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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

What I Wore. New Boots.

Christmas brought me new boots and a little bit of cash to shop with. 
I bought what I always buy...
SWEATERS.

Here is what I wore today...
(I still have yet to figure out how to take nice full body photos, so this is the best I can do)









Sweater (thin, mossy/teal) - Forever 21 ($15)
White Button Up Shirt (thin, short sleeve) - Urban Outfitters ($15)
Pins - Thrifted, made from old jewelry
Boots (black, Nine West) - Macy's (Clearance $49)
Jeans - American Eagle (Dark Denim Jeggings) - AE ($35)

*I have a really hard time finding jeans that fit. I like "skinny" jeans or "stretch" jeans,
but usually whatever size fits my waist/hips is then too baggy in the legs.
(I have wider hips (and I admit, a little muffin top) but my legs are thinner)
American Eagle's "jeggings" are awesome!
They are actual jeans (not stretch pants). They have stretch to them so
they fit over my hips and stay tight on my legs down to the ankles.
Check them out if you have similar jean fitting problems, or just like tight jeans.
Andrea and I were just discussing jeans so I thought i'd share my favorites.

-melisa

Melisa and Danielle's Christmas.

Our Christmas was simple.
We have a small family.
Christmas Eve we got together to eat and exchange gifts.
This year was especially fun because my niece, Sadie Fay (Danielle's Daughter)
is a little over 2 years old and is starting to grasp the concept of 
Christmas and opening presents!
Christmas day we had breakfast and watched Sadie open her gifts from "Santa".

So we really just sat back and let her entertain us.
We were all very excited to spoil her (being the first grandbaby/niece in the family).



Sadie didn't just accept gifts, she worked hard making us all handmade gifts too...


She made paintings for everyone!
She even chose who got which painting.


I can't wait to hang mine up (I got the middle one).

Everyone should bug Danielle and tell her to do a "Meet Sadie Fay" blog!
She is so adorable, stylish, and just plain weird.

We hope you all enjoyed your holiday!
Have a great New Year!

-Melisa

Monday, December 26, 2011

'Tis The Season

Christmas is the time of year to get together with family, exchange gifts, eat yummy food, and watch A Christmas Story all.day.long. Drinking, exasperation, raised voices, and more drinking also accompany the holiday's and that is a-okay. MERRY CHRIMBO!

On Christmas Eve we go to a close family friend's place for dinner, laughs, fun, and this year it was basically about my niece opening the gifts everyone got her. She made out like a bandit.

Pop and Gram bring homemade jelly for gifts!
"I'm not German, I'm Danish". Well, I think it was funny.
Christmas morning is spent at my sister's house for the little gal's gifts from Santa and brunch. My dad, brother in law Adam, Miss Ads, and I sat in the family room and the rest of the gang sat in the dining room. Why cram everyone into one tiny table when you can sit and watch A Christmas Story while you eat danish and "green eggs and ham" casserole?? I know how it sounds, but it is the best breakfast casserole to ever touch these rosebud lips. I might put the recipe up here, but then again I might want to keep it a secret :).

My sister's cute mantel.
Mom, Kelly, Pop Pop, Grandma
She loves her GREAT Pop Pop
Special Wizard of Oz tree


Later, at my parent's house, we had dinner and opened our presents. I got a super cool curling wand I can't wait to use! By the end of the meal I am so full that I just want to lay down and take a nap until next year (so technically a week *wink*), but when my mom and grandma make a pie you ALWAYS have room to eat at least a little piece.

1950's Angel
My brother spends Christmas with us too <3
Ads and her great grandma who she calls "Dutch"
It's Uncle Patrick!
She loves the gifts from her favorite sister ;)

Even though I have been sick for the entire holiday weekend, I still managed to be pleasant and spread that Christmas cheer like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter on a biscuit. The word we are looking for is "smoothly" after that sad attempt at an analogy. I hope you all had a pleasant holiday! What was your favorite gift from Santa this year?

-andrea

Saturday, December 17, 2011

A Day In The Life Of A Dog Groomer.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit my mom (and nana).
My mom has her own little dog grooming business a couple hours north of Pittsburgh.
A few years ago she decided to switch careers and went to school for pet grooming.
Shortly after she started her own business with a friend.
Her business quickly took off and it's easy to see why.
My mom LOVES her clients.
Our love of dogs (and animals in general) runs in the family (with the exception of Danielle haha).
Mom truly treats every dog like they are her own.
She babies them, calms them down, spoils them, and has lots and lots of patience!
Her assistant, Jamie, is learning to groom and is also so great with every dog.

This is front of the shop. The dogs get groomed on another side.
She has it all decorated for Christmas!


More photos of the cute vintage inspired decor.
She has photos of all of our family and friends dogs everywhere.

Meet some of the clients...

This is "Pepper". Pepper does not like to be groomed. 
He was a little biter. It's all part of the job.
How can you be mad at that cute face?

This little guy is "Einstein". He has a lot of personality.
He enjoys lifting his leg on anything that he can.
I suppose he had a lot to say because he barked the whole time he was there.
He was really funny and looked so handsome after his groom.

"Zoey" is a pretty little girl with a sassy attitude.
Jamie groomed her and dodged getting nipped the whole time.
Her bark is way worse than her bite.
We were friends by the time she left.


This is "Daisy". She has fabulous hair. She was so cute.
The looks on her face crack me up.
She did well during her whole groom.

Max (left) and I became fast friends. He insisted on sitting on my lap as much as possible.
"Blue" was a lot of fun. He just wanted to run around. and eat treats.
"Chloe" (bottom right) took some bribing, but finally came around to being my friend.
They were a little afraid of bath time, but by the end they were fine.

Don't they look so nice with their holiday scarves?

Another little helper...

And last but not least, I got to meet "Juggers".
He is a huge Bull Mastiff. I loved him, drool and all.


I really enjoyed hanging out at the shop and playing with dogs all day.
I don't know if I could do the hard work that a groomer often has to do.

My mom did give some tips for you to help your pet and groomer:
*For pets with longer fur, do your best to brush them regularly.
Once the fur starts to knot it can mat and twist the skin which is very painful.
*Keep your pets used to having their paws touched.
While they are relaxed, touch their paws a lot so they see it's ok.
It's not a bad idea to get them used to nail clipper as well.
*Sometimes the fur clippers can be loud and be scary to your pet.
Again, try getting them used to the noise so it is less scary when they are getting groomed.

I hope you enjoyed looking into the day in the life of a groomer!
Do any of you take your pets to a groomer?
Do they enjoy it?

-melisa




Friday, December 16, 2011

Braided Apple Bread

Hi all, just wanted to share a fun little recipe with you! I've had a little bag of apple just hangin' out in my fridge waiting to be used; and what better way then to be made into an apple braid! This was my first time making bread like this so I was pretty proud of myself when it came out half decent.



Filling:
3 to 4 medium sized apples
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon
2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Peel and slice the apples and mix with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon. Place in a baking pan and bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and put aside.





Bread:
2 1/2 cups of flour
1/4 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon of instant yeast
3/4 tablespoon of salt
2 1/4 teaspoons of vegetable oil
1 cup of warm water

While filling is baking mix, knead, and roll out dough into a 12x16 inch rectangle.
Cut each side into strips about 1 inch wide down both sides and then fill the center with the baked apple filling. Fold strips over and bake for 25-30 minutes.






Glaze topping:
2 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of softened butter
3-4 tablespoons of milk
pinch of nutmeg



Enjoy! It's quite yummy.

-sarah