YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Thank you Chinese New Year for an excuse to eat fried rice today.

SAFE WINTER DRIVING

As I was driving up Provo Canyon to the Sundance Film Festival last Saturday, Old Man Winter was working in full force. The snow was falling, visibility was diminishing, and the roads were quickly icing over. Never fear...I made it up safely (maybe with the help of a few prayers and in time to hang with the hottest celebs), but I saw numerous cars around me both north and south bound sliding off the road.

On the trip back home through Parley's canyon, winter storm warnings were in effect and drivers were advised to use caution if traveling. We made it down at a mighty speed of 25mph, while big trucks and so-called 4 wheel drive vehicles blew past us. I later saw many of those cars covered in snow banks and I even saw a Jeep on its side off the highway. I'm not gonna lie, I pictured myself sleeping in an ice cave a few times and was worried I didn't have a winter car safety kit in the trunk. But then I snapped out of it.

If you haven't seen this video of cars sliding and crashing on just one street in Bountiful, UT, that same day, you should check it out:


So now that the winter weather is finally here (the snow gods have heard your pleadings snowboarders/skiers), it's time to talk about safe driving tips. Because the way you drive not only affects your trip, but the trips of those around you.

On the Esurance Blog, I found some good driving tips that I thought I should share. It addresses the topics of ice/snow/hail, rain, floods, avoiding deer, and safe driving to get you to your destination (hopefully) without any problems.

On the post there is a list of items you should keep in your car in the winter. They call it a winter car kit and it includes:
1. A small bag of sand or cat litter to use under your tires for traction
2. A shovel to clear snow from around your tires
3. Tire chains or cables
4. A large flashlight and batteries
5. A blanket or sleeping bag (several if there are more than one or two people in the car)
6. Waterproof matches and votive candles with stable bases
7. Non-perishable food items (like high-energy protein bars, trail mixes with nuts, and raisins)
8. A coffee can, which can be used to melt snow for water if help is a really long time away


In addition to those items, you should carry the following items in your car year-round:
1. A first aid kit
2. A properly inflated spare tire
3. Jumper cables, signal flares, and other car emergency items


Don't worry, if you don't have those things in your car like me, you can buy pre-packaged roadside emergency kits with most of those items at the store.


Stormy weather happens EVERY year in Utah, so check out the post and let's be ready for it by driving safely.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

SUNDANCE 2012

It's that time of the year again...time for the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT.

Utah's annual little Hollywood event.

 There's plenty of parties to try to get in

cool schwag every where you go

Famous people walking down the street and celebrity gawkers

oh...and films to watch & producers to meet

UGG...THIS FASHION TREND MUST DIE

I've mentioned this before, but why do girls insist on wearing pajamas with slippers or sweat pants with UGGs to the store?! It doesn't matter if the pants cost you $50 and say something pink across the butt, it looks bad. I guess they forgot to tell you in the catalog that those clothes are meant to be worn at home NOT in public.

Seriously, please help stop this tacky trend.

EASY CANVAS PRINTS GIVEAWAY

I'm kinda obsessed with canvas lately. Not shoes or tote bags (although those are cool), but prints. Some of you may know I like to travel a little bit and I like to take photos. So I recently ordered some photos on canvas of my favorite spots (this one is Prague) to decorate my walls. I'm swooning. I have only printed one so far from the company Easy Canvas Prints, but don't worry another is on it's way!  It was easy to create and the canvas was delivered to my house super fast.

The color quality is fantastic

Nice wrapped edges (you can choose from several border and thickness options)

You can choose to have it made with a wall hanger on back or with a stand (depending on whether you want to hang it on the wall or stand it on flat surfaces like desks or shelves)

You can also easily turn your typography, drawings, or digital artwork into canvas prints with step by step instructions and help from the site's design idea gallery.

If you go to the Easy Canvas Prints Facebook page and like them, you can get 50% off and free shipping on your order!

Anyone interested in winning a professional-quality canvas of your  own?! The nice folks at Easy Canvas Prints have offered to give away an 8X10 to one awesome blog reader! 

Just use the rafflecopter form below to enter. (Feel free to do as many entries as you like, but the more you do the more chances you get to win.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RESOLUTIONS

I'm not the best at sending out holiday cards to friends. I either send them too late or too early just to avoid being late. 

