Christmas Causes

More and more I hear that my friends and their spouses are donating to charities in lieu of giving gifts to each other for Christmas. In fact, my parents decided to do this instead of gifting myself and my husband last year. My husband and I routinely donate to our church, missions, and various charities throughout the year. Here are some of my favorite causes/charities that I have a personal connection to that you may consider donating to this year!

The Marilouise Theater Scholarship Fund at Clarion University

This one is very personal to me. I lost a very good friend, college professor, and mother figure suddenly in September. We lost Marilouise (Mel) due to a brain aneurysm at the age of 56. I met Mel and her family shortly after I started my college career. Not only did Mel welcome me as her children's caregiver, but as the member of the family. Being 4 hours from home the clan became my family. 

She had a brilliant, creative mind and loved passionately. Mel had a huge influence in making me the strong, female voice that I am today. She was brave, loud, and always stood up for what she believed in. She lived selflessly, even donating a portion of her living to a former Clarion student. I know most people in this blog world didn't know her personally, but if you're a theater junkie, want to honor a fierce feminist, or honor a mom, think about donating! She was also a yoga instructor and life coach. Donations can sent to:

Marilouise Michel Theater Scholarship Fund

c/o the Clarion University Foundation, Inc.

840 Wood Street

Clarion, PA 16214

Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. MHA's work is driven by their commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services, early identification and intervention for those at risk, and integrated care and treatment, with recovery as the goal. MHA's current work is guided by the Before Stage 4 (#B4Stage4) philosophy - that mental health conditions should be treated long before they reach the most critical points in the disease process. As an individual who has dealt with anxiety and depression for over half my life, Mental Health American is a charity that I often donate my time and money to.

The International's Children's Heart Foundation

I had open heart surgery 31 years ago for a congenital heart defect known as an atrial septal defect (ASD). Approximately 1 in every 100 children are born with a heart defect, but only 20% have access to the cardiac care they need.The mission of ICHF is to bring the skills, technology, and knowledge to cure and care for children with congenital heart disease in developing nations. ICHF does this regardless of the country of origin, race, religion, or gender. Volunteers of ICHF have operated on children through medical missions trips in countries/regions including North America, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.  The organization's goal is make the need for ICHF obsolete through education of local healthcare professionals which is provided through missions.

Stocking Stuffers Under $10

//1// Golden Island Kung Pao Beef Jerky // $5.49 for a 3oz pouch

//2// Finding Nemo Pez Gift Set  // 3 dispensers with 3 candy columns for $8.29

//3// High Performance Ski Socks  // 1 pair for $8.99

//4// Burt's Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Balm // $6.64 for 4 tubes

//5// Viking Revolution Beard Balm // $9.35 for a 2oz canister

//6// Cosmopolitan Magazine Subscription // $6 for a 1-year subscription

//7// AmazonFresh Direct Trade Nicaragua Ground Coffee // $7.99 for a 12oz bag

//8// Whole Foods Lavender Vanilla Bath Bomb // $2.99 each

//9// Yabber Finger Puppets // $9.99 for 16 pieces

//10// Hasbro Jenga Mini // $8.40

//11// Pur Spearmint Gum // 55 pieces for $4.97

//12// Huhuhero Fineliner Color Pen Set // $6.49 for a pack of 10

//13// La Jolie Muse Blue Lotus Candle // $8.45 for 40-45 hour burn time

//14// Dimension Nine 9-Function Tool Knife // $9.81

All items are available on Amazon and eligible for 2-day shipping with Prime!

Spiced Eggnog Pancakes

What You'll Need

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 1/2  teaspoon on baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups of eggnog

2 tablespoons of melted butter

1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

What You'll Need to Do

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl.

Mix in eggs, eggnog, butter, and vanilla.

Cook on a griddle.

Top with your favorite toppings.

ENJOY!

2018 Thanksgiving Shenanigans

Nick and I headed back to my home state of Pennsylvania to spend Thanksgiving with my family this year! It was the first holiday in two years that we were able to spend with them.

We have really small family and a very small extended family so Thanksgiving at home is always really relaxed. For dinner it was only my dad, mom, my sister, and me and Nick. My brother's wife and my two nieces came later in the evening to hang out, and I always miss my brother because he works retail and works on both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.

I always take Christmas gifts for my nieces, Emma and Ella, at Thanksgiving instead of mailing them in December. I enjoy watching them get excited about opening their presents!

My sister got me the best gift this year. It's a blanket with Scout on it!

