New Years!

Well it is New Year's Eve! Or already New Years or not yet yet either! Haha it matters where you live! But either way....I hope you all have an amazing night with friends, family, or just hanging out! I'll see you all in the new year, 2015!

Opsssyyyy!!

Sooo......

      I was absolutely so busy yesterday that I just couldn't post! But I am doing a double post today! 

     I thought I would give some advice today on sticking to goals. 

    When you take the chance to make your self goals such as health or life goals . You want to stick to them. You need to have motivations. Like say you want to loose weight..you can use pictures with the desired weight you want to be or an article of clothing that is the size you want to reach. Another example is say you want to eat healthier, get rid of all the junk food in your home...no temptations, no cheating. 

      Keep your motivations and goals in line. If you do that, then you can easily keep your goals in track. 

  Xo Jackie

Hi Guys!!!

Hey Everyone!!

      I hope you all had an amazing Holiday and had a good time with your family! I know I had a good time with my family and I am beyond thankful for everything I received .  I have decided that I am going to be posting 5 times a week. Monday through Friday. Weekends are always hard to post because I'm always with my family during that time and/or finishing homework. I hope everyone still comes along and reads my blog because it means so much to know people are reading it!:) Thanks guys!! 

   Xo Jackie

Christmas Eve!

Blogmas Day 24!!!!!

      Merry Christmas Eve everyone!!! I hope you all had or are having a great day with your families! I had a great time with Mine! Continuing our traditions! I'd love to hear about everyone's day! But otherwise I hope everyone has a great Christmas! And I'll post tomorrow about everything I get! Little Christmas update! 

      Sadly we are at the end of Blogmas! but I'll keep posting! 

                  1 Day till Christmas!!!!!

The big Christmas Tree!!

Blogmas Day 23!!!!

This is the tree that me and my family put up together and decorate as a family. It has more ornaments then you could count and the collection just keeps growing every year.  Some of the ornaments on there me and my brother made in school when we were younger. We have special family ornaments that we get each year that we put our name and the year on. I love having the trees up and it's sad when it is time for them to all come down! And speaking of that....Christmas is literally right around the corner! I would love to hear about your favorite part of Christmas! 

  

               2 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!

My personal Christmas tree!

Blogmas Day22!!!!!!

       

      this is my personal tree that I get to put up in my room every year! I have collected the ornaments over the years and it is forming into a nice big collection! 

          

               3 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!

Holiday scents!

Blogmas Day 21!!!

     During the different seasons and holidays, they each have there own signature scents. In the winter you want to light some nice smelling candles and have nice smelling lotions and body sprays. The scents you want to look for are warm and festive. You want cranberries and warm vanilla sugar, and the smell of fresh wood. You want to smell pine needles and the fresh smell of pine cones. and you can do an easy thing by just buying some pine cones and putting them in a festive looking basket to make your home smell good. You want to be able to bring all the fresh and warm smells inside your home. 

 

4 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

Cooking time!

Blogmas Day 20!!!

     This is when it is time to start cooking all your food and cookies for the holiday! As everything is coming to the big holiday you start wrapping up your shopping and wrapping. And you start your cooking. Making many cookie ahead of time and then starting to make the food. Some families don't make that much of a deal for the holiday and others do. My family makes homemade polish food for Christmas Eve dinner. And we make a lot of it a few days ahead. Make time for your family and help them! it could be a lot of fun.

                   

                  5 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

Make it look pretty!!

Blogmas Day 19!!
   As we get closer and closer to Christmas, I am getting more and more excited! I personally just love this holiday and it just gets better year after year. One of my favorite things to do for the Holidays is decorating. Decorating my own personal tree makes me soooo happy! and ill be posting pictures of it on Christmas eve! In my home, me and my brother have our own 6 ft artificial trees in our rooms and then we have more like an 8 foot tree in out living room. I love decorating the trees and I love decorating the house and outside! We have many of lights and blow ups that we use outside. Inside we have a little manger set that i set up with all the little figures. We have many little Christmas figurines around the house, personalized stockings, and stocking holders. I would love to here what you all do to decorate your homes!

