Oh the Holidays!

I love everything about the holidays. The lights, the music ... the FOOD! :) I especially love all of the movies and commercials that come out around this time of year. When I first saw this video, I seriously watched it about 4 times. I love the colors and the winter-y feel it gives. And for days after I seriously had been singing the song in my head (even in the shower!).



I couldn't get over how beautiful everything was in this video. Even made me teary-eyed. Could you imagine if at the end of this someone's loved one was in the middle of the courtyard/food court? Talk about a holiday surprise. After watching this I couldn't help picture a family sitting together around a fire with lights twinkling in the background and watching this video. Makes you feel all warm inside.

I hope this holiday season you're able to spend it with your loved ones. And more importantly are able to go "home for the holidays"!

I definitely suggest playing this video over and over. Oh and try to resist the urge to chassé around your house .. you know you want to! :)

Happy Holidays everyone!

This post is sponsored by T-Mobile.

Project Pinterest #1 - Pumpkin Dump Cake

As I said before, I wanted to make it a goal to try - if not all - most of the recipes I found on Pinterest. The recipes on there look so yummy and they make it look so easy.

I started my mission before Thanksgiving with one recipe.
Pumpkin Dump Cake
I love me some dump cake and pumpkin .. well bring it on!


Recipe @ cookiesandcups.com
PIC SNAGGED FROM PINTEREST

When I first tried this recipe, I did not have the pumpkin spice. I figured, and I kid you not, "It's only 3tsp, can't make that much of a difference." Well it did. I was disappointed because this was just bland and not all that great. That spice was definitely needed, because this cake was definitely missing that something and that spice was it!

Well come Thanksgiving, my mom, sister & I went to a family friend's place for dinner. She would rave on Facebook about how her dessert list would consist of everything Pinterest. I was so excited and I couldn't wait to see what she had. Oh no there it was! Pumpkin dump cake!! I had to try it to see just how different it was from mine (you know .. see how essential the spice was! lol) This was awesomeness in a little square. I loved it and was upset when it ran out.

So between then and now, I made sure to search high and low for the pumpkin spice. It apparently was in high demand this holiday season because I could not find it for nothing. The other day I finally made it THE WAY it was supposed to and oh my goodness! Delish!! And with Blue Bell's Homemade Vanilla ice cream and/or whipped cream *drool*

This is great for any day of the week. Not just for the holiday season. And learn from me .. don't skimp on the ingredients!

Grocery Shopping

So the beginning of the month I go out and buy my months worth of food. Although I would looove to be one of those people who can use coupons to get $1000 worth of food for like $100, I sadly am not. I do know that the price of food had to have gone up because my monthly "allowance" of food of 450 has gotten me NOTHING! I usually get the store brand/off brand vs the Nabisco, Pillsbury, etc. name brand only because a lot of the time I can get a whole lot more. But still, some days I can maximize my savings that way and I guess this month was just not my lucky month. I blame it on the holidays.

While surfing Pinterest, I found a pin talking about a "family's guide to $250/month to groceries" and HAD to check it out. Come to find out it was an E-Book that you can get for free if you post it in your blog.

I am willing to try anything at this point. Anything that can get my monthly budget to stretch the entire month.

You should too! The opportunity to spend LESS in the grocery store cannot pass ANYONE by!