Cheers to the New Year!


Happy New Year, friends!
Here's to a new year full of many blessings, continued success and lots of fun memories along the way..
Let's make this one the best year EVER. 
Cheers!

Candice
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Celebrate: Sparkle & Shine New Year's Eve Party


A fabulous new year is just around the corner, and if you're like me, it's a perfect time to celebrate!  There's new beginnings, new dreams and goals, and a brand new month to start off right! Ready to plan your party? Here's a sparkly way to ring in the new year!!
 Dress up your drinks with fresh raspberries, and line up the stemware on a mirrored tray for an elegant touch! Printed gold foil coasters are a fun extra. 
 Feeling creative? Try a DIY decor project and create this glittering banner with some cardboard, glue and craft glitter. 


 After lots of holiday food, people are ready for something different. Give your guests an array of delicious, light appetizers and mini bites. You'll save on the prep time and cost. Here's some of my menu: Mediterranean Crostini, Pear Slices topped with goat cheese and cranberries, creamy Brie cheese with table crackers & honey, Macarons and other various desserts


 Table decor should reflect the whimsical and glamorous vibe of the holiday. There's no such thing as too much sparkle on New Year's Eve! To create the shimmering tablescape, I thrifted a bunch of mason jars and glass votives. Gold glitter gave the glass a glitzy update, and I added faux and real tea lights for extra shine. 
Hand-lettered placecards always add a personal touch, and one can never go wrong with gold flatware and chargers. Sequins and rhinestones sprinkled among the candles is a fun addition to the table. 

Writing down my goals for the new year is always something I enjoy..it's more than just a resolution; it's got a date and a plan of action behind it, which helps to motivate me in the achievement process. I encouraged my guests to also write down some things they'd like to accomplish, and we pinned them onto the sparkly gold wall! :)   
Cheers to the new year, everyone! 
Let's make this year the best one ever! 

See more of the party here

-Candice




Thanks to:
Models: Katie, Amy, Lauren, oh and me ;) haha

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What To Wear: New Year's Eve

With the beginnings of a New Year just around the corner, it's time to be thinking of what to wear to celebrate! Sequins, glitter, feathers and bright colors..nothing is out of the question; be bold and daring, this is the time to sparkle and shine. Here's a few fun ideas for however you're spending the evening.

Soiree Sparkle
 Black satin and feathers are party perfect when accented with sparkling gold accessories. Add a gilded touch to your makeup with shades of honey, glittering gold and a pair of fluttery lashes.
 Nothing says celebrate quite like glitter, and sequins are always appropriate at a NYE fete. A sparkling little black dress is a fun twist on a classic. Pair with some nude heels and statement earrings for a pop of color.
Feeling bold? A punchy hue, like this bright pink, is a great way to make an entrance. Faux fur, patterned tights and charcoal suede heels are the perfect compliments! Add a stack of bangles for extra flair.

Cozy Evening In
Planning a relaxing and understated evening celebration? Cozy up in an oversized sweater and silky scarf in rich, warm shades of goldenrod, caramel, cranberry and wine.  A pair of shimmering earrings keeps things festive. 

Dinner & A Show
Catching a quick bite before the performance? This turquoise and gold combination is pretty and dressed up enough to take you from dinner to front row seats. Dazzle with glitzy shoes, accessories and a wow-factor necklace.  

Have a favorite?
What will you be doing on New Year's Eve? 
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Merry Christmas


Wishing you and yours the most wonderful Christmas and every blessing in the New Year!
(this video is by far the best & cutest re-telling of the Christmas Story I've ever seen!) 

In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D)the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J)12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(M) 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.(N) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(O) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.


Merry Christmas 
-Candice

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Weekend Wanderings

Happy Weekend Everyone! I'm so excited to tell you that the sparkling New Year's Eve party post is live here! Pick up some tips and tricks to host your own glittery soiree! I've been excitedly awaiting this weekend's arrival..probably more so than most weekends because not only are many of my friends coming into town, but I'm also hosting my annual Christmas party which has become a delightful tradition. We'll begin with a day full of baking sweet treats in the kitchen, and then enjoy them over dinner and hot cocoa the next day while we catch up on each other's latest endeavors. Such fun! I can't wait!!

Wishing all of you a most wonderful and joy-filled weekend!
-Candice
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Holiday Tummy Toning


If there's one thing I love most, its a good workout, especially around the holidays. It does wonders to give you more energy, makes you feel good and gives you confidence. Today I'm super excited to have one of my good friends here to share a great toning workout that you can do in the morning, after work or in the afternoon if you need a little pick-me-up! Jenni is a former dancer as well as a dedicated fitness and yoga enthusiast. 
Her blog, Pen + Keyboard, is brimming with delicious (and good for you) recipes, fabulous workouts and lots of fun in between. I'm so happy she's here to share this Holiday Tummy Toning workout with you on Teatime Thoughts...you'll feel fantastic after this!
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Holiday Tummy Toning
Winter is notorious for being a time when the pounds get packed on a little more than usual. The mixture of uber yummy holiday cookies and stress eating can do a number on our midsection. There are a few great exercises that will help keep our midsection in check, and even, help it slim down. That’s right, we can leave the holiday season in better shape than we found it. The best part is this workout can be done in 20 minutes- because, no one wants to add an hour of gym time to their holiday schedule!
The workout focuses on alternating core exercise that will blast those extra calories and tighten up the tummy. I would suggest doing between one and three sets of this three times a week. Sometimes, I also do this exercise after jogging... Just one set really works those areas that jogging can leave out!
Plank: 

Start in plank and hold for 30 seconds and work your way up to three minutes.


Lowered Plank Toe Rolls: 

Lower from plank position to being on your forearms so shoulders are directly above the elbows. Hold here for 5-10 seconds, then roll forward so you are on your toes. This should be a very fluid movement and should bring you about two inches farther forward. Hold for 5-10 seconds before rolling back to starting. Complete ten
Spider-man on forearms: 

In the lowered plank position, lift your right leg up 45 degrees then bend and bring to the side while keeping your hips even. Hold, then return to having your leg at a 45 degree angle.  Complete ten per side, making sure to not let the active foot touch the ground. The goal is to be able to complete 20 without the hips or torso moving. 
Bicycle crunches: 

These are great for the oblique abdominal muscles. Alternate, bringing your left leg to right elbow and right leg to left elbow. Keep the straightened leg about 3 inches off the floor and be sure you are using your abs to move your body inward and not the back or neck muscles. Moving the leg up or down will also decrease or increase the intensity. Complete 20 per leg, 40 total. 
Table Top Pose: 
Start laying on your back with knees bent and feet on the ground, bring your body up so your arms are straight and knees are at a 90 degree angle. Your head should rest back and your body should be parallel to the floor with fingers facing towards the feet. Hold for thirty seconds before lowering back down to the floor. For a greater workout, lift your leg so it is parallel to the floor. For even more of a burn, lift your leg so it is perpendicular to the ground. Complete 10 per side or 20 total. 
Side Plank sit up: 


Do a side plank with body straight and arm either straight or bent with the forearm on the ground and shoulder directly above the arm. Bring hips down about 1 inch from the ground then back to starting position. This will massively work the obliques, lower back, and outer thigh muscles. Do at least 10 per side.

Side Plank Twist: 

In side plank position, lift the free arm straight in the air and bring under your body, rotating your torso as you move. Hold here for 3-5 seconds before return to starting position. Five to ten of these is a great starting point. Work up to doing 20 per side.

Want more workouts, delicious recipes and fun fitness ideas? Keep up with Jenni here:

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Wordless Wednesday

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