Why hello!
We had a lovely time Saturday night at my friend Jenn’s birthday. And guess what? Not a drop of alcohol touched these lips. I know, crazier things have happened! I was proud of myself and I felt like a million bucks this morning. It was a good thing too because Sunday was all about the Christmas shenanigans!
But first, a few exciting things to mention:
1) Glo Bakery Sale! The newest Glo Bar to hit the streets- PRESENT (Cranberry Pumpkin Spice)- is on sale 25% off now until Monday night! Click here for more info.
2) Review Glo Bars! For those of you who have sampled some Glo Bars, I encourage you to review the flavours that you sampled! All you do is click on the flavour of your choice and click on the box in the bottom left hand corner that says ‘write a review’. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to rate the bars! 
Reviews have been coming in over the weekend, so be sure to check them out (bottom left hand corner will say ‘read reviews’) on each flavour’s page.
3) Christmas Gifts: Don’t forget you can pre-order your Christmas packs and gift certificates now!
4) Monday Guest Post: My Peanut Butter Coconut Swirl pancakes are making a come-back with my guest post over at Danica’s Daily! Head on over on Monday to check it out.
5) Whittle My Middle: Check out how I have been doing with Whittle My Middle and my cardio workouts here and here.
6) Project Feed Me: Week 6 and Week 7 items are up!
~~~~
Back to our Christmas shenanigans!
Eric and I set a goal for ourselves this year- to finish our Christmas shopping by December 1st!
I know, I know. We are crazy.
With me being so busy with the bakery and him so busy with work and renovations on the house, we knew we had to get the shopping done with ASAP.
I also have a lofty goal of having all of my Christmas cards out by Dec 1st. Eek!
Our first stop was Costco, where we obliterated an entire family’s gift list. 
Mom, Pop, Son, Daughter. Done like dinner!
Let’s take a brief moment to talk about the Costco wrapping paper, shall we?
For those of you who also buy it, you know it is the best bang for your buck. It lasts many a gift and is a mere $11.96 CAD.
Well guess what I discovered today as I wrapped my first gift?
Costco’s wrapping paper is now DOUBLE SIDED!
Just look! Two patterns for the price of one.
Genius!
I wrapped the 4 gifts we purchased and promptly placed them under the tree…
but not without a little kiss under a missing mistletoe.
The second thing I am dying to tell you about:
This sparkling tea-light centrepiece is quite possibly the best $15 CAD I have ever spent in my entire life. It’s from Costco too.
Isn’t that beautiful?? It makes me so happy!
I got the last one. I could see all the evil glares from my fellow shoppers.
While I was busy doing the gift thang (I also bought 4 gifts online), Eric was busy outside doing the Christmas light thang. After searching through Wal-Mart, Costco, Crappy Tire, Home Deport, and Home Hardware, we found that Costco and Home Hardware had the best prices for Christmas lights.
We did our math and discovered that it would be much cheaper for us to buy spotlights instead of traditional string Christmas lights. It turned out fabulous.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!
Eric and I are hosting our first official UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY on December 18th.
As you might guess, everyone wears a fabulously ugly Christmas sweater to the party!
I looked at a few invites online and followed suit:
You’re invited to rock around the Christmas tree
In your ugliest holiday sweater!Only those wearing an ugly
sweater will be admitted to the party! Turtlenecks, ugly Christmas sweaters, reindeer antlers, santa hats, flannel PJ’s, slippers..etc..all welcome!
Fabulous PRIZES awarded to the best MALE and best FEMALE ugly sweater get-up.Rules are as follows:
1) If you don’t dress up don’t bother showing up.
2) Mustaches optional but highly encouraged!
3) BYOB + 1 ugly snack
4) Feel free to stay overnight. Bring pillows and blankets and let us know when you RSVP if you will be staying over. No one is leaving the party without a DD!!!
Kindly RSVP to this invite by Dec. 1st, 2009.
Hope to see you uglier than ever on Dec 18th!
Ange & Eric
We are quite excited and we will get to work on our sweaters this week with a trip to Value Village (thrift shop). The best part of all is that I don’t have to worry about what I am going to wear or spend money on a party dress that I don’t need.
