And it’s Christmas. Anybody feeling all giddy already or have you been stressing too much from all the rush? I on the other hand felt so unpopular this year. I wasn’t invited to any parties, yes aside from my work’s Christmas party, I will never attend any Holiday parties anymore. Loser huh? Aside from shopping a few items for my family and close friends and browsing on the internet from Facebook to reading about the best spa filter that you can use in your home spa, as if I have one… My days are just normal. The Holidays will actually start tomorrow, I will attend our hospital’s Christmas party and I will be tagging along my son and his nanny. Then I will be off from work on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday will be a spa day with my best friend. So as far as I can recall, she is my only social life apart from my family. HAHA… Then on the 24th will be a busy day in the kitchen for Noche Buena.

What am I excited about? Well, despite being a rascal, I wrapped a few items for my son and unlike last year that he’s only 1, now that he’s almost 3, I know he will appreciate our gifts more. So aside from the fact that I am very excited to offer my thanks to the Lord and celebrate His birthday with Him and my family, I’m just too excited to see my son’s face when he rushed to our tree and open his little knick knacks.

Merry Christmas everybody. I hope you will be filled with love and happiness this Holiday season!

The husband is so excited of his brand new desktop at work. It’s a well deserved from all the hard work he is doing. I’m glad his bosses decided to upgrade his desktop so he can work more efficiently and precisely. Right now, he is thinking of ways to maintain his new desktop. He didn’t spend his own money in buying it but for sure he will be using it for years so he better takes care of it. I heard about a very popular antivirus software + antispyware, VIPRE. I actually, told him about it and I was surprised that my husband knew about it. I guess, it’s that popular. He is actually glad about the new Vipre since it doesn’t slow down the PC’s performance, with all the new technology of the anitivirus and antispyware, everythign will be advanced technology. It deals with all malicious software that can possibly affect the performance of your PC. What’s nice about the new software is the cutting edge proactive protection, makes you worry free every time you go online, opening any email or website. Also ideal for Netbooks, I’m sure my husband will install this in his brand new laptop as well. He better register and have the free 30-day trial!

I’ve been meaning to make a list but to tell you the truth? I don’t have any. This year have been slow. I don’t know why but we will attend less parties, give less gifts and I haven’t started my Christmas wrapping and it’s what? Second week already! Stress is taking a toll on me and I have this major issue that I need to have a solution first before I get hyped up. I don’t need a fat burner actually, I’m losing my appetite for the past week just thinking about it and I’m losing weight steadily. I hope and pray, my worries are just nothing and at the end of the day, I’m good! I need to pray more often, I guess this is a wake up call for us already. I hope it’s not too late! What’s the only item on my list? To not to worry so I can start and feel the Holiday fever! Dear Lord, please help me!

I have my own worries nowadays, until the waiting comes, I won’t be relaxed and it’s showing on my face, I have 5 large pimples right now that I seriously need acne treatments to get rid of them before Christmas, so as to be descent even just in the pictures. I am so stressed out not just because of this dilemma I have but of the Holiday rush! I still need to start wrapping gifts soon, I haven’t started yet and Christmas is coming very soon already. I really can’t concentrate on the Holiday rush because of the waiting, it’s taking it’s toll on me and I need to pray harder to give me strength and that my worries will go away soon.

I saw these tips online to share:

