Music in your everyday life playlist

I will be honest here, I haven't actually created a playlist for a long time. I generally just listen to Pandora if I am at the gym with WiFi, if there is no WiFi I suck it up and listen to the music they have playing. so the stations on Pandora I listen to are the popular country station, 90's R&B, and pretty soon the old fashioned Christmas station (I actually cannot wait until it is acceptable to listen to Christmas music in public).

Although I don't know if I will actually create a playlist just for this blog post, I do know that I will probably be creating one for the car rides this week for my little. she has been really liking playing with my old iPhone 5. We shall see if I actually get around to doing that, she really has been liking country and the wheels on the bus.

So I guess that if I take this prompt from the aspect of what songs have been playing in my head or in our house I would say;

the wheels on the bus
Tangled Up-
ABC's- but only certain parts of that song
twinkle twinkle little star
Drowns the whiskey - Jason Aldean
Mercy - Brett young
This is Halloween
Whats this
Dinosaur train - theme song
Curious George -theme song

OK not the most broad list of genres I guess having a two year old wont help with this. On the flip side I really would not have it any other way.

what are you listening to right now?

The Christmas tag.

So I'm really not in the Christmas spirit lately, yes working retail kills that joy every year. And no I haven't done any of my Christmas shopping for my family, so I really have nothing to show for the holiday prep process in my house. So what do we do when we cannot think of anything to post....?

Yep gonna do a good old fashioned tag post. I think I might have done this one last year, or maybe I was only planning to and never got around to it but here we go... The Christmas tag.

1. Do you like to stay in your pj's or get dressed up for Christmas? In the morning my family stays in our pjs and opens gifts, after we would get dressed up for church and for Christmas brunch and supper with family. Now that I live on the other side of the country with my bf we are only just starting to begin our own traditions. While we do stay in our pjs, we don't dress up as much as I would back home for Christmas dinner. 

2. If you could only buy one person a present this year who would it be? Honestly it would probably be my Mom or Dad, simply because I feel like I don't do enough for them. 

3. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? In my family we open presents on Christmas Day, however my older brother and have exchanged presents on Christmas Eve at midnight. This year my boyfriend and I swapped one gift each tonight. 

4. Have you ever built a gingerbread house? Yes my boyfriend and I built one last year. 

5. What do you like to do on your Christmas break? When I was in school I loved to visit my family and just spend time with them. 

6. Favorite Christmas treat or meal? My favorite Christmas treat are these soft ginger cookies my great-aunt used to make. Favorite Christmas meal are with my family. 

7. Favorite holiday movie? Holiday inn, White Christmas, and a nightmare before Christmas. I am a huge fan of classic movies. The only one I don't really care for is It's a Wonderful Life. 

8. Candy canes or gingerbread men? Gingerbread men, I cannot stand the taste of peppermint. 

9. Have you ever made a snowman? Yes, several times growing up, however I don't think there is a chance to this year for Christmas. 

10. Which is better Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? I prefer Christmas Day, I work retail so it's one of the few days I definately do not have to work. 

11. White lights or colored lights? I like colored lights they seem more Christmassy in my mind, my boyfriend does like white and blue lights best though. 

Well that is all of the questions, and as it is Christmas Eve I hope you all have an amazing holiday! Luv ya all and good night. 

Holidays have begun.

Well the traditions for the Christmas holidays have begun in my house.

We have the porch just about finished, and we have the tree up (not decorated just up). The bf and I started the decorating process on Black Friday after I got off work, yep I still work retail and really enjoy my job. But as far as Black Friday shopping traditions... Definately did not do that this year, it was too crazy to shop the mall I work at. But I will be posting what I picked up from the last month. 

But for the last week we have had a lot of fun. We went to the gym the other day and I also had my first real run in about a month on Monday, which I was hesitant to do for a couple of reasons. First, we have had some issues with the people who live around us in this building and in the last month I learned things about my downstairs neighbor I could have done without knowing. And second, there is a gentleman who whenever he sees me out for a run will stop his car in front of me to "chat" for a bit. But in order for me to feel safe my bf bought me a sabre red pepper spray, I attached it to key chain. 

On a side note, today the bf and I are having a bit of a relaxing day. I made butterscotch fudge while he did the laundry, we alternate and it was his turn today. I also did the dishes as well as cleaned up the apartment a little bit. Here is a picture of the fudge,

we haven't cut into it yet so I am not entirely sure on how it tastes. But as far as the last couple days go, it has been rather uneventful. I did do very little cyber Monday shopping, very little and the funny thing is that it arrived today. I will post on that later I think though. And on that note I think I am gonna get ready for bed. Luv ya all. 

