Happy Wednesday! I’m finishing up a beautiful vacation in Hawaii and thought I’d pop in for a quick update! First off, I’m SO excited to be featured over at Basically Bare again today! Woo hoo! There’s a really fun recap of a lot of the Basically Bare projects that I’ve been working on lately!

Also, I thought I’d share this ADORABLE apron that my mama made me for Christmas. Isn’t this just the cutest? I love the fashionable, halter top apron with the fun, retro colors. I’m going to have to get in the baking mood and put this apron to good use! I thought I’d have some fun modeling the apron over the holidays at our Christmas dinner. Pssst – I’ll tell you a secret. I didn’t really make the pie. Grandma did!

Isn’t my grandpa so cute? His 80th birthday is Saturday! He’s looking good!

We thought we should let mama in the photos since she made the awesome apron!

And of course – me and my sister being silly!

Oh, and cute!

After mom made me such a cute apron, I decided that I’m going to need to learn to sew. Adding it to the to-do list!

To get you in the holiday spirit, check out these adorable puppies!!!!! When we were in Ridgecrest visiting Jeremy’s family over Thanksgiving, we were so lucky to be around for a puppy Christmas photo shoot! Jeremy’s family breeds these super cute pups. They are only a few weeks old… and, adorable. Did I say adorable? Yes, beyond adorable!! I wanted to steal one!

After they were such great little models, they got lunch. How cute!!!!

I don’t know about you all, but I have been BUSY! Between visiting family over Thanksgiving weekend to decorating my tree to finishing up custom albums, I’ve been swamped! And, to add to it – I’ve been fighting a yucky cold! Anyway, I wanted to drop in on the blog to say a quick HELLO! I have a ton of photos to share with you from all of the fun we’ve been having, so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, as a little “thank you & sorry for being MIA!” enjoy 10% off the Embellish shop on Etsy! The promo code is MISSEDU2011.  Also, mark your calendar – we’ll be “live” showing off our 2011 calendars, mini albums and other goodies at Hera Hub’s Pop Up Holiday Boutique on Sunday! A portion of the proceeds benefit BE WISE. Hope to see you there!

I can’t believe the holidays are just around the corner! I’ve started a Christmas shopping list, the fall decorations on my mantel will only be in season for a few more weeks, I’m obsessed with all the fun holiday crafts that I’ve seen on my favorite blogs and Christmas commercials are already on TV! It’s hard to believe it’s already November. Next weekend we are headed to yet another wedding… the last one of the year. In the holiday and wedding spirit, I thought I’d share a brag book that I put together of my own wedding photos! I have a few other wedding brag books that I’ll be sure to share soon, too! If you are looking for a custom brag book for a Christmas gift, be sure to let me know ASAP. I already have a handful of orders I’m working on… it is going to be a busy holiday season and it is only November 7!

Ok, I’ll admit it. I didn’t finish all my holiday projects in time for Christmas. After a relaxing holiday vacation, I got back into the creative mode and designed these cutesy bubby gifts – just in time to pass them out for New Years. The project was very simple and added that “personal touch” I was hoping for.

Want to create your own? Here are the 10 simple steps:

1. Purchase the tiny bottles of bubbly – just a few bucks at World Market.
2. Cut a small rectangular piece of scrap paper. Ink up the edges. (This is your label.)
3. Write a cute message. I used the title “Cheers”
4. Embellish. I had a cute stamp of martini glasses that I used. You could easily add paper flowers!
5. Use glue dots to secure the new label.  
6. Use a punch to create the three small circles. (I used the Martha Starburst punch.)
7. Write “Happy” “New” “Year” on each punch.
8. Use glue dots to secure your three circles to a designer ribbon.
9. Use some fun ribbon or tinsel to dress up the bubbly!
10. Enjoy!

Happy (early) Halloween! What are you dressing up as this year?

I absolutely love these shots. What great photos!

I know it’s still very, very early. Get your shopping out of the way now! Beat the crowds! Order your custom album today!