currently. it's beginning to feel a lot like...

 

 

obsessing: about our 2013 Christmas letter that I just finished last night. each year I do these and each year I love the next letter a little more. I've had a lot of requests for a template for me to sell in my Etsy shop but I put so much love into each detail that I cannot put together just a boring template. So.... if you'd like a custom Christmas letter, invite, whatever I'd love to do it for you but know that I'll need LOTS of special details! Email me if interested {beautifulblendings@gmail.com}

reading: too many celeb mags. it's my little secret that i'm mostly embarrassed about but i just love hearing what's going on and looking at all the purdy clothes. Does anyone else want to confess to this habit? Or perhaps offer me a suggestion on a good book to read? I'm about to have my wisdom teeth surgery next week so I'd love the help with something to keep my brain entertained while my mouth hurts. 

watching: season after season of house hunters international. gosh, I LOVE seeing those exciting countries and what kind of homes are to offer in those gorgeous places. thank goodness for amazon prime. i seriously heart you. 

 

planning: to get a baby christmas tree today. our house is too small for a large one and with our new Molly pup around; it wouldn't be a good idea anyway. BUT we do have a high table and if I take the time to clear away all the mess on top it.... there might just be the perfect spot for a baby tree to light up right in our front window. I think I shall. 

 

sick of: my teeth being such a hassle. I'm having my second of four surgeries to deal with all the issues my soft teeth have brought me. the total cost to avoid further health issues (like super scary ones) is going to be $12,000. I still have no idea how we are affording it but I do know that I'm SO incredibly lucky to have my fella supporting me. and if anyone has any spare change... let me know. You may find me in a fountain.

 

thinking about: how I FINALLY feel like I'm chasing what I want to do and really doing it. There's definitely sacrifice involved in going after what you WANT to be doing versus just having a J.O.B. But again, it's much easier when I have someone so supportive in my corner. so thankful for him this christmas. and can't wait to go see twinkle lights tonight as a little family of three. 

 

happy holidays all.

what are you currently up to, friend? if you have your own "currently" post, be sure to include it below - i would love to check it out. and as always, thanks to Danielle  and illy for the original inspiration of this post.

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Datevitation + a giveaway

When my fella and I moved to California two years ago the most difficult part for me was knowing that I wasn't going to be close by my bestest girl friend. You know, that person that you can hang out in PJ's all day with while wearing funny mud masks on your face and watching a-mazing shows like Sex in the City on repeat like it WAS the greatest thing to ever be on TV. cause it maybe was.

Well when I got to thinking this year what in the world I could possibly get her for Christmas that would come close to filling in that time we no longer have together.... I was seriously lost. It's not like I can jump on a plane and just hug her face... this girl has bills to pay.

That's why when I got an email from the awesome Datevitation telling me about their unique love coupon books I was thrilled. I'd actually made one a year or so ago for my fella for Valentine's Day and I just KNEW it would be the perfect gift (with that personal touch) to make my bestie feel like I was still around.

 

 I got right to work customizing and choosing fun "dates" for me and her based on all our favorite things to do. And with over 500 date ideas to choose from on their website; how could I go wrong finding just the right ones for our friendship?

Now, my bestie could be reminded of all the fun things we like to do together as well as have a PROMISE by me that we'll continue to do them. Because now, every time I'm in town, she can cash in one of her "coupons" from her love book (because love includes all different kinds of relationships) and know that I still value our time together as best friends. And it's great for me too because I still get the benefit of hanging out with her! Win, freaking, win! 

And luckily for all of you.... Datevitation wants you to be able to give these great love coupon books as your holiday gifts too! So right NOW can you use the code: ‘BLENDINGS10’  for $10 off your purchase plus free shipping (total value of $13.50)  That means you can get your loved one a one-of-a-kind gift for Christmas starting at just $15!  The order cut-off date for guaranteed delivery by Christmas is December 13 so make sure to get your order in before then!