Do you have a Christmas sweater? Or know someone who rocks them every season? Have you ever been to an Ugly Sweater party??
I used to rock the Christmas sweaters during my youth. Sadly, I don’t have any of them anymore. It is too bad because they probably would still fit..they are huge!
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:01 am
The tea lights are beautiful!
Add your comment
ugg online Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I agree!!!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:14 am
Those tea lights are gorgeous! From Costco???
I do not own an ugly christmas sweater. Nor have I been to an ugly christmas sweater party. Though I’ve definitely heard of them!
I really want to get into the christmas spirit now!
Add your comment
Angela (Oh She Glows) Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:14 am
yup its from costco!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:14 am
You guys are soo super cute!
Those tea lights are gorgeous!!
I totally want to have a christmas sweater party… how fun!
Have a great night,
Jess
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:14 am
LOVE the tealights, can’t wait til I move into my new pad and go on a decorating spree! Ugly Christmas sweater (we call ‘em jumpers in Aus) party sounds UN-REAL… may just steal your idea next year
ABB
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:19 am
LOL! My husband and I are having an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on the 18th also!! How fun!!!
Add your comment
Angela (Oh She Glows) Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:21 am
ahhh small world…send me pics!!!!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:33 am
Christmas sweater parties are the best! Except we call them “tacky christmas sweater” parties, which, IMHO, is more true to the essence. Don’t forget to play super awful, tacky christmas tunes like g-ma got run over by a reindeer, etc.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:54 am
Oh Man, I got a really ugly christmas sweater!! I got it from a thrift store for an ugly sweater part last christmas. Its like a hundred colours and has these little pompom balls on it and reindeer haha!
I love theme parties
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 am
I do have an ugly xmas sweater! It has detachable faux fur. I shall take a picture of it and send it to you!
If you ever want an epic ugly sweater, go to Walmart in the States. They are truly an art form down there.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:09 am
I am from Utah…the place where the ugly sweaters were invented lol!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:19 am
Ugly Christmas Sweater parties are quite possibly my favourite kind of party EVER!
I’m so excited to see pics from yours.
The tealight centrepiece looks fab too! Would you believe I’ve never (gasp) been to Costco!? Friends have been telling me about it for years, but I’ve always been slightly intimidated… lol.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:26 am
I’m having my first ugly sweater party Dec 19 after I move into my new apartment. Good luck with yours-I can’t wait to see photos!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:50 am
I love the pics from the ugly sweater party!! Those are so much fun. And its good to see the holiday cheer is spreading. I am so excited for Christmas time!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:12 am
Wish I had an ugly Christmas sweater (and a ticket to Cananda) just so I could come and see what other ugly sweaters show up haha. I live in a Muslim country so can you imagine what we have to call our Christmas Tree? A seasonal tree…meh. Enjoy!!!
PS I love the coloured spotlights. So fun
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:43 am
seriously, the ugly sweater party is the best idea ever. genius!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:49 am
I totally have an ugly christmas sweater. It involves sequins and beads, I’ll leave it at that.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:14 am
Oh my goodness, I LOVE Costco wrapping paper! Well, I love the Christmas section of Costco in general. Good thing I only have debit to spend there, or I would be in serious trouble!
Good for you for getting all your shopping done early, I am striving for that too, but so far I’m not doing so well – why is my family so hard to buy for!? 
Loving the ugly sweater party too! I can’t wait to see pictures from it.
-K
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:35 am
Wow, that is such a good idea with the wrapping paper!
I have never actually seen an ugly Christmas sweater in real life. I feel so deprived
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:35 am
THose sparkly candle holders are gorgeous! I want them for my house.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:50 am
I love the ugly sweater idea- dressing up for Christmas parties is stressful for so many people- but this is just plain fun! What kind of ugly snacks do you have planned? (Have trouble imagine you making any ugly food!!)
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:45 am
Tea lights are gorgeous! I love Costco easy one stop shop.
UGH bad college memories brought on by the idea of ugly sweater party. I prefer dress up since I rarely leave sweats so kinda fun to get dressed up every once in a while.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 am
Ugly sweater parties are the BEST! We did that in college
I do love me a pretty holiday party dress, however 
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:05 am
I’ve been to an ugly Christmas sweater party. It was super fun. I found my sweater at Kmart for $4.99! Great invite!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 am
Ha! I love the ugly sweater party idea! Hilarious!
