Snow Day + Annual Christmas Date

Greetings from my cozy couch!
Santa granted my wish of a beautiful white Christmas snow last night, so I am one happy girl. I am currently sitting by the window watching the snow fall, sipping on homemade hot cocoa while Bella Beast and I are all snuggled up.

It's highly doubtful that I will change out of my pajamas today, and I have a slew of movies to keep me entertained.

I absolutely love today.

             Source: twighutchinson.com via Tawni on Pinterest

.:: My Snow Day Agenda ::.

+ infinity scarf crochet project

+ hot green tea

+ bake this cinnamon coffee cake

+ wrap Christmas presents

+ the grinch (jim carey style)

+ finish packing
+ oh and ah over my new wedding shoes

+ napping, lots of napping

+ paint my nails

+ more hot cocoa

Even better? 

This evening, the future hubs and I are heading out for our annual Christmas date. Every year we dress up, pick a quaint/romantic restaurant, enjoy gourmet food and order dessert to share (a must!). 

This year we chose the lovely Cafe Europa in Brookside. It's hidden away in a cute little neighborhood and is quite little, only seating around 20 people in the whole restaurant.

The gorgeous stone fire place in the middle of the restaurant has unique old world charm, and makes the whole room glow. The food is spectacular, but did I mention their famous lemon cake is absolutely how we based our decision this year? Yum.

After dinner, we head over to the Country Club Plaza (I love living in Kansas City!) to see the gorgeous Christmas lights and do a little window browsing as we stroll hand in hand. 

It just feels so Christmasy and magical... the way Christmas should always feel.

At the end of the evening, we exchange presents, and then curl up on the couch with the pup to watch a favorite Christmas movie.

I can't wait 'til 6 p.m.!

Did any of you get a snow day today?
If so, make it a magical one!

Wedding Shoes... Found!!

I know I've been super MIA lately...
but with moving, Christmas shopping, and so many festivities, my posts may show up here and there over the next week or so.

Today is my first day of vacation, and I have a nice little 2 week work vacay! YES!

So, I've been running lots of errands! My future mother-in-law gifted me the most beautiful blue sweater for my birthday, but unfortunately with recent weight loss I am in between sizes.

So I needed to run over to JCrew to exchange it for another beautiful item. Much to my surprise, when I arrived at the store everything was 30% off. So I decided to browse and see what I might love at such a great price.

...and there they were.

The gorgeous Lulu Glitter Flats that I had wanted as my wedding shoes (twice as cute and sparkly in person!). Unfortunately, with the hefty $138 price tag I couldn't bring myself to buy them... until today.

I exchanged my sweater, cashed in that 30% off sale, and paid a whopping $18 difference for the most stunning wedding flats.

Also, I would just like to say that the only size left in the entire store was a lovely 7.5... my size. It was destiny!

I can't wait to be both comfy and stylish in my pretty flats! They're comfy to dance the night away and will easily save my tootsies from a day of heel torture!

Ironically enough, I got a call yesterday that my wedding dress had come in. So, I can't wait to bring my new wedding shoes with me when I try on my dress on Saturday!


Thanks for letting me squeal with girly happiness over this lovely wedding victory! 
It's a good day!

Perfect Stocking Stuffer Giveaway

Happy Friday, y'all
Boy, do I have a treat for you today! I recently found out about the amazing custom love coupon books from Datevitation. Naturally, with Christmas coming up (and Valentine's Day coming up soon), I wanted to order one for Adam! Like I said, the perfect stocking stuffer!

He does such an amazing job taking good care of me, treating me to dinners, movies, etc., that I wanted to do something nice for him!

So I jumped on DateVitation, and ehe site was so easy to use! I got to scroll through tons of their date coupon ideas and choose the coupons I wanted to include in my book. Aren't they cute looking?!

Then you get to customize the wording! Some of my favorite include:

- A fun hiking excursion and lunch... my treat!
- A romantic dinner for two at home - I'll do the cooking!
- Movie night! Chick flick? Action Flick? YOU PICK!
- Cooking class for two!


The library contains over 200 date ideas ranging from skydiving to stargazing, and much more! They have over 60 book cover options to suit any occasion. It only took a few minutes from start to finish, and Adam's coupon book will be arriving soon! :)

Because I loved this so much, DateVitation will be giving away one custom coupon book to a lucky reader! Please use the rafflecopter to sign-up for the giveaway!

** It's an express giveaway, so you have until Saturday night at midnight (CST)! I'll e-mail the lucky winner Sunday morning! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Books start at just $20 so it makes for a thoughtful yet checkbook friendly gift!. Feel free to use the code 'LIFEOFMEG’ for $5 off your purchase this month!