December favorites

So these monthly favorites things look like a fun thing to do, and I am curious what they will hold throughout the year to show how my tastes and style has changed. Since this is my first I don't think I will be having too many catagories; just clothes, makeup, and movies. Next month I hope to add books and music as well. So that being said, on to the favorites.

Clothes: 

this month I found myself just reaching for the same things on my days off and when I was going into work. My sweater and cardigan collection. For work I pretty much would always be in my circle cardigan.

And my days off it was either that cardigan and a t-shirt, or one of my two favorite sweaters my nude and gold cowl neck sweater I got as a gift from kohls a few years ago

and this cream oversized sweater I got from the lane Bryant outlet in castle rock last year.

 both of these look exceptional with just simple jeans and tennis shoes or dressed up with black pants and heels. 

Makeup:

My go to lipstick this month has been my Mary Kay antique rose signature lipstick

I love this lipstick so much,it was the first real lipstick I ever used, unfortunately it was discontinued a while back.

 I also found myself reaching for my rimmel London lasting finish by Kate in color 104

the only issue I have with it is that it is heavily fragranced and it is really floral in smell. Not a super fan but I loved the color so much. 

When in the holiday spirit I would put on the be a bombshell lip crayon in shameless,

it came in one of my ipsy glam bags, with my bare minerals lipgloss in the shade dare devil

 I love the sparkle of the lip crayon and the shine of the lipgloss together. And the shades are a really close match which was perfect. 

Movies:

My favorite movies are always the same this time of year, and those who don't know me well might be shocked by them. The first is the nightmare before Christmas by Tim burton,

I have loved this movie ever since I was a kid. The dark but happy and cheerie atmosphere is always uplifting to me. Don't ask why. 

Second is Holiday Inn,

 this and the next might be a shock to some, but I mean Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire where can you go wrong? 

Next it's gotta be White Christmas

again Bing Crosby all I gotta say there.

TV: my favorite channel this time of year is the hallmark channel, however I couldn't watch this year as we still do not have cable. But I love their made for TV movies that they do every year. My favorite is the Christmas card.  It is just too cute. 

Well that is it sorry I added another category at the end there, but I don't foresee me having the tv category next month. Let me know what you all really loved this month. 

Merry Christmas all!

I know I am a bit late posting this, but yesterday was quite a bit more difficult than I was expecting. It was my first Christmas away from home and family and while the bf's family are really nice to me it just isn't the same as being with my family. I don't know why but I really do miss the act of dressing up for the holidays. Do you all ever feel that way? I feel like my sense of style has slowly been slipping away since I moved out here. 

Although I did kind of get to see my family for a little while, we did a FaceTime chat when we opened presents in the morning, which was actually kind of fun and different. After that the bf and I went to his parents house to open more presents, I really wasn't expecting them to get anything for me. But they did and it was really sweet of them. They also gave us some money to get a vacuum. After spending much of the day at his parents house, we went to check out these pretty awesome Christmas light display. I would post a photo but they're all blurry or dark and I didn't bring a proper camera for it anyway it was all done with my phone as usual. Anyway I have a couple more posts this year and early next year as well  planned out and posted. And in march look out for my running anniversary post. So excited. 

With all of that said I really hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a happy new year as well. 

Luv ya all! 

The Christmas Tag

So I took this tag from Beauty angel and her post on it can be found Here. I read her responses and thought it would be fun to do as well.  Now on to the questions.

Do you prefer a real or a synthetic tree?

Personally my family has usually had a real tree until my sister was born. Then we bought a synthetic one. Now we always have 2 trees at my parents house a real one in the entryway with the dog's presents under it (it's in an area of the house they aren't allowed to be in so it's safe) and a synthetic in the family room with the family presents under it. 

You're in a coffee shop, it is December what do you pick?

Honestly, if I was still in school it would be a large CSU caramel latte. Since I graduated it is either a salted caramel latte at Starbucks or a simple white chocolate mocha. I haven't been to a coffe shop in months though (gotta save that money)

What is your favorite color scheme to decorate your tree?

Hmm this is a hard one, my bf and I don't have a tree yet and at home it was just ornaments we have collected over the years. So traditional and sentimental ornaments. No real color scheme. 

Giving or receiving?

Well I really don't like getting gifts, makes me feel indebted to others. But I love giving gifts and not expecting anything in return. I just like seeing the look on my friends and family's faces when they open gifts. Not sure on why I don't like opening presents it has been a recent development (last 5-6 yrs or so). 

To mince pie or not to?

While I have heard of mince pie and have a couple recipes for it, I have never actually had it. I kind of want to order it somewhere just to see what it tastes like so that I know if I want to go to the effort of making it or not. 