I love Costco! Those center lights are gorgeous! I plan on hitting up a Costco in the Philadelphia after thanksgiving before coming back home. I actually think the closest Costco to me is in Toronto. Weird, right?
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 am
Nope, none for me, but that is probably due to the fact that I am Jewish. But I have seen some of my friends go out in some questionable Christmas attire. I look forward to scoping out the scene here on the base. I am one of only a handful of Jews here so I bet there are plenty of ugly sweaters to be seen out and about.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:31 am
Your centre piece is great! I hope to find something as pretty as that too. Great find
Love the ugly sweater party idea – I had never heard of it, but it sounds like a let of fun.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 am
What a great party idea!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 am
I went to my first “Ugly Christmas Sweater”
party last year and let me tell you–best. idea. ever. No one had to worry about what they looked like, as we all looked ridiculous. It was fun to see the guys normally worried about their labels walking in with antlers on their head and a sweater found from a 1970s Goodwill donation. Us girls went the extra mile with big jewelry–gaudy present earrings, jingle bell scrunchies, etc.
Good times! Bad sweaters, but good times!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
That wrapping paper is awesome! I wish we had a costco here
You and Eric are too cute. Love the Ugly sweater party idea.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 am
I used to live above a brewery that held an ugly sweater party. If I had known how “cool” I could be, I would have just saved some of the ones from my childhood… seriously! My grandma had a good eye for some serious eyesores
Those tea light holders are so gorgeous! Makes me wish I had a Costco membership.
Any chance you could show us the spotlights in a bigger shot? Do you just have different red ones that shine on parts of your yard/house?
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:07 am
I usually try to be done with my Christmas shopping no later than mid October. This year though that is not the case. I am way behind.
I have never been to a Ugly Christmas Sweater party, but I will definately remember it for next year. It sounds like fun.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:17 am
I’ve never been to an ugly sweater party!! But I definitely have heard (and seen pics) of some. Now I really want to go to one!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
Love the centerpiece! So sparkly.
My bff rocks an ugly sweater with her siblings ever year.
I think your party is going to be a blast
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:34 am
we’re totally going for the ugly Christmas sweater party this year!! The invite looks great–I might steal some of the wording
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:12 am
I hosted an ugly sweater party and it was SOOO fun! Also I want that tea light centerpiece….so pretty
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 am
Ugly sweater party sounds like SO SO SO much fun! I want to go, can you invite me? LOL haha Marc and I need to do that one year! ;o)
One of favorites ways to wrap a present is using comics newspaper, during the year I save the comic section from the newspaper and when its times to wrap gifts I use that. It is VERY eco-friendly, you save money, you save some trees and it looks so cute with all the comics. One thing that most people don’t know is that you CAN recycle wrapping paper, most people open the presents and throw the paper in the garbage. :O(
Another tip is to use those reusable grocery shopping bags, they come in all colors and shapes. Once the person opens their present, they can use those bags to go shopping. ;o) Whole foods has some really cute ones.
I love the first pic of you and Eric, you guys look SO cute.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:44 am
I absolutely love ugly christmas sweater parties!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:52 am
Oh, I really like that centerpiece. I didn’t see that at our Costco when I went the other night. Booooo Hissssss.
We put our Christmas lights out yesterday and did the exact same as you. 4 red flood lights on our house and white twinkle lights on the obelisks in my planters. I love the way it looks. Neat, uniform and classic Christmas colors
I’m not such a fan of lights strung on houses – I think mostly because people don’t do it with any thought or skill and they end up looking hideous and messy (yes I am a Type A personality). Don’t even get me started about the LED lights that are blue, red and orange and don’t look like Christmas lights AT ALL.