5 Ways to Prevent Stress During the Holidays

1. Plan ahead. Planning ahead includes beginning your holiday cooking a day or two in advance, completing your shopping before December 24, not waiting until guests arrive to wrap presents…you get the idea.
2. Switch things up. While we’re on the topic of holiday shopping – while change can sometimes cause stress, rather than prevent stress, making changes in your shopping routine may help. If your holiday celebrations involve gift-giving, you can avoid stressful crowds by shopping online, and avoid money troubles by opting for something similar to a ‘Secret Santa’ Christmas.
3. Delegate, delegate, delegate!. Many of us – women, especially (sorry ladies, but it’s true) – tend to take on all responsibilities. This leads to an overload of stress – especially when things don’t work out exactly as planned. To avoid this stress, think about all your family members, loved ones, and friends. Then, think about all of their special talents. Walking the dog, wrapping gifts, setting tables, entertaining Aunt Marge – go crazy. Finally, start delegating. Remember, the holidays are a family effort, and not your entire responsibility.
4. Take a few days off work. You may want to take a few days off work before the holidays in order to prepare (including preparing mentally), and/or a few days off work after the holidays to wind down and regroup.
5. Take notes. Finally, make mental notes (and I suggest later transferring them to paper!) of what works and what doesn’t. These notes will help you be even more prepared and help you further prevent stress next year!

With all the chocolate recipes, I will be needing real great weight loss Austin procedure to not gain weight this Holiday season!

Ingredients:

* 1/2 pound quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
* 1/3 cup heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons quality honey (recommended: Tasmanian)
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup turbinado sugar or raw sugar, for garnish

Directions:

Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. (Alternatively, put the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 50 percent power in the microwave until soft, about 1 minute. Stir, and continue heat until completely melted, about 1 minute more.)

Meanwhile, bring the cream and honey to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat (or in the microwave). Gradually whisk the cream into the chocolate until smooth and shiny. Whisk in the butter until very smooth. If possible, switch to an immersion blender and blend for about 1 minute for a lovely satiny texture. Cover the surface of the chocolate with plastic wrap; set aside in a cool spot until slightly firm, about 1 hour.

Line a baking sheet or large plate very, very tightly with plastic wrap (the wrap will be slightly suspended over the surface of the pan). Transfer the truffle mixture to a piping bag fitted with a plain 1/4-inch tip. Holding the bag about 1/4-inch over the surface of the plastic wrap, pipe about 25 (3/4-inch) cones or truffles. Sprinkle the truffle tops lightly with sugar. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.

Once set, the truffles can be held in a cool spot, out of the refrigerator for up to 2 hours. Otherwise, refrigerate the truffles covered, for up to 5 days. Truffles taste best if served room temperature not straight from the refrigerator.

Recipe grabbed here.

His:

• Of course, a laptop should not be missed out. Any techie gadget is very ideal for your techie guy.
• A favorite perfume of his. In my case, I will be giving him BVLGARI Blue. (Don’t worry, he’s not reading my blog)

• Sunglasses, perfect for outdoors.
• Something related to his interests and hobbies. If he collects something, then adding to that collection will be nice.
• Personalized bracelet.
• Vacation to his favorite destination like planning something to the beach.
• Is he a sports fan? Sport memorabilia will be good.
• Sport tickets for a live basketball game is pretty cool too!

Hers:

• A baghag? Why not give her a bag?
• Perfume is nice as well.
• A fashion collection? Complete with accessories too!
• A Spa Gift Certificate.
• A total makeover in a popular salon she picks.
• A shopping spree.

Any more ideas? Might come back and post more soon. Christmas is just around the corner! Remember, it’s the thought that counts!

It’s December once again, I am a December bride! In fact it will be our 4th Anniversary tomorrow! Yeah, Happy Anniversary to us! Oh well, anyway, I know a lot of women dream of their wedding, I have to tell you, December is the best month to get married. The weather is cool, heat will not be a factor during the rush, the wedding day fever. If I will be married again, of course with my husband the second time, I want it to still be this month BUT I think destination weddings will be cooler!It will be alot festive if your wedding will be celebrated at the Karisma Hotels and Resorts. Beach beds with retractable curtains for impromptu moments of ocean-view intimacy, beachside bar swings, dedicated Beach Butlers and design-conscious details all bespeak a private haven of privilege. Perfect for romance! I may not be having that dream wedding destination but I have friends who will be married in the near future, Karisma will definitely be suggested, who knows, I might be one of the guests who will experience the Gourmet Inclusive treatment!