill. Can't get enough white, ya'll!  ;)

EXPRESS

FOREVER 21

If you have a little girl, this is just too cute to pass up!

H&M

Happy New Year everyone! We hope it is a fun and safe one for you!! We are definitely looking forward to 2016!

BTW, have you purchased your NYE tats from our shop yet? Hurry!!

HOLIDAY CARDS + A MINTED DISCOUNT

Have you ever used Minted.com before? It's so bizarre for us to hear that some people haven't, because it's an incredible company! Everything is just so. freaking. easy. We just recently went crazy on their art site which we'll update you with later! Out of control good! 

Minted has an insane amount of designs for holiday cards. They use independent artists to design, so you can feel good about your purchase. The quality is also amazing, which appeals to these two paper snobs! They have foil pressed cards and we are suckers for anything shiny (hello rose gold foil... muah)! If you have moved, had a baby (and want to announce it 6 months later - insert raised hand here), married the love of your life, or just simply want to say Happy Holidays, there is a card for just that! You can filter it by the number of photos, whether you want it flat or folded, whether you want it to say Christmas/Holiday/New Years, if you want the writing on the top or the bottom... we could go on and on. And the coolest feature? You can upload your holiday photo and see what every single card looks like with your photo! Then you can chose a patterned back or more photos, you can order your return address label that matches your card. And the BEST part? YOU GET FREE RECIPIENT ADDRESS PRINTING. What??!!

Like we said, it's SO easy! 

We don't have our photos yet, but are planning which cards and which outfits go with our picks. Here are our favs...which one should we go with? Ah! So many good choices!

LEAH'S TOP PICKS:

Dashing Dots card HERE

Holiday Headliner card HERE

Not So Calm card HERE

Photo Booth Filter card HERE

JENNI'S TOP PICKS:

The More, The Merrier card HERE

Gold Illume card HERE

Santa's Newest Helper card HERE

Silent-less Night card HERE

The other good news? 

Minted is giving you 15% off on holiday cards through 10/30/15 using code: LOVELION15

That's something to be jolly about!

xo

DIY CONFETTI PACK AND THE PERFECT PARTY FAVOR!

We are doing a little NYE project over here to get ready for the festivities tonight! What is a NYE celebration without some confetti? I put together mini confetti packs and taped them to card stock that I printed little phrases on with my ol' epson printer. Haha! Super easy project, and so fun to hand out to any party guests, host/hostess, or just keep in your bag for your own mini celebration when the clock strikes midnight.

Confetti can be made out of ANYTHING (that doesn't give you a head injury). I used a lot of leftover materials from Christmas like metallic chip board letters, twine that I shredded, striped straws, gold ribbon, teal and white card stock, and aqua and pink crepe paper. Have fun with it!

This "kiss me under the confetti" card is my favorite! Lucky me, I get two kisses tonight! ;)

Just look at that confetti goodness... sigh...

 Champagne is definitely my drink of choice for a night such as this, but my husband prefers White Russians. Champagne is not always the manliest drink, so I get it. I put together a hostess gift for the couple hosting us tonight. I collected some mini shakers from the Target dollar section along with some chalkboard tags they had. Then, I added the mini drinks with a striped straw. It would also just make a great party favor for any party. You could even buy these items in a normal size and gift it. Confetti and cocktails....yes, please!!

I tied a chalkboard tag onto the mini shaker that read "Just add cream....Cheers!"

Cheers!! Please have a happy and SAFE New Year friends!! Have some of that responsible kind of fun!! 

{cue noise makers now}

-J