Tradtional Christmas dinner?

In my family it is a cook all day, sit down affair with the whole family, including the extended relatives in the state. Usually there is turkey, prime rib, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, salad, greens, gravy, corn pudding, etc. sorry I have to stop there I am making myself homesick for my mother's cooking. 

Christmas Day fashion?

I haven't really put any thought into that yet this year. Usually I have to a couple days in advance because we would go to church in the morning after breakfast. Though the last couple years we have been doing midnight mass instead. This year though I don't have a church I am part of so I don't know. 

Favorite Christmas song?

White Christmas by Bing Crosby

Santa baby by Ertha Kit

Last Christmas

This Christmas by Chris brown (probably one of the only recent songs I like)

Favorite Christmas film?

White Christmas 

Holiday inn

The Christmas card

The ultimate gift

Jack Frost

Little drummer boy

Frosty the snowman

-This list can go on forever

Presents before or after lunch?

Not sure this year usually it is when we all wake up, then we have more of a brunch type thing. 

Letter to Santa...

So I know that I am probably a little too old to be writing letters to an old man in a red fur suit, but I do still believe in the spirit and ideals that he embodies. The hopes and dreams of small children and adults alike, this is my letter to him. Please bare in mind that even as a kid I had never written a real letter to Santa so this is an interesting topic for me. 

Dear Santa, 

I know I haven't been the best behaved by most people's standards, but if you could do a couple of things to help those near me put their minds at ease it would help immensely. First, is my boyfriend who has fears that my parents might try to push him to give me a ring, let him know in some way that I am in no hurry for this and honestly the idea scares the business out of me (if you know what I mean). 

Secondly, if you could help my family figure out what has been going on with my baby, Nala, she has been chewing at herself something fierce for the last couple of years. I mean to the point that she starts to bleed, and before I get the animal rights folks up in my business, she has been to the vet about this problem multiple times in the last year I think she has been 4-5 times. The vet thinks it is probably just allergies to something she has been coming into contact with in the yard. but I think it might be something more psychological, you see she started this issue when our other dog, Dixie, died  alittle over 2 years ago. But anyway if you could help to figure out what is causing her discomfort that would be great

And lastly, could you take the time to check in on my grandmother. I know she is getting old, going on 98, but I still want her to be around for my kids when I have them. I just hope she is around for atleast a few more years, I really don't want to be away if she passes. It is one of my biggest fears. Well I think I have opened up enough on this letter to you. I hope you stay safe and warm for your trip around the world. And I promise to have cookies for you, while they won't be on a plate they will be in a present shaped cookie jar. So help yourself. Thanks again for all you do. 

Krysten. 

So that is my letter to Santa. I know it doesn't make sense and is probably a little too personal and such but these are the simple things I wish for. As I said I never really wrote a letter to Santa as a kid, so yea... That is all I have to say. I will ask one question of you all, if you were to write a letter to Santa what would you ask for?

Luv ya!

Day 10 run streak and a random bazaar

Well yesterday I was unable to get my 2 mile daily goal done, I did get a little over a mile done though. My ankle was giving me some issues during work so I knew I probably wouldn't get 2mi but I was hopeful. So what is it now day 10? Who is counting anyway right? I am glad that I have been able to rack up the miles on the treadmill when it is cold. It doesn't even scare me too much anymore either, baby steps, I was able to run on it at 5.5 mph for about a min and a half straight. Been doing 30 sec walking and 60-90 running on it to get used to using it. I still prefer running outside though. 

Today was a workout on the treadmill followed by a quick mile walk outside to the Christmas Bazaar at the church down the street. The signs for this fair did get me started on the thought process of getting into the fair scene out here, or atleast making the attempt. 

I will be honest though I didn't make it to the fair at the start, it opened at 8am, I wasn't even out for my gym workout before 9am, and went on until 1pm. And I will be honest I wasn't all that impressed. I would have taken pictures inside if I didn't feel so awkward doing so. There were maybe a total of 2 craft/ homemade items sellers and the rest of the 8-10 tables were sales consultants for brand name items (Mary Kay, scentsy, etc.) I was expecting this to be more like a real holiday bazaar where the things being sold have a holiday theme or are at the very least handmade. Sigh it's times like these that I know the crafty marketing of Colorado has spoiled me. 

But this makes me think that it would be much easier to get my foot in the door, so to speak, out here in the craft fair community. We shall see though.

If any of you know of craft fairs or bazaars that are good to check out this time of year please let me know. I still have a lot of Christmas shopping to do. 

As always luv ya all!

