Today is J from Js Everyday Fashion bringing you….

What to Wear for Every Holiday Occasion

1. Shopping
What’s one activity you’re likely to do a lot during the holidays? Shopping! You definitely want to be comfortable, but that’s no reason to leave style at home. Thrown on a unique graphic tee or layer on a colorful sweater and get ready to shop till you drop.

LEFT
Shirt: Forever 21, $18
Tank top: Forever 21, $3
Belt: Gap, $3
Jeans: American Eagle, $33
Boots: Forever 21, $33
Earrings: Urban Outfitters, $5
Purse: NM Last Call/Juicy Couture, $115

RIGHT
Sweater: Gap, $20
Shirt: Forever 21, $12
Jeans: Gap, $44
Earrings: Urban Outfitters, $5
Boots: Forever 21, $30

Just like J:
1. American Eagle Skinny Jean, $49.50

2. Traveling
Traveling is another situation where comfort is key. Pick some pants that are comfortable to sit in, boots that are easy to walk in and always dress in layers to adjust to changing climates. An army jacket is comfy but stylish and a poncho sweater is by far the easiest type of layer to slip off!

LEFT
Jacket: Gap, $25
T-shirt: Forever 21, $8
Belt: H&M
Jeans: American Eagle, $33
Boots: Forever 21, $33
Earrings: Urban Outfitters, $5
Purse: Juicy Couture, $115

RIGHT
Poncho sweater: Gap
Pants: TJ Maxx, $17
Boots: Aldo, $75

Just like J:
1. Aldo Larner boots, $80
2. Juicy Couture Tassel Shoulder Bag in Chocolate, $230 on Last Call by Neiman Marcus
3. Victoria’s Secret Belted Cargo Jacket, $80

3. Holiday Parties
Dress up a silky skirt with a jeweled belt for an office party, or try a dress with lace insets for a night out with the girls. Layer some thick tights and black booties for added warmth!

LEFT
Shirt: Banana Republic, $35
Belt: Urban Outfitters, $25
Skirt: Urban Outfitters, $15
Earrings: Boston boutique
Shoes: Bakers

RIGHT
Dress: The Unique Closet, $46.50
Belt: Express
Earrings: Urban Outfitters, $5
Shoes: Carlos Santana/DSW, $33

Just like J:
1. The Limited Crystal Weave Belt, $49.90
2. The Limited Tiered Party Skirt, $59.90
3. Forever 21 Beautiful Satin Skirt, $19.80
4. Unique Closet Lace Dress, $46.50

4. Holiday at home
Spending a holiday with your family involves lots of cooking, cleaning and running around – however, that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on style. Dress up a comfy sweater with a statement necklace, or belt a sweater vest for a chic but casual look.

LEFT
Sweater: American Eagle, $25
Tank: Old Navy, $3
Jeans: Gap, $44
Shoes: Banana Republic, $22
Necklace: Stella & Dot

RIGHT
Sweater vest: Forever 21, $22
Shirt: Ralph Lauren Outlet, $20
Belt: American Eagle/Filene’s, $5
Jeans: Gap, $30
Watch: Fossil
Boots: Aldo, $75

Just like J:
1. Aldo Larner boots, $80
2. Forever 21 Long Sweater Vest, $22.80
3. Stella & Dot Metropolitan Mixed Chain Necklace, $198

5. Church service
Chances are your holiday plans include some type of church service. Look stylish and appropriate in a cardigan, dressy pants and some fun extras (like a sparkly necklace, buckled shoes or a metallic belt!).

LEFT
Shirt: Banana Republic, $35
Earrings: Banana Republic, $25
Sweater: Express
Belt: Express
Black skinny jeans: Gap, $30
Shoes: Filene’s Basement, Calvin Klein $40

RIGHT
Cardigan: LOFT, $20
Necklace: J.Crew, $40
Shirt: Express
Belt: The Limited, $20
Pants: Banana Republic, $50
Shoes: Boutique 9, $70

Just like J:
1. Ann Taylor LOFT Grosgrain Cardigan, $54.50
2. Ann Taylor LOFT Julie Sparkle Tweed Pant, $11.86

Hello Nancy fans! My name is Julie and I blog about my life, food and fitness over at Peanut Butter Fingers.