PS - Be sure to place orders by Dec. 16th for guaranteed Christmas delivery! :)

PPS - Click HERE to watch the YouTube video on how easy it is to create your own!



Happy Weekend, Friends!

Our Forever Song

Today marks 88 days until my forever starts.
How can it be that I get to walk down the aisle with my daddy and see the love of my life standing at the end of it. Just thinking of it gives me chills.

One of the many moments I'm most looking forward to is our first dance as husband and wife. Quiet. Just the two of us. Letting the moment and words sink in as he holds me in his arms. That's when our forever starts.

Chills.

Listening to "our song" tonight and it just fills me up.

We fell in love with Ben Rector's music together and have seen him in concert twice now. The very last time he sang "Forever Like That" - an unreleased song that is simply beautiful.

Every word or feeling that we have for each other is summed up in that sweet song... and we have our fingers crossed that he releases the album before March 9th! I think tweeting Ben everyday probably helps our chances, right?

I kid... I kid... 

(kind of.)

If not, we can borrow this live YouTube version that I may or may not listen to several times a week. It just makes your soul happy, you know?

"Forever Like That"
By: Ben Rector

And I'll be your rainy day lover.

Whenever the sunny days end.

And whatever the weather, we have each other. 

And that's how the story will end

I'll be your shade tree in summer mmm. 

If you'll be my fire when it's cold.

And whatever the season, well, we'll keep on breathing.

Cause we'll have each other to hold.

I'll hold - I'll sing...

Well, I wanna love you, forever I do.

And I wanna spend all of my days with you.

I'll carry your burdens and be the wind at your back.

I wanna spend my forever - forever like that.

And I'll be the words on the pages.

If you'll be my sweet melody.

And the tune can keep changing, cause I'll keep arranging.

And this is the song that we'll sing.

We'll sing...

I'm gonna love you, forever I do.

I'm gonna spend all of my days with you.

I'll carry your burdens and be the wind at your back.

I wanna spend my forever - forever like that.

When the rain comes, I'll be your shelter.

When the storms blow, we'll be together.

When the winds may fall, I'll be right by your side.

I'll sing...

I'm gonna love you, forever I do.

I'm gonna spend all my days with you.

I'll carry your burdens and be the wind at your back.

I'm gonna spend my forever - mmm, forever like that.


.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.

See, I told you it's amazing, didn't I? 
The words alone make me cry, but these are the good tears. The over-joyed, happy kind of tears.

And on very special occasions, Adam will dance with me in the kitchen and sing the words in my ear. Love those days.

...and he'll probably shake his head at me and give me that look for telling you. 

Probably going to be in trouble tomorrow...  :)


Is it March 9th yet?
*sigh*

Mingle Monday Blog Hop!!

Looks like it's that time again!
So happy you dropped by to spice up your Monday with some mingling. I look forward to it every week, and I hope it continues to be fun/helpful to all of you!

I had a fantastic weekend seeing my parents for a surprise visit, and hanging out with one of our favorite couples at the cabin!

Lots of fun posts coming up this week, so stay tuned, okay? A big thank you for all of the kind e-mails from those of you who tried a recipe from my Meg's Go-To Christmas Cookie Guide post and loved it! Keep 'em coming - I love hearing from you! :)

ALSO - Lots of you have been contacting me about ordering from my Cozy Couture Headwraps Etsy shop... well this is your chance!

If you would like to place an order as a holiday gift, I recommend doing so by Wednesday to ensure it arrives to you by the holidays! :)

_________________________________________________

A Huge Thank You...

...in advance for spreading the word! Blog post, Twitter, smoke signals... you name it, I love it! The more this continues to grow, the greater your chances to gain some wonderful new followers and find great blogs!

{ Many thanks! }

_________________________________________________  
How To Mingle: 1) Must be a [Life of Meg] follower to participate.   2) Scroll down to the bottom of this post and click on the link to enter your blog.   3) Go visit other blogs saying hello from Mingle Monday!   4) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below...   ** Have you ever handmade holiday gifts? What did you do?! **   _________________________________________________




_________________________________________________  

Here are some MUST visit blogs/shops for you!

Rachel @ Simple Little Joys

Katie @ aKonthego

Nikki @ From a Miss to a Mrs

Sara @ Rockin' Oily Momma

Jen @ Life, Love & Puppy Paws 

Leslie @ A Body That Won't Break

Lindsay @ Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses

DateVitation - Custom Gift Coupon Books

_________________________________________________

Want Even MORE traffic?

Starting at a mere $8 for a whole month of exposure, grab your sponsorship spot today!

