Everything Christmas!

I don't know if you know this about me, but I absolutely LOVE Christmas time (almost as much as Buddy the elf). It's not only about giving and receiving gifts, but for MCB and I, it's mostly about getting to see our families at least once a year since we live so far from them. So this entire post is dedicated to everything Christmas (at least what we've done so far)...

First up, my co-hosting link-up with Candra, Jodi, and Kristine. (a few days late in true Katie fashion)

<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">camoandlipstick</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com" title="This or That Link Up"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i1291.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/b543/Ce_Berg/Simple-Colorful-Background_1600x1000_zpsf0a026ed.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="This or That Link Up" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This or That?: Christmas!

Celebrity Christmas Carol Remakes or Chipmunk Carol Remakes?
I'm going to go with celebrity remakes. I mean come on, I can't get enough of *NSYNC, Michael Bubleeeeeee (that's what MCB calls him), and Lady A?! And honestly, the chipmunks annoy me a little bit.

Gift Cards or Gift Baskets?
Gift cards...they are just way easier to pack up and take home.

Naughty or Nice?
I guess we will have to wait and see. ;)

Getting everything on your wish list or Giving someone everything on their wish list?
Giving someone everything on their wish list by far. I mean don't get me wrong, I love getting gifts, but it makes me much happier when someone's eyes light up and their smile is from ear to ear after opening their gifts.

Presents on Christmas Eve or Presents on Christmas Morning?
We have a few different days that we do Christmas. This year we have a whole bunch!

We did one with our Army family...

T is the best present opening helper!

 

We did one with just the two of us... (we get each other an ornament every year)

 

And we will do one with my family on Christmas and one with MCB's family around New Year's.

 

Speaking of ornaments, I participated in the first ever (maybe annual?!) blogger ornament swap hosted by Jennifer and Jenny! Let me say I hope they plan on doing this again next year because I realllllly enjoyed it!

 

 

I was partnered up with two lovely ladies Heather and Ashley. Heather sent me this awesome and sparkly ornament! Her ears must have been ringing because when MCB and I were putting up the tree I told him that we needed more ornaments that sparkle for next year. I can't believe how spot on she was! It is soooooo adorable this picture doesn't do it justice. She also sent along some M&Ms in a cute ornament container that MCB promptly took and ate so he was excited. If you want to see the ornament I sent Ashley, hop on over to her blog. She is super sweet and is one of the biggest motivators out there. It was great getting to know all these lovely ladies, and looking forward to next years! ;)

And now I leave you all with a few pictures of the house all decked out ready for Santa to visit...

Our card wall...did your card make it?

The Christmas tree and mantle

Outside lights

Close up on the door

 

This or That?: Winter

Helllllllllllo Blogland!

I'm back for week six of This or That? with my lovely co-hosts Candra, Jodi, and Kristine. There are only two more link-ups after this one so grab the button and join the fun now!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.camoandlipstick.blogspot.com" title="This or That Link Up"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/Ce_Berg/Simple-Colorful-Background_1600x1000_zpsf0a026ed.jpg" alt="This or That Link Up" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This or That?: Winter

Fashionable Snow Boots or Practical Snow Boots?
It's funny that this was the first question because I was just having this conversation with my husband last night. Growing up in NY ans my husband being from Chicago, we both agreed that practical snow boots are the way to go. Right now I'm in the market for new boots since the Timberland boots I have are like 10 years old and have my eyes on these... (incase anyone needs to get me a Christmas gift still ::wink, wink::)

Hat or Ear Muffs?
Hat for sure! I feel like ear muffs don't keep my whole head warm so a hat it is, and I don't mean one of those small beanies. I'm talking about full on ear flap kind of hat. It may not be attractive, but it keeps my entire head warm.



Snowed In or Playing In The Snow?
In my younger days I would be out in the snow playing all day long, building forts for snowball fights, and sledding, but since I'm older now (and usually have to shovel first...blah!) I got with snowed in. That way I can sit in front of the fire place and have a few cocktails without leaving the warmth and comfort of my own home.

Sledding or Snow Tubing?
I've never been snow tubing, but would always go sledding or use a saucer when I was a kid. There's this park that we would all go to when it would snow because they had the biggest hills anywhere in town. We don't get much snow here in TN, just dustings and ice, but if we do get any kind of accumulation I've already got the sledding hill picked out. And the bonus...it's at the distillery so we can do a tasting to warm up! ;)

Almost Winter or Winter's Almost Over?
This is a hard one. I'm always excited for the winter to come and give us a break from the heat of summer, but I'm usually happier when winter is almost over. I know I've only lived in the south for a few years, but my blood has really thinned out and I can't do the cold for too long. I usually look like Randy from A Christmas Story when I go out in the cold for awhile.

 

Well, that's all folks! Don't forget to grab the button and link-up with us.

 

This or That?: Week 4 & 5

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday (I will recap mine tomorrow), but ugh, it's been a crazy week around here!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.camoandlipstick.blogspot.com" title="This or That Link Up"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/Ce_Berg/Simple-Colorful-Background_1600x1000_zpsf0a026ed.jpg" alt="This or That Link Up" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
</
textarea></pre>

Anyway, since I missed my co-hosting duties last week, I will be doing two weeks worth in this one post! So go ahead, grab the button and link-up with Candra, Jodi, and Kristine...


Week #4 This or That?: Thanksgiving

Stuffing or Mashed Potatoes?
- I absolutely love both, but if I had to pick I would have to go with mashed potatoes. They are just so creamy, buttery, and smooth, I can't resist!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce or Store Bought Cranberry Sauce?
- If you asked me this question a few years ago, before I spent my first Thanksgiving with my husband's family, I would have for sure said store bought. We had them at every meal my nanny cooked so it was the norm for us. But now, without a doubt, I would have to go with Aunt Mur's homemade cranberry sauce! I usually pile it high on my plate even before I get some turkey, and the best part is that now she makes us our own container to take home.

Pumpkin Pie or Pecan Pie?
- Unfortunately, I can't eat either one, but before I had this stupid dairy allergy my mom made a mean pecan pie that I would eat with vanilla ice cream. Mmmmmm!

Cooking all day or cleaning up all night?
- Since this year I worked the two days after Thanksgiving, it was the first one that my husband and I hosted in our home. Now I know you guys have discovered I have a slight case of OCD so I would have to go with cleaning up all night. That way I knew all the dishes were cleaned and put back in the correct places, as well as all the leftovers put in the correct containers in an organized fashion in the fridge. I can't help it!

Thanksgiving Day Parade or Football Game?
-  FOOTBALLLLLLLL!!!! My Cowboys play every Thanksgiving so I'm guaranteed to get to see my favorite team every year. :)


Week 5: This or That?: Make a House a Home

Screened in Porch or Wrap Around Deck?
- I've always wanted a beautiful wrap around porch on my dream house. When we lived in Savannah, all the old school houses there had these beautiful wrap around porches where you could sit out and sip on sweet tea and relax. That is how I would like to spend an evening after a long day of work with a glass of vino!

Big Luxurious Bathtub or Huge Walk-In Closet?
- Living in several different places over the past few years allows for you to realize what you want when you eventually get to settle down in a home. In every home we've had a walk-in closet and I would certainly take that over a huge bathtub. In the house we are in now we have both, and the big, luxurious, jetted tub is a-m-a-zing, but we have too much clothing between the two of us not to have a walk-in closet.

Kitchen with and Island or Kitchen with a Breakfast Bar?
- Breakfast bar for sure. I liked having a breakfast bar because that meant you didn't always have to sit at the table and eat. Especially over deployments and trainings when I eat alone, the table just seems too big for one person.

Big Front Yard or Big Backyard?
- Well since we have the two monsters puppies, we would need a big backyard with a fence. A 6 foot fence since I would be afraid of them jumping over it. Plus I like the privacy from the neighbors.

Bountiful Garden or Nearby Grocery Store?
- I would die to have a bountiful garden! It would be awesome to grow our own fruits and veggies that we could freshly pick and eat for dinner. Oh man, I wish we could have a garden, but the soil out here really stinks!


That's all I've got for you tonight folks. Happy Tuesday!

I ain't scurred! Ok, maybe I am.

Goooooooood Morning Blogland!

Y'all know what today is....Tuesday, that means it's time for a little game  of This or That? with my lovely co-hosts Candra, Jodi, and Kristine. So go ahead grab the button and don't forget to link up with us!

<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">camoandlipstick</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com" title="This or That Link Up"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i1291.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/b543/Ce_Berg/Simple-Colorful-Background_1600x1000_zpsf0a026ed.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="This or That Link Up" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This weeks theme: Fears. dum, dum, dummmmmm

Heights or deep water?

Deep water without a doubt! I hate not being able to see where I'm walking or what is swimming around me in the water. Even growing up on the beach I hated going in the water. This past summer we were swimming in the Cumberland just off the boat and I felt a large and in charge fish swim up against my leg and totally flipped out and jumped back in the boat.

 

Snakes or spiders?

Can I say neither? Fine, if I really have to pick one I will go with snakes because spiders I can kill with a rolled up magazine. I actually had a run in with a rattlesnake this summer while we were hiking in Blue Ridge, and still haven't recovered. We were minding our own business, taking pictures and all of a sudden we hear this noise. It sounded like a whole bunch of cicada bugs which didn't really phase us since they were bad this summer. But no, no, no it was a huge rattlesnake about 20 ft away from us! It still gives me the hibby jibbies typing it out.

 

{I can't even bring myself to post a picture, blah}

 

Losing all your teeth or losing all your hair?

 Probably loosing my teeth. I mean they make some of the best wigs now a days so my head would be covered, but dentures just don't sound comfortable to me.

 

 

No voice or no hearing?

This is a tough one, but I would have to go with no voice. I can't imagine not being able to hear my husband say I love you to me ever again, or eventually down the road my children calling me mommy.

 

Eating a bug or eating intestines?

This is like the Survivor episode last week. For sure eating a bug though. Just the sound of raw intestines make me cringe.

 

Don't forget to add your link so we can see what you pick!

November Cara Box

Good Afternoon Blog Land!!!

Back in September I signed up for my first ever Cara Box. I have to say that it was probably the best thing I have done since starting this blog. I first found the lovely Kaitlyn when I was searching for fellow military spouse blogs. When I came across her blog I found that she does a monthly blog swap where you have the opportunity to get to know two different bloggers. I was paired up with two lovely ladies Candra and Meagan.

So basically how it works is you get to know your two partners through blogs and emails over the course of a few months, and at the end of that time you send your partner a package and your other partner sends you a package. Well, Meagan was the partner that sent me a package, and she did a mighty fine job!

 

The theme for the Cara Box during this time was fall. Now before I even opened the box I had a running list of new things I'm obsessed with (you can read it here) and she sent me 3 of the things that are on that list! It was meant to be. Her gift also came on a day that I was having a bad day so it instantly brightened my day. She sent me these gorgeous fall decorations made of burlap and pine cones that are hanging on my mantle as we speak you read! Meagan was so sweet and it was great to get to meet her! And hey you never know, if we ever get stationed in Washington we could potentially meet in person. ;)

 

If you want to see what I sent Candra, hop on over to her blog! And while you are over there, join in on our link-up tomorrow for This or That?: Fears.

 

Thank you Kaitlyn for setting up such a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and I can't wait till the next one!

Sunday Social

Boo, I can't believe it's already Sunday. Why does the weekend have to go so fast?! Any who, today is a rainy/wet/gloomy/tornado watch Sunday so I figured why not blog while watching football and Vanderpump Rules under my nice warm blanket.

Today I'm linking up with the lovely Neely over at A Complete Waste of Makeup for Sunday Social.

This weekend the questions all correspond to the number 4 which is ironic considering girls night last night consisted of 4 bottles of wine. Coincidence?...

 

1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life.

Film developer, waitress, teacher, bourbon/whiskey/moonshine distillery worker

 

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over.

Dirty Dancing, Grease, P.S. I Love You, and The Notebook

 

3. Name 4 places you have lived. 

New York, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods.

Wheat Thins, pine nut hummus, Oreos, pasta
 

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you.

iPhone, wallet, lip balm, EpiPen (I have a severe dairy allergy)
 

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation.

Disney World, Washington D. C., Napa Valley/Sonoma, Las Vegas

 

And because I hate posts without pictures...

T and Kaiser snuggling

5 on Friday

Today I'm linking up with Darci over at The Good Life for one of the most popular link ups out there...

 These are my 5 newest obsessions...

{one}
Soy Candles

It's exactly what it sounds like...candles made from soy. The benefits of soy candles? They are made from natural products (soybeans and essential oils) and they burn longer than normal candles. That's good news in this house because I always have candles going since we've got two puppies living here now.
 

{two}
EOS Lip Balm

This is one of the best lip balms I have tried, ever! I have tried pretty much everything that is out there on the market, but next to my traditional Carmex lip balm, this is a top contender. Plus it's a cute little container.
 

{three}
Mrs. Meyer's Cleaning Products

 Amazing smelling cleaning products that clean just as good as the harsh chemical smelling ones. They are safe for use around children and pets, made from raw materials, and are never tested on animals. I'm dying to finish all the other cleaning products I  have so I can switch over!
  

{four}
Boxed Wine

 I originally bought this box of wine for a big get together that we were having out the house, because let's be honest, it's cheap and easy. I ended up loving it! At first I thought it wasn't going to be as good as picking a bottle out of the wine fridge, but it actually is really good. Don't be fooled either... this box holds the equivalent of 4 bottles of wine and is the same price as 2 bottles. Win, win in my opinion.
 

{five}
ebates.com
Now this isn't new for me, but for those of you out there that shop online, this will be a great place for you! The reason I bring it up is that I just got my "Big Fat Check" in the mail. Basically, you go to this website, register, click on your favorite website, and start shopping. After your transaction is complete you get a percentage back. You can also earn money from referring a friend (http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=xkUXpja6bDjXRf6Mr9QqLg%3D%3D) just in case you are interested. I know we will be having a shopping party over here for Christmas gifts!



**********
Check back on Monday for my CARA BOX reveal!

This or That? 90's Edition

Hey, hey, hey! Week 2 of This or That? is back! Make sure to grab the button and go over to Candra's blog to link-up.

<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">camoandlipstick</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com" title="This or That Link Up"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i1291.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/b543/Ce_Berg/Simple-Colorful-Background_1600x1000_zpsf0a026ed.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="This or That Link Up" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This weeks theme: 90's Edition

1. Will Smith now, Will Smith then
Will Smith then hands down! The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was sooooooo funny, and the movies that he starred in during the 90's (Independence Day, Bad Boys, Men In Black, etc.) were much more laid back than the ones in recent times. Oh, and you can't forget the music...

 source

2. Platform sandals, clear plastic sandals
Platform sandals all the way. I remember everyone had a pair of the black Steve Madden's that they would walk/drag their feet around in school, but no one cared. You do what you need to to look cool. Plus I remember the clear sandals (we use to call them Jellies) would make my feet sweat and smell...gross!

source

3. Tamagotchis, nano babies
I never had either one, but I remember taking care of my friend's Tamagotchis at lunch because we had alternating lunch schedules. And we weren't suppose to have them in out of our desks till lunch so we did the "secret" hug-handoff so none of the teachers would see. We really thought we were sneaky back then.

source

4. TGIF line up, Nick after Dark
TGIF! We never watched Nick after Dark, but we did watch TGIF during dinner as an end of the week treat. And a bonus...Boy Meets World is coming back; I can't wait!

source

5. JTT, Deven Sawa
I would have to go to JTT because I didn't know who the other one was until I googled him. He was and still is suuuuuuuper cute!

source

Don't forget to check out the lovely ladies that co-host this great link-up with me!
Candra @ Camo & Lipstick
Kristine @ Living Barefoot and Crazy

Jodi @ Love and Crayons

This or That? Link Up

The lovely Candra, over at Camo & Lipstick has come up with a great new link-up called This or That?, and she has graciously allowed me to co-host with her, Jodi, and Kristine.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.camoandlipstick.blogspot.com" title="This or That Link Up"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/Ce_Berg/Simple-Colorful-Background_1600x1000_zpsf0a026ed.jpg" alt="This or That Link Up" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This week's theme is Parenting. Along with Kristine, I am a momma of two adorable furbabies so I will be answering her questions.

1. Dog boarding or having someone house/pet sit? (or sending them to grandma and grandpa's for the weekend)
The hardest part of going away is having to find a place for your furbabies to stay while you are away enjoying yourself. In a perfect world, I would have to go with sending them off to grandma and grandpa's for the weekend (even though we know they would come back spoiled rotten). In reality, we have found an amazing kennel in the area that the pups love going to because not only do they get to play in a huge yard together like they do at home, but they also get to play with all the other dogs that are staying there at the same time.

2. Dry food or wet food?
Kaiser gets a mixture of Authority dry and wet food and Bailey gets Iams Puppy dry food soaked in water. We eventually would like to get them both on the same food so we aren't spending an arm and a leg to feed these precious pups, but for now it works.

3. Cleaning up vomit or the squirts?
 Oh gawd! I literally lol'd at this one. Unfortunately I had to clean up both not too long ago (Bailey girl broke out of her crate last week and got into the Halloween candy while I was at work so I came home to poop, vomit, and pee all over my house!), and would much rather clean up pee. I know it's not a choice, but I do what I want.

4. Grooming yourself or take them to the groomer?
 This is an easy one...take them to the groomer. Kaiser hates when I put him in the tub to give him a bath and Bailey is afraid of the brush I have so I would much rather avoid the headache. I did just invest in a furminator so we'll see how that works for them.

And because I hate posts without pictures...my sweet furbabies!

 

That's all I've got for you today folks, but be sure to grab the button and join in on the fun!

 

Next week on This or That?....90's Edition! I can't wait!!!

My First Ever Link-Up: SO WHAT! Wednesday

Happy Hump Day Y'all! I know I only have a couple of "followers" that check in on my little corner of the internet daily (Hi Mom and Maggie!), but I'm going to try to be more active and post more then twice a year month. With that said, today I've decided to try out something new and do my first ever link-up with Shannon at Life After I Dew.  

 

This week I'm saying, So what if...

• ...I have my fall candles out and burning even though it's still 80 something degrees out. Fall is my favorite season and I'm going to celebrate it as long as possible!
• ...Kaiser has been sleeping in my bed this past week. Matt being out in the field leaves a big gap in my bed and Kaiser is a great cuddle buddy.
• ...I will be eating sandwiches or BAS (big ass salads) for dinner a few times this week. I'm too lazy to cook just for me.
• ...it looks like my laundry basket threw up all over my closet. Tuesdays are my usual laundry day and I had to work yesterday so I never got around to doing it.
• ...my front yard is a jungle bit over grown. I'll mow the lawn and trim the bushes before I head to Nashville on Saturday, maybe.
• ...I stayed up wayyyyy later then I should have to catch up on my Real Housewives shows. I can't get enough of the drama!

What are you saying SO WHAT! to this week?