New Year in New Orleans

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One last post for 2013. So, I got a bowl of sugar for Christmas. Yes that's right, literally a bowl full of sugar. Only because I am Nola bound for the Sugar Bowl! My parents thought they were so puny with that one. 
ignore the nasty band aid on my finger
New Years in New Orleans seems like the right thing to do. I'll be back at the end of the week, but as of now my mind is set on beignets, Bourbon Street and football. 

If I wasn't going to be out of town I'd be making some of these goodies! If you are planning a NYE event here are a few ideas for treats and decor. 

Cheers to 2014!
xo annie

Bites of My Life

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It was full fledged family and holidays the past two weeks, reasoning for the absence of a "bites' post last week. This only means you are getting a jam packed bite of what has been going on in my life the past two weeks. I started my internship with Brides of Oklahoma, worked The Social Club pop-up (Which was so much fun despite the ice storm that blew in. I loved meeting other people who had the same passion for shopping local.), attended my best friends annual ornament exchange and celebrated my sorority little sis make her debut into society (she is probably hating me for mentioning this).
My oldest sis and her bf made it home for the holiday and her birthday. I cooked, baked, ate waaaaaay too much food, and enjoyed the extra time spent with family. 
-Inside the cutie Social Club pop-up.
-Baked eggs round two for sis and bf, this time with chorizo added in.
-Deb party time with my two funnest friends.
-My amazing Grandmother went to heaven last Monday. She is the strongest lady I've ever met and I'll miss her so much. Some may think with the holidays and everything it would be extra hard, but with everyone home we were able to be there for each other and reminisce on all of our favorite memories of her.
-Our usual Tucker cheese plate got spruced up when Claire brought home burnt fig jam all the way from Australia. That stuff was too yummy.
-Our christmas Eve feast consisting of crown pork roast with cranberry sauce, cheese grits, creamed corn, roasted brussels sprouts and spicy pecan pear salad. 
-THE best carrot cake with maple cream cheese frosting for Claire's 27th birthday. This recipe will now be my go to. We raved about it all week.
-A sweet friend's Christmas presents wrapped up using my DIY!
-Traditional Christmas cookies. Been making them every year since I can remember. 
-Coffee and backgammon on Christmas morning.
-A new tradition was installed this year. We had an Indian fest cooked by Claire and bf Mike. I was in Christmas curry heaven.
-All the cousins together at Christmas to celebrate our sweet G-ma.
This week will be another week of absences because tomorrow I am leaving for New Orleans to go watch OU in the Sugar Bowl. So for now, happy new year and see you in 2014!
xo annie

Happy Birthday Claire!

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Happy Birthday to my oldest sis! So happy you are home! It was mentioned last night at dinner that if your birthday wasn't on Christmas Eve we would never get to celebrate your birthday with you!
We are celebrating lots of lives around the Tucker house today. The birth of Jesus, sister Claire and my sweet Grandmother who went to heaven yesterday. 
xo annie

DIY Yarn Gift Wrapping

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I'm so excited about this little post! I am guilty of judging a book by it's cover and I'm no different when it comes to presents. I love a pretty wrapped package. Wrapping presents is one of my favorite things to do at the holidays, next to baking of course. I always helped my mom wrap presents growing up. 
For these yarn wrapped gifts, I bought kraft paper from the dollar store and different colored yarn from the craft store. Follow below for the steps on how to create your own yarn gift wrapping!
1. First take your yarn and wrap it around your package however you like. I did a cross in this example, but I also just wrapped in one direction or used a combination of colors. 
2. Now for the pom pons: For smaller pom pons, wrap the yarn several times around three or four of your fingers. For bigger pom pons, wrap yarn around your whole hand. Once it is wrapped pretty thick, slip the yarn off your fingers.
3. Cut a small piece of yarn and place it horizontally under the wrap. Tie the yarn up in a knot so it created loops on either side of the tie. Make sure you leave a little tail so you can attach the pom pon to your package. Then, cut through the loops. Here is another DIY on pom pon making.
4. Trim up your pom pon so it forms a ball shape.

{Use different colors and different sized pom pons to cluster together!} 

{Green yarn wrapped around in a cone shape to resemble a Christmas tree}
Be sure to send me pics if you use this DIY for your Christmas gifts. Happy wrapping!
xo annie

Last Minute Gifts (that look like you spent weeks shopping)

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To all you last minute shoppers, this one is for you. I'm sort of a crazy organizer, planner, never miss a deadline, get things done weeks in advance kind of person, so I don't have this problem, but I'm here to help!
1st tip, pick a theme. Grab a couple things that fit your theme so it looks like you really thought about what you were buying. 2nd tip, if you are an Oklahoma local you can find all these items or things very similar in shops around town. Unless you want to spend $30.00 for 2-day shipping, you ran out of time, so shop local. I put these gift ideas into different categories and show examples of how they go together.
{Coffee Table Accessories}
A cute coffee mug and a great book are paired to style a coffee table or enjoy with a hot cup of joe.
Check Muse in Edmond for great books and Anthropologie in the city for mugs.
{Cutie Office Supplies}
Washi tape, a cute notebook and maybe a great pen for the crafty, organizer type.
Chirps and Cheers in Edmond and The Social Club in Norman both have a great supply.
{Baking Goods}
Everyone loves to bake during the holidays. Grab cupcake mix and a cake stand to display the creations on!
Williams-Sonoma has fun mixes and check Anthropologie or Muse for a pretty stand.
{Bar Cart Necessities}
This new trend in home decor is taking off. Give a cocktail book and cutie drink straws. Maybe throw in a bottle of champagne so their bar cart is complete.
These straws can be found at No Regrets in OKC or The Social Club. You can find this cocktail book at Muse, The Social Club or Anthropologie.
{Gallery Wall Components}
I love this idea for a creative gift. Wrap together fake deer antlers and a pretty print!
Check Muse, The Social Club or Dutch for prints, and the antlers are from Target.
3rd tip, The Social Club and Dutch are at the pop-up shops this weekend and I'll be working Friday and Saturday. Come visit me and take care of you last minute shopping!
xo annie