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
love your examples of ugly sweaters! haha personally, the cardigan…sans shirt…is my fave look. so hot. haha i can’t believe you’ve already got presents wrapped! ahh…i need to get my butt in gear!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
dang girl you are on the ball! the holiday ball.
and those are the ugliest sweaters ive ever seen…
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I love the idea of ugly Christmas sweater parties. Just absolutely fabulous
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Wow, kind of wishing I had a Costco card, that centerpiece is so beautiful. I really need to get on my Christmas decorations!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I don’t have a christmas sweater, but I did when I was younger. I love the picture of you and Eric-it’s so cute!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
We just had a thanksgiving sweater party! They are so fun!!! !
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
awww, i love those tea lights! all your decorations make me want to decorate my house now! as soon as american thanksgiving is over, im making it my # 1 priority :O)
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:16 pm
What neat wrapping paper! And that centerpiece is seriously GORGEOUS!
Haha, that’s such a cute idea with the Ugly Sweater party. It will be so much fun to see what everyone comes up with. I can’t say I have an ugly Christmas sweater myself, but I’m sure I could come up with something.
xxoo
Heather
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Double sided wrapping paper?! Brilliant! I think a trip to Costco is in my future…
Awesome job with the shopping. I haven’t started mine yet…:S
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Sounds fun! Cute pictures:)
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Angela – your Christmas decorations are gorgeous! We will have to set ours up soon!
Oh and congrats on your goal for Christmas shopping! I had the same intention last weekend but ended up coming home with 2 new dresses, a pair of shorts and a pair of shoes….for me…. oops
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I love that centerpiece!! I may have to check out my Costco and see if I can find one!! I did some minor decorating of my place this weekend – but it turns out I have no decorations of my own!!
I dont have any ugly Christmas sweaters, but my mom is a teacher and her collection is almost shameful. She claims she wears them for the kids, but Im pretty certain she secretly loves them!!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I love that tea light holder, but more importantly that second picture is of some of my friends at the University of Maryland in their ugly sweaters!!! What a small world it is!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I’ve never heard of an “Ugly Sweater Party”, but I am so loving the idea! Just curious, will the prizes for your party be sweaters that are not ugly?
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I wish it were cold here. I still have the AC on, which does not really put me in the holiday spirit. Hopefully, after thanksgiving it will be colder and then i can start decorating!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Great party idea!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I work at Costco and I always take advantage of our Christmas section. I bought the reversible double rolls of the paper, so I got 4 patterns! They are all matchy and really made me feel like my homegirl Marth Stewart. I posted pics of my paper too…Lemme find the post.
http://salt-sweat-sugar.blogspot.com/2009/11/picnic-new-moon-presents.html
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I love the “ugly Christmas sweater” party theme! I don’t own, nor do I ever think I have, an ugly Christmas sweater though. What fun!
Go you for getting all of your Christmas shopping finished up already! We haven’t even started since we don’t usually exchange our lists until US Thanksgiving, although since I got my Nikon D5000 for our anniversary (Nov. 17), Christmas, Valentine’s Day and just about every other holiday this year, I’m set! Okay, not really because now I need a camera bag, new lens, etc. but I digress – haha!
I’ll have to check out Costco for their Christmas decorations the next time we are there. Thanks for the tip!
Danielle
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:00 pm
You and your husband are ADORABLE! And I absolutely love the tealight centerpiece — makes me wish I had a Costco membership!
And I think I’ve tossed most of the ugly Christmas sweaters purchased during my childhood — sorry, Mom!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I love the pics of you and Eric – you are such a cute couple!
My hubby and I are going to an ugly sweater party in December! Can’t wait!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Super cute tea lights!! And the mistletoe kisses are great too. I think I’m going to have an ugly Christmas sweater/cookie decorating party!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I’m going to an ugly sweater, off the wall Christmas party next Friday at a friend’s house! Some people are wearing outfits, some are bringing really ugly or mismatched plates and jello molds. Ha ha.
I don’t have a sweater but I’m hoping to find a really cheesy hat or something from the dollar store to wear over there. Sounds like fun
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Ohhhhhhh I am definitely hitting Costco to get those tealights!!! Those need to be on my mantlepiece ASAP!!!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Sounds like a fun a party. I’ve been to one ugly dress party and it was so much fun!
Add your comment
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Hilarious- it looks like a Village People Christmas! Brilliant!
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Like the candle holder a lot – very pretty!