I created my blog in September 2009 to share my love of creating delicious but healthy recipes with family and friends. I love to write and experiment in the kitchen, so blogging was a great way to do both!

Sometimes my experiments in the kitchen are complete failures. But sometimes I get it right.

Today I’m going to share perhaps the most delicious cookie recipe I’ve ever created. It came about when my husband said he wanted “a treat” at 10 p.m. on a Saturday night. (Yes, we’re a super-cool couple that stays home and makes cookies on weekend nights.)

I was in the baking mood, as always, and meandered into the kitchen and pulled out key ingredients for any tasty cookie… flour, sugar and butter.

Then I looked through our cabinets and grabbed oats and wheat germ and started to feel inspired.

The result of my random creation was fantastic.

I present to you, oatmeal wheat germ cookies!

Ingredients:

• ½ c. butter, softened (1 stick)
• 1 c. powdered sugar
• ½ c. sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1 ¼ c. flour
• 1 ¼ c. old fashioned oats
• ½ c. wheat germ

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Mix butter and sugars in a bowl until fully combined
• Gradually mix egg and vanilla into sugar mixture
• In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking soda
• Gradually mix flour mixture into sugar and egg mixture
• Once the flour and sugar mixture are fully combined, mix in oats and wheat germ
• Place tablespoons full of dough on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray and bake for 10 minutes or until edges are slightly browned
• Let cool and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as we did!

My second guest blog post comes from a co-worker of mine, L. I know it’s a long entry, but it’s a hilarious one at that. I was in tears of laughter by the end of it.

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I have been following Nancy’s fancy blog now for a few months. I have to say I enjoy her witty comments, and find her fashion repertoire quite enjoyable. Her opinion on the items she tests and tries are informative and interesting. So, when I ventured out to the Tanning Salon last month for my first Mystic Tan EVER …I just knew this story had to be shared on her page! What better way to showcase my story, then during “guest blog” week!!
…Enjoy…!

Thursday November 25. Hmm, 1 month exactly until Christmas, yes! I could do a much needed jump on pressie shopping, hmm. Well its not Wednesday so I couldn’t chalk this listful feeling up to “hump day” blues…but I did feel rather like I needed a pick me up. One that even shopping couldn’t fix (really.) So, as a flake of snow floated by the window, and I reminisced of warm days passed…It struck me.

I needed a lovely warm bronzing!! That’s right, a tan.

Now, not just any “tan”, lets face it…this pasty skin hasn’t been sunkissed in atleast 3 months, so the tanning bed would just plain take too many visits. No, I needed instant glorification.
Well hello Mystic Tan…!

So, I called to see if I needed an appointment “no”, oh great! Ill be right over.

So, I get to The Salon (where I held a membership this summer for the odd tan needed prior to vacationing) I walk in and oh the horror…someone is heading in to the one and only Mystic  Tanning Room. The nerve…Doesn’t she know I snuck over here on my lunch from work!

So, I tell the attendant I’m here for the same thing, and I joked with her about having called to see if I needed an appoint ( yes, I do hope she picked up on my tiny hint of sarcasm) “oh”, she says as she snaps her gum, “I thought that girl was you hun” . Argh.

I wait, and I sit, and I have to dig my watch out of my purse, because as a time saver on the way over there I ditched all my jewlery so not to have spray tan lines. “Yipes” I’ve already used up 25 minutes of my lunch hour, and Im not even in there yet.

Stay calm…your turn will come.

