Tomorrow's To Dos

I love you mom

Posted on December 28, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Warm wishes update: What a blessed Christmas we had. Lots of time spent with our families, quite a few over-the-top meals (King Crab legs and Beef Wellington), and absolutely fabulous gifts.

Our Christmas

Branstad Christmas Eve Brunch

Haas Christmas Eve

Christmas morning coffee and paper, stocking goodies at our house, more stocking gifts from my parents' house

Branstad Christmas Day Brunch

Branstad Christmas Day Dinner

Tomorrow, I celebrate someone very special in my life – my mom. It is her birthday and more importantly a day I can thank her for all that she does for this family. Since I know she reads my posts when she has the time I just thought I would give a little shout out.

Mom, words can’t describe how much you mean to me. You have been the perfect role model for us girls. You have shown me what it means to be compassionate, taught me unconditional love and have always been there for me. I love you and I can’t imagine my life without you. Happy Birthday!

Love you mom!

Posted in Family, Gifts, Holidays | Tagged mom | Leave a comment

Warm wishes

Posted on December 23, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Baking beauties update: There is something so right about layering frosting and sprinkles on top of deliciously home-baked cookies. And when it is done with your loved ones it’s even better. Check out all of our hard work from earlier today.

I am going to be signing off for a couple of days to enjoy the holidays with my family. I wish that you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

Posted in Family, Holidays | Tagged Christmas, cookies, holiday card | Leave a comment

Baking beauties

Posted on December 22, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Merry and bright update: Merry Christmas Nicole! Tonight’s limousine lights tour was everything I imagined it would be and then some. The evening started at my mom and dad’s house with a little Amy Grant on the CD player and some ham and soup in our bellies. With a wine glass in hand, I managed to assemble the Bean’s gift from her favorite aunts and uncle – think she’ll like it?

Every little Bean needs a mini-Beamer, right?

Around 8 p.m. we hopped into our sweet ride for the night and were off to view some beautiful holiday lights.

It's going to be a holly, jolly Christmas.

And if this day wasn’t great enough, earlier this afternoon I noticed on my Facebook feed that my wedding photographer, Mark Kegans, had posted his fave pics from our wedding on his phlog (get it, photo blog). I could look at these photos forever.

My holiday vacation officially starts tomorrow and to kick things off, I am partaking in a little Christmas Cookies & Cocktails get-together with my sister-in-laws and the little gals. I believe we are decorating sugar cookie shapes and gingerbread people. I hope my skills can be half as good as these below.

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Merry and bright

Posted on December 21, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Colorful co-worker Christmas update: Holiday Cheers was a blast with my fellow co-workers. We hit up The Palm on the West side to change things up a bit from our usual haunt, Star Bar. All in all, not a bad place to head on a Wednesday evening because of their 2 for $10 Dean Martini special, but I think we’ll stick with the tried and true bar next time.

Can't wait until the next Holiday Cheers!

I have been (not so) patiently awaiting tomorrow’s arrival for what seems like a lifetime. Christmas is my favorite holiday and it wouldn’t be complete without festive holiday lights. Every year I try to get a lights tour on my wish list, and this year I have succeeded and then some. My mom is really into the whole Living Social/Groupon thing and snagged us a limo lights tour and we are going tomorrow night. I am so excited I might not sleep. Get the Bailey’s and hot cocoa ready people!

Think we’ll see anything like this??

Posted in Family, Gifts, Holidays | Tagged Christmas Lights | Leave a comment

Colorful co-worker Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Stuffed with love update: The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, with festively wrapped Jif for our Shorthair.

Karl's favorite

Tomorrow our Marketing and Communications department will be celebrating the upcoming holiday with what we like to call ‘Holiday Cheers.’ During this event we will raise our glasses and toast to 2011 and for even better 2012. Stories will be told and gifts exchanged – you guys already got a sneak peek at mine – so I am all set, but if you are still looking for something for your creative cubicle buddy or quirky boss check these out:

1. Urban Outfitters, Pantone Postcards, $19.95
2. Patagonia, Carry Y’all Bag, $15
3. Land of Nod, Boom Blocks Mini iPod Speaker Dock, $14.95
4. See Jane Work, Spectacle Note Card Set, $11
5. Paper Source, 2012 Letterpress Desk Calendar, $18.50
6. Jonathan Adler, Multi Chevron Thermal Mug, $11.21
7. Echo, Side Bow Touch Gloves, $32

Posted in Gifts, Holidays | Tagged Co-worker gifts | Leave a comment

Stuffed with love

Posted on December 18, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Ho-ho-holiday parties update: I am still in shock at the fact that Christmas is just one week away. I have no clue where the month of December went, but after this weekend I am ready to welcome the Big Man (Santa, duh!) with open arms.

Have a holly, jolly Christmas.

With only one week until Christmas I am completely done with all of my shopping except for one thing – peanut butter. Every year Santa brings our German Shorthaired Pointer, Karl, his very own jar of PB – his absolute favorite treat. I know our boy would be pissed if he woke up Christmas morning with an empty stocking, so that errand is on my to-do list for tomorrow.