 6 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Christmas Treats!

Blogmas Day 18!!!
      There are may types of treats you can have at Christmas. Other than the average types of candy and chocolate you can have, there are some good treats. At this time you can have the many types of candy canes that are now being sold from many stores. Cookies is the best treat I think for Christmas time. I love making cookies with my mom for us and our family! We make a whole bunch of cookie including polish type cookies. Me and my mom usually make raspberry and lemon bars, chocolate fudge, peanut butter with Hershey kisses in the middle, snowballs, kolakis (a polish cream cheese cookie filled with raspberry or apricot jam), and krischekis (a polish cookie that is in the shape of a bow tie)'. There are so may different types of cookie and these are just some of them.

7 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

It is the thought that counts!

Blogmas Day 17!!!
      We all know that a big part of Christmas is giving to others. You automatically think what you could buy them. But what about making something? Sometimes the best gifts are from the heart. Buy things or use a talent to make something for another. Make it from the heart and extremely special for the other person. I know what ever you make or do will put a smile on someones face. It will mean a lot to them,  probably more than you would think. It isnt hard to make things or create them. So take a shot at it and be the reason for someones smile this season

8 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

Christmas and winter drinks!!

Blogmas Day 16!!!
    During this time we always have some festive drinks that don't only taste good but some can even help keep you warm. There are so many flavors to them now so i will be talking about some of the drinks and there flavors. And after reading this you might want to try them out for yourself!

Hot Drinks:

1. Coffee or latte:

They are in all different flavors. A big one though is candy cane flavored

2. Hot Coco:

There are countless different flavors from white and normal hot coco to peppermint and mint flavored hot coco

Cold drink:

 1. Eggnog:

Eggnog is a classic drink for Christmas. Classic is one of the bests but they have now come out with sugar cookie, vanilla, pumpkin spice, and so many more. 

They all taste so amazing and I hope you will go out and try them yourselves.

9 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

Nail ideas/colors for Christmas

Blogmas Day 15!!!!
    For the holidays, you always try and be as festive as you can. Especially girls with their outfits and jewelry and nails! So I wanted to share some of my ideas to do with your nails for this holiday!

Color:

1.Deep and bright reds

2. Solid or sparkly white

3. Deep or bright green

4. Deep purple

4. Any deep or dark color 

Designs:

1. Christmas tree

2. Santa

3. Mistletoe

4. Snowman

5. Santa hat

6. Snowflake

7. Any of your favorite cartoon characters like.... minions!!!

10 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!

  

Christmas/Winter cloths!

Blogmas Day 14!!
    In the winter it is much colder! You want to be able to bundle up and stay cozy at all times! A few things you should always have for around the winter/ Christmas time is:

1. (for girls) Leggings! they are cozy and easy to wear with almost anything. 

2. sweaters and over sized sweaters for girls! the are cozy and they can be worn with anything. 

3. Sweatpants! This will help you stay warm and you can be comfy

4. (for girls) cozy boots or uggs! they are comfy and match them with cute things and your good to go

5. Sweatshirts. If your not a big coat or sweater person then you can get a thick sweatshirt and be quite warm and comfy

11 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!

Winter colors!

BLOGMAS Day 13!!

      Each season has there own colors. You gotta know how to mix and match things to make them work with the holiday or season. Winter colors tho can be hard to work with.

      For the winter you always want to stick with dark colors. Especially deep reds because they look the best at this times. Any dark or deep purples too. All dark colors pretty much work in this season and look great. You don't want light colors but it looks wishy washy. 

                  12 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

Winter essentials!

Blogmas Day 12!!
        During these extremely cold times, you must be prepared! Be all bundled up whether you are inside or outside! Today I am just going to list some winter essential and also some of them are favorites of mine!

Outside winter essential!

1. When you are getting ready to go outside, for most people the first thing they will put on is a big comfy and fluffy scarf! This will help keep wind or the cold from reaching your neck or going into your jacket.

2. The next thing you might put on is a pair of gloves. There are so many different types of gloves you can have and people sometimes even get them so they match everything.