So, after what felt like forever (through probably only 10 minutes) The other girl, who presumable should have been me appears. Pft, she doesn’t even look tanned! Ok, so my turn. “Just let me go mop the room hun” the attendant luls at me as she strolls back down the hall.

‘Good greif, is everyone in slow motion” I think to myself.

Finally!! I’m in. So, she shows me the granny net im to wear over my hair, and then proceeds to pump 50 or more squirts (seriously)of cream into her hand to demonstrate how to use the barrier cream on your palms and knuckles feet and nails.

‘ok, I get it…Im a visual learner, but good gravy…this is the limit’ Then she explains how to stand with arms slightly outstretched and legs widely apart. Eyes shut, mouth closed, and then be sure to turn when the spraying briefly stops. Ok, Ok..I think Ive got it.

She leaves, and I undress in Nascar speed, ok…naked, now with the hair net. Poof. Ok, now with the palm lube. I need lots of it I assure myself. So, now that Im freezing cold, hands and feet iced like a cake, and my hair coiffed in my blue hairnet…I attempt to open the door to bronzing effortlessly. Yeah right. How do you get a pressure latched door open when your hands are full of slippery goop.

Ok, whatever, Im blond…but not ‘that’ blond. I figured it out. Ahh, Im in.

Oh, lord. How dismal it is in here. Dark. Cavernous. Cold. Like a Catacomb with 4 nozzles pointing at me like a firing squad from some psy-fi movie. And me, in my skivvies and helpless with my hands buttered and slippery. I presume I was expecting airbrushed designs of an exotic palm lined beach, maybe a heat lamp sun or atleast an image of the tanned beauty whom I should resemble upon emerging. No, just dim light, and cold steel.

Ok, back to it. There it is, the green light that will ‘officially’ start this Mystic Mission.

So, I do as the attendant instructed. I jab at the button, then jump back into place on the cold silver oval platform I’m to adhere to.
I wait. Nothing. What! I jab at it again. Oh, no. Could this be!!! Oh, don’t even tell me Im now going to have to shimmy, feet caked in goop, naked, and still freezing, all to call to the gum chewing attendant who by now is likely well into her sales pitch with the “supposed me” at the front desk.

No, try again.

Ok, so this time I actually use the point of my finger, greasy or not, and insert it directly into the middle of the button. Success!

Ok, quick, jump back, skin goose bumped and hands (now dripping my barrier cream) at the ready. I close my eyes, seal my mouth… I peak out of one tightly clenched eyelid. The firing squad bursts into action. PSSSSHHH! OH, the shock! I knew it was coming and yet, I am oh so unprepared. When do I breath! Spurting breaths in between quick revolving spray moving up and down my body.

And as fast as it fired at me, it ceased. Ok…quick…flip, switch, just turn around.

And then in the hollow fogged tomb of misty spray I wait. PSSSHHH! Again, with the cold wet mystic war paint that I have offered myself into. My mind races with the brief time frame I have left. Will it look ok, will it be even. I don’t want streaks after all. Should I bend over a bit, so to be sure my derrière is evenly spritzed!? Yes, that sounds good. Oh, goodness…not so good, stand up…quick.

(Ok. note to self, the inner rump need not ever be tanned, duh!) And then, as previously told, the artillery halts, and there is silence.
I open my eyes, I see fog and haze everywhere, lord I still can’t breath! The door, head to the door… With my hands still creamed and my vision blurred, my mind is whirling from lack of oxygen, and the putrid stench of sour grapes. I can think of nothing but to be out in the fresh air of the grey dismal November day I left outdoors.
I push open the hatch with my arm in true battering-ram style.

As the attendant suggested I closed the mystic vault immediately as I descend. (and now I know why, ‘gasp’ the room was filling like a gas attack!) I  gather myself, breathing in air like a starved baby bird.

Now, it’s a race against time to get this cream off, then shed my hair net only to bunch it up and use it as my “blending aid” and rub the left over ‘mist’ into my body. Leftover mist!? Oh dear. How is this blending and rubbing any different or easier then the DIY kits!?  It is then that I approach the mirror to remove the cap. Oh – my – word.
I am blue. Not Avatar blue, but a definite tinge of smurf.

