Summertime, Oh Summertime!

First of, Happy Presidents Day!  I would like to thank our founding fathers and everyone that has followed them for this joyous day off (although for me it really isn't a day off).  In the midst of doing proofs and returning emails to clients, I am starting to browse the internet for our clothing for our trip to the Dominican Republic this May.  For those of you that don't know, my best friend is getting married there and I have the honor of being her maid of honor.

Here are the top 3 items from today that I have added to my "wish list" for the trip:

Young Fabulous & Broke - Sydney Tie Dye Dress $160.00

Sanuk Yoga Mat Sandals $30 (These are seriously the most comfortable sandals I have ever worn!)

Ruffle Swimsuit Cover Up $24.99

What do you think?  Do you have any recommendations for this trip of mine?

Home away from home....

Hubby and I returned from oah last Sunday after a glorious warm week there.  He does a lot of work on the island with the military so I always go and lay in the sun while he does his meetings.  It has also become our home away from home, we were last there in October.  So, i thought I would share what "our home" there is.

We always stay at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, it is a great hotel that has three restaurants, a Starbucks and a myriad of shops.  It is also right on the beach and in the heart of Waikiki.

Their pool is great!  It is a salt water pool so you don't have to worry about the nasty chlorine effect, and the happy hour at the pool is from 3 to 5 :)

What our room usually looks like.  It is so nice to sit on the balcony and watch the ocean and listen to the waves.

The also always have this amazing cucumber, mint infused water at check-in and at the pool.  It is so good and so refreshing.  

I would check them out next time you are planning a vacation to Oahu.  Their hospitality is great as well!

New Years Resolutions

That wonderful time of the year when we all make this resolutions that we are going to make come true in the new year upon us.  Did you make any resolutions?  If so, what are they?

Here are mine:

1.  Update my work and personal blogs more often (5x a month at least)
2. Get back into shape
3. Buy a house
4. Double my order total from 2011

We are almost officially two weeks into 2012 and my resolutions have still not been broken.

What about you?  How are yours going?

It has been a while....

Wow... I cant believe a month has passed since I last updated!  I made a resolution to try and update my blogs (work and personal) at least five times a month, so I need to get on it.

What has gone on since you last heard from me?

Well, my wonderful husband surprised me with a birthday trip to Scottsdale full of fun, food, drinks, shopping and sporting events.  We attended an NHL game (Coyotes vs. Rangers), sat on the 50 yd line at a Browns vs Cardinals game and ended with secong row seats a Men's ASU basketball game.

                                                        Kevin and I at the ASU game.

Pre-game bloody mary

Browns game

Kevin was dying to go to this restaurant, he loves pastrami sandwiches.

Before we left for our trip, my parents gave me my birthday present which was the Bailey Button Uggs in Chestnut.  They were perfect for the cool crisp air we encountered on the trip.

After my birthday trip, we were abruptly confronted with Christmas.  It was wonderful.  We did crab and filets with my family on Christmas Eve followed up by lasgana and caesar salad on Christmas day.

Kevin surprised me with a new Michael Kors watch that I fell in love with while we were in Scottsdale.

Isnt she beautiful?

I also received a new coach purse from my parents along with some clothes and new rain boots, a spa day from my in-laws and a bunch of other fun stuff.



What I Want for Christmas #1

This adorable, fashion forward and functional Michael Kors iPhone clutch in Black Python.  This is so amazing for a night out when I don't want to carry a big purse.  The hardest part about finding a cute clutch is fitting my iPhone into it!

New Finds....

I was recently introduced to Plum District and I have to say that I am in love!  It is like Groupon and LivingSocial but it has more of a feminine touch.  When you sign up for the first time, you will also receive a $5 voucher.  I purchased a voucher to Pretty Printing and already ordered a Christmas present for someone.  I ordered a monogrammed iPhone case. (I am secretly hoping someone orders me one too!) 

Christmas cards were also ordered from Snapfish since their photo cards were 40% off with free shipping, I couldn't even make them that cheap and I am in graphic design.  Photo paper gets so pricey!  I used a myriad of photos from our wedding this summer.  Last year, we took a photo but I figured this year it would be fun to showcase some of the 900+ photos we recieved from the wedding.

This past weekend we went to the lighted tractor parade that is held in the small town of Calistoga.

And then for my favorite float from the parade:

 

This was a hot air balloon basket on a trailer without the balloon (obviously!) they kept on lighting the fire and it would light up the whole street, very cool!

Christmas Sale...

Life and my business has had me so busy lately, have you checked out my business blog for Alisa Marie Designs?  We are having a christmas sale on our Holiday Wine Bottle Tags and they are now 10 for $10 (regularly 3 for $5).

These make the perfect addition to any bottle of wine that are you going to take to a holiday party or give as a holiday gift.