AND because Datevitation is such a rad, family run business (just check out Alex propose to Olga in a video they posted on Youtube as a "Save the Date") they are also giving away a book for one of you to personalize and give to someone special! Thanks so much to Daveitation!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

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busy like a bee.

Does anyone else feel like they are running a muck doing twenty-two thousand things at once and not a single thing is really getting done? And besides that you are also constantly listing new things on your to-do list so that really it doesn't EVER seem any shorter?

Like currently I am typing this.... directly to my left is a HUGE pile of gifts to be wrapped, packaged and mailed {not at ALL in time for Christmas}, directly under my left arm is my new 2012 planner where I am trying to input all new addresses to avoid much chaos of tracking them down NEXT year, in my lap is the Xbox remote because I'm trying to find something to watch in the background so that I don't feel so alone since my fella is working 7pm-7am tonight {insert really sad Tara here} AND.... to my right is my slowly dying iPhone where I am answering emails, taking photos, perusing twitter....you know. Oh, and did I mention that I also have various other windows open on my computer with many OTHER tasks that I'm trying to complete? AND.... I'm real thirsty.

Whew! BUT, I do have some good news. Two pieces of it in fact. The FIRST: I am offering FREE SHIPPING in the shop from now until the end of the year. Yep, party like it's almost twenty-twelve people.... cause it is. Holy crapola Batman. Just enter the code: PARTY2012 when you check out. Mkay?

And SECOND: Tomorrow, which is Wednesday for those of you reading this perhaps ON Weds or after maybe, after MANY emails and preparation.... I am going to have a featured deal on GroopDealz. If you have never heard of GroopDealz it's like Groupon for handmade people. I am really excited to be working with them and they've done a beautiful job with my product. Here's what you can get:

Also, if you'd help me share the word about the deal I'd be SO eternally grateful to your heart. I'd really love to sell some of these beauties because I think they're super cute AND I have the BEST wrapping supplies that I really want to use! :) Just $3 people.

So either tweet, FB, blog, stumble, pin, text, email, HOLLA, whatever..... but share this deal for me mkay? You'll have TWO days to purchase it. Eeek!

Hope your Wednesday is great and happy ALMOST holidays to ya alright?

***OH! I almost forgot.... no {Thrifted Thursdays} this week. Taking a break in order to have some holiday goodness.

cold hands. warm hearts.

This year I lovingly participated in Much Love illy and Sandy a la Mode's COLD HANDS, WARMS HEARTS exchange. If you haven't heard of it, don't worry cause I just stumbled upon it and was WAY happy to have. Basically it's a swap with another fabulous blogger where you trade mittens and other cute items (if you wish) and most definitely make a new friend.

I was paired up with the beautiful Jacqui from BabyBoyBakery who just happens to live about 10 mins up the highway from me in SoCal. She has a fantastically adorable 18 month old son (with gorgeous red curls) and she's an adorable baker who makes delicious delights. If you want to learn more about my friend Jacqui you can follow her tweets or send her some love on facebook.

Jacqui not only gave me the sweetest gifts for our exchange but she hand-delivered them to me by inviting me out for coffee and shopping! Not only did I LOVE my sweet gifts but I also met a new friend! Best gift of all. Thanks so much to Sandy, Illy and Jacqui. xxx.

the holidays.

Since we just moved to CA a few months ago.... there will be no returning home to celebrate holidays with family and friends. Also, we are pretty broke and so we will not be able to get a tree, buy lots of gifts or do anything really.

BUT, I am still a fan of sending out a Christmas letter to all we love and so this year I used my new skills and put together a letter on a cool new program I'm learning called "CoreIDRAW". I think it turned out very cute and I can't wait to package it up in some cute envelopes and send it to everyone! 

Also special this holiday season is the fact that I now have an Etsy Shop that I didn't have this time last year. That means I can not only make super great items for all of you to purchase but I can use my handmade talents to create GIFTS!

Here are some of the items in the new Holiday Collection that you can buy right NOW!

{SHOP Your HEART Out}