With more than 30,000 original page hits a month, and 1,000+ hits per post, this is a great opportunity for you to gain traffic and followers!

Try it out here - you WON'T be disappointed!

Coming up this week...

+ the cutest custom coupon books
+ dear Santa
+ handmade holiday gift ideas
+ life lately (yay photos!)
+ much more!

Have a warm and cozy Monday, my sweet friends!

PS - Are you on Twitter? Follow me on the go!! :)

Best Friend Weekend Here We Come!

Hellooooooo weekend!!
Fridays just have a way of making you feel like you're floating on cloud nine, doesn't it? Well I'm sure floating around here today thinking that in a few hours I will be on the road with my love to his family's cabin (yes, again)!

We love the heck out of that place!
Did you know that's where Adam proposed to me?

Excited to spend time with him and Beast in the car after work tonight!
Check out this adorable photo from last night btw...

Anyway, we are meeting my best friend Lo and her fiance Brian down there for a bestie weekend. They live in Oklahoma City and we wish they would hurry up and move here so we can be next door neighbors!

{via}

Adam and Brian are ridiculous when they're together. All we hear them talking about is craft beer, European soccer, and silly boy movies. I am so thankful that our guys are such great friends, it makes life even more sweet!

Meanwhile, Lo and I like to giggle... and snuggle... and then giggle some more!
I met Lo at the end of my freshman year in college and we've been inseparable ever since. She knows me inside and out, better than most people do, and would drop anything in the world to be there for me.

I miss her constantly.

She is the friend I know I can always count on. The one that I talk to multiple times a week. The one that never forgets a birthday. The one who remembers what's going on with me during the week. The one where we pick right back up from where we left off.

She's so beautiful (inside and out), kind, selfless, honest, intelligent, and caring, and she makes me want to be a better person.

In Grey's Anatomy terms... "she's my person"
(...and she'd probably hate that I am referencing Grey's... haha).

It's so fun to see what all is happened and where life has taken us over the last 7ish years! Lo and Brian got engaged while on a trip to Germany to visit Brian's family last Christmas, and there wedding is a little over a month after ours. Being bestie brides at the same time has been so fun! Love her!

.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.

Anyway, we're going to have a great weekend celebrating Brian's recent graduation and just being together! Bring on the weekend...


What are you up to this weekend, loves?

Meg's Go-To Christmas Cookie Guide

That's right sistas... who's ready to bake?!
Christmas is by far my favorite time of the year (ask Adam to tell you about my 365 day countdown!), and baking delicious treats for friends/family is one of my favorite holiday activities.

Over the last several years I've gotten together with my cousins for a bake fest! We select 5-6 different treats to bake, and then split them all up so we can deliver quite the assortment to our peeps!

I also have a Christmas Cookie Exchange at work each year, so these recipes are complete homeruns! Between the annual party and cousin cookie bake off, I've received tons of sweet compliments (pun intended) and "I need your recipe" begs to ensure these ones are keepers!

I've linked all of my favorite tried-and-true recipes, so knock yourselves out!

{ My Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes }

 

1) Raspberry & Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookie

These cookies are a crowd pleaser... especially with my future father-in-law and Adam. Those two just can't get enough of these delicious buttery cookies with a touch of sweetness in the middle. Classic and tasty, you can't go wrong.

{pic}

2) Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookie

Yep, you read that right. Decadent chocolate chip cookies with the nutty flavor of lightly toasted coconut flakes. I make these cookies at least once a month by request. A perfect cookie to add variety to your cookie platter, office potluck, or a cozy night at home.

{pic}

3) Mrs. Sigg's Snickerdoodle Cookies

I found this recipe in high school and I've never ever looked for another one. I have the world's most ridiculous love affair with cinnamon, and this recipe is THE recipe if you are a cinnamon addict like myself.

These cookies have lightly browned crispy edges, crinkle a little bit when baked, with perfect soft and chewy centers. Try these!! I am drooling right now just thinking about them...

{pic}

4) Peanut Butter Cup Mini Cookies

This is a staple on my mom's Christmas baking agenda. For as long as I can remember, I've been the cup-presser-inner or the sprinkles engineer (got to make them look extra festive with holiday colored sugars!).

These are the first cookies gone at our Christmas Eve party, and heck... I can't believe they ever make it to the party at all!

{pic}

5) Mexican Wedding Cake Cookies

Our neighbor down the street always made these and gave them to us as a part of her annual Christmas tin of goodies when we were growing up. They are messy, buttery, sugary balls of pure goodness, and definitely a holiday must have!

{pic}

 

6) Buckeyes

These little melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter and chocolate candies are to die for. In fact every year that I've made these as a part of cousin baking time... I think we only end up with half a recipe.

