I have always used Microsoft Powerpoint to edit my photos so I was shocked to see the mad changes (and improvements) that have come along with the new version (10) I have been given.  There is a super cool function under the (Picture Tools) Format tab.  In there, they have something new called, 'Artistic Effects' where you can modify your photo 22 different ways. 

I, of course, took advantage of this and played around with various photos.  So fun!  Maybe I'm behind on this (I've been using my old version forever, and we all know how pricey Microsoft Office is) but it's new to me and pretty exciting.

Mouse over the photos to see which effect I used on each one (they are all different and there are still so many more to choose from; my fave are the last two).  It'd be kind of cool to use one of these effects to print your own thank-you or greeting cards.


Merry Christmas!  Joyeux Noel!  Feliz Navidad!

Today is my favourite day of the year and are there traditions in my family, you ask?  Oh are there traditions.  

My sister and I always sleep over at my parent's place on Christmas Eve (also my Dad's birthday).  We share a bed and she complains I always try to cuddle her and I complain that she won't let me.  She wakes us all up uber early, like criminally early for a day off (we discuss this the evening before hand and the negotiating begins, 'We're getting up at 7am!'  I retort with, 'How about 11am?'  We eventually meet somewhere in the middle) and we all head into the living room to see what Santa brought us and open our stockings.  Then we eat breakfast (croissants, cinnamon buns, fruit and mimosas) which we basically plow through in order to get back to the living room for the good stuff: presents!  Then we spend the next few hours opening presents, listening to reggae Christmas music, taking pictures and laughing at my Dad's wrapping attempts (sorry Dad).

Later on, my grandparents will come for dinner and we'll have a huge (turkey) feast, which is my favourite meal of the year.  We will all eat so much, lots of moaning and groaning will occur within five minutes of the meal ending, but ultimately, we will all be very happy.

Do you have simple Christmas traditions you repeat year after year?  Share in the comments below!  

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and if you don't celebrate Christmas, a happy holiday season.


 Mexx top, Smart Set cami, H&M pants (last seen here), Aldo wedges (last seen here), Emily Elizabeth necklace, Aldo & Charlotte Russe rings

I'm so excited; today is my last day of work for (get this) 10 days!  I had to take three days worth of holidays and in return I get 10 days off.  So.  Pumped.

Today I'm playing Elf to Santa at work as employees are encouraged to bring their kids in.  We always have a huge potluck and the kids get to see Santa.  It's organized well, too; the parents buy a $2-$3 gift for their child, wrap it and write their name on it.  Then they give it to our Admin who coordinates the whole thing.  She ensures Santa gets the gifts so when the children sit on Santa's lap, they get a little gift.  It's super sweet.  I will be Santa's helper.  A friend and co-worker will be taking photos so I'll try and get one of me and Santa to share with you all.  Fun!





I have Christmas stress.  

Okay, it's not terrible, as my shopping is all done, but the wrapping. 

Oh the wrapping.  

It's haunting me.  Taunting me.  And it's getting later and later with each minute.  I have to do all my wrapping tonight.  I slacked off last night (but did finish my shopping) on the wrapping as I promised I'd do it tonight.  

And now, here I am, totally procrastinating.  

On top of that I need to make a quiche for tomorrow's work potluck and some peppermint bark to give as gifts.  I figured taking several minutes to post about this, instead of getting busy, would be the smart thing to do.   Wish me luck.


Update:

I'm all done my wrapping.  The quiche is made.  There is no peppermint bark (oh well, it was the lowest priority).  I'm exhausted.  It's only taken four hours.  Phew.

Style at Home does a cool comparison between rooms that are decorated almost identically, but the price tags differ vastly.  Can you tell which room is high versus low?


* The rooms on the left are the ones with the low price tag.
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