3.I think this is the most important thing, which is your coat! Everyone has there own style of coat they wear and in there own ways can keep you warm and stylish.

4. The last outside winter essential is a cute hat or some cute ear muffs! I have both but i really love hats for the winter because they are so cute and you can even get away with wearing most them all year round as a cute accessory. 

Inside winter essentials

1. Fuzzy and big blankets are a must! They not only can be cute but they are so warm! They can just help you get that last bid of cold out of you!

2. HEAT! you need some type of heating system! without it...you will freeze. 

3. Hot coco is just a must. Its sweet and chocolaty and yummy and warm!. It is hoestly something that can just help you warm up in seconds. Ans if you are not a fan of normal hot Coco, there are soooo many more flavors you can get

4. Lastly, you need to have cute Christmas pants or nice sweatpants or even a onsie that you can wear. They are all comfy and will definitely help you keep you toasty warm . 

13 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

Tips on Christmas Shopping!

Blogmas Day 11!!
     The biggest time for shopping is around Christmas! You have Black Friday, Cyber Monday and countless sales going on all the time. The biggest problem is that people don't know all the tips to shopping. I wanna share my tips I have for shopping, especially during the holidays.

Tip #1: Know what you are going to buy ahead of tome

Make yourself a list of all the items and people you want to shop for before you get to the store. It will help you not over buy things or spend too much money. It will also cut down shopping time for you. 

Tip #2: Try to stick to items on sale

Some stores have major sales all the way to Christmas. Try to stick with items that are on sale because you will fine that you will be getting good stuff for way cheaper prices and in the end saving yourself money. 

Tip #3: Don't over buy or over spend

Just because they are some one you love or a very close friend does not mean you have to buy them ten things. try getting something that is meaningful and that will be all you need. Also just becaude you find cute things but are very expensive does not mean you should buy it. There are always cheaper alternatives everywhere. You just have to find them 

14 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

Christmas Movies!

Blogmas Day 10!!
          I absolutely love Christmas movies! From Rudolph to Elf to all the new ones now on Hallmark and ABC Family. I could go on and on forever talking about all the different movies I love,  I want to share some of my favorite movies with you!

#1. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

#2. ELF

#3. FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

#4. THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

#5. RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER

#6. THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS

      Would love to hear what your favorite movie or movies at Christmas tome are!

 15 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Some History of the Candy Cane!

Blogmas Day 9!
     I am sure that we have all heard different story's or backgrounds to the Candy Cane. They might be true or they might not be. There is one History I have always been told and part of it was from some site I read. This might just be because I am Roman Catholic and I have been in Catholic schools my whole life. But today I wanted to share this with you in case you have always wonder what the possible history of the Candy Cane is.
     The History I was always told had a religious background. The shape of the candy cane was said to be shaped like a Shepard's cane. But it is also said that it is shaped like a "J" to represent the J in Jesus. Also known as "good Shepard" that watches over everyone and his sheep. The candy cane is also hard like a rock that represents the foundation of the Church.   The colors of the candy cane all have different meanings too. Some say that the white parts of the Candy Cane represents Jesus's purity and virgin birth. The bigger and bolder red stripes are say to represent God's love. While the three thin red strippes say to represent the Holy Trinity. But others say that it represents the blood that was spilled during the beating upon Jesus. Now we all know this meaning, that the Candy Cane represents Christmas and the Holiday!
      I hope no one thinks that i am telling them to believe this. This is what I was always told and read about. I am sure others might believe different or there could be other history;s and I would love to hear about them. So, feel free to share them with me down in the comments!

16 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!

Traditions!

Blogmas Day 8!

     We all have our own traditions. They go from ones that are in the family for years and years and ones that are brand new! But we all have some type of tradition!

    My family has a special tradition we do every Christmas Eve. Before we eat our homemade polish dinner, we do wishes with holy bread. We go from oldest to youngest, wishing everyone something or something's in the new year. I love the tradition even though I always get nervous when I have to go! I just never know what to say! And then we sit down to eat a completely home made polish dinner made by my poppy and nanny (my grandparents). It is so yummy and I just love it!