I love just getting to spend time with my family, especially my little nieces. We had a "sleepover" later and no boys were allowed (per Ella)! Sorry Dad and Nick!

But "Uncle Noodle" (as the girls call Nick) did get in on some fun.

Friday afternoon my sister and I took my nieces to hibachi. These girls are NUTS for hibachi!

On Friday night my sister and I headed over to a Chriskindlmarkt that the non-profit arts organization  she works for puts on. I picked up a few stocking stuffers for Nick and maaaaybe a little something for myself too!

My sister is the volunteer manager/coordinator of the company, and she and her staff of two work their butts off at these events. I was glad she managed to get the weekend off to spend time with me while I was in town!

On Saturday I went on a Cocktail Trail with my BFF, Sara Jane, her husband and my sister to support Small Business Saturday. It was fun to walk around, shop, and drink!

We discovered this place, Vault 634, which used to be an old bank that has been turned in to an event space. It was GORGEOUS.

Sunday was another great day of fun and family and food. Pennsylvania has the best pizza - New York style pizza - that you can't find in Michigan. I always have to have it when I'm home. We hung out with my sister-in-law and took the kids to the neighbors' to feed the chickens and collect eggs! We sadly started the trek back to Michigan that evening.

I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving!

CHEERS!

The Best Gifts for Your Favorite Traveler

//1// Find a Travel Passport Wallet with RFID blocking technology and that not only has room for a passport, but travel documents, cards, and cash.

//2// A Roll Up Cord Organizer is prefect to organize chargers and cords. It includes space for memory cards, flash drives, and earbuds.

//3// Wireless, Noise Canceling Headphones are great for plane rides and layovers of any lengths.

//4/ A Packing Cube System is the best way to for your favorite traveler to keep things separate and organized.

//5// Everlane's Every Day Market Tote is the carry-on must have accessory. Made of 100% Italian leather, it's sturdy structure will last trip after trip!

//6// Gift your favorite traveler with a piece of St. Christopher jewelry. St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers in the Greek and Latin traditions and the patron saint of protection in the Catholic church. A St. Christopher medallion will ensure your traveler knows he or she is loved and wished well!

//7// The Canon PowerShot SX740 is one of the best point and shoot cameras on the market. It's compact design makes it easy to carry and offers 40x Optical Zoom, a 3 inch tilt LCD screen, 4K video, and is Wi-Fi and Blueooth enabled making it a must for that trip of a lifetime!

//8// Having your own blanket and eye mask can make for much for comfortable traveling. A travel kit makes the perfect holiday gift!

The London Fog

The London Fog is the perfect drink for non-coffee drinkers for those chilly mornings!

What You'll Need:

1 earl gray teabag

1/2 cup of hot water

1/2 cup of milk of your choice (love vanilla almond milk!)

1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1-2 teaspoons of a sweetener of your choice (sugar, raw honey, maple syrup, Splenda, ect.)

What You'll Need to Do:

Steep your tea bag in hot water for 3-5 minutes (the longer it's steeped, the stronger the tea).

Mix together the milk and vanilla extract.

Heat it up on the stove whisking continuously.

Stir in the sweetener to the steeped tea.

Top with the warm milk combination.

ENJOY!

The Healing Power of Gratitude

Gratitude is a choice. We can choose to be grateful at anytime, anywhere - not just around the holidays. It's hard to choose gratitude in the busyness of life and the busyness of the holidays, but there are simple ways we can choose to be grateful every day.

Write it down. One of the best ways to feel thankful is by writing it down. Keep a gratitude journal. Write down what down what your grateful for and why. Be specific!

Say it out loud. Express your appreciation to others and do it in a way that acknowledges the person's action not how their act makes you feel. This approach can strengthen bonds!

Focus on the little things. Look around for small acts of kindness. We don't have to be grateful for just the big things like family, home, and health. Be grateful for the random acts of kindness you may find during the day.

Give yourself reminders. Stop multiple times during the day to notice, appreciate, and savor the
good in your life. If you have time, pray, meditate, or take cleansing breaths while doing this.

The Royal Wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank

Princess Eugenie and her boyfriend of 8 years, Jack Brooksbank, wed at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Friday, October 12.

Who is Princess Eugenie?

Princess Eugenie (her full title is Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena of York) is the second daughter and youngest child of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. She is the granddaughter of the Queen of England and 9th in line to the throne. Eugenie is currently a director at the London art gallery Hauser & Worth. Eugenie is 28 years old.

Who is Jack Brooksbank?

