Christmas Gift Ideas

So normally (almost every week) I like to post about the latest gadget, makeup, gear, or random item that I am LOOVVVINNGG at the moment. BUT with Christmas right around the corner...I can't post about my faves because family and friends may be getting them as Christmas gifts from me (and read about it on the blog). Haha! I don't want to ruin the surprise!! ...But you never know, I may just have to post some of my fav ideas closer to Christmas anyway...I'm bad at keeping presents a secret!!

So instead of giving away my holiday ideas just yet, I'd love to hear what gifts are on your Christmas list or what you plan to give to others!! Then, I'll check out your comments and do a post later in the week or next week about your favorite Christmas (or any holiday) gift ideas for this year. Sound fun?! I think it'll be a great way to get ideas out there from bloggers alllll over the country and world! Comment Away!!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

...well atleast on A Girl in the Sunshine! Just finished updating my blog, so it has a much more "Christmassy" feel. Hehe! Its still in the 50s where I live BUT that doesn't mean we can't start decoration for Christmas!! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family and FOOD!! I know I did!

I'm hoping to get some Christmas deocrations bought (because I realized I don't have any!!). I think some may have gotten lost in the move or misplaced during the college years. Haha! So I'm ready to do a little shopping and get the house looking festive.

When do you start decorating for the holidays? I also wait til after Thanksgiving...although sometimes it seems soooo hard to wait that long!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Happy Thanksgiving Week everybody!! I've already been to the store and gotten everything we need to prepare a yummy meal. And luckily, my mom reminded me we need to get the turkey early so it can thaw in the fridge...that could've been bad. My parents are coming to visit for Thanksgiving, so we'll only be cooking for 3. BUT then I'll be going home with them...and I'm sure there will be more cooking and more people the rest of the weekend. Anyway, I wanted to share what we'll be making this year with you all. It's pretty basic but sooo delicious!

Turkey - OFCOURSE!!! We're trying a new rub on the turkey this year...cajun style! Found this recipe online and am really looking forward to tryng it. Usually we use a turkey fryer to prepare the turkey (which is amazing, if you've never tried it) but this year we're cooking it in the oven...and it'll be a little healthier!

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy - Just like the ones I made last week...but with gravy! I guess the gravy will be a little cajun this year as well. mmmmmmmmm!

Salad - Found this delicious and easy bag salad mix at Wal-Mart...Caesar...literally the BEST Caesar I've ever had.

Stuffing - Stove Top baby!! Using the Sage mix and adding in onions and celery.

Pumpkin Pie - Yum yum yum!!

What are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes!?! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

My Very Own BLOG BUTTON!!

I happy to announce that I finally have a BLOG BUTTON!! Yay!! It took my forever to figure it out but I'm happy to say that its here!! If you want to make your own blog button, check out this great article...How to Create a Blog Button...it was a lifesaver! FYI..if you do use that article, make sure you scan to the bottom for the link with the correct code.

Here's my blog button!! Go ahead..grab it!!




<br /><a href="http://agirlinthesunshine.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" style="width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_n90NVybXFFQ/TObowJ-yz_I/AAAAAAAAAvI/hsJYwkucc8k/IMG_0347-1.JPG" /></a><br />

If you have a blog button, I'd love to add it my blog! Just comment and leave your blog address!! 

Mashed Potatoes

I've always just steered clear of making Mashed Potatoes (except for the holidays) because I thought it was too hard or too time consuming or too blah-blah-blah...more random excuses! Well, two nights ago, I figured I'd just give it a try for the first time by myself...turns out when you're just making Mashed Potatoes for 2...its a breeze! For those that have never made Mashed Potatoes or had a million excuses not to...here's a super easy way! I don't know why I always avoided making them before!

Ingredients:
6 medium sized potatoes (I used Yukon Gold)
Butter
Milk
Pepper (I used Medium Grind Black Pepper)
Garlic Salt

Instructions:
Clean, peel, and chop potatoes into cubes. Place in pot and cover with water. Cover, bring to boil, and cook for 20-25 mins. Drain, mash, and add butter, milk, pepper, and garlic salt. As far as measuring goes, I just add and taste. If you don't like garlic, you can just use regular salt.

This was so easy and made fluffy, yummy, Mashed Potatoes! Plus they kept really well in the refrigerator for later.

Enjoy!

Jumbo Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells

So I was at the grocery store, in the pasta aisle, and came across a box of jumbo pasta shells. I've had them at restaurants but never tried to make them myself. There was a recipe for Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells on the box, so I thought...WHY NOT!! Let's give this a shot! And TAH-DAH! Super easy and delicious dinner!!

CHEESE STUFFED PASTA SHELLS (American Beauty recipe)

Ingredients:

1 pkg (12 oz.) jumbo shells
4 cups (2 lb. container) ricotta cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups (28 oz. jar) spaghetti sauce

Instructions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
In a large bowl, stir together cheese, eggs, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce in a 9 x 13 pan.
Fill each cooked shell with about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture. Layer in baking dish.
Pour remaining sauce over shells.
Sprinkle with additional Parmesan.
Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes until bubbly.


ENJOY!

CMAs Review

Just finished watching the CMAs!! (Thank you DVR.) haha! Anyway, thought I'd do a little recap on my fav. parts of this years awards. ^^^Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert...can you say country music power couple?! They dominated the awards last night! RECAP TIME....


