So Secret

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One of my favorite parts of the holidays is the inevitable Secret Santa. We are currently doing one on the floor--gift exchange is this Saturday! I know a lot of people get a little freaked out by it because there is a good chance that you will get someone that you don't know all that well. I think that's the fun part though! That means you can get a little more creative with the gift. Just take one thing you know about the person and go crazy with it!

This year is the first year I've had to shop for a guy, and while we talk and hang out a lot I can't say that I do know too much about him. I do know that he is a Philadelphia Eagles fan though and so with that little piece of information I have gone wild. Every part of this gift has something to do with football, has an Eagles logo or is simply the team colors. I don't think Secret Santa gifts are really the kind that need to be too heartfelt anyway; it's all about fun and surprise!

<3 Ashley

Are you and your friends doing a Secret Santa this year?

It's December

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Words cannot describe how happy I am to see December again! I love the holiday season so much. Thanksgiving was wonderful; it was great to see family and some friends over the break and of course the dinner wasn't half bad either! Then I went out for Black Friday at midnight WITHOUT a pre-shopping nap and didn't physically harm someone like I thought I would. Instead I did a majority of my Christmas shopping. I got gifts for my brother, one of my good friends and the person on my floor that I picked for Secret Santa (and that gift's a good one!)

Now I'm back to school and ready to buckle down for finals week before I get to go home again in two weeks. Of course with the long break comes work. I cannot say I'm looking forward to that little bit, but you gotta do what you gotta do. But before I even start thinking about the highs and lows of Christmas...I need to get through finals!

<3 Ashley

How was your Thanksgiving? What are you looking forward to in December?

A Little Holiday Spirit

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It's November 19 and I am officially in the holiday mood. Next week is Thanksgiving and I am so excited to go home and see all my friends and family. I'm pretty sure I've been booked everyday of the week! Usually I don't get too celebratory until Thanksgiving is actually upon us, but I think the excitement I am feeling this year about just going home has sparked an early enthusiasm in me. I mean...I'm listening the Pandora Christmas station as I type this. All I need is the week to move just a little bit faster so that I can get to the holiday festivities on the other side!

<3 Ashley

Are you excited for the holidays? Have you gotten in the spirit yet?

Just a Note

Why hello there! There isn't a formal entry today, I just wanted to just drop a note and check in on everyone after Halloween night. My night really just consisted of dinner in costume (pictures tomorrow!) and an evening of the Halloween movies (Michael Myers that is!) This is truly the only night you will ever see me watching those kinds of movies. I just feel I have to be a little freaked out on Halloween. 

I also wanted to make sure that I got on to wish all of you a happy and healthy November. Just wanted to let you all know that everyday in November, I will be posting one holiday (mostly Thanksgiving) recipe that will maybe inspire you this year! Welcome to the holiday season! Excited yet?

<3 Ashley

What did you do for Halloween? What are you looking forward to this holiday season?

Holiday Eats!

Here on this lovely Sunday afternoon I find myself sitting up in the lounge waiting for the first load of laundry in the washer to finish. Football is on the television (still mildly bitter about our homecoming loss) and I am scouring Pinterest aimlessly. I really should be studying for my philosophy midterm, shouldn't I?

Anyway, I happened to find myself on the food section of the site (which shockingly isn't a common thing for me!) As I started to scroll through these glorious, appetizing photos I noticed a lot of holiday pins. That got me thinking about all of the delicious things I have waiting for me at home in the coming months, and I thought I would share these with you.

One tradition that I have taken myself to starting (and refuse to let die) is that I make the pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dinner. I absolutely love doing it! I like to keep it traditional though. I tried a Bobby Flay recipe one year that had this strange cranberry cookie topping that everyone ended up scraping off. Lesson learned: when it comes to pumpkin pie, people like it classic, and traditional.

At the same time, my aunt makes her ever yummy apple pie and my grandmother offers her always loved and fought over pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. I die for the cookies, honestly. I always love the holidays with family, and I also love the food that we all dine over and share together. I know this year will be just as amazing since I will be back home for the first time since starting school. Holidays are about to get that much more special.

<3 Ashley

What are your favorite holiday desserts? Does your family have something special that you eat?