Holiday Tunes are a MUST!!

I'm not sure how the rest of you are feeling, but I'm feeling a loss of excitement for Christmas with all of this nasty rain and no snow around!  How do I accomodate for this feeling of loss?  Surround myself with all things "holiday-ish" (aside from snow) to remind me that Christmas is just over a week away!!

One of my favorite, free ways to surround myself with the holidays are holiday tunes by my favorite musicians.  Check out this video of one of my favorite duos, She & Him singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".

Let the Holi"daze" Begin!!

With Halloween almost 24 hours over, it's that time of year when everyone begins packing away their summer/fall gear and getting their holiday gear ready.  If you're being a Grinch right now, take a moment to reflect on 10 simple things that make the next couple of months so great and I'm sure your mood will change!

1. Shopping, shopping, shopping

2. Eating comfort foods and even trying a few new warm and yummy recipes

3. Fresh blanket(s) of snow that glisten in the moonlight

4. Holiday parties

5. Spending time with family and friends

6. Christmas trees and sparkly decorations

7.  Hot chocolate

8. Holiday movies, old and new

9. Sweaters and Boots

10. Playing in the snow

Fall Engagement Session

Dan and I decided to do an engagement session as it was a part of the pacakge with the photographer.  We went to Saint Anthony Main on a lovely Sunday afternoon in September with the lovely JDG Photography and had a blast taking photos.  Below is a sneak peek for your enjoyment!

 

 
 

O's Love Culture: Fall Provisions

O's Love Culture: Fall Provisions: I have to admit, nothing excites me more than jumping into a new season as it comes with new food, clothing and activities! Today I’m on a...

Fall Provisions

I have to admit, nothing excites me more than jumping into a new season as it comes with new food, clothing and activities!  Today I’m on a food kick.  As we've so quickly taken the plunge into fall and football, it's time yet again for yummy warm drinks, dips and bite size foods.  Just as the bright and citrusy salads and summer foods reflect that of the sun, most fall foods follow the warm tones of a leaf one step prior to dormancy. 

In my search for great fall recipes, I found two that I’m excited to try out in the next couple of weeks.  The first simple fall recipe is homemade baked jalapeño poppers.  I found this recipe on a blog I recently started following (From the Aisle to Aloha).  Check out the post and her blog at http://aisletoaloha.blogspot.com/2011/01/pop-em-like-theyre-hot.html.

If the first recipe doesn’t sound good or you’re ready for more, you’ll probably want to try out the Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Truffles!  I found this simple, yet (hopefully) delicious recipe at http://www.laurenslatest.com/caramelized-onion-goat-cheese-truffles/.

Until next time…

Bad Job vs Bad Relationship

          SV





*When I first thought of posting this, I knew some people would automatically think, "hmm... poor girl has a bad job and bad relationship".  For the record, my fiance is amazing and I couldn't ask for anyone better!  As for the job, I stand neutral for the time being...

The other day I started thinking about all of the things that make a bad job bad and why it isn't always easy to jump to a new job.  There were odd similarities that stood out to me when also thinking about bad relationships.  In turn, I started thinking, could personality be an overlying factor in those who do or do not get out of a bad job or relationship right away? Could this be the main factor in why people jump from job to job or relationship to relationship?

There are two types of people; those who will hold on, even if it's "just ok" and those who will take a chance and jump ship because they aren't afraid to face what's in front of them. Not everyone is wholly one type or the other, but each and every individual exudes one type or both of these and no other.  This ultimately affects our decision making, which is why the Bad Job vs Bad Relationship model works.  Someone who can easily jump ship on one may be more likely to do it with the other if the wrong button is pressed.  Someone who likes the comfort of where they're at (even if they think it's bad) will work with what they have until they find something better. 

We only live life once (that we know of), so why wouldn't you do what is best for you and live life to the fullest?   Why stick to a personality type, questioning the what if's?  Take chances and absorb what life has to offer!!  

Wedding Shoes

One of the many important details on a girls wedding day is her shoes.  The shoes have to make a statement, but not a statement larger than the dress.  The shoes have to be a compliment to everything else going on that day.  I've decided that Royal Blue is the way to go for me on the BIG day.  Ultimately, I would love to wear the blue Manolo Blahnik's with the crystal buckle that Carrie Bradshaw made so famous on the Sex and the City movie, however I can't talk myself into spending that much.  Because of the wedding budget, my mission has been to find a wintery pair of Royal Blue shoes.  Although I'm not in love with the platform style of the ones pictured here, I think they just might be "the ones"!  There is still time to look, so no purchases yet, I feel as if I'll fall in love when I see them, just as I did with my dress!

Posting Mishap :/

With summer so crazy and exciting, it's been so long since I've posted.  I promised myself, and those who may like to follow, that moving forward I am going to do my best to post at least once a week! More to come very soon...

Eye on the Prize

We often have several different wants and can lose traction on obtaining them if we don't see immediate results.  In my experience, it is best to monitor and evaluate the steps in motion; doing so will help to ensure you are on the correct path and also help you to determine if there are any adjustments in your plan that need to be made. 

Talking about wants won't help you to obtain them.  Determining exactly what your wants are, building a plan and putting the plan into action will get you what you want.  If you want something, don't think about how nice it would be to have, think about how you're going to get it!

Food for Thought: Pointing a Finger

Why is it that whenever something doesn't go our way, our immediate response is to find someone or something to blame.  It is such a common human response it disgusts me!  When something doesn't go the way we planned, we shouldn't be looking for something or someone to blame, we should turn the finger around and point it at ourselves.  How can we better ourselves in life if we are constantly relying on another source to place blame.  If we can point the finger in the right direction (towards ourselves) we can then evaluate why we're in the predicament we're in and live and learn from that.  Why not take the time to evaluate yourself and better yourself from this? 

If we take the time to evaluate ourselves and use those experiences to learn and become a better person, it can make any accomplishments that much more rewarding.  In fact, it may even be the cause of more positive occurrences in life!

LA Sunshine & Style

After years of observing the Hollywood stars in their over sized sunglasses, I decided it was time to try a pair of my own.  I always thought the shape and size of the accessory was a bold fashion statement; after purchasing and sporting my own pair of trendy, over sized glasses, I came to the conclusion that it isn't a fashion statement, it pure genius!  The glasses make your face look slimmer!  With a round face like mine, I can't believe I didn't think of this before they did!

Spring has Sprung

As it is a gorgeous Minnesota day, I thought it most appropriate to share this delicious cocktail! 
This Fizzy Lizzy can be found on hgtv.com along with several other delicious spring/summer time cocktails.  I think everyone needs to take the time each week to reflect over the week's events and take time to plan for the days ahead.  Why not do so over a delicious cocktail?  Cocktails can be a way to relax from a hectic week or celebrate past accomplishments and those to come.  Treat yourself today and indulge in a delicious cocktail.  Cheers!

The Beginning

After months of knowing I'd like to have a blog and pondering what to post on a blog and when to start it, I've finally done it!  My first official post.  I've always thought that a blog should have one carrying theme.  The longer I thought about that, I decided it was just a random opinion floating in my head.  Some may think a blog deserves a carrying theme, but others may think it more fun to show your eclectic style.  In this instance, I must categorize myself as an "other". 

Ultimately this blog will be food for thought.  I named it O's Love Culture because it will be all things I love and define my own personal culture.  The things that make me who I am.  That's about it for today, but I promise there will be more to come...