I still get excited at the thought of opening my stocking (yes, my mom still does stockings for all of us – see below) on Christmas morning. Do you do stockings at your house?

I still love it to this day.

If you do, you are in luck. I have a few last-minute stocking stuffer ideas that I wouldn’t mind finding tucked inside my bear this coming Sunday. But you better get going, the clock is ticking!

1. Forever21, Plaid Fringe Scarf, $5.90
2. Fred Flare, Diamond Ring Bottle Opener, $12
3. Sally Hansen, Salon Effects ‘Peppermint Twist’ Strips, $8.54
4. West Elm, Alphabet Scented Candles, $7
5. Iowa Lottery, Holiday Scratch Tickets, prices vary
6. Sephora, Michael Kors Rollerball, $22
7. Marc by Marc Jacobs, Logo Neoprene Universal Case, $42
8. Essie, Berry Naughty, $7.79

Posted in Accessories, Family, Gifts, Holidays | Tagged stocking stuffers | 2 Comments

Ho-ho-holiday parties

Posted on December 16, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Season’s eatings update: Oh my. I am still stuffed to the gills from all the potluck-ing I did earlier today. Just look at all this gluttony!

So many crock pots, such little time.

And let’s not forget the fourth floor white elephant gift exchange – so much fun!

I just love our office holiday decor, especially the roaring fireplace and white tiger rug. Classy.

For us, this weekend is filled with holiday parties and festive fetes. ‘Tis the season to get dressed up and spend time catching up with friends and family. How are you spending the last weekend before Christmas? Doing some last-minute shopping? Baking some holiday treats? Or maybe you are all done and get to just relax by your tree. Whatever it is, enjoy!

Spread some cheer.

Posted in Gifts, Holidays | Tagged potluck | Leave a comment

Season’s eatings

Posted on December 14, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Celebrate one year, c’mon update: And celebrate we did tonight, in the only way that seems appropriate for a blogoversary – with colorful French macaroons from La Mie (thanks Wally!) and a bottle of Mumm Napa Brut Prestige.

So decadent!

Celebrating one year of Tomorrow's to-dos & Marcus' great day at work.

After this evening, I kind of wish that every day could end with tasty treats and a glass of champagne, don’t you?

Speaking of tasty treats, our floor at work is having their annual holiday potluck this Friday and I could not be more excited. There is something so right about getting to graze over a bunch of goodies throughout the entire workday. Now, I am signed up to bring a veggie tray and dip (lame, I know), but I’m mostly doing that so that I won’t feel so guilty when I’m scarfing down everyone else’s cookies.

Here are a few ideas via Pinterest that I think are perfect for your holiday get-togethers if you aren’t going the “healthy veggie tray route.”

Snowmen donuts

Salted caramel butter bars

Peppermint Crunch Truffles

Posted in Parties, Recipes | Tagged champagne, Christmas, holiday treats, macaroons | Leave a comment

Celebrate one year, c’mon

Posted on December 13, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

All tied up update: I’m on such a BOW-verload (see what I did there) and I don’t even care! I just have a few more gifts to pick up and wrap then I am D-O-N-E.

I absolutely love a perfectly wrapped gift.

I hope you sang this blog’s entry name to the tune of Kool and the Gang’s ‘Celebration’. If not, then you are missing out.

Yes, it is true. Tomorrow is exactly one year from my first blog post. I can’t even believe it. This all started out as a way to keep track of all my DIY wedding projects and has grown into one of my favorite hobbies. I’d like to thank all of you for coming and “hanging” out with me over the past year even if I’ve rambled on far too long at times. I haven’t quite figured out how I’d like to CELEBRATE my blogoversary, but there is a good chance it might involve a sweet treat and some bubbly. Cheers!

Posted in Blogs, Holidays | Tagged anniversary | 1 Comment

All tied up

Posted on December 12, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Counting my blessings update: This movie never gets old to me and each time I watch it I come away with a new “favorite part”. Have you ever seen White Christmas? What’s your favorite part?

The perfect evening in with a little spiked egg nog for dessert.

Maybe it is from all of the wrapping I’ve been doing lately (with more on the to do list for tomorrow), but I can’t help but notice all of the super cute bow-themed accessories out there right now. There is something so sweet about a small, preppy bow appearing around your neck, dangling from your ears or around your waist. Here are a few pieces that feature a bow or two as the star of their design:

1. Kohls, Candie’s Gold Tone Mesh Bow Stud Earrings, $6
2. Leif, Leather Bow Cuff, $68
3. Forever21, Delicate Bow Charm Necklace, $3.80
4. Kate Spade, Gathered Bow Belt, $75
5. Nordstrom, Tarnish Knitted Bow Scarf, $37.90
6. ASOS, Dents Triple Bow Gloves, $79.99
7. Target, Xhilaration Felt Cloche with Bow, $16.99

Posted in Accessories, Fashion, Holidays | Tagged bows, perfect evening, White Christmas | 1 Comment