Jack is the eldest child and first son of George and Nicola Brooksbank. His father George has worked as a chartered accountant and company director. Jack was educated at the private Stowe school, but skipped university and went to straight to work. He currently works as the European Manager for Casamigos Tequila. He has one younger brother. Jack is 32 years old.

Their Love Story

The pair met when Eugenie was 20 and Jack was 24 during a ski trip in Verbier, Switzerland in 2010. Jack has said it was love a first sight, while Princess Eugenie admits calling her mum to tell her about Jack the very day they met. The couple fell in love over their shared passions and similar drive for life.

The Engagement

The couple officially announced their engagement on January 22, 2018. Jack got down on one knee and proposed to Eugenie next to a lake in Nicaragua at sunset. It reportedly happened on New Year's Eve. Jack actually proposed without a ring because he wanted the Princess to have input in the design. The couple came up with a blush-colored padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds set on a yellow gold band.

The Big Day

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank married at St. George's Chapel at Windsor castle, the same venue where her cousin Prince Harry married Meghan Markle five months prior.  The ceremony was led by the Dean of Windsor, the Rt. Revd. David Conner, who gave the address at the wedding and officiated the vows. 

Andrea Bocelli performed two songs during the service and was joined by musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. State Trumpeters from the Band of the Household Calvary preformed a fanfare written for the occasion.

The event was a family affair with Eugenie's father HRH Prince Andrew of York escorting his daughter up the aisle, Sarah Ferguson taking on mother of the bride duties, and Princess Beatrice and Thomas Brooksbank serving as maid of honor and best man. 

The couple included several Eugenie's cousins' children in their wedding party including Mia Tindall, Isla Phillips, Princess Charlotte, Savannah Phillips, and Prince George.

Readings were done by Princess Beatrice and Jack's cousin.

Eugenie's wedding dress was created by designers Peter Pilotto and Christoper De Vos under the Peter Pilotto label. The dress was embroidered with thistles for Scotland,  shamrocks for Ireland, York roses, and ivy. The dress featured a neckline that folds around the shoulder and a low back that drapes into a flowing full length train.

The bride accessorized with the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, a loan from the Queen, and diamond and emerald drop earrings which were a gift from the groom.

Eugenie made the unconventional choice to forgo a veil on her wedding day. This choice was made as to not obstruct the low back feature of the dress that the Princess had specifically requested. Princess Eugenie wanted to show her scar from a surgery she had at the age of 12 to correct scoliosis.

Jack and Eugenie's guest list included over 800 friends and family, including celebrity guests Naomi Campbell, Liv Tyler, Kate Moss, Demi Moore, Ellie Goulding, Cara Delevingne, Pippa Middleton Matthews, and James Blunt.

Eugenie's Royal cousins William and Harry were also in attendance with their wives Kate and Meghan. The Fab Four quickly entered the chapel through a side door as to not upstage the bride and groom. Prince Charles was also in attendance sans his wife Camilla, who had a prior engagement.

The Duchesses defaulted to their go to designers for their wedding attire - McQueen and Givenchy respectively.

Following the ceremony the newlyweds took a short carriage ride through the town of Windsor.

Following the carriage ride the bride and groom and their 800+ guests enjoyed an afternoon reception hosted by The Queen at Windsor castle.

Celebrity florist Rob Van Helden used flowers and foliage that were sourced locally from Windsor Great Park. The seasonal display included roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, and berries. Sophie Cabot created a five-tier chocolate and red velvet cake for the couple and their guests to enjoy.

The newlyweds left their daytime reception in an Aston Martin DB10 which was made specifically for the 2015 Bond film Spectre.

The couple held an intimate reception later that evening at Royal Lodge, the York family home. Princess Eugenie followed in the footsteps of Kate and Meghan and changed in to a second dress for her black tie reception. The bride chose a blush gown by American designer Zac Posen. The color was inspired by the shade of an English rose. Jack ditched his morning suit for a dapper tuxedo with bow tie.

It Didn't End There...

The new husband and wife threw a carnival for 300 the following day, on Saturday, October 13. It featured game booths, a Ferris wheel, carousel, carnival fare, bumper cars, and a performance by Ellie Goulding!

It was reported that Eugenie wore a white mini dress and a custom made 'Mrs. Brooksbank' bomber jacket with the writing in her own scrawl.

What's In a Name?

Jack was not given a royal title upon marrying the Princess; however, Eugenie will retain her royal title. She can go by Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie or York or Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank.