~TASTE TEST: HOLIDAY SNACK EDITION

I decided to try Boom Chicka Pop's Dark Chocolatier Sea Salt Kettle Corn after espying it at the grocery store.  It's part of the company's Holidrizzle line, which also includes Frosted Sugar Cookie Flavored Kettle Corn and White Chocolate & Peppermint Flavored Kettle Corn.  

I'm a big fan of their Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn, as it has nice balance of the two seasonings, so I was looking forward to trying this yummy-sounding snack.

Unfortunately, though this popcorn is tasty, I think the amount of salt needs to be bumped up quite a bit.  

That being said, I love the overall concept, and the pearlescent white and shimmery hot-pink bag is festive and cheery.  

*Source: Boom Chicka Pop's website

*On a completely unrelated note, I need a ginormous bag of popcorn like this one ☺.

• ~ • ~ •

~GAME TIME!

For what is going to be a very small family Christmas gathering this year, my mom wanted to play a game or two and have a couple of gifties on hand for the winners.

Since I'm a Scattergories fan, I decided to try and come up with a simple game that's in the same vein and make up a printable to play it on.

I found a cute and festive border graphic through Microsoft Word's online image search and added each letter of the alphabet, with room left for writing.

My rules are going to be as follows:

~ Think of something Christmas-related that begins with each letter

~ If no one else has the same answer as you, you get a point (this rewards originality)

~ If you can't think of an answer, you lose a point

*An added rule could be that answers must be one word only

Best wishes for the holidays, and here's to having fun and brain-stretching get-togethers ☺.

• ~ • ~ •

~NIFTY NAILS

I love, love, love fair isle--who doesn't? ♥

This lovely nail art and photo comes all the way from Ukraine.

*And here's an interesting tidbit I googled after typing "the Ukraine" and realizing I should double-check that moniker.

~ ~ ~

~YOU WEAR IT WELL: CHRISTMAS POLYVOR EDITION

A Polyvore set by yours truly, featuring a Rose & Robin Adornment ☺

• ~ • ~ •

~PHOTION FOR THE DAY

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• ~ • ~ •

~MELODIES THAT MOVE ME: CHRISTMAS EDITION ♫

Kelly Clarkson's cover of this Christmas classic came on my car radio recently, and I really love her rendition of it.

Do you remember me?

I sat upon your knee

I wrote to you

With childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown up now

And still need help somehow

I'm not a child

But my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish

My grown up christmas list

Not for myself

But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end

This is my grown up christmas list

As children we believed

The grandest sight to see

Was something lovely

Wrapped beneath our tree

But heaven only knows

That packages and bows

Can never heal

A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end

This is my grown up christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth

Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end, oh

This is my grown up christmas list

This is my only life long wish

This is my grown up christmas list

• ~ • ~ •

*I must say, the next-to-last stanza reminds me of Matthew 18:3, Luke 18:17, and 2 Corinthians 5:7

• ~ • ~ •

~POINSETTIA PANACHE

I must say I was 'tickled turquoise' to spot these oh-so-fancy poinsettias at a local grocery store. I've never seen holiday plants in this happy hue, so I began googling.

I came across a write-up from 2006 about what are, in actuality, painted plants.  Learn more about them here:

"Stop and Smell the Poinsettias"

• ~ • ~ •

~CHRISTMAS CRAFTINESS!

These Scrap-Ribbon Tree Ornaments by Fireflies and Mud Pies are adorbs.  

I'm thinking stiffer ribbon would probably work better for them, as I'm guessing the longer pieces might have a tendency to flop; in fact, I see someone in the comments experienced drooping ribbon herself.  

In any case, I love the combination of the rustic little stick and the multi-patterned, spiffy ribbon--very cute!

*I found the first image on pinterest, and it links to the correct blog post, but that particular pic is no longer on the post ;)

• ~ • ~ •

~A JOKE A DAY MAKES THE LAUGHTER STAY

What did the gingerbread man put on his bed?

Click here for the answer!

*Original image is in the public domain and was altered by me

• ~ • ~ •

~YOU WEAR IT WELL: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO 'UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER' ENSEMBLES!

*Source

Who can get enough of the now-ubiquitous tacky Christmas sweater craze?  I, for one, am all for it, as it tickles my funny bone and reminds me to lighten up a little.  Plus, many of the sweaters veer more towards cute-as-a-button than gag-worthy.

Here are some Polyvore sets featuring yuletide tops that are sure to delight...

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• ~ • ~ •