So, as I focus frantically on dabbing the aqua myst drops out of my eyebrows, don’t even get me started on the 5’oclock “ myst shadow” that had appeared surrounding my mouth. Again I utter, what have I gotten myself into! Alright. Blue myst blended on face, arms torso…On to the legs. What! Sufferin’! My tiny myst droplet’s have given In to the laws of gravity! Oh the horror. Two long thin blue tinged lines running down my left calf.

Like a glaring varicose vein. Oh heck no! So, I rub, and I scrub, and it ‘kind of’ blends in. please, let it blend in. Did I mention I will be donning a bikini in a few days time, hence the whole superb idea for this mystic mess.

Ok, well. I’m done, I guess. It’s as good as it is presumably going to get. What were once frigid goosebumps, are now red patches of heated fury from my not so dainty blending.
But, I step back and begrudgingly glance in the mirror one last time before I dress and head to the desk to give that gal a piece of my mind.
Hey, wait. Could it be…Its actually not that bad. No more cotton candy crystals, no more goop, and hair net. I look relatively …good. I even appear to have a small hint of glistening light colour. Not the bronzed beauty she promised, but…I could get used to this.

So, I dress, and walk with a bit of a skip in my step to my car, and head back to work.

As expected, but to my dismay…no one notices. Oh the shame, my $25 hard earned cash has gone to waste.

I sit, I work, the clock ticks on….I work away at my computer. And then a member comes in, some few hours later. What’s this, he furrows a brow at me. “Have you been south..?” he says.

Oh boy! Lord love you Mr. Smith. NO I haven’t, but my venture surely felt about that extensive. I chuckle and tell him “I went to the tanning salon”, not going into detail that I did a “mystic tan”. But the lovely man has made my afternoon for sure.

Of course I rush to the washroom to check in on things… Ooooh! I’m tanned. Yes, I am definitely darker than the fair skinned gal who came in this morning. I feel satisfied. And, luck of luck…it all looks quite even, no messy orange streaks like the DIY kit after all!

So, I head home to be greeted at the door by Hubbie, who notices right away. “Yep” I reply… “I’ve been tanning”. ‘Very nice’ he says. Oh Success, I’ve gotten approval from the Mr.
After rendering a look see in the mirror several times that evening, I decided to call it a night.

I curl into bed and am pleasantly pleased with my venture. I went out on a limb, I tried something new, and I seem to have been successful at my plight.

I wake in the morning, some 7 hours later. No mystic mess has rubbed off on my white sheets, so that is relieving. Yawning, I saunter into my en-suit, and again “oh-my-gawd!!!”  I cant help but smile, which makes it all the more hysterical as my brown skin has made my teeth look a brilliant white. Even my eyes look extra bright!

I stand back, and sigh. At 29, and 2 kiddies later, I am certainly no Malibu Barbie. But, as I count my blessings, I smirk to myself …I am happy to accept the title of Mystic Malibu Mama anyday!

- L. McMomsie

Hey everyone! Since I’m spending time with my family in Newfoundland I decided to schedule some posts that a few online friends have written up for me. Check out the first of a few for while I’m on holidays. Meet Susan:

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Hellohello! My name is Susan and I come from a little piece of the internet called The Great Balancing Act. I’m a displaced Maritimer living in Ontario like Nancy and I’m honoured to fill in while she’s visiting family back in Newfoundland!

My favourite thing about Nancy’s blog is that she is always clueing me in to neat products – be it fashion, kitchen or cosmetic related. I’m kind of clueless when it comes to those things, so I find it to be a huge help.

In that spirit, today I am going to go over my favourite fitness products. I work as a full-time personal trainer and part-time in a running store. I may not know much about Mac brushes, but I know LOTS about fitness product and apparel. Blog what you know, right?

