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The Post Holiday Clean-Up!
Published on Monday, December 26, 2011 by caryn [caption id="attachment_29401" align="alignright" width="199" caption="Photo Credit: jade007"][/caption] After a weekend of sharing, conversing, eating, and relaxing, it's time for a post holiday clean-up. While I strive to "clean" while I'm prepping and cooking, I reserve the "deep clean" for after the guests have left. This also gives me an opportunity to start... Read More » -
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Merry Christmas!
Published on Sunday, December 25, 2011 by caryn ... Read More » -
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Merry Christmas…Disney Style!
Published on Saturday, December 24, 2011 by caryn There are very few things that I "collect," however, for as long as I can remember, I've frequented The Disney Store each year at this time to infuse our holiday decor and celebrations with a little Disney magic. This year, we added two new ornaments to our collection... This Mickey & Minnie Ornament Set is simple, elegant, and unique. Each ornament is designed... Read More » -
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“No Cook” Alternatives For Holida...
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn Earlier this week, I shared my plans for our Christmas meal. Along with a ham we received from Walmart, I'll be serving vegan apple and butternut squash soup, scalloped potatoes, salad, bread, and a prepared dessert. Easy! As opposed to Thanksgiving, where the hubby and I went all out, going so far as to make even the cranberry sauce from scratch, Sunday's meal ... Read More » -
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Semi-Homemade Boston Market-Inspired Recipes
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Margie, Patricia W C, and Angie. Congrats! As much as I enjoy getting creative with my holiday meals, preparing and cooking for a large number of people can be time consuming, stressful, and costly. If you still haven't decided what you'll serve this Christmas, why not opt for a few semi-homemade di... Read More » -
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Easing the Stress of Holiday Entertaining Wit...
Published on Thursday, December 22, 2011 by caryn It's the season of entertaining and holiday parties. I've been shopping and prepping for our upcoming family dinner and I'm happy to say that we're nearly done (minus the cooking part, of course). What's going to be particularly tricky about this year's Christmas celebration is the fact that the hubby and I will be cooking the meal in someone else's home! Sinc... Read More » -
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Holiday Entertaining With Giada DeLaurentiis
Published on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by caryn After four grocery stores, I think I'm finally done shopping for our Christmas meal! Once again, the hubby and I are going to prepare our family's holiday dinner. As enjoyable as this time of year is, entertaining can be stressful. Who better than Food Network star Giada DeLaurentiis to offer some tips on easing the stress of holiday entertaining? She recommends... Read More » -
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A Holiday Cookie Exchange With A Cultural Twi...
Published on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by caryn 'Tis the season to bake! This is the time of year when sweet treats abound. I absolutely love to bake, and while I do enjoy the occasional dessert, the true joy of baking is sharing those delicacies with friends and family. Around this time last year, I participated in a very special cookie exchange in the "sweetest place on earth" with the sweetest kids. For... Read More » -
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Christmas Meal Solutions For Under $40
Published on Monday, December 19, 2011 by caryn Once again, my husband and I will don our aprons to prep and cook our family's Christmas dinner. Since we almost always have turkey for Thanksgiving, we opt for ham. Not only is it easier and quicker to prepare, it goes well with pretty much anything. This year, my husband and I decided on the following menu to accompany the ham: Scalloped Potatoes Butternu... Read More » -
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Disney On Ice Presents Disney-Pixar’s T...
Published on Sunday, December 18, 2011 by caryn Tomorrow, Buzz, Woody, Jesse, and the gang will skate into Orange County! Disney On Ice Presents Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3 at the Honda Center for a very limited run. Through Christmas, you can see the ice spectacular as moments from all three films are re-enacted in the rink. Here are the dates for the remaining Southern California performances of Disney O... Read More » -
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Macy’s…Inspiring Hope through Mak...
Published on Saturday, December 17, 2011 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Laurie Harrison. Congrats! In the midst of the shopping rush and holiday parties, I'm reminded of and sensitive to the fact that this season isn't always "magical" for those who may be struggling financially, physically, or emotionally. This is the time of year when charitable organizations reach... Read More » -
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Grinchmas Returns To Universal Studios Hollyw...
Published on Saturday, December 17, 2011 by caryn Only in Hollywood will you find snow-covered streets and a 60 foot tree with a twist. The Grinch, Max, and the Who-ville Whos once again return to Universal Studios Hollywood to celebrate Grinchmas! Last weekend, the park was brimming with guests eager to begin the holiday season. Grinchmas, which runs continuously from December 17th through January 1st, 2012, is... Read More » -
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A Visit With Santa
Published on Friday, December 16, 2011 by caryn A visit with Santa has always been a tradition in both or our families, so it only seemed natural that we would start the same tradition with our own children. Who would have thought though, that both of my children, at various points in their lives, would actually be afraid of the genteel man with a beard? This year, for the very first time, both of my children ... Read More » -
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Decadent Desserts From Nothing Bundt Cakes
Published on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 by caryn 'Tis the season for sweets and treats! Stores abound with baked goods this holiday season, however many are filled with preservatives, stabilizers, and ingredients only a scientist can read. We're nearing Christmas and if you simply don't have the time to bake something fabulous for your holiday gathering, check out the incredibly decadent cakes from Nothing Bun... Read More » -
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Knott’s Berry Farm…A Merry Holida...
Published on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by caryn Last week, I spent a weekend in New York and was fascinated at how festive the city looks this time of year. Unlike Southern California, where holiday decor is most often seen in specific stores and venues, the entire city of New York is "dressed up" for the season, with virtually no area left untouched. SoCal locals and visitors' best bet for experiencing the mag... Read More » -
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How We’re Giving Back This Season
Published on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by caryn The holidays are always a time of reflection. Whether it's lifestyle, career, or family, I think back to what I'm proud of...what I've accomplished...and what I need to work on in the year to come. While I've always strived to give back, this year I made it a point to regularly donate items to charitable organizations as well as give to friends, family members, a... Read More » -
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Get Local: Christmas at Irvine Park Railroad
Published on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by caryn Having grown up and lived in LA nearly my entire life, I can say without hesitancy that the OC has some of the most beautiful, well-kept parks in the Southland. Many of them are rich in history and offer much more than clean, safe places to play. 2011 marks the sixteenth year of the Christmas Train that's become a tradition at Irvine Park Railroad. ... Read More » -
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Get Local: Holiday Happenings at Newport Dune...
Published on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by caryn Having grown up in Southern California, I'm always amazed at the things we haven't done and the places we've never visited. During this time of year, it seems like there are endless family-friendly activities surrounding the holiday season. Popular amongst families in the area, is the annual venture to see local displays of Christmas lights. Newport Dunes... Read More » -
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Get Local: Gingerbread House Decorating At Po...
Published on Sunday, December 11, 2011 by caryn Decorating gingerbread houses was a memorable tradition in my childhood home, and one I started with my son a few years back. Powell's Sweet Shoppe, our local candy store, which has this old-time look and feel to it, is offering pre-assembled cottages made from baked graham cracker to decorate this holiday season. For the past few years, we haven't bothered with h... Read More » -
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My Holiday Shopping Haul
Published on Saturday, December 10, 2011 by caryn As a young, single woman, I enjoyed browsing the sale racks at Macy's and trying on shoes at Steve Madden. These days, it's a rarity if I get an hour or two of uninterrupted time to myself, let alone some time to shop. Since my shopping ventures are almost always focused on my kids, my wardrobe is somewhat outdated. When I perused my closet for a dress that would ... Read More »
