WRAPPING UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS
I am so thrilled to be able to write this blog today without my head feeling like it is going to pop off at any moment. This past weekend was miserable for me. I had grand ideas of what I wanted to get accomplished this weekend like wrapping the few presents that I have actually purchased. Instead, my little tree has one present under it and that is the one that Emersyn wrapped. 
My daughter is coming in this week from Alaska and I am thrilled. Last year she didn’t get to come because she had started a new job so this year is really special. She asked me last night if I had all of my Christmas decorations done. ? WHAT! She doesn’t even like decorations so why did she even care? Apparently, she wants the “effort” to be made. Lol! Does one present under the tree count? Lol! Here is the next dilemma that she is going to give me, she is now Vegan. What do you fix for Christmas dinner that is vegan? This is going to be a challenge for me so if anyone of you is vegan and has any recipes that are good, please share them with me. Joe was wanting me to go on a diet (here) so let’s see how well he likes this one. Lol! 
On yesterday’s blog post I wore a scarf that was very similar to this one. Today’s look is different though because this is not a “scarf” but a shawl or a wrap instead. This was a Christmas present from my sister-in-law way back in 2014. This was one of the first things I wore when I started the blog back in October of 2015 (here) and since I belted it back then I decided to wear it differently today. This type of wrap can be so classy and dressy when you wear it with a dress. Imagine this with a black dress and some really cute high heel ankle boots. Dang! Why didn’t I wear it that way?
I don’t wear the Lilliana earring very often but I do like the little gold squares. These little gold squares have a 2″ dangle. I also have the Rhiannon necklace on today. I thought the leather straps matched the blanket wrap really well and I love the little gold discs. Since I was in a gold mood today, I decided to add the Celine bracelet and a Kate Spade bangle. I also have on a host of bracelets from Alex and Ani. I wear these every day for various reasons. Some are for the meanings or sayings that come with each bracelet and some are because they are from Rodan + Fields. I have a couple new ones that I am super excited about, my Level IV bracelet which just came and my Level V bracelet which should be here in the next week or so. 
I am not a fan of the pants so I am going to talk about the shoes instead. They are by Marc Fisher and I really like this pair of ankle boots. I have a different pair of black ankle boots but the toe on the other pair is too pointed. This pair is pointed but it is rounded at the same time. Does that even make sense?
I added a lot of light to this photo so that you could see the cowl neck of this sweater. This can be worn like this or as an off the shoulder style. Since it is winter I went with the cowl neck look. The name brand of this sweater is Cupio. This is several years old and I can’t even remember where I bought this from. I love a huge cowl neck though, they are so cozy and comfortable.
On Saturday’s post, I decided to share with everyone reason number 1 that I think you should join me in my Rodan + Fields business and then yesterday I shared reason number 2. Today I am sharing my next reason:
Reason Number 3 – All you need is a cell phone or a computer to work this business. You can work from anywhere at anytime. A friend of mine who lives in Canada is in Arizona for a few days. Her work in Canada is on hold but she is working her R+F business daily. While I visited my daughter in Alaska I was earning money with my R+F business. If you are retired or are thinking about retiring soon, this is the perfect business to think about. Everything is done online, no inventory – no deliveries – no collecting money!!! Let’s talk! Email me if you would like to learn more.
This is also something I WANT and NEED: I have added a subscription button to the blog, right under the recent posts tab. I would appreciate it if you would take the time to sign up. You will then be notified by email when a new post is made.
Please be aware that links to vendors may be affiliate links. I do profit from your purchases through the links on the blog.
Vegan Quesadillas – Heated wrap with layer of black beans, vegan shredded cheese (Daiya), guacamole and salsa and folded over.
Soba noodles with sauteed vegan chicken strips topped with stir fry sauce. Basmati rice topped with packaged Channa Masala. Pasta with marinara sauce.
A few websites to checkout..The Gentle Chef (awesome “cheese” potato recipe): minimalist baker (lots of yummy recipes ): chloe coscarelli ( mac and “cheese”): vegan zombie YouTube (southern fried tempeh with mashed potatoes and gravy).
I have been vegan for five years and the key to losing weight is to follow a low fat, plant based diet. I suggest Forks over Knives cookbooks, and If you haven’t seen the documentary of the same name it is worth viewing. It explains how a healthy vegan diet is beneficial.