Here are my favourite, in a handy-dandy list format:

1. Polar heart rate monitor

For me, a heart rate monitor is the best motivator there is. I don’t know about you, but I tend to “breeze” through my workouts unless I have someone telling me to work harder. With this, I can just look down and see my heart isn’t working hard enough and know it’s time to push more. Polar is the top brand and compatible with most machines at your gym so your heart rate pops up on the display. I have an F11, but the most basic and best bang for your buck is the F4.

2. Running Room heart rate bra

If you already have a heart rate monitor, this allows you to attach the transmitter right to the bra. No chest strap needed! If cared for properly, this bra works just as well as the chest strap.

3. Nike+ iPod

Don’t have $400 to splurge on a Garmin? This gadget plugs right into your iPod with a sensor you attach to your shoe. It tracks distance and pace based on your stride. It’s only around $40 and really helpful when training for speed. If you don’t have an iPod, wrist bands are now available for it.

4. WigWam Ironman socks

If you’ve never worn athletic socks while working out, you’re missing out! The $10-$20 price tag may seem hefty at first, but I assure you it’s worth it. When you’re jumping around and getting sweaty, you want your feet to be as comfortable as possible. I like these socks because of the light cushioning in the forefoot and heel, along with the arch-hugging band. I wear them running, cycling, and in the gym. Plus, the low heel doesn’t make you look like a turd when you wear them with shorts.

5. Bondi band

Source

These were hyped up for a while before I finally broke down and bought one. But now I understand why all the hype! They’re a wide sweat-wicking hair band that doesn’t slip off your head. Because it’s so thick, you look kind of silly wearing it, but I no longer care. I bought mine at a race expo and you can check out the website here.

6. Foam roller

Consider it your own personal masseuse. A dense piece of foam you can roll your muscles out on. Amazing for massaging all those aches and pains that can be caused by exercise. You can watch my video on foam rolling here.

And that’s just the beginning! I also have a slew of favourite sneakers and fitness clothing, but those are things that are best suited for me. I’m a strong believer that you need to try those things out yourself and determine what feels best on you. Just remember: cotton is rotten. Synthetic, sweat-wicking fibres are always best!

Thank you to Nancy for letting me drop by! Feel free to come visit me at The Great Balancing Act for more fitness and food rambles.

Question of the Day: What are your favourite fitness products?

I pre-scheduled this post to go live today as it’s my first day home. Our flight got in at midnight last night.

Here’s my OOTWW, I was at work yesterday for part of the day, which is also why I’m wearing non-work related clothes — rather Airplane comfortable ones. Luckily we were all packed up and ready to go to the airport immediately after.

As I mentioned on Monday, I’m excited that I have four guest posts lined up while I am away on vacation.

Up first? Susan from The Great Balancing Act: December 27
Then it’s Lauren my co-worker scheduled for: December 28
Next it’s Julie from Peanut Butter Fingers: December 29
Finally, J from Js Everyday Fashion: December 30

Hope you all enjoy them! I sure did, reading them :)

Merry Christmas to all, and I’ll be back to regular blogging in the new year. Be safe!

I’m not sure how I’m doing it but for the last two nights I’ve only gotten around 6 hours of sleep. Usually I need 8 to at least function. I’m one of those people who need tons of sleep in any given night or I’m drained if I don’t.

Last night I packed two of my suitcases and separated the weight quite evenly. I still have a few things on the drying rack that need to be packed in there as well.

Want to know something? Women are SUCH multi-taskers and I found that out the easy way last night. I’m also a little ADD about it too, because I don’t finish a task and complete it right away. Here, let me explain.

