2012 Ornament Swap Wrap-up

I participated in Christina's Ornament Swap this year and was partnered with Kat from Colorado. Here is the post about the package I sent her but I didn't put a photo in the post so as to not spoil the surprise for her! After she got it she emailed me photos of the ornaments on her tree!

I got both of these cuties at West Elm in the Pearl District in Portland, which is conveniently about a 6 block walk from my studio apartment. My mom came over one evening last week and we had fun browsing through the store. Owls are SO in right now---there must have been 20 different owl products! At least!

Drumroll.......as for what Kat sent me, here it is!

 What a cutie. Felted wool is so popular this year too!

 How sweet that she sent a whole package of mini ornaments for my mini tree!

 Here is a snap with some of the mini ornaments on my tree.

Copying X-Tina's recipes

Have you ever read the blog Hungry Meets Healthy? I have been following it for quite a while now and I love Christina's taste in food. And other stuff, for that matter, like running, fitness and her enthusiasm for life, love of candy, and generally exciting life. She also has a CSA like I did this summer, and a while ago she made something that I happened to have almost all the ingredients for. Since she liked it, I knew I'd like it. I mean, I pretty much salvitate every time she posts one of her meals.

The dish was called Sweet Potatoes with Collard Greens and Tomatoes. You can see her recipe by clicking through to that link, but I didn't have garam masala so I used tumeric and chili powder instead.

I used kale from my community garden plot (I grow the kale year-round). I really liked this dish--the combination of these veggies was great and really filling. It made about 3 meals for me, although I will admit I probably eat more than one serving of it:)

Share your newest favorite recipes with me!

How to decorate for Christmas in a studio apartment

I totally thought my Christmas decor would be lame this year because I now live in a tiny studio apartment. Although my decor is small and simple, it's festive!

 Simple lights strung from the window

 Random stockings---the one on the far right is the one from my childhood!

 This mini Christmas tree is actually a rosemary bush! They are at Trader Joe's for just $8.99. I decorated it with my own ornaments and got a couple new small ones at West Elm.

Cranberry garlands strewn around the room

Scott being a dork. He helped me decorate! He has great taste.

And in the kitchen I have my Oregon Ducks baby Christmas tree. Go Ducks!

How did you decorate this year? Any tips for decorating a small space like mine? I can't wait to see all the blogger photos of their decorations!

Baby Birthday Party

On Saturday my whole family took my niece to her first birthday party of a fellow baby. Well, babies to be exact. My childhood friend Cali has 2-year-old twins and they had their party at a rec center.

Riley and Olivia

 Natalie wearing her birthday hat

Somehow it turned sideways......

 The party place had lots of fun things to play on. Natalie is learning so much and becoming such a climber! She slid down the slides and then climbed back up.

 teeter totter with mommy and grandpa

Climbing!

 With her nana

With her auntie!

She is getting so big and saying so many words! She can pretty much say all the animals and the noises they make as well as colors. At 16 months she is just a little bit younger than the 2-year-olds and she was keeping up with them!

2012 Ornament Swap update

The 2012 Ornament swap is officially underway. Christina from Hungry Meets Healthy matched us up with a partner, and she and I got to know each other through email last week. 

I was super excited to shop for my ornament and even more excited when I went to West Elm and spent an hour browsing though all the amazing Christmas and Winter decor! I won't spoil the surprise for my partner by telling her what I picked out, but let's just say they are super cute and I had a little too much fun at the self gift wrap station. I hope she doesn't think some of the decor I threw in the top of the box before sealing it was actually the ornaments! Keep digging, Kat!

Are you participating in any fun blogger holiday exchanges this year? I'll post photos of my ornament from Kat once I receive it!

The Westin's "No Excuses" workout

I was traveling for work recently and was thrilled to learn about a program that New Balance has with The Westin. Luckily my company lets me stay in fabulous hotels like The Westin, with amazing beds, bathrooms, workout facilities and healthy room service. I was kind of in a bind on this trip because it was over a week of work---but I started out the trip with 3 personal days in LA watching the Ducks play USC. I didn't have much space in my suitcase because I was packing for multiple climates (multi-city work trip + LA) and ran out of work-out clothes quick by running on the beach every morning in LA. So I was thrilled to learn that New Balance allows you to borrow work-out clothes and shoes for just $5! All you have to do is call the concierge and ask. It's delivered to your room in your size less than 10 minutes later!

 The gear comes in a mesh bag with a bottle of water

 the loot: A top, sports bra, capri's, socks and shoes. You get to keep the socks :)

 I was hesitant to try these shoes. I had my Nike's with me but I decided to give them a try anyway. I did not love them. They were not soft in the bottom and they hurt my feet after only 5 minutes!

I didn't love how the capri's fit. They didn't hold me in in the front like some pants do.

I did however, like how they looked from the back! 

I loved the convenience of having work-out clothes delivered to your room. You had the option to keep them and be billed for full retail, which is convenient if you did love something. I didn't love anything enough to keep, but I was so thankful I got another set of clean work-out clothes since I ran out fast during my travels! It's tough to get a work-out in when you are traveling for work, working 12 hour days and eating out with co-workers or vendors after that. I was up at 5 on this day to squeeze in 45 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of Mat Pilates. 

Have you ever heard of other programs like this? I think it's a great idea for New Balance. I hope other hotels and fitness apparel/shoe companies jump on the bandwagon!