New Year's already?

Unfortunately the reason I haven't been posting isn't because I've been off doing something fun or glamorous, I've been home sick in bed with the flu.  So annoying to be home when it's prime time for having fun.  I'm getting awfully tired of my bed. 

So what's the plans for this evening?  A fun night out with friends, dinner somewhere posh or a family party spent at home?

{image via Design Sponge}

Were you naughty or nice?

Morning friends! Did Santa bring you everything you wished for? We had a great, laid back Christmas. The kids had the BEST time (of course) and we had a great time watching them have fun. My favorite part has been that the boys have been so busy playing with their new toys and each other that we've all spent a good portion of our weekend in our jammies. I did do a little post holiday shopping yesterday and surprisingly came away with lots of deals. I finally found my black blazer at H&M which will be perfect for a New Years celebration. Thankfully for everyone the after Christmas letdown has been pretty minimal.

So tell me what your favorite gift you received was, here's ours:

Me: Kindle!! (Which of course led me to the what cover dilemma and for once practicality won over fashiony goodness.)

Big: The black Wii (he insists that a white Wii is just a Wii, because it's the original. The red and black ones must be prefaced with their color. Strange, but ok...)

Little: Mater's Monster Truck Wrastlin' (Cars obsession continues.)

Mr. SFD: ??

Tell me all about your holiday, try any new recipes, find some smokin' post Christmas deals??

Eat it :: Foster's Homemade Granola

Christmas mornings are spent at my parents. At Mom's Santa brings your gifts all set up and ready to play with. The kids play with their gifts while the adults attempt to wake up (usually after a late night of elf duty) with their coffee, then we open gifts one by one in age order. The youngest starts and everyone gets a chance to ooh and ahh over each person's present. After all of the gifts are opened we have a big Christmas brunch of my mom's most delicious Eggs Benedict. The only problem with this is as kids the first course was usually the goodies that were in our stockings; for some reason it took us years to wise up and we decided we needed a more substantial snack before brunch. So we came up with yogurt parfaits with homemade granola. Specifically the Foster's Market recipe. It's delish and I'll admit I skip the last step and don't add the dried fruit, not because I don't like dried fruit just because I want to get my hands on it! Here's the recipe just in case you decide you need yogurt and granola on Christmas morning too.

Foster's Homemade Granola
Makes about 6 cups

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

1 cup sliced almonds1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

¼ cup canola or safflower oil, plus more for greasing the pan

¾ cup maple syrup

¼ cup honey

½ cup dried cherries or cranberries

½ cup dried apricots, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 275°F.

2. Spread the oats, coconut, and almonds on a large baking sheet with sides. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ingredients are lightly toasted but not yet golden. Transfer the ingredients to a large bowl.

3. Increase the oven temperature to 350°F. Lightly grease the baking sheet with oil or spray with vegetable oil spray.

4. Stir the maple syrup, oil, and honey together in a small bowl, pour over the oats, nuts, and coconut, and toss to coat evenly. Spread the granola onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the granola is just crispy and golden brown, stirring several times while baking. Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet, breaking up any large clumps while it is still warm.

5. When the granola has cooled completely, add the cherries and dried apricots and toss to mix. In an airtight container, this will keep at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Vintage Santas

I found this picture last year right after Christmas and saved it until this year. I almost forgot all about it, whoops. We have one of these, it's from my husband's grandparents house and he loves it. I've always kind of thought, "Hmmm, where are we going to put this?" But thankfully I've come around to loving Santa Baby as long as he's hanging out somewhere en masse. Now I just need to find a couple of more of these.

I could kick myself because I did see one at an antiques store but didn't buy it because I had just purchased something else and couldn't justify buying two things. Of course I went back the following week and figured if it was still there it was meant to be. Well I was s.o.l. and after Christmas I'll be combing eBay and Goodwills to see if my Santa can find some friends.

{image credits? I didn't save them, if you know shoot me an email!}

Tropical vacay anyone?

I know it's Christmas but for some reason I keep coming back to this photo and it makes me want to hop on a plane somewhere tropical.

Mojitos anyone?

{via Desire to Inspire}

Love it :: RED

Just a little red vi.sualize roundup. It is my favorite color and it's Christmas after all.