• I filled the sink up with hot water for the dirty dishes.
• I had supper being prepared (roasted potatoes, boiled carrots, chicken on the grill and cauliflower)
• I decided I needed to start packing so I laid out some clothes that I wanted to bring.
• Remembered that I should do laundry — brought 3 loads down.
• Wanted to film an OOTD video so I filmed that on my YouTube channel
• Decided that I wanted a clean kitchen and bathroom when I returned in January — so I scrubbed and scrubbed some more
• Changed all the garbage’s
  
• Got back to the supper (we had a late supper)
• Starting packing Alfie’s toys
• Laid out my clothes for the next day (my Boss gave me a cute cardigan that I wore today!)
• Packed my lunch for today (cannot do anything in the morning)
• I even cleaned out the fridge!!!

We even ended up watching a movie starting it at 11:30 at night. It was O Brother Where Art Thou, with George Clooney. It was a bit cookey like Burn After Reading, but I still had a few laughs.

What else I have to do before we go?

1. Put away all the clothes on the drying rack
2. Finish doing the dishes
   
3. Replace all the towels in the bathroom (<3 coming back to clean sheets/towels etc)
4. Make sure the Boyf gets packed
5. Bathe Alfie & clip his nails
6. Pack Alfie’s other belongings

Moses, what’s gotten into me. At least I’m done packing, and I even made Scott pack last night too — except his stuff isn’t in a suitcase yet. At least we’re getting there.

Ending it off with my latest (and last of 2010) YouTube video.

My little nephew turns 3 today. Only a few more days until I can wish him a happy birthday and give him his present, from Ancy Nancy. I find it super adorable that they can’t pronounce Aunt/Auntie so they call me Ancy Nancy! Eeee!

That means it’s been three years since I’ve been to Ireland! Moses.

Tonight we need to start packing up our stuff. Also, bringing Alfie back home means packing a bunch of his things as well, it’s honestly like having a kid. Alfie needs to have SO much stuff brought back with him. Ha!!

Excuse me for the lack of posting over this week. I’m so excited, I literally have no words to write on the blog, lol!!

I’m heading home for Christmas at some point this week. I’d rather not say the date, but I’m super duper excited. I also wanted to let people know that I probably won’t be posting every single day like I am now as I want to spend some good quality time with everyone. I also have a few guest posts lined up, which will be a neat little change to this blog. Are you excited!!? I am!!

I’ve been so tired these past few days and I don’t know what the cause of it may be. Since I’m super low in iron I always take supplements every 2 days since I find it too harsh on my body to take them every day.  I notice they give me energy but maybe I’m just so excited that I’m going home next week? I don’t really know, but thankfully it’s the weekend and tomorrow I can possibly sleep in a bit. Last night I even went to bed at 8:00pm and had 12 hours of sleep. This weekend my boyfriend has to get some Christmas shopping done and of course I’ll be helping him pick them out, but we won’t be on the go at 9am at least. Ugh, sleep is the best.

I’ve also been slacking on getting together outfits on Sunday nights for the week. But here we are with another OOTWW (Outfit of the work week).

I’ve been experimenting a bit in the kitchen with other people’s recipes and even updated my recipe page once again due to the fact that these were keepers in my books, and tasted awesome enough to make again.

For instance. The other night for dinner, I was feeling like making my Brother’s “Pesto”. Is it still called Pesto if it’s made from spinach rather than basil? Not sure I’m a huge fan of basil. Either way, I liked it — but I wasn’t fond of the crunchiness from the slivered almonds I used. My boyf on the other hand was pleased with it. Next time, I’m using a mortar and pestle.

Close up of the tasty action.

The pesto itself was pretty darn awesome and I couldn’t even describe it because the flavors in my mouth were twinkling with delight. You’ll just have to make it for yourselves. Not to worry, you don’t need to take any weight loss pills that work this meal is healthy!!

The chicken was so juicy. I rarely and I mean rarely cook chicken in the oven because hello “Mister George Forman” grill himself takes half the time. I forgot how good a chicken can be in the oven. I kinda like it. Especially because I didn’t have to keep checking on it like I do on the grill.

Anyhoodle, off I go!