Two years ago I sent Valentine's Day cards, last year I sent Thanksgiving notes, and this year I had to adjust the prewritten wording a little and inform the recipients it wasn't a Christmas card but rather a New Year card with the resolution not to procrastinate anymore.

It's the thought that counts, right?!

GET SOME

You can bet if I need some guns or ammo in the near future, I'm for sure going to buy it from this place:

Get some!

WHEN YOU'RE A CELEBRITY

It seems as if celebrities marrying/dating celebrities doesn't really work out. So maybe you hollywood hunks should take me out on a date. Just a suggestion...

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HoHoHo....

The holidays are over and the cheer is pretty much gone. It might be due to the long lines at the retail stores, people cutting you off to steal your parking spot, or places being sold out of the ONLY thing your special someone wants because you waited too long to buy it.

So I thought I'd share a few little treasures to brighten your spirits I noticed this holiday that added a chuckle to my season.

The very Cornhole Christmas at the festival of trees

The all too often seen shopping cart (exposed hairy butt crack) lean

Angry kitty in his santa shirt

And this one I saw on the customer service counter at a bookstore. Really?! This book has been red flagged...hope it doesn't end up in anyone's stocking.

POP FULL OF FUN

What would make a night of babysitting 5 little ones more fun than watching Mr. Popper's Penguins together? 

Watching Mr. Popper's Penguins while making penguin shaped ice cubes and eating popcorn! 

 Best auntie award goes to...ME...tonight.

There's A WHITE ELEPHANT In The Room

One thing I despise about Christmas parties:

white elephant gift exchanges.

Ohmygosh, I have NEVER received a good prize from a white elephant gift exchange. NEVER. Honestly, at the last party I went to some of the prizes up for grabs were a roll of toilet paper, a box of matches, a poster size photo of a person at the party (who was not necessarily the model type), and a bag of cinnamon hard candies (you know the ones that your grandparents have had in their candy dish at their house for like 29 years because nobody wants them). Last year at one I took home an XL jock strap...I'm a girl. Why do people want to get together and trade crap? I don't understand and vow to never participate in another one.

GIFT CARDS

Is there anyone on your list who is super hard to buy for? A person that either has everything or only wants items that are super expensive and there is no way you are buying them for them (even though you love them bunches...your bank account might night not be able to love them that much). For me these people are my dad and my brothers. Why my dad? Because it seems like he already has everything and I'm too old to still give him tacky ties and "World's Greatest Dad" mugs and t-shirts.

Or do you find you get lame presents from others? I mean, any present is nice and Christmas isn't just about giving/getting gifts. But it is part of the tradition and you know if you don't give any gifts you will be in BIG trouble. So instead of getting stuck with chia heads, the clapper, or some framed inspirational quote that gets stuck in your closet until you get invited to a white elephant party, why not give a gift card?!

I love gift cards because it let's me (or the person I give one to) choose what I want. Yes, what I really want. Then you don't have to hear about bad gifts for years to come. It also makes it easier for me because I don't have to try to be sneaky and ask about specific teams, colors, or sizes without giving it away that I'm buying that specific item for the person. Easy peasy. The only thing I have to worry about is selecting the cutest card.

You might be thinking giving a card is boring. But it doesn't have to be. You can put the gift certificate inside a greeting card, special card box, or reusable coin purse. Or you can be creative and hide the gift card inside something cool like a stuffed animal, a jacket pocket, or tie it around your dog and have the pooch run in and deliver it. One time I wrapped up the biggest box I could find (thankfully my parents had just bought a refrigerator) and then wrapped smaller boxes inside it and hid the gift certificate in one of them. It was like a big gift scavenger hunt and my friend LOVED it.

During the holidays, many restaurants offer bonus meals and gift cards for you to keep when you buy a card for your loved one (that's either a score for you to dine on or another pressie to give away for free). Join the Gift Cards Rock community on Facebook to learn more about great gift cards deals, share exciting tips, and enter amazing giveaways! *Gift Cards Rock is an online community for people who love to give and receive gift cards.

So next time you are struggling to find a gift, let your loved one get MY favorite present of a gift card and you're sure to make everyone happy.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Gift Cards Rock blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

I CAUGHT SANTA

Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when a child receives a photo of Santa caught in the act in his or her very own home. iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos. 

