Candy Cane Candle Centerpiece

Materials:

• Candy canes
• Candle
• Ribbon
• Wood (optional)
• Hot glue gun
• Nail

Directions:
Hot glue the candy canes to the candle.  Wrap ribbon around the candy canes and tie into a bow.  Optional, place the candle on a small piece of wood.  To make it extra sturdy, hammer a 4" nail through the bottom of the wood and then stick the candle on the nail.  This will help to make sure the candle does not slide off the piece of wood.

Creative Money Card

I was trying to think of a creative way to give my Niece and Nephew (they are ages 9 and 5) cash for Christmas.  They also live across the U.S. so I planned to mail it to them.  Instead of just opening a card with cash inside, I wanted it to be a little more exciting for them.  So this is what I came up with...

Start by taping together all of the money. Then roll the money into a tight roll.

Make two small holes towards the top of the card.  Slide a zip-tie through hole #1, then the money, then hole #2.  Close the zip-tie until it tightly secures the money in the card.

Add a little tab by taping it to the final piece of money.  Finish by taping the bottom and sides of the card so it stays sealed shut while they pull the money out of the card.

Freezer Smoothie Packs

I love having a smoothie for breakfast, but they can take a lot of time to get everything out, blend, put everything away and clean up.  The easiest and fastest way to enjoy a smoothie every morning is by making freezer smoothie packs.  This way you can just grab it from the freezer, blend it, and go!  Check out  my morning smoothie routine below.

Ingredients:
(You can use frozen or fresh fruit - When I'm in a hurry I just buy a variety of frozen fruits.)
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, pineapple, peaches, bananas, avocado, lime and grapes...whatever kind of fruits you like.
Spinach - This is a great way to eat spinach! It turns the smoothie a funky greenish color, but you can't taste the spinach at all.
Greek yogurt - I use vanilla because it adds a little more flavor and makes it taste like ice cream!
You can also add any type of powders, such as protein, green tea extract, flax seed, etc.
Milk or juice (optional)
Ice

Directions:
First get all of your ingredients out on the counter, sort of like an assembly line.  Get your baggies ready (I used sandwich size ziplocs-this holds enough to make two large smoothies).  Then start to go down the line and mix and match the fruits, add two large scopes of yogurt, and top it off with spinach.  (leave out the powders and ice until you are making the smoothie).  Lastly, zip it up and throw it in the freezer.  It really is that simple!

Ok so it's the morning, you're running late and you're ready for a quick smoothie.  Simply grab a bag from the freezer, drop it in your blender, add any powder (protein, flax seed, etc), add a handful of ice, maybe a splash of juice or milk...and start blending! I have the Ninja blender and LOVE it!  It's powerful enough to blend everything (including frozen blocks of yogurt and fruit) really fine so there are no chunks.  I used a different smoothie maker originally, but quickly burnt up the motor after a couple of weeks of making smoothies every morning. Then pour and enjoy! The clean up is surprisingly quick and easy too. Just rinse the blender immediately, add soap and water, rinse and dry. I also really enjoy my smoothie with a straw. They have a great deal at Bed Bath & beyond-50 smoothie straws for $2.

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Small Herb Garden

Fresh herbs add so much flavor, so I like to have a small herb garden with my favorite herbs.  This year I did basil, rosemary, and parsley. 

I've had mint in the past and just as a note if you are considering it, you MUST put it in a seperate container.  Mint spreads quickly and will take over any area that you plant it.  To help keep in contained, just be sure to put it in it's own potted container.

I also love herbs because they take very little maintenance.  Just make sure they get a lot of sun, the soil stays moist and the herbs will continue to produce.

I also made these cute little signs with wine corks and wrote the herb on them with a sharpie marker.

Purple & Orange - $45.01

Blouse-Gap $11, Cardigan-Gap $6, Belt-Limited $8, Jeans-Walmart Miley Sirus $.01 (yes only a penny), Boots-Gap $20 (I also wear this outfit with purple wedges from Gap $10)

Holiday Card Display

Are you looking for a new way to display all of the holiday cards you receive this year? 

I use ornament hooks to hang the cards on the garland and lights wrapped around my banister.  This way everyone can see them and even pick them up if they want to look closer.

I found the spiral ornament hooks at Deals (40 for $1). 

Teal Print - $17

Dress-Target $8, Cardigan-Gap $6, Belt-New York & Co. $3

Fall Drive

My friend took this picture on a local road.  It's so beautiful, I just had to share it!

Keepsake Ornament

This is a great way to turn your wedding invitation, birth announcement, etc. into a keepsake that you can cherrish every Christmas!

Materials Needed:

• glass ornament
• wedding invite or baby announcement or any other meaningful items
• scissors

Directions:
Simply cut the invite into strips, roll them tightly (once they are in the ornament the will loosen and unroll some), then drop it into the ornament. You can add a variety of accents-ribbon, pearls, glitter, charms, beads, sand, flower pedals, etc. 

Fresh Corn Bean Salsa

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 can corn (drained)
• 1 can rotel
• 1/2 cup cilantro (diced, add more to taste)
• 1/2 cup italian dressing

Directions:
Combine all ingredients. Let set in refrigerator for 1 hour to chill. Stir just before serving.

Chocolate Pudding Shots...YUM!

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of instant chocolate pudding
• 3/4 cup vodka
• 3/4 cup Bailey's
• 1 cup milk
• 1 whip cream
• small cups

Directions:
Whisk all ingredients together for 2 minutes. Pour into small cups. Let set it fridge for 30 minutes. Top with whip cream just before serving.

Snow Skis

I've had the opportunity to ski Whistler Blackcomb in Vancouver a couple of times. At the top of the mountain there is a ski lodge, and outside everyone stakes up their skis.  Such an amazing atmosphere. 

Burning Red Fall Tree

My favorite season is fall and I absolutely love when the trees start to change colors.  This tree caught my eye and was breathtaking!  I took this picture one afternoon on the golf course.

The Beginning Of Passionista...

Today is the day that I officially start my blog!  I'm still learning how all of this works, so bare with me.  More to come very soon!