I mean, we're all about quality control, so we would hate to give someone a less than desirable buckeye!

Taste testing to ensure great candy is a must. Sorry, but you have to. I know, I know... it's a terrible job, but somebody has to do it.

{pic}

7) Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

Nothing brings Christmas to life like a little taste of ginger and spices! I first tried this recipe last year and fell in love. The perfect recipe for delicious, chewy gingerbread cutouts. They are so much fun to decorate and are a sure fired way to brighten up your holiday cookie plate!

{pic}

8) The Illusive Chewy Sugar Cookie (My Easy Bar Version)

I wish I could say I've found my favorite recipe, but I have not. When it comes to sugar cookies, I prefer super chewy cookies and light fluffy frosting. When it comes to cutout sugar cookies, I have yet to find a recipe that allows for easy cookie cutting, but are soft/chewy.

Do you have one? Of so, pretty please send it my way!

However, I do love these sugar cookie bars! I think I may try making cutout cookies of these after they bake in fun holiday shapes. Then I can decorate them to bring to my office party or a cookie swap. Talk about fast and easy!

{pic}

.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.

So there you have it, folks! My top go-to holiday cookie recipes! I have made every single recipe and have been sticking to these ones over the years. You absolutely cannot go wrong.

Do you have a cookie favorite that didn't make the list? Leave me a comment with the recipe - I would love to try some new ones (as always)!

I'm also dying to try these new recipes ASAP:

+ Peppermint Patty Brownies

+ Carmelitas

+ Soft Almond Sugar Cookies

+ Homemade Marshmallows

+ Coconut Caramel Cookies

+ Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

+ Old Fashioned Sour Cream Doughnuts

What's your favorite holiday treat?

PS - Keep up with my on-going baking list on Pinterest right HERE!

PPS - Go visit my Meg Cooks page for more delicious cookies and recipes!

A Beautiful Day in Photos

Just glancing through my future sister-in-law's wedding photos and fell in love. Their photographers, Paper Antler, did such an incredible job. What stunning photos to help us always remember the magic that was November 3rd.

Here are a few of my favorites from their big day...

The chapel they got married in was so gorgeous!

Isn't Meredith a stunning bride? So cute.

Aww... love that guy.

My future fam :)

We were aisle buddies - so fun!

That's our little flower girl, Lauren.

Melt. My. Heart.

Yup, that's my mom. Juju is the life of the party!

.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.

Aren't those photos so great?

Just looking back at all of them makes me relive such a beautiful day that was. I sure love my future family, and I am so happy we all got to celebrate them together.

Life is good.

Happy Wednesday! More posts to come later!

Mingle Monday Blog Hop!

Holy smokes - the morning is getting away from me!
Sorry for the mingling delay, my friends! Who's excited to gain new followers and find amazing new blogs? That's what I thought! Me too.

This weekend was absolutely fabulous! It was everything I needed and so much more. Weekend recap coming after lunch - lots of pictures as requested! :)

I have to take a second to each and every one of you who completely make my day by stopping by to mingle every week. And what's even better? You spread the word to anyone and everyone. Every single RT or Twitter blurb I see just melts my heart and I'm forever grateful for your generosity!

_________________________________________________

A Huge Thank You...

...in advance for spreading the word! Blog post, Twitter, smoke signals... you name it, I love it! The more this continues to grow, the greater your chances to gain some wonderful new followers and find great blogs!

{ Many thanks! }

_________________________________________________  
How To Mingle: 1) Must be a [Life of Meg] follower to participate.   2) Scroll down to the bottom of this post and click on the link to enter your blog.   3) Go visit other blogs saying hello from Mingle Monday!   4) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below...   ** What's your favorite way to spread Christmas cheer? **   _________________________________________________




_________________________________________________  

Here are some MUST read blogs for you!

Rachel @ Simple Little Joys

Katie @ aKonthego

Nikki @ From a Miss to a Mrs

Sara @ Rockin' Oily Momma

Jen @ Life, Love & Puppy Paws 

Leslie @ A Body That Won't Break

Lindsay @ Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses

_________________________________________________

Want Even MORE traffic?

Starting at a mere $8 for a whole month of exposure, grab your sponsorship spot today!

With more than 30,000 original page hits a month, and 1,000+ hits per post, this is a great opportunity for you to gain traffic and followers!

Try it out here - you WON'T be disappointed!

Coming up this week...

+ a picture-packed weekend recap
+ dear Santa
+ ultimate Christmas cookie recipe list
+ Meg's holiday gift guide
+ much more!

Make it a fantastic one, you wild things you!

PS - Are you on Twitter? Follow me on the go!! :)