What Did Santa Bring?

Doesn’t everyone love presents? This year, Santa was, once again, very generous, although my dad did tell me that the jolly man was having a hard time coming up with gifts for me so… to compensate for the fact that my sister got an iPhone (now we're a complete iPhone family), iPad, guitar, and $300 Coach purse, among the usual lot of dvds, video games, etc, I get to do some sweet after-Christmas shopping. Sounds good to me.

Despite what my dad said, I still think I made out pretty nicely. Here’s a quick rundown of what I got from not just Santa, but the rest of my family, as well. 

DVD/Blu-rays
- Avatar: The Last Airbender Seasons 1-3
- Community Season 1
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Vol. 1-3
- Supernatural Season 5 **wishlist item!
- The Vampire Diaries Season 1
- The Venture Brothers Season 3

Video Games for PS3
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions
- Spiderman: Web of Shadows

Fragrances/Body
- Bebe Eau de Parfum
- Chanel Chance Eau de Toilette
- Michael Kors Island Bermuda Giftset
- Victoria’s Secret Noir Giftset 

Other
- Barbie Basics doll
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s coasters
- Death Note manga box set
- Express skirt
- Garmin GPS
- Roy Mustang plush and keychain
- Spike Speigel figure
- Taylor Swift’s Speak Now CD **wishlist item!
- Vera Bradley “Imperial Noille” note cards & mailbox

How blessed/spoiled am I, right? Don't worry, I know this is a season of giving not getting. And as much, as I love receiving gifts, I love giving them even more!

What did you all get for Christmas?

Christmas Eve Traditions & Hot Cocoa

I hope everyone has been having a wonderful Christmas Eve! I know I have! My family is very laid back (I wouldn’t have it any other way) and our evening together consisted of a dinner of grilled hotdogs (done from the balcony of our apartment) and curly fries, while watching the Nicktoons marathon of Avatar: The Last Airbender (FTW!).

My family has several Christmas traditions and one of them is to open one gift from my dad on Christmas Eve. This year I got a “Justin Case” Roadside Assistance kit. I guess my dad heard about my 2 consecutive “Worst Driver” awards. It even comes with an "SOS banner."

Another tradition is for my dad to make his special hot cocoa for my sister and I in our cute Santa mugs. I asked him how he makes this seriously delicious concoction. Here, my friends, is how (you’re welcome):

For one cup of hot cocoa:

You’ll need:
1 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of cocoa powder
3 teaspoons of sugar
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
A drop of cinnamon extract

(All measurements are approximations. You can add more or less milk to taste.)

Steps:
1. Heat up ½ cup of milk for 1 minute a in microwave oven.
2. Mix in cocoa and sugar. If desired, strain into another cup to get rid of cocoa clumps.
3. Add rest of milk and marshmallows.
4. Heat up for another minute.
5. Stir in vanilla and cinnamon extract.
6. Add more marshmallows, if desired.
7. ENJOY!!!

What are some of your Christmas traditions?

My Christmas Wishlist

My Christmas Wishlist by ambitiousdreams featuring coach shoulder bags

It’s that time of year again when people start asking you what you want for Christmas. Of course, we’d all love it if our loved ones could read our minds and surprise us with exactly what we wanted, but since they’re not Sookie Stackhouse, that is not the case.

When my friends ask me what I want for Christmas, I usually tell them that I’m pretty easy to shop and buy gifts for because I have so many interests. You can either go the fashion and girly route or the geeky and fangirl route. For my dad, on the other hand, I have to give him a detailed list that includes all the links for where he can purchase the items – or else, no presents. Now just for funzies, I put together my own little Wishlist of must-have items.

 

1)    All-Over Lace Strapless Dress (Express, $98) – Count on Express to have the perfect winter party dress! So cute and SO on trend! I also love the Sequin and Chiffon dress.

2)    Fullmetal Alchemist Manga Series (amazon, $10 a book) – FMA: Brotherhood is my current anime obsession! What an engaging, complex story with such interesting and strong characters (Roy Mustang is such a BA)! I’m ready to relive all that awesomeness from the original source, the manga.

3)    Chanel Quilted Union Jack Purse (Chanel, $1295) – I remember when I held this purse at the Chanel store on Rodeo Drive. I was in love and didn’t want to give it back to the salesman. I’m obsessed with union jacks and if I were to ever splurge on a purse, this would be it. Of couse, unless there’s a fashion genie who’ll grant me three wishes, there’s no possible way I’m ever going to get this, but, hey, this *is* a WISHlist. And while I’m at, why don’t I just add Rachel Bilson’s wardrobe and Ian Somerhalder to the list?

4)    The Sims 3 Late Night Expansion Pack (amazon, $30) – Who doesn’t love the Sims? I’ve played this game for DAYS without ever leaving my house. True story. Sure, it’s a little obsessive, but you definitely get your money’s worth. I have every single one of the expansion packs for both 1 and 2, but have fallen behind on 3. I’m sure that will change though.

5)    Supernatural Season 5 on Blu-Ray (amazon, $54) – One of my all-time favorite shows! Excellent writing, interesting mythology, killer soundtrack, two hot guys – what more could you ask for? And, even with all the eye candy, it really is a show guys love too. My boyfriend loved the series so much, he blew right past the first four seasons within a week.

6)    Coach Poppy Disco Bag in gold (Coach, $148) – If you’ve read my previous blog post, you’ll know that I’m currently obsessing over sequins. Hence, when I saw this bag, I instantly fell in love it. When I saw that Rachel Bilson had previously picked it as one of three Coach bags to whose profits would help benefit a children’s charity, it became a must-have.

7)    Holly GoNightly Sleeping Mask (fredflare, $14) – Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my favorite movies and this sleep mask is just too cute!

8)    Candie’s Zebra-print Call Me Peep-Toe Heels (Kohl’s, $60) – I’m obsessed with Candie’s shoes, zebra stripes, and bows, and this shoe combines all three! So cute, and I can totally see myself adding these to a wide array of outfits. Definite must-have.

9)    Taylor Swift’s Speak Now CD (Amazon, $13) - I know every word of every song to Taylor’s last two cds. There’s not many artists I can say that about. Despite being one of the most famous celebrities on the planet, Taylor somehow manages to write some of the most relatable and personal songs for girls. I feel like I smile, cry, laugh, and regret with her on every cd. So how is it I’ve yet to pick up her latest cd??! I blame school and my crazy life, but this is something that needs to be remedied by Christmas.

10) Victoria’s Secret Pink Reversible Comforter (Victoria’s Secret, $99)– My current comforter is from the last VSPink bed set and I love it, I really do, but it’s time for something new. Fortunately, the new comforter from Pink is super cute and would look amazing in my room!

Now it's your turn! Comment and let me know what's on your list this Christmas! :)