In just 3 simple steps anyone can upload a holiday photo, add Santa Claus, and print it as proof… or share it via Facebook and Twitter. Last-minute shoppers can purchase Gift Cards and eGift Certificates for friends with children, making iCaughtSanta.com a great gift idea even if you don't have kids or are a big kid yourself.

Merry Christmas! 

BONUS:  The folks at icaughtsanta.com have offered a 50% off code for you! Just enter: SANTA50 and get your entire order for 1/2 price.

THE JOYS OF HOLIDAY SHOPPING

I don't really like shopping. Add the holidays and I really don't like shopping!

Things I wish I could get rid of:

1. People wearing sweats or pajamas with their slippers to the store. Remember when your parents were young and they dressed up when going out in public. I kinda wish those days were back. There is nothing wrong with wearing sweats, as long as you are at home (even if you spent $50 on them and they say something cute on the butt). I don't care if you are catching a red eye flight or midnight movie...it's time to get dressed.

2. Store employees munching away on food while at work. I know everyone has to eat, but that is why you are given breaks/lunches/dinners. It totally grosses me out to see someone chomping on pizza then try to shake my hand or hold merchandise they want me to buy.

3. Big trucks driving in the fast lane. I am aware we need them to deliver goods for us to purchase (or maybe they are the construction trucks here in Utah), but please don't create road blocks by driving in all 3 lanes.

4. Some people are capable of working retail and some are not. I am not. I've tried, but I cannot stand customers who make messes in the store because they think someone else can clean up after them. Have some respect! In the words of Depeche Mode "People are people," so what makes you better than a store employee?! Nothing...so quit acting like it.

OK that's all. Happy Holidays!

GINGERBREAD BUILDINGS

Nothing says Christmas is coming like an annual gingerbread house design competition at Brother Tim's house.

 Some were serious about building winning houses

Some created junkyards

And some were more interested in eating the candy

But all of us had a good time!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT TEMPLE SQUARE

If you've never been to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, UT, you are missing out.

If you've never been to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights, you are REALLY missing out.

It'll make all of your Christmas light dreams come true.

The light display is usually turned on the Friday after Thanksgiving and off on Jan 1 (the new year).

UM...BRELLA

I hate umbrellas. Why? Because most people don't pay attention to others around them when they use one. Yeah, you, with the umbrella who keeps hitting things when you walk by. And you who tries to share and hits my head and almost pokes my eye out. Please, if you can't use an umbrella responsibly, don't use one at all...maybe just buy a rain coat.

DECORATIVE CEILING TILES

I've been a good friend lately (I'll blame it on the holiday season). A friend asked me to help them move recently. They said they would get ready the night before and then asked if I could come over the next morning to help them load a truck. I was there in the morning and nothing had been packed. So not only did I help box up their stuff, but I also helped load the truck, drive the stuff over, and unload the truck at the new apartment. Ahem.
Anyway, I was then asked to help give decorating ideas on the new place. I helped find a cool clock and then I discovered the coolest thing. DECORATIVE CEILING TILES. These are the coolest things! You can of course use the drop ceiling tiles as tiles for your ceiling, but they also look good by themselves on a wall as decoration.

The faux tin ceiling tiles are easy to install.

For my indoor photography friends, they make super cute backdrops you should check out. 

And I got a foam tile from them that I plan on using my artistic abilities (along with some paint) to make a cool art piece. I'll post an update about that one later.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

CHRISTMAS MOMENTS

Is it just me who automatically replays the talent show scene from the movie Mean Girls with the red fuzzy santa outfits EVERY time you hear the song Jingle Bell Rock?
Or who wants to buy something similar to that lingerie piece in the movie Elf and give it as A Gift for that Special Someone?
It happens every Christmas for me.

Well, I've found the perfect outfits to recreate both scenes from EdenFantasys. Seriously, if you are looking for a cute Santa outfit to wear for a party or just to make your holiday more festive, you should check these out:

The Santas Sweetie dress is perfect as can be 

or

this santa apron can also be worn over your clothes while you prepare your holiday treats to add a festive touch.

There is a search box at the top of the site page where you can enter your keyword (like Santa), hit Go, and then you will be directed to these cute outfits and much more holiday fun. The site is super easy to navigate through (just be careful who is around when you search because other things might pop up that aren't intended for certain eyes). Hurry and order before the season passes you by!

This post brought to you by EdenFantasys, an online sex toys retailer...you've been warned.