     I would love to here what your traditions are! Feel free to comment!

             17 DAYS TIL CHRISMAS!!!

Wrapping!

Blogmas Day 7!!
       A big part of Christmas is the presents! And presents means wrapping them and putting tags and pretty bows and ribbons on them. But you also don't have to be that crafty with your wrapping. There are a few ways you can wrap a present and some of these will help anyone that can't wrapor feel they can't.
          1. Normal wrapping!: Normal wrapping is just using wrapping paper and tape to wrap the desired item. Then it is your choice to get bows and ribbons and even some festive tags. 

          2. Bag!: Getting some festive Christmas gift bags is another way to go! They come in absolutely all different sizes. All you need is some tissues paper of your choice and you can stick everything right in the bag. Don;t forget to sign it tho!

          3. Festive Box!:  If you really don;t want to spend extra money on wrapping paper or bags, there is a cheaper way to wrap your gifts. You can get a festive box to put your gift in. and just write what you want to say on the box or a cute tag

18 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

             

The meaning of Christmas!

BLOGMAS Day 6!

       We all can't help but love the holidays! Especially, Christmas! We all love receiving gifts and I'm sure giving them too! And that's what Christmas is about, giving and spending time with family! Giving people gifts or something special can give you such a sense of joy! It is even better when you make the gift or it has a special meaning between the two of you! No one can forget that it's a time to be with family! Spending time with family can be so rewarding. You get to catch up on everything and see people you have not seen in awhile! Make sure you enjoy the time you have with them and don't waste it!

              19 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

How To: Make your own Christmas Ornaments!

Blogmas Day 5!
      Throughout many years I have had the chance to make my own ornaments for the family Christmas tree! Today, I thought that I would share some of the ornaments that I have made over the years and tell you how you could make them! They are also great ideas to do with your children or yourself! I am also making up names for them all because I am not sure what they are called!
                 1. Ribbon Strip!

For this one you need a ribbon about an inch in width, some beads of your choice, some string and a needle. You need to put the string through the needle and then make a knot at the end of the string. You are going to stick the needle through the middle of the bottom of the ribbon and then add a bead. you then fold over the ribbon and repeat the process. you can make them as long as you want or as short as you want. then when you get the end you loop the string and tie it in a knot and then you can hang it up ob your tree!

                  2. Foam Stockings and wreaths!

For these all you need to do is buy a whole bunch of different color foam fabrics and cut them out into the shapes you want and glue them all together. then you need to punch a hole at the top. You then  use any ribbon of your choice and loop it through, tie a knot at the end. You can add a picture of yourself and the year you made it to add a personal touch. Now it is all ready to be hung up on your tree!

                3. Macaroni Snowflake!

This use to look a lot better but it like 7 years old!

All you need for this one is some macaroni in any shape and form and some sticky glue. You put all the pieces together in a snowflake shape and form and you add string or ribbon to it so you can hang it up on your tree!. 

                 4. Popsicle snowflake!

This one is quite easy! Glue colored Popsicle sticks in the shape of a snowflake. Get white pipe cleaners and you are going to wrap around the stick and continue in a circular form till you start seeing the shape of the snowflake. Remember: you want the Popsicle sticks to show at the end. And don't' form get the string or ribbon so you can hang it on your tree!

                 5. Fabric Pillow! 

This one will definitely need help from an adult if a child is making this. you need two different color felt fabric colors as your base for the pillow. The adult must then sew three sides od the pillow together. Fill it with some stuffing then sew the last side up. You then sew the ribbion the the middle of the top in the back half of the pillow so you can hang it on your tree when you are done. Lastly you need to cut out some shapes in figures from your felt fabric to glue a design onto the pillow and there you go!

20 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

Stocking Stuffers!