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 7:35 am
I love the double sided wrapping paper — is it sad that that is what I got excited about? haha.
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 9:54 am
tacky christmas sweater parties were so much fun in college but would be even more fun in the real world, like you are doing.
especially with the economy, i’m sure your friends will be grateful to purchase an inexpensive sweater instead of a cocktail dress.
good luck with all of your holiday baking orders. i’m sure you’ll be a busy bee!
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Hi Angela,
I was just wondering if you had a chance to read this NY Times article on how hard it is to truly be vegan in a society that revolves around meat and animal by products. It’s quite eye-opening and also a bit depressing…
The best (worst?) quote I found was this:
“To be a really strict vegan is to strive to avoid all animal products, and this includes materials like leather, silk and wool, as well as a panoply of cosmetics and medications. The more you dig, the more you learn about products you would never stop to think might contain or involve animal products in their production — like wine and beer (isinglass, a kind of gelatin derived from fish bladders, is often used to “fine,” or purify, these beverages), refined sugar (bone char is sometimes used to bleach it) or Band-Aids (animal products in the adhesive). Just last week I was told that those little comfort strips on most razor blades contain animal fat.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/opinion/22steiner.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1258999957-AA67fq2m3kDPcsdzPn5QOw
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Hi Angela!! I love love love that Costco wrapping paper! I bought a roll last year, and it doesn’t look like I used any there is so much of it! I also used it around my house this year to decorate, wrapping it around candle holders to change up the decor a little.
Also, I wanted to mention to you a new restaurant that opened up down the street from my work, it’s called Glow! It’s at Don Mills & Lawrence in the North York area. I just got a flyer in the mail at work, and the menu looks delicious. http://www.glowfreshgrill.com
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I do not have a heinous xmas sweater, but I always sort of secretly hoped someone would give me one to snicker at.
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Oh yeah I’ve been to an ugly sweater party, but the best part was me and my BF couldn’t find sweaters so we went with christmas themed turtle necks and vests, it was too funny. I think photos of us are long lost on an old computer or I’d send them to you.
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 11:07 am
LED Christmas Lights are extremely popular this year because they can save you upto 80% in energy bills compared to the incandescent lights
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Gorgeous tea light set! I’m also diggin’ the ugly sweaters! Last year, I met up with old colleagues at an upscale restaurant for a holiday get-together. We all wore ugly sweaters! It was a blast and alot of people sitting nearby made comments on how bold we were to wear this attire in public!
Add your comment
November 24th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Where did you buy that tealight holder??? It’s so beautiful!
Add your comment
November 28th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
[...] 22. I talk about our upcoming Ugly Christmas Sweater party [...]
November 30th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Find HIDEOUSLY ugly christmas sweaters at: http://www.MyUglyChristmasSweater.com ! All sizes; including festive skirts and ridiculous holiday dresses! they’re going fast! Express shipping available to U.S. and Canada. Check it out! If you miss out this year…buy early next year! Enjoy!
Add your comment
November 30th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I just both the tea light holder at Costco last nigth! I saw it, and was like, OMG…this is what I saw on OSG last week! Well, I they are not exactly the same. The shape of the glass is different and the holder is different. It also came with clear glass holders as well. I also picked up a pre-lit garland for our fireplace. We were in the Christmas spirit last night!
Add your comment
December 15th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Check out my ugly Christmas Sweater!
Add your comment
December 28th, 2009 at 4:52 am
I am so sad! We have the sparkling tea-light centerpiece from Costco as well and one of the gold ones just broke!
I’ve searched the whole house for the box to possibly google a replacement and can’t. Do you know if “Sparking Tea-Light Centerpiece” is the exact description on the box or what company made it? I am absolutely devistated! Best decoration ever! I know it will be impossible to find a replacement as they are apparently limted but perhaps eBay or some other auction/used item site might have it, I won’t feel better unless I at least try! :’(
Also, right now Costco has a tea-light wall sconce for 19.99 that is absolutely gorgeous and would be work much more anywhere else for the same thing!
I highly recommend Costco for Home Decor!!
Add your comment
Jae Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 4:53 am
oopsie, I meant to say “worth more” instead of “work more”
Add your comment