1) Taylor Swift singing "Back to December" - She looked so gorgeous and it was the first time I've ever heard that song...loved it! Plus it was "snowing" on stage and in audience so it just looked so elegant and Christmas-y. My one question...why did she say "What?!" during the audience applause?? The curtain was going down and the camera man flashed back to Taylor and showed this...hhmmm I wonder what was going on! Gotta love LIVE tv!

2) Loretta Lynn singing "Coal Miner's Daughter" with Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert - I don't know about you all but I only thought Sheryl and Miranda were going to be singing...like a tribute. Then all of sudden out some Loretta comes in in this glitzy ball gown. She is sooo amazing! You go Loretta!

3) Brad Paisley tearing up during his acceptance speech for Entertainer of the Year - Not much more to say! haha! He's usually such a joke-ster and it was pretty precious to see tears in his eyes and his voice cracking a bit. Definitely deserved the award!

4) Gwyneth Paltrow singing "Country Strong" from her new movie - BEST OF THE NIGHT!!! Not saying she's the best singer in the world, but definitely a surprise performance! I really didn't know what to expect! I didn't know she could sing or play guitar! Gwyneth really sounded awesome and now I'm really pumped to see her new movie and hear her sing again!

THANK YOU CMAs!!!! YOU NEVER DISAPPOINT!!!

Anyone else tune in to this year's Country Music Awards?? What were your fav parts?!

Gretchen Bleiler...Need I Say More?

I LOVE Snowboarding and for those out there that love it too...you'll be really interested in today's post! One of my favorite athletes and role models is Gretchen Bleiler! She's an amazing snowboarder and a pioneer for women's snowboarding. Not familiar? Listen to this...

GB was born in the midwest and moved to Aspen when she was 10...there she was introduced to snowboarding! The rest is history. She created the first ever all women half-pipe competition and is a spokeperson in climate change. GB took 1st place at the 2010 X Games and competed in the 2006 and 2010 Olympics...which I couldn't stop watching! I wish the Winter Olympics was every year!! Plus she's won many many more awards...too many to list. She's got a contract with Oakley...so super cute snow gear and goggles! And she always has a smile on her face. Any young girls or women looking for a role model? Think I just found ya one!

What celebs or athletes do you look up to?

Lincoln Park After Dark

As most of you know, I am obessed with OPI nail polish. So whenever I find a color that I love I just have to share it with you all! For November, I'm totally into Lincoln Park After Dark. Its this amazing deep dark brownish purpley color. Its almost black but not quite there. And oh so chic!

Lincoln Park After Dark

Plus it has a really high glossy shine too. Reminds me of shiny patent leather heels! Definitely a lovely winter color!

Only bad part about painting your toesies with Lincoln Park After Dark...or any color for that matter...it might be too cold for them to show!

What are your fav wintery nail polish colors?!

Words of Wisdom

Winter Skin Rescue

Cold weather really dries out my skin and I hate that feeling! I've always been looking for a lotion that will keep my skin happy and moisturized. Well, I'm sooo glad to say that the search ended my senior year of college. My roomie, Jill, gave me this amazing hand lotion and its been my go-to winter skin lotion ever since!

 This Aveeno lotion doesn't have a scent and isn't greasy at all. Plus it claims to "last through hand washing" and IT REALLY DOES!! It's like it creates a barrier around your hands or something. Best stuff ever! My mom ended up giving it to all her girlfriends for Christmas. I've been using this hand lotion for almost 2 years and its still #1 in my book. Plus you can find it at any drug store or Wal-Mart.

Operation Beautiful

I heard about this a few months ago and then stumbled across it online. I'm pretty sure all women out there (and men) have looked in the mirror at some point and thought something negative about themselves...we've all done it...but that stops now! Time to get our self esteem out of the gutter!

Operation Beautiful was created to help end negative self-talk or "fat talk". All you have to do to participate is leave positive post-it messages on mirrors at public restrooms at the gym, work, etc. I think it would even be great around your own house. Just little notes of motivation to remind other people that they are amazing just the way they are! Check out OperationBeautiful.com for more info and message ideas!

Here are some examples I found online...

I'm going to throw a pack of post-its in my purse and start doing this for sure! I know if I saw one of these, it would definitely make my day! I can't think of anyone who would NOT want to see a positive message when looking in the mirror. This is such a wonderful and empowering idea!! Be sure to pass this idea on to friends!

 Has anyone participated in Operation Beautiful or seen one of the notes?!

Life is a Journey

Sometimes I get too caught up in the destination...where I want to be in the future...what I want to do....what will be happening then..I get to caught up in the "what's going on next." And that's just added unnecessary stress. Don't get me wrong...that's all important stuff to think about. But during all that thinking and planning...LIFE IS FLYING BY way too fast. And there are so many amazing things happening right now!

Don't forget to live in the moment and enjoy where you are right now in your life! Because one day, you'll be looking back...wishing you were here. And those worries you have now..won't even matter. It's is allll about the journey...

Enjoy today!

Pumpkin Muffins

I have found the easiest and most delicious pumpkin muffin recipe!!! Well, actually, its just a box mix from Pillsbury...BUT the muffins/bread turn out perfect and are definitely a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner (or breakfast). Pillsbury also makes these super easy "Quickbreads" in Cranberry...also delicious!

Stay tuned...I'll be posting about Thanksgiving dinner recipes and such soon...