Blogmas Day 4!!!
        I can't believe that it is getting closer and closer to Christmas! I bet you are all thinking about the gifts you will buy your friends and family. You are thinking of all the things you could buy or want to buy. You can make gifts or buy the small things and fill a mini stocking for them! Some cute stocking stuffer ideas for boys and girls!
         Girls:
               1. You can buy them cute hair ties, or a cute bandanna set!
               2. You can buy some lip glosses or some nail polishes
               3. Get them some different types of candy and some candy canes
               4. Think...JEWELRY! anything cute as in like rings, or bracelets
          Guys:
               1. For young boys you can get small cars or little action figures
               2. Older boys, you can get smaller cologne bottle or something sports related
               3. Buy them some candy, or candy canes to help fill up the stocking
               4. Try buying them some gift cards to just buy video games.
          For Both girls and guys you could invest in a some hot chocolate to help fill up the stocking and I know there are many other things you can thing of but I just wanted to share a few that you could use or get an idea from.

 21 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!! 

Advent Calendar, Chololates and Candy Canes!

Blogmas Day 3!

       A nice treat for the Christmas season is an advent calendar! You can get all different types. Ones with yummy chocolate in them, ones with make up samples, other kinds of candy and many more things. It is a nice treat you can have for the holiday, or more so the days leading up to the holiday. YOu also can get ones that you can put your own things in them or someone else. Some people use them, and others don't and that is completely okay!. Chocolate coins are sooo yummy too! You can have those when you play the dradle game! Which I have played and think is really quite fun! 

     Other than advent calendars, you also have the old traditional candy canes! You van get so many different flavors and sizes! Now a days you can get candy canes that are huge to put in stockings or small ones that pinkie sized! They taste so yummy and they have so many flavors to fit everyone's taste in a candy.  There are the traditional peppermint ones of course to strawberry and blur raspberry and orange and so much more. I hope during these holidays you enjoy these little treats! I know me and my family do!. 

22 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!

Tips to decorating for Christmas!

BLOGMAS DAY #2!!! 

      As we are getting closer and closer to Christmas it is time to start making your home look the part! It's time to decorate! I am going to share with you some nice tips on decorations to decorate your home with!

    1. A tree! How can you celebrate Christmas without one! It doesn't matter whether it is big, small, fake or real! A tree is a tree and adding some lights and ornaments makes it look pretty and festive! I personally have sometimes four trees in my house. A fake and real tree and a tree in mine and my brothers room with our own ornaments!

      2. Stocking and knickknacks! You can get any type of stockings! My family have ones that have are names on them and are fancy. You can get ones like that or just red ones or make your own! With knickknacks you can get like snow globes, or anything Christmas like. Any kind of figurine or poinsettias!

       3. Wreath! You can buy or make these for your doors. We buy ones and then decorate them ourselves. You can do the same or buy the ones pre-decorated!

       4. Mistletoe! You can't forget mistletoe! How else will you have a silly excuse to kiss someone! It also just makes as a cute decoration!

                I'd love to here what you guys do for decorations! Feel free to leave comments! 

                23 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!

What is Christmas without SNOW!

It is officially the beginning of BLOGMAS!!!!

             I think I am a little too excited for this. I am just thankful for everyone that has been reading my blog and is following me along this journey! 

             To start off Blogmas I thought I would talk about one very important part of Christmas...SNOW! Everyone has to want a white Christmas. How pretty the snow looks on Christmas morning! Since snow is a big part of winter and Christmas, I thought I would talk of the fun activities you can do in the snow.

       1. Snow Angels! Wanna do something cute? Lay down in the snow, while moving your arms and legs. You have to get up smoothly and gently so you don't mess up the angel, and there you go! 

       2. Snow Ball Fights! How can you now love a good snowball fight? I love going outside with my brother and just going in full war mode and having a big snowball fight! It is sooo much fun especially when you have things to hide behind.

       3. Sledding! If you have a steep hill of snow, take advantage of it! My dad would pull me and my brother down out street since its a steep hill! If we do it before they plow it is so much fun!

       4, Skiing/Snowboarding! I have never personally done either but many people say it is a lot of fun! I say if you want to do something fun and try something new, go ahead and try this!

      5. SNOWMAN! Build a snowman! they are easy and fun to do!

My Brother had a lot of fun making one himself! 

                                                                 24 MORE DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!