Good Things and Random Thoughts

I swear sometimes it really does pay to have a best friend who is into graphic design as well as crafting. She offered to design me some new business cards. so to thank her I think I am going to get her some sparklies for Christmas/Halloween gifts, as I cannot really pay her at the moment, not that she asked me to. she does such amazing work that I definitely feel like I should do something for her as well. The only real problem with that idea is that I would have to wait and see how much I have left after paying my bills next week before I go on a spending spree on Christmas gifts. I might end up only getting the rest of my immediate family gift cards and making some Christmas cards as well. This way everyone gets a gift that they really want and I don't have to spend an arm and a leg on shipping costs. although I do still have to send out my sister's gift and send back a watch box that my mother sent me by mistake so I guess that I will end up having to get everyone else actual gifts as well. But we will just have to wait and see like with my friend's gifts as well.

 As it stands at the moment I have to pay last month and this month's student loan payment along with whatever late fee is associated with the late fee for last month, and my auto insurance this month. While I don't think that it will be too bad as I do get paid in a week and I can take last month's loan payment and my insurance out of that along with rent. Fingers crossed that this plan works out, cause the second paycheck this month I will be taking out the current month's payment for the loan. It's gonna be a tight Christmas I think.

I think i might end up having to get a second job soon if my boss doesn't give me more hours at work. The only problem with getting a second job is that I wont be able to see my boyfriend as much. I mean I rarely get to spend much time with him as it is. He is working full time and my boss doesn't usually give me the days off that she said she would. Oh well. maybe it will all work out right? we shall see.

The random strikes again

I Books books books!

Well where to begin this post? As I stated in my last post I finished reading Ender's Game, and I must say I really did enjoy it. The ending left a bit to be desired, however I am not at all surprised by this fact. It is the start of a book series, and unlike most books I actually want to finish the series as well. I am really interested in reading them and am looking up pricing to have them shipped here as we speak. Unfortunately I need a book to read while I wait for the researching process my mind goes through to end. So if anyone out there has any suggestions for me could you leave them in the comments? I am pretty open to any kind of book, although it would need to be one that is able to be found in print in English, other than that pretty much game for anything. I am still debating on writing a personal review of Ender's Game as well. Just not too sure on if I should wait until I finish the whole series or do one as I read each book? If you guys could let me know on what you would like to read here that would be great as well.

Crochet
I have just about finished the blue bear and fully expect for him to be uploaded into My Etsy store within the week. I am also almost finished with another tan doll as well. I am not sure why I haven't just invested in a basket to put my knitting and crochet into out here. It is really more difficult to work on the pieces while I am out than it would be to work on them while I am at home. It's not so economical to have in my purse for working on in the car when I have been the one driving lately. So... Yea. I am thinking though of making little outfits for the dolls to wear as well. But I have had this idea in my head before so we shall see what becomes of it now that I have a wee bit more time on my hands at home.

The tan doll that I was working on when I was at my old job is almost done, I just happened to have run out of that particular color of that yarn. So I may make him into a frankin-doll. I can't just get more of the yarn, I got it at Hobby Lobby and the closet one to me now is about 30-45 min away if the traffic is good. So using what I have on hand would be more logical. And making several frankin dollies would have been a better plan in September rather than the end of October when they probably will not sell. Meh could be worse. 

I think I may also get myself an early Christmas gift of  sock and lace weight yarns from knit picks {link} they have amazing deals usually and I love the feel of their alpaca/silk lace yarn. I left all of my knitted shawls and socks in colorado in storage. I had thought that I would be able to go back and visit long before now, but that hasn't happened and probably won't before the end of the year either. really wish that the move we are planning to make in April was going back to colorado but it won't be that move for almost 3-4 years. Which doesn't exactly make me happy but as long as the boyfriend is happy that is all that matters at the moment. I am hoping to actually start saving money again soon, I mean I pretty much have to if I want to have any kind of spending money when I go to Florida in February. Which means that I need to request more hours at work or find a second job.

Etsy update
I have put some of the older dolls in my shop on sale the White rabbit $15

, and Pink panda $20

 dolls are all at discounted prices. Hopefully to make room for same newer dolls that I have made in the last couple of months. They will stay at these prices for the next 3 weeks. Until my race the Saturday before thanksgiving, if I can sell them and post some newer dolls I will discount the new ones for Black Friday threw cyber Monday. But I would need to sell off my current stock. I may bring back my knitted knitters too if there is a want for them. But we shall see. I am off to get ready for work.

Later all

P.S. This was my work outfit yesterday I was quite proud of what I put together on zero sleep and it was surprisingly comfortable all day as well. 

 I am a bad blogger putting all of my photos at the end of my post but oh well. Later for real this time. 

Luv ya!