Your blog is wonderful and your spirit is beautiful.
BTW I have this wrap too!
I have a couple of the Forks over Knives cookbooks. I have watched the video and even went to see Dr. Esselstyn’s daughter speak.
Thank you so much for inspiring yesterdays work outfit
I wore tan pants w a cranberry sweater and leopard shoes and scarf. Got to work and found out its a jeans weeks. Dang ! Good luck cooking for your daughter. I know that my neighbor has tofurkey Tofu turkey for thanksgiving not sure what they do for christmas. Im sure Joe and your son would love that lol
I bet you looked really nice though, Nicole. It sounds great! I am pretty sure Joe would not go for Tofu turkey, lol!!!
I thought about you today as I bought a banana republic sweater and jag jeans for TEN DOLLARS! (at the thrift store). I thought: “Tania would be so proud of me!” LOL! Both pieces were in perfect shape and fit great. I get such inspiration from your blog, thank you!
You are so right, Kathe. I am very proud of you. Why pay more than you have to. I am so glad that you follow the blog.
Hi Tania!!
Happy Holidays from Alaska! Like your daughter my kids live in Juneau and me and my hubby (with our fur babies) live in the Mat-Su valley outside of Anchorage. As usual I’m finding much inspiration from your blog, LOVE it! I thought I’d share my DIL’s vegan living blog with you. Her recipes are delicious I’ve tried many of them. Hopefully you can find some insiration in turn!
Here’s the link:
http://www.theveggiegal.com/blog/vegan-holiday-recipes/
Cheers,
Melissa
Yay! Thanks so much Melissa. How old are your kids? I wonder if our kids have ran into each other since Juneau is not that big a place.
Oh gosh I wonder, Juneau is small world isn’t it! My daughter Danielle is 33 and her hubby Jeff are busy with my grandchildren and are involved in many community activities. My son David is 27 and his wife Alexis are busy with their new baby (grandchild #13!!!) it’s likely your daughter may have crossed paths with my younger kids.
Hi Tania,
My daughter in law went vegan a few years ago for the same reason as your daughter and found that it made a huge difference in her well being. Luckily for me, she always is happy to help out in the kitchen when they visit. I did make a stuffing ( or dressing as you southerners call it! ) using olive oil instead of butter and vegetable broth then all the usual suspects and no meat. It was very good and we all enjoyed it.
Many blessings to you and your family this Christmas season!
Nancy, I am hopeful that this will help her. She made some dishes for Thanksgiving that she says were really good. She likes to cook anyway so I am sure that she will do the majority of the cooking.
Here I see a link to a yummy chocolate cake that’s is vegan and every chocolate fan will love. I am making it for dinner with vegan neighbors this week and probably again for Christmas. Enjoy!
https://smittenkitchen.com/2017/10/chocolate-olive-oil-cake-more-book-tour/
Thanks, Sissy. I have started me a folder for all of the recipes.
I love your wrap. I have started sewing them under the arm to make a sleeve that keeps the shawl on so I’m not constantly fussing with it. It really makes a difference to the comfort of wearing. You can also make a button/button hole so you can undo it if you want to keep the shawl concept and have an arm at another time!
Roxanne, that sounds like it would work great. I know what you mean about them falling off your shoulders and being a pain. Thanks for the tip.
I say you invite her into the kitchen and say, “show me how to make some of those vegan recipes of yours.” Or “ you whip us up some of your favorite vegan recipes,darling, while I work on the usual. It will be so good to work side by side this holiday.” ??I feel you, believe me. I have been fixing only vegetarian since my daughter decided she was going to become vegetarian a little over a year ago. I go out to eat when I feel a strong desire for a good steak or burger otherwise I am eating vegetarian as well. I told her if she goes vegan, though, she will have to get her little self into the kitchen and start fixing some of her own food. There are certainly many good vegan recipes on Pinterest and I am sure that I will enjoy many of them but my little sweetheart needs to do some of the extra work and purchase some of the expensive and specialized foods she wants to eat and help with the meal planning,??best of luck!
I plan on letting her do the cooking. Lol! I am not a huge fan of steak or even meat really so this won’t bother me. My problem is the eggs, milk, and cheese items. That is when it gets challenging.