What are you doing during break?

How was your weekend peeps? Mine was good, great in fact. A family dinner and Sunday night was a Christmas carol filled night driving around looking at lights. The only low point was I missed my best girl and her Mr.'s 12 Tastes of Christmas party. That would have been a good one I know. Such a cute idea and their parties always fun. A hilarious couple and they always have amazing eats. Maybe they'll have it again next year (hint hint).

The kids are home from school and you know what this means. It's not usually holiday fellowship and cheer. I will cross my fingers that their happiness at playing together lasts until at least tomorrow. Oh and if I see another cookie I might turn into a cookie because I ate so many this weekend. Note to self: no cookie baking. What other Christmasy activities can we do? Ideas?

{prettiness via Pink Wallpaper}

Santa Photobooth? Love it!

Rats! Why didn't I see this sooner? Big has his Christmas party at school today and I think that this would have been a huge hit. A bunch of littles clowning with Santa accessories would have been too cute...next year.

Cute and not to mention easy all you have to do is print and cut.

{Hostess with the Mostess via Kim Vallee}

Finally feeling it

This is the last week of school for Big and Little is already on holiday break. I'm actually looking forward to the excitement of the the Christmas holiday. Finally! I've been feeling rather Grinchy. Top that with a bad winter cold and it doesn't make for a very happy camper.

But that's changing this week. I'm pretty excited because my little brother is coming home for Christmas from boot camp in a few days. We've missed him. So while I wait I'm going to wrap presents, do some baking and get tackle some projects around the house. I kinda feel like I'm waiting for Santa too!

{image via We Heart It}

New Balance

Several months ago I was contacted by New Balance to see if I would be interested in being a guest editor. Ummm, hello. Of course, flattered! So here's a little about me, the fitness me that you don't hear too much about!

My take on Fitness What I'm dying to try in the new year, Motivation A few of my favorite rewards and Time some Big and Little time in the kitchen.

Thank you so much New Balance for having me!

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Shopbop Giveway is comment number 2o Laura!!

Yippee!! You'll have to fill me in on what you get with your gift certificate!

(Sorry for the confusion..I'm sucking with dates lately)

On the fence

I really have no idea why I've been wanting a pair of Minnetonka Moccasins. Doesn't really seem to go with the style I usually favor but they look so comfy and I just rolled out of bed cool.

To moc or not?

My weekend

So here I am Monday morning thinking, "Oh no...I've not a single gift. Crap." This is the week peeps, I'm going to get my Christmas shopping all done. For the past couple of years I've been on an school event committee that takes up a big chunk of time in the couple of weeks leading up to it. We had the Winter Wonderland event this past weekend and it was super cute if I do say so myself. Snow, Santa, breakfast, boutique, games, treats, a street hockey tournament, it's got any wintry fun you could ask for. The kids wished that they could go again on Sunday so that makes me happy. Always leave them wanting more right? Well it left me exhausted. I went to bed at 6:30 Saturday night.

Thankfully I'm now rested and ready to tackle all of the housework and laundry that has been piling up on me. Well not really ready because the piles look so daunting but I think a few cups of coffee might perk me up to tackle it...maybe. How was your weekend? Make me jealous and tell me that you've finished all your shopping and your house is all shiny.

{image from JCrew}

Organic Junk

Last night my son asked for Pop-Tarts, he informed me that there are all sorts of flavors. He's tired of the flavor that I buy and he wants the Pop-Tart brand. I tried to go the non-confrontational brush off route with the standard mom line, "We'll see". To which he replied, "It's not fair you never buy anything with hydronated oil". Cute that he sorta really knew my no way ingredient.

{my boys would be in heaven if this showed up at our door, sorry guys not happening.}

So then I explained that while I do my very best not to buy food with partially hydrogenated oil I let him eat stuff with it in it from time to time. Then I also explained that I still do buy treat food, I just check the ingredients and it can't be just any old junk. He wasn't buying my explanation on the whys though. So tell me where do you draw the line? I don't kid myself about organic processed food being "better" because hey a toaster pastry is a toaster pastry...except for those icky few ingredients. Yes, No? My feeling is a treat is a treat but I try to at least buy the best ones that I can when we're feeling treaty.